cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of pH and temperature on myocardial calcium-activation in Pterygoplichthys (catfish)

Fish are chronically exposed to a wide range of temperatures and acidic environments. Fish hearts have to therefore adapt to these changes in order to maintain contractility. Myofibrillar responsiveness to Ca2+ is exquisitely sensitive to both temperature and pH in mammalian myocardium. To evaluate myofilament calcium-activation, we chemically skinned ventricular myocardium from catfish (Pterygoplichthys). A decrease in pH from 7.5 to 6.8, irrespective of temperature change, shifted the calcium-force curve towards higher calcium concentrations without affecting maximal Ca2+-activated force. The contractile elements are therefore sensitive to changes in pH. In intact muscle preparations the active twitch force was decreased with increasing temperature (10–22 °C). However, the sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+ was independent of temperature. These data suggest a possible role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in mediating the effects of temperature. The response of intact muscle preparations to changes in temperature is therefore not likely due to temperature-dependent changes in myofilament calcium responsiveness.
Cognitive Research, Learning Theory, & Software Design: The Virtual Library:

The idea that theory and research on learning and cognition could influence the way we teach and structure learning environments has established a new paradigm for software designers [1]. According to a social-constructivist perspective, discourse, authentic tasks, exploratory and student-centered learning are integral to learning and understanding. The purpose of this article is to describe design considerations that were made for a software prototype called the Virtual Library—considerations that were framed by cognitive research and learning theory. When completed, the software will assist preservice teachers in learning about educational psychology and instructional design. The software resembles a library where students browse through a series of 3-D, virtual buildings to understand research, theory, and classroom applications of educational psychology and instructional design. Students have access to movies, text, images, and World Wide Web sites. They also have opportunities to participate in inter...
Fluid inertia effects in squeeze films

Fluid inertia effects in squeeze films are analyzed. Experimental results are also presented. The agreement between theory and experiment is very good.
Variational data assimilation via sparse regularisation

This paper studies the role of sparse regularisation in a properly chosen basis for variational data assimilation (VDA) problems. Specifically, it focuses on data assimilation of noisy and down-sampled observations while the state variable of interest exhibits sparsity in the real or transform domains. We show that in the presence of sparsity, the -norm regularisation produces more accurate and stable solutions than the classic VDA methods. We recast the VDA problem under the -norm regularisation into a constrained quadratic programming problem and propose an efficient gradient-based approach, suitable for large-dimensional systems. The proof of concept is examined via assimilation experiments in the wavelet and spectral domain using the linear advection–diffusion equation. Keywords: variational data assimilation, sparsity, l 1 regularisation, wavelet, discrete cosine transform (Published: 11 February 2014) Citation: Tellus A 2014, 66 , 21789, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v66.21789
Who says we're not busy? Library web page usage as a measure of public service activity

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the viability of web server statistics for library‐generated web pages as measures of public service activity. For years librarians have gathered, reported, and analyzed traditional measures such as reference transactions, patron visits, book and reserve item circulation, and interlibrary loan transactions. Since the advent of web‐based databases and services, some traditional usage statistics have declined. Such declines can have political and financial implications for libraries.Design/methodology/approach – The author did a literature review, studied a suggested revision to the NISO Z39.7‐1995 Library Statistics standard that includes counting usage of library‐generated web pages, participated in a task force on web statistics, and analyzed library web site statistics at a university library.Findings – The recommendations of a task force on reporting web page usage statistics in an academic library are discussed. The reporting of the usage of library‐generated web p...
Optimal parallel selection had complexity O (log log N )

Abstract We show that in the deterministic comparison model for parallel computation, p = n processors can select the kth smallest item from a set of n numbers in O(log log n) parallel time. With this result all comparison tasks (selection, merging, sorting) now have upper and lower bounds of the same order in both random and deterministic models. This optimal time bound holds even if p = o ( n ).
CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF LIPIDS BY THEIR CRITICAL SOLUTION TEMPERATURES.

The mutual solubility of two liquids which are not miscible in all proportions is essentially a function of the temp. Rising temp usually increases the solubility, possibly reaching a point, i.e., the upper critical solution temp (CST), at which the two components become miscible in all proportions. The CST is characteristic for the two liquids involved. A microtechnique developed by Fischer simplifies rapid and accurate determinations of the upper critical solution temp. This technique is described and its application to the characterization and identification of pure lipids and lipid mixtures is demonstrated. The significance of this simple laboratory procedure and its relation to complementary analytical methods is discussed.
Early advertising applications of the Gale-Cattell order-of-merit method.

A key method in advertising psychology at the turn of the century was the order-of-merit method developed independently by Harlow Gale and James McKeen Cattell. The use and interpretation of the method varied with the theoretical orientations then popular. Advertising psychologists in the mentalistic tradition used the Gale version and concentrated on the introspections of the subject. They regarded the method as one which tapped the reasoning processes underlying advertising. Psychologists trained in the behaviorist approach ignored the introspective evidence and regarded the method as a measure of the stimulus qualities of the ads. Those approaching from the dynamicist viewpoint reinterpreted the method as a means of ascertaining the hierarchy of the basic needs of man.
An examination of the behavioral and neuropsychological correlates of three ADHD candidate gene polymorphisms (DRD4 7+, DBH TaqI A2, and DAT1 40 bp VNTR) in hyperactive and normal children followed to adulthood

Several candidate gene polymorphisms have been implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including DAT1 40bp VNTR, DRD4 7+, and DBH TaqI A2 alleles. We used the Milwaukee longitudinal study of hyperactive (n = 122) and normal (n = 67) children to compare participants with and without these respective polymorphisms on ADHD-related behavioral ratings at childhood, 8 years later in adolescence, and 13+ years later into young adulthood. Neuropsychological tests were given at the adolescent and young adulthood follow-up. No differences were found between the DRD4-7+ and 7- repeat polymorphism. The DBH TaqI A2 allele, when homozygous, was associated with being more hyperactive in childhood, having more pervasive behavior problems at adolescence, and earning less money on a card playing task in adulthood. At adolescence, poorer test scores were also found only in the hyperactive group with homozygous for this allele. The DAT1 40bp VNTR heterozygous 9/10 repeat, however, differed from the 10/10 repeat pair in many respects, having greater ADHD and externalizing symptoms at all three follow-ups, more cross-situational behavioral problems at both childhood and adolescence, poorer mother-teen relations at adolescence, and lower class rankings in high school. Participants with the 9/10 pair in the control group also had lower work performance, a lower grade point average in high school, greater teacher rated externalizing symptoms at adolescence, and greater omission errors on a continuous performance test in adulthood. The DAT1 40bp VNTR 9/10 polymorphism pairing appears to be reliably associated with greater symptoms of ADHD and externalizing behavior from childhood to adulthood, and with family, educational, and occupational impairments. We also present a contrary view on the appropriate endophenotypes for use in behavioral genetic research on ADHD.
Analysis of gender-based family income inequality in Canada

Using decomposable measures of inequality and applying bootstrapping methods in order to draw statistical inference, gender-based earnings inequality in conjunction with education and immigration status in Canada is investigated.
A two-dimensional finite-element solution scheme for the saturated-unsaturated flow with applications to flow through ditch-drained soils

Abstract A two-dimensional Galerkin finite-element model has been designed to predict the steady and transient saturated—unsaturated movement of water in homogeneous and non-homogeneous ditch-drained aquifers. A scheme capable of handling adequately the non-homogeneous boundary conditions arising at the seepage face for a quasi-correct prediction of the water table is discussed. Results obtained for the case of drainage with incident rainfall under steady-state conditions for a homogeneous and for layered soils have been compared with numerical solutions obtained in the case where only the saturated region is considered. Model results have also been compared with laboratory data obtained for a transient-state problem.
The critical case of clamped thermoelastic systems with interior point control: Optimal interior and boundary regularity results☆

In the case of clamped thermoelastic systems with interior point control defined on a bounded domain Ω, the critical case is n=dimΩ=2. Indeed, an optimal interior regularity theory was obtained in [R. Triggiani, Sharp regularity of hyperbolic-dominated thermoelastic systems with point control: The clamped case, Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. (Suppl.) (2007) 993–1004] for n=1 and n=3. However, in this reference, an ‘ϵ-loss’ of interior regularity has occurred due to a peculiar pathology: the incompatibility of the B.C. of the spaces H032(Ω) and H0032(Ω). The present paper manages to establish that, indeed, one can take ϵ=0, thus obtaining an optimal interior regularity theory also for the case n=2. The elastic variables have the same interior regularity as in the corresponding elastic problem [R. Triggiani, Regularity with interior point control, Part II: Kirchhoff equations, J. Differential Equations 103 (1993) 394–421] (Kirchhoff). Unlike [R. Triggiani, Sharp regularity of hyperbolic-dominated thermoelastic systems with point control: The clamped case, Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. (Suppl.) (2007) 993–1004], the present paper establishes the sought-after interior regularity of the thermoelastic problem through a technical analysis based on sharp boundary (trace) regularity theory of Kirchhoff and wave equations. In the process, a new boundary regularity result, not contained in [R. Triggiani, Sharp regularity of hyperbolic-dominated thermoelastic systems with point control: The clamped case, Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. (Suppl.) (2007) 993–1004], is obtained for the elastic displacement of the thermoelastic system.
Pulsus paradoxus in asthma.

Abstract Ninety-three patients with asthma were examined on 308 occasions for systolic fluctuation of blood-pressure during quiet breathing. Pulsus paradoxus (fluctuation of 10 mm Hg or greater) was present on 110 occasions. A pulsus paradoxus was associated with greater airflow obstruction (average peak expiratory flow-rate 33·6% of the predicted) than an absent pulsus paradoxus which was associated with a peak expiratory flow-rate of 55·4%. However, pulsus paradoxus was often present in mild obstruction and absent in severe obstruction. In six patients the effect of changing respiratory pattern on systolic fluctuation was studied. Systolic fluctuation was directly related to the inspiratory flow-rate. This is probably one of the major reasons why association of airflow obstruction with pulsus paradoxus is not constant.
Physical Organic Chemistry of Transition Metal Carbene Complexes. 29.† Kinetics of Reactions of [Ethoxy(phenyl)carbene]pentacarbonylchromium(0) and [Ethoxy(phenyl)(Cr(CO)3)carbene]pentacarbonylchromium(0) with Water, OH-, and Amines. Mechanistic Changes Induced by the Cr(CO)3 Group

A kinetic study of the aminolysis of (CO)5CrC(OEt)C6H5 (7-Cr) and (CO)5CrC(OEt)C6H5(Cr(CO)3) (8-Cr) by five primary aliphatic amines and of the hydrolysis of 8-Cr in 50% MeCN−50% water (v/v) at 25 °C is reported. The introduction of the Cr(CO)3 group has only a minor effect on the electrophilic reactivity of the carbene carbon; that is, the nucleophilic attack by OH- and the amines on 7-Cr and 8-Cr occurs at similar rates. However, the Cr(CO)3 group exerts a strong influence on the mechanisms of both types of reactions, which results in changes of what steps are rate limiting. In the hydrolysis reaction these changes lead to a more complex rate versus pH profile for 8-Cr compared to the previously reported one for 7-Cr. In the aminolysis the effect is to change the mechanism of general base catalysis from rate-limiting leaving group departure for the reactions of 7-Cr to rate-limiting proton transfer for the reactions of 8-Cr. We provide a detailed analysis of the reasons for these changes.
Accuracy of the diffusion approximation for some queuing systems

This paper presents the resulotsf a rather extensive study of the accuracy of the diffusion approximation technique as applied to queuing models. The motivef or using the diffusion process approximation here is to develope realistic analytical models of computing systems by considering service time distributions of a general form. We first review the theory of the diffusion approximation for a single server and then develop a new and simplified treatment of a queuing network system. The accuracy of this approximation method is then considered for a wide class of distributional forms of service and interarrival times and for various queuing models. The approximate solutions and exact (or simulation) solutions are compared numerically in terms of the means and variances of queue sizes, server utilizations, the asymptotic decrements of the distributions, and the queue size distributions themselves. The accuracy of the diffusion approximation is found to be quite adequate in most cases and is considerably higher than that obtained by an exponential server model that is prevalent in computer system modeling.
Modeling Blockage Failures in Sewer Systems to Support Maintenance Decision Making

The objective of this research is to develop and implement a stochastic method that can be applied to characterize random failures in critical infrastructure systems. We particularly focus on blockage failures in sewer systems that are nonmechanistic and result from combination of external factors, including deterioration in condition. The method was implemented using a data set consisting of sewer blockage failure records from a small municipality. Statistical tests were conducted to: (1) ensure that available data set is representative and (2) estimate parameters of distributions that appropriately characterize failure event arrival pattern. Failure trends were also analyzed to identify the influence of local factors and justify the choice of the distributions used to characterize interarrival times. Based on the analysis, we explored the challenges in developing a reliability model across the life cycle of a sewer system. In addition, specific examples were also presented to illustrate how the method can be applied to support system maintenance decisions. The results of this study illustrate how the memoryless property can be assumed in analyzing failure events, while explicitly considering context specific influences. Finally, the methods described in this paper are extensible and can be applied generally to analyzing random failures in other infrastructure systems as well.
TALE-mediated modulation of transcriptional enhancers in vivo

We tested whether transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) could mediate repression and activation of endogenous enhancers in the Drosophila genome. TALE repressors (TALERs) targeting each of the five even-skipped (eve) stripe enhancers generated repression specifically of the focal stripes. TALE activators (TALEAs) targeting the eve promoter or enhancers caused increased expression primarily in cells normally activated by the promoter or targeted enhancer, respectively. This effect supports the view that repression acts in a dominant fashion on transcriptional activators and that the activity state of an enhancer influences TALE binding or the ability of the VP16 domain to enhance transcription. In these assays, the Hairy repression domain did not exhibit previously described long-range transcriptional repression activity. The phenotypic effects of TALER and TALEA expression in larvae and adults are consistent with the observed modulations of eve expression. TALEs thus provide a novel tool for detection and functional modulation of transcriptional enhancers in their native genomic context.
A diel study of the neuston and plankton bacteria in an Antarctic pond

A small freshwater pond near Palmer Station, Anvers Island, (64° 45'S, 64° 05'W) was sampled every 6 h over a 24 h period during the late austral summer to examine changes in both neuston and plankton population levels and activity. Total bacteria using acridine orange and epifluorescence microscopy, counts of viable colony-forming units, and chlorophyll a were determined. Activity was estimated by measuring the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation. The data indicate that over this time period the bacterioneuston populations went through a diel fluctuation and temperature may be an important factor in this cycle. Although the bacterioneuston populations were often more numerous than corresponding plankton populations, subsurface bacteria appeared to be metabolically more active.
Asymptotic analysis of adaptive Markovian access control protocols

In this paper, the technique developed in [1], [2] is applied to adaptive access control protocols. Both an adaptive ALOHA-type system and an adaptive TDMA-type system are considered. It is shown that for a large number of users both systems can utilize the same set of adaptation parameters, even though in the adaptive TDMA-type system the switching mode is required in order to achieve the maximum stable throughput. It is also shown that the adaptive TDMA-type system has superior throughput characteristics. In addition, the behavior of adaptive protocols in noisy environment is analyzed and it is shown that the throughput degradation is negligible if the probability of channel error is less than 0.15.
Comment on the papers “Production of hot nitrogen atoms in the martian thermosphere” by F. Bakalian and “Monte Carlo computations of the escape of atomic nitrogen from Mars” by F. Bakalian and R.E. Hartle

Abstract In recent articles published in Icarus, Bakalian [2006. Icarus 183, 69–78] discusses and computes the production rates of hot nitrogen atoms in the martian thermosphere due to N 2 photodissociation and N + 2 dissociative recombination, and Bakalian and Hartle [2006. Icarus 183, 55–68] use a Monte Carlo code to compute the escape rates of nitrogen atoms from Mars due to photodissociation of N 2 , dissociative recombination of N + 2 , and pickup ion escape due to photoionization of N atoms above the ionopause. Bakalian concludes that “photodissociation of N 2 is the dominant escape mechanism in the martian atmosphere.” We will show that this conclusion is not supportable. In addition, both papers contain scientific errors, misrepresentations, inaccurate referencing, lack of proper attribution, and they fail to place these investigations into the existing extensive body of work on this subject.
Connection between the spinal dura mater and suboccipital musculature: Evidence for the myodural bridge and a route for its dissection—A review

A connective tissue link between the spinal dura mater and the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle was first described in 1995 and has since been readily demonstrated via dissection, magnetic resonance imaging, and plastinated cross-sections of the upper cervical region (Hack et al. [1995] Spine 20:2484-2486). This structure, the so-called "myodural bridge," has yet to be included in any of the American anatomy textbooks or dissection guides commonly used in medical education. This direct anatomic link between the musculoskeletal system and the dura mater has important ramifications for the treatment of chronic cervicogenic headache. This article summarizes the anatomic and clinical research literature related to this structure and provides a simple approach to dissect the myodural bridge and its attachment to the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane/spinal dura mater complex and summarizes the case for its possible inclusion in medical anatomy curricula.
Anaplasma odocoilei sp. nov. (family Anaplasmataceae) from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Recently, an undescribed Anaplasma sp. (also called Ehrlichia-like sp. or WTD agent) was isolated in ISE6 tick cells from captive white-tailed deer. The goal of the current study was to characterize this organism using a combination of experimental infection, morphologic, serologic, and molecular studies. Each of 6 experimentally inoculated white-tailed deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus) became chronically infected (100+ days) with the Anaplasma sp. by inoculation of either infected whole blood or culture. None of the deer showed evidence of clinical disease, but 3 of the 6 deer evaluated had multiple episodes of transient thrombocytopenia. Light microscopy of Giemsa-stained, thin blood smears revealed tiny, dark, spherical structures in platelets of acutely infected deer. Anaplasma sp. was detected in platelets of inoculated deer by polymerase chain reaction, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. Five of 6 deer developed antibodies reactive to Anaplasma sp. antigen, as detected by indirect fluorescent antibody testing. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, groESL, and gltA sequences confirmed the Anaplasma sp. is related to A. platys. Two attempts to transmit the Anaplasma sp. between deer by feeding Amblyomma americanum, a suspected tick vector, were unsuccessful. Based on its biologic, antigenic, and genetic characteristics, this organism is considered a novel species of Anaplasma, and the name Anaplasma odocoilei sp. nov. is proposed with UMUM76T (=CSUR-A1) as the type strain.
Therapeutic nutraceutical treatments for osteoarthritis and ischaemia

There has been a very large increase in nutraceutical innovations, particularly in the US regulatory marketplace. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of a group of nutraceuticals that share common biochemical pathways, and have shown spectacular marketplace success. These are energy metabolites and precursor molecules involved in the metabolic mechanisms of cartilage replacement and cellular energy functions. The commercial nutraceuticals are glucosamine, ribose and their derivatives. These compounds are considered required nutrients for the repair of cartilage and connective tissues and optimal cellular energy maintenance in active, middle aged individuals. The recent scientific and patent literature in this segment of the nutraceutical marketplace is reviewed.
Influence of high channel doping on the inversion layer electron mobility in strained silicon n-MOSFETs

In this letter, we investigate the dependence of electron inversion layer mobility on high-channel doping required for sub-50-nm MOSFETs in strained silicon (Si), and we compare it to co-processed unstrained Si. For high vertical effective electric field E/sub eff/, the electron mobility in strained Si displays universal behavior and shows enhancement of 1.5-1.7/spl times/ compared to unstrained Si. For low E/sub eff/, the mobility for strained Si devices decreases toward the unstrained Si data due to Coulomb scattering by channel dopants.
The New View of Minerals and Economic Growth

Resource economists have long been fascinated by the relationship between minerals and economic growth. This interest has historically been based in pan on the concern that mineral resources may someday constrain world economic growth, or worse, force a painful reduction in the living standards of the industrialized countries In recent years, however, a very different view of minerals and economic growth has emerged. This new view maintains that economic growth has over the last decade or two become ‘uncoupled’ or independent of minerals and other primary products. Economic growth no longer requires an increase in mineral consumption, and no longer stimulates the demand for metals and other mineral commodities. The new view offers an explanation for the stagnation in metal and mineral consumption since the early 1970s, and presumably was fostered by the depressed conditions of mineral markets over the past decade. An examination of the forces behind the stagnation, however, suggests that the new view is only partially correct Sectoral shifts, the rise of high technology products within manufacturing, resource-saving technology, and material substitution have together caused intensity-of-use trends to deteriorate. As a result, metal consumption can now remain constant or even decline at the same time the economy is expanding, if rate of economic expansion is less than the rate of decline in intensity-of-use. While the relationship between minerals and economic growth has changed in recent years, the two are not independent Faster economic growth requires and stimulates faster growth (or a slower decline) in mineral consumption. This finding has implications for both the short- and long-run behaviour of metal and mineral markets.
Molecular Characterization of Organic Aerosol Using Nanospray Desorption/Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: CalNex 2010 field study

highlights g rap hical a bstract < We characterize the chemical composition of aerosols collected during CalNex 2010. < We observe changes in the compo- sition of the oligomeric fraction throughout the day. < There were increased numbers of nitrogen-containing compounds at night. < Reactions with ammonia to form imines are possible formation pathways. < Increased numbers of CHO compounds during the day, likely a result of photochemistry. abstract Aerosol samples from the CalNex 2010 field study were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) coupled toananospraydesorption/electrosprayionization (nano-DESI)source.The sampleswere collected in Bakersfield, CA on June 22-23, 2010. The chemical formulas of over 850 unique molecular species were detected in the mass range of 50e400 m/z using positive mode ESI of aerosol samples in the 0.18e0.32mmsizerange.Ouranalysisfocusedonidentificationoftwomaingroups:compoundscontaining only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO), and nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOC). The NOC accounted for 40% (by number) of the compounds observed in the afternoon, and for 52% in the early morning samples. Bycomparing plausible reactanteproduct pairs, we propose that over 50% of the NOC in each sample could have been formed through reactions transforming carbonyls into imines. The CHO only compounds were dominant in the afternoon suggesting a photochemical source. The average O/C ratios of
Collecting Sex Disaggregated Data to Improve Development Policies

This paper discusses the need for better data, the possibilities for collecting such data, and the initial findings of efforts to gather sex disaggregated data on important economic activities. Better data at the individual level, for both men and women, will facilitate much better analyses by both macroeconomists and microeconomists. While some data, especially on education and employment, are now routinely collected on individuals, other data, including on asset access and ownership, are still typically collected only at the household level. The paper argues that it is both feasible and important to collect individual-level asset data, rather than simply collecting data at the household level. At the macro level, these data are needed to understand changing patterns within the economy; at the micro-level, the data are needed to understand the economic relationships among individuals, households and communities and can help in the design of policies to promote poverty reduction, growth and development. Drawing on the data collected under the Gender Asset Gap Project, differences are demonstrated between women and men in the ownership and control of assets and in the access to specific types of capital. Periodic data on gender asset and wealth gaps tracked over time would provide insights into policies designed to reduce poverty and promote economic growth.
Classical Potentials for Covalent Solids and Clusters: Application to Silicon and Silicon Dioxide

Pairwise interactions lead to close-packed structures which can be easily described by classical potentials. However, covalent solids such as silicon or silica form open structures which cannot be described by such interactions. We have developed new interatomic force fields which describe the phase stability of silicon and small silicon clusters. We consider three body forces which are adjusted to describe “covalent” → “metallic” phase transitions instead of small amplitude atomic vibrations. These forces result in a highly accurate phase diagram for crystalline polytypes. Our force filed can be easily modified to describe energies and structures of Si. vapor phase clusters. A key aspect of the cluster problem is the transfer of bond strength from dangling bonds to back bonds. We show as a function of this back bond strength that a covalent → metallic “first order” structural phase transition occurs in the cluster structures. We also examine the role of three body forces in silica in light of recent pressure measurements. We find that the recently developed pairwise forces are not sufficient to predict accurately the pressure dependence of the structural parameters.
Distributed center-location algorithms: proposals and comparisons

Multicast routing protocol proposals such as PIM and CBT have been based on the notion of group-shared trees. Since the construction of a minimal-cost tree spanning all members of a group is difficult, they rely on center-based trees, and distribute packets from all sources over a single shortest-path tree rooted at some center. While PIM and CBT provisionally use administrative selection of centers or trivial heuristics for locating the center of a group, they do not preclude the use of other methods as long as they provide an ordered list of centers. Other previously proposed heuristics typically require knowledge of the complete network topology, a requirement which is not always practical for a distributed problem such as Internet routing. In this paper we investigate the problem of finding a good center in distributed fashion, study various heuristics for automating center selection, and examine their applicability to real-world networks. We also propose several new algorithms which we feel to be more practical than existing methods. We present simulation results showing that of the methods potentially feasible in the Internet multicast backbone, ours offer the best results in terms of cost and delay.
Multicriterion preliminary design of a tetrahedral truss platform

An efficient method is presented for multi-criterion preliminary design and demonstrated for a tetrahedral truss platform. The present method requires minimal analysis effort and permits rapid estimation of optimized truss behavior for preliminary design. A 14-m-diameter, 3-ring truss platform represents a candidate reflector support structure for space-based science spacecraft. The truss members are divided into 9 groups by truss ring and position. Design variables are the cross-sectional area of all members in a group, and are either 1, 3 or 5 times the minimum member area. Non-structural mass represents the node and joint hardware used to assemble the truss structure. Taguchi methods are used to efficiently identify key points in the set of Pareto-optimal truss designs. Key points identified using Taguchi methods are the maximum frequency, minimum mass, and maximum frequency-to-mass ratio truss designs. Low-order polynomial curve fits through these points are used to approximate the behavior of the full set of Pareto-optimal designs. The resulting Pareto-optimal design curve is used to predict frequency and mass for optimized trusses. Performance improvements are plotted in frequency-mass (criterion) space and compared to results for uniform trusses. Application of constraints to frequency and mass and sensitivity to constraint variation are demonstrated.
Preparation and paramagnetism of the rare earth trifluorides

Abstract We have prepared and measured the magnetic susceptibilities of the rare earth trifluorides. They all exhibit moments close to that theoretically expected for the free ion, except at the very low temperatures.
Livestock Genetic Resources: Preserving Genetic Adaptations for Future Use

Since domestication, livestock have evolved and been actively selected for adaptation to a wide range of physical, climatic, disease challenge and production environments. Relatively free access to these farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) has delivered large benefits to developed and developing countries, notwithstanding examples of inappropriate promotion and use of specialised breeds in the developing world. Rapid changes in economic and agricultural environments globally are creating major threats to livestock diversity. The problem is most acute in the developing world, where information about the characteristics and status of indigenous FAnGR is limited and there is little or no capacity to protect such genetic resources. Recent international fora have recognised the need for urgent action to conserve FAnGR of the developing world. Priority is given to conservation through sustainable use but an urgent need for cryo-conservation is now recognised, overturning the consensus arrived at last decade that cryo-conservation was neither required nor desirable. Implementing conservation of developing world FAnGR will require regional and international collaboration and support, mechanisms for which have yet to be developed. With the accelerating rates of change in the developing world, failure to implement conservation and sustainable utilisation programs in the developing world in the very near future will likely lead to the loss of a substantial proportion of the world’s FAnGR.
A Dual-Processing Model of Moral Whistleblowing in Organizations

A dual-processing model of moral whistleblowing in organizations is proposed. In this theory paper, moral whistleblowing is described as a unique type of whistleblowing that is undertaken by individuals that see themselves as moral agents and are primarily motivated to blow the whistle by a sense of moral duty. At the individual level, the model expands on traditional, rational models of whistleblowing by exploring how moral intuition and deliberative reasoning processes might interact to influence the whistleblowing behavior of moral agents. The model combines individual variables (e.g., moral identity), organizational variables (e.g., organizational culture), and external, societal variables (e.g., media perceptions) to explain the moral whistleblowing process and the impact of moral agents on organizations and society.
Volumetric analysis of 18F-FDG PET in glioblastoma multiforme: Prognostic information and possible role in definition of target volumes in radiation dose escalation

The use of 18F-FDG PET for brain tumors has been shown to be accurate in identifying areas of active disease. Radiation dose escalation in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) may lead to improved disease control. On the basis of these premises, we initiated a pilot study to investigate the use of 18F-FDG PET for the guidance of radiation dose escalation in the treatment of GBM. Methods: Patients were considered eligible to participate in the study if they had a diagnosis of GBM, were at least 18 y old, and had a score of at least 60 on the Karnofsky Scale. Patients were treated with standard conformal fractionated radiotherapy (1.8 Gy per fraction, to 59.4 Gy), with volumes defined by MRI. At a dose of 45–50.4 Gy, patients underwent 18F-FDG PET for boost target delineation. Final noncoplanar fields (3–4) were designed to treat the volume of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake plus a 0.5-cm margin for an additional 20 Gy (2 Gy per fraction), to a total dose of 79.4 Gy. If no abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was observed, treatment was stopped after the conventional course of 59.4 Gy. Age, Karnofsky score, MRI-based volumes, and 18F-FDG PET volume were analyzed as prognostic variables for time to tumor progression (TTP) and overall survival. 18F-FDG PET volumes and MRI-based volumes were compared to assess concordance. Results: For the 27 patients who could be evaluated, median actuarial TTP was 43 wk, and median actuarial survival was 70 wk. On univariate analysis, 18F-FDG PET, T1-weighted MRI gadolinium enhancement (excluding nonenhancing resection cavity), and T2-weighted MRI volumes were significantly predictive of TTP. On multivariate analysis, only 18F-FDG PET volume retained significance for predicting TTP. Similar results were obtained on analysis of these variables as prognostic factors for survival. When 18F-FDG PET-based volumes were compared with MRI-based volumes, a difference of at least 25% was detected in all patients, with all but 2 having smaller 18F-FDG PET volumes. Of patients in whom 18F-FDG uptake was initially present but treatment subsequently failed, 83% demonstrated the first tumor progression within the region of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake. Conclusion: In comparison with MRI, 18F-FDG PET defined unique volumes for radiation dose escalation in the treatment of GBM. 18F-FDG PET volumes were predictive of survival and time to tumor progression in the treatment of patients with GBM.
Spatial structure, sampling design and scale in remotely-sensed imagery of a California savanna woodland

This article describes research related to sampling techniques for establishing linear relations between land surface parameters and remotely-sensed data. Predictive relations are estimated between percentage tree cover in a savanna environment and a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from the Thematic Mapper sensor. Spatial autocorrelation in original measurements and regression residuals is examined using semi-variogram analysis at several spatial resolutions. Sampling schemes are then tested to examine the effects of autocorrelation on predictive linear models in cases of small sample sizes. Regression models between image and ground data are affected by the spatial resolution of analysis. Reducing the influence of spatial autocorrelation by enforcing minimum distances between samples may also improve empirical models which relate ground parameters to satellite data.
Lipofuscin Distribution and Histological Lesions in the Vitamin E Deficient Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus hispidus)

To identify the role of avitaminosis E in the production of histological lesions and the distribution of an acid-fast pigment in the young cotton rat, weanling animals were maintained on a vitamin E deficient diet for 41 to 179 days. Since the pigment, lipofuscin, cannot be degraded by any cell, including the macrophage, it accumulates linearly with age of the animal and the length of the avitaminosis E.Significant amounts of lipofuscin collect in the adrenal cortex, ovary, uterus, skeletal muscle and liver. Lesser concentrations are found in the cardiac muscle, testis, prostate, spleen, lymph nodes, pancreas, fallopian tube, kidney and bone marrow.Traces of acid-fast pigment occur in the older normal control animals as a natural phenomenon in aging. However, in avitaminosis E this process is accelerated and intensified. With the addition of tocopherol to the deficient diet only a few acid-fast granules appear. These findings suggest that vitamin E may delay cellular aging as supported by the marked abnormal accumulation of acid-fast (old age) pigment in the tissues of vitamin E deficient animals.Histopathological lesions are found in skeletal muscle, heart, kidney and liver of all vitamin E deficient animals.
Determination of Trace Antimony in Water by Hydride Generation-Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry Method

Objective To establish a method for determination of trace antimony in water by Hydride- generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry( HG- AFS) method in nitric acid medium. Methods Under optimal instrument condition,acidity,concentration of potassium borohydride and thiourea- ascorbic acid,the limit,linear range,precision and the recovery of standard addition were determined and analyzed. Results The linear relationship of antimony was 0- 15. 0μg / L. The detection limit of antimony was 0. 01μg / L. The relative standard deviation of antimony was 2. 95%- 4. 38%. The standard recovery rate of antimony was 96%-104% respectively. Conclusion With characteristics of simple,sensitive and rapid,this method is worthy of promotion to for determination of trace antimony in water.
Application Research of Hierarchical Control in Microgrid

In this paper,a novel hierarchical control for microgrids is proposed.This control method not only has a certain degree of decentralization but also keeps a degree of centralization through the weak communication channel to realize the control to the lower level layer,which can improve the intelligence and flexibility of the Microgrid.The hierarchical control mainly consists of three control levels: the primary control based on the droop method;the secondary control which allows restoring the deviation produced by the primary control;and the tertiary control which manages the power flow between the microgrid and the external electrical distribution system.Experimental results provided show feasibility and correctness of the hierarchical control method.
Metal–insulator phase transitions and related critical phenomena in NiS2−xSex

Abstract Recent research on various physical properties of the NiS 2− x Se x system is reviewed. It is emphasized that with increasing x x metal–insulator transitions are encountered. These phenomena and a variety of results involving x ray and electron spectroscopy are linked to the transition from itinerant to localized electronic states induced by strong electron–electron correlation effects. At alloy concentration close to x =0.44 pressure may be used to tune the electrical properties, such that quantum critical fluctuations are encountered at cryogenic temperatures; these are rationalized in terms of current theoretical concepts. Major recent advances: Recent advances in the field include (1) the publication of a revised phase diagram of the Ni 2− x Se x system that establishes more realistic phase boundaries for the various magnetic and nonmagnetic transitions as a function of temperature T and of x , (2) the elucidation of quantum critical phenomena that are noted at cryogenic temperatures for the alloy x =0.44, and (3) the interpretation of these transitions in terms of itinerant-localized transitions of 3 d electrons.
The congenital rigid flatfoot. Its recognition and treatment in infants.

Summary Eleven cases of congenital rigid flatfeet in nine patients are presented. All were recognized at birth or soon thereafter and were treated by conservative methods. Two required surgical intervention approximately 12 to 18 months after the initiation of conservative management. The maximum follow-up period has been eight years and the minimum, one year. The bony components of the deformity consist of equinus of the calcaneus and talus and dislocation of the navicular dorsolaterally on the talus. The soft tissue deformity consists of contracture and displacement of the tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus longus and brevis tendons. The treatment consists of correction of the deformity by repeated gentle manipulation of the foot into a position of varus and equinus and cast immobilization followed later by correction of the equinus deformity. In two feet lengthening of the tendo calcaneus and capsulotomy of the posterior portion of the ankle joint were necessary. In this admittedly small but significant series the results have been quite gratifying and confirm the observations of Silk and Wainwright as well as those of Harrold. It is the responsibility of the orthopedist to educate the physicians who first examine these children to recognize these foot deformities at birth and to request prompt therapy. The importance of early recognition of the deformity and initiation of corrective measures during the neonatal period cannot be stressed sufficiently.
Quantitation of mapping uncertainty in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome: Implications for anatomic characterization and surgical division of accessory atrioventricular connections

The purpose of this study was to quantitate the uncertainty inherent in the electrophysiologic mapping of ventricular preexcitation as seen in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. An ink-coated needle electrode was constructed to serve as a point source of unipolar stimulation along the atrioventricular junction. Activation times for 11 ventricular mapping sites at the atrioventricular junction were measured for each stimulation point. Maps were successfully completed for 18 right free wall and 14 posterior septal stimulation points. The activation time at the mapping site closest to the stimulation point was termed the index activation time. Activation times identical to the index activation time were noted at 1.3 +/- 0.5 mapping sites for each free wall stimulation point and 1.9 +/- 0.9 mapping sites for each septal stimulation point (p < 0.05, septal versus free wall stimulation points). Activation times falling within 5 msec of the index activation time were noted at 2.4 +/- 1.0 mapping sites for each free wall stimulation point and at 3.9 +/- 1.4 mapping sites for each septal stimulation point (p < 0.05, septal versus free wall stimulation points). The uncertainty of electrophysiologic mapping can be quantitated, and this error should be considered when making inferences regarding the anatomy of accessory pathways based on electrophysiologic data. A knowledge of the uncertainty inherent in the localization of accessory atrioventricular connections by electrophysiologic mapping can be used to plan borders of surgical dissection that will account for this uncertainty at a 95% confidence level.