cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtue Ethics in Business and the Capabilities Approach.

Recently, Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum have developed the capabilities approach to provide a model for understanding the effectiveness of programs to help the developing nations. The approach holds that human beings are fundamentally free and have a sense of human dignity. Therefore, institutions need to help people enhance this dignity by providing them with␣the opportunity to develop their capabilities freely. I␣argue that this approach may help support business ethics based on virtue. Since teleology has become problematic, virtue ethics has had difficulty giving itself an ultimate justification. By combining virtue ethics with the capabilities approach, it becomes possible to ground virtue ethics on the basis of the existence of human dignity. This frees virtue ethics of the need for a strict teleology, replacing it with the notion that people must work to develop the capabilities of others although those capabilities are not pointed toward a definite goal. I further suggest that by grounding virtue ethics in capabilities, the actions of a virtuous manager become clearer. Rather than simply charging a manager with serving the public, the manager is charged with serving the stakeholders in a way that develops their capabilities. For example, a manager should not just give their employees what is just but must give them the environment and the encouragement to grow and to find fulfillment in their job.
Primary permanent arterialization of the portal vein in liver transplantation

Permanent total arterialization of the portal vein in liver transplantation has been described as a method of providing portal inflow after insufficient thrombectomy due to chronic occlusion of the portal-vein system. A specific problem is the restriction of the arterial inflow and its long-term adaptation after transplantation. We describe here the surgical techniques and clinical course of three patients who underwent portal-vein arterialization for liver transplantation. Two patients had an uneventful course. In one patient, a flow reduction by means of coil embolization of one arterial inflow branch was performed; thereafter, the patient recuperated well. Analysing the microcirculation of an arterialized graft in comparison with liver grafts with normal non-arterialized portal-vein inflow, we observed an increase in inter-sinusoidal distance and a decrease in sinusoidal red blood cell velocity. From a technical point of view, we recommend permanent portal-vein arterialization by an iliac artery graft interposition from the subdiaphragmatic aorta. The inflow to the portal vein can easily be reduced by the banding of the arterial graft interposition.
Descriptive analysis of malaria prophylaxis for travellers from Greece visiting malaria-endemic countries

Summary International travel is changing the epidemiology of imported malaria. Our aim was to study malaria prophylaxis administered to travellers from Greece. The study was conducted during 2008–2009. Data were collected using a standardized form. A total of 2337 travellers were studied; prophylaxis was recommended to 60.2% of them. Of the 2337 travellers, 32.6% travelled to sub-Saharan Africa, 25.5% to South America, 11.8% to Indian subcontinent, 11.7% to Middle East, and 4.4% to Southeast Asia; prophylaxis was recommended to 77.4%, 64%, 80.6%, 4.8% and 73.5% of them, respectively. According to the purpose of travel, prophylaxis was recommended to 85.4% of those travelling for work, 75.2% of those visiting friends and relatives, and 62% of those travelling for recreation. Prophylaxis advised was provided to 68.5%, 66.2%, 61.5%, and 18.9% to those staying at a residence of local people, camping, hotels, and cruise ships, respectively. Regarding long-term travellers, malaria prophylaxis was recommended to 42.6%. Recommendation of malaria prophylaxis was significantly statistically in association with destination countries, purpose of travel, type of residence in endemic areas There is a need to improve recommendations for malaria prophylaxis for travellers from Greece, and to increase awareness and education of professionals providing travel health services in Greece.
Recursive linear control of order release to manufacturing cells with random yield

One-piece flow job shop production environments in high labor turnover environments are oftentimes characterized by late shipments and incomplete orders due to random and variable yield. The problem addressed in this paper is that of determining an order release policy for a one-piece flow prototype production line in order to meet demand in an environment subject to random and variable yield induced by high labor turnover. This paper is motivated by a problem encountered in a facility that produces prototype parts. The problem at hand can be defined as that of determining a lot size to release into the line to minimize deviations from the demand (i.e., target batch quota) for single-piece flow production in an environment characterized by random and variable yield. The objective of this research was to investigate the utility of recursive linear control as a mechanism for releasing parts into a single-piece flow production cell, and to develop a control algorithm using a Kalman filter. The methodology is evaluated via simulation using actual demand and yield data simulated from a distribution fit from historical data. Order release strategy and yield were found to be the dominant variables for complete and on-time orders without excess and shortages, and linear recursive control was found to be effective for tracking, monitoring and adjusting the release of parts into a single-piece flow job shop in an environment characterized by random and variable yield.
Modeling the decline and potential recovery of a native butterfly following serial invasions by exotic species

Population sizes and range of the native butterfly Pieris oleracea declined after habitat loss and parasitism by an exotic braconid wasp (Cotesia glomerata) introduced to control the exotic invasive butterfly Pieris rapae. Further declines are attributed to the invasive exotic weed garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), an oviposition sensory trap on which P. oleracea larval survival and growth are very poor. But a population of P. oleracea has adapted to garlic mustard over the past several decades, coincident with the introduction of a second parasitoid, C. rubecula, a specialist on P. rapae that is competitively dominant to C. glomerata. We used stochastic simulation models to assess the plausibility of a hypothesis that reduced parasitoid pressure over this time period enabled P. oleracea to adapt to A. petiolata. We simulated scenarios of trait proliferation via spontaneous mutation or immigration of the trait, and residual variation in the trait following the butterfly’s isolation in North America. Results indicate that the most likely scenario for the population that has adapted to garlic mustard includes (1) a change in selection following garlic mustard invasion to favor previously neutral residual variation in the population, (2) release from parasitism, and (3) evolution of improved larval survival on garlic mustard, which allowed an increased host range, and potentially, population size.
Parent management of the school reintegration needs of children and youth following moderate or severe traumatic brain injury

AbstractPurpose: School reintegration following children's traumatic brain injury (TBI) is still poorly understood from families' perspectives. We aimed to understand how both unique and common experiences during children's school reintegration were explained by parents to influence the family. Methods: Data came from an investigation using descriptive phenomenology (2005–2007) to understand parents' experiences in the first five years following children's moderate to severe TBI. Parents (N = 42 from 37 families in the United States) participated in two 90-min interviews (first M = 15 months; second M = 27 months). Two investigators independently coded parents' discussions of school reintegration using content analysis to understand the unique and common factors that parents perceived affected the family. Results: Parents' school negotiation themes included the following: (1) legal versus moral basis for helping the child; (2) inappropriate state and local services that did not consider needs specific to ...
Capacity for a class of unknown channels

Channel capacity of a discrete channel is evaluated for a number of tactical situations involving an opponent; i.e., a jammer whose goal is the maximization of error probability and a communicator whose goal is the minimization of error probability. The communicator selects the decoding rule and selects the code in a random fashion while the jammer selects the channel from a given fixed set of discrete memory-less channels. The capacity is evaluated and is shown to be independent of whether (1) the jammer is required to select the channels to be identical for each use, or (2) the jammer can select each channel differently but independent of the past history of the channel inputs and outputs, or (3) the jammer can select each channel as a function of the past history of channel inputs and outputs. In addition, the capacity is shown to be the same regardless of whether the communicator is aware of the particular sequence of channels selected by the jammer, or the jammer is aware of the decoding rule and the probability measure used by the communicator for selecting codes.
Land subsidence due to water withdrawal in the vicinity of Pecos, Texas

Abstract Analysis of repeated levelings conducted by the National Geodetic Survey indicates a zone of anomalous relative subsidence in the vicinity of Pecos, Texas. The subsidence appears to have resulted from the decline of water level due to pumping from unconsolidated stream-deposited alluvium of Cenozoic age. Maximum observed vertical ground movement relative to benchmarks outside the zone of pronounced subsidence exceeded 200 mm between 1934 and 1956. The decline in the water table was as much as 60 m during approximately the same period. The subsiding region is about 30 km wide and 50 km long.
Characterizing, modeling, monitoring and remediating radionuclides in the subsurface: What is needed?

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has the mission to protect people and the environment. To support this important mission, the U.S. NRC staff assesses techniques and methods to characterize, model, monitor, and remediate radionuclide releases and their migration through the subsurface. Insights from ongoing reviews of field investigations by NRC staff involving radionuclide transport in the subsurface illustrate the need to test and confirm conceptual site models (CSM). The assumptions and parameterization inherent to these CSMs which affect radionuclide release and transport should be tested. In particular, the unsaturated zone where many leaks and spills originate needs detailed characterization and confirmatory monitoring. A dose assessment to determine risk-informed compliance with regulatory criteria is used to evaluate the need for and selection of remediation methods. If remediation is warranted, the choice of remediation method(s) is based upon site- and source-characterization, modeling and monitoring data. These data should be used to the test the CSM. Remediation options range from highly-aggressive methods such as pump, treat, monitor, and recycle or release; to more passive methods such as monitored natural attenuation. All successful remediation strategies involve monitoring programs to determine their efficacy. This monitoring is coupled to performance assessment models using performance indicators (PIs). These PIs provide a measurable indication of remediation performance and are derived from analysis of the CSM and monitoring data.
The Boston Keratoprosthesis in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Purpose To evaluate the use of the Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Methods Sixteen eyes of 15 patients with SJS underwent KPro surgery at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary from January 2000 through December 2005. The preoperative, operative, and postoperative findings were recorded. All patients underwent either the type I or type II Boston KPro surgery by one surgeon (C.H.D.). Retention of the prosthesis, best-corrected visual acuity, the need for surgical revision, and postoperative complications were recorded. The outcomes were compared with those of an earlier group of patients from the 1990s. Results The mean age of patients was 50 ± 18 years (range, 23 to 74 years), and the mean duration of their disease was 10 ± 6.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 3.6 ± 1.5 years (range, 10.2 months to 5.6 years). Ten eyes underwent type II KPro surgery, whereas six eyes underwent type I KPro surgery. Twelve eyes (75%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/200 or better after surgery, with eight eyes (50%) achieving excellent vision of 20/40 or better. Visual acuity was maintained at 20/200 or better over a mean period of 2.5 ± 2.0 years. Preexisting glaucoma was found to be a significant risk factor for visual loss. There were no cases of KPro extrusion or endophthalmitis. Conclusions KPro in SJS has improved, largely because of the introduction of vancomycin prophylaxis and better glaucoma treatment. It seems to be superior to standard penetrating keratoplasty, with or without allografted stem cell transplantation, as judged from the literature. However, the outcome of the KPro in SJS is still substantially less favorable than in nonautoimmune diseases.
A mammalian cellular system for the concomitant study of neoplastic transformation and somatic mutation.

Abstract A mammalian cellular system, utilizing Syrian hamster embryo cells, was developed for the concomitant study of neoplastic transformation and somatic mutation. Chemically induced somatic mutation of the cells was assayed at two genetic loci. Mutants deficient in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) were detected by the production of colonies resistant to 8-azaguanine (AGr) or 6-thioguanine (TGr) and mutants with an altered Na+/K+ ATPase were detected by the production of colonies resistant to ouabain (Ouar). Colonies resistant to each of the three selective agents were isolated and characterized. AGr and TGr resistant cells maintained their resistance to the selective agent after isolation and growth in the absence of the drug, displayed a low reversion frequency, and possessed less than 1% of the HPRT activity of the wild-type cells. AGr cells were also resistant to the cytotoxicity effects of 6TG. Ouar cells also maintained their resistance to ouabain and were less sensitive to the inhibition of 86Rb uptake by ouabain than the wild-type cells. The spontaneous frequency of all three types of resistant cells was The factors involved in the quantification of the mutation frequencies of hamster embryo cells following exposure to carcinogens were determined. Cytotoxicity was assayed by a reduction in the cloning efficiency of the treated cells. The recovery efficiencies of the resistant cells were measured by reconstitution experiments and the degree of cross feeding effects of HPRT− cells was determined. The expression time of the mutations following exposure of the cells to carcinogens was also examined, and the mutation frequencie at the two loci of hamster embryo cells following exposure to MNNG or benzo(a)-pyrene (B(a)P) were determined. Employing this system, a quantitative comparison can be made between the frequencies of somatic mutation and morphological transformation.
Development of rapid axonal flow in the chick embryo.

The development of axonal transport in the optic nerve of the developing chick has been investigated. Following monocular injection of radioactive fucose and proline, the specific activity of protein from paired optic lobes was determined in chick embryos and new-hatched chicks. In addition, the magnitude of the acid soluble precursor pool within lobes was assayed. The specific activity of protein in the optic lobe contralateral to (and innervated by) the injected eye relative to that of protein within the corresponding ipsilateral lobe (not innervated by the injected eye) was used as an index of axonal flow. In embryonic chicks from 8–12 days of age, four hours after injection of 3H-fucase into a single eye, this ratio was somewhat above unity. In the 13-day incubated embryo the ratio rose abruptly to over 10, and remained high throughout the period studied (up to one day after hatch). No similar sharp rise was found for the corresponding ratio for acid soluble radioactivity which remained under 2 in all ages of chicks examined. Parallel experiments with 14C-proline resulted in a smaller and more gradual development of asymmetry of specific activity of protein from paired optic lobes. These data suggest that, at the 13th day of incubation, specialized mechanisms develop for the rapid distal transport of glycoprotein synthesized within the retinal ganglion cells to terminations in the optic tectum. This phenomenon follows the major development of cerebral oxidative metabolism, but precedes the appearance of spontaneous or evoked potentials within the chick brain.
Design for packageability-the impact of bonding technology on the size and layout of VLSI dies

The impact of bonding technology from an IC designer's point of view is studied. Work by others has concentrated just on the effect of packaging alone, whereas this study investigates the effect of changing the VLSI dies. Specifically, the impact of wire-bond and flip-chip technologies on the size and layout of VLSI dies is demonstrated by means of general discussion and detailed examples. Three VLSI chips of various sizes and I/O requirements have been synthesized based on a standard-cell library for both wire-bond and flip-chip. The results show different die layouts and sizes can be achieved based on the choice of wire-bond or flip-chip technologies. >
The NMDA Receptor M3 Segment Is a Conserved Transduction Element Coupling Ligand Binding to Channel Opening

Ion channels alternate stochastically between two functional states, open and closed. This gating behavior is controlled by membrane potential or by the binding of neurotransmitters in voltage- and ligand-gated channels, respectively. Although much progress has been made in defining the structure and function of the ligand-binding cores and the voltage sensors, how these domains couple to channel opening remains poorly understood. Here we show that the M3 transmembrane segments of the NMDA receptor allosterically interact with both the ligand-binding cores and the channel gate. It is proposed that M3 functions as a transduction element whose conformational change couples ligand binding with channel opening. Furthermore, amino acid homology between glutamate receptor M3 segments and the equivalent S6 or TM2 segments in K channels suggests that ion channel activation and gating are both structurally and functionally conserved.
Resistance economics: social cost and the evolution of antibiotic resistance

Daily and Ehrlich have described the current state of our epidemiological environment in chilling detail. While their point is that human beings interact and affect the epidemiological environment in a variety of ways, the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria strikes us as one aspect that we can begin to analyse immediately. The evolution of resistance to antibiotics is a function of their use by humans. The more we use, the more selective pressure is placed upon bacteria to develop resistance. This is further complicated by how they are used. Both the duration and the amounts used affect the change in the level of resistance. Finally, the primary feature driving the concern over the use of these drugs is that the evolution of resistance makes these ‘miracle’ drugs exhaustible. We can try to develop new and better antibiotics, but it is uncertain how successful we will be and how expensive they will be if we are successful.
CHANGES IN THE ACTIVITY AND SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF PPO IN ‘DELICIOUS’ APPLES DURING CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE STORAGE

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in 4, 000 × g, 100, 000 × g, 200 × g and soluble fractions of ‘Delicious’ apples was monitored during 28 weeks of controlled atmosphere storage. PPO activity in 4, 000 × g and 100, 000 × g fractions decreased, while that in soluble and 200 × g fractions increased. These shifts in subcellular location occurred sooner in apples which were stored under high CO2 conditions (2.5–6% O2, 8–12% CO2) than those under normal CA conditions (2% O2, 3% CO2). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 4, 000 × g fractions isolated from ‘Delicious’ apples at harvest showed 2 bands with PPO activity, while stored samples all had 3 bands. Isoenzyme patterns were found to vary in different subcellular fractions.
Rapid Shift from Virally Infected Cells to Germinal Center-Retained Virus after HIV-2 Infection of Macaques

Lymphoid tissues are the primary target during the initial virus dissemination that occurs in HIV-1-infected individuals. Recent advances in antiretroviral therapy and techniques to monitor virus load in humans have demonstrated that the early stages of viral infection and host response are major determinants of the outcome of individual infections. Relatively little is known about immunopathogenic events occurring during the acute phase of HIV infection. We analyzed viral dissemination within lymphoid tissues by in situ hybridization and by combined immunohistochemistry/ in situ hybridization during the acute infection phase (12 hours to 28 days) in pig-tailed macaques ( Macaca nemestrina ), challenged intravenously with a virulent strain of HIV-2, HIV-2 287 . Two stages in viral dissemination were clearly evident within the first 28 days after HIV-2 287 infection. First, a massive increase in individual HIV-2-infected cells, mostly CD3+ T lymphocytes and a smaller percentage of macrophages and interdigitating dendritic cells, was identified within lymph nodes which peaked on the 10th day after HIV-2 infection. A shift of HIV-2 distribution was demonstrable between day 10 and day 14 after HIV-2 infection. Coincident with a marked reduction in individual HIV-2 RNA+ cells by day 14 postinfection, there was a dramatic increase in germinal center-associated HIV-2 RNA. High concentrations of HIV-2 RNA persisted in germinal centers in all animals by days 21 and 28 postinfection. Thus, HIV-2 appears to go through an initial, highly disseminated cellular phase followed by localization in the follicular dendritic cell network with relatively few infected cells. In this nonhuman primate model of HIV-associated immunopathogenesis, using a virus derived from a human pathogen, we identified a significant shift in the pattern of HIV-2 localization within a narrow time frame (day 10 to day 14). This shift in virus localization and behavior indicates that there may be a discrete but remarkably narrow window for therapeutic interventions that interrupt this stage in the natural course of HIV infection. Reproducibility and the accelerated time course of disease development make this model an excellent candidate for such intervention studies.
Advances in polarization diversity lidar for cloud remote sensing

As soon as high-energy pulsed lasers became available in the mid-1960s, atmospheric scientists began assessing the information contents of various light detection and ranging (lidar) techniques in the field and laboratory. A particularly promising approach, which has recently gained increased stature as a result of growing interests in previously overlooked cloud types important to climate research (e.g. high-altitude cirrus), involves the polarization analysis of the backscattered laser return. Polarization diversity lidars collect data simultaneously in two or more channels to remotely determine the thermodynamic cloud phase, structure, and boundaries, and infer a variety of other climatically important cloud microphysical properties. As illustrated by the description of the mobile University of Utah Polarization Diversity Lidar system, commercially available dual-wavelength transmitters and improved electronic technologies to process high-resolution multichannel lidar signals represent significant advantages over earlier devices used in cloud studies. Polarization diversity can be added rather economically to more specialized lidars employing spectroscopic techniques, for other forms of atmospheric probing, such as Raman, differential absorption, and high spectral resolution lidars, in order to enhance instrument accuracy and versatility for cloud an aerosol research. Future engineering challenges remain in the "hardening" of compact lidar systems for extraterrestrial deployment, the achievement of unattended eye-safe operations, and in the improved integration of multiple remote sensor data streams and supporting in situ measurements to more fully characterize cloud systems and their effects on the Earth's radiation balance. >
Morphological and genetic divergence in three populations of Anthocoris antevolens (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Anthocoris antevolens White (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) is a widespread predatory bug in North America that exhibits substantial geographic variation in coloration, body measurements, size and shape of the male genitalia, pubescence, and sexual behavior. Earlier behavioral studies with three populations (including two populations that are sympatric in central Washington) showed that there was limited or no successful mating between insects from nonlike populations, despite vigorous mating attempts by males. The current study shows that males from those three populations diverge also in size and shape of claspers, length of the phallus, body measurements, and pubescence. Divergence extends to the two sympatric populations. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA shows that phenotypic divergence is associated with genetic divergence. Results reported here, in combination with the earlier published mating trials, support statements made elsewhere by us that A. antevolens is actually a complex of an unknown number of externally similar species.
An Analysis of Coordination Mechanisms for the U.S. Cash Supply Chain

The overuse of its currency processing facilities by depository institutions (DIs) has motivated the Federal Reserve (Fed) to impose its new cash recirculation policy. This overuse is characterized by the practice of cross-shipping, where a DI both deposits and withdraws cash of the same denomination in the same business week in the same geographical area. Under the new policy, which came into effect July 2007, the Fed has imposed a recirculation fee on cross-shipped cash. The Fed intends to use this fee to induce DIs to effectively recirculate cash so that the societal cost of providing cash to the public is lowered. To examine the efficacy of this mechanism, we first characterize the social optimum and then analyze the response of DIs under a recirculation fee levied on cross-shipped cash. We show that neither a linear recirculation fee, which is the Fed's current practice, nor a more sophisticated nonlinear fee is sufficient to guarantee a socially optimal response from DIs. We then derive a fundamentally different mechanism that induces DIs to self-select the social optimum. Our mechanism incorporates a fairness adjustment that avoids penalizing DIs that recirculate their fair share of cash and rewards DIs that recirculate more than this amount. We demonstrate that the mechanism is easy to implement and tolerates a reasonable amount of imprecision in the problem parameters. We also discuss a concept of welfare-preserving redistribution wherein the Fed allows a group of DIs to reallocate (amongst themselves) their deposits and demand if such a possibility does not increase societal cost. Finally, we analyze the impact of incorporating the custodial inventory program, another component of the Fed's new policy.
Cognitive enhancement as a pharmacotherapy target for stimulant addiction.

Background No medications have been proven to be effective for cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. Attenuation of drug reward has been the main strategy for medications development, but this approach has not led to effective treatments. Thus, there is a need to identify novel treatment targets in addition to the brain reward system.
Thermal modeling for MRI-guided radiofrequency tumor ablation

Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (IMRI) provides an image-guided, minimally invasive method for eliminating cancerous tumors. When a small diameter RF probe is inserted into a solid tumor, the energy from the probe produces a current that heats the tissue to a sufficiently high temperature to kill cells. The procedure is designed to kill tumor cells with minimal damage to normal cells. To quantify and predict the thermal response of the tumor and surrounding tissue to heat produced internally with an RF probe, it is essential to model and simulate the 3-D temperature dynamics in the heated tumor by using an appropriate bioheat equation.
Volume Expansion during Hot Air Puffing of a Fat-free Starch-Based Snack

Puffed volume and puling uniformity of a fat-free snack were investigated. Strips of drum-dried sweet potato-tapioca pastes were puffed 15 sec at 200 o C in a fluidized bed. Puffed product specific volume (SV) was related to starch gelatinization, soluble solids content, initial moisture and method of half-product preparation. SV was maximum (490% increase) and most uniform (3.94% coef. of variation) when 70% moisture paste was drum-dried at 100 o C and 1 rpm to produce the half-product. Starch was 93% gelatinized in this process. Soluble solids reduced puffing by reducing starch gelatinization. Half-product produced by sheeting dough containing pregelatinized starch had puffed volumes which significantly correlated with starch gelatinization
Social preferences of domestic ewes for rams (Ovis aries)

Abstract A series of four experiments was performed to investigate the social preferences of 16 domestic ewes for potential mating partners. Ewe preferences were assessed by measuring the time spent in proximity to each of 2 restrained rams and/or 1 or 2 restrained ewes, in 5- or 20-min tests. In the first experiment, it was shown that oestrous ewes preferred to be in proximity to rams, while anoestrous ewes preferred other ewes. The second experiment showed that ewe preferences were strongly correlated with the rates of ram sexual solicitations and that ewes preferred older, larger rams over younger, smaller rams. The third experiment demonstrated that ewes preferred rams that had a history of higher sexual performance, independent of their rates of sexual solicitation. The fourth experiment demonstrated that the presence of other oestrous ewes interacting with rams can enhance the attractivity of some, but not all rams. Taken together, these results suggest that ewes can have strong preferences for potential mates and that these preferences may account, in part, for the findings that older, larger, more sexually active rams tend to be more reproductively successful. These findings suggest specific management practices which could improve breeding efficiency in domestic flocks.
String processing on the hypercube

Parallel algorithms are given for solving some string-comparison problems on the hypercube. These algorithms are widely applicable to the problems of speech and signal processing. For strings x and y with length (x)=m, length (y)=n, and assuming n>or=m, the authors show that the substring problem can be solved in O(m+log(n/m)) time using O(m) space per processing element (PE) on an MIMD hypercube of O(n/m) PEs. They note that this algorithm has an optimal processor-time product if m is bounded below by log(n/m). The results of implementing this algorithm on the NCUBE/7 hypercube machine are presented. The authors also show that the longest common substring problem can be solved in O(log n) time using O(1) space per PE on an SIMD hypercube of O(n/sup 2/) PEs. It is shown that the string edit problem, the longest common subsequence problem, the minimum-length time-warping problem, and many other speech recognition problems can be solved in O(log/sup 2/n) time using O(1) space per PE on an SIMD hypercube of O(n/sup 3//log/sup 2/n) PEs. >
Dependability in the Time of Forensics

More and more, the artifacts of our trade – computers and the software that drives them – are ending up in the courtroom, not necessarily as plaintiffs or defendants, but as aids in decision making or claims of effectiveness for triers of fact. Some examples of artifacts are biometric systems whose data are acquired and analyzed by computers; intrusion-detection systems that decide whether or not an attack occurred, and what its origins might be; and fault-detection systems that decide what went wrong, why, and what to do about it. Examples of claims of effectiveness might include reliability of software, how many bugs are in it, when it will be ready for release, and that it will work in exceptional conditions. When digital forensic evidence is used to incriminate or exonerate real people and the artifacts of their trade, that evidence must be credible and valid. Even the courts have weighed in on how to establish the suitability of evidence introduced into legal proceedings. The Daubert case (United States Supreme Court, 1993) set a requirement that a technique (such as biometric authentication) cannot be used in court unless its error rates are known. Error rates can be used to judge the validity of evidence and the artifact that produced it. Establishing error rates and artifactual validity is a tall standard, and can be quite hard to achieve. Even when reporting experimental results in our own conferences and journals, we sometimes fall short of that standard, jeopardizing our own science.
Identification of euglenoid algae that produce ichthyotoxin(s)

This study describes the production of an unknown toxin by freshwater Euglena species, when unexplained fish mortalities were reported in July-August 2002 at a commercial aquaculture facility in North Carolina, USA. This is the first report of fish kills by any freshwater algal taxa.
An Integrated 1×3 InP Photonic Switch

An integrated 1times3 optical switch that operates using the principle of carrier-induced refractive index change in InGaAsP multiple quantum wells is demonstrated. The device is very simple, only requiring currents to be applied to two electrodes for complete operational control. An area-selective zinc in-diffusion process is used to channel the currents into the multiple quantum wells, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the carrier-induced effects. This results in a low electrical power consumption, allowing the switch to be operated uncooled and under d.c. current conditions. The crosstalk between channels is better than -17 dB over a range of 50 nm centered at 1565 nm
Using genetic algorithms to solve Boolean equations

Genetic algorithms are used to obtain a general solution of equations in two-valued Boolean algebra. The technique presented has the advantage of producing a general solution in a simpler form than previous methods.
The Effects of Climatic Factors on Vegetation Dynamics of Tallgrass and Shortgrass Cover

Abstract Climatic factors such as precipitation and temperature place primary controls on vegetation growth and development. The relationships between these factors and vegetation dynamics, as monitored using satellite remote sensing data, have been demonstrated on continental, regional and subregional scales. Most local studies have primarily focused on small areas immediately surrounding weather stations. Here, the effects of climatic “factors over intermediate‐scale sites of relatively homogenous vegetative land cover are examined. Two areas of Kansas are selected for study: the shortgrass Sandsage Prairie in the southwest and the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in the east‐central Flint Hills region. Within year and between year variation in vegetation in the context of climatic variability is examined on these sites using NOAA AVHRR data. Large increases in the strength of association between vegetative response (NDVI) and one‐month lagged precipitation as compared to same month correlations are ...
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE AIR FORCE INFRARED SKY SURVEY

The paper presents a review of the Air Force Infrared Sky Survey with a discussion of the current status of the survey and an account of efforts to verify results contained in the AFCRL and AFGL catalogs. An overview of the AFGL catalog and subsets is given; 71% of the sources listed in the AFGL catalog are identified with sources in the Two Micron Sky Survey. Combining the data in the AFGL and TMSS catalogs yields information on the energy distributions of the brighter IR sources over four octaves. Attention is then given to studies of particular classes of objects found in the AFGL catalog, concentrating on objects not identified with stars in the TMSS or the Catalogue of Bright Stars. Finally, a summary is given of the relative populations of various classes of infrared sources found in the AFGL catalog, including a discussion of its extragalactic content.
Suppressive Effect of Interferon‐β on Development of Tumoricidal Activity in Mouse Macrophages

The suppressive effect of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta on the induction of tumoricidal activity in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages was investigated. Macrophages incubated for 24 hr with IFN-beta developed lower levels of cytolytic activity when stimulated with IFN-gamma and LPS, in comparison with macrophages pretreated with medium. The suppressive effect was dependent on the pretreatment dose of IFN-beta over a concentration range of 1 to 1,000 U/ml. Analysis of IFN-gamma dose response curves of IFN-beta treated macrophages showed that these cells were less sensitive to IFN-gamma. The suppressive effects were fully neutralized by an antiserum to IFN-alpha/beta. Prostaglandins were apparently not involved in this process since the addition of indomethacin to IFN-beta treated macrophages did not prevent the loss of responsiveness to activating stimuli. In contrast to the results obtained with IFN-alpha and IFN-beta, macrophages pretreated with IFN-gamma did not develop lower levels of cytolytic activity when again stimulated with IFN-gamma and LPS. These observations provide evidence for a potentially important negative regulatory role for IFN-alpha and IFN-beta in macrophage activation for tumor cell killing.
Representations of$${\mathfrak{S}_{_d}}$$: Young Diagrams and Frobenius’s Character Formula

In this lecture we get to work. Specifically, we give in §4.1 a complete description of the irreducible representations of the symmetric group, that is, a construction of the representations (via Young symmetrizers) and a formula (Frobenius’ formula) for their characters. The proof that the representations constructed in §4.1 are indeed the irreducible representations of the symmetric group is given in §4.2; the proof of Frobenius’ formula, as well as a number of others, in §4.3. Apart from their intrinsic interest (and undeniable beauty), these results turn out to be of substantial interest in Lie theory: analogs of the Young symmetrizers will give a construction of the irreducible representations of \(S{{L}_{n}}\mathbb{C} \). At the same time, while the techniques of this lecture are completely elementary (we use only a few identities about symmetric polynomials, proved in Appendix A), the level of difficulty is clearly higher than in preceding lectures. The results in the latter half of §4.3 (from Corollary 4.39 on) in particular are quite difficult, and inasmuch as they are not used later in the text may be skipped by readers who are not symmetric group enthusiasts.
Demonstration of Tier 2 Emission Levels for Heavy Light-Duty Trucks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated a program to demonstrate feasibility of the Tier 2 emissions standards for the largest vehicles regulated under the new standards. Advanced emission control systems were developed and evaluated using a large 1999 sport utility vehicle and a large 1999 light-duty pickup truck. The trucks were originally certified to California LEV-I or Federal Tier 1 emission standards. Advanced, high-cell density, ceramic and metallic substrate three-way catalysts were thermally aged to the equivalent of 80,000 km (50,000 miles) and integrated into the exhaust systems for evaluation. Low mass, thermally insulated exhaust system components were fabricated and evaluated. Engine control strategies were modified via ROM-emulation and powertrain control module (PCM) flash reprogramming. Both of the tested trucks demonstrated FTP emissions at levels below 2004 U.S Federal Tier 2 emissions standards.
Analysis of a Double Discontinuity in a Coaxial Line

This paper presents a field analysis of two closely spaced abrupt discontinuities in a coaxial transmission line. The discontinuities occur in the radius of the inner conductor of the transmission line. The problem is formulated in terms of two simultaneous integral equations whose solution is obtained by a variational technique. The solution for the admittance is expressed in terms of an infinite series of field modes. The first 11 mode amplitudes have been obtained numerically for different dielectrics and different radii, and admittances calculated. A comparison is made with the results obtained from a transmission-line theory approximation.
Amyloidosis: A story of how inframammary erosions eclipsed inconspicuous periorbital ecchymoses.

Abstract Systemic amyloidosis is a rare disease that can be rapidly progressive due to widespread organ involvement. There are well-described renal, cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and dermatologic findings. Here, we outline one patient's experience with the condition from presentation to making the diagnosis. She presented with pathognomonic dermatologic findings including pinch purpura and ecchymoses found in the skin folds.
NOTE ON USE OF THE A STATISTIC AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR t IN THE ONE-SAMPLE CASE

The Sandler A statistic, which is rigorously derived from the Student t ratio for correlated samples, has been found to reduce the computation required for arriving at statistical decisions. The present paper extends the use of the Sandler A statistic to test statistical hypotheses where the Student t ratio, one-sample case, is appropriate. Statistical decisions are identical to those arrived at by use of the Student t ratio.
Abstract LB-97: Aurora kinase inhibition suppresses colon cancer cell growth through NF-κb-mediated PUMA induction.

Aurora kinases are a group of highly conserved protein kinases that play a key role in mitosis. It has been shown that aurora kinases are overexpressed in a variety of tumors, and their overexpression contributes to aneuploidy in cancer cells. Inhibitors of aurora kinases have been developed and showed promises in recent studies. However, the mechanisms by which aurora kinase inhibitors suppress tumor cell growth have remained unclear. In this study, we found that ZM-447439, an aurora B inhibitor that has been tested in a number of preclinical studies, suppressed colon cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis through PUMA, a p53 downstream target and a BH3-only Bcl-2 family protein. Treatment with ZM-447439 strongly induced PUMA in a variety of colon cancer cells irrespective of their p53 status. The induction of PUMA by ZM-447439 is mediated by IκB-dependent activation of NF-κB, which directly binds to the PUMA promoter to activate its transcription. Deficiency in PUMA abrogated ZM-447439-induced apoptosis and caspase activation, and rendered ZM-447439 resistance in vitro and in vivo . Furthermore, chemosensitization by ZM-447439 was also found to be PUMA-dependent. Together, these results demonstrate a key role of PUMA-dependent apoptosis in mediating the therapeutic effect of aurora kinase inhibition. They provide a rationale for manipulating the apoptotic machinery to improve sensitivity and overcome resistance to aurora kinase inhibitors. Citation Format: Jing Sun, Kan He, Jian Yu, Lin Zhang. Aurora kinase inhibition suppresses colon cancer cell growth through NF-κb-mediated PUMA induction. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-97. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-LB-97
A wearable sensor system for medication adherence prediction

HighlightsWe propose a wearable sensor system for detecting swallows.We collect data and evaluate the system's ability to detect medication using machine learning algorithms.We use a probabilistic model to improve classification accuracy based on timing information. ObjectiveStudies have revealed that non-adherence to prescribed medication can lead to hospital readmissions, clinical complications, and other negative patient outcomes. Though many techniques have been proposed to improve patient adherence rates, they suffer from low accuracy. Our objective is to develop and test a novel system for assessment of medication adherence. MethodsRecently, several smart pill bottle technologies have been proposed, which can detect when the bottle has been opened, and even when a pill has been retrieved. However, very few systems can determine if the pill is subsequently ingested or discarded. We propose a system for detecting user adherence to medication using a smart necklace, capable of determining if the medication has been ingested based on the skin movement in the lower part of the neck during a swallow. This, coupled with existing medication adherence systems that detect when medicine is removed from the bottle, can detect a broader range of use-cases with respect to medication adherence. ResultsUsing Bayesian networks, we were able to correctly classify between chewable vitamins, saliva swallows, medication capsules, speaking, and drinking water, with average precision and recall of 90.17% and 88.9%, respectively. A total of 135 instances were classified from a total of 20 subjects. ConclusionOur experimental evaluations confirm the accuracy of the piezoelectric necklace for detecting medicine swallows and disambiguating them from related actions. Further studies in real-world conditions are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the proposed scheme.
Effect of CO and Methylene Blue on Respiration of Embryos.

Barron et al.1 have adduced evidence in support of the hypothesis that methylene blue and other dyes stimulate the oxygen consumption of certain cells by promoting the oxidation of carbohydrates or some of their degradation products. They suggest, moreover, that the catalytic process depends upon the reversible reduction and reoxidation of the dyestuff and that this is independent of the function of the respiration enzymes, for when these are poisoned by cyanide and carbon monoxide the addition of methylene blue or other dyes restores respiration to the normal levels.Recently Reid2 has shown that leuco-methylene blue is not autoxidizable, as is commonly supposed, but that the process involves a metal catalysis and is sensitive to CO poisoning. Cook, Haldane and Mapson3 have demonstrated a CO sensitivity of methylene blue stimulated oxidations in B. coli. Likewise, Chang and Gerard4 have shown that the stimulation of nerve respiration by cresyl blue is depressed by CO. We5 have previously pointed out that ...