cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges and Reflections on Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom Societies and Sociotechnical Systems

This paper has been invited to be published by the Springer LNBIP series/2014 and so, it is an improved version from those version accepted for presentation at the Fifth Pre-ICIS workshop on ES Research, St Louis/USA 2010 [1]. The paper considers some challenges and reflections concerned with Information and Knowledge/Wise Societies and Sociotechnical Systems. After a brief and innovative panorama on the information and knowledge/wise societies and sociotechnical system we present the core of this work: challenges and reflections related with our society and systems. For some of these challenges and reflections has been proposed answers such as: treatment of the organization as a living being → synergism & collaborative ecosystem research efforts; a unfair shared leadership, information partnership and a collaborative relationship in the age of knowledge and, a new way of development, which comprises the social, economical, cultural and environmental spheres leading us to a new model of perception and knowledge of the world & present financial crisis; the future… Those questioning are still open to create new insights and interests.
Moral Dilemmas and Consistency in Ethics

Recently it has been argued that there are genuine moral dilemmas and that any theory which does not account for this fact is an unrealistic one. This represents a challenge to an assumption that most moral theorists have held: an adequate ethical theory must not allow for genuine moral quandaries. John Stuart Mill, for example, in the last paragraph of the second chapter of Utilitarianism, seems to be committed to such an assumption. Many others have also assented to this view. The consensus among those who hold this view seems to be that if a theory allows for moral dilemmas then there is some sense in which it is incoherent or inconsistent. Yet, oddly enough, the sense in which such a view would be incoherent is rarely, if ever, spelled out. Put another way, there seem to be no arguments for the belief that genuine moral dilemmas must be ruled out. W. D. Ross does suggest that if the same action were both morally required and forbidden, then "this would be to put an end to all ethical judgment."3 But how this would put an end to all ethical judgment, Ross does not explain. Once one sees that few, if any, arguments have been advanced to support the commonly held assumption, one realizes that the recent challenges must be taken seriously. Thus the main questions to which this paper is addressed are these: Must an adequate ethical theory allow for genuine moral dilemmas? Or must an adequate theory rule out such cases in order to avoid incoherence? I shall approach these questions by first spelling out two different senses in which our ethical reasoning might be thought to be inconsistent if there are genuine moral dilemmas. Discussing these two senses of inconsistency will cast light on the original questions. The conclusion that I shall eventually argue for is that we have good grounds for supposing that an adequate moral theory must rule out genuine dilemmas.
Mortality in North American Dogs from 1984 to 2004: An Investigation into Age‐, Size‐, and Breed‐Related Causes of Death

Background: Anecdotal beliefs and limited research suggest variable patterns of mortality in age, size, and breed cohorts of dogs. Detailed knowledge of mortality patterns would facilitate development of tailored health-maintenance practices and contribute to the understanding of the genetic basis of disease. Hypothesis/Objectives: To describe breed-specific causes of death in all instances of canine mortality recorded in the Veterinary Medical Database (VMDB)a between 1984 and 2004. We hypothesized that causes of death, categorized by organ system (OS) or pathophysiologic process (PP), would segregate by age, body mass, and breed. Animals: 74,556 dogs from the VMDB for which death was the outcome of the recorded hospital visit. Methods: Retrospective study. Causes of death from abstracted VMDB medical records were categorized by OS and PP and analyzed by age, breed, and breed-standard mass of dog. Results: Causes of death, categorized by OS or PP, segregated by age, breed, and breed-standard mass. Young dogs died more commonly of gastrointestinal and infectious causes whereas older dogs died of neurologic and neoplastic causes. Increasing age was associated with an increasing risk of death because of cardiovascular, endocrine, and urogenital causes, but not because of hematopoietic or musculoskeletal causes. Dogs of larger breeds died more commonly of musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal causes whereas dogs of smaller breeds died more commonly of endocrine causes. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Not all causes of death contribute equally to mortality within age, size, or breed cohorts. Documented patterns now provide multiple targets for clinical research and intervention.
Integral curves from noisy diffusion MRI data with closed-form uncertainty estimates

We present a method for estimating the trajectories of axon fibers through diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) data that provides theoretically rigorous estimates of trajectory uncertainty. We develop a three-step estimation procedure based on a kernel estimator for a tensor field based on the raw DTI measurements, followed by a plug-in estimator for the leading eigenvectors of the tensors, and a plug-in estimator for integral curves through the resulting vector field. The integral curve estimator is asymptotically normal; the covariance of the limiting Gaussian process allows us to construct confidence ellipsoids for fixed points along the curve. Complete trajectories of fibers are assembled by stopping integral curve tracing at locations with multiple viable leading eigenvector directions and tracing a new curve along each direction. Unlike probabilistic tractography approaches to this problem, we provide a rigorous, theoretically sound model of measurement uncertainty as it propagates from the raw MRI data, to the tensor field, to the vector field, to the integral curves. In addition, trajectory uncertainty is estimated in closed form while probabilistic tractography relies on sampling the space of tensors, vectors, or curves. We show that our estimator provides more realistic trajectory uncertainty estimates than a more simplified prior approach for closed-form trajectory uncertainty estimation due to Koltchinskii et al. (Ann Stat 35:1576–1607, 2007) and a popular probabilistic tractography method due to Behrens et al. (Magn Reson Med 50:1077–1088, 2003) using theory, simulation, and real DTI scans.
Poverty and social context in remote rural communities

Dans les communautes pauvres des centres villes, l'isolement social perpetue la pauvrete. Cet article etend l'analyse au contexte social des zones rurales, en comparant une communaute dependante du charbon et a la pauvrete chronique des Appalaches, avec une communaute plus riche et aux ressources variees du nord de la Nouvelle-Angleterre. La communaute des Appalaches a des opportunites d'emploi plus limitees et, avec le temps, la rarete des emplois autour de l'economie du charbon a genere un contexte social divise. En contraste, la communaute de Nouvelle-Angleterre offre a la fois davantage d'opportunites de travail et une classe moyenne active qui investit dans les biens publics ; les pauvres ne font pas l'objet d'une segregation deliberee. Ces differences dans les contextes socio-economiques des communautes se refletent dans les experiences et les aspirations des femmes de condition pauvre
The influence of rural-urban migration on migrants' fertility in Korea, Mexico and Cameroon

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the relationship between rural-urban migration and fertility in Korea, Mexico, and Cameroon. Using an autoregressive model, the results show a significant rural-urban migration adaptation effect in Korea and Mexico, a reduction of 2.57 and 1.45 children during the entire childbearing period, respectively, when compared to a rural stayer, even after the effect of selection has been controlled. Rural-urban migration has a very small impact on fertility in Cameroon. The unexpected result for Cameroon is due to the fact that the fertility-increasing effect of urban residency on the improved supply conditions of births, such as reduced infertility, offsets the fertility-depressing effect of urban residency on the demand for births. As a result of the adaptation to urban fertility norms, the number of country-wide births was reduced significantly in Mexico and Korea over the time periods studied.
Maintenance of pseudopregnancy in the rat by synergism between human placental lactogen and chorionic gonadotrophin.

A proper balance in secretion of estrogen and progesterone is required for the maintenance of induced uterine decidual reactions and vaginal mucification in pseudopregnant rats. The present study was undertaken, therefore, to determine whether primate luteotrophins, human placental lactogen (HPL), and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), could maintain this balance in the absence of the pituitary gland. A series of treatments were carried out in hypophysectomized pseudopregnant rats, possessing induced uterine decidual reactions in one horn. Weights were taken of both uterine horns, ovaries and adrenal glands. Histologic studies were carried out on both traumatized and untraumatized uterine horns, vagina, ovary and adrenal cortex. It was found that combined therapy with HCG and HPL supported a normal decidual reaction in the traumatized uterinehorn and vaginal mucification for 7 or 8 days after uterine trauma. Therapy with 100 IU HCG/day alone, while maintaining ovarian luteinization resulted in significa...
Protein–DNA binding: complexities and multi-protein codes

Binding of proteins to particular DNA sites across the genome is a primary determinant of specificity in genome maintenance and gene regulation. DNA-binding specificity is encoded at multiple levels, from the detailed biophysical interactions between proteins and DNA, to the assembly of multi-protein complexes. At each level, variation in the mechanisms used to achieve specificity has led to difficulties in constructing and applying simple models of DNA binding. We review the complexities in protein-DNA binding found at multiple levels and discuss how they confound the idea of simple recognition codes. We discuss the impact of new high-throughput technologies for the characterization of protein-DNA binding, and how these technologies are uncovering new complexities in protein-DNA recognition. Finally, we review the concept of multi-protein recognition codes in which new DNA-binding specificities are achieved by the assembly of multi-protein complexes.
The experience of rural independent pharmacies with medicare part D: reports from the field.

CONTEXT: The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) created prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries through a new Part D program, the single largest addition to Medicare since its creation in 1965. Prior to program implementation in January 2006, concerns had been voiced as to how independent pharmacies, which represent a higher proportion of all retail pharmacies in rural areas, would fare under the new program. PURPOSE: This article describes first-hand reports from rural pharmacist-owners about their experiences with Medicare Part D plans in the first 7 months of 2006 in order to gain a more thorough understanding of the challenges faced by rural independent pharmacies as a result of program implementation. METHODS: A semi-structured interview protocol was utilized in telephone interviews with 22 pharmacist-owners of rural independent pharmacies in 10 states. FINDINGS: The rural independent pharmacists interviewed are experiencing major changes in payment, administrative burden, and interaction with patients as a result of the shift of patients into Medicare Part D plans. While administrative burden has greatly increased, payment and clinical interaction have decreased. CONCLUSION: Actions should be considered that would help rural independent pharmacists adjust to the new circumstances of having Medicare patients mirror, for administrative and payment purposes, commercially insured patients. Long-term modification of existing policies and regulations may be necessary to assure reasonable access to pharmaceuticals for rural populations. Further study is needed to determine how best to target these modifications to essential pharmacies.
Outcome analysis of the transglabellar/subcranial approach for lesions of the anterior cranial fossa: A comparison with the classic craniotomy approach☆☆☆

The classic approach to anterior skull base lesions uses bifrontal craniotomies together with lateral rhinotomies. This approach requires frontal lobe retraction and is associated with postoperative anosmia and the development of frontal lobe encephalomalacia. The transglabellar/subcranial approach permits removal of anterior skull base lesions without frontal lobe retraction and avoids facial scars. No studies to date, however, have directly compared the two approaches in terms of patient morbidity. The present retrospective study compares the two approaches when used for the removal of anterior skull base lesions in terms of estimated blood loss, number of transfusions, number of days in the hospital and intensive care unit, and postoperative complications. Twenty patients with anterior skull base lesions were examined. The classic approach was used on 10, and the transglabellar/subcranial route was used on 10. When compared with the classic approach, the transglabellar/subcranial approach resulted in a lower estimated blood loss and subsequent transfusion rate, fewer days in the hospital and intensive care unit, and lower numbers and less severe types of complications. Furthermore, visualization of the tumors before resection with the transglabellar/subcranial approach allowed preservation of olfaction in virtually all of these patients. Although this study represents a small sample population, the results are sufficiently impressive to favor the transglabellar/subcranial approach for the removal of a variety of anterior skull base lesions.
Intelligent Control of Fused Magnesium Furnaces with Neural Network and Rule Based-Reasoning

The smelting process of fused magnesium furnace is a huge energy consuming process with nonlinear, current coupling and boundary conditions fluctuation. The smelting process stability is guaranteed by adjusting the three-phase electrode currents to achieve the control objective. In the past, the adjustment of electrode currents are manual control completely and the control effect is very poor, the currents fluctuation is very huge which lead to the instability of the product quality and great energy waste. As such, an intelligent control system is developed for fused magnesium furnace based on neural network (NN) algorithms and rule-based reasoning (RBR). The control objective for system is to reduce the energy consumption as much as possible under the constraint of insuring the product quality. The industrial application shows the validity and effectiveness of the proposed system.
Can the location of the CT whirl sign assist in differentiating sigmoid from caecal volvulus

Aim To determine whether the location of the computed tomography (CT) whirl sign can be used to help differentiate caecal from sigmoid volvulus. Materials and methods Thirty-one patients (mean age 64.6 years) underwent multidetector CT and had confirmed colonic volvulus. There were 15 patients with caecal volvulus and 16 with sigmoid volvulus. Axial and coronal images were retrospectively evaluated on the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) by two reviewers in consensus without knowledge of the final diagnosis to determine whether a CT whirl sign was present and, if so, was the location to the right of midline or in the midline/left. The location of the twisting at imaging was correlated with whether the patient had caecal or sigmoid volvulus. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine whether there was an association between the location of the twist (right versus mid-left) and the location of the colonic volvulus (caecal versus sigmoid). The non contrast CT (NCCT) examinations of 30 additional patients without colonic volvulus were evaluated for the presence or absence of a CT whirl sign. Results All 31 patients with colonic volvulus had a CT whirl sign. No patient who underwent NCCT for kidney stones demonstrated a CT whirl sign. According to Fisher’s exact test, there was a highly significant association ( p Conclusion The location of the mesenteric twist (CT whirl sign) is a highly accurate finding in discriminating caecal from sigmoid volvulus.
Tracer assisted passive named data routing for underwater sensor networks

With the ever expanding area of Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSN), many networking challenges have yet to be fully analyzed and addressed. Some of the specific challenges include limited energy resources, node mobility, and broadcast limitations. More importantly, in bigger UWSN with large amounts of sensed data, bottlenecks form at relay nodes transferring packets to the surface. Additionally, this data in transition can be redundant and unimportant. Due to the harsh underwater environment, sensed data location and best routing path can constantly change. To help alleviate some of these challenges we propose Tracer assisted Passive Named Data Routing (TPNDR) protocol. This protocol uses tracers to form adaptive and robust forwarding tables based on data categorization. In this way, TPNDR is able to locate unknown data location and fetch requested data to the surface, without a flooding phase. From the use of timers we ensure that sensed data does not become stale over time. Through simulation of TPNDR, we are able to show improved energy efficiency and routing effectiveness.
A Note on the Interpenetration of Anglo-American Finance, 1837–1841

There is a widespread impression among students of American financial history that, in the period immediately following the panic of 1837, American financiers engaged in sharp practices amounting to the wholesale deception of British bankers and European investors. This impression has been fostered especially in connection with the well-known episode of the partial or complete repudiation of state bonds by Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, Michigan, and Florida in the 1840's. According to the charge, the large British bankers originally transacted business in the United States only through old and established bankers and agents. This enabled them to avoid the more speculative securities. Much of the distribution of bonds in England was done through three British firms, which were prominent in the merchant-banking business for the American trade: Thomas Wilson & Co., Timothy Wiggin & Co., and Geo. Wildes & Co.—popularly known as the 3 W's. A change for the worse occurred—so the charge runs—when these firms were forced to suspend payments because of the financial strain in England and the United States in 1837. After the resumption of specie payments in the United States the following year, a more speculative type of American banker, assisted by high-pressure salesmen who were sent to England, was prominent in financiering. These agents were so persuasive that they involved the British bankers in the wildest of schemes, and these bankers, in turn, disposed of American securities to equally innocent investors.
INFLUENCE OF BALL AND BACKGROUND PATTERNS ON PERCEPTION OF VISUAL DIRECTION OF A MOVING OBJECT

Summa~y.-30 boys and 30 girls, 6 yr. old, participated in a study assessing the influence of the visual patterns of moving objects and their respective backgrounds on the prediction of objects' directionality. An apparatus was designed to permit modified spherical objects with interchangeable covers and backgrounds to move in three-dimensional space in three directions at selected speeds. The subject's task was to predict one of three possible directions of an object: the object either moved toward the subject's midline or toward a point 18 in. to the left or right of the midline. The movements of all objects started at the same place which was 19.5 ft. in front of the subject. Prediction time was recorded on 15 trials. Analysis of variance indicated that visual patterns of the moving object did not influence the prediction of the object's directionality. Visual patterns of the background behind the moving object did not influence the prediction of the object's directionality except during the conditions of a light nonpatcerned moving object. It was concluded that visual patterns of the background and that of the moving object have a very limited influence on the' prediction of direction.
Constituting Swiss heritage: discourse and the management of 'invasive species'

Heritage is at once a hobby, a call to arms, an industry, and an impetus for policy organisations and initiatives the world over. Nowhere is this trend more evident than in Switzerland where issues of cultural and natural heritage are a consistent feature of the political and cultural landscape. Heritage discourses are founded upon binaries, used pervasively in both identification (e.g., native/non-native) and management actions (protection/eradication). This article uses a discursive approach to examine two recent controversies in Switzerland – the ‘invasive’ Windmill palm and the recently banned Muslim minaret – in terms of the binaries used to contain and police each perceived ‘outsider’. Recent scholarship acknowledges the impossibility of these binaries in a world as dynamic and complex as our own. Building upon this literature, this study demonstrates that binary thinking may have encouraged ineffective and inappropriate policy actions toward so-called non-natives in our Swiss case studies. We advocate the re-conceptualisation of belonging as ‘interstitial’ and assert that its use in heritage-related institutions, such as natural resource management and tourism, will facilitate more nuanced definitions of belonging and, hopefully, result in policy actions better suited to our times.
Differential expression of terminal transferase (TdT) in acute lymphocytic leukaemia expressing myeloid antigens and TdT positive acute myeloid leukaemia as compared to myeloid antigen negative acute lymphocytic leukaemia

We examined whether the allegedly aberrant expression of the lymphoid lineage associated DNA polymerase, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is associated with alterations of the enzyme at the cellular, biochemical or transcriptional level when compared to lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), either lacking or expressing myeloid antigens. By flowcytometric analysis, the intensity of TdT staining with monoclonal anti-TdT antibody was considerably weaker in TdT+ AML and myeloid+ ALL (M+ ALL) than in myeloid- ALL (M- ALL). TdT enzyme activity in TdT+ AML was on an average 10%, and in M+ ALL 25% of that measured in M- ALL. Anti-TdT antibodies precipitated a major specific protein of identical relative molecular mass (58 kD) from metabolically labelled TdT+ myeloblasts and lymphoblasts. By Northern blot analysis and ribonuclease protection assay, TdT transcript levels were significantly lower in TdT+ myeloblasts and M+ lymphoblasts than in M- ALL (P < 0.0001). The level of TdT transcription in AML was independent of the simultaneous expression of lymphoid-specific antigens, such as CD2 and CD19. Our data demonstrate that TdT expression is downregulated in association with myeloid features, not only in AML but also in ALL. This observation may provide the molecular basis for the differential therapeutic responsiveness, particularly to glucocorticoids, in these various leukaemia subtypes.
Facial control of nanoparticle binding to cytochrome C.

The binding interface between cytochrome c and functionalized gold nanoparticles depends on the nanoparticle functionality, as shown by amide H/D exchange (amide HDX). Nanoparticles functionalized with simple carboxylates, or with the amino acid aspartate, bind to cytochrome c over a large surface. Nanoparticles functionalized with the amino acid phenylalanine binds a much smaller surface of cytochrome c, spanning from Tyr67-Phe82, suggesting that adding the hydrophobic benzyl group increases the selectivity of nanoparticles for this specific cytochrome c surface. This suggests that a balance between electrostatics and hydrophobicity is necessary to recognize the different faces of cytochrome c.
Observation of bias-induced resonant tunneling peak splitting in a quantum dot

We have observed that, in zero magnetic field, a dc bias across a lateral confined quantum dot (QD) splits each resonant peak in the differential conductance versus the gate voltage measurement into two. The splitting is nearly linear with the applied bias VD. Temperature‐dependence study indicates that the corresponding energy separation between the two splitting peaks is close to eVD. A model is proposed that explains this splitting in terms of the bias‐induced shifting of energy levels in the QD and the splitting of the Fermi level. Using our model, the bias‐induced energy level shift in the QD can be calculated.
Effect of Chromatic Aberration on the Resolving Power of Photographic Objectives

An empirical method for estimation of probable resolving power of a lens affected by longitudinal chromatic aberration is discussed. Values of the resolving power at a series of values of the f-number are calculated for selected values of longitudinal chromatic aberration, dc. The variation of resolving power with f-number is presented graphically for selected values of longitudinal chromatic aberration and relative contrast. Indication is given of a critical aperture for which the resolving power is a maximum for a given set of values of chromatic aberration and relative contrast. The variation of relative contrast with resolving power is presented graphically for several values of the f-number for a lens having selected amounts of longitudinal chromatic aberration. A method for predicting the resolving power of a given lens–film combination is also indicated.
Minority Issues in Evaluation Revisited: Re-Conceptualizing and Creating Opportunities for Institutional Change.

This paper, while a commentary on Professor Stanfield’s plenary presentation, is as much a critique of how evaluation researchers, the larger profession, and professional organizations come to terms with research on, issues about, and interests that impact people (and scholars) of color. First, I suggest that we revisit minority issues within a broader context of our American educational and social structure. Second, I focus on ways to create institutional change, such as through recruiting and mentoring junior evaluation researchers of color and from other underrepresented groups. Hardly complete, the ideas in this commentary are intended to highlight encouraging vehicles and initiatives from other educational scholars and peer associations, in the hope of contributing to the rethinking of minority issues in evaluation.
Improving criticality analysis methods to influence RCM

Before an organization can implement Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), a document called a Failure Modes Effects and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) is performed to help identify parts that get put on the Critical Items List (CIL). The primary goal of the FMECA is to produce a CIL while also providing a thorough understanding of the failure behavior of a system. When engineers talk about FMECAs, it's fairly common for each person involved to conjure his or her own concept of what a FMECA is. Experienced reliability engineers will tell you that not all FMECAs are done the same way or to the same level of detail. Organizations usually have specific purposes for their FMECAs other than a CIL, and a CIL can be generated by other means such as safety related analyses. Sometimes FMECAs are used to track the failure behavior of a system or to influence maintenance manuals. Though these shouldn't be the primary reasons for putting together FMECAs, they sometimes are. In any case, RCM cannot be appropriately implemented without FMECAs being performed on essential components to influence the Critical Items List.
Centrally mediated enhancement of ouabain cardiotoxicity by angiotensin II in dogs.

The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion on the doses of ouabain required to induce ventricular arrhythmias and death was investigated in anesthetized dogs. Tritiated ouabain was infused alone i.v. (1 microgram/kg per min) to establish the control toxic doses and the level of ouabain in the heart at death. When Ang II and ouabain were co-infused i.v. the doses of ouabain needed to induce arrhythmias and death were significantly reduced. Spinal transections performed at C-1 prior to drug infusions prevented the effect of Ang II to enhance the toxicity of ouabain. Thus, the action of Ang II to augment ouabain toxicity appeared to be related to its effects on the sympathetic nervous system. To confirm that Ang II was acting within the brain rather than at peripheral sites of the sympathetic system, Ang II was infused into the vertebral artery of spinal cord intact dogs. The infusion rate of Ang II needed to produce a significant enhancement of ouabain toxicity was much lower when given into the vertebral artery than into the femoral vein. These data indicate that Ang II enhances the cardiotoxicity of ouabain via an action produced within the brain and mediated by the sympathetic nervous system.
Specification of the Zebrafish Nervous System by Nonaxial Signals

The organizer of the amphibian gastrula provides the neurectoderm with both neuralizing and posteriorizing (transforming) signals. In zebrafish, transplantations show that a spatially distinct transformer signal emanates from tissues other than the organizer. Cells of the germring (nonaxial mesendoderm) posteriorized forebrain progenitors when grafted nearby, resulting in an ectopic hindbrain-like structure; in contrast, cells of the organizer (axial mesendoderm) caused no posterior transformation. Local application of basic fibroblast growth factor, a candidate transformer in Xenopus, caused malformation but not hindbrain transformation in the forebrain. Thus, the zebrafish gastrula may integrate spatially distinct signals from the organizer and the germring to pattern the neural axis.
Stability analysis when using an engineered berm to increase landfill space.

The scope of this paper is to develop a new three-part wedge method to analyze translational failure when using an engineered berm to increase landfill space. The possible failure face may pass over the back slope of the berm or pass under the bottom of the berm. This depends on the geometric dimensions of the berm which in turn influences the amount of airspace gained. Each possible failure condition must be checked to make sure both the waste mass and berm remain stable. If the waste boundary is kept to be unchanged, FSover will increase and FSunder will decrease with increase of the back slope of the berm. The critical failure condition may be changed from passing over to passing under the berm by changing the back slope of the berm. If the location of the front toe of the berm is fixed, both FSover and FSunder increase with increased height of the berm, however, the critical failure condition will change from passing under the berm to passing over the berm.
Modeling and analysis of trust management with trust chain optimization in mobile ad hoc networks

We develop and analyze a trust management protocol for mission-driven group communication systems in mobile ad hoc networks using hierarchical modeling techniques based on stochastic Petri nets. Trust among mobile nodes is crucial for team collaborations with new coalition partners without prior interactions for mission-driven group communication systems in battlefield situations. In addition, ensuring a certain level of trust is also critical for successful mission completion. Our work seeks to identify the optimal length of a trust chain among peers in a trust web that generates the most accurate trust levels without revealing risk based on a tradeoff between trust availability and path reliability over trust space. We define a trust metric for mission-driven group communication systems in mobile ad hoc networks to properly reflect unique characteristics of trust concepts and demonstrate that an optimal trust chain length exists for generating the most accurate trust levels for trust-based collaboration among peers in mobile ad hoc networks while meeting trust availability and path reliability requirements.
The Cardioprotective Effect of a Statin and Cilostazol Combination: Relationship to Akt and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Activation

Atorvastatin (ATV) protects against ischemia-reperfusion by upregulating Akt and subsequently, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation at Ser-1177. However, when given orally, high doses of ATV (10 mg/kg/d) are needed to achieve maximal protective effect in the rat. Protein kinase A (PKA) also phosphorylates eNOS at Ser-1177. As PKA activity depends on cAMP, cilostazol (CIL), a phosphodiesterase type III inhibitor, may stimulate NO production by activating PKA. Hypothesis: CIL and ATV may have synergistic effects on eNOS phosphorylation and myocardial infarct size (IS) reduction. Sprague-Dawley rats received 3-day oral pretreatment with: (1) water; (2) low dose ATV (2 mg/kg/d); (3) CIL (20 mg/kg/d): (4) ATV+CIL. Rats underwent 30 min coronary artery occlusion and 4 h reperfusion, or hearts explanted for immunoblotting without being subjected to ischemia. Area at risk (AR) was assessed by blue dye and IS by triphenyl–tetrazolium–chloride. Body weight and the size of AR were comparable among groups. There were no significant differences among groups in mean blood pressure and heart rate. CIL, but not ATV, reduced IS. IS in the ATV+CIL group was significantly smaller than the other three groups (P < 0.001 for each comparison). ATV, CIL and their combination did not affect total eNOS expression. ATV at 2 mg/kg/d did not affect Ser-1177 P-eNOS levels, whereas CIL increased it (258 ± 15%). The level of myocardial P-eNOS levels was highest in the ATV+CIL group (406 ± 7%). ATV and CIL have synergistic effect on eNOS phosphorylation and IS reduction. By increased activation of eNOS, CIL may augment the pleiotropic effects of statins.
Effect of Three-Dimensional Random Surface Roughness on Fatigue Life of a Lubricated Contact

A means of evaluating the surface roughness effect on contact fatigue life has been proposed. To account for stress variations caused by random surface roughness, an effective stress concept based on damage accumulation theory was employed. A point EHL analysis along with a comprehensive interior stress analysis has been performed to obtain the effective stress field under lubricated conditions. Numerical simulations were performed for surfaces produced by different finishing processes. Results show that surface roughness can cause significant stress variations in the near-surface. As a result, the effective stress at the near-surface is increased. The increased effective stress is responsible for the life reduction of the contact. Life reduction factors for contact surfaces with different finishing processes were compared.
Variation in soil nitrifiers and leaf nitrate reductase activity of selected tree species in a forest community

Nitrate reductase activity of green leaves of red oak, hemlock, basswood, sugar maple and beech were studied in relation to soil ammonifier and nitrifier populations and available mineral N of associated soils in a forest community near Ithaca, New York. Significant intersite, i.e. interspecific, differences were found for all plant and soil factors studied. Extractable NH+4-N was higher than NO3−-N under all species. Nitrate reductase activities (NRA) of the green leaves of the five dominant species were significantly correlated with soil NO3−-N beneath the tree canopies (P < 0.001). Nitrosomonas and Nilrobacter counts were intercorrelated (P < 0.001), and Nitrobacter was found to be related to both soil NH+4 (P < 0.05) and soil NO−3 (P < 0.001). Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter counts were highest under basswood, and leaf NRA was 20–50 times higher in basswood leaves than in any of the other four species. Basswood also had the highest total leaf N, 5.02 ± 0.06%. Our data suggest that in these forest stands, green-leaf nitrate reductase activity is a reliable index of soil mineral N usage by the five species. Moreover, we believe that the data support the notion that Nitrobacter populations, and thus nitrification rates, are inhibited by the dominant tree species to result in a more ammonium-based nutrition, which on the system level ultimately has a conserving effect on the N economy of these stands.
Tip−Sample Distance Dependence in the STM-Based Orbital-Mediated Tunneling Spectrum of Nickel(II) Tetraphenylporphyrin Deposited on Au(111)

Orbital-mediated tunneling spectra obtained in the STM environment are reported for nickel(II) tetraphenylporphyrin, NiTPP, as a function of molecule−tip separation. Spectra were acquired over a range of tip motion of 0.42 nm. Spectra did not show the variation in band splitting with tip distance predicted by several models. It appears for molecules such as NiTPP that the average potential at the molecule is essentially the same as at the metal substrate, at least for gap resistance values greater than 500 MΩ. Thus, at least for molecules of the height of NiTPP, the STM−OMT spectra should give reliable occupied and unoccupied orbital energies over a wide range of tip−molecule distances. An unexpected small shift of all orbital energies of NiTPP relative to the vacuum level is observed as a function of tip−molecule separation.
Presence of a sodium-potassium chloride cotransport system in the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias.

In order to investigate whether the loop diuretic sensitive, sodium-chloride cotransport system described previously in shark rectal gland is in fact a sodium-potassium chloride cotransport system, plasma membrane vesicles were isolated from rectal glands ofSqualus acanthias and sodium and rubidium uptake were measured by a rapid filtration technique. In addition, the binding of N-methylfurosemide to the membranes was investigated. Sodium uptake into the vesicles in the presence of a 170mm KCl gradient was initially about five-fold higher than in the presence of a 170mm KNO3 gradient. In the presence of chloride, sodium uptake was inhibited 56% by 0.4mm bumetanide and 40% by 0.8mm N-methylfurosemide. When potassium chloride was replaced by choline chloride or lithium chloride, sodium uptake decreased to the values observed in the presence of potassium nitrate. Replacement of potassium chloride by rubidium chloride, however, did not change sodium uptake. Initial rubidium uptake into the membrane vesicles was about 2.5-fold higher in the presence of a 170mm NaCl gradient than in the presence of a 170mm NaNO3 gradient. The effect of chloride was completely abolished by 0.4mm bumetanide. Replacement of the sodium chloride gradient by a lithium chloride gradient decreased rubidium uptake by about 40%; replacement by a choline chloride gradient reduced the uptake even further. Rubidium uptake was also strongly inhibited by potassium. Sodium chloride dependence and bumetanide inhibition of rubidium flux were also found in tracer exchange experiments in the absence of salt gradients. The isolated plasma membranes bound3[H]-N-methylfurosemide in a dose-dependent manner. In Scatchard plots, one saturable component could be detected with an apparentKD of 3.5×10−6m and a number of sitesn of 104 pmol/mg protein. At 0.8 μm, N-methylfurosemide binding decreased 51% when sodium-free or low-potassium media were used. The same decrease was observed when the chloride concentration was increased from 200 to 600mm or when 1mm bumetanide or furosemide were added to the incubation medium. These studies indicate that the sodium-chloride cotransport system described previously in the rectal gland is in fact a sodium-potassium chloride cotransport system. It is postulated that this transport system plays an essential role in the secondary active chloride secretion of the rectal gland.
Perceived Availability of and Attitudes toward Healthy Food Choices in Assisted-Living Facilities in Kansas

The purpose of this project was to assess perceived availability of and attitudes toward healthy food choices for the elderly in assisted-living facilities using the theory of planned behavior. An instrument based on the theory of planned behavior was developed and tested with 115 elderly residents in eight facilities in Kansas. The results showed that attitudes toward healthy food and subjective norms were positively associated with consumption intention. The results of this study indicated that elderly population living in elder care facilities are willing to choose healthy food choices but feel the lack of their control over food choices.
Variational improvements to scattering amplitude calculations

Abstract By applying a variational principle to radar cross section calculations, one can improve the convergence of iterative solutions and increase the accuracy of the results. We exhibit a variational formula for calculating scattering amplitudes that allows a decrease in the number of iterations required to obtain a given accuracy of the scattering amplitude by a factor of three or more. We also interpret the biconjugate gradient method as an iterative solution technique that makes this formula stationary within a Krylov subspace. We have demonstrated the improvement obtained using this variational formula by calculating the radar cross section of a 3λ cone-sphere and 2.5λ plate.
Effect of amitrole on growth and organic nitrogen metabolism in soybean cell culture

Summary The effect of a sublethal concentration (10 -4 M) of amitrole on growth parameters and organic nitrogen metabolism was studied in soybean ( Glycine max ) cell suspension cultures. When compared with the control, amitrole treatment caused a 20 % decrease of both cell fresh weight and dry matter; 20-30% decrease of soluble protein; 10-44% drop in total nitrogen content and a 40% decrease of cell number. Free amino acids, on the other hand, showed increases of 20-50% above those of the control. Amitrole inhibited both nitrate reductase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities. Kinetic studies of the partially purified enzymes indicated a non competitive inhibition. The Km values for NO 3 - , and NADH were 66.6 and 11.7 µM; for α-keto glutarate and NADH were 1.7 mM and 25 µM, with both enzymes, respectively. Amitrole treatment resulted in increased uptake of 1 4 C-leucine and its incorporation into protein for a period of six hr., even after saturation of the endogenous leucine pool. The inhibition of both processes by cycloheximide was indicative of de novo synthesis of protein and ruled out the possibility of being an artifact. The stimulation by amitrole of protein synthesis was interpreted as a repair mechanism in response of the effect of the herbicide on both nitrate reductase and glutamate reductase activities and the consequent drop in total protein content.
Organic solids produced from simple C/H/O/N ices by charged particles - Applications to the outer solar system

The effects of charged particle irradiation by cold plasma discharge on surfaces of H2O:CH4 clathrate with a 200:1 ratio and on ices composed of H2O and C2H6 or C2H2 are examined. The molecules studies are found in Comet Halley and are plausible constituents in icy outer solar system objects. The IR transmission spectra of four ice-tholin residues obtained in the laboratory are compared with spectra produced by irradiation of gases and ices containing simple hydrocarbons. The similarities between CH4 clathrate residue and Halley organic grains, and the surface transport or atmospheric replenishment activity on Triton and Pluto are discussed.
Potential applications of immunoassays in studies of flatfish recruitment

The fisheries recruitment-stock problem, a lack of correlation between measures of reproductive output of the parent stock and recruitment to the fishery, has several potential biotic and abiotic causes. Immunoassays may be useful in examining several aspects of this and several other problems in flatfish ecology: stock identification, parasitism and disease, and trophic interactions. Given stage-specific antisera capable of recognozing antigenic moieties of, for instance, eggs, larvae, or newly-settled juveniles, it is possible to screen stomach contents of many putative predators (e.g., shrimp or crabs) rapidly for the presence and amounts of platfish prey. This trophic application of immunological methods has great promise for measuring loss of potential recruits to predation. All immunoassays are limited by the quality of antisera used and the researcher's ability to interpret quantitative data in an ecologically meaningful way. Key references for applications of immunoassays in fish-related questions are provided with recommendations for their utilization.
Simulations of Kelvin–Helmholtz modes in the dusty plasma environment of noctilucent clouds

t. We present results of quantitative multi-fluid simulations of the nonlinear dynamics of Kelvin-Helmholtz modes in the partially ionized dusty plasma of noctilucent clouds. Noctilucent clouds are a typical example of dusty plasmas in the Earth's mesosphere/lower thermosphere. A specific feature observed in noctilucent clouds is wavy, turbulent structure. Possible explanations for these structures, which are discussed in the literature, are based on hydrodynamical models. The dusty plasma aspect has been widely neglected, so far. In this paper we examine the nonlinear dynamics of Kelvin-Helmholtz modes in noctilucent clouds from the viewpoint of dusty plasma dynamics. The corresponding results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with observations.