cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new fast-path mechanism for mutual exclusion

Several years ago, Yang and Anderson presented all N-process algorithm for mutual exclusion under read/write atomicity that has Θ(log N) time complexity, where "time" is measured by counting remote memory references. In this algorithm, instances of a two-process mutual exclusion algorithm are embedded within a binary arbitration tree. In the two-process algorithm that was used, all busy-waiting is done by "local spinning." Performance studies presented by Yang and Anderson showed that their N-process algorithm exhibits scalable performance under heavy contention. One drawback of using an arbitration tree, however, is that each process is required to perform Θ(log N) remote memory operations even when there is no contention. To remedy this problem, Yang and Anderson presented a variant of their algorithm that includes a "fast-path" mechanism that allows the arbitration tree to be bypassed in the absence of contention. This algorithm has the desirable property that contention-free time complexity is O(1). Unfortunately, the fast-path mechanism that was used caused time complexity under contention to rise to Θ(N) in the worst case. To this day, the problem of designing a read/write mutual exclusion algorithm with O(1) time complexity in the absence of contention and O(log N) time complexity under contention has remained open. In this paper, we close this problem by presenting a fast-path mechanism that achieves these time complexity bounds when used in conjunction with Yang and Anderson's arbitration-tree algorithm.
Automatic fish segmentation via double local thresholding for trawl-based underwater camera systems

This paper describes an automatic segmentation algorithm for fish sampled by a trawl-based underwater camera system. To overcome the problem caused by very low brightness contrast between fish and their underwater background with dynamically changing luminance, our proposed algorithm adopts an innovative histogram backprojection procedure on double local-thresholded images to ensure a reliable segmentation on the fish shape boundaries. The thresholded results are further validated by area and variance criteria to remove unwanted objects. Finally, a post-processing step is applied to refine the segmentation. Promising results, as validated by expert-generated ground truth data, were obtained via our proposed algorithm.
Differential Effect of Glycolytic Intermediaries upon Cyclic ADP-ribose-, Inositol 1′,4′,5′-Trisphosphate-, and Nicotinate Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Induced Ca2+ Release Systems

Abstract We investigated the effect of glycolytic pathway intermediaries upon Ca 2+ release induced by cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR), inositol 1′,4′,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ), and nicotinate adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) in sea urchin egg homogenate. Fructose 1,6,-diphosphate (FDP), at concentrations up to 8 mM, did not induce Ca 2+ release by itself in sea urchin egg homogenate. However, FDP potentiates Ca 2+ release mediated by agonists of the ryanodine channel, such as ryanodine, caffeine, and palmitoyl-CoA. Furthermore, glucose 6-phosphate had similar effects. FDP also potentiates activation of the ryanodine channel mediated by the endogenous nucleotide cADPR. The half-maximal concentration for cADPR-induced Ca 2+ release was decreased approximately 3.5 times by addition of 4 mM FDP. The reverse was also true: addition of subthreshold concentrations of cADPR sensitized the homogenates to FDP. The Ca 2+ release mediated by FDP in the presence of subthreshold concentrations of cADPR was inhibited by antagonists of the ryanodine channel, such as ruthenium red, and by the cADPR inhibitor 8-Br-cADPR. However, inhibition of Ca 2+ release induced by IP 3 or NAADP had no effect upon Ca 2+ release induced by FDP in the presence of low concentrations of cADPR. Furthermore, FDP had inhibitory effects upon Ca 2+ release induced by both IP 3 and NAADP. We propose that the state of cellular intermediary metabolism may regulate cellular Ca 2+ homeostases by switching preferential effects from one intracellular Ca 2+ release channel to another.
Probing depth in monocular images

It is generally expected that depth (distance) is the internal representational primitive that corresponds to much of the perception of 3D. We tested this assumption in monocular surface stimuli that are devoid of distance information (due to orthographic projection and the chosen surface shape, with perspective projection used as a control) and yet are vividly three-dimensional. Slant judgments were found to be in close correspondence with the actual geometric slant of the stimuli; the spatial orientation of the surfaces was perceived accurately. The apparent depth in these stimuli was then tested by superimposing a stereo depth probe over the monocular surface. In both the perspective and orthographic projection the gradient of perceived depth, measured by matching the apparent depth of the stereo probe with that of the monocular surface at a series of locations, was substantial. The experiments demonstrate that in orthographic projection the visual system can compute from local surface orientation a depth quantity that is commensurate with the relative depth derived from stereo disparity. The depth data suggests that, at least in the near field, the zero value for relative depth lies at the same absolute depth as the stereo horopter (locus of zero stereo disparity). Relative to this zero value, the depth-from-slant computation seems to provide an estimate of distance information that is independent of the absolute distance to the surface.
The end of users

Over the past 20 years, user interface designers and usability engineers have studied and refined human-computer interaction techniques with the goal of improving people's productivity and experience. But the target of these efforts, "the end-user," is fast becoming a thing of the past. Many people now construct software on their own, building artifacts that range from email filters to spreadsheet simulations to interactive web applications. These individuals are use-developers: they build ad hoc solutions to everyday computing needs.Will use-developers help to resolve the software crisis? Given the right tools, people and groups may be able to rapidly develop custom solutions to many context-specific computing requirements, eliminating the wait for IT professionals to analyze and engineer a solution. Or are these individuals a danger to society? Use-developers are informal programmers with no training in software construction methods or computing paradigms. They have little intrinsic motivation to test their products for even basic concerns like correctness or safety. In this talk I argue that the transformation of end-user to use-developer is well underway and discuss the prospects for maximizing the benefits to society while addressing the risks.
Speaking to the heart of oral contextualization: the resounding call for critical discussions on civil participation and disobedience, from Black radio to the global classroom

Long overdue in the classroom is a critical examination of media coverage when seen and told through the unique vantage point of the audience and storyteller. This discussion is intended to demonstrate how to prepare students to critically examine and evaluate the social role of media within a diverse global society. The author elaborates on the case of one United States station, the historically Black‐owned KJLH‐FM, during and after the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The author points out how this case, as well as similar ones from other culturally specific media, might provoke unique classroom discussions on social and political issues and thus contribute toward the development of racially and ethnically relevant peace curriculum. KJLH’s story is a powerful one that calls forth continued study into the rich oral history imbedded within radio as well as the significance and potential of culturally specific media in general.
Plasmodium falciparum: Inhibitor sensitivity of the endogenous superoxide dismutase

Plasmodium falciparum, unlike P. berghei, contains two superoxide dismutases (SOD). We have previously found that the major isozyme is cyanide sensitive and appears, like the P. berghei SOD, to be adopted from its host, whereas the minor isozyme was found to be cyanide insensitive. We now report that the minor parasite-associated enzyme is peroxide insensitive, suggesting that it is manganese containing.
A note on uniformly bounded Hilbert space semigroups

According to a theorem of Langer 111 and Sz-Nagy and Foias 121, a Hilbert space contraction can be uniquely decomposed into a disjoint direct sum of a unitary operator and a completely nonunitary (cnu) contraction-i.e., one which does not have any nontrivial unitary “part.” This result can, of course, be applied to Hilbert space contraction semigroups [2,3]. In this note we wish to explore possible extensions of the above results to noncontractive uniformly bounded semigroups over a Hilbert space. A decomposition of the Hilbert space associated with a uniformly bounded semigroup is obtained in Section 2. This decomposition is then shown to result in a condition for a uniformly bounded semigroup to be completely nonunitary. Moreover, it also yields the Nagy-Foias decomposition for contraction semigroups. A condition for a uniformly bounded semigroup to admit the Nagy-Foias decomposition is then obtained, and it will be shown that such a condition is satisfied by the class of uniformly bounded normal semigroups. Finally another type of decompsition of uniformly bounded semigroups-with respect to weak convergence property-is derived. Relationships between this and a decomposition of contraction semigroups due to Foguel [4] are then discussed.
MicroRNAs and the regulation of aldosterone signaling in the kidney

The role of small noncoding RNAs, termed microRNAs (miRs), in development and disease has been recognized for many years. The number of miRs and regulated targets that reinforce a role for miRs in ...
The retardation of aging by caloric restriction: its significance in the transgenic era.

The retardation of aging and diseases by caloric restriction (CR) is a widely-studied and robust phenomenon. Recent publications describe transgenic and other mutant rodents displaying lifespan extension, and the rapid pace at which these animals are being generated raises the possibility that the importance of the CR paradigm is declining. Here we discuss these models and evaluate the evidence whether or not the aging process is retarded based on longevity, disease patterns and age-associated biological changes. A comparison to rodents on CR is made. Because CR has been investigated for ∼70 years with increasing intensity, there exists extensive data to document aging retardation. In contrast, for nearly all of the genetically abnormal models of lifespan extension, such data are minimal and often unconvincing; additional studies will be required to validate these strains as suitable models for aging research.
MAGNETISM OF 4d TRANSITION METAL MONOLAYERS

After motivating the reasons for performing these calculations, we discuss the various methods of calculation that are used, describe our results for freestanding and epitaxial monolayers of Mo, Pd and Rh and compare with the results of other workers on these and related systems. All calculations agree that a monolayer of Rh on Ag(001) or Au(001) should be ferromagnetic; we conclude by speculating on why experiments disagree.
Role of oxygen in Ln2-xCexCuO4 superconductors

Abstract The presence of more basic La3+ in the electron-doped LaNd1−xCexCuO4 superconductors enhances the dissolution of the samples during iodometric analysis, which allows a precise determination to be made of the oxygen contents and their correlation to observed properties. The as-prepared LaNd1−xCexCuO4+δ samples all have 0
The Interaction of Phosphorus Nutrition and Fasting on the Survival Time of Young Chickens Acutely Exposed to High Temperature

Phosphorus nutrition and fasting are dependent factors which markedly influence the tolerance of young chickens to high temperature. A study was conducted to further characterize the nature of this interaction. Male chicks fed low phosphorus diets and fasted 24 hr exhibited significantly shorter survival time after exposure to acute heat when compared to fasted chicks previously fed adequate dietary phosphorus. When chicks were fasted for 48 hr, the effect of previous diet was considerably more pronounced. These results showed that the effect of low phosphorus nutrition was potentiated by fasting 48 hr which in itself improved survival time over that of chicks fasted 24 hr. The apparent metabolic responses of chicks to heat as indicated by changes in plasma glucose and total ketones were not related to the observed dietary effects. Plasma phosphate (Pi) and calcium (Ca) decreased significantly during heat exposure. The Ca/pi molar ratio was increased significantly at heat induced exhaustion, indicating a relatively greater heat induced change in Pi. From the initiation of heat exposure to heat exhaustion, the percent change in Pi, but not Ca, was similar in all groups despite marked differences in the time within which this occurred. We concluded that the effect of low phosphorus nutrition on heat tolerance of young chickens persists after a 48-hr fast. In addition, the effects of previous diet were somewhat more pronounced in 48-hr fasted chicks when compared to those fasted 24 hr.
Turbulence measurements in axisymmetric jets of air and helium. I - Air jet. II - Helium jet

Results are presented of measurements on turbulent round jets of air and of helium of the same nozzle momentum efflux, using, for the air jets, x-wire hot-wire probes mounted on a moving shuttle and, for He jets, a composite probe consisting of an interference probe of the Way-Libby type and an x-probe. Current models for scalar triple moments were evaluated. It was found that the performance of the model termed the Full model, which includes all terms except advection, was very good for both the air and the He jets.
βδ T Cells Are Not Essential for Control of Cutaneous Leishmania major Infection in Genetically Resistant C57BL/6 Mice

As gammadelta T cells are believed to be involved in host defense against Leishmania major, the role of gammadelta T cells in immunity against this parasite was investigated. The growth of L. major was measured in alphabeta (T cell receptor [TCR] alpha -/-) and gammadelta (TCR delta -/-) TCR-deficient C57BL/6 mice and compared with growth in control (C57BL/6) mice. While TCR alpha -/- mice developed nonhealing lesions containing large numbers of parasites following L. major infection, TCR delta -/- and C57BL/6 mice effectively controlled the infection. Following in vitro stimulation, lymph node cells from C57BL/6 mice produced significantly more interferon (IFN)-gamma than those from TCR delta -/- mice during early and late phases of infection; however, both produced similar levels of IFN-gamma at postinfection week 6. Culture supernatants from both TCR delta -/- and C57BL/6 mice contained interleukin-4, at postinfection week 2 only. These results indicate that gammadelta CD3 T cells are not essential for mediating protection against cutaneous L. major infection in C57BL/6 mice.
Testable realizations of CMOS combinational circuits for voltage and current testing

This paper studies the potential invalidation of tests for detecting stuck-on faults derived by neglecting circuit delays. A design for testability (DFT) technique for detecting stuck-open and stuck-on faults using voltage testing in NAND/NAND (NOR/NOR) realizations derived from irredundant sum (product) of prime implicants (implicates) is presented. The proposed design has the advantage over previous designs in that, both single stuck-open and stuck-on faults are detected by tests that are valid in the presence of input as well as circuit delays. A new current testing technique for detecting stuck-open faults in the same class of circuits is also proposed. The advantage of this method over voltage testing is, in this technique stuck-open faults can be detected even if the NAND/NAND realization is part of a larger multilevel circuit. >
A general truss system for very large space base foundations, with application to the solar power satellite

Abstract The paper presents a general three-dimensional truss system (COPPATRUSS) that appears uniquely capable of satisfying the requirements for very large foundation structures in space. The currently patented system obtains perhaps the highest structural efficiency (strength/mass and stiffness/mass) possible in a general space truss. In addition it offers great architectural variety, modularity, fabrication economy, low package volume for launch, and rapid, principally automated, assembly in space. An example of an application to the Solar Power Satellite is discussed.
The Cytosolic DNA Sensor cGAS Forms an Oligomeric Complex with DNA and Undergoes Switch-like Conformational Changes in the Activation Loop.

The presence of DNA in the cytoplasm is a danger signal that triggers immune and inflammatory responses. Cytosolic DNA binds to and activates cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) synthase (cGAS), which produces the second messenger cGAMP. cGAMP binds to the adaptor protein STING and activates a signaling cascade that leads to the production of type I interferons and other cytokines. Here, we report the crystal structures of human cGAS in its apo form, representing its autoinhibited conformation as well as in its cGAMP- and sulfate-bound forms. These structures reveal switch-like conformational changes of an activation loop that result in the rearrangement of the catalytic site. The structure of DNA-bound cGAS reveals a complex composed of dimeric cGAS bound to two molecules of DNA. Functional analyses of cGAS mutants demonstrate that both the protein-protein interface and the two DNA binding surfaces are critical for cGAS activation. These results provide insights into the mechanism of DNA sensing by cGAS.
Discovery of a regulatory motif that controls the exposure of specific upstream cyclin-dependent kinase sites that determine both conformation and growth suppressing activity of pRb.

The conformation and activity of pRb, the product of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene, is dependent on the phosphorylation status of one or more of its 16 potential cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) sites. However, it is not clear whether the phosphorylation status of one or more of these sites contributes to the determination of the various conformations and activity of pRb. Moreover, whether and how the conformation of pRb may regulate the phosphorylation of the cdk sites is also unclear. In the process of analyzing the function and regulation of pRb, we uncovered the existence of an unusual structural motif, m89 (amino acids 880–900), the mutation of which confers upon pRb a hypophosphorylated conformation. Mutation of this structural domain activates, rather than inactivates, the growth suppressor function of pRb. In order to understand the effect of the mutation of m89 on the phosphorylation of cdk sites, we identified all the cdk sites (Thr-356, Ser-807/Ser-811, and Thr821) the phosphorylation of which drastically modify the conformation of pRb. Mutation of each of these four sites alone or in combinations results in the different conformations of pRb, the migration pattern of which, on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, resembles various in vivo hypophosphorylated forms. Each of these hypophosphorylated forms of pRb has enhanced growth suppressing activity relative to the wild type. Our data revealed that the m89 structural motif controls the exposure of the cdk sites Ser-807/Ser-811in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the m89 mutant has enhanced growth suppressing activity, similar to a mutant with alanine substitutions at Ser-807/Ser-811. Our recent finding, that the m89 region is part of a structural domain, p5, conserved antigenically and functionally between pRb and p53, suggests that the evolutionarily conserved p5 domain may play a role in the coordinated regulation of the activity of these two tumor suppressors, under certain growth conditions.
Endocrine changes in two strains of mice exposed to constant illumination.

Female mice of DBA and C57 strains were exposed to constant illumination for 10 months and comparisons of the endocrine glands and secondary sex organs were made. As compared with ovaries of control mice, there was an increase of interstitium and cystic follicles and an absence of corpora lutea in those exposed to light. Tubular adenomas of the ovary were present in 2 mice. Endometrium was hyperplastic and the vagina markedly cornified. Degree of morphological changes in DBA mice exceeded that in C57 mice, suggesting that the ovaries of DBA mice are more responsive to illumination. (Endocrinology 86: 914, 1970)
Practice Makes Perfect: Engaging Student-Citizens in Politics through Theory and Practice.

We study one aspect of the relationship between theory and politics, in order to begin to address this issue of political science education — specifically focusing on whether participation in the election process as voting monitors, combined with political science education, can help students better understand politics as democratic engagement. In fall 2008, Winona State University applied for and received a U.S. Election Assistance Grant to recruit and train 100 college students to serve as poll workers in the 2008 general election. The purpose of our study will be to test the hypothesis that the experience as election judges enables a real practice and application of democratic engagement. Three different groups of students are surveyed using pre- and postsurveys through the Carnegie Political Engagement Project survey instrument. We hypothesize the findings to be twofold. First, students who participate as election judges experience a higher level of political efficacy and civic engagement. Second, stu...
Structure and expression of subunit A from the bovine chromaffin cell vacuolar ATPase

Subunit A of the vacuolar H+-ATPase class is thought to be responsible for the ATP hydrolysis which drives proton-pumping. We report here the cloning and sequence determination of the first mammalian cDNA encoding a bovine vacuolar ATPase subunit A from an adrenal medulla cDNA library. Northern blots of bovine adrenal medulla RNA reveal a message of approximately 3.8 kb. The predicted peptide sequence, consisting of 618 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 68397 daltons, is similar to the sequences of the three known subunit A proteins. β-Galactosidase-subunit A fusion proteins were immuno-decorated by an antiserum raised to the subunit A protein from corn coleoptile vacuoles.
Human motion animation using microDoppler signatures from multiple Doppler sensors

A technique for imaging five prominent point scatterers on the human (torso, two legs and two feet) using the microDoppler data collected from multiple Doppler sensors is presented along with some preliminary results. The accuracy of the estimation of the position of the body parts is mainly limited by errors in the feature extraction. The method is potentially applicable for visualizing more complex human motions, provided the correspondence issue of extracted Doppler features across multiple sensors could be properly addressed.
Gender and ethnicity differences in psychological well-being.

This chapter reviews evidence on gender and racial difference; in psychological well-being and presents a framework that can be used to explain why such differences exist. At the onset, it may be helpful to define how the phrase psychological well-being will be used, because gerontologists have included a diverse array of constructs under the general rubric of well-being.
Targeting of cytotoxic somatostatin analog AN-238 to somatostatin receptor subtypes 5 and/or 3 in experimental pancreatic cancers.

Purpose: The expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) allows the localization and treatment of some tumors with radiolabeled SST analogues. We investigated whether SSTRs on human pancreatic cancer lines xenografted into nude mice can be used for targeting of cytotoxic somatostatin analogue AN-238, consisting of 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin (AN-201) linked to octapeptide carrier RC-121. Experimental Design: AN-238 and AN-201 were administered i.v. to nude mice bearing SW-1990 pancreatic cancers. Tumor growth reduction and survival were analyzed, and cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined with histological methods. The effects of repeated administration of AN-238 and AN-201 were also evaluated on xenografted Panc-1, MiaPaCa-2, CFPAC-1, Capan-1, and Capan-2 pancreatic cancers. The expression of mRNA for SSTR subtypes 2A, 3, and 5 in tumors was analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR, and binding assays were performed. Results : All of the cancer models except MiaPaCa-2 displayed functional receptors for SST. SW-1990 expressed mRNA for SSTR subtypes 3 and 5, whereas various patterns of subtypes 2A, 3, and 5 were found in other pancreatic cancers. Repeated administration of AN-238 at 150 nmol/kg significantly inhibited growth of SW-1990 cancers (93% after 45 days; P = 0.016) and other tumors but not MiaPaCa-2. AN-201 was toxic and less effective. The efficacy of AN-238 was consistent with SSTR expression. Conclusions: Growth of experimental human pancreatic cancers that express SSTRs can be inhibited by cytotoxic somatostatin analogue AN-238.
Moisture fluxes over snow with and without protruding vegetation

The sublimation of snow and evaporation of melted snow is contrasted between brush, grass and bare ground sites using eddy-correlation data. Averaged over the entire winter season, the evaporation/sublimation is about 20% greater over the brush site than the bare ground site, apparently due to greater supply of snow. Blowing snow collects in patches of brush, which protrude above the snow. This study evaluates commonly used simple formulations of the surface moisture flux including two versions of the bulk aerodynamic formula and the stability-dependent Penman and Penman–Monteith methods for predicting evaporation/sublimation. The evaluation is based on eddy-correlation data from the three sites with conditions ranging from snow-free to snow-covered ground surfaces. The water availability factors, required for these formations, increase with snow-fraction coverage, but less so with melting conditions, depending on site and formulation. Various influences on the sublimation/evaporation are examined and the performance and shortcomings of each formulation are assessed. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society
Disability Pornography The Fetishization of Women's Vulnerabilities

This work provides a critical exploration of various media that both sexualize and ridicule women and girls whose health and relative immobility make them especially vulnerable to sexual abuse. More specifically, pornography made of disabled women and girls is the prominent focus. The article considers how, like all pornography, but in its own way, this genre contributes to the second-class safety and status of all women, and women with disabilities in particular.
Is Compensation Enough? Relational Concerns in Responding to Unintended Inequity

Traditional justice models suggest that monetary compensation is an adequate response to unintended distributive harm. This perspective is widely accepted in real world settings, and is manifested in policies ranging from worker compensation to the court-based tort system. Drawing on the arguments from relational models of authority, we hypothesize that compensation for losses may be viewed by victims as an inadequate response to the situation, even when those losses are accidental and not the result of intentional harm. In four experimental studies, respondents were asked to react to the receipt of monetary compensation for accidental distributive inequities under varying degrees of relational concern. Results indicate that judgments about the favorability of compensation are only one aspect of people's reaction to responses to harm. In each case, victims displayed more favorable reactions toward the group when compensation was supplemented by relational concern.
Rat liver pyruvate kinase: influence of ligands on activity and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate binding.

Abstract The ability for various ligands to modulate the binding of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru-1,6-P 2 ) with purified rat liver pyruvate kinase was examined. Binding of Fru-1,6-P 2 with pyruvate kinase exhibits positive cooperativity, with maximum binding of 4 mol Fru-1,6-P 2 per enzyme tetramer. The Hill coefficient n H ), and the concentration of Fru-1,6-P 2 giving half-maximal binding [ FBP ] 1 2 , are influenced by several factors. In 150 m m Tris-HCl, 70 m m KCl, 11 m m MgSO 4 at pH 7.4, [ FBP ] 1 2 is 2.6 μ m and n H is 2.7. Phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate enhance the binding of Fru-1,6-P 2 by decreasing [ FBP ] 1 2 . ADP and ATP alone had little influence on Fru-1,6-P 2 binding. However, the nucleotides antagonize the response elicited by pyruvate or phosphoenolpyruvate, suggesting that the competent enzyme substrate complex does not favor Fru-1,6-P 2 binding. Phosphorylation of pyruvate kinase or the inclusion of alanine in the medium, two actions which inhibit the enzyme activity, result in diminished binding of low concentrations of Fru-1,6-P 2 with the enzyme. These effectors do not alter the maximum binding capacity of the enzyme but rather they raise the concentrations of Fru-1,6-P 2 needed for maximum binding. Phosphorylation also decreased the n H for Fru-1,6-P 2 binding from 2.7 to 1.7. Pyruvate kinase activity is dependent on a divalent metal ion. Substituting Mn 2+ for Mg 2+ results in a 60% decrease in the maximum catalytic activity for the enzyme and decreases the concentration of phosphoenolpyruvate needed for half-maximal activity from 1 to 0.1 m m . As a consequence, Mn 2+ stimulates activity at subsaturating concentrations of phosphoenolpyruvate, but inhibitis at saturating concentrations of the substrate or in the presence of Fru-1,6-P 2 . Both Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ diminish binding of low concentrations of Fru-1,6-P 2 ; however, the concentrations of the metal ions needed to influence Fru-1,6-P 2 binding exceed those needed to support catalytic activity.
Research Techniques Made Simple: Bacterial 16S Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequencing in Cutaneous Research

Skin serves as a protective barrier and also harbors numerous microorganisms collectively comprising the skin microbiome. As a result of recent advances in sequencing (next-generation sequencing), our understanding of microbial communities on skin has advanced substantially. In particular, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing technique has played an important role in efforts to identify the global communities of bacteria in healthy individuals and patients with various disorders in multiple topographical regions over the skin surface. Here, we describe basic principles, study design, and a workflow of 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing methodology, primarily for investigators who are not familiar with this approach. This article will also discuss some applications and challenges of 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing as well as directions for future development.
La Reconnaissance Politique en Droit Transnational : Les Identités, Les Marginalisations et le Droit International Privé (Political Recognition and Transnational Law: Identities, Marginalization and Private International Law)

French Abstract: Cette contribution s’interesse aux liens qui existent entre le droit transnational et les notions de reconnaissance et du deni de reconnaissance empruntees a la philosophie politique, dans les cas ou le droit intervient dans la regulation des experiences des individus et des groupes historiquement et actuellement marginalises. La reconnaissance politique pourrait jeter une nouvelle lumiere sur la dimension normative, c’est-a-dire politique du droit transnational. Elle peut ainsi aider a la resolution des cas concrets qui se posent en droit de la famille et qui se multiplient dans un espace globalise ou, du fait des flux migratoires, les familles se forment, se dissolvent et produisent des effets juridiques sans egard aux frontieres des Etats-nations. La premiere partie de cette contribution definie les notions de reconnaissance et du deni de reconnaissance et la seconde s'interesse aux liens entre le droit transnational et la reconnaissance politique. Dans une troisieme partie j’analysei de maniere succincte deux exemples afin de montrer comment l’approche basee sur la reconnaissance peut avoir un impact sur la pratique et la resolution des problemes de conflit de lois qui emergent en droit transnational de la famille. Le premier cas concerne la reception en France des divorces musulmans denommes talaq. Le second exemple traitera des effets transnationaux des unions de couples de meme sexe qui sont au cœur des reformes contemporaines en droit de la famille poursuivies dans les pays de l’Europe Occidentale et en Amerique du Nord.English Abstract: In this paper I examine the interplay between the political notions of recognition and misrecognition and transnational law. I argue that these notions can help practitioners and scholars resolve intricate conflict of laws questions particularly in the field of transnational family law. I first define the two concepts, I then examine their relationships to transnational law. In the last part of this paper I use two concrete examples - the legal recognition of foreign talaq divorces in French courts, and the legal recognition of same-sex unions' effects in Europe - in order to demonstrate how a legal approach based on political recognition helps us re-frame the normative and the legal stakes of these cases and resolve the conflict of laws questions scholars and practitioners need to grapple with.
Modeling the integration of bacterial rRNA fragments into the human cancer genome

Cancer is a disease driven by the accumulation of genomic alterations, including the integration of exogenous DNA into the human somatic genome. We previously identified in silico evidence of DNA fragments from a Pseudomonas-like bacteria integrating into the 5′-UTR of four proto-oncogenes in stomach cancer sequencing data. The functional and biological consequences of these bacterial DNA integrations remain unknown. Modeling of these integrations suggests that the previously identified sequences cover most of the sequence flanking the junction between the bacterial and human DNA. Further examination of these reads reveals that these integrations are rich in guanine nucleotides and the integrated bacterial DNA may have complex transcript secondary structures. The models presented here lay the foundation for future experiments to test if bacterial DNA integrations alter the transcription of the human genes.
Shock Capturing for High-Order Discontinuous Galerkin Simulation of Transient Flow Problems

We present some recent results for shock capturing using high-order discontinuous Galerkin schemes on fully unstructured meshes. We study the application of sensor-based artificial viscosity to problem with moving shocks, time-stepped using high-order accurate implicit schemes with Jacobian-based Newton-Krylov solvers. We demonstrate that the sensors can be coupled weakly without losing robustness, which simplifies the implementation and reduces the computational times. The weak coupling also allows for non-compact regularization of the artificial viscosity, and we show how different levels of smoothness in the sensor affect the solutions. We present a number of benchmarks and applications of our methods, including transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic flow problems in two and three space dimensions.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF COASTAL DUNE EROSION BASED ON GEOMORPHOLOGY FEATURES AND MODEL SIMULATION

Abstract: The tide/wave conditions and the coastal geomorphology features have been considered as important factors in the storm-induced coastal erosion process. In this study, a complete methodology has been developed based on the preand poststorm topography as well as the wave/tide computation, in order to quantify the correlation among those important factors during Hurricane Isabel, including: (1) geomorphology features extraction; (2) wave runup estimation; (3) storm tide simulation; (4) quantification of factors correlation. The results have proven the ratio of total effective water level (storm tide plus wave runup) over dune crest height and dune height are two key features increasing the probability of dune failure, while the cross-sectional dune profile area can prevent dune from eroding. Finally, dune vulnerability with respect to the occurrence probability of dune failure was estimated through Logistic Regression model based on pre-storm dune crest height, profile area, dune height and the total effective water level.
Mixing Characteristics of Two -Dimensional Parallel Jets

Numerical analysis of turbulent jets is reported. Effect of various parameter s on the characteristics of two -dimensional turbulent plane parallel jets is i nvestigated. The em phasis is put on the effect of the nozzle width on the location merging and the combining points . The flow field under consideration is a two parallel plane jets issued from plane wall . Effects of nozzle width “a”, nozzle spacing (D/a) and nozzle exit velocity (U) on both merging and combining points are investigated using a finite volume CFD code. Seven values of D/a and four values of the nozzle width are used. Also, nine different jet velocities have been examined corresponding to Reynolds number of 8,000 to 36,000. It is noted that the ratio D/a and the nozzle width linearly affect the location of the merging and the combining points, while velocity plays no role in their location.
Integrated Photon Upconversion Solar Cell via Molecular Self-Assembled Bilayers

Molecular photon upconversion, by way of triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA-UC), is an intriguing strategy to increase solar cell efficiencies beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit. Here we introduce self-assembled bilayers of acceptor and sensitizer molecules on high surface area electrodes as a means of generating an integrated TTA-UC dye-sensitized solar cell. Intensity dependence and IPCE measurements indicate that bilayer films effectively generate photocurrent by two different mechanisms: (1) direct excitation and electron injection from the acceptor molecule and (2) low-energy light absorption by the sensitizer molecule followed by TTA-UC and electron injection from the upconverted state. The power conversion efficiency from the upconverted photons is the highest yet reported for an integrated TTA-UC solar cell. Energy transfer and photocurrent generation efficiency of the bilayer device is also directly compared to the previously reported heterogeneous UC scheme.
Ileal Loop in the Treatment of Radiation-Treated Pelvic Malignancies: A Comparative Review

AbstractCritical analysis of ureteroileal diversion in the treatment of pelvic tumors in which prior radiation therapy was administered has prompted us to review our experience with ileal loops after patients have been irradiated. Between 1970 and 1975, 136 adults underwent ureteroileal bypass. Of these patients 36 had preoperative irradiation for various pelvic malignancies, 44 had malignancies but no irradiation and 56 were operated upon for neurogenic bladders. Major morbidity in the irradiated group included wound infections (33 per cent), ureteroileal urinary leaks (19.4 per cent) and paralytic ileus (13.9 per cent). The average postoperative hospital stay for this group was 8 to 11 days longer than that of the other 2 groups. In contrast, however, the overall incidence of reoperations for various complications in the irradiated group was only 11 per cent, compared to 25 per cent in the group not given preoperative radiation and 30.4 per cent of those operated upon for neurogenic bladders. Most signi...
Common sense reasoning for detection, prevention, and mitigation of cyberbullying

We present an approach for cyberbullying detection based on state-of-the-art text classification and a common sense knowledge base, which permits recognition over a broad spectrum of topics in everyday life. We analyze a more narrow range of particular subject matter associated with bullying and construct BullySpace, a common sense knowledge base that encodes particular knowledge about bullying situations. We then perform joint reasoning with common sense knowledge about a wide range of everyday life topics. We analyze messages using our novel AnalogySpace common sense reasoning technique. We also take into account social network analysis and other factors. We evaluate the model on real-world instances that have been reported by users on Formspring, a social networking website that is popular with teenagers. On the intervention side, we explore a set of reflective userinteraction paradigms with the goal of promoting empathy among social network participants. We propose an air traffic control-like dashboard, which alerts moderators to large-scale outbreaks that appear to be escalating or spreading and helps them prioritize the current deluge of user complaints. For potential victims, we provide educational material that informs them about how to cope with the situation, and connects them with emotional support from others. A user evaluation shows that incontext, targeted, and dynamic help during cyberbullying situations fosters end-user reflection that promotes better coping strategies.
Linking Nanoscales and Dislocation Shielding to the Ductile–Brittle Transition of Silicon

The ductile–brittle transition of nano/microscale silicon is explored at low-temperature, high stress conditions. A pathway to eventual mechanism maps describing this ductile–brittle transition behavior using sample size, strain rate, and temperature is outlined. First, a discussion of variables controlling the BDT in silicon is given and discussed in the context of development of eventual modeling that could simultaneously incorporate all their effects. For description of energy dissipation by dislocation nucleation from a crack tip, three critical input parameters are identified: the effective stress, activation volume, and activation energy for dislocation motion. These are discussed individually relating to the controlling variables for the BDT. Lastly, possibilities for measuring these parameters experimentally are also described.
Actions of amine-aldehyde condensation products

Amines can condense non-enzymatically via the Pictet-Spengler reaction (Whaley and Govindachari, 1951) with aldehydes or α-keto acids to form alkaloids. With catecholamines, the product of a condensation with an aldehyde is a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ), whereas the indole-aldehyde reaction results in a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline (THBC).
Inpatient-Derived Vital Sign Parameters Implementation: An Initiative to Decrease Alarm Burden

OBJECTIVES: To implement data-driven vital sign parameters to reduce bedside monitor alarm burden. METHODS: Single-center, quality-improvement initiative with historical controls assessing the impact of age-based, inpatient-derived heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) parameters on a 20-bed acute care ward that serves primarily pediatric cardiology patients. The primary outcome was the number of alarms per monitored bed day (MBD) with the aim to decrease the alarms per MBD. Balancing measures included the frequency of missed rapid response team activations, acute respiratory code events, and cardiorespiratory arrest events in the unit with the new vital sign parameters. RESULTS: The median number of all cardiorespiratory monitor alarms per MBD decreased by 21% from 52 (baseline period) to 41 (postintervention period) ( P CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of data-driven HR and iteratively derived RR parameters safely decreased the total alarm frequency by 21% in a pediatric acute care unit.
Improving Outcomes for Lower Extremity Amputations Using Intraoperative Fluorescent Angiography to Predict Flap Viability

Objectives:Nearly 25% of vascular surgery patients operated on for peripheral vascular disease are readmitted within 30 days. Development of adjuncts to minimize wound complications remains an area...
A grid-based indoor radiolocation technique based on spatially coherent path loss model

This paper presents a grid-based indoor radiolocation technique based on a Spatially Coherent Path Loss Model (SCPL). Received Signal Strength (RSS) fingerprints are collected at different positions in the environment from which the radio wave propagation for the environment is empirically approximated with the SCPL model. Unlike the conventional path loss models, SCPL approximates radio wave propagation by first dividing the localization environment into grid cells and estimating the model parameters for each grid cell. Thus, the proposed technique is able to account for attenuation, resulting from non-uniform environmental irregularities. The efficacy of the proposed technique was investigated with an experiment comparing SCPL and an indoor radiolocation technique based on a conventional path loss model. The comparison has indicated the improved performance of the SCPL by up to 44%.
A portable optical ground station for low-earth orbit satellite communications

Small satellite launch opportunities are rapidly expanding and technical capabilities are improving. Several commercial constellations of small satellites for Earth observation and communications are making their way onto orbit, increasing the need for high bandwidth data downlink. Laser communications (lasercom) has the potential to achieve high data rates with a reduction in power and size compared to radio frequency (RF) communications, while simultaneously avoiding the significant regulatory burden of RF spectrum allocation. The primary challenge for lasercom is aligning a narrow beam between the transmitter and receiver. High-precision pointing must be achieved by both the space terminal and the ground station. While existing lasercom ground stations have primarily utilized professional telescopes at observatory-class facilities, making optical ground stations more affordable and transportable is a key enabler for expanding lasercom to small satellites and new applications, as well as establishing networks to mitigate the effects of weather. We describe the development of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Portable Telescope for Lasercom (MIT-PorTeL) utilizing an amateur telescope augmented with an externally mounted receiver assembly. The ground station has a 28 cm aperture and utilizes a star tracker for automated calibration. The ground station reduces mass by at least 10x and cost by at least 100 x over existing optical ground stations. We present a ground station architecture that enables deployment in less than one hour and that is capable of tracking satellites in low-Earth orbit. We describe the receiver assembly and fine pointing system that enables arcseconds-level pointing accuracy. Finally, we present results from testing the ground station on the roof of an MIT building tracking a star and tracking the International Space Station.