cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Baseline Localization for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

This paper presents a hybrid baseline (HBL) navigation method for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In this approach, a floating acoustic transponder is used to augment moving short baseline (MSBL) navigation, in which two transponders are mounted on a source ship. Kinematic information regarding the floating buoy and source ship are communicated via acoustic messages to the AUV fleet. Simultaneously, clock synchronization and a predefined broadcast cycle enables transponder-to-AUV range estimates based on the acoustic message time-of-flight. Using the extended Kalman (EKF) filter formulation, the broadcasted kinematic information and acoustic ranges are combined onboard each AUV in the fleet to estimate the states of the source ship, the floating transponder, and the AUV itself. Simulation was used to optimize the configuration and performance of the HBL navigation, and field tests were performed to evaluate the navigational performance. In post-processing, high-accuracy position and timing data for the source ship and floating buoy was added to the onboard navigation data in an EKF to recreate the path of the AUV. The accuracy of this post-mission localization was evaluated relative to AUV positions independently measured by an acoustic tracking array at the test facility. The resulting AUV position estimation showed a mean error of 1.59 m, an improvement over the previous result (using MSBL navigation only) of 3.30 m.
Centrally administered urocortin 2 decreases gorging on high-fat diet in both diet-induced obesity-prone and -resistant rats.

Centrally administered urocortin 2 decreases gorging on high-fat diet in both diet-induced obesity-prone and -resistant rats
Temperature-dependent tail-tail dynamics of pyrene-labeled poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers dissolved in ethyl acetate.

We have determined the tail−tail dynamics and energetics of linear poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymers (Mn = 3100; Mw/Mn = 1.07) that have been terminally labeled with pyrene (Py-PDMS-Py) in ethyl acetate between 255 and 323 K. The upper critical solution temperature (θu) for the PDMS/ethyl acetate system is 278 K. The Py-PDMS-Py photophysics follow the Birks model at all of the temperatures studied. However, there is evidence for an increase in the local composition of PDMS surrounding the Py- residues in Py-PDMS-Py below the theta temperature. The recovered activation energy for Py-PDMS-Py tail−tail cyclization is the same as the activation energy for diffusion in ethyl acetate. The activation energy for cyclization is about fourfold larger in comparison to the barrier for PDMS internal backbone rotations. The estimated internal activation barrier for Py-PDMS-Py in ethyl acetate is in line with the internal barrier rotation for PDMS backbone rotation. The intramolecular excimer binding energy for Py-...
A fast method for solving acoustic scattering problems in frequency bands

Abstract We present a methodology for computing efficiently scattered fields in a frequency band. The main feature of this methodology is the construction of a series of discrete problems that differ only by their right-hand sides, rather than by both their left- and right-hand sides. Its key steps are (a) the reformulation of the acoustic scattering problem in a bounded domain using any preferred absorbing boundary condition, (b) the characterization of the repeated derivatives with respect to the frequency of the scattered field as solutions of scattering-type problems with different source terms and boundary conditions, and (c) the reconstruction of a scattered field by either the Pade approximants or Wynn's algorithm. We report on several multifrequency acoustic scattering examples that illustrate the accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed solution methodology.
Stochastic simulation of quantum systems and critical dynamics.

We propose transformation of the Langevin equation into an eigenvalue problem as the framework of the stochastic simulation of quantum systems. The potential of the method is illustrated by numerical results for the low-lying energy levels of one-particle systems and coupled harmonic oscillators. Another application is the relationship between the dynamics of a d-dimensional system evolving according to the Langevin equation, an associated d-dimensional quantum system, and its (d+1)-dimensional classical counterpart. On this basis we relate the critical dynamics to the static properties of an associated quantum system and its (d+1)-dimensional classical analog. This then leads to equalities and scaling relations between the static and dynamic critical exponents. As a specific example, we treat the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau model without conservation laws. In the large-n limit, the critical dynamics is traced back to Gaussian (tricritical Lifshitz) behavior of the associated (d+1)-dimensional classical model. The static exponents describing the critical dynamics are determined, however, by the crossover from Lifshitz to Gaussian (tricritical Lifshitz) behavior.
On the structure of unbreakable graphs

A nonempty set C of vertices is a star-cutset in a graph G if G – C is disconnected and some vertex in C is adjacent to all the remaining vertices in C. Vasek Chvatal proposed to call a graph G unbreakable if neither G nor its complement G has a star-cutset. A path with four vertices and three edges will be termed a P4. An edge uv of a graph G is called a wing, if for some vertices x, y, {u,v,x,y} induces a P4 in G. We define recursively the coercion class Cuv of a wing uv as follows: 1 uv ∈ Cuv, and 1 if xy ∈ Cuv and xy, x'y' are wings of a same P4 in G, then x'y' ∈ Cuv. The purpose of this work is to present new results concerning unbreakable graphs, using the notion of coercion class. These results include a theorem asserting that every unbreakable graph contains at most two distinct coercion classes and a structure theorem for those unbreakable graphs that contain precisely two coercion classes. These results generalize several previously known results about unbreakable graphs.
Effect of random noise on chaotic motion of a particle in a ϕ6 potential

Abstract The chaotic behaviors of a particle in a triple well ϕ6 potential possessing both homoclinic and heteroclinic orbits under harmonic and Gaussian white noise excitations are discussed in detail. Following Melnikov theory, conditions for the existence of transverse intersection on the surface of homoclinic or heteroclinic orbits for triple potential well case are derived, which are complemented by the numerical simulations from which we show the bifurcation surfaces and the fractality of the basins of attraction. The results reveal that the threshold amplitude of harmonic excitation for onset of chaos will move downwards as the noise intensity increases, which is further verified by the top Lyapunov exponents of the original system. Thus the larger the noise intensity results in the more possible chaotic domain in parameter space. The effect of noise on Poincare maps is also investigated.
Scripting a new identity: The battle for Devanagari in nineteenth century India

This study investigates the discursive construction of Hindu identity in the late nineteenth century in North India. Analyzing historical data from a language ideological debate, I show that the construction of the Hindi language and script as perfect and the Urdu language and script as defective were part of the construction of Hindu identity. The metalinguistic debate on Hindi and Urdu often transgressed from linguistic into sociocultural realms by establishing links between language, ethics, morality, and authenticity. The Urdu language and script were argued to be foreign, fraudulent, and prejudiced, in contrast to the Hindi language and script, which were projected as indigenous, honest, and impartial. Drawing on a language ideological theoretical framework (Irvine and Gal, 2000), I show the actual workings of the semiotic processes of iconization, fractal recursivity, and erasure in this language debate. I also demonstrate that a major outcome of this debate was that Hindi and Urdu began to index Hindu and Muslim identity, respectively.
A Full-Field Residual Stress Profile Estimation Scheme for Pipe Girth Welds

For supporting fitness-for-service (FFS) assessment, this paper presents a method for providing a full field description of through-thickness residual stress profiles for pipe girth welds, beyond weld locations (e.g., at weld centerline and weld toe). The paper starts with a brief introduction of the finite element modeling procedure used in this study. Experimental validations are performed for a pipe weld geometry on which detailed experimental data have recently become available in the literature. Then, a large number of parametric residual stress analyses are performed to identify key parameters that govern through-thickness residual stress distribution characteristics. These parameters are not only shown to uniquely contribute to some of the important residual stress distribution characteristics of interest to FFS, but also can be formulated, to the first approximation, using basic mechanics and physics principle. Finally, a detailed application of the proposed full field residual stress estimation scheme is illustrated for various girth weld conditions.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Design rules based on analyses of human error

By analyzing the classes of errors that people make with systems, it is possible to develop principles of system design that minimize both the occurrence of error and the effects. This paper demonstrates some of these principles through the analysis of one class of errors: slips of action. Slips are defined to be situations in which the user's intention was proper, but the results did not conform to that intention. Many properties of existing systems are conducive to slips; from the classification of these errors, some procedures to minimize the occurrence of slips are developed.
Tobacco nectarin I. Purification and characterization as a germin-like, manganese superoxide dismutase implicated in the defensE of floral reproductive tissues.

Nectarin I, a protein that accumulates in the nectar of Nicotiana sp., was determined to contain superoxide dismutase activity by colorimetric and in-gel assays. This activity was found to be remarkably thermostable. Extended incubations at temperatures up to 90 °C did not diminish the superoxide dismutase activity of nectarin I. This attribute allowed nectarin I to be purified to homogeneity by heat denaturation of the other nectar proteins. By SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, nectarin I appeared as a 29-kDa monomer. If the protein sample was not boiled prior to loading the gel, then nectarin I migrated as 165-kDa oligomeric protein. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, the protomer subunit was found to be a 22.5-kDa protein. Purified nectarin I contained 0.5 atoms of manganese/monomer, and the superoxide dismutase activity of nectarin I was not inhibited by either H2O2 or NaCN. Following denaturation, the superoxide dismutase activity was restored after Mn2+ addition. Addition of Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+/Zn2+ did not restore superoxide dismutase activity. The quaternary structure of the reconstituted enzyme was examined, and only tetrameric and pentameric aggregates were enzymatically active. The reconstituted enzyme was also shown to generate H2O2. Putative nectarin I homologues were found in the nectars of several other plant species.
Areas and volumes of cratonic sediments, western

Prevailing opinion is that alternating episodes of sedimentation and erosion on cratons are passive responses to eustatic variations in sea level. Comparative analysis of the preserved areas and volumes of Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata covering large regions of the North American and eastern European cratons reveals evidence of synchronous depositional and erosional events of a few million to tens of millions of years duration. Significantly, the study also reveals that the three-dimensional geometry of many sedimentary successions is not compatible with passive cratons subject only to eustatic controls. Rather, consideration must be given to some more complex global mechanism governing both continental freeboard and vertical motions within cratons.
Application of Image Analysis for Precise, Noninvasive Measurement of Plant Culture Growth

Accurately measuring the growth of solid cultures is important for evaluating regrowth following low temperature storage, cell screening on selective media, or the suitability of different media formulations. However, current procedures are inadequate to provide precise, quantitative data non-invasively. This paper describes the development of an image analysis technique to provide quantitative growth data for callus cultures. Various properties obtained from image analysis, such as area, perimeter, diameter, and integrated density value, were correlated with the observed mass of plant callus. Based on this data, a predictive linear model was developed. The image analysis method was used to estimate cell mass as a function of various media components and growth conditions. This work demonstrates that image analysis is a flexible and useful tool for monitoring cultures.
Spontaneous hemopneumothorax; treatment by early thoracentesis; report of four cases.

Four cases of spontaneous hemopneumothorax are reported occurring in males from 17 to 35 years of age. All cases were treated by early and repeated thoracenteses with rapid and complete recovery.
Model-data Ecosystems: challenges, tools, and trends

In the past few years, research around (big) data management has begun to intertwine with research around predictive modeling and simulation in novel and interesting ways. Driving this trend is an increasing recognition that information contained in real-world data must be combined with information from domain experts, as embodied in simulation models, in order to enable robust decision making under uncertainty. Simulation models of large, complex systems (traffic, biology, population well-being) consume and produce massive amounts of data and compound the challenges of traditional information management. We survey some challenges, mathematical tools, and future directions in the emerging research area of model-data ecosystems. Topics include (i) methods for enabling data-intensive simulation, (ii) simulation and information integration, and (iii) simulation metamodeling for guiding the generation of simulated data and the collection of real-world data.
Evaluation of the Start Strong Initiative: Preventing Teen Dating Violence and Promoting Healthy Relationships Among Middle School Students

Abstract Purpose This study reports on an independent evaluation of Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships , a multicomponent initiative targeting 11- to 14-year-olds. " Start Strong " was designed to focus on the developmental needs of middle school students and to enhance skills and attitudes consistent with promotion of healthy relationships and reduction of teen dating violence (TDV). Methods The quasi-experimental evaluation design included data collection from four Start Strong schools and four comparison schools. Student surveys were collected at four waves of data at the beginning and the end of grades 7 and 8. Multilevel models used repeated observations nested within students who were, in turn, nested within schools to determine whether participation in Start Strong enhanced healthy skills and relationships and decreased TDV-related attitudes and behaviors. Results Short-term effects from waves 1 to 2 were statistically significant for increased parent–child communication and boy/girlfriend relationship satisfaction and support and decreased gender stereotypes and attitudes supporting TDV. Findings for acceptance of TDV and gender stereotypes persisted longitudinally. Conclusions Results are promising and illustrate that a multicomponent, community-based initiative reduced risk factors predictive of TDV. Start Strong is innovative in its focus on early adolescence, which is a critical period in the transition to dating. The results inform future intervention efforts and underscore the need for further study of middle school students.
Irish-Catholic Immigrant Life In South Bend, Indiana: Refined Earthenwares and the 19th-Century Social Worlds of the Midwest

When Father Edward Sorin established the University of Notre Dame in the 1840s, he sought Catholic laborers to assist him in the enterprise. He purchased land south of campus and created a residential neighborhood for Catholic immigrants, many of whom were Irish displaced by an Gorta Mor the Great Hunger. An archaeological field school in 2007 investigated the homelots that comprised this residential enclave. Analyses of the refined earthenwares from the Fogarty family were coupled with other historical and material evidence to elucidate the ways in which Irish-Catholic families negotiated the complex cultural landscapes of their new city.
Indomethacin-induced augmentation of lymphoproliferative responses in patients with head and neck cancer.

Augmentation of the phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphoproliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by indomethacin, a drug which blocks prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, was assessed in 37 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Indomethacin enhanced the uptake of 3H-thymidine in stimulated cultures both from patients and normal individuals. However, because lymphoid cells from cancer patients were less reactive than those from normal controls, the proportionate increase in PHA-stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation caused by indomethacin was greater in this population than in the normal population. The degree of enhancement induced by indomethacin did not correlate with the percent of esterase-positive mononuclear cells in the preparations. The amounts of PGE synthesized at 48 h by patients' or normal cells were similar. Cell populations that exhibited elevated levels of augmentation in the presence of indomethacin were approximately 3 times as sensitive to inhibition by 3 nM PGE2. The degree of augmentation detected in the presence of Ro-20-5720, which also prevents PG synthesis, was related to that produced by indomethacin. These results suggested that: (1) the enhancing effect of indomethacin on lymphoproliferation in vitro was related to its inhibition of PG synthesis; and (2) the sensitivity of lymphoid cells to inhibition by PGE2 was slightly, but significantly, increased in individuals with elevated augmentation values.
Meninges Play a RAdical Role in Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Regulation

During corticogenesis, neural stem cells switch from symmetric to asymmetric divisions to generate intermediate progenitor cells and neurons. Recently published in Cell, Siegenthaler et al. (2009) show that retinoic acid derived from the meninges is a key signal controlling this transition.
Lysophosphatidic acid causes endothelial dysfunction in porcine coronary arteries and human coronary artery endothelial cells

Aim The objective of this study was to determine the effects of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on endothelial functions and molecular alternations in both porcine coronary arteries and human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs).
A Bayesian metareasoner for algorithm selection for real-time Bayesian network inference problems

Bayesian network (BN) inference has long been seen as a very important and hard problem in AI. Both exact and approximate BN inference are NP-hard [Co90, Sh94]. To date researchers have developed many different kinds of exact and approximate BN inference algorithms. Each of these has different properties and works better for different classes of inference problems. Given a BN inference problem instance, it is usually hard but important to decide in advance which algorithm among a set of choices is the most appropriate. This problem is known as the algorithm selection problem [Ri76]. The goal of this research is to design and implement a meta-level reasoning system that acts as a “BN inference expert” and is able to quickly select the most appropriate algorithm for any given Bayesian network inference problem, and then predict the run time performance.
New medication treatment options for bipolar disorders.

Objective: To assess new treatment options for bipolar disorders. Method: Controlled studies of new treatments for bipolar disorders were identified by computerized searches and reviews of scientific meeting proceedings, and were compiled by drug category. Results: Two main categories of medications, newer anticonvulsants and newer antipsychotics, are yielding emerging new treatment options for bipolar disorders. Newer anticonvulsants have diverse psychotropic profiles, and although not generally effective for acute mania, may have utility for other aspects of bipolar disorders (e.g. lamotrigine for maintenance or acute bipolar depression), or for comorbid conditions (e.g. gabapentin for anxiety or pain, topiramate for obesity, bulimia, alcohol dependence, or migraine, and zonisamide for obesity). In contrast, newer antipsychotics generally appear effective for acute mania, and some may ultimately prove effective in acute depression (e.g. olanzapine combined with fluoxetine, quetiapine) and maintenance (e.g. olanzapine). Conclusion: Emerging research is yielding new treatment options for bipolar disorders and comorbid conditions.
Age of acquisition interactions in bilingual lexical access: A study of the weaker language of L2 learners and heritage speakers

Global age of acquisition of L1 and L2 in individual speakers has been investigated as a deterministic factor in nativelikeness of grammatical knowledge and lexical processing. The age of acquisition of individual words has also been shown to affect both native and nonnative lexical access. Given the centrality of the lexicon to language acquisition and use, this study investigated which of these variables is most relevant and how these two variables may potentially interact during lexical access of the less dominant language in bilinguals. A group of English-speaking late L2 learners of Spanish and a group of early bilingual speakers who were exposed to Spanish as an L1 at home and learned English in childhood (heritage speakers) completed a lexical decision task in Spanish and an English–Spanish translation decision task. The performance of the two groups, which vary on global age of acquisition of Spanish, but not on language dominance, was compared. The results indicated no differences in the overall ...
Making a computer club, making a community

Abstract Making a computer club for Douglass Elemementary School required external help and internal support. At the end of the first school year a small independent community had grown surrounding such high-minded ideas as scaffolded learning, self control, and community service, but by the beginning of the next school year it was unclear if it could be sustained. We discuss how difficult it can be to create a sustainable innovation.
Muscarinic cholinergic receptor signal transduction as a potential target for the developmental neurotoxicity of ethanol

Central nervous system dysfunctions (most notably mental retardation and microcephaly) are among the most significant effects of in utero exposure to ethanol. Ethanol has been shown to cause alterations of both neuronal and glial cells, including cell loss, and changes in their migration and maturation. Here, we propose that one of the potential targets for the developmental neurotoxicity of ethanol may be represented by the signal transduction systems activated by cholinergic muscarinic receptors. Ethanol has been shown to inhibit second messenger systems activated by various G-protein-coupled receptors, including certain subtypes of muscarinic receptors. Although the roles of muscarinic receptors in brain development have not been fully elucidated, two potentially relevant effects have been discovered in the past few years. By activating muscarinic receptors coupled to phospholipid metabolism, acetylcholine can induce proliferation of glial cells, and act as a trophic factor in developing neurons by preventing apoptotic cell death. Ethanol has been shown to inhibit both actions of acetylcholine in vitro. These effects of ethanol may lead to a decreased number of glial cells and to a loss of neurons, which have been observed following in vivo alcohol exposure. In turn, these may be the basis of microencephaly and cognitive disturbances in children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Structural and functional characterization of H2 haplotype MAPT promoter: unique neurospecific domains and a hypoxia-inducible element would enhance rationally targeted tauopathy research for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Extraneuronal plaque comprising mostly the amyloid β peptide and intraneuronal tangles of hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated τ protein (τ, gene MAPT) are typical of AD. Misfolded τ is also implicated in Parkinson's disease and frontotemporal dementia. We aim to understand the regulation of the human MAPT promoter by mapping its functional domains. We subcloned a 4868 base pair (bp) fragment from human BAC RPCI-11 100C5. Sequence analysis revealed an H2 haplotype MAPT promoter, 5′-UTR, and intronal fragment. Database analysis of the fragment showed 50%–75% homology with mouse and > 90% with rhesus monkey. Comparison with human H1 sequences revealed differences that crossed predicted transcription factor sites. DNA-protein interaction studies by electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested hypoxia response and an active specificity protein 1 (SP1) site in the 5′-untranslated region. Transfection of a series of MAPT promoter deletions revealed unique functional domains. The distal-most had different activities in neuronal vs. non-neuronal cells. We have cloned, sequenced, and functionally characterized a 4868 bp fragment of the human MAPT 5′-flanking region, including the core promoter region (− 302/+4), neurospecific domains (− 4364/−1992 and + 293/+504, relative to + 1 TSS), and a hypoxia-inducible element (+ 60/+84). Our work extended functional analysis of the MAPT sequence further upstream, and explores cell-type specificity of MAPT promoter activity. Finally, we provided direct comparison of likely transcription factor binding sites, which are useful to understand differences between H1/H2 pathogenic associations.
Screening for skin carriage of methicillin‐resistant coagulase‐positive staphylococci and Staphylococcus schleiferi in dogs with healthy and inflamed skin

Methicillin resistance rates of 41% for Staphylococcus aureus, 16% for S. intermedius, and 40% for S. schleiferi have recently been reported in canine patients. These were deemed to be reflective of referral and clinician-selection biases, which would imply significantly lower methicillin-resistant staphylococcal carriage rates in less-biased canine populations. In this study, swabs for bacterial culture were collected from five cutaneous sites on each of 50 healthy dogs and 59 dogs with inflammatory skin disease to determine prevalence of carriage and relative frequency of methicillin resistance in coagulase-positive staphylococci and S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi. These were identified morphologically and by Gram's staining, catalase and coagulase testing, and biochemical speciation. Coagulase-positive staphylococci and S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi were isolated from 88% (52 of 59) of affected dogs. Species identified in the culture-positive dogs were: S. aureus in 12%, S. intermedius (92%), S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi (10%), and S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans (10%) with methicillin resistance rates of 17%, 8%, 20% and 20%, respectively. Coagulase-positive staphylococci were isolated from 74% (37 of 50) of healthy dogs: S. aureus (16%), S. intermedius (92%) and S. schleiferi ssp. coagulans (5%). Methicillin resistance rates were 0%, 3% and 50%, respectively. Of total methicillin-resistant isolates, 11 of 13 were positive for PBP2a via latex agglutination. Methicillin-resistant S. intermedius and S. schleiferi ssp. schleiferi isolates were all positive for the mecA gene via PCR. There was no significant difference in staphylococcal isolation or methicillin resistance between study groups. While present, methicillin-resistant coagulase-positive staphylococci are significantly less common in these less-biased populations than in the clinical isolates previously reported from this institution which provided the impetus for this study.
Using cognitive interviews to enhance measurement in empirical bioethics: Developing a measure of the preventive misconception in biomedical HIV prevention trials

AbstractBackground: We describe our use of cognitive interviews in developing a measure of “preventive misconception” to demonstrate the importance of this approach to researchers developing surveys in empirical bioethics. The preventive misconception involves research participants' false beliefs about a prevention trial, including beliefs that the interventions being tested will certainly be effective. Methods: We developed and refined a measure of the preventive misconception using qualitative interviews that focused on cognitive testing of proposed survey items with HIV prevention trial participants. Results: Two main problems emerged during initial interviews. First, the phrase “reduce your risk,” used to elicit beliefs about risk reduction from the use of study medications, was interpreted as relating to a reduction of risky behaviors. Second, the phrase “participating in this study,” intended to elicit beliefs about trial group assignment, was interpreted as relating to personal behavior changes ass...
Induction of cell growth arrest by atmospheric non-thermal plasma in colorectal cancer cells

Plasma is generated by ionizing neutral gas molecules, resulting in a mixture of energy particles, including electrons and ions. Recent progress in the understanding of non-thermal atmospheric plasma has led to applications in biomedicine. However, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in plasma-induced cell growth arrest are unclear. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of non-thermal atmospheric plasma treatment for cancer therapy and examined the mechanism by which plasma induces anti-proliferative properties and cell death in human colorectal cancer cells. Non-thermal atmospheric plasma induced cell growth arrest and induced apoptosis. In addition, plasma reduced cell migration and invasion activities. As a result, we found that plasma treatment to the cells increases β-catenin phosphorylation, suggesting that β-catenin degradation plays a role at least in part in plasma-induced anti-proliferative activity. Therefore, non-thermal atmospheric plasma constitutes a new biologic tool with the potential for therapeutic applications that modulate cell signaling and function.
Comparison of the CAT and CAT-H with third grade boys and girls.

Noting that some children may respond better to human stimuli than animal stimuli, the Children's Apperception Test-Human was developed (Bellak & Bellak, 1965). Subsequent research has generally shown the CAT and CAT-H to be equivalent in the responses they evoke (Haworth, 1966; Myler, Rosenkrantz, & Holmes, 1972; Neuringer & Livesay, 1970). Given the earlier maturity of children and the changes in social climate, it seems reasonable to reassess the comparabihty of responses to the CAT and CAT-H. Twelve boys and 18 girls in regular third-grade classes (ages 8-9 yr.) in a small midwestern town were individually administered the CAT and CAT-H by a female psychologist who taperecorded their responses. Standard instructions were utilized. Fifteen of the students were first presented a CAT card, thereafter alternating with a CAT-H card. The other fifteen started with a CAT-H card, again alternating between CATand CAT-H cards. Responses were classified according to the system used by Byrd and Witherspoon (1955). In this system, responses are classified as enumerative (naming aspects of the card), descriptive (describing), or apperceptive (revealing inner dynamics). Each study is classified according to its highest level. Latency between card placement and response was recorded, as was the number of words per story. Chi-squared analysis for correlated measures indicated no significant difference between the tests or between boys and girls for the number of enumerative, descriptive, or apperceptive stories, or refusals (with descriptive being by far the most common). The mean number of words per story was not significantly different between the CAT and CAT-H or between boys and girls (averaging 26 words per story). Latency between card placement and response was statistically significantly slower for boys (4.24 sec. compared to 2.37 for girls). While statistically significant, this difference of 1.87 sec. does not appear to be of any clinical significance. The results of the present study are consistent with past studies that show no remarkable differences in the responses elicited by the CATand CAT-H.
Are you what you feel ? The affective and cognitive determinants of self-judgments

Subjects recalled an affect-eliciting event that had occurred to them in either an achievement situation or an interpersonal situation. Recalling a positive or negative achievement experience (for which Subjects appeared to take personal responsibility) influenced judgments of their competence in achievement situations. Whereas thinking about a positive or negative interpersonal experience (for which subjects appeared to deny responsibility) did not influence judgments of their competence in social situations. On the other hand, both types of affect-eliciting experiences influenced subjects' judgments of their competence in the domain to which these experiences had no direct implications, and also judgments of their general self-esteem. Implications of these results for a more general conceptualization of self-esteem and its stability are discussed.
Four Achievements of the Genetical Method in Physical Anthropology1

THE use of genetical methods in physical anthropology, which really began with the Hirszfelds' classical paper (1919:675) is no longer new and is now widely accepted. Genetical methods are referred to, in an approving tone, in many books and articles published during the last few years. The late Prof. Hooton (1946) devoted 18 pages out of 788 to genetical methods, and Montagu (1960:327) devotes 93 out of 771 to the subject, giving it avery up-to-date treatment, and stating," . . . if we are to trace the relationships of the varieties of man to one another, it is necessary that we rely on criteria which possess a more permanent character than the shifting sands of head shape .... Such characters are available in the blood groups, in the M-N in the Rh-Hr blood types and in the hemoglobin and haptoglobin types of man." In addition to the characteristics mentioned by Montagu, we now know of a number of other inherited traits of man that either are or will doubtless become useful. One might well ask, are there any longer any skeptics? The answer to this question seems to be: yes, there are skeptics, and some of them are rather vocal. Worse than this, examination of some of the books and papers written by authors who seem to welcome the genetical method suggests that they, in reaching their conclusions, actually make very little use of the data and modes of reasoning that such methods provide. Layrisse and Wilbert (1960) state that in their experience about four out of ten physical anthropologists are still doubtful about the value of blood grouping in their science. Probably most of us have had one or more of the older physical anthropologists inquire, in conversation, "Now frankly, what have blood groups ever proved that we didn't know already?" L. Oschinsky (1959:1) has not hesitated to carry the war into his enemy's country. He says, "Nowhere has Professor Boyd posed the question as to whether or not the characteristics he is choosing are taxonomically relevant .... Unfortunately for Professor Boyd, it is the polygenic features such as skin colour, hair texture, nose shape, lip thickness, which have the greatest taxonomic value. And why is it necessary to understand the mechanism of inheritance if one is concerned with the question of distinguishing between the various racial groups which, Professor Boyd states, is one of the chief aims of physical anthropology?" (my italics) A few years ago, at a seminar at Columbia University, a distinguished American physical anthropologist delivered a detailed attack on the blood groups as anthropological criteria, partly on the grounds that they may respond too readily to selection pressures. More recently, two Polish anthropologists, Bielicki (1962:3) and Wiercinski (1962:2) have also attacked the use of
Lysyl Oxidase: Mechanism, Regulation and Relationship to Liver Fibrosis

Lysyl oxidase oxidizes peptidyl lysine in collagen and elastin substrates to residues of alpha-aminoadipic-delta-semialdehyde. The peptidyl aldehydes can then undergo spontaneous condensations with unreacted epsilon-amino groups and with neighboring aldehyde functions, thus forming the covalent crosslinkages which convert elastin and collagen into insoluble fibers. The unique role of lysyl oxidase in the post-translational modification of these proteins qualifies this enzymatic reaction as a potentially pivotal site of biological and/or chemotherapeutic control of collagen fiber deposition. Recent advances in the study of the catalytic mechanism, in the development of active site inhibitors, and in the biosynthesis and regulation of this unusual catalyst are reviewed as are studies on the response of lysyl oxidase in fibrotic liver.
Optoelectronic systems for high-speed threshold-decomposition image processing

In threshold decomposition image processing an input grayscale image is decomposed into a sequence of binary slices, each corresponding to a different threshold value. Each slice is processed in some way and the results added. In an optoelectronic system the processing operation often involves a spatial filtering operation, and most likely followed by a nonlinearity. Ranked-order filtering of grayscale images can be performed with digital accuracy. Relatively simple optoelectronic implementation of threshold-dependent processing is also possible. Texture segmentation can be performed independent of illumination level.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A framework for assessing HMIS in developing countries: Latvia as a case study

The health systems in many developing countries lag seriously behind the developed world in the use of health management information systems (HMIS). The World Bank, like other international donor organizations, is increasingly called upon to provide technical and financial assistance in this area, but success stories remain rare. Because HMIS are critical to developing and improving health systems delivery and finance, the bank must find ways to increase effectiveness of the interventions it supports. This paper attempts to contribute to this process by proposing a new conceptual framework for the assessment of HMIS interventions, and then demonstrating the framework by applying it to an existing project to support national health insurance in Latvia. The paper documents the key characteristics of the HMIS project, discusses successes and failures to date, and presents lessons learned that may be applicable to other HMIS projects in developing countries. The case study focuses on a functional classification of the HMIS implementation, and critical success factors that have emerged with regard to systems implementation in developed countries.
Dimensionality reduction for similarity searching in dynamic databases

Databases are increasingly being used to store multi-media objects such as maps, images, audio and video. Storage and retrieval of these objects is accomplished using multi-dimensional index structures such as R*-trees and SS-trees. As dimensionality increases, query performance in these index structures degrades. This phenomenon, generally referred to as the dimensionality curse, can be circumvented by reducing the dimensionality of the data. Such a reduction is however accompanied by a loss of precision of query results. Current techniques such as QBIC use SVD transform-based dimensionality reduction to ensure high query precision. The drawback of this approach is that SVD is expensive to compute, and therefore not readily applicable to dynamic databases. In this paper, we propose novel techniques for performing SVD-based dimensionality reduction in dynamic databases. When the data distribution changes considerably so as to degrade query precision, we recompute the SVD transform and incorporate it in the existing index structure. For recomputing the SVD-transform, we propose a novel technique that uses aggregate data from the existing index rather than the entire data. This technique reduces the SVD-computation time without compromising query precision. We then explore efficient ways to incorporate the recomputed SVD-transform in the existing index structure without degrading subsequent query response times. These techniques reduce the computation time by a factor of 20 in experiments on color and texture image vectors. The error due to approximate computation of SVD is less than 10%.
Patterns of Cuban development: The first twenty-five years

Abstract This paper interprets the post-1959 evolution of Cuban economic policymaking and performance as a function of the shifting and interacting domestic and foreign sources of surplus accumulation. Policy choices previously seen as strictly subjective, such as the use of moral incentives in the late 1960s, are attributed objective components. The tensions between decentralization and centralization, market and plan, private and public, agriculture and industry, efficiency and equity are discussed in relation to domestic surplus generation. The role of Soviet aid, commodity prices, trading patterns and debt repayment are treated in analyzing foreign influences on surplus generation.
Modeling ionospheric outflows and their impact on the magnetosphere, initial results

[1] Ionospheric outflow has been shown to be a significant contributor to the plasma population of the magnetosphere during active geomagnetic conditions. We present the results of new efforts to model the source and effects of out-flowing plasma in the Space Weather Modeling Framework (SWMF). In particular, we develop and use the Polar Wind Outflow Model (PWOM), a field-aligned, multifluid, multifield line polar wind code to simulate the ionospheric outflow. The PWOM is coupled to the ionosphere electrodynamics and global magnetosphere components of the SWMF, so we can calculate the outflow and its resulting impact on magnetospheric composition and dynamics. By including the outflow as part of a coupled system, we study the consequences of outflow on the larger space environment system. We present our methodology for the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, as well as the effect of outflow on the magnetosphere during two geomagnetic storms. Moreover, we explore the use of multispecies MHD to track the resulting plasma composition in the magnetosphere. We find that, by including ionospheric outflow during geomagnetic storms, we can reduce the RMS error in the simulated magnetic field as compared with various GOES satellites by as much as 50%. Additionally, we find that the outflow causes a strong decrease in Dst and in the cross-polar cap potential.
Oxidation of heated diamond C(100):H surfaces

Abstract This paper extends a previous study (Pehrsson and Mercer, submitted to Surf. Sci.) on unheated, hydrogenated, natural diamond (100) surfaces oxidized with thermally activated oxygen (O ∗ 2 ). In this paper, the oxidation is performed at substrate temperatures from Tsub=24 to 670°C. The diamond surface composition and structure were then investigated with high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), electron loss spectroscopy (ELS) and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). The oxygen coverage (θ) increased in two stages, as it did during oxidation at T
A study of the adhesion of copper to nickel

In this investigation the role of diffusion in the adhesion of copper to nickel was studied. Adhesion coefficients were measured for both atomically clean Cu−Ni surfaces and contaminated Cu−Ni surfaces in the temperature range of 200° to 300°C. Electron microprobe measurements were performed to determine the extent of diffusion during the adhesion process. Results show that the adhesion coefficients for the atomically clean surfaces are higher than those for the contaminated surfaces. However, the electron microprobe measurements show that there was no measurable bulk diffusion in the stronger atomically clean specimens and that there was significant bulk diffusion in the contaminated specimens. A surface diffusion mechanism is postulated for the adhesion of atomically clean Cu−Ni surfaces in the temperature range of 200°, to 300°C.
Surprising effect of deposition temperature on Pt/Pd(110) reconstruction

Abstract Pt films deposited on Pd(110) can exhibit (1 × 2) and (1 × 3) superstructures when they are annealed above room temperature. At a coverage of 3 monolayers, the film “remembers” the conditions of its deposition below room temperature. When the film is deposited at temperatures below 200 K, annealing above room temperature produces a bright and stable (1 × 2). When the deposition temperature falls between 200 and 300 K, annealing above room temperature produces split spots whose splitting is a function of deposition temperature. When the film is deposited at 300 K, annealing produces a (1 × 3) pattern. The origin of this memory effect is not clear, but evidence is presented that it does not result from spurious adsorption of hydrogen. The (1 × 2) and (1 × 3) superstructures probably correspond to bulk-like, missing-row reconstructions.
Identification of Variable Frequency Induction Motor Models from Operating Data

The parameters of the induction motor model vary as operating conditions change. Accurate knowledge of these parameters and their dependency on operating conditions is critical for optimal field oriented control. This paper presents a systematic approach to modeling an induction motor considering operating conditions. All parameters are assumed to vary as a function of the operating conditions. The parameters are estimated from transient data using a constrained optimization algorithm. The parameters are mapped to the operating conditions using polynomial functions and artificial neural networks. The model is validated for both steady state and transient conditions.
Shifting Paradigms: Electrostatic Interactions and Covalent Bonding

The role of electrostatic interactions in covalent bonding of heavier main group elements has been evaluated for the exemplary set of molecules X 2 H 2 (X=C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb). Density functional calculations at PBE/ QZ4P combined with energy decomposition procedures and kinetic energy density analyses have been carried out for a variety of different structures, and two factors are responsible for the fact that the heavier homologues of acetylene exhibit doubly hydrogen-bridged local minimum geometries. For one, the extended electronic core with at least one set of p orbitals of the Group 14 elements beyond the first long period is responsible for favorable electrostatic E-H interactions. This electrostatic interaction is the strongest for the isomer with two bridging hydrogen atoms. Secondly, the H substituent does not posses an electronic core or any bonding-inactive electrons, which would give rise to a significant amount of Pauli repulsion, disfavoring the doubly bridged isomer. When one of two criteria is not met the unusual doubly bridged structure no longer constitutes the energetically preferred geometry. The bonding model is validated in calculations of different structures of Si 2 (CH 3 ) 2 .