cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-Stimulus Activity Predicts the Winner of Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Attentional Selection

Our ability to process visual information is fundamentally limited. This leads to competition between sensory information that is relevant for top-down goals and sensory information that is perceptually salient, but task-irrelevant. The aim of the present study was to identify, from EEG recordings, pre-stimulus and pre-saccadic neural activity that could predict whether top-down or bottom-up processes would win the competition for attention on a trial-by-trial basis. We employed a visual search paradigm in which a lateralized low contrast target appeared alone, or with a low (i.e., non-salient) or high contrast (i.e., salient) distractor. Trials with a salient distractor were of primary interest due to the strong competition between top-down knowledge and bottom-up attentional capture. Our results demonstrated that 1) in the 1-sec pre-stimulus interval, frontal alpha (8–12 Hz) activity was higher on trials where the salient distractor captured attention and the first saccade (bottom-up win); and 2) there was a transient pre-saccadic increase in posterior-parietal alpha (7–8 Hz) activity on trials where the first saccade went to the target (top-down win). We propose that the high frontal alpha reflects a disengagement of attentional control whereas the transient posterior alpha time-locked to the saccade indicates sensory inhibition of the salient distractor and suppression of bottom-up oculomotor capture.
Mechanisms for lunar luminescence.

Visibility of lunar luminescence, noting favorable possibilities at new Moon, dark eclipses and far side and energy sources for luminescence
This Biosphere Which Is Not One: Towards Weird Essentialism

This essay uses the thought of Luce Irigaray as a very powerful way to imagine what ecological beings such as meadows and whales are like. For reasons given yet implicit in Irigaray's work, it is possible to extend what she argues about woman to include any being whatsoever. In particular, it is shown that to exist is to defy the so-called law of noncontradiction. Various paradoxes demonstrate that in order to care for beings that we consider to be ecological, such as meadows, we had better relax our adherence to this “law.” Ecological beings are, like Irigaray's woman, not one and not two. They cannot be thought as constantly, presently themselves, or as decomposable into other beings – not without violence. A side effect of the argument is that we can now use Irigaray to think a multiplicity of sexualities and gender identities.
Summary report on AFRL studies of the optical and electrical properties of biopolymers using salmon DNA

The Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) began studies of deoxyribonuclaic acid (DNA) as a polymer material in 2001 due to the availability of multi-gram quantities of 98% pure DNA extracted from Japanese salmon waste products. The research studies that followed explored the electrical, optical and electrooptical characteristics of thin films of DNA combined with the surfactant hexacytltrimethylammonium chloride making the resulting DNA-CTMA complex soluble in most polar solvents and insoluble in water. The films were produced mainly by spin coating although other techniques were also used. The focus was to measure the fundamental properties, such as volume electrical resistivity, dielectric constant, refractive index and thermal conductivity, and to explore various applications using test device configurations such as an optical modulator, OFET, OLED and energy storage capacitor fabricated using DNA-CTMA. The initial high molecular weight of 2,000 to >8,000 kDa was reduced by high power ultrasonic treatment, which provided molecular weight materials from 1,000 down to ~200 kDa. These lower molecular weight materials revealed changes in some properties of the DNA-CTMA material. This paper brings together the results of these studies to show the potential of DNA as a polymer material.
McCall Culdoplasty Combined with Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Adenomyosis

Laparoscopic surgery for vaginal vault prolapse offers a minimally invasive access for vault suspension, combining the advantages of the apparent longterm success rates of the abdominal approach with the reported low morbidity and short hospitalization of the vaginal surgery. A major problem with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy is that it requires expertise in laparoscopic suturing. Laparoscopic suturing is time consuming in inexperienced hands prolonging the operating time. The objective is to demonstrate the technique of fixation of polypropylene mesh in laparoscopic sacral colpopexy and peritoneal closure using thee bidirectional barbed suture.This technique was used in two consecutive cases, decreased in 15 minutes operative time required to fix the mesh (50 to 25 minutes) and 10 minutes for peritoneal closure (20 to 10 minutes). The use of the bidirectional barbed suture may decrease by half the time needed to fix the mesh and the peritoneal closure in laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy.
American Dental Association specification no. 13 for self-curing repair resins (effective January 1, 1956)

The repair resins shall conform to all requirements of American Dental Asso­ ciation Specification No. 12 applicable to Type II self-curing resins with the follow­ ing two exceptions. Paragraph 3.4.1 and Paragraph 3.4.7 shall be changed to read : 3.4.1 Working Qualities. The self-curing repair resin shall yield a satisfactory repair when processed according to in­ structions furnished by the manufacturer. 3.4.7 Transverse Deflection.The deflec­ tion of at least three of the five specimens prepared as outlined in 4.3.5 shall meet the following requirements when tested in water at 37 ± 1°C. (98.6 ± 1.8°F.).
Burns of the neuropathic foot following use of therapeutic footbaths

Burns affecting the foot in a neuropathic patient may be associated with significant functional impairment and prolonged recovery time. Although they occur easily, these injuries are rare. We report two patients with deep burns of the foot following the use of therapeutic footbaths for pressure ulcers in neuropathic patients.
Health Information in Vietnamese-American Print Media: Results of a Content Analysis

Abstract Purpose. Vietnamese-Americans (VA) constitute a large minority community that is mostly foreign born with limited English proficiency. This article compares the health content of free print media targeting VA with that of free English-language print media. Design. Content analysis. Setting. All free print media available at the three largest VA-serving supermarkets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were reviewed. Comparison English-language periodicals included free and purchased publications. Measures. We identified and coded 254 health content–containing articles from 22 issues of six periodicals (four free Vietnamese, one free English language, and one purchased English language) collected over a 4-week period. Analysis. Chi-square and t-tests for independent samples were used to compare free Vietnamese- and free English-language periodicals. Additional analyses included all English-language periodicals as the comparison group. Results. Higher proportions of advertisements and “pseudonews” articl...
The spectral sensitivity of the ocellar system in the cricket Gryllus firmus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

In the field cricket Gryllus firmus, the electroretinographic visual spectral sensitivity functions [S(λ)] of the median and lateral ocelli show the presence of a single receptor system sensitive to the green region with a maximum at 520 nm. The S(λ) functions match the nomogram for a P520 visual pigment. The waveforms of the electroretinogram elicited by light stimuli across the spectrum are similar. The slopes of the Vlog I curves are also similar at different stimulus wavelengths across the spectrum. The ocelli are capable of responding over 3–5 log units of change in the stimulus intensity.
Boundary-layer structure in a shock-generated plasma flow: Part 2. Experiments using a new quantitative schlieren technique

The shock-tube side-wall boundary layer in a 1 eV, high-density argon plasma was studied experimentally using anew, simple, quantitative schlieren technique. The angular refraction of light which enters the shock-tube test section parallel to a side wall and passes through typically 1 mm thick boundary layers was determined in two separate wavelengths. This was done by measuring the displacements of two shadows formed by two thin wires placed in the point source light, which is reflected non-centrally by a concave spherical mirror. The experiments were of exploratory nature only, but clearly demonstrated the feasibility of the new technique in analysing plasma-boundary-layer flows. Measured electron density profiles in the high-temperature region of the sidewall boundary layers agreed within experimental errors with those calculated from the equilibrium-boundary-layer theory.
The Effect of Environmental Constraints on Individual Economic Behavior

Abstract The Paretian measure of consumer surplus neglects the possibility that the state of individual welfare is conditioned by an economic parameter, as in the case of non-marketed environmental goods. As long as an environmental good serves as a constraint in the same way as price of an ordinary good, the equilibrium values such as price elasticity, input substitution and expenditure elasticity should vary with the quality of the environment. Therefore, spatially differentiated environmental quality yields suboptimal state of individual welfare economy, even though prices are invariant.
Direct reinforcement, sex of model, sex of subject, and learning by vicarious reinforcement

This experiment compared imitation of male and female models under a vicarious-reinforcement (VR) and a combination VR/direct-reinforcement (DR) condition. Both sexes were used as Ss, and female Ss performed significantly better than did male Ss. The sex of the model was only significant in the VR condition, where the female model was superior. The VR-DR treatment proved to be significantly more effective than VR alone.
Bio-inspired hovering and locomotion via wirelessly powered ionic polymer metal composites

In this paper, we present a wireless powering system for Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs). The need for technological advancements towards the realization of hovering flight and swimming in biological systems motivates the system design. We demonstrate IPMC wireless powering through radio frequency magnetically coupled coils and ad hoc power electronics for low frequency IPMC actuation. We identify the parameters of the circuit components describing the resonantly coupled coils. We analyze the power transfer from the external power source to the receiver at the IPMC and compare the actuation performance of the IPMC in the wireless and wired configurations.
Use of laser-produced soft x rays for the production of excited metastable ions

A detailed investigation is presented of the use of soft x rays, emitted from a laser-produced plasma, for the excitation of highly energetic ions. The emphasis is on the excitation of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}(1s2s)$ metastable levels with energies of approximately 60 eV. The experiments were made possible by the use of a geometry in which the laser beam was focused through the Li vapor onto a massive target placed inside the vapor. Populations of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}(1s2s)$ ions in excess of ${10}^{15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ have been measured and the effect of varying parameters such as laser energy, distance from the target, Li density, and time delay after the initial excitation has been examined. In this work the plasma emission can be considered as radiation from a blackbody with a temperature of 10-100 eV, and the conversion efficiency from 1.06-\ensuremath{\mu}m radiation to blackbody radiation was estimated to be in excess of 5%. A comparison has been made of the effect of using $Q$-switched ($\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\sim}10$ ns, $E\ensuremath{\sim}200$ mJ) and actively modelocked ($\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\sim}0.6$ ns, $E\ensuremath{\sim}50$ mJ) neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) lasers to make the soft-x-ray---emitting plasma. ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}(1s2s)$ population measurements have been made for the cases of Ta, Fe, Ni, and Li target materials, and the populations excited by photoelectrons into the $\mathrm{Li}(1{s}^{2}2p)$ and ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}(1{s}^{2})$ levels have been measured. The applications of these experiments to various proposed extreme-ultraviolet laser systems are discussed.
Observational study of naturalistic interactions with the socially assistive robot PARO in a nursing home

To explore the development and maintenance of human-robot interaction (HRI) in a real-world setting, we conducted a three-month long field study with the socially assistive robot PARO in a nursing home. We placed PARO a public area in the institution and observed naturally occurring interactions of nursing home residents, staff, and visitors with the robot. We collected both quantitative (on-site behavioral coding and interactor counts) and qualitative (observational field notes) data. The results of behavioral analysis complemented with information from our field notes show that interaction with PARO was often not spontaneous and that mediation from staff and family members was integral to successful interactions between residents and PARO. We also observed that individual interactors engaged with the robot in diverse ways based on their needs. We conclude by discussing design and methodological implications for in situ HRI studies.
Response surface methods for optimizing Saccharopolyspora spinosa , a novel macrolide producer

Strain A83543, recently identified asSaccharopolyspora spinosa, was cultured in a variety of media to optimize macrolide titer. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to improve the fermentation medium and to characterize the microorganism's response to systematic variations in medium composition. Three sequential RSM studies on wild-type A83543 and two high macrolide-producing mutants showed that each strain produced maximum titers in nearly identical fermentation media. No obvious differences in nutrient requirements were evident in the three strains indicating little interaction between mutational change and medium composition through at least two cycles of mutagenesis. The overall increase in macrolide titer starting from the wild-type organism in the original fermentation medium to the second-generation mutant in the optimized medium was over 25-fold.
General practice residency education in implant dentistry.

This paper originally was presented at the Second Annual National Conference on Special Care Issues in Dentistry, March 31-April 1, 1990, at the American Dental Association Headquarters, Chicago
Flexural creep of long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites: Effect of processing-dependent fiber variables on creep response

Flexural creep properties were studied as a function of fiber weight fraction and processing-induced fiber alignment in extrusion/compression-molded, long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) nylon 6/6, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene and their 10 wt.% and 40 wt.% E-glass fiber reinforced LFT composites. The residual fiber lengths and probability distribution parameters were near-equal, regardless of the initial fiber length and processing. Creep compliances decreased with increasing fiber weight fraction, and clear influence of fiber alignment was found in model parameters. Processing-induced fiber alignment imaged using X-ray radiography, was correlated with the creep compliances of strategically sectioned specimens, and tested as per ASTM D-2990. Longitudinal fibers aided in lowering the creep compliance, and the range in compliance decreased with lower preferential fiber alignment. Creep compliances from flexural creep tests and dynamic mechanical analysis/static creep tests were combined using time-temperature-stress superposition (TTSSP) to construct long-term master curves that correlated closely with long-term tests.
Turning a corner: The future of New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development

(NHAEHRD) is embarking on another chapter in its long and distinguished history. Beginning in January 2013, the journal will be published by Wiley On-Line. This unfortunately ends the journal’s tenure as an open source journal. The editors of NHAEHRD regret the necessi-ty for this decision because we believe strongly in the principle of free information that built the foundation for the journal back in 1987, but we look forward to building the journal’s reputation and research with the assistance of Wiley On-Line. The journal will still be guided by other principles articulated by the original editors of
The Structure of Protostellar Accretion Disks and the Origin of Bipolar Flows

Equations are obtained which govern the disk-wind structure and identify the physical parameters relevant to circumstellar disks. The system of equations is analyzed in the thin-disk approximation, and it is shown that the system can be consistently reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations in z. Representative solutions are presented, and it is shown that the apparent paradox discussed by Shu (1991) is resolved when the finite thickness of the disk is taken into account. Implications of the results for the origin of bipolar flows in young stellar objects and possible application to active galactic nuclei are discussed.
Hydroquinone, a Reactive Metabolite of Benzene, Inhibits NF-κB in Primary Human CD4+T Lymphocytes☆☆☆

Abstract Hydroquinone (HQ), a reactive metabolite of benzene, is present in cigarette smoke and is known to inhibit mitogen-stimulated activation of both T and B lymphocytes. Despite extensive study, the underlying mechanism for HQ's immunotoxicity is not clear. NF-κB is a transcription factor known to regulate the expression of a number of genes critical for normal T cell activation. We therefore hypothesized that NF-κB might be involved in HQ-induced immunosuppression. In this study, we demonstrate that 1 μM HQ inhibits tumor necrosis factor α induced activation of NF-κB in primary human CD4 + T cells. This inhibition is not accompanied by a loss in viability, and HQ-treated T cells maintain other active signaling pathways throughout the exposure duration. Additionally, the inhibition of NF-κB is reversible as HQ-treated T cells regain normal functioning after 72 h in culture. HQ does not appear to alter NF-κB directly as preincubation of nuclear extracts with HQ does not diminish activity of this protein. We further demonstrate that 1 μM HQ inhibits intracellular IL-2 production in T cells stimulated with phorbol ester but does not alter surface expression of CD25 (the α-subunit of the IL-2 receptor). These data suggest that NF-κB may be an important molecular mediator of HQ's (and benzene's) immunotoxicity.
Expanding Research in Academic Advising: Methodological Strategies to Engage Advisors in Research

Research in academic advising has traditionally been conducted and disseminated by faculty researchers, graduate students, and higher education administrators (including advising directors). While ...
A formula for a missing plot in a general incomplete block design, when recovery of interblock information is used

In this paper, Yate's missing plot technique is used to derive the formula for substitution in a missing plot in a general incomplete block design, where blocks are assumed to be independent normal. The use of penalized normal equations, using BLUPS, makes this task simpler.
Ramsey's Theorem Is Sharp

1. M.D. Hirschhorn, An amazing identity of Ramanujan, this Magazine 68 (1995), 199-201. 2. M.D. Hirschhorn, A proof in the spirit of Zeilberger of an amazing identity of Ramanujan, this Magazine 69(1996), 267-269. 3. S. Ramanujan, Notebooks, Vol II, Bombay, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1957. 4. S. Ramanujan, Collected Papers, AMS, Chelsea, 2000. 5. S. Ramanujan, The Lost Notebook and Other Unpublished Papers, Narosa, New Delhi, 1988.
Inhibition of SULT2B1b expression alters effects of 3β-hydroxysteroids on cell proliferation and steroid hormone receptor expression in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND Sulfation is an important steroid inactivation in human tissues. Sulfotransferase (SULT) 2B1b selectively conjugates 3beta-hydroxysteroids and is expressed in epithelial cells of normal and cancerous prostate tissues. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Delta(5)-androstenediol (Delta(5)-Adiol) sulfation prevents their conversion to more potent androgens and estrogens in tissues although both compounds may also be biologically active. METHODS SULT2B1b expression and activity were inhibited >85% in human LNCaP prostate adenocarcinoma cells using short interference RNA (siRNA). The effects of treating control and SULT2B1b-deficient LNCaP cells with DHEA, Delta(5)-Adiol, and 5alpha-androstane-3beta-17beta-diol (Anstane-diol) on cellular proliferation, estrogen receptors (ERs), androgen receptor (AR), and prostate specific antigen protein levels were examined. RESULTS Physiological concentrations of DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol increased proliferation of control cells and the proliferative effects were significantly increased in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells. DHEA, but not Delta(5)-Adiol increased AR levels at concentrations >/=1,000 nM in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells but not in control LNCaP cells. ER-alpha levels were not affected with any of the compounds tested. Physiological concentrations of DHEA and Delta(5)-A-diol decreased ER-beta levels in control cells and had significantly greater effects in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells. In contrast, Anstane-diol had no effect on AR or ER-alpha levels but induced more elevation of ER-beta levels in SULT2B1b-siRNA cells at concentrations >/=1,000 nM. CONCLUSIONS SULT2B1b is involved in regulating prostate cell responsiveness to DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol. Inhibition of SULT2B1b increased cell proliferation and ER-beta repression after treatment with physiological levels of DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol indicating that SULT2B1b has an inhibitory effect on DHEA and Delta(5)-Adiol activity.
Interaction energy of superconducting vortices

By means of a constrained variational calculation we determine the interaction energy of two-vortex configurations in the Ginzburg-Landau theory or, equivalently, in the Abelian Higgs model. The energy is evaluated as a function of the separation between vortices and of the parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$, which measures the relative strength of the matter self-coupling and the electromagnetic coupling. Our results provide a precise determination of the inter-vortex potential, attractive for $\ensuremath{\lambda}l1$ and repulsive for $\ensuremath{\lambda}g1$. They also show that for $\ensuremath{\lambda}=1$ the lower bound on the energy which can be then derived is actually reached at all separations and, therefore, that in this case vortices do not interact.
The capacity to adapt to changing balance threats: a comparison of children with cerebral palsy and typically developing children.

Objectives: This study investigated differences in reactive balance abilities of typically developing children and those with spastic diplegia. Recovery from balance threats was compared by: (i) Platform velocity and amplitude thresholds: Speed and size of platform movement at which children required assistance to remain upright, (ii) percentage of trials with feet-in-place vs. loss of balance, and (iii) center of pressure measures. Participants included 8 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, 15 developmentally matched children (similar walking stages) and 21 age-matched control children.Methods: Backward platform movements graded as easy, moderate and difficult were unexpectedly imposed on children standing on a moveable platform.Results: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) had lower platform velocity thresholds, greater percentages of loss of balance trials, increased distances and increased frequency of directional changes in center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories than control children. Older ch...
Large-area fault clusters and fault tolerance in VLSI circuits

Fault-tolerance techniques and redundant circuits have been used extensively to increase the manufacturing yield and productivity of integrated-circuit chips. Presented here is a review of relevant statistical models which have been used to account for the effects on manufacturing yield of the large-area defect and fault clusters commonly encountered during chip fabrication. A statistical criterion is described for determining whether such large-area clusters are present.
The endoplasmic reticulum stress response in immunity and autoimmunity

Many exogenous sources of stress can lead to cell death. In recent years, endogenous cellular sources of stress have also been identified, including the stress that arises from the accumulation of unfolded proteins within a cell's endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To counterbalance this type of ER stress, higher eukaryotic cells possess a three-pronged signal-transduction pathway termed the unfolded-protein response (UPR). This Review focuses on the role of the UPR in the mammalian immune system and how manipulation of this complex signalling pathway may be of therapeutic benefit in human disease.
ECONOMIC RIGHTS AND THE WELFARE STATE: THE QUEST FOR POLICY INTEGRITY

Leslie Dunbar. 1988. The Common Interest: How Our Social Welfare Policies Don't Work and What We Can Do About Them Charles Lockhart. 1989. Gaining Ground: Tailoring Social Programs to American Values
Quantitation of cellular resolution in situ hybridization histochemistry in brain by image analysis

A new method for relative quantitation of mRNA levels with single neuron resolution is described. Hybridized tissue sections are emulsion dipped, exposed, and developed. The resulting silver grains are visualized using dark-field microscopy at high magnification. The method relies on computer-based image analysis of sequentially located, high resolution, small fields containing the cell images, each of which is analyzed for mRNA content. Maps of cell distributions are constructed, with cell marks color-coded for relative mRNA levels, yielding previously unavailable information on regional distribution of quantitative cellular expression of specific mRNA in brain.
A consensus-based strategy to improve the quality of fault localization

SUMMARY A vast number of software fault localization techniques have been proposed recently with the growing realization that manual debugging is time-consuming, tedious, and error-prone, and fault localization is one of the most expensive debugging activities. Although some techniques perform better than others on a large number of data sets, they do not do so on all data sets and therefore, the actual quality of fault localization can vary considerably by using just one technique. This paper proposes the use of a consensus-based strategy that combines the results of multiple fault localization techniques to consistently provide high quality performance, irrespective of data set. Empirical evidence based on case studies conducted on six sets of programs (seven programs of the Siemens suite, and the gzip, grep, make, space, and Ant programs) and three different fault localization techniques (Tarantula, Ochiai, and H3) suggests that the consensus-based strategy holds merit and generally provides close to the best, if not the best, results. Empirically, we show that this is true of both single-fault and multifault programs. Additionally, the consensus-based strategy makes use of techniques that all operate on the same set of input data, minimizing the overhead. It is also simple to include or exclude techniques from consensus, making it an easily extensible or tractable strategy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel sub-10 nm transistor

We report on a novel transistor structure which has the special features of (1) precise gate length control through a deposited film thickness; (2) an ultra-thin body for suppression of short channel effects; (3) raised source/drain (S/D) to reduce parasitic resistance; (4) a gate-last process compatible with high-k low temperature dielectrics; and (5) a low thermal budget process. Using this structure, transistors with a 9 nm gate length have been fabricated without the use of advanced lithography. To the authors' knowledge, this is the smallest reported functional NMOS transistor.
Evolution of Cooperative Problem Solving in an Artificial Economy

We address the problem of how to reinforce learning in ultracomplex environments, with huge state-spaces, where one must learn to exploit a compact structure of the problem domain. The approach we propose is to simulate the evolution of an artificial economy of computer programs. The economy is constructed based on two simple principles so as to assign credit to the individual programs for collaborating on problem solutions. We find empirically that starting from programs that are random computer code, we can develop systems that solve hard problems. In particular, our economy learned to solve almost all random Blocks World problems with goal stacks that are 200 blocks high. Competing methods solve such problems only up to goal stacks of at most 8 blocks. Our economy has also learned to unscramble about half a randomly scrambled Rubik's cube and to solve several commercially sold puzzles.
Characterization of mice with targeted deletion of glycine receptor alpha 2.

Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels that mediate inhibitory neurotransmission in the adult nervous system. During development, glycine receptor alpha 2 (GlyR2) is expressed in the retina, in the spinal cord, and throughout the brain. Within the cortex, GlyR2 is expressed in immature cells and these receptors have been shown to be active and excitatory. In the developing retina, inhibition of glycine receptor activity prevents proper rod photoreceptor development. These data suggest that GlyR2, the developmentally expressed glycine receptor, may play an important role in neuronal development. We have generated mice with a targeted deletion of glycine receptor alpha 2 (Glra2). Although these mice lack expression of GlyR2, no gross morphological or molecular alterations were observed in the nervous system. In addition, the cerebral cortex does not appear to require glycine receptor activity for proper development, as Glra2 knockout mice did not show any electrophysiological responses to glycine. In the adult nervous system, inhibitory neurotransmission is mediated by -aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine. Glycine receptors are ligand-gated chloride channels that are composed of pentamers of alpha and beta subunits. Four alpha subunits (1, 2, 3, and 4) and one beta () subunit are present in the murine genome. In the mature nervous system, glycine receptors are heteropentamers composed of alpha subunits and beta subunits. Glycine receptors were initially described as being composed of three alpha subunits, which contained the ligand binding domain, and two beta subunits (5, 13). However, a recent study provides evidence that glycine receptor heteropentamers are composed of two alpha subunits and three beta subunits, with both the alpha and beta subunits contributing to the ligand binding domain (10). Homopentamers of alpha subunits also have been identified, and these forms were shown to be expressed extrasynaptically (28, 30). In the mature nervous system, glycine receptors are expressed at high levels in the spinal cord and brain stem and at lower levels in the thalamus and hypothalamus (reviewed in reference 17). The 1 and subunits of the glycine receptor are expressed at very low levels embryonically, with increasing expression from
Distance impacts mortality in trauma patients with an intubation attempt.

Objective. Out-of-hospital endotracheal intubation (OOH-ETI) has been associated with adverse outcomes; whether transport distance changes this relationship is unclear. We sought to determine whether patients injured farther from the hospital benefit more from OOH-ETI than those injured closer. Methods. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of trauma patients > 14 years old transported to two Level 1 trauma centers andsurviving to admission from 2000 to 2003. We used probabilistically linked geographic data to calculate transport distance. To adjust for the nonrandom selection of patients for OOH-ETI, we used a propensity score based on clinical variables: prehospital physiology, demographics, transport mode, mechanism, comorbidities, Abbreviated Injury Scale head injury score ≥ 3, Injury Severity Score, blood transfusion, andmajor surgery. Propensity-adjusted multivariable logistic regression with mode of transport was used to test the interaction between distance andOOH-ETI. Results. 8,786 patien...
Validation of the ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model Version 2 over the conterminous United States

Abstract. The ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model Version 2 (GDEM v2) was evaluated over the conterminous United States in a manner similar to the validation conducted for the original GDEM Version 1 (v1) in 2009. The absolute vertical accuracy of GDEM v2 was calculated by comparison with more than 18,000 independent reference geodetic ground control points from the National Geodetic Survey. The root mean square error (RMSE) measured for GDEM v2 is 8.68 meters. This compares with the RMSE of 9.34 meters for GDEM v1. Another important descriptor of vertical accuracy is the mean error, or bias, which indicates if a DEM has an overall vertical offset from true ground level. The GDEM v2 mean error of –0.20 meters is a significant improvement over the GDEM v1 mean error of –3.69 meters. The absolute vertical accuracy assessment results, both mean error and RMSE, were segmented by land cover to examine the effects of cover types on measured errors. The GDEM v2 mean errors by land cover class verify that the presence of aboveground features (tree canopies and built structures) cause a positive elevation bias, as would be expected for an imaging system like ASTER. In open ground classes (little or no vegetation with significant aboveground height), GDEM v2 exhibits a negative bias on the order of 1 meter. GDEM v2 was also evaluated by differencing with the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) dataset. In many forested areas, GDEM v2 has elevations that are higher in the canopy than SRTM.
Improving computational efficiency and tractability of protein design using a piecemeal approach. A strategy for parallel and distributed protein design.

Motivation: Accuracy in protein design requires a fine-grained rotamer search, multiple backbone conformations, and a detailed energy function, creating a burden in runtime and memory requirements. A design task may be split into manageable pieces in both three-dimensional space and in the rotamer search space to produce small, fast jobs that are easily distributed. However, these jobs must overlap, presenting a problem in resolving conflicting solutions in the overlap regions. Results: Piecemeal design, in which the design space is split into overlapping regions and rotamer search spaces, accelerates the design process whether jobs are run in series or in parallel. Large jobs that cannot fit in memory were made possible by splitting. Accepting the consensus amino acid selection in conflict regions led to non-optimal choices. Instead, conflicts were resolved using a second pass, in which the split regions were re-combined and designed as one, producing results that were closer to optimal with a minimal increase in runtime over the consensus strategy. Splitting the search space at the rotamer level instead of at the amino acid level further improved the efficiency by reducing the search space in the second pass. Availability and implementation: Programs for splitting protein design expressions are available at www.bioinfo.rpi.edu/tools/piece meal.html.
Functional analysis of systems using a Functional Basis

This paper details a step toward introducing an electromechanical Functional Basis into the functional modeling stage of the systems engineering process. The Functional Basis proposed by Hirtz et al. gained visibility in the product design community, but it has had limited exposure in the systems engineering community. The purpose of this paper is to propose the addition of a functional modeling technique that uses this Functional Basis to the systems engineering process. The models proposed in this paper achieve a higher degree of detail earlier in the process than models created using classical system engineering methodologies, although those without prior exposure to this methodology found it difficult to use the functional model. The value of the proposed approach is demonstrated through an example case, verified based on stakeholder input through interviews.
Phosphinic acid, P‐(hydroxymethyl)‐

[4886-44-6] CH5O3P (MW 96.02) InChI = 1S/CH5O3P/c2-1-5(3)4/h2,5H,1H2,(H,3,4) InChIKey = SIGZYWRTSGWBNO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alternate Names: hydroxymethyl-H-phosphinic acid. Physical Data: not isolated. Solubility: soluble in water. Form Supplied in: generated in situ and used crude after concentration. Contains H3PO2 and/or (HOCH2)2P(O)OH as impurities. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: H-phosphinic acids can disproportionate thermally to form phosphines, so excessive heating must be avoided. Use in a fume hood.
ALBUMIN EVOLUTION, PARAPHYLY AND THE RELATIONSHIPS OF THE AUSTRALIAN FROG MEGISTOLOTIS LIGNARIUS (ANURA: LIMNODYNASTINAE)

Megistolotis is a monotypic Australian genus included in the leptodactyloid subfam- ily Limnodynastinae. In some aspects of its morphology, Megistolotis resembles burrowing frogs of the genus Heleioporus, whereas in others it resembles terrestrial and aquatic frogs assigned to the genus Limnodynastes. Accordingly workers have differed regarding which of the two genera includes the closest relatives of Megistolotis. Studies of albumin evolution using the quantitative immunological technique of micro-complement fixation have shown that Megistolotis shares most recent common ancestry with Limnodynastes convexiusculus, a member of the L. tasmaniensis species group. This finding has implications regarding the parallel evolution of morphological features within limnodynastine frogs. In addition, the albumin data imply that Limnodynastes is a paraphy- letic taxon, and illustrate the problem confronting systematists faced with differing tempos of morphological and molecular evolution. (Albumin; paraphyly; micro-complement fixation (MC'F); Australian frogs; evolutionary rates.)
The need for innovation as a rationale for government involvement in entrepreneurship

Governments around the world seek to support entrepreneurship, yet the justification for such intervention varies. Some governments support entrepreneurship as a means to create jobs. Others support entrepreneurship as a means to create competition in markets, with attendant lower prices. In this paper, we offer a different justification for government support for entrepreneurship: to support and encourage innovation. Innovation does raise competition, lower prices, and create jobs, but more importantly through innovation entrepreneurship creates wealth for individuals and nations. We offer a model of government support for entrepreneurship to yield innovation that is grounded in theory yet rich in practical implications. Innovation is stimulated when the innovator receives the resulting payoff (termed residual claims in economic theory). In many instances, because small firms concentrate residual claims more effectively than large firms, entrepreneurial firms out-innovate established corporations. To acc...
A Fresh Perspective on Developing and Executing DAG-Based Distributed Applications: A Case-Study of SAGA-Based Montage

Most workflow based applications currently have to adapt to available tools. While this keeps the cost of development low, it can lead to performance and flexibility tradeoffs that the application developer and deployer must make. In this paper, we use the Montage astronomical image mosaicking application as prototypical DAG-based workflow application to layout the development and deployment decisions for distributed applications. We discuss and explain the lack of simple (easy-to-use), scalable, and extensible distributed applications. We then introduce SAGA as a technology that permits the construction of abstractions that aid the development and execution of the applications, and thus addresses some of common shortcomings of traditional distributed applications development. We use Montage together with SAGA to examine how legacy applications can be made to run on distributed infrastructures, to see if our reasons are valid, and to compare potential new methods for creating distributed applications with existing technologies that are currently used. We demonstrate the ability to (i) scale-out and (ii) use different production infrastructure, while maintaining performance comparable to established systems. Our hope is that by demonstrating the simplicity of development along with other advantages (performance, scalability, extensibility, and infrastructure independence), this example will encourage others to think more broadly about how distributed applications are created and how new programming models such as Dryad can be supported in an infrastructure independent way, thus eventually leading to more applications that can seamlessly scale-out.
Endolymphatic sac decompression as a treatment for Meniere's disease.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Endolymphatic sac decompression is a surgical treatment option for patients with medically intractable Meniere’s disease. However, effectiveness is debated because published data show great variability. Outcome-based research studies are useful in incorporating the patient’s perspective on the success of treatment. To further assess effectiveness of endolymphatic sac decompression, we performed a prospective study to examine both symptom-specific and general health outcomes. Study Design: Prospective, observational outcome study. Methods: Nineteen patients with endolymphatic sac decompression responded to symptomspecific questionnaires and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) before and after surgery. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 58 months with a mean duration of 50 months. Results: Overall measures of physical health were significantly improved following endolymphatic sac decompression (P .04), whereas overall measures of mental health were unchanged (P .74). Role Physical and Social Functioning scores were significantly improved following endolymphatic sac decompression (P .04 and P .03, respectively). Study patients scored significantly lower (P < .05) than SF-36 normative data in 6 of 10 categories before endolymphatic sac decompression but patient scores were not significantly different from normal scores in all but one category (General Health) following endolymphatic sac decompression. The mean number of vertigo episodes was significantly reduced from an average of 8.3 times per month to an average of 2.6 times per month following endolymphatic sac decompression (P .006). Ninetyfive percent of patients (18 of 19 patients) reported improvement in symptoms (frequency, duration, or intensity) of vertigo and 37% (7 of 19 patients) reported complete resolution of vertigo. Conclusion: Endolymphatic sac decompression significantly improved perception of physical health, as well as symptom-specific outcomes, in patients with medically intractable Meniere’s disease. Key Words: Endolymphatic sac decompression, Meniere’s disease, quality of life, vertigo. Laryngoscope, 115:1454–1457, 2005
Studies on the distribution of oligodeoxynucleotide charge states in the gas phase by ion spray mass spectrometry

The naturally occurring purine and pyrimidine heterocycles found in nucleic acids differ significantly in their basicity. To investigate whether such differences may provide useful mass spectrometric information about nucleic acid sequence and/or composition, the distribution of charge states in a series of oligodeoxynucleotide gas-phase ions was studied by ion spray mass spectrometry (MS). Hexadeoxynucleotides of adenosine, cytidine, guanosine and thymidine were evaluated over the pH range 2.6–7.0 using negative-ion MS. A significant reduction in the maximum charge state was noted for d(pA)6, d(pC)6 and d(G)6 at low pH, while the maximum charge state observed for d(pT)6 was independent of pH. These effects displayed a good correlation with the pKa values of the respective nucleoside bases. The findings suggest that charge-state reduction probably resulted from internal charge neutrazation by gas-phase protonation of the nucleoside base.
Enhanced Weighted Round Robin (EWRR) with DVFS Technology in Cloud Energy-Aware

In recent years, the rapid evolving Cloud Computing technologies multiply challenges including minimizing power consumption and meeting Quality-of- Services (QoS) requirements in the presence of heavy workloads from a large number of users using shared computing resources. Powering a middle-sized data center normally consumed 80,000kW power every year and computer servers consume around 5% of the global power [1]. In order to address the skyrocket energy cost from the high level resource management aspect, we propose an energy efficient job scheduling approach based on a modified version of Weighted Round Robin scheduler that incorporates VMs reuse and live VM migration without compromising the Service Level Agreement (SLA). Enhanced Weighted Round Robin (EWRR) algorithm enhanced scheduler can monitor the running VMs status for possible VM consolidation or Migration. In addition, VM Manager observes the VMs utilization rate to start live migration from the over-utilizing Processing Element (PE) to under-utilized PEs or to the hibernated PEs by sending WOL (Wake-On-LAN) signal to activate them. Moreover, we have integrated our Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) algorithm in CPU utilization model to specify the required frequency for each task depending on the task complexity and the deadline.
Characterization and reliability of TaN thin film resistors

TAN resistors are commonly used in RFIC applications and are gaining acceptance in traditional CMOS designs. TAN materials, frequently used in fabrication of Cu interconnects can easily be applied to the fabrication of thin film resistors. Deposition and integration of the films may be well controlled to produce a high precision resistor, and the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) characteristics of the film make it ideally suited for application across a large temperature range. While the time zero characteristics of the device are well understood, of equal importance are the device reliability properties. In this paper traditional film characteristics such as resistance distributions and TCR characteristics are presented. A voltage ramp stress is employed to identify the critical current A constant voltage stress at high temperature is utilized for reliability evaluation. Based on the stress results, a reliability degradation model is derived to express the relationship between stress condition, resistance change, and lifetime. The results demonstrate that the TAN thin film resistor is reliable over traditional IC operating ranges. While TAN resistors are robust, application conditions of the resistor typically result in significant resistive joule heating. The joule heating effects on the resistor are included in the resistor degradation model. The effects of the joule heating on reliability for neighboring structures must also be considered. The effective result is that the maximum allowed use current of the resistor might be dictated by the resistive joule heating and not necessarily the resistor reliability itself. The effect of the joule heating on neighboring structures is a subject itself and will not be covered in this paper.