cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regression of pressure-induced left ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by a distinct gene expression profile

Objective Left ventricular hypertrophy is a highly prevalent and robust predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Existing studies have finely detailed mechanisms involved with its development, yet clinical translation of these findings remains unsatisfactory. We propose an alternative strategy focusing on mechanisms of left ventricular hypertrophy regression rather than its progression and hypothesize that left ventricular hypertrophy regression is associated with a distinct genomic profile. Methods Minimally invasive transverse arch banding and debanding (or their respective sham procedures) were performed in C57Bl6 male mice. Left ventricular hypertrophy was assessed physiologically by means of transthoracic echocardiographic analysis, structurally by means of histology, and molecularly by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mouse hearts were genomically analyzed with Agilent (Santa Clara, Calif) mouse 44k developmental gene chips. Results Compared with control animals, animals banded for 28 days had a robust hypertrophic response, as determined by means of heart weight/body weight ratio, histologic analysis, echocardiographic analysis, and fetal gene expression. These parameters were reversed within 1 week of debanding. Whole-genome arrays on left ventricular tissue revealed 288 genes differentially expressed during progression, 265 genes differentially expressed with regression, and only 23 genes shared by both processes. Signaling-related expression patterns were more prevalent with regression rather than the structure-related patterns associated with left ventricular hypertrophy progression. In addition, regressed hearts showed comparatively more changes in energy metabolism and protein production. Conclusions This study demonstrates an effective model for characterizing left ventricular hypertrophy and reveals that regression is genomically distinct from its development. Further examination of these expression profiles will broaden our understanding of left ventricular hypertrophy and provide a novel therapeutic paradigm focused on promoting regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and not just halting its progression.
Alien/ating lesbianism: Ugly sex and postpunk feminist dystopia in Liquid Sky

This article uses Liquid Sky to consider the possibilities of feminist reorientations outside of formal and political orthodoxies and suggests that such disengagements from the dominant are alienated from the utopian rather than re-imagined as transgressive modes of utopian resistance. These disengagements are theorized as a postpunk feminist dystopia: that is, a de-emancipatory system of gendered and aesthetic practices that spatio-sonically shapes queer female sexuality as extrinsic to social and sexual ideals. This dystopia specifically frames the lesbian subject as a bodily terrain of self-estrangement, and names the film's network of alienated corporeal, subcultural, and sonic space. Feminist dystopia ultimately describes female empowerment's precarious position in a sexual and sonic landscape of non-normativity and offers a way to visualize oppositional practices that do not readily correspond to liberation.
Absolute differential and total cross sections for direct and charge-transfer scattering of keV protons by O 2

Calculated and experimental differential direct, charge-transfer, and total scattering cross sections are presented for collisions of ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ with ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. Experimental cross sections are obtained for projectile energies of 0.5, 1.5, and $5.0\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$, and scattering angles of 0.15\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} while the theoretical results extend from $0.5\phantom{\rule{0.5em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.5em}{0ex}}25\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$ and encompass scattering angles from 0.01\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. We find good agreement between the calculated and measured differential and total cross sections. Also, a diffraction slit effect, which is target orientation dependent, is found in the differential scattering cross section. A theoretical explanation of the effect is presented.
Competition thinning of alfalfa planted at three densities

Significant (P<0.05) deviations from the binomial distribution occurred for 67, 37, and 88% of the test at high, medium, and low densities, respectively. For two populations, significant (P<0.05) deviations at both low and high densities were due to an excess of larger numbers of adjacent dead plants. Disease may have been an important cause of death in these cases. The complex interactions between density and population over time indicated that increasing stand density does not simply equate to an increase in selection pressure for survival in competitive environments
Matrix-isolated NbO: A magnetic circular dichroism investigation

Abstract The absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of NbO have been measured in argon and krypton matrices. Both sharp and broad bands have been observed in argon, while only broad bands appear in krypton matrices. Analysis of the sharp band structure has led to the assignment of two 4 Π← X 4 Σ − transitions and the confirmation of one 3 Σ − ←X 4 Σ − transition. A lower limit of 55 cm −1 for the ground state zero-field splitting has been determined from the argon matrix sharp band data. This splitting is attributed to second-order spin-orbit mixing with one (or more) excited 4 Π states. Spin-orbit coupling constants for the two observed 4 Π states have been determined and found to be very different (774 cm −1 versus 360cm − ). This large difference is ascribed to the presence of a 5p orbital contribution to one of the states. The appearance of broad spectral bands in Ar and Kr is believed to result from NbO in substitutional matrix sites. A large matrix effect is noted and shown to be consistent with recent studies of similar transitions in matrix-isolated atoms.
A PROCESS OF STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS WHICH MIMICKS MASS FRACTIONATION IN P‐XENON

The combination of the O-shell theory of Heymann and Dziczkaniec and the supernova theory of Woosley and Howard clearly identifies the astrophysical sites for the formation of the anomalous light Xe component in carbonaceous chondrites. These sites are the O- and Ne-shells, and possibly C-shell of a massive star. Most of the Xe-124 and Xe-126 are formed in the O-shell during hydrostatic core silicon-burning, when a seed of heavy nuclei is exposed to an effective temperature near T9 = 2.0. Xe-128 is formed via Ba-128 in the O-shell, but the amounts appear too small to satisfy the deduced Xe-128/Xe-124 and Xe-128/Xe-126 yield ratios from the chondrites. However, substantial amounts of Xe-128 can be formed in the adjacent Ne- and C-shells during the explosion. The formation of Ba-128 in the O-shell would increase if the (gamma, alpha) photodisintegration rate in Ba-128 is actually smaller than calculated by Woosley and Howard. Lewis et al. have proposed that the anomalous light Xe component is mass-fractionated normal Xe. It is in this sense that the process of stellar nucleosynthesis of the present paper mimicks mass-fractionation.
Deformation‐induced microstructures, paleopiezometers, and differential stresses in deeply eroded fault zones

Deformation-induced dislocation densities, subgrain sizes, and grain sizes in rocks from deeply eroded fault zones provide estimates of the differential stresses that existed when the faults were active. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that the dislocation density, subgrain size, and grain size generated during steady state deformation depend primarily on the magnitude of the applied differential stress; temperature has only a minor influence on these three quantities through materials parameters such as the shear modulus. Theoretical arguments support these experimental results. Differential stresses in fault zones, determined from the empirical stress-microstructure relations, lie in the range 40–200 MPa. In many fault zones, such as the Moine thrust zone in Scotland, the progressive development of the deformation-induced microstructure can be observed, particularly in quartzites. Far from the fault surface, quartz grains are nearly equant but show undulatory extinction. As the central portion of the fault is approached, extinction remains undulatory as the grains become increasingly elongated (aspect ratios of 100∶1 are common) and recrystallized. Quartzites are often 100% recrystallized near the centers of fault zones. This progressive development of the microstructure indicates that recovery at low or zero stress has not erased information on the last tectonic event in the plastic deformation regime.
What Accounts for Party System Stability? Comparing the Dimensions of Party Competition in Postcommunist Europe

Why do party systems stabilise quickly in some new democracies while others remain in extended flux? As a core variable of comparative politics, party system stability has led scholars to generate various theoretical explanations, but consensus is still lacking. Given its widely divergent party systems, postcommunist Europe presents an important opportunity to revisit stability's determinants. Applying hypotheses derived from theories about competition in multidimensional policy spaces, I find that they better explain variation in a 14-case sample than contending hypotheses about the electoral system, economic performance, constitutional design, political culture, or previous democratic experience.
The response of serum ceruloplasmin to injections of walker 256 tumor cells or turpentine into rats.

The subcutaneous injection of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells into a rat was followed by a pronounced increase in plasma ceruloplasmin activity. This lasted only about 3 weeks even though the tumors were still enlarging rapidly. Based upon studies with67Cu, the increase in plasma ceruloplasmin seemed to reflect increased production of the enzyme by the livers of rats bearing the tumors. Injections of turpentine also raised plasma ceruloplasmin, but to a significantly lesser extent and normal values were reached within 2 weeks.
On Inertial Motion on a Rotating Sphere

Abstract An explicit solution is derived for the trajectory of a particle in an inertial flow on a rotating sphere. This solution explains many of the features of inertial trajectories that have been presented in the literature.
Literacies crossing borders: Transfronterizo literacy practices of students in a dual language program on the USA-Mexico border

Abstract Research on transnational literacies has generally focused on youth who live in one country and communicate using digital literacies across national boundaries. Our work contributes to this literature by providing a view of transnational literacies that are unique to the USA–Mexico border region. The students in this ethnographic study navigate two countries, two languages, and two homes on a weekly and sometimes daily basis. This article describes the literacies that these transfronterizo youth acquire as border crossers. Our focus is on the print and digital literacies learned outside of the classroom and how these are being used by the students in academic settings.
Unilateral isolated microphthalmia inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

Purpose: To report a family with unilateral isolated microphthalmia showing an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. Case report: We report a family in which three out of four children, one male and monozygotic female twins, were born with unilateral isolated microphthalmia to healthy consanguineous parents. One twin additionally had a horseshoe kidney. Rare cases of familial isolated microphthalmia/anophthalmia have been previously described. This is the first report of a family with autosomal recessive isolated microphthalmia occurring unilaterally in all affected individuals. It remains unknown how this inherited genetic disease results in unilateral manifestation. Conclusion: Mirror imaging of this condition in the monozygotic twins may help elucidate the underlying mechanism. The constellation of features in this family may contribute to solve remaining questions of research into symmetry and asymmetry.
Radiation Induced Outgassing in an Aluminum System

The establishment of high vacuum in the intense radiation field of a reactor core is limited by: (1) poor conducting geometry, i.e. systems with a large length to diameter radio; (2) suitable reactor materials, i.e. materials having low neutron absorption; and (3) radiation induced outgassing. This work constitutes an investigation of the magnitude of the radiation induced outgassing rate of a well cleaned and baked 6061-6063 aluminum system. Measurements performed in both the NBS 32 KC Co60 gamma irradiation facility and the NRL 1 MW reactor facility disclosed that the phenomenon of radiation induced outgassing was principally due to the gamma and its associated electron field rather than to the fast neutron field. The magnitude of the effect observed was (7 + 4) 10-11 torr liters/sec cm2 per watt/gm.
The Relationship Between Old-Fashioned and Modern Heterosexism to Social Dominance Orientation and Structural Violence

This study proposes that broader social systemic factors could have a role in the perpetuation of two types of heterosexism. Old-fashioned and modern heterosexism are discussed and differentiated. The roles of social dominance orientation and the acceptance of structural violence in the maintenance of heterosexism are explored. Results indicated that social dominance orientation and the acceptance of structural violence predicted the level of old-fashioned and modern heterosexism in a sample of 129 people. Acceptance of structural violence better predicted both modern and old-fashioned heterosexism than did social dominance orientation. Such relationships highlight the possibility that social systemic beliefs may create and support heterosexism.
Registration of Arkot 9704 and Arkot 9706 germplasm lines of cotton.

Arkot 9704 (Reg. No. GP-914, PI 654509) and Arkot 9706 (Reg. No. GP-915, PI 654510) are noncommercial breeding lines of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) that were released by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in August 2008. Both lines were derived from 1997 crosses using one common parent, Ark 9108-04, a breeding line from which Arkot 9108 was selected. The second parent for Arkot 9704 was M331 RKN. The other parent of Arkot 9706 was Arkot 8712. The lines were evaluated in 15 replicated tests in Arkansas from 2004 through 2007 and compared to check cultivars SG 105 and PSC 355. Lint yields of Arkot 9704 and Arkot 9706 were equal to the check cultivars. Yields of both lines could be attributed in part to higher lint per seed (and lint fraction) produced by fewer seed per area than either check cultivar. Arkot 9706 was earlier maturing than Arkot 9704 and the two check cultivars. Fiber properties of Arkot 9706 were very similar to PSC 355, whereas Arkot 9704 produced lower micronaire, length uniformity index, and strength than Arkot 9706 and PSC 355. Leaf pubescence and bract trichome density of Arkot 9704 were less dense than either check cultivar, whereas Arkot 9706 was similar to SG 105 for these traits. Both lines expressed resistance to bacterial blight. Arkot 9704 expressed resistance to tarnished plant bug equal to PSC 355, whereas Arkot 9706 expressed higher resistance than either check cultivar. The relative yield, maturity, and line-specific host plant resistance traits make these lines valuable to cotton breeding programs.
A Bayesian image steganalysis approach to estimate the embedded secret message

Image steganalysis so far has mostly dealt only with the detection of a hidden message and estimation of some of its parameters (e.g., message length and secret key). In this paper, we propose a steganalysis approach to estimate the hidden message based on a Bayesian framework, modelling the image as a Markov random field and exploiting the analogy between images and statistical mechanical systems. The theoretical framework is presented in detail. Experimental results are provided to support the theory.
Membrane curvature based lipid sorting using a nanoparticle patterned substrate

Cellular membranes contain a variety of shapes that likely act as motifs for sorting lipids and proteins. To understand the sorting that takes place within cells, a continuous, fluid bilayer with regions of membrane curvature was designed and characterized using confocal fluorescence and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy techniques. A supported lipid bilayer was formed over fluorescently labelled nanoparticles deposited on a glass surface. The lipid composition and membrane shape are separately controlled and the nanoparticle dimensions (d = 40–200 nm) determine the extent of curvature. The bulk membrane is fluid as demonstrated by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) using dye labelled lipids. In bilayers that contain fluorescently labelled, single-tailed lipids, accumulation is observed at regions of curvature, yet the molecules retain fluidity. Using single particle imaging methods, lipids are observed to visit regions of curvature and exchange with the surrounding flat membrane. The nanoparticle patterned substrate described here allows for quantitative measurement of the transient interactions between fluorescently labelled biomolecules and regions of membrane curvature.
Case report: Fragile X syndrome and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

We describe a man with the fra(X) syndrome and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The disease loci for both conditions are in the region Xq27.3-q28. This is the first report of the fra(X) syndrome associated with another X-linked disorder. Analysis of DNA markers suggested that the association in this man was coincidental.
The structure of alpha-chitin.

Abstract The structure of α-chitin has been determined by X-ray diffraction, based on the intensity data from deproteinized lobster tendon. Least-squares refinement shows that adjacent chains have alternating sense (i.e. are antiparallel). In addition, there is a statistical distribution of side-chain orientations, such that all the hydroxyl groups form hydrogen bonds. The unit cell is orthorhombic with dimensions a = 0.474 ± 0.001 nm, b = 1.886 ± 0.002 nm and c = 1.032 ± 0.002 nm (fiber axis); the space group is P212121 and the cell contains disaccharide sections of the two chains passing through the center and corner of the ab projection. The chains form hydrogen-bonded sheets linked by CO…HN bonds approximately parallel to the a axis, and each chain has an O-3′H…O.5 intramolecular hydrogen bond, similar to that in cellulose. Adjacent chains along the ab diagonal have different conformations for the CH2OH groups: on one chain these groups form O.6H…O.6′ intermolecular hydrogen bonds to the CH2OH group on the adjacent chain along the ab diagonal. The latter group is oriented to form an intramolecular O.6′H…O.7 bond to the carboxyl oxygen on the next residue. The results indicate that a statistical mixture of CH2OH orientations is present, equivalent to half oxygens on each residue, each forming inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds. As a result the structure contains two types of amide groups, which differ in their hydrogen bonding, and account for the splitting of the amide I band in the infrared spectrum. The Inability of this chitin polymorph to swell on soaking in water is explained by the extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
A Multicompartment Mathematical Model of Cancer Stem Cell-Driven Tumor Growth Dynamics

Tumors are appreciated to be an intrinsically heterogeneous population of cells with varying proliferation capacities and tumorigenic potentials. As a central tenet of the so-called cancer stem cell hypothesis, most cancer cells have only a limited lifespan, and thus cannot initiate or reinitiate tumors. Longevity and clonogenicity are properties unique to the subpopulation of cancer stem cells. To understand the implications of the population structure suggested by this hypothesis--a hierarchy consisting of cancer stem cells and progeny non-stem cancer cells which experience a reduction in their remaining proliferation capacity per division--we set out to develop a mathematical model for the development of the aggregate population. We show that overall tumor progression rate during the exponential growth phase is identical to the growth rate of the cancer stem cell compartment. Tumors with identical stem cell proportions, however, can have different growth rates, dependent on the proliferation kinetics of all participating cell populations. Analysis of the model revealed that the proliferation potential of non-stem cancer cells is likely to be small to reproduce biologic observations. Furthermore, a single compartment of non-stem cancer cell population may adequately represent population growth dynamics only when the compartment proliferation rate is scaled with the generational hierarchy depth.
DNA length-dependent cooperative interactions in the binding of Ku to DNA.

Despite its central role in the nonhomologous DNA end joining process, we still have an incomplete picture of the interaction between Ku and DNA. Here we describe both kinetic (surface plasmon resonance or SPR) and equilibrium (electrophoretic mobility shift assay or EMSA) studies of Ku binding to linear double-stranded DNA. Ku interaction with 1-site DNA is noncooperative, as expected. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate cooperativity in the binding of Ku molecules to DNA long enough for two Ku molecules to bind (2-site DNA). For the kinetic studies, we use surface plasmon resonance in which one end of the DNA molecules is linked to a surface while the other end is free to interact with Ku. We find that one Ku molecule dissociates from 1-site DNA with simple Langmuir (i.e., independent) kinetics. However, two Ku molecules associate and dissociate from 2-site DNA with a time course that cannot be described as a simple Langmuir interaction. On 3- and 4-site DNA, EMSA and SPR studies do not revea...
Current Knowledge about the Chromosomes in the Domestic Fowl

(1965). Current Knowledge about the Chromosomes in the Domestic Fowl. World's Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 157-165.
Antecedents to Reading Disability: Preschool Language Development and Literacy Experiences of Children from Dyslexic Families

In a longitudinal study of the relation between preschool development and later reading abilities, children with dyslexic parents and/or older siblings were compared to children with no family incidence of dyslexia. Many children from dyslexic families developed reading problems by the end of the second grade, and these poor readers were characterized chiefly by weaker early syntactic and phonological skills and by less frequent exposure to books during their preschool years than the preschoolers who became normal readers. Some implications of the results for etiological theories of dyslexia are discussed.
Immunohistochemical analysis of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor I receptor and insulin-like growth factor II in endometriotic tissue and endometrium.

Background. The purpose of this study was to investigate unprecedentedly immunohistochemical localization of insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor I receptor and insulin-like growth factor II in endometriotic tissue, and to compare staining intensity with that of endometrium obtained simultaneously.Methods. Endometriotic and corresponding endometrial tissue samples were obtained during operative laparoscopy from eighteen infertile patients for the problem of infertility. Semiquantitative scoring was used for analysis of results.Results. It was demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor I receptor were present in both endometriotic and endometrial tissues. In contrast, there was little insulin-like growth factor II present in either ectopic or eutopic endometrial tissue. For insulin-like growth factor I and insulin-like growth factor I receptor, the immunostaining score was similar between ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues. There was no significan...
The very high temperature pyrolysis of ethylene and the subsequent reactions of product acetylene

Abstract The pyrolysis of 3% C2H4Kr mixtures has been studied in a shock tube with the laser schlieren technique over 2300–3200K. Initial dissociation of C2H4 is clearly resolved over this range, and for T > 2700K, density gradients arising from further decomposition of product acetylene are evident. C2H2 decomposition is marked by a local maximum in gradient and is initiated by H-atom formed in C2H4 dissociation. Rate constants for the two C2H4 dissociation channels C 2 H 4 +M → C 2 H 2 H 2 +M k=(1.4±0.3)×10 15 exp (−27900/T)cm 3 /mols(2300−3200K) , and C 2 H 4 +M → C 2 H 3 H +M k=(1.4±0.3)×10 15 exp (−41180/T)cm 3 /mols(2300−3200K) were derived from the initial gradients and the location of the C2H2 gradient maximum. A sufficient C2H2 gradient following C2H4 dissociation requires the addition of C 2 H 2 → C 4 H 2 +H k∼3×10 13 cm3/mols , which, together with C 4 H 2 → C 4 H +H , acts to dissociate excess H2 formed in C2H4 dissociation. The calculated late gradient drops too rapidly, the result of an equilibration of the entire C2H2 mechanism. It is suggested that radical polymerization to solid carbon defeats this equilibration and a schematic mechanism for this is considered.
Fatigue fracture of reaction injection molded (RIM) nylon composites

This study was undertaken to determine how milled glass fibers affect the fatigue resistance of reaction injection molded (RIM) nylon 6. Specifically the effects of glass content, fiber length, orientation, and surface treatment were investigated. The fatigue crack growth rates for unfilled and glass-filled samples were observed to follow the well-known Paris equation in terms of dependence on cyclic stress intensity factor. For the unfilled nylon a line shaped zone was observed in advance of the crack tip. Fractography results suggest that the zone was the projection of the actual crack tip profile through the thickness of the sample rather than a distinct plastic or deformation zone. The fatigue fracture surface exhibited a patchy type structure with features 50–150 μm in size, suggesting a void coalescence type of mechanism as has been reported for injection molded nylons. A diffuse damage zone, several millimeters in size, was observed at the crack tip for the glass-filled RIM nylon 6. The zone was observed to pulsate with the applied oscillating load. The growth of the damage zone volume with increasing crack length (and thus increasing stress intensity factor range) followed the Paris law, as did the crack growth rate data. The damage mechanism is attributed to void formation and microcracking at the fiber–matrix interface. The results of this study show that, for milled glass-reinforced RIM nylon 6, the crack growth rates were much more rapid than observed for injection-molded nylon 6 containing chopped glass fibers. This difference is attributed to the greatly reduced glass fiber lengths for the milled glasses.
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a) knockout mice exhibit improved spatial memory and deficits in contextual memory.

Abstract Although the hormone ghrelin is best known for its stimulatory effect on appetite and regulation of growth hormone release, it is also reported to have beneficial effects on learning and memory formation in mice. Nevertheless, controversy exists about whether endogenous ghrelin acts on its receptors in extra-hypothalamic areas of the brain. The ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) is co-expressed in neurons that express dopamine receptor type-1 (DRD1a) and type-2 (DRD2), and we have shown that a subset of GHS-R1a, which are not occupied by the agonist (apo-GHSR1a), heterodimerize with these two receptors to regulate dopamine signaling in vitro and in vivo. To determine the consequences of ghsr ablation on brain function, congenic ghsr −/− mice on the C57BL6/J background were subjected to a battery of behavioral tests. We show that the ghsr −/− mice exhibit normal balance, movement, coordination, and pain sensation, outperform ghsr +/+ mice in the Morris water maze, but show deficits in contextual fear conditioning.
Factors affecting mutagenic activity of cigarette smoke condensate in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538.

Smoke condensates from Burley tobacco, bright-type tobacco and various brands of commercial cigarettes were tested for mutagenicity by using a microsomal test system with Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538. Smoke condensate from Burley tobacco had much higher mutagenic activity than that from bright-type tobacco. Increased mutagenic activity was observed with smoke condensates from Burley tobacco grown with increasing amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, and from commercial cigarettes blended with Burley tobacco. There was a significant correlation between nitrate content of cigarette and mutagenic activity of the resulting smoke condensate. The result suggest that nitrate in cigarettes may influence the formation of potential mutagens during the burning of a cigarette.
A technique for developing loop invariants

To develop a loop from a given precondition and postcondition following the method developed in [l] and described in [2], one tries to obtain a loop invariant by weakening the postcondition in some way. A standard technique for doing so is to replace a constant or expression that occurs in the postcondition by a fresh variable. In this article we discuss a situation in which it is useful to introduce fresh variables to replace some of the occurrences of existing variables. We develop a new algorithm for linear search and an algorithm for binary search to illustrate the technique.
The future of politics

Abstract Humankind is undergoing subtle but vast transformations, from the impact of globalization to the pull of local comforts, from the movement toward regional organizations to the demands of transnational groups, from the ever more powerful consequences of microelectronic technologies to the ever deepening bonds of interdependence. These changes can fairly be described as the emergence of a new epoch marked by altered global structures and driven by a skill revolution, an organizational explosion, and a continuous flow of ideas, money, goods, and people that is rendering long-standing territorial boundaries increasingly obsolete and fostering an extensive decentralization of authority. The future of politics is thus conceived to be pervaded by contradictions, ambiguities, and uncertainties.
Instabilities due to bifurcation of switching times in a thyristor controlled reactor

The authors describe two bifurcation instabilities of a thyristor controlled reactor (TCR) circuit in which switching times suddenly change and system stability is lost. The instabilities are unexpected because they are quite different from what might be expected from conventional theory in that they occur without the usual indications such as eigenvalues of a Jacobian matrix crossing the unit circle. The instabilities are explained and their mechanisms are illustrated by the simulation of a static volt-ampere-reactive (VAr) example with realistic parameters. In particular, it is shown how distortion of voltage and current waveforms can cause a thyristor switch-off time to disappear or a new thyristor switch-off time to suddenly appear. The consequence of the sudden change in switch-off times is that stable periodic operation of the circuit is lost and a transient will occur until the circuit settles down to a new steady state. >
Diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers in pancreatic cancer

Serum CA 19-9 is the only FDA approved biomarker recommended for use in the routine management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Over 2,000 biomarker studies related to pancreatic cancer appear in the literature, highlighting the need to discover and develop improved tests. Diagnostic biomarkers have implications for early detection of PDA, prognostic markers predict patient survival and recurrence patterns, and predictive markers can help personalize treatment regimens.
The Rossby wave extra invariant in the dynamics of 3-D fluid layers and the generation of zonal jets

We consider an adiabatic-type (approximate) invariant that was earlier obtained for the quasi-geostrophic equation and the shallow water system; it is an extra invariant, in addition to the standard ones (energy, enstrophy, momentum), and it is based on the Rossby waves. The presence of this invariant implies the energy transfer from small-scale eddies to large-scale zonal jets. We show that this extra invariant can be extended to the dynamics of a three-dimensional (3-D) fluid layer on the beta plane. Combined with the investigation of other researchers, this 3-D extension implies enhanced generation of zonal jets. For a general physical system, the presence of an extra invariant (in addition to the energy–momentum and wave action) is extremely rare. We summarize the unique conservation properties of geophysical fluid dynamics (with the beta effect) that allow for the existence of the extra invariant, and argue that its presence in various geophysical systems is a strong indication that the formation of zonal jets is indeed related to the extra invariant. Also, we develop a new, more direct, way to establish extra invariants (without using cubic corrections). For this, we introduce the small denominator lemma.
Improved Dynamic Model of Fast-Settling Linear-in-dB Automatic Gain Control Circuit

An improved exact dynamic model of a fast-settling linear-in-dB automatic gain control (AGC) circuit is proposed. The explicit transient behavior is calculated for a first-order and second-order AGC loop
The shikimic acid pathway and polyketide biosynthesis

The shikimic acid pathway, ubiquitous in microorganisms and plants, provides precursors for the biosynthesis of primary metabolites such as the aromatic amino acids and folic acid. Several branchpoints from the primary metabolic pathway also provide aromatic and, in some unusual cases, nonaromatic precursors for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. We report herein recent progress in the analysis of two unusual branches of the shikimic acid pathway in streptomycetes; the formation of the cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (CHC)-derived moiety of the antifungal agent ansatrienin and the dihydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid (DHCHC) starter unit for the biosynthesis of the immunosuppressant ascomycin. A gene for 1-cyclohexenylcarbonyl-CoA reductase, chcA, which plays a role in catalyzing three of the reductive steps leading from shikimic acid to CHC has been characterized from Streptomyces collinus. A cluster of six open reading frames (ORFs) has been identified by sequencing in both directions from chcA and the putative role of these in CHC biosynthesis is discussed. The individual steps involved in the biosynthesis of DHCHC from shikimic acid in Streptomyces hygroscopicus var ascomyceticus has been delineated and shown to be stereochemically and enzymatically distinct from the CHC pathway. A dehydroquinate dehydratase gene (dhq) likely involved in providing shikimic acid for both DHCHC biosynthesis and primary metabolism has been cloned, sequenced and characterized.
Characteristics Across Exceptional Categories: EMR, LD, and ED:

Characteristics, across categories, of 198 students previously identified as educable mentally retarded, learning disabled, and emotionally disturbed were analyzed in order to validate their relevance in distinguishing among the three groups of children. The characteristics selected for study were grouped into three areas: (a) cognitive (including IQ, reading underachievement, and subtest scatter on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children), (b) affective (rated on statistically interrelated patterns of behavior labeled "conduct disorder," "personality problem," and "immaturity-inadequacy"), and (c) demographic (socioeconomic status). The results of the study showed wide separation on two discriminant functions and revealed the significance of certain measures in classifying exceptional children. IQ, underachievement in reading, test-score scatter, conduct disorder, and the personality-problem measure correctly classified 81.8% of the population. Although the widely used variables correctly classify (...
Insularization of Tanzanian Parks and the Local Extinction of Large Mammals

Island biogeography theory predicts that species will be lost on habitat “islands” created by the fragmentation of continental regions. Many Tanzanian parks are rapidly becoming habitat islands as a result of human settlement, agricultural development, and the active elimination of wildlife on adjacent lands. The rate of extinction of mammals in six Tanzanian parks over the last 35–83 years is significantly and inversely related to park area, suggesting that increasing insularization of the parks has been an important contributory factor in large mammal extinctions. I compared observed patterns of persistence of mammals in Tanzanian parks to predictions derived from earlier extinction models. The predictions of the S1 models of Soule et al. (1979) and Burkey (1994) and the S2 and S3 models of Soule et al. (1979) match very closely the observed pattern of persistence of mammals in Tanzanian parks. The loss of mammal species will probably continue, particularly in the smaller parks. Establishment of wildlife corridors linking the parks in northern Tanzania could help to reduce the potential loss of species in the future. La teoria de la biogeografia de islas predice que se perderan especies en “islas” creadas por la fragmentacion de regiones continentales. Varios parques de Tanzania se estan convirtiendo rapidamente en habitats “islas” como resultado de asentamientos humanos, desarrollo agricultural y al activa eliminacion de vida silvestre en tierras adyacentes. La tasa de extincion de mamiferos de en seis parques de Tanzania durante los ultimos 35–83 anos es significativa e inversamente se relaciona con el area del parque, sugiriendo que el creciente aislamiento de los parques ha sido un factor que contribuye a la extincion de mamiferos grandes. Patrones observados de persistencia de mamiferos en parques de Tanzania son comparados con predicciones derivadas de modelos de extincion elaborados tiempo atras. Las predicciones de los modelos S1 de Soule et al. (1979) se aproximan a los patrones observados de persistencia de mamiferos en los parques de Tanzania. La Perdida de especies de mamiferos probablemente continuara, particularmente en los parques pequenos. El establecimiento de corredores que interconecten los parques del Norte de Tanzania podrian ayudar a reducir la perdida potencial de especies en el futuro.
Performance and Power Analysis of ATI GPU: A Statistical Approach

We present a comprehensive study on the performance and power consumption of a recent ATI GPU. By employing a rigorous statistical model to analyze execution behaviors of representative general-purpose GPU (GPGPU) applications, we conduct insightful investigations on the target GPU architecture. Our results demonstrate that the GPU execution throughput and the power dissipation are dependent on different architectural variables. Furthermore, we design a set of micro-benchmarks to study the power consumption features of different function units on the GPU. Based on those results, we derive instructive principles that can guide the design of power-efficient high performance computing systems.
Blood-Brain Barrier P450 Enzymes and Multidrug Transporters in Drug Resistance: A Synergistic Role in Neurological Diseases

Drug penetration into the central nervous system (CNS) is controlled by the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Even though a number of strategies to circumvent the BBB and to improve drug access have been developed, drug resistance in CNS diseases remains an unmet clinical problem. We here review the mechanisms by which a healthy or pathological BBB influences drug distribution in the brain, with emphasis on the role of P450 metabolic enzymes and multi-drug transporter (MDT) proteins. In addition to the classic hepatic and gut biotransformation pathways, CNS expression of P450 enzymes may bear pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic significance exerting a metabolic activity and transforming parent drugs into specific products. We propose these mechanisms to play a major role in CNS drug resistant pathologies including refractory forms of epilepsy. Changes in the cerebrovascular hemodynamic conditions can affect expression of P450 enzymes and MDT proteins. This should be taken into account when developing in vitro experimental approaches to reproduce the physiological or pathological properties of the BBB. Finally, a link between P450 and MDT expression in the diseased brain and cell survival is discussed.
Retailers' Dynamic Pricing and Ordering Decisions: Category Management Versus Brand-by-Brand Approaches

This paper provides a framework for retailer pricing and ordering decisions in a dynamic category management setting. In this regard, the key contributions of this paper are as follows. First, we develop a multi-brand ordering and pricing model that endogenizes retailer forward buying and maximizes proﬁtability for the category. The model considers (i) manufacturer trade deals to retailers, (ii) ordering costs incurred by the retailer, (iii) retailer forward buying behavior, and (iv) both own- and cross-price effects of all the brands in the category. Second, we use this model to compare differences in ordering and pricing decisions, and in proﬁts, resulting from using a category management versus a brand-by-brand management approach. Our approach allows us to derive implications in a dynamic setting about the impact of interdependence among the brands upon decisions on pass-through of trade deals and retailer order quantity. We show that category management results in noticeably higher proﬁts versus brand-by-brand and cost-plus (markup) approaches. Further, our results suggest an interaction between a brand’s own-price effect and its cross-price effect emerges. If the cross-price effect for a brand is low – that is, the brand takes away relatively few sales from the other brands – the retail pass-through should increase with that brand’s own-price effect. On the other hand, when the cross-price effect is high, the retail pass-through decreases with the brand’s own-price effect.
Motivational Underpinnings of Command-and-Control, Market-Based, and Voluntarist Environmental Policies

Historically, regulatory command-and-control schemes have dominated the environmental policy process. Recently, market-based incentives and voluntarist programs have begun to compete with regulatory policies. We argue in this article that policymakers must distinguish these strategies by their motivational underpinnings. While each strategy attempts to achieve the same goal, behavioral or organizational change that reduces pollution and/or provides environmental protection, each strategy is distinct in its means. We discuss how command-and-control capitalizes on fear, market-based incentives capitalize on greed, and voluntarism on one's sense of social responsibility. We discuss the implications of choosing each of these policy alternatives by drawing on the insights of "social dilemmas" research that analyzes situations in which the individual and the collective good are in conflict.
Robust autumn social attributes predict spring courtship skills in juvenile female brown-headed cowbirds, Molothrus ater

Individuals often show predictable variation in social tendencies over time and across contexts. In species that rely on social interaction for the development of courtship behaviours, predictable variation in juvenile social behaviour may influence the ontogeny of courtship skills by exposing young individuals to different levels of contact with conspecifics. During the autumn and winter, brown-headed cowbirds utilize a social display known as the head-down to facilitate close social interaction with others. In this study we investigated whether head-downs rates are correlated across social contexts, and thus constitute a social temperament trait, and whether variation in head-down rates predicts subsequent courtship behaviour in juvenile cowbirds. During the autumn, we used a fissionefusion perturbation on a flock of juvenile females and males, and recorded the number of approaches and head-downs across social contexts. All individuals were then followed into the breeding season, where we recorded male singing behaviour, female chatter vocalization and consort status. We found that female head-down rates were correlated across contexts during the autumn, and that females that engaged in more head-down displays received more songs from males, responded to more songs with chatter vocalizations and were more likely to be in a consortship during the breeding season. As far as we know, this study presents the first demonstration that a social temperament trait can predict competent adult-like courtship behaviour in juvenile birds, and suggests that juvenile sociability may be an important developmental mechanism in the emergence of reproductive competence. The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Numerical Study of Melting of Large-Diameter Crystals Using an Orbital Solar Concentrator

The melting of large-diameter crystals using an orbital solar concentrator is studied numerically. In the proposed configuration, a parabolic dish imaging concentrator is used to focus the sun`s radiation onto an ampoule which holds the solid charge material to be processed. The charge will start melting in the vicinity of the focal height, after which it is translated in order for the melt to resolidify as a single crystal. A ray-trace method has been developed to determine the incident concentrated solar heat flux on the ampoule`s surface for both perfectly aligned and misaligned configurations. For the perfectly aligned charge, a transient two-dimensional conduction problem with phase change is formulated, whereas once the perfect alignment of the charge`s symmetry axis with the sun`s incoming ray is perturbed, the problem becomes three-dimensional due to the complex surface heat flux boundary condition. The commercial code FIDAP is used to solve the governing transport equation. By ignoring the participation of the ampoule in the heat transfer process, preliminary results highlighting the feasibility of growing GaAs, Ge, and Si crystals with diameters of the order of 20 cm using the orbital solar concentrator concept are presented. The transient temperature fields within various charge materials duringmore » the heat-up process are quantified. The resulting melting pattern within the charge due to the uncolumnated beam is observed to be uniform along the charge when compared to the idealized limiting case of columnated beams. Finally, the effect of the misalignment angle on the melting process is quantified.« less
A deterministic multiuser code-timing estimator for long-code band-limited CDMA systems

In this letter, we present a deterministic multiuser code-timing estimator for asynchronous direct-sequence (DS) code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems with aperiodic long spreading codes and band-limited chip waveforms. A key feature of the proposed estimator is that it captures and capitalizes a deterministic structure of the overall interference, namely multi-access interference (MAI) and intersymbol interference (ISI), in the frequency domain. This allows complete interference elimination in a deterministic manner, which is in general more effective and data-efficient than stochastic approaches. Numerical results show that the proposed estimator can achieve fast acquisition; it is also near-far resistant, providing accurate code acquisition for even overloaded systems (i.e., systems with more users than the processing gain) in multipath fading environments.