cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Youngmen and the Porcupine: Class, Nationalism and Asante's Struggle for Self-determination, 1954–57

This article examines the origins, background, composition and policies of the National Liberation Movement, a mass political organization founded in Asante in September, 1954. The central aim of the NLM was to advance Asante claims for self-determination and to oppose the CPP in their advocacy of a constitutional settlement with the British colonial government–a settlement that would bring about a unitary government in an independent Gold Coast [Ghana]. The analysis developed here places the ‘youngmen’ of Asante, the nkwankwaa, at the centre of these events. It is argued that this somewhat enigmatic group was the catalyst behind the formation of the NLM and the resurrection of Asante nationalism that it represented. The nkwankwaa forged a dynamic popular front of resistance in Asante to what they termed the ‘black imperialism’ of Nkrumah and the CPP. In exploring the pivotal role of the nkwankwaa in the rebirth and reconstruction of Asante nationalism, the discussion addresses the legacies of indirect rule in Asante, the importance of cocoa, the development of class, and the ambiguous role of Asante's political intelligentsia. Most crucially, it is suggested that the political development of the NLM turned upon the struggle within Asante between the nkwankwaa and the Asantehene (backed by the chiefs and Asante's political intelligentsia) over the very definition of ‘nation’ and of ‘self-determination’. Thus, the article highlights the historical conflicts and contradictions within Asante society–contradictions which were softened by but not subsumed within Asante nationalism, and conflicts which were distorted, but not overshadowed, by the resilience of Asante Kotoko in the face of the centralized state. The reasons for the tenacity of Asante nationalism lay not in the struggle between Asante and what was to become the Ghanaian state, but in the unresolved struggles within Asante society.
DAIS: a distributed AI programming shell

The design and implementation of a distributed AI programming shell, DAIS, which provides an integrated, domain-independent programming environment for building distributed AI programs on PCs, are described. The target platform is the DOS environment, and DAIS has been implemented in C. The DAIS distribution characteristics, architecture, and knowledge-representation scheme are discussed. Its rule-based features and communication functions are examined. A significant deviation in DAIS's production system capability is the absence of optimization during the pattern-matching phase. Some plausible enhancements for DAIS are indicated. >
Covalent attachment of a progestational steroid to chick oviduct progesterone receptor by photoaffinity labelling.

The chick oviduct progesterone receptor has been characterised and purified by us1–3and shown to consist of a mixture of two hormone-binding proteins4,5. These two proteins have equivalent ligand-binding sites, to which progesterone and other progestational steroids bind with high affinity (kdiss = 10−9 M)6,7. Due to the noncovalent nature of this interaction, analysis of the proteins in denaturing or nonequilibrium conditions has always been hampered by ligand–protein dissociation during the experiments (t1/2 = 12 h at 0 °C, 25 min at 37 °C)6. Efforts to use covalent attachment of steroids by alkylation or photoactivation have been largely unsuccessful, both for this protein and for other receptors8. However, covalent labelling of steroid isomerases9 and an androgen-binding protein10 has been obtained in reasonable yields using photoactivation of keto steroids containing multiple double bonds in conjugation with the ring-A ketone. We now report the first successful covalent attachment of a radiolabelled steroid to its receptor protein. The ligand chosen was a synthetic progestin, 17α,21-dimethyl-19-nor-pregn-4,9-diene-3,20-dione (R5020; Roussel-Uclaf)11. R5020 is available as the tritiated 17α-methyl derivative (≥50 Ci mmol−1) and has been used extensively for measuring mammalian progesterone receptors in normal12,13 and neoplastic tissues14,15. This steroid was chosen for the photoaffinity study because its absorption maximum is at 320 nm, thereby allowing its activation by UV light at wavelengths above 300 nm, where protein damage would be minimised. The method should be generally applicable to other progestin receptors.
Effects of inhibitory and stimulatory photoperiods and sexual maturation on the ability of hamster testes to respond to hCG in vitro

The decrease in gonadal weight produced in adult golden hamsters by exposure to short photoperiods was accompanied by a marked reduction in the ability of the testes to produce testosterone from endogenous precursors in vitro, both without and with hCG stimulation. These changes were significant after 4-7 weeks in short photoperiod (5L: 19D) and were even more pronounced after 17-20 weeks. Production of testosterone in vitro by testes of immature hamsters was comparable to values obtained in adult animals with short photoperiod-induced gonadal atrophy. Delay of sexual maturation induced by daily injections of bromocriptine was accompanied by a further decrease in testicular testosterone production in vitro. Exposure of gonadally-regressed adult hamsters to a long, stimulatory photoperiod (14L: 10D) produced a rapid and marked increase in testicular testosterone production, which was coincident with the previously demonstrated increase in serum gonadotrophin levels after 1-5 days of photostimulation. Furthermore, testosterone production in vitro by regressed testes of animals exposed to short photoperiod was increased significantly by one large dose of hCG administered 26 h before killing the animals. It is concluded that the suppressive effects of short photoperiods on the ability of the hamster testis to produce testosterone and to respond to hCG stimulation are due to reductions in endogenous LH, FSH and prolactin release, with a consequent loss of testicular LH/hCG receptors and decreased activity of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of testosterone.
Field Education: Student and Field Instructor Perceptions of the Learning Process

This exploratory qualitative study investigated the learning process in field education from the perspective of two major stakeholder groups. Field instructors (n=80) and students (n=100) participa...
Microprocessor-based instrument for hydroponic growth chambers used in ecological life support systems

The design of a low-cost virtual instrument to control volume and pH of nutrient solution in hydroponic plant production systems supporting life in space has been developed. The algorithms developed are computationally simple and very suitable for a single microprocessor-based LabVIEW Windows data acquisition board. The details of such a LabVIEW-based instrument are described.
High Impact Behavioral Accounting Articles and Authors

Abstract In an effort to propagate best practices, the Accounting, Behavior and Organizations Section of the American Accounting Association endeavors to make available to interested faculty via their website syllabi for research seminars in behavioral accounting taught at prominent institutions. As of December 1, 2004, 23 syllabi could be found at the website; 20 provided detailed article reference lists. This note identifies the major research foci found on those syllabi, and the most frequently referenced and highest impact articles and authors.
On the density and temperature dependence of the critical behavior in non-random frozen spin clusters

Abstract The statistical mechanics of clusters of a magnetic material (where the distribution function for the clusters is fixed and dependent on the history of the sample) in a non-magnetic matrix is studied for the plane-square lattice. The spin-configurational partition functions for small clusters are evaluated explicitly giving density and low-temperature series for the magnetic susceptibility, χ, for both random and non-random clusters. For random clusters with net density ϱ at the critical point of the pure magnetic material we find that χ goes to infinity as (1-ϱ) -3 2 while for non-random clusters (treated as a frozen Ising mixture) we find that χ is infinite at the double critical point (magnetic critical point and critical point for clustering).
Overview and update of the Demo III Experimental Unmanned Vehicle Program

The Demo III Experimental Unmanned Ground Vehicle program is directed at developing autonomous mobility technology, integrating it onto a number of small, agile testbed vehicles and evaluating its maturity through a series of experiments conducted with the military user community. During FY99 the program focused upon development and integration of a baseline capability into two testbed vehicles that can maneuver cross country at speeds of up to 10 mph during daylight and 5 mph in darkness, over semi- arid terrain, i.e., terrain without significant vegetation. Efforts were centered on developing a multi-mode perception capability based upon both passive and active sensor systems that included stereo vision (using both normal CCD video and FLIR sensors), a multi-line laser scanner and imaging radar, implementation of the 4-D/RCS computer architecture, and a user-friendly operator interface incorporating advanced mission planning tools. The technology was evaluated in September '99 by the troops from the Armor Center during a Battle Lab Warfighting Experiment at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD conducted by the Mounted Maneuver Battle Laboratory. During FY00, technical activities will focus on improving perception technology to permit higher speed day/night operation in obstacle-rich environments. A major technology thrust will be the introduction of object classification capabilities, e.g., the ability to differentiate between rocks and bushes or grass, into the autonomous mobility perception suite. This expanding capability is essential for future efforts directed at the development of tactical behaviors.
On a class of nonzero-sum, linear-quadratic differential games

A class of two-player, nonzero-sum, linear-quadratic differential games is investigated for Nash equilibrium solutions when both players use closed-loop control and when one or both of the players are required to use open-loop control. For three formulations of the game, necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for a particular strategy set to be a Nash equilibrium strategy set. For a fourth formulation of the game, where both players use open-loop control, necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a Nash equilibrium strategy set are developed. Several examples are presented in order to illustrate the differences between this class of differential games and its zero-sum analog.
Insulin receptor: structure and function.

INSULIN receptor has been purified by affinity chromatography and studied by affinity labeling techniques. It is composed of two types of subunits, α (molecular weight ∼135,000) and β (molecular weight α90,000), which form a disulfide-linked heterotetramer (αβ)2. Both α- and β-subunits are glycoproteins. Both are exposed on the outer surface of the membrane, a is the subunit that is predominantly affinity labeled by insulin and is probably the insulin-binding subunit; however, β may also comprise a portion of the insulin-binding site. Receptors for insulin-like growth factors have also been affinity labeled. A photoaffinity labeling derivative of basic somatomedin affinity labels a protein with a subunit structure very similar to the insulin receptor. In contrast, multiplication-stimulating activity is affinity cross-linked to a protein with an entirely different subunit structure. After binding to cell surface receptors, insulin, along with its receptor, is internalized by an endocytic process, which in ...
Sex and Gender Similarities and Differences in Communication Values in Same-Sex and Cross-Sex Friendships

This study extends research on sex differences and similarities in communication values by examining (a) the influence of sex of friend on ratings of functional communication skills in same-sex and cross-sex friendships, (b) the moderating role of friend's sex in sex differences in evaluations, and (c) the mediating role of psychological gender in sex differences in communication values. Participants (144 men and 148 women) rated the importance of communication skills for either same-sex or cross-sex friends. Results indicate that, although men's and women's ratings of communication skills are similar, participant sex, gender, and sex of friend do exert some influence.
Retinal abnormalities associated with the G90D mutation in opsin.

Several mutations in the opsin gene have been associated with congenital stationary night blindness, considered to be a relatively nonprogressive disorder. In the present study, we examined the structural and functional changes induced by one of these mutations, i.e., substitution of aspartic acid for glycine at position 90 (G90D). Transgenic mice were created in which the ratio of transgenic opsin transcript to endogenous was 0.5:1, 1.7:1, or 2.5:1 and were studied via light and electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, electroretinography (ERG), and spectrophotometry. Retinas with transgenic opsin levels equivalent to one endogenous allele (G0.5) appeared normal for a period of about 3–4 months, but at later ages there were disorganized, shortened rod outer segments (ROS), and a loss of photoreceptor nuclei. Higher levels of G90D opsin expression produced earlier signs of retinal degeneration and more severe disruption of photoreceptor morphology. Despite these adverse effects, the mutation had a positive effect on the retinas of rhodopsin knockout (R−/−) mice, whose visual cells fail to form ROS and rapidly degenerate. Incorporation of the transgene in the null background (G+/−/R−/− or G+/+/R−/−) led to the development of ROS containing G90D opsin and prolonged survival of photoreceptors. Absorbance spectra measured both in vitro and in situ showed a significant reduction of more than 90% in the amount of light-sensitive pigment in the retinas of G+/+/R−/− mice, and ERG recordings revealed a >1 log unit loss in sensitivity. However, the histological appearances of the retinas of these mice show no significant loss of photoreceptors and little change in the lengths of their outer segments. These findings suggest that much of the ERG sensitivity loss derives from the reduced quantal absorption that results from a failure of G90D opsin to bind to its chromophore and form a normal complement of light-sensitive visual pigment. J. Comp. Neurol. 478:149–163, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of Conventional and Self-Aligned a-Si:H Thin Film Transistors

Conventional and self-aligned processes were developed for 250 °C inverse-staggered bottom gate a-Si:H thin film transistors (TFT’s). Tri-layers of silicon nitride, amorphous silicon, and silicon nitride were continuously deposited in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition system (PECVD). A self-alignment technique including back-side exposure and top nitride over etch was developed, which eliminates a masking step and the critical alignment of via opening used in typical TFT processing. Full self-aligned TFT’s formed by selective n+ deposition were also fabricated successfully. Transistors show linear mobility ranging from 0.7 to 1.0 cm2/Vs, and current ON/OFF ratios greater than 106 were achieved for all TFT’s.
Control of Asymmetric Magnetic Perturbations in Tokamaks

The sensitivity of tokamak plasmas to very small deviations from the axisymmetry of the magnetic field |δ→(over)Β/→(over)Β|≈ 10–4 is well known. What was not understood until very recently is the importance of the perturbation to the plasma equilibrium in assessing the effects of externally produced asymmetries in the magnetic field, even far from a stability limit. DIII-D and NSTX experiments find that when the deleterious effects of asymmetries are mitigated, the external asymmetric field was often made stronger and with an increased interaction with the magnetic field of the unperturbed equilibrium fields. This paper explains these counter intuitive results. The explanation using ideal perturbed equilibria has important implications for the control of field errors in all toroidal plasmas.
Cabernet: vehicular content delivery using WiFi

Cabernet is a system for delivering data to and from moving vehicles using open 802.11 (WiFi) access points encountered opportunistically during travel. Using open WiFi access from the road can be challenging. Network connectivity in Cabernet is both fleeting (access points are typically within range for a few seconds) and intermittent (because the access points do not provide continuous coverage), and suffers from high packet loss rates over the wireless channel. On the positive side, WiFi data transfers, when available, can occur at broadband speeds.In this paper, we introduce two new components for improving openWiFi data delivery to moving vehicles: The first, QuickWiFi, is a streamlined client-side process to establish end-to-end connectivity, reducing mean connection time to less than 400 ms, from over 10 seconds when using standard wireless networking software. The second part, CTP, is a transport protocol that distinguishes congestion on the wired portion of the path from losses over the wireless link, resulting in a 2x throughput improvement over TCP. To characterize the amount of open WiFi capacity available to vehicular users, we deployed Cabernet on a fleet of 10 taxis in the Boston area. The long-term average transfer rate achieved was approximately 38 Mbytes/hour per car (86 kbit/s), making Cabernet a viable system for a number of non-interactive applications.
Autophagy in innate and adaptive immunity

Recently, several groups made a nearly simultaneous discovery that autophagic degradation represents a previously unrecognized effector of innate and adaptive immunity. Despite the fact that hints to these phenomena hail back to earlier sporadic reports, autophagy has, until now, received attention primarily as a fundamental cellular homeostasis pathway, whereby cytoplasm portions get sequestered by the membrane for delivery to lysosomes. This process leads to the removal of damaged or surplus organelles and digests stable, long-lived macromolecules. Autophagy has been implicated previously in both health-promoting and disease-associated states, in cancer, neurodegeneration, development and aging. A protective role has recently been demonstrated in infectious diseases, which represents a previously unrecognized immune mechanism acting against intracellular microbes. This review reviews autophagy as an immune mechanism.
Law Serials Pricing and Mergers: A Portfolio Approach

Using data from more than 400 legal serials, I estimate the impact of six publisher mergers on law serial prices during the period, 1990-2000. The results suggest that merger-related price increases were substantial during this period, even after accounting for secular price trends. Furthermore, these merger effects occurred across a broadly-defined portfolio of serial titles consisting of legal encyclopedias and treatises. For other types of serials, such as newsletters and looseleaf services, these effects were not observed. Based on the portfolio demand behavior of buyers, I offer an explanation for this result based on the degree of product differentiation at the level of the individual title. Of particular interest is the purchase of West Publishing Company by Thomson Financial & Professional Publishing Group in 1996. Despite a government-mandated divestiture of more than 50 titles, the results indicate that titles published by West-Thomson experienced a significant post-merger price increase.
TCAD Modeling and Simulation of Sub-100nm Gate Length Silicon and GaN based SOI MOSFETs

Sub-100nm gate length silicon and GaN based SOI n-type MOSFET are modeled and simulated using ISE-TCAD (now synopsys_sentaurus). Several silicon SOI structures such as planar fully depleted SOI, FinFET, Tri-Gate MOSFET, cylindrical channel (OMFET) and triangular channel MOSFETs have been studied to compare the structure dependence of the device performance. Silicon and GaN as channel materials are also compared for these different SOI structures for projecting the device performance for very short channel SOI MOSFETs. Our study shows that for sub-100nm gate length, GaN based transistors have better Ion/Ioff ratio and higher small signal transconductance than silicon based transistors. And GaN and Si based devices have comparable performance such as sub-threshold slope and threshold roll off, etc. However for sub 20nm gate length, simulation shows that while it is not satisfying for silicon based device for digital applications, GaN based transistors with lower off state leakage current, less short channel effect than Silicon based transistors are still good candidates for digital applications . The TCAD study shows that GaN could be a promising candidate for making very short channel device as the GaN processing technology is advancing.
Transcript profiling of two alfalfa genotypes with contrasting cell wall composition in stems using a cross-species platform: optimizing analysis by masking biased probes

The GeneChip®Medicago Genome Array, developed for Medicago truncatula, is a suitable platform for transcript profiling in tetraploid alfalfa [Medicago sativa (L.) subsp. sativa]. However, previous research involving cross-species hybridization (CSH) has shown that sequence variation between two species can bias transcript profiling by decreasing sensitivity (number of expressed genes detected) and the accuracy of measuring fold-differences in gene expression. Transcript profiling using the Medicago GeneChip® was conducted with elongating stem (ES) and post-elongation stem (PES) internodes from alfalfa genotypes 252 and 1283 that differ in stem cell wall concentrations of cellulose and lignin. A protocol was developed that masked probes targeting inter-species variable (ISV) regions of alfalfa transcripts. A probe signal intensity threshold was selected that optimized both sensitivity and accuracy. After masking for both ISV regions and previously identified single-feature polymorphisms (SFPs), the number of differentially expressed genes between the two genotypes in both ES and PES internodes was approximately 2-fold greater than the number detected prior to masking. Regulatory genes, including transcription factor and receptor kinase genes that may play a role in development of secondary xylem, were significantly over-represented among genes up-regulated in 252 PES internodes compared to 1283 PES internodes. Several cell wall-related genes were also up-regulated in genotype 252 PES internodes. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR of differentially expressed regulatory and cell wall-related genes demonstrated increased sensitivity and accuracy after masking for both ISV regions and SFPs. Over 1,000 genes that were differentially expressed in ES and PES internodes of genotypes 252 and 1283 were mapped onto putative orthologous loci on M. truncatula chromosomes. Clustering simulation analysis of the differentially expressed genes suggested co-expression of some neighbouring genes on Medicago chromosomes. The problems associated with transcript profiling in alfalfa stems using the Medicago GeneChip as a CSH platform were mitigated by masking probes targeting ISV regions and SFPs. Using this masking protocol resulted in the identification of numerous candidate genes that may contribute to differences in cell wall concentration and composition of stems of two alfalfa genotypes.
Effects of melatonin and age on gene expression in mouse CNS using microarray analysis

The expression levels of a number of genes associated with inflammation and immune function change with advancing age. Melatonin modulates gene expression levels of several of these genes. Therefore the declining levels of melatonin associated with age may play a role in the physiological effects of aging. We used oligonucleotide microarrays to measure age-related changes in mRNA expression in the murine CNS, and to study the effect of prolonged administration of dietary melatonin upon these changes. CB6F1 male mice were fed 40 ppm melatonin for 2.1 months prior to sacrifice at age 26.5 months, and compared with both age-matched controls and young, 4.5-month-old untreated controls. Total RNA was extracted from whole brain (excluding cerebellum and brain stem) and individual samples were hybridized to Affymetrix Mouse 430-2.0 arrays. The expression of a substantial number of genes was modulated by melatonin treatment and changes in selected genes were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A subset of these genes did not change with age. Conversely, some genes modulated by age were also modulated by melatonin treatment. In general, melatonin treatment drove the expression levels of these genes closer to the expression levels detected in the younger animals. Notably, the abundance of lipocalin 2 (Lcn2) mRNA increased with age and was decreased in old animals treated with melatonin. Lcn2 is a member of the acute phase response family of proteins and its mRNA levels in the brain increase in response to inflammation. Many of the genes with expression reduced by melatonin are involved in inflammation and the immune system. This suggests that melatonin treatment may influence the inflammatory responses of old animals, driving them to resemble more closely those occurring in young animals.
New surfactant developments for chemical enhanced oil recovery

Abstract Recent advancements in surfactants for chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) are presented. For oils with a high equivalent alkane carbon number (EACN), surfactants with very large hydrophobes are needed to obtain the ultra-low interfacial tensions needed to reduce the residual oil saturation to nearly zero. The need increases at high temperature. Furthermore, these large hydrophobes need to be branched to promote formation of microemulsions with low to moderate viscosity as opposed to gels or other viscous structures that cause high surfactant retention. We show that such surfactants can be made from more than one type of hydrophobe in the form of either alkoxy sulfates or carboxylates. The carboxylates have the advantage of better stability at high temperature. Both the sulfates and carboxylates can be easily tailored to specific reservoir conditions and oils by adjusting the number of ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) groups in the surfactant. A new correlation has been developed using an extensive data set taking into account the effects of PO number, EO number, temperature, brine salinity and the EACN of the oil on the optimum hydrophobe size. These new developments have enabled us to address a much wider range of conditions of oil characteristics, reservoir temperature, salinity and hardness level. Furthermore, the new surfactants are competitive in cost with previous EOR surfactants. Thus, these new developments have greatly advanced the commercial potential of chemical EOR.
Experimental investigation of a post-buckled piezoelectric beam with an attached central mass used to harvest energy:

Recent advances in wireless electronics have outpaced concurrent advances in battery technology, and this has led to the emergence of vibrational energy harvesting as an alternative source of energy for low-power wireless devices. In particular, piezoelectric materials have been widely studied as an energy conversion mechanism due to their ability to generate electric potential in response to applied mechanical strain. This paper investigates the response of a buckled piezoelectric beam to harmonic base excitation.Forced buckled structures may exhibit snap-through behaviour, in which the structure rapidly deforms from one stable configuration to another. Of particular interest to this study is the effect of an attached mass on persistent snap-through behaviour, which has clear applications to energy harvesting due to its relatively large amplitude motion. It is shown experimentally that the addition of a small mass to the centre of the beam significantly broadens the frequency range over which snap-throug...
Feedback linearization guidance for approach and landing of reusable launch vehicles

A feedback linearization guidance system is developed for approach and landing of a reusable launch vehicle. The three-input three-output system is derived through a state transformation using Lie algebra, resulting in a five state linear system. The linearization is shown to be valid for headings within ninety degrees of runway heading and flight path angles within ninety degrees of horizontal. A pseudo control is designed based on a linear quadratic tracker with integrators. Lie algebra then gives the transformation from pseudo control to physical control. An approximate aerodynamic model gives a further transformation from lift, drag, and bank angle, to negative z axis acceleration, bank angle, and speed brake position. The controller is simulated in a Matlab / Simulink environment, and certain controller parameters are optimized using a genetic algorithm.
Particle motion in Stokes flow near a plane fluid-fluid interface. Part 1. Slender body in a quiescent fluid

The present study examines the motion of a slender body in the presence of a plane fluid–fluid interface with an arbitrary viscosity ratio. The fluids are assumed to be at rest at infinity, and the particle is assumed to have an arbitrary orientation relative to the interface. The method of analysis is slender-body theory for Stokes flow using the fundamental solutions for singularities (i.e. Stokeslets and potential doublets) near a flat interface. We consider translation and rotation, each in three mutually orthogonal directions, thus determining the components of the hydrodynamic resistance tensors which relate the total hydrodynamic force and torque on the particle to its translational and angular velocities for a completely arbitrary translational and angular motion. To illustrate the application of these basic results, we calculate trajectories for a freely rotating particle under the action of an applied force either normal or parallel to a flat interface, which are relevant to particle sedimentation near a flat interface or to the processes of particle capture via drop or bubble flotation.
The distribution of nematodes and soil microbial communities across soil aggregate fractions and farm management systems

Abstract We hypothesized that nematode and microbial communities vary between soil aggregate fractions due to variations in physical and/or resource constraints associated with each fraction and that this, in turn, contributes to management impacts on whole soil food webs. Nematode and microbial communities were examined within three soil fractions: large macroaggregates (LM; >1000 μm), small macroaggregates (SM; 250–1000 μm) and inter-aggregate soil and space (IS;
Temporal downscaling of decadal sediment load estimates to a daily interval for use in hindcast simulations

Summary In this study we used hydrologic proxies to develop a daily sediment load time-series, which agrees with decadal sediment load estimates, when integrated. Hindcast simulations of bathymetric change in estuaries require daily sediment loads from major tributary rivers, to capture the episodic delivery of sediment during multi-day freshwater flow pulses. Two independent decadal sediment load estimates are available for the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta, California prior to 1959, but they must be downscaled to a daily interval for use in hindcast models. Daily flow and sediment load data to the Delta are available after 1930 and 1959, respectively, but bathymetric change simulations for San Francisco Bay prior to this require a method to generate daily sediment load estimates into the Delta. We used two historical proxies, monthly rainfall and unimpaired flow magnitudes, to generate monthly unimpaired flows to the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta for the 1851–1929 period. This step generated the shape of the monthly hydrograph. These historical monthly flows were compared to unimpaired monthly flows from the modern era (1967–1987), and a least-squares metric selected a modern water year analogue for each historical water year. The daily hydrograph for the modern analogue was then assigned to the historical year and scaled to match the flow volume estimated by dendrochronology methods, providing the correct total flow for the year. We applied a sediment rating curve to this time-series of daily flows, to generate daily sediment loads for 1851–1958. The rating curve was calibrated with the two independent decadal sediment load estimates, over two distinct periods. This novel technique retained the timing and magnitude of freshwater flows and sediment loads, without damping variability or net sediment loads to San Francisco Bay. The time-series represents the hydraulic mining period with sustained periods of increased sediment loads, and a dramatic decrease after 1910, corresponding to a reduction in available mining debris. The analogue selection procedure also permits exploration of the morphological hydrograph concept, where a limited set of hydrographs is used to simulate the same bathymetric change as the actual set of hydrographs. The final daily sediment load time-series and morphological hydrograph concept will be applied as landward boundary conditions for hindcasting simulations of bathymetric change in San Francisco Bay.
Numerical and experimental investigation of the relative erosion severity between plugged tees and elbows in dilute gas/solid two-phase flow

Abstract Elbows, that are integral part of piping systems, are vulnerable in erosive environments. Plugged tees are used in industrial practice to replace elbows when erosion is expected. However, it remains unclear that plugged tees reduce erosion. Thus, this paper investigates the relative erosion severity between plugged tees and elbows for dilute gas/solid two-phase flow where the pressure is close to the atmospheric pressure. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based erosion prediction model was applied to predict the relative erosion severity. Experimental tests were conducted to verify the simulation results obtained for gas/sand flows. The ratio of erosion at the end of the plugged section to that in an elbow was found to approach a constant value for a range of conditions. A correlation is presented that provides the ratio of erosion of the outer downstream corner of the plugged tee to that in an elbow. The significant effect of sand loading on the relative erosion severity was discussed. The influence of phase density (e.g. water/sand flow) was preliminary explored.
The performance of the CORBA dynamic invocation interface and dynamic skeleton interface over high-speed ATM networks

The common object request broker architecture (CORBA) is intended to simplify the task of developing distributed applications. Although it is well-suited for conventional remote procedure call style applications, several limitations become evident when CORBA is used for a broader range of performance-sensitive applications running in heterogeneous environments over high-speed networks. This paper illustrates the performance limitations of existing CORBA implementations in terms of their support for the dynamic invocation interface (DII) and the dynamic skeleton interface (DSI). The results indicate that object request broker implementers must optimize both the DII and DSI significantly before CORBA will be suitable for performance-sensitive applications on high-speed networks. In addition, the CORBA 2.0 DII specification must be clarified in order to ensure application portability and optimal performance.
Genetic Structure of Rauscher Spleen Focus-Forming Virus

Rauscher spleen focus-forming virus contains functional gag and pol genes and a partially deleted env gene which is structurally related to the env genes of dual tropic murine leukemia viruses.
Packaging trends in the 90's

It is pointed out that, as the level of integration increases and system performance rapidly approaches cycle times where packaging delays become important gates, multi-chip modules (MCMs) will become the necessary packaging solution for a growing number of manufacturers. The authors address the need for multi-chip modules, volume projections, and a categorization proposal that can be used to help set the packaging manufacturers' strategic direction that will be consistent with their customers' future direction. It is concluded that, for moderately complex systems, MCMs can provide the manufacturer with a substantial improvement in package density and alleviate complexity at the second level package. MCMs can be divided into categories that define module complexity and I/O density for PCs, workstations and intermediate level computer systems. This should allow the manufacturer to plan for the type of module that best suits the manufacturer's needs. >
Sex Differences in Jealousy: Evolution, Physiology, and Psychology:

In species with internal female fertilization, males risk both lowered paternity probability and investment in rival gametes if their mates have sexual contact with other males. Females of such spe...
Vasopressinergic augmentation of cardiac baroreceptor reflex in conscious rats

Experiments were performed on conscious, chronically instrumented rats to determine the contribution of V2-receptor activation in augmentation of cardiac baroreceptor reflex (BRR) sensitivity by arginine vasopressin (AVP). At least 1 wk before experimentation, rats were implanted with arterial and venous catheters, as well as with pulsed Doppler flow probes for measurement of cardiac output (CO). An initial set of experiments was performed to determine whether cardiac BRR sensitivity is enhanced by AVP in conscious rats. A series of pressor doses of either AVP or phenylephrine (PE) were administered on separate days (n = 8). The slope of pulse interval (PI) vs. mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was determined for each experiment by linear regression and used as an index of cardiac BRR sensitivity. The slope of PI vs. MABP was greater in response to AVP than in response to PE in all animals studied. A separate group of animals (n = 7) received either a 40-min infusion of AVP (5 ng/min iv) or a specific V2-antagonist, d(CH2)5[DIle2,Ile4]AVP (20 micrograms/kg iv), 10 min before infusion of AVP. The responses of MABP, CO, and total peripheral resistance to AVP infusion were similar with and without V2-antagonism; however, the bradycardic response to AVP was less with V2-antagonist pretreatment. Furthermore, administration of V2-antagonist reduced delta PI/delta MABP in response to AVP infusion. Additional experiments were performed to test the effect of infusion of a specific V2-agonist, dVDAVP (5 ng/kg iv), on BRR-induced bradycardia in response to a series of pressor PE bolus doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Online Texts, Online Identities: Designated Free Space or a Space Constrained?

Unlike other discourses, the discourse of the World Wide Web enables both members of the elite and ordinary citizens to be noticed. Instead of an individual reading certain print texts in a discourse because those texts are the only ones available, the surfer can choose from a vast array of online texts in any genre on the web. In particular, the personal home page allows anyone to become a published author, expressing personal and political views. Both the elites and the ordinary citizens are authors of online texts. The personal home page is similar to its predecessors the broadside, the pamphlet, the book and the magazine in that it determines who can participate-in this case, those who are computer literate; the personal home page is also different from its predecessors in that there are no monitors determining what can be published. Without that monitor, the home page author must abide by a set of constraints to ensure that the audience takes him or her seriously. This is a paradox between print and web discourse: we want to be involved in this new type of discourse that touts total freedom of expression, but we have to abide by certain rules if we want to be taken seriously. Hence, there are certain sets of constraints that the home page author must work within.
Forging American Arbitration Policy: Judicial Interpretation of the Federal Arbitration Act

Although American courts initially were hostile to agreements to arbitration, the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) instructed the courts - at least, on the face of things, the federal courts - to enforce arbitration clauses. It has become clear in the past generation that the FAA has accomplished much more. The currrent state of affairs is not the result of the legislation alone. The central thrust of the FAA was clear, but courts could surely have thwarted its impact by parsimonious interpretation. This is true in part because Congress failed to deal definitively with fundamental issues - including whether the FAA was to apply in state court proceedings and whether the Act provided federal subject matter jurisdiction. It fell to the courts to pick up the pieces left by the statutory language. The purpose of this brief piece is to review selected topics on which the courts have been required to fashion rules affecting the impact of the FAA. First are matters addressed by the legislation, but unclearly. As to these, courts have had to engage in basic statutory interpretation. Second - and perhaps more interesting - are matters not addressed at all by the FAA. As to these, the courts have had to decide whether (and, if so, how) to fill in the gaps in the legislation. In both sets of examples, Congress probably should have been clearer. And in both sets, the courts have forged courses that generally promote a broad application of the FAA. In the end, the broad, well-established American arbitration policy embodied in the FAA has been realized only because courts have been willing to step in to interpret and fill gaps as needed.
Dynamical particle-hole asymmetry in high-temperature cuprate superconductors.

Motivated by the form of recent theoretical results, a quantitative test for an important dynamical particle-hole asymmetry of the electron spectral function at low energies and long wavelengths is proposed. The test requires the decomposition of the angle resolved photo emission intensity, after a specific Fermi symmetrization, into odd and even parts to obtain its ratio $\mathcal{R}$. A large magnitude $\mathcal{R}$ is implied in recent theoretical fits at optimal doping around the chemical potential, and I propose that this large asymmetry needs to be checked more directly and thoroughly. This processing requires a slightly higher precision determination of the Fermi momentum relative to current availability.
Complete Genome Sequence of Tomato Mosaic Virus Isolated from Jasmine in the United States.

ABSTRACT Tomato mosaic virus was reported from jasmine in Florida. We present the first complete genome sequence of a tomato mosaic virus isolate from this woody perennial plant in the United States.
Establishment and Characterization of a Doxorubicin-Resistant Human Bladder Cancer Cell Line (MGH-U1R)

A doxorubicin-resistant bladder cancer cell line has been established. This was accomplished by exposing an established human bladder tumor cell line, MGH-U1, to progressively higher concentrations of doxorubicin over a period of 12 months. The resistant cells, MGH-U1R, are nine times more resistant to doxorubicin and 30 times more resistant to daunorubicin than the parent cells. The MGH-U1R and the MGH-U1 cells have identical isozyme phenotypes. Compared to the parent cells, the resistant cells have a slower growth rate, lower confluent density, are more heterogeneous morphologically, and exhibit more chromosomal aberrations and rearrangements. The resistant cells may now be used as an experimental system for the search of means to overcome drug resistance in human bladder cancer.
Indicators of Cognitive Impairment From a Medical Record Review: Correlations With Early (30-d) Readmissions Among Hospitalized Patients in a Nephrology Unit

Background Patients with end-stage renal disease have the highest 30-day hospital readmission rates of any medical condition. Previous research suggests that cognitive impairment contributes to readmission. It is important to identify patients at risk for early readmission, and this might be accomplished efficiently using medical record data. Method We reviewed the medical records of 100 patients with kidney disease (57 women, mean age=61.2) who were hospitalized in the nephrology unit at an urban U.S. hospital. For each patient, we recorded easily available indicators of cognitive impairment along with other potential risk factors, and also recorded the number of 30-day readmissions over the past year. Results Half of the sample ( n = 50) had at least 1 readmission (median = 0.5, range: 0–20). A lifetime history of delirium, which is a known marker of chronic cognitive impairment, was significantly related to readmissions, and several other impairment indicators (positive head imaging, history of seizures, and history of hypoxia) showed similar trends. A "cognitive impairment index" (positive for one or more variables possibly reflecting impaired central nervous system) was significantly related to the presence of a 30-day readmission, beyond the effects of a number of behavioral and medical covariates. Conclusions Easily accessible cognitive impairment markers, especially a known history of delirium, may be useful to identify patients in nephrology units who are at increased risk for early hospital readmissions. Interventions can be targeted to these patients with the goal of reducing the likelihood of readmissions and improving health care outcomes.
MAGenTA: a Galaxy implemented tool for complete Tn-Seq analysis and data visualization.

Motivation Transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-Seq) is a microbial systems-level tool, that can determine on a genome-wide scale and in high-throughput, whether a gene, or a specific genomic region, is important for fitness under a specific experimental condition. Results Here, we present MAGenTA, a suite of analysis tools which accurately calculate the growth rate for each disrupted gene in the genome to enable the discovery of: (i) new leads for gene function, (ii) non-coding RNAs; (iii) genes, pathways and ncRNAs that are involved in tolerating drugs or induce disease; (iv) higher order genome organization; and (v) host-factors that affect bacterial host susceptibility. MAGenTA is a complete Tn-Seq analysis pipeline making sensitive genome-wide fitness (i.e. growth rate) analysis available for most transposons and Tn-Seq associated approaches (e.g. TraDis, HiTS, IN-Seq) and includes fitness (growth rate) calculations, sliding window analysis, bottleneck calculations and corrections, statistics to compare experiments and strains and genome-wide fitness visualization. Availability and implementation MAGenTA is available at the Galaxy public ToolShed repository and all source code can be found and are freely available at https://vanopijnenlab.github.io/MAGenTA/ . Contact vanopijn@bc.edu. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
On identification for robust control

Abstract Given measured data we propose a model consisting of a linear, time-invariant system affected by norm-bounded perturbation. In this paper we examine the special case of (real) parameter uncertainty. The plants belonging to the resulting uncertain family form a convex set. A robust control method based on strict-positive realness results can be applied. This method allows the computation of a controller which maximizes the stability margin. Lower and upper bounds of the optimal stability margin arc obtained in terms of different measures of the uncertainty. The approach depends on two key parameters: the bound of the perturbation, and the input used to obtain the data. It turns out that the size of the uncertain family can be reduced by intersecting the model families obtained through the use of different inputs.