cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Policy-hiding access control in open environment

In trust management and attribute-based access control systems, access control decisions are based on the attributes (rather than the identity) of the requester: Access is granted if Alice's attributes in her certificates satisfy Bob's access control policy. In this paper, we develop a policy-hiding access control scheme that protects both sensitive attributes and sensitive policies. That is, Bob can decide whether Alice's certified attribute values satisfy Bob's policy, without Bob learning any other information about Alice's attribute values or Alice learning Bob's policy. To enable policy-hiding access control, we introduce the notion of certified input private policy evaluation. Our construction uses Yao's scrambled circuit protocol and two new techniques introduced in this paper. One novel technique is constructing circuits with uniform topology that can compute arbitrary functions in a family. The other technique is committed-integer based oblivious transfer.
Reexamination of Middle Eocene Genus Cubitostrea Based on Collections from Central Virginia Coastal Plain: ABSTRACT

Three species of oysters from the middle Eocene Cubitostrea lineage are used for local and regional correlation and zonation of sediments in the Gulf coastal plain. However, oysters from the middle Eocene Piney Point Formation in Virginia also include the co-occurrence of specimens that exhibit the morphologic characteristics of these 3 Gulf Coast species. Examination of approximately 150 specimens from 8 bulk samples collected in a vertical sequence along the Pamunkey River revealed that, in addition to co-occurring, a continium exists from one form to the next. The general shape of the forms is related to size, with juvenile oysters characterized by a triangular shape and prominent ribs, whereas the adults are oval with large auricles and a saddle-shaped form. Results indicate that the morphologic variation of oysters in the middle Eocene sediments of Virginia does not represent an evolutionary lineage with each form a species, as proposed for the Gulf coastal plain. Rather, the forms are related to the growth stages of the species C. sellaeformis. Therefore, the Gulf model is not applicable to the middle Eocene sediments of Virginia and possibly not to other depositional areas. Oysters from the underlying Nanjemoy Formation (lower Eocene) previously included within the species C. sellaeformis should not be so designated. This distinction is based on the coarser and fewer number of ribs on the Nanjemoy oyster as compared to C. sellaeformis from the Piney Point Formation. End_of_Article - Last_Page 290------------
Towards thermomechanics of fractal media

Hans Ziegler’s thermomechanics [1,2,3], established half a century ago, is extended to fractal media on the basis of a recently introduced continuum mechanics due to Tarasov [14,15]. Employing the concept of internal (kinematic) variables and internal stresses, as well as the quasiconservative and dissipative stresses, a field form of the second law of thermodynamics is derived. In contradistinction to the conventional Clausius–Duhem inequality, it involves generalized rates of strain and internal variables. Upon introducing a dissipation function and postulating the thermodynamic orthogonality on any lengthscale, constitutive laws of elastic-dissipative fractal media naturally involving generalized derivatives of strain and stress can then be derived. This is illustrated on a model viscoelastic material. Also generalized to fractal bodies is the Hill condition necessary for homogenization of their constitutive responses.
The use of motor vehicle exhaust for suicide and the availability of cars

A study of the states of the United States showed that suicide rates using car exhaust were lower in states that had lower rates of car ownership, a greater proportion of the population living in non-urban areas and that were further north. The implications of these results for a public health approach to suicide prevention are discussed. Language: en
Characterizing and modeling aggregate wind plant power output in large systems

A fundamental challenge in integrating wind plants into a power system is the inherent stochastic nature of the power they output. In order to identify appropriate operational and technological solutions to integrating wind plants, it is important to characterize the uncertainty, variability and temporal patterns of the power they output. This paper analyzes historical wind power data from the Bonneville Power Administration, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Midwest ISO to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize the wind power in these systems. From the analysis, probabilistic models of the power output, variations of power output and diurnal patterns are developed. Common probability density functions are fit to the data and the strength and timing of diurnal patterns are identified. The resulting parameters of the distribution can be used to model aggregate wind power output in large systems, which has applications in wind integration analysis and for benchmarking purposes. The results of the analysis quantify the challenges of wind plant integration faced by the system operators in each of the studied systems.
Anesthesia practice in the emergency department: overview, with a focus on airway management.

Purpose of reviewTo review the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce human and system-related errors in the emergency care setting.Recent findingsThe complexities of airway management are immense and though great strides have been made to improve patient safety, patient injury continues
Spring-loaded DC-contact RF MEMS switches

This paper reports on the design, fabrication, and testing of a novel spring-loaded DC-contact RF MEMS switch. Although the switch is electrostatically actuated, the on-state metal-to-metal contact is achieved through a stress-induced force. Detailed theoretical and experimental data for estimating the contact force are presented. The measured switches demonstrate an average on-state RF contact resistance of 0.5Ω and an off-state capacitance of 10 fF with an average actuation voltage of 55 V. These results demonstrate the potential of stress-originated forces for developing low-power DC-contact RF MEMS switches. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 14: 345–355, 2004.
Strategies for simultaneous multiple autonomous underwater vehicle operation and control

Under sampling of the coastal oceans remains a persistent problem for standard oceano-graphic measurement practice wherein an instrument package is tethered to a research vessel. The overhead costs associated with operating a large research vessel impose a strict minimum on the cost of data collected. Owing to the overheads, significant improvements in sampling technology on the tethered platform can only produce modest gains in the cost effectiveness. In contrast, untethered vehicles if operated simultaneously have the potential to increase cost effectiveness significantly by distributing the overhead costs over several sampling platforms. Furthermore, synoptic and pseudosynoptic data can be collected with multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), thereby providing the type of information critical to dynamic process modeling unattainable with non-synoptic data. While the goal of simultaneous multiple-vehicle operation has been espoused over the last few years, AUV technology and practice have until...
Internal electrostatic potentials in bilayers: measuring and controlling dipole potentials in lipid vesicles

The binding and translocation rates of hydrophobic cation and anion spin labels were measured in unilamellar vesicle systems formed from phosphatidylcholine. As a result of the membrane dipole potential, the binding and translocation rates for oppositely charged hydrophobic ions are dramatically different. These differences were analyzed using a simple electrostatic model and are consistent with the presence of a dipole potential of approximately 280 mV in phosphatidylcholine. Phloretin, a molecule that reduces the magnitude of the dipole potential, increases the translocation rate of hydrophobic cations, while decreasing the rate for anions. In addition, phloretin decreases the free energy of binding of the cation, while increasing the free energy of binding for the anion. The incorporation of 6-ketocholestanol also produces differential changes in the binding and translocation rates of hydrophobic ions, but in an opposite direction to those produced by phloretin. This is consistent with the view that 6-ketocholestanol increases the magnitude of the membrane dipole potential. A quantitative analysis of the binding and translocation rate changes produced by ketocholestanol and phloretin is well accounted for by a point dipole model that includes a dipole layer due to phloretin or 6-ketocholestanol in the membrane-solution interface. This approach allows dipole potentials to be estimated in membrane vesicle systems and permits predictable, quantitative changes in the magnitude of the internal electrostatic field in membranes. Using phloretin and 6-ketocholestanol, the dipole potential can be altered by over 200 mV in phosphatidylcholine vesicles.
Differential properties of two gap junctional pathways made by AII amacrine cells

The retina is sensitive to light stimuli varying over more than 12 log units in intensity. It accomplishes this, in part, by switching between rod-dominated circuits designed for maximum utilization of scarce photons and cone circuits designed for greater acuity. Rod signals are integrated into the cone pathways through AII amacrine cells, which are connected by gap junctions both to other AII amacrine cells and to cone bipolar cells. To determine the relative permeabilities of the two junctional pathways, we have measured the distribution of biotinylated tracers across this heterologous cell assembly after injecting a single AII amacrine cell. We found that neurobiotin (relative molecular mass, 286) passed easily through both types of gap junctions, but that biotin-X cadaverine (relative molecular mass, 442) passed through AII/bipolar cell gap junctions poorly compared to AII/AII gap junctions. Thus, the AII/bipolar cell channel has a lower permeability to large molecules than does the AII/AII amacrine cell channel. The two pathways are also regulated differently. Dopamine and cyclic AMP agonists, known to diminish AII-AII coupling, did not change the relative labelling intensity of AII to bipolar cells. However, nitric oxide and cGMP agonists selectively reduced labelling in bipolar cells relative to AII amacrine cells, perhaps by acting at the bipolar side of this gap junction. This suggests that increased cGMP controls the network switching between rod and cone pathways associated with light adaptation.
Development of adenovirus vectors for gene therapy

The development of methods for human gene therapy will require efficient and stable introduction of foreign gene into somatic cells. A number of gene transfer technologies are being developed that have the potential for therapeutic application to illnesses such as cancer, genetic diseases, and infectious diseases [Mulligan, 1993]. Viruses have been used in many early gene therapy model studies. Indeed, recombinant adenoviruses are one of the most promising gene transfer systems currently available. Adenovirus vectors are used in about 10% of all the gene therapy protocols approved by the recombinant advisory committee. This review focuses on the development of adenovirus vectors, their use in clinical settings, and current obstacles to prolonged gene expression. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Microstructure-sensitive extreme-value probabilities of high-cycle fatigue for surface vs. subsurface crack formation in duplex Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract The distributions of the extreme-value driving force(s) for surface vs. subsurface fatigue crack formation (nucleation and early growth) in high-cycle fatigue are evaluated for a microstructure variant of duplex Ti–6Al–4V. In polycrystalline metals, previous work has explored estimation of the driving force(s) for fatigue crack formation at the scale of the grains by computing non-local fatigue indicator parameters (FIPs) based on the cyclic plastic strain averaged over domains on the length scale of the grains. Instantiated statistical volume elements (SVEs), which sample the distributed microstructure attributes of interest for a given material system, can be simulated via the finite element method with embedded polycrystalline plasticity models to estimate the distributed plasticity and resulting FIPs. This strategy of simulating multiple SVEs is in contrast to the simulation of a single representative volume element which is typically untenably large for extreme-value distributions of microstructure attributes or response variables. In this work, multiple SVEs are instantiated with both traction-free (i.e. surface) boundary conditions and fully periodic (i.e. subsurface) boundary conditions. In addition to estimating the extreme-value distributions of the FIPs, newly introduced extreme-value marked correlation functions are applied to characterize the coupled crystallographic microstructure attributes (e.g. grain size, grain orientation, grain misorientation) that most influence the extreme-value distributions of the FIPs. It is shown that there is overlap in the distributions of the driving forces for surface vs. subsurface crack formation in the low to moderate range of failure probability based on FIPs; however, at higher failure probability levels, the driving forces are highest for surface crack formation. The overlap in the distributions of the driving forces for fatigue crack formation in the low to moderate probability range may assist in describing the competing surface vs. subsurface failure modes that are observed experimentally.
Free gyroscope experiments of two immiscible liquids in a partially filled cylinder

Abstract : Gyroscope experiments have been conducted to measure the yaw growth rate in a cylinder filled with two immiscible liquids (silicone oil and water). The experimental data were obtained by measuring the yaw history was processed to obtain the yaw growth rate induced by the liquid. Yaw histories were obtained for a 90% filled cylinder (height - 25.78 cm and diameter = 8.24 cm) spinning at 50 rev/sec. The aspect ratio (height/diameter) of the cylinder was 3.126. The composition of the liquid payload was changed by varying the oil to water ratios - ratios of 100/0, 85/15, 75/25, 30/70, 15/85, and 0/100 were tested. The experimental data were found to be consistent with a recent theory by Murphy. However, a small, but consistent, bias was observed between the measured and predicted values of yaw frequency at the maximum growth rate; the experimental values were slightly larger.
Mechanical properties of the long head of the biceps tendon.

In this study, the geometric and mechanical properties of the long head of the biceps tendon were determined in order to elucidate its role in shoulder stability. We used a laser-micrometer system to measure the cross-sectional area and shape of seven fresh-frozen tendons at three levels: proximal, middle, and distal levels. The cross-sectional areas were found to be 22.7±9.3 mm2, 22.7±3.5 mm2, and 10.8±2.7 mm2, respectively. While statistically significant differences could not be demonstrated between the magnitudes of the areas, a consistent difference in shape was noted between the proximal and middle levels, the tendon being flatter as it progressed over the humeral head and more triangular as it passed through the bicipital groove. We then performed cyclic relaxation tests and uniaxial tensile testing of the tendons which revealed a cyclic stress relaxation of 18±4% over ten cycles. All tensile failures occurred within the midportion of the tendon substance. Additionally, the modulus was calculated between 3% and 6% strain and found to be 421±212 MPa, while the ultimate tensile strength, ultimate strain, and strain energy density were 32.5±5.3 MPa, 10.1±2.7%, and 1.9±0.4 MPa, respectively. These mechanical properties of the long head of the biceps tendon are of the same order of magnitude as tendons from other joints. The high stiffness of this tendon indicates that it has an ability to support the large load transferred to it by the muscle and to act as a humeral head depressor.
Neural regulation of calmodulin in adult Xenopus leg muscle.

Abstract Two Ca2+-binding proteins important in regulating muscle responses to Ca2+ flux are differentially expressed following denervation of Xenopus laevis gastrocnemius. Levels of parvalbumin (PV) RNA transcripts and proteins decrease in abundance, while calmodulin (CaM) transcript and protein levels increase . Our studies on PV kinetics in Xenopus follow a pattern observed in other species, however, our observation of a concomitant increase in CaM has not been documented in any system. Molecular analyses of the Xenopus CaM gene indicate that its structure and upstream sequences are highly conserved across several vertebrate species and implicate several transcription factors in the regulation of its expression.
Fe2O3 nanoparticle mediated molecular growth and soot inception from the oxidative pyrolysis of 1-methylnaphthalene

Abstract While it is well documented iron oxide can reduce soot through burnout in the oxidative regions of flames, it may also impact molecular growth and particle inception. The role of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles in mass growth of soot from 1-methylnapthalene (1-MN) was studied in a dual-zone, high-temperature flow reactor. An iron substituted, dendrimer template was oxidized in the first zone to generate ∼5 nm Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles, which were seeded into the second zone of the flow reactor containing 1-MN at 1100 °C and ϕ = 1.4–5.0. Enhanced molecular growth in the presence of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles resulted in increased yields of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and soot compared to purely gas-phase reactions of 1-MN at identical fuel–air equivalence ratios. This also resulted in an increase in soot-number concentration and a slight shift to smaller particles with increasing addition (from no addition to 3 mM) of Fe 2 O 3 . Introduction of Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles resulted in the formation of stabilization of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), including benzyl, phenoxyl, or semiquinone-type radicals as well as carbon-centered radicals, such as cyclopentadienyl or a delocalized electron in a carbon matrix. At the high concentrations in the flow reactor, these resonance-stabilized free radicals can undergo surface-mediated, radical–radical, molecular growth reactions which may contribute to molecular growth and soot particle inception.
Minding the gaps: cultural, technical and gender-based barriers to mobile use in oral-language Berber communities in Morocco

The proliferation of text-based applications in the Mobiles for Development (M4D) domain tends to privilege the conventional wisdom that texting is a ubiquitous skill among mobile phone users. This view obscures many real and present barriers to using SMS and mobile features, most critically where low literate and/or oral language-dependent communities cannot rely on text as a viable communications system. This paper investigates mobile "utility gaps" -- the spaces between high rates of mobile phone ownership and low use of productive features on mobile phones. These gaps preclude the adoption of many text-based development initiatives, which in turn affects the potential impact of such initiatives. Working with low-literate Berber-Muslim women in a predominantly oral-language community in rural southwest Morocco, we have found that an overall lack of functional literacy and numeracy is a major contributor to a mobile utility gap in that community. Non-standard mobile phone interfaces, a complex language environment with both Arabic and Berber dialects and multiple alphabets and gender-specific cultural norms also present significant impediments to using mobile phones as a development strategy in the Berber communities studied. Furthermore, we explore the paradox of social networks where a reliance on others to assist with phone use is often coupled with surveillance and a loss of privacy. These results are potentially relevant to projects involving other indigenous communities in North Africa.
Further remarks on Coulomb corrections in allowed beta transitions

Abstract The terms which have not been included in the previous paper by Jackson, Treiman and Wyld 1 ) are added here for completeness.
Potential pitfalls in the accuracy of analysis of natural sense-antisense RNA pairs by reverse transcription-PCR

The ability to accurately measure patterns of gene expression is essential in studying gene function. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has become the method of choice for the detection and measurement of RNA expression patterns in both cells and small quantities of tissue. Our previous results show that there is a significant production of primer-independent cDNA synthesis using a popular RNase H- RT enzyme. A PCR product was amplified from RT reactions that were carried out without addition of RT-primer. This finding jeopardizes the accuracy of RT-PCR when analyzing RNA that is expressed in both orientations. Current literature findings suggest that naturally occurring antisense expression is widespread in the mammalian transcriptome and consists of both coding and non-coding regulatory RNA. The primary purpose of this present study was to investigate the occurrence of primer-independent cDNA synthesis and how it may influence the accuracy of detection of sense-antisense RNA pairs. Our findings on cellular RNA and in vitro synthesized RNA suggest that these products are likely the results of RNA self-priming to generate random cDNA products, which contributes to the loss of strand specificity. The use of RNase H+ RT enzyme and carrying the RT reaction at high temperature (50°C) greatly improved the strand specificity of the RT-PCR detection. While RT PCR is a basic method used for the detection and quantification of RNA expression in cells, primer-independent cDNA synthesis can interfere with RT specificity, and may lead to misinterpretation of the results, especially when both sense and antisense RNA are expressed. For accurate interpretation of the results, it is essential to carry out the appropriate negative controls.
Size Effects in Quasi-Static Energy Transport for Microscopic Quantum Systems

We consider finite size effects on energy transfer between nanoparticles mediated by quantum systems. The nanoparticles are considered as heat reservoirs with a finite number of modes. An expression for the quasi-static energy transport between the heat reservoirs having a finite mode frequency spacing Δ is derived. The resulting equations describing long-term ( t ≥1/Δ) relaxation for the mode temperatures and the average temperatures of the nanoparticles are solved. The solutions depend on small number of measurable parameters and show unusual peculiarities in their temporal variations. As is shown, Fourier’s law in a chain of identical subsystems (nanoparticles) can be validated only on a short time scale. For a larger times, when t ∼ 1/Δ, the temperatures of different modes deviate from each other, thus preventing thermal equilibrium in each subsystem, and the validity of Fourier’s law cannot be established.
Online library catalog search performance by older adult users

Abstract Previous information retrieval research has neglected examination of older adults' search behavior. The present study examined the online search performance and associated errors of 54 older adult users of a representative online library catalog system. Participants' error data were examined in the framework of Borgman's three layers of knowledge needed to perform online library catalog searching: (1) conceptual knowledge, (2) semantic knowledge, and (3) technical skills in executing the query. The results of older adults were consistent with findings of previous online library catalog studies with younger adults. Older adults experienced serious problems at all three knowledge layers but experienced their most severe difficulties with conceptual knowledge of how to search the online library catalog system (e.g., formulating queries, understanding and using keyword and Boolean searching, and understanding the contents of databases). The significance of these findings for older adults' use of online library catalogs will be discussed.
Impact of optimal heart failure medical therapy on heart transplant listing.

Abstract The data assessing the prognostic value of peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2) in heart failure (HF) patients is largely derived from cross-sectional studies in which medical therapy was not maximized in all eligible patients and no clear explanation was given as to why such was the case. To assess the relative prognostic value of peak VO2 with respect to baseline medical therapy and its potential impact on transplant listing, 1-year event-free (death or left ventricular assist device placement) survival was compared among 341 HF patients, stratified in three groups based on peak VO2 ( 14 mL/min/kg). Similar analysis was performed on a subset of 288 patients who were on optimal medical therapy within this group. Average age of the study population was 55 ± 11 years, ejection fraction was 23% ± 08%, and peak VO2 was 12.4 ± 3.6 mL/min/kg. One-year event-free survival for the overall cohort was: peak VO2 14 mL/min/kg (n = 113), 90.2%. Patients with the same groups who were on optimal therapy had an event-free 1-year survival as follows: 14 mL/min/kg (n = 92), 94.6%. In conclusion, cross-sectional assessment of HF prognosis may be misleading. In the intermediate risk group, this can significantly impact on medical decisions (eg, transplant listing). Optimization of therapy and long-term follow-up by a specialist may impact transplant listing.
Cross-transmission studies with Eimeria arizonensis, E. arizonensis-like oocysts and Eimeria langebarteli: host specificity at the genus and species level within the Muridae.

Cross-transmission experiments were done using sporulated oocysts of Eimeria arizonensis from Peromyscus truei and Peromyscus maniculatus, and oocysts of 2 putative species that resemble E. arizonensis, i.e., Eimeria albigulae from Neotoma albigula, and Eimeria onychomysis from Onychomys leucogaster. Oocysts of each species were inoculated into representatives of P. maniculatus and the latter 2 rodent species. Other experiments were conducted wherein oocysts of Eimeria langebarteli from Peromyscus leucopus were given to P. truei and P. maniculatus. Oocysts of E. arizonensis from P. truei and P. maniculatus could be transmitted only to P. maniculatus; likewise, oocysts of E. albigulae and E. onychomysis produced patent infections only in N. albigula and O. leucogaster, respectively. Oocysts of E. langebarteli from P. leucopus could be transmitted to P. truei, but not P. maniculatus. These results indicate that E. arizonensis, and the morphologically similar E. albigulae and E. onychomysis, are distinct species that are not transmissible between the genera of their respective hosts (Peromyscus, Neotoma, Onychomys), and that some isolates of E. langebarteli, reported from 6 species of Peromyscus and Reithrodontomys megalotis, may not always be infective to P. maniculatus.
Systematic placement of structural water molecules for improved scoring of protein–ligand interactions

Structural water molecules are found in many protein-ligand complexes. They are known to be vital in mediating hydrogen-bonding interactions and, in some cases, key for facilitating tight binding. It is thus very important to consider water molecules when attempting to model protein-ligand interactions for cognate ligand identification, virtual screening and drug design. While the rigid treatment of water molecules present in structures is feasible, the more relevant task of treating all possible positions and orientations of water molecules with each possible ligand pose is computationally daunting. Current methods in molecular docking provide partial treatment for such water molecules, with modest success. Here we describe a new method employing dead-end elimination to place water molecules within a binding site, bridging interactions between protein and ligand. Dead-end elimination permits a thorough, though still incomplete, treatment of water placement. The results show that this method is able to place water molecules correctly within known complexes and to create physically reasonable hydrogen bonds. The approach has also been incorporated within an inverse molecular design approach, to model a variety of compounds in the process of de novo ligand design. The inclusion of structural water molecules, combined with ranking based on the electrostatic contribution to binding affinity, improves a number of otherwise poor energetic predictions.
A comparative study of the seed germination biology of a narrow endemic and two geographically-widespread species of Solidago (Asteraceae). 3. Photoecology of germination

Regardless of whether or not seeds of the geographically-widespread Solidago altissima and S. nemoralis were exposed to light in autumn, those ‘dispersed’ in autumn (15/°C) or winter (5°C) required 12 weeks of light in winter to germinate to ≥80% in darkness in spring (2 weeks at 20/10°C). On the other hand, seeds of the narrow-endemic S. shortii dispersed in autumn and exposed to ≥2 weeks of light in early winter germinated to ≥77% in darkness in spring, and those dispersed in winter and exposed to ≥6 weeks of light germinated to ≥82%. S. altissima and S. nemoralis seeds not exposed to light during any season germinated to only 0–1% in darkness in spring, whereas S. shortii seeds germinated to 45–56%. Seeds of S. altissima and S. nemoralis kept in darkness in autumn and winter needed a 1-day (14-h photoperiod) light exposure in spring to germinate to ≥75% in darkness, whereas those of S. shortii required only one 5-s exposure. Cold-stratified (nondormant) seeds of S. altissima, S. nemoralis and S. shortii exposed to light with a high far-red/red ratio germinated to significantly higher percentages than dark controls and freshly-matured and lab-stored seeds. Results of this study suggest that a soil seed bank of S. shortii should be smaller and be depleted at a faster rate than those of S. altissima and S. nemoralis, and portions of the seeds of the three species can germinate in the far-red-enriched light under plant canopies.
Translational medicine and the human microbiome

We have learned much about the human microbiome, especially with advances in sequencing. However, as with the human genome, translating this knowledge into therapies remains challenging. One key advantage of focusing on the microbiome is that, outside of Star Trek, our genomes change little during our lifetime, yet each of our microbiomes has changed profoundly. Our microbiomes develop from an undifferentiated state that is dependent on delivery mode (i.e. vaginal delivery versus C-section) to the highly distinct communities that populate every crevice of our bodies. Here I discuss the variation in the human microbiome within and between people, with a focus on the importance of spatially and temporally resolved studies, and the use of animal models, to gain insight into the role of microbes in obesity. Interestingly, many features of the microbiota of humans can be transferred into mice. The prospects for building a translational medicine pipeline, in which a single stool sample can be used to predict which interventions will work for which person, are compelling.
Winsorized Mean Estimator for Censored Regression

We introduce a semiparametric estimator for the censored linear regression model. It is based on the regression version of Huber's [6] M-estimator. It includes Powell's [19] censored least absolute deviations estimator as a special case and is related to Powell's [20] symmetrically censored least-squares estimator. We prove strong consistency and derive its asymptotic distribution which is √n-consistent with an easily computable covariance matrix. A small-scale simulation study shows that it works quite well in various cases.
Incorporating formal techniques into systolic array synthesis

The concept of using induction for designing arrays is illustrated by four different inductive design techniques: regular, stronger, double, and reverse order. These techniques exploit the repeatability, regularity, and locality of the appropriate algorithm and the corresponding array structure to provide an efficient way of deriving systolic designs. Such formal techniques also guarantee the correctness of designs. Two examples are given to illustrate how the techniques can be applied and be used to improve the design. >
Quantification of fabrics in clay gouge from the Carboneras fault, Spain and implications for fault behavior

Abstract Clays in fault rocks have the potential to control fault behavior. The formation of frictionally-weak clays in fault rocks can lead to fault zone weakening, and the development of fabrics through authigenesis and mechanical rotation in clay-rich fault rocks can influence fault-zone permeability structures. The left lateral Carboneras Fault of southwestern Spain is a ca. 1 km wide fault zone with anastomosing layers of clay-rich gouge up to ~ 50 m thick. The gouge, derived largely from mica schist, is composed of neoformed illite and chlorite. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (201 measurements) and X-ray pole figures (144 measurements) show comparable oblate clay fabrics, with the axis of maximum anisotropy sub-parallel to strike. This dimensional fabric contrasts with previously published maximum permeability results that are sub-vertical. This observation, coupled with the generally poor clay fabric measured in the samples indicates that the orientation of clays is not likely to be the primary control of the permeability anisotropy of clay-rich fault gouge, becoming important only when gouge zones are 10s of meters thick, which is very unusual. Even in a fault zone like that of the Carboneras fault, with thick, very clay-rich gouge zones with a visible foliations and slip surfaces, the degree of clay preferred orientation is low above the millimeter scale, showing that any strong clay fabric associated with the foliation are extremely localized phenomena. This suggests that processes operating below the millimeter scale may significantly influence fault behavior, a result compatible with earlier characterizations of faults in a variety of geologic settings, highlighting the importance of understanding how the formation and fabric of fault-related authigenic clays influence fault behavior.
Female adolescents of alcohol misusers: disordered eating features.

Studies show that children of alcohol-abusing parents constitute an at-risk population. This study attempted to understand the impact of parental alcohol misuse on the disordered eating behaviors of their female adolescent children, based on a sample of 532 teenagers from alcohol-misusing parents in Minnesota. These female adolescents had significantly higher prevalence rates of all the seven eating disordered symptoms that were studied. The study also identified a few protective factors: Those who did not develop any of the disordered eating symptoms were more satisfied with their present weight. Further, they worried less about abuse from parents and perceived that their school personnel cared about them. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Inhibition of thioredoxin reductase 1 by caveolin 1 promotes stress-induced premature senescence.

Thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) is an important antioxidant enzyme that controls cellular redox homeostasis. By using a proteomic-based approach, here we identify TrxR1 as a caveolar membrane-resident protein. We show that caveolin 1, the structural protein component of caveolae, is a TrxR1-binding protein by demonstrating that the scaffolding domain of caveolin 1 (amino acids 82–101) binds directly to the caveolin-binding motif (CBM) of TrxR1 (amino acids 454–463). We also show that overexpression of caveolin 1 inhibits TrxR activity, whereas a lack of caveolin 1 activates TrxR, both in vitro and in vivo. Expression of a peptide corresponding to the caveolin 1 scaffolding domain is sufficient to inhibit TrxR activity. A TrxR1 mutant lacking the CBM, which fails to localize to caveolae and bind to caveolin 1, is constitutively active and inhibits oxidative-stress-mediated activation of the p53/p21Waf1/Cip1 pathway and induction of premature senescence. Finally, we show that caveolin 1 expression inhibits TrxR1-mediated cell transformation. Thus, caveolin 1 links free radicals to activation of the p53/p21Waf1/Cip1 pathway and induction of cellular senescence by acting as an endogenous inhibitor of TrxR1.
TEMPtEd: development and psychometric properties of a tool to evaluate material used in patient education.

Title. TEMPtEd: development and psychometric properties of a tool to evaluate material used in patient education. Aim. This paper describes the development and psychometric properties of a Tool to Evaluate Materials Used in Patient Education (TEMPtEd), which was designed to assist healthcare professionals to evaluate and select printed patient educational materials for their clients. Background. Previously-developed instruments include attribute checklists, readability formulae and rating scales, but they have not been shown to be valid or reliable. The TEMPtEd is an attempt to overcome the limitations of previously developed instruments. Method. The instrument was developed using Strickland’s framework, with pilot testing conducted from 2004 to 2007. Results. The overall ratings of a heart failure educational brochure between the TEMPtEd and the Suitability Assessment of Materials, a previously developed instrument, were not statistically significantly different. Statistically significant correlations were noted between the two instruments in the overall scale and four of the five subscales. The internal consistency of the TEMPtEd was 0·68; however, a reduction in the number of rating scale options resulted in an internal consistency of 0·83–0·84. Exploratory factor analysis identified a six-factor solution and accounted for 74% of the variance. Study participants preferred the TEMPtEd. Conclusion. As a result of psychometric testing, the TEMPtEd appears to be a promising instrument for the evaluation of patient educational material.
Non-linear learning control of robot manipulators without requiring acceleration measurement

A new class of non-linear learning control laws is introduced for a robot manipulator to track a given trajectory in performing a series of tasks. The learning control scheme is applicable to robots with both resolute and prismatic joints, requires only position and velocity feedback, and removes the acceleration measurement required by the existing results. It has been shown that under the proposed learning control the tracking errors are always guaranteed to be asymptotically stable with respect to the number of trials. The proposed control is robust in the sense that exact knowledge about the non-linear dynamics is not required except for bounding functions on the magnitudes. In addition, the new learning scheme can be used without assumptions such as repeatability of robot motion, repeatability of tasks and resetting of initial tracking errors.
The applicability of dip moveout/azimuth moveout in the presence of caustics

Reflection seismic data continuation is the computation of data at source and receiver locations that differ from those in the original data, using whatever data are available. We develop a general theory of data continuation in the presence of caustics and illustrate it with three examples: dip moveout (DMO), azimuth moveout (AMO), and offset continuation. This theory does not require knowledge of the reflector positions. We construct the output data set from the input through the composition of three operators: an imaging operator, a modeling operator, and a restriction operator. This results in a single operator that maps directly from the input data to the desired output data. We use the calculus of Fourier integral operators to develop this theory in the presence of caustics. For both DMO and AMO, we compute impulse responses in a constant-velocity model and in a more complicated model in which caustics arise. This analysis reveals errors that can be introduced by assuming, for example, a model with a constant vertical velocity gradient when the true model is laterally heterogeneous. Data continuation uses as input a subset (common offset, common angle) of the available data, which may introduce artifacts in the continued data. One could suppress these artifacts by stacking over a neighborhood of input data (using a small range of offsets or angles, for example). We test data continuation on synthetic data from a model known to generate imaging artifacts. We show that stacking over input scattering angles suppresses artifacts in the continued data.
Political Philosophy as a (Partial) Mediator of the Association Between Family Communication Patterns and Perception of Candidate Credibility in the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election

This investigation evaluated a theoretical model whereby political philosophy mediates the association between family communication patterns and perception of candidate credibility in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. Participants included younger and older adults reporting on communication in their family of origin, political beliefs, and evaluations of both candidates. Results supported the expectation, guided by the moral foundations hypothesis, that family-of-origin communication patterns predict political philosophy in adulthood, with both conversation and conformity orientations predicting conservative beliefs. As predicted, political philosophy mediated the association between family communication patterns and candidate credibility. Results clarify the family’s mechanism of political socialization, indicate both direct and indirect effects of family communication patterns on candidate evaluation, and suggest pluralistic and consensual families may be particularly effective at transmitting politi...
An activity-based modelling approach for assessing the key stakeholders corporation in the eco-conscious design of electronic products.

With growing concerns on the environmental impact of electronic product development at a global scale, product developers are seeking better solutions both to comply with environmental regulations ...
Mapping of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Oxa1-Mitochondrial Ribosome Interface and Identification of MrpL40, a Ribosomal Protein in Close Proximity to Oxa1 and Critical for Oxidative Phosphorylation Complex Assembly

The Oxa1 protein plays a central role in facilitating the cotranslational insertion of the nascent polypeptide chains into the mitochondrial inner membrane. Mitochondrially encoded proteins are synthesized on matrix-localized ribosomes which are tethered to the inner membrane and in physical association with the Oxa1 protein. In the present study we used a chemical cross-linking approach to map the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Oxa1-ribosome interface, and we demonstrate here a close association of Oxa1 and the large ribosomal subunit protein, MrpL40. Evidence to indicate that a close physical and functional relationship exists between MrpL40 and another large ribosomal protein, the Mrp20/L23 protein, is also provided. MrpL40 shares sequence features with the bacterial ribosomal protein L24, which like Mrp20/L23 is known to be located adjacent to the ribosomal polypeptide exit site. We propose therefore that MrpL40 represents the Saccharomyces cerevisiae L24 homolog. MrpL40, like many mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, contains a C-terminal extension region that bears no similarity to the bacterial counterpart. We show that this C-terminal mitochondria-specific region is important for MrpL40's ability to support the synthesis of the correct complement of mitochondrially encoded proteins and their subsequent assembly into oxidative phosphorylation complexes.
Digitally Controlled 10-Gb/s Adjustable Delay Line for Adaptive Filter Design in standard CMOS Technology

In order for adaptive filter design to achieve optimum performance, the latency around the loop needs to be exactly designed for each targeted data rates. Due to unforeseen parasitic effects, latency has been major design issues for adaptive filters design with decision feedback topologies. In this paper, a digitally controlled adjustable delay line IC is presented that can be tuned with 3-ps resolution with a modular-based digital-to-analog converter (DAC) design. The proposed adjustable delay line achieved wide bandwidth for 10-Gb/sec data throughput while demonstrating bit-error rate (BER) improvement for the given equalizer design over various band-limited channels. The proposed IC is implemented in a 0.18-mum standard CMOS technology.
Evaluation of the injured runner

The evaluation of the injured runner emphasizes the identification of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in addition to establishing injury specific diagnosis. The history emphasizes identification of contributory changes in training regimen or technique. The physical examination includes a biomechanical screening to identify related imbalances in posture, alignment, strength, and flexibility. This comprehensive, running specific approach to diagnosis will assist the clinician in developing optimum rehabilitation programs.
Joint effects of subgrid-scale diffusion and truncation errors in large-eddy simulations of the convective boundary layer

Two runs of a large-eddy simulation model with Deardorff's and Schumann's subgrid parametrizations have been compared in order to analyze spurious effects at the top of the mixed layer due to a presence of a strong temperature “jump”. Simulations performed showed that Schumann's subgrid eddy viscosity was sufficient to spreads out sharp ripples which appeared in the numerical solution due to numerical dispersion. Deardorff's subgrid eddy viscosity was found too small near the top of the mixed layer, and as a result truncation dispersion errors caused unphysical solutions in this region.
Factor Analysis of Zuckerman's Sensation-Seeking Scale:

A principal components analysis of Sensation-seeking Scale IV (n = 156 undergraduates) followed by a varimax rotation provided some support to the factorial validity of some of Zuckerman's subscales. It is suggested that the dimensions of sensation seeking were arbitrarily limited in earlier work on the problem.
All-terrain Vehicle to Apply Pesticides for Small-plot Research

An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) was modified to apply pesticides for small-plot pesticide research. The system involves custom design of a pesticide container rack and a boom that is attached to a four-wheel ATV (Suzuki LT-125). Initial costs for this spraying system were considerably more than for the conventional bicycle spraying system. Annual expenditures of labor, however, are considerably less for the ATV system. Five years of operation are necessary to show a positive return compared with a customized bicycle spraying system. Only 2 yr are necessary for the ATV system to be economical compared with a commercially available bicycle spraying system. A complete description, including costs, for construction of the ATV system is provided.