cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vitro prediction of canine urolith mineral composition using computed tomographic mean beam attenuation measurements

Determination of urolith mineral composition is critical for management of urolithiasis in dogs and cats. Using computed tomography, urolith physical density, and hence chemical composition, can be quantified using mean beam attenuation measurements (Hounsfield units; HU). This study was designed to establish in vitro reference ranges for three types of compositionally pure uroliths retrieved from dogs. Sixty-six canine uroliths (22 uric acid, 21 calcium oxalate, 14 struvite, nine mixed or compound) were placed in a phantom array. Uroliths were scanned at 120 kVp, 200 mA, and 80 kVp, 200 mA. The region of interest (ROI) for mean HU calculation was determined using two techniques, and reference ranges were calculated for each kVp using either ROI technique. HU for urolith types of pure composition were statistically different (Wilcoxon's two-sample test, P < 0.0083 [Bonferonni correction with six comparisons for total P < 0.05]) using both ROI techniques at either kVp. Struvite uroliths were not statistically different from mixed or compound uroliths. The accuracy for determination of composition of pure uroliths ranged from 86% to 93%; the prediction accuracy for each urolith mineral type and for all uroliths in general was highest when the ROI was hand-drawn just within the visible urolith border at 80 kVp. Technique of ROI determination and kVp that yielded the highest sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values varied for each urolith type. Therefore, in this study, HU could be used to differentiate three types of uroliths of pure mineral composition in vitro. Further studies are needed to determine the predictive value of HU in vivo.
Hierarchical interactions among cytokines establish the functional state of microglia

Microglia rapidly respond to CNS injury yet the mechanisms leading to their activation and inactivation remain poorly defined. In particular, few studies have established how interactions among inflammatory mediators affect the innate immune response of microglia. To begin to understand the hierarchy of cytokine signalling we examined the effects of several cytokines on purified newborn and adult rat microglia in vitro, and we have examined the microglial response to injury in mice deficient in the IL-1 type 1 receptor (IL-1R1). Using several indices of activation, we find that IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 are potent microglial activators. By contrast, TGF-β1 did not activate the cells and when TGFβ1 was administered prior to IL-1β, it blocked the effects of IL-1β. However, TGFβ1 was ineffective in antagonizing IL-6. In null mice lacking the IL-1R1, microglia inefficiently responded to injury, and IL-6 induction was severely curtailed. These data establish a model of hierarchical signalling, whereby constitutive expression of TGF-β1 in the CNS maintains microglia in a resting state. IL-1, while an important microglial activator, is modifiable, whereas, the downstream cytokine, IL-6, is a strong stimulus that is unaffected by other modifiers of the innate immune response. Acknowledgements: Supported by NMSS award #RG 3837.
Signal integrity study of high density through silicon via (TSV) technology

This paper explores the electrical performance of several multi-channel TSV designs i.e. cross-etched full-plated TSV and cross-etched partial-plated TSV to further improve data transmission bandwidth among the vertically stacked silicon devices. The electrical characteristics of the multi-channel TSV designs were investigated and compared against the conventional TSV design in terms of return loss, insertion loss, near-end (NEXT) and far-end (FEXT) crosstalk. Fullwave electromagnetic simulation data showed the insertion loss performance of the multi-channel TSV designs are at par with the conventional TSV design up-to 50GHz. Meanwhile, the multi-channel TSV designs were found yielding improved NEXT and FEXT crosstalk performance. Transient analyses of respective TSV designs are also included in this paper for more conclusive discussions.
p‐convergent finite element approximations in fracture mechanics

The strain energy release rate (G) converges rapidly in finite element approximations in which the finite element mesh is fixed and the order of polynomial displacement interpolations (p) is increased. Numerical experiments indicate that the error inG is very closely estimated, even for small pand very coarse finite element meshes, by an expression of the form k (NDF)-1 in which k is a mesh dependent constant and NDF is the number of degrees-of-freedom. The method provides for very efficient and accurate computation of G without the use of special techniques.
To Split or Not to Split: Colostomy Complications for Anorectal Malformations or Hirschsprung Disease: A Single Center Experience and a Systematic Review of the Literature

Introduction The aim of this article is to identify the ideal type and location of colostomy in children with colorectal disease. Patients and Methods A retrospective case study of children with an anorectal malformation who received a colostomy, born between January 1990 and July 2012. Furthermore, a systematic literature search on colostomies in neonates with an anorectal malformation or Hirschsprung disease. Colostomies were classified as loop or split colostomies in the transverse or sigmoid colon. Outcome measures were mortality and complications such as prolapse, technical difficulties with the reconstruction, urinary tract infections, and others. Results The mortality rate in the 180 children with anorectal malformation was 6%, and none of them were directly related to stoma formation or closure. The overall complication rate was 23% and the specific rates for the two types of procedures and the two locations of the colostomy did not differ (p = 0.389 and p = 0.667, respectively). All prolapses (n = 22) occurred in loop colostomies in the transverse colon. One colostomy required revision because of insufficient length for the reconstruction. Urinary tract infections were not documented. A total of eight studies were included in the systematic review (1982–2011; 2,954 patients). Mortality ranged between 0.1 and 11%. Loop colostomies had more complications than split colostomies (63 vs. 45%; p = 0.007), mainly prolapse (18 vs. 6%; p Conclusions The complication to be avoided in transverse colostomies is prolapse and the surgical technique should be modified accordingly. The procedure of split sigmoid colostomy is meticulous, and the risk of insufficient length for the reconstruction remains.
Migration of plasticizer in vinyl resins: An infrared spectroscopic study

La spectroscopie IR a reflexion totale attenuee permet de mesurer la migration d'un plastifiant dans du PVC
Three new species of Tanytarsus (Diptera : Chironomidae)

Abstract Three new species of Tanytarsus, viz., T. (T.) ungulituberculata, T. (T.) agraensis and T. (T.) khandariensis are described from Agra, India.
Effect of MnO on the microstructures, phase stability, and mechanical properties of ceria-partially-stabilized zirconia (Ce–TZP) and Ce–TZP–Al2O3 composites

The effects of increasing amounts of MnO additions on the microstructures, phase stability, and mechanical properties of ZrO2–12 mol % CeO2 and ZrO2–12 mol% CeO2–10 wt.% Al2O3 were studied. MnO suppressed grain growth in ZrO2–12 mol% CeO2, while enhancing the mechanical properties significantly (strength = 557 MPa, fracture toughness = 9.3 MPa $\sqrt {\rm{m}} $ at 0.2 wt.% MnO). The enhanced mechanical properties were achieved despite an increased stability of the tetragonal phase, as evidenced by a lower burst transformation temperature (Mb) and a reduced volume fraction of the monoclinic phase on the fracture surface. In ZrO2–12 mol% CeO2–10 wt.% Al2O3, the addition of MnO suppressed the grain size of ZrO2, while promoting grain growth and changing the morphology of Al2O3. More significantly, the stability of the tetragonal ZrO2 phase decreased (high Mb temperature) with a concurrent increase in fracture toughness (13.2 MPa $\sqrt {\rm{m}} $ at 2 wt.% MnO) and transformation plasticity (1.2% in four-point bending). The widths of the transformation zones observed adjacent to the fracture surfaces showed a consistent inverse relation to the transformation yield stress, as would be expected from the mechanics of stress-induced phase transformation at crack tips. The improvements in mechanical properties obtained in the base Ce–TZP and the Ce–TZP–Al2O3 composite ceramics with the addition of MnO are critically examined in the context of transformation toughening and other possible mechanisms.
Methylmercury inhibition of fin regeneration in fishes and its interaction with salinity and cadmium

Abstract Regeneration of amputated caudal fins in Mugil cephalus was retarded by exposure to 0.001 and 0.01 mg l −1 methylmercuric chloride in diluted seawater (9‰ salinity). The response was dose-dependent, and correlated with whole-body uptake of mercury, as determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Regeneration rate in Fundulus confluentus was greater in full strength (36‰) than in diluted (9‰) seawater. The addition of 0.01 or 0.05 mg l −1 of methylmercuric chloride retarded growth in full strength seawater, but not in diluted water in which the growth rate was already depressed. The presence of CdCl 2 , which by itself also retarded fin regeneration, counteracted the growth-inhibiting action of methylmercury, so that fish exposed simultaneously to the two toxicants at various combinations of 0.025 and 0.005 mg l −1 exhibited growth rates comparable to controls.
Effects of Fluids on the Simulated Clinical‐Dental Machining of a Glass Ceramic

Effects of fluids on material removal rate, chipping damage, and surface roughness in the simulated clinical-dental machining of a dental-type glass ceramic were investigated. Significant differences in removal rate were obtained among the fluids investigated, but only a 4 wt% boric acid solution gave a higher removal rate than conventionally used water. Chipping damage was substantially lower for the boric acid and an oil-emulsion coolant compared with other fluids tested. Surface roughness was independent of the fluids used. The results indicate that improvement can be achieved in both material removal rate and machining damage by the appropriate selection of coolant chemistry.
Spatial distribution of the specialization of arts

The hypothesis is that the major source of concentration of arts in different regions is due to agglomeration effects of specialized talents, city size, income, and quality of life. Twenty-nine large metropolitan areas are ranked and assessed for enhancing the climate for arts activity. Data on metropolitan areas in the United States on cost of living, transportation, employment, education, climate, crime, health care, recreation, city size, and per capita income are used as explanations for predominance of art in the 29 metropolitan areas. The results indicate that cities with larger populations and higher per capita income have greater concentrations of artistic activity. Other explanatory variables include factors associated with the quality of life. (JEL RIO, R23)
Do the effects of APOE- E4 on cognitive function and decline depend upon vitamin status? Macarthur studies of successful aging

Objectives To investigate whether gene nutrient interactions influence the risk of cognitive dysfunction among older persons.
Severe myonecrosis in a fatal case of envenomation by the canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus).

Abstract C. S. Kitchens , S. Hunter and L. H. S. Van Mierop . Severe myonecrosis in a fatal case of envenomation by the canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus). Toxicon25, 455 – 458, 1987. — Severe myonecrosis was found at autopsy in a fatal case of envenomation by Crotalus horridus atricaudatus. The degree and extent of rhabdomyolysis were independent of the site of muscle sampling, being no more advanced at the site of envenomation. We conclude that myonecrosis was not enhanced by increased interstitial pressure.
Planar reorientation of a free-free beam in space using embedded electromechanical actuators

It is demonstrated that the planar reorientation of a free-free beam in zero gravity space can be accomplished by periodically changing the shape of the beam using embedded electromechanical actuators. The dynamics which determine the shape of the free-free beam is assumed to be characterized by the Euler-Bernoulli equation, including material damping, with appropriate boundary conditions. The coupling between the rigid body motion and the flexible motion is explained using the angular momentum expression which includes rotatory inertia and kinematically exact effects. A control scheme is proposed where the embedded actuators excite the flexible motion of the beam so that it rotates in the desired sense with respect to a fixed inertial reference. Relations are derived which relate the average rotation rate to the amplitudes and the frequencies of the periodic actuation signal and the properties of the beam. These reorientation maneuvers can be implemented by using feedback control.
A method for reduction of numerical diffusion in the donor cell treatment of convection

Abstract This article is concerned with the donor cell treatment of convection in numerical simulations of convective-diffusive flow. The two sources of numerical diffusion in this treatment, truncation error and crossflow diffusion, are explained and quantified. Truncation error occurs due to the use of approximate profile assumptions while crossflow diffusion arises due to cell-wise homogenization of the convected quantity in multidimensional problems. Crossflow diffusion is the dominant source of error in many cases. A corrective scheme is introduced in this article which compensates for the effect of crossflow diffusion by reducing the effective anisotropic diffusion coefficient used in the diffusion portion of the simulation. Relationships are developed quantifying the crossflow diffusional error and requirements for explicit numerical stability when the error correction technique is employed. The magnitudes of the diffusional error and the improvements realized using the corrective scheme are demonstrated through computational examples.
Phase equilibria of a Be, U and F-enriched vitrophyre from Spor Mountain, Utah

Abstract The equilibrium melting relations of a vitrophyre representative of topaz rhyolites have been experimentally determined in order to constrain the pre-eruption temperature and H2O content of topaz rhyolite magmas. The vitrophyre sample is strongly enriched in F and incompatible elements and consists of approximately 70% unaltered volcanic glass and 30% crystals of biotite, quartz, sanidine, plagioclase, magmatic fluorite and a variety of accessory phases. Biotite stability is strongly dependent on temperature, pressure, and aH2O, in the melt, and is apparently independent of the variations in ƒo2 over the range investigated in this study. The thermal stability of biotite increases relative to that of quartz, sanidine, and plagioclase in water-saturated melts as pressure increases from 1 2 to 2 kbar. Fluorite is stable to temperatures below but within 50° to 75°C of the biotite stability curve, and topaz is present in the products of runs at and near the solidus for all fluid conditions investigated. The 1.2 wt.% F in the vitrophyre results in very low solidus temperatures of ≤ 525°C for all fluid conditions studied. Comparison of the experimentally determined crystallization sequence of the vitrophyre with the observed crystallization sequence of the vitrophyre and of the overlying topaz rhyolites indicates that the phenocrysts in the vitrophyre and in the topaz rhyolites crystallized at a pressure ≥ 1 kb, that the magma contained at least 4 wt.% water during initial crystallization of biotite, and that the magma contained a pre-eruption water content of 5 wt.%.
Bcl-2 regulates chondrocyte morphology and aggrecan gene expression independent of caspase activation and full apoptosis.

Bcl-2 is widely expressed in a variety of cell types and is known to block apoptosis through a conserved pathway. However, recent reports have demonstrated that Bcl-2 regulates cell behavior independent of its control of apoptosis. Chondrocytes express a unique set of matrix proteins, including the proteoglycan aggrecan, and have been widely used to study the relationship between trophic factors and apoptosis. In this article, we report that Bcl-2 affects the morphology and regulates the expression of aggrecan in a rat chondrocyte cell line (IRC). Endogenous Bcl-2 and aggrecan mRNA were both down-regulated in response to serum withdrawal in parental IRC cells, while constitutive expression of Bcl-2 maintained aggrecan levels under conditions of serum withdrawal. In addition, expression of anti-sense Bcl-2 resulted in decreased aggrecan mRNA and produced a fibroblastic morphology compared with parental cells. The caspase inhibitor ZVAD-fmk effectively blocked full apoptosis of IRC cells in response to serum withdrawal or anti-sense Bcl-2 but did not prevent the down-regulation of aggrecan expression from either signal. These results suggest a novel role for Bcl-2 in regulating the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes and the expression of a differentiation-specific gene independent of its control of apoptosis.
Generation of polynomial-time algorithms for some optimization problems on tree-decomposable graphs

Recent work in the design of efficient algorithms for optimization problems on treedecomposable graphs concentrates on developing general approaches which lead to families of related algorithms, rather than on developing isolatedad hoc algorithms. This paper develops new general approaches to obtain two new families of related polynomial-time algorithms for (1) packing, partitioning, and covering problems and (2) multiset and multiproperty problems. These problems have not been handled by previous general approaches.
Rigging the Rules of the Game: How Landlords Geographically Sort Low‐Income Renters

This paper considers an unexamined mechanism in the selection processes that sort the urban poor into different neighborhood environments: the landlord. Scholars of poverty and residential mobility...
Monitoring drug-induced gammaH2AX as a pharmacodynamic biomarker in individual circulating tumor cells.

Purpose: Circulating tumor cells (CTC) in peripheral blood of patients potentially represent a fraction of solid tumor cells available for more frequent pharmacodynamic assessment of drug action than is possible using tumor biopsy. However, currently available CTC assays are limited to cell membrane antigens. Here, we describe an assay that directly examines changes in levels of the nuclear DNA damage marker γH2AX in individual CTCs of patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents. Experimental Design: An Alexa Fluor 488–conjugated monoclonal γH2AX antibody and epithelial cancer cell lines treated with topotecan and spiked into whole blood were used to measure DNA damage–dependent nuclear γH2AX signals in individual CTCs. Time-course changes in both CTC number and γH2AX levels in CTCs were also evaluated in blood samples from patients undergoing treatment. Results: The percentage of γH2AX-positive CTCs increased in a concentration-dependent manner in cells treated with therapeutically relevant concentrations of topotecan ex vivo . In samples from five patients, percent γH2AX-positive cells increased post-treatment from a mean of 2% at baseline (range, 0-6%) to a mean of 38% (range, 22-64%) after a single day of drug administration; this increase was irrespective of increases or decreases in the total CTC count. Conclusions: These data show promise for monitoring dynamic changes in nuclear biomarkers in CTCs (in addition to CTC count) for rapidly assessing drug activity in clinical trials of molecularly targeted anticancer therapeutics as well as for translational research. Clin Cancer Res; 16(3); 1073–84
Fluorescence spectroscopy of U(VI)-silicates and U(VI)-contaminated Hanford sediment

Abstract Time-resolved U(VI) laser fluorescence spectra (TRLFS) were recorded for a series of natural uranium-silicate minerals including boltwoodite, uranophane, soddyite, kasolite, sklodowskite, cuprosklodowskite, haiweeite, and weeksite, a synthetic boltwoodite, and four U(VI)-contaminated Hanford vadose zone sediments. Lowering the sample temperature from RT to ∼ 5.5 K significantly enhanced the fluorescence intensity and spectral resolution of both the minerals and sediments, offering improved possibilities for identifying uranyl species in environmental samples. At 5.5 K, all of the uranyl silicates showed unique, well-resolved fluorescence spectra. The symmetric O = U = O stretching frequency, as determined from the peak spacing of the vibronic bands in the emission spectra, were between 705 to 823 cm −1 for the uranyl silicates. These were lower than those reported for uranyl phosphate, carbonate, or oxy-hydroxides. The fluorescence emission spectra of all four sediment samples were similar to each other. Their spectra shifted minimally at different time delays or upon contact with basic Na/Ca-carbonate electrolyte solutions that dissolved up to 60% of the precipitated U(VI) pool. The well-resolved vibronic peaks in the fluorescence spectra of the sediments indicated that the major fluorescence species was a crystalline uranyl mineral phase, while the peak spacing of the vibronic bands pointed to the likely presence of uranyl silicate. Although an exact match was not found between the U(VI) fluorescence spectra of the sediments with that of any individual uranyl silicates, the major spectral characteristics indicated that the sediment U(VI) was a uranophane-type solid (uranophane, boltwoodite) or soddyite, as was concluded from microprobe, EXAFS, and solubility analyses.
Putative proteins related to group II intron reverse transcriptase/maturases are encoded by nuclear genes in higher plants

The Arabidopsis thaliana nuclear genome sequence revealed several open reading frames encoding proteins related to group II intron-encoded reverse transcriptase/maturases. Here, we show via sequence alignments that at least four such open reading frames are conserved in the nuclear genomes of A.thaliana and Oryza sativa (rice) and that they encode putative proteins belonging to two different classes (nMat-1 and nMat-2), neither of which is associated with a group II intron RNA structure. The two nMat-1 proteins have reverse transcriptase, maturase and DNA endonuclease domains characteristic of canonical group II intron-encoded proteins, while the two nMat-2 proteins have reverse transcriptase and maturase domains linked to a novel C-terminal domain. Although some nMat proteins have mutations expected to inactivate intron mobility functions, all could potentially retain the RNA splicing function. These nuclear maturase-like proteins may be imported into organelles to function in group II intron splicing and/or they may have assumed other cellular functions. Nuclear-encoded maturases could regulate organellar gene expression and may reflect a step in the evolution of mobile group II introns into spliceosomal introns.
Microsystems for chemistry and energy applications

Microfabrication techniques and scale-up by replication have fueled spectacular advances in the electronics industry and more recently in microanalysis chips for chemical and biological applications. Miniaturization of chemical analytic devices in micro-total-analysis-systems (/spl mu/TAS) represents a natural extension of microfabrication technology to chemistry and biology with obvious applications in combinatorial chemistry, high throughput screening, and portable analytical measurement devices. The merging of /spl mu/TAS techniques with microreaction technology promises to yield a wide range of novel devices for high throughput screening, reaction kinetic and mechanism studies, and on-line monitoring of production systems.
Controlled atmosphere storage of winter white cabbage

SUMMARY In four laboratory experiments and five commercial scale trials carried out between 1977 and 1979, five cvs of winter white cabbage were stored at 0–2 °C for 29–43 wk in controlled atmospheres (C A) consisting of c. 5–6% CO2, 3% O2 and the remainder N., or in air. The incidence of rots caused by Botrytis cinerea was reduced and the incidence of ‘pepper-spotting’ (a non-microbial leaf necrosis disorder) was reduced or eliminated by storage in CA. Storage and trimming weight losses were lower and the recoveries of trimmed cabbage suitable for marketing or processing up to 22% higher in cabbage stored in CA than in those stored in air. Sensory assessments of four cvs tested indicated that CA-stored cabbages retained their green colour, crisp texture and fresh flavour better than the corresponding air-stored samples.
Section 504, the ADA, and Public Schools What Educators Need to Know

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are civil rights acts that are beginning to have a major impact on public schools. Schools have recently begun to pay a great deal of attention to these two acts because more and more parents are beginning to request services for children who are not eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Because these two pieces of legislation are civil rights acts, their application is mandatory for schools. Schools must ensure that students who are protected have equal access to a free, appropriate education and extracurricular activities. This article provides an overview of the requirements of Section 504 and the ADA, and it describes actions that schools can take to ensure compliance.
Effects of Dissolved Gas Content on Pool Boiling of a Highly Wetting Fluid

Experimental results on pool boiling heat transfer from a horizontal cylinder in an electronic cooling fluid (FC-72) are presented. The effects on the boiling curve of having air dissolved in the fluid are documented, showing that fluid in the vicinity of the heating element is apparently liberated of dissolved gas during boiling. Dissolved gas was found to influence boiling incipience only with high gas concentrations (>0.005 moles/mole). For low-to-moderate concentrations, a larger superheat is required to initiate boiling and a hysteresis is observed between boiling curves taken with increasing and decreasing heat flux steps. Boiling, a very effective mode of heat transfer, is attractive for electronics cooling. The present experiment provides further documentation of the role of dissolved gas on the incipience process and shows similarities with subcooled boiling of a gas-free fluid. 20 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.
Genetic influence on exercise-induced changes in physical function among mobility-limited older adults

To date, physical exercise is the only intervention consistently demonstrated to attenuate age-related declines in physical function. However, variability exists in seniors' responsiveness to training. One potential source of variability is the insertion (I allele) or deletion (D allele) of a 287 bp fragment in intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene. This polymorphism is known to influence a variety of physiological adaptions to exercise. However, evidence is inconclusive regarding the influence of this polymorphism on older adults' functional responses to exercise. This study aimed to evaluate the association of ACE I/D genotypes with changes in physical function among Caucasian older adults (n = 283) following 12 mo of either structured, multimodal physical activity or health education. Measures of physical function included usual-paced gait speed and performance on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). After checking Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, we used using linear regression to evaluate the genotype*treatment interaction for each outcome. Covariates included clinic site, body mass index, age, sex, baseline score, comorbidity, and use of angiotensin receptor blockers or ACE inhibitors. Genotype frequencies [II (19.4%), ID (42.4%), DD (38.2%)] were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). The genotype*treatment interaction was statistically significant for both gait speed (P = 0.002) and SPPB (P = 0.020). Exercise improved gait speed by 0.06 ± 0.01 m/sec and SPPB score by 0.72 ± 0.16 points among those with at least one D allele (ID/DD carriers), but function was not improved among II carriers. Thus, ACE I/D genotype appears to play a role in modulating functional responses to exercise training in seniors.
Autonomous Vehicle Technologies for Small Fixed-Wing UAVs

Autonomous unmanned air vehicle ∞ight control systems require robust path generation to account for terrain obstructions, weather, and moving threats such as radar, jammers, and unfriendly aircraft. In this paper, we outline a feasible, hierarchal approach for real-time motion planning of small autonomous flxed-wing UAVs. The approach divides the trajectory generation into four tasks: waypoint path planning, dynamic trajectory smoothing, trajectory tracking, and low-level autopilot compensation. The waypoint path planner determines the vehicle’s route without regard for the dynamic constraints of the vehicle. This results in a signiflcant reduction in the path search space, enabling the generation of complicated paths that account for pop-up and dynamically moving threats. Kinematic constraints are satisfled using a trajectory smoother which has the same kinematic structure as the physical vehicle. The third step of the approach uses a novel tracking algorithm to generate a feasible state trajectory that can be followed by a standard autopilot. Monte-Carlo simulations were done to analyze the performance and feasibility of the approach and determine real-time computation requirements. A planar version of the algorithm has also been implemented and tested in a low-cost micro-controller. The paper describes a custom UAV built to test the algorithms.
Wireless Signaling of Beta Detection Using Microdischarges

This paper explores the possibility of using microdischarges to generate broadband radio-frequency (RF) signaling from gas-based microdetectors of beta radiation. The concept is evaluated using two types of lithographically manufactured test structures: 1) a silicon/glass stack with etched detection cavities and 2) a planar metal-on-glass structure. The test structures include electrodes that bias a fill-gas region with a high electric field, in which incident beta particles initiate avalanche-driven microdischarge pulses that inherently transmit RF spectra with frequency content extending into the ultrawideband (UWB) range of communication. The discharge gaps range from 165 to 500 μm. The impact of operating pressure, fill gases (which are typically a mixture of Ne and N2), and electrode materials (Ni and Cu) on operating voltage and wireless signaling performance is evaluated. Tests are performed in the proximity of weak (0.1-1.0-μCi) beta sources (90Sr and 204TI). Both types of test structures are capable of producing UWB signals spanning > 1 GHz. Measurements in an anechoic chamber using various receiver antennas show that microdischarges can produce field strengths up to 90 dB · μV/m measured at 1.67 m from the test structure.
Bean Leaf Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Management for Reduction of Bean Pod Mottle Virus

Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) is a management concern for soybean, Glycine max (L.), producers in the North Central states because it can cause yield loss and reduce seed quality by induction of seed coat mottling. The main vector of BPMV is the bean leaf beetle, Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster). An experiment was conducted in 2000 and 2001 at two locations in northwestern and central Iowa to test three insecticide treatments for suppression of bean leaf beetles, and subsequently, BPMV. Treatments of insecticide applications with lambda-cyhalothrin were 1) a single early-season application (23 g [AI]/ha) (2.5 oz/acre) at the VE–VC soybean developmental stage; 2) two early-season applications, the first the same as treatment 1 and a second at the same rate 9–13 d later; 3) a single early-season application the same as treatment 1, followed by a mid-season application (28 g [AI]/ha (3.2 oz/acre) at approximately R2 (flowering, near 15 July); and 4) an unsprayed control. Application of lambda-cyhalothrin after soybean emergence and again as first-generation bean leaf beetles emerged in northwestern Iowa in 2000 (treatment 3) significantly reduced beetle densities through mid-season, BPMV field incidence by 31.5%, and seed coat mottling by 31.2%, compared with the unsprayed control. Similar effects were measured at the same location when insecticide was applied twice at early season (treatment 2). Yield was 453.7 kg/ha (6.74 bu/acre) greater in treatment 2 and 525.20 kg/ha (7.80 bu/acre) greater in treatment 3 than in the unsprayed control at the northwestern site in 2000. At both locations in 2001 fewer treatment effects were observed, which was likely related to lower beetle populations in that year. Early-season insecticide sprays targeted at overwintered beetles on VC–VE reduced the initial population of vector insects and may have contributed to a lower first-generation population because of reduced overwintered beetle oviposition. In 1 year at one location there was a benefit to an additional mid-season insecticide spray, although effectiveness of spraying at this time could vary based on the magnitude of the vector population.
Removal of PAS Positive Surface Sugars in Tumor Cells by Glycosidases.

SummaryStructural components of the coat of fixed TA3 tumor cells are stained both by the Hale and the PAS procedures. The Hale positive material can be removed by active neuramidase, indicating the presence of neuraminic acid. The PAS positive component is not influenced by lipid extraction or by diastase digestion and is only slightly affected by neuramidase. However, it is strongly affected by an enzyme preparation from Clostridium perfringens, containing a mixture of glycosidases. By specific blocking of individual glycosidases in the incubation medium, it was determined that galactose and acetyl-galactosamine are important components for the PAS positivity of the cell coat. Fucose is of less significance and perhaps less abundant than other PAS positive sugar units. N-acetyl-hexosaminidase from fungi of Genus Chalaropsis was also active against the PAS positive cell coat but differed from the glycosidases of CI. perfringens in that it did not require the previous removal of the Hale positive componen...
CULINARY PROCESSING OF JACKRABBITS AT ANTELOPE CAVE, ARIZONA

The faunal assemblage from Antelope Cave, a Virgin Anasazi site located in northwestern Arizona, is dominated by jackrabbits (Lepus californicus). The excellent preservation of the assemblage allows for the development of inferences regarding acquisition, butchering, cooking, and consumption activities using patterns of fragmentation, burning, articulation, and skeletal part representation. The occupants of the site were maximizing the extraction of nutritional benefits from jackrabbits through a combination of roasting, stewing, marrow processing, and pulverizing methods. The data provide important insights for understanding the processing decisions made by prehistoric foragers in a region relatively devoid of fuel sources.
Age and Behavior of Honey Bee Workers, Apis mellifera, that Interact with Drones

Colony reproduction in honey bees involves complex interactions between sterile workers and reproductive castes. Although worker–queen interactions have been studied in detail, worker–drone interactions are less well understood. We investigated caste interactions in honey bees by determining the age and behavior of workers that perform vibration signals, trophallaxis, and grooming with drones. Workers of all ages could engage in the different interactions monitored, although workers that performed vibration signals on drones were significantly older than those engaging in trophallaxis and grooming. Only 3–8% of workers engaged in the different behaviors were monitored. Compared with workers that performed vibration signals only on workers (‘worker vibrators’), those that performed signals on both workers and drones (‘drone vibrators’) had greater movement rates inside the nest, higher vibration signaling rates, and were more likely to have an immediate association with foraging. Both worker vibrators and drone vibrators contacted drones of all ages as they moved through the nest. However, drone vibrators contacted drones at higher rates, contacted slightly, but significantly younger drones, and were more likely to engage in trophallaxis and grooming with drones, in addition to vibrating them. Taken together, our results suggest that tiny proportions of workers belonging to separate, but overlapping age groups provide most of the care received by adult drones, and that drone vibrators comprise a subset of signalers within a colony that have an increased tendency to contact and interact with drones. Vibratory, tactile signals are involved in colony reproductive and movement decisions in a number of species of bees, wasps and ants, and may provide valuable tools for investigating caste interactions in many insect societies.
Design of high-efficiency miniaturized ultrasonic receivers for powering medical implants with reconfigurable power levels

Miniaturized ultrasonic receivers are designed for high efficiency ultrasonic powering of implants. Several piezoelectric materials are investigated for their practicality in designing millimeter-sized ultrasonic receivers. Piezoelectric receivers were built from these materials and measurements were performed in order to characterize their impedance and efficiency. We show operation of the piezoelectric receivers in an inductive frequency band, near resonance, allowing for impedance matching to typical implant loads. Finally, adaptive matching and frequency tuning techniques are demonstrated showing high power matching efficiencies across variable implants loads.
Stochastic optimal control design for nonlinear networked control system via neuro dynamic programming using input-output measurements

Neuro dynamic programming (NDP) techniques for optimal control of nonlinear network control system (NNCS) are not addressed in the literature. Therefore, in this paper, a novel NNCS representation incorporating the unknown system uncertainties and network imperfections is introduced first by using input and output measurements. Then, an online neural network (NN) identifier is introduced to estimate the control coefficient matrix. Subsequently, the critic NN and action NN are employed along with the NN identifier to determine the forward-in-time, time-based stochastic optimal control of NNCS without using value and policy iterations. Instead, value function and control inputs are updated at every sampling instant. Lyapunov theory is used to show that all the closed-loop signals and NN weights are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) while the approximated control input converges close to its target value with time.
Analyzing the etiology of an extremely worn dentition

Patients requiring extensive restorative care frequently exhibit significant loss of tooth structure. Specific clinical findings in an extremely worn dentition may vary widely and are often confusing. Severe wear can result from a mechanical cause, a chemical cause, or a combination of causes. The location of the wear, the accompanying symptoms and signs, and information gained from the patient interview are essential components in determining the etiology. A diagnostic decision tree facilitates a systematic analysis and diagnosis of dental wear.
Neuronal oscillations and visual amplification of speech.

It is widely recognized that viewing a speaker’s face enhances vocal communication, although the neural substrates of this phenomenon remain unknown. We propose that the enhancement effect uses the ongoing oscillatory activity of local neuronal ensembles in the primary auditory cortex. Neuronal oscillations reflect rhythmic shifting of neuronal ensembles between high and low excitability states. Our hypothesis holds that oscillations are ‘predictively’ modulated by visual input, so that related auditory input arrives during a high excitability phase and is thus amplified. We discuss the anatomical substrates and key timing parameters that enable and constrain this effect. Our hypothesis makes testable predictions for future studies and emphasizes the idea that ‘background’ oscillatory activity is instrumental to cortical sensory processing.
Does computer-synthesized speech manifest personality? Experimental tests of recognition, similarity-attraction, and consistency-attraction.

Would people exhibit similarity-attraction and consistency-attraction toward unambiguously computergenerated speech even when personality is clearly not relevant? In Experiment 1, participants (extrovert or introvert) heard a synthesized voice (extrovert or introvert) on a book-buying Web site. Participants accurately recognized personality cues in text to speech and showed similarity-attraction in their evaluation of the computer voice, the book reviews, and the reviewer. Experiment 2, in a Web auction context, added personality of the text to the previous design. The results replicated Experiment 1 and demonstrated consistency (voice and text personality)-attraction. To maximize liking and trust, designers should set parameters, for example, words per minute or frequency range, that create a personality that is consistent with the user and the content being presented. The vast majority of content on computers and on the World Wide Web is textual. E-mail, documents, spreadsheets, presentation outlines, e-commerce sites, news and information sites, bulletin boards and chat rooms, advertisements, and search engines, although enhanced by graphical content, are all dominated by text. The prevalence of textual material is both a problem and an opportunity. The problem is that there are significant barriers to accessing textual content. Only half of U.S. homes have access to the Internet (The White House, 2000), and less than two-thirds have computers; these are the highest rates in the world (Samuelson, 1999, p. 52).
Oxidation of alcohols by yeast alcohol dehydrogenase and by the living cell; the thiol groups of the enzyme

Abstract Yeast alcohol dehydrogenase is a group-specific enzyme. In small concentrations it oxidized mainly primary alcohols from 2-carbon to 4-carbon atoms at a rate which decreased with the number of carbon atoms, whereas in large concentrations it oxidized secondary alcohols and some polyalcohols, as well as methyl alcohol. Fluoroethanol inhibited the oxidation of ethanol, whereas fluorobutanol was oxidized. The enzyme contains freely reacting —SH groups which are essential for activity and give a positive nitroprusside reaction. Previous additions of ethanol or of DPN protected the —SH groups against inhibition by thiol reagents. Some of the alcohols which are oxidized slowly by the enzyme (methyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and sec-butyl alcohol) were not oxidized by the living yeast cell.
On Haney-Type Surface Thermal Boundary Conditions for Ocean Circulation Models

Abstract Haney-type surface thermal boundary conditions linearly connect net downward surface heat flux Q to air–sea temperature difference (gradient-type condition) ΔT1 or to climate/synoptic sea temperature difference (restoring-type condition) ΔT2 by a coupling coefficient κ. In this study, the authors used the global reanalyzed data (6-h resolution) of Q, surface air temperature TA, and sea surface temperature TO from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction during 1 October 1994–31 December 1995 to verify the validity of Haney-type surface thermal boundary conditions. First, daily means of these variables were computed to get rid of diurnal variation. Second, the cross-correlation coefficients (CCC) between Q and (ΔT1, ΔT2) were calculated. The ensemble mean CCC fields show (i) no correlation between Q and ΔT2 anywhere in the world oceans, (ii) no correlation between Q and ΔT1 in the equatorial regions, and (c) evident correlation (CCC ≥ 0.7) between Q and ΔT1 in the middle and high latitude...
A NEW SENSE OF THE COMPLEXITIES OF BIRD SONG

SINGING BIRDS are so familiar to most of us that the astounding complexity of their feats is often overlooked. Two articles in this issue of The Auk serve to remind us how little we understand or even recognize this complexity. The Nightingale Wren (Microcerculus philomela) of Central American forests, as Leger and his colleagues (2000) make clear, needs no special pleading to qualify as a source of wonder. This species produces one of the longest regularly repeated patterns of all bird songs. Most tropical ornithologists have assumed that these birds simply produce random sequences of notes. It turns out, however, that we have just not paid enough attention, because they actually produce a stereotyped sequence of haunting tones that can last nearly 15 seconds before repeating. A Nightingale Wren does not sing its entire song each time, but instead often interrupts its pattern. Apparently, these interruptions do not tend to occur at particular places in the sequence. Such weak links in a prolonged sequence of notes might indicate that the sequence was organized in chunks in the bird’s brain in much the same way that human songs are arranged in stanzas (Hultsch and Todt 1989). By singing songs that can end in many ways and by shifting the pattern in pitch, Nightingale Wrens turn their single pattern into a large repertoire of sorts. Despite their length, the songs of Nightin-
GENETIC VARIATION FOR HOST PREFERENCE WITHIN AND AMONG POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA TRIPUNCTATA.

Some time ago, perhaps in the Miocene, a number of flies dispersed from the Old World to the New World tropics, multiplied, and thus initiated the tripunctata radiation of the genus Drosophila (Throckmorton, 1975). The descendant species diversified ecologically, and they now breed variously in fungi, rotting fruits, sap flows, flowers, and decaying vegetation-a diversity of larval feeding niches almost as broad as that of the genus itself. A sole member of this radiation, D. tripunctata, has colonized the Nearctic, and it is presently abundant in many forests of the central and eastern United States (Wheeler, 1981; Fig. 1). This species is polyphagous in an unusual and interesting way: it commonly utilizes both decaying fruits and mushrooms as breeding sites (Sturtevant, 1921; Carson and Stalker, 1951). Since Drosophila larvae are not very vagile, the primary basis for the polyphagy of D. tripunctata and indeed for the ecological diversification of the group as a whole must ultimately reside in the oviposition site preference of female flies. The diversification of descendant species, in particular, would seem to depend critically on the existence of genetic variation for host preference among females. Of course, physiological adaptations that allow larvae to exploit these various resources are also important and should, in general, evolve in concert with changes in oviposition site preference (for examples in