cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-scale optimization

Abstract Global optimization problems with so-called ‘rough’ or rugged objective function landscapes are studied. These problems often have many, many stationary points and show considerable differences between small and large-scale geometry. A novel multi-scale global optimization algorithm for solving ‘rough’ objective functions, based on the alternate use of terrain methods and new funneling algorithms, is presented. Small-scale information is gathered using a terrain optimization methodology while funneling algorithms are used to guide the overall optimization calculations and to make ‘large’ moves within the feasible region. A molecular modeling example is used to clearly illustrate that the proposed methodology is capable of finding a global minimum without calculating all stationary points and can lead to significant reductions in computational work.
Unanswered Questions, Future Opportunities: Reflections on an Intentional Conversation about the Globalization of ADR

This article is a reflection from the author on preparing for the 2005 Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI) symposium. The symposium was a conversation about the globalization of ADR. The author analyzes the discussions through a lens of three interconnected themes: (1) social worlds are coming closer together through technology, (2) ideas about American and Western European views of conflict move between social worlds, and (3) accountability and the consequences of globalization of ADR.
Diacylglycerol kinase from Escherichia coli.

Publisher Summary Diacylglycerol kinases (DG kinases) catalyze the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of sn -l,2-diacylglycerols. Escherichia coli DG kinase functions to recycle diacylglycerol (DAG), which is generated largely as a by-product of membrane-derived oligosaccharide biosynthesis. Recent observations with mutants defective in the regulation of DG kinase expression suggest that DAG may play a regulatory role in E. coli analogous to its role in eukaryotic signal transduction. Diacylglycerol kinase from E. coli has found use in a radiochemical assay of DAG levels in crude lipid extracts of eukaryotic cells. The structural gene for E. coli DG kinase has been cloned and its DNA sequence determined. Bacterial strains expressing high levels of enzyme activity have been constructed and employed for purifying the enzyme to homogeneity. Sequence analysis of the purified kinase has allowed alignment of the protein with the structural gene. Kinetic analyses indicate that in addition to MgATP and diacylglycerol, E. coli DG kinase requires a second divalent metal cation and a lipid cofactor. Several lines of kinetic evidence suggest that the lipid cofactor induces a conformational change in the enzyme prior to its interaction with DAG, MgATP, and the divalent metal activator.
Poset Ontologies and Concept Lattices as Semantic Hierarchies

We describe some aspects of our research in relational knowledge discovery and combinatorial scientific computing [11], with special emphasis on the relation to the research portfolio of the conceptual structures community. We have recently been developing [10, 12] a combinatorial approach to the management and analysis of large ontologies such as the Gene Ontology (GO) [6]. Our approach depends on casting the GO as a labeled partially ordered set (poset) [16], and then using scores based on pseudo-distance measures which we have developed to categorize lists of labels (in the case of the GO, genes and gene products) concerning their clustering and depth within the GO. We hold that such taxonomic semantic hierarchies serve as the core conceptual structures underlying all ontological databases, and through this work we have developed a number of what we believe to be both fundamental and novel ideas about treating such large posets as data objects, in particular the nature of distance in such structures, and the nature of level as an interval-valued property. After laying out this basic framework, we can then bring these ideas to a particular kind of poset, namely the concept lattice [5]. Considering a concept lattice as a poset, we are then prepared to develop techniques for anomaly detection in relational data by measuring the relative level of concepts vs. their cardinalities.
End Product Regulation of Bacteriophage T2 r+-induced Deoxycytidylate Deaminase

Abstract The T2 r+ induction of deoxycytidylate deaminase (EC 3.5.4.12) in Escherichia coli, as a function of cellular growth, was compared with the induction of deoxycytidylate hydroxymethylase and thymidylate synthetase. The production of deaminase was more dependent on early log phase growth than was production of the other two enzymes. The activity of partially purified deoxycytidylate deaminase was strikingly regulated by the interaction of deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate and deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate. The rate of deamination was dependent on the presence of deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate, and varied directly with its concentration. Initial velocity measurements revealed that deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate inhibited the deamination in a sigmoidal manner, an inhibition subject to reversal by deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate. The latter results, suggestive of cooperative subunit interaction, were supported by sucrose density gradient studies. In the presence of deoxycytidine 5'-triphosphate alone, the enzyme migrated as a single zone of s0.72520,w = 7.19; in the presence of deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate alone, a value of s0.72520,w = 4.07 was obtained. When both nucleotides were present, two peaks of enzyme activity coincident with the above S values were found. Similar results were obtained with Sephadex G-200 chromatography. The molecular weight of the aggregated protein was 3 to 4 times that of the disaggregated protein. The enzyme possessed extremely variable properties, which may be related to its state of aggregation. Thus, as temperatures were raised above 37° enzyme activity rapidly declined, but the activity could be restored by lowering the temperature. Increased ionic strength and the presence of deoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate enhanced the susceptibility of the deaminase to heat. Inhibition of the deaminase by p-chloromercuribenzoate and loss in enzyme activity on storage at 0° could be reversed by dithiothreitol.
Interference-Free Checkpointing Algorithm for Distributed Database System

Checkpointing Algorithm is widely used in distributed database system (DDBS) to recover DDBS from fault. In traditional algorithms, normal DDBS activities, i.e. message exchanging between distributed sites should be blocked in checkpointing, thus the DDBS service are interfered with and the DDBS availability is dropped down. This paper presents a new algorithm that does not impact DDBS normal processing in checkpointing, and hence promote the DDBS availability.
Low cholesterol is associated with depression among US household population.

Abstract Objective Serum cholesterol was reported to be associated with depressed mood, but the studies conducted among household population are rare. Methods We used the data of 4115 men and 4275 women aged 18 or older, who completed a depression screening interview and had blood collected as a part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2008. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were gender-specifically categorized into lower, intermediate, and upper quartiles. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire, a 9-item screening instrument asking about the frequency of depression symptoms over the past 2 weeks. Results After adjustment for socio-demographics and behavioral risks, a U-shaped association was detected between severe depression and LDL-C among men. The odds ratios (ORs) of severe depression were 5.13 (95% CI = 1.74–15.09), 1 (reference) and 2.28 (1.07–4.86) respectively for the men with lower ( Limitation The inherent limitation of cross-sectional design prevented the authors from investigating causality. Conclusions A U-shaped association was identified between LDL-C and severe depression among men. Further studies are necessary to explore the biological mechanism and identify the clinical implication among populations vulnerable to psychiatric disorders.
Developing a Technique to Measure Anesthesiologists' Real-Time Workload

Workload is a construct used to describe the extent to which an operator has engaged the cognitive and physical resources required for task performance. As task difficulty increases, operators allocate more resources to maintain acceptable performance. The purpose of the present study is to develop a technique to measure workload continuously, with high-resolution in real-time, and in a way that accounts for the contribution of multiple individual task components of the job of administering anesthesia. Workload associated with 51 clinical tasks performed by anesthesiologists was assessed using a written survey instrument, developed for this study. Participants were 241 anesthesia providers. Interval scale values were computed for each of the tasks using direct estimatation procedures. These values were then used to produce workload density maps for actual anesthesia cases by weighting the tasks performed during the case by their workload scale values. Moment-by-moment data on the specific tasks performed ...
The emerging epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome in china.

China is one of the fastest developing countries in the world. Rapid economic progress has resulted in changes to both diet and physical activity. New found prosperity, increased urban migration, and the adoption of sedentary lifestyles by an aging Chinese population have resulted in a dramatic shift in disease burden—from infectious to chronic. Modern Chinese find themselves increasingly afflicted with the same noncommunicable chronic diseases typical of industrialized nations. Today, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of both morbidity and mortality, affecting both rural and urban Chinese. The rising incidence of cardiovascular disease has been fueled by an epidemic of cardiometabolic risk factors. While hypertension and smoking have received considerable spotlight, little attention has been given to obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Their increasing prevalence is the focus of this paper.
Electron flow through nitrotyrosinate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin.

We have designed ruthenium-modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurins that incorporate 3-nitrotyrosine (NO2YOH) between Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)2(imidazole)(histidine) and Cu redox centers in electron transfer (ET) pathways. We investigated the structures and reactivities of three different systems: RuH107NO2YOH109, RuH124NO2YOH122, and RuH126NO2YOH122. RuH107NO2YOH109, unlabeled H124NO2YOH122, and unlabeled H126NO2YOH122 were structurally characterized. The pKa’s of NO2YOH at positions 122 and 109 are 7.2 and 6.0, respectively. Reduction potentials of 3-nitrotyrosinate (NO2YO–)-modified azurins were estimated from cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry data: oxidation of NO2YO–122 occurs near 1.1 versus NHE; oxidation of NO2YO–109 is near 1.2 V. Our analysis of transient optical spectroscopic experiments indicates that hopping via NO2YO– enhances CuI oxidation rates over single-step ET by factors of 32 (RuH107NO2YO–109), 46 (RuH126NO2YO–122), and 13 (RuH124NO2YO–122).
Respiratory waveform pattern recognition using digital techniques.

Abstract An algorithm for detection of ventilatory events using digital signal processing techniques is described. Start and end of inspiration of each breath are detected using a combination of first derivative peak detection and second derivative analysis for edge detection. A convolution algorithm for computation of smoothed first and second derivatives is employed. Ventilatory data obtained automatically were compared to those calculated manually. Our results show that the difference in mean values for inspiratory time, expiratory time and total respiratory cycle time are very small (
Numerical linked-cluster approach to quantum lattice models.

We present a novel algorithm that allows one to obtain temperature dependent properties of quantum lattice models in the thermodynamic limit from exact diagonalization of small clusters. Our numerical linked-cluster approach provides a systematic framework to assess finite-size effects and is valid for any quantum lattice model. Unlike high temperature expansions, which have a finite radius of convergence in inverse temperature, these calculations are accurate at all temperatures provided the range of correlations is finite. We illustrate the power of our approach studying spin models on kagome, triangular, and square lattices.
Relationship between Larval and Juvenile Yellow Perch Abundance in Eastern South Dakota Glacial Lakes

Abstract We sought to determine if abundance of larval yellow perch Perca flavescens could predict abundance of age-0 juvenile perch in late summer. Yellow perch larvae and juveniles were sampled from six eastern South Dakota glacial lakes in 1997. The number of age-0 yellow perch caught per seine haul in late summer was positively related to larval abundance in late May and early June (N = 6, r = 0.90, P = 0.01). When data collected from two eastern South Dakota lakes in 1995 and 1996 were added to this assessment, we also found a significant positive relation (N = 10, r = 0.88, P = 0.0009). Thus, biologists in eastern South Dakota can use larval yellow perch abundance as an early indicator to determine which water bodies are likely to have a weak naturally produced year-class and then can evaluate the success of fingerling perch stocking strategies.
Towards noiseless amplification of optical signals

Parametric amplifiers can boost signals with 0 dB noise-figure penalty, which for conventional linear optical amplifiers approaches 3 dB at high gains. We will present results on noise performance of fiber optical parametric amplifiers, focusing on regimes of noiseless signal amplification.
Inhibition of lipid oxidation during processing of washed, minced Atlantic mackerel

An antioxidative system that was designed to maintain heme iron reduced, nonheme iron as an inactive chelate, and provide free radical scavenging in the aqueous and lipid phases, was most effective when added early in the processing of washed, minced mackerel muscle. Mince prepared from mackerel dark muscle showed greater propensity to oxidize than did the mince from light muscle. Washed mince from light muscle in the presence of the antioxidative system showed no loss of odor quality during 24 wk at -20°C. Postmortem age of the mackerel muscle had little effect on initial odor quality of the washed mince.
Emotion Dysregulation Mediates the Link between Childhood Emotional Maltreatment and Young Adult Romantic Relationship Satisfaction

This study examined the mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the relation between retrospective reports of childhood emotional maltreatment and current satisfaction in a romantic relationship. Participants included 492 (135 male, 357 female) young adults in current romantic relationships. Results indicated that total emotion regulation difficulties mediated the relation between childhood emotional maltreatment and romantic relationship satisfaction. Multiple mediator analyses indicated that nonacceptance of emotional responses, impulse control difficulties, and lack of emotional clarity uniquely mediated this relation when controlling for other emotion regulation difficulties. These findings contribute to increasing research examining the interpersonal relationships among maltreated individuals, and guide future research by elucidating the factors that increase the risk for future maladaptation.
Troubling tumors: complicating findings during hepatic tumor embolization

No. 361 Cryoablation under real-time CT fluoroscopic guidance in renal cell carcinoma: factors affecting local tumor control T. Yamanaka, A. Nakatsuka, J. Uraki, M. Fujimori, T. Hasegawa, K. Nakajima, Y. Sugino, H. Sakuma, K. Yamakado; Department of Radiology, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate factors affecting local tumor control in cryoablation of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine patients with single RCC who underwent percutaneous cryoablation under real-time CT fluoroscopic guidance were included in this study. Feasibility, initial therapeutic response, complications, local tumor progression, and survival were evaluated. Factors affecting local tumor control were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Cryoablation was completed with a planned protocol after probes were placed in the planned sites of the tumor in all patients. Tumor enhancement disappeared after initial cryoablation in 55 patients (93.3%), but residual tumors were found in the other 4 patients. Local tumor progression developed in 3 of 55 patients (5.6%) in whom tumor enhancement disappeared after initial cryoablation during the mean follow-up of 9.2 3.9 (range, 3.2-19.2 months). The univariate analysis identified the maximum tumor diameter larger than 4cm (p1⁄40.002) and iceball margin less than 3mm (po0.001) as risk factors of local tumor control, and ice-ball margin (p1⁄40.001) still remained its significance in the multivariate analysis. Tumor enhancement of uncontrolled RCCs disappeared after the second cryoablation in 6 patients and arterial embolization in 1 patient. There was no major complication but one patient (1.7%, 1/59) who required temporary dialysis due to acute renal failure. All patients are still alive with the 1-year survival rate of 100%. Conclusion: Although cryoablation is a feasible, safe, and useful therapeutic option for the treatment of RCCs, tumor size and ice-ball margin affect local tumor control.
Broadband sensor and actuator selection for active control of smart structures

This paper advances the state of the art in the selection of minimal configurations of sensors and actuators for active vibration control with smart structures. The method extends previous transducer selection work by (1) presenting a unified treatment of the selection and placement of large numbers of sensors and actuators in a smart structure, (2) developing computationally efficient techniques to select the best sensor-actuator pairs for multiple unknown force disturbances exciting the structure, (3) selecting the best sensors and actuators over multiple frequencies, and (4) providing bounds on the performance of the transducer selection algorithms. The approach is based on a novel, multidimensional householder QR factorization algorithm applied to the frequency response matrices that define the vibration control problem. This paper presents the theoretical development of the method, as well as experimental results from active vibration control demonstrations for the ARPA SPICES (synthesis and processing of intelligent cost-effective structures) project.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Patient-reported recall of smoking cessation interventions from a health professional

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and characteristics of current cigarette smokers who report receiving health care provider interventions (‘5A's’: ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) for smoking cessation. Methods Data came from the 2009–2010 National Adult Tobacco Survey, a telephone survey of United States adults aged ≥ 18 years. Among current cigarette smokers who reported visiting a health professional in the past year (n = 16,542), estimates were calculated overall and by sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, income, health insurance coverage, and sexual orientation. Results Among smokers who visited a health professional (75.2%), 87.9% were asked if they used tobacco, 65.8% were advised to quit, and 42.6% were asked if they wanted to quit. Among those wanting to quit, 78.2% were offered assistance and 17.5% had follow-up arranged. Receipt of the ‘ask’ component was lower among males and uninsured individuals. Receipt of the ‘advise’ and ‘assess’ components was lower among those aged 18–24 and uninsured individuals. Receipt of the ‘assist’ component was lower among non-Hispanic blacks. No differences were observed for the ‘arrange’ component. Conclusions Many current smokers report receiving health care provider interventions for smoking cessation. Continued efforts to educate, encourage, and support all health professionals to provide effective, comprehensive tobacco cessation interventions to their patients may be beneficial.
Plasmodium chabaudi adami : Use of the B-cell-deficient mouse to define possible mechanisms modulating parasitemia of chronic malaria

Abstract Our previous observation that B-cell-deficient J H - / - mice utilize T cell-dependent immunity to suppress acute Plasmodium chabaudi adami -induced malaria but then develop chronic low-level parasitemia prompted this study of control mechanisms for chronic parasitemia. When we infected J H - / - mice with blood-stage parasites, chronic parasitemia exacerbated after the 6th month and persisted for up to 17 months. This exacerbation of parasitemia could not be attributed to host aging because the time-course of acute infection in naive aged mice was nearly identical to that seen in young mice. Nor could exacerbated parasitemia be attributed to mutation in the parasite genome resulting in increased virulence; when subinoculated into naive J H - / - mice, parasites from chronically infected J H - / - mice with exacerbated parasitemia produced acute stage parasitemia profiles in most recipients comparable to those seen in J H - / - mice upon infection with the original stabilate material. Of the pro-inflammatory cytokines measured, including IFNγ, TNFα, IL-12p70, and MCP-1β, none were significantly different in the sera of mice with exacerbated parasitemia compared to uninfected controls. Levels of IL-6 were significantly ( P = 0.002) less in the sera of mice with exacerbated parasitemia. Serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, TGFβ, were significantly depressed in chronically infected J H - / - mice compared to uninfected controls. In contrast, IL-10 levels were markedly increased. These findings suggest that the cytokine balance may be disturbed during chronic malaria, thereby impacting on mechanisms that modulate levels of parasitemia.
Role of omega-3 fatty acids in health and disease

Abstract Dietary lipid interventions have an important role in modulating the onset of autoimmunity, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Many studies caused out in the past have established the adverse effects of saturated fats in humans and in animal models. Based on these adverse effects, the consumption of vegetable oils containing both monounsaturated omega (ω)-9 and polyunsaturated fany acids (rich in 18:2 ω-6) is rising significantly in the United States. The increased consumption of many vegetable oils particularly of ω-6 series is however to be viewed as pro-inflammatory and is suspected as one of the possible causes for the gradual rise in certain malignant tumors, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases primarily due to the increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines although its increased usage has reduced cardiovascular disease nearly 30% in the United States. Diets based on ω-6 enriched oils can increase the level of linoleic acid in tissue phosphoglycerides and are able to reduce cholesterol levels, yet these lipids usually tend to elevate excessive arachidonic acid (20:4 ω-6) levels. In contrast, ω-3 fatty acid-enriched fish oil (FO) and/or ω-3 precursors from certain vegetable oils (linolenic acid, 18:3 ω-3) are found to provide protection against cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and possibly against the severity of viral infections. Nutritional modification of cellular functions by dietary lipids with a balanced ratio of ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids offers an attractive avenue to correct, modify and/or prevent many patho-physiological processes in health and disease state and to reduce toxicity of drugs in many patients. The mediation of such effects is thought to be primarily achieved through alterations of cellular membranes composition and other endogenous lipid stores which may modify the functional activity of various receptors on plasma membranes. In summary, the protective effects of ω-3 lipids have been explained based on changes in eicosanoid synthesis and the reduced risk of sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia, increased protection from ischemic myocardium, improved myocardial function and reduction of other cardiovascular and autoimmune disease risks. However, well-designed studies are still required to further define the key role of both combination of ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids, from marine and vegetable sources, both as a supplement to infant nutrition specifically for optimizing the development of cognitive function, and also as preventive measure for reducing the incidence of diseases of aging in rapidly growing elderly populations.
The transcriptional regulation of the Streptococcus mutans bgl regulon.

A β-glucoside utilization regulon recently isolated from Streptococcus mutans has been shown to contain genes involved in β-glucoside hydrolysis and a putative regulator. The bglP gene encodes a β-glucoside-specific enzyme II (EII) component of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system, the bglC gene encodes a putative transcriptional regulator, and the bglA gene encodes a putative phospho-β-glucosidase. To investigate the transcriptional activity of these genes, the putative promoter regions of the bglP, bglC and bglA genes were fused with the E. coli lacZ reporter gene. The resultant reporter plasmids were used to monitor the transcriptional activity of these loci in S. mutans. The results illustrate that these genes are not repressed by glucose in the presence of an inducing β-glucoside, esculin, to the levels of expression observed in the absence of esculin. Therefore, these loci are not subject to catabolite repression by glucose to noninduced levels of expression. The bglC gene product was determined to be a positive transcriptional regulator of the bglA gene but does not regulate the expression of the bglP gene. Thus, regulation of these loci requires different and multiple control mechanisms.
Efficacy of bortezomib for reducing donor-specific antibodies in children and adolescents on a steroid minimization regimen

AMR is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of renal allograft injury, contributing to significant morbidity and graft loss. There are few controlled trials and no well-established treatment guidelines for AMR in renal transplant recipients. We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of four pediatric renal transplant recipients on a steroid minimization immunosuppression protocol treated with bortezomib for elevated DSA and acute AMR from 2012 to 2013. All patients received four doses of bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 given on days one, four, eight, and 11. All patients also received other treatments prior to bortezomib, which may have included rituximab, methylprednisolone, plasmapheresis, and/or IVIg. While bortezomib in addition to other therapies significantly decreased DSA titers, DSA remained very elevated months after treatment. All four patients had immediate improvement or stabilization of renal function but one eventually lost her graft. There were no adverse events related to bortezomib six months after treatment.
Drug treatment in precocious puberty

Precocious puberty, as defined by the onset of pubertal development before the age of 8 years in girls or 9 years in boys, can be classified into central and peripheral aetiologies. Central precocious puberty (CPP) results from early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and has similar physical and hormonal characteristics to normal puberty. Extrapituitary gonadotrophin secretion or independent sex steroid secretion results in peripheral precocious puberty (PPP). Precocious puberty is characterised by rapid growth and advancement of skeletal age. The skeletal advancement is greater than the growth increase, so that final adult height is compromised. Long-acting gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the current therapy of choice for central precocious puberty, having demonstrated effectiveness in halting the precocious development associated with this condition with minimal side effects. GnRH agonists are not effective as therapy for peripheral precocious puberty, but a number of other agents have been used with some success. These include androgen antagonists, testolactone, ketoconazole, and medroxyprogesterone acetate. The use of GnRH agonists has been associated with an increase in predictions of final height; however, continuing studies in treated cohorts are necessary to determine the true benefit of any of these agents on increasing ultimate height.
The influence of phonological similarity neighborhoods on speech production.

The influence of phonological similarity neighborhoods on the speed and accuracy of speech production was investigated with speech-error elicitation and picture-naming tasks. The results from 2 speech-error elicitation techniques-the spoonerisms of laboratory induced predisposition technique (B. J. Baars, 1992; B. J. Baars & M. T. Motley, 1974; M. T. Motley & B. J. Baars, 1976) and tongue twisters-showed that more errors were elicited for words with few similar sounding words (i.e., a sparse neighborhood) than for words with many similar sounding words (i.e., a dense neighborhood). The results from 3 picture-naming tasks showed that words with sparse neighborhoods were also named more slowly than words with dense neighborhoods. These findings demonstrate that multiple word forms are activated simultaneously and influence the speed and accuracy of speech production. The implications of these findings for current models of speech production are discussed.
Combined loading micromechanical analysis of a unidirectional composite

A microscopic region of a unidirectional composite is modelled by a finite element micromechanical analysis using a generalized plane strain formulation, but including longitudinal shear loading. The analysis is capable of treating elastic, transversely isotropic fibre materials, as well as isotropic, elastoplastic matrix materials. Matrix material properties are considered to be temperature- and/or moisture-dependent. The longitudinal shear loading capability permits the analysis of the shear response of unidirectional composites in the fibre direction. In conjunction with a laminated plate point stress analysis, the present micromechanical analysis has been used to predict the stress/strain response into the inelastic range of a graphite/epoxy [±45]4s laminate. Available experimental data for various environmental conditions indicate excellent agreement with the analytical predictions.
Radioactive X-ray standards

Abstract The increased use of low-energy semiconductor spectrometers in problems requiring accurate knowledge of the absolute efficiency and photon energy have created an urgent need for reliable calibration sources in the low energy region. A number of sources can now be produced with heavy ion accelerators and isotope seperators, but techniques for calibrating these sources in terms of their absolute emission rates are required. A new calibration technique using a multi-wire proportion is outlined, which enables one to standardize a number of sources against one or two primary standards.
Minimally invasive surgery for morbid obesity

In patients with morbid obesity, surgery is the only treatment known to produce sustained weight loss and to reduce comorbidities. Traditional (open) gastric bypass surgery is associated with postoperative complications that include wound infection, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia. Laparoscopic techniques achieve similar long-term results as does open surgery, with fewer postoperative complications.
Language as a community of interacting belief systems: A case study involving conduct toward self and others

Words such as “selfish” and “altruistic” that describe conduct toward self and others are notoriously ambiguous in everyday language. I argue that the ambiguity is caused, in part, by the coexistence of multiple belief systems that use the same words in different ways. Each belief system is a relatively coherent linguistic entity that provides a guide for human behavior. It is therefore a functional entity with design features that dictate specific word meaning. Since different belief systems guide human behavior in different directions, specific word meanings cannot be maintained across belief systems. Other sources of linguistic ambiguity include i) functional ambiguity that increases the effectiveness of a belief system, ii) ambiguity between belief systems that are functionally identical but historically distinct, and iii) active interference between belief systems. I illustrate these points with a natural history study of the word “selfish” and related words in everyday language. In general, language and the thought that it represents should be studied in the same way that ecologists study multi-species communities.
Sliding Performance of Ceramics for Advanced Heat Engines

The basic sliding behavior of ceramics for advanced heat engines is studied using a laboratory apparatus. The objective is to develop mathematical models of the wear processes based on experimental data. The apparatus evaluates the friction and wear behavior of ring and cylinder specimens at temperatures to 650 C under reciprocating conditions reproducing those of advanced heat engines. Dry sliding experiments with several plasma-sprayed ring materials and monolithic zirconias and alpha-silicon carbide were unsuccessful. High friction and high wear caused extensive surface damage. Lubricated sliding was successful with alpha-silicon carbide, but the zirconias had extensive surface damage due to thermoelastic instability.
Photoreceptor-specific degeneration caused by tunicamycin.

The antibiotic tunicamycin inhibits the biosynthesis of N-acetyl-glucosaminylpyrophosphoryl polyisoprenol1–3, a key intermediate in the formation of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins4. The effects of tunicamycin have been studied in various biological systems5, primarily with the aim of elucidating the role of the carbohydrate moieties in the cellular function of glycoproteins6. Rhodopsin, the visual pigment of retinal rod photoreceptor cells, is a membrane glycoprotein which consists of a single polypeptide chain (opsin) to which a chromophoric prosthetic group (II-cis-retinaldehyde) and two asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains are covalently attached7. The glycosylation of opsin can be blocked with tunicamycin in vitro in conditions where polypeptide synthesis is only slightly decreased8,9. We have reported9 that tunicamycin can disrupt the normal assembly of rod outer segment membranes in vitro without significantly inhibiting the biosynthesis or intracellular transport of opsin. Here we report that intraocular injection of tunicamycin produces a photoreceptor-specific degeneration characterized by (1) progressive shortening of rod outer segment, (2) decreased electroretinogram amplitudes, (3) cessation of rod outer segment membrane assembly, and (4) eventual photoreceptor cell death.
Minding the Body: Yoga, Embodiment, and Well-Being

The second half of the twentieth century witnessed a dramatic influx of yoga into the West. Hatha yoga is a movement-based form of relaxation and meditation that combines physical postures, exercises, and breathing techniques. The current study examined the potential of yoga to buffer against the harmful effects of self-objectification as well as to promote embodiment (i.e., body awareness and responsiveness) and well-being in a sample of 19 participants enrolled in a 2-month yoga immersion program. Participants completed a short survey at six time points during the yoga immersion. Results showed thatthe women in the study objectified their own bodies less after participation in the program. Furthermore, among both men and women, more frequent yoga practice was associated with increased body awareness, positive affect, and satisfaction with life, as well as decreased negative affect. Policy implications are discussed, particularly the importance of teaching yoga in schools.
Neuropathology of progressive rubella panencephalitis after childhood rubella

We studied neuropathologic, virologic, and immunobiologic aspects of a patient with acquired rubella developing progressive rubella panencephalitis. There were widespread white matter lesions with active vasculitis. Deposits of IgG were found in histologically normal cerebral vessels, and extracts of brain demonstrated large amounts of rubella-specific antibody. These studies suggest an immunologic component in this form of encephalitis.
Effect of diet on herpes simplex virus, type 1, infection in mice

Abstract Two strains of mice, Balb/c and B10/D2, that were maintained on two different diets were evaluated for their susceptibility to herpes simplex virus type 1 infection (HSV). The diets were a Purina laboratory chow and a Teklad egg white diet. These diets are assumed to be nutritionally complete. Both mouse strains maintained on the Teklad diet were significantly more resistant to lethal HSV infection. Weight gain and food consumption between dietary groups were equivalent. At least 3-fold higher virus titers were found in peritoneum, liver, spleen, spinal cord and brain of animals on the Purina diet. Time of viral appearance in the central nervous system corresponded to onset of symptoms of encephalitis. We conclude that alteration in nutritional intake is responsible for differential survival rates. The factor(s) in these diets that account for the variance in resistance to HSV-1 infection is not known.
The Implementation and Utilization of Stabilization Funds by Local Governments in Massachusetts

This paper examines the management of stabilization funds by local governments in Massachusetts. It assesses the implementation and funding of stabilization funds and explores how they were utilized to respond to a midyear reduction in state aid. We find that stabilization funds correlate weakly with unreserved general fund balances. We also construct multiple regression models to predict stabilization and general fund balances. We surmise that communities have either implicit or explicit financial management strategies in which slack resources play more than countercyclical roles. Further research is needed to determine the role of stabilization funds in local government financial management strategies.
Measuring many-picosecond-long ultrashort pulses on a single shot using XFROG and pulse-front tilt

We demonstrate the use of pulse-front tilt in cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating (XFROG) to measure complex many-picosecond-long pulses on a single shot.
Friedreich's ataxia: I. Normal pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity in platelets.

Seven patients with Friedreich's ataxia had normal activities of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its components pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) and lipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) in platelets.
The adsorption of CO gas by metals supported on silica

Abstract The adsorption of CO gas by the metals Rh, Ir, Os, Re, Ru and Au supported on silica was studied. From electron micrographs and measurements of the surface area of metal covered silica, the metal particles appear as thin clusters on the silica surface ranging from about 20 A in diameter and probably approaching monolayer thickness. The infrared spectra shows adsorbed CO species of the type M-CO, M2-CO and M-(CO)2. At the higher pressures used with Rh, Ir and Os, a band at 2080 cm−1 is attributed to a weakly held CO in sites already containing one chemisorbed CO. The possible occupancy of corner and edge sites in Re and Ru by more than two CO molecules is discussed. A correlation is presented between the force constant of M-CO species and the number of d holes of the metal indicating a decrease of the bond order of adsorbed CO on account of the formation of metal-carbon bonds. The correlation is additional evidence of the role of d electrons in adsorption.
Analyst reputation dealer affiliation, and market making

We investigate the effects of analysts' affiliation and reputation on dealers' market making activities. We find that for a given stock, dealers who have affiliated analysts covering the stock quote and trade more aggressively than those who do not have any affiliated analysts. More important, the reputation of affiliated analysts plays an additional role in the affiliated dealer's quote and trade behavior. Dealers with affiliated star analysts post more aggressive quotes and have larger market shares than dealers with affiliated nonstar analysts. Although dealers who post more aggressive quotes also induce affiliated star analysts to cover the stocks, the positive effect of analyst reputation on the affiliated dealers' quote aggressiveness remains significant and robust after controlling for potential endogenous and simultaneous problems.
Parsing conversational speech using enhanced segmentation

The lack of sentence boundaries and presence of disfluencies pose difficulties for parsing conversational speech. This work investigates the effects of automatically detecting these phenomena on a probabilistic parser's performance. We demonstrate that a state-of-the-art segmenter, relative to a pause-based segmenter, gives more than 45% of the possible error reduction in parser performance, and that presentation of interruption points to the parser improves performance over using sentence boundaries alone.
Dialogue Groups Between Descendants of Holocaust Perpetrators, Victims, and a Liberator: A Retrospective Account

ABSTRACT The 11th dialogue group between descendants of Holocaust perpetrators, victims, and liberators was held in conjunction with the International Family Therapy Association (IFTA) Conference in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October 2006. Some of the history and evolution of this unusual group of mental health professionals, which has had an existence of 12 years, has been chronicled in prior articles (Kaslow, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002). Therefore, in this article the most salient facts about the group's origins, raison d'etre, and annual meetings, as well as changing group composition, is summarized. Some reflections on the course of the life of the group, its impact on its members, and the wider ripple effect are provided. Written comments made by some of the participants are included to illuminate their reflections on their experiences. The meeting in Reykjavik is described and finally the reasons for phasing out the group are given. A significant 12-year project is drawn to a close, hopefully with mem...
The work of education in the age of the digital classroom: Resurrecting Frankfurt school philosophies to examine online education

As two scholars with professional experience in the field of online education, we asked: (1) If the Frankfurt School scholars co-existed with the advent and advancement of digital learning, how would they examine the varied purposes and aspects of online instruction? (2) What can their critical lens teach about distance education practices in the 21st century? Following an exploration of the critiques these views introduce, we explore the methods individuals use to invert or subvert the results of this learning process along with other applicable critiques of the Frankfurt School of thought. These inquiries and explorations further the conversation of online education by demonstrating deficiencies in the online learning process, addressing power struggles, and creating gaps for further research.
Increasing the computational efficiency of a bidomain model of defibrillation using a time-dependent activating function.

Realistic simulations of the effects of strong shocks on cardiac muscle require solving the bidomain model, a continuum representation of cardiac tissue by a system of two reaction–diffusion equations. For two- and three-dimensional problems, the computations tend to take a prohibitively long time. This study develops a computationally efficient and accurate approximation of the bidomain model: a “reduced bidomain” model. The approximation is based on the fact that during a strong shock, the extracellular field in the muscle changes only slightly and, therefore, can be approximated by an activating function, following the concept introduced by Rattay (Rattay, F. Analysis of models for external stimulation of axons. IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng. 33:974–977, 1986). The activating function used here is time-dependent and is computed using an iterative algorithm. The results show that in two spatial dimensions, the “reduced bidomain” model, as implemented in this study, cuts the computational cost by two orders of magnitude while preserving most properties of the “full bidomain” model. It faithfully represents the spatial pattern and the temporal development of the muscle polarization. Consequently, relative errors in the “defibrillation” threshold, the strength of the weakest shock that terminates all electrical activity within 100 ms, are below 10%. © 2000 Biomedical Engineering Society.
Reduction of Rhizoctonia Bare Patch in Wheat with Barley Rotations

Rhizoctonia bare patch caused by Rhizoctonia solani AG-8 is a major fungal root disease in no-till cropping systems. In an 8-year experiment comparing various dryland no-till cropping systems near Ritzville, WA, Rhizoctonia bare patch first appeared in year 3 and continued unabated through year 8. Crop rotation had no effect on bare patch during the first 5 years. However, from years 6 to 8, both soft white and hard white classes of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in a 2-year rotation with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) had an average of only 7% of total land area with bare patches compared with 15% in continuous annual soft white wheat or hard white wheat (i.e., monoculture wheat). In years 6 to 8, average grain yield of both soft white wheat and hard white wheat were greater (P < 0.001) when grown in rotation with barley than in monoculture. Although both classes of wheat had less bare patch area and greater grain yield when grown in rotation with barley, monoculture hard white wheat was more severely affected by Rhizoctonia than soft white wheat. Soil water levels were higher in bare patches, indicating that roots of healthy cereals did not grow into or underneath bare patch areas. This is the first documentation of suppression of Rhizoctonia bare patch disease in low-disturbance no-till systems with rotation of cereal crops.
2-dimensional arithmetic residue check codes

Abstract Codes capable of correcting byte (column) and line (row) unidirectional errors are given. The codes use 3 check characters, 2 inverse residue checks, one over the rows and the other over the columns, and a third parity byte over the rows. Further, higher information rate line unidirectional error correcting codes are also proposed. The encoding/decoding methods for these codes are also investigated.