cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A dynamic group management framework for large-scale distributed event monitoring

Distributed event monitoring is an important service for fault, performance and security management. Next generation event monitoring services are highly distributed and involve a large number of monitoring agents. In order to support scalable event monitoring, the monitoring agents use IP multicasting for disseminating events and control information. However, due to the dynamic nature of event detection and correlation in distributed monitoring, devising an efficient group management for agents organization and coordination becomes a challenging issue. This paper presents an adaptive group management framework that dynamically re-configures the group structures and membership assignments at run-time according to the event correlation requirements and allows for optimal delivery of multicast messages between the management entities. This framework provides techniques for solving agents' state synchronization, collision-free group allocation and agents bootstrap problems in distributed event monitoring. The presented framework has been implemented within a HiFi system which is a distributed hierarchical monitoring system.
The Chinese Government: Central Control Vs. Decentralization

General reform of the economy of the People’s Republic of China began in the mid 1980s as a reluctant retreat from the old style command and control economy toward a market based economy. Reform was driven by the growing recognition that state socialist economic policy was a failed experience, and would never produce the high levels of economic growth and development that would even keep up with population growth, much less permit any extensive improvement in China’s economic strength or citizen quality of life. Nor was the Communist China Party, (CCP) making a success of the “allocation of scarcity” which is all that their economy provided. Inherent in the centrist state system was the widespread use of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) which were instruments of the government, but supposedly free to operate much like independent organizations capable of operating profitably in the realistic world. But SOEs too had proved failed experiences. Instead of generating revenue for government use, most had proved inefficient, and many operated at deficits that had to be underwritten by the government, using funds that could be utilized elsewhere. SOEs carried larger overhead costs because they provided many social services to their employees such as housing, health care, pensions and elementary/secondary education, and these direct costs drained much of their profitability.
The interconvertibility of various bacterial transfer ribonucleic acids between an active and an inactive stable configuration.

Abstract The kinetics of acceptance of 20 amino acids by Escherichia coli tRNA was examined after heat treatment with and without magnesium. Beside tRNAtrp, those tRNAs specific for histidine and glutamic acid showed a partial loss of amino acid acceptor activity when heated without magnesium. No loss of activity was observed in the tRNAs of the remaining 17 amino acids. Also examined was tRNAtrp from various bacterial species whose DNA composition ranged from 35 to 72% in their guanine-cytosine content. Five of the nine species of bacteria showed the interconversion of tRNAtrp and the remaining four existed only in the active form.
Positron lifetimes in crystalline solids exposed to γ rays with energies above the electron–positron pair formation threshold and a weak magnetic field

Abstract Theory predicts that positrons in crossed motional electric and magnetic fields form long-lived positronium in vacuum. It follows that binding of the electron to anions of dielectric solids may prevent fast annihilation by forming electric positron–electron dipole oscillators with lifetimes of hundreds of minutes. To test this hypothesis, lifetime distributions of time-coincident, 180° γ-rays from crystalline alkali halides and a polycyclic hydrocarbon were measured in 12 and 95 G magnetic fields. Gamma-ray sources with energies above the electron–positron pair formation threshold were used to make positrons.
Estimating the causal relationship between foreclosures and unemployment during the great recession

Using a local projection method, we estimate the relationship among unemployment, foreclosures, and housing prices. More foreclosures cause a major increase in unemployment and a large decrease in housing prices. Higher housing prices, however, have only small effects on unemployment and foreclosures.
Binding of Alkylurea Inhibitors to Epoxide Hydrolase Implicates Active Site Tyrosines in Substrate Activation

The structures of two alkylurea inhibitors complexed with murine soluble epoxide hydrolase have been determined by x-ray crystallographic methods. The alkyl substituents of each inhibitor make extensive hydrophobic contacts in the soluble epoxide hydrolase active site, and each urea carbonyl oxygen accepts hydrogen bonds from the phenolic hydroxyl groups of Tyr381 and Tyr465. These hydrogen bond interactions suggest that Tyr381 and/or Tyr465 are general acid catalysts that facilitate epoxide ring opening in the first step of the hydrolysis reaction; Tyr465 is highly conserved among all epoxide hydrolases, and Tyr381 is conserved among the soluble epoxide hydrolases. In one enzyme-inhibitor complex, the urea carbonyl oxygen additionally interacts with Gln382. If a comparable interaction occurs in catalysis, then Gln382 may provide electrostatic stabilization of partial negative charge on the epoxide oxygen. The carboxylate side chain of Asp333accepts a hydrogen bond from one of the urea NH groups in each enzyme-inhibitor complex. Because Asp333 is the catalytic nucleophile, its interaction with the partial positive charge on the urea NH group mimics its approach toward the partial positive charge on the electrophilic carbon of an epoxide substrate. Accordingly, alkylurea inhibitors mimic features encountered in the reaction coordinate of epoxide ring opening, and a structure-based mechanism is proposed for leukotoxin epoxide hydrolysis.
Chlamydomonas as a model for biofuels and bio-products production

Developing renewable energy sources is critical to maintaining the economic growth of the planet while protecting the environment. First generation biofuels focused on food crops like corn and sugarcane for ethanol production, and soybean and palm for biodiesel production. Second generation biofuels based on cellulosic ethanol produced from terrestrial plants, has received extensive funding and recently pilot facilities have been commissioned, but to date output of fuels from these sources has fallen well short of what is needed. Recent research and pilot demonstrations have highlighted the potential of algae as one of the most promising sources of sustainable liquid transportation fuels. Algae have also been established as unique biofactories for industrial, therapeutic, and nutraceutical co-products. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii's long established role in the field of basic research in green algae has paved the way for understanding algal metabolism and developing genetic engineering protocols. These tools are now being utilized in C. reinhardtii and in other algal species for the development of strains to maximize biofuels and bio-products yields from the lab to the field.
Optimal control of on-going processes

We consider an optimal control problem for an on-going process. Specifically, we examine an optimal control problem on a very long time period and show that its optimal solution may be approximated by the so-called outer solution on a short time period in the middle of the long time period. Furthermore, we propose computational methods for obtaining approximate outer solutions inexpensively. Numerical examples for these methods will be provided.
HOLOGRAPHIC STUDY OF FATIGUE DEFORMATION AND CRACK GROWTH IN METALS

— Changes in optical correlation intensity (Ic) are observed during fatigue cycling of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. Topographic changes such as slip band development, microcracking, and crack propagation, observed in situ during fatigue cycling cause corresponding changes in correlation intensity. A three-stage curve of log (Ic) vs number of fatigue cycles is observed. Metallographic observations show that region A corresponds to progressive roughening of the specimen surface caused by slip together with a rapid increase in the number of microcracks up to about 10 μm in length. Few metallographic changes are observed during region B where the correlation intensity remains relatively constant. The metallographic observations show that the accelerating loss of correlation intensity during region C is caused by propagation of cracks more than about 10 μm in length. The loss in correlation intensity during region C arises from the elastic and plastic displacements which occur as the crack length increases. At the present sensitivity of the experiments, crack growth to a length of a few hundred microns causes correlation intensity losses as great as four orders of magnitude or more. The correlation intensity readings during region C are sensitive to factors such as crack branching and crack-tip plasticity as well as to the overall increase in crack length. The total loss in correlation intensity from the beginning of a test to a crack length of about 800 μm can be more than eight orders of magnitude. The optical correlation technique is an extremely sensitive method of detecting remotely, in air, both deformation and fatigue crack growth.
Hydrothermal synthesis and electrochemistry of a δ-type manganese vanadium oxide

A new manganese vanadium oxide containing double sheets of V2O5 layers has been synthesized hydrothermally in the presence of tetramethylammonium ions. It has the electrochemically active δ-V2O5 structure, variants of which are found in V6O13 and xerogel vanadium oxides. The manganese ions, together with the N(CH3)4 ions, reside in a disordered manner between the oxide sheets. The δ-type [N(CH3)4]zMnyV2O5·nH2O has a monoclinic structure, a=11.66(2) A, b=3.610(9) A, c=13.91(4) A, β=108.8(2)°. It reacts readily with lithium with a capacity exceeding 220 mAh g−1; the organic ions do not impede reaction as in the single sheet V2O5 materials, such as N(CH3)4V3O7.
Changes in the composition of ground‐waters resultant to anaerobic sulfate decomposition and the attendant precipitation of calcium and magnesium

In a paper on the quality of ground-waters [see 4 of “References” at end of paper], published in February 1935, I pointed to the fact that many of the deep wells along the axis of the San Joaquin Valley of California produced waters that contained very little sulfate (Table 1). These deep waters are sometimes relatively saline and yet many of them contain less sulfate than the surface-waters that now enter the Valley. The evidence, though indirect, supported the conclusion that these waters had been altered chemically after having entered the ground. The most logical conclusion was that sulfate had been lost as a result of anaerobic decomposition.
Novel Therapy to Reverse the Cellular Effects of Bisphosphonates on Primary Human Oral Fibroblasts

Purpose Osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) is a clinical condition that is characterized by a nonhealing breach in the oral mucosa resulting in exposure of bone and has been increasingly reported in patients receiving bisphosphonate (BP) therapy. Although the pathogenesis and natural history of ONJ remain ill-defined, it appears that the oral soft tissues play a critical role in the development of this condition. We examined the effects of the nitrogen-containing BPs pamidronate and zoledronate on primary human gingival fibroblasts. Materials and Methods Primary gingival fibroblasts were exposed to clinically relevant doses of pamidronate and zoledronate. Cellular proliferation was measured with an MTS/PMS reagent–based kit (Promega, Madison, WI), scratch wound assays were performed to measure cellular migration, and apoptosis was measured by use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP-FITC end labeling and caspase assays. The BP-exposed cells were treated with 10-ng/mL recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) and 50-μmol/L geranylgeraniol (GGOH). Results Gingival fibroblasts are significantly more sensitive to inhibition of proliferation by zoledronate compared with pamidronate. Exposure of these cells to pamidronate but not zoledronate resulted in an increase in cellular apoptosis. Furthermore, exposure of gingival fibroblasts to pamidronate or zoledronate resulted in a decrease in cellular migration. We show that these defects are due to a loss of cell-substratum adhesion and a reduction of F-actin bundles. Finally, we show that the addition of rhPDGF-BB and GGOH in vitro is able to partially rescue the cell proliferation, migration, and adhesion defects. Conclusion The cytotoxic effects of BPs on oral fibroblasts and their significant reversal by the addition of GGOH and rhPDGF-BB provide both the potential mechanism and treatment options for ONJ.
Hepatic FoxO1 Ablation Exacerbates Lipid Abnormalities during Hyperglycemia

Patients with diabetes suffer disproportionately from impaired lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease, but the relevant roles of insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in these processes are unclear. Transcription factor FoxO1 is regulated dually by insulin and nutrients. In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that, in addition to its established role to regulate hepatic glucose production, FoxO1 controls aspects of lipid metabolism in the diabetic liver. Mice with a liver-specific deletion of FoxO1 (l-FoxO1) and their control littermates were rendered hyperglycemic by streptozotocin administration. Subsequently, we monitored serum lipids, liver VLDL secretion, and hepatic expression of genes related to lipid metabolism. Hepatic FoxO1 ablation resulted in increased VLDL secretion, increased cholesterol, and increased plasma free fatty acids, three hallmarks of the diabetic state. l-FoxO1 mice expressed increased levels of SREBP-2 and FGF21 without affecting lipogenic genes. We propose that FoxO1 fine tunes lipolysis through its actions on FGF21 and that hepatic FoxO1 ablation increases availability of substrates for hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis and VLDL secretion. The implications of these findings are that FoxO1 protects against excessive hepatic lipid production during hyperglycemia and that its inhibition by intensive insulin treatment may exacerbate paradoxically the lipid abnormalities of diabetes.
Neuropeptide Y potentiates the pressor response evoked by carbachol administration into the posterior hypothalamic nucleus of conscious rat.

The unilateral microinjection of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (CCh) or the biologically active peptide neuropeptide Y (NPY) into the posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PHN) of conscious, freely-moving rats evokes a pressor response which is mediated primarily by sympathoexcitation. Based on the ability of these substances to induce a pressor response via sympathoexcitation and the ability of NPY to modify responses evoked by several other neurotransmitters, the present study was undertaken to determine if NPY can alter the pressor response evoked by subsequent administration of CCh into the PHN. Microinjection of CCh into the PHN in six doses ranging from 0.4 to 11 nmol induced a dose-dependent increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and area under the curve of the change in MAP. Administration of 0.23 nmol of NPY into the PHN induced a small but significant increase in MAP when compared to the change observed after the microinjection of 0.9% saline. This NPY-induced increase was blocked by pretreatment with 2.3 nmol of the Y receptor antagonist PYX-2. Administration of 0.23 nmol of NPY 60 min prior to CCh induced a parallel shift to the left of the dose-response curves for CCh resulting in an increase in relative potency for CCh of 6.4 to 6.9 times. This NPY-mediated enhancement was prevented by pretreatment with PYX-2 which alone did not affect the CCh-induced pressor response. These results show that NPY enhances the pressor response evoked by CCh administration into the PHN of the conscious rat and that this enhancement is mediated by stimulation of a Y receptor.
Accidental self-removal of a flap—a rare complication of laser in situ keratomileusis surgery

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a rare complication in which the patient accidentally removed the laser in situ keratomileusis corneal flap. METHODS: Interventional case report. A 35-year-old woman underwent uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis surgery. Ten days after surgery, she inserted a soft contact lens into the right eye to improve her vision. She tried to remove the contact lens, but had pain and bleeding. She was referred 10 days later with a diagnosis of loss of flap. RESULTS: On examination, she had a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/70 in the right eye. The right eye examination revealed no corneal flap, mild corneal edema, and significant haze. A central epithelial defect was found. CONCLUSION: Accidental corneal flap removal can rarely follow laser in situ keratomileusis surgery. This complication provides insight into the weak adhesion of the flap onto the stromal bed after laser in situ keratomileusis surgery and, hence, the inherent risk of traumatic flap dislocation or amputation, which needs to be explained to the patient.
Introduction to the Special Issue on the Media, Democracy, and the Politics of Education

Abstract To understand the role the media play in educational politics, it useful to consider the media's role in a participatory democracy. The concept of the news media as “thin” public sphere serves as a pragmatic theoretical lens through which to examine the possibility that the media might play a critical but limited role in participatory democracy. The focus of this special issue is not to enter the fray in the debate over media bias but instead to draw attention to the important role that the media play in educational politics and to make a case for research that is attentive to the intersection of educational politics and media coverage.
A dependent multiple failure mode modelling procedure

Under mild distributional assumptions,Langberg,Proshane,and Quinzi demonstrated the changing of a dependent competing failure mode system into an independent one.In this paper, their procedure is ultiized to construct dependent failure mode models.The common reliablity models, Exponential,Weibull and Extreme value, are examined with this procedure and an example is discussed.
Wages, trade union activity, and the political environment of unionism: A simultaneous equation model

This paper develops a simultaneous equation model examining interrelationships among measures of union activity, the political environment of unionism, and relative real earnings across the continental United States in 1970. Its findings generally confirm the model’s theoretical rationale, particularly the hypothesized influence of the political environment on union activity, a conclusion which reverses other research findings. Similar results were obtained for the influence of union activity on relative real earnings. The model was also estimated over the subsamples of right-to-work and non-right-to-work states, and the structural variations so estimated were generally significant.
Non-Destructive Characterization of Porous Soot Boules

Owing to their opacity to visible light porous soot boules cannot be analyzed by standard optical methods. Yet it would be of considerable help to the preform maker to be able to measure the density and dopant concentration profiles of an unsintered soot boule. This realization prompted the development of a non-destructive soot boule characterization method. This method amounts to a three step measurement process based on Xray tomography. First the attenuation of a well collimated X-ray beam is measured as it is scanned across the boule perpendicular to the boule axis. Next the linear attenuation coefficient profiles of the boule are reconstructed for a certain number of distinct X-ray energies. Finally, the mass density and dopant concentration profiles of the soot boule are obtained from the attenuation coefficient profiles. Hence, the method reported here allows a fairly complete analysis of the macroscopic structure of a soot boule before sintering.
Boundary value problems defined on stochastic self-similar multiscale geometries

A method for solving elasticity problems defined on composite bodies with a stochastic multiscale microstructure is presented. It is considered that the composite is made from two types of materials with different elastic moduli. One of these is taken as the matrix, while the other forms the inclusions. The inclusions form a stochastic fractal with a finite, but potentially large, number of scales and are randomly distributed within the matrix. The method presented here leads to the statistics of the solution, i.e. the mean and the variance of the stress and displacement fields. It is based on the stochastic finite element method (spectral approach, second-order technique) and on scaling properties of the spatial distribution of inclusions over the problem domain. This scaling allows for a simple formulation of the multiscale problem and leads to significant computation cost savings, especially when the fractal has a large number of relevant scales. Several examples are presented and used to verify the proposed method against computationally intensive classical finite element models in which the mesh is refined down to the scale of the finest inclusions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo virulence properties of bacterial cytolethal-distending toxin.

Summary Multiple pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria produce cytolethal-distending toxins (CDTs). CDT is typically composed of three subunits: the catalytic subunit CdtB has DNase I-like activity, whereas CdtA and CdtC are binding proteins for delivering CdtB into target cells. Translocation of CdtB to the nucleus induces genotoxic effects on host DNA, triggering DNA repair cascades that lead to cell cycle arrest and eventual cell death. Several lines of evidence indicate that this toxin contributes to the pathogenicity of CDT-producing bacteria in vivo. Helicobacter hepaticus and Campylobacter jejuni CDTs are essential for persistent infection of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the severity of mucosal inflammation or liver disease in susceptible mouse strains. Haemophilus ducreyi CDT may contribute to the pathogenesis of chancroid in rabbits. Recently, H. hepaticus CDT has been shown to play a crucial role in promoting the progression of infectious hepatitis to pre-malignant, dysplastic lesions via activation of a pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway and increased proliferation of hepatocytes, providing the first evidence that CDT has carcinogenic potential in vivo. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo data indicate that CDT is a bacterial virulence factor.
Predictors of airborne endotoxin concentrations in inner city homes

Few studies have assessed in home factors which contribute to airborne endotoxin concentrations. In 85 inner city Baltimore homes, we found no significant correlation between settled dust and airborne endotoxin concentrations. Certain household activities and characteristics, including frequency of dusting, air conditioner use and type of flooring, explained 36-42% of the variability of airborne concentrations. Measurements of both airborne and settled dust endotoxin concentrations may be needed to fully characterize domestic exposure in epidemiologic investigations.
Novel process to fabricate 3D microstructures joined with microchannel for microfluidic application

A novel process of casting the polydimethyl-siloxane (PDMS) microstructure with hybrid photoresists mold has been developed to fabricate the 3D microstructure. This new processing includes two parts: the 3D mother mold fabrication and PDMS casting processing. The 3D mother mold, which consists of the three-dimensional partial-spherical microstructure and micro channel, was successfully fabricated and characterized. The 3D micro structure and the micro channel of the mother mold, made of two different photosensitive materials, AZ100XT and SU8 photoresist respectively, are merged very smoothly at the joint area. A mother mold of a 2200-μm-diameter chamber with a 500-μm-width channel was presented in this paper. For the best precise dimensional control, we used this mother mold to fabricate the PDMS mold for PDMS casting processing. The surface average roughness of the final 3D structure is 30 nm. This novel processing provides a new technology for achieving smooth 3D chamber surface joined with microchannel. This new technology can be applied in various lab-on-a-chip and microfluidic devices such as micropump and microvalve for which the great sealing, no dead volume and high back pressure are critical requirements. In this paper, the design, fabrication process and surface profile characterizations of this processing are presented in details.
Banach spaces whose duals contain complemented subspaces isomorphic to C[0, 1]

Abstract We give several characterizations of those Banach spaces X such that the dual X ∗ contains a complemented subspace isomorphic to C[0, 1] ∗ . We investigate operators on separable L ∞ spaces whose adjoints have nonseparable ranges and apply our results to obtain a structure theorem for L ∞ spaces whose duals are not isomorphic to l 1 ( Γ ).
Development of an Awareness Context Theory Typology for Addressing Communication Patterns in Mild Dementia

A two-step qualitative/quantitative method was used to study the applicability and utility of awareness context theory (ACT) for understanding couples' communication when one member has early-stage dementia. Results indicate that the majority of early-stage demented spouses, primarily male in this study, maintain an idealized perception of communication and marital satisfaction that is often not matched by their partner. Where communication is acknowledged as mutually open, there are accompanying elevations in scores on marital satisfaction and intimacy. Disagreement about communication style is positively related to openness to professional help. Findings support the utility of ACT for understanding couples in early-stage dementia. A 6-category typology of ACT is presented for consideration.
The Effects of Choline and Methionine on Phospholipide Formation in Patients with Liver Disease as Measured by Radioactive Phosphorus.

bation with plasma for 2 hr at 370 C,1 the pH of the digestion mixture being 4.5. Striking results were obtained with a crude extract of baker's yeast (containing 3.7 [tg Be per cc in conjugated form) from which 0.2 cc plasma liberated 0.7 [tg folic acid in 1 hr at 370 C. Additional evidence of the enzymatic role of plasma is offered by the use, as substrate, of pure crystalline vitamin B, conjugate,2 which gives identical results.
Observation of Shot Noise Suppression at Optical Wavelengths in a Relativistic Electron Beam

Control of collective properties of relativistic particles is increasingly important in modern accelerators. In particular, shot noise affects accelerator performance by driving instabilities or by competing with coherent processes. We present experimental observations of shot noise suppression in a relativistic beam at the Linac Coherent Light Source. By adjusting the dispersive strength of a chicane, we observe a decrease in the optical transition radiation emitted from a downstream foil. We show agreement between the experimental results, theoretical models, and 3D particle simulations.
I want my FPP: Reversing third-person perception for the MTV generation

Abstract The current study examined first- and third-person perception among adolescent viewers of a MTV anti-violence program. Findings of a survey of adolescent viewers suggest the network is in a unique position to reverse third-person perception and alter risky behaviors, due to audience identification and trust. The study is one of the first to examine third-person perception regarding youth violence, and it furthers the literature by exploring how perceptions and attitudes may create and support the perception.
Information Revolution and International Organizations: Three Challenges for the Way Ahead

type="graphical" xml:id="gpol12185-abs-0001"> In exploiting big data, international organisations (IOs) are dependent on partnerships with private companies that own the data. There are concerns that disparity in financial resources and commitment between IOs and the private sector may not play in favor of IOs.
Neuropeptide binding reflects convergent and divergent evolution in species-typical group sizes

Neuroendocrine factors that produce species differences in aggregation behavior ("sociality") are largely unknown, although relevant studies should yield important insights into mechanisms of affiliation and social evolution. We here focused on five species in the avian family Estrildidae that differ selectively in their species-typical group sizes (all species are monogamous and occupy similar habitats). These include two highly gregarious species that independently evolved coloniality; two territorial species that independently evolved territoriality; and an intermediate, modestly gregarious species that is a sympatric congener of one of the territorial species. Using males and females of each species, we examined binding sites for (125)I-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), (125)I-sauvagine (SG; a ligand for corticotropin releasing factor, CRF, receptors) and a linear (125)I-V(1a) vasopressin antagonist (to localize receptors for vasotocin, VT). VIP, CRF and VT are neuropeptides that influence stress, anxiety and/or various social behaviors. For numerous areas (particularly within the septal complex), binding densities in the territorial species differed significantly from binding in the more gregarious species, and in most of these cases, binding densities for the moderately gregarious species were either comparable to the two colonial species or were intermediate to the territorial and colonial species. Such patterns were observed for (125)I-VIP binding in the medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, medial septum, septohippocampal septum, and subpallial zones of the lateral septum; for (125)I-SG binding in the infundibular hypothalamus, and lateral and medial divisions of the ventromedial hypothalamus; and for the linear (125)I-V(1a) antagonist in the medial septum, and the pallial and subpallial zones of the caudal lateral septum. With the exception of (125)I-SG binding in the infundibular hypothalamus, binding densitites are positively related to sociality.
Quantitative circularity tolerance analysis and design for 2D precision assemblies

Circular, cylindrical, or spherical features are fundamental geometric features in engineering. As precision requirement becomes more stringent, it is not sufficient to consider only size tolerance of circular and cylindrical parts. However, currently there is no quantitative and systematic way of assigning circularity and cylindricity tolerances. This paper investigates how to specify circularity tolerance quantitatively for 2D assemblies. Statistical matrices to quantify positioning error of two perfectly circular mating parts subject to size tolerance for both clearance and transition fit conditions are first developed. The analysis is then extended to nonideal profiles whose profile errors are assumed to deviate from a best-fit circle according to a normal distribution. The assumption of the normal distribution is then removed for more general results via computer simulation. For this purpose, an experimentally verified profile model is used to generate realistic profiles as those produced by various machining processes. Numerous pairs of these realistic profiles are then assembled virtually using Monte Carlo simulation to quantify their positioning errors. The simulation results and the analytical results are compared for cross-checking. Finally, systematic design procedures are proposed to assign circularity tolerance by prescribing a fit condition with a desirable process capability. By the nature of circularity tolerance, this paper addresses a 2D assembly. The result of this 2D analysis can be a foundation for more complicated 3D problems, such as assigning cylindricity tolerance.
EXTRACTION OF THORIUM FROM NITRIC ACID SOLUTIONS BY SOME CYCLOHEXYL- AND BENZYL-ALKYLAMINES

The partition of thorium between nitric acid solutions and the solutions of some cyclohexyl- and benzylalkylamines in benzene was investigated at different concentrations of nitric acid and solvent, and at different temperatures. The extraction of nitric acid by these amines in benzene was also examined. Further an infrared spectral study was made of the organic solutions obtained. The mechanism of thorium extraction in this system is discussed on the basis of the results obtained. (auth)
The substantia nigra pars reticulata, seizures and Fos expression

The induction of the proto-oncogene c-fos has been used extensively to identify spatially distributed neural systems activated by seizures. The substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr) has been implicated as a critical structure in neural networks involved in the modulation of seizure expression, yet the SNpr has not been reported to express Fos following seizures induced in a variety of seizure paradigms. In this study we determined whether (1) the temporal characteristics of Fos induction in the SNpr were different than those of other brain areas following kindled seizures, (2) neurons in the SNpr possess the cellular machinery to express Fos, (3) Fos can be induced in SNpr by direct electrical stimulation, and (4) Fos expression is induced in the SNpr following kainate or pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus. Results indicate that Fos is not induced in SNpr at any time point (1-12 h) after kindled seizures, and that serum response factor, a constitutively expressed nuclear protein necessary for Fos expression, is present in SNpr neurons. Results further indicate that Fos expression in the SNpr is induced following either direct electrical stimulation or pilocarpine status, but not status elicited by kainate. We conclude that, in so far as the SNpr represents a critical structure for modulating seizure expression, seizure activity does not represent a sufficient stimulus to induce Fos in SNpr neurons. Further, the neural networks defined by Fos expression following seizure may be incomplete, and should be interpreted conservatively.
Transcriptional targeting of adenoviral vector through the CXCR4 tumor-specific promoter

Adenoviral vectors are considered to be good gene delivery vectors for cancer gene therapy due to their wide host tissue range and cell cycle-independent infectivity. However, the disadvantages include the lack of specificity for cancer cells and the high liver accumulation in vivo. The human CXCR4 gene is expressed at high levels in many types of cancers, but is repressed in the liver. We explored the CXCR4 promoter as a candidate to restrict adenoviral transgene expression to tumor cells with a low expression in host tissues. The luciferase activities in multiple cancer cell lines infected with recombinant adenovirus reAdGL3BCXCR4 or the control vector reAdGL3BCMV revealed that the CXCR4 promoter exhibited relatively high transcriptional activity in a breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-361, and two ovarian cancer cell lines, OVCAR-3 and SKOV3. ip1, 65% (P=0.0087), 16.7% (P=0.1) and 20% (P=0.0079) compared to that of the CMV promoter, respectively, and low expression, 4.9 and 0.1%, respectively, in both normal cell lines HFBC and HMEC. In addition, CXCR4 had a low expression of luciferase (0.32%) compared to that of the CMV promoter in mouse liver in vivo. The data also revealed that the CXCR4 promoter was a stronger tumor-specific promoter (TSP) than the Cox-2M promoter in primary melanomas obtained from two patients. The CXCR4 promoter is shown to have a 'tumor-on' and 'liver-off' status in vitro and in vivo, and CXCR4 may prove to be a good candidate TSP for cancer gene therapy approaches for melanoma and breast cancers.
Intranasal Delivery of E-Selectin Reduces Atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− Mice

Mucosal tolerance to E-selectin prevents stroke and protects against ischemic brain damage in experimental models of stroke studying healthy animals or spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats. A reduction in inflammation and neural damage was associated with immunomodulatory or “tolerogenic” responses to E-selectin. The purpose of the current study on ApoE deficient mice is to assess the capacity of this stroke prevention innovation to influence atherosclerosis, a major underlying cause for ischemic strokes; human E-selectin is being translated as a potential clinical prevention strategy for secondary stroke. Female ApoE−/− mice received intranasal delivery of E-selectin prior to (pre-tolerization) or simultaneously with initiation of a high-fat diet. After 7 weeks on the high-fat diet, lipid lesions in the aorta, serum triglycerides, and total cholesterol were assessed as markers of atherosclerosis development. We also assessed E-selectin-specific antibodies and cytokine responses, in addition to inflammatory responses that included macrophage infiltration of the aorta and altered gene expression profiles of aortic mRNA. Intranasal delivery of E-selectin prior to initiation of high-fat chow decreased atherosclerosis, serum total cholesterol, and expression of the leucocyte chemoattractant CCL21 that is typically upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions of ApoE−/− mice. This response was associated with the induction of E-selectin specific cells producing the immunomodulatory cytokine IL-10 and immunosuppressive antibody isotypes. Intranasal administration of E-selectin generates E-selectin specific immune responses that are immunosuppressive in nature and can ameliorate atherosclerosis, a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. These results provide additional preclinical support for the potential of induction of mucosal tolerance to E-selectin to prevent stroke.
Moral cognitive correlates of empathy in juvenile delinquents

Introduction Numerous theories of anti-social behaviour have featured lack of empathy as an essential characteristic of the anti-social personality. Aim To investigate the relationships between empathy and three theoretically related moral cognitive constructs: moral judgement maturity, moral identity and self-serving cognitive distortion. Methods Seventy-eight adjudicated juvenile delinquents aged 13 to 21 years who had been directed by the court to attend a 10-week empathy training programme completed self-report measures as part of routine evaluation. Their anonymised scores were retrieved from programme records. Results Applying zero-order correlation, followed by regression analysis, we established that moral judgement maturity was associated with greater empathy, whereas extensive endorsement of self-serving cognitive distortions was associated with lower empathy. An observed association between moral identity and empathy was mediated or ‘neutralised’ by self-serving cognitive distortion. Conclusions and implications for practice Our results suggest that interventions designed to promote empathy and curtail anti-social behaviour should embrace strategies that facilitate moral judgement maturity and correct or counteract self-serving cognitive distortions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catalytic Oxidation of Phenol over MnO2 in Supercritical Water

Bulk MnO2 was used as a catalyst for phenol oxidation in supercritical water at 380−420 °C and 219−300 atm in a flow reactor. The bulk MnO2 catalyst enhances both the phenol disappearance and CO2 formation rates during supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), but it does not affect the selectivity to CO2 or to the phenol dimers at a given phenol conversion. The role of the catalyst appears to be accelerating the rate of formation of phenoxy radicals, which then react in the fluid phase by the same mechanism operative for noncatalytic SCWO of phenol. The rates of phenol disappearance and CO2 formation are sensitive to the phenol and O2 concentrations but independent of the water density. Both power-law and dual site Langmuir−Hinshelwood−Hougen−Watson (LHHW) rate laws were developed to correlate the catalytic kinetics. Our results show that SCWO reactor volumes can be reduced by an order of magnitude if bulk MnO2 is used as the catalyst and by yet another order of magnitude if a supported oxidation catalyst is...
The Effects of Referential Questions on ESL Classroom Discourse

In their examination of ESL teachers' questions in the classroom, Long and Sato (1983) found that teachers ask significantly more display questions, which request information already known by the questioner, than referential questions. The main purpose of the study reported in this article was to determine if higher frequencies of referential questions have an effect on adult ESL classroom discourse. Four experienced ESL teachers and 24 non-native speakers (NNSs) participated. Two of the teachers were provided with training in incorporating referential questions into classroom activity; the other 2 were not provided with training. Each of the 4 teachers taught the same reading and vocabulary lesson to a group of 6 NNSs. The treatment-group teachers asked significantly more referential questions than did the control-group teachers. Student responses in the treatment-group classes were significantly longer and more syntactically complex and contained greater numbers of connective.
The fate of linear DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida glabrata: the role of homologous and non-homologous end joining.

In vivo assembly of plasmids has become an increasingly used process, as high throughput studies in molecular biology seek to examine gene function. In this study, we investigated the plasmid construction technique called gap repair cloning (GRC) in two closely related species of yeast – Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida glabrata. GRC utilizes homologous recombination (HR) activity to join a linear vector and a linear piece of DNA that contains base pair homology. We demonstrate that a minimum of 20 bp of homology on each side of the linear DNA is required for GRC to occur with at least 10% efficiency. Between the two species, we determine that S. cerevisiae is slightly more efficient at performing GRC. GRC is less efficient in rad52 deletion mutants, which are defective in HR in both species. In dnl4 deletion mutants, which perform less non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), the frequency of GRC increases in C. glabrata, whereas GRC frequency only minimally increases in S. cerevisiae, suggesting that NHEJ is more prevalent in C. glabrata. Our studies allow for a model of the fate of linear DNA when transformed into yeast cells. This model is not the same for both species. Most significantly, during GRC, C. glabrata performs NHEJ activity at a detectable rate (>5%), while S. cerevisiae does not. Our model suggests that S. cerevisiae is more efficient at HR because NHEJ is less prevalent than in C. glabrata. This work demonstrates the determinants for GRC and that while C. glabrata has a lower efficiency of GRC, this species still provides a viable option for GRC.
A Study of Designing Compact Recognizers of Handwritten Chinese Characters Using Multiple-Prototype Based Classifiers

We present a study of designing compact recognizers of handwritten Chinese characters using multiple-prototype based classifiers. A modified Quick prop algorithm is proposed to optimize a sample-separation-margin based minimum classification error objective function. Split vector quantization technique is used to compress classifier parameters. Benchmark results are reported for classifiers with different footprints trained from about 10 million samples on a recognition task with a vocabulary of 9282 character classes which include 9119 Chinese characters, 62 alphanumeric characters, 101 punctuation marks and symbols.
Use of Bicycle Exercise Echocardiography for Unexplained Exertional Dyspnea

Unexplained exertional dyspnea is a common and perplexing clinical problem. Myocardial ischemia and left ventricular systolic dysfunction are important cardiac causes, but are often not detected in these patients. Recently, exercise-induced left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and exercised-induced pulmonary hypertension have emerged as common alternative mechanisms. While conventional exercise treadmill echocardiography effectively diagnoses left ventricular systolic dysfunction and myocardial ischemia, it has limited ability to detect exercise-induced diastolic dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension. The latest advances in exercise echocardiography, including utilization of tissue Doppler imaging and harmonic imaging, make noninvasive evaluation of both conventional and alternative cardiac causes of exertional dyspnea possible. These advancements, when coupled with newly designed supine exercise platforms for bicycle exercise echocardiography (BE), facilitate the detection of exercise-induced diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, BE using supine ergometry additionally permits the dynamic evaluation of valvular function and interatrial shunting and detection of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula, uncommon but important causes of unexplained exertional dyspnea. Therefore, we propose that because of its superior diagnostic capabilities, BE should be included as part of a comprehensive cardiac evaluation of patients with unexplained exertional dyspnea.
Spin and Exchange Corrections to Plasma Dispersion Relations

Longitudinal and transverse dispersion relations including spin and exchange contributions are derived for electromagnetic waves in a fully ionized plasma. The nonrelativistic Pauli description of the electrons is used, and the electron density matrix is assumed to obey the quantum analog of the Vlasov equation. The electromagnetic fields satisfy Maxwell's equations with self-consistent source terms.The dispersion relation for longitudinal modes is unaffected by spin, and the exchange correction derived agrees with that obtained by previous investigators. The transverse dispersion relation is evaluated in the long-wavelength limit for the completely degenerate plasma at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. If the transverse frequency be written $\ensuremath{\omega}={\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}+{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{sp}}+{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ex}}$, where ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ is the frequency with spin and exchange effects omitted, our results for the corrections are ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{sp}}=(\frac{{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}}^{2}}{8{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}^{3}})(\frac{{\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}}{{m}^{2}})$, ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{ex}}=\ensuremath{-}\frac{3{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}}^{4}{q}^{2}}{80{{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}}^{3}{{K}_{F}}^{2}}$, where q is the wave vector of a disturbance and $\ensuremath{\hbar}{K}_{F}$ is the momentum limit of the Fermi distribution.
Ripe Fruit Availability in the Fragmented Hardwood Forests of the Northern Florida Keys

Abstract We censused plants bearing ripe fruit along eight permanently marked transects to describe patterns of ripe fruit availability in a spatially interspersed patchwork of seasonally dry forests in the northern Florida Keys. Plants were sampled every four to six weeks between May 1998 and April 1999. We noted every tree, shrub, or vine with ripe fleshy fruits present and rated each stem for the proportion of fruit produced. This sampling scheme allowed us to describe periods of ripe fruit availability in the forest community, as well as for the fourteen most frequently encountered species. Ripe fruit availability peaked during the wet season (July–September), deciduous trees and evergreen shrubs produced most of the fruit in most months, and most of the species producing fruit were evergreen trees in all months.