cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of physical training, aortic constriction and exogenous anterior pituitary hormones on the heart weights of hypophysectomized rats.

Studies were conducted with hypophysectomized rats to determine the effects of chronic exercise (training), injections of exogenous hormones, aortic constrictions and combinations there of on the weight of the heart. In addition, the role of growth hormone on cardiac weight was reinvestigated. The hypophysectomized rats that were trained for 10 weeks or longer had significantly heavier heart weights than their nontrained counterparts. When daily injections of a single exogenous hormone of ACTH, GH, ICSH or TSH were made into trained and nontrained animals, there was no trained group that had significantly heavier heart weights than their control group. Rats having aortic constrictions or receiving DOCA injections also had significantly heavier heart weights than their controls. When various dosages of GH (0.2 mg to 6.0 mg) were injected daily for three weeks, no evidence was obtained that indicated that the presence of this hormone resulted in cardiac enlargement. It was concluded that under the experimental condition of this study, cardiac enlargement can occur in hypophysectomized rats when the work demands on the heart have been increased.
The effect of epinephrine and other agents on adenyl cyclase in the cell membrane of avian erythrocytes

Abstract 1. 1. Cell membranes were prepared from turkey erythrocytes by fragmentation into small particles or larger pieces. Extensively fragmented bits of membrane did not respond to addition of epinphrine while larger pieces did respond to epinephrine. 2. 2. Aging of cell membrane preparations in the cold led to a loss of responsiveness to epinephrine. The responsiveness could be restored by prior incubation with a sulfhydryl reagent such as mercaptoethanol. 3. 3. ATP and magnesium ions applied to the exterior of intact erythrocytes did not cause synthesis of adenosine 3′,5′-phosphate. Several proteolytic enzymes were unable to inactivate adenyl cyclase when applied to intact cells but did inactivate the adenyl cyclase of hemolyzed preparations. 4. 4. The ATPase activity of the cells was apparent when ATP was added to intact erythrocytes. Some of the ATPase activity was lost when proteolytic enzymes were added to intact cells but most ATPase activity was retained unless the cells were first hemolyzed before addition of the enzymez.
Dense bipartite circulants and their routing via rectangular twisted torus

Whereas the maximum number of vertices in a four-regular circulant of diameter a is 2a^2+2a+1, the bound turns out to be 2a^2 if the condition of bipartiteness is imposed. Tzvieli presented a family of @j(a) such dense bipartite circulants on 2a^2 vertices for each a>=3, where @j(a) denotes the number of positive integers less than or equal to @?12(a-1)@? that are coprime with a. The present paper shows that each of those graphs is obtainable from the 2axa rectangular twisted torus by appropriately trading a maximum of 2a edges for as many new edges. The underlying structural similarity between the two graphs leads to a simple intuitive routing algorithm for the circulants. The result closely parallels the routing in dense nonbipartite circulants on 2a^2+2a+1 vertices. Additional results include a set of vertex-disjoint paths between every pair of distinct vertices in the circulants, and a proof that the 2axa rectangular twisted torus itself is probably not a circulant.
Structure and function of the catalytic site mutant Asp 99 Asn of phospholipase A2: absence of the conserved structural water.

To probe the role of the Asp-99 ... His-48 pair in phospholipase A2 (PLA2) catalysis, the X-ray structure and kinetic characterization of the mutant Asp-99-->Asn-99 (D99N) of bovine pancreatic PLA2 was undertaken. Crystals of D99N belong to the trigonal space group P3(1)21 and were isomorphous to the wild type (WT) (Noel JP et al., 1991, Biochemistry 30:11801-11811). The 1.9-A X-ray structure of the mutant showed that the carbonyl group of Asn-99 side chain is hydrogen bonded to His-48 in the same way as that of Asp-99 in the WT, thus retaining the tautomeric form of His-48 and the function of the enzyme. The NH2 group of Asn-99 points away from His-48. In contrast, in the D102N mutant of the protease enzyme trypsin, the NH2 group of Asn-102 is hydrogen bonded to His-57 resulting in the inactive tautomeric form and hence the loss of enzymatic activity. Although the geometry of the catalytic triad in the PLA2 mutant remains the same as in the WT, we were surprised that the conserved structural water, linking the catalytic site with the ammonium group of Ala-1 of the interfacial site, was ejected by the proximity of the NH2 group of Asn-99. The NH2 group now forms a direct hydrogen bond with the carbonyl group of Ala-1.
Experiencing Organizational Work Design: Beyond Hackman and Oldham.

Standard organizational behavior survey courses usually introduce students to the “nuts and bolts” of organizational work design and models that mechanize work. This article develops an experientia...
Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination of corn (maize, Zea mays) hybrids in Arkansas

Abstract A severe infestation by aflatoxin-producing fungi diminished food quality of southern United States corn (maize) in 1998. Corn hybrids (65) naturally infected with Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. were evaluated from 1998 to 2001 for resistance to mycotoxin contamination. Kernel corn samples were assayed at harvest for aflatoxins and fumonisins. In 1998, samples from all hybrids exceeded 20 ppb aflatoxin (mean levels: 21–699 ppb) and 2 ppm fumonisins (mean levels: 23–79 ppm), the maximum levels permitted by United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Samples from hybrids planted in the same and other locations in Arkansas in 1999 and 2001 were shown by similar methods to contain aflatoxin levels ranging from not detected to 255.3 ppb and fumonisin levels from 0.3 to 83.6 ppm. The fumonisin levels in 2001 were very high in all hybrids, ranging from 8 to 83.6 ppm while aflatoxin levels were low ranging from 1 and B 2 in samples was confirmed by thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and fumonisins B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4 and C 4 by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. During the period studied, a positive correlation was observed between aflatoxin and fumonisin levels, indicating that natural infection with Fusarium spp. did not appear to protect against aflatoxin production.
An Extensive Census of Hubble Space Telescope Counterparts to Chandra X‐Ray Sources in the Globular Cluster 47 Tucanae. I. Astrometry and Photometry

We report in this study of 47 Tucanae the largest number of optical identifications of X-ray sources yet obtained in a single globular cluster. Using deep Chandra ACIS-I imaging and extensive Hubble Space Telescope studies with Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2; including a 120 orbit program giving superb V and I images), we have detected optical counterparts to at least 22 cataclysmic variables (CVs) and 29 chromospherically active binaries (BY Dra and RS CVn systems) in 47 Tuc. These identifications are all based on tight astrometric matches between X-ray sources and objects with unusual (non-main-sequence [non-MS]) optical colors and/or optical variability. Several other CVs and active binaries have likely been found, but these have marginal significance because of larger offsets between the X-ray and optical positions, or colors and variability that are not statistically convincing. These less secure optical identifications are not subsequently discussed in detail. In the U versus U-V color-magnitude diagram (CMD), where the U band corresponds to either F336W or F300W, the CVs all show evidence for blue colors compared with the MS, but most of them fall close to the main sequence in the V versus V-I CMD, showing that the secondary stars dominate the optical light. The X-ray-detected active binaries have magnitude offsets above the MS (in both the U versus U-V or V versus V-I CMDs) that are indistinguishable from those of the much larger sample of optical variables (eclipsing and contact binaries and BY Dra variables) detected in the recent WFPC2 studies of Albrow et al. We also present the results of a new, deeper search for optical companions to millisecond pulsars (MSPs). One possible optical companion to an MSP (47 Tuc T) was found, adding to the two optical companions already known. Finally, we study several blue stars with periodic variability from Albrow et al. that show little or no evidence for X-ray emission. The optical colors of these objects differ from those of 47 Tuc (and field) CVs. An accompanying paper will present time series results for these optical identifications and will discuss X-ray-to-optical flux ratios, spatial distributions, and an overall interpretation of the results.
Molecular Orientation Distributions in Protein Films. V. Cytochrome c Adsorbed to a Sulfonate-Terminated, Self-Assembled Monolayer†

Controlling the molecular orientation of protein molecules immobilized on insoluble substrates is now recognized as an important issue in numerous fields such as biosensing. In this study, we have investigated adsorption of horse heart cytochrome c (hcyt c) to a silane-based, self-assembled monolayer (SAM) as a strategy for preparing an oriented protein film. Previous attempts in our laboratory to create oriented protein films using this strategy were unsuccessful because multiple types of adsorptive interactions between the protein and the SAM produced a broad range of adsorbed orientations. In contrast, here we show that when a single type of site-directed interaction between hcyt c molecules and the SAM predominates, an oriented protein film results. Sulfonate-terminated SAMs were prepared by in situ oxidation of thioacetate SAMs. Electrostatically mediated adsorption of positively charged hcyt c produced a film with a porphyrin tilt angle distribution of 41° ± 13°, which is significantly narrower than...
Cold War Casualty: The Court-Martial of Major General Robert W. Grow

Research data gathered through the Freedom of Information Act and the use of the Grow files provide the framework for this account of the general court-martial of one of General George S. Patton's famous armoured division commanders of World War II. The 1952 court-martial of Major General Robert W. Grow, senior US military attache in Moscow during the Korean War era, involved a general officer who had used questionable judgement in securing a personal diary that contained impolitic statements, portions of which had been photocopied by an alleged Soviet agent in Frankfurt, West Germany. This era of Cold War tensions and McCarthyism, Western media sensationalism, and communist propaganda created a cause celebre and influenced the Army Staff in the Pentagon, led by Lieutenant General Maxwell D. Taylor, to exercise controversial command influence under the aegis of the new Uniform Code of Military Justice. While the State Department and Central Intelligence Agency recommended refuting the implications of the published diary, the Army Staff decided to prosecute the unfortunate attache. Grow, a career soldier, welcomed a formal hearing in order to clear his name. The result became an exercise in Army politics and an example of the corruption of the military justice system through managerial careerism and unlawful command influence. Through his analysis of the Grow incident, Hofmann traces the actual operation of military judicial process under the Uniform Code and examines the bureaucratic intrigues, influence of the media, Cold War propaganda, and resulting conflict between service and self-interest.
GENERALIZED CHARACTERISTICS AND THE HUNTER–SAXTON EQUATION

The method of generalized characteristics yields an elementary proof of uniqueness of dissipative solutions to the Cauchy problem for the Hunter–Saxton equation.
BACKCALCULATION OF THERMALLY DEFORMED CONCRETE PAVEMENTS

Nonlinear explicit three-dimensional finite element (3-D FE) modeling is used to investigate the performance of the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) test in the evaluation of layer moduli of jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) subjected to nonlinear thermal gradient through the slab thickness. Concrete slab separation from the base, in-plane friction at the concrete-base interface, the gravitational forces, and the interface characteristics between dowel bars and surrounding concrete are all represented in the 3-D FE model. Experimental verification of the model is obtained through comparison of the 3-D FE generated response to (a) the FWD measured deflection basin and (b) the measured response of an instrumented rigid pavement section located in Ohio to a loaded truck moving at 21.8 m/s (48 mph). Several cases of linear and nonlinear thermal gradients are applied to the model, and deflection basins are obtained. Two backcalculation programs, MODULUS 5.0 and EVERCALC 4.0, are used for prediction of ...
Acyl migrations in the synthesis of ethyl 4-O-methyl-β-D-glucopyranoside

Abstract During the methylation of ethyl 2,3,4,-tri- O -acetyl-β- D -glucopyranoside with methyl iodide and silver oxide in N,N -dimethylformamide, an O-4→O-6 acyl migration occurs to give ethyl 2,3,6-tri- O -acetyl-4- O -methyl-β- D -glucopyranoside; a concomitant O-3→O-4 migration gives rise to a 3- O -methyl derivative.
Geometric and hysteresis effects in strain-cycled aluminum

Abstract The details of the cyclic hardening and softening effects of aluminum 1100 initially annealed or prestrained are investigated by a close examination of the hysteresis loop. In either case the application of cyclic plastic strain results in a high degree of antisymmetry of the loop following an initial unbalance arising from the prior deformation state. Repeated surface removal of specimens subjected to cyclic plastic strain leads to a considerable extension of the fatigue life. The same stress range is obtained for complete saturation of cyclic hardening and for relaxation of cold work by cyclic softening for the same plastic strain range, independent of initial condition.
MyD88 Is a Key Mediator of Anorexia, But Not Weight Loss, Induced by Lipopolysaccharide and Interleukin-1β

Systemic inflammatory signals can disrupt the physiological regulation of energy balance, causing anorexia and weight loss. In the current studies, we investigated whether MyD88, the primary, but not exclusive, intracellular signal transduction pathway for Toll-like receptor 4 and IL-1 receptor I, is necessary for anorexia and weight loss to occur in response to stimuli that activate these key innate immune receptors. Our findings demonstrate that the absence of MyD88 signaling confers complete protection against anorexia induced by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (20 h food intake in MyD88 / mice5.40.3vs.3.30.4ginMyD88 / controlmice,P<0.001) or IL-1 (20 h food intake in MyD88 / mice 4.9 0.5 vs. 4.0 0.3 g in MyD88 / control mice, P < 0.001). However, absent MyD88 signaling does not prevent these inflammatory mediators from causing weight loss (LPS, 0.4 0.1 g; IL1, 0.1 0.1 g, both P < 0.01 vs. vehicle-injected MyD88 / mice, 0.4 0.2 g). Furthermore, LPS-induced weight loss occurs in the absence of adipsia, fever, or hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in MyD88-deficient mice. In addition, the peripheral inflammatory response to LPS is surprisingly intact in mice lacking MyD88. Together, these observations indicate that LPS reduces food intake via a mechanism that is dissociated from its effect on peripheral cytokine production, and whereas the presence of circulating proinflammatory cytokines per se is insufficient to cause anorexia in the absence of MyD88 signaling, it may contribute to LPS-induced weight loss. (Endocrinology 147: 4445–4453, 2006)
Suicide Assessment and Prevention During and After Emergency Commitment

The purpose of this study was to address two primary issues within the context of emergency commitment: (a) the suicide-prevention measures implemented at receiving facilities where emergency commitments occur and (b) the perceptions of key stakeholders about access to community services post-discharge. One hundred seventy-eight respondents who worked in receiving facilities, where emergency commitments occur, responded to an online survey or were interviewed. Respondents indicated the use of suicide-prevention measures such as suicide assessment tools used at intake and discharge and strategies utilized to maintain client safety when the issue of suicidality had been determined at intake. Almost half of respondents (46.6%) described the availability of community mental health treatment at discharge from emergency commitment as being “less than adequate.” Emerging themes about community service availability are discussed and include long waiting periods and funding issues.
X-ray spectral properties of Cyg X-1

Cyg X-1 is a prototype of black hole candidates with fiducial evidence of large mass. In this paper, I review X-ray spectral properties of Cyg X-1. Usually, Cyg X-1 is in the low state (hard spectral state), in which the energy spectrum in 2 – 10 keV is roughly represented with a powerlaw function, and sub-second short-term variations are significant. The continuum of the low state energy spectrum is consistent with the superposition of a power-law function with an exponential cut-off and its reflection component by an optically thick accretion disk. Thermal Comptonization of soft photons by hot plasma is a likely model for the intrinsic power-law emission. Iron K-emission lines have been reported, and study of those emission lines have a potential to verify strong gravitational fields around a black hole. However, the line emission is not prominent, as opposed to the cases of AGNs, and the line parameters are dependent on the choice of the continuum model. To determine the continuum spectral shape precisely and disentangle the iron line emission, observations having both high spectral resolution and wide energy coverage will be required. ASCA and XTE simultaneous observations may provide such a chance.
Cytology and pollen grain fertility in creeping bentgrass interspecific and intergeneric hybrids

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. or A. palustris Huds.) is a highly outcrossing allotetraploid species. It can form hybrids with a number of other Agrostis species and Polypogon genus. However, cytology and pollen grain fertility of the creeping bentgrass interspecific and intergeneric hybrids are not well known. In this research, chromosome pairing behaviors during meiosis I in F1 and pollen viability of F1 hybrids, as well as seed set rate and seed germination rate of backcrosses were studied in hybrids between creeping bentgrass, and other bentgrass species and three species of Polypogon genus. Abnormal chromosome pairing, laggard chromosomes, and premature segregation in F1 hybrids were found. Pollen viability ranged from 1.6 to 48.5% amongst F1 hybrids, significantly lower than that of the parents (85.5–94.1%). Some hybrids produced pollens of different sizes within the same anther. Seed set following backcrosses using F1 hybrids as the male parent and creeping bentgrass as the recurrent parent was significantly lower than their parents. The study of chromosome paring behaviors and progeny fecundity are important in utilizing the alien genes to improve bio-stress and abio-stress resistance, and in assessing the potential transgene risks of creeping bentgrass.
Studying forced expiratory volume at 1 second over menstrual segments in asthmatic and non-asthmatic women: assessing protocol feasibility

Sex hormones may play an important role in observed gender differences in asthma incidence and severity, as well as in the observed changes in asthma symptoms during times of hormonal fluctuation (i.e.; premenstrual, pregnancy, etc.). This pilot study sought to demonstrate the feasibility of data collection methods to investigate the effects of sex hormones on lung function in women. A cohort of 13 women (6 with and 7 without prior asthma diagnoses) who were having menstrual periods and were not taking hormones collected urine samples daily for measurement of estrogen (estrone E1C) and progesterone (Pregnanediol-glucuronide PDG) metabolites over the course of a menstrual segment (bleeding episode plus the following bleeding-free interval). Hormones were used to estimate menstrual segment phase (follicular versus luteal) based on a published algorithm. Daily bleeding and FEV1 measurements were recorded and percent predicted FEV1 was calculated. Percent predicted FEV1 decreased over the course of the follicular but not the luteal phase. More specifically, among women without a prior asthma diagnosis, the E1C/PDG ratio and E1C and PDG were individually associated with FEV1 in the follicular phase. No associations were found between hormones and percent predicted FEV1 in the luteal phase or among asthmatic women. E1C was associated with FEV1 in the five days before bleeding onset only among non-asthmatic women. A study of contiguous daily hormones and symptoms over menstrual segments from a large group of women with and without asthma is needed to better determine within-woman cyclicity of the observed patterns.
Retroviral delivery of RNA interference against Marek’s disease virus in vivo

The process of RNA interference (RNAi) has been exploited in cultured chicken cells and in chick embryos to assess the effect of specific gene inhibition on phenotypes related to development and disease. We previously demonstrated that avian leukosis virus-based retroviral vectors are capable of delivering effective RNAi against Marek's disease virus (MDV) in cell culture. In this study, similar RNAi vectors are shown to reduce the replication of MDV in live chickens. Retroviral vectors were introduced into d 0 chick embryos, followed by incubation until hatching. Chicks were challenged with 500 pfu of strain 648A MDV at day of hatch, followed by assays for viremia at 14 d postinfection. Birds were monitored for signs of Marek's disease for 8 wk. A stem-loop PCR assay was developed to measure siRNA expression levels in birds. Delivery of RNAi co-targeting the MDV gB glycoprotein gene and ICP4 transcriptional regulatory gene significantly reduced MDV viremia in vivo, although to lesser extents than were observed in cell culture. Concomitant reductions in disease incidence also were observed, and the extent of this effect depended on the potency of the MDV challenge virus inoculum. Successful modification of phenotypic traits in live birds with retroviral RNAi vectors opens up the possibility that such approaches could be used to alter the expression of candidate genes hypothesized to influence a variety of quantitative traits including disease susceptibility.
Inferring body pose using speech content

Untethered multimodal interfaces are more attractive than tethered ones because they are more natural and expressive for interaction. Such interfaces usually require robust vision-based body pose estimation and gesture recognition. In interfaces where a user is interacting with a computer using speech and arm gestures, the user's spoken keywords can be recognized in conjuction with a hypothesis of body poses. This co-occurence can reduce the number of body pose hypothesis for the vision based tracker. In this paper we show that incorporating speech-based body pose constraints can increase the robustness and accuracy of vision-based tracking systems.Next, we describe an approach for gesture recognition. We show how Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), can be employed to estimate 'good features' that can be used in a standard HMM-based gesture recognition system. We show that, by applying our LDA scheme, recognition errors can be significantly reduced over a standard HMM-based technique.We applied both techniques in a Virtual Home Desktop scenario. Experiments where the users controlled a desktop system using gestures and speech were conducted and the results show that the speech recognised in conjunction with body poses has increased the accuracy of the vision-based tracking system.
Robust pause detection using 3D motion capture data for interactive dance

In this paper, we present a robust pause detection algorithm for an interactive dance system using 3D motion capture data. The algorithm uses joint angle and shape context as two types of feature vectors obtained from both labeled and unlabeled data streams to detect pauses of the mover in the space. By looking at variances of the feature vectors over a time window, the probability of pause is computed. Satisfactory interactive dance performances have been successfully created and presented using the reported system.
Explaining racial disparities in incidence of and survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

A prospective observational study of 4,653 consecutive cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) occurring in New York City from April 1, 2002, to March 31, 2003, was used to assess racial/ethnic differences in the incidence of OOHCA and 30-day survival after hospital discharge among OOHCA patients. The age-adjusted incidence of OOHCA per 10,000 adults was higher among Blacks than among persons in other racial/ethnic groups, and age-adjusted survival from OOHCA was higher among Whites compared with other groups. In analyses restricted to 3,891 patients for whom complete data on all variables were available, the age-adjusted relative odds of survival from OOHCA among Blacks were 0.4 (95% confidence interval: 0.2, 0.7) as compared with Whites. A full multivariable model accounting for demographic factors, prior functional status, initial cardiac rhythm, and characteristics of the OOHCA event explained approximately 41 percent of the lower age-adjusted survival among Blacks. The lower prevalence of ventricular fibrillation as the initial cardiac rhythm among Blacks relative to Whites was the primary contributor. A combination of factors probably accounts for racial/ethnic disparities in OOHCA survival. Previously hypothesized factors such as delays in emergency medical service response or differences in the likelihood of receipt of cardiopulmonary resuscitation did not appear to be substantial contributors to these racial/ethnic disparities.
Bureaucracy as Externalized Self-System: A View from the Psychological Interior

In this article the author uses Harry Stack Sullivan's theory of social psychiatry and various psychoanalytic applications of organizational theory to suggest to what extent bureaucratized human re...
Diphthamide modification on eukaryotic elongation factor 2 is needed to assure fidelity of mRNA translation and mouse development

To study the role of the diphthamide modification on eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2), we generated an eEF2 Gly(717)Arg mutant mouse, in which the first step of diphthamide biosynthesis is prevented. Interestingly, the Gly(717)-to-Arg mutation partially compensates the eEF2 functional loss resulting from diphthamide deficiency, possibly because the added +1 charge compensates for the loss of the +1 charge on diphthamide. Therefore, in contrast to mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from OVCA1(-/-) mice, eEF2(G717R/G717R) MEFs retain full activity in polypeptide elongation and have normal growth rates. Furthermore, eEF2(G717R/G717R) mice showed milder phenotypes than OVCA1(-/-) mice (which are 100% embryonic lethal) and a small fraction survived to adulthood without obvious abnormalities. Moreover, eEF2(G717R/G717R)/OVCA1(-/-) double mutant mice displayed the milder phenotypes of the eEF2(G717R/G717R) mice, suggesting that the embryonic lethality of OVCA1(-/-) mice is due to diphthamide deficiency. We confirmed that the diphthamide modification is essential for eEF2 to prevent -1 frameshifting during translation and show that the Gly(717)-to-Arg mutation cannot rescue this defect.
Build code analysis with symbolic evaluation

Build process is crucial in software development. However, the analysis support for build code is still limited. In this paper, we present SYMake, an infrastructure and tool for the analysis of build code in make. Due to the dynamic nature of make language, it is challenging to understand and maintain complex Makefiles. SYMake provides a symbolic evaluation algorithm that processes Makefiles and produces a symbolic dependency graph (SDG), which represents the build dependencies (i.e. rules) among files via commands. During the symbolic evaluation, for each resulting string value in an SDG that represents a part of a file name or a command in a rule, SYMake provides also an acyclic graph (called T-model) to represent its symbolic evaluation trace. We have used SYMake to develop algorithms and a tool 1) to detect several types of code smells and errors in Makefiles, and 2) to support build code refactoring, e.g. renaming a variable/target even if its name is fragmented and built from multiple substrings. Our empirical evaluation for SYMake's renaming on several real-world systems showed its high accuracy in entity renaming. Our controlled experiment showed that with SYMake, developers were able to understand Makefiles better and to detect more code smells as well as to perform refactoring more accurately.
Visual signalling by asymmetry: a review of perceptual processes.

Individual levels of asymmetry in traits that display fluctuating asymmetry could be used as visual signals of phenotypic (and perhaps genotypic) quality, as asymmetry can often be negatively related to fitness parameters. There are some data to support this hypothesis but the experimental protocols employed have commonly resulted in asymmetries far larger than those observed in nature. To date, there has been little consideration of the ability of animals to accurately discriminate small asymmetries (of the magnitude observed in the wild) from perfect symmetry. This is key to assessing the plausibility of the asymmetry-signalling hypothesis. Here, I review the perceptual processes that may lead to the discrimination of asymmetry and discuss a number of ecologically elevant factors that may influence asymmetry signalling. These include: signal orientation, distance of trait elements from the axis of symmetry, trait complexity, trait contrast and colour, and the behaviour of both signaller and receiver. I also discuss the evolution of symmetry preferences and make suggestions as to where researchers should focus attention to examine the generality of asymmetry-signalling theory. In highly developmentally stable signalling systems the magnitude of asymmetry may be too small to be detected accurately and reliably, hence asymmetry signalling is unlikely to have evolved in these situations.
Open Sourcing the Design of Civil Infrastructure (OSD-CI): A Paradigm Shift

Few will argue the importance of civil infrastructure to society, yet its condition has been allowed to deteriorate to a staggering level. Meanwhile the research and design practice dedicated to it has relied only upon limited, fractured resources scattered physically across the community with little formal collaboration. As the information used in the design, analysis and even management of civil infrastructure is trapped inside proprietary systems, these essential public works projects often do not benefit from the full expertise and latest advances available in the wider engineering community. To address this problem, a new virtual organization has been launched: Open Sourcing the Design of Civil Infrastructure (OSD-CI), welcoming Citizen Engineers to engage in four dimensions of collaboration (sharing hardware, software, knowledge and manpower). This paper presents the ongoing development of this concept, specifically focusing on two recent prototypes allowing this crowd to contribute and assess engineering data.
Maintenance and In Vitro Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells to Form Blood Vessels

Embryonic stem (ES) cells, which are derived from developing mouse blastocysts, have the capacity to give rise to all cell types in the adult body. The ability of ES cells to do so has opened the door for novel experimental approaches in the field of developmental biology. Under appropriate culture conditions, ES cells will differentiate and form embryoid bodies (EBs). Upon attachment to a permissive surface, EBs continue a programmed differentiation, and many of the cells differentiated from the EBs reflect those found in the developing embryo and yolk sac, such as hematopoietic cells, endoderm, and endothelial cells. Endothelial cells that arise during ES cell differentiation have the potential to form primitive blood vessels, comparable to the vessels that first form in vivo. This unit describes protocols for maintaining ES cells and the subsequent differentiation of EBs. This unit also provides methods for analyzing vascular marker expression in differentiated ES cultures.
Blood pressure and vascular calcification.

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the presence and extent of calcified atherosclerosis in multiple vascular beds and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, isolated systolic hypertension, and hypertension. A total of 9510 patients (42.5% women) underwent electron beam computed tomography scanning as part of a routine health maintenance screening. At the same visit, blood pressure was measured with the participant in the seated position using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Mean age was 58±11.4 years, and body mass index was 27.1±4.5. The prevalences of any calcification in the carotids, coronaries, subclavians, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, and iliacs were 31.9%, 57.2%, 31.7%, 37.0%, 54.3%, and 48.8%, respectively. In separate multivariable logistic models containing traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, pulse pressure and systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with the presence of calcification in all of the vascular beds except the iliacs and subclavians, respectively, with pulse pressure having stronger magnitudes of the associations for most of the vascular beds. Age-stratified analyses indicated that these associations were stronger in those >60 years of age compared with subjects
Electrochemical Studies of Nanoncrystalline Mg2Si Thin Film Electrodes Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Electrochemically active thin films of Mg 2 Si in various film thicknesses of 30-380 nm have been prepared with the pulsed laser deposition technique. The thinnest film of 30 nm showed a highly stable cycling behavior at 0.1-1.0 V vs. Li, delivering capacity greater than 2000 mAh/g for more than 100 cycles. Though the film morphology became remarkably rougher with cycling, the films showed good stability. However, the first cycle irreversible capacity loss increased with film thickness. Therefore, lithium adsorption/desorption reaction forming Li-Si alloy at the Si-rich film surface is suggested as one of the sources of the large capacity of the 30 nm film. The superior capacity retention, when compared to porous electrodes of this alloy, may be attributed to a limited structural volume change in the two-dimensional film, shorter lithium diffusion path and enhanced conductivity from stainless steel substrate. The goals of this study are to promote the emerging need of thin film anodes for all solid-state microbatteries and clarify the capacity failure of powder intermetallic anodes for rechargeable lithium batteries.
Does Decentralization Make a Difference for the Organization? An Examination of the Boundary Conditions Circumbscribing Decentralized Decision-Making and Organizational Financial Performance

Recently, there has been increased interest in the organizational gains that can be achieved by decentralizing decision-making authority to lower level employees. Yet, literature examining the relationship of decentralization to organizational performance is both scarce and equivocal. The current study examines decentralization’s influence on financial performance in a sample of behavioral healthcare treatment centers. As expected, the decentralization-financial performance relationship is moderated by key organizational characteristics. Implications of the findings are presented.
Physiologic measurements by contrast‐enhanced MR imaging: Expectations and limitations

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the opportunity to quantitatively assess physiologic properties of tissue, such as perfusion, blood volume, and capillary permeability. Use of such quantitation potentially allows tissues to be characterized in terms of pathophysiology and to be monitored over time, during the course of therapeutic intervention. The degree to which such quantitation is applicable relies heavily on simplified model descriptions of the tissue space and assumptions relating the signal intensity observed to the contrast agent concentration. This article presents a perspective on the use of quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI, analysis of the accuracy of derived physiologic parameters, and recommendations for pulse sequence choice.
Graphene Composite Materials for Supercapacitor Electrodes

This study presents a materials development of composite electrode materials of graphene oxide (GO) and transition metal oxide nanostructures. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films were obtained by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) onto a conductive substrate. Co3O4 and MnO2 nanostructures were synthesized to form composites with rGO. Graphene materials, with high electrical conductivity, high specific surface area and excellent mechanical properties are ideal for a host of electrical applications. The properties of metal oxides like Co3O4 and MnO2 has allowed for increased energy density, while rGO increases charge storage and transport in the electrical double layer at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Graphene and metal oxide composites offer increased energy density and capacitance compared with traditional double layer supercapacitors.
Association of traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors with coronary artery calcification.

Coronary artery calcification assessed by computed tomography is an emerging marker of coronary atherosclerosis. The authors examined the association of coronary calcium scores with traditional and nontraditional cardiovascular risk factors. In 1999-2000, they measured coronary artery calcium in 360 participants free of known coronary artery disease who had participated in 2 centers of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. They related coronary calcium scores to risk factors measured in 1987-1989. Most traditional risk factors were associated with the coronary calcium score. For example, the multivariately adjusted odds ratio for an elevated score (≥100 versus <100) was 3.5-fold greater per 10 years of age, 3.2-fold greater in men than in women, 3.1-fold greater with diabetes (statistically nonsignificant), and 1.4- to 1.7-fold greater per standard deviation greater increments of plasma cholesterol and pack-years of cigarettes smoked. Carotid artery intima-media thickness also was positive...
Neurofuzzy grasp control of a robotic hand

A best first grasp for a robotic hand with pressure sensing is determined by assigning fuzzy membership values to aspects of candidate grasps attempted with a modified genetic backpropagation neural network controller. Fuzzy logic control is employed to guide finger adjustments as the grasped object begins to trip or slip. Extensions to three dimensions, as well as controller optimization with neural networks, are explored. >
Studies on the state of permeant in the membrane and its effect on pervaporation phenomena

Pervaporation experiments of pure water and 2-propanol through poly-dimethylsiloxane membranes were carried out in order to study the effect of the interaction between permeant and membrane material on pervaporation phenomena. From the effect of downstream pressure on the pervaporation rate, the saturation vapor pressure of water in the membrane was determined to be 2.799 × 103 Pa (21.0 mmHg), which is the same as the literature value, whereas that of 2-propanol in the membrane was estimated to be 5.865 × 103 Pa (44.0 mm Hg), which is 8.53 × 102 Pa (6.4 mmHg) higher than that of pure 2-propanol. In the differential scanning calorimetry analyses of permeants in the membrane, it was evident that the state of 2-propanol in the polydimethylsiloxane membrane was different from that of bulk 2-propanol. On the other hand, the state of water in the membrane was assigned to that of bulk water. Throughout the present study, it was observed that the interaction between permeant and membrane material plays an important role in determining pervaporation phenomena.
Evaluation of Diagnostic Systems: The Selection of Students at Risk of Academic Difficulties.

Diagnostic tools can help schools more consistently and fairly match instructional resources to the needs of their students. To ensure the best educational outcome for each child, diagnostic decisi...
A Smattering of Verse – Reading Poetic Value in the Historia Augusta

Late Roman education followed a long Roman tradition as it grounded its elites’ first steps into literary culture on Vergil and established a set of cultural and aesthetic values for them to carry throughout adult life (Kaster, Guardians of Language [1988]). Prose texts’ use of poetry economically activated these standards in readers’ minds (e.g., MacCormack, The Shadows of Poetry [1998]). In its evaluation of the succession of Roman emperors against the background of Roman cultural heritage, projected across a miscellaneous canvas of fact, truth, accuracy, and significance (congeries, Syme, Emperors and Biography [1971]; Barnes, The Sources of the Historia Augusta [1978]; synthesis, e.g., Long, Syll.Cl. 2002), the Historia Augusta too capitalizes on the resources of Roman verse. Its proceedings have been little studied (e.g., Baldwin, BICS 1978); this paper will address the deficit by examining how the biographies appropriate poetic value.Vergil of course lays the foundation. Emperors’ tastes betoken their intellectual character (e.g., V.Hadr. 16.6, V.Ael. 5.9). Lines of the Aeneid take on oracular significance, whether consulted by the sortes Vergilianae (e.g., V.Hadr. 2.8) or attributed to a prophetic divinity (V.Alex.Sev. 4.6). Quotation confers an unanswerable authority, especially when the quoters call on ideals of Roman destiny (e.g., V.Macrin. 12.7, V.Diad. 8.7; cf. Den Hengst in Romane memento, ed. Rees [2004]). The classic breathes majesty.Several of the biographies’ emperors compose poetry, but fluency is not automatically admired (e.g., V.Ael. 5.2, cf. Quadr.Tyr. 7.4). Analysis must sound the judgments the text invokes. Scholarly attention has been paid to Hadrian’s animula vagula blandula (V.Hadr. 25.9; Cameron, HSCP 1980; Birley, Laverna 1994). An echo of Ennius recommends an emendation in the verse; Peter emended the Historia Augusta’s comment, rendering it snarkily dismissive (Teubner edition 1865; 1884), but the transmitted text better matches the biography’s ambivalence about Hadrian’s literary acumen. The transfer of diminutive formations from the soul to its destination, and the slowing of the syllables as the lines progress, intelligently sharpen the short poem’s poignancy. Hadrian was clever.Hadrian’s riposte to Florus neatly exemplifies the emperor’s competitiveness (V.Hadr. 16.3-4, cf. 15.10). Comparably, Macrinus replies in couplets to a critical poem; he is deemed to have disgraced himself, presumably by a false quantity (V.Macrin. 11.3-7; cf. Holmes, CQ 2007). The biographies utilize technical standards of Latinity, assuming readers can recognize them. In other examples, alleged translations take verbal form out of consideration, leaving content alone to suffer disparagement (e.g., V.Pesc. 12.6). The showiness of poeticized speech, however, underscores the biographies’ criticism.
Netflix, Inc.: DVD Wars

Netflix pioneered the online video rental industry and developed a successful business model that effectively managed customer acquisition, retention, and lifetime value. Blockbuster Video intends to slow Netflix's growth by launching an online rental program that appears to be seamlessly integrated with its huge network of offline video stores. Will Blockbuster's multichannel program hurt Netflix's customer acquisition and rentention rates? Simultaneously, competition from video retailers such as Wal-Mart challenges the core business model that Netflix built to maximize customer lifetime value.
Sustainability and sacred values

Successful implementation of the quest for sustainable use of the planet requires that human society both reexamine and expand present views of what is sacred and what is not. The most important aspect will be going beyond a homocentric focus to a biocentric emphasis. A unifying theme would be the desire to leave a habitable planet for human descendants and those of other spe- cies. It is unlikely that society can be confident of achieving sustainability until persuasive evidence supporting this belief has existed for several generations. In order for sustainable use of the planet to persist indefinitely, the conditions essential to this state must be morally preserved on sacred grounds. Viewing natural systems as sacred requires not only preventing damage to them but, wher- ever possible, repairing damage to them caused by humankind.
Defining von Willebrand disease

In this issue of Blood, Flood et al report on bleeding symptoms and laboratory analyses in 482 subjects diagnosed with type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) as part of the Zimmerman Program, a multicenter study of VWD.1 Their findings provide insight into the underlying DNA variants in VWD, and also raise questions about the diagnosis of VWD and of mucocutaneous bleeding disorders in general.
Functional stable model semantics and answer set programming modulo theories

Recently there has been an increasing interest in incorporating "intensional" functions in answer set programming. Intensional functions are those whose values can be described by other functions and predicates, rather than being pre-defined as in the standard answer set programming. We demonstrate that the functional stable model semantics plays an important role in the framework of "Answer Set Programming Modulo Theories (ASPMT)" --a tight integration of answer set programming and satisfiability modulo theories, under which existing integration approaches can be viewed as special cases where the role of functions is limited. We show that "tight" ASPMT programs can be translated into SMT instances, which is similar to the known relationship between ASP and SAT.