cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of children's ability to judge relative numerosity

Abstract Three- to seven-year-old chilren were trained through reinforcement to select either the more or less numerous of two rows of squares. One group was shown rows in which number covaried with row length, one group saw rows in which number covaried with row density, and a third group saw rows in which number did not covary with other dimensions. The children's operational stage was assessed by a number conservation test. All children successfully judged relative numerosity when number covaried with length or with density, but only concrete operational children were successful when number did not covary with other dimensions. Preoperational children are thus not able to base judgments of relative numerosity solely on number.
Random matrices, fermions, collective fields, and universality

We first relate the random matrix model to a Fokker-Planck Hamiltonian system, such that the correlation functions of the model are expressed as the vacuum expectation values of equal-time products of density operators. We then analyze the universality of the random matrix model by solving the Focker-Planck Hamiltonian system for large N. We use two equivalent methods to do this, namely the method of relating it to a system of interacting fermions in one space dimension and the method of collective fields for large N matrix quantum mechanics. The final result using both these methods is the same Hamiltonian system of chiral bosons on a circle, which manifestly exhibits the universality of the random matrix model.
Asymptotic preconditioning of linear homogeneous systems of differential equations

Abstract We consider the asymptotic behavior of solutions of a linear differential system x ′ = A ( t ) x , where A is continuous on an interval ( [ a , ∞ ) . We are interested in the situation where the system may not have a desirable asymptotic property such as stability, strict stability, uniform stability, or linear asymptotic equilibrium, but its solutions can be written as x = Pu , where P is continuously differentiable on [ a , ∞ ) and u is a solution of a system u ′ = B ( t ) u that has the property in question. In this case we say that P preconditions the given system for the property in question.
Hypoxia-regulated protein expression, patient characteristics, and preoperative imaging as predictors of survival in adults with glioblastoma multiforme

BACKGROUND. Regions of hypoxia within glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are common and may influence a tumor's aggressiveness, response to treatment, and the patient's overall survival. In this study, the authors examined 4 markers of hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor 1 [HIF-1α], glucose transporter 1 [GLUT-1], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], and carbonic anhydrase 9 [CA IX]), cellular proliferation and microvascular density (MVD) indices, extent of surgical resection, and preoperative imaging characteristics and compared them with the overall survival rates of adults with GBM. METHODS. In this retrospective cohort study, patients who had lower grade astrocytomas were compared with patients who had GBM to verify that the methods used could establish differences between tumor grades. By using preoperative imaging, the amount of necrosis was established versus the overall tumor area. The authors also compared preoperative images with postoperative images to define the amount of tumor resected; and they compared molecular markers, proliferation, MVD, and imaging studies with survival among patients who had GBM. RESULTS. The hypoxia-regulated molecules (HRMs) and indices for MVD and cellular proliferation were associated significantly with tumor grade. Survival was improved when ≥95% of the tumor was resected. Although the total tumor area was associated with overall survival, no differences were observed when the amount of necrosis or a tumor necrosis index (area of necrosis/area of tumor) was compared with survival. The findings indicated that GLUT-1 and VEGF were correlated with survival after controlling for age. CONCLUSIONS. Tumor grade was differentiated with HRMs, MVD, and proliferation, but only GLUT-1 predicted survival in this group of patients with GBM. The results suggested that GLUT-1 may be an important independent prognostic indicator. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Solving tridiagonal systems of linear equations on the IBM 3090 VF

Abstract Cyclic reduction, originally proposed by Hockney and Golub, is the most popular algorithm for solving tridiagonal linear systems on SIMD-type computers like CRAY-1 or CDC CYBER 205. That algorithm seems to be the adequate one for the IBM 3090 VF (uni-processor), too, although the overall expected speedup over Gaussian elimination, specialized for tridiagonal systems, is not as high as for the CRAY-1 or the CYBER 205. That is because the excellent scalar speed of the IBM 3090 makes its vector-to-scalar speed ratio relatively moderate. The idea of the cyclic reduction algorithm can be generalized and modified in various directions. A polyalgorithm can be derived which takes into account much better the given architecture of the IBM 3090 VF than the ‘pure’ cyclic reduction algorithm as described for instance by Kershaw. This is mainly achieved by introducing more locality into the formulae. For large systems of equations the well-known cache problems are prevented.
Cyclic appearance of aerobic nitrogenase activity during synchronous growth of unicellular cyanobacteria

The aerobic synchronous growth of marine unicellular cyanobacteriaSynechococcus spp., with molecular nitrogen as the sole nitrogen growth nutrient source, was experimentally demonstrated. Cell division synchrony was induced by withholding aeration and illumination for 20 h. Three distinct cell division cycles of approximately 20 h each were observed. During the first cell division cycle, high degrees of synchrony of 78%–86% were observed in the series of cultures studied. The aerobic nitrogenase activity appeared shortly while the cell division was completed and the cell size was still small, and it disappeared after the cells were enlarging photosynthetically. Thus, three distinct cycles in aerobic nitrogenase activity were also observed having approximately the same 20-h interval as the cell division cycle. The peak aerobic nitrogenase activity was determined to be as high as 840–1220 nmol C2H2 reduced per milligram dry weight per hour.
Social heterogeneity in smoking among African Americans.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effects of sociodemographic variables on the smoking behavior of African Americans. METHODS: Data for 14,397 African-American respondents (18-64 years old) to the National Health Interview Survey in the years 1990 through 1993 were examined in multivariate models. RESULTS: Age was the strongest predictor of smoking, and men were at least 1.75 times as likely as women to be smokers (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The Year 2000 goal of an 18% prevalence rate among African-American adults may not be attained without major community interventions focusing on male and middle-aged African Americans.
A survey of fungal spermidine biosynthesis

Twenty-five fungi, including representatives from each of the four major classes, were surveyed regarding the pathway employed for spermidine biosynthesis. Two pathways are currently recognized depending on whether the propylamine moiety is derived from methionine or aspartic acid. In each of the fungi studied, radiolabeled methionine was incorporated into spermidine whereas aspartic acid was not.
Firms, directors and time in the directorate tie market

Abstract Continuing the structural analysis of corporate profits and cooptive interorganizational ties through boards of directors, I summarize results obtained from research proposed several years ago in this journal. As expected, ties through directorates occurred in the 1967 American economy where market constraints on profits in manufacturing industries were most severe. Moreover. types of ties were coordinated as multiplex cooptive relations to sources of market constraint. The results led me to believe that there was a directorate tie market in the economy during the late 1960s — a social network composed of directorate ties providing a nonmarket context for the most competitive buying and selling between business establishments. Acting on this speculation, I propose lines of research into processes by which individual firms and individual persons would have had an incentive to maintain such a market. The research includes an analysis of the etiology of successful cooptation at the level of individual firms and assesses the impact of this success on corporate profitability and growth. The research includes an analysis of the etiology of an individual director's participation in successful cooptation and assesses the impact of this participation on his ability to obtain positions on the boards of large, profitable firms. The research includes analyses of the association between market constraints and directorate ties over a twenty year interval, 1960 through 1980, so that inferences made from the cross-sectional analysis in 1967 can be generalized with evidence on stability and change in the association between market constraint and directorate ties.
Everywhere regularity of certain nonlinear diffusion systems

In this paper I discuss nonlinear parabolic systems that are generalizations of scalar diffusion equations. More precisely, I consider systems of the form $$\mathbf{u}_t -\Delta\left[ \mathbf{\nabla}\Phi(\mathbf{u})\right] = 0,$$ where \({\Phi(z)}\) is a strictly convex function. I show that when \({\Phi}\) is a function only of the norm of u, then bounded weak solutions of these parabolic systems are everywhere Holder continuous and thus everywhere smooth. I also show that the method used to prove this result can be easily adopted to simplify the proof of the result due to Wiegner (Math Ann 292(4):711–727, 1992) on everywhere regularity of bounded weak solutions of strongly coupled parabolic systems.
Determinants of Environmentally Responsible Behavior

(1979). Determinants of Environmentally Responsible Behavior. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 35-39.
Adolescence is a period of development characterized by short- and long-term vulnerability to the rewarding effects of nicotine and reduced sensitivity to the anorectic effects of this drug

This study compared nicotine intake and changes in food intake and weight gain in naive adolescent, naive adult, and adult rats that were exposed to nicotine during adolescence. An extended intravenous self-administration (IVSA) model was used whereby rats had 23-hour access to saline or increasing doses of nicotine (0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 mg/kg/0.1 mL infusion) for 4-day intervals separated by 3-day periods of abstinence. Rats began IVSA as adolescents (PND 32–34) or adults (PND 75). A separate group of rats was exposed to nicotine via osmotic pumps (4.7 mg/kg) for 14 days during adolescence and then began nicotine IVSA as adults (PND 75). The rats that completed the nicotine IVSA regimen were also tested for nicotine-seeking behavior during extinction. The results revealed that nicotine intake was highest in adolescents followed by adults that were pre-exposed to nicotine during adolescence as compared to naive adults. A similar pattern of nicotine-seeking behavior was observed during extinction. In contrast to nicotine intake, naive adults displayed robust appetite and weight suppressant effects of nicotine, an effect that was absent in adolescents and adults that were pre-exposed to nicotine during adolescence. Our findings suggest that adolescence is a unique period of enhanced vulnerability to the reinforcing effects of nicotine. Although adolescents gain weight faster than adults, the food intake and weight suppressant effects of nicotine are reduced during adolescence. Importantly, our findings suggest that adolescent nicotine exposure produces long-lasting consequences that enhance nicotine reward and promote tolerance to the anorectic effects of this drug.
Association between anaemia and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP): findings from the Heart and Soul Study.

Background Anaemia is associated with elevated levels of natriuretic peptides. Whether the association of anaemia with natriuretic peptides is independent of other cardiovascular risk factors is unclear. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 809 ambulatory patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and no history of heart failure (HF). We evaluated the extent to which the relationship between haemoglobin and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was explained by differences in cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation, and kidney dysfunction. Results Of the 809 participants, 189 (23%) had anaemia (haemoglobin <13 g/dL). Haemoglobin (as a continuous variable) was inversely associated with log NT-proBNP (beta coefficient – .28, p<.0001). This association was considerably attenuated after accounting for cardiovascular risk factors, C-reactive protein, and kidney dysfunction. However, haemoglobin remained independently associated with log NT-proBNP even after adjustment for these variables (beta coefficient – .11, p=0.0003). Each 1 g/dL decrease in haemoglobin was associated with a 20% greater odds of having NT-proBNP in the highest quartile. Conclusions The relationship between anaemia and NT-proBNP is largely explained by differences in cardiovascular risk factors, ventricular function, myocardial ischaemia, inflammation, and kidney function. Nonetheless, haemoglobin appears to be inversely associated with NT-proBNP even after adjustment for these risk factors.
X-ray diffraction of lanthanum aluminate doped with alkaline-earth cations

Abstract The lattice parameter of the perovskite lanthanum aluminate doped with alkaline-earth cations has been measured. Magnesium can occupy aluminum sites, but is too small to occupy lanthanum sites. Calcium and strontium can occupy lanthanum sites, but are too large to occupy aluminum sites.
Ethical dilemmas in journal publication

Physicians often face tremendous pressures and incentives to publish, sometimes leading to a compromise of ethical standards, either consciously or unconsciously. From the vantage of ethical authorship, we discuss what constitutes authorship; avoidance of ghost authorship; plagiarism, as well as self-plagiarism and duplicate publication; falsification; and fabrication. Editors also face ethical challenges, including how best to manage peer-review bias, to address reviewer tardiness, and to locate reviewers with appropriate expertise and professionalism. Editors need to deal with authors who fragment their work into multiple publications to enhance their curriculum vitae ("salami factor"), as well as to manage the financial benefits of advertising and to avoid conflicts of interest for the journal. Both authors and editors should be straightforward and principled throughout the publication process.
Copper and ischemic heart disease.

Absolute or relative deficiency of copper is hypothesized to be of prime importance in the etiology of ischemic heart disease. According to recent estimates, only 25% of the diets in the United States contain the 2 mg of copper thought to be required daily by adults. Some of these diets have ratios of zinc to copper greater than those that have produced hypercholesteremia in animals. There are many epidemiologic associations between the ratio of zinc to copper and dietary characteristics, organ analyses, clinical status, and environmental features that relate the metabolism of these elements to the anatomy, chemistry, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology of ischemic heart disease. Animals deficient in copper or exposed to a high dietary ratio of zinc to copper, which can produce a relative copper deficiency, are hypercholesteremic and hyperuricemic, and have glucose intolerance and abnormalities of the electrocardiogram. Their hearts and arteries have abnormal connective tissue, lipid deposits, and inflammatory changes; they die suddenly, often with ruptured hearts. Hypercholesteremia and glucose intolerance have been found in men depleted of copper and in children with Menkes’ disease, an inability to absorb copper.
Spiroiminodihydantoin is the major product of the 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine reaction with peroxynitrite in the presence of thiols and guanosine photooxidation by methylene blue.

The potent oxidant, peroxynitrite, will oxidize 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine to give several products. In the presence of a thiol agent, the major final product has been determined to be a spiroimino...
Electrolyte management for effective long-term electro-osmotic transport in low-permeability soils

Electro-osmosis, a coupled-flow phenomenon in which an applied electrical potential gradient drives water flow, may be used to induce water flow through fine-grained sediments. Test cell measurements of electro-osmotic transport in clayey cores extracted from the 27-31 m depth range of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory site indicate the importance of pH control within the anode and cathode reservoirs. In our first experiment, pH was not controlled. As a result, carbonate precipitation and metals precipitation occurred near the cathode end of the core, with acidification near the anode. The combination of these acid and base reactions led to the decline of electro-osmotic flow by a factor of 2 in less than one pore volume. In a second experiment, long-term water transport (>21 pore volumes) at stable electro-osmotic conductivity (k(eo) approximately 1 x 10(-9) m2/s-V) was effected with anode reservoir pH > 8, and cathode reservoir pH < 6. Hydraulic conductivity (k(h)) of the same core was 4 x 10(-10) m/s under a 0.07 MPa hydraulic gradient without electro-osmosis. Stable electro-osmotic flow was measured at a velocity of 4 x 10(-7) m/s under a 4 V/cm voltage gradient, and no hydraulic gradient-3 orders of magnitude greater than the hydraulic flow. We also observed chloroform production in the anode reservoir, resulting from electrochemical production of chlorine gas reacting with trace organics. The chloroform was transported electro-osmotically to the cathode, without measurable loss to adsorption, volatilization, or degradation.
“Myocardial Infarction” in Adolescents: Do We Have the Correct Diagnosis?

The evaluation of adolescents with chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, and abnormal electrocardiograms (ECGs) continues to pose diagnostic and management dilemmas. Myocardial infarction is an uncommon finding in this population and alternative diagnoses must be considered. Our database was retrospectively reviewed for adolescents age 16–18 years without prior cardiac history who underwent cardiac catherization. Patients who presented with chest pain, elevated cardiac enzymes, normal ejection fraction, and abnormal ECGs were included. Management, diagnostic testing, and final diagnosis were reviewed. Nine adolescents (eight males and one female) without prior cardiac history were identified. The ECG findings in all patients were consistent with myocardial ischemia in a coronary distribution. Thrombotic coronary occlusion was not found in any patient. In adolescents without prior cardiac history of risk factors for myocardial infarction such as Kawasaki disease, familial hypercholesterolemia, or drug use who present with chest pain, multiple diagnoses must be considered even in the presence of focal ischemic ECG changes and elevated cardiac enzymes. Thrombolytic therapy or anticoagulation should be withheld until a definitive diagnosis of myocardial infarction has been made. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful tool to differentiate focal myocarditis from myocardial infarction.
Autoradiographic Studies of Human Chromosomes

Summary. Cytogenetic analysis combined with blood grouping in a phenotypically abnormal child and his family suggest that the MN locus is in the long arm of either chromosome No. 2 or chromosome No. 4. The propositus, who is type M, appears to be hemizygous at the MN locus, or has a condition that cannot be distinguished from hemizygous by serological methods. The father, who is type N, is homozygous N/N by dosage estimations. The caryotype of the propositus is 46,XY,t(2q-; 4q +). About one-half of the distal part of the long arm of a No. 2 has been translocated to the distal end of the long arm of a No. 4.
Notes on the english present perfect

(1981). Notes on the english present perfect. Australian Journal of Linguistics: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 81-90.
Systematic variations in the conduction velocity of slowly conducting axons in the rabbit corpus callosum

Abstract Extracellular spikes were recorded from the cell bodies of antidromically activated callosal axons in rabbit visual cortex. Callosal axons were stimulated near their terminals in the contralateral cortex. The primary method for differentiating antidromic from synaptic activation was the test for collision of impulses. Additional tests provided further confirmation of antidromic activation. A decrease in antidromic latency always occurred when an antidromic volley followed either a spontaneous spike or a preceding antidromically elicited spike at appropriate intervals. The time course and magnitude of the latency decrease coincided with that of a threshold decrease at the site of electrical stimulation. The antidromic latency decrease was primarily due to an increase in axon conduction velocity. These systematic variations in conduction velocity and stimulus threshold strongly suggest that an afterdepolarization follows the activation of callosal axons. While such afterpotentials are known to occur in unmyelinated C fibers, the present evidence suggests that they also occur in the smallest of myelinated axons.
Latency of Vocalization Onset: Stutterers Versus Nonstutterers

Eleven stutterers and matched controls were asked to produce as quickly as possible each of 26 different syllables following a visual stimulus. Three trials were given for each syllable. Responses were filtered to remove supraglottally produced sounds, and the time between the visual stimulus and the onset of vocalization was measured by a voice-operated relay and a computer’s internal clock. The results suggested that stutterers are slower in initiating vocalization across a wide variety of syllables, and the difference averages about 65 msec. Furthermore, when phonologic conditions delayed voice onset by a comparable amount, the stutterers gained enough time so that no significant differences were observed between the two groups. The results are interpreted as suggesting that auditory dysfunction cannot be a cause for slower vocalization reaction time in stutterers but that either vocal dysfunction or a lack of cerebral dominance may be responsible for these differences.
Shock-tube investigation of comparative ignition delay times for C1-C5 alkanes

A systematic study has been made of ignition delay times behind a reflected shock wave of the alkanes methane through pentane in stoichiometric argon simulated air mixtures. Methane was found to be significantly less reactive than the other hydrocarbons, exhibiting ignition delay times approximately one order of magnitude longer than them. With the exception of ethane, the ignition delay times decreased with increasing number of carbons atoms in the molecule, though differences among the various fuels were not great. An explanation is advanced for the observed anomalously low ignition delay times of ethane.
Potential societal savings from reduced sodium consumption in the U.S. adult population.

Abstract Purpose. Policies that address the food environment at the population level may help prevent chronic disease, but their value to society is still uncertain. Dietary sodium is linked to increased prevalence of hypertension, a primary risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. This study calculates the potential societal savings of reducing hypertension and related cardiovascular disease via a reduction in population-level sodium intake. On average, U.S. adults consume almost twice the recommended maximum of dietary sodium, most of it from processed foods. Design. This study modeled sodium-reduction scenarios by using a cross-sectional simulation approach. The model used population-level data on blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, and sodium intake from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2004). This data was then combined with parameters from the literature on sodium effects, disease outcomes, costs, and quality of life to yield model outcomes. Measures....
Bedside visual colorimetry of peritoneal lavage fluid in abdominal trauma patients.

Abdominal injuries account for an important fraction of deaths from trauma. Some patients with abdominal trauma who need emergency surgery are difficult to identify because bedside diagnosis based on physical findings alone is often misleading. ‘+2 When the need for laparotomy is initially unclear physicians currently rely on clinical laboratory determinations, particularly the automated red blood cell count (RBC) count of fluid obtained by peritoneal lavage.3 Unfortunately, the time required by the clinical laboratory to process and assay these specimens may sometimes delay essential surgical intervention. In a prior in vitro study we investigated the feasibility of using visual calorimetry as a rapid method for estimating the RBC count in simulated peritoneal lavage fluid.4 Here, we report the successful application of this method to the bedside evaluation of trauma patients at a level I trauma center. METHODS A simple visual colorimete?-8 was built in a home woodworking shop (Figures 1 through 4). This device permits direct comparison of light transmitted through pairs of glass test tubes containing colored fluids, while reducing ambient room light and reflections. To prepare stable color comparison standards, a stock solution of simulated peritoneal lavage fluid was made as follows: whole blood was obtained in 7-mL Vacutainer (Becton Dickinson, Rutherford, NJ) tubes containing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid from a single healthy volunteer donor known to be human immunodeficiency virus-negative, at low risk for acquired immunodeticiency syndrome, and willing to donate blood periodically. The complete blood count was determined in triplicate using a Sysmex NE-8000 automated cell counter (TOA Medical Electronics Co, Ltd, Kobe, Japan). The mean RBC count for this donor was 5.71
Component-Based, Run-Time Flight Software Modification

Missions involving robotic space flight typically have a way to change the software that controls the flight system, or some part of it, such as an instrument, after launch. Usually this is accomplished by uplinking small sets of binary machine instructions and writing them to known locations in memory. We present an approach, used on the Aquarius mission, that involves replacing running components of, or adding components to, the running software at a higher logical level, specifically at the software architecture level, and on the C++ rather than machine-language level. This approach provides significant advantages in flexibility, robustness, reliability, and testability. We present the component-based flight software (FSW) design features that enable these capabilities. We then discuss the approach used to verify the robustness and reliability of these techniques, and finally describe usages to date.
A Patient With Bilaterally Enlarged Testes

Patient: 36-year-old white male Chief Complaint: Bilateral testicular enlargement with associated pain. History of Present Illness: An ultrasound performed 8 years earlier revealed normal sized testes that were heterogeneous in echo texture with multiple nodules. Past Medical History: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) diagnosed shortly after birth, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypothyroidism, hypotension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Medications: Fludrocortisone, prednisone, Synthroid, aspirin Family History: Patient denied a family history of adrenal disorders, thyroid disorders, or diabetes mellitus. Physical Exam: Congenital deformity of right upper extremity, thyroid not palpable, bilateral enlargement of testicles, abdomen was soft and non-tender with no masses. Remainder of physical exam was unremarkable. Ultrasound Findings: Both testes were enlarged with heterogeneous echo texture with microcalcifications and multiple ill-defined bilateral masses. The left testis measured 8.5 × 5.2 × 4.0 cm, and the right testis measured 8.7 × 5.0 × 4.8 cm. Increased vascularity of right epididymis. Gross Findings: Bilateral testicular parenchyma entirely replaced by a firm, tan-brown, nodular mass with dense white-tan, fibrous tissue bands. The tunica albuginea …
Supernormal vision and high-resolution retinal imaging through adaptive optics

Even when corrected with the best spectacles or contact lenses, normal human eyes still suffer from monochromatic aberrations that blur vision when the pupil is large. We have successfully corrected these aberrations using adaptive optics, providing normal eyes with supernormal optical quality. Contrast sensitivity to fine spatial patterns was increased when observers viewed stimuli through adaptive optics. The eye's aberrations also limit the resolution of images of the retina, a limit that has existed since the invention of the ophthalmoscope. We have constructed a fundus camera equipped with adaptive optics that provides unprecedented resolution, allowing the imaging of microscopic structures the size of single cells in the living human retina.
Image Query Service Using Content Management Techniques

Trends in experimental sciences, such as astrophysics, have led to many critically needed, non-normalized, and massive meta-data catalogs that organize collections of recorded photographic and spectrographic observations of similar size. This paper reports on initial research that applies techniques of content management systems (CMS) to efficiently organize these observations and reference them for retrieval and processing by browsers, web services for third party access, and plug-in provisions. A model is proposed that integrates a set of design patterns that are applied to a hierarchy of well-defined objects to construct an image retriever that is flexible and expandable.
The largest demigenus of a bipartie signed graph

Abstract A graph with signed edges is orientation embedded in a surface when it is topologically embedded so that one trip around a closed path preserves or reverses orientation according as the path's sign product is positive or negative. We find the smallest surface within which it is possible to orientation-embed the complete bipartite signed graph ±K r,s , which is obtained from the complete bipartite graph K r,s through replacing each edge by two parallel edges, one positive and the other negative. We discuss some consequences and related problems.
Performance testing of passive communication and control in teleoperation with time delay

Advanced application of remote manipulation or teleoperation requires kinesthetic feedback of force and torque information from slave robot to master hand controller. In outer space and terrestrial remote control, there is an unavoidable time delay between master and slave. The performance of several candidate control laws for a single-axis testbed telemanipulation system in the presence of up to 1 s of time delay is evaluated. Algorithms tested include communication laws based on passivity theory. Results indicate that task completion time is as much as 50% greater with passivity based methods. >
Digital Peer Interactions Affect Risk Taking in Young Adults

Digital interactions are an increasingly common communication method among young adults, but little is known about whether such remote exchanges influence riskiness. The current study examined whether observing and interacting with, versus simply observing, a digital peer affect risk taking in young adults aged 18–25. Participants who remotely viewed risky behavior by a peer or computer increased risk taking; however, compared to a control condition, only exposure to risk-encouraging messages from a digital peer resulted in sustained risk-taking behavior. These findings suggest that short text-based messages from a risk-encouraging digital peer can influence risk-taking behavior in young adults. Given the rapid proliferation of digital communication among this age group, these results highlight a potentially important source of peer influence on risky behavior.
AccD6, a Member of the Fas II Locus, Is a Functional Carboxyltransferase Subunit of the Acyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis causes 2 million deaths each year, according to the World Health Organization. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen that causes the disease, infects 8 million people each year and is one of the world's deadliest pathogens (9). The ongoing AIDS pandemic has developed a deadly synergy with tuberculosis, which is the leading cause of death among AIDS patients (2). Multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains have been emerging rapidly (9), and the need for identifying novel drug targets in this pathogen has become urgent. The cell wall of M. tuberculosis is lipid enriched and acts as an impermeable barrier to many common broad-spectrum antibiotics (14). The first committed step of fatty-acid biosynthesis, which is the biotin-dependent carboxylation of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) to produce malonyl-CoA and methylmalonyl-CoA, is catalyzed by the acyl-CoA carboxylase. The reaction consists of two catalytic steps, which involve the biotin carboxylase and the carboxyltransferase (8). In M. tuberculosis, the biotin carboxylation step is catalyzed by the α subunit; there are three open reading frames (ORFs) that can encode the α subunit (accA1 to -A3) in the genome. Carboxyl transfer is catalyzed by the β subunit, and there are six β subunits (accD1 to -D6) in the genome of the pathogen (6). Previously, the catalytic activities of the α3, β4, and β5 subunits were studied (10, 11, 22, 24). However, the levels of expression of the various subunits have not been examined. Our analysis of transcripts from M. tuberculosis cells indicate that the α3, β4, β5, β6, and ɛ ORFs are the main subunits regulated during cell growth. To determine whether the highly expressed β6 subunit possessed enzymatic activity and to assess its substrate specificity, we expressed and purified the β6 subunit and reconstituted it with the purified α3 subunit. We report that an active acyl-CoA carboxylase was reconstituted with the purified β6 and α3 subunits and that it preferentially carboxylated acetyl-CoA over propionyl-CoA. This is the first report showing that β6, which is a member of a fatty acid synthase II (FAS II) gene locus, is a functional carboxyltransferase of the acyl-CoA carboxylase in M. tuberculosis, and these results suggest that β6 might make a significant contribution to mycolate biosynthesis.
Polarimetric modeling and parameter estimation with applications to remote sensing

Develops and analyzes two parametric models in which electromagnetic plane waves carrying polarimetric information are received. The first model considers estimation of the polarimetric response of a surface by measuring the reflections of actively generated waves. The second considers estimation of the polarization of passively generated waves. Both models have applications to remote sensing. The authors propose a natural parametrization of the distribution of the received signal. Using the Cramer-Rao bound, they characterize the best possible accuracy of unbiased estimators of these parameters. Simple estimators are given. Both models are fitted into a common framework and compared. >
Optical Transmission Measurements on MOCVD Grown GaMnN Films on Sapphire

We demonstrate optical transmission measurements performed on 1.2 μm thick GaMnN films grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on (0001) sapphire substrates. According to the data acquired from these measurements, Mn forms a deep acceptor band at 1.4 eV above the valance band of GaMnN. Full width at half maximum of this absorption band increases from 107 meV to 198meV as the Mn concentration increases from 0.3% to 1.6 %; which indicates that this band becomes wider as the concentration of Mn increases in the lattice. A broad absorption band starting at 1.9eV and extending to the band edge of GaMnN was also determined. This was attributed to the transition from the Mn energy band to the conduction band edge of GaMnN. Absorption at both of these bands scales with the Mn concentration and thickness of the films. The effect of co-doping of GaMnN films with magnesium on the transmission spectra was also investigated. The absorption band initially observed at 1.4 eV was shifted to 1.6 eV as a result of introduction of Magnesium into the lattice of GaMnN. From these results we conclude that Mn is incorporated in the lattice and forms an energy band in the bandgap of GaMnN. The width of this energy band is also a function of the Mn concentration in GaMnN.
Asymptotic limits of a statistical transport description

We consider three different asymptotic limits of a model describing linear particle transport in a stochastic medium consisting of two randomly mixed immiscible fluids. These three limits are: (1) the fluid packets are small compared to the particle mean free path in the packet; (2) a small amount of large cross section fluid is admixed with a large amount of small cross section fluid; and (3) the angular dependence of the intensity (angular flux) is nearly isotropic. The first two limits reduce the underlying model, which consists of two coupled transport equations, to a single transport equation of the usual form. The third limit yields a two-equation diffusion approximation, and a boundary layer analysis gives boundary conditions for these two coupled diffusion equations.
Intrauterine Insemination: An Ineffective Treatment

The IUI procedure is commonly utilized as a treatment for unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, and minimal-to-mild endometriosis despite limited to absent evidence of efficacy for any indication. The IUI procedure is typically performed in conjunction with ovulation induction or controlled ovarian stimulation, and this combined treatment approach is associated with a significant inherent and unacceptable risk of producing a multifetal gestation. In contrast to IVF, where success rates continue to improve and multifetal gestation rates continue to decline, the success rates associated with the IUI procedure have remained stagnant and multifetal gestation rates have remained constant. Further, despite the chance that an individual may experience a cost saving if a pregnancy were achieved after COH/IUI, population studies fail to support the utilization of unstimulated or stimulated IUI as cost-effective treatments. Thus, based on a lack of data demonstrating efficacy, cost considerations, and the adverse effects associated with the procedure as it is typically performed, IUI should no longer be offered as part of routine treatment in modern day infertility practices.
Action research in graduate teacher education: a review of the literature 2000–2015

This review explores the goals and challenges as well as the policy and programmatic implications of action research in graduate teacher education as evidenced in the published literature. This literature review looks specifically at how action research is being used in graduate teacher education programs as a content area and as a methodology in manuscripts published between 2000 and 2015. The literature suggests that adaptation of action research in graduate programs has evolved beyond the one-course model to an integrative theoretical and practical approach. The treatment of action research with respect to 'traditional' research in the academy is also discussed. Three goals for action research in graduate teacher education emerged from the review: action research as reflection; action research as participatory, critical inquiry; and action research as preparation for teacher leadership.
The Fractal Aggregation of Asphaltenes

This paper discusses time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering results that were used to investigate asphaltene structure and stability with and without a precipitant added in both crude oil and model oil. A novel approach was used to isolate the scattering from asphaltenes that are insoluble and in the process of aggregating from those that are soluble. It was found that both soluble and insoluble asphaltenes form fractal clusters in crude oil and the fractal dimension of the insoluble asphaltene clusters is higher than that of the soluble clusters. Adding heptane also increases the size of soluble asphaltene clusters without modifying the fractal dimension. Understanding the process of insoluble asphaltenes forming fractals with higher fractal dimensions will potentially reveal the microscopic asphaltene destabilization mechanism (i.e., how a precipitant modifies asphaltene-asphaltene interactions). It was concluded that because of the polydisperse nature of asphaltenes, no well-defined asphaltene ph...
Laboratory Observations on the Life Cycle and Habits of Two Species of Histeridae (Coleoptera): Hister coenosus and H. incertus

The laboratory biology and behavior of Hister coenosus Erichson and H. incertus Marseul were very similar. Females of both species deposit eggs singly 1 to 5 cm deep in soil beneath bovine manure. Eggs of both species are pearly white, elongate with a slight curvature of the venter, and bluntly rounded at both ends; eggs of H. incertus are noticeably more bulbous anteriorly and slightly smaller than those of H. coenosus. Incubation times were ca. 2.1 days for eggs of H. coenosus and 3.7 days for eggs of H. incertus at a constant soil temperature of 27°C. Larval development required ca. 20.6 and 23.0 days for H. coenosus and H. incertus, respectively, at this temperature. Last instars of both species constructed pupal chambers of manure and soil particles. Pupal stages required ca. 11.5 days for H. coenosus and 9.3 days for H. incertus. Development from egg to adult averaged 34.2 days for H. coenosus and 36.0 days for H. incertus.
A Technical Examination of the Chinese Buddhist Bronzes in the Freer Gallery of Art, Part B: Stable Lead Isotope Analysis

Stable lead isotope ratios were determined on sixty-four samples taken from sixty of the Buddhist bronze images which were examined and chemically analyzed by Jett and Douglas [preceding paper]. The data were grouped using multivariate techniques and were compared with an accumulated data base of lead isotope measurements on more than 700 ancient Chinese artifacts and more than 200 Chinese and Korean ores. One group of ten images which were all datable to a period of less than one century, Eastern Wei through Sui dynasties, form a nearly unique isotopic group which coincides only with an unusual group of Lengshuichong bronze drums. A second large group of thirty-two isotopically matching images contains almost all, fifteen out of sixteen, of the images attributed to the Northern Wei dynasty. The remaining members of this group are of later date, extending into the Tang dynasty, or are animal figures attributed more generally to the Six Dynasties. This group partially overlaps somewhat the isotope fields of some Western and Eastern Han mirrors and some of the Sackler ritual bronze vessels of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, but appears to have been derived from a different ore source from them. The remaining specimens break up into some very tentatively defined small groups of two to four specimens each and a small residue of four unique, unmatched specimens.
The Impact of Parental Incapacity as an Adoption Cause on the Termination of Parental Rights: An Analysis of Court Decisions

ABSTRACTBased on an analysis of 261 court decisions, the study demonstrates how the addition of a “parental incapacity” clause as grounds for termination of parental rights (TPR) in Israeli law affected the decision-making process. Specifically, the study examines how the legal reasoning, the rate of TPR rulings, and the type of cases presented to the courts changed following the introduction of the new clause. Less emphasis on parents’ rights was found as opposed to greater emphasis on parental social normativity and a higher rate of TPR rulings based on “parental incapacity.” These findings and their implications are discussed.
A distributed scheme for securing middle-tier multicast in hierarchical sensor networks

Hierarchical architectures are more and more widely adopted for organizing wireless sensor networks. In such architectures, middle-tier nodes take important roles, and preventing a malicious node from impersonating a middle-tier node and injecting falsified messages becomes critical. In this paper, we propose an energy efficient, distributed scheme to secure the multicast messages from the middle-tier nodes. Our scheme does not require a priori knowledge about the hierarchical relation between middle-tier nodes and lowest-tier nodes, and is adaptive to changes of this relation. Extensive simulations are conducted to evaluate our scheme, and the results show that the scheme is energy efficient.
Observation of polarization-dependent spectral holes in an organic thin film

Using time-resolved pump-probe spectroscopy, we have studied room-temperature spectral hole burning in an organic fluoroaluminum phthalocyanine (FA1Pc) polycrystalline thin film. The spectral hole is observable only when the pump and probe polarizations are parallel. The sublimed, ≈0.2-μm-thick FA1Pc thin film consists of phthalocyanine rings containing delocalized, conjugated π-electron systems The resulting thin-film Q-band absorbance spectrum is shown by the dashed line in Fig. 1.
The Interaction of Immune Priming with Different Modes of Disease Transmission

Immune priming in invertebrates is most commonly described as an increase in survival (Roth et al., 2010) or the strength of an immune response (Moret, 2006) against a microbe to which the host has been previously exposed. Because priming alters epidemiologically relevant parameters like disease-induced mortality and recovery, priming is likely to impact the spread, and persistence of diseases in invertebrate populations. Early modeling efforts have explicitly incorporated priming into disease transmission frameworks by allowing exposed (Tidbury et al., 2012) or previously infected but recovered (Tate and Rudolf, 2012) individuals to transition into a primed compartment. There, they are less likely to become infected and infectious upon subsequent exposure, but may suffer reproductive or developmental costs stemming from the physiological costs of maintaining a primed immune response. Conflating infected and infectious states, however, obscures the impact of priming on the correlative and dynamical relationships (Day, 2003; Berenos et al., 2009) between parasite replication, pathology, and transmission.
CHEMISTRY OF THE ATMOSPHERE | Observations for Chemistry (Remote Sensing): Microwave

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 4, pp 1516–1528, © 2003, Elsevier Ltd.
Agents with Anticipatory Behaviors: To be Cautious in a Risky Environment

This work presents some anticipatory mechanisms in an agent architecture, modeling affective behaviours as effects of surprise. Through experiment discussion, the advantages of becoming cautious are presented and is shown how this approach increases not only opportunism and reactivity but also anticipatory capabilities for planning and reasoning. Cautious agents outcomes are analyzed in risky surroundings both on the basis of the environment features and of the internal model of caution. Expectation-driven and caution enabled agents are designed with the BDI paradigm.