cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Idempotent signed measures on a discrete group

is called the support of x. The subgroup of G generated by S(x) is called the support group of x. We shall be interested in the idempotents on G, that is, the elements xELI(G ) satisfying x 2 = x. Observe that [lx[I ~ 1 for each non-zero idempotent, while ][x[l = 1 for each non-zero nonnegative idempotent. For the case that G is abelian, such idempotents were completely characterized by RUDIN [3] p. 199; the analogous problem for an arbitrary locally compact abelian group was solved by Cotton [1], compare [4]. It turns out that in the (discrete) abelian case every idempotent has a finite support and even a finite support group. Whether or not G is abelian, an idempotent with ][xl[ = 1 always has a finite support group, see [5] p. 227. The same is true [2] for an idempotent x satisfying x(gh)=x(hg), for all g, hEG. On the other hand, RtrOIN and SChNeIDER [5], [6] gave many examples of groups G admitting an idempotent x of infinite support. By the above remarks, G must be an infinite non-abelian group while x as a measure on G must be a signed measure of total variation ][x][ >1 . The problem was raised ([5], p. 226) to find an example of a self-adjoint idempotent of infinite support. Here, an element x E G is said to be self-adjoint if x* = x. The adjoint x* of x is defined by
HISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF MORPHOGENESIS AND TERATOGENESIS OF THE PALATE IN MOUSE EMBRYOS.

Aggregation of acid mucopolysaccharides in normal palates and cleft palates in mouse embryos was studied by various histochemical methods. An “index of staining intensity” was introduced as a mean numerical value derived from the visual grading of all sections of each litter. Animals were killed at 20 different points of gestation period, from thirteenth to seventeenth day. In this manner a composite staining intensity — time table could be obtained for both experimental groups. The observed data seem to indicate some correlation between the concentration of acid mucopolysaccharides in palatine shelves and the competence of embryonic mechanism of palate closure.
On the bivariate negative binomial regression model

In this paper, a new bivariate negative binomial regression (BNBR) model allowing any type of correlation is defined and studied. The marginal means of the bivariate model are functions of the explanatory variables. The parameters of the bivariate regression model are estimated by using the maximum likelihood method. Some test statistics including goodness-of-fit are discussed. Two numerical data sets are used to illustrate the techniques. The BNBR model tends to perform better than the bivariate Poisson regression model, but compares well with the bivariate Poisson log-normal regression model.
Differences in trauma and posttraumatic stress symptoms in clients with schizophrenia spectrum and major mood disorders

Abstract The current study of 371 community mental health clients with severe mental illness examined differences in frequency of common lifetime trauma and other stressful events in clients with schizophrenia spectrum and major mood disorders in order to gauge the unique variance in posttraumatic stress symptoms explained by trauma/stressful events when controlling for other psychiatric measures. The overwhelming majority (88.1%) of these clients reported at least one stressful/traumatic event in their lifetime with a median of seven such events. Regression modeling revealed that physical abuse was uniquely predictive of posttraumatic stress symptoms when controlling for gender, psychiatric symptoms, and other problems in functioning. Suggestions for future trauma research include measuring multiple types and frequencies of traumatic events, including “non-criterion A” stressors, and controlling for other psychiatric symptoms and indicators of psychosocial functioning in order to better isolate the unique effects of trauma. Limitations of the study include the lack of a structured interview schedule for diagnosis and the cross sectional design.
Screening for tuberculous infection: an update.

After three decades of steadily decreasing incidence of tuberculosis (TB), there has been a substantial increase in cases since 1986.1 This recent increase appears to be largely related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, with the incidence of TB in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) being almost 500 times the incidence in the general population. 2 In addition, several recent outbreaks of TB in health care settings, including outbreaks of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis involving both patients and health care workers, have heightened concern about nosocomial transmission2' 4 Transmission is most likely to occur from patients with unrecognized pulmonary or laryngeal TB who are not receiving effective antituberculosis therapy)' 4 Transmission of TB to persons with HIV infection is of particular concern because of the susceptibility of HIV-infected persons to rapid progression of clinical disease once infected and the potential for rapid spread of TB when immunocompromised patients and health care workers are exposed to patients with infectious TB. In addition to persons with HIV infection, certain other populations are at high risk for TB; these are summarized in Table 1.57 An effective TB-control program includes the early identification (screening) of persons with tuberculous infection to identify those for whom preventive therapy is indicated to prevent the development of active TB. 45 The tuberculin skin test is the only method currently available that demonstrates infection with M. tuberculosis in the absence of active TB. Appropriate interpretation of skin test results is
The plastoquinone diffusion coefficient in chloroplasts and its mechanistic implications

Abstract Pyrene fluorescence quenching by plastoquinone (PQ) was used to estimate lateral diffusion coefficients for PQ-9, decyl PQ and PQ-2 in soybean phosphatidylcholine liposomes and in spinach thylakoid and subthylakoid membranes. All three PQs have diffusion coefficients in the range of (0.1–3)·10 −9 cm 2 /s in thylakoids and subthylakoids when measured by the pyrene fluorescence quenching technique, values that are at least two orders of magnitude lower than those measured in phosphatidylcholine liposomes. Our values of PQ diffusion coefficients in thylakoids and subthylakoids are at least one order of magnitude below the minimal values estimated by Mitchell et al. [R. Mitchell et al. (1990) Biophys. J. 58, 1011–1024] if the rate of quinol oxidation by the cytochrome bf complex is determined by quinol binding rather than quinol diffusion. Our results, together with those of Mitchell et al., provide evidence that PQ lateral mobility within the thylakoid membrane determines the rate of quinol oxidation by the cytochrome bf complex. We rationalize our results in terms of a percolation model in which PQ mobility is restricted by thylakoid membrane proteins and conclude that plastocyanin rather than PQ must be responsible for rapid electron transport between PS II and PS I, in agreement with a similar proposal by Lavergne, Joliot and their co-workers [Joliot et al. (1992) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1101, 1–12; Lavergne et al. (1992) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1101, 13–22].
Community and ecosystem responses to a pulsed pesticide disturbance in freshwater ecosystems.

Pesticides have been shown to be detrimental to key groups of freshwater organisms including cladocerans, odonates, and amphibians. However, less is known about the response of freshwater communities and ecosystems to pesticide disturbances as they occur in nature. Using outdoor aquatic mesocosms, we assembled identical and diverse replicate freshwater plankton food webs obtained from an adjacent pond. We established three pesticide treatments consisting of pulses of a common pesticide Sevin® with the active ingredient carbaryl, at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 20 μg carbaryl/ml, and a pesticide-free control treatment. We monitored the response of microbial, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities in addition to oxygen concentrations. Carbaryl concentrations peaked shortly after Sevin application and degraded quickly and treatment differences were undetectable after 30 days. Zooplankton richness, diversity, abundance, and oxygen concentrations all decreased in pulsed treatments, while phytoplankton and microbial abundance increased. Zooplankton composition in the high pesticide treatment consisted primarily of rotifers as compared to dominance by copepods in the other three treatments. While many of the community and ecosystem properties showed signs of recovery within 40 days after the pulsed pesticide disturbance, important and significant differences remained in the microbial, phytoplankton and zooplankton communities after the pesticide degraded.
Disposition of 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole in rats dosed orally or intravenously

The disposition of [14C]‐labeled 2‐mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI) in male Fischer‐344 rats dosed orally (49 or 0.5 mg/kg) or intravenously (0.5 mg/kg) was determined. Absorption of the oral dose was evident, since, in 72 h, most of the radioactivity administered by either route appeared in the urine. Smaller amounts appeared in the feces. In 4 h, 12% of the radioactivity from an intravenous dose of 0.5 mg/kg was excreted in the bile of rats with biliary cannulas. For rats dosed intravenously, the half‐life for disappearance of unchanged MBI from plasma was 125 min. In contrast, the terminal half‐life for loss of radioactivity from blood was 83 h. The concentration of total radioactivity was higher in liver and kidney tissue than in blood. One of the major urinary metabolites was identified as benzimidazole, and a minor component was tentatively identified as unchanged MBI. Neither of these could be detected in bile.
The syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone in children with bacterial meningitis

Plasma concentrations of arginine vasopressin were determined by radioimmunoassay in 13 normal children, 21 patients with febrile illnesses (not bacterial meningitis), and 17 patients with bacterial meningitis. The mean ±1 SD concentrations of AVP in the normal children and patients with various febrile illnesses were 0.7±0.6 and 1.0±1.2 μU/ml, respectively. The mean ±1 SD concentration of AVP in patients with bacterial meningitis was 3.3±2.3 μU/ml. The concentrations of AVP in the patients with bacterial meningitis were significantly greater ( P
Characterization of dog cardiac microsomes. Use of zonal centrifugation to fractionate fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum, (Na+ + K+)--activated ATPase and mitochondrial fragments.

Cardiac microsomes represent a heterogeneous fraction which contains mitochondrial, plasma membrane and lysosomal enzymes in addition to markers believed to originate in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The exact composition of this fraction depends on the method of preparation in that prolonged homogenization of ventricular myocardium increases both the yield of microsomal protein and the proportion of the mitochondrial contaminant. Ultracentrifugation of cardiac microsomes on density gradients made with sucrose alone is of limited value in isolating fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum. Because of aggregation of the microsomes, zonal ultracentrifugation in sucrose permits isolation of material with only slight enhancement in the activity of markers for the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In the presence of LiBr, used under conditions which inhibit the damaging effects of this salt on the activities studied, aggregation of the microsomal fraction is reduced and density gradient fractionation is more effective. The fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum prepared by zonal centrifugation in 0.5 M LiBr contains less than 15 the level of mitochondrial enzymes found in the original microsomes while the rate of Ca2+ uptake is enhanced 2-fold and the extent of Ca2+ uptake is enhanced 4-fold over that in the crude microsomal fraction. The sarcoplasmic reticulum markers were concentrated in a region of the gradient containing approx. 5% of the original protein that did not correspond to an obvious protein peak.
Cloning and Characterization of the Signal Transduction of Four Splice Variants of the Human Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide Receptor EVIDENCE FOR DUAL COUPLING TO ADENYLATE CYCLASE AND PHOSPHOLIPASE C

Alternative splicing of two exons of the rat pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) receptor gene generates four major splice variants that are differentially expressed in specific tissues and variably coupled to intracellular second messengers. To evaluate the potential implications of these findings in human physiology, the human PACAP receptor gene was cloned. Alternative splicing about two exons of the gene allowed for four major splice variants that were subsequently identified on cDNA cloning. Each of the four splice variant cDNAs (null, SV-1, SV-2, and SV-3) was stably expressed in NIH/3T3 cells at similar receptor densities. For each splice variant, PACAP (both PACAP-38 and PACAP-27) had similar affinity and potency for stimulating either adenylate cyclase or phospholipase C. However, each receptor splice variant differed in their ligand-stimulated maximal response (efficacy) for total inositol phosphate accumulation with the SV-2 showing the greatest efficacy, followed by the null, SV-1, and SV-3 splice variants. Therefore, unlike the rat, PACAP binds and stimulates signal transduction with nearly equal affinity and potency for each of the receptor splice variants although with varying efficacy for the stimulation of phospholipase C. These results suggest a novel and potentially important mechanism for a single hormone to not only couple to dual signal transduction cascades but also elicit tissue-specific differential activation of phospholipase C in humans.
Brain protection via cerebral retrograde perfusion during aortic arch aneurysm repair

Abstract Eleven patients underwent resection and graft replacement of ascending and aortic arch aneurysms. Retrograde cerebral perfusion was used during the procedures to minimize cerebral ischemia. Retrograde cerebral perfusion (15 ° to 24 °C) was administered through the superior vena cava. The mean cerebral ischemic time was 35 minutes (range, 11 to 71 minutes). Throughout retrograde cerebral perfusion, blood samples were drawn from the innominate and left carotid arteries at 1, 5, and every 10 minutes thereafter for analysis of arterial oxygen content, total creatine kinase level, and creatine kinase BB fraction. All patients survived. All except 1 awoke neurologically intact. In this patient, electroencephalogram and transcranial Doppler studies conducted before circulatory arrest were consistent with embolic phenomena. There was no significant difference between the current group's intraoperative electroencephalograms and those of a similar historical group. Postoperative complications included transient renal failure, myasthenia gravis, cholecystitis, premature atrial contractions, atrial fibrillation, and vocal cord paralysis. The creatine kinase BB fraction range was 1.8 to 13.4. The increase of total creatine kinase level was due to MM fraction. Retrograde cerebral perfusion during circulatory arrest is a valuable adjunct for protecting the brain. The creatine kinase BB band was not a good marker to detect brain injury. With continued use of this technique and accumulation of a larger series, we may better define the role of retrograde cerebral perfusion in brain protection.
A Generalized Moments Specification Test of the Proportional Hazards Model

Abstract This article describes a generalized moments specification test of the semiparametric proportional hazards model of Cox. In contrast to other specification tests for this model, the generalized moments test is applicable in the presence of continuous explanatory variables and does not require assigning the data to predetermined cells. The results of a Monte Carlo investigation suggest that the generalized moments test has good finite-sample properties and that it is more powerful than other available tests for models with continuous explanatory variables when the alternative is an accelerated failure time model. The test is based on generalized residuals for the proportional hazards model. When the model is correct, the generalized residuals have asymptotically the (possibly censored) unit exponential distribution. The generalized moments are means of functions of the generalized residuals. The generalized moments have known values when the generalized residuals have the unit exponential distribu...
Protease Regulation: The Yin and Yang of Neural Development and Disease

The formation, maintenance, and plasticity of neural circuits rely upon a complex interplay between progressive and regressive events. Increasingly, new functions are being identified for axon guidance molecules in the dynamic processes that occur within the embryonic and adult nervous system. The magnitude, duration, and spatial activity of axon guidance molecule signaling are precisely regulated by a variety of molecular mechanisms. Here we focus on recent progress in understanding the role of protease-mediated cleavage of guidance factors required for directional axon growth, with a particular emphasis on the role of metalloprotease and γ-secretase. Since axon guidance molecules have also been linked to neural degeneration and regeneration in adults, studies of guidance receptor proteolysis are beginning to define new relationships between neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. These findings raise the possibility that the signaling checkpoints controlled by proteases could be useful targets to enhance regeneration.
Retrospectives and Prospectives on Hurricane Katrina: Five Years and Counting

New Orleans’ recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 reflects a long, complex, contentious process that still is not complete. In this article, the authors explore the key factors that have supported and hindered recovery so far. Initial conditions within the city, the web of policy demands, as well as recent changes in law and procedures for the region are explored using a new model that may be applicable to other severe disasters. Any recovery, the authors conclude, must be anchored within a local context, but only with necessary administrative backing from the wider region and society. Recovery from disaster offers a rare opportunity to rebuild damaged communities into more resilient ones when energy and investment are immediately channeled into the stricken region and focused in a constructive redesign that acknowledges environmental risk. The recovery process then shifts to mitigation and reduction of risk. Hence, cities will be better prepared for the next extreme event, which will surely come.
Furniture as a Conduit for Credit

Securitization has transformed the global financial landscape, and in recent years accounts receivable securitization has become an increasingly popular means to accelerate cash flow. However, this particular style of securitization has encountered problems, which began well before the recent financial crisis. In 2000, Heilig-Meyers became the first company in which the senior notes of asset-backed securities suffered a principal loss. This article discusses the securitization of accounts receivable and its associated risks, using as an example the role of asset-backed securities in the Heilig-Meyers bankruptcy. In the case of Heilig-Meyers, selling furniture became secondary to issuing credit—a problem similar to the one that occurred in the real estate and mortgage markets.
Synergy of local, regional, and systemic non-specific stressors for host defense against pathogens

The immune brinksmanship conceptual model postulates that many of the non-specific stressful components of the acute-phase response (e.g. fever, loss of appetite, iron and zinc sequestration) are host-derived systemic stressors used with the "hope" that pathogens will be harmed relatively more than the host. The concept proposes that pathogens, needing to grow and replicate in order to invade their host, should be relatively more vulnerable to non-specific systemic stress than the host and its cells. However, the conceptual model acknowledges the risk to the host in that the gamble to induce systemic self-harming stress to harm pathogens may not pay off in the end. We developed an agent-based model of a simplified host having a local infection to evaluate the utility of non-specific stress, harming host and pathogen alike, for host defense. With our model, we explore the benefits and risks of self-harming strategies and confirm the immune brinksmanship concept of the potential of systemic stressors to be an effective but costly host defense. Further, we extend the concept by including in our model the effects of local and regional non-specific stressors at sites of infection as additional defenses. These include the locally hostile inflammatory environment and the stress of reduced perfusion in the infected region due to coagulation and vascular leakage. In our model, we found that completely non-specific stressors at the local, regional, and systemic levels can act synergistically in host defense.
Immunity to tetanus is protective against the development of multiple sclerosis

Following allegations that Hepatitis B vaccination causes or triggers multiple sclerosis (MS), several epidemiological studies have been conducted to evaluate the association between MS and vaccination. In one study conducted in the US, a significant protective effect on the development of MS was observed for tetanus immunization. We reviewed the medical literature and found two additional recent studies, as well as several older studies, which also observed a significant protective effect of tetanus immunization on the development or progression of MS. Furthermore, decreased humoral and cellular immunity to tetanus toxoid has been observed among MS patients. We postulate that naturally acquired or vaccine-induced immunity to tetanus has a protective effect against the development and progression of MS. We also postulate that this link to tetanus is in part responsible for the gender, age, geographic and socio-economic distribution of MS, as well as its pattern among migrants. The biological basis for this protective effect could be an unspecific boost of bystander suppression of auto-immunity as shown for other infections. Our hypothesis can be tested in several ways. The simplest approach would be to compare tetanus exposure and MS occurrence on a population level. Stronger support would come from the re-analysis of previous studies that have information at the individual level on both tetanus exposure, whether induced or natural, and on the development of MS. Laboratory evidence could be sought by testing the effect of tetanus toxoid on experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, the experimental animal model of MS.
Issues in Recruitment and Retention of Graduate Students

This article summarizes a variety of issues in graduate school recruitment and retention, including campus and program climate, admissions criteria, national trends in cultural diversity, and the lack of research on diversity in university programs in speech-language pathology. The rapid increase in diversity nationally, combined with sharp increases in states with traditionally low populations of specific cultural groups, indicates that recent graduates from speech-language pathology programs in all regions of the country will face far more diverse populations during their professional careers.
Lineshape studies of the 1s yellow exciton in Cu2O by resonance Raman scattering

Abstract The enhancement of the cross section for Raman scattering has been measured near resonance with the 1S yellow exciton in Cu2O ( v 1SY ≅ 16,399 cm -1 ) . The shape of the enhancement is shown to be Lorentzian to beyond 10 halfwidths from the peak. From the temperature dependence of the width of the enhancement profile, we extract separately the rates for exciton- acoustic phonon scattering, γsc(T), and for non-radiative decay, γnr, of this exciton state. We find γnr = 2.4 × 1010 sec-1 and γsc(T=5.4K) = 0.85 × 1010 sec-1.
A Calibration-Free Fractional-N Ring PLL Using Hybrid Phase/Current-Mode Phase Interpolation Method

A hybrid phase/current-mode phase interpolator (HPC-PI) is presented to improve phase noise performance of ring oscillator based fractional-N PLLs. The proposed HPC-PI alleviates the bandwidth trade-off between VCO phase noise suppression and $\Delta \Sigma $ quantization noise suppression. By combining the phase detection and interpolation functions into XOR phase detector/interpolator (XOR PD-PI) block, accurate quantization error cancellation is achieved without using calibration. Use of a digital MDLL in front of the fractional-N PLL helps in alleviating the bandwidth limitation due to reference frequency and enables bandwidth extension even further. The extended bandwidth helps in suppressing the ring-VCO phase noise and lowering the in-band noise floor. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS process, the prototype generates fractional frequencies from 4.25 to 4.75 GHz, with in-band phase noise floor of $-$ 104 dBc/Hz and 1.5 ps $_{\rm rms}$ integrated jitter. The clock multiplier achieves power efficiency of 2.4 mW/GHz and FoM of $-$ 225.8 dB.
Rehabilitating the Terrorists?: Challenges in Assessing the Effectiveness of De-radicalization Programs

Renewed interest on how and why terrorism ends has emerged in parallel with increased visibility of some new and innovative approaches to counterterrorism. These are collectively known, whether for good or bad, as “de-radicalization programs.” However, and despite their popularity, data surrounding even the most basic of facts about these programs remains limited. This article presents an overview of the results of a one-year pilot study of select de-radicalization programs and investigates critical issues surrounding assessment of their effectiveness and outcomes. We argue that Multi Attribute Utility Technology (MAUT) may offer promise for future empirical assessment of what we prefer to designate “terrorism risk reduction initiatives.” Perhaps less obviously, and until more data surrounding the efficacy of such initiatives becomes available, MAUT may also provide a conceptual basis for planning, evaluating, and guiding the development of future such initiatives and may have the unanticipated consequenc...
The effects of rheological and wetting properties on underfill filler settling and flow voids in flip chip packages.

As the bump diameter and bump pitch of flip chip packages get smaller, the underfill becomes more resistant to flow. Therefore, low viscosity underfills are used in the process to increase the throughput. Problems associated with low viscosity underfills include filler settling and flow induced voids due to fast edge flow. In this paper, we will discuss how the rheological properties can affect underfill filler settling and flow voids. The effects of yield stress of underfill on filler settling and the effects of shear thickening of underfill at large shear rates on flow voids of underfill were investigated. It was shown that the underfills with small fillers have shear-thickening viscosity and yield stress. The filler settling of underfills with yield stress was greatly reduced. A video underfill flow metrology with quartz die packages was developed for flow void observation. The correlation between underfill, substrate properties, and flow voids formation based on the video underfill flow measurement will be discussed.
Sustained nuclear energy without weapons or reprocessing using accelerator-driven systems

Accelerator-driven thermal-spectrum molten-salt nuclear technology can greatly simplify nuclear energy technology by eliminating reprocessing and greatly enhancing once-through burn-up. In effect the accelerator may be employed as a substitute for frequent reprocessing and recycle. The accelerator makes possible reduction in plutonium and minor actinides from current LWRs by a factor of more than ten without reprocessing while converting the plutonium remnant to a non-weapons-useful isotopic composition. The accelerator also enhances the once-through energy production from fertile material by a factor of ten without reprocessing compared to once-through LWR technology. This technology would eliminate the need to deploy plutonium production indefinitely, and reprocessing and recycle for at least several hundred years. The energy production technology proposed here operates primarily on the Th-U cycle with a minor contribution from the U-Pu cycle to eliminate the weapons-usefulness of 233 U. There are two key innovations in addition to the accelerator. One is the use of liquid fuel flowing once through a pool of material undergoing fission thereby allowing high burn-up concurrently with continuous removal of fission product without reprocessing. The second is the unanticipated low capture cross section of fission product nuclides which substantially enhances the neutron economy in this type of system. The supplement of neutrons from the accelerator, the reduced fission product neutron capture, and the continuously flowing fuel are the enablers for the performance described here. This technology allows an essentially complete decoupling of nuclear energy from nuclear weapons.
Effects of ultrafiltration on dialysance in commercially available coils.

A decrease in urea dialysance in Travenol 1.9m 2 cellophane (190) hemodialysis coils was demonstrated as outlet pressure was increased by partial clamping of outlow tubing [11. Suggested explanations include impingement of membrane against mesh with loss of area and increased resistance of fluid films as intracoil hydrostatic pressure increases. It has been generally asumed that increasing ultrafiltration by raising transmembrane hydrostatic pressure with outlet clamping decreases dialysis efficiency in all coil types. In these studies the relationships of dialysance rates and mean hydrostatic intracoil pressure (MCP) are compared in 190 and newer type coils. The studies demonstrate that in newer coils solute transport rates do not decrease with intracoil pressures as previously assumed.
Low rate of detectable in utero transmission of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in a dairy herd with a low prevalence of Johne's disease.

In an effort to correlate the likelihood of in utero transmission of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the causal organism of Johne’s disease, with the test status of the dam, tiss...
Real-number codes for fault-tolerant matrix operations on processor arrays

A generalization of existing real numer codes is proposed. It is proven that linearity is a necessary and sufficient condition for codes used for fault-tolerant matrix operations such as matrix addition, multiplication, transposition, and LU decomposition. It is also proven that for every linear code defined over a finite field, there exists a corresponding linear real-number code with similar error detecting capabilities. Encoding schemes are given for some of the example codes which fall under the general set of real-number codes. With the help of experiments, a rule is derived for the selection of a particular code for a given application. The performance overhead of fault tolerance schemes using the generalized encoding schemes is shown to be very low, and this is substantiated through simulation experiments. >
Comparison of bond strength of a pressed ceramic fused to metal versus feldspathic porcelain fused to metal.

Purpose: To compare the debonding/crack initiation strength (D/CIS) of a low-fusing pressable leucite-based glass ceramic (PC) fused to metal to a feldspathic porcelain (FP) fused to metal. Materials & Methods: As per ISO 9693:1999, 40 rectangular metal specimens (25.0 mm × 0.5 mm × 3.0 mm) were prepared. Twenty of the specimens were cast in a base metal nickel-chromium alloy (BA), and 20 were cast in a noble metal palladium-silver alloy (NA). Ten randomly selected NA and BA alloy specimens had FP applied. The remaining 10 NA and BA alloy specimens had ash-free wax patterns applied, the metal-wax complexes invested, and were pressed with a PC. The dimensions of the ceramic specimens were 8.0 mm × 1.0 mm × 3.0 mm, creating a combined metal-ceramic complex thickness of 1.5 mm. All specimens were subject to a three-point bending test at a crosshead speed of 1.5 mm/min. Fracture loads were recorded in Newtons and D/CISs calculated by the formula τb=k×Ffail. Results: Mean D/CISs, measured in MPa (standard deviations): NA-FP 32.56 (4.62), NA-PC 30.23 (5.06), BA-FP 30.98 (4.41), and BA-PC 31.81 (3.48). A two-way ANOVA (p > 0.05) did not demonstrate significant difference between groups. Conclusion: The debonding/crack initiation strength of a low-fusing pressable leucite-based glass ceramic fused to metal was equivalent to that of a feldspathic porcelain fused to metal.
Comparison of Blood Lead and Blood and Plasma δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Concentrations as Biomarkers for Lead Poisoning in Cattle

Lead (Pb) concentrations in whole blood and d-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) concentrations in plasma and whole blood from 37 cattle with suspected Pb exposure were determined in order to investigate the usefulness of ALA as a biological indicator for Pb poisoning in cattle. Cows were divided into 4 groups based on blood Pb, as follows: ,30 ppb (group 1), 30-100 ppb (group 2), 100-300 ppb (group 3), and .300 ppb (group 4). The derivatization reaction for ALA was improved by a greater than 2-fold measure in whole blood and by a 10-fold measure in plasma by adding 75 and 50 ml of 0.1 N HCl, respectively. Blood Pb concentrations ranged from ,25 ppb to 1,006 ppb (185.5 6 254.9 ppb), with 17 samples containing .50 ppb Pb. Delta-aminolevulinic acid concentrations in whole blood and plasma ranged from ,62.7 ppb to 96.9 ppb (77.4 6 8.4 ppb) and from ,5.0 ppb to 24.0 ppb (4.6 6 3.8 ppb), respectively. Whole blood ALA did not correlate with blood lead concentrations in any group. Increase in plasma ALA concentration was dependent on blood Pb concentration. There was no correlation between blood Pb concentration and plasma ALA concentration in group 2 (n 5 4), but correlation coefficients were 0.736 in group 3 and 0.807 in group 4, respectively. The correlation coefficient was increased to 0.851 when groups 3 and 4 were combined. Based on these observations, in cattle, plasma ALA is a more reliable biological biomarker for Pb exposure than is blood ALA.
Crack Propagation in Polystyrene under Fixed Elongation.

Microscopic observations of precracked polystyrene samples under fixed elongation conditions reveal that discontinuous crack propagation occurs under stress relaxation asymptotically approaching a stable configuration. A zone of intensive crazes in the vicinity of the crack tip evolves concurrently with crack growth. The evolution of the crazed zone occurs as translation and isotropic expansion. The phenomenon has been successfully explained using a crack layer model. Crack propagation is found to be controlled by the difference between the energy dissipated on damage (crazing) growth and the relevant energy release rate.
On Single-Array Genotype Calling Algorithms

This paper describes issues in using single-array algorithms for calling genotypes for Affymetrix arrays, and introduces a computationally efficient procedure that is designed to be used as a complement to the multi-arrays algorithms. The new tool is based on ideas from a previously introduced algorithm [9] with modifications that improve accuracy. These modifications are also necessary for handling the data from the new arrays which have a modified design with no perfect-matches. The main gain in accuracy is obtained from the partitioning of the probes in homogeneous clusters based on measures of efficiency of probe hybridization that are calculated from the probe sequence composition, and based on measures of probe performance that are calculated using a small training dataset.
Performance of AlInAs/GaInAs/InP microwave DHBTs

The authors report the experimental characteristics obtained from AlInAs/GaInAs/InP double heterojunction bipolar transistors (DHBTs) grown by gas source molecular beam epitaxy. They describe the fabrication and measured performance of two AlInAs/GaInAs/InP DHBT structures, one having a relatively thin 390 nm collector and the other having a relatively thick 1200 nm collector. Their performance results are presented within the context of their application to linear ICs and microwave power amplification. The results include the first reported microwave power measurements on this InP-based DHBT structure featuring a continuous wave output power density of 3.3 W/mm at 4 GHz. >
Development of CNT-ISFET based pH sensing system using atomic force microscopy

Abstract In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the monitoring and controlling of pH. It has become an important aspect of many industrial wastewater treatment processes as well as a drinking water quality issue. At the same time, the demand for smaller electronic devices used for various industrial and commercial applications has greatly increased. Nanomaterials such as Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are well known for their excellent electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Therefore, CNTs are good candidates for the manufacturing of small devices. In this paper, a novel concept combining CNT and Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistor (ISFET) is proposed for pH-sensing application. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) based manipulation and electrical property measurements in nano level are involved. Nanochannels are created by AFM-based nanoscratching, and the electrical properties of both multi-walled and single-walled CNTs are tested using Current Sensing AFM. FETs are fabricated to test the possibility of the CNTs’ alignment between the source and the drain electrode using Dielectrophoresis (DEP). The experimental results reveal that CNT is a promising material for improving the performance and lowering the cost of existing pH chemical sensors.
G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase 6A Phosphorylates the Na+/H+ Exchanger Regulatory Factor via a PDZ Domain-mediated Interaction

The Na(+)/H(+) exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF) is constitutively phosphorylated in cells, but the site(s) of this phosphorylation and the kinase(s) responsible for it have not been identified. We show here that the primary site of constitutive NHERF phosphorylation in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells is Ser(289), and that the stoichiometry of phosphorylation is near 1 mol/mol. NHERF contains two PDZ domains that recognize the sequence S/T-X-L at the carboxyl terminus of target proteins, and thus we examined the possibility that kinases containing this motif might associate with and phosphorylate NHERF. Overlay experiments and co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that NHERF binds with high affinity to a splice variant of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6, GRK6A, which terminates in the motif T-R-L. NHERF does not associate with GRK6B or GRK6C, alternatively spliced variants that differ from GRK6A at their extreme carboxyl termini. GRK6A phosphorylates NHERF efficiently on Ser(289) in vitro, whereas GRK6B, GRK6C, and GRK2 do not. Furthermore, the endogenous "NHERF kinase" activity in HEK-293 cell lysates is sensitive to treatments that alter the activity of GRK6A. These data suggest that GRK6A phosphorylates NHERF via a PDZ domain-mediated interaction and that GRK6A is the kinase in HEK-293 cells responsible for the constitutive phosphorylation of NHERF.
1,4-Diphenyl-5-Amino-1,2,3-Triazole and 4-Phenyl-5-Anilino-1,2,3-Triazole

1,4-Diphenyl-5-amino-1,2,3-triazole and 4-phenyl-5-anilino-1,2,3-triazole reactant: 35.7 g. (0.3 mole) of phenyl azide product: Six grams (0.025 mole) of 1,4-diphenyl-5-amino-1,2,3-triazole product: 4-phenyl-5-anilino-1,2,3-triazole Keywords: annulation, heterocyclic-[5]; cyclization, miscellaneous; rearrangements; assay methods, for 1,4-diphenyl-5-amino-1,2,3-triazole; assay methods, for 4-phenyl-5-anilino-1,2,3-triazole; 1,2,3-triazoles, 1,4-disubstituted-5-amino-, titration of
Effects of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix on Repair Integrity of At-Risk Rotator Cuff Tears

Background: Increased age, larger tear size, and more advanced fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff musculature have been correlated with poorer healing rates after rotator cuff repair. Platelets are an endogenous source of growth factors present during rotator cuff healing.Hypothesis: Augmentation of rotator cuff repairs with platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) may improve the biology of rotator cuff healing and thus improve functional outcome scores and retear rates after repair.Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: Rotator cuff tears at risk for retear were prospectively identified using an algorithm; points were assigned for age (50-59 years = 1; 60-69 years = 2; >70 years = 3), anterior-to-posterior tear size (2-2.9 cm = 0; 3-3.9 cm = 1; >4 cm = 2), and fatty atrophy (Goutallier score 0-2 = 0; Goutallier score 3-4 = 1). Three points were required for enrollment. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was performed with the addition of PRFM. Preoperative and 1-year postoperative magneti...
Outage Probability Analysis of Wireless Relay and Cooperative Networks in Rician Fading Channels with Different K-Factors

In this paper, the outage performance of a dual-hop amplify-and-forward (AF) cooperative diversity system with a maximal-ratio combining receiver at the destination terminal in Rician fading environments with different K-factors is investi- gated. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver is upper bounded. Closed-form expressions for the probability density function (PDF) and the moment generating function (MGF) of the bounded SNR are derived. These statistical results are then applied through numerical evaluations to obtain the outage probability. Numerical results of the outage probabilities are presented to illustrate the performance improvement due to cooperative diversity.
A mating system conundrum: hybridization in Apocynum (Apocynaceae).

Based upon an intermediate morphology, Apocynum x-floribundum Greene has long been considered a hybrid involving A. androsaemifolium and A. cannabinum. The floral morphology in this genus, however, appears to prohibit both import and export of pollen, and observations of numerous insect visitors reveal that pollen is not routinely carried from flower to flower. Furthermore, reproductive success as measured by fruit set is very low in most populations. Hybridization was thus called into question, with allozyme evidence used to test the hypothesis of a hybrid origin for A. x-floribundum. Six diagnostic loci, as well as two loci exhibiting highly disparate allele frequencies, were resolved for each parent. All examined populations of A. x-floribundum were heterozygous at these loci, thus supporting the hypothesis of hybridization. Evidence from additional loci indicated that all populations tend to be strongly clonal. Observed heterozygosity was very low in the parental species, suggesting a history of inbreeding or a severe bottleneck. There was no support for earlier assumptions that some intermediates are derived from backcrosses or “secondary hybrids.” Statistical analyses of plant height, leaf shape, petal length, sepal length, follicle length, seed length, and seed number per follicle supported these conclusions. The persistence and vegetative spread of hybrid clones may contribute to the illusion that hybridization is common. The taxonomy, phylogeny, pollination system, and ecological role of the strictly North American genus Apocynum (Apocynaceae) have long been in debate. In 1930 Woodson revised the genus, reducing over 80 described species to seven: A. pumilum (A. Gray) Greene, A. androsaemifolium L., A. medium Greene, A. jonesii Woodson, A. suksdorfiiGreene, A. cannabinum L., and A. hypericifolium Ait. The remaining taxa were relegated to subspecific or hybrid rank. He assumed that most of his subspecies had arisen by hybridization, noting numerous intermediate morphological characters, a high degree of pollen sterility, and low to no fruit set. Furthermore, he concluded that all species were self-incompatible in view of the fact that “otherwise they would yield theoretically 100% fruit, since the anthers press so closely about the stigma that self-pollination is unavoidable.” He failed to explain how cross-pollination, let alone hybridization, could arise in view of the curious floral structure in this genus (discussed later). Anderson (1936) showed that the offspring of putative parental species (A. cannabinum L. and A. androsaemifolium L.) were very similar to the parents, while some of the intermediates produced variable offspring. He regarded this as evidence of hybridization, but at that time neither Anderson nor Woodson had the genetic tools to test the hybridization hypothesis. While Colorado’s Front Range hosts many forms of 1
Scent-marking by coyotes, Canis latrans : the influence of social and ecological factors

We observed 49 coyotes, Canis latrans, from five resident packs for 2456 h and five transient coyotes for 51 h from January 1991 to June 1993 in the Lamar River Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U.S.A. During these observations we recorded 3042 urinations, 451 defecations, 446 ground scratches and 743 double-marks. The rate of scent-marking (via urination) was influenced by the social organization (resident versus transient) to which the coyote belonged, the social class (alpha, beta or pup) of the animal and the time of the year. Transient coyotes scent-marked at a lower rate than did members of a resident pack. Within the resident packs, alpha coyotes scent-marked at a higher rate than beta coyotes (adults and yearlings subordinant to alphas, but dominant over pups) and pups. Alpha coyotes increased their rate of marking during the breeding season; beta and pup coyotes performed scent-marks at a relatively constant rate throughout the year. There was no influence of social class or time of year on the rate of defecation. The rate of double-marking was highest among alpha coyotes with a peak during the breeding season. Alpha coyotes ground-scratched at a higher rate than did beta and pup coyotes. Alpha and beta coyotes scent-marked more than expected along the periphery of the territory compared to the interior; pups marked in the interior and edge in proportion to expected frequencies. Double-marking and ground-scratching were higher than expected along the periphery of the territory. The distribution of defecations was not diVerent from expected along the edge versus the interior of the territory. Pack size did not influence the rate of scent-marking performed by individuals in the pack or by the alpha pair. We concluded that alpha coyotes were the primary members of the resident pack involved in scent-marking. The large coyote packs and the high rate of marking by the alpha pairs were parallel to the scent-marking behaviour displayed by wolves, C. lupus, to a greater extent than previously reported. Scent-marks appear to provide internal information to the members of the resident pack (internal map of territory, breeding condition, reproductive synchrony) and enhance demarcation of territorial boundaries. ? 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
On making infrastructure visible: putting the non-humans to rights

Using the author's own experiences in local politics, the paper examines several cases in which pieces of mundane infrastructure are contested. The cases include eruvs, traffic-calming technologies, and invisible dog fences. The argument is that in contra distinction to abstract philosophical approaches to technology, the social construction of technology (SCOT) needs to return to the examination of the mundane embeddedness of technologies in everyday life. It is argued that an adequate approach to the role of the human and the non-human should not buy into a distinction between ontology and epistemology but instead should focus upon the contested interaction of humans and non-humans in everyday life and thereby restore the analysis of intentionality and meaning to its rightful place at the core of the sociology of technology.