cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diamond-blackfan anemia: The role of immunoglobulin blocking factor in remission

Some patients with Diamond-Blackfan syndrome may have suppressor T-cells responsible for the failure of normal erythropoiesis. The capacity of Diamond-Blackfan syndrome mononuclear cells to react in mixed leukocyte culture to the stimulus of nucleated red cells was tested using bone marrow as the cell source. In all but one instance, Diamond-Blackfan mononuclear cells and cells from normal or a multiply-transfused control showed similar degrees of stimulation. Patient mononuclear cells reacted normally to phytohemagglutinin (PHA). The presence of a cytotoxic effect of Diamond-Blackfan mononuclear cells on normal nucleated red cells was examined using a 59Fe-release assay. There was no evidence for lymphocyte-mediated erythroid cytotoxicity. Immunoglobulins (Ig) were removed from Diamond-Blackfan serum by affinity chromatography. Erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) failed to grow normally in Ig-depleted patient autologous serum, but growth failure was reversed when Ig eluted from the affinity column was added back to the culture. Diamond-Blackfan Ig added to autologous mononuclear cells in the absence of autologous serum normalized colony growth. T-cells of some Diamond-Blackfan syndrome patients may suppress BFU-E growth, but they do not react abnormally in mixed leukocyte culture to nucleated erythroid cells and are not cytotoxic for erythroblasts under our conditions of study. The serum-blocking factor in our patients appears to be an Ig that promotes BFU-E generation despite the presence of suppressor T-cells. Although it cannot be proved, this may be related to the remission of disease in our patients.
Finite strain behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) above the glass transition temperature

Abstract An experimental study of the strain rate and temperature dependencies of the stress–strain behavior of PET under large strain deformation was conducted over a range in strain rates (−0.005 to −2.0 s−1) and temperatures (90°C–105°C) in both uniaxial and plane strain compression. The increase in crystallinity content with varying strain rate and temperature and for the two different states of strain that developed as a result of these deformation conditions was investigated using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The nature and evolution of the crystallographic texture was studied using Wide Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) measurements. The stress–strain behavior is found to exhibit four characteristic features: (1) a relatively high initial stiffness, (2) followed by a rollover in the stress–strain curve to flow behavior, (3) followed by an increase in stress with continuing strain, (4) followed by a dramatic increase in stress with strain at very large strains. These four features strongly depend on strain rate, temperature and state of strain. DSC and WAXD measurements on deformed specimens indicated an increase in crystallinity with increasing strain rate and decreasing deformation temperature under both uniaxial and plane strain conditions. The WAXD measurements also revealed that the preferential crystallographic texture that develops is consistent with the molecular orientation which develops with the different states of strain.
Spectrum Crack Growth Analysis Using the Willenborg Model

This paper presents an evaluation of the Willenborg crack growth retardation model. This model utilizes an "effective stress" concept to reduce the crack tip stress intensity factor. With the exception of the constant amplitude growth rate data for a given material, the model does not rely on any empirically derived parameters. A summary of the model is presented, including the basic assumptions, the range of application, and usage limitations. Comparisons with existing experimental data for typical randomized block spectra and flight-byflight spectra show very good correlation. However, the model does not produce good results for highly ordered (low-high or high-low) spectra. Results are also presented for single and multiple overload spectra for 7075-TG and 2024-T3 aluminum alloys. The periodic overload behavior for these alloys was predicted with an accuracy that was within the typical scatter of the constant amplitude growth rate data.
Software architecture for SONET network elements (Poster Paper)

Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET) is a newly adopted transmission standard proposed by Bellcore in 1985. The main purposes of SONET are the mid-span meets (transmission equipment provided by different vendor can be connected directly), management of the entire network in terms of the embedded operation channel, and supporting the application interfaces. SONET Network Element (NE) is the basic equipment in SONET which consists of Terminal Multiplexer (TM), add-drop multiplexer, and digital cross-connect system etc. This paper presents a general guide to design the software architecture of the SONET NE. The object-oriented and layering concepts are heavily used as design rules, which in the future will provide a better approach for designing a product family of the SONET NEs, i.e., reuse the objects. Furthermore, maintenance, testing, and debugging of the software can be easily achieved.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Oxidized Dihydrocarvone as a Renewable Multifunctional Monomer for the Synthesis of Shape Memory Polyesters

The natural product dihydrocarvone, found in caraway oil, was oxidized to an epoxylactone on a multigram scale. The resulting epoxylactone was used as a multifunctional monomer and cross-linker in ring-opening polymerizations. Homopolymerization using diethylzinc and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate gave only low molecular weight oligomers (apparent Mn less than 2.5 kg/mol). Copolymerizations of e-caprolactone and 0.3 to 50% of the epoxylactone gave flexible cross-linked materials on a multigram scale in a one-step synthesis. The gel fraction of these copolymers was determined. These copolymers showed near perfect shape memory properties even after repeated bending.
Online learning in a dermatology clerkship: Piloting the new American Academy of Dermatology Medical Student Core Curriculum

Background Multiple studies have shown that both current and future primary care providers have insufficient education and training in dermatology. To address the limitations and wide variability in medical student dermatology instruction, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) created a standardized, online curriculum for both dermatology learners and educators. Objective We sought to determine the impact of the integration of the AAD online curriculum into a 2-week introductory dermatology clerkship for fourth-year medical students. Methods In addition to their clinical duties, we assigned 18 online modules at a rate of 1 to 3 per day. We evaluated knowledge acquisition using a 50-item, multiple-choice pretest and posttest. Postmodule and end-of-course questionnaires contained both closed and open-ended items soliciting students' perceptions about usability and satisfaction. Results All 51 participants significantly improved in their dermatology knowledge ( P Limitations Without a control group who did not experience the online curriculum, we are unable to isolate the specific impact of the online modules on students' learning. Conclusion This study demonstrates the successful integration of this educational resource into a 2-week, university-based dermatology clerkship. Students' perceptions regarding usability and satisfaction were overwhelmingly positive, suggesting that the online curriculum is highly acceptable to learners. Widespread use of this curriculum may be a significant advancement in standardized dermatology learning for medical students.
A Comparative Study of the Vocabularies of Forty‐Five Italian Textbooks1

THE present study represents an effort to establish a basic Italian list of approximately 3000 words most common to all Italian textbooks with vocabularies currently used in the high schools and colleges of the United States. The figure 3000 was aimed at because it is generally considered to be an adequate vocabulary attainment for the two-year highschool course or for the first year in college. The intention has been to include all Italian texts supplied with vocabularies issued by standard American publishers. These total forty-five and may be classified as (A) "made" material: twenty grammars, composition books, and readers; and (B) literary material: twenty-five reading texts. They are as follows:
Evidence for progression in frontal cortical pathology in late-stage Huntington's disease.

Atrophy of the cerebral cortex in Huntington's disease is regionally heterogeneous and progressive, involving the entire cerebral mantle in terminal stages. Here, two areas (9 and 46) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were analyzed in 11 late-stage (grades 3 or 4) Huntington's diseased patients and 8 normal control subjects. We used a 3-dimensional cell counting method to assess laminar cell density, number, and width. Reductions in overall cortical thickness in areas 9 (26%) and 46 (23%) were comparable. Area 9 exhibited loss of projection neurons in layers III (16%), V (31%), and VI (37%); these same layers were also reduced in width (25%, 34%, and 46%, respectively). In area 46, reductions in cortical width in layers II (18%) and VI (35%) were not accompanied by neuronal loss. Glial density was increased in deeper layers, reaching significance in layer VI (68%) of area 9 and in layer V (75%) of area 46; glial number was not altered. Thus, area 46 exhibited marked cortical thinning without apparent neuronal degeneration, whereas in area 9 neuronal loss was pronounced, consistent with an advanced phase of cortical pathology. Prominent involvement of corticothalamic neurons is discussed in the context of striatal loop circuitry and a possible pathologic cascade of cortical degeneration. J. Comp. Neurol. 468:190–204, 2004. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the polarizable proton continua and the proton pump mechanism of bacteriorhodopsin.

Nanosecond-to-microsecond time-resolved Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the 3000-1000-cm(-1) region has been used to examine the polarizable proton continua observed in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) during its photocycle. The difference in the transient FTIR spectra in the time domain between 20 ns and 1 ms shows a broad absorption continuum band in the 2100-1800-cm(-1) region, a bleach continuum band in the 2500-2150-cm(-1) region, and a bleach continuum band above 2700 cm(-1). According to Zundel (G., J. Mol. Struct. 322:33-42), these continua appear in systems capable of forming polarizable hydrogen bonds. The formation of a bleach continuum suggests the presence of a polarizable proton in the ground state that changes during the photocycle. The appearance of a transient absorption continuum suggests a change in the polarizable proton or the appearance of new ones. It is found that each continuum has a rise time of less than 80 ns and a decay time component of approximately 300 micros. In addition, it is found that the absorption continuum in the 2100-1800-cm(-1) region has a slow rise component of 190 ns and a fast decay component of approximately 60 micros. Using these results and those of the recent x-ray structural studies of bR(570) and M(412) (H. Luecke, B. Schobert, H.T. Richter, J.-P. Cartailler, and J. K., Science 286:255-260), together with the already known spectroscopic properties of the different intermediates in the photocycle, the possible origins of the polarizable protons giving rise to these continua during the bR photocycle are proposed. Models of the proton pump are discussed in terms of the changes in these polarizable protons and the hydrogen-bonded chains and in terms of previously known results such as the simultaneous deprotonation of the protonated Schiff base (PSB) and Tyr185 and the disappearance of water molecules in the proton release channel during the proton pump process.
Simulation as an engine of physical scene understanding

In a glance, we can perceive whether a stack of dishes will topple, a branch will support a child’s weight, a grocery bag is poorly packed and liable to tear or crush its contents, or a tool is firmly attached to a table or free to be lifted. Such rapid physical inferences are central to how people interact with the world and with each other, yet their computational underpinnings are poorly understood. We propose a model based on an “intuitive physics engine,” a cognitive mechanism similar to computer engines that simulate rich physics in video games and graphics, but that uses approximate, probabilistic simulations to make robust and fast inferences in complex natural scenes where crucial information is unobserved. This single model fits data from five distinct psychophysical tasks, captures several illusions and biases, and explains core aspects of human mental models and common-sense reasoning that are instrumental to how humans understand their everyday world.
The Effect of Sulfanilamide in the Diluent upon Fertility of Bull Semen

Summary Three separate experiments involving a total of 8,498 inseminations were conducted to determine the effect on fertility of bull semen of adding sulfanilamide to the yolk-citrate diluent at the rate of 300 mg. per 100 ml. In the first experiment no benefit was observed. In the next two investigations, where the citrate buffer containing sulfanilamide was protected from direct light rays, an increase in fertility by use of the sulfanilamide was obtained. This improvement amounted to 6.1 per cent of the cows inseminated in the second experiment and 4.5 per cent in the third. The sulfanilamide appeared to influence all semen samples in the same direction, for, in the third experiment, no significant interactions were observed between the treatments and either bulls or first and second ejaculates. These results are interpreted as indicating that the beneficial effects of sulfanilamide on fertility largely are metabolic ones, rather than due to bacterial control alone.
A Note on Johnson’s ‘A Refutation of Skeptical Theism’

In a recent article, David Kyle Johnson has claimed to have provided a ‘refutation’ of skeptical theism. Johnson’s refutation raises several interesting issues. But in this note, I focus on only one—an implicit principle Johnson uses in his refutation to update probabilities after receiving new evidence. I argue that this principle is false. Consequently, Johnson’s refutation, as it currently stands, is undermined.
A Flow Model for the Effect of a Slanted Base on Drag

Abstract : Experiments by Morel have shown that slanting the base of a bluff body causes large variations in the drag, as the slant angle changes. For a particular, critical slant angle the drag changes discontinuously. This phenomenon was correlated with a drastic change in the type of base flow. A mechanism to explain this change, and therefore, the discontinuity in drag, is proposed. The basis of the mechanism is breakdown of the side edge vortices. An estimate of the swirl angle in these vortices is obtained using a swept-back mixing zone solution. This swirl angle and the other elements of the theory provide an estimate for the critical slant angle that is entirely consistent with the observed value. (Author)
Mutational analysis of the operators of bacteriophage lambda.

Oc mutations in the operators of bacteriophage lambda have been used to analyze the functional organization of the operators. In each operator, repressor binding sites 1 and 2, as identified biochemically, were found to be primarily responsible for the repressor affinity of the operators in vitro and for the repression of lytic functions in vivo. In addition, both sites were shown to be involved in the action of cro product at the operators. The data obtained have been used to estimate the repressor affinities of the individual binding sites. These affinities suggest that repressor bound at OR1 and OR2 interacts cooperatively. The results obtained support a model for repression of the early lambda operons where repressor bound at binding sites 1 and 2 interferes with RNA polymerase binding to the promoter sites.
Editorial to special section of Journal of Adolescence.

Abstract It is appropriate that this Special Section in Journal of Adolescence should focus on the needs of adolescents within the care system. The year 1998 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of the Children Act (1948), which established the modern structure of services in England and Wales for children and adolescents deprived of adequate parenting in their own homes. Anniversaries are an opportunity for reflection. Are our current services an improvement on the past? In learning new lessons have we possibly lost sight of things we knew better, and did better, previously?
Transposition of hAT elements links transposable elements and V(D)J recombination

Transposons are DNA sequences that encode functions that promote their movement to new locations in the genome. If unregulated, such movement could potentially insert additional DNA into genes, thereby disrupting gene expression and compromising an organism's viability. Transposable elements are classified by their transposition mechanisms and by the transposases that mediate their movement. The mechanism of movement of the eukaryotic hAT superfamily elements was previously unknown, but the divergent sequence of hAT transposases from other elements suggested that these elements might use a distinct mechanism. Here we have analysed transposition of the insect hAT element Hermes in vitro. Like other transposons, Hermes excises from DNA via double-strand breaks between the donor-site DNA and the transposon ends, and the newly exposed transposon ends join to the target DNA. Interestingly, the ends of the donor double-strand breaks form hairpin intermediates, as observed during V(D)J recombination, the process which underlies the combinatorial formation of antigen receptor genes. Significant similarities exist in the catalytic amino acids of Hermes transposase, the V(D)J recombinase RAG, and retroviral integrase superfamily transposases, thereby linking the movement of transposable elements and V(D)J recombination.
Appearance of or persistence of severe mitral regurgitation without left ventricular outflow obstruction after partial ventricular septal myotomy-myectomy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract At the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute from 1959 through October 1989, 626 patients underwent operative treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: ventricular septal myotomy-partial myectomy alone in 539 patients; mitral valve replacement alone in 68 patients; and both procedures, not necessarily simultaneously, in 27 patients. The septal myotomy-myectomy procedure in most patients provided clinical improvement, but in some patients the results of this procedure have been unsatisfactory and reoperation has been performed. 1 In the 27 patients who underwent reoperation after septal myotomy-myectomy, the indication was persistent left ventricular outflow obstruction in 24 patients 2 and pure mitral regurgitation, without outflow obstruction, in 3 patients. This report describes certain clinical and morphologic features in the latter 3 patients.
Direct Simulation Monte Carlo for astrophysical flows – II. Ram-pressure dynamics

We use the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method combined with an n-body code to study the dynamics of the interaction between a gas-rich spiral galaxy and intracluster or intragroup medium, often known as the ram pressure scenario. The advantage of this gas kinetic approach over traditional hydrodynamics is explicit treatment of the interface between the hot and cold, dense and rarefied media typical of astrophysical flows and the explicit conservation of energy and momentum and the interface. This approach yields some new physical insight. Owing to the shock and backward wave that forms at the point ICM--ISM contact, ICM gas is compressed, heated and slowed. The shock morphology is Mach-disk-like. In the outer galaxy, the hot turbulent post-shock gas flows around the galaxy disk, while heating and ablating the initially cool disk gas. The outer gas and angular momentum are lost to the flow. In the inner galaxy, the hot gas pressurizes the neutral ISM gas causing a strong two-phase instability. As a result, the momentum of the wind is no longer impulsively communicated to the cold gas as assumed in the Gunn-Gott (1972) formula, but oozes through the porous disk, transferring its linear momentum to the disk en masse. The escaping gas mixture has a net positive angular momentum and forms a slowly rotating sheath. The shear flow caused by the post-shock ICM flowing through the porous multiphase ISM creates a strong Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the disk that results in Cartwheel-like ring and spoke morphology.
Amyloid P component and other acute-phase proteins associated with cerebellar Aβ-deposits in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract It is established that amyloid P (AP) component and complement proteins are associated with amyloid β (Aβ)-protein deposits in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects. Here, we used immunocytochemical methods to examine the association of these acute-phase proteins with the characteristic diffuse plaques of cerebellum in AD. We observed AP and complement C3d, C1q, C5 and C4bp immunoreactivities in most Aβ-protein-reactive plaques of the cerebellum. Further, a1-antichymotrypsin immunoreactivity was apparent in at least 60% of all the cerebellar diffuse plaques examined. Cerebellar tissue bearing the Aβ-protein deposits also often exhibited marked angiopathy in the pial vessels. We suggest that diffuse plaques of the cerebellum also acquire components of the chronic inflammatory response evident in neocortical plaques.
Lack of association between Alzheimer's disease and histocompatibility antigens

The present report describes the distribution of histocompatibility antigens in 52 patients with Alzheimer's disease. No significant associations were observed between this illness and particular HLA types before or after statistical correction for multiple comparisons. These findings are discussed in terms of the difficulties inherent in the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and with regard to the choice of suitable control populations.
Carrier transport in thin films of silicon nanoparticles

The electrical and electroluminescence characteristics of heterostructure systems containing thin films of visibly emitting silicon nanoparticles are shown to be controlled by carrier transport through the nanoparticulate films. A conduction mechanism encompassing both geometric and electronic effects most effectively relates the high resistivity with structural properties of the films. Heterostructure devices are constructed with silicon nanoparticle active layers produced by pulsed laser ablation supersonic expansion. The observed temperature-dependent photoluminescence, electroluminescence, and $I\ensuremath{-}V$ characteristics of the devices are consistent with a model in which carrier transport is controlled by space-charge-limited currents or tunneling through potential barriers on a percolating lattice.
Casein Kinase 2- and Protein Kinase A-regulated Adenomatous Polyposis Coli and β-Catenin Cellular Localization Is Dependent on p38 MAPK *

Skin cancer is the most common form of malignancy in the world with epidemic proportions. Identifying the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the events leading to tumors is paramount to designing new and effective treatments that may aid in treating and/or preventing skin cancers. Herein we identify p38 MAPK, along with its positive modulator, Gadd45a, as important regulators of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor. APC normally functions to block β-catenin from promoting cell proliferation and migration/invasion. Keratinocytes lacking proper p38 MAPK activation, either due to lack of Gadd45a or through the use of p38 MAPK-specific inhibitors, are unable to effectively transport APC into the nucleus. We also show that p38 MAPK is able to directly associate with and modulate both casein kinase 2 (CK2) and protein kinase A (PKA), which promote and block APC nuclear import, respectively. We demonstrate that p38 MAPK is able to not only enhance CK2 kinase activity but also suppress PKA kinase activity. Moreover, lack of normal p38 MAPK activity in either Gadd45a-null keratinocytes or in p38 MAPK inhibitor treated keratinocytes leads to decreased CK2 activity and increased PKA activity. In either case, disruption of APC nuclear import results in elevated levels of free cellular, and potentially oncogenic, β-catenin. Numerous tumors, including skin cancers, are associated with high levels of β-catenin, and our data indicate that p38 MAPK signaling, along with Gadd45a, may provide tumor suppressor-like functions in part by promoting APC nuclear localization and effective β-catenin regulation.
Don't call them middleboxes, call them middlepipes

As interest grows in introducing network functions---middleboxes---to Platform as a Service (PaaS) clouds, it is tempting to treat them as normal PaaS services. However, the PaaS service abstraction lacks sufficient support for middlebox services. For example, network functions may require proximity to data sources for efficient snooping or request rewriting, or access to raw packets rather than application-level requests. Instead, we propose a new network function abstraction to PaaS clouds called middlepipes. True to PaaS philosophy, middlepipes are sufficiently high level for application developers to forget about details like packets vs. requests and data source proximity. Middlepipes can be chained together to cooperatively interpose on traffic between applications and services. Furthermore, they can generate callbacks into applications; in this paper, we describe the middlepipe PaaS architecture in the context of a "circuit breaker" network function.
Functional effects of the TMEM43 Ser358Leu mutation in the pathogenesis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

The Ser358Leu mutation in TMEM43, encoding an inner nuclear membrane protein, has been implicated in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). The pathogenetic mechanisms of this mutation are poorly understood. To determine the frequency of TMEM43 mutations as a cause of ARVC, we screened 11 ARVC families for mutations in TMEM43 and five desmosomal genes previously implicated in the disease. Functional studies were performed in COS-7 cells transfected with wildtype, mutant, and 1:2 wildtype:mutant TMEM43 to determine the effect of the Ser358Leu mutation on the stability and cellular localization of TMEM43 and other nuclear envelope and desmosomal proteins, assessed by solubility assays and immunofluorescence imaging. mRNA expression was assessed of genes potentially affected by dysfunction of the nuclear lamina. Three novel mutations in previously documented desmosomal genes, but no mutations in TMEM43, were identified. COS-7 cells transfected with mutant TMEM43 exhibited no change in desmosomal stability. Stability and nuclear membrane localization of mutant TMEM43 and of lamin B and emerin were normal. Mutant TMEM43 did not alter the expression of genes located on chromosome 13, previously implicated in nuclear envelope protein mutations leading to skeletal muscular dystrophies. Mutant TMEM43 exhibits normal cellular localization and does not disrupt integrity and localization of other nuclear envelope and desmosomal proteins. The pathogenetic role of TMEM43 mutations in ARVC remains uncertain.
GENETICS AND RECENT HUMAN EVOLUTION

Starting with “mitochondrial Eve” in 1987, genetics has played an increasingly important role in studies of the last two million years of human evolution. It initially appeared that genetic data resolved the basic models of recent human evolution in favor of the “out-of-Africa replacement” hypothesis in which anatomically modern humans evolved in Africa about 150,000 years ago, started to spread throughout the world about 100,000 years ago, and subsequently drove to complete genetic extinction (replacement) all other human populations in Eurasia. Unfortunately, many of the genetic studies on recent human evolution have suffered from scientific flaws, including misrepresenting the models of recent human evolution, focusing upon hypothesis compatibility rather than hypothesis testing, committing the ecological fallacy, and failing to consider a broader array of alternative hypotheses. Once these flaws are corrected, there is actually little genetic support for the out-of-Africa replacement hypothesis. Indeed, when genetic data are used in a hypothesis-testing framework, the out-of-Africa replacement hypothesis is strongly rejected. The model of recent human evolution that emerges from a statistical hypothesis-testing framework does not correspond to any of the traditional models of human evolution, but it is compatible with fossil and archaeological data. These studies also reveal that any one gene or DNA region captures only a small part of human evolutionary history, so multilocus studies are essential. As more and more loci became available, genetics will undoubtedly offer additional insights and resolutions of human evolution.
ROUTE TO CHAOS IN CHEMICALLY ENHANCED THERMAL CONVECTION IN POROUS MEDIA

Abstract Exothermic chemical reactions can influence natural convection effects in a porous medium. Such phenomena may occur in tubular reactors, oxidation of solid materials in large containers, chemical vapor deposition systems, liquid explosives, and others. Experimental evidence indicates that the influence of natural convection in many chemically reacting systems cannot be neglected. In the present work, transient effects of a two-dimensional convection generated and sustained by an exothermic chemical reaction and a constant boundary wall temperature are studied. The Darcy-Boussinesq equations are used to describe fluid flow through porous media with a zero-order chemical reaction. A recently developed method is used to compute the singular points (such as limit and symmetry breaking bifurcation points) precisely as a function of Rayleigh (Ra) and Frank-Kamenetskii (Fk) numbers. Fold curves are drawn as a function of Ra, and Fk. Flow behavior is governed by two natural parameters, namely, Ra and Fk....
Global Governance: Poorly done and Poorly Understood

A set of ethical issues—tensions between democratization and globalization, about some ways in which the global inequalities have increased, and about gross failures of contemporary international cooperation—provide reason to consider our understanding of global governance and the political forces organized to support or transform it. Many scholars agree on the existence of a global polity characterized by the dominance of neo-liberalism, the growing network of both public and private regimes that extend across the world's largest regions, the system of global intergovernmental organizations, and transnational organizations both carrying out some of the traditional service functions of global public agencies and working to create regimes and new systems of international integration. Scholars who emphasize the historically contingent social construction of human institutions and who focus on the transformative potential of transnational social movements have provided the greatest insight into what can be done to confront the ethical issues raised by contemporary global governance. Almost all analysts agree that the current great powers cannot be relied upon to facilitate progressive change, although that is only one reason why global governance is likely to remain inefficient and incapable of shifting resources from the world's rich to the poor, even though it may continue to play a role in promoting liberal democracy and the empowering of women.
Turnaround in Cyclic Cosmology

It is speculated how dark energy in a brane world can help reconcile an infinitely cyclic cosmology with the second law of thermodynamics. A cyclic model is described, in which dark energy with w<-1 equation of state leads to a turnaround at a time, extremely shortly before the would-be big rip, at which both volume and entropy of our Universe decrease by a gigantic factor, while very many independent similarly small contracting universes are spawned. The entropy of our model decreases almost to zero at turnaround but increases for the remainder of the cycle by a vanishingly small amount during contraction, empty of matter, then by a large factor during inflationary expansion.
Catalysis, Specificity, and ACP Docking Site of Streptomyces coelicolor Malonyl-CoA:ACP Transacylase

Malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase (MAT), the fabD gene product of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), participates in both fatty acid and polyketide synthesis pathways, transferring malonyl groups that are used as extender units in chain growth from malonyl-CoA to pathway-specific acyl carrier proteins (ACPs). Here, the 2.0 A structure reveals an invariant arginine bound to an acetate that mimics the malonyl carboxylate and helps define the extender unit binding site. Catalysis may only occur when the oxyanion hole is formed through substrate binding, preventing hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme intermediate. Macromolecular docking simulations with actinorhodin ACP suggest that the majority of the ACP docking surface is formed by a helical flap. These results should help to engineer polyketide synthases (PKSs) that produce novel polyketides.
Primary curvature in the Mid-Continent Rift: Paleomagnetism of the Portage Lake Volcanics (northern Michigan, USA)

Abstract Rocks of the North American Mid-Continent Rift (MCR) in the Keweenaw Peninsula of northern Michigan display a change in structural trend from east to west, varying in strike from 100° in the east to 35° farther west, before returning to a more east–west trend of 80° near Wisconsin. In general, curvature can be described either as of primary origin, meaning that the arc developed in its present curved state, or as of secondary origin, when the arc formed from an initially straighter geometry. A powerful tool in evaluating the origin and degree of curvature in any deformed belt is paleomagnetism, where coincident change in declination and strike is evidence for secondary curvature. Several paleomagnetic studies have been completed on rift-related sedimentary rocks, as well as lava flows, from the MCR in the Lake Superior region. Paleomagnetic directions for the sedimentary rocks vary much more in declination than in inclination, possibly reflecting a vertical axis rotation. If secondary rotation has affected the sedimentary rocks, then underlying volcanic rocks should also demonstrate a similar rotation. Thirty-one sites were collected from the Portage Lake Volcanics in the most highly curved part of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Sites were chosen to maximize the variation in structural trend. Thermal demagnetization results showed two components in samples from most sites, a lower temperature A component ( 580 °C). Both components were tested for primary remanence using a conglomerate test. The A component, carried by magnetite, passes the conglomerate test at a 95% confidence level, and is therefore considered a primary remanence. The B component, carried by hematite, fails at the 95% level and is considered a secondary magnetization. Most importantly, declination of the primary (A) magnetization between sites shows no correlation with strike, demonstrating that vertical axis rotations cannot explain the curvature of the Mid-Continent Rift. We conclude that curvature in the Lake Superior Region is a primary feature, likely reflecting a pre-existing zone of weakness that was exploited during rifting.
Stirotarsinae, New Subfamily for Stirotarsus abnormis Bergroth (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Stirotarsinae, new subfamily, is erected for the monotypic genus Stirotarsus Bergroth. Diagnoses for the subfamily and the genus, Stirotarsus, as well as a detailed description for the species Stirotarsus abnormis Bergroth are provided. The phylogenetic position of Stirotarsinae is discussed. Peru is reported as a new locality record for this species.
Validating an evidence-based, self-rated fall risk questionnaire (FRQ) for older adults

Abstract Background Falls are a common, serious, and often unrecognized problem facing older adults. The objective of this study was to provide an initial clinical and statistical validation for a public health strategy of fall risk self-assessment by older adults using a Fall Risk Questionnaire (FRQ). Methods Adults age 65 + (n = 40) were recruited at a Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility and at a local assisted living facility. Participants completed the FRQ self-assessment and results were compared to a “gold standard” of a clinical evaluation of risks using the American/British Geriatrics Society guidelines to assess independent predictors of falls: history of previous falls, fear of falling, gait/balance, muscle weakness, incontinence, sensation and proprioception, depression, vision, and medications. For the comparison, we used an iterative statistical approach, weighing items based on relative risk. Results There was strong agreement between the FRQ and clinical evaluation (kappa = .875, p Conclusions The FRQ goes beyond existing screening tools in that it is based on both evidence and clinical acceptability and has been initially validated with clinical examination data. A larger validation with longitudinal follow-up should determine the actual strength of the FRQ in predicting future falls.
Multiwavelength optically controlled phased-array antennas

A novel multiwavelength scheme is proposed and demonstrated for one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) optically controlled phased-array antenna (OCPAA) systems with true time delay (TTD). This hardware-compressive architecture employs a multiwavelength laser source in conjunction with a programmable dispersion matrix (PDM) and switched optical delay lines (SODLs) to generate all the required time delays for beam steering in 2-D phased-array antenna systems. Independent control of elevation and azimuthal scan is achieved by combining wavelength-dependent and wavelength-independent time delays. An experimental prototype of 4/spl times/2 array with 2-b/spl times/2-b resolution is constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of the multiwavelength OCPPA (MWOCPAA). Broadband linear RF phase shift is measured in both elevation and azimuthal planes over the entire bandwidth of the electro-optic (EO) modulator. System issues such as insertion loss, array size, and channel isolation are discussed. Extension of the multiwavelength scheme to a common transmit/receive (T/R) module with TTD is also described.
Privacy-preserving location-dependent query processing

A mobile portable device will often make queries, to a remote database, that depend on its location: It may ask for the nearest coffee shop, restaurant, pharmacy, etc. For privacy reasons, the mobile unit may not wish to disclose its precise location to the remote database - while it is unavoidable that the cell phone company already knows the rough location of the customer ("somewhere in Lafayette "), it is quite another matter if the customer's precise location can be tracked over tune through his pattern of location-dependent queries to the remote database. This work describes an efficient protocol, between the client and database, through which a client can learn the answer to its location-dependent query without revealing to the remote database anything about his location, other than what the database can infer from the answer it gives to the query (which is unavoidable). We also analyze the performance of some other, simpler solutions, that do not require the database to run a protocol with the client, but that can reveal more information about the private location and also introduce inaccuracies in the answer - we quantify how much error these simpler schemes introduce in the answer.
Pixelwise-adaptive blind optical flow assuming nonstationary statistics

We address some of the major issues in optical flow within a new framework assuming nonstationary statistics for the motion field and for the errors. Problems addressed include the preservation of discontinuities, model/data errors, outliers, confidence measures, and performance evaluation. In solving these problems, we assume that the statistics of the motion field and the errors are not only spatially varying, but also unknown. We, thus, derive a blind adaptive technique based on generalized cross validation for estimating an independent regularization parameter for each pixel. Our formulation is pixelwise and combines existing first- and second-order constraints with a new second-order temporal constraint. We derive a new confidence measure for an adaptive rejection of erroneous and outlying motion vectors, and compare our results to other techniques in the literature. A new performance measure is also derived for estimating the signal-to-noise ratio for real sequences when the ground truth is unknown.
Curing of epoxy resins with diphenyliodonium salts as thermal initiators

The curing reaction of a thermally curable epoxy system containing diphenyliodonium hexafluoroarsenate was investigated by using the dynamic and isothermal techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was shown that the curing involved two consecutive reactions. The heat of the total curing reaction and overall kinetic parameters for the two reactions were obtained.
Adolescent and Adult Intellectual Development

Traditional approaches to intelligence have mainly evolved from Spearman’s theory of general intelligence, which views intelligence as general and fixed, and from applications of Binet’s approach, which views intelligence among children and adolescents as normally increasing with age. The study of adult intellect and intellectual development indicates that neither approach well represents the depth and breadth of skills and knowledge that make up the adult intellectual repertoire. A framework for examining individual differences in intellectual development from adolescence through middle adulthood is discussed, along with a series of empirical investigations on the ability and non-ability (e.g., personality, interests, self-concept) determinants of domain knowledge. Implications for understanding intelligence during adulthood and college-major choices are discussed from a perspective that combines intelligence as process, personality, and interests as they determine the development of intelligence as know...
parC Mutations in Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Borrelia burgdorferi

We have isolated in vitro fluoroquinolone-resistant mutants of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi. Mutations in parC, which encodes a subunit of topoisomerase IV, were associated with loss of susceptibility to sparfloxacin, moxifloxacin, and Bay-Y3118, but not ciprofloxacin. This is the first description of fluoroquinolone resistance in the spirochete phylum.
A Case Study of the Summertime Great Plains Low Level Jet

Abstract A case study of the kinematical and dynamical evolution of the summertime Great Plains low level jet (LLJ) is presented. Airborne radar altimetry was used to discern the x and y components of the geostrophic wind at three levels in the lower atmosphere throughout the LLJ episode. Results appear to confirm previous theoretical and numerical studies regarding the importance of the diurnal cycle of heating over sloping terrain in producing an oscillating horizontal pressure gradient force. Inertial turning of the LLJ as a result of frictional decoupling was also documented. It is concluded that the inertial oscillation resulting from the sudden decrease in friction in the lower atmosphere during the early evening is the dominant mechanism in forcing this example of a summertime Great Plains LLJ.
Patients' experiences managing cardiovascular disease and risk factors in prison.

Despite greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in patients with a history of incarceration, little is known about how prisons manage CVD risk factors (CVD-RF) to mitigate this risk. We conducted in-depth interviews with individuals with CVD-RF who had been recently released from prison (n = 26). These individuals were recruited through community flyers and a primary care clinic in Connecticut. Using a grounded theory approach and the constant comparative method, we inductively generated themes about CVD-RF care in prisons. Data collection and analysis occurred iteratively to refine and unify emerging themes. Four themes emerged about care in prison: (1) Participants perceive that their CVD-RFs are managed through acute, rather than chronic, care processes; (2) Prison providers’ multiple correctional and medical roles can undermine patient-centered care; (3) Informal support systems can enhance CVD-RF self-management education and skills; and (4) The trade-off between prisoner security and patient autonomy influences opportunities for self-management. Patients develop self-management skills through complex processes that may be compromised by the influence of correctional policies on medical care. Our findings support interventions to engage peers, medical providers, care delivery systems, and correctional staff in cultivating effective self-management strategies tailored to prison settings.
Magnetoelectric Effects, Helical Phases, and FFLO Phases

This chapter emphasizes new magnetic properties that arise when inversion symmetry is broken in a superconductor. There are two aspects that will be covered in detail. The first topic encompasses physics related to superconducting magnetoelectric effects that arise from broken inversion symmetry. Broken inversion symmetry allow for Lifshitz invariants in the free energy which can be viewed as a coupling between the magnetic induction and the supercurrent. There are similarities between these invariants and the better known Dzyaloshinskii-Moyira interaction in magnetic systems. These Lifshitz invariants give rise to anomalous magnetic properties as well as new phases in the presence of magnetic fields. Here, we will describe the consequences of these Lifshitz invariants, provide estimates for the relative magnitudes of the novel effects, and discuss the important role that crystal symmetry plays in understanding this physics. Finally, we provide a discussion of the fate of Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phases in broken inversion superconductors. In particular, we show how broken inversion symmetry can have a profound effect on the stability, existence, and properties of FFLO phases.
Random knn modeling and variable selection for high dimensional data

High dimensional data is widely available in bioinformatics, chemometrics and other applications. For example, in gene expression experiments, tens of thousands of genes are probed. Phenotype data may be clinical data such as tumor types, or quantities measuring biological characteristics of a subject. While such high dimensional data can be readily generated, successful analysis and modeling of these data is highly challenging. Random KNN, as proposed in this dissertation, is a novel generalization of traditional nearest-neighbor modeling. Random KNN consists of an ensemble of base k nearest-neighbor models, each taking a random subset of the input variables. A theoretical and empirical analysis of the performance of the Random KNN is performed. Based on the proposed Random KNN, a new feature selection method is devised. To rank the importance of the variables, a criterion, named support, is defined and computed on the Random KNN framework. A two-stage backward model selection method is developed using supports. The present study shows that the Random KNN is a more effective and more efficient model for high-dimensional data than existing approaches. The Random KNN approach can be applied to both qualitative and quantitative responses, i.e., classification and regression problems, and has applications in statistics, machine learning, pattern recognition and bioinformatics, etc. Keywords. classification, regression, feature selection, bioinformatics, gene expression analysis