cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mammalian circadian clock and metabolism - the epigenetic link

Circadian rhythms regulate a wide variety of physiological and metabolic processes. The clock machinery comprises complex transcriptional–translational feedback loops that, through the action of specific transcription factors, modulate the expression of as many as 10% of cellular transcripts. This marked change in gene expression necessarily implicates a global regulation of chromatin remodeling. Indeed, various descriptive studies have indicated that histone modifications occur at promoters of clock-controlled genes (CCGs) in a circadian manner. The finding that CLOCK, a transcription factor crucial for circadian function, has intrinsic histone acetyl transferase (HAT) activity has paved the way to unraveling the molecular mechanisms that govern circadian chromatin remodeling. A search for the histone deacetylase (HDAC) that counterbalances CLOCK activity revealed that SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenin dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent HDAC, functions in a circadian manner. Importantly, SIRT1 is a regulator of aging, inflammation and metabolism. As many transcripts that oscillate in mammalian peripheral tissues encode proteins that have central roles in metabolic processes, these findings establish a functional and molecular link between energy balance, chromatin remodeling and circadian physiology. Here we review recent studies that support the existence of this link and discuss their implications for understanding mammalian physiology and pathology.
Optimal battery control strategy for wireless sensor networks with solar energy supply

Battery energy management and optimization are of significant importance to self-sustained wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that use solar energy harvesting instead of fixed power supply as the charging source. In this paper, an optimal control strategy for WSNs with solar energy supply is proposed. A modified Kinetic Battery Model (KBM) considering charging input is introduced to account for the dynamic characteristics of a rechargeable battery. To fully utilize available solar energy during each sampling cycle of the WSNs, dynamic voltage scheduling (DVS) is incorporated to flexibly adjust the working period of flexible tasks. The length of working periods is decided based on the derived optimal solution. Numerical simulation is carried out to evaluate the proposed optimal control strategy. The result indicates significant energy saving as compared to the conventional battery control strategy.
The Employer’s Advantage in Sexual Harassment Cases: How the Courts Have Discouraged the Victims of Sexual Harassment

Why does sexual harassment continue to be a problem in the workplace? Do employers have an advantage in the courts when victims file complaints? This article explores these questions by analyzing court cases, an interview with a litigant, Equal EmploymentOpportunity Commission statistics, andMerit Systems Protection Board studies. The results of this analysis suggest practical strategies for improving compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Although complaint processes and litigation might serve as deterrents, employers have an advantage so victims have been reluctant to file formal complaints. Women have a disadvantage in the courts because fewwomen serve on the bench, however the number of female judges is likely to increase in the future. Also, agencies need to open and legitimize the process by establishing informal aswell as formal complaint processes and networks of impartial counselors and investigators who are qualified to hear complaints.
Scaffolding Critical Thinking in an Online Course: An Exploratory Study.

This study examined the influence of scaffolding on the development of critical thinking skills in an online course on Instructional Design. Data were collected through interviews and document artifacts from five participants of the online course. Findings indicated that participants' critical thinking moved through three stages from mirroring, to distortion, to re-construction. Engagement in critical thinking was affected by reflection, feedback, project context, self-perceptions as learners, and prior knowledge.
SOME ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF ETHICAL‐BEHAVIOURAL CODES*

Some informal rules merely save decision-making costs in social exchanges, but we try to use others as social contracts to produce public goods. (In fact, effective ethical-behavioural constraints may be essential to retention and the useful functioning of markets and democratic government.) Ethical-behavioural tenets are themselves public goods, however, adherence to them being vulnerable to cheap- or free-rider difficulties. In the long run, therefore, desirable informal laws will be underprovided. Nonetheless, according to both theory and observation, individuals sometimes overturn their free-riderism, compulsively sacrifice their selfish interests, and maintain useful customs and rules. Conditions that determine the costs and ‘indoctrinated’ or psychic rewards to individuals for their adherence are discussed. These conditions will shape the degree of underproduction of advantageous behavioural codes.
The influence of school experiences on the development of gender schemata.

Despite efforts in recent years to eliminate sex inequities in education, schools continue to provide numerous inputs into the child's gender stereotyping system.
Integrated structural tailoring and control using adaptive materials for advanced aircraft wings

This study combines structural tailoring with the adaptive capabilities of piezoelectric materials for the purpose of controlling the vibration and static aeroelastic characteristics of advanced aircraft wings. The structural model consists of a thin/thick-walled closed cross-sectional cantilevered beam whose constituent layers exhibit elastic anisotropic properties and incorporates a number of nonclassical features. Results reveal that a combination of structural tailoring and control using adaptive materials can play a major role in enhancing the vibrational and static aeroelastic response characteristics of aircraft wings. ECAUSE of their outstanding properties, such as high strength/stiffness to weight ratios, fiber-reinforced laminated thick/thin-walled structures are likely to play an increasing role in the design of advanced aircraft wings. In addition, a number of elastic couplings resulting from anisotropy and the ply-angle sequence of composite material structures can be exploited so as to enhance the response characteristics. In this regard, within the last two decades, a technique referred to as structural tailoring has been used with spectacular results.1 It should be noted, however, that structural tailoring is a passive design technique. This implies that the structure cannot respond adaptively to changes in its parameters or external stimuli. To overcome this shortcoming, additional capabilities must be built into the structure. This is particularly true in view of the fact that future generations of flight vehicles are likely to operate under increasingly severe conditions. An approach showing good promise is based upon the incorporation into the structure of materials featuring sensing and actuating capabilities.2"5 Piezoelectric materials are excellent candidates for the role of sensors and actuators. In contrast to passive structures, in which the vibrational and aeroelastic response characteristics are predetermined, in adaptive structures these characteristics can be altered in a known and predictable manner. These adaptive capabilities can be used to prevent structural resonance and/or any other type of instability, as well as to improve the static and dynamic response of the structure. In this article, the task of enhancing the static aeroelastic response and free vibration characteristics of aircraft wingtype structures made of advanced composite materials is accomplished through the synergistic combination of structural tailoring and adaptive materials technology. The structure simulating the aircraft wing consists of a thin/thick-walled closed cross-sectional cantilevered beam whose constituent layers feature elastic anisotropic properties. The control capability is achieved by electrically actuating piezoelectric ele
The unit learning curve approximation of total cost

Abstract Learning curve theory has been integrated into mathematical models which previously did not take learning into account. Researchers have in general used one of two approximations of total cost based on the integral of the unit learning curve when developing larger models. An error analysis of the two approximations is presented.
Clarifying the role of joint attention in early word learning

Four studies examined whether two-year-olds could successfully learn a novel word in conditions in which joint attention was not present. Study 1 examined whether children could learn a novel word while the speaker, but not the child, attended to the target object. Study 2 examined whether children could learn a novel word while the child, but not the speaker, attended to the target object. Study 3 examined whether children could learn a novel word while the child and the speaker attended to two different target objects. Study 4 examined whether children could learn a novel word while neither the child nor the speaker attended to the target object. Findings showed that successful word learning occurred in each of the four studies. These results suggest that joint attention may play an important, though not a necessary, role in young children’s word learning.
Further Studies of Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule in Schizophrenia

Abstract Background: The purposes of the present study were to attempt to replicate a previous finding of increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuronal cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) in schizophrenia, and to assess whether the increases could be related to medication, clinical state effects, or brain structural measures. Methods: CSF N-CAM was measured by the Western blot technique in 45 DSM-III-R diagnosed male schizophrenic patients both on and off haloperidol treatment and in 20 healthy male control subjects. Results: CSF N-CAM was significantly increased in schizophrenic patients, with no overlap in the ranges, when compared to controls. There were no significant effects of medication or exacerbation on CSF N-CAM. No associations with measures of brain structure were found. Conclusions: Because N-CAM levels were not shown to be different on and off treatment or in exacerbated versus nonexacerbated patients, the higher levels seen in schizophrenic patients may be inherent to the disorder and possibly related to neurodevelopment.
Synthesis and properties of poly[3-(ω-bromoalkyl)thiophene]

Abstract Bromine functionalized polymers, poly[3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene] (PBrHT)and poly[3-(12-bromododecyl)thiophene] (PBrDT) were synthesized by FeCl3 oxidation of the corresponding monomers. Substitution of bromine by iodide in PBrHT resulted in poly[3-[6-iodohexyl)thiophene] with 97% of bromine displacement by iodide. Molecular weight, conductivity, NMR, UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of PBrHT and PBrDT were obtained.
Mass spectrometry-based study of the plasma proteome in a mouse intestinal tumor model.

Early detection of cancer can greatly improve prognosis. Identification of proteins or peptides in the circulation, at different stages of cancer, would greatly enhance treatment decisions. Mass sp...
Effect of cholera toxin on renal tubular reabsorption of glucose and bicarbonate.

SummaryCholera toxin (CT) reduces tubular reabsorption of Na, Cl, Ca, Mg and P most probably through stimulation of a renal adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system, and it is possible that an increased production of nephrogenous cyclic AMP during extracellular fluid volume expansion may be partly responsible for the observed natriuresis. In order to further evaluate the role of renal cyclic AMP in renal tubular transport, we studied the effect of CT on glucose (TRG) and bicarbonate reabsorption (TRHCO3).During the period of maximal effect of CT on tubular transport (100-140 min of CT infusion into one renal artery) both the TRG and TRHCO3 were lower in the infused kidney than in the contralateral noninfused kidney; TRG as mg per 100 ml GFR was 254 ± 32.7 vs 363 ± 43.5 (P < .01), and TRHCO3 as mEq per 100 ml GFR was 2.09 ± 0.06 vs 2.53 ± 0.06 (P < .01). The data indicate that CT suppresses glucose and bicarbonate reabsorption together with that of sodium and as such assign to role for renal cyclic AMP in the r...
Just-in-time (JIT) production and process cycle time variability

The effects of process cycle time variability on the performance of a zero inventory simulation model of a Just-In-Time Manufacturing and Production System (JITMPS) is investigated. Process cycle time variability does not adversely affect the performance of a Kanban- linked process structure. However, it does lengthen product cycle time and product throughput time, and lower system utilization on directly linked process structure. Modifying a directly linked process structure to include one accumulator with one unit of float between each individual process eliminates these adverse effects.
The lognormal distribution fits the decay profile of eukaryotic mRNA.

Abstract A general program was written which simulates radioactive labeling of RNA in vivo . The program was used to determine the effect that different distributions of half-lives would have on the composite decay curve observed in a pulse-chase experiment. Four biologically relevant points emerge: 1) The published, experimentally determined composite decay curves for eukaryotic mRNA are not compatible with a normal, uniform, or exponential distribution of decay times. 2) The experimental curves are compatible with a lognormal distribution of decay times as well as the two-component discrete distribution previously hypothesized. 3) If the lognormal or some similar distribution were correct, about half the mRNA species would decay faster than what is presently called the “fast component of decay”. This point is crucial to any argument about the fraction of poly (A) or other nuclear sequence that is transported to the cytoplasm. 4) If a particular mRNA species is found to decay at a constant rate for 3 half-lives, that is not only consistent with 1 half-life for all the mRNA, but also consistent with 20 different half-lives which are normally or uniformly distributed. In addition to the decay of mRNA, the lognormal distribution is also compatible with data on the decay of poly(A)-containing nuclear RNA and total cellular protein.
EVOLUTIONARY FLEXIBILITY AND FLOWERING PLANT FAMILIAL DIVERSITY: A COMMENT ON DODD, SILVERTOWN, AND CHASE

Ricklefs and Renner (1994) analyzed the relationship between number of species in families of flowering plants and four classification variables: geographical distribution, growth form, pollination mode, and dispersal mode. They found that families with more than one state for any of these four variables had more species than did families exhibiting a single ‘‘character’’ state, and they proposed that evolutionary flexibility with respect to the classification variables promoted diversification. Dodd et al. (1999) reanalyzed these data in a phylogenetic context using sister-taxon comparisons and independent contrasts. Dodd et al. conducted a further test of the ‘‘flexibility hypothesis’’ involving analyses of proportions of sister taxon pairs with neither, either, or both being variable with respect to growth form, pollination mode, and dispersal mode. Based on this test, they rejected the idea that character variability results in high net speciation rate. Here we comment on two issues raised by Dodd et al.’s analysis. The first is the relative performance of phylogenetic and nonphylogenetic analyses of comparative data. We cannot detect substantial differences in the results of these two approaches. The second concerns difficulties in assessing evolutionary flexibility. Tests that involve analyses of the distribution of character variation among pairs of sister taxa are complicated by taxon size. We also examine plant radiation in the Hawaiian Islands to determine whether the probability that a colonizing lineage proliferates is related to character trait variability in the family to which it belongs, and we find no effect. P HYLOGENETIC AND NONPHYLOGENETIC COMPARISONS
Orange Juice Adulteration: Detection and Quality Effects of Dilution, Added Orange Pulpwash, Turmeric and Sorbate

Adulteration of frozen concentrated and single-strength orange juices with orange pulpwash (PW) have been detected regularly in samples obtained from the North American retail market. This practice is a direct economic fraud on the consumer and to the legitimate grower, processor and distributor. The addition of PW to frozen concentrated or single-strength orange juices may have a profound detrimental effect on the juice flavor and other quality factors. Turmeric, as colorant, alone and in combination with PW has been found in concentrated orange juice for manufacturing imported by some Florida processors. Sorbate preservative has been detected in single-strength orange juices from concentrate obtained from the retail market and packed out of Florida.
Calcium antagonists and converting enzyme inhibitors reduce renal injury by different mechanisms

Calcium antagonists and converting enzyme inhibitors reduce renal injury by different mechanisms. Both glomerular hypertension and hypertrophy have been associated with the development of glomerular injury in models of hypertension and reduced renal mass. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of antihypertensive therapy on these parameters in the remnant kidney model of progressive glomerular sclerosis. Rats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy and were randomly assigned to receive either no therapy, the calcium entry blocker (CEB), nifedipine, or the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI), enalapril. Administration of either drug was associated with a reduction in systemic blood pressure and in the severity of glomerular injury assessed eight weeks after renal ablation. Micropuncture studies four weeks after ablation revealed that systemic and glomerular capillary pressure were high in untreated remnant kidney rats and reduced by enalapril. Administration of nifedipine was associated with a decline in systemic pressure, however, plasma renin levels increased, causing efferent arteriolar vasoconstriction and persistence of glomerular hypertension. Morphometric analysis showed that kidney weight, glomerular volume and glomerular capillary radius were lower in nifedipine treated rats than in the other two groups, indicating that the CEB, but not enalapril, inhibited the hypertrophic response to ablation of renal mass. Therefore, both CEIs and CEBs reduce glomerular injury in rats with remnant kidneys but they may act by different mechanisms. CEI reduce glomerular capillary pressure while CEBs inhibit compensatory kidney growth.
Pancreatic tumors: role of imaging in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment

Because most patients with pancreatic cancer present with biliary obstruction, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiopancreatography (PTC) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is often performed first to relieve obstruction. Fine needle biopsy (FNA) provides a tissue diagnosis, but is often nondiagnostic due to sampling error. Computed tomography (CT) is the workhorse of oncology, but is poor at defining the nature of pancreatic lesions. Small primary tumors are often not visualized. Fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques allowing dynamic imaging after IV gadolinium and new contrast agents allow better characterization of the lesions for patients having contraindications for IV CT contrast agents. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) allows noninvasive visualization of the biliary tree. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) allows evaluation of the detailed regional anatomy with the possibility of FNA. 18F-Fluorodexoglucose (FDG) is the most common tracer used in positron emission tomography (PET), and most malignant tumors, including pancreatic carcinoma, have increased FDG uptake compared with normal cells. This functional imaging does not replace but is complementary to morphological imaging. FDG PET is particularly helpful: (1) for the diagnosis in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer in whom CT fails to identify a mass, or those in whom FNAs are nondiagnostic; (2) for staging by detecting CT-occult metastases; (3) for detecting recurrence; and (4) for monitoring therapy. Limitations include false-positive inflammatory processes and false-negative carcinoma in patients with diabetes and hyperglycemia, and islet cell tumors.
Impulsivity and motivations to consume alcohol: a prospective study on risk of dependence in young adult women.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of emerging adult women are engaging in heavy drinking behavior, placing them at risk of negative outcomes and alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 5 pathways to impulsive behavior (negative urgency [NU], positive urgency, lack of deliberation [DEL], lack of persistence, and sensation seeking), drinking motives, and their interaction on increases in symptoms of alcohol dependence in young adult women in a prospective design. METHODS: Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were used to examine the influence of traits, motives, and their interaction at baseline on increases in symptoms of AUDs approximately 3 months later. A total of 319 first semester college women completed the first wave of the study; 235 of these were drinkers. RESULTS: Among drinkers, 17% of the sample reported increases in S-MAST scores over the study period. Consistent with hypotheses, the interaction of NU and coping motives, as well as DEL and enhancement motives predicted increase in dependence symptoms at Time 2. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of very few studies to examine the influence of impulsivity-related traits and drinking motives on alcohol dependence symptoms prospectively in a sample of emerging adult women. We found that NU and (lack of) deliberation were predictors of such increases. Our hypothesis that women who endorsed both high levels of NU and high baseline endorsement of coping motives would have the most increases in symptoms over time was also supported. Language: en
Plant species identification, size, and enumeration using machine vision techniques on near-binary images

Shape parameters such as aspect, roundness, and the ratio of thickness to perimeter were used to describe plant shape and are different according to the species that they represent. Color slide images of several species of plants were digitized for computer analysis. Three optical methods were tested to separate target plants from the soil and residue background. The separation method that provided the best contrast was the normalized difference index. Subtracting the blue or the red raster from the green raster also provided good separation on soils with little residue. Once the plant image had been isolated from the background, leaf edges were automatically traced using a commercial software package. Analysis of the shape of the plant outline was then performed, resulting in the plant shape parameters. Grasses and broadleaf plants had similar values for each shape parameter during the first ten days after emergence. After this period, differences occurred between grasses and broadleaf plants. The parameter that best discriminated grasses from broadleaf plants was the aspect (major axis length/minor axis length). However, when a grass sends out more than one shoot radially from the stem, the aspect will be similar to broadleaf plants. This study contributes to the design of a system that can determine weed populations and identify plant species without the use of human intervention.
Identification of insect parasitic nematodes--a review.

Abstract Information is presented that can be used by the working parasitologist to identify the type of insect parasitic nematode he has found. The importance of obtaining identifiable adult nematode specimens and using certain fixative solutions is stressed. Tables showing a current classification of the three groups of insect parasitic nematodes—the sphaerulariids, the mermithids, and the neoaplectanids are given, along with numerous photographs and line drawings of those nematodes most commonly found parasitic in insects. Future efforts should be directed toward more field experimentation and the activation of the private sector to mass produce these parasites.
Idiosyncratic phenobarbital toxicity mimicking a neurodegenerative disorder

Abstract We present two young children ages 24 and 33 months who experienced regression of developmental milestones mimicking a neurodegenerative disorder after being prescribed phenobarbital for treatment of seizures. Phenobarbital levels were not elevated, and there were no other signs of phenobarbital toxicity. Symptoms resolved after discontinuation of phenobarbital therapy. Both children were neurologically abnormal at baseline. The current report adds to the growing list of potential adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs on development and cognition.
Pulsed holmium laser tissue ablation threshold studies

Threshold radiant exposures for pulsed holmium laser ablation of tissue were measured using a high speed framing camera. The effects of laser irradiance and beam size on threshold radiant exposure were investigated. Threshold radiant exposure decreased with increasing laser irradiance over the range 10 5 -10 7 W/cm 2 . An increase in laser beam diameter reduced the laser irradiance required to achieve ablation over the range of spot sizes examined (243-970 μm). These results suggest that both the rate of energy deposition and laser beam geometry affect the events preceding the onset of ablation and should be considered when modeling or quantifying laser ablation of tissue.
Use of capacitive microsensors and ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry for in-situ quantification of concentration polarization and membrane fouling in pressure-driven membrane filtration☆

Abstract In membrane separation processes, the presence of the concentration polarization boundary layer (CPBL) often leads to a decline in the permeate flux and an increased risk of membrane fouling. Although the study of membrane fouling has benefited from the recent development of real-time, non-invasive acoustic measurements of the fouling process under realistic conditions, measurement of concentration polarization is still difficult and rather limited. This paper describes the development of interdigitated capacitive microsensors for real-time in-situ monitoring of CPBL growth in a cross-flow nanofiltration membrane module using calcium sulfate (CaSO 4 ) solution as the feed. The developed capacitive sensors respond to changes in solute concentration as a function of distance from the membrane surface. Detection capability was determined in a series of comprehensive experiments with systematic changes in feed concentration and module operating parameters including upstream pressure, flow rate, and feed composition. The specially designed microscale capacitor assembly provides a unique capability for real-time characterization of the transient and steady-state concentration boundary layer polarization behavior. The capacitive microsensor concentration polarization measurements were corroborated via independent membrane morphological analysis and standard performance metrics. The experimental data were in excellent qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions from a mathematical model of concentration polarization behavior. In addition, the use of microcapacitor sensors in combination with ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry, enabled real-time observation of the development of scaling from the initiation of concentration polarization through the onset of membrane fouling. These results clearly demonstrate the advantages of a multisensor approach to the measurement of membrane phenomena, and provide a basis for the development of “smart” membranes.
The Bxb1 Recombinase Mediates Site-Specific Deletion in Transgenic Wheat

The utility and commercial potential of genetically engineered (GE) plants would benefit from the use of site-specific recombination systems that enable efficient excision of the marker genes used to identify transformants. Although wheat is one of the most important food crops in the world, GE varieties have yet to be put into commercial production. To develop the Bxb1 recombination system (derived from the Mycobacterium smegmati bacteriophage Bxb1) for site-specific marker gene removal in transgenic wheat, we used biolistics to introduce into the wheat genome a codon optimized Bxb1 recombinase gene (BxbNom) under the control of the maize ubiquitin-1 promoter (Ubi1). Recombinase activity was monitored using a GUSPlus reporter gene activation assay. BxbNom recombinase-mediated excision of an att site-flanked stuffer DNA fragment activated β-glucuronidase reporter activity in callus, endosperm, and leaves in transient assays. The system also detected activity in leaves and endosperm of progeny of multiple independent transgenic wheat lines stably expressing BxbNom. Our results demonstrate that the Bxb1 recombinase is heritable in transgenic wheat plants and performs site-specific excision, providing a useful tool for generating marker-free GE plants. Establishment of wheat lines capable of efficiently excising unneeded marker genes removes one potential barrier to commercial deployment of GE wheat.
Disruption of type 5 adenylyl cyclase prevents β-adrenergic receptor cardiomyopathy: a novel approach to β-adrenergic receptor blockade.

β-Adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blockade is widely used to treat heart failure, since the adverse effects of chronic β-AR stimulation are central to the pathogenesis of this disease state. Transgenic (Tg) mice, where β-AR signaling is chronically enhanced by overexpression of cardiac β2-ARs, is a surrogate for this mechanism, since these mice develop cardiomyopathy as reflected by reduced left ventricular (LV) function, increased fibrosis, apoptosis, and myocyte hypertrophy. We hypothesized that disruption of type 5 adenylyl cyclase (AC5), which is in the β-AR signaling pathway in the heart, but exerts only a minor β-AR blocking effect, could prevent the cardiomyopathy in β2-AR Tg mice without the negative effects of full β-AR blockade. Accordingly, we mated β2-AR Tg mice with AC5 knockout (KO) mice. The β2-AR Tg × AC5 KO bigenic mice prevented the cardiomyopathy as reflected by improved LV ejection fraction, reduced apoptosis, fibrosis, and myocyte size and preserved exercise capacity. The rescue was not simply due to a β-blocking effect of AC5 KO, since neither baseline LV function nor the response to isoproterenol was diminished substantially compared with the negative inotropic effects of β-blockade. However, AC5 disruption in β2-AR Tg activates the antioxidant, manganese superoxide dismutase, an important mechanism protecting the heart from cardiomyopathy. These results indicate that disruption of AC5 prevents the cardiomyopathy induced by chronically enhanced β-AR signaling in mice with overexpressed β2-AR, potentially by enhancing resistance to oxidative stress and apoptosis, suggesting a novel, alternative approach to β-AR blockade.
A fully automated and integrated multi-scale forecasting scheme for emergency preparedness

In this paper, we present one multi-scale integrated simulation technology for emergency preparedness with a holistic approach in hurricane, related storm surge and flood forecasting; infrastructure assessment; and emergency planning. This is an emergency management tool to aid the decision-makers and first responders in preparation for the appropriate response to an impending hurricane disaster. Three primary models, hurricane forecasting, storm surge, and overland flooding, are executed in sequence to generate the necessary results for the proposed integrated emergency planning and preparedness tool. Two of these are open source codes in the public domain and the overland flooding model is an ''in-house'' code developed by the authors. Using the results of the primary models, two secondary models are executed to assess local infrastructure vulnerability and to determine the optimal evacuation routes for impacted inhabitants. The results from each model are post-processed and saved as Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files that are viewable in Google Earth for overlay analysis and decision-making. Hurricane Katrina (2005) in the Mississippi coastal area is chosen as a case study to validate the developed tool. The models are run in sequence to generate the layers of data necessary during an actual event. The sequence is fully automated using Python and Shell scripts, which allow users to interact with each model through a series of Graphical User Interfaces. The development of technology described here would not only satisfy the scope of the project, but also be of great significance to national homeland security in the area of emergency preparedness and response.
Stable singular or negative stiffness systems in the presence of energy flux

We report stable systems which exhibit quasistatic stiffness that can be negative or tend to infinity without external constraint. They are based on coupled fields in the non-equilibrium presence of energy flux that is modulated by force. They evade thermodynamic restrictions by relaxing a restrictive assumption: equilibrium. Negative values of physical properties, including compressibility and heat capacity, are considered forbidden in classical thermodynamics; such analyses provide bounds on the stiffness and other properties of multiphase materials. Stable negative and singular stiffness is demonstrated experimentally in a piezoelectric system and in a thermoelastic granular material. Coupled fields occur naturally under a wide range of conditions and form the basis for many forms of technology including sensors, actuators, and electric coolers. Because all materials exhibit at least one coupled field effect, the concept is broadly general and is applicable to attaining extreme values of any physical p...
On the approximation of solutions of the generalized Korteweg-de Vries-Burger's equation

Abstract We propose numerical schemes for approximating periodic solutions of the generalized Korteweg—de Vries—Burgers equation. These schemes are based on a Galerkin-finite element formulation for the spatial discretization and use implicit Runge—Kutta (IRK) methods for time stepping. Asymptotically optimal rate of convergence estimates can be obtained in terms of the spatial and temporal discretization parameters. In particular, the temporal rates are the classical ones, i.e. no order reduction occurs. We also apply Newton's method, to solve the system of nonlinear equations. Indeed, Newton's method yields iterants that converge quadratically and preserves the optimal rates of convergence.
Stakeholders’ perceptions on forest biomass-based bioenergy development in the southern US

This study analyzes perceptions of four stakeholder groups (non-governmental organizations [NGOs], government, industry, and academia) regarding forest biomass-based bioenergy development in the southern US (United States) by combining SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats) framework with AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process). Results suggest that NGO representatives perceived rural development as an important opportunity. Government stakeholder group noted that less or no competition with food production and promotes energy security were major strength factors. Conversion technologies are still under trial was identified as a major weakness by industry representatives. Representatives of academia felt that the competition from other renewable energy sources could be a major threat. Overall, all stakeholder groups were in favor of forest biomass-based bioenergy development in the southern US.
Primary influencers of initial vocational choices for college women

Abstract This study of 597 entering college women investigated the characteristics of people they named as the primary influencers for their initial choices of major. College major was considered analogous to vocational field since the sample of students overwhelmingly gave career goals as reasons for choosing a particular major. Characteristics of these primary influencers were compared with those of a sample of individuals influencing male choices. In addition, characteristics of influencers were compared between those influencing females choosing traditional and nontraditional majors. The results indicate that most students, regardless of gender, were influenced by males, particularly fathers. However, a notable percentage of female students, especially those in traditional fields, were influenced by females. Students whose primary influencers were in fields closely related to their own vocational choices reported being more certain of their choices than students citing influencers in unrelated fields. These findings have implications for model-observer similarity, and may necessitate distinguishing between influential people who provide reinforcement for a choice of major and those who provide specific vocational modeling as well as reinforcement for that choice.
Agents of Nursing Home Quality of Care: Ombudsmen and Staff Ratios Revisited

Many gerontologists have proposed that ombudsman programs and other forms of community presence should improve nursing home quality of care. This study compared these programs' effects on quality of nursing care on a random sample of 134 Medicare/Medicaid-certified long-term care facilities in Missouri. The presence of an ombudsman program was found to be the most important factor associated with quality for intermediate-care facilities, and it was significantly associated with quality for skilled nursing homes where there was ample staffing of registered nurses.
A Comparative Study of Alternative Estimators for Variance Components Models Used in Econometric Applications

Abstract The article investigates by means of Monte Carlo experiments the performance of the ML method, the MINQUE method and several other two-step Generalized Least Squares methods in estimating the slope coefficient in a variance components model. It concludes that in models with no lagged dependent variables there is nothing much to choose among these estimators.
A positive feedback cell signaling nucleation model of astrocyte dynamics

We constructed a model of calcium signaling in astrocyte neural glial cells that incorporates a positive feedback nucleation mechanism, whereby small microdomain increases in local calcium can stochastically produce global cellular and intercellular network scale dynamics. The model is able to simultaneously capture dynamic spatial and temporal heterogeneities associated with intracellular calcium transients in individual cells and intercellular calcium waves (ICW) in spatially realistic networks of astrocytes, i.e. networks where the positions of cells were taken from real in vitro experimental data of spontaneously forming sparse networks, as opposed to artificially constructed grid networks or other non-realistic geometries. This is the first work we are aware of where an intracellular model of calcium signaling that reproduces intracellular dynamics inherently accounts for intercellular network dynamics. These results suggest that a nucleation type mechanism should be further investigated experimentally in order to test its contribution to calcium signaling in astrocytes and in other cells more broadly. It may also be of interest in engineered neuromimetic network systems that attempt to emulate biological signaling and information processing properties in synthetic hardwired neuromorphometric circuits or coded algorithms.
Gradient descent algorithms for quantile regression with smooth approximation

Gradient based optimization methods often converge quickly to a local optimum. However, the check loss function used by quantile regression model is not everywhere differentiable, which prevents the gradient based optimization methods from being applicable. As such, this paper introduces a smooth function to approximate the check loss function so that the gradient based optimization methods could be employed for fitting quantile regression model. The properties of the smooth approximation are discussed. Two algorithms are proposed for minimizing the smoothed objective function. The first method directly applies gradient descent, resulting the gradient descent smooth quantile regression model; the second approach minimizes the smoothed objective function in the framework of functional gradient descent by changing the fitted model along the negative gradient direction in each iteration, which yields boosted smooth quantile regression algorithm. Extensive experiments on simulated data and real-world data show that, compared to alternative quantile regression models, the proposed smooth quantile regression algorithms can achieve higher prediction accuracy and are more efficient in removing noninformative predictors.
Defining Genes in the Genome of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus: Implications for All Microbial Genomes

The original genome annotation of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus contained 2,065 open reading frames (ORFs). The genome was subsequently automatically annotated in two public databases by the Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) and the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Remarkably, more than 500 of the originally annotated ORFs differ in size in the two databases, many very significantly. For example, more than 170 of the predicted proteins differ at their N termini by more than 25 amino acids. Similar discrepancies were observed in the TIGR and NCBI databases with the other archaeal and bacterial genomes examined. In addition, the two databases contain 60 (NCBI) and 221 (TIGR) ORFs not present in the original annotation of P. furiosus. In the present study we have experimentally assessed the validity of 88 previously unannotated ORFs. Transcriptional analyses showed that 11 of 61 ORFs examined were expressed in P. furiosus when grown at either 95 or 72 degrees C. In addition, 7 of 54 ORFs examined yielded heat-stable recombinant proteins when they were expressed in Escherichia coli, although only one of the seven ORFs was expressed in P. furiosus under the growth conditions tested. It is concluded that the P. furiosus genome contains at least 17 ORFs not previously recognized in the original annotation. This study serves to highlight the discrepancies in the public databases and the problems of accurately defining the number and sizes of ORFs within any microbial genome.
Independent Origins of New Sex-Linked Chromosomes in the melanica and robusta Species Groups of Drosophila

Recent translocations of autosomal regions to the sex chromosomes represent important systems for identifying the evolutionary forces affecting convergent patterns of sex-chromosome heteromorphism. Additions to the sex chromosomes have been reported in the melanica and robusta species groups, two sister clades of Drosophila. The close relationship between these two species groups and the similarity of their rearranged karyotypes motivates this test of alternative hypotheses; the rearranged sex chromosomes in both groups are derived through a common origin, or the rearrangements are derived through at least two independent origins. Here we examine chromosomal arrangement in representatives of the melanica and the robusta species groups and test these alternative hypotheses using a phylogenetic approach. Two mitochondrial and two nuclear gene sequences were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of a set of nine ingroup species having fused and unfused sex chromosomes and representing a broad sample of both species groups. Different methods of phylogenetic inference, coupled with concurrent cytogenetic analysis, indicate that the hypothesis of independent origins of rearranged sex chromosomes within each species group is significantly more likely than the alternative hypothesis of a single common origin. An estimate tightly constrained around 8 My was obtained for the age of the rearranged sex chromosomes in the melanica group; however, a more loosely constrained estimate of 10–15 My was obtained for the age of the rearrangement in the robusta group. Independent acquisition of new chromosomal arms by the sex chromosomes in the melanica and robusta species groups represents a case of striking convergence at the karyotypic level. Our findings indicate that the parallel divergence experienced by newly sex-linked genomic regions in these groups represents an excellent system for studying the tempo of sex chromosome evolution.
Threadmill: a post-silicon exerciser for multi-threaded processors

Post-silicon validation poses unique challenges that bring-up tools must face, such as the lack of observability into the design, the typical instability of silicon bring-up platforms and the absence of supporting software (like an OS or debuggers). These challenges and the need to reach an optimal utilization of the expensive but very fast silicon platforms lead to unique design considerations - like the need to keep the tool simple and to perform most of its operation on platform without interaction with the environment.In this paper we describe a variety of novel techniques optimized for the unique characteristics of the silicon platform. These techniques are implemented in Threadmill -- a bare-metal exerciser targeting multi-threaded processors. Threadmill was used in the verification of the POWER7 processor with encouraging results.
Pulverization of rubber using modified solid state shear extrusion process (SSSE)

The challenge of reusing scrap rubber material is mainly due to its crosslinked/vulcanized structure, which prevents the material from melting and from being melt processed into new items. The most feasible recycling approach is believed to be a process in which the vulcanized rubber is first pulverized into a fine powder and then incorporated into new products. Solid state shear extrusion (SSSE), developed at Illinois Institute of Technology, is a process for continuous pulverization of rubber materials into a fine powder (Aratoopour, H. U.S. Pat. 5,704,555 (1998); Arastoopour, H.; Schocke, D. A.; Bernstein, B.; Bilgili, E. U.S. Pat. 5,904,885 (1999); Ivanov, G. Polym Eng Sci 2000, 40, 676). In this work, the design of the SSSE apparatus was modified to overcome heat generation due to pulverization and the limitation from the torque/feeding rate relation and, thus, to increase the efficiency of the process in the production of finer particles at higher throughput. The modification was achieved by separating the original process into the extrusion section and the pulverization section. The extrusion section is dedicated to convey material to the pulverization section, which consists of a cylindrical housing and a rotatable cylindrical element that rotates independent of the extruder's screw. The rotatable cylindrical element can be treaded or flightless. Both sections are connected with an adapter. This new approach to the design allowed us to apply a more efficient cooling system, capable of removing the heat of pulverization and, in turn, results in the production of finer rubber particles. Furthermore, separation of the conveying process from the pulverization process resulted in a reduction in extruder's torque and a significant increase in the throughput. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 119–127, 2006
FDTD data extrapolation using multilayer perceptron (MLP)

This work compares MLP with the matrix pencil method, a linear eigenanalysis-based extrapolator, in terms of their effectiveness in finite difference time domain (FDTD) data extrapolation. Matrix pencil method considers the signal as superposed complex exponentials while MLP considers each time step to be a nonlinear function of previous time steps.