cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Path from Nuclein to Human Genome: A Brief History of DNA with a Note on Human Genome Sequencing and Its Impact on Future Research in Biology

Recent completion of the human genome sequence is a spectacular achievement of the 20th-century biology. This achievement has opened the door for future revolutions in biological and medical sciences. By learning about the gene sequences and the individual genetic differences, scientists hope to understand the molecular basis of the normal state and the diseased state of life on one hand, and individualize medicine on the other hand. However, the human genome sequencing project was not an isolated, spectacular undertaking. Rather, it was a natural extension and the culmination of the advances in the science and techniques of molecular biology. The present article is an attempt to summarize these major landmarks in the history of DNA research, beginning from the identification of “nuclein.”
Near-infrared fluorescence: application to in vivo molecular imaging

Molecular imaging often relies on the use of targeted and activatable reporters to quantitate and visualize targets, biological processes, and cells in vivo. The use of optical probes with near-infrared fluorescence allows for improved photon penetration through tissue and minimizes the effects of tissue autofluorescence. There are several parameters that define the effectiveness of imaging agents in vivo. These factors include probe targeting, activation, pharmacokinetics, biocompatibility, and photophysics. Recent advances in our understanding of these variables as they pertain to the application of optical reporters for in vivo imaging are discussed in this review.
Transitional Youth Services: Practice Implications from a Systematic Review

Independent living programs have emerged as the primary intervention to address the needs of foster youth transitioning out of care. Prior reviews of independent living programs have focused on implications for research and policy, but not on direct practice. In order to create effective independent living programs, direct service workers must be provided with concrete practice guidelines for providing effective independent living services. This article summarizes 19 studies on independent living and provides evidence-based implications for each in an effort to begin to fill the gap between research, policy and practice.
Stability of unbraced concrete beams on bearing pads including wind loading

Abstract Unbraced concrete beams supported temporarily at their ends by bearing pads are considered. Such beams may have horizontal curvature due to initial sweep and/or solar heating, and may be subjected to wind. These factors, along with creep and bearing eccentricity or slope, tend to cause the beam to roll (tilt) about the supports and possibly slide laterally, which may induce failure. Collapse of such unbraced bridge girders has occurred, and the problem is analyzed here. The beam is assumed to have small horizontal curvature (small sweep), and to behave elastically under gravity and wind loads. The equilibrium roll angle depends on the beam’s length, weight per unit length, modulus of elasticity, moment of inertia with respect to weak-axis bending, and height of the cross-sectional center of gravity above the roll axis, along with the lateral superelevation angle of the bearing pads, roll and yaw stiffness coefficients of the bearing pads, and wind loading. The effects of some of these quantities on the roll angle are investigated. Approximate formulas in the literature do not include the effect of wind. If a maximum allowable roll angle is specified, a factor of safety is determined and compared with the one used in the design of bridges. Finally, the critical value of the roll angle for sliding instability is obtained in terms of the coefficient of friction of the bearing pads.
Simultaneous Evaporite--Carbonate Deposition ?: ABSTRACT

It is widely accepted that carbonates, especially where these give evidence of origin as banks or reefs, and the primary evaporites with which they are associated closely, represent two distinct successive phases of deposition: (1) a stage of carbonate bank or reef deposition under conditions of normal marine circulation, followed by, (2) a time of sulfate and chloride accumulation under conditions of restricted circulation. Examples of the application of this concept are found in the literature and in current discussions of End_Page 549------------------------------ the Silurian of Michigan, the Middle Devonian of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the Permian of Germany, among several evaporite-carbonate complexes. Support for the two-stage concept derives from interpretations of physical relations, geochemistry, the ecologic requirements of contributing organisms, the relative rapidity of evaporite deposition, and the assumed time-stratigraphic significance of extrapolated biostratigraphic data. When the carbonate-first--evaporite-later model is applied to specific cases, at both local and regional scales, there emerge patterns of thickness distribution, water depth, and paleogeography that appear bizarre in view of the epeiric setting of the deposits. Further, demonstrable evaporite-carbonate intertonguing and lateral intergradation require an explanation other than accumulation in two successive, temporally distinct phases. Consideration of diffusion rates compared with discharge rates required for evaporite deposition leads to the development of a model in which the density stratification of the waters is such as to permit the simultaneous deposition of chlorides and biogenic carbonates, including isolated "pinnacle" reefs, in the same basin, perhaps in close juxtaposition. The concept involved is implicit in several older papers on classic evaporite occurrences. Newer data permit a restatement in more quantitative terms. End_of_Article - Last_Page 550------------
Almost orthogonal regular types

Abstract Let p , q be non-orthogonal regular types over B , in a stable theory. We show that at most three parameters from p are needed to witness the non-orthogonality with q (ω) , and classify completely the situations in which two or three are in fact necessary; they are all classical. Partial results are obtained in the case when ω is replaced by a finite n .
Cooperative exploration of level surfaces of three dimensional scalar fields

We develop strategies for a group of mobile sensing agents to cooperatively explore level surfaces of an unknown 3D scalar field. A cooperative Kalman filter is constructed to combine sensor readings from all agents and give estimates of the field value and gradient at the center of the formation formed by the sensing agents. The formation formed by the agents is controlled to track curves on a level surface in the field under steering control laws. We prove that the formation center can move to a desired level surface and can follow a curve with known frame and curvatures. In particular, we present results on tracking lines of curvature on a desired level surface, revealing the 3D geometry of the scalar field. Taubin's algorithm is modified and applied to detect and estimate principal curvatures and principal directions for lines of curvature. We prove the sufficient and necessary conditions that ensure reliable estimates using Taubin's algorithm. We also theoretically justify the minimum number of agents that can be utilized to accomplish the exploration tasks. Simulation results demonstrate that a line of curvature on a desired level surface can be detected and traced successfully.
Successful Fusion of the Proximal Tibiofibular Joint with Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1) Augmentation

Proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) instability is rare, but when encountered can be difficult to manage. Previously reported forms of treatment, including cast immobilization, soft tissue repairs and reconstructions, and fibular head resection have met with limited success. Another option is PTFJ arthrodesis—however, fusion can be difficult and ankle pain after surgery is not uncommon. In this report, we present a novel surgical technique used to treat PTFJ instability. It is a form of PTFJ arthrodesis that utilizes the osteoinductive agent recombinant human osteogenic protein (rhOP-1) to help achieve fusion, in conjunction with a fibular osteotomy to unload the PTFJ and to preserve normal rotator mobility of the distal fibula during ankle motion. We have used this technique in two patients with successful results; one of whom required revision after two previous failed attempts at PTFJ fusion and the other who had a previous diagnosis of underlying collagen disorder. Their case studies are presented in detail in this report.
In vitro demonstration of delayed hypersensitivity in patients with berylliosis.

To clarify immunopathological mechanisms in granulomatous hypersensitivity (GHR) to beryllium (Be), migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was assayed. Blood lymphocytes from three patients with GHR to Be and two normal persons were isolated and cultured with and without BeO or other antigens. Cell-free supernatants removed daily were dialyzed, lyophilized and assayed for MIF by measuring the area of migration of normal guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells out of capillary tubes within 24 hours after exposure to the supernatant. BeO added to sensitized lymphocytes produced supernatant that decreased migration, in contrast to supernatant from non-sensitized lymphocytes, indicating that BeO-sensitized lymphocytes cultured with Be elaborate a soluble factor, MIF, which correlates with delayed hypersensitivity and may play a role in granuloma formation. It may also prove useful in diagnosis of berylliosis.
Information Required for Job Hunting: 1,121 Counselors Respond.

A statewide needs assessment was conducted with 1,121 counselors employed in various settings to determine information needed by job hunters.
Evaluation of ammonium thiosulfate as a soil urease inhibitor.

Interest in use of ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) in conjunction with urea as a fertilizer has been stimulated by recent reports that this compound retards hydrolysis of urea by soil urease and thereby reduces volatilization of urea N as ammonia from soils fertilized with urea. We evaluated ATS as a soil urease inhibitor by studying its effects on urea hydrolysis, seed germination, and early seedling growth in soil. We found that ATS significantly retarded urea hydrolysis only when applied at rates as high as 2,500 or 5,000µg g−1 soil, whereasN-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) (a patented inhibitor of urea hydrolysis in soil) caused substantial retardation of urea hydrolysis when applied at rates as low as 1µg g−1 soil. We also found that ATS had an adverse effect on germination of corn or wheat seeds in soil when applied at the rate of 2,500 or 5,000µg g−1 soil and caused a dramatic reduction of early seedling growth of corn or wheat when applied at the rate of 1,000, 2,500, or 5,000µg g−1 soil. These findings indicate that ATS has little, if any, potential value for retarding hydrolysis of urea fertilizer in soil.
The preparation of stereospecific tritium-labeled reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate.

Abstract A method has been developed for the preparation of a high specific activity stereospecifically labeled tritiated NADPH. In this procedure, tritium is enzymatically transferred from d-isocitric acid-2-3H (8 Ci/mmole) to the A face of a pyridine nucleotide during its stereospecific reduction, resulting in the formation of NADPH-4A-3H (2 Ci/mmole).
Parents of preschoolers: Expert media recommendations and ratings knowledge, media-effects beliefs, and monitoring practices

OBJECTIVE. Given the increase in screen media targeted at the very young, the purpose of this study was to examine preschooler parents’ knowledge about expert recommendations for young children9s screen media experience, their knowledge of specific screen media ratings, their beliefs about screen media effects, and actual monitoring practices. METHOD. Parents of 94 children RESULTS. Preschoolers were exposed to an average of ∼12 hours of screen media in a typical week. Parents believe that media do have either short- or long-term effects on preschoolers. Performance on factual questions was poor (mean score: 2.83 of 11). In particular, only 34% of the parents correctly identified the expert recommendation for children >2 years of age. CONCLUSIONS. Parents should continue to be educated about the need for preschoolers to participate in activities that promote language development, socialization, imagination, and physical activity. Although professionals should work to improve the ratings, and ultimately to implement a universal ratings system for all screen media, parents need to be encouraged to improve their understanding of current recommendations for screen media exposure and television and video game ratings.
Extracellular enzyme activity of some Saprolegniales from a Florida estuary.

highly successful in that calculated numbers of saprolegniaceous spores fell within 2% of num? bers known to be present. In recent field trials we compared our Natrosol technique with the agar pour plate method (Wil? loughby and Collins, 1966) and the Polycell-gel procedure (Willoughby et al, 1984). Estimates derived from the Natrosol assay were 38% higher than those from the agar method and 55% higher than those using Polycell-gel. In addition to detecting more water mold propagules, the Natrosol assay proved far less laborious. Agar and Poly? cell-gel samples contained fourto six-fold more germinating spores (mostly non-saprolegniaceous) than did Natrosol plates and usually more than 95% of Natrosol method germlings proved to be water molds.
Feeding Currents and Particle Capture Mechanisms in Suspension Feeding Animals

The apparent diversity of suspension feeding animals is, in one sense, more apparent than real. Virtually all suspension feeders capture particles from the water at low Reynolds numbers with cylindrical filtering elements, so, at the level of the filtering elements, flow patterns are identical and viscous forces dominate the situation. Six particle capture mechanisms are likely to be operating alone or in combination: (1) scan and trap (isolation of a parcel of fluid containing the particle), (2) sieving, (3) direct interception, (4) inertial impaction, (5) gravitational deposition, and (6) diffusive deposition. To insure that all variables relevant to the suspension feeding process are recorded, future work on suspension feeding should report the diameter and spacing of the filtering elements, flow speeds, diameter of particles available and captured, particle settling velocities, particle mobility (active or passive), and particle surface properties.
Dislocation structures at CuMgO and PdMgO interfaces

Abstract The dislocation structures at Cu and Pd MgO interfaces have been studied by high-resolution and weak beam electron microscopy. The metal-oxide interfaces were formed by internal oxidation of Cu-1wt%Mg and Pd-1wt%Mg alloys. The observations have been made at (111), (100) cube-on-cube and (111) twin interfaces. All interfaces have been found to be partially coherent despite the large misfit of 14.2 and 7.6% for Cu- and Pd MgO systems, respectively, The dislocation configuration, network periodicity and dislocation type are presented and discussed in terms of the geometrical DSC-CSL lattice model.
From Ethnogenesis to Ethnic Segmentation in the Wabash Valley: Constructing Identity and Houses in Great Lakes Fur Trade Society

This study asks the question, “What happens when the colonizers become the colonized?” It examines the social, cultural and political-economic transformations that took place as first the British and then the Americans wrested control of Great Lakes fur trade from the French and their Native American allies. One result was the ethnic segmentation of the fur trade labor market, which attempted to relegate Canadiens to the role of fur trade laborers. In response Canadien traders constructed homes and identities that were constitutive of both their fur trade society heritage and their political-economic position.
Promoting the use of federal documents: An experimental current awareness service

Abstract The article discusses the effectiveness of an experimental current awareness service for promoting the use of federal documents. Based on the results from a questionnaire, the use patterns of faculties in economics and political science are examined. The study analyses the current awareness service as a means for identifying documents and the impact of the service on the faculty. The findings indicate that the service did not promote the use of documents among non-users of documents, but was considered a very useful source of information by faculties who use documents. Among the users of documents, the service was an aid to research, and increased their awareness of the abundance and scope of documents, as well as increasing their use of documents. (A copy of the questionnaire is available from the author upon request).
Control of Listeria monocytogenes on cold-smoked salmon using chitosan-based antimicrobial coatings and films.

Abstract: The relatively high incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) products such as cold-smoked salmon is of serious concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan-based edible coatings and films incorporating 3 generally recognized as safe (GRAS) antimicrobials, sodium lactate (SL), sodium diacetate (SD), and potassium sorbate (PS), against L. monocytogenes on cold-smoked salmon. Salmon samples were surface-inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail of Listeria monocytogenes to a final concentration of 4.4 log CFU/cm2 and then either coated with chitosan solutions or wrapped with chitosan films with or without the 3 antimicrobials. The samples were then vacuum packaged and stored at 4 °C for 30 d. The chitosan coatings with or without the antimicrobials consistently showed higher efficacy against L. monocytogenes than chitosan films having the same compositions. The most effective film treatments, chitosan films containing 1.2% SL/0.25% SD or 2.4% SL, achieved ≥ 1.3 log reductions of L. monocytogenes during the 30 d of refrigerated storage, while the most effective coating treatments, chitosan coatings containing 1.2% SL/0.25% SD or 0.15% PS/0.125% SD, achieved ≥ 2.8 log reductions. Practical Application: This study shows that chitosan-based edible coatings and films hold promise and can potentially assist fishery industries in their efforts to control L. monocytogenes.
The effect on resident attitudes of regulatory policies regarding pharmaceutical representative activities.

Objective: To determine the effect on resident attitudes of policies regarding pharmaceutical representative interactions with residents.
Coarctation repair using end-to-side anastomosis of descending aorta to proximal aortic arch

Background. Recurrent aortic coarctation after primary operative repair in the neonate and small infant is seen most commonly within the first year of life. Inadequate removal of ductal tissue, failure to address hypoplasia of the aortic arch, and suture line tension have been cited as important factors in early recurrence. Methods. To address these issues, we have used a technique of coarctation resection and extended anastomosis of the descending aorta to the undersurface of the aortic arch. The salient features of this approach include extensive mobilization of the aortic arch and neck vessels, careful trimming of all ductal tissue, ligation of the isthmus just beyond the left subclavian artery, and end-to-side anastomosis of the descending aorta to a separate incision in the undersurface of the aortic arch proximal to all tubular hypoplasia. Between July 1992 and January 1995, 19 consecutive neonates (median age, 13 days) and 4 consecutive infants under 3 months of age (median age, 69 days) with a mean peak systolic upper to lower extremity resting gradient of 27.9 ± 16.9 mm Hg underwent repair of aortic coarctation and tubular hypoplasia of the arch. Other procedures performed at the time of repair included ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus (n = 19), pulmonary artery banding (n = 3), and closure of ventriculai septal or atrial septal defect (n = 3). Results. There were no perioperative deaths. Early postoperative complications included a recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and a transient focal tonic clonic seizure. There was one late death, after a subsequent intracardiac surgical procedure, at a median follow-up of 16 months (range, 1 to 29 months). Twenty-one of 22 late survivors were free of recurrent aortic coarctation by echocardiography findings and clinical examination, with a median upper to lower extremity gradient of 0 mm Hg. Reintervention for recurrent aortic coarctation was not required in any survivor. Conclusions. The technique described herein completely removes all potentially abnormal tissue from the aorta, including ductal tissue and all tubular hypoplastic tissue proximal to the coarctation site.
Effects of a complex mixture of chemical contaminants on hepatic glutathione, L‐cysteine and γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase in english sole (Pleuronectes vetulus)

The effects of chemical contaminants on concentrations of hepatic glutathione (GSH), cysteine (L-Cys), and the activity of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) were assessed in English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus) in the laboratory and in fish from the Duwamish Waterway, a contaminated urban site in Puget Sound, Washington. In the laboratory studies, fish from a nonurban (reference) site were exposed to an organic-solvent extract of sediment from the Duwamish Waterway. Hepatic GSH concentrations significantly increased at 3 d after exposure to the extract at 1,000 g sediment extracted/kg fish. At this time point, hepatic GSH showed a dose-dependent increase at dosages ranging from 300 to 1,600 g sediment extracted/kg fish, whereas fish exposed to a reference sediment extract showed no increase. Moreover, the increases in GSH in fish exposed to the contaminated sediment extract were not accompanied by changes in either L-Cys concentrations or γ-GCS activity. Similarly, fish sampled directly from the Duwamish Waterway showed increased GSH concentrations but showed no significant differences in L-Cys levels or γ-GCS activity compared to fish from a reference site. These results substantiate that hepatic GSH in fish is responsive to chemical contaminant exposure and further support its use as a biomarker in environmental monitoring studies. The findings also indicate that L-Cys availability and induction of γ-GCS were not major factors in the increase of hepatic GSH in contaminant-exposed English sole.
Molecular origins of anisotropy in the thermal conductivity of deformed polymer melts: stress versus orientation contributions

Amorphous polymer melts, and polymer networks exhibit anisotropic thermal transport when deformed. Moreover, a ‘stress-thermal rule’, a linear proportionality between the stress tensor and the thermal conductivity tensor, is observed, with a proportionality constant called the ‘stress-thermal coefficient’ Ct. When this coefficient is made dimensionless by the plateau modulus G0N of the polymer melt, a universal value of approximately 0.05 has been observed for polymers of different chemistries. Such universality is surprising, given that thermal properties are determined by small-scale properties, unlike stress, which has entropic origins. Seeking insight into this observation, we examine independently the contributions to anisotropy in thermal conductivity from both stress and polymer orientation. Using an optical technique, we measure components of the thermal conductivity of polystyrene and polymethylmethacrylate with orientation, but no stress, and of samples that have stress, but no orientation. Consistent with polymer orientation dominating the effect, we find for the former samples that CtG0N ∼ 0.04 ± 0.01, and that the latter samples have a stress-thermal coefficient of opposite sign, and whose magnitude is a factor of 100 smaller. These results are not consistent with the “minimum thermal conductivity” model.
Hedgehog signalling in the mouse requires intraflagellar transport proteins

Intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins were first identified as essential factors for the growth and maintenance of flagella in the single-celled alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In a screen for embryonic patterning mutations induced by ethylnitrosourea, here we identify two mouse mutants, wimple (wim) and flexo (fxo), that lack ventral neural cell types and show other phenotypes characteristic of defects in Sonic hedgehog signalling. Both mutations disrupt IFT proteins: the wim mutation is an allele of the previously uncharacterized mouse homologue of IFT172; and fxo is a new hypomorphic allele of polaris, the mouse homologue of IFT88. Genetic analysis shows that Wim, Polaris and the IFT motor protein Kif3a are required for Hedgehog signalling at a step downstream of Patched1 (the Hedgehog receptor) and upstream of direct targets of Hedgehog signalling. Our data show that IFT machinery has an essential and vertebrate-specific role in Hedgehog signal transduction.
Activation of AR sensitizes breast carcinomas to NVP-BEZ235's therapeutic effect mediated by PTEN and KLLN upregulation.

NVP-BEZ235 is a newly developed dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, being tested in multiple clinical trials, including breast cancer. NVP-BEZ235 selectively induces cell growth inhibition in a subset, but not all, breast cancer cell lines. However, it remains a challenge to distinguish between sensitive and resistant tumors, particularly in the pretreatment setting. Here, we used ten breast cancer cell lines to compare NVP-BEZ235 sensitivity and in the context of androgen receptor (AR) activation during NVP-BEZ235 treatment. We also used female SCID mice bearing breast tumor xenografts to investigate the beneficial effect of dihydrotestosterone/NVP-BEZ235 combination treatment compared with each alone. We found that AR-positive breast cancer cell lines are much more sensitive to NVP-BEZ235 compared with AR-negative cells, regardless of PTEN or PI3KCA status. Reintroducing AR expression in NVP-BEZ235 nonresponsive AR-negative cells restored the response. DHT/NVP-BEZ235 combination not only resulted in a more significant growth inhibition than either drug alone, but also achieved tumor regression and complete responses for AR+/ER+ tumors. This beneficial effect was mediated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PTEN and KLLN expression. Furthermore, DHT could also reverse NVP-BEZ235–induced side effects such as skin rash and weight loss. Our data suggest that AR expression may be an independent predictive biomarker for response to NVP-BEZ235. AR induction could add benefit during NVP-BEZ235 treatment in patients, especially with AR+/ER+ breast carcinomas. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(2); 517–27. ©2013 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 273][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/13/273?iss=2
Are American Farmers Better Off as a Result of Technology Gains

Coriimercial farmers remain a primary political force in support of publicly-supported research and educational programs to create productivity gains in crop and livestock production. Have the technical productivity gains brought about by both public and private sector research and educational efforts improved the well being of American farmers? A great number of agricultural scientists believe that they have. Studies have attempted to provide estimates of the internal rate of return and benefitlcost ratios for agricultural research and education. The vast majority of these studies estimate a quite favorable internal rate of return and a high productivity for public-sector agricultural research (Huffman and Just, p. 828). But these studies have focused on rates of return to agricultural research and education for society as a whole, without attempting to determine if these gains accrued to farmers, consumers. or perhaps the agribusiness firms who purchase raw farm commodities from farniers or sell them inputs.'
Peak to Average Power Reduction for Low-Power OFDM Systems

For orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, peak to average power ratio (PAPR) can be a major impediment to efficient transmission due to the need to use inefficient highly linear amplifiers. This paper presents an iterative algorithm to reduce the PAPR of a low-power OFDM system by 3 dB at a clipping probability of 10-2, and over 5 dB for 10-5 with asymptotically no loss in code rate for low signal to noise ratios (SNR). The reduced PAPR allows the system to use a more efficient form of linear amplifier, for an overall reduction in transmitter power consumption by over a factor of three at low SNR. In addition, the algorithm does not require any side information to be transmitted to the receiver to allow decoding.
Yersinia pestis caf1 Variants and the Limits of Plague Vaccine Protection

Yersinia pestis, the highly virulent agent of plague, is a biological weapon. Strategies that prevent plague have been sought for centuries, and immunization with live, attenuated (nonpigmented) strains or subunit vaccines with F1 (Caf1) antigen is considered effective. We show here that immunization with live, attenuated strains generates plague-protective immunity and humoral immune responses against F1 pilus antigen and LcrV. Y. pestis variants lacking caf1 (F1 pili) are not only fully virulent in animal models of bubonic and pneumonic plague but also break through immune responses generated with live, attenuated strains or F1 subunit vaccines. In contrast, immunization with purified LcrV, a protein at the tip of type III needles, generates protective immunity against the wild-type and the fully virulent caf1 mutant strain, in agreement with the notion that LcrV can elicit vaccine protection against both types of virulent plague strains.
Remarks on a monotone Markov chain

In applications, considerations on stochastic models often involve a Markov chain { ζ n } 0 ∞ with state space in R + , and a transition probability Q . For each x R + the support of Q ( x , . ) is [ 0 , x ] . This implies that ζ 0 ≥ ζ 1 ≥ … . Under certain regularity assumptions on Q we show that Q n ( x , B u ) → 1 as n → ∞ for all 0$" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> u > 0 and that 1 − Q n ( x , B u ) ≤ [ 1 − Q ( x , B u ) ] n where B u = [ 0 , u ) . Set τ 0 = max { k ; ζ k = ζ 0 } , τ n = max { k ; ζ k = ζ τ n − 1 + 1 } and write X n = ζ τ n − 1 + 1 , T n = τ n − τ n − 1 . We investigate some properties of the imbedded Markov chain { X n } 0 ∞ and of { T n } 0 ∞ . We determine all the marginal distributions of { T n } 0 ∞ and show that it is asymptotically stationary and that it possesses a monotonicity property. We also prove that under some mild regularity assumptions on β ( x ) = 1 − Q ( x , B x ) , ∑ 1 n ( T i − a ) / b n → d Z ∼ N ( 0 , 1 ) .
Effect of isopropanol rinse on adhesion of plasma-treated carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy composites

In this article, we present a comparative assessment of adhesion in plasma-treated carbon fiber reinforced epoxy specimens subject to a post plasma isopropanol rinse. We find that plasma-treated and rinsed samples have better average adhesion than otherwise comparable unrinsed samples and attribute this finding to removal of a thin layer of ash from the plasma-treated surface. Using SEM, XPS, SIMS, and FTIR as diagnostic techniques, we are able to monitor the effects of the rinse on surface chemical functionalization.
Vehicle collision warning and avoidance system using real-time FFT

This paper describes a radar system for highway use that is intended to improve both safety and operating efficiency. This system is designed for deployment in both mobile and fixed-location applications, and combines use of advanced millimeter-wave radar technology with low-cost integrated DSP. We employ frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) techniques, with resulting advantages in power efficiency and cost. A key requirement for real-time operation is high-speed computation of the FFT and power spectrum of the homodyned received signal. This is accomplished by using low-cost programmable DSP technology employing parallel hardware units in a pipelined architecture. We describe the DSP system design and processing algorithm performance.
A Bridge to Developing Efficacious Science Teachers of All Students: Community-Based Service-Learning Supplemented with Explicit Discussions and Activities about Diversity

This study explored the effects of community-based service-learning (CBSL), supplemented with discussions and activities about diversity, on the self-efficacy beliefs of preservice elementary teachers regarding equitable science teaching and learning for diverse student groups. The study was conducted with 81 preservice teachers enrolled in four sections of an elementary science methods course over a semester. Employing a mixed-methods research design, data were collected using pretests–posttests with the study sample and semistructured interviews with a subsample. The results support the value of preservice teachers engaging in CBSL experiences, supplemented with discussions and activities about diversity, as a way to improve their self-efficacy beliefs regarding equitable science teaching and learning of all students.
Heterogeneity of Nicotinic Receptor Class and Subunit mRNA Expression among Individual Parasympathetic Neurons from Rat Intracardiac Ganglia

Neurons have the potential to form thousands of distinct neuronal nicotinic receptors from the eight alpha and three beta subunits that currently are known. In an effort to determine how much of this potential complexity is realized among individual neurons, we examined the nicotinic pharmacological and biophysical properties and receptor subunit mRNA expression patterns in individual neurons cultured from rat epicardial ganglia. Analysis of the whole-cell pharmacology of these neurons showed a diversity of responses to the agonists acetylcholine, nicotine, cytisine, and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium, suggesting that a heterogeneous population of nicotinic receptor classes, or subtypes, is expressed by individual neurons. Single-channel analysis demonstrated three distinct conductances (18, 24, and 31 pS), with patches from different neurons containing different combinations of these channel classes. We used single-cell RT-PCR to examine nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit mRNA expression by individual neurons. Although mRNAs encoding all eight neuronal nAChR subunits for which we probed (alpha 2-alpha 5, alpha 7, beta 2-beta 4) were present in multicellular cultures, we found that individual epicardial neurons express distinct subsets of these nAChR subunit mRNAs. These results suggest that individual epicardial neurons express distinct arrays of nAChR subunits and that these subunits may assemble into functional receptors with distinct and variable subunit composition. This variable receptor subunit expression provides an explanation for the diversity of pharmacological and single-channel responses we have observed in individual neurons.
A novel technique for lead-free soldering process using variable frequency microwave (VFM)

A variable frequency microwave (VFM) was used for soldering the lead-free solders. Melting the Sn-3.5Ag, Sn-3.8Ag-0.7Cu and Sn46Pb solder pastes and their wetting on the metal pads were achieved by heating the organic flux vehicle through a radio frequency microwave. The lead-free solder interconnection between the component chips and the metal pads through VFM was first demonstrated. The microstructures of the lead-free solders/Cu and Sn surface joints formed by a conventional thermal reflow process and VFM were analyzed. From the intermetallic compound (IMC) formation study, it was found that more heat energy could be employed into the solder paste by the VFM heating process than by the thermal reflow process at the peak temperatures used in this study, because VFM provided more uniform heat than the reflow oven that may lead a temperature gradient in the test boards. It is believed that by VFM the soldering process at a lower peak temperature could be feasible than by a conventional reflow process.
PQUENCH-A 3-D quench propagation code using a logical coordinate system

A computer program was developed to model the effects of normal region propagation in the longitudinal direction (along the conductor) and in the two transverse directions in a superconducting coil in a multicoil system. A simulation of 3-D quench propagation in real space was done using a logical coordinate system in which each magnet is transformed into a single long conductor which is divided into finite-length elements. Since an element can be associated with geometry-related information such as the element length, the local magnetic field influence coefficients, and the relationship to adjacent elements in 3-D, the quench propagation in any type of 3-D configuration can be simplified to a 1-D problem. As the growth of the normal region is determined, the transient current decay is calculated based on increases in conductor temperature and resistance. This calculation can be done for multiple, inductively coupled systems through the use of a circuit analysis subroutine. The code logic is described, and results are given for calculated versus measured quench times in a single-coil system.
A rapid mobile analyzer for minute amounts of lead in air

Atmospheric contamination by lead presents acute problems in analysis and control to the chemical industry. A mobile instrument of extreme sensitivity has been developed which furnishes a rapid indication and an approximate assay of localized relatively high concentrations of lead, combined or elemental. Samples are drawn through a condensed spark discharge adjusted to minimize air lines and to excite the lead spectrum which is photographed with a small quartz instrument. Visual examination of a series of exposures provides data on lead concentration as a function of time and location. A sensitivity of better than one part in 20 million can be maintained in routine operation. Instantaneous response has been realized by substitution of the photoelectric Geiger counter for the photographic plate, as described in detail in the following paper.
Structural Basis for Bile Salt Inhibition of Pancreatic Phospholipase A2

Abstract Bile salt interactions with phospholipid monolayers of fat emulsions are known to regulate the actions of gastrointestinal lipolytic enzymes in order to control the uptake of dietary fat. Specifically, on the lipid/aqueous interface of fat emulsions, the anionic portions of amphipathic bile salts have been thought to interact with and activate the enzyme group-IB phospholipase A2 (PLA2) derived from the pancreas. To explore this regulatory process, we have determined the crystal structures of the complexes of pancreatic PLA2 with the naturally occurring bile salts: cholate, glycocholate, taurocholate, glycochenodeoxycholate, and taurochenodeoxycholate. The five PLA2–bile salt complexes each result in a partly occluded active site, and the resulting ligand binding displays specific hydrogen bonding interactions and extensive hydrophobic packing. The amphipathic bile salts are bound to PLA2 with their polar hydroxyl and sulfate/carboxy groups oriented away from the enzyme's hydrophobic core. The impaired catalytic and interface binding functions implied by these structures provide a basis for the previous numerous observations of a biphasic dependence of the rate of PLA2 catalyzed hydrolysis of zwitterionic glycerophospholipids in the presence of bile salts. The rising or activation phase is consistent with enhanced binding and activation of the bound PLA2 by the bile salt induced anionic charge in a zwitterionic interface. The falling or inhibitory phase can be explained by the formation of a catalytically inert stoichiometric complex between PLA2 and any bile salts in which it forms a stable complex. The model provides new insight into the regulatory role that specific PLA2–bile salt interactions are likely to play in fat metabolism.
A Corpus Analysis of Patterns of Age-Related Change in Conversational Speech

Conversational speech from over 300 speakers from 17 to 68 years of age was analyzed for age-related changes in the timing and content of spoken language production. Overall, several relationships between the lexical content, timing, and fluency of speech emerged, such that more novel and lower frequency words were associated with slower speech and higher levels of disfluencies. Speaker age was associated with slower speech and more filled pauses, particularly those associated with lexical selection. Increasing age, however, was also associated with longer utterances and greater lexical diversity. On balance, these analyses present a picture of age-related changes in speech performance that largely support data obtained from controlled laboratory studies. However, particular patterns of age-related change may be moderated in conversational situations.
Intending Damage to Basic Goods

Richard McCormick justified his move to proportionalism in part because of the perceived inadequacy of the Grisez-Finnis approach to morality to answer the following question: “What is to count for turning against a basic good, and why?” In this paper, I provide the beginnings of an account of what it means to intend damage to a good; I then show that the account is readily exportable to judgments regarding killing and lying defended by Grisez and others. I then indicate that the account comports well with some of what Grisez says about sexual morality and suggest areas in which further clarification is necessary. In thus proceeding, I hope to inoculate the Grisez view from McCormick's reservations.
Image map correspondence for mobile robot self-location using computer graphics

The use of computer graphics in estimating the position of an autonomous mobile robot navigating in an outdoor mountainous environment is discussed. A digital elevation map (DEM) of the area in which the robot is to navigate is given, and the robot is equipped with a camera that can be panned and tilted, a compass, and an altimeter. The position of the robot is estimated by establishing a correspondence between the images acquired by the camera on the robot (actual images) and the images generated from the DEM (predicted images) using computer graphics techniques. Features are extracted from the predicted images and the actual images that are used in establishing the correspondence. The features used are the horizon line contours (HLCs) in the images. To reduce the search space a constrained search paradigm is used. Geometric constraints help prune the search space significantly. >
Enhancing availability with service automation and a trusted support partner

Since the onset of the computer age, customers have been searching for ways to increase systems availability, maximizing the return on their investment and keeping their systems running continuously as much as possible. Traditionally, customers have used a combination of hardware and software architecture and processes in an attempt to address their continuous availability needs. In this paper, we introduce a new approach to provide high availability which leverages technology for both proactive and reactive support, while engaging a trusted support partner to automate services. We show how automated problem reporting reduces problem resolution time, often by sending the problem to a specialist rather than sending a generalist to the problem. We describe how inventory reporting enables proactive support by applying intellectual capital and knowledge to a specific customer configuration. We also describe how the IBM Electronic Service Agent™ can be used as a foundation for providing service automation and enabling a digital relationship that expands the capabilities of the trusted support partner.
Warlpiri Wh-Scope Marking

. This article analyses the wh-scope-marking construction in Warlpiri. The literature on wh-scope-marking constructions in other languages debates the relative merits of two types of analyses—the direct-dependency account, which posits covert movement of an embedded wh-phrase to replace a matrix expletive, and the indirect-dependency account, which treats the embedded question as the restriction of a matrix wh-phrase. I argue that an explanation of the Warlpiri data can only be achieved through a variant of the indirect-dependency approach.
Study of power quality: problems in commercial buildings in Puerto Rico

This paper describes studies of power quality done in Puerto Rico. A different studies made in the past related to power quality problems in P.R. Data, from Lord Electric is used to analyze some cases worked by this company in industrial buildings in Puerto Rico. Similarities and differences between existing problems are identified. To complete the objective, the software MATLAB was used where a program was developed to give the calculations of indices like THD, TIF, DIN, C-Message, and other indices, and also the spectrum of the signal sampling using Fourier analysis. Also, the use of digital filters is required for the elimination of noise and inter-harmonics to determine the indices and compare with the original results. The problem where was studied in case 1 was that the main breaker was tripping for unknown reasons. In case 2 data transferring communication to U.S. was lost every Sunday in Home Depot at Bayamon, P.R. For the third case, hot spots, failed torque and methods are presented in Citibank Center at Cupey, P.R. to save money. Finally, this paper has a lot importance, because the problems of power quality as technology progresses are more common in Puerto Rico and other places. This study helps to document answers about different problems of power quality in Puerto Rico and at the same time problems that could be common in other companies across the United States and the rest of the world.
Improving phylogenetic analyses by incorporating additional information from genetic sequence databases

Motivation: Statistical analyses of phylogenetic data culminate in uncertain estimates of underlying model parameters. Lack of additional data hinders the ability to reduce this uncertainty, as the original phylogenetic dataset is often complete, containing the entire gene or genome information available for the given set of taxa. Informative priors in a Bayesian analysis can reduce posterior uncertainty; however, publicly available phylogenetic software specifies vague priors for model parameters by default. We build objective and informative priors using hierarchical random effect models that combine additional datasets whose parameters are not of direct interest but are similar to the analysis of interest. Results: We propose principled statistical methods that permit more precise parameter estimates in phylogenetic analyses by creating informative priors for parameters of interest. Using additional sequence datasets from our lab or public databases, we construct a fully Bayesian semiparametric hierarchical model to combine datasets. A dynamic iteratively reweighted Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm conveniently recycles posterior samples from the individual analyses. We demonstrate the value of our approach by examining the insertion–deletion (indel) process in the enolase gene across the Tree of Life using the phylogenetic software BALI-PHY; we incorporate prior information about indels from 82 curated alignments downloaded from the BAliBASE database. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.