cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expertise Value Added in the Real Estate Market

We consider the effect of expertise on economic transactions, with a particular focus on the real estate market. We show that even as listing information becomes increasingly accessible on real estate aggregation websites, realtor expertise remains important in securing a desirable sale price. One main channel for the effects of such expertise is improving information dissemination to potential buyers through higher quality listings. Using listing photos and remarks as measures of quality, we find that realtor activity is correlated with significantly higher quality listings. We then measure the price impact of these measures of quality and find that, even after controlling for a large spectrum of house characteristics, listing quality is correlated with higher sale prices.
Isospin effects in nucleon inelastic scattering from single-closed-shell nuclei: (I). The N = 50 isotones

Accurate measurements of elastic- and inelastic-scattering differential cross sections are obtained over a wide angular range for 11 MeV neutrons incident on 88Sr, 90Zr and 92Mo. The absolute cross sections are accurate to better than 5%. The parameters of complex optical potentials were extracted from the elastic-scattering data and applied via the collective model to the description of the cross sections of the first 2+ state of each isotope. Deformation parameters βnn′ (and lengths) δ = βR) were obtained for the quadrupole excitations and compared with similar parameters obtained from (p, p′) data on the same nuclei. The results clearly indicate that βnn′ > βpp′ for the N = 50 isotones, in good agreement with the theoretical predictions of Madsen, Brown and Anderson. The values of βnn′ and βpp′ are used to extract the isoscalar and isovector deformation parameters β0 and β1.
The Processes of Living

What is life? We all know a living thing when we see it, but when you get right down to it, it’s hard to come up with a consistent definition. For instance, plants grow and are alive, but crystals, which also grow, are not alive. What is the difference? In 1944, the physicist Erwin Schrodinger presented a very simple definition of life that has withstood the test of time. He identified one property that all life shares: living things avoid decay into equilibrium.
Respiration of bloodstream forms of the parasite Trypanosoma brucei brucei is dependent on a plant-like alternative oxidase.

CoQ links the sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and oxidase components of the cyanide-insensitive, non-cytochrome-mediated respiratory system of bloodstream African trypanosomes. In this and other characteristics, their respiratory system is similar to the alternative oxidase of plants. The parasites contain 206 ng of CoQ9 mg protein−1 which co-sediments with respiratory activity. The redox state of this CoQ responds in a manner consistent with respiratory function: 60% being in the reduced form when substrate is available and the oxidase is blocked; 13% being in the reduced form when the oxidase is functioning and there is no substrate. The addition of CoQ to aceton-extracted cells stimulates salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive respiration by 56%. After inhibition of respiration by digitonin-mediated dispersal of the electron transport components, liposomes restore 40% of respiratory activity while liposomes containing CoQ restore 66% of this activity. A less hydrophobic analogue, reduced decyl CoQ, serves as a direct substrate for the trypanosome oxidase supporting full salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive respiration. After digitonin disruption of electron transport, the nonreduced form of this synthetic substrate can reestablish the chain by accepting electrons from dispersed sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and transferring them to the dispersed oxidase. Similarities between the alternative oxidase of plants and the oxidase of the trypanosome respiratory system include: mitochondrial location, lack of oxidative phosphorylation, linkage of a dehydrogenase and an oxidase by CoQ, lack of sensitivity to a range of mitochondrial inhibotors, and sensitivity to a spectrum of inhibitors which selectively block transfer of electrons from reduced CoQ to the terminal oxidase but do not block electron transfer to the cytochrome bc1 complex of the mammalian cytochrome chain.
Sibling Relationships and Development

Although research on sibling relationships has been far less frequent than research on other close relationships such as parent–child, peer, and romantic partner relationships, researchers have found siblings to be important for the development of social competence as well as positive and negative adjustment. In addition, the sibling relationship is considered the longest lasting relationship across the life span and it serves unique developmental functions. This essay briefly describes foundational research on the influence of dyadic structural variables, relationship dynamics, and sibling influences on adjustment; outlines cutting-edge research within the field on the contexts of family ethnicity, developmental period, and important processes and influences on relationship dynamics; and discusses key issues for future research such as expanding to under-studied ethnic groups (e.g., Native American and Asian-American families), family structures and contexts (e.g., adoption, single-parents by choice, gay/lesbian parents), and mechanisms for relationship influence. Expanding the field to incorporate such research questions will likely require sibling researchers to examine findings from research on other important, close relationships, as well as collaboration of researchers from a variety of psychological disciplines as well as in the fields of sociology, neuroscience, genetics, anthropology, and human development and family studies. Keywords: siblings; sibling relationships; family; conflict; communication; psychological adjustment; childhood; adolescence
Signal interactions in pathogen and insect attack: expression of lipoxygenase, proteinase inhibitor II, and pathogenesis-related protein P4 in the tomato,Lycopersicon esculentum

Abstract Pathogens and insects can elicit different sets of plant host responses, supporting the hypothesis for control by different signaling pathways. To evaluate the potential for signal interaction in plants attacked by pathogens and insects, the mRNA abundance for lipoxygenase (LOX), a wound-inducible proteinase inhibitor (PINII), and a pathogenesis-related protein (P4) was evaluated in tomato leaves following challenge with a variety of agents. PINII and P4 expression was determined as these proteins are induced in tomato leaves characteristically following attack by certain insects or pathogens, respectively. Expression studies of LOX, PINII, and P4 indicate that their induction in tomato does not follow a strict pattern based on the type of biologic inducer (insect vs. pathogen) or chemical treatment, with each specific treatment inducing a distinct pattern of gene expression. However, plants induced to express disease resistance with the synthetic salicylate mimic benzothiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester were compromised in their expression of the wound- or jasmonate-activated PINII, consistent with an observed increase in susceptibility to insect herbivory reported in a companion study. The results do not support the hypothesis for a strict dichotomy of signaling by insects and pathogens of LOX, PINII and P4 in tomato, but point to a potential vulnerability of acquired resistance evident at the levels of gene expression and response to insect attack.
Temporal evolution of multipactor discharge

Multipactor is an important resonant discharge phenomenon on which there have been surprisingly few publications in the open literature. Here, we extend the theoretical analysis of an idealized model. Emphases have been placed on the mutual interactions between the multipactor discharge and the RF. We show that the multipactor current may reach a very high level, transiently, before it settles to a steady state. The multipactor current saturates primarily by its loading of the cavity; the image space charge force associated with the multipactor electrons plays a relatively minor role. When saturation occurs, the secondary emission coefficient is unity, corresponding to the "first cross-over point" in the secondary electron yield curve. The parameters attained in the steady state agree with the predicted values from an analytic theory. The analysis is extended to include the effects of an external magnetic field.
On Good Authority or is Feminist Authority an Oxymoron

INTRODUCTION After receiving my graduate degree a number of years ago, I recall that the title “Dr.” hung before my name like a detached and ill-fitting appendage. When making travel arrangements for a conference, I can today with a subtle smile remember my unyielding resistance to the suggestion that I refer to myself as Dr. Applebaum so that I would get better service. It was not only that I felt it undeserved in this particular situation to receive preferential treatment because I had a title in front of my name, but it was more that I felt uneasy about using the title because I held conflicting opinions as to what type of authority the title bestowed upon me. Most important, this situation raised serious questions for me about the different uses and abuses of institutional authority, and forced me to reflect upon what type of authority I wanted to possess as a feminist, as an academic and, especially, as a teacher.
Supply management's involvement in the target costing process

Abstract This article investigates the role of purchasing/supply management in the target costing process. It is based on case studies of eleven firms that use target costing. In addition to exploring the role of purchasing, purchasing's interface with suppliers was investigated. Research results indicate that supply management plays a substantial role throughout the target costing process. Its contribution is particularly critical at the initial stages, when developing component level target costs, and when activities/modifications are occurring to achieve target costs. Supply management also plays a lead role in managing, monitoring and improving costs. Importantly, there is no single function that is more important than others in target costing. A cross-functional team approach, including suppliers, is critical to the long-term success of target costing efforts.
Confused by too many choices? Choice overload in tourism

Abstract Traditional economic and psychological theories suggest that having more options is beneficial to decision makers. However, according to the choice overload concept too many choices can sometimes cause contradictory results, such as consumers making ‘no choice’ or experiencing increased perceived regret. Considering that tourism suppliers offer an extensive variety of products, the primary objective of this study was to identify whether the choice overload phenomenon exists for tourism products. Using a scenario method, respondents were randomly assigned to one of ten different scenarios (2destination types × 5choice sets). The results of this study showed that having more than 22 choices increased the likelihood of making ‘no choice,’ regardless of destination type, suggesting that choice overload exists in the tourism industry. This study also demonstrated that when fewer than 22 choices were provided participants who made a choice perceived less regret than those who made ‘no choice’. However, the opposite results were found when tourists were provided with too many choices. Further discussion and implications are provided in the main body of this paper.
Introduction: Virginia Woolf and The Art of Exploration

This paper introduces a Literature Compass cluster of articles which examines the current state of Virgina Woolf Studies and aims to provide a snapshot of the field. These papers grew out of the 15th Annual International Virginia Woolf Conference (College of Lewis and Clark, Portland, OR, June 9–12, 2005). The full cluster is made up of the following articles: “Introduction: Virginia Woolf and The Art of Exploration,” Urmila Seshagiri and Rishona Zimring, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00393.x “Virginia Woolf's Sense of Adventure,” Maria DiBattista, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00394.x “The Twentieth Part: Virginia Woolf in the British Museum Reading Room,” Benjamin Harvey, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00395.x “‘Street Haunting’: Phantasmagorias of the Modern Imperial Metropolis,” Sara Gerend, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00396.x “Hyde Park Gate News,” Gill Lowe, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00397.x “The Art of ‘Scene-Making’ in the Charleston Bulletin Supplements,” Claudia Olk, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00398.x “A Camera of Her Own: Woolf and the Legacy of the Indomitable Mrs. Cameron,” Emily Setina, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00399.x “Woolfian Resonances,” Anne Fernald, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00400.x “Early Twentieth-Century British Women Travellers to Greece: Contextualizing the Example of Virginia Woolf,” Martha Klironomos, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00401.x “‘Others Wanted to Travel’: Woolf and ‘America Herself’,” Thaine Stearns, Literature Compass 3 (2006), 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2006.00402.x
Recovery of new viruses (coryzavirus) from cases of common cold in human adults.

SummaryViruses have been recovered in diploid cell cultures of human fetal lung or kidney from cases of common cold in human adults and children. These agents, which comprise at least 4 serologic groups, appear to be related etiologically to the common cold in man. Because of their association with coryzal disease and for purpose of designation, the agents are called coryzavirus. Coryzavirus has failed to propagate in HeLa or grivet renal cell cultures, did not produce pathology in common laboratory hosts, and appears to be unrelated to the known respiratory viruses of man. Similarities to and differences from the “spectrum” of “Salisbury” agents are discussed. The agent appears to be of very small particle size and is estimated to be about 17 to 18 mμ, in diameter. Other biological, biophysical and biochemical properties of coryzavirus are presented.
Needs Assessment Across Disciplines

The needs assessment process, as a tool for decision making, continues to enjoy high visibility in the professional literature, especially in the area of training and human resource development. This literature review explores needs assessment in selected disciplines and provides generalizations about its application. Five needs assessment variables guided our survey of the purposes and methods of the needs assessments described in 106 articles in five general areas (applied sciences, education/technology, medicine/allied health, business/information sciences, and human/public services).
Impact of rainfall and tillage systems on off-site herbicide movement

Abstract Ground cover associated with conservation‐ and no‐till cropping systems can alter runoff and herbicide loss from the soil surface. This study was conducted in 1987 and 1988 to evaluate runoff losses of soil‐applied alachlor and imazaquin in five different soybean cropping systems. Cropping systems used were: 1) conventionally tilled monocrop soybean planted in May; 2) conventionally tilled monocrop soybean planted in June; 3) conventionally tilled doublecrop soybean with incorporated wheat stubble; 4) no‐till doublecrop soybean with burned wheat stubble; and 5) no‐till doublecrop soybean planted into standing wheat stubble. Runoff was lower in 1988 due to a lack of precipitation and dry soil conditions. Herbicide loss in both years was greatest in doublecrop soybean with incorporated wheat stubble, which corresponded to higher runoff. Lower herbicide loss in June‐planted monocrop soybean was attributed to a rougher seedbed that retarded runoff. May‐planted monocrop soybean also lost very little h...
Acquisitions and Collection Development Automation: Future Directions

Developments in the area of automated acquisitions in libraries over the past ten years have been many and varied. Libraries today have the option of choosing among a number of off‐the‐shelf systems including turnkey mini‐ and microcomputer‐based systems, large central network systems and, more recently, distributed systems which try to make the best of both worlds.
A DEBILITATING MUTATION IN TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR IIE WITH DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS ON GENE EXPRESSION IN YEAST

The influence of transcription factor (TF) IIE on mRNA synthesis in vivo was examined in a temperature-sensitive yeast mutant. A missense mutation in the conserved zinc finger domain severely weakened TFIIE's transcription activity without appreciably affecting its quaternary structure, chromatographic properties, or cellular abundance. The mutation conferred recessive slow-growth and heat-sensitive phenotypes in yeast, but quantitative effects on promoter utilization by RNA polymerase II ranged from strongly negative to somewhat positive. Heat-induced activation of the HSP26, HSP104, andSSA4 genes was attenuated in the mutant, indicating dependence on TFIIE for maximal rates of de novo synthesis. Constitutive HSP expression in mutant cells was elevated, exposing a negative (likely indirect) influence by TFIIE in the absence of heat stress. Our results corroborate and extend recent findings of differential dependence on TFIIE activity for yeast promoters, but reveal an important counterpoint to the notion that dependence is tied to TATA element structure (Sakurai, H., Ohishi, T., and Fukasawa, T. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 15936–15942). We also provide empirical evidence for conservation of structure-activity relationships in TFIIE's zinc finger domain, and establish a direct link between TFIIE's biochemical activity in reconstituted transcription and its function in cellular mRNA synthesis.
Preclinical Alzheimer disease —the challenges ahead

There is growing recognition that the pathophysiological process of Alzheimer disease (AD) begins many years prior to clinically obvious symptoms, and the concept of a presymptomatic or preclinical stage of AD is becoming more widely accepted. Advances in biomarker studies have enabled detection of AD pathology in vivo in clinically normal older individuals. The predictive value of these biomarkers at the individual patient level, however, remains to be elucidated. The ultimate goal of identifying individuals in the preclinical stages of AD is to facilitate early intervention to delay and perhaps even prevent emergence of the clinical syndrome. A number of challenges remain to be overcome before this concept can be validated and translated into clinical practice.
Factorial analysis of the cardiovascular responses to carotid sinus nerve stimulation

The changes in arterial blood pressure, heart period, and respiration evoked by carotid sinus nerve (CSN) stimulation were studied in closed-chest, anesthetized dogs. Multifactorial regression equations were derived to express the various steady-state responses as functions of the parameters of stimulation. With the CSN and vagi intact, the changes in arterial pressure produced by CSN stimulation were much less pronounced than after the CSN and vagi were interrupted. When the CSN and vagi were intact, changes in stimulus duration had relatively little influence on heart period at the lower voltage levels. However, at higher voltages, increases in pulse duration produced substantial increments in heart period. TheRR interval increased progressively as the frequency of CSN stimulation was varied from 15 to 45 Hz; the magnitude of this effect varied directly with the stimulus voltage.
Observational 5-20 μm Interstellar Extinction Curves Toward Star-Forming Regions Derived From Spitzer IRS Spectra

Using Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph observations of G0-M4 III stars behind dark clouds, I construct 5-20 μm empirical extinction curves for 0.3 ≤ AK 1, the curve exhibits lower contrast between the silicate and absorption continuum, develops ice absorption, and lies closer to the Weingartner and Draine RV = 5.5 Case B curve, a result which is consistent with that of Flaherty et al. and Chiar et al. Recently, work using Spitzer Infrared Array Camera data by Chapman et al. independently reaches a similar conclusion that the shape of the extinction curve changes as a function of increasing AK . By calculating the optical depths of the 9.7 μm silicate and 6.0, 6.8, and 15.2 μm ice features, I determine that a process involving ice is responsible for the changing shape of the extinction curve and speculate that this process is a coagulation of ice-mantled grains rather than ice-mantled grains alone.
Identity of a Chi site of Escherichia coli and Chi recombinational hotspots of bacteriophage λ

Abstract Chi sites in bacteriophage λ stimulate recombination promoted by the RecBC pathway of Escherichia coli. We have located a Chi site within the E. coli lacZ gene by deletion mapping and have isolated a mutation inactivating this Chi. Sequence analysis showed that the mutation arose by a single base-pair transition G C → A T within an eight base-pair sequence (5′ G-C-T-G-G-T-G-G 3′) identical to that found at Chi sites in λ and in plasmid pBR322.
Introduction: Chronic Medical Conditions and Depression: the View from Primary Care

The clock was running, the waiting room was full, and the physician realized he was already falling behind.
SEQUENTIAL BLOOD VOLUME STUDIES FOLLOWING ALBUMIN IN-FUSION IN NEWBORN LAMBS WITH HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK

The experiments were designed to investigate the time sequence in blood volume changes in 2 groups of newborn lambs: those receiving 25% salt-poor albumin 1 gm/Kg after removal of 20% estimated blood volume (Group A, n = 6) and those receiving albumin without blood removal (Group B, n = 8). In each group half of the animals served as controla and did not receive albumin. To calculate total blood volume (TBV), 51cr tagged RBC were used to measure red blood cell volume with central Hcts; measurements were made before and after albumin infuaion in all groups at 15, 45, 90 min, 3 and 6 hrs. Vital signs, blood pressure and blood gases were monitored throughout the experiments. TBV expressed aa % change from baseline was 9.85±1.61% in Group B following albumin infusion, a significant increaae from controls(p<0.01)and remained unchanged for 6 hrs. Following bleeding in Group A, TBV decreased by 16.61±4.26% and increased to 10.46±6.02% immediately after albumin infusion, reaching 14.76±6.11% at 45 min and 19.89 ± 6.24% at 3 hr, significantly different from controls (p<0.05). The bled animals that did not receive albumin remained with a decreased blood volume for 3 hr, and thereafter increaaed. These data indicate that since 25% albumin infuaion increased TBV in both groups of lambs for at least 6 hours, a single dose infusion can be beneficial in newborns with hypovolemic shock.
“All You Need Is Love”: Considerations for a Social Justice Inquiry in Leisure Studies

Under the umbrella of love, this essay proffers five interrelated considerations in the politics of practice regarding social justice research. Consequently, I recommended inquiring more thoroughly into socio-economic class and leisure, unpacking our personal/professional and scholarly/activist binaries, examining our unearned privilege, avoiding the oppression Olympics, and employing and deploying intersectionality and participatory action research, respectively. By attending to these considerations specifically and concretely, I proffer a way to conduct a more socially just research in the field of leisure studies.
A modified beta binomial model with applications to multiple choice and taste tests

A modified beta binomial model is presented for use in analyzing ramdom guessing multiple choice tests and certain forms of taste tests. Detection probabilities for each item are distributed beta across the population subjects. Properties for the observable distribution of correct responses are derived. Two concepts of true score estimates are presented. One, analogous to Duncan's empirical Bayes posterior mean score, is appropriate for assessing the subject's performance on that particular test. The second is more suitable for predicting outcomes on similar tests.
Phosphatidylcholine Monolayer Structure at a Liquid−Liquid Interface

Vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy has been used to examine the vibrational structure of phosphatidylcholine monolayers adsorbed to a water−carbon tetrachloride interface. The surfactants employed in this study belong to a family of saturated, symmetric phosphatidylcholines with acyl chain lengths ranging from C12 to C18 in increments of two methylene units. Vibrational spectra provide direct information about the orientation and degree of order among the acyl chains of the adsorbed phosphatidylcholines. Differences among spectra recorded under various polarization conditions show that acyl chains do not exhibit long range order or preferred tilt angle. Rather, acyl chains within a tightly packed monolayer stand up with their methyl C3 axes aligned perpendicular to the interface. Relative methyl and methylene symmetric stretch band intensities show that order within the monolayer increases with increasing surface coverage. Temperature-dependent studies of monolayer order suggest that a barrier exists ...
Integrating business performance management with IT management through impact analysis and provisioning

Fulfilling the IT service management proposition of providing IT as a service aligned with the company business presents many interesting challenges. Among these we consider the challenge of integrating business performance management (BPM) of critical applications with the systems management and provisioning of the IT infrastructure that supports the organizationpsilas business processes.
Arterial stiffness is greater in African Americans than in whites: evidence from the Forsyth County, North Carolina, ARIC cohort.

Abstract Background Impairment of arterial dilation is thought to occur earlier than arterial wall thickening in the atherosclerotic process. In comparison with whites, African Americans reportedly have a generalized attenuation of their vasodilation mechanisms. We set out to evaluate arterial stiffness and its correlates by ethnicity, hypothesizing that African Americans would have stiffer common carotid arteries (ie, lower arterial distension for a given systolic pressure) than their white counterparts. Methods The study population included 268 African Americans and 2459 whites, who were aged 45 to 64 years at baseline examination in 1986 to 1989, free of coronary heart disease and stroke/transient ischemic attack, from Forsyth County, North Carolina. The β stiffness index and pulsatile arterial diameter change were derived from brachial blood pressure and from echo-tracked systolic and diastolic carotid arterial diameters. Results African Americans had stiffer carotid arteries than their white counterparts, with a right shift of the β stiffness index distribution. After adjustment for selected cardiovascular risk factors, the mean β stiffness index was 9% higher for African Americans (mean ± SEM: 11.3 ± 0.3) than for whites (mean ± SEM: 10.3 ± 0.1) among participants not taking antihypertensive medication. Socioeconomic status and comorbidities were differentially associated with arterial stiffness by ethnicity. Specifically, the association between these correlates and β stiffness index was stronger in African Americans than in whites. Conclusions This report on arterial mechanics in African Americans suggests that large artery stiffening either occurs earlier, or is more accelerated in African Americans than in whites in our sample, perhaps as a result of earlier exposure to multiple risk factors. This finding may have implications for hypertension prevention, as arterial stiffness is associated with the development of hypertension.
Stimulated endothelial cell adhesion and angiogenesis with laminin-5 modification of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Biomedical implants often exhibit poor clinical performance due to the formation of a periimplant avascular fibrous capsule. Surface modification of synthetic materials has been evaluated to accele...
Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Improves Cardiometabolic Function in Young Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

In young obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, successful treatment of obstructive sleep apnea can provide beneficial cardiometabolic effects.
EFFECT OF PROCESS FAILURE MECHANISMS ON ECONOMIC X¯ CONTROL CHARTS

Abstract There has been considerable research on the economic design of Statistical Process Control models, for example on x¯ charts. Much of this research has assumed either a discrete event or continuous time process. However, virtually no research has been reported on continuous time models which formally investigate the effects of the choice of process failure mechanism on its design parameters. Using a continuous time model, we show empirically that such model design parameters are affected by the choice of process failure mechanism. The significance of this influence depends on the size of a process shift that one wishes to detect. The smaller the shift, the more significant the effect on the design parameters. For process shifts of 1 standard deviation or more, the design parameters are essentially robust with respect to choice of process failure mechanism.
Stimuli and incentives as determinants of the successive negative contrast effect

Seventy-two rats received 10 preshift and 7 postshift instrumental conditioning trials in a straight runway. The preshift magnitudes of intertrial reinforcement and runway reward were factorially manipulated, while all Ss received a small ITR and runway reward in the postshift period. Both reductions in ITR and runway reward magnitude produced negative contrast effects.
Urodynamically Defined Stress Urinary Incontinence and Bladder Outlet Obstruction Coexist in Women

ABSTRACTPurpose: The definition and significance of female bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) are poorly understood. We identified patients with urodynamic evidence of BOO in a cohort of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Materials and Methods: Women with SUI were identified from a videourodynamic data base and pressure flow studies were reexamined. Subjects were excluded if detrusor pressures could not be measured. BOO was diagnosed if the maximum flow rate was less than 12 ml per second and detrusor pressure at maximum flow was greater than 20 cm water or maximum detrusor pressure was greater than 20 cm water in those without measurable flow. Clinical and urodynamic characteristics were compared in the obstructed and unobstructed groups.Results: Of 104 eligible subjects 19 (18.3%) had BOO. Maximum flow rate, mean flow rate and voided volume were significantly less in the BOO group than in the unobstructed group (8.7 vs 13.5 ml per second, p = 0.004, 5.9 vs 7.9 ml per second, p = 0.001 and 180 vs...
The cytidine deaminase CEM15 induces hypermutation in newly synthesized HIV-1 DNA

High mutation frequency during reverse transcription has a principal role in the genetic variation of primate lentiviral populations. It is the main driving force for the generation of drug resistance and the escape from immune surveillance. G to A hypermutation is one of the characteristics of primate lentiviruses, as well as other retroviruses, during replication in vivo and in cell culture. The molecular mechanisms of this process, however, remain to be clarified. Here, we demonstrate that CEM15 (also known as apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G; APOBEC3G), an endogenous inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication, is a cytidine deaminase and is able to induce G to A hypermutation in newly synthesized viral DNA. This effect can be counteracted by the HIV-1 virion infectivity factor (Vif). It seems that this viral DNA mutator is a viral defence mechanism in host cells that may induce either lethal hypermutation or instability of the incoming nascent viral reverse transcripts, which could account for the Vif-defective phenotype. Importantly, the accumulation of CEM15-mediated non-lethal hypermutation in the replicating viral genome could potently contribute to the genetic variation of primate lentiviral populations.
Excimer laser-induced ablation of clean and CO-covered polycrystalline copper surfaces: Generation and characterization of high energy copper species

Abstract Copper atoms, clusters and ions were generated by ablation of clean and CO-covered polycrystalline copper surfaces under UHV conditions, using a high peak power, pulsed excimer laser as the energy source. The species in the vapor phase were characterized by time-resolved mass spectrometry and optical detection of laser induced fluorescence. The laser power density threshold of vaporization for the clean copper ( 300(30) MW cm 2 ) was significantly lower than the threshold in the case of CO-covered copper surfaces (> 400 MW cm 2 ) .
Certain B complex vitamins as growth-promoting factors for Trichomonas gallinae.

Abstract When nicotinamide, choline chloride, pyridoxamine, calcium pantothenate were omitted from a basal medium separately, growth reductions of T. gallinae occurred. This was indicated by an average decrease in the number of organisms per cu. mm. at the end of 72 hours of 86%, 83%, 83%, and 65% respectively, when the above vitamins were omitted from the basal medium as compared to the controls. Significantly high reductions in growth were also observed in cultures deficient in pyridoxine, folic acid, and biotin at the end of the second serial transfer. The results of these experiments seem to indicate that the B vitamins mentioned above are essential for the growth of T. gallinae.
The Significance of Changes in Amplitude of the First Heart Sound in Children with A-v Block

Curves which relate the peak intensity of the first heart sound to the P-R interval have been obtained from seven children with complete A-V block. The first sound is accentuated with short P-R intervals, becomes faint when the P-R interval is in the neighborhood of 0.20 to 0.30 second, and becomes loud again with relatively long P-R intervals. Repeated observations over a number of years demonstrated the effects of growth and aging on these phenomena. The data appear to indicate that the variable intensity of the first sound in complete A-V block is related to the position of the mitral valve at the time of ventricular systole.
Circuit QED with fluxonium qubits: Theory of the dispersive regime

In circuit QED, protocols for quantum gates and readout of superconducting qubits often rely on the dispersive regime, reached when the qubit-photon detuning $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is large compared to the mutual coupling strength. For qubits including the Cooper-pair box and transmon, selection rules dramatically restrict the contributions to dispersive level shifts $\ensuremath{\chi}$. By contrast, in the absence of selection rules many virtual transitions contribute to $\ensuremath{\chi}$ and can produce sizable dispersive shifts even at large detuning. We present theory for a generic multilevel qudit capacitively coupled to one or multiple harmonic modes and give general expressions for the effective Hamiltonian in second- and fourth-order perturbation theory. Applying our results to the fluxonium system, we show that the absence of strong selection rules explains the surprisingly large dispersive shifts observed in experiments and leads to the prediction of a two-photon vacuum Rabi splitting. Quantitative predictions from our theory are in good agreement with experimental data over a wide range of magnetic flux and reveal that fourth-order resonances are important for the phase modulation observed in fluxonium spectroscopy.
A polypeptide sperm activator from male saturniid moths

Abstract When the mature sperm of Saturniid moths are ejaculated during copulation, they are mixed in the male's common duct with a secretion which induces vigorous motility in the sperm. The active substance in this secretion is soluble in 7·5% trichloroacetic acid but not in organic solvents; it is stable in aqueous solution at 100°C, but is only partially dialysable. These properties plus the fact that activity is completely destroyed by proteolytic enzymes suggest that the substance is a polypeptide. When filtered through Sephadex columns, all of the activity can be resolved into a single peak corresponding to a molecular weight between 1600 and 4500, most probably about 3100. Even in highly active preparations this peak could not be detected with ninhydrin reagent. Calculations indicate that the lowest concentration of activator that will induce motility is not more than 10 −8 m . Most naturally occurring substances having properties similar to those of the activator have proved to be hormones.
Memetic Algorithms applied to the Optimization of Workflow Compositions

Abstract The selection of services of a workflow based on Quality of Service (QoS) attributes is an important issue in service-oriented systems. QoS attributes allow for a better selection process based on non-functional quality criteria such as reliability, availability, and response time. Past research has mostly addressed this problem with optimal methods such as linear programming approaches. Given the nature of service-oriented systems where large numbers of services are available with different QoS values, optimal methods are not suitable and therefore, approximate techniques are necessary. In this paper, we investigate Genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization for the service selection process. In particular, both methods are combined with an optimal assignment algorithm (Munkres algorithm) in order to achieve higher solution qualities (success ratios) and to form a so called memetic algorithm. Experiments are conducted to investigate the suitability of the approaches and to compare the memetic algorithms with their non-memetic counterparts. The results reveal that the memetic algorithms are very suitable for the application to the workflow selection problem.
Wages of Niceness: The Folly and Futility of Educators Who Strive to Not Impose

In a bid to curb violence incurred via the abuse of teacher authority, some educators appear to denounce all forms of imposition. The author of this paper refers to this aversion to imposition and the romantic practices it promotes as educational niceness. This essay is written to furnish a theoretical justification for educational imposition. Using tools of language and philosophical analysis the author argues that education without imposition is both futile and irresponsible. The paper exposes four fallacies associated with educational niceness, traces its philosophical roots, discusses its perils, and concludes by proposing a more defensible alternative—a pedagogy of coercive restraint.
Enumerating orientations of the free spikes

We show that there are exactly 2^k^-^1D"k inequivalent orientations of the rank-k free spike (k>=4) where D"k is the kth Dedekind number. Our proof of this result is constructive and employs the monotone boolean functions.
Statistics of local complexity in amino acid sequences and sequence databases

Protein sequences contain surprisingly many local regions of low compositional complexity. These include different types of residue clusters, some of which contain homopolymers, short period repeats or aperiodic mosaics of a few residue types. Several different formal definitions of local complexity and probability are presented here and are compared for their utility in algorithms for localization of such regions in amino acid sequences and sequence databases. The definitions are:—(1) those derived from enumeration a priori by a treatment analogous to statistical mechanics, (2) a log likelihood definition of complexity analogous to informational entropy, (3) multinomial probabilities of observed compositions, (4) an approximation resembling the χ2 statistic and (5) a modification of the coefficient of divergence. These measures, together with a method based on similarity scores of self-aligned sequences at different offsets, are shown to be broadly similar for first-pass, approximate localization of low-complexity regions in protein sequences, but they give significantly different results when applied in optimal segmentation algorithms. These comparisons underpin the choice of robust optimization heuristics in an algorithm, SEG, designed to segment amino acid sequences fully automatically into subsequences of contrasting complexity. After the abundant low-complexity segments have been partitioned from the Swissprot database, the remaining high-complexity sequence set is adequately approximated by a first-order random model.
Mechanical and chemical sensitivity at the mantle edge of the file clam Lima scabra (Born)

Crude starfish extracts or mechanical stimulation applied to the isolated mantle edge of Lima scabra evoked afferent impulse activity in the palliai nerves and local movements of the velum. The elicited spike activity was not a primary afferent response and the induced velum movements, which resembled jet formation on the mantle edge of intact clams, were apparently controlled by peripherally located neurons. Adductor muscle activity and efferent palliai nerve spikes were elicited by decreases in ambient illumination and by the application of mechanical stimulation or starfish extract to the mantle edge. Efferent impulse activity in the palliai nerves was correlated with protective movements of the mantle edge at the adduction. Similarities between the adductions evoked from L. scabra and scallop escape adductions are discussed.
Systolic architecture for matrix triangularisation with partial pivoting

A systolic array for triangularisation of dense matrices, using Gaussian elimination with partial pivoting, is presented. The adopted algorithm is a slightly modified version of the traditional partial-pivoting algorithm. The modification is aimed at eliminating the need for global communications, without jeopardising the numerical stability of the algorithm. The array triangularises an n × n dense matrix in O(n2) time without any need for costly inter-iteration I/O. The processing elements (PEs) are very simple and all data communications are strictly local. It is shown that an extended array (with n extra PEs) can solve a dense system of equations in O(n2) time. It is also shown that the same array can be modified to implement a scaled column-pivoting strategy.
Cloning and expression of the nitrile hydratase and amidase genes from Bacillus sp. BR449 into Escherichia coli

Abstract A moderate thermophile, Bacillus sp. BR449 was previously shown to exhibit a high level of nitrile hydratase (NHase) activity when growing on high levels of acrylonitrile at 55°C. In this report, we describe the cloning of a 6.1 kb Sal I DNA fragment encoding the NHase gene cluster of BR449 into Escherichia coli . Nucleotide sequencing revealed six ORFs encoding (in order), two unidentified putative proteins, amidase, NHase β- and α-subunits and a small putative protein of 101 amino acids designated P12K. Spacings and orientation of the coding regions as well as their gene expression in E. coli suggest that the β-subunit, α-subunit, and P12K genes are co-transcribed. Analysis of deduced amino acid sequences indicate that the amidase (348 aa, MW 38.6 kDa) belongs to the nitrilase-related aliphatic amidase family, and that the NHase β- (229 aa, MW 26.5 kDa) and α- (214 aa, MW 24.5 kDa) subunits comprise a cobalt-containing member of the NHase family, which includes Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1 and Pseudomonas putida 5B NHases. The amidase/NHase gene cluster differs both in arrangement and composition from those described for other NHase-producing strains. When expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α, the subcloned NHase genes produced significant levels of active NHase enzyme when cobalt ion was added either to the culture medium or cell extracts. Presence of the P12K gene and addition of amide compounds as inducers were not required for this expression.
Sacco and Vanzetti Revisited: Russell and Young & Kaiser

The computerized card catalog at the university where I teach lists close to 50 books in English on the case of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, two Italian anarchists put to death 60 years ago by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts after a jury found them guilty of participating in the robbery and murder of a paymaster and his guard at the Slater & Morrill shoe factory in South Braintree on the afternoon of April 15, 1920. While this same catalog includes approximately three times that number of books about Captain Dreyfus and Jesus Christ, no American criminal trial in our history-including those of Peter Zenger, Aaron Burr, the Haymarket bombers, Leopold and Loeb, Bruno Hauptmann, the Scottsboro Boys, the Rosenbergs, or Alger Hiss-has generated more words and controversy than that of the fishpeddler and the shoemaker, immortalized in Malcolm Cowley's 1928 poem:
Lamina-specific axonal projections in the zebrafish tectum require the type IV collagen Dragnet.

Lamina-specific axonal projections in the zebrafish tectum require the type IV collagen Dragnet
Topology of the vorticity field in three-dimensional shear layers and wakes

An experimental and numerical study of the three-dimensional transition of plane wakes and shear layers behind a flat plate is presented. Flow visualization techniques are used to monitor the response of laminar flows at moderate Reynolds numbers (≈100) to perturbations periodically distributed along the span. In this way, the formation and evolution of streamwise vortex tubes and their interaction with the spanwise vortices are analyzed. The flow was studied numerically by means of three-dimensional inviscid vortex dynamics. Assuming periodicity in the spanwise and the streamwise direction, we discretize the vorticity field into two layers of vortex filaments with finite core diameter. Comparison between experiment and visualization indicates that important features of the three-dimensional evolution can be reproduced by inviscid vortex dynamics. Vortex stretching in the strain field of the spanwise rollers appears to be the primary mechanism for the three-dimensional transition in this type of flows.
SOUND SOURCE LOCALIZATION IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE IN REAL TIME WITH REDUNDANCY CHECKS

Triangulation is commonly used for source localization and most triangulation applications are based on intersection of the bearing direction to locate a source on a two-dimensional plane. In this paper, two new mathematical models (a basic model and an improved one) that expands the traditional triangulation concept to three-dimensional space are developed to locate multiple incoherent sound sources. The basic model uses four microphones and concentrates on solving a set of three quadratic equations simultaneously. The improved model requires more than four microphones and uses the solution from the basic model, as well as analyzing the intersection of bearing angles. Redundancy checks on the time differences of arrival are added to further reduce the source localization error in the improved model. Moreover, the input data are pre-processed and de-noised through filtering and windowing to enhance the effective signal to noise ratio. Various sound sources are tested, including transient, impulsive, conti...