cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-Session Function Computation and Multicasting in Undirected Graphs

In the function computation problem, certain nodes of an undirected graph have access to independent data, while some other nodes of the graph require certain functions of the data; this model, motivated by sensor networks and cloud computing, is the focus of this paper. We study the maximum rates at which function computation is possible on a capacitated graph; the capacities on the edges of the graph impose constraints on the communication rate. We consider a simple class of computation strategies based on Steiner-tree packing (so-called computation trees), which does not involve block coding and has minimal delay. With a single terminal requiring function computation, computation trees are known to be optimal when the underlying graph is itself a directed tree, but have arbitrarily poor performance in general directed graphs. Our main result is that computation trees are near optimal for a wide class of function computation requirements even at multiple terminals in undirected graphs. The key technical contribution involves connecting approximation algorithms for Steiner cuts in undirected graphs to the function computation problem. Furthermore, we show that existing algorithms for Steiner tree packings allow us to compute approximately optimal packings of computation trees in polynomial time. We also show a close connection between the function computation problem and a communication problem involving multiple multicasts.
Effects of disturbances on large-river mussel assemblages

Data from more than 10 years of quantitative sampling from stable gravel shoals in large rivers of the central US were used to test effects of specific disturbances (passage of commercial navigation vessels, the flood of 1993, and introduction of Corbicula fluminea) on native freshwater mussels (Family: Unionidae). Although many lotic species of Unionidae have been eliminated from large rivers because of degraded water quality, poor land use practices, and large-scale navigation projects, the resulting fauna appears to tolerate many disturbances. For example, high density populations of C.fluminea had no effect on unionid density at two shoals in the lower Ohio River. The record flood of 1993 in the upper Mississippi River had no measurable effect on mussels at three locations; species richness (22–25), density (45.3–60.3), and percentage of juveniles (11–26%) varied among years but showed no temporal trend. In a barge turning basin that was dredged in 1976, density of recently recruited Amblema plicata plicata was not significantly different from density at a reference site for six of nine study years indicating that recruitment is proceeding at a similar rate regardless of current traffic levels. The mussel fauna now inhabiting large rivers, dominated by thick-shelled species tolerant of reduced water velocity and increased sedimentation, appears to be quite resilient to many natural and man-induced disturbances. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced methods in landslide modelling

Dangerous phenomena threaten human settlements and infrastructures in many sectors of the Earth. Specific actions are required for proper risk management, starting from hazard identification to risk mitigation (including monitoring and early warning) and reduction. Aiming at evaluating risk conditions, the set of causal factors must first be identified; then, the evolution (in space and time) of a given phenomenon must be predicted, e.g. using modelling approaches. Potential damage should be assessed by considering the vulnerability of the elements at risk, including its expected variation in terms of social, environmental, and structural components. Total risk evaluations should provide supporting information for optimal selections of mitigation and/or reduction measures, based on expected impact scenarios. Precious lessons inferred from past disasters can be combined with adequate planning of human settlements, thus minimizing future risks. Unfortunately, the zero risk option is often unrealistic but innovative approaches can be adopted to minimize the residual risks. These include integrated modelling and monitoring of hazardous phenomena, vulnerability evaluations and land use planning, knowledge dissemination and risk communication, and adoption of remedial measures. If an area is threatened by different types of phenomenon, the evaluation of the overall risk may become quite complex. Several approaches for risk evaluation have been proposed in the past decades (Iovine 2013): on one side, qualitative and quantitative techniques have been tested against real case studies, at local or regional scales; on the other, modelling and sensitivity analyses have been employed, and real-time monitoring systems implemented to support early
Kinetic and spectroscopic characterization of the E134A- and E134D-altered dapE-encoded N-succinyl-l,l-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase from Haemophilus influenzae

Glutamate-134 (E134) is proposed to act as the general acid/base during the hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by the dapE-encoded N-succinyl-l,l-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) from Haemophilus influenzae. To date, no direct evidence has been reported for the role of E134 during catalytic turnover by DapE. In order to elucidate the catalytic role of E134, altered DapE enzymes were prepared in which E134 was substituted with an alanine and an aspartate residue. The Michaelis constant (Km) does not change upon substitution with aspartate but the rate of the reaction changes drastically in the following order: glutamate (100% activity), aspartate (0.09%), and alanine (0%). Examination of the pH dependence of the kinetic constants kcat and Km for E134D-DapE revealed ionizations at pH 6.4, 7.4, and approximately 9.7. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments revealed a significant weakening in metal Kd values of E134D-DapE. D134 and A134 perturb the second divalent metal binding site significantly more than the first, but both altered enzymes can still bind two divalent metal ions. Structural perturbations of the dinuclear active site of DapE were also examined for two E134-substituted forms, namely E134D-DapE and E134A-DapE, by UV–vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. UV–vis spectroscopy of Co(II)-substituted E134D-DapE and E134A-DapE did not reveal any significant changes in the electronic absorption spectra, suggesting that both Co(II) ions in E134D-DapE and E134A-DapE reside in distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometries. EPR spectra of [Co_(E134D-DapE)] and [Co_(E1341A-DapE] are similar to those observed for [CoCo(DapE)] and somewhat similar to the spectrum of [Co(H2O)6]2+ which typically exhibit E/D values of approximately 0.1. Computer simulation returned an axial g-tensor with g(x,y)=2.24 and E/D=0.07; gz was only poorly determined, but was estimated as 2.5–2.6. Upon the addition of a second Co(II) ion to [Co_(E134D-DapE)] and [Co_(E134A-DapE)], a broad axial signal was observed; however, no signals were observed with B0||B1 (“parallel mode”). On the basis of these data, E134 is intrinsically involved in the hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by DapE and likely plays the role of a general acid and base.
Ion Selectivity of α-Hemolysin with a β-Cyclodextrin Adapter. I. Single Ion Potential of Mean Force and Diffusion Coefficient

The alpha-hemolysin (alphaHL) is a self-assembling exotoxin that binds to the membrane of a susceptible host cell and causes its death. Experimental studies show that electrically neutral beta-cyclodextrin (betaCD) can insert into the alphaHL channel and significantly increase its anion selectivity. To understand how betaCD can affect ion selectivity, molecular dynamics simulations and potential of mean force (PMF) calculations are carried out for different alphaHL channels with and without the betaCD adapter. A multiscale approach based on the generalized solvent boundary potential is used to reduce the size of the simulated system. The PMF profiles reveal that betaCD has no anion selectivity by itself but can increase the Cl(-) selectivity of the alphaHL channel when lodged into the pore lumen. Analysis shows that betaCD causes a partial desolvation of ions and affects the orientation of nearby charged residues. The ion selectivity appears to result from increased electrostatic interaction between the ion and the channel due to a reduction in dielectric shielding by the solvent. These observations suggest a reasonable explanation of the ion selectivity and provide important information for further ion channel modification.
The simple connectivity of links of singularities with one-dimensional critical locus

A Morse 1-singularity is a germ f:(C3,0)→(C,0) with a 1-dimensional singular set, Σ(f), such that for each pϵΣ(f)⧹0, the transverse singularity of f at p is Morse. We show that when the Morse 1-singularity f is irreducible, the link, K, of the singularity is not simply connected. We calculate Hq(K) in terms of the covering manifold of K. If an additional hypothesis holds, we give a presentation of π1(K) in terms of the covering manifold ofK.
CGLRT plus TDL Beamforming for Ultrawideband MIMO Noise Radar

We consider the estimation of target directions in ultrawideband (UWB) multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) noise radar. We apply the tapped-delay-line (TDL) based beamforming technique to concentrate on receiving signals from a certain direction and to suppress interference from others. The conditional generalized likelihood ratio test (CGLRT) is applied for detecting target given the target impulse responses estimated by the CLEAN algorithm. Then, we propose the iterative CGLRT (ICGLRT) to determine their directions by implementing these two techniques iteratively.
BH3-Triggered Structural Reorganization Drives the Activation of Proapoptotic BAX

BAX is a proapoptotic BCL-2 family member that lies dormant in the cytosol until converted into a killer protein in response to cellular stress. Having recently identified the elusive trigger site for direct BAX activation, we now delineate by NMR and biochemical methods the essential allosteric conformational changes that transform ligand-triggered BAX into a fully activated monomer capable of propagating its own activation. Upon BAX engagement by a triggering BH3 helix, the unstructured loop between α helices 1 and 2 is displaced, the carboxy-terminal helix 9 is mobilized for membrane translocation, and the exposed BAX BH3 domain propagates the death signal through an autoactivating interaction with the trigger site of inactive BAX monomers. Our structure-activity analysis of this seminal apoptotic process reveals pharmacologic opportunities to modulate cell death by interceding at key steps of the BAX activation pathway.
Designing Effective Organizations: The Sociotechnical Systems Perspective

The article reviews the book “Designing Effective Organizations: The Sociotechnical Systems Perspective,” by William A. Pasmore.
Numerology in the York ‘Adam and Eve in Eden’

The occult significance of numbers, now called numerology, was central to the medieval concept of the universe. The York cycle Creation plays all have stanza lengths with occult significance relative to their meaning. Knowledge about the particular occult significance of each of these numbers was widespread. The inherence of the occult in the stanza lengths of these plays may well have been perceptible to their medieval audience. If so, the audience’s pleasure and sense of the religious meaning of these plays were both enhanced.
High resolution spectrum of the ν5 band of nitric acid (HNO3) near 880 cm−1

Abstract Tunable diode lasers have been used to measure the spectrum of HNO 3 from 853 to 892 cm −1 . A Fermi interaction with the nearby 2 ν 9 state perturbs some of the transitions and causes some problems in the analysis, but several hundred lines have been assigned and fit to a set of band constants with a standard deviation of 0.0007 cm −1 . The measurements include most of the P branch, the strongest lines of the Q branch, and some R -branch transitions. Only A -type transitions have been identified and any B -type transitions must be much weaker.
Lack of requirement for prolonged incubation of Septi-Chek blood culture bottles in patients with bacteremia due to fastidious bacteria

A questionnaire survey for which there were 538 respondents from American clinical microbiology laboratories was used to assess the need for prolonged incubation of Septi-Chek blood culture bottles for the recovery of HACEK bacilli, Brucella species, Francisella tularensis, and nutritionally deficient streptococci from blood. Among a total of 219 reported isolates of these bacteria, in only 6 cases (2.7%) was incubation longer than 7 days required. Only 2 of 136 patients (1.5%) were noted to be bacteremic exclusively following incubation of Septi-Chek blood culture bottles for periods of greater than 7 days. It appeared from the results of this study, that incubation of Septi-Chek blood culture bottles for 7 days is usually sufficient in patients suspected of having bacteremia due to fastidious bacteria.
Electrochemical immunoassay moving into the fast lane

The evolution of electrochemical immunoassay has resulted in significant improvements in assay times and detection limits. These developments are traced using a sandwich enzyme immunoassay for IgG as representative. Decreasing the volume of the immunoassay reaction chamber, improving electrochemical detection techniques, and reducing non-specific adsorption have been important factors.
Novel infrared and thermal image enhancement algorithms

In this paper new simple algorithm for enhancement of thermal and infrared images is introduced. Optimized stretching, filtering and color transformation are major parts of proposed algorithm. The performance evaluation shows that the represented enhancement algorithm yields better results with more natural appearance in comparison with the traditional methods.
Solar system evolution: A new perspective. by Stuart Ross Taylor

Book Review: Solar System Evolution: A New Perspective, Stuart Ross Taylor. Second edition. Cambridge University Press (2001).
Correlates of Physiological and Psychological Stress Among Parents of Childhood Cancer and Brain Tumor Survivors

Abstract Objective First, we sought to determine if parents of children with cancer or a brain tumor had greater stress compared to parents of healthy children and to evaluate the correlates of stress among parents of children with cancer or brain tumors. Second, we sought to examine the relationship between perceived stress and symptoms of stress and how that relationship may differ for parents of children with cancer. Methods In-person, interviewer-assisted surveys were administered to 73 case dyads (children with cancer or a brain tumor and their parents) and 133 comparison dyads (children without health problems and their parents from a community sample). Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regressions were performed for case-comparison and case-only analyses to distinguish correlates of parental stress. Results Parents of children with cancer exhibited higher levels of physiological symptoms of stress than parents of healthy children. Poor sleep quality and greater social stress (negative social interactions) were significant correlates of increased levels of stress in parents of children with cancer (odds ratio 4.23, 95% confidence interval 1.15–15.60; and odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.14, respectively). A subset of parents reported symptoms of stress but not perceived stress, and this discordance was more pronounced among cancer caregivers. Conclusions Implementation of screening tools that include symptoms of stress may help clinicians to comprehensively identify parents of children with cancer who are in need of additional services. Targeted stress-reduction interventions that address sleep quality and negative social interactions may mitigate the deleterious effects of caregiving, improving the psychosocial well-being of both parents and children with cancer.
Computation and conditioning of the finite-discrete Gabor transform

We present a new approach to analysing the continuous Gabor transform and two critically sampled discretizations of it: the periodic finite-discrete and non-periodic finite-discrete versions. In particular, we distinguish between the analysis and synthesis forms of the transform, and introduce an intermediate operation that decomposes both transforms to collections of independent Toeplitz operators. In the continuous and the periodic finite-discrete case this decomposition allows us to show that for appropriate window functions the analysis and synthesis transforms are inverses of each other. In the nonperiodic finite-discrete case this relation no longer holds, but we are still able to use the decomposition and results on Toeplitz matrices to show that both transforms and their inverses are computable in O(PlogP) operations (after a setup cost of O(Plog/sup 2/P)) for P discrete samples. Moreover the decomposition also facilitates analysis of the conditioning of finite versions of the transform. >
Current perspectives on hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects 79.4 million Americans, is a relentless problem that continues to grow by leaps and bounds. OBJECTIVE: To review current perspectives on hypertension and metabolic syndrome. SUMMARY: Hypertension can be considered a national burden: 1 in 3 American adults are hypertensive, lifetime risk of developing hypertension exceeds 90%, and the total direct costs related to hypertension and its complications approaches $49.3 billion. The risk of CVDs doubles for every increment of 20/10 mm of mercury increase in blood pressure (BP), starting at 115/75 mm Hg. Untreated elevated systolic BP may galvanize artery stiffness, and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk rises as systolic BP rises. Thus, emphasis on diastolic pressure as a risk assessment tool can be misleading, particularly in advanced age. CONCLUSION: Other risk factors for CHD include elevated cholesterol, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), smoking, and diabetes. The relative risk of cardiovascular death is increased in hypertensive patients with history of stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease. Finally, metabolic syndrome, consisting of obesity, low HDL-C, and elevated BP, triglycerides, and fasting glucose, affects 47 million people and increases diabetes and CVD risk.
Changes in Escherichia coli rRNA Promoter Activity Correlate with Changes in Initiating Nucleoside Triphosphate and Guanosine 5′ Diphosphate 3′-Diphosphate Concentrations after Induction of Feedback Control of Ribosome Synthesis

rRNA synthesis is the rate-limiting step in ribosome synthesis in Escherichia coli. Its regulation has been described in terms of a negative-feedback control loop in which rRNA promoter activity responds to the amount of translation. The feedback nature of this control system was demonstrated previously by artificially changing ribosome synthesis rates and observing responses of rRNA promoters. However, it has not been demonstrated previously that the initiating nucleoside triphosphate (iNTP) and guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp), the molecular effectors responsible for controlling rRNA promoters in response to changes in the nutritional environment, are responsible for altering rRNA promoter activities under these feedback conditions. Here, we show that most feedback situations result in changes in the concentrations of both the iNTP and ppGpp and that the directions of these changes are consistent with a role for these two small-molecule regulators in feedback control of rRNA synthesis. In contrast, we observed no change in the level of DNA supercoiling under the feedback conditions examined.
Coordination of tolerogenic immune responses by the commensal microbiota

All mammals are born ignorant to the existence of micro-organisms. Soon after birth, however, every mammal begins a lifelong association with a multitude of microbes that lay residence on the skin, mouth, vaginal mucosa and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Approximately 500–1000 different species of microbes have highly evolved to occupy these bodily niches, with the highest density and diversity occurring within the intestine [1]. These organisms play a vital role in mammalian nutrient breakdown and provide resistance to colonization by pathogenic micro-organisms. More recently, however, studies have demonstrated that the microbiota can have a profound and long-lasting effect on the development of our immune system both inside and outside the intestine [2]. While our immune system has evolved to recognize and eradicate foreign entities, it tolerates the symbiotic micro-organisms of the intestine. How and why this tolerance occurs has remained unclear. Here we present evidence that the commensal microbes of the intestine actively induce tolerant responses from the host that coordinate healthy immune responses. Potentially, disruption of this dialogue between the host and microbe can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or Type I diabetes (TID). As a wealth of publications have focused on the impact of the microbiota on intestinal immune responses and IBD, this chapter will focus on the extra-intestinal impacts of the microbiota from development to disease and integrate the known mechanisms by which the microbiota is able to actively communicate with its host to promote health.
Muscle damage induced by eccentric contractions of 25% strain

Contractile and morphological properties were measured in the rabbit tibialis anterior muscle 1 h after isometric contraction (IC), passive stretch (PS), or eccentric contraction (EC). Maximal tetanic tension (Po) was reduced after 30 min of PS (P less than 0.001), IC (P less than 0.001), or EC (P less than 0.0001). However, the magnitude of the force deficit was a function of the treatment method. After 30 min of cyclic PS, Po decreased by 13%, whereas after IC or EC, Po decreased by 31 and 69%, respectively. The time course of tension decline in the various groups suggested that the EC-induced injury occurred during the first few minutes of treatment. Although the morphology of samples from the PS and IC groups appeared normal, eccentrically exercised muscles exhibited portions of abnormally large fibers (diam greater than or equal to 110 microns) when viewed in cross section. Examination of 231 such fibers from 6 muscles revealed that all enlarged fibers were exclusively of the fast-twitch glycolytic fiber type. Although no ultrastructural abnormalities were observed in any of the muscles from the IC or PS groups, a significant portion of the fibers in the EC group displayed various degrees of disorganization of the sarcomeric band pattern. Taken together, these studies highlight the importance of fiber oxidative capacity in EC-induced injury, which may be related to the damage mechanism.
Using Developmental Assessment Centers to Foster Workplace Fairness

Developmental assessment centers (DACs) have become a popular means for providing coaching, feedback, and experiential learning opportunities for managers. Typically, these programs focus on traditional leadership competencies such as communication, problem solving, and conflict management. The purpose of this article is to encourage psychologist-managers to consider the DAC method for fostering development in the area of fairness. After reviewing the DAC method, we discuss the concept of organizational justice (fairness) and its impact on employee attitudes and performance. We then provide an illustration of how a DAC program to develop fairness skills might be designed and implemented.
Multicast extensions to the Flow-Oriented Routing Protocol and Node Velocity-based Stable Path Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad hoc Networks

We propose multicast extensions to the Flow Oriented Routing Protocol (M-FORP) and Node Velocity based Stable Path (M-NVSP) Routing Protocol for Mobile Ad hoc Networks. M-FORP predicts the link expiration time and connects the source to each of the multicast receivers through paths with the largest predicted expiration time. M-NVSP connects the source to each of the multicast receivers through paths with the smallest bottleneck velocity. The bottleneck velocity of a path is the maximum velocity of the intermediate nodes of the path. We compare the performance of M-FORP and M-NVSP with that of the Bandwidth Efficient Multicast Routing Protocol (BEMRP). Simulation results illustrate a tradeoff between lifetime per multicast tree, average hop count per source receiver-path and the number of edges per tree. M-FORP yields the maximum lifetime per tree, M-NVSP yields lowest hop count per source-receiver path and BEMRP yields the minimum number of links per tree.
Two B or not two B? Overview of the rapidly expanding B-box family of proteins

The B-box gene family represents a large number of genes involved in functions such as axial patterning, growth control, differentiation, and transcriptional regulation. These genes possess several conserved motifs that always include a B-box zinc binding motif associated with various other motifs such as the RING zinc finger, an α-helical coiled-coil, the rfp or B30.2 motif, propeller domain, and the NHL motif in various combinations. Mutations or rearrangements in several B-box family members are associated with human diseases and cancers such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), Opitz/BBB syndrome, acute promyelocytic leukemia, mulibrey nanism, and thyroid carcinomas. This suggests that members of this gene family play important roles in fundamental biological processes. Here we discuss the known members of this rapidly expanding protein family.
Christian B. Miller , Moral Character: An Empirical Theory . Reviewed by

Christian Miller's book makes extensive use of the data on human behavior and motivation from psychological studies in the last 50-60 years and applies that information to the analysis of character. The book begins with helping behavior and the analysis is then generalized to other character traits. Miller argues that an analysis of human character as having Mixed Character Traits is superior to the analysis of character using the traditional virtues. The review highlights the great value of combining the research into one place for the purposes of ethics and Miller's initial analysis of the data on helping. But the review questions the usefulness of Mixed Character Traits as a descriptor of human character and its value as a heuristic device in ethics.
Parenting perfectionism and parental adjustment

The parental role is expected to be one of the most gratifying and rewarding roles in life. As expectations of parenting become ever higher, the implications of parenting perfectionism for parental adjustment warrant investigation. Using longitudinal data from 182 couples, this study examined the associations between societal- and self-oriented parenting perfectionism and new mothers’ and fathers’ parenting self-efficacy, stress, and satisfaction. For mothers, societal-oriented parenting perfectionism was associated with lower parenting self-efficacy, but self-oriented parenting perfectionism was associated with higher parenting satisfaction. For fathers, societal-oriented parenting perfectionism was associated with higher parenting stress, whereas higher levels of self-oriented parenting perfectionism were associated with higher parenting self-efficacy, lower parenting stress, and greater parenting satisfaction. These findings support the distinction between societal- and self-oriented perfectionism, extend research on perfectionism to interpersonal adjustment in the parenting domain, and provide the first evidence for the potential consequences of holding excessively high standards for parenting.
The gossiping tongue: oral networks, public life and political culture in early modern Venice*

Despite the fact that historians regularly acknowledge the persistence of oral culture in the early modern world, few studies have actually examined how orality, language, and popular speech functioned on a daily basis. This article considers gossip in sixteenth-century Venice. While prescriptive literature from the period unanimously suggested that women were the main practitioners of the disruptive speech of gossip, a close look at trials from the court of the Holy Office reveal that the gender com-ponent of gossip was inherently unstable. Gossip was undoubtedly a weapon of the weak - especially the underclasses and women - who employed its words to gain a level of power not so easily available in the larger city space or through traditional political or legal channels. However, men also gossiped to patrol their neighbour-hoods and workplaces and to direct the outcome of civil politics themselves. Venetian court cases, chronicles broglio legislation, and legal texts all demonstrate that while gossip at times threatened civic peace, it also potentially contributed to Venetian civic stability.
Lichens of the U. S. National Parks

Over 26,100 records of lichens present in 144 U.S. national park units were assembled from various sources into a database and analyzed. Within these 144 park units 2,435 species and 375 genera are reported, representing 63% and 74% of the North American flora, respectively. The park units are located in 41 states and Washington, D.C. The average number of species in a park is 104, but the median is 60, indicating there are many parks with a small number of species and a few with high numbers. Isle Royale National Park has the most species, 611, and twelve parks have only one species reported. The number of records of lichens present ranged from one for 25 parks, to 1,623 for Isle Royale. Physcia aipolia is the most frequently observed species, being found in 65 parks. One fourth of the park units are classified cultural resource parks, while the remainder are considered natural resource parks. This study was based on 453 sources, including literature citations, park reports and collections in the University of Minnesota Herbarium.
Scattering by imperfectly conducting wires

An integral equation is developed for the current induced in a slender, imperfectly conducting wire of finite length by an incident plane wave. A system of linear equations is generated by enforcing the integral equation at a discrete set of points on the axis of the wire, and these equations are solved to determine the current distribution. The scattered fields and the echo area are then calculated in a straightforward manner. Numerical results are presented for the backscatter echo area of copper, platinum, and bismuth wires at the broadside aspect with lengths up to 1.8\lambda . These calculations show good agreement with experimental measurements. In addition, graphs are included to show the current distributions on these wires at the second resonance, the echo-area patterns for oblique incidence, and the broadside echo-area curves for perfectly conducting wires and copper wires with lengths up to 3.54\lambda .
Do the same traffic rules apply? Directional chromosome segregation by SpoIIIE and FtsK

Summary Over a decade of studies have tackled the question of how FtsK/SpoIIIE translocases establish and maintain directional DNA translocation during chromosome segregation in bacteria. FtsK/SpoIIIE translocases move DNA in a highly processive, directional manner, where directionality is facilitated by sequences on the substrate DNA molecules that are being transported. In recent years, structural, biochemical, single-molecule and high-resolution microscopic studies have provided new insight into the mechanistic details of directional DNA segregation. Out of this body of work, a series of models have emerged and, ultimately, yielded two seemingly opposing models: the loading model and the target search model. We review these recent mechanistic insights into directional DNA movement and discuss the data that may serve to unite these suggested models, as well as propose future directions that may ultimately solve the debate.
Extracting information from narratives: an application to aviation safety reports

Aviation safety reports are the best available source of information explaining why a flight incident happened. However, stream of consciousness permeates the narratives making the automation of the information extraction task difficult. We propose an approach and infrastructure based on a common pattern specification language to capture relevant information via normalized template expression matching in context. Template expression matching handles variants of multi-word expressions. Normalization improves the likelihood of correct hits by standardizing and cleaning the vocabulary used in narratives. Checking for the presence of negative modifiers in the proximity of a potential hit reduces the chance of false hits. We present the above approach in the context of a specific application that is the extraction of human performance factors from NASA ASRS reports. While knowledge infusion from experts plays a critical role during the learning phase, early results show that in a production mode, the automated process provides information that is consistent with analyses by human subjects
The Ways and Means of National Health Care Reform, 1974 and Beyond

Little attention has been paid in the health policy and welfare state literature to the politics of health care reform in the 1970s. Drawing on newspaper accounts and archival material collected from the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and the National Archives, I outline the political history of health care reform in the 93rd Congress. In doing so, I highlight critical institutional, environmental, and strategic lessons that today's reformers can learn from the experience of 1974.
Categories of Relations Between Stimuli: Foundations for Transitive Inference and Other Emergent Behavior

Recently, Vigo and Allen (2009) proposed a view of transitive inference as categorization that depends only on discriminative performances, similarity judgments, and the formation of categories of which non-human animals and non-verbal humans are capable. Rather than involving language-based statements of premises, a network of simple discriminations provides the prerequisites for the emergence of new discriminations involving the transitive relations among stimuli. This view is illustrated briefly here and considered in the broader contexts of two experimental situations of interest to behavior analysts: repeated discrimination reversal training and symmetry in pigeons.
Intraclutch Egg-Size Dimorphism in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus): Adaptation, Constraint, or Noise?

ABSTRACT. Many species of birds lay clutches that include eggs of varying sizes. Smaller eggs laid late in a clutch may facilitate brood reduction when there is insufficient food, whereas larger eggs may offset the disadvantage of late-hatching chicks when hatching is asynchronous. Alternatively, egg size may not be adaptive but may reflect energetic constraints on females. Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) usually lay clutches of two eggs that are similar in size. In 5.1% of clutches (n = 7,085; 1983–2006), the volume of the smaller egg was <88.8% of the volume of the larger egg. We wondered whether this was possibly an adaptive trait. We found that laying a dimorphic clutch was costly and not adaptive. Eggs in dimorphic clutches failed to hatch 30% of the time, even if the eggs were larger than average. Eggs in normal clutches failed to hatch only 8% of the time. When both eggs hatched, no chicks fledged from 68% of dimorphic clutches, whereas no chicks fledged from 62% of normal clutches (G...
Bioactivation of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines by UDP Glucuronosyltransferases.

2-Amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) are carcinogenic heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) that arise during the burning of tobacco and cooking of meats. UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) detoxicate many procarcinogens and their metabolites. The genotoxic N-hydroxylated metabolite of AαC, 2-hydroxyamino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (HONH-AαC), undergoes glucuronidation to form the isomeric glucuronide (Gluc) conjugates N2-(β-d-glucosidurony1)-2-hydroxyamino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC-HON2-Gluc) and O-(β-d-glucosidurony1)-2-hydroxyamino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indole (AαC-HN2-O-Gluc). AαC-HON2-Gluc is a stable metabolite but AαC-HN2-O-Gluc is a biologically reactive intermediate, which covalently adducts to DNA at levels that are 20-fold higher than HONH-AαC. We measured the rates of formation of AαC-HON2-Gluc and AαC-HN2-O-Gluc in human organs: highest activity occurred with liver and kidney microsomes, and lesser activity was found with colon and rectum micros...
Net greenhouse gas emissions savings from natural gas substitutions in vehicles, furnaces, and power plants

We compare the net greenhouse gas emissions impact of substituting natural gas for other fossil fuels for five purposes: light-duty vehicles, transit buses, residential heating, electricity generation, and export for electricity generation overseas. Emissions are evaluated on a fuel cycle basis, from production and transport of each fuel through end use combustion, based on recent conditions in the USA. To compare across sectors, the emissions difference between natural gas and its alternative is normalised by natural gas consumption to compute the net reduction in CO2e per MJ of natural gas used. Greatest emission reductions can be achieved by replacing existing coal-fired power plants (78gCO2-e/MJ natural gas) or fuel oil furnaces (66gCO2e/MJNG). Compressed natural gas in vehicles yields no significant reductions. Uncertainties arising from upstream emission rates for natural gas and the global warming potential of methane are quantified. The study demonstrates the critical role of deployment choice on the net climate impact of natural gas.
Rational treatment of the obese diabetic.

Weight reduction is an important aspect of therapy for the obese diabetic. If diet alone proves ineffective and an orally administered hypoglycemic agent is needed, phenformin hydrochloride is the drug of choice because it does not promote deposit of fat. However, a sulfonylurea drug is indicated for the diabetic patient whose weight is normal or below normal.
Evidence for a humoral factor influencing iron absorption.

A series of studies was carried out to determine the effect of various serum preparations on iron absoprtion in the rat. Serum obtained from normal or previously iron-repleted and iron-depleted rats was injected intravenously into normal rats, and the intestinal transport of of iron determined utilizing isolated intestinal loops in vivo and everted duodenal gut sacs in vitro. In normal rats injected with serum from iron-loaded rats there was a significantly decreased absorption of radioactive iron in intestinal loops as well as a decreased mucosal to serosal transfer of radioactive iron in duodenal gut sacs. The factor in serum from iron-loaded rats causing decreased iron transport was found to be heat-stable. Three additional observations indicated that this defect in iron transport was not due to the infusion of iron per se. First, there was no increase in the nonheme iron content of the gut after injection of iron-repleted serum. Second, the intravenous injection of 15 µg of iron as FeSO4, similar to the amount of iron contained in an injection of iron-loaded serum, did not cause decreased absorption of radioiron from intestinal loops. Third, there was no increase in the serum iron level or saturation of transferrin in normal animals given iron-loaded serum. It was also observed that the defect in iron absorption induced by iron-loading rats with iron dextran could be partially corrected by the intravenous injection of normal serum or serum from iron-deficient rats. It is postulated that the serum injections may have resulted in dilution of a humoral inhibitory factor. The data obtained indicate that humoral stimulation and depression of iron absorption is demonstrable by the injection of normal or iron-deficient serum into iron-loaded rats and the injection of iron- loaded serum into normal rats. These observations suggest that a humoral mechanism may participate in the regulation of inorganic iron absorption in the rat.
Research of high quality reconstruction on algebraic reconstruction technique

Improving the reconstruction quality has been important subject for researching in image reconstuction.The reconstructed images usually suffer from salt and pepper noise when reconstructing with conventional ART,by adding a relaxation factor the convergence speed can be accelerated and the problem of salt and pepper noise can be overcomed.Computer simulation experiments were made on relaxation factor under different projection numbers and different noise levels,the reconstruction quality was compared and analyzed.The results show that the reconstruction quality can be improved greatly if suitable relaxation factor is selected and priori knowledge is incorporated.
Study on the Double Layered Electro less Plating of Ni-Mo-P/Ni-P Alloy in Acidic Solution

The Technology of double layered electroless plating of Ni-Mo-P/Ni-P Alloy in Acidic Solution was studied in this paper. The composition of acidic solution was obtained by a serial of experiments. The experiments included the investigation of the effects of MoO42-/H2PO2 ratio, pH value and complex agent on the deposition rate and composition of Ni-Mo-P coating. The effect of the amount of Mo amount on the microstructure of the coating was also studied. Based on the experiment results the technology of Ni-Mo-P/Ni-P double layered coating in acidic solution was determined, and its performance was also investigated in this paper.
Modeling the Human Operator in Computer-Based Data Entry

Meaningful human factors applications to the design of human-computer tasks require a quantitative data base that describes operator behavior as a function of various independent variables. Three c...
Age-related alterations in female obturator internus muscle.

Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation is a widely utilized, but often challenging therapy for pelvic floor disorders, which are prevalent in older women. Regimens involving the use of appendicular muscles, such as the obturator internus (OI), have been developed for strengthening of the levator ani muscle (LAM). However, changes that lead to potential dysfunction of these alternative targets in older women are not well known. We hypothesized that aging negatively impacts OI architecture, the main determinant of muscle function, and intramuscular extracellular matrix (ECM), paralleling age-related alterations in LAM. OI and LAM were procured from three groups of female cadaveric donors (five per group): younger (20 – 40 years), middle-aged (41 – 60 years), and older (≥60 years). Architectural predictors of the excursional (fiber length, L f), force-generating (physiological cross-sectional area, PCSA) and sarcomere length (L s) capacity of the muscles, and ECM collagen content (measure of fibrosis) were determined using validated methods. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test with a significance level of 0.05, and linear regression. The mean ages of the donors in the three groups were 31.2 ± 2.3 years, 47.6 ± 1.2 years, and 74.6 ± 4.2 years (P 0.5). OI L f and L s were not affected by aging. Age >60 years was associated with a substantial decrease in OI PCSA and increased collagen content (P < 0.05). Reductions in OI and LAM force-generating capacities with age were highly correlated (r 2 = 0.9). Our findings of age-related decreases in predicted OI force production and fibrosis suggest that these alterations should be taken into consideration, when designing pelvic floor fitness programs for older women.
The power of crowdsourcing in disaster response operations

Abstract A case study was conducted using the 2012 and 2013 Colorado wildfires and the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Academics from universities that are part of the Department of Homeland Security Centers of Excellence and senior leaders within the Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management were interviewed about the use of crowdsourcing during disaster operations. The resultant data was analyzed and the themes of control, verification, and usage emerged as key components of successful crowdsourcing operations. The study revealed that in today's society, we are globally connected through the Internet such that social media and disaster managers in all countries can benefit from the use of crowdsourcing.
Neurocytometry: Flow Cytometric Sorting of Specific Neuronal Populations from Human and Rodent Brain

Flow cytometry has the potential to facilitate understanding of the heterogeneous responses of diverse brain cell populations to a variety of stimuli. However, existing methods of applying flow cytometry to brain tissues are each limited in certain ways. They either require genetically labeled cells to achieve separation of specific populations, are not applicable to previously fixed tissue, or are not compatible with downstream mRNA analysis. Here, we describe a group of related methods that overcome many previous limitations and allow robust sorting and downstream molecular analysis of highly enriched populations of specific neuronal and non-neuronal cells from any mammalian brain. We illustrate these techniques, which are compatible with antibodies for both nuclear and non-nuclear epitopes and do not require transgenic animals, with three examples. First, we describe the separation and downstream mRNA analysis of four types of cortical interneurons (somatostatin, parvalbumin, calretinin, and calbindin)...
Fundamental optics: On-chip Casimir effect

Measurement of the forces that arise from quantum vacuum fluctuations between closely spaced surfaces typically requires large apparatus, making applications difficult. Now, an experiment on a silicon chip to measure the Casimir force has been realized.
Does fathers' involvement in services affect mothers' likelihood of reunification with children placed in foster care?

Abstract Social science literature shows associations between fathers' involvement with their children and beneficial developmental outcomes of those children. A related but smaller body of research in the child welfare services arena has found measures of father involvement to be positively associated with beneficial child welfare outcomes, including child's reunification with parent after placement in foster care. However, the pathway by which father involvement affects reunification likelihood has not been determined. This study builds on the existing body of literature by testing a theoretical basis for the relationship between father involvement (measured as service use) and mothers' reunification in a model controlling for family structure. I find that fathers' involvement in services improves mothers' likelihood of reunification, independently of family structure. Results suggest that agency efforts to involve fathers in services make sense both when the aim is to prepare the father for possible custody, and when the aim is to reunify the mother.
Traversing Steric Limitations by Cooperative Lewis Base/Palladium Catalysis: An Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Branched Esters Using 2-Substituted Allyl Electrophiles

Cooperative catalysis enables the direct enantioselective α-allylation of linear prochiral esters using 2-substituted allyl electrophiles. Critical to the successful development of the method was the recognition that metal-centered reactivity and the source of enantiocontrol are independent. This feature is unique to simultaneous catalysis events and permits logical tuning of the supporting ligands without compromising enantioselectivity.