cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excitatory amino acid-evoked release of [3H]GABA from hippocampal neurons in primary culture.

Abstract We investigated the release of γ-[2,3- 3 H(N)]aminobutyric acid ([ 3 H]GABA) from hippocampal neurons in primary cell culture. [ 3 H]GABA release was stimulated by the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter glutamate as well as by N -methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) and kainate. Cell depolarization induced by raising [K + ] 0 or by veratridine also stimulated [ 3 H]GABA release. NMDA-induced release was completely blocked by 3-((±)-car☐ypiperazin-4yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP + ), Mg 2+ and Zn 2+ whereas the release induced by glutamate and kainate was much less susceptible to inhibition by these substances. Furthermore, removal of external Ca 2+ inhibited NMDA-induced release, but not that induced by glutamate, kainate, veratridine or 50 mM K + . Removal of external Na + reduced [ 3 H]GABA release evoked by all stimuli, but to different extents. All of the excitatory amino acids tested increased [Ca 2+ ] i within hippocampal neurons as assessed by fura-2 based microspectrofluorimetry. This increase in [Ca 2+ ] i was completely dependent on the presence of external Ca 2+ . These results suggest that Ca 2+ -dependent and -independent forms of GABA release from hippocampal interneurons may occur. [ 3 H]GABA release evoked by glutamate, kainate, veratridine or 50 mM K + , appeared to be mediated by the reversal of electrogenic, Na + -coupled GABA uptake. Release was inhibited by nipecotic acid, an inhibitor of the Na + -coupled GABA uptake system. However, release induced by NMDA may also include a Ca 2+ -dependent component.
Effect of musical experience on learning lexical tone categories

Previous studies suggest that musicians show an advantage in processing and encoding foreign-language lexical tones. The current experiments examined whether musical experience influences the perceptual learning of lexical tone categories. Experiment I examined whether musicians with no prior experience of tonal languages differed from nonmusicians in the perception of a lexical tone continuum. Experiment II examined whether short-term perceptual training on lexical tones altered the perception of the lexical tone continuum differentially in English-speaking musicians and nonmusicians. Results suggested that (a) musicians exhibited higher sensitivity overall to tonal changes, but perceived the lexical tone continuum in a manner similar to nonmusicians (continuously), in contrast to native Mandarin speakers (categorically); and (b) short-term perceptual training altered perception; however, there were no significant differences between the effects of training on musicians and nonmusicians.
Effects of Physical Properties on Incidence of Breakage in Canned White Potatoes

During commercial sterilization of whole white potatoes, mild to severe breakage sometimes occurs. Physical properties of potatoes were measured before and after sterilization. These included major diameter, minor diameter, density, dry matter content, amylographic viscosity, compressive breaking strength, and tensile breaking strength. The experimental data were evaluated in terms of mean values from 33 different truckloads sampled at a commercial canning facility (60 tubers sampled per load). These properties were statistically compared to the incidence of breakage in sterilized potatoes. The results did not show significant relationships between any of the raw potato properties and the incidence of breakage. However, several properties of the sterilized potatoes (major diameter, peak viscosity, peak viscosity temperature) were linearly related to breakage (R 2 = 0.84).
Measurement of sin2β with BABAR

We present updated results on time-dependent CP -violating asymmetries in neutral B decays to several CP eigenstates containing charmonium. In the Standard Model, the amplitude of these asymmetries is proportional to sin2 β . We measure sin2 β = 0.741 ± 0.067 (stat) ± 0.034 (syst) from a data sample of about 88 million γ(4 S ) → B B ¯ decays collected with the BaBa R detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy B Factory at SLAC. We have also measured CP -violating asymmetries in open charm, and penguin modes sensitive to sin2 β , which provide important consistency tests of the Standard Model.
Oxidative DNA damage in the prostate may predispose men to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

DNA damage has been associated with prostate cancer risk. Men who were referred for initial prostate biopsy for elevated prostate-specific antigen or abnormal digital rectal examination are often found with no cancer but have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer than the general population of men in their lifetime. In this study, we investigated whether DNA damage is one of the factors that predispose these men referred for prostate biopsies to a higher risk of prostate cancer. We found significantly elevated levels of 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine immunoreactivity in the prostates of the referred men (n = 50) in comparison to the control prostates of men (n = 32) with no indication for referral for prostate biopsy. Twelve of these control men were healthy middle-aged men and 20 of them were older men whose conditions were diagnosed with bladder cancer but with normal serum prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal examination and no evidence of prostate disease. In all the 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine-positive prostates, we detected phosphorylation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase and expression of the immune-stimulatory molecule MIC in the prostate epithelium. These data suggest that: 1) oxidative DNA damage has occurred in the “referred” but pathologically normal prostates, indicating that these prostates may be subjected to genomic instability and eventually neoplastic transformation; 2) in response to DNA damage, two surveillance pathways, represented by ataxia telangiectasia mutated phosphorylation and induction of the NKG2D ligand MIC, were activated to prevent tumorigenesis.
Localization of acid phosphatase in lactating rat mammary glands.

Localization of acid phosphatase in mammary glands of lactating rats was studied by both biochemical and cytochemical methods. Cytochemically, acid phosphatase activity was detected by using lead citrate as the capture agent for the inorganic phosphate released from p-nitrophenyl phosphate. The activity was predominantly localized in the lumina of the endomembrane system and in the milk that had been secreted into the alveolar lumen. Biochemically, acid phosphatase was present in all the subcellular fractions with higher activities in the membrane-associated fractions. The localization of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatases within the endomembrane system of fully lactating rat mammary tissue suggests a possible role for these enzymes in milk secretory processes.
Microwave Assisted Synthesis of Yb:Y2O3 Based Materials for Laser Source Application

Yb:Y 2 0 3 submicrometric particles were synthesized through co-precipitation of Yb and Y nitrate in water. Microwave heating and controlled release of ammonia through urea decomposition at reaction temperature leaded to the formation of disaggregated, monosized spherical particles of carbohydroxy-nitrate precursors. Pure crystalline Yb:Y 2 O 3 powder that preserved the described morphology was obtained after calcination in air at 800°C for 30 min. This powder mixed with commercial alumina powder was used to produce transparent Yb:YAG ceramics. Improved properties in terms of powder morphology and reactivity were presented in comparison with powders obtained by traditional heating.
Additional possible solutions of trigonometric and hyperbolic-type nonuniform transmission lines

The restrictions imposed on the solutions of nonuniform transmission lines, the impedance of which can be described by various trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, have been relaxed here to encompass additional possibilities. These possibilities also allow the nonuniform impedance to be represented by the corresponding reciprocals of the trigonometric and hyperbolic functions considered by Holt and Bowron.
Manson-Coffin fatigue☆

Abstract The low-cycle large-amplitude fatigue law ΔeN 1 2 = constant , is derived from a dislocation model of crack growth. The crack is considered to increase its volume each half-cycle by absorption of dislocations from a pseudo-torroidal region around its perimeter.
The sub-prime mortgage crisis and the changing value of cash

We use an event study methodology to examine the cross-sectional differences in the marginal value of cash before and during the sub-prime mortgage crisis. We document that the marginal value of cash is significantly lower in the crisis period than in the pre-crisis period. Additionally, for the pre-crisis period, we find an inverse relation between the level of cash holdings and the marginal value of cash. Our results still hold after segregating our sample into constrained and unconstrained groups.
Trunk Muscle Activities in Braced Scoliosis Patients

There are two theories as to why bracing may prevent the progression of idiopathic scoliosis curves, the passive and the active theories. The passive theory is that progression is prevented by the forces exerted by the brace. The active theory is that progression is prevented by muscle contractions
CGRP Receptors in the Gerbil Spiral Modiolar Artery Mediate a Sustained Vasodilation via a Transient cAMP-mediated Ca2+-decrease

Alteration of cochlear blood flow may be involved in the etiology of inner ear disorders like sudden hearing loss, fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus. The aim of the present study was to localize the vasodilator calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and to identify CGRP receptors and their signaling pathways in the gerbil spiral modiolar artery (SMA) that provides the main blood supply of the cochlea. CGRP was localized in perivascular nerves by immunocytochemistry. The vascular diameter and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i in the smooth muscle cells were measured simultaneously with videomicroscopy and fluo-4-microfluorometry. Calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) mRNA was identified by RT-PCR as a specific 288 bp fragment in total RNA isolated from the vascular wall. The SMA was preconstricted by a 2-min application of 1 nM endothelin-1 (ET1). CGRP, forskolin, and dibutyryl-cAMP caused a vasodilation (EC50 = 0.1 nM, 0.3 mM, and 20 mM). CGRP and forskolin caused an increase in cAMP production and a transient decrease in the [Ca2+]i. The CGRP-induced vasodilation was antagonized by CGRP8-37 (KDB = 2 mM). The K+-channel blockers iberiotoxin and glibenclamide partially prevented the CGRP- or forskolin-induced vasodilations but failed to reverse these vasodilations. These results demonstrate that CGRP is present in perivascular nerves and causes a vasodilation of the ET1-preconstricted SMA. The data suggest that this vasodilation is mediated by an increase in the cytosolic cAMP concentration, a transient activation of iberiotoxin-sensitive BK and glibenclamide-sensitive KATP K+ channels, a transient decrease in the [Ca2+]i and a long-lasting Ca2+ desensitization.
Urban Policy And Telecommunications

ABSTRACT:An examination of the evolving information economy reveals several major shifts in employment and types of work that affect city development and activities. Telecommunications systems are the backbone of these changes. Cities are ill-equipped to measure and predict these impacts and are even less equipped to control them. The developer community and regional Bell operating companies are at the helm of telecommunications deployment; lacking guidelines or models from federal or state government agencies, cities will be at a disadvantage in dealing with the outcomes associated with increased utilization of new communication technologies. Several recommendations are made that may help the city administrator or planner exert policymaking power over these developments.
Graphite oxide/AlZr polycation composites: Surface characterization and performance as adsorbents of ammonia

Abstract Graphite oxide/aluminium–zirconium polycation composites were prepared using graphite oxide and commercial solution of Rezal®. To improve the dispersion of graphene-like layers two different surfactant concentrations were used. The resulting materials were used as adsorbents of ammonia either in as received form or prehumidified for 2 h before the breakthrough test. The challenge gas was either dry or with 70% humidity. Although the highest amount adsorbed was measured on adsorbents after prehumidification, the strongest adsorption takes place at dry conditions. Water on the surface increases the amount adsorbed via acid–base reactions, whereas water in the challenge gas decreases the removal of ammonia owing to the competition with NH3 for adsorption centers. The amount of surfactant used for dispersion affects the final performance. More surfactant likely leads to a higher degree of dispersion of graphene-like layers and thus relatively less undisturbed inlerlayer space where intercalation of ammonia can occur. Higher dispersion of graphene layers leads also to higher dispersion of polycations and thus greater adsorption on their Bronsted acidic centers.
India's economy and the reforms of the 1990s: genesis and prospect

(1997). India's economy and the reforms of the 1990s: genesis and prospect. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 123-133.
DEVELOPMENT OF GAUSSIAN OVERBOUNDS FOR THE LAAS SIGNAL-IN-SPACE INTEGRITY MONITORING ALGORITHMS

: This paper discusses the calculation of the Local Area Augmentation System (LAAS) signal-in-space (SIS) integrity monitoring algorithms and their integration with the ground fault detection and exclusion function. To complete the LAAS architecture, the performance of the LAAS SIS integrity monitoring system with the selected vertical/lateral protection level (VPL/LPL) algorithms must be guaranteed. A previous paper [1] described the LAAS SIS integrity monitoring and the plan for verifying the algorithms. Early results were presented, showing that the ground fault detection and exclusion methodology affects the statistical characteristics of the resulting averaged pseudorange corrections. The analysis for the fault-free system was presented. This paper provides the theoretical results for the faulted system. The Gaussian probability density functions (pdf's) that bound the actual pdf's of the composite pseudorange correction errors are developed based on the analysis of both the fault-free and faulted system. It is shown that the underlying assumptions used in the selected integrity monitoring algorithms need to be adjusted if the ground processing function detects a fault. Hence, the VPL/LPL algorithms should be modified to meet the performance requirements. The VPL calculation is demonstrated through an example. Finally, possible improvements to the present algorithms are discussed.
Acute toxicities of toxaphene and endrin to larvae of seven species of amphibians

Abstract Seven species of amphibian larvae were exposed to toxaphene and endrin in a continuous-flow dosing system to determine differences in sensitivity to the two compounds. EC 50 and LC 50 estimates varied from those for Rana sphenocephala by no more than one order of magnitude when calculated on the basis of intended concentrations. Removal of pesticides from water by the test animals was significant and it makes interpretation of results difficult. Continuous-flow toxicity tests conflict with the adaptations of amphibian larvae for static water; use of such tests for amphibians requires further evaluation.
Effect of nitrogen fertilization upon the secondary chemistry and nutritional value of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) leaves for the large aspen tortrix (Choristoneura conflictana (Walker))

We investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilization upon the concentrations of nitrogen, condensed tannin and phenolic glycosides of young quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) leaves and the quality of these leaves as food for larvae of the large aspen tortrix (Choristoneura conflictana), a Lepidopteran that periodically defoliates quaking aspen growing in North America. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in decreased concentrations of condensed tannin and phenolic glycosides in aspen leaves and an increase in their nitrogen concentration and value as food for the large aspen tortrix. These results indicate that plant carbon/nutrient balance influences the quality of aspen leaves as food for the large aspen tortrix in two ways, by increasing the concentrations of positive factors (e.g. nitrogen) and decreasing the concentrations of negative factors (eg. carbon-based secondary metabolites) in leaves. Addition of purified aspen leaf condensed tannin and a methanol extract of young aspen leaves that contained condensed tannin and phenolic glycosides to artificial diets at high and low levels of dietary nitrogen supported this hypothesis. Increasing dietary nitrogen increased larval growth whereas increasing the concentrations of condensed tannin and phenolic glycosides decreased growth. Additionally, the methanol extract prevented pupation. These results indicate that future studies of woody plant/insect defoliator interactions must consider plant carbon/nutrient balance as a potentially important control over the nutritional value of foliage for insect herbivores.
Changing mental illness stigma as it exists in the real world

Persons with mental illness frequently encounter public stigma. This review seeks to clarify mental illness stigma and discuss methods for changing stigma in the real world. Following an overview of public stigma we discuss the main avenues recognised for changing stigma in the real world: protest, education and contact; and give examples of anti-stigma strategies in practice. Finally, we discuss the most effective method, contact, in greater detail through three different areas where anti-stigma efforts have been focused: disclosure, children, and patient-based programs. Anti-stigma programs that focus upon the most effective ways to diminish stigma will help bring about change in the stigmatising attitudes of the general public.
Treatment of Feeding Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome

This article describes a 6-year-old boy with Down Syndrome who was referred with a refractory feeding disorder and his successful treatment using a multidisciplinary treatment team approach. The case highlights the complex nature of feeding disorders in this population, as well as the need to consider multiple issues during their assessment and treatment.
Magnetic colloid mediated recovery of cadmium ions from an aqueous solution using a flow-through hybrid field-gradient device

A flow-through hybrid magnetic field gradient device that uses polymer-coated magnetic particles as a mobile solid affinity phase was developed for the removal of cadmium ions from an aqueous solution. The device consists of a horizontal glass tube rotating about its axis, with repeating hybrid magnetic units positioned along the outside of the tube. Two arrangements for the magnetic units were used. In the first configuration, four hybrid pairs were distributed axially—each pair consisted of an alternating current carrying solenoid, followed by four azimuthally distributed permanent magnets that rotate with the chamber. In the second configuration, all four solenoids were placed first, followed by the four sets of four azimuthally distributed permanent magnets. The polymer-coated (ion exchange resin) magnetic particles and the cadmium-ion containing solution flow concurrently through the tube. The azimuthally flowing alternating current in the solenoid introduces axial and radial forces as well as a torq...
Transfer from serial to paired-associate learning with two paired-associate rates

Eighty Ss learned a serial (Ser) list and then either a paired-associate (PA) list composed of adjacent items from the previously learned Ser list or a PA list derived from an unfamiliar Ser list. All Ss learned their Ser list at a 2-sec presentation rate. Following Ser learning Ss were divided equally into two groups. One group learned their PA list at a 2:2-sec presentation rate while the other learned their PA list at a 6:6-sec rate. The results indicated positive transfer from Ser to PA, and this effect was confined to the 6:6-sec PA condition. The results were interpreted as supporting both the “cluster” and “response integration” hypotheses. A “cognitive strategy” interpretation was also offered.
Pleural fluid characteristics of patients with symptomatic pleural effusion after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods: Post-CABG patients who underwent a therapeutic thoracentesis for a symptomatic pleural effusion were included unless another explanation for the pleural effusion was present. Results: During the study, 71 patients (mean age, 61 years) were identified; 49 were men and 22 were women. All patients underwent internal mammary artery grafting. Early effusions (,30 days after CABG) occurred in 45 patients (63%) and late effusions ($30 days after CABG) developed in 26 (37%). Early effusions were bloody (median red blood cell count, 706310 12 /L [706000 mm 3 ])with a high eosinophil count (median, 0.385), whereas effusions that occurred in the late period were yellow exudates with predominant lymphocytes (median, 0.68) and monocytes (median, 0.20). The mean pleural fluid level of lactate dehydrogenase was more than 3 times the upper limit of the reference range in serum in early effusions, whereas late effusions had significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase levels. Conclusions: Characteristics of early and late effusions differ significantly, suggesting a different pathogenesis of the effusions. Patients who develop a symptomatic pleural effusion after CABG should undergo a therapeutic thoracentesis; however, further investigations are warranted only in patients who have pleural fluid characteristics different from those described.
Isotopic anomalies of noble gases in meteorites and their origins—IV. C3 (Ornans) carbonaceous chondrites

The C3O chondrites Kainsaz, Lance, and Ornans were studied by an acid dissolution technique to characterize the noble gas components in 3 mineral fractions: HF, HCl-solubles, chromite and carbon, and 'phase Q', a trace mineral containing Ar, Kr, Xe. For all fractions, gas contents decline in the order Kainsaz, Lance, Ornans; this trend parallels volatile contents but not heterogeneity of olivine composition or degree of metamorphism, and reflects progressively higher condensation temperature from the solar nebula. The Ar/Xe ratios and compositions of the three mineral fractions are discussed, and it is concluded that in all primitive chondrites the amount and the chemical separability of CCFXe parallel the abundance of primordial noble gases and other volatiles, such as C, N, Tl, Bi, and In. The close correlation of CCFXe with properties of local origin, such as volatile content and petrologic type, is more consistent with a local than with an extrasolar origin of the component.
Accurate numerical simulations of vortex flows II: Interaction of swirling vortex rings

An accurate numerical method is applied to the investigation of the flow generated by two co-rotating vortex rings with axial flow in opposite direction at the Reynolds number Re = 2000. The rings are shown to generate a strong wake with significant axial vorticity due to the stretching induced by the rings. The rings merge and form a single ring with complex internal structure.
Analysis of sparse trifilar array antenna

A sparse trifilar antenna can support two independent beams while, to reduce the interference between the beams, each array element supports only one beam. To minimize the grating lobe effects each beam is formed by three spiral arms resulting in a sparse random array arrangement. In this paper we investigate the impedance and radiation characteristics of such an array. We have shown that the active reflection coefficients are somewhat degraded in comparison to a fully populated array, however the directivity remains approximately the same, making the trifilar array a viable solution for multi-frequency, multi-beam communication applications.
Thermal stability of DNA

Tij and Delta Hij for stacking of pair i upon j in DNA have been obtained over the range 0.034-0.114 M Na+from high-resolution melting curves of well-behaved synthetic tandemly repeating inserts in recombinant pN/MCS plasmids. Results are consistent with neighbor-pair thermodynamic additivity, where the stability constant, sij , for different domains of length N depend quantitatively on the product of stability constants for each individual pair in domains, sijN . Unit transition enthalpies with average errors less than +/-5%, were determined by analysis of two-state equilibria associated with the melting of internal domains and verified from variations of Tij with [Na+]. Enthalpies increase with Tij , in close agreement with the empirical function: Delta Hij = 52.78@ Tij - 9489, and in parallel with a smaller increase in Delta Sij . Delta Hij and Delta Sij are in good agreement with the results of an extensive compilation of published Delta Hcal and Delta Scal for synthetic and natural DNAs. Neighbor-pair additivity was also observed for (dA@dT)-tracts at melting temperatures; no evidence could be detected of the familiar and unusual structural features that characterize tracts at lower temperatures. The energetic effects of loops were determined from the melting behavior of repeating inserts installed between (G+C)-rich barrier domains in the pN/MCS plasmids. A unique set of values for the cooperativity, loop exponent and stiffness parameters were found applicable to internal domains of all sizes and sequences. Statistical mechanical curves calculated with values of Tij([Na+]) , Delta Hij and these loop parameters are in good agreement with observation.
Acoustic-Gravity Waves from Bolide Sources

We have developed a new approach to modeling the acoustic-gravity wave (AGW) radiation from bolide sources. This first effort involves entry modeling of bolide sources that have available satellite data through procedures developed in ReVelle (Earth Moon Planets 95, 441–476, 2004a; in: A. Milani, G. Valsecchi, D. Vokrouhlicky (eds) NEO Fireball Diversity: Energetics-based Entry Modeling and Analysis Techniques, Near-earth Objects: Our Celestial Neighbors (IAU S236), 2007b). Results from the entry modeling are directly coupled to AGW production through line source blast wave theory for the initial wave amplitude and period at \(x=10\) (at 10 blast wave radii and perpendicular to the trajectory). The second effort involves the prediction of the formation and or dominance of the propagation of the atmospheric Lamb, edge-wave composite mode in a viscous fluid (Pierce, J. Acoust. Soc. Amer. 35, 1798–1807, 1963) as a function of the source energy, horizontal range and source altitude using the Lamb wave frequency that was deduced directly during the entry modeling and that is used as a surrogate for the source energy. We have also determined that Lamb wave production by bolides at close range decreases dramatically as either the source energy decreases or the source altitude increases. Finally using procedures in Gill (Atmospheric-Ocean Dynamics, 1982) and in Tolstoy (Wave Propagation, 1973), we have analyzed two simple dispersion relationships and have calculated the expected dispersion for the Lamb edge-wave mode and for the excited, propagating internal acoustic waves. Finally, we have used the above formalism to fully evaluate these techniques for four large bolides, namely: the Tunguska bolide of June 30, 1908; the Revelstoke bolide of March 31, 1965; the Crete bolide of June 6, 2002 and the Antarctic bolide of September 3, 2004. Due to page limitations, we will only present results in detail for the Revelstoke bolide.
Extracting Information from the Temperature Gradients of Polypeptide NH Chemical Shifts. 1. The Importance of Conformational Averaging

A detailed analysis of backbone amide NH chemical shift temperature gradients (Δδ/ΔT values) for proteins and highly cross-linked peptides reveals that hydrogen-bonded exchange-protected NHs are characterized by Δδ/ΔT values of −2.0 ± 1.4 ppb/°C while exposed NHs typically display gradients of −6.0 → −8.5 ppb/°C; however, numerous exceptions to these generalizations occur. For partially folded peptides (rather than proteins), exceptions are more common than concordance with this rule; Δδ/ΔT values ranging from −28 to +12 ppb/°C have been observed. In the case of the peptide systems for which exchange protection data is available, the common practice of assuming that a Δδ/ΔT value less negative than −4 ppb/°C indicates that the NH is sequestered from solvent is shown to have zero predictive validity. The analysis of the data for partially folded peptides, protein fragments, and other peptides which are expected to display minimal structuring reveals a significant correlation between Δδ/ΔT and the deviation...
Developing Managerial Wisdom

Current university and on-the-job learning programs for managers seldom address managerial wisdom. Yet a number of authors point to the importance of wisdom in the management of a firm. This article identifies the changes that occur in a person as he or she becomes wiser; it also presents a model of the process of becoming wise. Implications for university education and in-house development of managerial wisdom are discussed.
New evidence for the saturation of the Froissart bound

Fits to high energy data alone cannot cleanly discriminate between asymptotic lns and ln{sup 2}s behavior of total hadronic cross sections. We demonstrate that this is no longer true when we require that these amplitudes also describe, on average, low energy data dominated by resonances. We simultaneously fit real analytic amplitudes to high energy measurements of: (i) the {pi}{sup +}p and {pi}{sup -}p total cross sections and {rho}-values (ratio of the real to the imaginary portion of the forward scattering amplitude), for {radical}(s){>=}6 GeV, while requiring that the asymptotic fits smoothly join the {sigma}{sub {pi}{sup +}}{sub p} and {sigma}{sub {pi}{sup -}}{sub p} total cross sections at {radical}(s)=2.6 GeV--both in magnitude and slope, and (ii) separately simultaneously fit the pp and pp total cross sections and {rho}-values for {radical}(s){>=}6 GeV, while requiring that their asymptotic fits smoothly join the the {sigma}{sub pp} and {sigma}{sub pp} total cross sections at {radical}(s)=4.0 GeV--again both in magnitude and slope. In both cases, we have used all of the extensive data of the Particle Data Group [K. Hagiwara et al. (Particle Data Group), Phys. Rev. D 66, 010001 (2002).]. However, we then subject these data to a screening process, the Sieve algorithm [M. M. Block,more » physics/0506010.], in order to eliminate outliers that can skew a {chi}{sup 2} fit. With the Sieve algorithm, a robust fit using a Lorentzian distribution is first made to all of the data to sieve out abnormally high {delta}{chi}{sub i}{sup 2}, the individual ith point's contribution to the total {chi}{sup 2}. The {chi}{sup 2} fits are then made to the sieved data. Both the {pi}p and nucleon-nucleon systems strongly favor a high energy ln{sup 2}s fit of the form: {sigma}{sup {+-}}=c{sub 0}+c{sub 1}ln(({nu}/m))+c{sub 2}ln{sup 2}(({nu}/m))+{beta}{sub P{sup '}}(({nu}/m)){sup {mu}}{sup =} -{sup 1}{+-}{delta}(({nu}/m)){sup {alpha}}{sup -1}, basically excluding a lns fit of the form: {sigma}{sup {+-}}=c{sub 0}+c{sub 1}ln(({nu}/m))+{beta}{sub P{sup '}}(({nu}/m)){sup {mu}}{sup -1}{+-}{delta}(({nu}/m)){sup {alpha}}{sup -1}. The upper sign is for {pi}{sup +}p (pp) and the lower sign is for {pi}{sup -}p (pp) scattering, where {nu} is the laboratory pion (proton) energy, and m is the pion (proton) mass.« less
Imaging depletion: fMRI provides new insights into the processes underlying ego depletion

‘Ego depletion’ refers to the phenomenon of diminished ability to enact self-regulation with repeated efforts. Several models offer process accounts of how ego depletion works, but few studies directly investigate these processes. A study in this issue of Social, Cognitive, & Affective Neuroscience by Wagner and Heatherton is among the first to do so. Their results substantiate one possible mechanism of ego depletion and, more broadly, illustrate how neuroscience data can further social psychological theory.
Protein Hemolymph Factors and their Roles in Invertebrate Defense Mechanisms: A Review

Although there is general agreement that invertebrates lack true immunoglobulins (Good and Papermaster, 1964) there are a variety of extracellular hemolymph factors which recognize nonself materials and may contribute significantly in resistance to disease.
Isogeometric divergence-conforming b-splines for the darcy-stokes-brinkman equations

We develop divergence-conforming B-spline discretizations for the numerical solution of the Darcy–Stokes–Brinkman equations. These discretizations are motivated by the recent theory of isogeometric discrete differential forms and may be interpreted as smooth generalizations of Raviart–Thomas elements. The new discretizations are (at least) patchwise C0 and can be directly utilized in the Galerkin solution of Darcy–Stokes–Brinkman flow for single-patch configurations. When applied to incompressible flows, these discretizations produce pointwise divergence-free velocity fields and hence exactly satisfy mass conservation. In the presence of no-slip boundary conditions and multi-patch geometries, the discontinuous Galerkin framework is invoked to enforce tangential continuity without upsetting the conservation or stability properties of the method across patch boundaries. Furthermore, as no-slip boundary conditions are enforced weakly, the method automatically defaults to a compatible discretization of Darcy flow in the limit of vanishing viscosity. The proposed discretizations are extended to general mapped geometries using divergence-preserving transformations. For sufficiently regular single-patch solutions, we prove a priori error estimates which are optimal for the discrete velocity field and suboptimal, by one order, for the discrete pressure field. Our estimates are in addition robust with respect to the parameters of the Darcy–Stokes–Brinkman problem. We present a comprehensive suite of numerical experiments which indicate optimal convergence rates for both the discrete velocity and pressure fields for general configurations, suggesting that our a priori estimates may be conservative. The focus of this paper is strictly on incompressible flows, but our theoretical results naturally extend to flows characterized by mass sources and sinks.
Pallid Breath-holding Spells Evaluation of the Autonomic Nervous System

Excessive vagal tone has been implicated as the cause of pallid breath-holding spells (PBHS) in children. The following study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that children with PBHS have underlying autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. Five patients (age 29-79 months old) who had experienced PBHS were evaluated at a time when they were clear of spells for ANS dysfunction. A battery of clinical bedside tests were given. The results were compared with test results of a control group of children (age 18-104 months) who had not experienced PBHS. Data collected included blood pressure, pulse rate, mean arterial pressure, the 30:15 R-R ratio upon standing, the expiratory:inspiratory (E:I) R-R ratio, pupillary response to conjunctival pilocarpine instillation, and plasma norepinephrine levels upon standing. Breath-holders displayed a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) percent decrease in mean arterial pressure (-10.2% PBHS vs. -4.1% controls) and an unsustained increase in pulse rate during the lying to standing maneuver. Two children with PBHS had "positive orthostatic signs," and one child with PBHS had a plasma norepinephrine level of 94 pg/ml (60% below the mean for both groups). There is evidence to suggest a subtle, underlying, generalized autonomic dysfunction in children with PBHS. A strong familial tendency toward syncope, breath-holding spells, and seizures was recognized in nine of ten subjects. Additionally, there was a strong influence from the maternal side of the family in seven of nine subjects.
#Earthquake: Twitter as a Distributed Sensor System

Social media feeds are rapidly emerging as a novel avenue for the contribution and dissemination of information that is often geographic. Their content often includes references to events occurring at, or affecting specific locations. Within this article we analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of the twitter feed activity responding to a 5.8 magnitude earthquake which occurred on the East Coast of the United States (US) on August 23, 2011. We argue that these feeds represent a hybrid form of a sensor system that allows for the identification and localization of the impact area of the event. By contrasting this with comparable content collected through the dedicated crowdsourcing ‘Did You Feel It?’ (DYFI) website of the U.S. Geological Survey we assess the potential of the use of harvested social media content for event monitoring. The experiments support the notion that people act as sensors to give us comparable results in a timely manner, and can complement other sources of data to enhance our situational awareness and improve our understanding and response to such events.
Gene transfer from Escherichia coli to Campylobacter species: development of shuttle vectors for genetic analysis of Campylobacter jejuni.

Abstract A shuttle cloning vector (pIL550) has been constructed which can be mobilized from Escherichia coli to Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter fetus by complementation with the transfer functions of an IncP plasmid in trans, with a frequency of 10(-4) transconjugants per donor. We also present evidence for a DNA modification system in C. jejuni.
Tatsumi Receives 2012 N. L. Bowen Award: Citation

Yoshiyuki Tatsumi received the 2012 N. L. Bowen Award at the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting, held 3–7 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes “outstanding contributions to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology.”
The Growth Suppressor PML Represses Transcription by Functionally and Physically Interacting with Histone Deacetylases

The growth suppressor promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is disrupted by the chromosomal translocation t(15;17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). PML plays a key role in multiple pathways of apoptosis and regulates cell cycle progression. The present study demonstrates that PML represses transcription by functionally and physically interacting with histone deacetylase (HDAC). Transcriptional repression mediated by PML can be inhibited by trichostatin A, a specific inhibitor of HDAC. PML coimmunoprecipitates a significant level of HDAC activity in several cell lines. PML is associated with HDAC in vivo and directly interacts with HDAC in vitro. The fusion protein PML-RARalpha encoded by the t(15;17) breakpoint interacts with HDAC poorly. PML interacts with all three isoforms of HDAC through specific domains, and its expression deacetylates histone H3 in vivo. Together, the results of our study show that PML modulates histone deacetylation and that loss of this function in APL alters chromatin remodeling and gene expression. This event may contribute to the development of leukemia.
Concentrating renewable energy in grid-tied datacenters

Datacenters, the large server farms that host widely used Internet services, account for a larger fraction of worldwide carbon emissions each year. Increasingly, datacenters are reducing their emissions by using clean, renewable energy from rooftop solar panels to partially power their servers. While some customers value renewable-powered servers, many others are indifferent. We argue that renewable energy produced on site should be concentrated as much as possible on the servers used by green customers. This paper introduces a new metric, the renewable-powered instance, that measures the concentration of renewable energy in datacenters. We conducted a simulation-based study of renewable-energy datacenters, focusing on the grid tie — the device most commonly used to integrate renewable energy. We found that grid-tie placement has first-order effects on renewable-energy concentration.
Grading Mainstreamed Handicapped Pupils: What Are the Issues?

Grading mainstreamed handicapped pupils has caused considerable consternation for special and regular educators. Because grading practices relating to handicapped pupils have received little attention, this paper investigates the pertinent issues and gives examples. The major purpose is to avoid the confusion caused by arbitrary grading systems. Graders and consumers must be clearly identified, as must the messages intended by the grades. Choosing satisfactory grading formats is discussed. The issues are generalized to all children, including those without handicaps.
The Mobile Conference Information System. Unleashing academic conferences with wireless mobile computing

Wireless mobile computing promises to usher in the next major paradigm in personal computing. Hand-held computers in particular are truly portable and they are becoming increasingly capable of meeting most users' computing needs. In this paper, we outline a vision for deploying wireless mobile computing technology within the realm of professional conferences by creating the Mobile Conference Information System (MCIS). With detailed descriptions of applications and hypothetical usage scenarios, we describe how the system can be used to access conference information, to network people and to enhance common conference services. We also describe several constraints, limitations and challenges with this concept, and we suggest how these problems can be overcome. The MCIS dramatically changes how conferences are managed and enhances the experiences of the attendees.
Implementation of illness management and recovery in the Veterans Administration: an on-line survey.

Objective This study explores the implementation of illness management and recovery (IMR) across Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs). The implementation of illness management programming has been mandated in certain programs within VAMCs. IMR is consistent with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) emphasis on recovery-oriented, evidence-based treatments. This study examines both the penetration of IMR within the VA system and the barriers and facilitators to implementation. Methods An online survey was sent to local recovery coordinators, who, in turn, identified other local IMR experts. Results Respondents from 107 clinics (representing 101 VAMCs) answered the survey. Less than half of VAMCs provide IMR services. Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers (PRRC), which specialize in services for Veterans with psychiatric disabilities, are more likely to provide IMR; however, more than one third do not. Few respondents had access to IMR implementation tools such as training, consultation, or fidelity monitoring. Only about one fifth of IMR providers have been trained in IMR. Respondents reported several facilitators to implementation, such as knowledgeable staff members and peer support. Common barriers to implementation included limited staff availability and "intimidating" workbook materials. Conclusions and implications for practice The VA is well underway in its implementation of IMR; however, there is room for expansion. Implementation tools such as training and consultation are needed to ensure dissemination and quality within VA. Given the comparative resources and infrastructure of VA, it is likely that equal or greater implementation tools are necessary in other systems of care.
Perceptions of Modernity in Early Modern Historical Thinking 1

It is the eighteenth century in western Europe whose thought we charge, under the name of ‘Enlightenment’, with the invention of ‘modernity’ – denoting, I shall suppose, that post‐religious, heavil...
A Temporal Data-Mining Approach for Discovering End-to-End Transaction Flows

Effective management of Web Services systems relies on accurate understanding of end-to-end transaction flows, which may change over time as the service composition evolves. This work takes a data mining approach to automatically recovering end-to-end transaction flows from (potentially obscure) monitoring events produced by monitoring tools. We classify the caller-callee relationships among monitoring events into three categories(identity, direct-invoke, and cascaded-invoke), and propose unsupervised learning algorithms to generate rules for each type of relationship. The key idea is to leverage the temporal information available in the monitoring data and extract patterns that have statistical significance. By piecing together the caller-callee relationships a teach step along the invocation path, we can recover the end-to-end flow for every executed transaction. Experiments demonstrate that our algorithms outperform human experts in terms of solution quality, scale well with the data size, and are robust against noises in monitoring data.
Synthesis and photonic applications of gallium nitride nanowires

High quality single crystal gallium nitride nanowires (GaN NWs) are synthesized with a novel chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Transport studies of single crystal GaN nanowire devices exhibit n-type transistor behavior with high electron mobility. Ultraviolet (UV) light sensors are fabricated with GaN NW devices. The nanowire sensors exhibited a substantial increase in conductance upon UV light exposure. In addition to the selectivity to different light wavelengths, short response and recovery time have also been obtained. In addition, a polarization anisotropy effect was demonstrated and studied for GaN NWs working as polarized UV detectors. The nanowire conductance varied periodically with the polarization angle of the incident light (/spl theta/), which can be well fitted into a function of cos/sup 2//spl theta/.
Sinusoidal Siemens star spatial frequency response measurement errors due to misidentified target centers

Numerous methods are available to measure the spatial frequency response (SFR) of an optical system. A recent change to the ISO 12233 photography resolution standard includes a sinusoidal Siemens star test target. We take the sinusoidal Siemens star proposed by the ISO 12233 standard, measure system SFR, and perform an analysis of errors induced by incorrectly identifying the center of a test target. We show a closed-form solution for the radial profile intensity measurement given an incorrectly determined center and describe how this error reduces the measured SFR of the system. Using the closed-form solution, we propose a two-step process by which test target centers are corrected and the measured SFR is restored to the nominal, correctly centered values.
Pliability and Viable Systems: Maintaining Value Under Changing Conditions

As systems become more complex and have longer lifespans, they will likely encounter contextual variation or be themselves subject to change. Systems need to not only be feasible but viable as well. That is, they need to be able to continue to provide value in spite of any potential exogenous or endogenous changes. Viability has been defined for other domains, but it has not been defined for engineered systems. This paper defines what it means for an engineered system to be viable and shows that it is related to, but different from, other existing “-ilities” such as survivability and reliability. This paper also addresses the need to ensure that endogenous changes do not inadvertently cause unintended interactions that harm the system overall. A new -ility, i.e., pliability, is introduced, which specifies the limits on how a system can change, without “breaking” or violating an architecture that was intended and validated. Like changeability, pliability increases robustness by allowing systems to voluntarily change in response to dynamic contexts and increases survivability by increasing the likelihood that unintentional changes are still within the set of allowable architecture-defined instances. It also distinguishes allowable changes from those that would require additional validation, reducing the effort required to get those changes approved by a diverse set of stakeholders.