cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An adaptive, high performance mac for long-distance multihop wireless networks

We consider the problem of efficientMAC design for long-distance WiFi-based mesh networks. In such networks it is common to find long propagation delays, the use of directional antennas, and the presence of inter-link interference. Prior work has shown that these characteristics make traditional CSMA-based MACs a poor choice for long-distance mesh networks and this finding has led to several recent research efforts exploring the use of TDMA-based approaches to media access. In this paper we first identify, and then address, several shortcomings of current TDMA-based proposals. First, because they use fixed-length transmission slots, current TDMA-based solutions do not adapt to dynamic variations in traffic load leading to inefficiencies in both throughput and delay. As we show in this paper, the throughput achieved by existing solutions falls far short of the optimal achievable network throughput. Finally, due to the scheduling constraints imposed by inter-link interference, current TDMA-based solutions only apply to bipartite network topologies.In this paper, we present JazzyMac, a simple, practical and efficient MAC protocol that addresses the above limitations. JazzyMac achieves efficiency by allowing variable-length link transmissions slots and then defining a distributed protocol by which nodes adapt the length of their transmission slots to changing traffic demands. JazzyMac is practical in that the adaptation at each node uses purely local information and that our protocol applies to arbitrary network topologies. Finally, the use of dynamic slot sizes allows JazzyMac to achieve better tradeoffs between throughput and delay.We evaluate JazzyMac using detailed simulation over a range of traffic patterns and realistic topologies. Our results show that JazzyMac improves throughput in all considered scenarios. This improvement is often substantial (e.g.,in 50% of our scenarios, throughput improves by over 40%) and is particularly pronounced for the common case of asymmetric traffic (e.g.,leading to almost 100% improvements). Furthermore, compared to current solutions, JazzyMac can achieve much better average delay for the same throughput.
Effect of Calcium Carbonate and Calcium Sulphate on Bone Development

Abstract THE work of several investigators has indicated that the optimum ratio of calcium to phosphorus in the diet of the growing chick is between 2:1 and 4:1. Bethke, Kennard, Kick, and Zinzalian (1929) concluded that the optimum ratio lies between 3:1 and 4:1 and that the minimum amount of the antirachitic factor is required when the diet has this ratio. Hart, Scott, Kline, and Halpin (1930) found the optimum ratio to be between 2:1 and 4:1, and thus they roughly confirmed the findings of Bethke and associates; also, they concluded that when a minimum of vitamin D is supplied, the range is narrowed to between 3.3:1 and 3.8:1. Since most of the ordinary feedstuffs contain more phosphorus than calcium, it is necessary to add a salt of calcium, other than tricalcium phosphate, if a ratio as large as even 2.0:1 is to be realized. Some form of calcium carbonate is . . .
Experimental Characterization of Thermal Wadis in Support of Lunar Exploration

This paper addresses the problem of science and exploration systems to survive the lunar night. We have proposed that a thermal mass can be manufactured from lunar regolith by electrical resistance heating. The thermal mass can then store heat during the lunar day and release it slowly throughout the night, providing protection to science and exploration systems from the detrimental effects of cold. When engineering a thermal mass, accurate characterization of how the mass conducts and emits heat is vital. Two regolith stimulants, JSC-1AF and NU-LHT-2M, and Columbia River Basalt BCR-2 were used to study the effect of experimental conditions (T, t, and atmosphere) on sintering and densification and to identify the optimal conditions for manufacturing the thermal mass material. The sintering and densification of small samples was performed in the electrical furnaces at different final temperatures, different cooling rates, under air or vacuum, or in an argon atmosphere. To determine the impact of sample microstructure (size, shape, and concentration of open and closed pores) and crystallinity on the range of thermal diffusivities for sintered/densified materials and to obtain emissivities of densified materials as a function of temperature, the manufactured samples were analyzed with high magnification, X-ray diffraction (XRD), a laser-flash thermal diffusivity (LFTD) system, and the millimeter-wave (MMW) system. The sintered/densified samples were analyzed for thermal diffusivity by the laser flash method in air and under vacuum in the temperature range 27 to 390°C. Thermal diffusivities of densified low-porosity JSC-1AF and BCR-2 samples were about the same in air or under vacuum and ranged from 0.46 to 0.76 mm 2 /s at 27°C. On contrary, thermal diffusivities of high open-porosity and fully crystalline NU-LHT-2M samples were approximately 2 to 3 times smaller under vacuum because of the longer conductive path through the pores boundary layer. The thermal diffusivities of tested samples decreased with temperature and were ≈ 20 to 25% lower at 390°C than at 27°C. The effect of temperature on radiative emissivity was monitored with a millimeter wave radiometer/interferometer during the temperature rise from 25 to 325°C. The emissivities for all the tested materials increased with temperature in the same way and ranged from 0.67 at 25°C to 0.96 at 325°C.
CLIMATE, HABITAT QUALITY, AND FITNESS IN NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL POPULATIONS IN NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA

A controversy exists in the Pacific Northwest of the United States between logging of old-growth coniferous forests and conservation of Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) populations. This species has a strong association with old-growth forests that also have economic value as timber. Research questions relevant to conservation of this species include how temporal trends in Northern Spotted Owl populations are influenced and how spatial configuration of old-growth forests affects these populations. To address these questions, we studied a population of marked Northern Spotted Owls on 95 territories in northwestern California from 1985 through 1994. We examined the mag- nitude of temporal and spatial variation in life history traits (survival, reproductive output, and recruitment), the effects of climate and landscape characteristics on temporal and spatial variation in these traits, respectively, and how this variation affected aspects of population dynamics. We used a components-of-variation analysis to partition sampling from process variation, and a model selection approach to estimate life history traits using capture- recapture and random-effects models. Climate explained most of the temporal variation in life history traits. Annual survival varied the least over time, whereas recruitment rate varied the most, suggesting a ''bet-hedging'' life history strategy for the owl. A forecast of annual rates of population change ( l), estimated from life history traits, suggested that Northern Spotted Owl populations may change solely due to climate influences, even with unchanging habitat conditions. In terms of spatial variation, annual survival on territories was positively associated both with amounts of interior old-growth forest and with length of edge between those forests and other vegetation types. Reproductive output was nega- tively associated with interior forest, but positively associated with edge between mature and old-growth conifer forest and other vegetation types. A gradient existed in territory- specific estimates of fitness derived from these life history estimates. This gradient suggested that a mosaic of older forest interspersed with other vegetation types promoted high fitness in Northern Spotted Owls. Habitat quality, as defined by fitness, appeared to buffer variation in annual survival but did not buffer reproductive output. We postulated that the magnitude of l was determined by habitat quality, whereas variation of l was influenced by recruitment and reproductive output. As habitat quality declines, variation in l should become more pronounced.
The measurement of absolute oscillator strengths for lines of neutral atoms

Abstract Comments are made on the present status of absolute oscillator strengths of lines in atomic spectra and on methods of measurement of these quantities. The measurement of absolute oscillator strengths of lines of neutral metals by means of an atomic beam experiment is described and recent results are discussed.
The alternative oxidase (AOX) gene in Vibrio fischeri is controlled by NsrR and upregulated in response to nitric oxide

Alternative oxidase (AOX) is a respiratory oxidase found in certain eukaryotes and bacteria; however, its role in bacterial physiology is unclear. Exploiting the genetic tractability of the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, we explore the regulation of aox expression and AOX function. Using quantitative PCR and reporter assays, we demonstrate that aox expression is induced in the presence of nitric oxide (NO), and that the NO-responsive regulatory protein NsrR mediates the response. We have identified key amino acid residues important for NsrR function and experimentally confirmed a bioinformatically predicted NsrR binding site upstream of aox. Microrespirometry demonstrated that oxygen consumption by V. fischeri CydAB quinol oxidase is inhibited by NO treatment, whereas oxygen consumption by AOX is less sensitive to NO. NADH oxidation assays using inverted membrane vesicles confirmed that NO directly inhibits CydAB, and that AOX is resistant to NO inhibition. These results indicate a role for V. fischeri AOX in aerobic respiration during NO stress.
An altered oxidant defense system in red blood cells affects their ability to release nitric oxide-stimulating ATP

A novel microflow technique is used to demonstrate that a weakened oxidant defense system found in diabetic erythrocytes leads to decreased levels of deformation-induced release of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from erythrocytes. Addition of an oxidant to rabbit erythrocytes resulted in a 63% decrease in deformation-induced ATP release before eventually recovering to a value that was statistically equivalent to the initial value. Inhibition of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase prevents recovery from the oxidant attack. Finally, results indicated that the ATP release from the erythrocytes of type II diabetics (91 nM ± 10 nM) was less than half of that measured from the erythrocytes of healthy controls (190 ± 10 nM). These data suggest that the antioxidant status of erythrocytes is a critical determinant in the ability of these cells to release ATP, a known nitric oxide stimulus.
Force-frequency relationship. A basis for a new index of cardiac contractility?

The way that contractility varies between beats--the force-frequency relationship--was determined for rabbit papillary muscles held at different lengths. When the maximum rate of rise of tension in a contraction, Fmax, was used as a measure of contractility, the way contractility changed between contractions was independent of length. That is, when the values of Fmax obtained at one length were multiplied by an appropriate scaling factor, the force-frequency relationship determined at that length was indistinguishable from the force-frequency relationship determined at another length. If, however, the peak tension in a contraction was used as a measure of contractility, the Force-frequency relationship generally was not independent of muscle length. Therefore, it is proposed that the ratio of two values of Fmax obtained by perturbing the rate of stimulation at any given length should be tried as a length independent index of the inotropic state of the muscle.
Labor Market Implications of State Small Group Health Insurance Reform

Small group health insurance reforms such as portability reform and premium rating reforms that limit the use of health status in setting premiums have been implemented in more than 40states. The a...
Targeting Human C‐Type Lectin‐like Molecule‐1 (CLL1) with a Bispecific Antibody for Immunotherapy of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is the most common acute adult leukemia and the second most common pediatric leukemia, still has a poor prognosis. Human C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL1) is a recently identified myeloid lineage restricted cell surface marker, which is overexpressed in over 90% of AML patient myeloid blasts and in leukemic stem cells. Here, we describe the synthesis of a novel bispecific antibody, αCLL1-αCD3, using the genetically encoded unnatural amino acid, p-acetylphenylalanine. The resulting αCLL1-αCD3 recruits cytotoxic T cells to CLL1 positive cells, and demonstrates potent and selective cytotoxicity against several human AML cell lines and primary AML patient derived cells in vitro. Moreover, αCLL1-αCD3 treatment completely eliminates established tumors in an U937 AML cell line xenograft model. These results validate the clinical potential of CLL1 as an AML-specific antigen for the generation of a novel immunotherapeutic for AML.
The guanine exchange factor Gartenzwerg and the small GTPase Arl1 function in the same pathway with Arfaptin during synapse growth

The generation of neuronal morphology requires transport vesicles originating from the Golgi apparatus (GA) to deliver specialized components to the axon and dendrites. Drosophila Arfaptin is a membrane-binding protein localized to the GA that is required for the growth of the presynaptic nerve terminal. Here we provide biochemical, cellular and genetic evidence that the small GTPase Arl1 and the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Gartenzwerg are required for Arfaptin function at the Golgi during synapse growth. Our data define a new signaling pathway composed of Arfaptin, Arl1, and Garz, required for the generation of normal synapse morphology.
Synthetic NGF peptide derivatives prevent neuronal death via a p75 receptor‐dependent mechanism

Cyclized peptides corresponding to beta-loop regions of NGF were purified by HPLC and assayed for neurotrophic activity using DRG neurons. Peptides with the highest activity corresponded to loop region 29-35, a domain likely to interact with the p75 receptor. Unexpectedly, activity was confined to late-eluting HPLC fractions containing peptide multimers and primarily promoted neuronal survival without neurite outgrowth. Directed synthesis of dimer and monomer cyclized peptides demonstrated that dimers acted as partial NGF agonists in that they had both survival-promoting and NGF-inhibiting activity while monomer and linear peptides were inactive. Dimer activity was not affected by the Trk inhibitor K252a but was blocked by p75 receptor antibody and absent using p75 null mutant neurons. These studies suggest that region 29-35 peptide derivatives inhibit neuronal death via a structure- and p75-dependent mechanism.
The promise of competency-based education in the health professions for improving global health.

Competency-based education (CBE) provides a useful alternative to time-based models for preparing health professionals and constructing educational programs. We describe the concept of ‘competence’ and ‘competencies’ as well as the critical curricular implications that derive from a focus on ‘competence’ rather than ‘time’. These implications include: defining educational outcomes, developing individualized learning pathways, setting standards, and the centrality of valid assessment so as to reflect stakeholder priorities. We also highlight four challenges to implementing CBE: identifying the health needs of the community, defining competencies, developing self-regulated and flexible learning options, and assessing learners for competence. While CBE has been a prominent focus of educational reform in resource-rich countries, we believe it has even more potential to align educational programs with health system priorities in more resource-limited settings. Because CBE begins with a careful consideration of the competencies desired in the health professional workforce to address health care priorities, it provides a vehicle for integrating the health needs of the country with the values of the profession.
R-flurbiprofen improves tau, but not Aß pathology in a triple transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease.

We have previously reported that chronic ibuprofen treatment improves cognition and decreases intracellular As and phosphorylated-tau levels in 3xTg-AD mice. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that independently of its anti-inflammatory effects has anti-amyloidogenic activity as a gamma-secretase modulator (GSM) and both activities have the potential to decrease As pathology. To further understand the effects of NSAIDs in 3xTg-AD mice, we treated 3xTg-AD mice with R-flurbiprofen, an enantiomer of the NSAID flurbiprofen that maintains the GSM activity but has greatly reduced anti-inflammatory activity, and analyzed its effect on cognition, As, tau, and the neurochemical profile of the hippocampus. Treatment with R-flurbiprofen from 5 to 7 months of age resulted in improved cognition on the radial arm water maze (RAWM) test and decreased the level of hyperphosphorylated tau immunostained with AT8 and PHF-1 antibodies. No significant changes in the level of As (using 6E10 and NU-1 antibodies) were detected. Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) we found that R-flurbiprofen treatment decreased the elevated level of glutamine in 3xTg-AD mice down to the level detected in non-transgenic mice. Glutamine levels correlated with PHF-1 immunostained hyperphosphorylated tau. We also found an inverse correlation between the concentration of glutamate and learning across all the mice in the study. Glutamine and glutamate, neurochemicals that shuttles between neurons and astrocytes to maintain glutamate homeostasis in the synapses, deserve further attention as MR markers of cognitive function.
Integrated Placement and Skew Optimization for Rotary Clocking

The clock distribution network is a key component of any synchronous VLSI design. High power dissipation and pressure volume temperature-induced variations in clock skew have started playing an increasingly important role in limiting the performance of the clock network. Rotary clocking is a novel technique which employs unterminated rings formed by differential transmission lines to save power and reduce skew variability. Despite its appealing advantages, rotary clocking requires flip-flop locations to match predesigned clock skew on rotary clock rings. This requirement poses a difficult chicken-and-egg problem which prevents its wide application. In this paper, we propose an integrated placement and skew scheduling methodology to break this hurdle, making rotary clocking compatible with practical design flows. A network flow based flip-flop assignment algorithm and a cost-driven skew optimization algorithm are developed. We also present an integer linear programming formulation that minimizes maximum capacitance loaded at any of the rotary rings, thereby maximizing the operating frequency. Experimental results on benchmark circuits show that our method can reduce the tapping cost (measured as the total length of the wire segments connecting the rotary rings to the clock sinks) for rotary clocking by 33%-53%
Control of Cellular Processes by Reversible Protein Phosphorylation

The regulation of cellular processes requires a myriad of commands, positive and negative, that must be tightly coordinated to keep all the reactions that take place under control. In particular, to make sure that no crucial event will occur at inappropriate times or out of phase. We know today that most of the signals that are used to orchestrate these reactions, the switches that must be turned on or off, rely on reversible protein tyrosine phosphorylation. This first article will provide a rapid historical overview of the regulation of cellular processes by reversible protein phosphorylation. A second article (see below) will cover some more recent aspects of this field, particularly as they relate to tyrosine phosphatases.
Sustainable Rural Development and Wealth Creation: Five Observations Based on Emerging Energy Opportunities

In this article, the authors argue that better data and research on rural wealth creation are greatly needed and present a conceptual framework to help guide such research. The authors then discuss five observations about rural wealth creation, based on examples drawn from the recent literature on emerging energy industries in rural America. The cases show that the types of data needed to draw conclusions about wealth effects of new development are highly contextual. The framework can help researchers think about the types of data needed to assess policy.
Kinetic barriers in transdifferentiation

The unidirectional and deterministic development of a zygote to trillions of cells that constitute a human produces the impression that it is an irreversible process, perhaps driven by reduction in...
Study on Manufacture and Functions of Zhuang Nationality Vinegar with Black Glutinoius Rice

Zhuang nationality black glutinoius rice was produced with maple leaf and glutinoius rice.Zhuang nationality vinegar with black glutinoius rice was produced by solid-state fermentation with Zhuang nationality black glutinoius rice as main material.The optimum process conditions?was determined through orthogonal test: After the alcohol fermentation,the acetic acid fermentation was for 5 days at the temperature 37℃,alcoholicity 9%,the 1∶ 3 concentration of maple-leave juice and acidity 1.4%,then Zhuang nationality vinegar with black glutinoius rice was obtained with nourishment,conservancy,clarification,characteristic of Zhuang nationality black glutinoius rice after ageing,filling and sterilizing.
Energy Coupled to Matter for Magnetic Alignment of Rare Earth-Doped Alumina

Energy Coupled to Matter concepts such as magnetic field-assisted processing were used to align rare earth-doped alumina ceramics in the presence of applied fields. The addition of gadolinium and ytterbium dopants to alumina increased the magnetic susceptibility anisotropies, and induced magnetic torques that led to significant alignment of ceramic particles under the application of magnetic fields as low as 1.8 Tesla. In comparsion, undoped alumina materials showed minimal alignment under applied field strengths as high as 9 Tesla. Density function theory modeling indicated that the specific dopant typed dictated changes in the magnetic properties of different rare earth-doped alumina systems by directly affecting the magnetic moment localization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
Effective and equitable supply of gasoline to impacted areas in the aftermath of a natural disaster

Abstract The focus of this research is on supplying gasoline after a natural disaster. There are two aspects for this work: determination of which gas stations should be provided with generators (among those that do not have electric power) and determination of a delivery scheme that accounts for increased demand due to lack of public transportation and considerations such as equity. We develop a mixed integer program for this situation. Two case studies based on Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey are developed and solved in CPLEX. As expected, increasing equity increases cost and also tends to place generators to stations with large initial inventories. It is further observed that CPLEX can solve the largest instances of the problem for a 5% tolerance gap, indicating that the model is efficient.
Early Miocene continental-scale sediment supply to the Gulf of Mexico Basin based on detrital zircon analysis

The early Miocene was a period of major continental margin progradation in the Gulf of Mexico Basin that accompanied prominent tectonic and climatic changes in North America. However, sediment pathways from continental upland sources to deep basinal sinks remain poorly constrained. This study presents 2192 new detrital zircon U-Pb analyses from 19 Lower Miocene samples spanning the entire northern Gulf of Mexico margin to elucidate early Miocene sediment provenance and paleodrainage systems. The U-Pb age patterns indicate that the Great Plains, southern Rocky Mountains, and mid-Cenozoic volcanic field were the major source terranes for the western-central Gulf of Mexico coast, whereas the Appalachian foreland basin and Appalachian Mountains mainly contributed sediment to the eastern Gulf of Mexico coast. Local source terranes included the Llano uplift and Edwards Plateau in central Texas and the Ouachita Mountains and foreland basin in Oklahoma and Arkansas. A comparison to previous detrital zircon studies around the Gulf of Mexico indicates that sediment recycling was important during the early Miocene. Sediment associated with major paleorivers, including the Rio Bravo, Rio Grande, Houston-Brazos, Red, Mississippi, Tombigbee, and Apalachicola Rivers, can be differentiated using the detrital zircon U-Pb analyses. These data help to better define the early Miocene source-to-sink system in the northern Gulf of Mexico, by relating the basin fill to hinterland tectonic and geological evolution. In comparison to the Paleocene−Eocene Wilcox drainage system, the early Miocene drainage system of the northern Gulf of Mexico was smaller and received less input from western Mexico arc terranes and Archean basement in Wyoming. This drainage area reduction, related to regional thermal uplift and Basin and Range−Rio Grande rifting, likely explains the reduced sediment volume of the Lower Miocene strata in the Gulf of Mexico relative to the Paleocene−Eocene Wilcox Group.
Finite time singularity for the modified SQG patch equation

It is well known that the incompressible Euler equations in two dimensions have globally regular solutions. The inviscid surface quasi-geostrophic (SQG) equation has a Biot-Savart law which is one derivative less regular than in the Euler case, and the question of global regularity for its solutions is still open. We study here the patch dynamics in the half-plane for a family of active scalars which interpolates between these two equations, via a parameter α ∈ [0, 12 ] appearing in the kernels of their Biot-Savart laws. The values α = 0 and α = 12 correspond to the 2D Euler and SQG cases, respectively. We prove global in time regularity for the 2D Euler patch model, even if the patches initially touch the boundary of the half-plane. On the other hand, for any sufficiently small α > 0, we exhibit initial data which lead to a singularity in finite time. Thus, these results show a phase transition in the behavior of solutions to these equations, and provide a rigorous foundation for classifying the 2D Euler equations as critical. ∗Department of Mathematics, Rice University, 6100 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77005-1892; kiselev@rice.edu †Department of Mathematics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305; ryzhik@math.stanford.edu ‡School of Mathematics, Georgia Institute of Technology, 686 Cherry Street, Atlanta, GA 30332-0160; yaoyao@math.gatech.edu §Department of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin, 480 Lincoln Dr. Madison, WI 53706-1325; zlatos@math.wisc.edu
Bandwagons I, too, have known.

Bandwagons come in waves. A plant breeder, just like a surfer, needs to carefully choose which waves to be on. A bandwagon is an idea, activity, or cause that becomes increasingly fashionable as more and more people adopt it. In a 1991 article entitled Bandwagons I Have Known, Professor N. W. Simmonds described several bandwagons that he encountered in his career, beginning with induced polyploidy and mutation breeding and ending with the then-new field of biotechnology. This article reviews and speculates about post-1990 bandwagons in plant improvement, including transgenic cultivars, quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, association mapping, genomewide (or genomic) selection, phenomics, envirotyping, and genome editing. The life cycle of a bandwagon includes an excitement phase of hype and funding; a realization phase when the initial hype is either tempered or the initial expectations are found to have been too low; and a reality phase when the useful aspects of a bandwagon become part of mainstream thinking and practice, or when an unsuccessful bandwagon is largely abandoned. During the realization phase, a new bandwagon that draws our attention and gives us renewed optimism typically arises. The most popular bandwagons, such as QTL mapping, are those for which the needed experimental resources are accessible, the required technical knowledge and skills can be easily learned, and the outputs can almost always be reported. The favorite bandwagon of any plant breeder has, in one way or another, resulted from Mendel’s seminal discoveries 150 years ago. Our community of plant breeders needs to be continually diligent in welcoming new bandwagons, but also in hopping off from those that do not prove useful.
Donation After Cardiac Death

The gap between the number of patients on the waiting list and the number of organs available for transplant is continuing to widen. Along with exploring living donation, donation after cardiac death (DCD) presents an excellent source of organs and adds to the supply of organs available for transplant. Results have shown that kidneys and pancreata from DCD donors do equally well in the long term. The results for livers from DCD donors have a higher rate of complications, but nonetheless, have acceptable results in terms of patient and graft survival.
Room temperature sensing of VOCs by atomic layer deposition of metal oxide

This work demonstrates room temperature sensing of volatile organic compound (VOC) — acetone via an ultrathin film metal oxide sensing layer. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) enables a high quality ultrathin film with precise thickness control. The 14nm ultrathin SnO2 thin film was deposited by ALD resulting in VOCs sensing at room temperature. The ultra-low power consumption (less than 50nW) and the room temperature operation of these devices make them compatible with wearable devices for real-time health and environment monitoring.
Trust, reputation and bidding behaviour in online mystery auctions

ABSTRACTWe use transactions from a distinctive online environment of ‘mystery’ auctions to examine the role that trust plays and how it impacts bidding behaviour when the exact characteristics of a good being auctioned are purposefully concealed from buyers. We show that buyers are generally trusting seller claims in online transactions and that seller reputation becomes significantly more important to buyers (as demonstrated by their bids) when the quality (or value) of the good is unspecified. Our findings can be extrapolated to consider broader economic implications of bidding behaviour impacted by trust, such as in financial markets, where over-bidding may lead to price bubbles.
Relation Identification in Business Rules for Domain-specific Documents

This paper focuses on an approach to mine business rules from documents and facilitates a methodology to represent them in a formal notation. Businesses are operated abiding by some rules and complying with respect to regulation and guidelines. The business rules are often written using English in operating procedures, terms and conditions, and various other supporting documents. The manual analysis of these rules for activities like impact analysis, maintenance, business transformation leads to potential discrepancies, ambiguities, and quality issues. In this paper, we discuss our approach of mining relations among the rule intents (atomic facts) defined for business rules. We also present our preliminary studies on a couple of openly available documents.
Pericardial effusion: An untold presentation of human dirofilariasis

Abstract Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infection caused by the parasite Dirofilaria and transmitted via mosquitoes. Humans are infrequently infected; and among the handful of cases reported subcutaneous nodules, ocular infections and pulmonary lesions were the clinical manifestations. The patient being reported presented with intermittent fever and dry cough. On evaluation, she had pericardial effusion and biopsy of the pericardial tissue showed the presence of dirofilaria. Human dirofilariasis presenting as pericardial effusion is an unreported scenario.
The French Revolution and 1848

The end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth century were crucial years for the development of anarchist theory and practice. Anarchist ideology would draw on key ideas from the Enlightenment. The French Revolution would provide a revolutionary model of direct action driven by revolutionary minorities in the cause of liberation and an early form of socialism. It would also be during this period that the term anarchist would enter the political lexicon in a prominent way, and the first anarchist texts would be published. During the French Revolution, the roots of anarchist political theory and revolutionary practice would be laid. Later anarchists would embrace the Revolution’s spontaneous revolutionary violence, as well as the role played by revolutionary minorities and the proto-socialist ideas they would promote. Additionally, the direct democracy practised by the Sections and Commune of Paris would provide a model of revolutionary political governance. Also during the Revolution, the term anarchist would enter the political discourse of revolutionaries.
High Accuracy Global Positioning System Orbit Determination: Progress and Prospects

The Global Positioning System (GPS), by the mid-1990s, will include 21 navigation satellites launched by the U.S. Air Force. About one-third of the constellation is presently in orbit; however, most of these satellites are of a developmental Block I design and eventually will be replaced by the operational Block II satellites. The GPS constellation is designed to evenly distribute the satellites with circular orbits in three different planes at an altitude of about 20,000 km so that ground users can track typically six to eight GPS at any time from most locations.
Important Public Health Zoonoses Through Cattle

Cattle production is a vital component of the global food chain. Animal protein, through meat or milk, is an essential dietary requirement for the majority of people across the world. Increased cattle production will attempt to meet the need for more protein with both positive and negative impacts, including the spread of diseases from livestock to people directly or indirectly through products such as milk, meat, hide or manure. The following zoonotic diseases of cattle are included in this chapter due to their potential severity in humans or cattle population and/or their wide distribution or recent emergence: anthrax, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), bovine cysticercosis, bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, cryptosporidium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, leptospirosis, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Q fever, Rift Valley Fever, and Salmonella.
Comparison of inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in the Cynomolgus monkey IAS and rectum: special emphasis on differences in purinergic transmission.

Key points Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was compared in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectum of the Cynomolgus monkey, an animal with high gene sequence identity to humans. Nitrergic NMT was present in both muscles while purinergic NMT was limited to the rectum and VIPergic NMT to the IAS. The profile for monkey IAS more closely resembles humans than rodents. In both muscles, SK3 channels were localized to PDGFRα+ cells that were closely associated with nNOS+ /VIP+ nerves. Gene expression levels of P2RY subtypes were the same in IAS and rectum while KCNN expression levels were very similar. SK3 channel activation and inhibition caused faster/greater changes in contractile activity in rectum than IAS. P2Y1 receptor activation inhibited contraction in rectum while increasing contraction in IAS. The absence of purinergic NMT in the IAS may be due to poor coupling between P2Y1 receptors and SK3 channels on PDGFRα+ cells. Abstract Inhibitory neuromuscular transmission (NMT) was compared in the internal anal sphincter (IAS) and rectum of the Cynomolgus monkey, an animal with a high gene sequence identity to humans. Electrical field stimulation produced nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent contractile inhibition in both muscles whereas P2Y1-dependent purinergic NMT was restricted to rectum. An additional NOS-independent, α-chymotrypsin-sensitive component was identified in the IAS consistent with vasoactive intestinal peptide-ergic (VIPergic) NMT. Microelectrode recordings revealed slow NOS-dependent inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in both muscles and fast P2Y1-dependent IJPs in rectum. The basis for the difference in purinergic NMT was investigated. PDGFRα+ /SK3+ cells were closely aligned with nNOS+ /VIP+ neurons in both muscles. Gene expression of P2RY was the same in IAS and rectum (P2RY1>>P2RY2-14) while KCNN3 expression was 32% greater in rectum. The SK channel inhibitor apamin doubled contractile activity in rectum while having minimal effect in the IAS. Contractile inhibition elicited with the SK channel agonist CyPPA was five times faster in rectum than in the IAS. The P2Y1 receptor agonist MRS2365 inhibited contraction in rectum but increased contraction in the IAS. In conclusion, both the IAS and the rectum have nitrergic NMT whereas purinergic NMT is limited to rectum and VIPergic NMT to the IAS. The profile in monkey IAS more closely resembles that of humans than rodents. The lack of purinergic NMT in the IAS cannot be attributed to the absence of PDGFRα+ cells, P2Y1 receptors or SK3 channels. Rather, it appears to be due to poor coupling between P2Y1 receptors and SK3 channels on PDGFRα+ cells.
Novitski\'s distal shift in paracentric inversion evolution

Abstract In Drosophila pseudoobscura younger chromosomal inversions tend to be found distal to older inversions. By examining phylogenetic series of overlapping inversions for 134 gene arrangements of 13 chromosomes this pattern was extended to five additional Drosophila species. This distinct pattern arose repeatedly and independently in all six species and likely reflects an underlying principle of chromosome evolution. In this study it is illustrated how transmission of distal inversions is always favored in female meiosis when crossing over in homosequential regions of overlapping inversions generates asymmetric dyads. This cytogenetic mechanism for female meiotic drive is described in detail and advanced as an explanation for the distal shift in phylogenetic series of overlapping inversions as well as several better known patterns in the evolution of serially inverted chromosomes.
MANDIBULAR OSTEONECROSIS/OSTEOMYLITIS IN A PATIENT WITH CROHN DISEASE

Background Crohn disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by digestive and gastrointestinal tract inflammation. There is no cure for CD; however, medications, such as immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, are used to retard the rate of progression of the disease. Osteonecrosis is a serious consequence of CD in patients taking these medications and/or bisphosphonates. Clinical and Radiographic Findings A 66-year-old male patient with a medical history of CD and osteonecrosis of the hip joint presented with a 2-week history of a right mandibular abscess, with drainage. The patient previously had taken prednisone and adalimumab, with the last dose taken 7 years ago. He had been on clindamycin for 2 to 3 months before his transfer to the emergency department. Panoramic radiography showed an ill-defined mixed-density area with loss of the cortical outline of the inferior border of the mandible. There was evidence of sequestra formation and involvement of the inferior alveolar canals. Based on the radiographic features and the patient's history, a differential diagnosis of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and/or osteomyelitis was made. Furthermore, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) revealed destruction of the entire mandible, with severe fragmentation. A bone scan and an abscess localization scan using gallium-67 showed prominent blood pool activity and abnormal increased uptake of radiotracer in the mandible. Biopsy revealed osteonecrotic tissue with fungal organisms and bacteria, confirming osteomyelitis. Differential or Definitive Interpretation Osteomyelitis, MRONJ. Discussion Prednisone and adalimumab are often used in the treatment of CD, resulting in a low incidence of osteonecrosis. Infection resulting from immunosuppression is one of the side effects of adalimumab. The relationship between corticosteroid use and osteonecrosis still needs investigation. Patients with CD and a history of steroid or immunosuppressive drug use should to be observed for osteonecrotic lesions of the jaw, mainly after dental procedures.
Utilizing the 2017–2018 seasonal influenza vaccine as a treatment for cancer

In recent years, immunotherapy has yielded increased survival for cancer patients; however, a significant percentage of patient tumors remain refractory to immunotherapy. This is due in part to the absence of an inflamed tumor microenvironment. In our effort to utilize anti-pathogen vaccination to recruit immune cells to un-infiltrated (cold) tumors, we observed that intratumoral injection of influenza A/PR8/H1N1 lysate (but not live virus) reduced B16-F10 melanoma growth ( p p
Initial Exposure of Wax Foundation to Agrochemicals Causes Negligible Effects on the Growth and Winter Survival of Incipient Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies

Widespread use of agrochemicals in the U.S. has led to nearly universal contamination of beeswax in honey bee hives. The most commonly found agrochemicals in wax include beekeeper-applied miticides containing tau-fluvalinate, coumaphos, or amitraz, and field-applied pesticides containing chlorothalonil or chlorpyrifos. Wax contaminated with these pesticides negatively affects the reproductive quality of queens and drones. However, the synergistic effects of these pesticides on the growth and survival of incipient colonies remain understudied. We established new colonies using frames with wax foundation that was pesticide free or contaminated with field-relevant concentrations of amitraz alone, a combination of tau-fluvalinate and coumaphos, or a combination of chlorothalonil and chlorpyrifos. Colony growth was assessed by estimating comb and brood production, food storage, and adult bee population during a colony’s first season. We also measured colony overwintering survival. We found no significant differences in colony growth or survivorship between colonies established on pesticide-free vs. pesticide-laden wax foundation. However, colonies that had Varroa destructor levels above 3% in the fall were more likely to die over winter than those with levels below this threshold, indicating that high Varroa infestation in the fall played a more important role than initial pesticide exposure of wax foundation in the winter survival of newly established colonies.
32 Fluid Power Systems

The use of fluids for power delivery has been a part of human civilization for many centuries. One key advantage of fluid power systems is the high power density available. This chapter illustrates some of the basic hydraulic symbols and terms that is commonly encountered and is referred. The oil used in a hydraulic circuit is designed to withstand high pressures and large pressure drops without deterioration in performance. The primary other types of common fluids are synthetic ones, including phosphate ester or silicone-based fluids. In a fluid power system, the hydraulic valve serves to restrict the flow of fluid through the system. This chapter details several of the components that make up a fluid power system. These components are useful only when they are combined and integrated into an overall system. There are some key nonlinearities that are common in fluid power systems and greatly affect their dynamic performance. Keywords: dynamic performance; fluid power systems; hydraulic symbols; hydraulic valve; nonlinearities
What Are Best Practices for Ethical Use of Nanosensors for Worker Surveillance

Many employers now offer workers wearable or implantable devices that can monitor their health
America's Depression of 1784–1787 and the Advent of Nationalism

In June 1788, James Madison prepared to attend a convention in Virginia to consider ratification of the proposed Constitution for the United States. The recent depression (1784–87) had triggered a major civic reaction over the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and inflamed differences among various groups in the country. As an architect of the new Constitution, Madison needed to prepare to defend it in the ratification convention. Vigorous opponents sought to prevent ratification and the loss of states' power to a central government. How should Madison make his case? Madison's dilemma occurs in the midst of a dramatic regime shift in American politics. The social reaction to the depression had inflamed divisions throughout the country: urban versus rural, farmers versus merchants, wealthy versus poor, and so on. Outbreaks of civil unrest mark 1784–87 as a historic pivot point. It is useful to consider how the depression of those years contributed to that pivot and how the subsequent civic reaction responded to the depression conditions. Excerpt UVA-F-1778 Rev. Jun. 2, 2020 America's Depression of 1784–1787 and the Advent of Nationalism On June 2, 1788, the Virginia Ratifying Convention gathered on Shockoe Hill in Richmond, Virginia, to consider whether the Commonwealth of Virginia should ratify the proposed Constitution of the United States (see Exhibit 1). It would replace the Articles of Confederation (see Exhibit 2) ratified by the states only seven years earlier. James Madison had been among the organizers of the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the new Constitution. Now, he had returned to Virginia to participate in the ratification debate. Virginia was among the final five states to consider ratification; eight states had already ratified. In some states, the opposition had been vigorous (see Exhibit 3): Massachusetts ratified by a scant majority of 53%, and Rhode Island held a popular referendum in which the Constitution garnered only 8% of the votes. As specified in the Constitution, at least nine states would need to ratify before the Constitution would be in force. Thus by late June 1788, the ratification process came to a tipping point. As the largest and most prosperous of the states, Virginia commanded great influence: its failure to ratify might destabilize the fledgling union. Within Virginia, the Constitution faced powerful opponents, led by the charismatic orator and former governor Patrick Henry. Factions for and against ratification formed, based on the delegates' competing visions for the new country and on various interests. The factions reflected the impact of the recent depression and the national government's responsiveness to it. . . .
Cell cycle dynamics in the reprogramming of cellular identity.

Reprogramming of cellular identity is fundamentally at odds with replication of the genome: cell fate reprogramming requires complex multidimensional epigenomic changes, whereas genome replication demands fidelity. In this review, we discuss how the pace of the genome's replication and cell cycle influences the way daughter cells take on their identity. We highlight several biochemical processes that are pertinent to cell fate control, whose propagation into the daughter cells should be governed by more complex mechanisms than simple templated replication. With this mindset, we summarize multiple scenarios where rapid cell cycle could interfere with cell fate copying and promote cell fate reprogramming. Prominent examples of cell fate regulation by specific cell cycle phases are also discussed. Overall, there is much to be learned regarding the relationship between cell fate reprogramming and cell cycle control. Harnessing cell cycle dynamics could greatly facilitate the derivation of desired cell types.