cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decision fusion and supervisor synthesis in decentralized discrete-event systems

We study a problem in decentralized supervisory control coined the global problem (GP) by Rudie and Wonham (1992). The objective is to find local supervisors that generate languages that lie in a specified range of closed languages. We present results for a version of this problem called the special global problem, (SGP) where the lower end of the range is empty and the higher end of the range is a closed and regular "legal" language. To this end, online local supervisors are synthesized that generate a language that contains the supremal closed controllable and strongly decomposable (supCCSD) sublanguage of the legal language. We accomplish this task through a new, more general decentralized supervisory control architecture involving decision fusion. We formulate two problems that extend GP and SGP. These are GP with fusion (GPF) and SGP with fusion (SGPF). Our main result is a set of local supervisors that solve SGPF for any k-out-of-n type event fusion rule. This result is of particular interest when more than one supervisor has control over the same event. Furthermore, the local supervisor designs are decoupled, thus the (online) computation of local supervisors can be performed in a distributed manner.
Negative luminescence from mid-wave infrared HgCdTe diode arrays

Abstract A self-referencing, optical modulation technique was used to measure the negative luminescence efficiencies of an array of mid-wave infrared HgCdTe photodiodes with cutoff wavelength 4.6 μm as a function of sample temperature. The internal efficiency at a wavelength of 4 μm was 93% at 295 K , and nearly independent of temperature in the 240– 300 K range. This corresponds to an apparent temperature reduction >50 K at room temperature and >30 K at 240 K . Moreover, the reverse-bias saturation current density was only 0.13 A / cm 2 . The measured transmission and emission spectra were simulated using empirical HgCdTe absorption formulas from the literature.
R&D consortia: Impact on competitiveness?

This research examines the impact of research and development (R&D) consortia on the competitiveness of American companies. It also concludes that since passage of the 1984 National Collaborative Research Act, which allows companies to jointly perform research, only a few R&D consortia have been formed and they do not have much impact on companies through applications of new technology. It is suggested that R&D consortia may have more impact on firms that are catching-up technologically or for which the particular research is tangential to their core business.
Compact intracloud lightning discharges: 2. Estimation of electrical parameters

[1] We estimated electrical parameters of 48 located compact intracloud discharges (CIDs) using their measured electric fields and vertical Hertzian dipole approximation. This approximation is consistent with the more general bouncing-wave CID model for a reasonably large subset of allowed combinations of propagation speed and channel length. For nine events, we estimated channel lengths from observed reflection signatures in measured dE/dt waveforms and assumed propagation speeds between 2 × 108 m/s and 3 × 108 m/s, which limit the range of allowed values. For a speed of 2.5 × 108 m/s (average value), the channel lengths for these nine events ranged from 108 to 142 m. The corresponding geometric mean values (GM) of peak current, zero-to-peak current risetime, and charge transfer in the first 5 μs are 143 kA, 5.4 μs, and 303 mC, respectively. The GM peak radiated power and energy radiated in the first 5 μs are 29 GW and 24 kJ, respectively. For the remaining 39 events, there were no reflection signatures observed, and the channel length was assumed to be 350 m, for which the Hertzian dipole approximation is valid for speeds in the range of 2 to 3 × 108 m/s. In this case, GM values of peak current, zero-to-peak current risetime, and charge transfer in the first 5 μs are 64 kA, 4.9 μs, and 142 mC, respectively. The GM peak radiated power and energy radiated in the first 5 μs are 28 GW and 32 kJ, respectively.
Quantized Hall conductance in a two-dimensional periodic potential

The Hall conductance of a two-dimensional electron gas has been studied in a uniform magnetic field and a periodic substrate potential $U$. The Kubo formula is written in a form that makes apparent the quantization when the Fermi energy lies in a gap. Explicit expressions have been obtained for the Hall conductance for both large and small $\frac{U}{\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}}$.
PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED STUDY OF VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN PATIENTS WITH ONE VERSUS THREE VENTILATOR CIRCUIT CHANGES PER WEEK

Objective:To assess the effect on the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) of decreasing the frequency of ventilator circuit changes from three times to once per week.Design:Prospective, randomized trial.Setting:Medical intensive care unit (MICU), a 12-bed, critical-care internal medicine unit, and neurosciences intensive care unit (NICU), a 21-bed, predominantly adult neurosurgical unit, of an urban university hospital.Patients:All 447 patients requiring mechanical ventilation during October 1992 through June 1993.Intervention:Patients were allocated randomly on the basis of permanent medical record numbers: those with odd numbers had circuits changed three times per week, those with even numbers once per week. Intensive-care-unit surveillance was conducted in accordance with definitions and methods of the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System.Results:In the MICU, the one-change-per-week group had a VAP rate of 7.3 per 1,000 ventilator days, versus 5.9 for the three-per-week group (P=.6). In the NICU, the one-change-per-week group had a rate of 12.2 per 1,000 ventilator days, versus 12.6 for the three-per-week group (P=.9). Considering patients in both units ventilated for no more than 7 days, the one-change-per-week group had a VAP rate of 5.9 per 1,000 ventilator days, versus 9.0 per 1,000 for the three-changes-per-week group (odds ratio [OR], 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 0.25 to 1.69). Including patients in the two units maintained on mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days, the one-change-perweek group had a VAP rate of 13.2 per 1,000 ventilator days, versus 9.6 per 1,000 for the three-changes-per-week group (OR, 1.37; CI95 0.71 to 2.65).Conclusions:Decreasing the frequency of ventilator circuit changes from three times to once per week had no adverse effect on the overall rate of VAP. Less frequent ventilator circuit changes may decrease the incidence of VAP among patients ventilated for no more than 1 week. However, the incidence of VAP may be higher among patients with once weekly circuit changes ventilated for more than 1 week.
Soil-Landform Relationships on a Loess-Mantled Upland Landscape in Missouri

Soil survey users are requesting statistically valid distributions of soil attributes that are important for management and land use. The hypothesis that many soil attributes vary predictably with landscape positions was tested with 257 pedons from point transects in a 40-ha upland Missouri setting. The effect of landscape position on the central tendencies of selected soil properties was examined. Most soil properties were similar between ridge and shoulder positions. Differences were minimal within the backslope. Backslopes differed from ridges and shoulders, with more argillic horizon clay, thinner epipedons, and less organic C, lower pH and base saturation, and less silt on a clayfree basis, Color patterns suggest that backslopes are wetter than ridges and shoulders, with more redoximorphic activity and organic matter accumulation on ped faces. Differences among the ridge-shoulder pedons and backslope pedons may be caused by differing hydrologic patterns as a result of interactions between topography and the underlying glacial till.
High Resolution Spectra Of Some Silicon Compounds

The infrared spectra of gaseous vinylsilane, cyclopropylsilane, vinyltrichlorosilane, cyclopropyltrichlorosilane, and silacyclopentane have been recorded. Barriers to internal rotation have been calculated for vinylsilane and cyclopropylsilane from an analysis of combination and difference bands associated with the Si-H stretches. Vibrational assignments have been made for vinyltrichlorosilane and cyclopropylsilane. High resolution spectra of the combination and difference bands involving the Si-H stretches and the ring-puckering vibration in silacyclopentane have been analyzed, and the new assignment is found to be completely consistent with existing low-frequency data. The structural implications of the results are discussed.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Investigating the Barons: narrative and nomenclature in Munchausen syndrome.

Recounting stories of the 18th-century Baron von Munchhausen, the unauthorized appropriation of his name into literature, and Richard Asher's subsequent medical use of the name Munchausen 150 years later, this article examines the narratives that are told about and through Munchausen syndrome that create meaning within medicine. By analyzing a half-century debate over the name of the illness, this article discusses how the medical literature invests meaning in names and how names create meaning through narrative with effects on the practice of medicine.
A histopathological report on the nature of the epithelium and underlying connective tissue which surrounds oral implants

This report is concerned with the two tissue types (oral epithelium and fibrous connective tissue) which surround oral implants and the possible adhesion of cells of these tissues to the implant surface. A review of the literature reveals that there is disagreement as to which of these two tissue types encase the deeper portions of Vitallium implants. Using techniques developed for studying the dental epithelial attachment, the following observations are submitted. 1 A PAS-possitive material is in abundance at the interface between the junctional epithelium and the implant post and present, but to a lesser degree, between the fibrous connective tissue and the implant surface. 2 An Oracine-positive material is present at the interface of both tissue types and the implant surfaces. 3 Collagen fibers subjacent to the junctional epithelium are oriented at functional angles to the basement membrane. 4 A histological artifact has been frequently observed which is the result of the tearing of the end of the epithelium away from its basement membrane. 5 Bacterial plaque adhering to the exposed portion of the implant posts extends in an apical direction and terminates abruptly along a very distinct line. From these observations it seems likely that an adhesion exists at the interface between the junctional epithelial cells and the penetrating implant surface.
Influence of metabolic inhibitors on mitochondrial permeability transition and glutathione status.

Abstract Treatment of isolated mitochondria with Ca2+ and inorganic phosphate (Pi) induces an inner membrane permeability that appears to be mediated through a cyclosporin A (CsA)-inhibitable Ca2+-dependent pore. Isolated mitochondria during inner membrane permeability undergo rapid efflux of matrix solutes such as glutathione as GSH and Ca2+, loss of coupled functions, and large amplitude swelling. Permeability transition without large amplitude swelling, a parameter often used to assess inner membrane permeability, has been observed. The addition of either oligomycin, antimycin, or sulfide to incubation buffer containing Ca2+ and Pi abolished large amplitude swelling of mitochondria. The GSH status during a Ca2+- and Pi-dependent mechanism of mitochondrial GSH release in isolated mitochondria was influenced significantly by metabolic inhibitors of the respiratory chain but did not prevent inner membrane permeability as demonstrated by the release of mitochondrial GSH and Ca2+. The release of GSH was inhibited by the addition of CsA, a potent inhibitor of permeability transition. Under these conditions we did not find GSSG; however, rapid oxidation of pyridine nucleotides and depletion of ATP and ADP with conversion to AMP occurred. The addition of CsA, prevented the oxidation of pyridine nucleotides and depletion of ATP and ADP. Since NADH and NADPH were extensively oxidized, protection against oxidative stress is reflected in maintenance of GSH and not observable lipid peroxidation. Evidence from transmission electron microscopy analysis, combined with the GSH release data, indicate that permeability transition can be observed in the absence of large amplitude swelling.
Extensions of spaces of analytic functions via pointwise limits of bounded sequences and two integral operators on generalized Bloch spaces

In [2], operators $$P_\mu f(z):=-\frac{1}{(1-z)^{\mu+1}} \int \limits_1^z f(\zeta)(1-\zeta)^{\mu} \,d\zeta$$ and $$Q_\mu f(z):=(1-z)^{\mu-1} \int\limits_0^z f(\zeta)(1-\zeta)^{-\mu} \,d \zeta\quad (z \in \mathbb{D})$$ were investigated in the setting of the analytic Besov spaces Bp, 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞, and the little Bloch space B∞,0. In particular, for X = Bp, 1 ≤ p < ∞, or X = B∞,0, the spectra, essential spectra of Pμ, and Qμ in \({\mathcal {L}(X),}\) together with one sided analytic resolvents in the Fredholm regions of Pμ, and Qμ were obtained along with an explicit strongly decomposable operator extending Qμ and simultaneously lifting Pμ. In the current paper, we extend the spectral analysis to generalized Bloch spaces using a modification of a construction due to Aleman and Persson, [3].
Effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD on domestic chicken immune function and CYP450 activity: F1 generation and EGG injection studies

Domestic chickens (Gallus gallus) were used as a surrogate species for wild turkey to assess risk from environmental 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure. Lymphocyte proliferation and CYP450 induction were assessed in adults exposed via i.m. injection, in F1 14-day old hatchlings, in F1 adults (30-weeks old), and in 14-day old hatchlings exposed via yolk sac injections. Hatchlings from injected eggs exhibited a dose-response in lymphocyte proliferation, IgM titers, EROD, and PROD endpoints. Exposed adults showed a significant dose-dependent increase in CYP450 induction. F1 14-day old chicks exhibited a significant dose-dependent suppression of B-cell proliferation and induction of CYP450 enzymes. F1 adult proliferative responses exhibited B-cell suppression, that was not statistically significant. Significant sex-dependent EROD and MROD induction was also observed in F1 adults, indicating mixed-function oxidase imprinting from maternal exposure.
PREPERITONEAL PROSTHETIC MESH HERNIOPLASTY DURING RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY

AbstractPurpose: The number of radical retropubic prostatectomies performed in the United States has increased during the last decade. There are 5 to 10% of candidates for radical retropubic prostatectomy who have a detectable inguinal hernia on physical examination. Furthermore, recent data suggest that there is an increased incidence of inguinal hernia after radical retropubic prostatectomy. We evaluated the role of simultaneous inguinal hernioplasty during radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: During 575 radical prostatectomy procedures from June 1991 to June 1997, 70 hernioplasties were performed in 48 patients. Retrospective chart review was performed for all men who underwent simultaneous hernia repair. Mean patient age was 60.9 years (range 43 to 73). Polypropylene or polyester fiber prostheses were used for mesh hernioplasty. All repairs were performed using a preperitoneal approach during radical retropubic prostatectomy.Results: There were 35 hernioplasties performed without and 35 with m...
Nuclear quadrupole relaxation of E.S.R. spectra in liquids

The nuclear quadrupole coupling of 127I has been shown to be the dominant relaxation mechanism, determining the E.S.R. line shape, in dilute solutions of the iminoxy radical from 1-iodofluorenone oxime.
Model for prediction of package-on-package warpage and the effect of process and material parameters

Package-on-Package (PoP) assemblies may experience warpage during package fabrication and later during surface mount assembly. Excessive warpage may result in loss-of-coplanarity, open connections, mis-shaped joints, and reduction in package board-level reliability (BLR) under environmental stresses of thermal cycling, shock and vibration. Previous researchers have shown that warpage may be influenced by a number of design and process factors including underfill properties, mold properties, package geometry, package architecture, board configuration, underfill and mold dispense and cure parameters, package location in the molding panel. A comprehensive inverse model incorporating a full set of design and process parameters and their effect on PoP package and PoP assembly warpage is presently beyond the state of art. In this paper, data has been gathered on multiple package-on-package assemblies under a variety of assembly parameters. The packages have been speckle coated. The warpage of the PoP assemblies have been measured using a glass-top reflow oven using multiple cameras. Warpage measurements have been taken at various temperature of the reflow profile between room temperature and the peak reflow temperature. Finite element models have been created and the package-on-package warpage predictions have been correlated with the experimental data. The experimental data-set has been augmented with the simulation data to evaluate configurations and parameter-variations which were not available in the experimental dataset. Statistical models have been developed to capture the effect of single and multiple parameter variations using principal components regression, and ridge regression. Best subset variables obtained from stepwise methods, have been used for model development. The developed models have been validated with experimental data using a single factor design of experiment study and are found to accurately capture material and geometry effects on part warpage. The results show that the proposed approach has the potential of predicting both single and coupled factor effects on warpage.
An oxygen isotope study of hydrothermal alteration in the Lake City caldera, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Abstract A 23-m.y.-old, fossil meteoric-hydrothermal system in the Lake City caldera (11 × 14 km) has been mapped out by measuring δ 18O values of 300 rock and mineral samples. δ 18O varies systematically throughout the caldera, reaching values as low as −2. Great topographic relief, regional tilting, and variable degrees of erosion within the caldera all combine to give us a very complete section through the hydrothermal system, from the surface down to a depth of more than 2000 m. The initial δ 18O value of the caldera-fill Sunshine Peak Tuff was very uniform (+7.2 ± 0.1), making it easy to determine the exact amount of 18O depletion experienced by each sample during hydrothermal alteration. Also, we have excellent stratigraphic control on depths beneath the mid-Tertiary surface, quantitative information on mineralogical alteration products, and accurate data on the shape of the central resurgent intrusion, which was the principal ‘heat engine’ that drove the hydrothermal circulation. Major conclusions are: (1) Although pristine mid-Tertiary meteoric waters in this area had δ 18 O ⋍ −14 , these fluids were 18O-shifted upward to about δ18O = −8 to −5 prior to entering the shallow convective system associated with the resurgent intrusive rocks. Although there was undoubtedly radial inflow toward the caldera from all directions, the highly fractured Eureka Graben, southwest of the caldera, was probably the principal source of recharge groundwater for the Lake City system. (2) Fluid flow within the caldera was dominated by three major categories of permeable zones: the porous megabreccia units (which dip outward from the resurgent dome), vertical fractures and faults related to resurgence, and the caldera ring fault itself. All of these zones exhibit marked 18O depletions, and they are also typically intensely mineralogically altered. (3) The resurgent intrusive stock and its contact metamorphic aureole of hornfels both experienced water/rock ratios lower than the permeable zones; however, they have similarly low δ 18O values because they were altered at higher temperatures. (4) Throughout the caldera, the δ 18O of Sunshine Peak Tuff decreases with increasing depth (about 6 per mil/km), indicative of a shallow thermal gradient, typical of a convective hydrothermal system. The near-surface portion of this gradient was controlled by the temperature drop associated with boiling in the uprising fluid. (5) Deeply circulating meteoric water rose along permeable ring fractures 3 to 5 km beneath the mid-Tertiary surface. These fluids were drawn into the shallow convective system through the lower, porous, megabreccia units. Near the resurgent intrusions, fluid flow was again directed upward where resurgence-related, near-vertical fractures intersect the megabreccia units.
Stable isotopic investigations of early development in extant and fossil chambered cephalopods I. Oxygen isotopic composition of eggwater and carbon isotopic composition of siphuncle organic matter in Nautilus

Eggwaters from the chambered cephalopod Nautilus are depleted in both 18O and deuterium relative to ambient seawater. Eggwaters from six other species, including the related chambered cephalopod Sepia, do not show such depletion. These observations indicate that the previously observed step towards more positive δ18O values in calcium carbonate laid down after Nautilus hatches, relative to carbonate precipitated prior to hatching, can be explained by equilibration of the carbonate with water in the egg before hatching and with seawater after hatching. The presence of an oxygen isotope difference between eggwater and seawater for Nautilus and its absence for Sepia suggest that hatching will be recorded in the δ18O values of shell carbonates for some but not all extinct and extant chambered cephalopods. The δ13C values of the organic fraction of the siphuncle in Nautilus do not show any consistent pattern with regard to the time of formation before or after hatching. This observation suggests that the minimum in δ13C values previously observed for calcium carbonate precipitated after Nautilus hatches is not caused by a change in food sources once the animal becomes free-swimming, as has been suggested.
Effect of coating material on uptake of indocyanine green-loaded nanocapsules by HeLa cervical cancer cells

Fluorescent molecular probes offer a potential for early cancer detection. Indocyanine green (ICG) is an FDAapproved near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye used in ophthalmic angiography and assessment of cardiac and hepatic functions. However, clinical applications of ICG remain very limited due to its rapid clearance from vascular circulation, unstable optical properties, non-specific interactions with plasma proteins, and inability for localized targeting. To overcome these limitations, we have encapsulated ICG within nanoconstructs composed of poly(allylamine) hydrochloride and disodium hydrogen phosphate salt. To understand the effects of coating materials on the cellular uptake of the nanocapsules, we have measured the uptake of ICG-loaded nanocapsules (ICG-NCs) with various coating materials by HeLa cancerous cervical epithelial cells in-vitro. Results of this study provide important information for the choice of appropriate coating materials that will result in maximal uptake of ICG-NCs in optical and phototherapy of cancerous tissue.
Metacognitive Differences among at-Risk and Nonrisk College Cohorts:

Few empirical data exist on the metacognitive skills of at-risk college students. This study was undertaken to identify differences among 45 at-risk and 30 nonrisk college freshmen who read a passage from the Test of Literal and Inferential Reading and answered six questions of comprehension (3 literal and 3 inferential). All 75 students then answered a series of metacognitive questions. Nonrisk students outperformed their at-risk peers in accuracy of prediction of test performance and in justification of accuracy for their answers to inferential questions. Nonrisk students cited background knowledge significantly more often than at-risk students when asked to justify their answers to inferential questions answered correctly.
Resonant Second Harmonic Generation for Optical Performance Monitoring in DWDM Networks

SHG in DWDM systems was used for optical performance monitoring. A poled Lithium-Niobate device is used to convert C/L band channels to 1/2 wavelenghts where Si detectors/CMOS were used to predict performance monitoring parameters.
Probabilities from fuzzy observations

Abstract We introduce a new definition for getting the probability of a fuzzy event from a collection of fuzzy observations. This definition is based upon the use of the compatibility of the target event with the observation. We show that this new definition satisfies the Komolgoroff conditions. We show how it naturally extends all the properties of the classical probability theory.
Countering the Early Faint Sun

In 1972, Carl Sagan and George Mullen noted the earlier discovery that our Sun should have been around 30% less luminous 4.5 billion years ago, and examined the consequences for primordial Earth ( 1 ). Main-sequence stars like the Sun burn hydrogen to helium, and as they do the star becomes more luminous. Sagan and Mullen showed that this solar evolution meant that Earth's current 33° of greenhouse warming, primarily from water vapor and carbon dioxide (CO2), could not have kept Earth's average surface temperatures above freezing prior to around 2 billion years ago (see the figure). The abundant evidence for liquid water at Earth's surface before that date, they argued, constitutes what is now called the “early faint Sun paradox.”
Pointwise energy release rate in delaminated plates

A laminated plate theory suitable for analyzing delaminations has been derived. The theory is used to study the interaction between the top and bottom sublaminates in the intact region of a delaminated plate. Expressions are derived for the jump in force and moment resultants that occur across the delamination front. Using Irwin's crack closure integral, a simple expression for pointwise strain energy release rate G along the delamination front has been derived. The expression suggests that the G at any point on the delamination front is the difference between the plate strain energy densities behind and ahead of the delamination front. An estimate of error in computing G using plate theories is obtained by comparing the J integral obtained using exact stress fields and plate stresses. The procedure for computing G is first verified by applying it to double cantilever beam specimens (DCB) and elliptical delaminations in isotropic plates for which solutions are available or can be computed. Then the method is illustrated for a stitched graphite/epoxy DCB specimen and also for elliptical delaminations in 0-deg graphite/epoxy plates. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the present method in analyzing delaminated coupons and structures.
Childrearing, social stress, and child abuse: Clinical considerations with Hispanic families

Child abuse in our multicultural society is a national emergency. As a nation, our approach to managing this societal crisis has been one of indifference to cultural variations among families and children, under the prevailing belief that cultural diversity does not play a part when serving a single society. Experience, however, shows that consideration of ethnocultural factors is warranted if we are to effectively treat and prevent child maltreatment. In this paper, a sociocultural perspective on child maltreatment in the United States Hispanic population is presented. Social stresses experienced by Hispanics along a continuum from emigration and migration, to arrival and adjustment to a new culture, and to the sociocultural and economic conditions they face in the United States are linked to factors of individual psychology. Traditional childrearing values and practices and factors of assessment and intervention are discussed with an emphasis on the changing characteristics of Hispanics.
Some open problems in the theory of computation as questions about two-way deterministic pushdown automaton languages

We considered some of the important unsolved problems in the theory of computation concerning the relationship between deterministic and nondeterministic computations, and between tape and time bounded computations. For each such problem we find an equivalent problem concerning two-way deterministic pushdown automaton languages.
Effects of enhanced lysine ε-aminotransferase activity on cephamycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces clavuligerus

A recombinant strain of S. clavuligerus (LHM100) that contains an additional copy of the gene (lat) encoding lysine e-aminotransferase (LAT) was analyzed and compared to the wild-type for intracellular concentrations of primary metabolites involved in cephamycin C biosynthesis. This strain had been shown previously to produce higher levels of the antibiotic because of increased levels of LAT, a rate-limiting enzyme involved in the production of α-amino-adipic acid. The results showed that the overall growth kinetics of the two strains were comparable, including the intracellular concentrations of cysteine, valine and lysine. In contrast, 60% higher antibiotic production was observed in LHM100, which reflected a significant temporal variation in specific metabolite production rate. The time profile of LAT activity was consistently higher in LHM100; however, α-aminoadipic acid levels showed unexpected variation during the growth cycle. These results support the proposal that rate-limiting enzymes in cephamycin C biosynthesis are temporally controlled, and indicate that optimization of metabolite production will require differential overexpression of several biosynthetic genes.
Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate induces prolactin expression in stromal cells isolated from human proliferative endometrium

In vitro decidualization of stromal cells isolated from human proliferative endometrium and cultured in RPMI-1640 containing 2% charcoal-treated fetal bovine serum and 0.1 U/ml insulin was achieved by adding to the medium cAMP derivatives [(Bu)2cAMP (db-cAMP) and 8-bromo-cAMP] or forskolin. PRL production under these conditions was demonstrated by documenting the synthesis of PRL mRNA (approximately 1.1 kilobase), the output of immunoprecipitable [35S]methionine-labeled PRL migrating as a single 23-kilodalton band during gel electrophoresis, and the time- and concentration-dependent secretion of PRL into the medium, measured by RIA (maximal on days 4-5 using 0.5 mM db-cAMP). Medroxyprogesterone acetate (1 microM) enhanced (1.7- to 2.5-fold) the effect of db-cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, or forskolin on PRL production, as evaluated by Western blotting analysis. Further evidence for a participation of db-cAMP in the decidualization process was provided by its ability to induce immunocytochemically detectable heat shock protein-27, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1, desmin, and laminin, all compounds produced by human decidual cells, but not expressed by stromal cells. The induction of PRL by cAMP may be a key step in the process of differentiation of fibroblast-like stromal cells to the decidual phenotype, as it has been previously reported by this laboratory that, under similar culture conditions, PRL itself is capable of inducing the production of heat shock protein-27, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1, desmin, and laminin in stromal cells isolated from proliferative endometrium.
Hepatic involvement in systemic mast cell disease

Thirteen patients with systemic mast cell disease were studied in order to define the hepatic changes in this disease and to correlate the histologic lesions in the liver with the clinical findings. These patients often presented with multisystem disorders and 10 had hepatomegaly. Microscopically, the liver tissues in all patients showed fibrosis and chronic inflammatory cellular infiltration with plasma cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and mononuclear fibroblast-like cells in the portal area. The hepatic sinusoids were not significantly involved. A histologic diagnosis of systemic mast cell disease is seldom entertained in liver biopsy specimens embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylineosin, but can be facilitated in biopsy specimens embedded in plastic such as methacrylate. Tissue mast cells in the cellular infiltrate can be demonstrated best by special staining techniques with Giemsa, toluidine blue, and chloroacetate esterase. The severity of the histologic changes in the liver does not correlate well with the size of the liver or biochemical changes in the blood. Abnormal serum biochemical values were noted primarily in those with dehydration caused by diarrhea and vomiting, and in those with malnutrition. Hepatic function test results were usually normal, except for alkaline phosphatase level, which was elevated in all 13 patients. Although the clinical significance of hepatic involvement in systemic mast cell disease cannot be established with certainty in this study, it is believed that the prognosis of systemic mast cell disease is most intricately related to the systemic effects of mast cell involvement in many other organs, and not to hepatic involvement per se.
Interactive live-wire boundary extraction

Live-wire segmentation is a new interactive tool for efficient, accurate and reproducible boundary extraction which requires minimal user input with a mouse. Optimal boundaries are computed and selected at interactive rates as the user moves the mouse starting from a manually specified seed point. When the mouse position comes into the proximity of an object edge, a 'live-wire' boundary snaps to, and wraps around the object of interest. The input of a new seed point 'freezes' the selected boundary segment and the process is repeated until the boundary is complete. Two novel enhancements to the basic live-wire methodology include boundary cooling and on-the-fly training. Data-driven boundary cooling generates seed points automatically and further reduces user input. On-the-fly training adapts the dynamic boundary to edges of current interest. Using the live-wire technique, boundaries are extracted in one-fifth of the time required for manual tracing, but with 4.4 times greater accuracy and 4.8 times greater reproducibility. In particular, interobserver reproducibility using the live-wire tool is 3.8 times greater than intraobserver reproducibility using manual tracing.
Plant functional diversity improves short-term yields in a low-input intercropping system

Abstract In natural ecosystems, plant communities composed of functionally diverse species produce more biomass overall than less diverse communities. This increased biomass production is thought to occur due to complementary use of resources such as nutrients and water, and facilitation during sub-optimal environmental conditions. Using the same concept in a crop setting may lead to increased yield (overyielding) in diverse cropping systems when compared to monocultures. Different combinations of peanut, watermelon, okra, cowpea, and pepper planted alone or in various intercropping combinations were investigated over two growing seasons in a low-input system in the peak of summer heat in Texas. Each species was selected to perform a specific function within the system. Results from land equivalent ratio (LER) indicate that the within-row combination with peanut, watermelon and okra (Wpwo) and peanut, watermelon, okra and cowpea (Wpwoc) consistently overyielded in 2011 and 2012. LER values were 1.17 each for Wpwo and Wpwoc in 2011 and 1.17 and 1.20 in 2012, respectively. In 2011, watermelon was the dominant crop and was up-regulated in all intercropping combinations while all other component crops were down-regulated. Watermelon per plant production was significantly higher in the combination containing all species (Wall) when compared to its monoculture, 5.50 and 2.09 kgfruit plant−1, respectively. In 2012, okra was the dominant crop and was up-regulated in all intercropping combinations while watermelon, cowpea, and pepper were down-regulated. Okra per plant production was significantly higher in Wpwoc and Wall than in monoculture, 2.28, 2.46, and 1.13 kgfruit plant−1, respectively. These findings suggest that three and four species intercropping combinations, whereby each crop is selected to perform a specific function within the system, may provide small-scale sustainably-minded producers a model system that can be utilized in suboptimal conditions and allow them to reduce inputs while increasing overall yields.
Impact of Introductory Security Courses on the Career Choices of Criminal Justice Students

Abstract This article discusses the results from 189 pre- and posttest questionnaires that were administered to students taking private security courses at six higher educational institutions. Questions assessed the impact of introductory security courses on students' perceptions of the security occupation and also their desire to take security courses within a traditional criminal justice curriculum. Results showed significant changes in their perceptions of the security occupation, as well as their career aspirations, as a result of having taken a class in private security.
Transitional Services for Youth with Developmental Disabilities: Living in College Dorms.

This study evaluates the impact of a college-based dormitory program on transitioning youth with intellectual disabilities. A qualitative study, with interviews at pre and post, was conducted to ev...
Performance and Operational Issues at the Boardman Coal Plant

The keys to reliable and efficient coal fired power plant operations are combustion and performance monitoring. For this to occur it is necessary for the plant staff to have adequate tools that will enable them to make intelligent decisions. Success in this endeavor is insured with proper instrumentation, vigilant operations and a real time performance monitor. This paper will cite efforts made toward combustion improvements through the use of pulverizer coal flow enhancements, coal flow monitoring instrumentation and simple coal analysis trending. This paper will also provide examples of the value of a real time performance monitor as a tool for monitoring, identifying and addressing plant efficiency. Examples of the unique capability of tube leak identification using the plant’s performance monitor will be presented.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Excitation of dust lower hybrid waves in a collisional dusty plasma

Abstract The conditions for excitation of dust lower hybrid (LH) waves in a collisional, magnetized, dusty plasma are investigated. It is found that the B -field-aligned zero-order electric field required for excitation of the LH waves can be as much as two orders of magnitude smaller than the electric field required to excite the electrostatic dust cyclotron (EDC) waves.
Treatment of a Youngster with Tourettic Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and persistent tic disorders (TD) are known to be highly comorbid, and recent research has suggested that the combination of OCD + TD may represent a distinct OCD subtype that has a different symptom profile than either disorder alone (Mansueto and Keuler, Behav Modif 29:784–799, 2005). In addition, a subset of individuals with OCD and/or TD present with repetitive behaviors that share some similarities with both tics and obsessions/compulsions, but differ from “classic” symptoms of TD and OCD in important ways. This presentation is commonly referred to as “Tourettic OCD” (TOCD) and introduces unique challenges for assessment, conceptualization, and treatment. In this chapter, we provide a brief review of TOCD and the challenges it poses to treatment, outline considerations for understanding and treating this unique OCD/TD subtype using a behavioral approach, and provide case illustration of how habit reversal training (HRT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) were adapted and combined to successfully treat a youngster presenting with TOCD.
Interdependence Theory and the Measurement of International Conflict

Discussions of trade interdependence and its political implications occasionally discuss the operationalization of interdependence in some detail, yet the measurement of the dependent variable—international conflict—has largely been taken for granted. Because of this absence, current studies ignore the possibility that realist and liberal interpretations of the political ramifications of interdependence could both be correct. Moreover, current measures of interstate relations allow only a partial testing of interdependence theory. I argue that events data can provide a better measurement of conflict and cooperation in testing theories of interdependence. I highlight the key theoretical claims in this debate, arguing that their predictions are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Finally, I undertake an analysis of interstate political cooperation and conflict which shows that trade has little bearing on levels of cooperation and that increased trade dependence can spur conflict, yet keep these conflicts fr...
The premises, assumptions, and implications of Van Gend en Loos: viewed from the perspectives of democracy and legitimacy of international institutions

In its Van Gend en Loos judgment, the ECJ assigned citizens directly enforceable rights vis-a-vis their respective state executives, and authorized national courts to protect those rights. What explains the Court's suspicion of state executives as the sole actors to implement Community law (acting directly or through the Commission)? What justifies its confidence in the ability of the national courts to protect the individuals? We submit that the ECJ was informed by the premise that national courts acting in unison could withstand political pressures and protect individuals while implementing the Treaty. Moreover, the ECJ understood that its interaction with national courts would put it in a position potentially to offer significant support for citizens of relatively weaker countries against various predatory policies employed by the more powerful states in the organization. In this article we explore these premises and present evidence to support them. More generally, we argue that there is good reason to endorse this model of judicial activism as a means to ensure democracy as judged by the effective and informed participation of individuals in public decision-making that affects them - within international organizations. This judgment demonstrates the promise of greater interaction and coordination between national and international tribunals in preventing democratic failures at both the national and international levels. Although judicial intervention often pre-empts public deliberation, it can also encourage it; although it may operate to pre-empt the vote, it can also function to ensure it.
Current leakage evolution in partially gate-ruptured power MOSFETs

The range of resulting leakage from single-event gate rupture (SEGR) in power MOSFETs spans several decades, from hundreds of nanoamps to tens of milliamps being qualified as rupture events. The differences in the magnitude of the breaks are correlated to the physical and operational effects of the devices investigated. The maximum leakage current that a part may endure and not destroy itself is determined experimentally and analytically.
INFLUENCE OF SHADE ON STOMATAL DENSITY, LEAF SIZE AND OTHER LEAF CHARACTERISTICS IN THE MAJOR TROPICAL ROOT CROPS, TANNIA, SWEET POTATO, YAM, CASSAVA AND TARO

Since shading often occurs under normal growing conditions in various cropping systems (for example, intercropping, alley cropping), field experiments were carried out to determine the effects of shading on stomatal density, leaf size, leaf dry matter, and leaf lamina thickness in the major tropical root and tuber crops, tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), yam (Dioscorea esculenta), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and taro (Colocasia esculenta). Shading decreased stomatal density in the lower epidermis of tannia, sweet potato, yam and cassava, and in the upper epidermis also in tannia and sweet potato; the upper epidermis of yam and cassava were devoid of stomata. In contrast to the other species, taro under shade had an increased stomatal density in both the upper and lower epidermis, a finding which was confirmed in subsequent pot experiments. This response of taro was postulated as a possible manifestation of greater shade adaptation by the species.For all the species, shading generally resulted in the production of larger (in terms of surface area) but thinner leaves, with a decreased dry matter concentration. For the two species (yam and cassava) that had stomata only on the lower epidermis, normal sun-grown plants had about twice as many stomata per unit area of lower epidermis than did corresponding plants of the other three species. The agronomic and physiological significance of the findings are discussed.
Synthesis of expanded planar dehydrobenzoannulenes: Weakly diatropic, weakly paratropic, or atropic?

Abstract Use of a Cu Pd cross-coupling strategy has led to the synthesis of the first dehydrobenzoannulenes containing triacetylenic linkages. NMR studies of these macrocycles and comparison with other known systems indicate that, in spite of their large size and extensive benzannelation, dehydrobenzoannulenes possess weak induced ring currents.
Energy-Efficient Transmission in Frequency-Selective Channels

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important for small form factor mobile devices, as battery technology has not kept up with the growing requirements stemming from ubiquitous multimedia applications. This paper addresses link adaptive transmission for maximization of energy efficiency rather than throughput. We extend our previous results for flat fading OFDMA to frequency-selective channels. Different from existing water-filling power allocation schemes that maximize throughput subject to overall transmit power constraints, our scheme adapts both overall transmit power and its allocation according to the states of all subchannels and circuit power consumption to maximize energy efficiency. We demonstrate the existence of a unique globally optimal link adaptation solution and provide iterative algorithms to obtain this optimum. Simulation results show at least a 15% improvement in energy utilization when frequency selectivity is exploited.
Individual Differences in the Development of Sensation Seeking and Impulsivity During Adolescence: Further Evidence for a Dual Systems Model

Consistent with social neuroscience perspectives on adolescent development, previous cross-sectional research has found diverging mean age-related trends for sensation seeking and impulsivity during adolescence. The present study uses longitudinal data on 7,640 youth from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth Children and Young Adults, a nationally representative sample assessed biennially from 1994 to 2006. Latent growth curve models were used to investigate mean age-related changes in self-reports of impulsivity and sensation seeking from ages 12 to 24 years, as well individual differences in these changes. Three novel findings are reported. First, impulsivity and sensation seeking showed diverging patterns of longitudinal change at the population level. Second, there was substantial person-to-person variation in the magnitudes of developmental change in both impulsivity and sensation seeking, with some teenagers showing rapid changes as they matured and others maintaining relatively constant levels with age. Finally, the correlation between age-related changes in impulsivity and sensation seeking was modest and not significant. Together, these results constitute the first support for the dual systems model of adolescent development to derive from longitudinal behavioral data.