cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strain improvement of Aspergillus niger for phytase production

A strain improvement program was developed to increase extracellular phytase (E.C. 3.1.3.8.) production by Aspergillus niger (syn. A. ficuum) NRRL 3135. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation was used as the mutagen and resistance to 50 μg/ml of hygromycin B as the selection method. Mutant 2DE, the product of two UV treatments, had phytase (PhytA) activity at pH 5.0 in the extracellular filtrate that was 3.3-fold higher than the wild-type activity. The activity of the non-specific acid phosphatase with a pH optimum of 6.0 (Pase) was one-fifth the activity of the wild type and the non-specific acid phosphatase with a pH optimum of 2.5 (PhytB) was not significantly different from the wild type. The mutant and wild-type PhytA, PhytB and Pase responsed similarly in inhibition studies. However, the wild-type enzymes were inhibited more by 1 mm sodium fluoride and 1 mm phosphomycin. PhytA production by the mutant was repressed 60% by inorganic phosphate concentrations of 0.006% (wt/vol) or above. The mutant had an extracellular protein concentration 3.2-fold higher than the wild type, which correlated with its higher phytase activity at pH 5.0, but not with phytase activity at pH 2.5 and acid phosphatase activities. The isolate may be a phytase catalytic mutant, as well as, on overproducer of phytase. In addition, a mutant with an apparent lack of activity of all three acid phosphatases was isolated.
A model of translational control involving mRNA-associated proteins in chick embryonic muscles.

Highly purified poly(A)-containing free and polysomal mRNP particles have been isolated by chromatography of subcellular fractions of chick embryonic muscles on oligo-dT-cellulose and elution with low salt buffer at 45°. The free and polysomal mRNP represent two distinct classes of macromolecules, the free particles having a more complex nucleoprotein organization than the polysomal particles. Comparison of the protein moieties of three classes of poly(A)-containing cytoplasmic mRNP — those released from nuclei afterin vitro transcription and processing (transported mRNP), the free, and polysomal mRNP — strongly suggests that the majority of the mRNA-associated proteins are exchanged in the cytoplasm during the various functional states of mRNA. A model of translational control involving the participation of mRNA-associated proteins in chick embryonic muscles and by analogy in other differentiated eukaryotic cells is proposed.
Carbon and sulfur in the Swaziland sequence

Abstract Sedimentary and igneous rocks of the Swaziland Sequence of South Africa (>3,200 my. old) contain total carbon (0.09–8.28%), organic carbon (0.04–1.95%) and sulfur (9–53,000 ppm). Amounts of organic carbon are generally high in the lower part of the Sequence (based on two samples from the Theespruit Formation). Sulfur content varies widely with no obvious correlations or trends. These rocks may contain clues to the early carbon and sulfur cycles on earth.
Can reinforcement induce children to falsely incriminate themselves

This study examined whether reinforcement can induce children to falsely incriminate themselves. Ninety-nine children in kindergarten through third grade were questioned regarding the staged theft of a toy. Half received reinforcement for self-incriminating responses. Within 4 min reinforced children made 52% false admissions of guilty knowledge concerning the theft, and 30% false admissions of having witnessed it. Corresponding figures for controls were 36 and 10%. Twelve percent of children admitted to participating in the theft, but the effect of reinforcement was only marginally significant. The findings indicate that reinforcement can induce children to falsely implicate themselves in wrongdoing.
Practical multiprocessor and realtime programming in the fifth programming environment

Abstract Modern embedded microprocessor systems often contain several processors of different hardware types. A PC-based interactive programming tool is discussed that supports realtime programming for such multiprocessor systems. The Fifth compiler contains multiple code generators among which selection can be made inside a single program. The different processors inside the target system may communicate by means of mutual function calls. The interactive cross compilation employed within the Fifth system eliminates the need for hardware emulators and makes it a functional alternative to the universal development system even for single processor targets. As an example, the application of Fifth to programming a small Transputer network connected to a pair of standard microprocessors is considered.
Structure‐property relationships in polymer blend nanocomposites

Nanocomposites comprising nanoscale platelets derived from layered silicates treated with an organic modifier in thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) and PP/EPDM blends were prepared by direct melt intercalation. The interlayer spacing and dispersion of the nanoclay are greatly affected by polar forces between the nanoclay and the polymeric matrix material. The mechanical properties strongly depend on the structure and morphology of the nanocomposites, which can be modified by phase partitioning of the reinforcements. Morphology characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides the basis for understanding the observed structure-property relationships in this class of materials. With the increase of organoclay loading, the tensile modulus of TPV/clay nanocomposites increases by up to 170% at 8 wt% organoclay loading, while tensile strength gradually decreases with increase of organoclay loading. In the physical blend systems, the tensile modulus increases for all PP/EPDM blend compositions and generally shows higher values in the case of selectively reinforced phases in blends having a continuous PP matrix. The tensile strength of those blends decreases at higher nanoclay content no matter how blending is performed. However, the tensile strength may increase when sufficient selectively reinforced EPDM phase is present.
Transformation of Gaeumannomyces graminis to benomyl resistance

Gaeumannomyces graminis var.graminis andtritici were transformed to benomyl resistance using pBT3, a plasmid encoding fungicide-resistant β-tubulin. Either circular or linear plasmid DNA producedG. graminis var.graminis transformants in which plasmid DNA was integrated into the fungal genome. There was no evidence for autonomous plasmid replication in any of the transformants examined. 4/11 linear DNA transformants had a single plasmid copy, whereas 8/9 circular DNA transformants had multiple copies of the plasmid. Integration of transforming DNA occurred by nonhomologous recombination in all (20/20) of these transformants.
Improving Deriche-style Recursive Gaussian Filters

Gaussian smoothing filters and Gaussian derivative filters can be estimated by recursive IIR filters, as shown by Deriche [3, 4]. The design of those filters does, however, not enforce the important property that derivative filters should have an exactly zero DC-response. This article extends the theory in [4] to take this constraint into account without loss of performance and also gives new compact closed form expressions for the normalization factors required for proper scaling of the filter responses.
Fatal neonatal hepatic steatosis: A new familial disorder

Three infants from one family died from a fatty liver disease marked by a severe hemorrhagic disorder. Known etiologies for hepatic steatosis were not found. Although a toxin or virus cannot be excluded, the familial pattern indicates that this is a new inborn error of metabolism.
Rapid analysis of solvent effects on enamine formation by fluorescence: how might enzymes facilitate enamine chemistry with primary amines?

In order to determine factors that facilitate the use of primary amines in biological chemistry, solvent effects on enamine formation with glycine were studied. Solvent effects were rapidly analyzed by monitoring the increase in fluorescence resulting from the reaction between a fluorogenic maleimide and in situ-generated enamine of acetone. These studies suggest that in addition to a simple hydrophobic microenvironment, a microenvironment that also affords for hydrogen bond formation facilitates enamine-based reactions involving primary amines.
Intraaortic balloon pumping and emergency coronary arterial revascularization for acute myocardial infarction with impending extension.

Seven patients had recurrent pain of myocardial ischemia and impending extension in the recovery phase of acute myocardial infarction. Six had institution of intraaortic balloon pump assistance (IABPA) with subsequent coronary arteriography, and all underwent revascularization. Two patients were in cardiogenic shock (CS), 3 had varying degrees of impairment in left ventricular function, and the remaining 2 were hemodynamically stable. The IABPA interrupted ischemic pain in all patients. Pain recurred in 4 with temporary interruption of IABPA. From one to three vein bypass grafts were constructed in each patient, and in 1 patient, infarctectomy also was carried out. Six of 7 patients recovered and are well. Temporary circulatory assistance with IABP, urgent coronary arteriography, and revascularization was shown to be effective therapy for postinfarction patients with impending extension.
Elastic Scattering of 78-Mev Pions from Copper

The angular distributions of 78\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5 Mev ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$ mesons scattered elastically from copper have been measured. The experimental results are compared with the distributions found from a range of exact optical model phase shift calculations using a complex attractive square well potential for $rl{R}_{0}$ (where ${R}_{0}=1.4{A}^{\frac{1}{3}}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm) and the Coulomb potential for $rg{R}_{0}$. The effect of adding to the potential a term depending upon the gradient of the nuclear density, and thereby introducing a discontinuity in the matching of logarithmic derivatives at $r={R}_{0}$, is also explored. The optical model as well as several modified Born approximation calculations show reasonable agreement with the experimental curve in the forward direction and in the region of the first diffraction maximum. At backward angles the calculated curves show pronounced maxima and minima which do not appear experimentally, perhaps because incoherent transitions at these angles mask the true coherent distribution in the experimental measurement.
The shared leadership of teams: A meta-analysis of proximal, distal, and moderating relationships

Abstract The current meta-analysis examines the relationship between shared leadership and team performance. It also assesses the role of team confidence (i.e., collective efficacy and team potency) in this relationship. Mediation analyses supported the hypothesis that team confidence partially mediates the effects of shared leadership on team performance. We also found support for the notion that shared leadership explains unique variance in team performance, over and above that of vertical leadership. Furthermore, a variety of substantive continuous and categorical variables were investigated as moderators of the shared leadership–team performance relationship. Specifically, the relationship between shared leadership and team performance was moderated by task interdependence, team tenure, and whether performance was objectively versus subjectively measured. Finally, results suggest that the approach used when measuring shared leadership can also play a role in the observed validity. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
IMRT for head and neck cancer: Cost implications.

Abstract Objectives Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a dose-delivery technology allowing for a reduction in radiotherapy side effects. It has been rapidly adopted despite the lack of prospective studies showing improved outcomes. We sought to compare the cost through Medicare reimbursement patterns of surgery, IMRT, and conventional XRT in treating head and neck cancer. We then identified factors that correlate with these differences. Methods Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare linked data were examined to determine treatment patterns for 47,237 patients with head and neck carcinoma from 2000 to 2007. We identified 14,748 patients that met our inclusion criteria. We then compared cost related to head and neck cancer treatments on the basis of Medicare payments. Results From 2000 to 2007, the usage of IMRT increased from 1.5% to 48.6% while the usage of conventional XRT decreased from 98.5% to 51.4% (p Conclusions IMRT has become widely adopted as a primary treatment modality in head and neck cancer. We demonstrated that IMRT is significantly more costly than traditional treatment for head and neck cancers. Prospective studies investigating the comparative efficacy of IMRT will be needed in order to determine if this increased cost correlates with patient outcomes. Level of Evidence: 2b
P-A-I-N: a four-cluster MMPI typology for chronic pain.

Abstract A 4-cluster empirically derived MMPI typology for chronic pain sufferers has been demonstrated by combining the results of 10 investigative teams. These MMPI ‘types’ have been labeled P-A-I-N and appear to have important clinical and demographic correlates. Type P is the most ‘psychopathological’ looking as nearly all scales are usually elevated. Type P patients are extreme in their claims of physical illness, psychological distress and social maladaptation. Demographic correlates include poor education, high rates of unemployment, and limited household income. Type A is defined by a ‘conversion V’ on the ‘neurotic’ triad scales. It has no unique correlates. Type I has elevations on all of the neurotic triad scales and on no others. Type I patients appear to be the most physically infirm with multiple surgeries and hospitalizations. They may not improve physical status with treatment, but appear to benefit psychologically. Type N profiles are ‘normal’ in that no scale, except perhaps scale K, is often elevated. Type N patients are moderate in their claims of ill health, often are better educated and employed, and appear to respond well to treatment. Classification rules have been proposed to allow patient-typing without a computer. Use of these rules should allow programmatic research into treatment/ type interactions even in the ordinary clinical setting. The typology appears well enough established to allow for prospective studies to test theoretical hypotheses drawn from the literature base.
Impact of Three State Practices on Effectiveness of Hot-Mix Asphalt Overlay

The effectiveness of pavement treatments is a function of several factors, including material quality, design, distribution of pavement condition states (conditions and rates of deterioration) before treatment, and construction quality. Because of these factors, state highway agencies have established estimates of treatment service lives with significantly wide ranges. These wide ranges make the calculation of treatment benefits or effectiveness a difficult task unless the role of each factor that affects service life is well understood. This study analyzed the impacts of the state of the practice of Colorado, Louisiana, and Washington on the effectiveness of thin (< 2.5 in.) hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlay treatment. This paper reports that analysis of time-series pavement condition and distress data of previously treated pavement sections can be tabulated in a matrix format to demonstrate a snapshot examination of past practice. Such matrices are called treatment transition matrices (T2Ms). The data in th...
Implementation of dynamic channel switching on IEEE 802.11-based wireless mesh networks

Interference makes it difficult for a wireless network to provide robust performance and could sometimes lead to transient failures. Dynamic channel switching (DCS) allows a wireless network interface (NIC) to operate in different frequency channels during different time periods without disrupting network connections that traverse the NIC. DCS enables a wireless mesh network to avoid frequency channels with serious interference in certain parts of its coverage area by switching to more idle channels. Although DCS provides additional radio agility, it significantly increases the complexity of the wireless mesh network's routing protocol. This paper describes the design, implementation and evaluation of a wireless mesh network system called Carlsbad, which supports both DCS and load-balancing/fault-tolerant routing, and successfully runs on low-cost commodity IEEE 802.11-based access points. Performance experiments on the first Carlsbad prototype show that despite the additional overhead it introduces, DCS can indeed improve the overall throughput of an IEEE 802.11-based wireless mesh network, sometimes by a factor of more than 2, for both TCP and UDP connections.
Associations between homeless women's intimate relationships and their health and well-being.

The purpose of this study was to describe the associations between intimate relationships, characterized in terms of presence or absence of conflictive interaction with the partner, and the health and well-being of homeless women. A sample of 558 homeless women were administered structured interviews by trained nurses or outreach workers of the participants' ethnicity. Women answered questions about their general physical health, health-threatening behaviors (i.e., risky drug and sexual behaviors), health-promoting behaviors (i.e., TB and Pap testing), psychological well-being and symptomatology, self-esteem, coping, and life satisfaction. Women in nonconflictive relationships reported significantly greater psychological well-being, self-esteem, and life satisfaction and less hostility and noninjection drug use than women with conflictive relationships or those without an intimate partner. Women with conflictive relationships were significantly more anxious and depressed than those with nonconflictive relationships. Results suggest that, when possible, it is advisable to involve the intimate partner in programs to facilitate the emotional well-being of homeless women.
A prospective study of the utility of abdominal X-ray post capsule endoscopy (CE) for the diagnosis of non-natural excretion (NNE)

A prospective study of the utility of abdominal X-ray post capsule endoscopy (CE) for the diagnosis of non-natural excretion (NNE)
Comparison of synchronization of ovulation with timed insemination and exogenous progesterone as therapeutic strategies for ovarian cysts in lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the Ovsynch and controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR) protocols under commercial conditions for the treatment of cystic ovarian disease in dairy cattle. A total of 401 lactating dairy cows with ovarian cysts were alternatively allocated to two treatment groups on the day of diagnosis. Cows in the Ovsynch group were treated with GnRH on Day 0, PGF2a on Day 7, GnRH on Day 9, with timed insemination 16– 20 h later. Cows in the CIDR group were treated with a CIDR insert on Day 0 for 7 days; on Day 7, the CIDR was removed, and cows were treated with PGF2a. All cows in the CIDR group were observed for estrus and cows exhibiting estrus within 7 days following removal of the CIDR and PGF2a administration were inseminated. The outcomes of interest for this experiment were the likelihood to be inseminated, return to cyclicity (determined by a CL on Day 21), conception and pregnancy rates. Data for these variables were analyzed using logistic regression. The percentage of cows inseminated in the Ovsynch and CIDR groups were 82 and 44%, respectively. Cows in the Ovsynch group were 5.8 times more likely to be inseminated than cows in the CIDR group. Cows with a low BCS were 0.48 times less likely to be inseminated than cows with a high BCS. The percentage of cows with a CL
Optimal coding and decoding for transmission of an arbitrary signal through the white Gaussian channel with noiseless feedback

The optimum coding function for the transmission of a non-Gaussian process through the white Gaussian channel with noiseless feedback is shown to have an identical structure to that of the optimum coding for Gaussian processes. The optimum decoding function is given in terms of a finite dimensional, recursive filter.
Learner experiences in online courses: towards a model for learning to learn online

This qualitative case study explored learner experiences in online courses. A short description of the model developed from the data analysis that shows the online learning experiences of the participants is presented. The purpose of the qualitative study presented was to describe the learning experiences of students enrolled in two online graduate-level library media courses: Reference Materials (offered Fall 1999), and Administration (offered Winter 2000). The Reference Materials course was conducted fully online using the TopClass courseware system. The Administration course met face-to-face each week and was supplemented by a TopClass bulletin board discussion list.
A different approach to morphological diversity and surface nucleation in linear polyethylene

Abstract The classical Kossel–Stranski crystal model is adapted to a critical re-examination of surface nucleation in polyethylene. Several aspects of the diverse morphologies displayed by this polymer are well accounted for. The suggestion is made that curved {200} faces in lenticular crystals arise as a consequence of normal growth rather than nucleated growth on these faces. Processes generally involved in surface nucleation and subsequent layer spreading are discussed with emphasis upon entropic considerations. This leads to the view that, although nucleation kinetics are followed, molecular conformations can become more tightly clumped than is commonly thought to follow inevitably from layer spreading.
Interconversion of boranes—I A kinetic study of the conversion of tetraborane-10 to pentaborane-11

Kinetic studies of conversion of B4H10 to B5H11 are reported. The rate equation Rate = 6·5 × 1013 exp (−24300RT)(B4H10) is interpreted in terms of the two step reaction B4H10 → B4H8 + H2B4H8 + B2H6 → B5H11 + BH3 wherein the first step is rate limiting. Application of semitopological equations (modified to treat vacant orbital structures) leads to two satisfactory structures for B4H8.
Rapidly tunable optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) using a static-strain-induced grating in LiNbO/sub 3/

A rapidly tunable, polarization-independent, low-loss optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) for the 1550-nm wavelength regime is reported. The four-port device consists of two input waveguides, a polarization beam splitter (PBS), two polarization conversion/electrooptic tuning waveguide sections, a second PBS and two output waveguides. The waveguides, which are single mode for both TE and TM polarizations, are fabricated on a LiNbO/sub 3/ substrate by Ti diffusion. Spectral selection is based on phase-matched polarization conversion due to shear strain induced by a dielectric grating overlay film. An applied voltage tunes the device by changing the waveguide birefringence and hence the optical wavelength at which most efficient polarization conversion occurs. Tuning of 0.1 nm/V with a maximum range of 24 nm has been obtained. A tuning speed of 50 ns, corresponding to a rate of 0.128 nm/ns, has been achieved. Channel isolation is better than 24 dB. Fiber-to-fiber insertion loss <5.4 dB has been obtained and polarization independent loss (PDL) of 0.24 dB for both drop and through ports have been realized over the tuning range. Thermal tuning has also been demonstrated.
Improving FSM evolution with progressive fitness functions

This paper presents a method to reduce the total number of generations needed to evolve a nite state machine using genetic inferencing. Genetic inferencing is an evolution method that creates designs from their input-output relationship. We reduce the time required to evolve a design by only evolving a small partition of the input-output relationship. We construct the complete design by repeatedly evolving different input-output relationship partitions. Genetically inferring a design with our method can reduce evolution time by more than 80%.
Shaping the Agenda of Local Daily Newspapers: A Methodology Merging the Agenda Setting and Community Structure Perspectives

Community structure research investigates the influence of the local community and specific demographic groups in the community on the degree of emphasis that particular public issues receive in a local newspaper. In contrast to this internal source of influence, intermedia agenda setting emphasizes the external influence of other news media and the national journalistic culture on the news decisions of local daily newspapers. To invoke a cliche, the agenda-setting and community structure perspectives are opposite sides of the same coin and should be considered in tandem. The research design and procedure for statistical analysis presented here, which involves the simultaneous investigation of the influence resulting from community structure and intermedia agenda setting, is a path for new research that can present a detailed explication of the balance between local and national influence on the issue agenda of local daily newspapers.
Phase II Study of Sunitinib in Patients With Primary or Post–Polycythemia Vera/Essential Thrombocythemia Myelofibrosis

Abstract Background Changes in the bone marrow microenvironment in myelofibrosis are triggered by a cytokine burst and consist of fibrosis, osteosclerosis, and angiogenesis. Sunitinib is a multitargeted small-molecule inhibitor of the receptor tyrosine kinases involved in cell proliferation and angiogenesis, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors. Patients and Methods Fourteen patients with myelofibrosis were treated with sunitinib at a daily continuous dose of 37.5 mg orally. The median duration of sunitinib treatment was 5.2 months (range, 1-18 months). Results One patient (7%) showed a clinical improvement of anemia (increase in hemoglobin of 4 g/dL), with improvement in anemia-associated symptoms. The time to response was 6 months, and the benefit was sustained for 12 months. However, 8 patients (57%) experienced a total of 13 incidents of significant (grade 3-4) adverse events possibly related to sunitinib (fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were the most common). In 7 patients (50%), sunitinib was held, and subsequently the dose was reduced to 25 mg daily. Overall, 29% of patients withdrew from the study because of toxicity. Conclusion Sunitinib therapy, as applied here, was not well-tolerated by patients with myelofibrosis, and the benefits were minimal. Our experience with sunitinib combined with previous experience with other antiangiogenic medications suggest that this class of drugs may have limited usefulness in myelofibrosis when used as a single-agent therapy.
Integrating renewable energy contracts and wholesale dynamic pricing to serve aggregate flexible loads

In this paper we describe the use of wholesale dynamic pricing for coordinating the demand schedule of a load aggregator which is responsible for matching the consumption of a large population of flexible loads, like EV batteries, with renewable energy resources. We formulate a stochastic optimal control problem that describes the decision problem faced by the aggregator, and we use a dynamic programming algorithm to solve the problem. We control the computational complexity of the algorithm by modeling correlated uncertain variables with a recombinant lattice. We then compare the relative performance of the optimal policy to alternative charging policies, and investigate the sensitivity of our results with respect to the cost of unserved energy and the degree to which the aggregator can respond to dynamic pricing.
Efficacy of ethanol locks in reducing central venous catheter infections in pediatric patients with intestinal failure.

Purpose We sought to determine whether a regimen of 70% ethanol locks could reduce the rate of central venous catheter (CVC) infections in parenteral nutrition-dependent children with intestinal failure.
Type-Common CP-1 Antigen of Herpes Simplex Virus Is Associated with a 59,000-Molecular-Weight Envelope Glycoprotein

The CP-1 antigen of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a glycoprotein found in the soluble portion of infected cells, in detergent extracts of infected cell membranes, and in the envelope of purified virus. Antisera were prepared against a further purified form of CP-1 prepared from HSV soluble antigen mix; a glycoprotein, gp52, isolated from detergent-treated infected cells; and detergent extracts of purified virus. Each of the antisera reacted with CP-1 to give a single immunoprecipitin band of identity, and each antiserum neutralized the infectivity of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Our results suggested that the type-common determinants involved in the stimulation of neutralizing antibody resided on a 52,000-molecular-weight (52K) glycoprotein. The envelope of HSV contains several glycoproteins: one component at 59K and a complex of two or three components at 130K, none of which corresponds in molecular weight to gp52. Using the antisera as immunological probes, we performed pulse-chase experiments with [(35)S]methionine-labeled HSV-1-infected cells and followed the disposition of the glycoproteins during the infectious cycle. Each antiserum immunoprecipitated a (35)S-labeled 52K protein from lysates of cells pulse-labeled at 5 h after infection. By 10 h, the label was chased into a 59K protein also precipitable by each of the three antisera. The results suggest that gp52 is a precursor of gp59 and that the latter corresponds in molecular weight to one of the major glycoproteins of the virion envelope.
ANONYMOUS VEHICLE TRACKING FOR REAL-TIME TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE AND PERFORMANCE ON SIGNALIZED ARTERIALS

One of the fundamental requirements for facilitating implementation of any advanced transportation management and information system (ATMIS) is the development of a real-time traffic surveillance system able to produce reliable and accurate traffic performance measures. This study presents a new framework for anonymous vehicle tracking capable of tracing individual vehicles by the vehicle features. The core part of the proposed vehicle tracking method is a vehicle reidentification algorithm for signalized intersections based on inductive vehicle signatures. The new vehicle reidentification system consists of two major components: search space reduction and probabilistic pattern recognition. Not only real-time intersection performance but also intersection origin-destination information can be obtained as the algorithm's basic output. A systematic simulation investigation was conducted of the performance and feasibility of anonymous vehicle tracking on signalized arterials using the Paramics simulation mod...
A novel CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α germline variant in a case of acute myeloid leukemia

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (CEBPA) is a transcription factor with a pivotal role in control of proliferation and diff erentiation of myeloid progenitors. Th e CEBPA protein consists of two N-terminal transcription domains (TAD1 and TAD2), a basic region able to interact with specifi c DNA sequences, and a C-terminal leucine zipper (bZIP) domain necessary for dimerization. Mutations in the CEBPA gene can occur across the entire gene, but occur most commonly in the N-terminal and C-terminal regions. N-terminal frameshift mutations truncate the wild-type protein and result in translation of a 30 kDa protein initiated at an internal ATG start site that lacks TAD1 and has a dominant negative eff ect. C-terminal mutations are generally in-frame insertions or deletions that result in disrupted DNA binding or dimerization [1 – 4]. Mutations in the CEBPA gene are detectable in 5 – 10% of cases of sporadic acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Th e majority of these patients have a double mutation, with mutations in both the N-terminus and C-terminus, while the remainder of the patients have only a single mutation. Th e favorable prognosis initially associated with CEBPA mutations in sporadic AML appears to be limited to patients with double mutations [1 – 4].
Loading mechanics of the femur in tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) during terrestrial locomotion.

SUMMARY Salamanders are often used as representatives of the basal tetrapod body plan in functional studies, but little is known about the loads experienced by their limb bones during locomotion. Although salamanders9 slow walking speeds might lead to low locomotor forces and limb bone stresses similar to those of non-avian reptiles, their highly sprawled posture combined with relatively small limb bones could produce elevated limb bone stresses closer to those of avian and mammalian species. This study evaluates the loads on the femur of the tiger salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum ) during terrestrial locomotion using three-dimensional measurements of the ground reaction force (GRF) and hindlimb kinematics, as well as anatomical measurements of the femur and hindlimb muscles. At peak stress (29.8±2.0% stance), the net GRF magnitude averaged 0.42 body weights and was directed nearly vertically for the middle 20–40% of the contact interval, essentially perpendicular to the femur. Although torsional shear stresses were significant (4.1±0.3 MPa), bending stresses experienced by the femur were low compared with other vertebrate lineages (tensile: 14.9±0.8 MPa; compressive: –18.9±1.0 MPa), and mechanical property tests indicated yield strengths that were fairly standard for tetrapods (157.1±3.7 MPa). Femoral bending safety factors (10.5) were considerably higher than values typical for birds and mammals, and closer to the elevated values calculated for reptilian species. These results suggest that high limb bone safety factors may have an ancient evolutionary history, though the underlying cause of high safety factors (e.g. low limb bone loads, high bone strength or a combination of the two) may vary among lineages.
Rationality and Emotionality: Serotonin Transporter Genotype Influences Reasoning Bias

Reasoning often occurs under emotionally charged, opinion-laden circumstances. The belief-bias effect indexes the extent to which reasoning is based upon beliefs rather than logical structure. We examined whether emotional content increases this effect, particularly for adults genetically predisposed to be more emotionally reactive. SS/SLG carriers of the serotonin transporter genotype (5-HTTLPR) were less accurate selectively for evaluating emotional relational reasoning problems with belief-logic conflict relative to LALA carriers. Trait anxiety was positively associated with emotional belief-bias, and the 5-HTTLPR genotype significantly accounted for the variance in this association. Thus, deductive reasoning, a higher cognitive ability, is sensitive to differences in emotionality rooted in serotonin neurotransmitter function.
Antenatal glucocorticoids alter premature newborn lamb neuroendocrine and endocrine responses to hypoxia

Glucocorticoids are administered for preterm labor to improve postnatal adaptation. We assessed the effect of antenatal betamethasone (Beta) treatment on preterm newborn lamb neuroendocrine [catech...
Triangulating communication design: emerging models for theory and practice

This paper describes the enduring dichotomy between what is defined as science and what is defined as non-science, and shows how this dichotomy serves as a backdrop for current divisions between theory and practice. The canonical concept of invention and contemporary interest in problem setting highlight the similarities between the activities of theoreticians and practitioners and inform the development of a useful definition of rhetorical or communication design. While recent developments in activity-, work-, and ecologically-centered design provide a powerful metaphor for contextualizing communication design work, a tentative argument is made for attending to emerging opportunities and challenges related to distributed space and time.
Formal methods application: an empirical tale of software development

The development of an elevator scheduling system by undergraduate students is presented. The development was performed by 20 teams of undergraduate students, divided into two groups. One group produced specifications by employing a formal method that involves only first-order logic. The other group used no formal analysis. The solutions of the groups are compared using the metrics of code correctness, conciseness, and complexity. Particular attention is paid to a subset of the formal methods group which provided a full verification of their implementation. Their results are compared to other published formal solutions. The formal methods group's solutions are found to be far more correct than the informal solutions.
Optimum Conditions for the Interaction of Food Gums with the Anthrone Reagent

SUMMARY Optimum conditions for the reaction of food gums with the anthrone reagent vary from one gum to another. The sulfated, carboxylic acid type and mixed polysaccharides produced colors with absorption maxima at 620 mμ. The uranic acid type of polysaccharides, pectin and sodium alginate (Kelco Gel HV), produced colors exhibiting absorption maxima at 520 mμ. In all cases, color intensity increased with increasing temperature. The heating time necessary for maximum color development at 99°C varied from 4 to 10-min, depending on the hydrocolloid in question. With pectin and sodium alginate, although color intensity increased with heating time at 99°C, no definite heating time for maximum color development was observed up to 60 min. In most cases, aging led to a rapid decrease in color intensity, except for pectin and sodium alginate, in which cases color intensity increased.
A Framework for Using Cost-Benefit Analysis in Making the Case for Software Upgrade

This paper proposes using an economical model in making the case for software upgrade at organizations in general and at educational institutions in particular. Cost-benefit Analysis (CBA) is a model widely used in economics by various organizations to select among alternatives and to justify making certain investments. Spending money or investing in software upgrade costs may need to be justified in some cases. In these cases, it would be helpful to use a framework such as the CBA to justify and make the case for investing in software upgrade. The paper intends to help with determining the feasibility (or lack of it) of paying for software upgrade by introducing this framework. The main contribution of this paper lie in the introduction of a framework that can be used by academic institutions when tackling a decision or contemplating the purchase of software upgrades. Such a framework can then be systematically applied to justify and make the case for or against purchasing software upgrade. A secondary contribution for the paper is to suggest methods for converting factors influencing software upgrades into monetary values so to be able to plug values in the proposed framework. To achieve both objectives, the paper articulates the factors that stand for and against the purchase of technology upgrade. It then suggests ways convert these factors into monetary values. The final contribution of the paper is the introduction of the framework that is developed along the CBA model so it can be used when discussing investing in software upgrade.
Decentralized Attitude Estimation Using a Quaternion Covariance Intersection Approach

This paper derives an approach to combine estimates and covariances for decentralized attitude estimation using a quaternion parameterization. The approach is based on the covariance intersection method, which is modified to maintain quaternion normalization in the combination process. A practical simulation result is provided where local extended Kaiman filters are used on two star trackers, each running with common gyro measurements. The covariance intersection approach is shown to provide more accurate estimates than either of the local filters.
The Voting Rights Act and the Election of Nonwhite Officials

The Voting Rights Act (VRA) is one of the most important—if not the most important—public policies developed over the last half century to increase access to the U.S. political system for people of color. The VRA also provides an important context for understanding the ascension of nonwhite groups into the elected leadership of the nation (Browning, Marshall, and Tabb 1984; Davidson and Grofman 1994; Menifield 2001; McClain and Stewart 2002; Segura and Bowler 2005; Bositis 2006). This essay assesses the present-day significance of the VRA for the political representation of communities of color by examining the implications of majority-minority districts and other key provisions in the VRA for the election of nonwhite officials in the beginning years of the twenty-first century.
Observational Notes on Short-Lived and Infrequent Behaviors Displayed by Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Behaviors displayed by worker termites, which make up 80 Ð90% of any eastern sub- terranean termite population, provide the foundation for understanding the details of termite social organization. Individually marked termite workers were placed in an enclosed, darkened arena and videotaped for three 24-h periods. Behaviors observed in detail include ecdysial assistance, gallery excavation, oscillatory movements, worker feeding and adult mating. Primary reproductive pairs were observed to mate, on average, once every 3 d. Ecdysis lasted 43 min and involved multiple allogrooming attendants. Excavating termites manipulated the substrate with their mouthparts and showed Þdelity to the site of excavation but not the site of deposition. Four different types of oscillatory movements were characterized with the type IV always ending in defecation. Worker feeding behaviors are described that involve swallowing materials obtained by Þve different routes and evoke use of the superorganism concept. The relevance of these observations for a better understanding of a variety of topics, including biology, management, and evolution of these economic pests, is included.
Poor Self-Control and Harsh Punishment in Childhood Prospectively Predict Borderline Personality Symptoms in Adolescent Girls

Developmental theories of borderline personality disorder (BPD) propose that harsh, invalidating parenting of a child with poor self-control and heightened negative emotionality often leads to a coercive cycle of parent-child transactions that increase risk for BPD symptoms such as emotion dysregulation. Although parenting practices and child temperament have previously been linked with BPD, less is known about the prospective influences of caregiver and child characteristics. Using annual longitudinal data from the Pittsburgh Girls Study (n = 2,450), our study examined how reciprocal influences among harsh parenting, self-control, and negative emotionality between ages 5 and 14 predicted the development of BPD symptoms in adolescent girls ages 14 to 17. Consistent with developmental theories, we found that harsh punishment, poor self-control, and negative emotionality predicted BPD symptom severity at age 14. Only worsening self-control between ages 12 and 14, however, predicted growth in BPD symptoms from 14 to 17. Furthermore, the effects of harsh punishment and poor self-control on age 14 BPD symptoms were partially mediated by their earlier reciprocal effects on each other between ages 5 and 14. Our findings underscore the need to address both child and parental contributions to dysfunctional transactions in order to stem the development of BPD symptoms. Moreover, problems with self-regulation in early adolescence may indicate heightened risk for subsequent BPD. Altogether, these results increase our understanding of developmental trajectories associated with BPD symptoms in adolescent girls.
Accurate Whole-Brain Segmentation for Alzheimer’s Disease Combining an Adaptive Statistical Atlas and Multi-atlas

Accurate segmentation of whole brain MR images including the cortex, white matter and subcortical structures is challenging due to inter-subject variability and the complex geometry of brain anatomy. However a precise solution would enable accurate, objective measurement of structure volumes for disease quantification. Our contribution is three-fold. First we construct an adaptive statistical atlas that combines structure specific relaxation and spatially varying adaptivity. Second we integrate an isotropic pairwise class-specific MRF model of label connectivity. Together these permit precise control over adaptivity, allowing many structures to be segmented simultaneously with superior accuracy. Third, we develop a framework combining the improved adaptive statistical atlas with a multi-atlas method which achieves simultaneous accurate segmentation of the cortex, ventricles, and sub-cortical structures in severely diseased brains, a feat not attained in [18]. We test the proposed method on 46 brains including 28 diseased brain with Alzheimer’s and 18 healthy brains. Our proposed method yields higher accuracy than state-of-the-art approaches on both healthy and diseased brains.
Seamless lesion insertion in digital mammography: methodology and reader study

Collection of large repositories of clinical images containing verified cancer locations is costly and time consuming due to difficulties associated with both the accumulation of data and establishment of the ground truth. This problem poses a significant challenge to the development of machine learning algorithms that require large amounts of data to properly train and avoid overfitting. In this paper we expand the methods in our previous publications by making several modifications that significantly increase the speed of our insertion algorithms, thereby allowing them to be used for inserting lesions that are much larger in size. These algorithms have been incorporated into an image composition tool that we have made publicly available. This tool allows users to modify or supplement existing datasets by seamlessly inserting a real breast mass or micro-calcification cluster extracted from a source digital mammogram into a different location on another mammogram. We demonstrate examples of the performance of this tool on clinical cases taken from the University of South Florida Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM). Finally, we report the results of a reader study evaluating the realism of inserted lesions compared to clinical lesions. Analysis of the radiologist scores in the study using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology indicates that inserted lesions cannot be reliably distinguished from clinical lesions.
Developmental Thermal Requirements for the Grasshopper Taeniopoda eques (Orthoptera: Aerididae)

Size, weight, mortality, and developmental rate were monitored for the grasshopper, Taeniopoda eques (Burmeister), reared at various constant temperatures. From 20 to 35°C, developmental rate increased, while weight and size increased only between 20 and 30°C. Complete mortality occurred at 20 and 40°C, while survivorship was highest at 25 and 30°C. The developmental threshold temperature ( t = 16.4°C) and thermal constant ( K = 850 degree-days) were estimated for the hatch-to-oviposition period. This study underscores the vital role temperature plays in the biology of T. eques and supports the hypothesis that black coloration and thermoregulatory behavior are adaptive attributes.
Tampered Goods: Legal Developments and Marketing Guidelines:

Consumers face the prospect of using goods that may have been altered by malicious persons. The author reviews the legal implications of packaging decisions that lead to tamperings. To minimize the...