cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of chitin biosynthesis in cultured imaginal discs: Effects of alpha-amanitin, actinomycin-D, cycloheximide, and puromycin

Wing imaginal discs isolated from last instar larvae of the Indian meal moth,Plodia interpunctella, produced chitin when incubated in vitro with ≧2×10−7 M 20-hydroxyecdysone. Chitin biosynthesis was initiated 8 h after the conclusion of a 24-h treatment with hormone. Simulataneous incubation of wing discs with 20-hydroxyecdysone and either inhibitors of RNA synthesis (alpha-amanitin, actinomycin-D) or inhibitors of protein systhesis (cycloheximide, puromycin) prevented chitin biosynthesis. We conclude from our results that RNA and protein synthesis must continue undiminished during the hormone-contact period, and that synthesis of protein, but not of new RNA is required during the posthormone culture period. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that ecdysteroids stimulate insect metamorphosis by promoting the synthesis of new RNA and protein during a hormone-dependent phase followed by hormone-independent protein synthesis.
Interface considerations for MHD diffusers

A review of past research and an assessment of criteria which influence the design and operation of the MHD diffuser are presented. These criteria are coined as interface functions and evolve from unique demands upon the MHD diffuser to both aerodynamically condition the flow and allow compatibility between the diffuser and the coal-fired power plant. It is shown that such items as: turndown capabilities, fault protection, heat losses, slag deposition, and the control of NOx emissions, have received little concern in past research but must have increased influence in future design efforts for commercial applications. An evaluation of limited experimental data is included along with discussions and analysis of state-of-the-art MHD diffuser designs.
Utilization of medium-and long-chain fatty acids by normal rat aorta, and the effect of DL-carnitine on their utilization.

Abstract Utilization of medium- and long-chain fatty acids by normal rat aorta and the effect of carnitine on their utilization were examined in vitro . Total uptake of fatty acid, measured as the sum of incorporation of 14 C into CO 2 , lipid, and water-soluble products, was maximal with octanoate and decreased steadily with increasing chain length up to palmitate. Further increase in chain length and the degree of unsaturation had no effect on total uptake of fatty acid. Octanoate, decanoate, and laurate were most completely oxidized to CO 2 , the fraction oxidized amounting to 99, 97 and 85% of the total uptake of fatty acids; stearate was lowest with 33%. Extent of oxidation of myristate, palmitate, oleate, and linoleate, expressed in the same terms, was approximately 54%. Added carnitine stimulated the oxidation of palmitate, stearate, and oleate only slightly. Even with carnitine added the completeness of oxidation of these acids did not approach that of the shorter chain fatty acids. Incorporation of 14 C from radioactive palmitate, oleate and linoleate into the aortic lipids was investigated. Order of incorporation of palmitate and linoleate into aortic lipid was: phosphatide > triglyceride > cholesteryl ester. With oleate, 14 C was distributed evenly between phosphatide and triglyceride. Incorporation into cholesteryl ester was the greatest with oleate and lowest with linoleate. Radioactivity in aortic free fatty acid was lowest with linoleate.
Crystal structures and packing motifs of 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline and 2,3-diphenylbenzo[ g ]quinoxaline

White plates of 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n with Z = 4 and a = 6.0325(3) A, b = 10.9516(6) A, c = 22.5985(13) A, and β = 95.107(2)°. The phenyl rings in 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline form torsion angles of 36.88(5)° and 53.32(4)° with the plane defined by the quinoxaline moiety. Yellow plates of 2,3-diphenylbenzo[g]quinoxaline crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with Z = 8 and a = 25.0621(16) A, b = 7.7190(5) A, c = 21.2225(14) A, and β = 123.674(2)°. The phenyl rings in 2,3-diphenylbenzo[g]quinoxaline form torsion angles of 46.89(3)° and 43.42(3)° with the plane defined by the benzo[g]quinoxaline moiety. Packing in 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline can best be described as following the herringbone motif; whereas the packing in 2,3-diphenylbenzo[g]quinoxaline crystals can also be described as herringbone—albeit a herringbone pattern made up of head-to-tail oriented neighbors.
Presence and androgen control of an alkaline phosphatase in the nucleus of rat ventral prostate.

Abstract The presence of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) activity has been demonstrated in nuclei of rat ventral prostate. This enzyme activity remained after washing of isolated nuclei with 0.5% Triton X-100; an acid phosphatase initially present with the nuclear fraction was removed by this treatment. The nuclear alkaline phosphatase, examined by utilizing p- nitrophenyl phosphate as substrate, had a pH optimum of 9.5–10.3, and a broad substrate specificity: p- nitrophenyl phosphate > phosphothreonine > β-glycerophosphate > phosphoserine. The nuclear phosphatase was sensitive to denaturation by heat or urea treatments and was also inhibited by Pi, l -phenylalanine, homoarginine, dithiothreitol, and EDTA. The EDTA-inhibited enzyme was maximally reactivated by Zn2+, although Mg2+, or Ca2+ were also effective at somewhat higher concentrations. Orchiectomy of adult rats resulted in an increase in the nuclear alkaline phosphatase activity (2–3-fold at 24 or 48 h postorchiectomy). A decline in the protein: DNA ratio also occurred following orchiectomy, but the increase in phosphatase specific activity was evident whether expressed per unit of protein or per unit of DNA. Testosterone replacement following orchiectomy abolished the increase in nuclear phosphatase activity. The results suggest that the prostatic nuclear alkaline phosphatase may be involved in events related to inactivation of the prostate nucleus following androgen deprivation.
Effects of amiloride on the response of human platelets to bovine α thrombin

Abstract We have examined the effect of amiloride, a drug known to block the passive movement of Na+ across cell membranes, on the response of the platelet to thrombin stimulation. Preincubation of platelets with 10−4 M or 10−3 M amiloride causes proportional degrees of inhibition of platelet aggregation and release in response to low (≤0.01 U/ml) levels of bovine α-thrombin. The inhibition is overcome by high concentrations of α-thrombin. It can be shown that 10−4 M amiloride inhibits the decrease in platelet trans-membrane potential induced by thrombin and that 10−3 M amiloride leads to an increase in that potential, implying that the depolarization observed to occur in response to thrombin stimulation is due to increased membrane permeability to Na+. We conclude that such a change in membrane permeability plays a role in the platelet's response to low levels of thrombin, but not in the response to higher levels. In addition to the above effect we can demonstrate that amiloride inhibits the active transport of serotonin, whose transport is Na+ dependent, into the platelet.
Engineering Dispersion Properties of Photonic Crystals for Spatial Beam Routing and Non-Channel Waveguiding

In this research we present various implementations of novel photonic devices using photonic crystals, by engineering the dispersive properties of these periodic structures . Applications such as spatial beam routing, and non-channel waveguiding can be attained through careful optimization of various Equi-Frequency Contours (EFC).
Analyzing the mechanism of hydrogen adsorption effects on diamond based MIS hydrogen sensors

Abstract The current conduction mechanism and the change in device parameters of diamond based MIS hydrogen sensor upon hydrogen adsorption is investigated over the temperature range of 27–100°C. The current conduction mechanism of the diamond based hydrogen sensitive MIS diode in the forward-bias region is found to be space charge limited in air and hydrogen environments. The space charge limited current (SCLC) conduction mechanism is characterized by an ohmic region at low bias voltage and a power law dependency of voltage (I-Vn with n ≥ 2) at higher voltage range. The space charge limited current (SCLC) conduction mechanism prohibits the use of conventional methods to determine the device parameters. This paper presents a methanol to determine device parameters such as the ideality factor, n, barrier height, φB, and tunneling factor, aχ 1 2 δ , and explain the change in these parameter upon H2 adsorption.
Development of Vertebrate Skeletal Muscle

An investigation of developing skeletal muscle necessitates the study of three categories; the derivation of muscle cells or fibers, myofilament synthesis and interactions, assembly of myofilaments into functional sarcomeres of striated myofibrils. With few exceptions, skeletal muscle cells are of mesodermal origin, and consist of rounded mononucleated cells which elongate and fuse with one another to become myotubes. Within the sarcoplasm, myofibrillar proteins are synthesized and grouped into interacting thick and thin filaments. Crude, non-striated myofibrils result from linear arrangements of thick and thin filaments which are horizontally aligned by the invaginating sarcotubular system. After Z-lines form, providing attachment sites for thin filaments, a typical banding pattern follows. The newly formed Z-lines pull apart, followed by the attached thin filaments, and repeating “relaxed” sarcomeres are the resulting striated myofibrillar pattern.
Microsimulation of Hurricane Evacuation Strategies of Galveston Island

This article investigates the effectiveness of simultaneous and staged evacuation strategies for hurricane evacuations of Galveston Island using agent-based microsimulation techniques. In the simultaneous strategy the entire population is informed to evacuate simultaneously, whereas in a staged evacuation strategy, people are informed to evacuate in a sequence. The results suggest that (1) the most efficient staged evacuation strategy can help reduce the evacuation time for Galveston Island by approximately one hour, (2) previous studies might have underestimated the evacuation time of Galveston, and (3) an evacuation under the rapid response assumption does not necessarily lead to an effective evacuation.
Pesticides as inducers of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes—II. Glutathione S-transferases

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of 16 pesticides, 1 carcinogen (3-methylcholanthrene), 2 drugs (phenobarbital and chloral hydrate), 2 insecticide synergists (piperonyl butoxide and sesamex) and 1 cotton defoliant on mouse hepatic GSH S-aryl, S-aralkyl, or S-epoxide transferase activities were investigated. 2. 2. With most chemicals tested, the induction was less than 2-fold while TH-6042, a substituted pyrozolone insecticide, and phenobarbital caused up to 2 and 4-fold induction, respectively. 3. 3. The results indicate that inductive effects are dose dependent, vary with the route of administration and are selective with regard to different GSH S-transferase activities.
Data fusion utilization for optimizing large-scale Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) continue their tremendous growth acceleration. WSNs have found their way into a wide range of domains, from military and transportation applications to medical and environmental monitoring. Some of these applications can include a very large number of nodes, which poses significant challenges to network lifetime, data transmission, and overall reliability. Recently, data fusion approaches are gaining traction in WSNs for improving reported data accuracy and help predict future events. They are used to improve the reliability of delivered information. While this addresses data accuracy, it does not address the inefficiencies caused by very large nodes and high data redundancy. Data aggregation is a simple way of streamlining data flow, but does not fully address the issue. The large WSN size causes congestion and increases the traffic load in the network; plus, decreasing the performance of the WSN and potentially disrupting its operation altogether. In this paper, we therefore explore Kalman Filters (KF) based data fusion as a technique to reduce the number of active sensor nodes in a very large WSN to conserve network resources while preserving the required data reliability and accuracy. Our results show that there is great potential for improving WSN operations utilizing our proposed approach.
Polymorphism and drug availability. II. Dissolution rate behavior of the polymorphic forms of sulfathiazole and methylprednisolone.

The dissolution rate behavior of the two polymorphic forms of sulfathiazole and methylprednisolone has been studied. A correlation between the rates of reversion of the metastable forms to the stable forms during dissolution and the crystal growth rates of the stable form was found. Data obtained in a number of solvents showed that when the crystal growth rate of the stable phase was slow, there was little tendency for reversion during dissolution. These findings support the idea that the rate-determining step in the solvent mediated reversion of these polymorphs is the crystal growth of the stable phase. The recently presented mixture theory for dissolution rate was extended to explain the dissolution behavior of polymorphic mixtures. Experimental data on the effect of the agitation rate upon the dissolution rates of polymorphic mixtures agreed well with theory. It is proposed that this theory provides the explanation for the enigma of “the loss of sensitivity in distinguishing the difference in dissolution rates of polymorphs at high agitation rates”.
Renormalization group theory in solution thermodynamics

Abstract Renormalization group theory is a powerful technique from condensed matter physics that has many potential applications in applied molecular thermodynamics, although it has not yet been widely used by chemical engineers. In this review the fundamental ideas of the method are described in the language of solution thermodynamics. A detailed description of a representative renormalization technique—the Migdal-Kadanoff method—is given. Applications both to simple liquid mixtures and to complex hydrogen-bonding mixtures are described.
Directed Use of the Internet for Health Information by Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Health information technology has become common in the care of patients with chronic diseases; however, there are few such applications employed in kidney disease. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of a website providing disease-specific safety information by patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease. Methods: As part of the Safe Kidney Care (SKC) study, an educational website was designed to provide information on safety concerns in chronic kidney disease. Phase I study participants were provided a medical alert accessory with a unique ID number, the Safe Kidney Care website, and an in-person tutorial on the use of the Internet and accessing the SKC website at baseline. Participants were asked to visit the website and enter their unique ID as frequently as they desired over the next 365 days or until their annual follow-up visit, whichever occurred first. Participants’ visits and dwell times on specific safety modules were tracked using embedded webpage PHP scripts linked to a MySQL database, enabling the collection of website usage statistics. Results: Of 108 Phase I participants, 28.7% (31/108) visited the website from 1-6 times during the observation period (median follow-up 365 days). Median access time was 7 minutes per visit (range P =.02 and P =.03, respectively). Conclusions: Preliminary results show general interest in a Web-based platform designed to improve patient safety in chronic kidney disease. Clinical Trial: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01407367; http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01407367 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6KvxFKA6M). [J Med Internet Res 2013;15(11):e251]
Oscillation of 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid fluorescence in mitochondria

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of ANS fluorescence and 90° light scattering have been made during energized oscillations of mitochondrial volume. The time course of the measurements show that membrane conformational changes, as indicated by ANS fluorescence, precede the utilization of intermediates of energy conservation as indicated by configurational changes associated with ion transport. Where functional changes do not involve energy coupling both fluorescence and configurational changes occur together within a period of less than one second.
Elastic scattering of 4He from 6Li and 7Li at 12.0 to 18.5 MeV

Abstract An optical model analysis has been applied to measured angular distributions of elastic scattering of α-particles by 6 Li and 7 Li at several bombarding energies between 12.0 and 18.5 MeV. The optical model gives a good representation of the data when a target spin-orbit, V I · l , potential is included. With V I · l ≠ 0 , a large interaction radius, ≈ 3.5 fm, for the real potential is preferred over a smaller radius, ≈ 2.5 fm.
FLUTTER OF A PLATE-LIKE MEMBER IN HORIZONTAL FLUCTUATING FLOW

Flutter derivatives of bridge deck sections are normally obtained under laminar flow conditions. The paper considers the theoretical stability of a thin plate in a fluctuating flow. The theory of stability of dynamic systems with periodic coefficients is applied to a derived equation of motion. Because of the assumptions made in the stability analysis, the procedure should only be viewed as a preliminary approach. The author gives details of proposed future research. Typical values are used in a worked example. The solution of a system of equations is shown to be stable where no eigenvalues are equal to one-half the fundamental frequency of the equation coefficients. The influence of velocity fluctuations upon the real part of the characteristic exponents corresponding to flow was found to be insignificant. (TRRL)
Conducting, Partially Oxidized Fluorometal Phthalo-Cyanines

Phthalocyanine aluminum, gallium and chromium fluorides were prepared and doped with iodine to give (PcMFI) compositions, where x = 0.012-3.4 (M=A1), 0.048-2.1 (M = Ga) and 0.12-3.3 (M = Cr). Therm...
Multiple Molecular Forms of Enkephalins in the Guinea Pig Hippocampus

: The combined techniques of HPLC and radioimmunoassay were used to identify and quantitate enkephalin-related peptides in the guinea pig hippocampus. Both met- and leu-enkephalin were identified, in approximately a 2:1 ratio, as well as a third enkephalin-like molecule that is neither met- nor leu-enkephalin. The third enkephalin elutes earlier than met- or leu-enkephalin from a reversed-phase column, has a molecular weight similar to the other enkephalins, and is as active as these enkephalins are in inhibiting binding of labeled opiates to rat brain membranes. All regions of the hippocampus (dentate gyrus, CA1–2, CA3–4, and subiculum) contain all three immunoreactive peptides. Immunocytochemical techniques, using antisera raised against met-enkephalin, show with one antiserum immunoreactivity in the granule cell-mossy fiber system, and with the other scattered immunoreactive cells mostly in the CA2 region. Enkephalins are not confined to the mossy fiber system, as previously suggested, but may be a component of another hippocampal innervation.
Endovascular correction of cerebrovenous anomalies in multiple sclerosis: A retrospective review of an uncontrolled case series

Endovascular intervention for obstruction to venous drainage of the head and neck is an established treatment for disorders such as superior vena cava syndrome. Some patients with multiple sclerosis have been observed to have anomalies of the veins draining the head and neck. It is possible that some symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis may be secondary to disturbed venous flow. In an uncontrolled clinical series of 40 patients who had been previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, anomalies of the venous drainage of the head and neck were observed, including venous stenoses of the internal jugular veins. In 38 of 40 patients, venous stents were placed with restoration of luminal dimensions and abrogation of the venous pressure gradient. The angiographic and hemodynamic improvement was associated with improvement in symptomatology, most particularly in cognitive and constitutional symptoms that may be related to cerebrovenous flow. Serious complications included death in one subject and stent embolization requiring open heart surgery in another. In conclusion, in this series, endovascular intervention to correct venous stenosis associated with multiple sclerosis was associated with improvement in symptoms possibly related to disturbed venous hemodynamics. However, given the serious adverse events in this small series, a randomized clinical trial is required to confirm these findings, and to determine if the procedure has any effect on the progression of multiple sclerosis, or untoward long-term adverse effects.
Challenges in managing timing and wiring contracts during hierarchical floorplanning and design closure

The growing complexity and size of designs have driven chip implementation teams to adopt hierarchical design methodologies that divide-and-conquer the design closure task. Wherein, the large chip is partitioned into physical blocks with boundary constraints for physical synthesis which are then integrated at the top-level to achieve overall design closure. Each block could be further partitioned until the block sizes are manageable from a tool turnaround time perspective. A key aspect to efficient hierarchical design involves generation of realistic block-level timing budgets and physical constraints (contracts) to enable parallel implementation of each block. In a typical hierarchical design flow, these block-level contracts are created based on early estimations of timing and wiring from the floorplanning phase but evolve as the design progresses, often requiring several iterations of design integration to converge. High-performance designs require efficient contract management while allowing seamless design closure optimizations across levels of hierarchy. This talk will focus on some of the challenges in managing contracts with emphasis on the implications for physical synthesis tools used in hierarchical design closure.
An Investigation of the Effects of Psychological Contract and Organization-Based Self-Esteem on Organizational Commitment in a Sample of Permanent and Contingent Workers

In this cross-sectional research design, the authors explore and offer evidence of differential obligations of permanent and contingent workers to their organization. Additionally, they holisticall...
Quizzing in Middle-School Science: Successful Transfer Performance on Classroom Exams

Summary: We examined whether learning from quizzing arises from memorization of answers or fosters more complete understanding of the quizzed content. In middle-school science classes, we spaced three multiple-choice quizzes on content in a unit. In Experiment 1, the class exams included questions given on quizzes, transfer questions targeting the same content, and content that had not been quizzed (control content). The quizzing procedure was associated with significant learning benefits with large effect sizes and similar effect sizes for both transfer items and identical items. In Experiment 2, quiz questions focused on definitional information or application of the principle. Application questions increased exam performance for definitional-type questions and for different application questions. Definition questions did not confer benefits for application questions. Test-enhanced learning, inaddition toother factors inthe present quizzing protocol (repeated, spaced presentationofthe content), may createdeeper understanding that leads to certain types of transfer. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The use of summative testing to evaluatestudents’ acquisition, retention, and transfer of instructed material is a fundamental aspect of educational practice and theory. However, a substantial literature has established that testing is not a neutral event—the act of retrieving answers to questions during testing can also enhance and modify memory for the tested information (Carpenter & DeLosh, 2006; Hogan & Kintsch, 1971; McDaniel & Masson, 1985; see Roediger & Karpicke, 2006a, for a review). Such findings suggest that educators might exploit testing as a technique to promote learning, not
Computing second derivatives in feed-forward networks: a review

The calculation of second derivatives is required by recent training and analysis techniques of connectionist networks, such as the elimination of superfluous weights, and the estimation of confidence intervals both for weights and network outputs. We review and develop exact and approximate algorithms for calculating second derivatives. For networks with |w| weights, simply writing the full matrix of second derivatives requires O(|w|/sup 2/) operations. For networks of radial basis units or sigmoid units, exact calculation of the necessary intermediate terms requires of the order of 2h+2 backward/forward-propagation passes where h is the number of hidden units in the network. We also review and compare three approximations (ignoring some components of the second derivative, numerical differentiation, and scoring). The algorithms apply to arbitrary activation functions, networks, and error functions. >
Lymphoid neoplasms associated with IgM paraprotein: a study of 382 patients.

We identified 382 consecutive patients with lymphoid neoplasms associated with serum monoclonal IgM paraprotein and classified each neoplasm according to World Health Organization criteria. Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma/Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (LPL/WM) was most common, 225 cases (median serum IgM level, 2.2 g/dL; range, 0.2-10.9 g/dL). For 157 cases, classification and median (and range in g/dL) IgM levels were as follows: chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL; n = 77), 0.9 (0.1-2.1); marginal zone lymphoma (n = 27), 0.5 (0.1-2.4); follicular lymphoma (n = 18), 0.4 (0.1-1.6); mantle cell lymphoma (n = 11), 0.4 (0.2-1.3); diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; n = 7), 0.5 (0.2-1.0); DLBCL associated with low-grade lymphoma (n = 5), 0.9 (0.4-3.0); angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (n = 4), 0.8 (0.8); and CD5+CD23- low-grade B-cell lymphoma, unclassified (n = 8), 0.5 (0.3-2.9). The results show IgM paraproteinemia was associated most commonly with LPL/WM (58.9%), followed by CLL/SLL (20.2%). Although serum IgM levels greater than 3 g/dL were restricted to patients with LPL/WM, most patients with LPL/WM had paraprotein levels less than 3 g/dL. Thus, serum IgM paraprotein level is not a reliable discriminator in differential diagnosis.
Mechanisms of Transcriptional Activation and Repression can Both Involve TFIID

Regulation of transcription involves the activities of activators and repressors. Recent experiments have provided evidence that the function of both types of regulators can involve interactions with one or more component of the basal transcription machinery. A principal target appears to be TFIID, which consists of the TATA binding protein (TBP) and associated factors (TAFs). Here we describe experiments that provide added support for the idea that interactions affecting TFIID can play important roles in both activation and repression. We show, using transfection assays in Drosophila Schneider cells, that recruitment of TBP to a promoter as a GAL4-TBP fusion protein can provide a substantial activation of transcription. The conserved core of TBP is necessary and sufficient for this effect, which was observed with both TATA-containing and TATA-lacking basal promoters. These findings extend experiments performed in yeast, and strengthen the idea that recruitment of TBP (TFIID) can be an important mechanism of activation. We also provide further support for the idea that TBP can be a target for a transcriptional repressor, the Drosophila Even-skipped protein (Eve). We present evidence that the homeodomain, which is necessary for binding TBP in vitro, can also be required for repression in vivo, independent of its role in DNA binding. On the other hand, deletion of the alanine/proline-rich region that is essential for repression in vivo and TBP binding in vitro does not significantly affect DNA binding by the purified protein. These results strengthen the view that TBP, either directly or indirectly as a component of TFIID, can be a target of both activators and repressors.
Geometric broadcast protocol for sensor and actor networks

We present geometric broadcast for sensor and actor networks (GBSA), a novel broadcasting protocol for heterogeneous wireless sensor and actor networks. While broadcasting is a very energy-expensive protocol, it is also widely used as a building block for a variety of other network layer protocols. Therefore, reducing the energy consumption by optimizing broadcasting is a major improvement in heterogenous sensor networking. GBSA is a distributed algorithm where nodes make local decisions on whether to transmit based on a geometric approach. GBSA does not need any neighborhood information and imposes very low communication overhead. GBSA is scalable to the change in network size, node type, node density and topology. GBSA accommodates seamlessly such network changes, including the presence of actors in heterogeneous sensor networks. Indeed GBSA takes advantage of actor nodes, and uses their resources when possible, thus reducing the energy consumption by sensor nodes. Through simulation evaluations, we show that GBSA is very scalable and its performance is improved by the presence of actors. At best of our knowledge, GBSA is the first broadcast protocol designed specifically for heterogeneous sensor and actor networks.
Defining and computing curve-skeletons with medial geodesic function

Many applications in geometric modeling, computer graphics, visualization and computer vision benefit from a reduced representation called curve-skeletons of a shape. These are curves possibly with branches which compactly represent the shape geometry and topology. The lack of a proper mathematical definition has been a bottleneck in developing and applying the the curve-skeletons. A set of desirable properties of these skeletons has been identified and the existing algorithms try to satisfy these properties mainly through a procedural definition. We define a function called medial geodesic on the medial axis which leads to a methematical definition and an approximation algorithm for curve-skeletons. Empirical study shows that the algorithm is robust against noise, operates well with a single user parameter, and produces curve-skeletons with the desirable properties. Moreover, the curve-skeletons can be associated with additional attributes that follow naturally from the definition. These attributes capture shape eccentricity, a local measure of how far a shape is away from a tubular one.
Protein-stabilized emulsions

Proteins are widely used as emulsifiers to facilitate the formation, improve the stability and provide specific physicochemical properties to oil-in-water emulsions. There have been a number of recent advances in the understanding of the ability of various types of proteins to provide these functional properties. This article focuses on the influence of solution composition (pH, ionic strength, sugars, polyols, surfactants, biopolymers) and environmental stresses (heating, chilling, freezing, drying) on the stability of globular protein stabilized emulsions.
Cavity Nucleation in Al 5083 Alloys

In this paper we address the controversial issue of nucleation of cavities in Al 5083 alloys. We focus on the origin of cavities during the manufacture of these alloys into SPF (superplastic forming) sheet form. Experimental observations on the pre-existing cavities in this alloy are made using optical and electron microscopy. The effects of rolling direction and state of stress during superplastic deformations on the formation of cavities are also discussed. Numerical simulations of the sheet manufacturing process are carried out to understand the effect of hard phase/matrix, mechanical properties and interfacial strength on the origin of cavities. Based on the numerical results, a simplified model relating the process, material parameters and the cavity nucleation is presented.
Ethnographic Research in a Cyber Era

Ethnographers have long been concerned with how individuals and groups live out life in social spaces. As the Internet increasingly frames lived experiences, researchers need to consider how to int...
On the Politics of Imprisonments: A Review of Systematic Findings

The great expansion in imprisonments in the United States in the past 35years is puzzling partly because this abrupt growth is completely unprecedented. Changes in the crime rates alone cannot explain this trend, and ideational accounts that focus on penal styles are problematic. Political explanations, however, show promise, given that governments must provide domestic order and candidates can use public concerns about race and street crime to win elections. This review highlights the empirical literature in sociology and also discusses some important findings in political science and economics. Law-and-order campaign appeals combined with a covert emphasis on the links between race and street crime used to overcome Republican electoral disadvantages seem to provide the most plausible explanations for the rapid increase in U.S. imprisonment rates in this racially divided society. Dissimilar political arrangements help explain why imprisonment trends in the United States have sharply departed from these t...
A study of query by semantic example

In recent years, query-by-semantic-example (QBSE) has become a popular approach to do content based image retrieval. QBSE extends the well established query-by-example retrieval paradigm to the semantic domain. While various authors have pointed out the benefits of QBSE, there are still various open questions with respect to this paradigm. These include a lack of precise understanding of how the overall performance depends on various different parameters of the system. In this work, we present a systematic experimental study of the QBSE framework. This can be broadly divided into three categories. First, we examine the space of low-level visual features for its effects on the retrieval performance. Second, we study the space of learned semantic concepts, herein denoted as the ldquosemantic spacerdquo, and show that not all semantic concepts are equally informative for retrieval. Finally, we present a study of the intrinsic structure of the semantic space, by analyzing the contextual relationships between semantic concepts and show that this intrinsic structure is crucial for the performance improvements.
A randomized, multicenter study of calcipotriene ointment and clobetasol propionate foam in the sequential treatment of localized plaque-type psoriasis: short- and long-term outcomes

Background The merit of topical sequential therapy involving clobetasol foam and calcipotriene ointment has not been experimentally demonstrated. Objective We sought to assess the short-term efficacy of twice-daily clobetasol foam plus calcipotriene ointment compared with either agent alone as monotherapy and to compare long-term use of weekday calcipotriene ointment with or without clobetasol foam weekend pulse therapy. Methods Eighty-six subjects with plaque-type psoriasis received twice-daily treatment with clobetasol foam plus calcipotriene ointment or either agent as monotherapy for 2 weeks. Subjects in the combination group who achieved remission received weekday calcipotriene plus weekend pulse therapy with either clobetasol foam or vehicle for 6 months. Results After 2 weeks, psoriasis scores were significantly lower (P Limitations Small sample size may have hampered the detection of statistical significance during long-term therapy. Conclusion The combination of clobetasol foam and calcipotriene ointment is significantly more effective than monotherapy for short-term treatment. Weekday calcipotriene plus weekend pulse clobetasol foam shows a consistent trend toward greater maintenance of remission.
Monocular pose of a rigid body using point landmarks

An iterative algorithm has been developed to determine threedimensional camera coordinates for landmarks on a rigid body, using two-dimensional image coordinates of the landmarks from a single camera. The landmarks may be coplanar or noncoplanar. The algorithm has been generalized for any number of landmarks (N ≥ 3). Monte Carlo simulation results of expected target range and attitude errors as related to range, attitude, focal length, number of landmarks and target planarity are presented. In addition, a table comparing results from previous research on pose recovery is also presented with respect to two nondimensional parameters, namely, range-size ratio (RSR) and focal-length-tonoise ratio (FNR). The concepts of RSR and FNR are very valuable in comparing results across different conditions used by different authors.
Locus of control and anomie in Western and African cultures.

Summary Applicability of locus of control subscales in studying powerlessness and its relationship to alienation was examined and compared in male and female college students in four cultural groups: Northeastern Nigerians (n = 97), Black Zimbabweans (n = 70), White Rhodesians (n = 57), and United States Americans (n = 200). Results supported hypotheses derived from theory and past factor-analytic work suggesting that Personal Control has deep-seated cultural roots and is less subject to fluctuations than Control Ideology and Social Control which are influenced by political and economic factors. Personal Control showed no significant differences between the culturally more similar groups (Americans and Rhodesians; and Nigerians and Zimbabweans), while Control Ideology and System Control were significantly different comparing the two African samples. Even though there were cross-cultural differences on locus of control and correlations between locus of control and anomie, only slight cross-cultural differe...
Emerging Issues in the Measurement of Rape Victimization

We provide an overview of emerging directions in the measurement of rape, the most extreme form of sexual victimization. The context for our overview is how operational definitions of rape have evolved, where consensus has emerged, and where it eludes the field. We discuss two approaches to the detection of rape victimization in survey methods, namely behaviorally specific questions and a new, two-stage approach, and how each can be evaluated in terms of validity. We point out promises and pitfalls of the two-stage approach and make suggestions for its implementation and evaluation. We conclude that all empirical research to date supports the use of behaviorally specific compared to broad questions, that a standard definition of rape and its components of act, tactics, and nonconsent is imperative to move the field forward, and that research to systematically validate methods of detecting rape victimization is needed. To that end, we propose an agenda.
Attenuation of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction by Endotoxemia Requires 5-Lipoxygenase in Mice

Abstract—Sepsis and endotoxemia impair hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), thereby reducing systemic oxygenation. To assess the role of leukotrienes (LTs) in the attenuation of HPV during endotoxemia, the increase in left lung pulmonary vascular resistance (LPVR) before and during left mainstem bronchus occlusion (LMBO) was measured in mice with and without a deletion of the gene encoding 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). LMBO increased the LPVR equally in saline-challenged wild-type and 5-LO–deficient mice (96±20% and 94±19%, respectively). Twenty-two hours after challenge with Escherichia coli endotoxin, the ability of LMBO to increase LPVR was markedly impaired in wild-type mice (27±7%; P<0.05) but not in 5-LO–deficient mice (72±9%) or in wild-type mice pretreated with MK886, an inhibitor of 5-LO activity (76±10%). Compared with wild-type mice, endotoxin-induced disruption of lung structures and inflammatory cell influx in the lung were markedly attenuated in 5-LO–deficient mice. Administration of MK571, a ...
Silicium: Das Element

Trotz der erfolgreichen Verwendung von Silicaten in der Keramik vor bereits etwa 5000 Jahren und der jahrhundertelangen Entwicklung der praktischen keramischen Chemie, war elementares Silicium bis 1823 unbekannt.
Reliability of High Temperature Laminates

Printed circuit boards have been reported to have limited lifetime at 200 to 250°C. Characterization of high temperature laminates for application at 200 to 250°C was conducted to better quantify t...
Fully C/N-Polynitro-Functionalized 2,2'-Biimidazole Derivatives as Nitrogen- and Oxygen-Rich Energetic Salts.

Through the use of a fully C/N-functionalized imidazole-based anion, it was possible to prepare nitrogen- and oxygen-rich energetic salts. When N,N-dinitramino imidazole was paired with nitrogen-rich bases, versatile ionic derivatives were prepared and fully characterized by IR, and 1 H, and 13 C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Both experimental and theoretical evaluations show promising properties for these energetic compounds, such as high density, positive heats of formation, good oxygen balance, and acceptable stabilities. The energetic salts exhibit promising energetic performance comparable to the benchmark explosive RDX (1,3,5-trinitrotriazacyclohexane).
American midland dialect identification using prosodic features and SVM

There has been confusion about the American Midland dialect for a long time. Since 1968, researchers have been looking for an answer to the question of whether it exists or not. Starting with Bailey, who was unsuccessful in identifying the Midland dialect based on vocabulary only, as vocabulary varies within the same community, and ending with Johnson, who proved that the Midland region is a separate region that differs from both the Southern and Northern dialects using some specific words. We aim to strengthen the hypothesis of the existence of the American Midland dialect by using prosodic information. Prosodic differences between North Midland and South Midland dialects and between the Northern and Southern dialects reinforce the existence of the Midland dialect.
Exposure of bivalve shellfish to titania nanoparticles under an environmental-spill scenario: Encounter, ingestion and egestion

Nanoparticles have applications in a diverse range of products including medications, detergents, cosmetics, paint, sunscreen and electronics, with an economic worth projected to reach $2.5 trillion dollars in 2015. Research into the effects of manufactured nanomaterials on the environment, however, has failed to keep pace with the high volume of commercial production. Whereas a number of studies have examined the effects of nanoparticles on aquatic species, little work has focused on the way in which benthic marine species encounter, ingest and depurate these materials. The purpose of this study was to examine the ingestion and depuration of titania nanoparticles (anatase) by the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) during a spill scenario (an acute exposure to elevated concentrations). Bivalves were exposed to nanoparticles either incorporated into marine snow, an environmentally relevant medium for pollutants, or added directly to seawater at a concentration of 4.5 mg L−1 for 2 h. After feeding, the animals were transferred to filtered seawater and allowed to depurate. Faeces and tissues were collected at 0, 6, 24, 72 and 120 h, post-exposure, and analysed for concentrations of titanium by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results indicated that the capture and ingestion of titania nanoparticles by both species was not dependent on the method of delivery (incorporated into marine snow or freely suspended). Additionally, greater than 90% of the titania nanoparticles, on average, were eliminated from the tissues after 6 h, and only trace amounts remained after 72 h. These data demonstrate that mussels and oysters readily ingest titania nanoparticles, but rapidly depurate the material within hours of an acute exposure suggesting that little would be transferred to secondary consumers including humans. Further research is required to determine if other species of suspension-feeders handle titania nanoparticles in a manner similar to bivalves.
The ups and downs of A|[beta]|

How do Aβ levels increase in individuals with Alzheimer disease? Recent work suggests that some forms of neuronal activity can drive Aβ accumulation in the brain.
Two Antibiotics (Lavendulin and Actinorubin) Produced by Two Strains of Actinomyces. III. Toxicity and Therapeutic Studies.

SummaryThe toxic doses (LD100) of actinorubin and lavendulin have been determined for white mice by intraperitoneal injection. In the case of lavendulin it was 0.5 mg, while in the case of actinorubin it was 1.37 mg. The ability of the antibiotics to protect mice from death following the intraperitoneal injection of 100 to 1000 M.L.D. of K. pneumoniae was determined. In the case of lavendulin this therapeutic dose was 25 μg and in the case of actinorubin it was found to be 13.7 μg in one experiment. In a second experiment 0.68 mg of actinorubin killed 50%percnt; of the mice while 30 μg protected 50%percnt; of the mice against 100 lethal doses of K. pneumoniae. Further testing of the 2 antibiotics has not been possible due to the limited supplies of the substances.
Relationship of polyamines to low-temperature stress-induced flowering of the ‘Washington’ navel orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck)

SummaryThe objectives of the present study were to quantify the relationship between flowering and leaf polyamine content at the initiation of, and during, a low-temperature floral-induction treatment and to test the ability of canopy sprays of L-arginine (50 mM), putrescine (10 and 20 mM), and spermidine (10 and 20 mM) to enhance the flowering response of the ‘Washington’ navel orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck). Five year old container-grown ‘Washington’ navel orange trees were subjected to four weeks of low-temperature treatment of 8 h days at PFD of 500 µmol m−2 s−1 and 10°C and 16 h nights at 7°C. Leaf NH3–NH4+, putrescine and spermidine concentrations were significantly greater at the end of, or one day after, the low temperature floral-induction treatment, while spermine content decreased. Trees receiving putrescine (20 mM) or spermidine (10 mM) had significantly greater leaf concentrations of spermidine at the initiation of the low-temperature floral-induction treatment. Flower number per tree was...
Reliable Decentralized Fault Prognosis of Discrete-Event Systems

We investigate the problem of reliable decentralized fault prognosis of partially-observed discrete-event systems. In this problem, ${n}$ local prognosers are deployed to send their local prognostic decisions to a coordinator that calculates the final prognostic decision. However, only ${k}~ {(1\leq k\leq n)}$ local prognostic decisions are guaranteed to be available to the coordinator due to possible failures or communication losses of at most ${n-k}$ local prognosers. We propose the notion of ${k}$ -reliable decentralized prognoser in order to address this reliability issue. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a ${k}$ -reliable decentralized prognoser, which predicts faults prior to their occurrences, is presented. This condition is termed as ${k}$ -reliable coprognosability. A polynomial-time algorithm for the verification of ${k}$ -reliable coprognosability is presented. We also demonstrate how to compute the ${k}$ -reliable reactive bound prior to any occurrence of faults.