cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drowsiness and Driving in a Middle Aged Population

QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE INCIDENCE OF DRIVERS AGED 45-70 ADMITTING DROWSINESS WHILE DRIVING IS HIGH. THIS APPEARS RELATED TO MALENESS, YEARLY MILEAGE LOGGED, AND LONG TRIP DRIVING. CATTELL PERSONALITY TESTING REVEALED NO CONSISTENT GROUP OF PERSONALITY TRAITS WHICH CORRELATES WITH GETTING DROWSY. SUBJECTS WHO HANDLED DROWSINESS ESPECIALLY POORLY (THAT IS, FALLING ASLEEP) WERE CHARACTERIZED BY EMOTIONALITY, A TENDENCY TO WORRY, GIVE UP, AND EVADE RESPONSIBILITIES. MANY PHYSICAL FACTORS WERE EXAMINED, BUT ALL FAILED TO REVEAL A CONSISTENT PATTERN OF PHYSICAL DEFECT IN THE DROWSINESS GROUP. /NHTSA/
Managing Quality in Outsourced Production: Construct Development and Measurement Validation

While the outsourcing of production is common practice in many industries, it has also been implicated in myriad of problems.
Tools for Teacher Participation in ITS Design

This research addresses the widening gap between research in intelligent tutoring systems and practical use of this technology by the educational community. In order to insure that intelligent tutoring systems are effective, practicing educators must be involved in their design and evaluation. We have followed a user participatory design process to build a set of ITS knowledge acquisition tools tailored for usability by teachers. The system facilitates rapid prototyping and testing of curriculum and tutoring strategies. In close collaboration with a veteran high school teacher, we have used the interface to design a tutor for statics. In this paper we discuss the ITS design process, including how the tools were used.
An intelligent notification system using context from real-time personal activity monitoring

People can now receive custom-made information through smartphones, tablets or wearable devices. However, people often tend to miss vital information, even reminders, in the flood of notifications. The problem of finding convenient moments for need-to-know information should be investigated. Because each person's message awareness pattern on a smart medium might be different, the necessity of personalized notification time should be emphasized. We believe that tracking changes in a user's physical activity and other contextual factors will reveal the most convenient moments. We propose a mobile framework, smartNoti, to carefully examine the user environment. The main contributions of our framework are: 1) developing an architecture to provide crucial information in a timely manner at a recognizable moment; 2) integrating, processing, training, and storing personalized latent features from heterogeneous data streams; 3) detecting user context transitions that might provide recognizable and available moments; and 4) predicting these moment and providing a notification message. The experimental validation on Intelligent Callback Reminder, which we implemented on an android application to notify a user missed or rejected call, demonstrates that our approach is effective. We believe that our findings can lead to intelligent strategies to issue unobtrusive notifications on today's smart phones at no extra cost, by using sensors and contextual factors.
Improving the Material Point Method

The material-point method (MPM) was introduced about 20 years ago and is a versatile method for solving problems in continuum mechanics. The flexibility of the method is achieved by combining two discretizations of the material. One is a Lagrangian description based on representing the continuum by a set of material points that are followed throughout the calculation. The second is a background grid that is used to solve the continuum equations efficiently. In its original form, some applications of the method appeared to be second order accurate while other tests showed poor or no convergence. This paper provides a framework for analyzing the errors in MPM. Moreover, the analysis suggests modifications to the algorithm to improve accuracy. The analysis also points to connections between MPM and other meshfree methods.
Biological Inhibitors of Lymphoid Cell Division

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biological inhibitors of lymphoid cell division. The biological inhibitors of lymphocyte responses can potentially affect several different processes, including the binding of antigen (recognition), the early steps of lymphocyte activation, or cell division itself. A factor can be considered to inhibit cell division directly only if it decreases either the division of unstimulated lymphocytes or the division of stimulated lymphocytes subsequent to the full period of activation and following the removal of the activator. If an inhibitor must be present during activation to exert its effect, but has no effect when added later, it inhibits either recognition or early activation, but not cell division directly. Specific interference with recognition is suggested if the factor inhibits the spontaneous rosette formation between human T cells and SRBC, and is strongly indicated if it competitively inhibits the binding of radiolabeled antigens or mitogens. Under ideal culture conditions, a commitment on the part of an activated lymphocyte to enter the replicative process involves its progression through the entire cycle of DNA synthesis (S), the second phase of growth (G 2 ), and mitosis (M). Inhibitors that interfere with the G 1 –S transition are of particular significance because they potentially interrupt the natural signals, which initiate cell division. By making use of the two phase markers, DNA synthesis and mitosis, one can determine whether a particular inhibitor is likely to exert its effect on the G 1 –S transition.
Associative Political Obligations: Their Potential

This article adopts the framework set out in ‘Associative Political Obligations’ to ask two further questions about the theory of associative political obligation. (i) Which of the different interpretations of the theory of associative political obligation is most plausible? And (ii) what would be the implications of such a view? It is argued that (i) the most attractive version of the argument is one according to which such obligations obtain only in morally acceptable communities, and only between what may be called ‘thick’ members. And (ii) that such a theory should give up on at least some of the conclusions that associativist theorists have tried to defend, such as that associative political obligations can establish the legitimacy of states. However, it is also suggested that this should not be considered a regrettable retreat.
Responses of Dairy Cows to Exogenous Bovine Growth Hormone Administered During Early Lactation

Bovine growth hormone was administered to eight Holstein cows during two 10-d periods (commencing 20 and 60 d postpartum). Treatments involved daily subcutaneous injection of excipient (control) or of 50 IU growth hormone. Feed intake and yields of milk and milk components were measured during the last 5 d of treatment. In the first injection period, milk yield of treated cows was 6% greater than that of controls (36.2 kg/d). Fat content of milk was increased by treatment with the result that fat yield was elevated by 25%. Protein content was not altered. In the second period, milk yield increased by 12%, but composition of milk was not changed. As a result, milk energy secretion was increased by a similar amount in each treatment period (4.4 versus 4.5 Mcal/d). Feed intake was not changed in either period. During early lactation the ability of cows to increase milk yield in response to exogenous growth hormone may be limited by the supply of glucose for lactose synthesis rather than by ability to mobilize body reserves in support of lactation.
Comparison of thoracolumbar motion produced by manual and Jackson-table-turning methods. Study of a cadaveric instability model.

BACKGROUND Patients who have sustained a spinal cord injury remain at risk for further neurologic deterioration until the spine is adequately stabilized. To our knowledge, no study has previously addressed the effects of different bed-to-operating room table transfer techniques on thoracolumbar spinal motion in an instability model. We hypothesized that the conventional logroll technique used to transfer patients from a supine position to a prone position on the operating room table has the potential to confer significantly more motion to the unstable thoracolumbar spine than the Jackson technique. METHODS Three-column instability was surgically created at the L1 level in seven cadavers. Two protocols were tested. The manual technique entailed performing a standard logroll of a supine cadaver to a prone position on an operating room Jackson table. The Jackson technique involved sliding the supine cadaver to the Jackson table, securing it to the table, and then rotating it into a prone position. An electromagnetic tracking device measured motion--i.e., angular motion (flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation) and linear translation (axial, medial-lateral, and anterior-posterior) between T12 and L2. RESULTS The logroll technique created significantly more motion than the Jackson technique as measured with all six parameters. Manual logroll transfers produced an average of 13.8 degrees to 18.1 degrees of maximum angular displacement and 16.6 to 28.3 mm of maximum linear translation. The Jackson technique resulted in an average of 3.1 degrees to 5.8 degrees of maximum angular displacement (p < 0.001) and 4.0 to 10.0 mm of maximum linear translation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compared with the logroll, the Jackson-table transfer method provides superior immobilization of an unstable thoracolumbar spine during transfer of supine cadavers to a prone position on the operating room table. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study addresses in-hospital patient safety. Performing the Jackson turn requires approximately half as many people as required for a manual logroll. This study suggests that the Jackson technique should be considered for supine-to-prone transfer of patients with known or suspected instability of the thoracolumbar spine.
Molecular Cloning and Structural Analysis of the Rabbit Gastrin/CCKB Receptor Gene

Gastrin and cholecystokinin exert a variety of physiological actions in the central nervous system and digestive tract that are mediated through one or more receptors exhibiting similar affinity for the two peptides. We isolated genomic clones encoding the rabbit gastrin/CCKB receptor by screening a rabbit EMBL phage library with a cDNA probe based on the nucleotide sequence of the human gastrin/CCKB receptor. The gene contained a putative 1356-bp open reading frame consisting of five exons interrupted by 4 introns and encoded a protein of 452 amino acids. The putative protein-coding region of the gene exhibits 93 to 97% amino acid similarity with corresponding cDNAs previously identified in human, canine and rodent brain or gastric tissues.
Potentials for inspection and metrology of MEMS using a combined scanning electron microscope (SEM) and proximal probe microscope (PPM)

The potentials afforded by the incorporation of a commercial proximal probe microscope (PPM) into a high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) are substantial for MEMS inspection and metrology. An instrument of this type is currently being tested at the National Institute of Standards and TEchnology. This instrument will be used in the development of NIST traceable standards for dimensional metrology at the nanometer level. The combination of the two microscopic techniques facilitates: high precision probe placement, the capability of measuring and monitoring the probe geometry, monitoring the scanning of the probe across the feature of interest and an ability for comparative microscopy. The integration of the commercial instrument is the first step in the development of a custom NIST integrated SEM/SxM metrology instrument. This paper presents early results regarding the integration of the two instruments and the application of these instruments to the development of SRM 2090 and the prototype SEM sharpness standard.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Product design with glass fiber reinforced polymer blends, with potential applications in recycling

This paper addresses the issue of compositional variation in multiphase, multi-component polymer mixtures equivalent to those found in commingled waste streams, such as those obtained from reclamation/recycling operations of post-consumer containers. By using virgin resins, the effects of variations in the composition of matrices containing high density polyethylene (HDPE) as the major phase on the properties of composites containing varying amounts of glass fiber and different adhesion promoters are studied. The results obtained on injection molded thin-section parts indicate that it is possible, through the addition of glass fibers and in the presence of suitable adhesion promoters, to obtain enhanced and reproducible properties with relatively little dependence on matrix composition. Preliminary structural and flow analyses were performed with commercial software on different types of plastic parts that could be eventually molded from actual mixed waste plastics suitably modified through glass reinforcement. Experimentally generated rheological and mechanical property data on HDPE based blends containing 20 wt% glass fibers and different adhesion promoters were used for the simulation. Issues concerned with injection molding and product performance of glass-fiber reinforced blends are discussed.
Global differential gene expression in response to growth temperature alteration in group A Streptococcus

Pathogens are exposed to different temperatures during an infection cycle and must regulate gene expression accordingly. However, the extent to which virulent bacteria alter gene expression in response to temperatures encountered in the host is unknown. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen that is responsible for illnesses ranging from superficial skin infections and pharyngitis to severe invasive infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. GAS survives and multiplies at different temperatures during human infection. DNA microarray analysis was used to investigate the influence of temperature on global gene expression in a serotype M1 strain grown to exponential phase at 29°C and 37°C. Approximately 9% of genes were differentially expressed by at least 1.5-fold at 29°C relative to 37°C, including genes encoding transporter proteins, proteins involved in iron homeostasis, transcriptional regulators, phage-associated proteins, and proteins with no known homologue. Relatively few known virulence genes were differentially expressed at this threshold. However, transcription of 28 genes encoding proteins with predicted secretion signal sequences was altered, indicating that growth temperature substantially influences the extracellular proteome. TaqMan real-time reverse transcription–PCR assays confirmed the microarray data. We also discovered that transcription of genes encoding hemolysins, and proteins with inferred roles in iron regulation, transport, and homeostasis, was influenced by growth at 40°C. Thus, GAS profoundly alters gene expression in response to temperature. The data delineate the spectrum of temperature-regulated gene expression in an important human pathogen and provide many unforeseen lines of pathogenesis investigation.
Methods used for managing and analyzing the data stored in the NCLAN data library

The final library file of formatted data contains nearly 250 individual NCLAN data sets comprised from 43 studies from four continental regions collected over 7 years (1980-1986). Data were collected to study response of various cultivars to ozone. Data were formatted into three categories: descriptive information, air-quality data, and plant-response data. Coordinated analysis of the data included developing dose-response functions for the economic assessment incorporating experiment to experiment variation into measures of precision of estimated relative yield losses and investigating alternative methods of analyses. Dose-response models were developed for economic assessment by combining all data for each crop species to model assumptions and homogeneity of response to ozone over cultivars, sites and years. Methods used in these combined analysis included analyses of variance, polynomial and nonlinear regression analyses. Transformations of the data and of models were used when necessary based on development of residual and normal plots, Box-Cox analyses and Barlett's Chi-square Test for homogeneity of variance. An 'average' response was computed from models for each species, even though the response was known to be heterogeneous in most cases.
Influence of particle sizes and environmental conditions on high temperature pyrolysis of cellulosic material. I. Theoretical

Abstract A mathematical model based on unreacted-core shrinking model is developed to describe the pyrolysis phenomena of the cellulosic materials in the temperature range of 700–1470 °K. The relative importance of each model parameter is studied by applying the sensitivity analysis. The heat transfer control region and kinetic reaction control region are obtained from the developed model. The shift of controlling mechanism is dependent on the particle size and the wall temperature. The effect of heat of reaction on the temperature of the particle is also discussed.
Two-dimensional differential interference contrast microscopy based on four-hole variation of Young's interference

We demonstrate a novel method of two-dimensional differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy. Our method is cheaper, more compact, and more robust compared to conventional DIC microscopes; since it uses a simple variation of Young's double-slit geometry, no expensive or complex optical components are needed. In addition, our method quantitatively measures differential phase, unlike conventional DIC, which makes our device useful for optical metrology and cell biology applications. The device consists of four circular holes arranged in a "plus" pattern, milled into a metal layer 80 μm above a complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. Light incident upon the four-hole aperture is transmitted through the holes and creates an interference pattern on the CMOS sensor. This pattern shifts as a function of the spatial phase gradient of the incident light. By capturing the amplitude and location of the zero-order fringe of the interference pattern, the amplitude and differential phase of the incident light can be measured simultaneously. In this article, we model the response of the device using both geometric optics and Huygens principle. We then verify these models by experimentally measuring the responsivity of our device. A short analysis on the algorithm used to calculate the fringe location follows. We then show a beam profiling application by measuring the amplitude and spatial phase gradient of a Gaussian laser beam and an optical vortex. Finally, we show a DIC microscope application; we image a phase mask of the letters "CIT".
Further multiple fixation, chromosome aberration, dose fractionation studies on Vicia faba: The effect of cycloheximide ☆

Abstract Soaked seeds of Vicia faba were irradiated with 800 or 400 R, or two 400-R exposures, both with VAC (vacuum) but one with a concomitant treatment of CHM (cycloheximide) (I μg/ml). The chromosome aberration yields from each regimen varied with fixation time such that a unique and characteristic aberration yield for each regimen relative to the others was not obtained. Were single fixations employed one could obtain yields which would indicate no, some, or maximum repair. A single fixation would lead to an incorrect estimation of chromosome damage repair.
First light performance of a near-UV spatial heterodyne spectrometer for interstellar emission line studies

This paper describes the characteristics and performance of a novel spatial heterodyne spectrometer designed to measure the extremely faint [OII] 372.6 nm (λ3726 a) and 372.9 nm (λ3729 a) emission lines from the warm (10,000 K) ionized component of our Galaxy's interstellar medium. These [OII] lines are a principal coolant for this wide spread, photoionized gas and are a potential tracer of variations in the gas temperature resulting from unidentified interstellar heating processes that appear to be acting within the Galaxy. In the basic SHS system, Fizeau fringes of wavenumber-dependent spatial frequency are produced by a Michelson interferometer modified by replacing the return mirrors with diffraction gratings; these fringes are recorded on a position sensitive detector and Fourier transformed to recover the spectrum over a limited spectral range centered at the Littrow wavenumber of the gratings. The system combines interferometric and field-widening gains in tandem to achieve 10,000-fold sensitivity gains compared to conventional grating instruments of similar size and resolving power. SHS systems also have relaxed flatness tolerances (20-50 times compared to Fabry-Perots) and do not require precision imaging to achieve diffraction-limited spectroscopic performance. Defects can largely be removed in data processing. Early results from our [OII] SHS system confirm the superb performance of the SHS technique for measurements of spatially extended faint emissions, including the first detection of [OII] emission lines extending out to 20 degrees from the Galactic equator ([OII] intensities ranged from tens of rayleighs near the Galactic plane to less than one rayleigh at high latitudes; the [OII] line profiles show structure indicating emission along the lines of sight from both the local interstellar gas and more distant gas in the Perseus spiral arm).
A faster algorithm for computing the girth of planar and bounded genus graphs

The girth of a graph G is the length of a shortest cycle of G. In this article we design an O(n5/4 log n) algorithm for finding the girth of an undirected n-vertex planar graph, the first o(n2) algorithm for this problem. We also extend our results for the class of graphs embedded into an orientable surface of small genus. Our approach uses several techniques such as graph partitioning, hammock decomposition, graph covering, and dynamic shortest-path computation. We discuss extensions and generalizations of our result.
A non-local pseudopotential model for the Fermi surface of beryllium

Abstract Recent de Haas-van Alphen data for the Fermi surface of beryllium have been fitted to within 1% using a non-local pseudopotential model.
Shared Biosynthesis of the Saliniketals and Rifamycins in Salinispora arenicola is Controlled by the sare1259-Encoded Cytochrome P450

Saliniketals A and B are unusual polyketides from the marine actinomycete Salinispora arenicola that inhibit ornithine decarboxylase induction. The structural similarities between the saliniketals and the ansa chain of the potent rifamycin antibiotics, which co-occur in the fermentation broth, suggest a common origin between the two compound classes. Using PCR-directed mutagenesis, chemical complementation studies, and stable isotope feeding experiments, we showed that the saliniketals are byproducts of the rifamycin biosynthetic pathway diverging at the stage of 34a-deoxyrifamycin W. Our results suggest that a single enzyme, the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase encoded by sare1259, catalyzes multiple oxidative rearrangement reactions on 34a-deoxyrifamyin W to yield both the saliniketal and rifamycin structural classes.
Overtraining Syndrome: A Practical Guide

Generally speaking, athletes train to increase performance. Performance increases are achieved through increased training loads. Increased loads are tolerated only through interspersed periods of rest and recovery—training periodization. Overreaching is considered an accumulation of training load that leads to performance decrements requiring days to weeks for recovery.14,30 Overreaching followed by appropriate rest can ultimately lead to performance increases.14,30 However, if overreaching is extreme and combined with an additional stressor, overtraining syndrome (OTS) may result.30 OTS may be caused by systemic inflammation and subsequent effects on the central nervous system, including depressed mood, central fatigue, and resultant neurohormonal changes.2,45,46 This article summarizes previous literature and updates the European College of Sport Science’s position statement.30
An unusual cause of late pain and effusion after total knee arthroplasty: pulmonary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. A case report.

The common causes of pain and effusion after total knee arthroplasty are infection, instability, loosening, and patellofemoral problems. Fehring et al. reported that the primary cause of failure in a series of 440 revision knee arthroplasties was infection and 63% of the revisions failed within five years after the operation1. In a review of 212 revision total knee arthroplasties performed at one center, Sharkey et al. reported that the three most common reasons for failure were polyethylene wear, aseptic loosening, and instability2. A carefully recorded history and physical examination can often identify the cause of pain and effusion, especially in patients with instability. Routine radiographs can be used to evaluate the knee alignment and fixation status of the components. Laboratory studies, such as the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level, may be helpful in screening for infection3,4. Aspiration at the site of the prosthetic knee joint has been considered the single most helpful test in determining the presence of an early or late metastatic infection4,5. There have also been reports of acute crystalline-related synovitis at the sites of knee arthroplasties6,7. We report an unusual cause of late pain and effusion due to hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy in a patient who had had a bilateral total knee arthroplasty. The patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication and consented. A seventy-seven-year-old woman presented in early February 2007 with a two-month history of pain and swelling in both knees. She had undergone …
Interfacial and Buoyancy-Driven Convection—The Effect of Geometry and Comparison with Experiments

Abstract In this study, pattern formation at the bifurcation point from the quiescent state for free surface convection in circular containers is determined. A linearized instability calculation that employs three-dimensional disturbances in the presence of physically realistic side wall boundary conditions is made. The results of the present study will provide a very useful asymptotic limit for nonlinear numerical computations. Under restrictive conditions the current calculations check favorably with those of earlier workers. The results of these studies are compared with the experiments of Koschmieder and Prahl (J. Fluid Mech.251,571, 1990).
Erythrocyte Enzymes in Sheep: Comparison of Activity in Fetal, Newborn, Maternal and Nonpregnant Ewe Erythrocytes

Hematological data and the activities of 21 red cell enzymes were measured in 8 nonpregnant ewes, 13 chronically catheterized fetuses at 125-135 days of gestation, and 8 of their mothers. In addition, 7 lambs were followed from birth to 17 days of age. Fetal sheep red cells have dramatically increased activities for 17 of 21 enzymes measured compared with adult nonpregnant ewes. The pattern of decline of enzyme activities with development varies considerably among enzymes. The activity of seven enzymes showed an orderly decline from fetal to adult life. For seven enzymes very little or no decline in activity was observed between 125 and 135 days of gestation and birth. Pyruvate kinase activity declined to adult levels by birth. Phosphoglucose isomerase and nucleoside phosphorylase activity increased, and glutathione peroxidase activity decreased in newborn lamb red cells compared to fetal cells. Differences in blood cell variables were also found among these groups.
“Double-WURST” Decoupling for15N- and13C-Double-Labeled Proteins in a High Magnetic Field

Abstract A “Double-WURST” decoupling sequence is constructed for simultaneously decoupling the13CO and13Cαregions in15N/13C-double-labeled proteins. It uses frequency-shifted WURST decoupling combined with standard WURST decoupling. The power can be reduced by two-thirds compared to conventional WURST decoupling, which decouples the entire13C region including the unneeded region between13CO and13Cα. Well-decoupled spectra are acquired using the Double-WURST decoupling sequence with a test15N/13C-double-labeled peptide sample and 8 and 19.6 kDa15N/13C-double-labeled proteins. It has also been shown that adiabatic decoupling, WURST, for example, has already reached its highest decoupling indexn(=2) defined in a relation of decouple range Δfversus RF pulse strengthf1rms, i.e., Δf= λ(f1rms)n, where λ is a constant. Forngreater than 2, the energy conservation law would be violated, and therefore is not possible.
On Surveying the Whole Legal Forest

I am always amazed by newspaper reports of the way that geologists and space scientists draw complex conclusions about the origin or nature of a planet from data sent back by a probe of one tiny part of the planet's surface. They seem to have a lot of confidence in their underlying theories. The same is not true for sociolegal scholars. We don't have full-fledged theories about how legal systems actually work, and hence it seems risky to make big generalizations about a system as a whole based on a study of one or two legal institutions or processes. Making generalizations about the "law in action" for whole legal systems is especially risky if the subject is the United States, with its 50 different state legal systems, from Mississippi to Montana to Massachusetts, and with its proliferation of different kinds of courts, law enforcement bodies, police departments, administrative tribunals, and regulatory agencies, state, federal and local. Small wonder that most empirical sociolegal scholarship is relatively narrowly focused on specific legal policy areas and processes. While these case studies are immensely valuable, occasionally it seems worthwhile to use the scholarly close-ups of particular clumps of trees to draw some wide-angle conclusions, however tentative, about the shape and dynamics of the legal forest. That, however quixotic the effort, is what I sought to do in Adversarial Legalism: The American Way of Law (hereinafter AL). But just as Don Quixote needed the skeptical realism of Sancho Panza, the essays on AL in this issue, paying close attention to text, empirical detail, and analytic precision, serve as a reminder of the pitfalls attending the quest for generality. Yet I am not quite willing to don the Quixote costume. In this essay I will argue that AL, even if a bit ambitious, is reasonably realistic, and that the questions raised by the other essays raise meaningful but not
Brain imaging registration by correlation of first-order geometry

A new method is introduced for the registration of MRI and CT scans of the head, based on the first order geometry of the images. Registration is accomplished by optimal alignment of gradient vector fields between respective MRI and CT images. We show that the summation of the squared inner products of gradient vectors between images is well-behaved, having a strongly peaked maximum when images are exactly registered. This supports our premise that both magnitude and orientation of edge information are important features for image registration. A number of experimental results are presented demonstrating the accuracy of our performance.
DnaA boxes in the P1 plasmid origin: the effect of their position on the directionality of replication and plasmid copy number.

The DnaA protein is essential for initiation of DNA replication in a wide variety of bacterial and plasmid replicons. The replication origin in these replicons invariably contains specific binding sites for the protein, called DnaA boxes. Plasmid P1 contains a set of DnaA boxes at each end of its origin but can function with either one of the sets. Here we report that the location of origin-opening, initiation site of replication forks and directionality of replication do not change whether the boxes are present at both or at one of the ends of the origin. Replication was bidirectional in all cases. These results imply that DnaA functions similarly from the two ends of the origin. However, origins with DnaA boxes proximal to the origin-opening location opened more efficiently and maintained plasmids at higher copy numbers. Origins with the distal set were inactive unless the adjacent P1 DNA sequences beyond the boxes were included. At either end, phasing of the boxes with respect to the remainder of the origin influenced the copy number. Thus, although the boxes can be at either end, their precise context is critical for efficient origin function.
Observations on the natural history of the thick-spined rat, Hoplomys gymnurus, in Nicaragua

Examples of the little-known Thick-spined or Armoured Rat, Hoplomys gymnurus, were obtained in northeastern Nicaragua (an extension of the previously known range) and observations on its natural hi...
Does Tactical Voting Matter?: The Political Impact of Tactical Voting in Recent British Elections

Although much has been written about tactical voting, few studies have attempted to show its impact on the seat distribution within Parliament and subsequent government makeup in countries with single-member plurality systems. The authors attempt to assess the magnitude and impact of tactical voting in recent British general elections. They build a model of tactical voting by identifying factors known to affect the level of tactical voting measurable using available data. Based on this model, they generate predicted levels of tactical voting for all parties within each district. Based on these predicted values, they adjust actual election data to produce a new set of data containing a would-be election outcome in the absence of tactical voting. By comparing actual election data, adjusted election data, and the seat share of political parties in the parliaments after these elections, they discuss the political impact of tactical voting in the United Kingdom.
Soft robotics: a review and progress towards faster and higher torque actuators (presentation video)

Last year, nearly 160,000 industrial robots were shipped worldwide—into a total market valued at ~$26 Bn (including hardware, software, and peripherals).[1] Service robots for professional (e.g., defense, medical, agriculture) and personal (e.g., household, handicap assistance, toys, and education) use accounted for ~16,000 units, $3.4 Bn and ~3,000,000 units, $1.2 Bn respectively.[1] The vast majority of these robotic systems use fully actuated, rigid components that take little advantage of passive dynamics. Soft robotics is a field that is taking advantage of compliant actuators and passive dynamics to achieve several goals: reduced design, manufacturing and control complexity, improved energy efficiency, more sophisticated motions, and safe human-machine interactions to name a few. The potential for societal impact is immense. In some instances, soft actuators have achieved commercial success; however, large scale adoption will require improved methods of controlling non-linear systems, greater reliability in their function, and increased utility from faster and more forceful actuation. In my talk, I will describe efforts from my work in the Whitesides group at Harvard to prove sophisticated motions in these machines using simple controls, as well capabilities unique to soft machines. I will also describe the potential for combinations of different classes of soft actuators (e.g., electrically and pneumatically actuated systems) to improve the utility of soft robots. 1. World Robotics - Industrial Robots 2013, 2013, International Federation of Robotics.
Association Between Maternal-Fetal HLA-DR Relationships and Fetal Growth

PROBLEM: To determine whether maternal-fetal human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigenic relationships are associated with differential fetal growth in weight. METHOD: A cohort of 659 primigravid women were enrolled in this study in the prepartum period and their neonates were subsequently examined. Anthropometric, maternal cigarette smoking behavior, health, pregnancy, and delivery data were collected; serogenetic typing was conducted on maternal and cord bloods to determine maternal and neonatal HLA antigenic phenotypes. Women and their neonates were assigned to one of the four different types of maternal-fetal relationships existing at each of the HLA-A, B, DR, and DQ loci. Birthweights were treated quantitatively and qualitatively (neonates classified as growth-retarded or normal). RESULTS: After controlling for other factors influencing birthweight (e.g., smoking, maternal body size), significantly lower birthweight trends (P < .01) were found when neonates expressed a single HLA-DR antigen and their mothers expressed a second HLA-DR antigen that was foreign (allogeneic) to their neonate. CONCLUSION: Our finding supports the hypothesis that lack of maternal immune exposure to fetal HLA antigens is associated with a slowing of fetal growth. However, in this situation slowed fetal growth is most likely to occur when the fetus is potentially exposed to maternal HLA-DR alloantigens. We believe this sheds new light on immunologic events at the maternal-fetal interface influencing fetal growth. We present one possible explanation to account for this finding.
Tough or Tender (Dis)Similarities in White College Students’ Perceptions of Black and White Women

Although intersectional theory and empirical evidence suggest that race impacts how women are perceived, there is a dearth of research on how the dominant culture stereotypes Black women compared t...
Ontogeny of murine B-cell responses to thymus-lndependent trinitrophenyl antigens

Abstract The ontogeny of B-cell responsiveness to three thymus-independent trinitrophenyl (TNP) antigens has been examined in BALB/c mice in vivo and in vitro . When in vivo splenic plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses to TNP-conjugated lipopolysaccharide (TNP-LPS), Ficoll (TNP-Ficoll), and Brucella abortus (TNP- Brucella ) were measured in neonatal and adult mice, a defined sequence of responsiveness was observed. Newborn mice responded well to TNP-LPS, but not to TNP-Ficoll or TNP- Brucella . Neonates injected at 1 day of age responded to TNP-LPS and TNP-Ficoll and mice 5 to 14 days of age responded to TNP-LPS, TNP-Ficoll, and TNP- Brucella . Furthermore, the antigen-reactive populations increased at different rates for the three antigens in the first 2 weeks of life. In vitro experiments confirmed the results obtained in vivo although slightly earlier responsiveness to TNP- Brucella was observed in vitro . PFC inhibition assays with free TNP hapten were performed so that avidity profiles could be examined in neonatal and adult anti-TNP PFC responses. The results clearly demonstrate that once a response becomes detectable in neonatal mice immunized with any of the three TI TNP antigens, fully heterogeneous or “adult-like” responses are found. In addition, experiments comparing avidity profiles in athymic ( nu/nu ) BALB/c mice and their normal ( nu /+) littermates demonstrate that T cells are not required for the generation of fully heterogeneous anti-TNP PFC responses. These results indicate that B cells responsive to different TI TNP antigens mature at different times and at different rates during ontogeny. Late maturation events of such B cells do not include the acquisition of additional V-region specificities as detected in a PFC inhibition assay.
Software reliability modelling: the state of the art

Abstract This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art of software reliability assessment, and briefly outlines several of the better-known software reliability models within a framework defined recently by D Miller and C T Gray. It also contains a guide to several arguments now going on concerning the validity of the whole approach, and a brief note about practical experience with software reliability models, though its main thrust is theoretical. It is intended to be readable by the novice, and also provide a map of the area for the experienced software engineer and reliability theoretician.
Ancient portraits of mathematicians

Abstract Ancient portraits of mathematicians are very rare. Since portraiture of living persons on ancient coins was restricted to rulers and members of their families, there are no contemporary portraits of mathematicians on ancient coins. However, a posthumous portrait of Pythagoras, who died c. 497 B.C., is the first portrait of a man, as opposed to a god, on a coin. Portraits did not exist at the time of Pythagoras; thus this coin, minted c. 430 B.C., is an extremely early portrait of a mathematician.
Acquired resistance and antibody response of raccoons (Procyon lotor) to sequential feedings of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract Captive-bred raccoons ( Procyon lotor ) developed immune resistance to infestation by the larval stage of the ixodid tick, Ixodes scapularis , the vector of Borrelia burgdorferi , following repeated applications of both nymphs and larvae. Resistance was expressed as a significant decrease in the proportion of engorged larvae recovered from each cohort. Resistance to nymphs was not noted, but, only two such cohorts were applied. Utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed to detect raccoon serum antibodies to tick salivary gland antigens, raccoons evidenced a two to ten-fold increase in anti-tick salivary extract antibody titer following the application of two cohorts of nymphs and eights cohorts of larvae. The tick saliva antigens recognized by both pre- and post-exposure raccoon sera were evaluated by Western blotting. The production of antibodies correlated with the development of resistance to infestation, suggesting that the resistance was immune-mediated and could be measured by anti-tick salivary extract antibody titers. Resistance in exposed raccoons prevents nearly 90% of larvae from prolonged feeding. Prolonged feeding is required for engorgement and the transmission of various infectious agents, such as B. burgdorferi .
State regulation and the structure, conduct, efficiency and performance of US auto insurers

Abstract This research investigates the impact of regulation on state automobile insurance markets while controlling for other state insurance market characteristics that may be related to performance. Data for a large sample of insurers are analyzed. The results suggest that insurers in competitive and non-stringently regulated states may benefit from market power by charging higher unit prices, however insurers in these states are on average more cost X-efficient and cost X-efficient insurers charge lower prices and earn smaller profits. The empirical results also suggest that insurers in some rate regulated states are less revenue and cost-scale efficient than in competitive states.
Structural flaws: massive modularity and the argument from design

The ‘argument from design’ plays a pivotal role in Carruthers’ recent defence of the massive modularity thesis. However, as this paper seeks to show, there are major flaws in its structure. If construed deductively, it is unsound: modular mental architecture is not necessarily the best architecture, and even if it were, this alone would not show that this architecture evolved. If construed inductively, it is not much more convincing, as it then appears to be too weak to support the kind of modularity Carruthers is concerned with. The upshot of this is that whatever reason we might have for believing that the mind is massively modular, it is not based on the argument from design.
I Get to Use an iPod in School? Using Technology-Based Advance Organizers to Support the Academic Success of English Learners

This study investigated the impact of technology-based advance organizers (TBAOs) on the academic performance of 240 4th grade English learners (ELs) participating in a science class in School in the Park (SITP), a museum-school collaboration. While SITP provides a rich, hands-on learning environment, ELs face significant linguistic challenges in their ability to access the dense academic language and concepts provided in SITP’s English only curriculum, thus negatively impacting ELs’ engagement and learning. The TBAOs were designed in response to this issue. The study investigated two forms of treatment: TBAOs viewed on individual handheld mobile devices (HMDs), specifically iPods; and, TBAOs viewed as a whole class on DVD. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative data sources, including a pre- and posttest, hands-on and performance-based assessments, as well as focus interviews. Results showed a significant interaction effect between group assignment, language status and application assessments, indicating ELs performed significantly better in the treatment groups. Students who used the HMD instead of the DVD or no treatment improved their total scores significantly on hands-on, performance-based measurements. Differences between treatment and control groups’ performance on pre-/posttests approached significance. Furthermore, students reported TBAOs supported learning by introducing new material, introducing and reviewing daily academic vocabulary, and helping them anticipate behavioral and procedural expectations of hands-on activities. Classroom and museum educators reported an increase in the treatment groups’ motivation and engagement. The study provided important implications in the use and power of learner-controlled technology in supporting ELs’ linguistic and academic success.
A numerical solution of the flow field over a transonic airfoil including strong-shock-induced flow separation

An approximate numerical method has been developed for computing the entire transonic flow field over an airfoil, including the boundary layer, the shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction, and the shock-induced-separation. The inviscid flow, the turbulent boundary layer in the weak interaction zone, and the strong interaction elliptic region are solved separately. The inviscid flow is represented by the solution of the transonic small-disturbance equation, while the boundary layer is solved by the generalized Galerkin method, and the strong interaction region (including the wake) is computed from the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. A second-order interaction is computed iteratively using the inviscid pressure distribution as a boundary condition for the boundary layer and Navier-Stokes codes, and the viscous displacement thickness to modify the airfoil geometry for the inviscid computation. The computed pressure distributions and shock-wave profiles are compared with experimental data. Agreement is very good except that the pressure recovery on the trailing edge is greater than the experimental data.
Moments of graphs in monotone families

The kth moment of the degree sequence d1 ≥ d2 ≥ …dn of a graph G is $\mu _k(G)={1\over n}{\sum}{d_i^k}$. We give asymptotically sharp bounds for μk(G) when G is in a monotone family. We use these results for the case k = 2 to improve a result of Pach, Spencer, and Toth [15]. We answer a question of Erdos [9] by determining the maximum variance ${\mu _2(G)-\mu _1^2(G)}$ of the degree sequence when G is a triangle-free n-vertex graph. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.