cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expandable Image Compression System, A Modular Approach

The full-frame bit allocation algorithm for radiological image compression developed in our laboratory can achieve compression ratios as high as 30:1. The software development and clinical evaluation of this algorithm has been completed. It involves two stages of operations: a two-dimensional discrete cosine transform and pixel quantization in the transform space with pixel depth kept accountable by a bit allocation table. The greatest engineering challenge in implementing a hardware version of the compression system lies in the fast cosine transform of 1Kx1K images. Our design took an expandable modular approach based on the VME bus system which has a maximum data transfer rate of 48 Mbytes per second and a Motorola 68020 microprocessor as the master controller. The transform modules are based on advanced digital signal processor (DSP) chips microprogrammed to perform fast cosine transforms. Four DSP's built into a single-board transform module can process an 1K x 1K image in 1.7 seconds. Additional transform modules working in parallel can be added if even greater speeds are desired. The flexibility inherent in the microcode extends the capabilities of the system to incorporate images of variable sizes. Our design allows fof a maximum image size of 2K x 2K.
Secondary polycythaemia: its causes, effects and treatment

Polycythaemia can be defined as an increase in the haemoglobin level or packed red cell volume of venous blood. When repeated haematocrit levels exceed 0.50 in males or 0.47 in females, measurements of the red cell mass and plasma volume are indicated (Pearson 1980). These may show a normal red cell mass with a reduced plasma volume; this is pseudopolycythaemia, and occurs with dehydration, diuretic therapy or chronic alcoholism. A truly increased red cell mass associated with a plasma volume which may be normal, increased or decreased occurs in three well-defined groups of disorders. Polycythaemia secondary to hypoxia is the commonest and results from a physiological increase in erythropoietin production. This occurs in chronic lung diseases, mainly chronic airflow obstruction, in cyanotic congenital heart disease, in residents at high altitude, and in individuals who have haemoglobinopathies with increased oxygen affinity. Secondly, polycythaemia may occur as a consequence of a pathological increase in erythropoietin production, the most common causes being carcinoma of the kidney, uterus or brain. Finally, polycythaemia vera is diagnosed after exclusion of secondary causes, and in the presence of the commonly associated features of leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, splenomegaly and raised leucocyte alkaline phosphatase level. This review is concerned with the first of these three groups of true polycythaemia with special emphasis on the polycythaemia which occurs in patients with hypoxic lung disease. The physiological adaptations to life at high altitude have helped our understanding of the mechanisms of secondary polycythaemia in disease states. We discuss these first. The effects of artificially altering the haematocrit in animals are then reviewed and this is followed by an assessment of the results of therapeutic reduction of haematocrit in humans with severe secondary polycythaemia. We conclude with an analysis of the various methods of treatment and hope this will be useful to the clinician confronted by patients with severe secondary polycythaemia.
Session 30: Quantum, power, and compound semiconductors devices - heterostructure high-speed devices

This session highlights the recent world record breaking high speed performance achieved with heterostructure FETs and bipolar devices. In the first paper, Massachusetts Institute of Technology presents 30nm gate length enhancement mode InAs HEMTs with world record performance combination of f T (601 GHz) and f max (609) coupled with low power operation at 0.5 supply voltage. An invited paper from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology presents their pioneering work in the metamorphic growth of high performance InAlAs/InGaAs HEMTs on silicon substrate using MOCVD, suitable for high volume manufacturing. Intel and QinetiQ jointly demonstrate a high performance p-channel HEMT with 40nm physical gate length exploiting record hole mobility with strain engineered quantum well and remote modulation doping, thereby providing a promising option for high-speed complementary III-V logic. In another record setting paper, IHIP Technologies showcases the fastest SiGe HBT based ring-oscillator circuit with 2.5 picosecond delay. Newcastle University achieves extremely high DC current gain of 3,700 incorporating 30% Ge mole fraction in the base in a strained Si/SiGe HBT grown on a virtual substrate. Rochester Institute of Technology in collaboration with Amberwave Systems and University of Notre Dame demonstrates heterogeneous integration of high PVCR InGaAs/GaAs resonant tunnel diodes on silicon using aspect ratio trapping (ART) and Ge buffer layer.
Incidence of ventricular shunt placement for hydrocephalus with clipping versus coiling for ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database: 2002 to 2007.

Background Few studies have compared the incidence of ventricular shunt placement for hydrocephalus after clipping versus coiling of cerebral aneurysms. Objective The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to compare, on a national level, the incidence of ventricular shunt placement after clipping versus coiling of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Methods Hospitalizations for clipping and coiling of ruptured and unruptured aneurysms from 2002 to 2007 were collected from the NIS by cross-matching International Classification of Diseases–9 codes for diagnoses of subarachnoid hemorrhage or unruptured cerebral aneurysm with procedure codes for clipping or coiling. The incidence of ventricular shunt placement for hydrocephalus after clipping and coiling was compared using generalized linear models with generalized estimating equations (GEE) to adjust for patient- and hospital-specific factors and correlation between admissions. Results Of 10,899 ruptured aneurysm patients (6593 clipping, 4306 coiling), clipping had a similar incidence of ventricular shunt placement (9.3%) compared to coiling (10.5%) (odds ratio = 0.984; 95% confidence interval = 0.85, −1.14; P value = 0.833 after adjustment for patient-specific and hospital-specific factors). Likewise, of 9686 unruptured aneurysm patients (4483 clipping, 5203 coiling), clipping had similar incidence of ventricular shunt placement (0.4%) compared to coiling (0.5%) (odds ratio = 0.763; 95% confidence interval = 0.37, −1.58; P value = 0.465 after adjustment for patient-specific and hospital-specific factors). Predictors of shunt placement in ruptured aneurysm patients were age, comorbidity score, admission type, payer, and hospital aneurysm volume. Predictors of shunt placement in unruptured aneurysm patients were comorbidity score and admission type. Conclusions In an observational study, clipping and coiling of ruptured and unruptured cerebral aneurysms are associated with similar incidences of ventricular shunt placement for hydrocephalus.
Parity violation in pp collisions at high momentum transfer

Abstract Estimates are given for the parity-violating asymmetry A ( π ± ) for the inclusive reaction p + p → π ± + X at high momentum transfer, p T , using longitudinally polarized protons. The most reliable estimate is derived from a weak amplitude calculated by inserting a weak interaction in place of a hard scattering in the constituent interchange model of high p T events. For values of p T as large as 8 GeV/ c , asymmetries A ( π ) are expected to be of the order 10 −4 or less.
An elastic model for conformational transitions of spacer DNA in chromatin; first results.

We study the elastic stability of the trajectory of DNA in the solenoid model for the 30 nm chromatin fiber, as extended by McGhee et al. [J.D. McGhee, J.M. Nickol, G. Felsenfeld and D.C. Rau, Cell 33, 831-841 (1983)] to visualize both internucleosomal (spacer) DNA and DNA bound to the core histones. Actually, we idealize this trajectory by neglecting the shallow pitch of the solenoid. The DNA trajectory is then transversely wound on a torus, like a helix on a cylinder. We then neglect the shallow pitch of the transverse winding. We find that there is a threshold length for the elastic stability of a DNA segment in the resulting trajectory, even if the DNA is not allowed to straighten away from the torus surface. For most organisms the length of spacer DNA exceeds the threshold. This result does not imply that anything is wrong with the solenoid model, wherein two nucleosomal turns of DNA are stabilized by interaction with core and linker histones. The result does suggest, however, that if internucleosomal DNA follows a path similar to nucleosomal DNA, then this path would also have to be stabilized, possibly by interaction with linker histone. A second result of the analysis is that the extent of instability depends significantly on the location of the starting point of the DNA. If the DNA starts on the outside of the torus, it is less unstable than if it starts on the inside. In the extended solenoid model, some turns of internucleosomal DNA are on the outside of the solenoid, some on the inside. This result thus suggests the possibility that localized structural disruptions are more likely for some nucleosome neighboring pairs than others. Of intrinsic theoretical interest is the reduction of the problem through a series of approximations to the solution of Mathieu's equation.
Alleviating the taxonomic impediment of DNA barcoding and setting a bad precedent: names for ten species of ‘Astraptes fulgerator’ (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Eudaminae) with DNA-based diagnoses

Ten species of the Astraptes fulgerator complex are named and diagnosed based on their mitochondrial ‘DNA barcode’ sequences. A rationale for this rather unorthodox approach to species description is offered, and some philosophical questions about whether or not such descriptions are desirable are addressed. It is emphasized that while these descriptions fix the nomenclatural problem raised by reference to ‘ten species’ in the literature, the application of names to concepts does not corroborate or endorse the biological validity of those concepts.
Task Content and Sex Differences in Conformity

Summary Sex-type of task content and influence source were manipulated to produce varying amounts of conformity according to the sex of S. Pilot data from 98 university students aided in the construction of sex-related questionnaire items. The group situation involved 62 volunteer confederates in varying combinations of same sex, three person groups to exert Asch-type pressure on 48 Ss. An additional 74 Ss participated in a nongroup situation in which questionnaires were answered without benefit of feedback from other respondents. A 3 × 3 × 2 mixed factorial design was used with (a) sex-type of group, (b) sex-relatedness of items, and (c) sex of S as factors considered. Amount of conformity was found to be related to sex-type of influence source, sex-relatedness of items, and sex of S. Variance in conformity was explained in terms of S's perceived relative competence of himself and the group.
Gram-Negative Bacillary Meningitis

Excerpt To the editor: Drs.Rahal and Simberkoff (1) are to be commended for their detailed and objective discussion of antimicrobial therapy in adult gram-negative bacillary meningitis, a topic tha...
The Integration of Syntactic Parsing and Semantic Role Labeling

This paper describes a system for the CoNLL-2005 Shared Task on Semantic Role Labeling. We trained two parsers with the training corpus in which the semantic argument information is attached to the constituent labels, we then used the resulting parse trees as the input of the pipelined SRL system. We present our results of combining the output of various SRL systems using different parsers.
The effects of cognitive feedback and task complexity in multiple-cue probability learning

Subjects learned three multiple-cue probability learning (MCPL) tasks of varying complexity under conditions of feedforward and cognitive feedback. Statistical information about the task was presented in the feedforward condition; in the cognitive feedback condition, subjects were given statistical information about their own performance in addition to information about the task. Task complexity was manipulated by varying the function forms relating the values of the cues to the values of the criterion: The least complex task contained three positive linear function forms, the intermediate task contained three inverted U-shaped function forms, and there was one negative linear function form, one inverted U-shaped function form, and one U-shaped function form in the most complex task. The hypothesis that cognitive feedback is more effective than feedforward for the more complex task used here was not confirmed: There were no differences between the two groups with regard to ra (achievement), G (knowledge), or Rs,2 (cognitive control). The level of performance on all tasks, including the complex nonlinear tasks, was very high under both conditions, however, an unexpected and important finding.
Antecedents of Pro-LGBT Advocacy among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual College Students

Utilizing the resource model of political participation, we identify the antecedents of willingness to sign a petition supporting employment protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people among sexual minority and heterosexual college students. Through secondary data analysis, we investigate the role of sociodemographic, mobilizing context, and framing variables, including various LGBT-related attitudes that have never been integrated in a single regression of LGBT activism. Results from a sample of sexual minority (n = 367) and heterosexual (n = 1,707) college students suggest that the majority of students from both sexual orientation groups are willing to sign a petition for LGBT rights. Although the impact of framing variables, such as transphobia and liberal identity, were most influential among both groups, the relevance of some framing antecedents (i.e., heterosexist attitudes and the disclosure of sexual identities) was specific to each sexuality. Before the inclusion of framing factors, knowing LGBT peers and observing heterosexist discrimination inspired greater activism among both sexuality groups as did being female and a graduate student; however, the significance of religious factors were only important among heterosexual students. Implications for future research are discussed.
Packing of the Extracellular Domain Hydrophobic Core Has Evolved to Facilitate Pentameric Ligand-gated Ion Channel Function

Protein function depends on conformational flexibility and folding stability. Loose packing of hydrophobic cores is not infrequent in proteins, as the enhanced flexibility likely contributes to their biological function. Here, using experimental and computational approaches, we show that eukaryotic pentameric ligand-gated ion channels are characterized by loose packing of their extracellular domain β-sandwich cores, and that loose packing contributes to their ability to rapidly switch from closed to open channel states in the presence of ligand. Functional analyses of GABAA receptors show that increasing the β-core packing disrupted GABA-mediated currents, with impaired GABA efficacy and slowed GABA current activation and desensitization. We propose that loose packing of the hydrophobic β-core developed as an evolutionary strategy aimed to facilitate the allosteric mechanisms of eukaryotic pentameric ligand-gated ion channels.
Angular selective semi-transparent photovoltaics

Conventional semi-transparent photovoltaics suffer from an inherent tradeoff between the amount of visible light transmitted versus absorbed, reducing energy conversion efficiency when higher transparency is desired. As a solution to lift this tradeoff, we propose a wavelength and angular selective reflector and demonstrate a potential implementation utilizing high aspect ratio metal nanoparticles. Using the anisotropy in the localized surface plasmon resonance wavelength, the proposed device can selectively harness sunlight incident at an elevated angle, increasing the power conversion efficiency by a factor of 1.44, while maintaining 70 percent optical transparency at normal incidence.
Wewukiyepuh (10-NP-336): Contributions of an Early Holocene Windust Phase Site to Lower Snake River Prehistory

The July 1998 discovery of a 10,300 year old archaeological site in a fluvial setting near Lewiston, Idaho, enhances the current understanding of the Windust phase as defined for the lower Snake River region of the Columbia Plateau. This early Holocene site contained preserved faunal remains of elk (Cervus elaphus) and grizzly bear (Ursus horribilis) associated with a brief human occupation that included evidence of multiple activities ranging from mammal processing to lithic tool manufacture. A general description of the riverside occupation is presented, since this site is unlike any previously recorded in this region in terms of age, constitution, and preservation. Laboratory analyses have implications for immunological studies, radiometric dating, and faunal resources. Wewukiyepuh is interpreted in terms of a briefly occupied mid-latitude forager site.
Thirty years of judicial retention elections: an update

Abstract This article updates prior reports on the empirical patterns and trends in judicial retention elections. The 3,912 elections encompass both major trial court and appellate court elections in ten states for the period from 1964 through 1994. Reported trends include declines in the affirmative vote, rolloff, and voter differentiation among individual judges. Detailed analysis of defeated judges indicates that regular retention voters quickly remove judges from the bench without any negative consequences for other judges on the ballot.
Alteration of the Biochemical Valves in the Central Metabolism of Escherichia colia

Although E. coli central metabolism has been studied for several decades, many regulatory features are still unknown. To achieve the goal of rational manipulation of cellular metabolism, it is important to understand how E. coli responds to overexpressed enzymes. By studying the biochemical control of fluxes between PEP, pyruvate, and OAA, we have addressed some fundamental questions that may prove to be essential for applications in metabolic engineering. First, we found that simultaneous overexpression of Pck and Ppc, or Pps alone in the presence of glucose leads to phenotypes consistent with futile cycline. In contrast to our expectation, futile cycling per se does not affect the growth rate significantly. However, excessive futile cycling may cause competitive disadvantage in the natural environment. Overexpression of Pck caused growth inhibition but no futile cycling. Therefore, E. coli controls the expression of gluconeogenic enzymes not only to avoid excessive futile cycling, but also to prevent toxicity effects. In metabolic engineering, futile cycling may be used as a strategy to stimulate metabolism for either production of metabolites or digestion of toxic wastes. Second, we found that the expression levels of Pps and Pck in E. coli are not optimal for growth on pyruvate and succinate, respectively. Overexpression of these enzymes increases the growth rate on pyruvate and on succinate, respectively, indicating that the slow growth rates on these substrates are at least partially caused by the insufficient supply of PEP and its derivatives. Moreover, E. coli also has not optimized the Ppc level for optimal growth yield on glucose in uncontrolled batch cultures. These results demonstrate that the central metabolism is not optimized for growth under defined laboratory conditions. Thus, the possibility exists that adjustment of native enzyme levels in the central metabolism can improve bioreactor performance. Third, we found that overexpression of Pck affects the transcriptional levels of unrelated genes. This example indicates that physiological responses to enzyme (over)expression should be interpreted cautiously, as changing the expression level of a specific enzyme may affect many unlinked genes. Similar results have also been obtained by use of two-dimensional electrophoresis of proteins from E. coli. Although more questions remain to be answered, fast progress in the area of metabolic engineering can be expected in the near future.
Neural Modeling of Human Behavior: A Proposal for A New Type of Modifiable Synapse

Presently published neural models for the simulation of human behavior have reached a limit in terms of their ability to account for the complexity and magnitude of such behavior. In this paper, these limitations are explored, and a new model is presented which overcomes them. The model employs a new type of modifiable synapse which allows for the integration of three separate bits of information rather than the conventional two bits.
Effects of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, α-adducin, and other candidate gene polymorphisms on blood pressure response to hydrochlorothiazide

Abstract Background Pharmacogenetic discoveries may enable greater individualization of antihypertensive drug therapy. We investigated polymorphisms in the genes encoding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (Glu298→Asp), α-adducin (Gly460→Trp), the β1-adrenoceptor (Arg389→Gly), β2-adrenoceptor (Arg16→Gly), and lipoprotein lipase (Ser447→Stop) for their potential influences on blood pressure (BP) response to a thiazide diuretic. Methods The sample consisted of 291 unrelated non-Hispanic African American adults (150 women and 141 men) and 294 unrelated non-Hispanic white adults (126 women and 168 men) who were between 30 and 59.9 years of age and who had essential hypertension. Previous antihypertensive drug therapy was withdrawn for at least 4 weeks, and subjects were then treated with hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg daily) for 4 weeks to determine BP response. Results The covariates of ethnicity, gender, age, and waist-to-hip ratio accounted for 26% of interindividual variation in systolic BP response and 11% of interindividual variation in diastolic BP response. After adjustment for covariates, the endothelial nitric oxide synthase Glu298→Asp polymorphism made an additional statistically significant contribution to predicting diastolic BP response to hydrochlorothiazide, accounting for another 1% of interindividual variation in response (P = .034). In contrast, the other polymorphisms, including the α-adducin Gly460→Trp polymorphism, made no statistically significant contributions to prediction of BP response. Conclusions Although we reject the null hypothesis of no genetic effects on BP response to hydrochlorothiazide, the influence of variation at single sites is likely to be small. More extensive characterization of genetic variation is required for pharmacogenetic approaches to become clinically useful in tailoring antihypertensive drug therapy for individual patients.
WEST NILE VIRUS ANTIBODY DECAY RATE IN FREE-RANGING BIRDS

Antibody duration, following a humoral immune response to West Nile virus (WNV) infection, is poorly understood in free-ranging avian hosts. Quantifying antibody decay rate is important for interpreting serologic results and for understanding the potential for birds to serorevert and become susceptible again. We sampled free-ranging birds in Chicago, Illinois, US, from 2005 to 2011 and Atlanta, Georgia, US, from 2010 to 2012 to examine the dynamics of antibody decay following natural WNV infection. Using serial dilutions in a blocking enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay, we quantified WNV antibody titer in repeated blood samples from individual birds over time. We quantified a rate of antibody decay for 23 Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) of 0.198 natural log units per month and 24 individuals of other bird species of 0.178 natural log units per month. Our results suggest that juveniles had a higher rate of antibody decay than adults, which is consistent with nonlinear antibody decay at different times postexposure. Overall, most birds had undetectable titers 2 yr postexposure. Nonuniform WNV antibody decay rates in free-ranging birds underscore the need for cautious interpretation of avian serology results in the context of arbovirus surveillance and epidemiology.
Modulators of the adenylate cyclase system can alter electrophysiological taste responses in gerbil

Abstract The adenylate cyclase system has been implicated in taste transduction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether application of modulators of the adenylate cyclase system to the tongue alter taste responses. Integrated chroda tympani (CT) recordings were made in gerbils to bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and glutamate tastants before and after a 4-min application of four types of modulators of the adenylate cyclase system. The four types of modulators tested were: a) NaF, a compound that promotes dissociation of GTP binding protein; b) forskolin, a powerful stimulant of adenylate cyclase; c) 8-bromoadenosine 3′ : 5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt (8BrcAMP) and N 6 , 2′-O-dibutyryl-adenosine 3′ : 5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt (DBcAMP), two membrane permeable forms of cAMP; and d) 1-(5-isoquinolinylnsulfonyl)-2- methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7) and N -(2-[methylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride) (H-8), which are protein kinase inhibitors. The taste compounds tested were: NaCl (30 mM), monosodium glutamate-MSG (50 mM), sucrose (30 mM), HCl (5 mM and 10 mM), KCl (300 mM), quinine HCl (30 mM), MgCl 2 (30 mM), erythromycin (0.7mM and 1 mM), HCl (5 mM and 10 mM), and urea (2 M). The main findings were as follows. NaF (20 mM) significantly inhibited responses to bitter compounds up to 35% and enhanced the response to sucrose by 30%. NaCl (20 mM), used as a control for NaF, inhibited most responses up to 78% with no enhancement of sucrose as seen with NaF. 8BrcAMP (1.16 mM) reduced the responses to bitter-tasting quinine HCl, MgCl 2 , and erythromycin but not to urea. It also blocked the responses to KCl and HCl which have bitter components. There was a slight enhancement of the sucrose response. It had no significant effect on NaCl or MSG. A similar trend was found for 5 mM DBcAMP. H-7 (300 μM) slightly altered responses to several stimuli. These data indicate that modulation of the adenylate cyclase system can affect the amplitude of neural responses of some bitter and sweet taste responses.
Mechanism of transport of U-Th series radioisotopes from solids into ground water

Abstract A set of experiments conducted to understand the mechanism responsible for release of large quantities of 222 Rn from solids into ground water reveals that a major part of Rn moving into the intergranular water comes from within the grains (solids), not by recoil from the outer surface. We have deduced that the solids we have studied are permeated, to a varying degree, with pores having very large wall area but very small volume, i.e. , having width of opening of the order of 10–20 nm. Recoil from the walls of these openings introduces Rn and other isotopes into the water contained in these openings (nanopores). Radon, an inert gas, is able to diffuse from nanopore water into the intergranular water in substantial quantities. In contrast, nongaseous isotopes of the U-Th series recoiled into the nanopore water in comparable quantities are adsorbed within the nanopores on the large internal area available there. Further, it appears that a large part of the inventory of long-lived isotopes produced by decay of radon in intergranular water is slowly transported to and adsorbed on the large internal area available in the nanopores. Thus, most of the inventory of all long-lived non-gaseous emanation isotopes exist in an adsorbed state in the nanopores, while radon is located in intergranular water.
An analytical model of rumpling in thermal barrier coatings

Abstract Multilayer thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) deposited on superalloy turbine blades provide protection from combustion temperatures in excess of 1500 °C. One of the dominant failure modes comprises cracking from undulation growth, or rumpling, of the highly compressed oxide layer that grows between the ceramic top coat and the intermetallic bond coat. In this paper, a mechanistic model providing an analytical approximation of undulation growth is presented for realistic cyclic thermal histories. Thickening, lateral growth straining and high temperature yielding of the oxide layer are taken into account. Undulation growth in TBC systems is highly nonlinear and characterized by more than 20 material and geometric parameters, highlighting the importance of a robust yet computationally efficient model. At temperatures above 600 °C, the bond coat creeps. Thermal expansion mismatch occurs between the superalloy substrate and the oxide layer and, in some systems, the bond coat. In addition, some bond coats, such as PtNiAl, exhibit a martensitic phase transformation accompanied by nearly a 1% linear expansion, giving rise to a large effective mismatch. These two mismatches promote undulation growth. Nonlinear interaction between the stress in the bond coat induced by the constraining effect of the thick substrate and normal tractions applied at the surface of the bond coat by the compressed, undulating oxide layer produces an increment of undulation growth during each thermal cycle, before the stress decays by creep. A series of problems for systems without the ceramic top coat are used to elucidate the mechanics of undulation growth and to replicate trends observed in a series of experiments and in prior finite-element simulations. The model is employed to study for the first time the effect on undulation growth of a shift in the temperature range over which the transformation occurs, as well as the relative importance of the transformation compared to thermal expansion mismatch. The role of the top coat and other viable ways of reducing undulation growth are considered.
Insecticidal quinoline and isoquinoline isoxazolines.

Abstract A series of quinoline and isoquinoline isoxazolines have been designed as pesticides for crop protection. Herein we reported the chemical synthesis, biological activity and structure–activity relationships. The isoquinoline derivative, such as 3i , is discovered as potent new class of isoxazoline insecticide which is competitive with commercial insecticide Indoxacarb .
Teaching Team Behavior to Human Factors/Ergonomics Students

Most Human Factors/Ergonomics personnel participate as team members as part of their employment. To prepare them for this, graduate programs need to provide students with one or more team building experiences while they are in Graduate School. The purpose of this panel is to lay the groundwork for a “best practices” document so educators can take advantage of what others have tried. Hopefully the exchange of information at the 2004 meeting will lead to a “Guidelines” document that can be circulated among interested members of the Educators Professional Group and discuss at the 2005 meeting. The guidelines should describe what works, what doesn't, and perhaps provide some insight as to why.
Encyclopedic Dictionary of Genetics, Genomics, and Proteomics, 2nd ed. George P. Rédei. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003, 1390 pp., $179.00, hardcover. ISBN 0-471-26821-6.

This book contains nearly 25 000 definitions of words, alphabetically listed, that appear in current biomedical literature. The purpose of this sizeable book is to “facilitate communication and understanding across the wide range of biology that is now called genetics”. Rapid advances in genetics and proteomics make this a valuable reference for students, researchers, and others who need a convenient source of …
The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Kentucky's Public School Accountability System: Does Poverty Impact School Effectiveness?.

Under the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS), Kentucky's public schools have been assigned individualized baseline and improvement goal indices based upon past school performance in relation to the 2014 statewide index goal of 100. Each school's CATS Accountability Index, a measure of school performance based upon both cognitive and non-cognitive measures, has then been compared to these individualized improvement goals for the purpose of designating schools as Meet Goal, Progressing, and Assistance Level (Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), 2000). Considered an interim target model, the design of CATS has been intended to negate the biasing effects of socioeconomic factors on school performance on accountability tests through the individualization of school goals (Ladd. 2001). Results of this study showed that 39.9% to 55.5% of the variance of the CATS indices was shared by school socioeconomic factors. Analysis of this interim target model for the 2000-2002 biennium showed that for elementary and middle schools this model negated the biasing effects of socioeconomic factors, but not for high schools. Moreover, analysis of the progress of schools toward their Improvement Goals in 2001 showed that both elementary and high schools from higher poverty backgrounds lagged significantly behind their more affluent peers, indicating inequitable capacity to meet improvement goals between the poorest and most wealthy schools. Adaptations to the present accountability systems were suggested for the purpose of providing more accurate information to the public regarding the effectiveness of public schools in Kentucky.
Analysis of the Otd-dependent transcriptome supports the evolutionary conservation of CRX/OTX/OTD functions in flies and vertebrates

Homeobox transcription factors of the vertebrate CRX/OTX family play critical roles in photoreceptor neurons, the rostral brain and circadian processes. In mouse, the three related proteins, CRX, OTX1, and OTX2, fulfill these functions. In Drosophila, the single founding member of this gene family, called orthodenticle (otd), is required during embryonic brain and photoreceptor neuron development. We have used global gene expression analysis in late pupal heads to better characterize the post-embryonic functions of Otd in Drosophila. We have identified 61 genes that are differentially expressed between wild type and a viable eye-specific otd mutant allele. Among them, about one-third represent potentially direct targets of Otd based on their association with evolutionarily conserved Otd-binding sequences. The spectrum of biological functions associated with these gene targets establishes Otd as a critical regulator of photoreceptor morphology and phototransduction, as well as suggests its involvement in circadian processes. Together with the well-documented role of otd in embryonic patterning, this evidence shows that vertebrate and fly genes contribute to analogous biological processes, notwithstanding the significant divergence of the underlying genetic pathways. Our findings underscore the common evolutionary history of photoperception-based functions in vertebrates and invertebrates and support the view that a complex nervous system was already present in the last common ancestor of all bilateria.
Diffusion on Statistical Manifolds

This paper presents a new diffusion scheme on statistical manifolds for the detection of texture boundaries. The technique derives from our previous work, in which 2-dimensional Riemannian manifolds were statistically defined by maps that transform a parameter domain onto a set of probability density functions. In the earlier approach, a modified Kullback-Leibler divergence, measuring dissimilarity between two density distributions, was added to the statistical manifolds so that a geometric interpretation of the manifolds becomes possible. Although the previous framework produced good segmentation results, the approach led to offsets in texture boundaries for some situations. This paper introduces a diffusion scheme on statistical manifolds that leads to substantially improved localization accuracy in segmentation of textured images.
Real-Time Trailer Scheduling for Crossdock Operations

Crossdocks play an important role in supply chain operations. Due to the need to decrease transportation lead time to coordinate with other supply chain activities such as just-in-time, make-to-order, or merge-in-transit strategies, shortening the total transfer time at crossdocks is increasingly important. In this research, we use real-time information about freight transferring within a crossdock to schedule waiting inbound trailers in order to reduce the time freight spends in a crossdock. We use dynamic simulation models to compare the performance of several strategies. These are first-come, first-served, look-ahead, minimum processing time, and minimum total time policies. We examine these under different trailer arrival headways, crossdock layouts, and destination distributions. Our simulation results show that our time-based algorithms save more time than the first-come, first-served and look-ahead policies. In addition, these algorithms appear to result in higher service reliability and productivity.
Numerical analysis of stress–deformation response in reinforced unpaved road sections

Aggregate base course (ABC) layers of unpaved structures show significant plastic behavior under traffic load, including stress-dependent modulus and structural degradation. Geosynthetic reinforcement is commonly placed between the ABC and the subgrade to improve the performance of unpaved structures. Numerical analyses using the finite element program ABAQUS were conducted to investigate the performance of geogrid-reinforced aggregate over soft subgrade. Elasto-plastic constitutive models were used to model aggregate, subgrade and geogrid layer. Interaction between geogrid and aggregate was simulated as a shear-resistance interface. The reinforcement effects were seen in reducing surface deformation and improving vertical stress distribution on the subgrade layer. A parametric study indicated that ABC thickness and ABC/ subgrade modulus ratio greatly affect the contribution of the reinforcement. As the ABC thickness decreases, or as the ABC/subgrade modulus ratio decreases owing to deterioration or degra...
Differences in normal values for murine white blood cell counts and other hematological parameters based on sampling site

Objective and design: The effect of blood sam- pling site on the hemogram and neutrophil adhesion mole- cules was examined in BALB/c mice. Materials and methods: Blood samples were drawn from the tail, eye, and heart during anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine. Cell numbers were quantified with an automated counter and flow cytometry was used to quantify CD11b and CD18. Results: Total white blood cell (WBC) counts were highest from tail, lower from eye, and significantly lower from heart blood. In general, differences between tail and heart counts reflected changes in all cell types. RBCs, platelets and hema- tocrits were significantly increased in tail compared to heart blood. Although CD18 levels were not different, CD11b was significantly higher on neutrophils from tail compared to heart blood. Conclusions: In anesthetized BALB/c mice, sampling site readily influences blood counts and neutrophil CD11b. The findings underscore the need to standardize sampling site when measuring these parameters.
Mutagenesis of the cyclic AMP receptor protein of Escherichia coli targeting positions 72 and 82 of the cyclic nucleotide binding pocket

The cyclic 3', 5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) binding pocket of the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) of Escherichia coli was mutagenized to substitute cysteine or glycine for serine 83; cysteine, glycine, isoleucine, or serine for threonine 127; and threonine or alanine for serine 128. Cells that expressed the binding pocket residue-substituted forms of CRP were characterized by measurements of beta-galactosidase activity. Purified wild-type and mutant CRP preparations were characterized by measurement of cAMP binding activity and by their capacity to support lacP activation in vitro. CRP structure was assessed by measurement of sensitivity to protease and DTNB-mediated subunit crosslinking. The results of this study show that cAMP interactions with serine 83, threonine 127 and serine 128 contribute to CRP activation and have little effect on cAMP binding. Amino acid substitutions that introduce hydrophobic amino acid side chain constituents at either position 127 or 128 decrease CRP discrimination of cAMP and cGMP. Finally, cAMP-induced CRP structural change(s) that occur in or near the CRP hinge region result from cAMP interaction with threonine 127; substitution of threonine 127 by cysteine, glycine, isoleucine, or serine produced forms of CRP that contained, independently of cAMP binding, structural changes similar to those of the wild-type CRP:cAMP complex.
Molecular Basis of NF-κB Signaling

NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) family transcription factors are master regulators of immune and inflammatory processes in response to both injury and infection. In the latent state, NF-κBs are sequestered in the cytosol by their inhibitor IκB (inhibitor of NF-κB) proteins. Upon stimulations of innate immune receptors such as Toll-like receptors and cytokine receptors such as those in the TNF (tumor necrosis factor) receptor superfamily, a series of membrane proximal events lead to the activation of the IKK (IκB kinase). Phosphorylation of IκBs results in their proteasomal degradation and the release of NF-κB for nuclear translocation and activation of gene transcription. Here, we review the plethora of structural studies in these NF-κB activation pathways, including the TRAF (TNF receptor–associated factor) proteins, IKK, NF-κB, ubiquitin ligases, and deubiquitinating enzymes. Although these structures only provide snapshots of isolated processes, an emerging picture is that these signaling cascades coale...
Text-independent talker identification with neural networks

The authors introduce a novel method for partitioning a large classification problem using N*(N-1)/2 binary pair classifiers. The binary pair classifier has been applied to a speaker identification problem using neural networks for the binary classifiers. The binary partitioned approach was used to develop an identification system for the 47 male speakers belonging to the Northern dialect region of the TIMIT database. The system performs with 100% accuracy in a text-independent mode when trained with about 9 to 14 s of speech and tested with 8 s of speech. The partitioned approach performs comparably, or even better, than a single large neural network. For large values of N (>10), the partitioned approach requires only a fraction of the training time required for a single large network. For N=47, the training time for the partitioned network would be about two orders of magnitude less than for the single large network. >
On a subgroup of the group of multiplicative arithmetic functions

An arithmetic function f is said to be multiplicative if f(1) = 1 and f(mn) = f(m)f(n) whenever (m, n) = 1, where (m, n) denotes as usual the greatest common divisor of m and n. Furthermore an arithmetic function is said to be linear (or completely multiplicative) if f(1) = 1 and f(mn) = f(m)f(n) for all positive integers m and n.The Dirichlet convolution of two arithmetic functions f and g is defined by for all n∈Z+. Recall that the set of all multiplicative functions, denoted by M, with this operation is an abelian group.
For Better or For Worse? The Consequences of Marriage and Cohabitation for Single Mothers

This study examines whether the mental and physical health of single mothers benefit from marriage or cohabitation compared to childless women who marry. Results indicate that marrying is associated with similar declines in psychological distress for single mothers and childless women, but only when that marriage endures. Single mothers do not receive the same physical health benefits from entering an enduring marriage, in part because single mothers have lower levels of marital quality. Entering and exiting marriage is worse for the mental and physical health of single mothers than for other women and in some cases, worse than remaining unpartnered. Enduring cohabiting unions offer few psychological or physical health benefits to either group but short-lived cohabiting unions are associated with increased distress.
Collagen crosslinking and cell density have distinct effects on fibroblast-mediated contraction of collagen gels

Background/purpose: Fibroblasts are actively and dynamically involved in wound healing (dermal regeneration, wound contraction, and scar contracture) and fibrosis. Fibroblast-seeded collagen gels provide an in vitro model for these processes. Over time, fibroblasts will contract the gels, but the mechanisms are not completely understood. This research investigated the influence of cell density and collagen crosslinking on the contraction of fibroblast-populated gels by varying seeding density and blocking the catalyzing enzyme lysyl oxidase, respectively. Methods: Collagen gels were seeded with fibroblasts at either 3 × 104 or 1 × 105 cells/mL and incubated with or without the lathyrogen β-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN) for 8 days. In all, four experimental groups were analyzed: low cell density control, high cell density control, low density plus BAPN, and high density plus BAPN. Digital images were taken daily and gel area was calculated. Results: Contraction was dependent on cell concentration, with higher density gels being contracted to a greater extent. BAPN had no effect until after day 2 when it inhibited (high density) or almost completely blocked (low density) the gel contraction. BAPN also reduced total long-term contraction. Conclusion: The results demonstrated a bimodal nature to fibroblast-mediated gel contraction: a cell density-dependent component, most likely mediated through cellular forces, and a delayed collagen crosslinking component that could be blocked by BAPN. In the long-term, similar contraction rates among the four experimental groups, particularly between the two BAPN groups, implies that the collagen crosslinking effect is discrete and independent of cell density.
Central CO2 chemoreception in developing bullfrogs: anomalous response to acetazolamide

Central CO2 chemoreception and the role of carbonic anhydrase were assessed in brain stems from Rana catesbeiana tadpoles and frogs. Buccal and lung rhythms were recorded from cranial nerve VII and...
Deciding the Vapnik— Červonenkis Dimension is ∑p3-complete

N. Linialet al.raised the question of how difficult the computation of the Vapnik??ervonenkis dimension of a concept class over a finite universe is. C. Papadimitriou and M. Yannakakis obtained a first answer using matrix representations of concept classes. However, this approach does not capture classes having exponential size, like monomials, which are encountered in learning theory. We choose a more natural representation, which leads us to redefine the VC DIMENSION problem. We establish that VC DIMENSION is?p3-complete, thereby giving a rare natural example of a?p3-complete problem.
Glucocorticoid Inhibition of Fibroblast Proliferation and Regulation of the Cyclin Kinase Inhibitor p21Cip1

Glucocorticoids inhibit the proliferation of fibroblastic cells in vivo and in culture; however, the molecular mechanism that accounts for this effect has remained obscure. We have undertaken to elucidate the mechanism whereby glucocorticoids decrease the rate of proliferation of mouse L929 fibroblastic cells. Addition of dexamethasone to mid-log phase fibroblasts prolongs G1 phase. This increase in the G1 interval is associated with, and probably due to, inhibition of phosphorylation of the product of the Rb-1 tumor suppressor gene, pRb. Inhibition of pRb phosphorylation by cyclin D-dependent kinases can be demonstrated in vitro. Nevertheless, there is no detectable change in the expression of cyclin D1, cyclin D2, or cyclin D3. Cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (Cdk4) and Cdk6 are not down-regulated in L929 cells after addition of glucocorticoids, and the abundance of cyclin D/Cdk4 complexes does not change. Inhibition of pRb kinase activity is associated with an increase in the abundance of one of the Cdk inhi...