cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The White House Conference on Aging: two years later.

The volume entitled Post-White House Conference on Aging Reports 1973, “Towards a New Attitude on Aging,” lists the White House Conference of 1971 recommendations, the Administration's response, and the response to the Administration by a Post-Conference Study Panel. It gives an accounting as to the progress made since that time. The voluminous report of 860 pages attempts to analyze to what extent the promises of the White House Conference have been fulfilled. It can be concluded that any implementation of the recommendations has been guided more by the principle of expediency rather than by a real desire to integrate the aging into the mainstream of American life. An analysis of the recommendations regarding income and actual efforts to meet these recommendations illustrates the shortcomings of the White House Conference promises, as do the responses to the recommendations with regard to social services and housing. These serve merely as illustrations. Most glaring, however, is the lack of coordination ...
Sequence of the algL gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and purification of its alginate lyase product.

Abstract The alginate lyase-encoding gene ( algL ) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was localized to a 1.7-kb Eco RI- Xba I fragment within the alginate biosynthetic gene cluster at 34 minutes on the chromosome. The nucleotide sequence of this DNA fragment revealed an ORF encoding a protein of M r 40 885 which is transcribed in the same orientation as the other alg genes within the biosynthetic gene cluster. The predicted protein has a potential N-terminal signal peptide which is consistent with its proposed periplasmic location. The AlgL protein was overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified. The purified protein was shown to have alginate lyase activity. In addition, an algL insertion mutant of the mucoid P. aeruginosa 8830 was constructed. This mutant (alml) had a nonmucoid phenotype due to a polar effect on the transcription of an essential alg gene, algA . Thus, the algL gene is located within a region of the alginate biosynthetic gene cluster that appears to be non-essential for alginate production.
Alanine Scanning Mutagenesis of an αβ T Cell Receptor: Mapping the Energy of Antigen Recognition

The T cell receptor (TCR) from the alloreactive T lymphocyte 2C recognizes a nonamer peptide QL9 complexed with the MHC class I molecule H2-Ld. Forty-two single-site alanine substitutions of the 2C TCR were analyzed for binding to QL9/Ld and anti-TCR antibodies. The results provided a detailed energy map of T cell antigen recognition and indicated that the pMHC and clonotypic antibody epitopes on the TCR were similar. Although residues in each Valpha and Vbeta CDR are important in binding pMHC, the most significant energy for the TCR/QL9/Ld interaction was contributed by CDRs 1 and 2 of both alpha and beta chains. The extent to which the individual energy contributions are directed at class I helices or peptide was also assessed.
Severe Downslope Windstorm Calculations in Two and Three Spatial Dimensions Using Anelastic Interactive Grid Nesting: A Possible Mechanism for Gustiness

Abstract The Clark nonhydrostatic anelastic code is extended to allow for interactive grid nesting in both two and three spatial dimensions. Tests are presented which investigate the accuracy of three different quadratic interpolation formulae which are used to derive boundary conditions for the fine mesh model. Application of the conservation condition of Kurihara and others is shown to result in significant improvements in the treatment of interactive nesting. A significant improvement in the solutions for interactive versus parasitic nesting is also shown in the context of forced gravity wave flow. This result, for the anelastic system, is in agreement with the earlier results of Phillips and Shukla, who considered the hydrostatic shallow water system of equations. The interactive nesting model is applied to the simulation of the severe downslope windstorm of 11 January 1972 in Boulder using both two and three spatial dimensions. The three-dimensional simulation results in a gustiness signature in the ...
Solution Exchange in Sessile Droplet Lipid Bilayers for IC50 Measurements of Ion Channels

Recent work with lipid bilayers formed from mechanically joined monolayers has shown their potential for wider technological application, including automation and parallelization. Bilayer areas formed this way are highly sensitive to variations in mechanical position and the bilayers themselves cannot withstand significant perfusion of adjacent solutions. We developed a bilayer chamber device employing an aperture that masks the monolayer contact area, enabling formation of highly consistent bilayer areas. This also significantly reduces their sensitivity to mechanical positioning, enhancing this technology's potential for parallelization and automation. Further, the device enables flow of solution adjacent to the bilayer without rupture or significant change in bilayer area. The device design is arrayable and directly compatible with standard fluid handling and automation hardware, potentially enabling its use for rapid, parallel automated measurements of ion channels. In demonstrating the utility of the device for possible drug screening applications, we have used it to reconstitute Kv11.1 (hERG) and measure the dosage dependence of its conductance with Astemizole and E-4031, allowing determination of IC50 values similar those reported in the literature.
Distinguishing psychogenic from neurogenic dysfluency when neurologic and psychologic factors coexist

Abstract Reports of acquired dysfluency emphasize the diagnostic importance of symptom reversibility in distinguishing a psychogenic from a neurogenic etiology. This paper describes the onset of dysfluency in a 23-year-old man who had anoxic encephalopathy with diffuse weakness and spasticity, pseudoseizures, and depression following an episode of status epilepticus. Differential diagnosis was complicated by the presence of both objective neurologic abnormalities and psychologic factors. The history, physical examination and analysis of speech characteristics were insufficient to make the diagnosis; however, the effect of a therapeutic trial strongly suggested psychogenicity.
On the Transformation Properties of the Nonlinear Hamel Equations

This paper disucsses the transformation properties of the famous Johnsen-Hamel equations of motion of discrete mechanical systems in general nonlinear nonholonomic coordinates and constraints (i.e., the nonlinear extension of the well-known Boltzmann-Hamel equations), under general nonlinear (local) quais-velocity transformations. It is shown that the individual kinematico-inertial terms making up the system inertia force, or system acceleration, such as the nonlinear nonholonomic Euler-Lagrange operator and nonholonomic correction (or deviation) terms, in general, do not transform as noholonomic covariant vectors; although taken as a whole they do, as expected. This work extends and completes the work of papastaviridis (1994), and it is strongly recommended that it be read after that paper.
Optical transmission processes in a thermally driven protected multicomponent device

A strategy for protecting and improving the performance of a nonlinear optical device exposed to a high-energy beam is numerically investigated. In this strategy, a thermally stimulated defocusing material is used in combination with a RSA material. To test this new approach, the ability of a CS 2 cell dyed with a liner absorber material to protect a NLO device is determined using calculated values of beam and aperture transmission and the temperature distribution in the NLO device. The results demonstrate that the strategy provides thermal protection and marginally reduces the aperture transmission. These current calculations suggests that other approaches, such as multi-cell devices, may be more effective at providing thermal protection and reducing beam transmission. However, this current approach needs further investigation at other linear transmissions and in addition might be combined with other approaches, such as multiple layers to provide enhanced protection.
Influence of blade solidity on marine hydrokinetic turbines

Marine hydrokinetic (MHK) devices are currently being considered for the generation of electrical power in marine tidal regions. Turbulence generated in the boundary layers of these channels interacts with a turbine to excite the blades into low-to mid-frequency vibration. Additionally, the self-generated turbulent boundary layer on the turbine blade excites its trailing edge into vibration. Both of these hydrodynamic sources generate radiated noise. Being installed in a marine ecosystem, the noise generated by these MHK devices may affect the fish and marine mammal well-being. Since this MHK technology is relatively new, much of the design practice follows that from conventional horizontal axis wind turbines. In contrast to other underwater turbomachines like conventional merchant ships that have solid blades, wind turbine blades are made of hollow fiberglass composites. This paper systematically investigates the contrast of this design detail on the blade vibration and radiated noise for a particular MHK turbine design.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Open and closed system igneous fractionation within two chilean ophiolites and the tectonic implication

The Sarmiento and Tortuga complexes are two mafic complexes located in southern Chile that represent the remnants of the mafic portion of the floor of an Early Cretaceous extensional back-arc basin. Basaltic dikes and lavas within each complex exhibit tholeiite differentiation trends whereby FeO*, FeO*/MgO, TiO2, P2O5, Zr, and Y increase together without significant increases in SiO2. In both complexes, as FeO*/MgO increases, REE abundance increases without significant change in Ce/Yb ratio, but with an increasing negative Eu anomaly. The Sarmiento complex contains intermediate icelandites and silicic dikes and lavas which are conspicuously absent in the Tortuga complex. These non-basaltic compositions have higher Zr, Y and REE contents than the associated basalts, but similar Ce/Yb ratios, suggesting co-genetic origin. Thick cumulate gabbro sequences in both complexes suggest shallow level crystal-liquid fractionation as a major cause of the observed wide range of chemical variations. Significantly, in basalts from the Tortuga complex, incompatible elements (Zr, Y, REE) increase in abundance more rapidly with increasing FeO*/ MgO than in the Sarmiento complex. The rapid increase of incompatible elements relative to FeO*/ MgO in the Tortuga complex is best modeled by fractionation within an open magma chamber steadily replenished with new batches of undifferentiated magma. The observed chemical variations within the Sarmiento complex are best modeled by a magma chamber replenished only a limited number of times by a continuously decreasing volume of undifferentiated magma, followed, subsequent to the last input of new parental magma, by closed system fractionation which results in the formation of ferro-basalts, icelandites and silicic differentiates. Ferro-gabbros (FeO* >20 wt °/00) found within the gabbro unit of the Sarmiento complex closely approximate in composition the calculated crystal extracts required to evolve ferro-basalts into icelandites and the more silicic differentiates. The difference between the nature of the postulated magma chambers within the spreading centers at which the Sarmiento and Tortuga complexes originated suggests that the zone of magma intrusion from the mantle may have been diffuse in the region where the Sarmiento complex formed and more localized in the region where the Tortuga complex formed. This is consistent with other geochemical and field evidence suggesting that the Sarmiento complex represents a less developed stage of evolution than the Tortuga complex of the mafic floor of the Mesozoic back-arc basin in southern Chile. The apparent decoupling of major and trace element variations in ocean floor basalts may be explained by shallow level igneous fractionation without involving large proportions of clinopyroxene if the magma chambers within spreading centers at midocean ridges behave as open systems periodically replenished with batches of undifferentiated parental magma as is inferred for the Tortuga complex in southern Chile.
The new paradigm dialogs and qualitative inquiry

This paper re‐engages the paradigm wars of the 1980s, discussing their relevance in the current historical moment. It extends Egon Guba’s call for dialogue across paradigm communities. Ten theses and three agenda items are advanced. Let us engage in the paradigm wars. Let us defend ourselves against those who would impose their modern notions of science on us by exposing the flaws in what they call scientifically based research (SBR). Let us mount a strong offense by generating qualitative studies that are so powerful they cannot be dismissed. (Hatch 2006, 407) Society in general is unimpressed with the contributions of social/behavioral inquiry; a pox will soon be called down on all our houses, if there is continuing conflict rather than cooperation among the paradigm adherents. It is to everyone’s benefit to cooperate. (Guba 1990b, 374)
Expectations and prescriptions for responding to peer aggression: The adolescent offenders' perspective

The purpose of the current research was to investigate adolescent offenders' perspectives about responses to interpersonal aggressive encounters, Specifically, participants' perspectives were assessed regarding the role of a bystander when either a friend or an acquaintance of the bystander was the victim of an aggressive act. Two aggressive acts were presented. First, the bystander witnessed an acquaintance stealing from the victim. Second, the bystander witnessed an acquaintance hitting the victim. Participants were asked to indicate (a) if the bystander would do anything (bystander expected behavior), (b) what the bystander would do (expected behavioral action), (c) if the action would be the right thing to do (evaluation of bystander expected behavioral action), and (d) what the bystander should do in response to the violation (prescribed bystander behavioral action), Results indicate that the adolescent offenders' perspectives varied as a function of offender status, type of aggressive act, as well as relationship of the victim to the bystander.
Origin and transport of n-alkane-2-ones in a subtropical estuary: potential biomarkers for seagrass-derived organic matter

Abstract n-Alkane-2-ones are lipids commonly found in sediments and soils. This group of compounds, frequently reported in the literature, usually occurs in the form of a homologous series ranging from about C19 to C33 characterized by a strong odd over even carbon number predominance. In this paper we report a different molecular distribution, centered about the C25 homologue as the dominant ketone. The relative abundance of the C25 compared to the C27 homologue in a sediment transect increased from the upper to the lower end of a South Florida estuary, and was found to correlate with surface water salinity in extracts from suspended solids. Analyses of different varieties of seagrasses showed these to be the most likely source of the C25 n-alkane-2-ones, while the C27+ homologues were mainly derived from mangroves and freshwater marsh vegetation. Compound-specific stable isotope measurements and statistical analyses support this finding, suggesting that molecular distributions of n-alkane-2-ones can be used to identify seagrass-derived organic matter in coastal environments.
Complications of inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: a contemporary series.

ABSTRACT Purpose: We examined complications in a contemporary population of patients with penile cancer undergoing inguinal lymphadenectomy with or without pelvic lymphadenectomy. Materials and Methods: The records of all patients treated for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis from January 1992 to May 2003 were reviewed. Complications and length of stay were examined. Complications were divided into early (30 days or less after surgery) and late (greater than 30 days). Results: A total of 41 men were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, of whom 22 underwent a total of 40 inguinal lymphadenectomies (ILs). Of the patients 13 underwent unilateral IL, 9 underwent simultaneous bilateral ILs and 10 underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy. Mean followup was 34.2 months (range 9.2 to 69.3). Early complications were lymphedema in 4 of 40 cases (10%), minor wound infection in 3 (7.5%) and minor wound separation in 3 (7.5%). Additionally, 5 of 40 patients (12.5%) had lymphoceles, which spontaneously resolved. Late complications were lymphedema in 2 of 40 patients (5%), flap necrosis in 1 (2.5%) and lymphocele in 1 (2.5%), requiring percutaneous drainage. There was no significant difference in the complication rates in patients with unilateral dissection compared to bilateral or pelvic lymph node dissection. Median length of stay was 2 days (range 1 to 9). There was no significant difference in hospital stay for unilateral dissection compared to bilateral or pelvic lymph node dissection. Conclusions: These data demonstrate the relative safety of a contemporary lymphadenectomy. We believe that these results lend support to early lymphadenectomy, including simultaneous bilateral dissections, when clinically indicated. Furthermore, these results demonstrate the benefits of a standard postoperative pathway using compression stockings, sequential compression devices and early ambulation with restricted anticoagulant use.
Haemodynamic responses to specific renin-angiotensin inhibitors in hypertension and congestive heart failure: a review

The renin-angiotensin system is an important regulator of vascular resistance in many patients with hypertension and congestive heart failure. To quantitatively evaluate this contribution requires correlation of markers of the renin-angiotensin system with haemodynamic parameters, notably blood pressure, cardiac output, and calculated systemic vascular resistance. In addition, to determine ventricular loading properties, assessment of cardiac filling pressures is also required. The availability of specific pharmacological inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system greatly enhances such correlation, as the haemodynamic consequence of blocking the renin-angiotensin system can then more fully identify its contribution. In the last decade, highly specific pharmacological inhibitors have become available to serve such a purpose. Renin inhibitory peptides, and renin-specific antibodies can block the rate-limiting step of the renin-angiotensin cascade: namely, the cleavage of 4 amino acids from the angiotensinogen substrate by renin. However, this method of blockade is still at the early stages of investigation. More readily available are converting enzyme inhibitors which block the formation of angiotensin II, the potent vasoconstrictor which mediates increased systemic vascular resistance, and angiotensin II analogues which compete with endogenous angiotensin II for vascular and adrenal receptors. Although hypertension and chronic congestive heart failure are clinically distinct entities in many respects, their common bond is the fact that both pathological mechanisms are mediated by an increase of systemic vascular resistance. The implications of blocking the resulting vasoconstriction in both entities are therefore quite similar. This review summarises our present knowledge of the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system to the vasoconstriction of hypertension and congestive heart failure, and also summarises the haemodynamic consequences of such inhibition. The implications of the response to these specific pharmacological probes, as well as their limitations, are discussed. Their importance rests not only in their therapeutic application, but also in their contribution as probes for pathophysiological mechanisms of vasoconstriction in cardiovascular disease.
Type of counsel and the outcome of criminal appeals: A research note

Previous studies have focused on type of counsel and case outcome at trial court, but only a few have done so at the appellate level. The purpose of this research note is to provide some insight into the influence of type of counsel on the out-come of criminal appeals. Results indicate that in criminal appeals from two Florida trial courts to an intermediate appellate court type of counsel was non-significant in predicting the court’s decision. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Analysis of terpenoids from hemlock (Tsuga) species by solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry.

A sampling method for determining the volatile terpenoid composition from single needles of seven Tsuga species was developed using headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME). A reproducible sampling method for the volatile components was generated by examination of sample storage, method of needle cutting, and headspace sampling duration. Following SPME collection of the volatile compounds from the seven Tsuga species, gas chromatography/ion-trap mass spectrometry was used to identify 51 terpenoids present in the needle headspace. A semiquantitative method was devised to express individual terpenoid amounts as a percentage of all of the identified peaks in the chromatogram. The semiquantitative results permitted facile interspecies comparison using principal component analysis. Two components were able to account for 90% of the variance and were interpreted as a “species” component and a “resistance/susceptibility” component. Three interspecies groupings were evident from the principal component analys...
Water Confinement Effects in Response of Fuel Assembly to Faulted Condition Loads

It has been established by other authors [1] that the accelerations of the water confined by the reactor core baffle plates has a significant effect on the responses of all the fuel assemblies during LOCA or seismic transients. This particular effect is a consequence of the water being essentially incompressible, and thus experiencing the same horizontal accelerations as the imposed baffle plate motions. These horizontal accelerations of the fluid induce lateral pressure gradients that cause horizontal buoyancy forces on any submerged structures. These forces are in the same direction as the baffle accelerations and, for certain frequencies at least, tend to reduce the relative displacements between the fuel and baffle plates. But there is another confinement effect — the imposed baffle plate velocities must also be transmitted to the water. If the fuel assembly grid strips are treated as simple hydro-foils, these horizontal velocity components change the fluid angle of attack on each strip, and thus may induce large horizontal lift forces on each grid in the same direction as the baffle plate velocity. There is a similar horizontal lift due to inclined flow over the rods when axial flow is present. These combined forces appear to always reduce the relative displacements between the fuel and baffle plates for any significant axial flow velocity. Modeling this effect is very simple. It was shown in previous papers [2,3] that the mechanism for the large fuel assembly damping due to axial flow may be the hydrodynamic forces on the grid strips, and that this is very well represented by discrete viscous dampers at each grid elevation. To include the imposed horizontal water velocity effects, on both the grids and rods, these dampers are simply attached to the baffle plate rather than “ground”. The large flow-induced damping really acts in a relative reference frame rather than an absolute or inertial reference frame, and thus it becomes a flow-induced coupling between the fuel and baffles. This has a significant effect on the fuel assembly motions and tends to reduce the relative displacements and impact forces between fuel assemblies and baffle walls.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Aspects of donor solvent coal dissolution reactions: Effects of organosulphur compounds on hydrogen transfer, decomposition of 1,3-diphenylpropane and liquefaction of Illinois coals

Abstract The effects of organic sulphur compounds on the hydrogen atom exchange reactions between tetralin- d 12 and diphenylmethane, the thermal decomposition of 1,3-diphenylpropane in tetralin and the thermal dissolution of three coals from the Illinois Basin in tetralin were investigated at 300–500 °C. All three reactions are promoted significantly by disulphides, thiols and certain thioethers, whereas thiophens are ineffective. The pattern of reactivity for the exchange reaction is diphenyl disulphide[(phenyl- methyl)thio]benzene benzenethiol hydrogen sulphide l,l'-thiobisbenzene. The naphthalenethiols promote the exchange more effectively than benzenethiol, whereas butanethiol is less reactive. These results can be accounted for on the basis of enhanced rates of the initiation and propagation reactions. Thermochemical analyses support this interpretation. The rate of decomposition of 1,3-diphenylpropane in tetralin to give principally toluene and ethylbenzene is also accelerated. In this instance, the thiyl radicals formed from the organosulphur compounds accelerate the abstraction of benzylic hydrogen atoms from the diphenylpropane and thereby provide a greater steady-state concentration of the unstable l(1,3- diphenyl)propyl radical. Thiols, thioethers and disulphides accelerate the thermal dissolution reactions of three coals from the Illinois Basin. These organosulphur compounds are more effective reagents, on a molar basis, than hydrogen sulphide, pyrite or pyrrhotite. Illinois No. 6 coal, for example, is rendered 70% soluble in pyridine after 5 min reaction at 350 °C in the presence of benzenethiol. The role of organic and inorganic sulphur-containing compounds on the dissolution reaction is discussed.
Evidence against large-scale Carboniferous strike-slip faulting in the Appalachian–Caledonian orogen

Kent and Opdyke1 have argued that during the late Devonian and early Carboniferous, the eastern part of the northern Appalachians (Acadia) was situated ∼1,500 km further south relative to cratonic North America than it is at present, and that it moved to its present position sometime later in the Carboniferous (Fig. 1). Van der Voo and Scotese2 proposed an even greater displacement of 2,000 km which they attribute to motion between cratonic North America and Europe, Acadia being attached to Europe (Fig. 1). The argument is that palaeolatitudes (λp) derived palaeomagnetically from Upper Devonian and Lower Carboniferous rocks of cratonic North America are 15–20° more northerly than those of Acadia and Europe. The proposed shear zone passes through central Newfoundland. Using palaeomagnetic results from eastern and western Newfoundland we show here that no such motion occurred. We also show that Kiaman (late Carboniferous and Permian) overprinting is widespread in Newfoundland, and that these secondary magnetizations agree (with two exceptions attributed to dextral rotation of the Colorado Pleateau) with observations from late Devonian and early Carboniferous rocks of the North American craton, confirming the proposal3 that magnetizations of the cratonic early Carboniferous rocks are Kiaman, not early Carboniferous in age. Our results also enable us to extend this proposal3 to late Devonian rocks of the craton. Hence the palaeolatitudinal offset of Fig. 1 is almost certainly not tectonic, but is an artefact of the wrong assumption of the equivalence of rock and magnetization ages.
Expression and Purification of the RNA Polymerase III Transcription Specificity Factor IIIB70 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Its Cooperative Binding with TATA-binding Protein

Transcription by RNA polymerase III (pol III) in yeast requires the assembly of an initiation complex comprising the TATA-binding protein (TBP), a 90-kDa polypeptide (TFIIIB90), and a 70-kDa polypeptide (TFIIIB70). TFIIIB70 interacts with TBP, a unique pol III subunit, C34, and the 131-kDa subunit of the pol III-specific complex, TFIIIC. TFIIIB70 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The specific transcription activity of rTFIIIB70 is 22-58% that of the native yeast and in vitro synthesized factor. However, only a small fraction (0.07-0.32%) of the TFIIIB70 from these sources results in the synthesis of full-length RNA. The data suggest that TFIIIB70 function may be limited by an unfavorable recruitment equilibrium into the preinitiation complex. Quantitative DNase I "footprint" titrations of yeast TBP to the adenovirus major late promoter were conducted at a series of constant TFIIIB70 concentrations. A value of -0.7 +/- 0.2 kcal/mol was determined for the cooperative free energy of formation of the TBP.TFIIIB70.DNA complex at concentrations of TFIIIB70 sufficient to partition all of the binding cooperativity to the TBP binding isotherm. A Kd of 44 +/- 23 nM characterizes the TFIIIB70 concentration dependence of the TBP.TFIIIB70 cooperativity. The relationship deltalog K/deltalog (TFIIIB70) is consistent with the linkage of a single molecule of TFIIIB70 with the TBP-promoter binding reaction.
A factoring algorithm using polygon-to-chain reductions for computing K-terminal network reliability

Let G = (V,E) be an undirected graph whose edges may fail, and let G, denote G with a set K V specified. Edge failures are assumed to be statistically independent and to have known probabilities. The K-terminal reliability of G,, denoted R(G,), is the probability that all vertices in K are connected by working edges. Computing K-terminal reliability is an NP-hard problem not known to be in NP. A factoring algorithm for computing network reliability recursively applies the formula R(G,) = p,R(G,,*e,) + q,R(G, - e,), where Gxr*e, is G, with edge e, contracted, G, - e, is G, with e, deleted and p, = I - q, is the reliability of edge e,. Various reliability-preserving reductions may be performed after each factoring operation in order to reduce computational complexity. The complexity of a slightly restricted factoring algorithm using standard reductions, along with newly developed polygon-to-chain reductions, will be bounded below by an invariant of G, the “minimum domination.” For 2 5 (KI 5 5 or IVI - 2 5 IKI 5 IVI, this bound is always achievable. The factoring algorithm with polygonto-chain reductions will always perform as well as or better than an algorithm using only standard reductions, and for some networks, it will outperform the simpler algorithm by an exponential factor. This generalizes early results that were only valid for K = V. Removing the restriction on edge selection leaves results essentially unchanged in the upper range of IK(, but minimum domination becomes only a tight upper bound for the lower range.
Work in progress — Preparation creating effective faculty of engineering: A technological literacy approach

This paper reviews the framework and provides new result for the implementation of a new program designed to develop more effective future faculty in engineering. The core of the proposed program will be based on our efforts regarding the recently developed Minor in Engineering Studies (MES). This program will team up effective engineering faculty to train, mentor, and evaluate a select group of graduate students to teach classes in our MES program. The goal is to help the engineering graduate students (the graduate educators) become better communicator and better educators by training non-engineering students in technological literacy classes. This practice is being introduced as a possible venue to develop and enhance the effectiveness of the graduate educators as classroom instructors and that therefore this is the way to train effective future faculty in engineering. This paper will introduce new results, and describe the new findings and developments in this project. In this paper we introduce the conceptual framework of the MES and the results of the early implementation of this study
Stability of terrace widths at small Peclet number

Abstract We show that for vapor phase growth on a stepped surface at small but finite Peclet numbers the terrace width remains stable following a disturbance away from the steady state periodic step train. Our analysis is based on a microscopic description of the adatom kinetics; however, we show that for 1 ⪢ P ⪢ a / L ( P ) is the Peclet number, a 2 is the site density, and L is the terrace width) that the step-adatom exchange kinetics are not significant as is the case for P = 0; instead the step motion provides the mechanism for stability.
Motif-guided sparse decomposition of gene expression data for regulatory module identification

Genes work coordinately as gene modules or gene networks. Various computational approaches have been proposed to find gene modules based on gene expression data; for example, gene clustering is a popular method for grouping genes with similar gene expression patterns. However, traditional gene clustering often yields unsatisfactory results for regulatory module identification because the resulting gene clusters are co-expressed but not necessarily co-regulated. We propose a novel approach, motif-guided sparse decomposition (mSD), to identify gene regulatory modules by integrating gene expression data and DNA sequence motif information. The mSD approach is implemented as a two-step algorithm comprising estimates of (1) transcription factor activity and (2) the strength of the predicted gene regulation event(s). Specifically, a motif-guided clustering method is first developed to estimate the transcription factor activity of a gene module; sparse component analysis is then applied to estimate the regulation strength, and so predict the target genes of the transcription factors. The mSD approach was first tested for its improved performance in finding regulatory modules using simulated and real yeast data, revealing functionally distinct gene modules enriched with biologically validated transcription factors. We then demonstrated the efficacy of the mSD approach on breast cancer cell line data and uncovered several important gene regulatory modules related to endocrine therapy of breast cancer. We have developed a new integrated strategy, namely motif-guided sparse decomposition (mSD) of gene expression data, for regulatory module identification. The mSD method features a novel motif-guided clustering method for transcription factor activity estimation by finding a balance between co-regulation and co-expression. The mSD method further utilizes a sparse decomposition method for regulation strength estimation. The experimental results show that such a motif-guided strategy can provide context-specific regulatory modules in both yeast and breast cancer studies.
Combined Topographic, Spectroscopic, and Model Analyses of Inhomogeneous Energetic Coupling of Linear Light Harvesting Complex Ii Aggregates in Native Photosynthetic Membranes

Light harvesting by LH1 and LH2 antenna proteins in the photosynthetic membranes of purple bacteria has been extensively studied in recent years for the fundamental understanding of the energy transfer dynamics and mechanism. Here we report the inhomogeneous structural organization of the LH2 complexes in photosynthetic membranes, giving evidence for the existence of energetically coupled linear LH2 aggregates in the native photosynthetic membranes of purple bacteria. Focusing on systematic model analyses, we combined AFM imaging and spectroscopic analysis with energetic coupling model analysis to characterize the inhomogeneous linear aggregation of LH2. Our AFM imaging results reveal that the LH2 complexes form linear aggregates with the monomer number varying from one to eight and each monomer tilted along the aggregated structure in photosynthetic membranes. The spectroscopic results support the attribution of aggregated LH2 complexes in the photosynthetic membranes, and the model calculation values for the absorption, emission and lifetime are consistent with the experimentally determined spectroscopic values, further proving a molecular-level understanding of the energetic coupling and energy transfer among the LH2 complexes in the photosynthetic membranes.
Efficient filters for the simulated evolution of small sorting networks

A sorting network is a mathematical model of an oblivious sorting algorithm - that is, a sorting algorithm in which all comparisons take place in a fixed order at predetermined positions in the list.The search for sorting networks of optimal size is an old problem. Asymptotically optimal networks of size O(n log n) are known, where n is the number of inputs, but the hidden constants are enormous. Genetic algorithms have been used to tackle this problem in a number of studies since the early 1990s, often focusing on the historically interesting case of 16 inputs. In this special case, the best known bound of 60 comparisons has been attained, but often through the use of a particular, highly structured, initial sequence of comparisons that narrows the search space by filtering out all but a small core of input sequences.We make explicit the concept of a filter - a fixed sequence of comparisons to be extended to a sorting network through a stochastic process - and present a new construction for any perfect square number of inputs. In the case of 9 inputs, we extend the filter to a sorting network of size 25, attaining the best known bound. For 16 and 25 inputs, we present a simple GA variant that extends the filter to produce small sorting networks with highly regular structure.
Structure–Activity Relationships for Aldehyde Categories

The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) nominated aldehydes to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Interagency Testing Committee (ITC) to obtain aquatic toxicity data with the understanding that these data could be used to develop or improve Structure–Activity Relationships (SARs) or Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships (QSARs) for predicting the toxicity of untested aldehydes to aquatic organisms. The Substructure-based Computerized Chemical Selection Expert System (SuCCSES) was used to identify about 600 non-polymeric aldehydes in the TSCA inventory of existing chemicals. After analyzing production and importation volumes and structural data for these 600 aldehydes, a database of 125 structurally diverse aldehydes was developed. SuCCSES was used to classify 125 aldehydes into substructure-based categories. After searching for published and unpublished data, aquatic organism LC50 values were obtained for 74 of these 125 aldehydes. Fathead minnow LC50 values were used to develop SARs describing gross differences between aldehyde categories. Five figures are provided to illustrate differences between benzaldehyde and aldehydes in the substructure-based categories and explanations are provided to describe the differences. The substructure-based categories can be used to facilitate the review of multiple aldehydes. However, as described in the subsequent paper, different modes of action of aldehydes in the same substructure-based category precludes the use of a category approach to predict toxicities of other aldehydes.
Decreased [3H]nitrendipine binding in the brainstem of deoxycorticosterone-NaCl hypertensive rats.

Abstract Binding studies with the 1,4 dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist [ 3 H]nitrendipine ([ 3 H]NTD) were performed in uninephrectomized, deoxycorticosterone (DOCA)-NaCl hypertensive rats and vehicle treated normotensive control littermates. After 6 weeks of treatment, hypertensive (199 mmHg, systolic arterial pressure) DOCA rats showed significantly increased heart, left ventricle, and kidney weight in contrast to normotensive (135 mmHg) controls. [ 3 H]NTD binding in the brainstem was significantly reduced (51 ± 5 fmol/mg protein) in DOCA-NaCl rats, as compared to controls (116 ± 24 fmol/mg protein). However, no significant differences were found in the [ 3 H]NTD dissociation constants for DOCA-NaCl (0.43 ± 0.03 nM) or control rats (0.62 ± 0.06 nM). Cerebral cortical and left ventricular tissue showed no significant alterations in receptor binding density or affinity. Specific [ 3 H]NTD binding was not significantly altered in other selected brain regions or the atria. These data suggest that alterations in the dihydropyridine binding sites associated with calcium channels in the brainstem may be involved in the etiology of DOCA-NaCl-induced hypertension.
Promoting neuroplasticity and recovery after stroke: future directions for rehabilitation clinical trials.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose is to establish a theoretical framework by which new interventions for poststroke rehabilitation may be developed incorporating knowledge of neuroplasticity and the critical ingredients of rehabilitation.Recent findingsLarge phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Integration of geometrical and physical optics

This paper reports results of a program to integrate geometrical and physical optics. Limitations to the theory, numerical considerations, and methods of optimization are discussed and the procedures illustrated by several examples.
The Relationship between certain Semen Quality Tests and Fertility and the Interrelationship of these Tests

One of the paramount problems in the artificial breeding of dairy cattle is that of evaluating the quality and potential fertilizing capacity of semen. The most popular and widely used semen quality tests are (a) the microscopic estimation of motility (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26), (b) the enumeration of spermatozoa (concentration) (1, 3, 4,8, 12, 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24) and (c) the methylene blue reduction test (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 15, 23). The Cornell investigators (2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17) have established minimum standards for all semen that is to be used for breeding purposes. These standards are as follows: A concentration of at least 900 million spermatozoa per milliliter of semen, an initial motility of 70 per cent or better and a methylene blue reduction time of 9 rain. or less. Evaluating semen on this basis usually has resulted in the discarding of approximately one-third of the ejaculates from highly fertile bulls and a conception rate of about 60 per cent (based on 60to 90-day non-returns to first services. Less popular semen quality tests are the cold shock test (8, 10, 19, 20, 22), incubation test (2, 8), livability or viability (2, 20, 21, 22) and the resistance tests (1). The latter test measures the resistance of spermatozoa to high concentrati0ns (volumes) of a 1 per cent NaC1 solution. This test apparently has been used rather widely in Russia, but it has not been used to any extent in this country. A review of the literature reveals that there is much controversy as to the reliability and practical applications of the above tests. However, there is general agreement that no single test appears to be highly reliable. Even combinations of the above tests are not always reliable. Stone et al. (19) reported on the relationships of some of these tests as well as live spermatozoa relationship and fertility of dairy bull semen. No study has been reported on the comparison of the accuracy with which all of the above mentioned tests conducted simultaneously on the same semen samples predict semen quality and fertility. Also, some of the tests have not been modified or improved since their discovery. The purposes of the investigations reported herein were as follows: (a) to modify the methylene blue reduction test, (b) to compare its accuracy with that of initial motility, concentration, conventional methylene blue reduction test, duration of motility in storage at 40 ° F. and at high temperatures, and the resistance test in measuring or predicting semen quality and fertility, (c) to deReceived for publication Oct. 1O, 1950. a A portion of the data reported in this paper was taken from this author's thesis for the Master's degree. He is now an Assistant County Agent in Louisiana. 2 Now Manager of Pike County Artificial Breeding Association, Magnolia, Mississippi.
A walk in the chorion locus of bombyx mori

We have recovered overlapping clones that represent in the aggregate a contiguous segment of chromosomal DNA 270 kb in length, or probably one third of the chorion locus of Bombyx mori. Approximately 70 genes have been identified, the majority of which are arranged in coordinately expressed pairs. The nonidentical genes expressed in the late period of choriogenesis are clustered within a single, 130 kb region, which is flanked by regions containing genes that are active during the middle developmental period. The late genes encode two families of high-cysteine proteins; the evolutionarily persistent clustering of these families contrasts sharply with the extensive sequence diversification of the structural genes and their flanking DNA elements. We discuss the possible regulatory significance of the clustered arrangement, as well as certain features of multigene family evolution.
Twitter Use During a Weather Event: Comparing Content Associated with Localized and Nonlocalized Hashtags

Social media are becoming relied upon for information concerning large-scale weather events, crises, and other occurrences that pose potential risks. Little is known about the effectiveness of social media strategies in delivering information effectively to at-risk audiences, or the ease with which audiences can locate information. A content analysis examined a sample of 800 tweets retrieved using localized and national hashtags in the early stage of a major winter storm. Results are consistent with past research suggesting that Twitter may be used more for affective display than for information seeking. It also extends previous research by offering that actionable information appears to be more common with localized hashtags. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research and practical applications.
Cervical myelopathy associated with extradural synovial cysts in 4 dogs

Three Mastiffs and 1 Great Dane were presented to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for cervical myelopathy based on history and neurologic examination. All dogs were males and had progressive ataxia and tetraparesis. Degenerative arthritis of the articular facet joints was noted on survey spinal radiographs. Myelography disclosed lateral axial compression of the cervical spinal cord medial to the articular facets. Extradural compressive cystic structures adjacent to articular facets were identified on magnetic resonance imaging (1 dog). High protein concentration was the most important finding on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Dorsal laminectomies were performed in all dogs for spinal cord decompression and cyst removal. Findings on cytologic examination of the cystic fluid were consistent with synovial fluid, and histopathologic results supported the diagnosis of synovial cysts. All dogs are ambulatory and 3 are asymptomatic after surgery with a follow-up time ranging from 1 to 8 months. This is the 1st report of extradural synovial cysts in dogs, and synovial cysts should be a differential diagnosis for young giant breed dogs with cervical myelopathy.
A New Approach to Estimation of Initial Conditions and Smoothing Problems

A unified approach utilizing the Kalman-Bucy filtering technique istaken to solve the estimation problem of initial conditions and thesmoothing problem in linear dynamic systems. The equivalencebetween the forward integration method and the backward integrationmethod of the smoothing solution is proved. Complete analyticalsolutions of filtering and smoothing problems of rectilinear motion ofa randomly accelerated spacecraft are derived when the vehicle istracked by the ranging system at the ground station.