cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Algorithm of Discovery: Programming the mosaic of shortest trajectories

In discovering nature of the Primary Language of the human brain introduced by J. von Neumann, we suggest that the Primary Language is the Language of Visual Streams. We investigate the Primary Language by researching major ancient algorithms that have been developed as a result of evolution of human intelligence and should be based directly on the Primary Language. One of them is the Algorithm of Discovery (AD). In this paper, we outline briefly foundations of this algorithm, especially, mosaic reasoning. The details of mosaic reasoning are demonstrated on the example of application of the AD to the discovery of the Algorithm for generating the Shortest Trajectories (AST) for Abstract Board Games. Throughout the paper, we include snapshots of the program that simulated this application. Those snapshots replicate snapshots of the visual streams involved in the discovery of AST.
Practices and Learning

This essay considers the contribution that practice theory makes to understand learning . It argues that practice theory does not foster a new conception of learning but instead holds insights into learning traditionally conceptualized as the acquisition of knowledge . Part one considers Lave and Wenger’s idea that learning is coming to participate in practices . I argue that coming to participate in a practice amounts to acquiring the knowledges of different sorts needed to participate in it. As a result, learning qua coming to participate in practices is a version of the traditional conception that highlights practical knowledge and ties contents and processes of knowledge to the organization of social life as practices. Part two explores implications of the ontological centrality of practices for learning and illustrates how practice theory ties the contents and processes of knowledge to practices. After an interlude on the nature of knowledge, the conclusion argues that training a la Wittgenstein underlies the acquisition of knowledge, thus participation in practices , and is itself a form of learning.
Weyl–Titchmarsh M-Function Asymptotics for Matrix-valued Schrödinger Operators

We explicitly determine the high-energy asymptotics for Weyl--Titchmarsh matrices corresponding to matrix-valued Schr\"odinger operators associated with general self-adjoint $m\times m$ matrix potentials $Q\in {L^1_{\text{loc}} ((x_0,\infty))}^{m\times m}$, where $m\in{\mathbb N}$. More precisely, assume that for some $N\in {\mathbb N}$ and $x_0\in{\mathbb R}$, $Q^{(N-1)}\in L^1([x_0,c))^{m\times m}$ for all $c>x_0$, and that $x\geq x_0$ is a right Lebesgue point of $Q^{(N-1)}$. In addition, denote by $I_m$ the $m\times m$ identity matrix and by $C_\varepsilon$ the open sector in the complex plane with vertex at zero, symmetry axis along the positive imaginary axis, and opening angle $\varepsilon$, with $0<\varepsilon< \frac12\pi$. Then we prove the following asymptotic expansion for any point $M_+(z,x)$ of the unique limit point or a point of the limit disk associated with the differential expression $-I_m\frac{d^2}{dx^2}+Q(x)$ in ${L^2((x_0,\infty))}^m$ and a Dirichlet boundary condition at $x=x_0$: \begin{equation} M_+(z,x)\underset{|z|\to\infty,\, z\in C_\varepsilon}{=} i I_m z^{1/2}+ \sum_{k=1}^N m_{+,k}(x)z^{-k/2}+ o(|z|^{-N/2}), \quad \text{where }N\in{\mathbb N}. \nonumber \end{equation} The expansion is uniform with respect to $\arg\,(z)$ for $|z|\to \infty$ in $C_\varepsilon$ and uniform in $x$ as long as $x$ varies in compact subsets of ${\mathbb R}$ intersected with the right Lebesgue set of $Q^{(N-1)}$. Moreover, the $m\times m$ expansion coefficients $m_{+,k}(x)$ can be computed recursively. Analogous results hold for matrix-valued Schr\"odinger operators on the real line. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 34E05, 34B20, 34L40, 34A55.
Predictors of Treatment Completion and Recidivism Among Intimate Partner Violence Offenders

ABSTRACTThis study examined the variables that predicted completion of an AMEND-Emerge-based program designed to treat men (n = 202) who had engaged in intimate partner violence and the rates of recidivism among those who completed versus those who failed to complete the program. Data were collected from an archival database that housed historical and demographic data on each participant; recidivism was determined by accessing publicly available court records, and was defined very broadly as any charges filed within a year after participating in the program. Overall recidivism for this sample was low (22.28%). Demographic factors demonstrated to correctly classify post-treatment recidivism included age, race, and relationship status. Whereas those who completed the program had lower recidivism than non-completers, the differences between those groups in age, race, and relationship status suggest that features of the program may not address the needs of younger African Americans who are not married.
A Multifaceted Hypnosis Smoking-Cessation Program: Enhancing Motivation and Goal Attainment

Smoking cessation remains a major health priority. Despite public campaigns against smoking and widespread availability of smoking-cessation treatments, many people continue to smoke. The authors argue that the "problem of motivation," that is, suboptimal or fluctuating motivation to resist smoking urges and to comply with the demands of treatment, commonly undermines treatment seeking and adherence, appreciably reducing the success rates of smoking-cessation programs. The authors describe the history of the Winning Edge smoking-cessation program and discuss ways to enhance motivation before, during, and after formal treatment. They illustrate how hypnotic suggestions, administered in the context of their program, can promote cognitive, behavioral, and emotional commitment to treatment and enhance motivation to live a smoke-free life.
Risk factors of metabolic bone disease of prematurity.

Abstract Objective To identify the factors that increase risk of metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBD). Study design A retrospective case-control study of infants born between January 2013–April 2014 with gestation age Results Of 76 infants evaluated, 40 met criteria for MBD. Median gestational age was 25 weeks in both groups (p = 0.512). Median birth weight of infants with MBD was significantly lower than that of controls (560 vs. 765 g, p Conclusion Cholestasis is a significant risk factor for the development of MBD. Our future studies will be directed towards determining the causal relationship between cholestasis and MBD.
Keynote Address: Rev. Mark Massa.

Rev. Mark S. Massa, S.J., is the dean and professor of Church history at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. He was invited to give a keynote to begin the third Catholic Higher Education Collaborative Conference (CHEC), cosponsored by Boston College and Fordham University. Fr. Massa’s address posed critical questions about whether Catholic identity and Catholic Intellectual Tradition are still the focal points for academic excellence in Catholic schools. This question was continually revisited throughout the conference.
Abstract LB-181: Cutaneous SCC may escape immune surveillance by secreting complement factor H

Developing tumors evade elimination by the immune system using a variety of mechanisms. Evidence suggests that cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) may evade immune system surveillance by secreting complement factor H (CFH), a regulatory protein of the complement system. As part of its normal function, CFH binds to glycosaminoglycans on the surface of host cells where it acts as a cofactor for Factor I mediated C3b cleavage and accelerates the decay of the C3-convertase C3bBb. This mechanism for protecting self-cells also involves shifting the immune response from a pro-inflammatory T-helper-1 cell to an anti-inflammatory regulatory T-cell response. Data presented here suggest that some cSCCs have the ability to upregulate expression of CFH and studies have shown that this could be in response to the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ. We suggest that, in our cSCC samples, a potential negative-feedback loop exists in which the initial immune response to the developing tumor triggers expression of an immunosuppressive molecule, allowing the cancer to create an environment conducive to evading immune surveillance mechanisms. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Ellise Loomis, Christopher Pulford, Chandana Uppalapati, Agnes Pascual, McKale Montgomery, Kathryn J. Leyva, Elizabeth E. Hull. Cutaneous SCC may escape immune surveillance by secreting complement factor H [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-181. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-LB-181
A Yuwipi Ceremony at Pine Ridge

The final phase of the Dakota Yuwipi cult, a rite for curing the sick and foretelling the future, is described. It was held at Pine Ridge, South Dakota for the purpose of forecasting the chances of...
A Quantitative Examination of Identity Integration in Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual People of Faith.

Much of the religious/spiritual development of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals (GLBs) has focused on experiences of conflict and distress, providing little insight into how these identities can be in...
Presence of fruits decreases probability of retaining flowers in a sequentially flowering plant.

Both intrinsic and extrinsic plant processes affect the fate of flowers along an inflorescence in sequentially flowering plants. We investigated whether the intrinsic process of competition for limited resource between fruits and flowers owing to resource preemption or sink strength of basal fruits, or architectural effects due to positional differences in the probability of retaining flowers, explains a lower probability of retaining distal flowers in Yucca glauca. Further, we investigated how the extrinsic process of seed herbivory interacts with the plant’s intrinsic processes of flower retention. We carried out a field experiment to compare flower retention among nine combinations of three inflorescence treatments (basal flowers only, distal flowers only, distal flowers with presence of basal fruits) and three ovule damage treatments (no, low and high) that serve as a cue for potential future seed herbivory. Also, we quantified flower retention in naturally pollinated inflorescences. Experimental results showed that the probabilities of retaining basal and distal flowers in the absence of basal fruits were similar, thus rejecting the architectural effects hypothesis. Further, in the presence of basal fruits that were in their initial stages of growth, the probability of retaining distal flowers decreased, which supports the sink strength hypothesis. We did not see an effect of ovule damage. In naturally pollinated inflorescences, the probability of retaining distal flowers decreased with increasing number of basal fruits. Results suggest that basal fruits constitute strong resource sinks reducing the probability of retaining distal flowers. Previous studies have tested this mechanism in cultivated plants. Our study shows evidence for this mechanism in a wild flower population.
Feasibility of a sexual health program for women receiving pelvic radiation therapy for gynecologic and lower GI cancers.

135Background: Long term effects of pelvic radiation for women include vaginal stenosis, leading to distress regarding sexual function. The NCCN guidelines recommend asking patients about sexual fu...
The Development and Commercialization of Tetraploid Technology for Oysters

The first use of biotechnology in shellfish aquaculture was induced triploidy which has realized commercial success in the USA (Allen et al., 1989) and is of great interest in most other parts of the world. There are limitations to producing triploids in the hatchery that include toxicity of the treatment, reduced survival of the progeny, and often unpredictable results. Our lab has pioneered the use of tetraploid oysters for crossing with diploids to yield all-triploid progeny (Guo et al., 1996).
Towards an Understanding of Affect and Knowledge from Student Interaction with an Intelligent Tutoring System

Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow theory states that a balance between challenge and skill leads to high engagement, overwhelming challenge leads to anxiety or frustration, and insufficient challenge leads to boredom. In this paper, we test this theory within the context of student interaction with an intelligent tutoring system. Automated detectors of student affect and knowledge were developed, validated, and applied to a large data set. The results did not match Flow theory: boredom was more common for poorly-known material, and frustration was common both for very difficult material and very easy material. These results suggest that design for optimal engagement within online learning may require further study of the factors leading students to become bored on difficult material, and frustrated on very well-known material.
Eating Disorder and Menstrual Dysfunction Screening Tools for the Allied Health Professional

After completing this chapter, you should have an understanding of the following: • The primary care provider’s role in the detection of an eating disorder. • Commonly used screening tools for eating disorders. • Screening tools specifically designed for the female athlete. • Credible self-assessment and educational tools on the Web for eating disorders.
Mathematical Analysis of Transport and Consumption of Molecules in Heterogeneous Brain Tissue (Methodology)

A computer model of metabolite transport and consumption in heterogeneous brain tissue, using a combination of probabilistic and deterministic techniques is being developed. The metabolites are put into two separate classes: (I) those that have reached a membrane for the first time during a small time step, At, and (II) those that have not yet reached a cell membrane for the first time during that time step. The time dependent spatial distribution of class (I) molecules is determined using random walk theory, which takes into account the actual paths of the molecules. The variation of the spatial distribution of class (II) molecules with time is determined using the time dependent diffusion equation with a boundary condition of zero concentration on the enclosing membrane boundaries.
Performance of HAMP Versus Non-HAMP Loan Modifications – Evidence from New York City

Policymakers are relying heavily on mortgage modifications to address the foreclosure crisis. However, not enough is known about whether modifications actually help borrowers stay current over the long run, or about what kinds of modifications are most successful. We use logit models in a hazard framework to explain how loan, borrower, property, servicer and neighborhood characteristics, along with differences in the modifications, affect the likelihood of redefault. The dataset includes both HAMP and proprietary modifications. Our results demonstrate that borrowers who receive HAMP modifications have been considerably more successful in staying current than those who receive non-HAMP modifications.
Impact of dihydrogen bonding on lattice energies and sublimation enthalpies of crystalline [H2GaNH2]3, [H2BNH2]3 and [H2GeCH2]3

The lattice energies of [H2GaNH2]3, [H2BNH2]3 and [H2GeCH2]3 in their experimentally determined space groups, P21/m, Pmn21 and Pbcm, respectively, were calculated using density functional methods for periodic structures with the ab initio periodic code CRYSTAL17. Using the basis set pob-TZVP for all calculations, B3LYP including Grimme's D3 dispersion correction was found to reproduce experimental bond distances and angles most accurately. CRYSTAL17 was also used to optimize geometries and calculate energies of the molecular structures in the gas phase. While the chair conformation of the six-membered rings is found in all of the crystals, only [H2GeCH2]3 retains this as the preferred conformation in the gas phase. By contrast, a twist-boat conformation is preferred for both [H2GaNH2]3 and [H2BNH2]3 in the gas phase, and thus a correction for this change in conformation must be included in corresponding sublimation enthalpy calculations. In addition to the D3 dispersion correction, all lattice energies included a correction for basis set superposition error. The lattice energies for [H2GaNH2]3, [H2BNH2]3 and [H2GeCH2]3 were 153.5, 120.8 and 84.9 kJ mol−1, respectively. These values were used to calculate the sublimation enthalpies, which exhibited good agreement for the single case where an experimental measurement is available, namely [H2BNH2]3 (exp ΔHsub(298), 119 ± 12 kJ mol−1; calcd, 119.4 kJ mol−1). The energetic impact of the crystal structure was assessed by minimizing the structures of each molecule in each of the three space groups spanned by them experimentally and calculating their respective lattice energies. In every case, the experimentally observed space group was the one computed to be the most stable.
Seeing Education Relationally: The Stratification of Culture and People in the Sociology of School Knowledge:

The most widely used approaches to the study of the stratifying role of the school—the status attainment tradition and phenomenologically oriented ethnographic work—have undertheorized conceptions ...
Learning reference governor for cycle-to-cycle combustion control with misfire avoidance in spark-ignition engines at high exhaust gas recirculation–diluted conditions:

Cycle-to-cycle feedback control is employed to achieve optimal combustion phasing while maintaining high levels of exhaust gas recirculation by adjusting the spark advance and the exhaust gas recir...
RIPK3 facilitates host and pathogen interactions after oral Toxoplasma gondii infection

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii infection activates pattern recognition receptor (PRR) pathways that drive innate inflammatory responses to control infection. Necroptosis is a pro-inflammatory cell death pathway apart of the innate immune response that has evolved to control pathogenic infection. In this study we further defined the role of Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) as a PRR and assessed its contribution to necroptosis as a host protection mechanism to T. gondii infection. We found that ZBP1 does not induce pro-inflammatory necroptosis cell death and ZBP1 null mice have reduced survival after oral T. gondii infection. In contrast, mice deleted in receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3-/-), a central mediator of necroptosis, have significantly improved survival after oral T. gondii infection even with higher parasite burden. The physiological consequences of RIPK3 activity did not show any differences in intestine villi immunopathology but RIPK3-/- mice showed higher immune cell infiltration and edema in the lamina propria. The contribution of necroptosis to host survival was clarified with mixed lineage kinase domain like pseudokinase null (MLKL-/-) mice. We found MLKL-/- mice to succumb to oral T. gondii infection the same as wild type mice, indicating necroptosis-independent RIPK3 activity impacts host survival. These results provide new insights on the impacts of pro-inflammatory cell death pathways as a mechanism of host defense to oral T. gondii infection.
Novel Therapies in Acute Migraine Management: Small-Molecule Calcitonin Gene-Receptor Antagonists and Serotonin 1F Receptor Agonist.

ObjectiveTo review the efficacy, safety, and cost of 3 newly approved agents—ubrogepant, lasmiditan, and rimegepant—representing 2 therapeutic classes, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) recept...
Simulated Winter Incubation of Soil With Swine Manure Differentially Affects Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance Elements

Gastrointestinal bacteria that harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) become enriched with antibiotic use. Livestock manure application to cropland for soil fertility presents a concern that ARG and bacteria may proliferate and be transported in the environment. In the United States, manure applications typically occur during autumn with slow mineralization until spring planting season. A laboratory soil incubation study was conducted mimicking autumn swine manure application to soils with concentrations of selected ARG monitored during simulated 120-day winter incubation with multiple freeze-thaw events. Additionally, the effects of two soil moistures [10 and 30% water holding capacity (WHC)] and two manure treatments [raw versus hydrated lime alkaline stabilization (HLAS)] were assessed. Fourteen tetracycline resistance genes were evaluated; tet(D), tet(G), and tet(L) were detected in background soil while swine manure contained tet(A), tet(B), tet(C), tet(G), tet(M), tet(O), tet(Q), and tet(X). By day 120, the manure-borne tet(M) and tet(O) were still detected while tet(C), tet(D), tet(L), and tet(X) genes were detected less frequently. Other tet resistance genes were detected rarely, if at all. The sum of unique tet resistance genes among all treatments decreased during the incubation from an average of 8.9 to 3.8 unique tet resistance genes. Four resistance elements, intI1, bla ctx-m-32, sul(I), erm(B), and 16s rRNA genes were measured using quantitative PCR. ARG abundances relative to 16S abundance were initially greater in the raw manure compared to background soil (-1.53 to -3.92 log abundance in manure; -4.02 to <-6.7 log abundance in soil). In the mixed manure/soil, relative abundance of the four resistance elements decreased (0.87 to 1.94 log abundance) during the incubation largely because 16S rRNA genes increased by 1.21 log abundance. Throughout the incubation, the abundance of intI1, bla ctx-m-32, sul(I), and erm(B) per gram in soil amended with HLAS-treated manure was lower than in soil amended with raw manure. Under low initial soil moisture conditions, HLAS treatment reduced the abundance of intI1 and resulted in loss of bla ctx-m-32, sul(I), and erm(B)] compared to other treatment-moisture combinations. Although one might expect antibiotic resistance to be relatively unchanged after simulated winter manure application to soil, a variety of changes in diversity and relative abundance can be expected.
Structural and kinetic investigations of the carboxy terminus of NADPH cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase.

The influence of the side chains and positioning of the carboxy-terminal residues of NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (CYPOR) on catalytic activity, structure of the carboxy terminus, and interaction with cofactors has been investigated. A tandem deletion of residues Asp675 and Val676, that was expected to shift the position of the functionally important Trp677, resulted in higher cytochrome c reductase activity than that expected from previous studies on the importance of Asp675 and Trp677 in catalysis. Crystallographic determination of the structure of this variant revealed two conformations of the carboxy terminus. In one conformation (Mol A), the last α-helix is partially unwound, resulting in repositioning of all subsequent residues in β-strand 21, from Arg671 to Leu674 (corresponding to Ser673 and Val676 in the wild type structure). This results in the two C-terminal residues, Trp677 and Ser678, being maintained in their wild type positions, with the indole ring of Trp677 stacked against the isoalloxazine ring of FAD as seen in the wild type structure, and Ser673 occupying a similar position to the catalytic residue, Asp675. The other, more disordered conformation is a mixture of the Mol A conformation and one in which the last α-helix is not unwound and the nicotinamide ring is in one of two conformations, out towards the protein surface as observed in the wild type structure (1AMO), or stacked against the flavin ring, similar to that seen in the W677X structure that lacks Trp677 and Ser678 (1JA0). Further kinetic analysis on additional variants showed deletion or substitution of alanine or glycine for Trp677 in conjunction with deletion of Ser678 produced alterations in interactions of CYPOR with NADP+, 2'5'-ADP, and 2'-AMP, as well as the pH dependence of cytochrome c reductase activity. We postulate that deletion of bulky residues at the carboxy terminus permits increased mobility leading to decreased affinity for the 2'5'-ADP and 2'-AMP moieties of NADP+ and subsequent domain movement.
Submergence stress in rice: Adaptive mechanisms, coping strategies and future research needs

Abstract Rice is a crop of primary importance in regions, where two-thirds of the world’s starving population reside. Recent climate change projections anticipate spatial shift in precipitation pattern and increase of flooding events that may have negative effects on rice yield and economic returns. Efforts for increasing rice production in areas prone to submergence stress will directly benefit hundreds of millions of people dependent on rice as their staple food. This necessitates an objective review of physiological mechanisms and management practices, which could sustain crop productivity under partial or complete submergence. Submergence usually reduces photosynthesis rate that results in quick depletion of the carbohydrate reserve and ultimately the plant dies. Varieties introgressed with SUB1A QTL maintains higher activity of alcohol dehydrogenase and low rate of chlorophyll degradation and thus exhibits better survival under submergence. Prolonged submergence results in a significant reduction in soil redox potential and the heavy influx of flood water promotes runoff, volatilization and deep percolation which leads to loss of sizeable amount of nutrients and ultimately causes nutrient deficiency in soil. Thus, to ensure optimum yield, it is essential to alter the nutrient schedule when plant is subjected to submergence stress. Agronomic management practices like seed priming, higher seed rates, alteration in crop geometry and other improved seeding methods enhance production efficiency by boosting germination, early growth and optimum partitioning of photosynthates to vegetative and reproductive parts. This review critically explores the complex problems faced by rice crop during submergence, physiological mechanisms that helps plant to cope up the submergence stress, as well as available cost-effective management strategies to arrest the yield decline.
Developing new antiferroelectric and ferroelectric oxides and chalcogenides within the A2BX3 family

Here, we employ first-principles methods to expand the set of functional materials known as ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics. We use known compounds, whose properties have previously been overlooked, as the springboard for new materials. We first develop methodology to search for polar instabilities in known nonpolar and antipolar compounds and then use this technique to identify new members of the A2BX3 family. This methodology identities new Pb-free oxides and chalcogenides, with a wide range of band gaps, to be used as solid-state photovoltaics. Finally, we perform a cursory evaluation of how compositional tuning of oxide materials can adjust the difference in energy between ground and metastable states, to assess the likelihood of polarization switching. In total, we report on a targeted sets of new materials to synthesize and design routes to obtain ferroelectrics and antiferroelectrics with energetic barriers amenable to switching with an electric field.
Monitoring for Recurrence Following Esophagectomy.

ABSTRACT Background Current guidelines for follow-up after esophagectomy suggest only history and physical exam. With recent advances in chemotherapy and immunotherapy for patients with recurrent esophageal cancer, we hypothesized that surveillance imaging would identify patients with cancer recurrence earlier and improve long-term survival. Methods A retrospective review of all patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer at a single institution between 2007-2018 was conducted. Patients were categorized as recurrence detected through surveillance imaging (SI) or recurrence detected through history and physical alone (HPE). Patients were excluded if recurrence occurred within 3 months of surgery. Results During the study period, 225 esophageal cancer patients underwent an esophagectomy. Among these, 101 (44.9%) had SI and 124 (55.1%) had routine follow-up with HPE. Eighty-eight recurrences (39.1%) occurred with median follow-up of 12 months. Rate of recurrence was similar based on screening method: 41/101 (40.6%) by SI and 47/124 (37.9%) by HPE (p=0.68). Among patients with recurrence, recipients of additional treatment were also similar between groups, 36/41 (87.8%) by SI and 34/47 (72.3%) by HPE (p=0.468). Among those who had a recurrence, the median overall survival was significantly longer in those undergoing SI at 23 months compared to those who received HPE at 16 months, p=0.047 Conclusions Surveillance imaging after esophagectomy is not associated with improved detection of recurrence, but is associated with improved overall survival once recurrence is detected. These data suggest that earlier identification of esophageal cancer recurrence may have survival benefit. Standardizing surveillance imaging may prove beneficial for patients following esophagectomy.
Structure-Texture decomposition by a TV-Gabor model

This paper explores new aspects of the image decomposition problem using modern variational techniques. We aim at splitting an original image f into two components u and v, where u holds the geometrical information and v holds the textural information. Our aim is to provide the necessary variational tools and suggest the suitable functional spaces to extract specific types of textures. Our modeling uses the total-variation semi-norm for extracting the structural part and a new tunable norm, presented here for the first time, based on Gabor functions, for the textural part. A way to select the splitting parameter based on the orthogonality of structure and texture is also suggested.
Estimation of underwater source parameters by use of multipath information

Normal mode theory is used to formulate a multipath ocean channel in terms of a relatively straightforward linear-transfer function matrix. The formulation can be used as a basis for maximum-likelihood and MUSIC-type estimator for source parameters such as depth and range. The Cramer-Rao bound shows that the accuracy of depth estimation depends on the shape of the sound speed profile. It is shown that adapting a MUSIC-type algorithm to the transfer function matrix for the ocean avoids difficulties produced by coherence of multipath arrivals from the same source. >
The Status of WTO Rules in U.S. Law

Under U.S. implementing legislation and recent court decisions the WTO agreements and rulings have neither direct nor even indirect effect within the U.S. legal system. Political-economic theory can explain this result and the paradox of Congressional support (even mandate) for the more legally binding WTO dispute settlement regime that emerged from the Uruguay Round appearing side-by-side with Congressional insistence on a firewall of separation between WTO law and the U.S. legal system. It can also explain the few exceptional cases - for example, the TRIPS and Government Procurement Agreements - in which the parties adopted a form of quasi-direct effect. The non-direct-effect result for the WTO as a whole (in both the U.S. and the EU) contrasts sharply with court-mandated direct effect for the EC Treaty in the EU - a result that transformed the EU into a law-based quasi-federation. But whereas the EU is an integral, constitutive regime, premised on member-state commitment to community-level welfare - a regime hospitable to direct effect - the WTO remains a bargained-for, reciprocal, largely non-constitutive regime, in which the absence of direct effect operates as a kind of safety value allowing parties to undertake more ambitious liberalization. For integrated, thickly interdependent communities like the EU the rule of hard law (direct effect) is appropriate. But for less integrated, more loosely interdependent communities, such as the global trading system - a soft law regime more reliant on executive branch commitment and good will for its effectiveness seems inevitable, at least for the near term and from a U.S. perspective. These themes are developed in the paper in three parts: the first addresses the U.S. law concerning direct and indirect effect for WTO agreements and rulings. The second develops a political-economic explanation for the absence of WTO direct and indirect effect in U.S. law. The third discusses the prospects for including direct or indirect effect for WTO agreements and rulings in a future multilateral agreement.
Expression of a Late Embryogenesis Abundant Protein Gene, HVA1, from Barley Confers Tolerance to Water Deficit and Salt Stress in Transgenic Rice

A late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein gene, HVA1, from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was introduced into rice suspension cells using the Biolistic-mediated transformation method, and a large number of independent transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants were generated. Expression of the barley HVA1 gene regulated by the rice actin 1 gene promoter led to high-level, constitutive accumulation of the HVA1 protein in both leaves and roots of transgenic rice plants. Second-generation transgenic rice plants showed significantly increased tolerance to water deficit and salinity. Transgenic rice plants maintained higher growth rates than nontransformed control plants under stress conditions. The increased tolerance was also reflected by delayed development of damage symptoms caused by stress and by improved recovery upon the removal of stress conditions. We also found that the extent of increased stress tolerance correlated with the level of the HVA1 protein accumulated in the transgenic rice plants. Using a transgenic approach, this study provides direct evidence supporting the hypothesis that LEA proteins play an important role in the protection of plants under water-or salt-stress conditions. Thus, LEA genes hold considerable potential for use as molecular tools for genetic crop improvement toward stress tolerance.
STRONTIUM-90 AND CAESIUM-137 IN ANTARCTIC SNOWS.

THE strontium-90 content of snow samples indicates that the main influx of fission products in Antarctica occurred in 1955. The movement of 137Cs seems possible in Antarctic snow.
Fracture of sea ice sheets due to isostatic imbalance

The non uniform thickness of sea ice sheets creates regions of isostatic shear imbalance. For assumed ice thickness variation, the resulting bening stresses are determined sufficient to cause cracking. The ice sheet is modeled as a floating elastic plate with constant flexural rigidity. Variable thickness is obtained by representing the bottom surface as a sine wave. Upper and lower bound curves are obtained for the amplitude of the bottom surface variation versus ice breaking strength.
Characteristics and reliability of high power multi-mode InGaAs strained quantum well single emitters with CW output powers of over 5W

High-power multi-mode broad area InGaAs strained quantum well (QW) single emitters (λ ≈ 920-980nm) have been mainly used for industrial applications. Recently, these broad area lasers with CW output powers >5W have also found applications in communications as pump lasers for Er-Yb co-doped fiber amplifiers. This application requires very demanding characteristics including higher reliability than industrial applications. In contrast to 980nm single mode InGaAs strained QW lasers that are widely employed in both terrestrial and submarine applications, the fact that multimode lasers have never been used in optical communications necessitates careful study of these lasers. We report investigations of performance characteristics, reliability, and failure modes of high-power multi-mode single emitters. The lasers studied were broad area strained InGaAs-GaAs single QW lasers grown either by MOCVD or MBE. Typical apertures were around 100μm wide and cavity lengths were ≤4.2mm. AR-HR coated laser diode chips were mounted on carriers with junction down configuration to reduce thermal impedance. Laser thresholds were ≤453mA at RT. At 6A injection current typical CW output powers were over 5W at 25°C with wall-plug efficiency of ~60%. Characteristics measured included thermal impedance and optical beam profiles that are critical in understanding performance and reliability. Automatic current control burn-in tests with different stress conditions were performed and log (I)-V characteristics were measured at RT to correlate degradation in optical output power and an increase in trap density estimated from the 2κ•T term in bulk recombination current. We also report initial analysis of lifetest results and failure modes from these lasers.
Selective respiratory depressant action of morphine compared to meperidine in the cat

Abstract Possible pontile and medullary sites of narcotic-induced ventilatory depression were evaluated in the midcollicular decerebrate cat. Morphine (1.0–2.0 mg/kg i.v.) selectively depressed the activity of apneustic respiratory neurons by diminishing the number of spikes per respiratory cycle and increasing the interval between spikes. In some experiments, ventilation continued although there was a complete elimination of activity in apneustic neurons after morphine administration. Medullary respiratory neurons revealed only changes in burst duration following morphine. In contrast to morphine, meperidine (2.0–4.0 mg/kg) simultaneously depressed both pontile and medullary respiratory neurons. It is concluded that the respiratory neurons of the pontile apneustic center are more sensitive to morphine than are medullary respiratory units. On the other hand, both pontile and medullary units appear equally sensitive to meperidine. These results imply that morphine and meperidine may produce ventilatory depression by different mechanisms of action.
Enthalpy of formation of the arsenic pentafluoride-thionyl fluoride complex

Abstract The equilibrium constant for the reaction SOF 2 + AsF 5 ⇌SOF 2 ·AsF 5 has been calculated as a function of temperature using existing 19 F NMR observations. The average enthalpy of formation of the complex was found to be −4·6 ± 0·2 kcal/mole over the temperature range +6 to −125°C.
Autophagy in Tuberculosis

Autophagy as an immune mechanism controls inflammation and acts as a cell-autonomous defense against intracellular microbes including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An equally significant role of autophagy is its anti-inflammatory and tissue-sparing function. This combination of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions prevents active disease in animal models. In human populations, genetic links between autophagy, inflammatory bowel disease, and susceptibility to tuberculosis provide further support to these combined roles of autophagy. The autophagic control of M. tuberculosis and prevention of progressive disease provide novel insights into physiological and immune control of tuberculosis. It also offers host-based therapeutic opportunities because autophagy can be pharmacologically modulated.
Nonlinear model predictive control of a reactive distillation column

Abstract This paper considers the application of nonlinear model predictive control (NLMPC) to a highly nonlinear reactive distillation column. NLMPC was applied as a nonlinear programming problem using orthogonal collocation on finite elements to approximate the ODEs that constitute the model equations for the reactive distillation column. Diagonal PI controls were used to identify that the [ L / D , V ] and the [ L / D , V / B ] configurations performed best. NLMPC was applied using the [ L / D , V ] configuration and found to provide a factor of 2–3 better performance than the corresponding PI controller. The effect of process/model mismatch on the performance of the NLMPC controller was also evaluated.
Use of Microcantilevers for the Monitoring of Molecular Binding to Self-Assembled Monolayers

We measured the adsorption of water vapor and trinitrotoluene (TNT) on a silicon cantilever that was coated with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid on one surface. Even though hydrogen bonding is responsible for adsorption in both cases, the adsorption characteristics were quite different for the two species. In the case of water vapor, the mass loading and bending both increased with relative humidity in a linear fashion. For TNT in the dry nitrogen carrier, the mass loading and bending initially increased rapidly and then leveled off around one monolayer of coverage irrespective of the TNT concentration. This study shows that microcantilevers provide a convenient and versatile platform for the monitoring of molecular binding to SAMs.
Mechanism of inhibition of organic acid transport in rabbit renal cortex by cyclic AMP

Abstract The mechanism by which isoproterenol and cyclic AMP inhibit organic acid transport was examined. Accumulation of 131I-Hippuran (S/M) was used as an index of organic acid transport. Propranolol, an antagonist of isoproterenol's β-adrenergic response, not only inhibited accumulation of Hippuran but, when combined with isoproterenol, caused further inhibition. PTH elicited larger increases than isoproterenol in cortical-slice cyclic AMP content but did not inhibit accumulation of Hippuran. This lack of correlation between a positive effect on the adenylate-cyclase-cyclic AMP system and inhibition of transport was also seen when other agents were tested. Cyclic GMP, which has been postulated to work in opposition to cyclic AMP, was as potent as cyclic AMP in decreasing S/M. The decreasing of S/M by adenine and uric acid could not be related to any known effect of these agents on tissue cyclic AMP content. Similarly, although 0.1 mM theophylline significantly decreased S/M, cortical cyclic-AMP content was not increased until a 100-fold greater concentration of theophylline was employed. The data suggest that the inhibitory effect of these agents was attributable to their molecular configurations, which interact directly with the organic acid transport system rather than indirectly via the adenylate-cyclase-cyclic AMP system.
Collaboration in system administration

For sysadmins, solving problems usually involves collaborating with others. How can we make it more effective?
Radioautographic study of human endometrium superfused with estradiol-17β, estrone, estriol and progesterone

Abstract Radioautographic analysis of slices of human endometrium superfused with either tritiated estradiol, estrone, estriol, or progesterone in buffer solutions demonstrated uptake of radioactivity by glandular and luminal epithelial cells, as well as by stroma. The labeled compounds were retained by these cells during prolonged washing with buffer or bovine serum albumin. A partial removal of extranuclear steroids was accomplished by washing of the labeled slices with human male serum. Nuclear concentration of radioactivity in the labeled cells was already evident after 5 min of incubation. Uniform distribution of radioactivity across slices, approximately 200 μm thick, was achieved only after 20–40 min of perfusion. Eosinophils showed cytoplasmic labeling during perfusion of radioactive estrone, estradiol and estriol, but were not labeled by progesterone. Chromatographic analysis of the labeled steroids extracted from the washed tissue slices revealed the presence of both tritiated estrone and estradiol when either of these tracers were superfused.
Hysteresis in systems with a single steady state.

It is usually stated that only systems with multiple steady states can exhibit hysteresis. For protein conformations, this would violate the idea that, in fixed environments, primary structure uniquely determines tertiary structure. It is shown that hysteresis-like phenomena can be exhibited by systems possessing only a single steady-state configuration. This property is placed in a more general theoretical setting of recognition and classification systems, and some implications for processes such as memory, learning and pattern generation (morphogenesis) are discussed.
Casting thin films of cellulose nitrate, polycarbonate, and polypropylene

Abstract Plastic films of cellulose nitrate (collodion), polycarbonate (Lexan ™ ), and polypropylene have many uses in the production of nuclear targets, as well as in other research areas. The uses and properties of these films are summarized, and techniques for producing them by casting onto glass and other surfaces in controlled thicknesses are described. Special apparatus and precautions for producing such films in the thickness range from 0.04 μm to 10 μm, and in sizes up to 100 mm × 125 mm have been developed.
Factors controlling tungsten concentrations in ground water, Carson Desert, Nevada

An investigation of a childhood leukemia cluster by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that residents of the Carson Desert, Nevada, are exposed to high levels of W and this prompted an investigation of W in aquifers used as drinking water sources. Tungsten concentrations in 100 ground water samples from all aquifers used as drinking water sources in the area ranged from 0.27 to 742 μg/l. Ground water in which W concentrations exceed 50 μg/l principally occurs SE of Fallon in a geothermal area. The principal sources of W in ground water are natural and include erosion of W-bearing mineral deposits in the Carson River watershed upstream of Fallon, and, possibly, upwelling geothermal waters. Ground water in the Fallon area is strongly reducing and reductive dissolution of Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides may be releasing W; however, direct evidence that the metal oxides contain W is not available. Although W and Cl concentrations in the Carson River, a lake, and water from many wells, appear to be controlled by evaporative concentration, evaporation alone cannot explain the elevated W concentrations found in water from some of the wells. Concentrations of W exceeding 50 μg/l are exclusively associated with Na–HCO3Na–HCO3 and Na–Cl water types and pH > 8.0; in these waters, geochemical modeling indicates that W exhibits <10% adsorption. Tungsten concentrations are strongly and positively correlated with As, B, F, and P, indicating either common sources or common processes controlling their concentrations. Geochemical modeling indicates W concentrations are consistent with pH-controlled adsorption of W. The geochemical model PHREEQC was used to calculate IAP values, which were compared with published Ksp values for primary W minerals. FeWO4, MnWO4, Na2WO4, and MgWO4 were undersaturated and CaWO4 and SrWO4 were approaching saturation. These conclusions are tentative because of uncertainty in the thermodynamic data. The similar behavior of As and W observed in this study suggests ground water in areas where elevated As concentrations are present also may contain elevated W concentrations, particularly if there is a mineral or geothermal source of W and reducing conditions develop in the aquifer.
Induction of Apoptosis by the Low-Affinity NGF Receptor

Nerve growth factor (NGF) binding to cellular receptors is required for the survival of some neural cells. In contrast to TrkA, the high-affinity NGF receptor that transduces NGF signals for survival and differentiation, the function of the low-affinity NGF receptor, p75NGFR, remains uncertain. Expression of p75NGFR induced neural cell death constitutively when p75NGFR was unbound; binding by NGF or monoclonal antibody, however, inhibited cell death induced by p75NGFR. Thus, expression of p75NGFR may explain the dependence of some neural cells on NGF for survival. These findings also suggest that p75NGFR has some functional similarities to other members of a superfamily of receptors that include tumor necrosis factor receptors, Fas (Apo-1), and CD40.
Determination of cocaine in plasma by automated gas chromatography

A rapid and sensitive gas chromatographic method is described for the determination of cocaine in plasma. A close structural analogue of cocaine, m-toluylecgonine methyl ester, is used as an internal standard. The simplicity of the extraction scheme and the use of an automatic sampler makes the method convenient for large numbers of samples generated in pharmacokinetic studies.