cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correctness of Sampling Bias on Internet Router-Level Topology

Based on the data samples authorized by CAIDA, we analyze the Internet router-level topology. By extracting several features of network property, we found obvious disparity distinction between the comparing results measured by single monitor point and multiple monitor points respectively, which approves that the sampling bias caused by single monitor point take primary effect on the Internet topology. The comparison of specific nodes' degree and its distribution after complement has been performed, and the link distribution between cores give the fitting formula to correct the sampling bias.
T1 pip: a mutant which affects packaging initiation and processive packaging of T1 DNA

The pip mutation of phage T1 is located between the tar (gene 2.5) and am6 (gene 3) mutations in the region of the T1 genome which codes for early functions. The tar and pip mutations are additive in increasing the efficiency of transduction by T1. When T1 carries the pip mutation the initiation of DNA packaging by the phage at the non-T1, esp-lambda site is more efficient than when the phage is pip+; the small average burst size of 8 to 10 by T1pip suggests that pip causes a reduction in the efficiency with which T1 utilizes pac, the normal packaging initiation site of the phage. The presence of the BglII-D fragment (cut at one end at pac and the other by BglII) after digestion of T1pip DNA by BglII shows that T1pip continues to initiate DNA packaging at pac. The increased molarity of BglII-D coupled with the absence of the BglII-C fragment (which contains DNA on both sides of pac and can only be cut from processively packaged genomes) shows that T1pip packages only genomes which are initiated at pac and is defective in processive packaging.
A two-tiered authentication and encryption scheme in secure healthcare sensor networks

This paper presents a novel two-tier authentication and encryption scheme that explores the unique characteristics of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) in Healthcare Applications. The first phase authenticates among the sensor nodes of a Body Area Network (BAN) fused in a patient, where a U key is generated in a decentralized fashion. Based on the rule of separating user and platform credentials, U key approaches maximize security in a non-trusted environment. The second phase authenticates the data aggregation node elected among the sensor nodes of a patient with the base station in the vicinity to securely relay the U key as a session key. Encryption, secure hash, random number padding, and time stamp follow to meet the security requirements for WSN in Healthcare Applications: confidentiality, integrity, authorization, availability, and freshness. The scheme takes in consideration of WSN's resource constraints and mobility that hinder the applicability of conventional security schemes in WSN. Apart from general WSN-targeted security approaches that over-emphasize on energy consumption, this scheme provides robust, prompt, and scalable security services to healthcare systems.
Amine boranes as alternative reducing agents for reductive alkylation of proteins.

Abstract The use of several commercially available amine-borane complexes was investigated for the reductive methylation of amino groups of several proteins. An earlier study in our laboratory, using turkey ovomucoid as the model protein, showed that dimethylamine borane is a slightly weaker reducing agent, but a good, less toxic substitute for sodium cyanoborohydride ( K. F. Geoghegan, J. C. Cabacungan, H. B. F. Dixon, and R. E. Feeney, 1981 , Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 17 , 345–352). N -α-Acetyl- l -lysine, poly- l -lysine, turkey ovomucoid, bovine serum albumin, chicken ovalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, casein, and soybean protein were reductively methylated with dimethylamine borane and trimethylamine borane. The latter produced a consistently lower degree of modification even in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. In a comparison that included the boranes triethylamine, t-butylamine, morpholine, and pyridine, pyridine borane was found to be slightly stronger than sodium cyanoborohydride. In a pH 7 solution containing 2 m m N -α-acetyl- l -lysine and 20 m m formaldehyde, complete dimethylation was achieved with about 10 m m pyridine borane after 2 h incubation at 22°C, while more than 15 m m was necessary with sodium cyanoborohydride. Like dimethylamine borane, both pyridine borane and triethylamine borane showed a reducing capacity at pH 7 which was as high as that at pH 9. Reductive alkylation under neutral to mild acid conditions allows modification of alkaline labile proteins and also limits the side reactions between proteins and formaldehyde.
The solid state structure of 9,11,20,22-tetraphenyltetrabenzo[a,c,l,n]pentacene-10,21-dione: A longitudinally twisted molecular ribbon

An X-ray crystallographic analysis of the title compound (1) shows that this fused-ring polycyclic molecule is greatly distorted from planarity. The structure is centrosymmetric, and the mean plane of the center ring is twisted by approximately 48° relative to the plane determined by the terminal atoms of the pentacene nucleus.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predictors of Coarctation Severity

Background— MRI is increasingly used for anatomic assessment of aortic coarctation (CoA), but its ability to predict the transcatheter pressure gradient, considered the reference standard for hemodynamic severity, has not been studied in detail. This study evaluated the ability of MRI to distinguish between mild versus moderate and severe CoA as determined by cardiac catheterization. Methods and Results— The clinical, MRI, and catheterization data of 31 subjects referred for assessment of native or recurrent CoA were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of peak coarctation gradient by catheterization: <20 mm Hg (n=12) and ≥20 mm Hg (n=19). Patients with cardiac index <2.2 L · min−1 · m−2 by catheterization were excluded. By logistic regression analysis, the following variables simultaneously predicted coarctation gradient ≥20 mm Hg: (1) smallest aortic cross-sectional area (adjusted for body surface area) measured by planimetry from gadolinium-enhanced 3D magnetic res...
Experimental tests of free-volume tracer diffusion in water and other solvents.

Using forced Rayleigh scattering, the tracer diffusion of methyl red through water and eight other solvents at different temperatures is investigated and the results are compared to the Cohen-Turnbull theory of free-volume diffusion. In seven solvents the effective non-Arrhenius activation energy measured experimentally agrees with the Cohen-Turnbull energy. In water, however, the diffusion can be described mathematically by the free volume model but there is a disagreement of more than an order of magnitude between these energies. We propose that the unique “zero point” free volume forced onto water by the strong hydrogen bonding requires a different mechanism for tracer motion.
Alpha-trinositol reduces edema formation at the site of scald injury

Background: The effects of α-trinositol (1D -myo-inositol-1,2,6-triphosphate, IP3) on burn-induced edema formation were investigated. Methods: Lymph flow (QL; μl/min) and lymph-to-plasma protein ratio (CL/CP) were monitored in groups of five to six dogs before and 4 hours after (1) a 5-second 100° C or 90° C foot paw scald; (2) IP3 (45 mg/kg intravenous bolus, then a 20 mg/kg/hr infusion) 30 minutes before or after 100° C scald, or 30 minutes after 90° C scald. Hind paw venous pressure was elevated and maintained by outflow restriction until reaching steady state QL and (CL/CP)min. Macromolecular reflection coefficient (1 – CL/CP) was measured. Fluid filtration coefficient (Kf; ml/min/mm Hg/100 gm) was calculated. Relative paw weight gain (%) was measured. Results: Compared with preburn values, scald uniformly produced significant increases in QL, CL/CP, and Kf. IP3 significantly (p < 0.02, ANOVA) reduced paw weight gain when given before, but not after, 100° C burn (41% ± 5% versus 18% ± 7% preburn IP3 and 31% ± 3% postburn IP3). Compared with 90° C burn animals, postburn treatment significantly (p < 0.017) attenuated 4-hour increases in QL (550 ± 87 versus 252 ± 29 μl/min), Kf (0.016 ± 00 versus 0.007 ± 00 μl/min/mm/Hg/100gm), and relative paw weight gain (28% ± 3% versus 12% ± 5%). Conclusions: α-Trinositol given after a 90° C scald blunted edema formation at the site of scald, likely through reduced transmembrane fluid flux. (Surgery 1998;123:36-45.)
Cloud Cover Increase with Increasing Aerosol Absorptivity: A Counterexample to the Conventional Semidirect Aerosol Effect

We reexamine the aerosol semidirect effect using a general circulation model and four cases of the single-scattering albedo of dust aerosols. Contrary to the expected decrease in low cloud cover due to heating by tropospheric aerosols, we find a significant increase with increasing absorptivity of soil dust particles in regions with high dust load, except during Northern Hemisphere winter. The strongest sensitivity of cloud cover to dust absorption is found over land during Northern Hemisphere summer. Here even medium and high cloud cover increase where the dust load is highest. The cloud cover change is directly linked to the change in relative humidity in the troposphere as a result of contrasting changes in specific humidity and temperature. More absorption by aerosols leads to larger diabatic heating and increased warming of the column, decreasing relative humidity. However, a corresponding increase in the specific humidity exceeds the temperature effect on relative humidity. The net effect is more low cloud cover with increasing aerosol absorption. The higher specific humidity where cloud cover strongly increases is attributed to an enhanced convergence of moisture driven by dust radiative heating. Although in some areas our model exhibits a reduction of low cloud cover due to aerosol heating consistent with the conventional description of the semidirect effect, we conclude that the link between aerosols and clouds is more varied, depending also on changes in the atmospheric circulation and the specific humidity induced by the aerosols. Other absorbing aerosols such as black carbon are expected to have a similar effect.
Assessment of Multiaxial Mechanical Response of Rigid Polyurethane Foams

Multiaxial deformation behavior and failure surface of rigid polyurethane foams were determined using standard experimental facilities. Two commercial foams of different densities were assayed under uniaxial, biaxial, and triaxial stress states. These different stress states were reached in a uniaxial universal testing machine using suitable testing configurations which imply the use of special grips and lateral restricted samples. Actual strains were monitored with a video extensometer. Polyurethane foams exhibited typical isotropic brittle behavior, except under compressive loads where the response turned out to be ductile. A general failure surface in the stress space which accounts for density effects could be successfully generated. All of failure data, determined at the loss of linear elasticity point, collapsed in a single locus defined as the combination of a brittle crushing of closed-cell cellular materials criterion capped by an elastic buckling criterion.
Niobium pentoxide as a lean-range oxygen sensor

Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) has been investigated as a lean-burn oxygen sensor in the 400–800°C temperature range. It shows excellent sensitivity and good reversibility upon exposure to increasing and decreasing oxygen partial pressures. In the 10 ppm to 100% oxygen partial pressure range, the response of Nb2O5 sensor is as fast as the YSZ sensor. There is a change in the resistance when Nb2O5 is exposed to CO, CH4 and CO2. However, this change in the resistance is mainly due to a change in the ambient oxygen partial pressure, though there might be a small amount of cross-sensitivity effect. This cross-sensitivity effect has been isolated for CO2. Humidity doesn't show much cross-sensitivity effect on the Nb2O5 sensor.
History of Injury and Violence as public health problems and emergence of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at CDC

Injuries and violence are among the oldest health problems facing humans. Only within the past 50 years, however, has the problem been addressed with scientific rigor using public health methods. The field of injury control began as early as 1913, but wasn't approached systematically or epidemiologically until the 1940s and 1950s. It accelerated rapidly between 1960 and 1985. Coupled with active federal and state interest in reducing injuries and violence, this period was marked by important medical, scientific, and public health advances. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) was an outgrowth of this progress and in 2012 celebrated its 20th anniversary. NCIPC was created in 1992 after a series of government reports identified injury as one of the most important public health problems facing the nation. Congressional action provided the impetus for the creation of NCIPC as the lead federal agency for non-occupational injury and violence prevention. In subsequent years, NCIPC and its partners fostered many advances and built strong capacity. Because of the tragically high burden and cost of injuries and violence in the United States and around the globe, researchers, practitioners, and decision makers will need to redouble prevention efforts in the next 20 years. This article traces the history of injury and violence prevention as a public health priority-- including the evolution and current structure of the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Nitric oxide participation in renal hemodynamic effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) contribution to the renal hemodynamic effect of lisinopril was assessed in anesthetized rabbits. NG-Nitro-L-arginine (NArg), slightly decreased renal blood flow following vehicle. Also, NArg reversed partially the increase in renal blood flow cased by DuP 753, and almost completely reversed the effect of lisinopril. The results suggest that NO plays an important role in the renal hemodynamic effect of lisinopril, more so than its contribution to the effect of DuP 753.
Influence of field burning and soil treatments on growth of wheat after Kentucky bluegrass, and effect of Rhizoctonia cerealis on bluegrass emergence and growth

Studies were conducted to assess the importance of soil-borne pathogens as impediments to the production of direct-drilled wheat following Kentucky bluegrass in rotation. Bluegrass sods were collected as cores from commercial seed fields in October (after open-field burning) and in December and March (after exposure to normal freezing and thawing), treated with glyphosate after a 2- to 3-week period of green-up in the glasshouse, and then planted to wheat 21 days later. Wheat seedlings in the 3- to 4-leaf stage were stunted and spindly in either burned or nonburned sods collected in October, but grew significantly better in burned than nonburned sods collected in December and March. Fumigation (methyl bromide), simulated tillage, and application of metalaxyl as a drench, singly or as combined treatments, improved the growth of wheat in nonburned sods. Growth of wheat in nontreated burned sods collected after frost had penetrated the upper portions was equivalent to that in fumigated sods. Experimental freezing at −20°C for up to 96 h, of burned and nonburned sods collected in October, followed by thawing also improved the growth of wheat subsequently sown directly into these sods. The stunted and spindly seedlings had roots girdled and severed by lesions typical of Rhizoctonia root rot. Isolates of Rhizoctonia cerealis were recovered from these roots and caused poor seedling emergence and stunted root and shoot growth of both wheat and bluegrass. The results suggest that both R. cerealis and Pythium spp. are potentially important soil-borne pathogens of wheat when following Kentucky bluegrass in rotation and that burning done routinely to improve the yield of bluegrass seed can also reduce the potential for damage caused by Rhizoctonia and Pythium root rots of wheat seeded directly into bluegrass sod.
Histochemical demonstration of enzymatic heterogeneity within the mesocoxal and metacoxal muscles of Periplaneta americana

Abstract Enzymatic activity in the mesocoxal and metacoxal muscles of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana , has been characterized using histochemical techniques. Our interpretation of the histochemical stains for myosin-ATPase (pre-incubated at pH 9.4, 10.4 and 4.3). NADH reductase, succinic dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) has enabled us to classify fibres within these muscles according to established fibre typing strategies. The results reaffirm the biochemical heterogeneity reported for the mesocoxal muscles and allow us to confirm the expected heterogenity in the homologous metacoxal muscles. These techniques have proven to be an effective tool for assessing the biochemical properties of muscle fibres.
Do undocumented migrants earn lower wages than legal immigrants? New evidence from Mexico.

This article examines the extent to which undocumented status lowers wage rates among immigrants to the United States from four Mexican communities. Regression equations were estimated to determine...
Studies of two-dimensional lattices using ferrofluid

Abstract By exerting a magnetic filed H normal to a ferrofluid layer, a triangular lattice of droplets is formed when H exceeds a characteristic critical field. The lattice may be “heated” by reducing H and the effects of dislocations and disclinations may be studied. This offers a new experimental system for direct visual observations of phenomena related to two-dimensional melting.
Deamplification response of a traveling-wave phase-sensitive optical parametric amplifier.

We have investigated the phase-sensitive deamplification response of a traveling-wave degenerate optical parametric amplifier that consists of a type II phase-matched KTP crystal pumped by the second harmonic of a Q-switched mode-locked Nd:YAG laser. Experimental results are in good agreement with the theory of an optical parametric amplifier in which the Gaussian-beam nature of the various fields along with the diffraction of the amplified signal beam is taken into account. Because of the phenomenon of gain-induced diffraction, maximum deamplification is limited to only ≃3 dB.
Diagnosis of lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum by two-dimensional echocardiography

Originally described in 1964, lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum currently remains a diagnosis established primarily at autopsy. Clinical interest in this disorder has centered on the reported association with supraventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Because two-dimensional echocardiography allows detailed assessment of atrial septal configuration, we reviewed two-dimensional echocardiographic reports obtained over a 1 year period and identified 17 patients who had features consistent with lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum. Nine were men and the average age was 70 years. Autopsy confirmation of the echographic findings was possible in one patient. In nine patients, ideal body weight was exceeded by 10% or more. The atrial septum viewed from the subcostal transducer position showed a distinctive echo-dense globular thickening sparing the valve of the fossa ovalis. The resultant tomographic image of the atrial septum had a characteristic dumbbell appearance. The mean thickness of the atrial septum was 21 mm (range 15 to 29). Seven patients had supraventricular arrhythmias, and eight had P wave abnormalities. The two-dimensional echocardiographic features described are distinctive and suggest that this technique is the procedure of choice not only for establishing the diagnosis of lipomatous hypertrophy of the atrial septum but also for providing a means for prospective follow-up of patients with this little known entity.
Space qualification and performance results of the SIDECAR ASIC

The SIDECAR ASIC is a fully integrated FPA controller system-on-a-chip. Compared to conventional control electronics, it requires significantly less power, less space and less weight. The SIDECAR ASIC, which can operate at ambient and cryogenic temperatures, is currently being space-qualified for integration in the science instruments of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This paper gives an overview of the SIDECAR architecture and its supporting drive electronics. It describes the JWST flight configuration including the custom packaging approach. Test results obtained as part of the space qualification effort are presented. CDS noise of the ASIC itself amounts to less than 25 μV for full 2K x 2K data frames. The noise reduces to less than 6 μV for up-the-ramp-sampling with 88 frames. Based on the existing qualification results and a number of additional tests in the next few months, NASA Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL6) will be demonstrated by August 2006.
Classification with diffuse or incomplete information

The problem of classification has been studied by many authors, and different methods have been developed. In this paper a combination of rough sets and fuzzy logic for classification is adopted. Rough set theory helps in minimizing the number of attributes that influence the selection. Using this technique, a group of rules can be extracted. When information is diffuse and the number of obtained values for each attribute is large, so is the number of rules. Even worst is hidden information in the data that makes the process complicated. Due to this fact, an interval of values is defined for each attribute, moving from the minimum to the maximum obtained values in the database. This is what is defined as interval-valued information systems. For discriminating between solutions that may give more than one possible object due to their similarity, a fuzzy logic discrimination is proposed, which is simple, and gives accuracy not less than other methods.
Asphalt Overlay and Subsurface Drainage of Broken and Seated Concrete Pavement

This research was conducted to study subsurface drainage issues surrounding an asphalt overlay. The type of pavement that was examined in this study was a Superpave overlay on top of a Broken and Seated Jointed Reinforced Concrete Pavement (B&S JRCP). A finite-element model of the pavement was developed and a number of numerical analyses were performed to evaluate the movement of water in the pavement. The pavement drainage modeling was conducted using the SEEP/W 2002 in GEO-SLOPE program. A steady-state saturated flow analysis was used to obtain the flow path of the infiltrated water and flux quantity through the cross-sectional area in the pavement. This analysis was done for the pavement models with different layer arrangements and different drainage practices. The findings of this research revealed that high water permeability in the asphalt base and Superpave surface layers contributed to water flow into the pavement. This infiltration of water into the pavement structure is a serious issue that must be addressed in pavement drainage design. The broken and seated layer functions as an efficient drainage layer.
The great austerity war: what caused the US deficit crisis and who should pay to fix it?

Rapidly rising deficits at both the federal and state and local government levels, along with long-term financing problems in the Social Security and Medicare programs, have triggered a one-sided austerity-focused class war in the US. Similar class conflicts have broken out around the globe. A coalition of the richest and most economically powerful segments of society and conservative politicians who represent their interests has demanded that deficits be eliminated by public-sector austerity - severe cuts at all levels of government in spending that either supports the poor and the middle class or funds crucial public investment. These demands constitute a deliberate attempt to destroy the New Deal project, begun in the 1930s, whose goal was to subject capitalism to democratic control. The right-wing coalition seeks to replace that project with a modernized version of the 'free-market' capitalism of the 1920s. In this paper I argue that our deficit crisis is the result of a shift from the New-Deal-based economic model of the early post-war period to today's neoliberal, free-market model, a shift initiated under Ronald Reagan and continued under the presidents who succeeded him. The new model has generated slow growth, rising inequality and rising deficits. Rising deficits in turn created demands for austerity. After tracing the long-term evolution of our current deficit crisis, I show that this crisis can be resolved by raising taxes on upper-income households and large corporations, cutting war spending, and adopting a Canadian or European style health care system. There is no need to accept austerity. Calls for austerity should be seen as what they are - an attack by the rich and powerful against the basic interests of the American people.
Applying Static and Dynamic Weight Measures in Ensemble Systems

It is well known that the use of ensemble systems usually increases the accuracy rate of individual machine learning systems. A way of improving the accuracy of these systems even further is through the use of weight measures. This paper analyzes the influence of the use of static and dynamic weights in the accuracy of two structures (homogeneous and heterogeneous) of ensemble systems. Furthermore, it investigates the relation between diversity and the use weights in ensemble system.
Optimization of transport-reaction processes using nonlinear model reduction

Abstract This article focuses on optimization problems arising in the context of transport-reaction processes which are governed by nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations and proposes a computationally efficient method for their solution. The central idea of the method is to discretize the infinite-dimensional optimization problem by utilizing the method of weighted residuals with empirical eigenfunctions obtained by applying Karhunen–Loeve expansion to an appropriately constructed ensemble of solutions of the PDE equality constraints for different values of the design variables. This model reduction procedure leads to low-dimensional nonlinear programs that represent accurate approximations of the original infinite-dimensional nonlinear program, and whose solution can be obtained with standard optimization algorithms. The key issues of construction of the ensemble used for the computation of the empirical eigenfunctions and validity of the optimal solutions computed from the finite-dimensional programs are addressed. The proposed method is applied to two representative transport-reaction processes and is shown to be more efficient compared to conventional optimization approaches based on spatial discretization with the finite-difference method.
Postoperative Hyperthermia Following Off-Pump Versus On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Objective: Hyperthermia is common in the first 24 hours following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). An inflammatory response to CPB is often implicated in the pathophysiology of this fever. Unlike CABG with CPB, the temperature pattern after off-pump CABG (OPCAB), where CPB is avoided, has not yet been described. The purpose of this study was to describe the postoperative temperature pattern following OPCAB and to compare it with that following on-pump cardiac surgery. Design: Retrospective, observational study. Setting: Tertiary care university hospital. Participants: Consenting patients undergoing CABG or OPCAB procedures. Interventions: Observational. Measurements and Main Results: Of the CABG patients, 89% had temperature elevations above 38°C, versus 44% of the OPCAB patients (P = 0.04). Peak body temperature was higher in the on-pump patients (CABG 38.5°C ± 0.4°C versus OPCAB 37.9°C ± 0.5°C; P = 0.002), as was the area under the curve for temperatures greater than 38°C (CABG 1.6 ± 1.7oC/hr versus OPCAB 0.4 ± 1.2oC/hr; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Off-pump CABG surgery patients experience less hyperthermia compared with on-pump CABG patients. The reasons for a lower incidence and severity of hyperthermia after OPCAB surgery are not known, but may be related to a reduced inflammatory response.
Genetic, environmental, and situational factors mediating the effects of nicotine—An introduction

The present series of papers grew out of a number of special seminars on the effects of nicotine, sponsored by the Society for Addiction Medicine. The underlying theme of each of these papers is the recognition that there are individual differences in sensitivity to nicotine. Each paper addresses one or more of the following factors which are believed to contribute to these individual differences: genetic/constitutional, environmental, and situational. A realization that genetic factors influenced responses to nicotine has been known for some time (e.g. Fisher, 1959). More recently, there has been great interest in this area, particularly how self-administration of nicotine (smoking) might relate to the use of other drugs of abuse and/or to psychiatric disorders (Glassman, 1993). Two of the articles in this series directly examine these possible relationships. Breslau (1995) examines the association of nicotine dependence with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders in a population of young adults in Detroit. Heath et al. (1995) use the twin approach to identify a number of genetic factors which influence smoking. One genetic factor which has been wellknown for some time, but which has frequently been overlooked in the research laboratory, is gender differences. Perkins (1995) addresses this as
Reduction of Bandwidth in Television Transmission Systems

A problem which urgently needs solving is that of the tremendous waste in bandwidth created by our present nonstatistical analog system of television transmission. Attempting to reduce bandwidth while maintaining the same channel capacity is seen to yield poor results.
Face-Off: Facial Features and Strategic Choice

I study experimentally a single-shot trust game where players have the opportunity to choose an avatar—a computer-generated face—to represent them. These avatars vary on several dimensions—trustworthiness, dominance, and threat—identified by previous work as influencing perceptions of those who view the faces (Todorov, Said, Engell, & Oosterhof, 2008). I take this previous work and ask whether subjects choose faces that are ex ante more trustworthy, whether selected avatars have an influence on strategy choices, and whether individuals who evaluate faces as more trustworthy are also more likely to trust others. Results indicate affirmative answers to all three questions. Additional experimental sessions used randomly assigned avatars. This design allows me to compare behavior when everyone knows avatars are self-selected versus when everyone knows they are randomly assigned. Random assignment eliminated all three effects observed when subjects chose their avatars.
C. elegans ankyrin repeat protein VAB-19 is a component of epidermal attachment structures and is essential for epidermal morphogenesis

Elongation of the epidermis of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans involves both actomyosin-mediated changes in lateral epidermal cell shape and body muscle attachment to dorsal and ventral epidermal cells via intermediate-filament/hemidesmosome structures. vab-19 mutants are defective in epidermal elongation and muscle attachment to the epidermis. VAB-19 is a member of a conserved family of ankyrin repeat-containing proteins that includes the human tumor suppressor Kank. In epidermal cells, VAB-19::GFP localizes with components of epidermal attachment structures. In vab-19 mutants, epidermal attachment structures form normally but do not remain localized to muscle-adjacent regions of the epidermis. VAB-19 localization requires function of the transmembrane attachment structure component Myotactin. vab-19 mutants also display aberrant actin organization in the epidermis. Loss of function in the spectrin SMA-1 partly bypasses the requirement for VAB-19 in elongation, suggesting that VAB-19 and SMA-1/spectrin might play antagonistic roles in regulation of the actin cytoskeleton.
Identification of Risk Factors for Plague in the West Nile Region of Uganda

Plague is an often fatal, primarily flea-borne rodent-associated zoonosis caused by Yersinia pestis. We sought to identify risk factors for plague by comparing villages with and without a history of human plague cases within a model-defined plague focus in the West Nile Region of Uganda. Although rat (Rattus rattus) abundance was similar inside huts within case and control villages, contact rates between rats and humans (as measured by reported rat bites) and host-seeking flea loads were higher in case villages. In addition, compared with persons in control villages, persons in case villages more often reported sleeping on reed or straw mats, storing food in huts where persons sleep, owning dogs and allowing them into huts where persons sleep, storing garbage inside or near huts, and cooking in huts where persons sleep. Compared with persons in case villages, persons in control villages more commonly reported replacing thatch roofing, and growing coffee, tomatoes, onions, and melons in agricultural plots adjacent to their homesteads. Rodent and flea control practices, knowledge of plague, distance to clinics, and most care-seeking practices were similar between persons in case villages and persons in control villages. Our findings reinforce existing plague prevention recommendations and point to potentially advantageous local interventions.
Assumed strain stabilization procedure for the 9-node Lagrange shell element

An assumed strain (strain interpolation) method is used to construct a stabilization matrix for the 9-node shell element. The stabilization procedure can be justified based on the Hellinger–Reissner variational method. It involves a projection vector which is orthogonal to both linear and quadratic fields in the local co-ordinate system of each quadrature point. All terms in the development involve 2 × 2 quadrature in the 9-node element. Example problems show good accuracy and an almost optimal rate of convergence.
Resveratrol acts as a mixed agonist/antagonist for estrogen receptors alpha and beta.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that phytoestrogens inhibit cancer formation and growth, reduce cholesterol levels, and show benefits in treating osteoporosis. At least some of these activities are mediated through the interaction of phytoestrogens with estrogen receptors a and b (ERa and ERb). Resveratrol, trans-3,5,49-trihydroxystilbene, is a phytoestrogen in grapes that is present in red wine. Resveratrol was shown to bind ER in cytosolic extracts from MCF-7 and rat uteri. However, the contribution of ERa vs. ERb in this binding is unknown. Here we report that resveratrol binds ERb and ERa with comparable affinity, but with 7,000-fold lower affinity than estradiol (E2). Thus, resveratrol differs from other phytoestrogens that bind ERb with higher affinity than ERa. Resveratrol acts as an estrogen agonist and stimulates ERE-driven reporter gene activity in CHO-K1 cells expressing either ERa or ERb. The estrogen agonist activity of resveratrol depends on the ERE sequence and the type of ER. Resveratrol-liganded ERb has higher transcriptional activity than E2-liganded ERb at a single palindromic ERE. This indicates that those tissues that uniquely express ERb or that express higher levels of ERb than ERa may be more sensitive to resveratrol’s estrogen agonist activity. For the natural, imperfect EREs from the human c-fos, pS2, and progesterone receptor (PR) genes, resveratrol shows activity comparable to that induced by E2. We report that resveratrol exhibits E2 antagonist activity for ERa with select EREs. In contrast, resveratrol shows no E2 antagonist activity with ERb. These data indicate that resveratrol differentially affects the transcriptional activity of ERa and ERb in an ERE sequence-dependent manner. (Endocrinology 141: 3657‐3667, 2000)
TECHNIQUE OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE REDUCTION AND SMALL FRAGMENT FIXATION OF TONGUE-TYPE CALCANEUS FRACTURES

Abstract Closed treatment of calcaneus fractures has had less than desirable functional outcome. A widened heel, a horizontal talus, fibular impingement, peroneal tendon injury, subtalar stiffness, and compromised soft tissue envelope all contribute to poor outcome. Conversely, postoperative complications of have diminished the success of surgical treatment. A method that reduces the fracture and the complication rate is desirable. We have treated patients who had tongue-type calcaneus fractures (OTA 73 C1.3) over an 11-year period at a level-1 trauma center using an open reduction technique with small incisions and screw fixation. The operative technique involved small (
Metabolic Errors of Adrenal Steroidogenesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several disorders of steroid biosynthesis and describes their hormonal and clinical manifestations as well as the current methods of diagnosis and treatment. It presents a spectrum of 21-hydroxylase deficiencies, which exist with differing degrees of severity of enzyme deficiency. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a family of inherited disorders of adrenal steroidogenesis. The three main classes of hormones synthesized by the adrenal cortex are mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex steroids. Aldosterone secretion is primarily regulated via the rennin–angiotensin system, which is responsive to the state of electrolyte balance and plasma volume. The genes for human leukocyte antigens, cell surface antigens important in transplantation, are located on the sixth chromosome. The virilization that is caused by CAH can be remedied by the surgical correction of the ambiguous genitalia, but the decision to do so must take into account an assessment of the patient's potential for future sexual function and fertility.
The Trouble with Utopia

This essay explores the claim that a perfect library wouldn’t need reference service because the perfect catalog would enable researchers to find what they need. I argue that differences in individuals’ experience, skills, and interest will still make reference important and efficient.
Clinical approach to the evaluation of sperm-cervical mucus interactions.

A clinical approach to the evaluation of sperm-cervical mucus interactions is reviewed. The topics reviewed are 1) sperm passage through the cervix (sperm motility cervical mucus) 2) the cervical passage and infertility (the Sims-Huhner postcoital test the fractional postcoital test and intrauterine lavage in vitro systems the slide test the capillary penetrability test) 3) cervical mucus evaluation 4) sperm evaluation 5) management of cervical factor infertility and 6) prognosis.
Purification of human placental alkaline phosphatase. Salt effects in affinity chromatography.

Human placental alkaline phosphatase was chromatographed on Sepharose derivatives of d- and l-phenylalanine, l-leucine, glycine, aniline and p-aminobenzoic acid in high concentrations of (NH4)2SO4. Retention on these columns was greatest at the highest concentrations of (NH4)2SO4. By using decreasing concentrations and changing the types of salts, elution was effected from each of the columns. The (NH4)2SO4-mediated retention appeared to be related to the hydrophobic character of the substituted Sepharose, rather than to any specific binding site of the enzyme. It is suggested that this provides a way of controlling hydrophobic affinity chromatography. By use of chromatography on l-phenylalanine–Sepharose and of DEAE-Sephadex chromatography in the presence of Triton X-100 detergent, a preparation of highly purified (1000-fold) human placental alkaline phosphatase was obtained in 22% yield.
Colonization of Hypogastrura manubrialis (Collembola: Poduridae), with Notes on its Biology

Successful rearing of Hypogastrura manubrialis Tullberg was accomplished by using a substrate of a 1:1 mixture of activated charcoal and plaster of paris and offering as a sole source of food yeast, liver, or mushroom. Yeast-fed colonies were superior in all respects to liver, or mushroom-fed colonies. Maintenance was simple and observations easily made. An obligatory gregarious habit was observed. Other aspects of biology noted were incubation period of the eggs, oyiposition habits, life expectancy, and general feeding habits. Since results of this study differed from those on the same species conducted in Germany, possible explanations for the discrepancies are given.
Determination of alpha-glycerophosphate oxidation with tetrazolium.

SummaryAGP oxidation has been determined and characterized in kidney, liver, brain and muscle of the mouse. The assay technic utilized is simple, results are reproducible and only readily available laboratory equipment is required. In addition, enzyme inhibitors which might interfere with the accuracy of the determination are not used. It is felt that the present method may serve to broaden the limited lines of clinical investigation dealing with the significance of AGPD in regulation of metabolic processes.
Diverse physiological effects of long-chain saturated fatty acids: implications for cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to discuss the metabolism of long-chain saturated fatty acids and the ensuing effects on an array of metabolic events.Recent findingsIndividual long-chain saturated fatty acids exhibit unique biological properties. Dietary saturated fat absorption varie
Clinical research on treating infantile sugar induced diarrhea with Chinese herbs

[Objective] To probe the influence of Chinese herbs on enteric lactose level of sugar induced diarrhea(SID) infants.[Methods] One hundred and twenty SID patients were divided randomly into Chinese herb treatment group(group A),feeding without lactose treatment group(group B) and west medicine treatment group(group C).Besides,forty non-SID infants were given Chinese herbs as group D.Cure days and the change of enteric lactose level before and after treatment were observed and compared. [Results] In SID patients,decrease of the course and enteric lactose level in group A was more obvious than group C,and cure days in group A were much shorter than in group D.[Conclusion]Chinese herbs can accelerate the decomposition of enteric lactose,decrease the enteric lactose level,relieve the clinical symptoms and shorten the disease course.
Susceptibility of Penicillium expansum Spores to Sodium Hypochlorite, Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water, and Chlorine Dioxide Solutions Modified with Nonionic Surfactants

The use of water flotation tanks during apple packing increases the risk of contamination of apples by spores of Penicillium expansum, which may accumulate in the recirculating water. Routine addition of sanitizers to the water may prevent such contamination. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water have varied activity against spores of P. expansum, and their effectiveness could be enhanced using surfactants. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of three nonionic surfactants, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), and sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20), to enhance the efficacy of NaOCl, ClO2, and EO water against spores of P. expansum in aqueous suspension at various temperatures and pH conditions. The efficacy of NaOCl solutions was enhanced by the addition of surfactants at both pH 6.3 and pH 8 (up to 5 log CFU reduction). EO water and ClO2 were effective against P. expansum spores (up to 5 log CFU and 4 log CFU reduction, respectively), but addition of surfactants was not beneficial. All solutions were less effective at 4 degrees C compared to 24 degrees C irrespective of the presence of surfactants. Nonionic surfactants could potentially be used with NaOCl to improve control of P. expansum in flotation tanks, but the efficacy of such formulations should be validated under apple packing conditions.
The Radical Consequences of Freewill

Contrary to what so many philosophers believe, we urge that freewill is not subject to gradations. If we have it, we have it complete and entire. Descartes long ago observed that if our will is free, it is as free as God’s. (And this bears interestingly upon the imago dei doctrine.) The only limit upon our will is the limit of our imagination, which, strictly speaking, is not a limit of the will as such at all.
On Detecting and Using Memory Phases in Multimedia Systems

Many multimedia applications exhibit a phasic behavior. Phasic behavior of applications has been studied primarily focused on code execution. However, temporal variation in an application’s memory usage can deviate from its program behavior, providing opportunities to exploit these memory phases to enable more efficient use of on-chip memory resources. In this work, we define memory phases as opposed to program phases, and illustrate the potential disparity between them. We propose mechanisms for light-weight online memory-phase detection. Additionally, we demonstrate their utility by deploying these techniques for sharing distributed on-chip Scratchpad Memories (SPMs) in multi-core platforms. The information gathered during memory phases are used to prioritize different memory pages in a multi-core platform without having any prior knowledge about running applications. By exploiting memory-phasic behavior, we achieved up to 45% memory access latency improvement on a set of multimedia applications.
Comprehensive Gröbner basis theory for a parametric polynomial ideal and the associated completion algorithm

Grobner basis theory for parametric polynomial ideals is explored with the main objective of mimicking the Grobner basis theory for ideals. Given a parametric polynomial ideal, its basis is a comprehensive Grobner basis if and only if for every specialization of its parameters in a given field, the specialization of the basis is a Grobner basis of the associated specialized polynomial ideal. For various specializations of parameters, structure of specialized ideals becomes qualitatively different even though there are significant relationships as well because of finiteness properties. Key concepts foundational to Grobner basis theory are reexamined and/or further developed for the parametric case: (i) Definition of a comprehensive Grobner basis, (ii) test for a comprehensive Grobner basis, (iii) parameterized rewriting, (iv) S-polynomials among parametric polynomials, (v) completion algorithm for directly computing a comprehensive Grobner basis from a given basis of a parametric ideal. Elegant properties of Grobner bases in the classical ideal theory, such as for a fixed admissible term ordering, a unique Grobner basis can be associated with every polynomial ideal as well as that such a basis can be computed from any Grobner basis of an ideal, turn out to be a major challenge to generalize for parametric ideals; issues related to these investigations are explored. A prototype implementation of the algorithm has been successfully tried on many examples from the literature.
Gene- Vitamin D Interaction and Multiple Sclerosis

Evidence for a role of vitamin D and direct gene-environmental interaction in the cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is reviewed by researchers at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.