cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Agriculture and Development in Rivers State, Nigeria

Available records show that appreciable amount of resources have been committed by State Governments in Nigeria towards the transformation of the rural sectors. But the rural resource poor clientele is dissatisfied with the government's efforts; and therefore yearn for more attention. This situation has encouraged good spirited individuals and organizations to come together to form Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in order to make attempt in changing the life style of the rural dwellers for the better. The formation of NGOs was identified as an approach towards rural transformation. The organizations are seen as essential mechanism by which the rural dwellers can participate, while mobilizing internal resources to improve their living standards. From the results, financial constraint is a major problem deterring the NGO's from achieving their full potential in rural transformation. The masses need to be fully aware of the gains they will derive by supporting the activities of NGOs. The mass media should be mobilized to further expose the benefits of NGOs as this will enhance farmers' effective participation in NGOs activities in the rural areas. [IJARD Vol.3 2002: 70-77]
Computer Controlled Device to Independently Control Flow Waveform Parameters During Organ Culture and Biomechanical Testing of Mouse Carotid Arteries

Understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease progression is essential in developing novel therapies to combat this disease that contributes to 1 in 3 deaths in the United States every year. Endothelial dysfunction and its effects on vessel growth and remodeling are key factors in the progression and localization of atherosclerosis. Much of our understanding in this area has come from in-vivo and in-vitro experiments. However, perfused organ culture systems provide an alternative approach[1]. Organ culture systems can provide a more controlled mechanical, neural, and hormonal environment compared to in-vivo models. This study focused on furthering development of an organ culture model for mouse arteries by introducing a novel device to produce flow waveforms at the high frequencies and low mean flows seen in the mouse model.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Therapy for sleep hypoventilation and central apnea syndromes

• Primary Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): We would recommend a trial of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP), acetazolamide, or zolpidem based on thorough consideration of risks and benefits and incorporation of patient preferences.
Implications of work and community resources and demands for marital quality.

Based on a resources and demands approach, this study explores the effects of time in paid work, level of community participation, and work and community subjective resources and demands on three components of marital quality: activities with spouse, marital disagreements, and marital happiness. The analysis is based on data from 1,033 married dual-earner parents with a child aged 10-17 interviewed for the 1992-1994 US National Survey of Families and Households. The results indicate that fathers with the lowest levels of paid work hours and participation in community-professional organizations have the highest level of activities with spouses. A similar result is found for mothers with the lowest levels of participation in religious organizations and organized youth activities. Mothers' and fathers' community satisfaction is positively associated with two components of marital quality, whereas negative work spillover and economic strain show negative relationships with all three components. The paper is a...
Steps toward a socio-technical categorization scheme for communication and information standards

Socio-technical systems continue to grow larger and more complex, comprising increasingly significant portions of contemporary society. Yet systematic understanding of interrelationships between social and technological elements remains elusive, even as computers and information systems proliferate. In this paper, we draw on ethnomethodology to distinguish several different kinds of processes through which communication and information are constituted. We discuss the distinctive properties of each in an effort to develop systematic understanding of basic elements of socio-technical systems. In particular, we offer a basic categorization of communication and information standards, noting the constitutive importance of their accompanying social practices. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
Police Stories: Building the French State, 1815–1851 – By John Merriman

The first half of the nineteenth century saw the development of professional urban police forces in Western Europe, a process exemplified by the establishment of the London “Bobbies” by Robert Peel...
Altered nonrenal drug clearance in ESRD.

Purpose of reviewIt is well recognized that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) significantly impacts the systemic clearance of renally cleared drugs. As such, dosing guidelines are routinely used to tailor regimens of renally cleared drugs in these patients at high risk of adverse drug events. Recent st
Masculinity, Femininity, and Behavior in Groups

The purpose of this study was to use recent conceptual and methodological advances in the area of personality and group processes to reexamine the relationship between personality and individual behavior in groups. Two self-report dispositional measures, the Masculinity and Femininity scales of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, were used as predictors of interpersonal behavior as measured by the System for the Multiple Level Observation of Groups (SYMLOG). As predicted, masculinity was positively associated with dominant behavior in the group. The hypothesized relationship between femininity and positive, friendly interpersonal behavior was found using retrospective ratings of behavior but failed to reach significance using the observational method. The current findings show that personality is an important variable affecting interaction in groups. Implications for the design and performance of task groups are explored.
Half-micrometer gate-length ion-implanted GaAs MESFET with 0.8-dB noise figure at 16 GHz

Ion-implanted GaAs MESFETs with half-micrometer gate length have been fabricated on 3-in-diameter GaAs substrates. At 16 GHz, a minimum noise figure of 0.8 dB with an associated gain of 6.3 dB has been measured. This noise figure is believed to be the lowest ever reported for 0.5- and 0.25- mu m ion-implanted MESFETs, and is comparable to that for 0.25- mu m HEMTs at this frequency. By using the Fukui equation and the fitted equivalent circuit model, a K/sub f/ factor of 1.4 has been obtained. These results clearly demonstrate the potential of ion-implanted MESFET technology for K-band low-noise integrated circuit applications. >
Nitrogen utilization, nutrient digestibility, and excretion of purine derivatives in dairy cattle consuming rations containing corn milling co-products

Abstract The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of feeding a combination of modified wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) on nutrient digestion, purine derivative excretion, and N utilization. Multiparous (n=20) and primiparous (n=20) cows were arranged in a replicated 5 × 5 Latin square with 21-d periods. Animals were fed one of 5 treatment diets during each period: 1) 0% co-products (control); 2) 15% WDGS (15WDGS); 3) 15% WCGF (15WCGF); 4) 7.5% WDGS and 7.5% WCGF (15MIX); and 5) 15% WDGS and 15% WCGF (30MIX; dry matter basis). A portion of forages, corn, and soy-based protein was replaced with WDGS, or WCGF, or both. Dry matter intake was greater for 15WDGS (25.1 kg/d) and 30MIX (25.5 kg/d) than for control (22.4 kg/d), 15WCGF (23.2 kg/d), or 15MIX (23.5 kg/d). Dry matter digestibility was greatest for 15WCGF and 30MIX (63.6 and 64.1%, respectively) and least for 15WDGS (59.8%), and neutral detergent fiber and N digestibility were greatest for 30MIX (50.7 and 68.6%, respectively) and lowest for 15WDGS (41.3 and 61.5%, respectively). Excretion of purine derivatives in urine was greater for co-product treatment diets than for control. Fecal N was greatest for 15WDGS compared with other treatment diets (311.0 vs. 263.3 g/d), whereas urinary N was greatest for 30MIX (330.0 g/d), intermediate for 15WCGF and 15MIX (319.3 and 320.5 g/d, respectively), and lowest for control and 15WDGS (308.5 and 312.2 g/d, respectively). Manure N (fecal+urinary N) was greatest for 15WDGS, intermediate for 15MIX and 30MIX, and lowest for control and 15WCGF. Treatment diets did not differ in 4% fat-corrected milk production. Compared with the ration containing WDGS, the ration with a 30% mixture of WDGS and WCGF improved nutrient digestibility and N utilization with reduced manure N excretion and increased N retention. Thus, it appears feeding WDGS and WCGF in combination reduces some of the negative effects of feeding WDGS alone.
Identification of a truncated form of methionine sulfoxide reductase a expressed in mouse embryonic stem cells

Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase A (MsrA), an enzyme in the Msr gene family, is important in the cellular anti-oxidative stress defense mechanism. It acts by reducing the oxidized methionine sulfoxide in proteins back to sulfide and by reducing the cellular level of reactive oxygen species. MsrA, the only enzyme in the Msr gene family that can reduce the S-form epimers of methionine sulfoxide, has been located in different cellular compartments including mitochondria, cytosol and nuclei of various cell lines. In the present study, we have isolated a truncated form of the MsrA transcript from cultured mouse embryonic stem cells and performed eGFP fusion protein expression, confocal microscopy and real time RT-PCR studies. Results show a different expression response of this truncated transcript to oxygen deprivation and reoxygenation treatments in stem cells, compared to the longer full length form. In addition, a different subcellular localization pattern was noted with most of the eGFP fusion protein detected in the cytosol. One possibility for the existence of a truncated form of the MsrA transcripts could be that with a smaller protein size, yet retaining a GCWFG action site, this protein might have easier access to oxidize methionine residues on proteins than the longer form of the MsrA protein, thus having an evolutionary selection advantage. This research opens the door for further study on the role and function of the truncated MsrA embryonic mouse stem cells.
The distribution of class groups of function fields

Abstract For any sufficiently general family of curves over a finite field F q and any elementary abelian l -group H with l relatively prime to q, we give an explicit formula for the proportion of curves C for which Jac ( C ) [ l ] ( F q ) ≅ H . In doing so, we prove a conjecture of Friedman and Washington.
A consequence of non-orthogonal data

With a non-orthogonal data structure and a multipart linear model, the partial sum of squares may exceed the sequential sum of squares. We attempt to impart an intuitive but rigorous understanding of how and why this phenomenon occurs. Using the model is always fit first, we show that the partial exceeds the sequential sum of squares in half of the space of possible observations, unless there is confounding. Thus when the problem is approached geometrically, the surprise is not that the phenomenon can occur, but that it does not happen more often.
Calculation of transition temperatures of superconductor-metal sandwiches and superlattices

Abstract The transition temperatures of superconductor-metal sandwiches and superlattices have been calculated. We have studied the bi-layer and infinite superlattice cases for varying layer thicknesses. We employ the eigenfunction expansion of the de Gennes kernal near the critical temperature as implemented by Takahashi and Tachiki. We have modified these equations and results by consistently including a cut-off at the Debye frequency in the associated matrix elements of this theory and by approximately diagonalizing the eigenvalue equations. Our results show a much steeper decrease of transition temperature with layer thickness than the Werthammer one-mode approximation. In the limit of a thin superconducting layer on an infinite normal layer we find T c = 0 at a smaller thickness than that previously calculated by de Gennes.
Predicting Analog Circuit Performance Based on Importance of Uncertainties

With the scaling down of CMOS devices, process variation is becoming the leading cause of CMOS based analog circuit failures. For example, a mere 5% variation in feature size can trigger circuit failure. Various methods such as Monte-Carlo and corner-based verification help predict variation caused problems at the expense of thousands of simulations before capturing the problem. This paper presents a new methodology for analog circuit performance prediction. The new method first applies statistical uncertainty analysis on all associated devices in the circuit. By evaluating the uncertainty importance of parameter variability, it approximates the circuit with only components that are most critical to output results. Applying Chebyshev Affine Arithmetic (CAA) on the resulting system provides both performance bounds and probability information in time domain and frequency domain.
Rhabdomyosarcoma in infants and children: factors affecting long-term survival.

Abstract Thirty-three cases of rhabdomyosarcomas from the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have been reviewed alone, and in combination with 117 cases from two other institutions as reported in the literature give a larger series for evaluation. Survival was 43% in our series and 29% in the larger series. No relationship was observed between the age of the patient at the time of diagnosis and survival. Patients under 1 yr of age did poorly, particularly when compared with cases of other common embryonal tumors. As might be expected, those patients whose tumors presented as resectable lesions did far better than those with nonresectable lesions. Tumors that arise in the orbit and the extremities result in a better survival rate than do those in other primary sites. The best regimen appears to be one that makes use of surgery, irradiation, and chemotherapy.
Moisture Management Properties of Heat-Resistant Workwear Fabrics— Effects of Hydrophilic Finishes and Hygroscopic Fiber Blends

This study examines the liquid moisture transfer properties of a selected group of heat-resistant workwear fabrics using a demand wettability test. The Gravimetric Absorbent Testing System procedure is modified and developed to assess the effects of wicking finish treatment and hygroscopic fibers on workwear fabrics. Unlike the simple vertical method of measuring wicking, the procedure adopted in this study produces informative results for moisture management characteristics and wearer comfort of textile materials. The absorption capacity, instantaneous rate of absorption, and evaporation/absorption ratio of five different heat-resistant workwear fabrics are determined and discussed. Results show that the wicking treatment of aramid fabrics noticeably increases their rate of absorption but does not affect their absorption capacity and water vapor absorption. The flame resistant rayon blends have improved vapor absorption properties but adversely affected liquid moisture management properties. Since the co...
Maximum likelihood estimation and Cramer-Rao bounds for direction of arrival parameters of a large sensor array

A maximum likelihood (ML) method is developed for estimation of direction of arrival (DOA) and associated parameters of narrowband signals based on the Taylor's series expansion of the inverse of the data covariance matrix R for large M, M specifying number of sensors in the array. The stochastic ML criterion function can thus be simplified resulting in a computationally efficient algorithm for DOA estimation. The more important result is the derivation of asymptotic (large M) expressions for the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) on the covariance matrix of all unknown DOA angles for the general D source case. The derived bound is expressed explicitly as a function of snapshots, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sensors, separation, and correlation between signal sources. Using the condition of positive definiteness of the Fisher information matrix a resolution criterion is proposed which gives a tight lower limit on the minimum resolvable angle.
On quadruple integral equations related to a certain crack problem

An exact solution of a four part mixed boundary value problem representing a three colinear crack system connected with specified crack opening displacements between the cracks is obtained. The three cracks thus become one with pressure and/or opening displacement prescribed on the crack face. From considerations of dual symmetry and a formulation based on Papkovich-Neuber harmonic functions, the boundary value problem is reduced to solving a quadruple set of integral equations. An exact solution of these equations is derived using a modified finite Hilbert transform technique. The closed form results for the stress distributions and the crack-tip stress intensity factors are presented. Limiting cases of the solution yield results which agree with well known solutions.
Immunosuppression in men with bowenoid papulosis.

• The immune status of four men with bowenoid papulosis was evaluated. Each case had been refractory to multiple methods of treatment. Three of the men had other infections and demonstrated a depletion of T4-helper cells. Two of these patients were anergic on skin testing, and the third showed weak reactivity. The fourth patient, who had no evidence of additional infections, had a normal T4 value and T4/T8 ratio, but was anergic on skin testing. All the men were serologically negative for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. One of the immunosuppressed patients developed squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, which, along with his bowenoid papulosis, contained human papillomavirus 16 DNA. We suggest that patients with persistent bowenoid papulosis be investigated for altered immune status and followed up as potential candidates for the development of epithelial malignant neoplasms. ( Arch Dermatol 1989;125:651-654)
A naturally occurring point substitution in Cdc25A, and not Fv2/Stk, is associated with altered cell-cycle status of early erythroid progenitor cells

The Friend virus susceptibility gene 2 (Fv2) controls the polyclonal expansion of infected cells that occurs early during Friend erythroleukemia virus infection. Fv2 has recently been shown to encode a truncated form of the Stk receptor tyrosine kinase (Sf-Stk). This observation, coupled with earlier work, suggested that Sf-Stk drives the expansion of infected cells by forming a complex with the Friend virus envelope glycoprotein, gp55, and the erythropoietin receptor. Fv2 has also been implicated in the control of cell cycling in early erythroid progenitors (erythroid blast-forming units [BFU-Es]). Mouse strains that are homozygous for the resistant allele of Fv2 (Fv2rr) have few actively cycling BFU-Es. In this report, we demonstrate that the control of BFU-E cycling is encoded by a gene linked to, but distinct from, Fv2, and suggest that this gene is the dual-specific protein phosphatase Cdc25A, which regulates the G1to S-phase transition of the cell cycle. We show that a naturally occurring allele of Cdc25A, which increases Cdc25A phosphatase activity and promotes cell-cycle progression, segregates in mouse strains that exhibit high levels of BFU-E cell cycling. In wild-type mice, this allele of Cdc25A does not overtly affect erythropoiesis; however, when this allele is combined with a mutation of the Kit receptor (KitWV), the anemia of the mice is enhanced. Furthermore, overexpression of Cdc25A in bone marrow cells causes a defect in the BFU-E colony formation. These results suggest that proper regulation of the cell cycle through Cdc25A is required for normal erythropoiesis. (Blood. 2002;100:3804-3811)
Response to genetic manipulations of liver angiotensinogen in the physiological range

Genetic variation in the human angiotensinogen gene (AGT) influences plasma AGT concentration and susceptibility to essential hypertension by a mechanism that remains to be clarified. When one or two additional copies of the gene were inserted by gene titration (by homologous recombination with gap-repair at the AGT locus), both plasma AGT and arterial pressure were elevated in the physiological range in the mouse. The causal dependency between plasma AGT and blood pressure and the relative contribution of the various tissues that express AGT to these two phenotypic parameters remained to be determined. To address these issues, we generated a transgenic mouse with overexpression of the mouse AGT gene restricted to the liver. The transgene was examined in two contrasted genetic backgrounds, the sodium-sensitive C57BL/6J and the sodium-resistant A/J. Transgenic and control male animals underwent continuous cardiovascular monitoring by telemetry for 14 days while under a standard sodium diet (0.2%). Moderate but significant increases in plasma AGT (40%, p = 0.01) and systolic blood pressure (4–6 mmHg, p ranging from 0.01 to <0.001) were observed in the sodium-sensitive background, but not in the sodium-resistant animals. Statistical analysis of a large number of consecutive, repeated measurements of blood pressure afforded power to detect small effects in the physiological range by use of advanced mixed models of analysis of variances and covariances. Although plasma renin activity was increased in the sodium-sensitive background, it did not reach statistical significance. These observations underline a potential contribution of systemic AGT to the mechanism of AGT-mediated hypertension, but the significance of sodium sensitivity in the genetic background suggests participation of the kidney in expression of the elevated blood pressure phenotype, a matter that will warrant further studies. They also highlight the challenge of identifying the contribution of individual genes in complex inheritance, as their effects are modulated by other genetic and environmental determinants.
Innovative hybrid optics: combining the thermal stability of glass with low manufacturing cost of polymers

Innovative hybrid glass-polymer optical solutions on a component, module, or system level offer thermal stability of glass with low manufacturing cost of polymers reducing component weight, enhancing the safety and appeal of the products. Narrow choice of polymer materials is compensated by utilizing sophisticated optical surfaces such as refractive, reflective, and diffractive substrates with spherical, aspherical, cylindrical, and freeform prescriptions. Current advancements in polymer technology and injection molding capabilities placed polymer optics in the heart of many high tech devices and applications including Automotive Industry, Defense & Aerospace; Medical/Bio Science; Projection Displays, Sensors, Information Technology, Commercial and Industrial. This paper is about integration of polymer and glass optics for enhanced optical performance with reduced number of components, thermal stability, and low manufacturing cost. The listed advantages are not achievable when polymers or glass optics are used as stand-alone. The author demonstrates that integration of polymer and glass on component or optical system level on one hand offers high resolution and diffraction limited image quality, similar to the glass optics with stable refractive index and stable thermal performance when design is athermalized within the temperature range. On the other hand, the integrated hybrid solution significantly reduces cost, weight, and complexity, just like the polymer optics. The author will describe the design and analyzes process of combining glass and polymer optics for variety of challenging applications such as fast optics with low F/#, wide field of view lenses or systems, free form optics, etc.
Understanding requirement engineering (REQ) from a software agent modeling perspective

The requirements for modeling a software product are growing in size and increasingly getting complex, interdependent and to understand them requires the availability of simple representational requirement engineering tools and measures to evaluate them. Requirements engineering still remains a key factor to guarantee stakeholders involvement, facilitating their understanding and participation. The paper presents an overview of agent based modeling requirements engineering (REQ) from a software agent point of view via a JADE platform. It describes the main areas of RE practice, tools for requirement management, conflict between goals of different agents and highlights some key open research issues for the future. The paper addresses how to model requirements engineering problem model using a proposed Prioritization Agent matrix Scheduling (PAMS) as a use-case example.
The effect of independent collimator misalignment on the dosimetry of abutted half-beam blocked fields for the treatment of head and neck cancer

Abstract Background and purpose : Independent collimation conveniently allows for the junctioning of abutting fields with non-diverging beam edges. When this technique is used at the junction of multiple fields, e.g. lateral and low anterior fields in three-field head and neck set-ups, there should be a dosimetric match with no overdose or underdose at the matchline. We set out to evaluate the actual dosimetry at the central match plane. Materials and methods : Independent jaws were used to mimic two half-beam blocked fields abutting at the central axis. X-Ray verification film was exposed in a water-equivalent phantom and the dose at the matchline was evaluated with laser densitometry. Collimators were then programmed to force a gap or overlap of the radiation fields to evaluate the effect of jaw misalignment within the tolerance of the manufacturer's specification. Diode measurements of the field edges were also performed. Four beam energies from four different linear accelerators were evaluated. Results : Small systematic inhomogeneities were found along the matchline in all linear accelerators tested. The maximum dose on the central axis varied linearly with small programmed jaw misalignments. For a gap or overlap of 2 mm between the jaws, the matchline dose increased or decreased by 30–40%. The region of overdose or underdose around the matchline is 3–4 mm wide. The discrepancy between the width of jaw separation and the width of the region of altered dose is explained by a penumbra effect. Conclusion : We recommend that independent jaw alignment be evaluated routinely and provide a simple method to estimate dose inhomogeneity at the match plane. If there is a field gap or overlap resulting in a clinically significant change in dosimetry, jaw misalignment should be corrected. If it cannot be corrected, part of the benefit of asymmetric collimation is lost and other methods of field junctioning may have to be considered. We routinely use a small block over the spinal cord at the mono-isocenter set-up plane for three-field head and neck treatments to prevent an overdose.
Pregnant women's perspectives on umbilical cord blood banking.

ABSTRACT Promising clinical results suggest that umbilical cord blood (UCB) collected after delivery of a child may have many advantages over bone marrow for transplantation. As there are an increasing number of options regarding the collection of UCB, including private and public banking, more pregnant women are likely to be asked to make decisions about UCB collection. We conducted three focus groups with pregnant women to learn about their perspectives on this emerging technology. All the women in these focus groups indicated that they would choose to have UCB collected. Reasons leading to this choice were that the UCB would otherwise be discarded and altruism. Participants indicated that possible reasons to decide not to have UCB collected include concerns about the safety of the mother and neonate, beliefs about the placenta, threats against confidentiality, rejection of UCB, and the influence of fathers. While feeling confident in making an anticipatory decision about UCB collection, women expressed...
SLAVERY AND HUMAN SACRIFICE IN YORUBALAND: ONDO, c . 1870–94

This article, focusing on the operation and abolition of human sacrifice in eastern Yorubaland, examines a key aspect of the dialogue and conflict between Yoruba chiefs and their opponents – slaves, Christians and British colonialists – during the late nineteenth century. The exchange reflected the position of human sacrifice in the consolidation of economic inequalities and socio-cultural privileges. The article examines this controversy in the context of the broader changes of the era, including the ending of the Yoruba wars and the approach of colonial rule. It analyses the interaction of external and internal forces that produced the eventual demise of human sacrifice.
Varieties and distribution of non-pyramidal cells in the somatic sensory cortex of the squirrel monkey.

The morphology and distribution of cells which do not conform to the conventional pyramidal pattern have been investigated in rapid Golgi, Golgi-Kopsch and Golgi-Cox preparations from cortical areas 3, 1 and 2 of juvenile and mature squirrel monkeys. The material has been analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by means of a computer program which permits cells to be rotated so as to display their three-dimensional architecture. Nine non-pyramidal types are identified of which one is a rare giant cell and another, forming a major proportion of the cells in layer VI, is considered to be a modified form of pyramidal cell. Of the other seven types, two have horizontally distributed axons, one essentially confined to layer II, the other sending long (up to 1 mm) branches anter-posteriorly through all layers. Two types have vertical axons. One, corresponding to the "double bouquet dendritique" cell of Cajal, is mainly situated in layer II or the upper part of layer III and has a cluster of large axon branches which descend to layers IV and V and which enclose and terminate on the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells. The other type is the only non-pyramidal cell which has a relatively high concentration of dendritic spines in the adult animal. Its soma lies in layer IV and it has several strongly recurrent, thick axonal branches ascending to layer II, also enclosing the apical dendrites of pyramidal cells. The dendritic field is not truly stellate but is drawn out into a pronounced ascending tuft which ascends into layer IIIb. The cell thus resembles a "star-pyramid" of Lorente de No. Nevertheless such cells have many features, notably the distribution of their axons and the distribution of dendritic spines which are identical to those of the well-known "spiny stellate" cell of the visual cortex. Conversely the same features both in these cells and in the spiny stellate cells of the visual cortex (which were also eamined) differ markedly from those of small pyramidal cells with somata of similar dimensions. The three remaining non-pyramida cell types have locally ramifying axons which appear to terminate predominantly on pyramidal cells. In one, the axon forms smoothly curving arcades in layer III, in another it is intensely tangled in layer IV and in the third it is bush-like in layers II-IV. continued.
Pion interferometry analysis for 1.2 GeV/nucleon Ar on KCl

The technique of pion interferometry is used to study the pion source for central collisions of 1.2 GeV/nucleon Ar on KCl. The data are described by a Gaussian source of radius 3.8 +- 0.5 fm, a lifetime of 5.4 +- 1.8 fm/c and a degree of coherence of 0.74 +- 0.17. The sensitivity of the analysis to the two-particle phase space is discussed. A comparison with previously reported results at 1.5 GeV/nucleon is presented.
Failure of a Two-State Model To Describe the Influence of Phospho(enol)pyruvate on Phosphofructokinase from Escherichia coli†

A linked-function analysis is presented of the influence of the inhibitor phospho(enol)pyruvate (PEP) on the binding of fructose 6-phosphate (Fru-6-P) and MgATP to phosphofructokinase (PFK) from Escherichia coli. The results of this analysis indicate that the previously described inhibition of Fru-6-P binding by MgATP [Johnson, J. L., & Reinhart, G. D. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 11510-11518] is almost completely independent of the inhibition by PEP. Moreover, with or without the presence of MgATP, the inhibition by PEP does not conform to the behavior expected if PEP and Fru-6-P bind exclusively to different enzyme forms since the formation of a ternary complex with both PEP and Fru-6-P bound is clearly evident at high concentrations of Fru-6-P and PEP. van't Hoff analyses of the coupling interactions between PEP and Fru-6-P in the presence and absence of MgATP indicate that these couplings are driven by enthalpy. However, the influence that PEP has on MgATP binding is small and changes from being activating to being inhibitory at temperatures above 40 degrees C, revealing the importance of a compensating entropy component to the coupling interactions. The four functionally defined enzyme forms that contribute to the coupling between Fru-6-P and PEP were evaluated structurally using the fluorescence properties of the single intrinsic tryptophan as a probe. The steady-state and dynamic fluorescence emission and polarization properties of the tryptophan, as well as its susceptibility to I- quenching, indicate that the flexibility of PFK in the vicinity of the tryptophan is perturbed by the binding of ligands. The properties of free PFK do not lie between those established by the binding of Fru-6-P and PEP individually, indicating that it is structurally distinct. The properties of the ternary complex lie between those of the singly-ligated forms. Though an equilibrium mixture of two conformations of ternary complex cannot therefore be formally ruled out, no evidence obtained to date requires the presumption of this mechanistic complication.
The Voices of Fathers in Prison: Implications for Family Practice

More than 1.5 million children have a father in prison, yet little is known about what fathers experience as parents while detained. The author describes common issues that more than 250 fathers have raised during 4-week fathering groups at a federal holding facility. Issues center on their concerns about how to interact with their children and with the mother(s) of their children. Suggestions for work with the fathers and, by extension, their family members are discussed.
Digital Signal Processing Of Radar And Optical Images

The problem of matching two images of the same scene is important in many applications including navigational guidance, georgraphic map matching, environmental studies and diagnosis of diseases with medical x-rays. In the general case, the images were produced by completely different sensors such as radar and optical sensors at different viewing geometries. Prior to the matching, digital signal processing must be made to line up the two images geometrically and to match their intensities. Objects of interest represented by subimages in one scene can be located in the other using hierarchical search techniques by a digital computer. Scene matching performances can then be presented in terms of the probability of a match as a function of the probability of false fix.
The migration of physicians and the local supply of practitioners: a five-year comparison.

Purpose The overall distribution of physicians in the United States is uneven, with concentrations in urban areas while some rural places have proportionately very few. This report examines the movement of physicians who have completed their training and choose to move from one location to another. Method The analysis linked the locations of practice of physicians practicing in the 50 U.S. states in 2006 and 2011 using data from the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. Age, gender, location practice, activity status, and specialty were included in the data. Physicians who changed address in the five-year period were identified and were compared with nonmovers using descriptive statistics. A summary logistic regression of movers compared with nonmovers was performed to assess the most important correlates of migration. Results The overall rate of county-to-county relocation for physicians was 19.8% for the five-year period 2006-2011. Analyses indicated that older, male, and urban physicians were less likely to move; that physicians with osteopathic training were more likely to move; and that surgeons and primary care physicians were less likely to move compared with other specialists. Conclusions The physician workforce in the United States migrates from place to place, and this movement determines the local supply of practitioners at any given time. Programs that intend to influence the local supply of doctors should account for this background tendency to relocate practice in order to achieve goals of more equal geographic distribution.
Background-current subtraction in voltammetric detection for flow-injection analysis

A new approach for background-current subtraction for flow-injection systems using potential-scanning voltammetric detection is described. The method is based on recording voltamperograms while the sample and carrier solutions flow through the cell, and taking the difference as the net response for the sample. Background currents due to hydrogen evolution, oxygen reduction, solvent oxidation or surface processes are thus compensated, and detection limits at submicromolar levels can be obtained. The compensation for oxygen reduction current means that samples do not need to be deaerated. The method has been evaluated for reproducibility, concentration dependence, detection limit, etc. A flow-cell with a stationary disk electrode, a 200-mul sample volume, and rapid differential pulse scanning are used. At a flow-rate of 0.3 ml min about 15 samples can be assayed per hour. Chlorpromazine, phenol, acetaminophen, norepinephrine, lead, cadmium, bismuth and zinc were used as test species.
Megaesophagus in Friesian Horses Associated With Muscular Hypertrophy of the Caudal Esophagus

Friesian horses have a perceived high rate of congenital or hereditary diseases, including megaesophagus, that may lead to choke and death. A retrospective study was performed to determine the prevalence and pathologic characteristics of esophageal disease in 852 horses, including 17 Friesians, that had been necropsied over a 6-year period at the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Forty-two horses had grossly described esophageal lesions (25 muscular hypertrophy, 7 hemorrhage, 6 megaesophagus, 4 erosion/ulceration, 3 obstruction, 2 tears, 2 secondary neoplasms, 2 lymphoid patches, 1 thin wall, 1 esophagitis). Some of these lesions occurred concurrently in the same horse. Ten of these horses died or were euthanatized because of severe esophageal disease (6 megaesophagus causing tears in 2 horses, 3 esophageal obstruction with food bolus, and 1 esophagitis). All 6 horses with megaesophagus were Friesians. No cause for megaesophagus was noted in the necropsy reports; however, 5 of these 6 Friesians had marked caudal esophageal muscular hypertrophy (wall thickness: 1.9 ± 0.3 cm). Microscopic review of the esophagus of these Friesians confirmed smooth muscle hypertrophy, with no obvious fibrosis, degeneration, or loss of myenteric plexi. Unlike the Friesians, the 4 non-Friesian horses with severe esophageal disease had esophageal obstruction with an intraluminal food bolus or severe esophagitis. None had caudal esophageal muscular hypertrophy. It is concluded that in comparison to other horse breeds, Friesians have a higher prevalence of severe esophageal disease, specifically megaesophagus, that is commonly associated with marked caudal muscular hypertrophy.
NGOs Enhance State Wildlife Agencies’ Capacity to Meet Public Trust Doctrine Obligations

State wildlife agencies (SWAs) manage natural resources for the benefit of the common good. However, effective management in today’s complex world requires institutional capacity that can address s...
mutM, a second mutator locus in Escherichia coli that generates G.C----T.A transversions.

We used strains carrying specific lacZ alleles to identify a new mutator locus in Escherichia coli which generates only G.C----T.A transversions among base substitutions. The locus, mutM, mapped near the cysE locus, which is at 81 min on the genetic map.
The role of cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate in prostaglandin-mediated inhibition of basic calcium phosphate crystal-induced mitogenesis and collagenase induction in cultured human fibroblasts.

Synovial fluid basic calcium phosphate (BCP) crystals are associated with severe destructive arthropathies characterised by synovial proliferation and non-inflammatory degradation of intra-articular collagenous structures. BCP crystals stimulate fibroblast and chondrocyte mitogenesis, metalloprotease secretion and prostaglandin production. As a tissue protective effect of prostaglandins has been suggested, we recently studied the effect of PGE1 on BCP crystal-induced mitogenesis and collagenase mRNA accumulation in human fibroblasts (HF). We demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of BCP crystal-induced mitogenesis and collagenase mRNA accumulation. The mechanism of PGE1 inhibition of BCP crystal-induced mitogenesis and collagenase mRNA accumulation was therefore explored. PGE1 (100 ng/ml) increased HF intracellular cAMP 40-fold over control. BCP alone caused no such change but inhibited the PGE1-induced increase in intracellular cAMP by at least 60%. The PGE1-induced increase in intracellular cAMP was also blocked by the adenyl cyclase inhibitor, 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine (ddA) (10 μM) and ddA reversed the PGE1-mediated inhibition of BCP crystal-induced mitogenesis. Dibutyrul cAMP also inhibited BCP crystal-induced mitogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Agents which increase intracellular cAMP levels such as the adenyl cyclase activator forskolin and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) mimicked the effect of PGE1 on HF collagenase mRNA levels. PGE1 inhibits the biologic effects of BCP crystals through the cAMP signal transduction pathway and such inhibition may have significant therapeutic implications.
Joint-specific power absorption during eccentric cycling

Abstract Background Previous investigators have reported that long term eccentric cycling increases muscle size and strength in a variety of populations. The joint-specific strategies used to absorb power during eccentric cycling, however, have not been identified. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which ankle, knee, and hip joint actions absorb power during eccentric cycling. Methods Eight active males resisted the reverse moving pedals of an isokinetic eccentric ergometer (60 rpm) while targeting 20% of their maximum concentric cycling power. Pedal reaction forces and joint kinematics were recorded with an instrumented pedal and instrumented spatial linkage system, respectively. Joint powers were calculated using inverse dynamics; averaged over complete crank revolutions and over extension and flexion phases; and differences were assessed with a one-way ANOVA. Findings Ankle, knee, and hip joint actions absorbed 10 (SD 3)%, 58 (SD 8)%, and 29 (SD 9)% of the total power, respectively, with 3 (SD 1)% transferred across the hip. The main power absorbing actions were eccentric knee extension (−139 (SD 21) watts), eccentric hip extension (−51 (SD 31) watts), and eccentric hip flexion (−25 (SD 6) watts). Interpretation Eccentric cycling was performed with a combination of knee and hip joint actions which is consistent with submaximal concentric cycling. These data support and extend previous work that eccentric cycling improves knee extensor function and hip extensor muscle cross sectional area. Such information may allow clinicians to take even greater advantage of eccentric cycling as a rehabilitation modality.
Observable Context-Based User Intention Specification in Context-Aware Environments

The capability to accurately recognize users' new intentions is critical for service evolution, because software systems are designed and implemented to assist their users. In sensor-rich context-aware environments, it is possible to recognize users' intentions from what users do (actions) and their interactions with and effects on the environment (environmental contexts). However, in order to establish the computational model and implement the intention recognition mechanism, it is essential that intentions and the critical situations used to define human intentions be clearly specified using observable contexts and events. In this paper, we present a set of definitions that enable systems to capture these situations and recognize users' intentions to support service evolution. An algorithm for intention recognition and the implementation of this algorithm to simulate the process of recognizing intentions at runtime are also presented. A case study of ATM cash withdraw is used to demonstrate the intention specification process.
Afrocentricity and Racial Socialization among African American College Students

This article reviews and examines conceptual issues and definitions related to Afrocentricity and racial socialization. Data for the study were obtained from a survey of 453 African American colleg...
Measurements of Gas Temperature in the Arc-heater of a Large Scale Arcjet Facility using Tunable Diode Laser Absorption

Diode laser absorption measurements of atomic nitrogen and oxygen are made in the arc- heater of the NASA Ames IHF (60 MW) arcjet facility. Temperature of the gas in the arc- heater is inferred from the measured mole fraction of electronically excited O and N atoms assuming thermal equilibrium. These results are the first absorption-based temperature measurements inside the arc-heater, where the temperature range is 5000-9000K and the pressure range is 1.5-6 bar. Rapid scanning of the laser wavelength across the absorption feature provides time-resolved measurements of the number density for specific electronic states of the atoms. The agreement of the temperature inferred from redundant measurements on atomic nitrogen and atomic oxygen suggest the equilibrium assumption is valid. The laser is scanned in wavelength across the absorption feature at a rate of 500Hz, and a 100 scan average provides a time-resolution sufficient to examine the variation of temperature with changes in the gas flow and/or electrical power input. These results illustrate the potential of the diode laser sensors for facility performance monitoring.
Stochastic resonance-enhanced laser-based particle detector

This paper presents a Laser-based particle detector whose response was enhanced by modulating the Laser diode with a white-noise generator. A Laser sheet was generated to cast a shadow of the object on a 200 dots per inch, 512×1 pixels linear sensor array. The Laser diode was modulated with a white-noise generator to achieve stochastic resonance. The white-noise generator essentially amplified the wide-bandwidth (several hundred MHz) noise produced by a reverse-biased zener diode operating in junction-breakdown mode. The gain in the amplifier in the white-noise generator was set such that the Receiver Operating Characteristics plot provided the best discriminability. A monofiber 40 AWG (~80 μm) wire was detected with ~88% True Positive rate and ~19% False Positive rate in presence of white-noise modulation and with ~71% True Positive rate and ~15% False Positive rate in absence of white-noise modulation.