cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theoretical analysis of an information-based quality measure for image fusion

While recently a few image fusion quality measures have been proposed, analytical studies of these measures have been lacking. Here, we focus on one popular mutual information-based quality measure and weighted averaging image fusion. Based on an image formation model, we obtain a closed-form expression for the quality measure and mathematically analyze its properties under different types of image distortion. Tests with real images are also presented which agree with the conclusions of the analytical results. The results show the quality measure studied does not generally properly characterize increases in the distortion (noise and blurring) of the images which are input into a weighted averaging fusion algorithm.
High mass flux transport in fluids

Abstract A nonequilibrium molecular dynamics study of self diffusion in a Lennard–Jones-like fluid shows that the high mass-flux stages of mixing are described well by generalized hydrodynamics. There is no indication of the damped-wave propagation implied by the Telegrapher's equation, and the mass flux is less than that predicted by the diffusion equation.
Unusual codon bias occurring within insertion sequences in Escherichia coli

The large open reading frames of insertion sequences from Escherichia coli were examined for their spatial pattern of codon usage bias and distribution of rarely used codons. There is a bias in codon usage that is generally lower toward the terminal ends of the coding regions, which is reflected in the occurrence of an excess of nonpreferred codons in the 3′ portions of the coding regions as compared with the 5′ portions. In contrast, typical chromosomal genes have a lower codon usage bias toward the 5′ ends of the coding regions. These results imply that the selective forces reflected in codon usage bias may differ according to position within the coding sequence. In addition, these constraints apparently differ in important ways between genes contained in insertion sequences and those in the chromosome.
Adjustment and the Near-Death Experience: A Conceptual and Therapeutic Model

Most mental health practitioners, and counseling psychologists in particular, possess skills for helping near-death experiencers. What is needed is a conceptual framework that is both familiar to practitioners and highly relevant to that client group. Cross-cultural counseling in general, and the consideration of world views more specifically, are suggested. Using that framework, the world view assimilated during the near-death experience (NDE) is viewed as being in contrast to that of the “old self,” significant others, and the majority culture. The difficulties reported by NDErs are considered analogous to those associated with culture shock. The world views of the practitioner, NDEr, and relevant others should be taken into account in the formulation of psychoeducational and therapeutic interventions.
Quantum Dots in Magnetic Fields: Thermal Response of Broken Symmetry Phases

We investigate the thermal properties of circular semiconductor quantum dots in high magnetic fields using finite-temperature Hartree-Fock techniques. We demonstrate that for a given magnetic field strength quantum dots undergo various shape phase transitions as a function of temperature, and we outline possible observable consequences.
Electrochemical Measurement of Electron Transfer Kinetics by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Shewanella oneidensis strain MR-1 can respire using carbon electrodes and metal oxyhydroxides as electron acceptors, requiring mechanisms for transferring electrons from the cell interior to surfaces located beyond the cell. Although purified outer membrane cytochromes will reduce both electrodes and metals, S. oneidensis also secretes flavins, which accelerate electron transfer to metals and electrodes. We developed techniques for detecting direct electron transfer by intact cells, using turnover and single turnover voltammetry. Metabolically active cells attached to graphite electrodes produced thin (submonolayer) films that demonstrated both catalytic and reversible electron transfer in the presence and absence of flavins. In the absence of soluble flavins, electron transfer occurred in a broad potential window centered at ∼0 V (versus standard hydrogen electrode), and was altered in single (ΔomcA, ΔmtrC) and double deletion (ΔomcA/ΔmtrC) mutants of outer membrane cytochromes. The addition of soluble flavins at physiological concentrations significantly accelerated electron transfer and allowed catalytic electron transfer to occur at lower applied potentials (−0.2 V). Scan rate analysis indicated that rate constants for direct electron transfer were slower than those reported for pure cytochromes (∼1 s−1). These observations indicated that anodic current in the higher (>0 V) window is due to activation of a direct transfer mechanism, whereas electron transfer at lower potentials is enabled by flavins. The electrochemical dissection of these activities in living cells into two systems with characteristic midpoint potentials and kinetic behaviors explains prior observations and demonstrates the complementary nature of S. oneidensis electron transfer strategies.
Exoglucanases fromZea mays L. seedlings: their role inβ-D-glucan hydrolysis and their potential role in extension growth.

Exoglucanases of corn seedlings were examined and evaluated in terms of their participation in the hydrolysis of cell-wall β-D-glucan and their possible role in extension growth. An exo-β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.58), a component of the protein dissociated from isolated wall by use of high salt solutions, was purified using gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed a number of polymeric and oligosaccharide substrates, including those of mixedlinkage, and their direct conversion to monosaccharide was evidence that the enzyme was capable of hydrolyzing both β1–4 and β1–3 linkages. The enzyme was considerably more active toward glucan that had been previously hydrolyzed by a cell-wall endo-β-D-glucanase. Similarly, the capacity of the purified exo-β-D-glucanase to degrade isolated wall was enhanced by more than 60% when the wall had been previously treated with the endoenzyme. The exo-β-D-glucanase did not exhibit growth-promoting properties nor was its activity, measured in vivo, enhanced by auxin. Another glucanase was obtained from the soluble fraction of seedling homogenates. It functioned strictly as a β-glucosidase and did not appear to participate in the hydrolysis of wall β-D-glucan.
Capital flight under uncertainty about domestic taxation and trade liberalization

Abstract This paper analyses in a simple general equilibrium framework how uncertainty regarding the future level of (domestic) taxes on factor incomes, and regarding trade liberalization in an economy contemplating tariff reforms, affects the overall volume of domestic investment and capital flight. It is a variation of the Alesina–Tabellini model [Alesina, A., Tabellini, G., 1989. External debt, capital flight and political risk. Journal of International Economics 27], and brings out the importance of income effects (in addition to substitution effects) in determining how the volume of capital flight responds to changes in key policy uncertainty parameters.
Estimate of loss of labile body nitrogen during acute protein deprivation in young adults.

THE concept and origin of labile body protein that can be reversibly depleted and repleted have already been reviewed in detail1,2. The feeding of a protein-free diet which is adequate in calories results in a rapid decline in the rate of excretion of urinary nitrogen until a low and relatively steady rate is obtained. This level is regarded as the obligatory or endogenous loss of urinary nitrogen and the additional nitrogen above this level, lost during the first few days on a protein-free diet, has been considered to represent the loss of labile body protein. Although it has been suggested that the nitrogen store is present as non-protein nitrogen3,4, the best evidence indicates that it is probably cytoplasmic in origin, with enzymes contributing to the labile protein pool5,6.
Ejection force modeling for stereolithography injection molding tools

Stereolithography (SL) molds have proven effective for short injection molding runs. However, they are susceptible to failure because of their poor mechanical properties, especially at elevated temperatures. A majority of these failures occur during the ejection stage, as a result of excessive ejection forces. An ejection force model was developed by combining the effects of thermal shrinkage and mechanical interlocking due to stair-steps on the surface of SL tools. Finite element analyses were performed to validate and complement the ejection force equation. Measured forces and temperatures from injection molding experiments indicated that the ejection force model is valid for SL molds of both circular and non-circular shape. The average differences between measured and predicted ejection forces were approximately 10%.
Kinetics of the development of accelerated cell-cycle transit resulting from inhibition of DNA replication in the previous cycle.

. Shortening of the generation cycle in cells in which DNA synthesis had been temporarily inhibited in the previous generation, which has been reported several times in recent years, has been confirmed in HeLa cells. As in the previous studies, the shortening is attributable to accelerated transit of G1 resulting from the accumulation, during the inhibition, of a factor needed for initiation of DNA replication. It is shown that partial (85–96%) inhibition with any one of three inhibitors is effective when the inhibitor is added in G1 or in S, but more complete (99%) inhibition is effective only if the inhibitor is added after cells have entered S. In addition, cells begin to respond to the inhibition after a lag that increases as DNA synthesis in the early part of S is progressively inhibited with aphidicolin, indicating that competence to respond is achieved only after cells have reached a particular point in the replication of their genome.
Observation of New Intermediates in the Reaction of Dihydrogen with Iridium, Rhodium, and Mixed Metal A-Frame Complexes with Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization

The reaction of hydrogen with iridium and rhodium μ-S A-frame complexes has been investigated using parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) NMR spectroscopy. The reaction of Ir2(μ-S)(CO)2(dppm)2 where dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane with hydrogen proceeds by two addition pathways corresponding to oxidative addition inside (endo) and outside (exo) the pocket of the A-frame complex. The exo addition pathway yields a kinetically significant dihydride that has not been previously reported. This species is a key intermediate in the formation of the thermodynamic product of the reaction system. Also present are polarized resonances for the addition of hydrogen to the mixed metal A-frame, IrRh(μ-S)(CO)2(dppm)2, formed as a contaminant from rhodium present in the iridium trichloride starting material. To confirm this observation, IrRh(μ-S)(CO)2(dppm)2 was prepared independently and its reaction with parahydrogen was investigated, leading to results supporting endo addition H2 as the major pathway and exo ad...
Some effects on a group of whether and when the head reveals his opinion.

Abstract Forty-seven business executives were divided into 12 quartets each containing one head and three advisors. The 12 heads made a set of judgments following a meeting with their advisors. Three heads revealed their own opinions to their advisors at the beginning of the meeting, three did so at the end, three did so at the beginning and end of the meeting, while three never did. The silent head showed the least change in opinion as a consequence of the meeting while his advisors changed the most. Coalescence of advisors was greater when the head revealed his opinion. However, the relative influence of the head was not increased if he revealed his opinions. Silent heads were more dissatisfied with their own final judgments.
Research Integrated Into Core Courses of an Undergraduate Program

Each year of the Biomedical Engineering program at the University of Harford includes courses that include student based research projects. The Freshman course “Introduction to Engineering” course includes projects requiring the designing, building and testing of devices (including statistical analysis and in-class presentations). During the Sophomore year, “Biomedical Materials” includes multiple journal-style laboratory reports. During the Junior year, “Biomechanics” includes student research projects (including such issues as reproducibility and accounting for human variances), and “Biofluids” includes a research paper. The senior year course, “Bioinstrumentation”, includes projects monitoring physiological parameters. The senior year also includes two sets of research and design-based courses: two courses in senior design pursuing research for outside principals, and an off-campus research course where the student performs as the engineer on a research project. The former course culminates in a formal oral and written presentation. The latter course allows students to work at local, regional, and national medical facilities, and to participate in clinically useful research. Our philosophy for these courses has been both to involve the student in the requirements and needs of pursuing research, and to prepare them for the expectations of those who will be reviewing their efforts after they graduate.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Allocating responsibility for health care decisions under the United States Affordable Care Act

a b s t r a c t This article summarizes the major elements of the ACA’s insurance reforms and how they affect responsibility for making decisions about the health care that people receive. A key example of the difficulty of allocating decision making responsibility is the effort to define a minimum benefit package for insurance plans, called essential health benefits. While the ACA should achieve its goal of near-universal access to care, it leaves in place a multiplicity of processes and decision-makers for determining individual treatment. As a result, decisions about what care is provided are likely to remain, much as they are today, divided among government agencies, private insurers, private employers, and the courts.
Giftedness, ADHD, and overexcitabilities: The possibilities of misinformation

This article is a response to a study “Gifted or ADHD? The Possibilities of Misdiagnosis,” by D. Niall Hartnett, Jason Nelson, and Anne Rinn. A critique of the authors’ claim about misdiagnosis of gifted children with ADHD, as well as their experiment and conclusions, is presented. The paper disputes an idea, prevalent in the gifted education field, that gifted children are misdiagnosed with ADHD, and points out that there is no reliable evidence of such a trend. The concept of overexcitability in its original meaning and clinical manifestations, as described by Kazimierz Dabrowski, provides a different perspective on ADHD and gifted‐ness than that given by Hartnett et al., and common in the gifted field.
Highly accurate SPICE-compatible modeling for single- and double-gate GNRFETs with studies on technology scaling

In this paper, we present a highly accurate closed-form compact model for Schottky-Barrier-type Graphene Nano-Ribbon Field-Effect Transistors (SB-GNRFETs). This is a physics-based analytical model for the current--voltage (I--V) characteristics of SB-GNRFETs. We carry out accurate approximations of Schottky barrier tunneling, channel charge and current, which provide improved accuracy while maintaining compactness. This SPICE-compatible compact model surpasses the existing model [15] in accuracy, and enables efficient circuit-level simulations of futuristic GNRFET-based circuits. The proposed model considers various design parameters and process variation effects, including graphene-specific edge roughness, which allows complete and thorough exploration and evaluation of SB-GNRFET circuits. We are able to model both single- and double-gate SB-GNRFETs, so we can evaluate and compare these two types of SB-GNRFET. We also compare circuit-level performance of SB-GNRFETs with multi-gate (MG) Si-CMOS for a scalability study in future generation technology. Our circuit simulations indicate that SB-GNRFET has an energy-delay product (EDP) advantage over Si-CMOS; the EDP of the ideal SB-GNRFET (assuming no process variation) is ~1.3% of that of Si-CMOS, while the EDP of the non-ideal case with process variation is 136% of that of Si-CMOS. Finally, we study technology scaling with SB-GNRFET and MG Si-CMOS. We show that the EDP of ideal (non-ideal) SB-GNRFET is ~0.88% (54%) EDP of that of Si-CMOS as the technology nodes scales down to 7 nm.
Thermodynamic mapping of austenite decomposition’s approach toward equilibrium in Fe–C–Mn at 700 °C

Abstract Transformation of Fe–0.85C–11.56Mn (wt.%) at 700 °C begins by formation of grain boundary cementite in conjunction with carbon and manganese partitioning. Grain boundary cementite formation initiates regional partitioning of manganese from austenite to cementite that continues over months of cementite growth. The large disparity between manganese volume and grain boundary diffusion in austenite highlights why grain boundaries are associated with all stages of the 700 °C phase transformation in this system. Therefore, unlike carbon, manganese partitioning associated with cementite growth is localized to the immediate region near the grain boundary/cementite reaction front. The reaction path involves austenite ‘neighborhoods’, defined to have manganese chemistries and, consequently, thermodynamic properties different from the majority of the remaining matrix. The remaining matrix does partition carbon but not manganese. Along with differences between grain boundary and matrix manganese diffusivity in austenite, diffusion of carbon is up to 10 6 times greater than that of manganese resulting in carbon activity in austenite equilibrating at each step of cementite growth. The concept of neighborhood thermodynamics is developed for these altered austenite regions and directed toward producing a transformation pathway analysis. The concept of local equilibrium is also demonstrated not to be viable as a method for phase transformation tracking and thermodynamic mapping as the reaction moves toward equilibrium.
Cochlear nucleus and auditory cortex activity during threshold discrimination in cats

Abstract The relationship between sensory-neural activity and behavioral discriminations of acoustic stimuli were investigated in two experiments. Experiment I compared simultaneously the behavioral detection of 1.0 and 2.0 kc/sec tones of varying intensity with the amplitude of a frequency-following response in the cochlear nucleus. In Experiment II, behavioral thresholds for the detection of a cochlear nucleus electrical pulse were related to threshold levels of auditory cortex evoked responses. The results of both experiments demonstrated a correspondence between the level of neural activity and the behavioral detection of acoustic stimuli. Moreover, the results suggested that simultaneous acquisition of neural and behavioral data were unsuited to an absolute threshold discrimination task.
Residential hot water: A behaviorally-driven system

Abstract Residential water use was intensively studied in 7 houses, using electronic recorders and open-ended interviewing. These houses exhibited large variation in total hot water volume (89–5061. daily) and in heat used per person (6.5–16.9 MJ daily). The variation is attributed primarily to behavioral differences among the occupants. In most houses, bathing accounts for the largest volume use, while the kitchen accounts for the largest number of uses and the second largest volume. Bathing is investigated further by examination of individual showers. Combining interview and instrument data, a person who takes 201., 3 MJ showers is compared with one who takes 1001., 15 MJ showers. A measure of piping-distribution efficiency is defined as heat delivered to the tap over heat sent from the water tank. Small-volume uses are frequent and are very inefficient but account for only a small proportion of the total hot water. Total piping-distribution efficiencies, in the two houses for which they could be computed, were 0.91 and 0.88.
Effect of positively charged local anesthetics on a membrane-bound phosphatase in Acholeplasma laidlawii☆

Abstract The plasma membrane p-nitrophenylphosphatase activity of Acholeplasma laidlawii was stimulated by the spin-labeled local anesthetic 2-[N-methyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpipericlinooxyl)]ethyl p-hexyloxybenzoate, abbreviated as C6SL, and its methylated quaternary analog, C6SLMel. The tertiary amine C6SL (at a concentration of 5 × 10−5 M) was more potent at pH 6.5 than at pH 7.7. In contrast, the permanently-charged C6SLMel was equally potent, independently of pH. These results suggest that cationic forms of the anesthetics are responsible for stimulating the enzyme. Electron spin resonance studies of C6SL- and C6SLMeI-labeled membranes showed that these anesthetics in their cationic forms interacted electrostatically with components of the Acholeplasma membrane. For C6SL, this interaction was pH dependent and correlated with the pH dependency of the anesthetic-induced enzyme stimulation in the Acholeplasma membranes. Further, studies using 5-doxylstearic acid labels and non-spin-labeled anesthetics at various pH values showed that the membrane-fluidizing effect of anesthetics was not correlated with anesthetic-induced pNPPase stimulation. Our observations are consistent with the hypothesis that electrostatic interactions between cationic local anesthetics and anionic membrane components may lead to functional changes mediated by membrane proteins.
Stochastic dynamics of phase-slip trains and superconductive-resistive switching in current-biased nanowires

Superconducting nanowires fabricated via carbon-nanotube templating can be used to realize and study quasi-one-dimensional superconductors. However, measurement of the linear resistance of these nanowires have been inconclusive in determining the low-temperature behavior of phase-slip fluctuations, both quantal and thermal. Thus, we are motivated to study the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics in current-biased nanowires and the stochastic dynamics of superconductive-resistive switching, as a way of probing phase-slip events. In particular, we address the question: can a single phase-slip event occurring somewhere along the wire---during which the order-parameter fluctuates to zero---induce switching, via the local heating it causes? We explore this and related issues by constructing a stochastic model for the time evolution of the temperature in a nanowire whose ends are maintained at a fixed temperature. We derive the corresponding master equation as a tool for evaluating and analyzing the mean switching time at a given value of current (smaller than the depairing critical current). The model indicates that although, in general, several phase-slip events are necessary to induce switching via a thermal runaway, there is indeed a regime of temperatures and currents in which a single event is sufficient. We carry out a detailed comparison of the results of the model with experimental measurements of the distribution of switching currents, and provide an explanation for the rather counterintuitive broadening of the distribution width that is observed upon lowering the temperature. Moreover, we identify a regime in which the experiments are probing individual phase-slip events, and thus offer a way of unearthing and exploring the physics of nanoscale quantum tunneling of the one-dimensional collective quantum field associated with the superconducting order parameter.
A pilot study examining the role of zileuton in atopic dermatitis.

Background Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. Current therapies are often insufficient to control the degree of inflammation and pruritus seen in this disease. Objective To examine the efficacy of zileuton in treating atopic dermatitis by measuring both subjective and objective outcome parameters. Methods This was an open-label pilot study using zileuton to treat atopic dermatitis. Following a 1-week run-in period off all corticosteroids and antihistamines, six adult patients received 6 weeks of zileuton 600 mg po QID. Subjects were not allowed to use their usual atopic dermatitis medications during the study. At baseline, and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks into the zileuton course, patients were asked to report on their disease dissatisfaction and their pruritus. Objective skin scoring was also performed by an examiner at these visits. Results Disease dissatisfaction score decreased from a mean of 8 (out of a possible 10) to 4.4 over the 6-week period ( P = .03). Pruritus scores showed a trend toward improvement during the study, decreasing from a mean of 7.3 to 4.3 (out of a possible 10, P = .06). Objective skin erythema scores decreased from a baseline mean of 24 (out of a possible 60) to 14 following zileuton treatment ( P = .03). Conclusions In this pilot study, zileuton showed efficacy in significantly improving the symptoms and objective skin findings seen in atopic dermatitis. The encouraging results seen in this trial should encourage larger, placebo-controlled studies looking at this novel approach toward treating this condition.
Computer-Generated Key-Frame Animation

Special animation languages have been developed for specifying an image sequence to be generated by a computer. Although this approach to computer animation has provided some form of organization and control of the specification of image sequences, the computer remains out of reach to most animators because of the communication difficulty. An animator's ideas involve mainly pictures and their motion. Thus it is appropriate that the communication of ideas between the animator and the computer should be largely through pictures. An interactive computer-controlled graphical system allows the animator to develop pictorial sequences directly on a cathode-ray tube display, without forcing the animator to become a computer programer. The implementation of computer-generated key-frame animation is based on techniques that have been developed for conventional cel animation. Key frames are created and stored on a suitable medium such as digital magnetic tape or disc. In addition to the picture, information about the kind of motion and the number of frames from the previous key frame is specified. During playback of this sequence, the in-between frames are computed by interpolating between key frames and are displayed at the cine rate on the cathode-ray display. Thus previewing is available in seconds.
Educators are Contributing to Major Deficiencies in Marketing Profitability Reports

For almost 30 years, contribution analysis has been recognized as the most meaningful method of measuring profitability. Recent research shows that the majority of marketers are using reports that contain significant measurement errors. A review of 25 college marketing texts revealed that educators are contributing to this lack of knowledge.
Making management accounting research more useful

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the general failure of management accounting research to be useful for practitioners.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses the causes and consequences of the problem, and possible remedies.Findings – The causes of the problem, and hence also the remedies, are related to choice of topics, research design, and writing and dissemination of findings; researchers are forced into choices that lead to less useful research by the research evaluation standards used by the major accounting journals and university professor evaluation practices.Originality/value – While this general problem of lack of research usefulness has been discussed at some length in other areas of management, the issue has not received much attention in the management accounting community, other than with a few calls for more field research. However, getting out into the field more to do research addresses only one part of this important failure.
A quasi-static retrieval scheme for interactive VOD servers

Video-on-demand (VOD) servers need to be efficiently designed in order to support a large number of users viewing the same or different videos at different rates. In this paper, we propose a simple quasi-static retrieval scheme that may be used for this purpose when interactive disk-array based video servers are used. We assume presence of no buffer at the server and hence, all retrieved segments are immediately transmitted to the appropriate users. Such a retrieval scheme employs a macro-slot assigner and a disk scheduler. Macro-slots define a duration of time in a service round within which one video segment needs to be retrieved for a user. Having assigned macro-slots to users, the disk scheduler uses the non-preemptive earliest deadline first (N-EDF) algorithm to determine a valid schedule for segment retrieval. In order to increase the number of users that can be served by the system, the number of disk seeks in a service round needs to be decreased. This is done in the Scan-N-EDF algorithm by appropriately grouping retrievals and using the scan algorithm within each group. For a given video segment size, the amount of buffer required at each user's set-top box is reduced to two video segments. Guarantees are provided for the avoidance of video starvation as well as buffer overflow at each user's set-top box.
Demographic influences on mitochondrial DNA lineage survivorship in animal populations

Probability models of branching processes and computer simulations of these models are used to examine stochastic survivorship of female lineages under a variety of demographic scenarios. A parameter II, defined as the probability of survival of two or more independent lineages over G generations, is monitored as a function of founding size of a population, population size at carrying capacity, and the frequency distributions of surviving progeny. Stochastic lineage extinction can be very rapid under certain biologically plausible demographic conditions. For stable-sized populations initiated by n females and/or regulated about carrying capacity k = n, it is highly probable that within about 4n generations all descendants will trace their ancestries to a single founder female. For a given mean family size, increased variance decreases lineage survivorship. In expanding populations, however, lineage extinction is dramatically slowed, and the final k value is a far more important determinant of II than is the size of the population at founding. The results are discussed in the context of recent empirical observations of low mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence heterogeneity in humans and expected distributions of asexually transmitted traits among sexually reproducing species.
Vps4 Stimulatory Element of the Cofactor Vta1 Contacts the ATPase Vps4 α7 and α9 to Stimulate ATP Hydrolysis

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs) function in a variety of membrane remodeling processes including multivesicular body sorting, abscission during cytokinesis, budding of enveloped viruses, and repair of the plasma membrane. Vps4 ATPase activity modulates ESCRT function and is itself modulated by its cofactor Vta1 and its substrate ESCRT-III. The carboxyl-terminal Vta1/SBP-1/Lip5 (VSL) domain of Vta1 binds to the Vps4 β-domain to promote Vps4 oligomerization-dependent ATP hydrolysis. Additionally, the Vps4 stimulatory element (VSE) of Vta1 contributes to enhancing Vps4 oligomer ATP hydrolysis. The VSE is also required for Vta1-dependent stimulation of Vps4 by ESCRT-III subunits. However, the manner by which the Vta1 VSE contributes to Vps4 activation is unknown. Existing structural data were used to generate a model of the Vta1 VSE in complex with Vps4. This model implicated residues within the small ATPase associated with various activities (AAA) domain, specifically α-helices 7 and 9, as relevant contact sites. Rational generation of Vps4 mutants defective for VSE-mediated stimulation, as well as intergenic compensatory mutations, support the validity of this model. These findings have uncovered the Vps4 surface responsible for coordinating ESCRT-III-stimulated Vta1 input during ESCRT function and identified a novel mechanism of Vps4 stimulation.
Single Types of Family Violence Victimization and Externalizing Behaviors Among Children and Adolescents

Prior research has provided substantial evidence that child maltreatment and exposure to physical intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with increased externalizing behavior problems among children and adolescents. However, little is known about the effects of exposure to psychological IPV and exposure to the physical abuse of a sibling. Using a total sample (N = 2,572) and subsample (n = 441) of children ages 3–18 years old, the purpose of this study was to assess whether cumulative types of family violence lead to higher mean externalizing behavior scores and to examine the effects of single types of indirect and direct family violence on children’s mean externalizing behavior scores. Results confirmed that children who experienced any type of family violence victimization had higher mean externalizing behavior scores compared to children with no history of family violence; however, few differences in externalizing behavior scores were found as the number of family violence types increased. Children who experienced indirect types of family violence (e.g., exposure to the physical abuse of a sibling) had higher externalizing behavior scores than children who experienced direct maltreatment (e.g., child physical abuse). Findings from this study suggest that researchers and service providers should adopt a broader conceptualization of family violence victimization and increase the amount of services provided to children who are indirectly victimized.
Atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of titanium nitride on metals

Abstract Titanium nitride was deposited onto Ni, Mo and Co metal coupons by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of TiCl4/N2/H2 in the temperature range of 700 to 800 °C. As the deposition temperature increases, the crystallinity and deposition rates of the TiN coating also increased. Titanium nitride had the highest deposition rate on Ni among the metals. The morphology of the coating was also affected by the deposition temperature being more uniform and smoother at 700 °C and coarse grains started to appear at higher deposition temperatures. The TiN coating roughness is directly proportional to the surface grain size as determined by atomic force microscopy. The surface microstructures of the TiN coating on Mo and Co metal coupons coated at 700 °C consisted of irregular grains and became uneven at higher deposition temperatures.
Outsourcing Retail Pricing to a Category Captain: The Role of Information Firewalls

It has been argued that retailers lack both the resources and capabilities to maximize category performance. Retailers may seek category management CM advice from a manufacturer, referred to as a category captain CC. A CC's recommendations affect all brands in the category, not just her own. Despite an increase in the number of CC collaborations, retailers are still concerned about manufacturer opportunism and militant behavior by manufacturers not selected as CCs, whereas government agencies are worried about anticompetitive behavior that could harm consumers. The Federal Trade Commission recommends strictly enforced information firewalls within a CC's organization as a best-practice guideline. In this study we develop an empirical model and use policy simulations to quantify the impact of CC arrangements with information firewalls on retailers, manufacturers, and consumers. We show how these effects could be influenced by the deactivation of vertical and horizontal information firewalls within the CC's organization.
Towards global control of liver cancer

On a global scale, liver cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality. However, liver cancer rates vary substantially by country, with more than 80% of liver cancer cases occurring in the developing world. The major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant histologic sub-type, are considered to be chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, exposure to aflatoxins, and excessive alcohol consumption; tobacco smoking and oral contraceptive use also may be associated with increased risk of HCC. This paper focuses on those risk factors that represent new targets for intervention, namely HBV and HCV infections and aflatoxin exposure. Childhood vaccination against HBV represents the greatest potential for reducing the liver cancer burden and could lead to the elimination of as much as 60% of all cases.
Ultrafine Particles Deposition Inside Passenger Vehicles

Although commuting time typically accounts for only 6% of the day for Americans, it has become a significant source of exposure to ultrafine particles (d p < 0.1 μ m) from vehicular emissions. Particle deposition onto surfaces, as an important particle loss mechanism, has been studied extensively in the indoor environments. However since air velocities, surface area to volume ratios and other contributing factors differ greatly between indoor and in-cabin environments, conclusions from indoor studies may not be directly applied to in-cabin microenvironments. In this study, ultrafine particle deposition rates were characterized under a range of air velocities and surface areas conditions inside different types of passenger vehicles. A diesel generator was used as a particle source and a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer (SMPS) was used to measure ultrafine particle size distribution inside the test vehicles. As in-cabin air velocities increased from natural convection (< 0.02 m s–1 ) to 0.65 m s–1 , ultrafi...
The blp Bacteriocins of Streptococcus pneumoniae Mediate Intraspecies Competition both In Vitro and In Vivo

The introduction of the conjugate seven-valent pneumococcal vaccine has led to the replacement of vaccine serotypes with nonvaccine serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This observation implies that intraspecies competition between pneumococci occurs during nasopharyngeal colonization, allowing one strain or set of strains to predominate over others. We investigated the contribution of the blp locus, encoding putative bacteriocins and cognate immunity peptides, to intraspecies competition. We sequenced the relevant regions of the blp locus of a type 6A strain able to inhibit the growth of the type 4 strain, TIGR4, in vitro. Using deletional analysis, we confirmed that inhibitory activity is regulated by the function of the response regulator, BlpR, and requires the two putative bacteriocin genes blpM and blpN. Comparison of the TIGR4 BlpM and -N amino acid sequences demonstrated that only five amino acid differences were sufficient to target the heterologous strain. Analysis of a number of clinical isolates suggested that the BlpMN bacteriocins divide into two families. A mutant in the blpMN operon created in the clinically relevant type 19A background was deficient in both bacteriocin activity and immunity. This strain was unable to compete with both its parent strain and a serotype 4 isolate during cocolonization in the mouse nasopharynx, suggesting that the locus is functional in vivo and confirming its role in promoting intraspecies competition.
Averaging approach to nonholonomic motion planning

The author considers the problem of motion planning for a nonholonomic system with drift. Open-loop and feedback solutions for nonholonomic motion planning (NMP) are constructed by using the averaging technique that is well known in applied mathematics. An algorithm for open-loop and feedback solutions of NMP is introduced. The main step in the algorithm is the case of first order Lie brackets. This case, as is shown, is equivalent to NMP for Brockett's system considered over functional commutative algebra. Feedback solutions are constructed in the same manner. From a robotics point of view, it is shown that NMP can be reduced to the holonomic problem. As linear algebra plays a crucial role in linear control theory, polylinear algebra is crucial for NMP. The rolling disk example is used to illustrate the feedback algorithm. >
Multi-season acoustic tomography experiment in the Arctic

Acoustic properties of sea ice are important parameters which affect the propagation of sound both within the ice and in the water column under the ice. These properties are functions of space and time. The authors present details of a crosshole tomography experiment conducted in the Arctic to estimate two important acoustic parameters (compressional and shear wave speeds) of multi-year sea ice in three dimensions and to monitor their evolution with season. Some preliminary results of the data analysis are also presented. >
Transonic flows of Bethe-Zel'dovich-Thompson fluids

Bethe–Zel'dovich–Thompson fluids are ordinary, single-phase fluids in which the fundamental derivative of gasdynamics is negative over a finite range of temperatures and pressures. We examine the steady transonic flow of these fluids over two-dimensional thin wings and turbine blades. The free-stream state is taken to be in the neighbourhood of one of the zeros of the fundamental derivative. It is shown that a modified form of the classical transonic small-disturbance equation governs such flows. Critical Mach number estimates are provided which take into account the non-monotone variation of the Mach number with pressure predicted in previous investigations. Critical Mach numbers well over 0.95 are predicted for conventional airfoil sections. Numerical solutions reveal substantial reductions in the strength of the compression shocks occurring in supercritical flows. Further new results include the prediction of expansion and compression shocks in the same flow and compression bow shocks in flows with subsonic free streams.
Effect of colestipol and clofibrate, singly and in combination, on plasma lipid and lipoproteins in type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia.

Abstract The effect of colestipol, clofibrate and a combination of these two drugs on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels was evaluated in 14 adult male patients with Type IIb hyperlipoproteinemia. A crossover design with each patient receiving all three treatments was utilized. Twenty g of colestipol per day reduced total and LDL cholesterol by 39.1 and 51.5 mg/dl, respectively (p
Design of a Hierarchical Health Monitoring System for Detection of Multilevel Damage in Bolted Thermal Protection Panels: A Preliminary Study:

Space vehicles perform in the temperature range from - 160°C in space to 1650°C reached during reentry. As a result, space vehicles require high performance thermal protection systems (TPS) that provide high temperature insulation capability with lower weight, high strength, and reliable integration with the existing system. Carbon-carbon panels mounted with bracket joints are potential future thermal protection systems with light weight, low creep, and high stiffness at high temperature. However, the thermal protection system experiences a very harsh high temperature and aerodynamic environment in addition to foreign object impacts. Damage of failure of panels without being detected can lead to catastrophe. Therefore, knowledge of the integrity of the thermal protection system before each launch and reentry is essential to the success of the mission. Currently, the maintenance procedure of TPS is extremely time consuming and expensive due to its heavy reliance on human labor, which is also the largest ob...
Cryptosporidium parvum Induces B7-H1 Expression in Cholangiocytes by Down-Regulating MicroRNA-513

Expression of B7 costimulatory molecules represents an important compartment of immune response of epithelial cells after microbial infection. We report here that the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum induced B7-H1 expression in cultured human cholangiocytes. Induced expression of B7-H1 was identified in cells after exposure to infective C. parvum parasite or parasite lysate. Interestingly, the level of microRNA-513 (miR-513) was reduced in cells after exposure to C. parvum, which resulted in a relief of 3' untranslated region-mediated translational suppression of B7-H1. Overexpression of miR-513 through transfection of miR-513 precursor inhibited C. parvum-induced B7-H1 protein expression. Moreover, enhanced apoptotic cell death was identified in activated human T cells after coculture with C. parvum-infected cholangiocytes. The apoptosis of activated T cells was partially blocked by a neutralizing antibody to B7-H1 or transfection of cholangiocytes with miR-513 precursor. These data suggest a role of miR-513 in regulating B7-H1 expression by cholangiocytes in response to C. parvum infection.
A Spreading Code MAC Protocol for Multi-Hop Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

We propose a spreading code medium access control (MAC) protocol with each node equipped with single transceiver for wireless ad hoc networks, based on the code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques. Our proposed scheme adopts the time division method to solve the near-far problem inherently associated with the CDMA-based networks. Specifically, by employing the ad-hoc traffic indication messages (ATIM) phase to properly determine the required transmission power for data packets, our scheme enables the interference-limited simultaneous transmissions to achieve the high utilization of the limited/precious bandwidth in wireless ad hoc networks. In addition, our scheme requires only one transceiver per node, which reduces the hardware costs for large scale wireless ad hoc networks. We use the Markov chain model to characterize the throughput of the proposed scheme. Based on the numerical and simulation evaluations, we thoroughly investigate the impact of various parameters on the performance of our proposed scheme.
Polypoid nodular histiocytic hyperplasia associated with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium: report of a case

A 45 year old woman underwent Laparoscopy-assisted total hysterectomy with staging procedure following a diagnosis of endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma on her endometrial biopsy. The hysterectomy specimen showed a FIGO I stage 1a, endometrioid carcinoma. A separate polypoid lesion in the endometrium, distinct from the carcinoma, was also identified. Microscopically the polypoid lesion was “nodular histiocytic hyperplasia”. The H&E, immunohistochemical staining findings and the differential diagnoses are discussed in this report. Although description of similar lesions is available in the literature, the current lesion is unique as it is identified in a hysterectomy specimen in its entirety and its association with an endometrial endometrioid carcinoma. Virtual Slides: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/ vs/1060511915121922
Effect of the log-amplitude covariance function on the statistics of speckle propagation through the turbulent atmosphere

The extended Huygens-Fresnel principle has been used to make an analysis of the first- and second-order statistics of the received intensity for speckle propagation through the turbulent atmosphere. These formulations include the effects of the log-amplitude covariance as well as the wave structure function and represent a significant extension of previous work. It was found that, with the inclusion of the log-amplitude covariance, the normalized variance is dependent on the turbulence strength and rises above unity.