cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Integrative, Experiential Approach to Production Management Education

This paper addresses the important relationship between production and operations management (POM) and information technology. An approach to POM education is presented in which information technology is used to create an experiential learning environment that integrates the topics taught in POM courses. Results of an implementation of the proposed approach are presented and implications are discussed for POM education.
Author's retrospective for: improving the performance of speculatively parallel applications on the hydra CMP

Our 1999 paper described how to use hardware with thread-level speculation (TLS) support to effectively parallelize a number of serial application benchmarks with minimal programmer intervention required. The ability of TLS hardware to allow programmers to parallelize code almost arbitrarily and then performance tune afterwards, based on feedback supplied by the TLS system, provided significant improvements to programmer productivity and made parallel programming much less error-prone. Since this paper appeared, we investigated other hardware variations that could provide similar benefits in terms of programmer productivity, such as ones based on an extension of transactional memory. Unfortunately, these concepts have not been implemented on any real systems. As a result, there is still an opportunity to implement schemes like the ones that we described in this paper in order to ease parallel programming in future systems dramatically.
Linguistic Diversity and Language Harmony in Contemporary China: Guest Editor's Introduction

(2008). Linguistic Diversity and Language Harmony in Contemporary China: Guest Editor's Introduction. Chinese Education & Society: Vol. 41, No. 6, pp. 3-9.
Effectiveness of Web-Based Courses on Technical Learning

The author investigated the effectiveness of Web-based courses on technical learning. The regression results show that the delivery format (Web-based or traditional classroom courses) has no significant effect on student performance. However, although gender is a significant predictor in traditional classroom courses, its effect disappears in Web-based courses. There is evidence that Web-based courses can be conducive to the leaning process of technical knowledge for female students. For the high-GPA subgroup, the predictors of ethnicity, GPA, and problem-solving questions as an evaluation method were positively associated with performance.
Inducing Self-Perceptions The Role of Social Interaction

Fazio, Effrein, and Falender (1981) showed that asking subjects questions designed to elicit information primarily about introverted or extraverted life events results in shifts in self-perceptions and social behavior in the direction of the type of question asked. The present study examined the durability of this effect with regard to self-perceptions. Subjects were randomly selected to answer either introverted or extraverted questions and to interact with a confederate trained to act in either an introverted or extraverted manner. A main effect of question type was found on subjects' self-perception of introversion-extraversion both before and after interaction with the confederate. In addition, changes in self-perception were found to be influenced by confederate type.
Metabolic responses to early and high protein supplementation in a randomized trial evaluating the prevention of hyperkalemia in extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective To determine whether early and higher intravenous amino acid (EHAA) supplementation decreases hyperkalemia in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants ( Study design Infants were enrolled at birth in a randomized, double-masked, prospective fashion and treated for 7 days. The standard group (SAA) infants received intravenous amino acid (AA) starting at 0.5 g · kg −1 · d −1 and increased by 0.5 g · kg −1 every day to a maximum of 3 g · kg −1 · d −1 . EHAA group infants received 2 g · kg −1 · d −1 of AA soon after birth and advanced by 1 g · kg −1 every day to 4 g · kg −1 · d −1 . Data analysis was by SPSS 11.5, with statistical significance at α = 0.05 and 90% power to determine a difference in mean K + level of 2. Results Sixty-two patients, mean gestational age of 26.0 ± 2.0 weeks and birth weight of 775 ± 136 g, were enrolled. Hyperkalemia (K + ≥6.5 mEq/L) occurred in 13% of the studied population; no difference in incidence of hyperkalemia was found between the SAA and EHAA groups (16% vs 10%, respectively, P = .70). Serum blood urea nitrogen was higher in the EHAA group. AA infusion was stopped early in 6 patients for high blood urea nitrogen or elevated ammonia level. Conclusions During the study period, hyperkalemia decreased significantly and was not affected by EHAA supplementation in the first week of life.
The bag cell neurons of Aplysia. A model for the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of prolonged animal behaviors.

Egg laying inAplysia involves a well-characterized series of behaviors that can last for several hours. The behaviors are controlled by two bilateral clusters of peptidergic neurons in the abdominal ganglion. Following brief stimulation, these neurons, which have been termed the bag cell neurons, undergo a sequence of changes in their excitability lasting many hours. The bag cell neurons have served as a model system for studying the molecular mechanisms involved in the synthesis, processing, and release of neuroactive peptides and in the regulation of prolonged changes in neuronal excitability.
Oral Roberts: An American Life

Preface Acknowledgments Part One: The Mold, 1918-1947 Prologue: Ada, Oklahoma, July 1935 I. Roots II. The Mold III. Evangelist IV. Pastor Part Two: Miracles, 1947-1960 Prologue: Australia, January 20-February 10, 1956 V. Healing Revivalism VI. Ministry VII. The Price of Glory VIII. Private Side Part Three Prologue: Berlin, October 26-November 4, 1966 IX. Oral Roberts University X. Beyond the Tent XI. Mainstream XII. Private Side Part Four: Maelstrom, 1975-1985 Prologue: Tulsa and Palm Springs, February 1977 XIII. Maelstrom XIV. Completing the Healing Vision XV. Tightening the Family Part Five: Meanings XVI. The Message XVII. The Man XVIII. The Ministry Epilogue Bibliographical Essay Notes Index
Reducing out-of-band radiation of OFDM-based cognitive radios

In an OFDM-based cognitive radio system, mutual interference among the users needs to be managed in order to enable spectrum sharing while protecting the licensed users. However, a conventional OFDM waveform suffers from high out-of-band radiation (OBR) and may cause harmful interference to other users in the system. In this work, we develop a transmit-windowing-based approach that reduces OBR by allowing for a controlled amount of Inter-Carrier Interference (ICI) in the OFDM system. Unlike previous work on transmit windowing, this approach does not require any additional time-frequency resources and shapes the carrier spectrum in a limited and deliberate manner. In particular, we examine the use of Hamming and Hanning transmit-windowed OFDM. The windowing operation at the transmitter consists of simple time-domain multiplications and is implemented in combination with an efficient fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. We show that transmit-windowed OFDM has the potential to reduce OBR and improve spectral efficiency, and can be considered as an attractive alternative modulation waveform for cognitive radios.
Lead diffusion in apatite and zircon using ion implantation and Rutherford Backscattering techniques

Abstract Ion implantation was used to introduce Pb into the minerals zircon and apatite. Diffusion profiles were obtained using Rutherford Backscattering, and the results were fitted with a model to determine the diffusion coefficients. This approach is both simple and useful in studying diffusion over a temperature range of geologic interest without inordinate annealing times. Results for apatite over the temperature range 600–900°C are in good agreement with earlier results obtained for higher temperatures ( WATSON et al., 1985) and are described by the following Arrhenius Law: D = 1.27 × 10 −4 cm 2 s −1 exp( −54.6 ± 1.7 Kcl mol −1 RT . This suggests that radiation damage induced by ion implantation has little effect on Pb diffusion in this case due to rapid annealing of induced damage at low temperatures. The activation energy stated above is somewhat smaller than that previously determined (70 kcal mol−1), reflecting the larger range in 1/T sampled by the present results. Closure temperatures calculated with these diffusion parameters are in good agreement with those inferred from geochronologic data. Diffusion coefficients for Pb in zircon determined in this study are greater than those obtained from a single experimental measurement and estimates of Pb diffusion based on geochronologic data and U/ Pb zoning in natural zircons. The differing results for zircon and apatite obtained in this study appear to be related to each mineral's ability to anneal the radiation damage induced by ion implantation.
A third type of murine T-cell receptor gene

By subtractive cDNA hybridizations, we have isolated a new species of T-cell receptor cDNA clone whose predicted amino acid sequence has homology to variable, constant, joining and diversity segments of immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors. The corresponding genomic sequence is also rearranged in several T-cell DNAs. The four potential N-linked glycosylation sites, frequency of expression and predicted molecular weight (27,800) of this molecule make it a likely candidate for the alpha-chain of the T-cell receptor. Expression data also indicate that this gene may be activated at a later stage of T-cell differentiation than the beta-chain.
Vitalism's after-burn: The sense of Ana Mendieta

This article considers the influential work of Ana Mendieta. Focusing on her siluetas series, Munoz describes Mendieta's art as performing a modality of brownness that leaves resonant indentions on the world, what he calls vital materialist after-burns. Mendieta's after-burns are read alongside the poet's of Negritude and their investment in a critical elan vital that speaks to the historical precariousness of dispossessed people. The artist's work is explained as a meditation on a critical brownness that is theorized as the sharing out of the unshareable, the invaluable and the incalculable. Mendieta's intervention is ultimately described as the work of offering a brown sense of the world in which singularities flow into a politically enabling common.
Elevation of plasma glucose levels by catecholamines in elasmobranch fish.

Abstract The effects of a single intraaortic infusion of epinephrine on circulating glucose was studied in the nursehound shark ( Scyliorhinus stellaris ) and the comparative effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine were studied in the spiny dogfish shark ( Squalus acanthias ). The catecholamines were administered, and blood samples were collected, from an indwelling cannula placed in the dorsal aorta via the anterior mesenteric artery. Plasma glucose was estimated by the glucose oxidase method. Infusions of 25, 50, and 75 μg/kg body weight all elevated plasma glucose levels in the nursehound. The results indicate that the magnitude and duration of the hyperglycemia was dose dependent. On the basis of the data obtained, a dose of 75 μg/kg body weight and a 48-hr experimental period were used in the subsequent experiments on the dogfish. Control plasma glucose levels in the dogfish declined approximately 5% by 1 hr after the infusion of the hormone-free carrier solution and fluctuated about the time-zero levels for the remainder of the experimental period. The initial declines in plasma glucose levels observed at 15 min after norepinephrine treatment were followed by abrupt increases that were evident at 30 min and that attained maxima approximately 22% greater than the time-zero levels by 1 hr. The levels remained elevated through 3 hr and then declined to approximately the initial values by 12 hr. The infusion of epinephrine resulted in prompt increases in plasma glucose levels that were evident at 15 min and that attained maxima of approximately 72% greater than the initial levels by 3 hr. The level then declined gradually to approximately the time-zero levels by 24 hr after treatment. The results indicate that a catecholamine-induced increase in circulating glucose is an important aspect of the physiological mechanisms by which elasmobranch fish respond rapidly and adaptively to stressful environmental changes.
Biofiltration of toluene vapor under steady-state and transient conditions: Theory and experimental results

Abstract Removal of toluene vapor from airstreams was studied in a vapor phase biological reactor known as a biofilter. The reactor was packed with a mixture of peal and perlite particles on which a mixed microbial population (consortium) was immobilized and formed a biolayer. The reactor was operated over a period of 11 months under various inlet-airstream toluene concentrations and flow rates of the contaminated airstream. Except at start-up, no supplemental nutrients were provided to the column, which remained active and never exhibited any significant pressure drop build-up. The process was modeled with general mass balance equations which take into account reaction, mass transfer, and adsorption of the pollutant onto the packing material. The model equations were solved numerically and the predicted concentration profiles agreed very well with the experimental data, for both steady-state and transient operation. Predicted concentration profiles for the biofilm indicate that toluene gets depleted before oxygen in a thin layer of the order of 35 μm. This finding is opposite to what has been reported for hydrophilic solvents where oxygen is depleted before the contaminant in the biolayer. The model equations have been used in parameter sensitivity studies that have revealed the parameters which need to be accurately known for predicting the performance of a biofilter.
Flash-Fire Propensity of Some Insulation and Building Materials

Evaluation of a variety of insulation and building materials for flash-fire propensity, using a screening test method developed at the University of San Francisco, indicated that most of the materials had less flash-fire propensity than wood under these particular test conditions.
Radiation pressure of neutrinos in refracting media

Several examples of the radiation pressure exerted by neutrinos are solved using rigorous methods of wave optics, derived from the momentum-balance equation for nonrelativistic and for relativistic wave equations. The examples considered involve a plane-wave neutrino incident on a plane target and a spherical target. Analytical and numerical results are given for the net force on a sphere; it is in the direction of the incident neutrino and is of second order in (n-1). The net force on a sphere is also evaluated to first order in (n-1) for a spherical wave from a nearby point source.
Game of the truel

This note examines when the worst shot should aim his first shot into the air in a game of the truel presented by Singh (Fermat’s Enigma: the epic quest to solve the world’s greatest mathematical problem. Walker and Company, New York, 1987) in his popular book on Fermat’s Last Theorem. It also analyzes a variant of the game. Finally, it considers the possibility of the situation in which the worst and better shots are both willing to reverse the order of their moves in the original game.
Functions of primary afferents and responses of extracellular K+ during spinal epileptiform seizures.

Abstract Paroxysmal activity in ventral roots induced by penicillin in decapitate cat spinal cord is associated with waves of depolarization of primary afferent fiber terminals. These paroxy smal depolarizations can be detected as spontaneously occurring negative dorsal root potentials (DRPs) and are associated with antidromic discharge of nerve impulses in dorsal root fibers; they can also be detected by testing the excitability of afferent nerve terminals by focal stimulation. Negative DRPs evoked by afferent nerve volleys are altered in waveform but not in amplitude during seizures induced by penicillin, although they are blocked by the administration of picrotoxin. While blocking afferent-evoked DRPs, picrotoxin does not interfere with paroxysmal DRPs, indicating differences in the generation of the two phenomena, which nevertheless have some link in common, for the paroxysmal waves occlude the evoked DRP. Such occlusion would appear as blockade, if DRPs were recorded by condenser-coupled amplifiers. In the presence of pentobarbital penicillin suppresses evoked DRPs, but under such circumstances seizure activity is not observed. Extracellular potassium activity within spinal gray matter transiently increases during seizure activity. Such increments of potassium activity are maximal in the ventral horns. This and several other observations suggest that in decapitate spinal cords systemically administered penicillin induces seizures which originate in the ventral gray matter. Accumulation of excess potassium may be the cause of paroxysmal depolarization of afferent nerve terminals. Excess potassium, while not playing a principal role in initiating seizures, may influence the course of seizures by depolarizing afferent terminals. Such depolarization probably enhances tonic background release of transmitter substance, may modify the effect of synaptic input, and may favor synchronization of waves of neural excitability through extrasynaptic mechanisms.
Disaster and Emergency Preparedness: A Webliography

Disasters are crisis situations that cause widespread damage exceeding the ability of those affected to recover. Advanced planning is critical to survival and recovery from a disaster. This webliography will assist librarians in providing materials needed by the general public, community leaders, and business owners to plan for, cope with, and recover from a disaster.
The anisotropic thermomechanical constitutive theory for a fluid-filled porous material with solid/fluid outer boundary

Abstract The anisotropic theromechanical constitutive theory for a fluid-filled porous material with a solid/fluid outer boundary is constructed along the same lines as in the author’s previous work. The notion that a representative volume element may be considered as a superposition of the porous solid material and the porous fluid material is employed. The constitutive theory with a uniform temperature increase is constructed by use of superposition. The thermal effective stress laws for various kinematical quantities are obtained.
Spatiotemporal Molecular Analysis of Cyanobacteria Blooms Reveals Microcystis-Aphanizomenon Interactions

Spatial and temporal variability in cyanobacterial community composition (CCC) within and between eutrophic lakes is not well-described using culture independent molecular methods. We analyzed CCC across twelve locations in four eutrophic lakes and within-lake locations in the Yahara Watershed, WI, on a weekly basis, for 5 months. Taxa were discriminated by length of MspI-digested cpcB/A intergenic spacer gene sequences and identified by comparison to a PCR-based clone library. CCC across all stations was spatially segregated by depth of sampling locations (ANOSIM R = 0.23, p < 0.001). Accordingly, CCC was correlated with thermal stratification, nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP, R = 0.2-0.3). Spatial variability in CCC and temporal trends in taxa abundances were rarely correlative between sampling locations in the same lake indicating significant within lake spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Across all stations, a total of 37 bloom events were observed based on distinct increases in phycocyanin. Out of 97 taxa, a single Microcystis, and two different Aphanizomenon taxa were the dominant cyanobacteria detected during bloom events. The Microcystis and Aphanizomenon taxa rarely bloomed together and were significantly anti-correlated with each other at 9 of 12 stations with Pearson R values of -0.6 to -0.9 (p < 0.001). Of all environmental variables measured, nutrients, especially nitrate were significantly greater during periods of Aphanizomenon dominance while the nitrate+nitrite:SRP ratio was lower. This study shows significant spatial variability in CCC within and between lakes structured by depth of the sampling location. Furthermore, our study reveals specific genotypes involved in bloom formation. More in-depth characterization of these genotypes should lead to a better understanding of factors promoting bloom events in these lakes and more reliable bloom prediction models.
MORTALITY FACTORS AFFECTING EGGS OF THE FOREST TENT CATERPILLAR, MALACOSOMA DISSTRIA (LEPIDOPTERA: LASIOCAMPIDAE)

Parasitism, infertility, and death of fully developed first-stage larvae in eggs (pharate larvae) were the egg mortality factors encountered during a 1967–69 study on the bionomics of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hubner, in northern Minnesota. There was no significant difference in the average yearly per cent parasitization and infertility per egg mass; these ranged from 7 to 10% and 1 to 3%, respectively. There was a year to year difference in pharate larval mortality. It ranged from 39% in 1968 to only 9 and 3% for 1967 and 969. Studies showed that egg masses had a tendency to be either nearly complete y hatched or unhatched only in 1968. The variation in pharate larval mortally in these studies suggests qualitative differences in the population. The pharate larval mortality has the potential of influencing population trends of the forest tent caterpillar.
MIDBRAIN EXPOSURE AND OVERLAP IN MAMMALS.

Homo sapiens possesses the cerebrum that is tops in brain evolution. This has brought upon our species many dangers. The comparative anatomist's particular danger is the inclination to see brains as organs somehow sacrosanct, and human brain structure as the measure of all things. One mammal may have advanced so far along some path of evolution that its hand has become a wing, and it conquers the sky; another may have acquired a sixth finger, and can hence rule underground. Yet, both are classified as lowly, be? cause their brains have not advanced along the trend supposedly general in vertebrates: towards bigger cerebral hemispheres, and along the mammalian trend towards a more and more folded mantle. The fish-
Effects of a protein-free, synthetic surfactant on survival and pulmonary function in preterm lambs

We have created a totally synthetic, protein-free surfactant (Exosurf) composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, hexadecanol, and tyloxapol. We studied the effects of endotracheal instillation of Exosurf on survival and pulmonary function of preterm lambs delivered at 131 to 133 days gestation (term 148 days). Exosurf treatment was compared with instillation of surface-active material prepared from lung lavages of adult sheep and with no instillation. Lambs were delivered by cesarean section, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. The Exosurf group survived longer (80% alive at 11 hours) than did the no instillation group (30% alive at 11 hours) (P
Achieving finer pores and ligaments in nanoporous palladium–nickel thin films

Nanoporous palladium nickel (np-PdNi) was produced by dealloying PdNi alloy thin films. The pore and ligament dimensions were reduced by 50% when surfactants were added to the sulfuric acid etching solution. Changes in film composition and biaxial film stress were used to track the dealloying evolution in the surfactant-modified etching solution. Ultrasonic agitation was also used to enhance dealloying and shortened the required time from 5 h to 1 h, while retaining a pore/ligament size of ∼5 nm.
A convergent perturbation theory for particle masses in “euclidean” lattice quantum field theory applied to the d-dimensional Ising model

Abstract A convergent perturbation theory developed for particle masses of “euclidean” lattice quantum field theory models for which convergent expansions for the correlation functions and an upper mass gap exist is illustrated by giving a series representation for m ( β ), the inverse correlation length of the high temperature ( β small) d -dimensional Ising model. We show that m(β) = −In β + r(β), r(β)= ∑ n=1 ∞ c n β n r ( β ) analytic at β = 0. c n is given analytically by a finite lattice algorithm.
Power and fairness in negotiations

This paper reports the results of a laboratory experiment on power (specifically, authority) on negotiation process and outcomes. The experiment found that when given a goal to appear fair, high authority negotiators take less of the resources than when not given a goal to appear fair. Furthermore, this paper predicted and found that the relationship between authority imbalance and concern for fairness on negotiation outcomes is a multiplicative relationship. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed within the context of negotiations in intraorganizational relationships.
Synthesis of the Elements in Stars

Man inhabits a universe composed of a great variety of elements and their isotopes. In Table I,1 a count of the stable and radioactive elements and isotopes is listed. Ninety elements are found terrestrially and one more, technetium, is found in stars; only promethium has not been found in nature.
Computer-assisted image analysis of tumor sections for a new thrombospondin receptor

BACKGROUND: A cell surface receptor (50 kd) has been recently identified in malignant cells that recognizes the tumor cell adhesive domain (ie, cysteine-serine-valine-threonine-cysteine-glycine [CSVTCG]) of thrombospondin (TSP). This CSVTCG-specific TSP receptor can be considered as a new tumor marker, and its concentration on the cell surface may correlate directly with the capacity of tumor cells to invade and metastasize. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with primary, stages III and IV squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were studied. Tumor sections were specificity stained for this receptor with immunohistocheinical techniques. The stained specimens were then subjected to computer-assisted image analysis
Fabrication of Patterned Multicomponent Protein Gradients and Gradient Arrays Using Microfluidic Depletion

We demonstrate that depletion effects in the fluids used to fill a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microfluidic device can be used in conjunction with its design rules to generate patterned protein gradients. The linear portions of these structures can be designed to present gradients of bound protein coverage-varying from near-saturation to effectively zero-over distances ranging from a few hundred micrometers to more than 1 cm by design. Such patterns can be developed in a simple, single-channel form as well as in a multichannel gradient array of more complex design. The patterning protocols also support the use of multiple protein sources, and we demonstrate an assembly process mediated by a protein that inhibits adsorption to generate a gradient array in pixel form. We describe examples of multiple protein gradient patterns along with simple immunoassays to illustrate the scope of the methodology, the activity of the patterned proteins, and their recognition in gradient form on a surface. These gradients should prove useful to studies in biosensor and bioassay development and as substrates for cell culture to study growth and motility.
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapy of Feline Idiopathic Megacolon

Scientific advances in the past decade have brought new understandings to the pathogenesis and therapy of feline colonic motility disorders. Epizootiologic studies have shown, for example, that 96% of the documented cases of obstipation are accounted for by idiopathic megacolon (62%), pelvic canal stenosis (23%), nerve injury (6%), or Manx sacral spinal cord deformity (5%). Recent physiologic studies suggest that most of the idiopathic cases result from colonic smooth muscle dysfunction. The latter studies have also provided evidence that colonic prokinetic agents are useful adjunctive therapy in the treatment of constipation. Many cats are now successfully treated with multicomponent therapy (i.e., dietary fiber supplementation, emollient or hyperosmotic laxatives, and colonic prokinetic agents). Those cats who fail to respond to conservative medical management will generally manifest marked clinical improvement with subtotal colectomy.
Strawberry Cultivar Use in North America

●SUMMARY. Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.) cultivars used by commercial producers in North America often change rapidly due to several factors including modified cultural practices, processing and marketing practices, the desire for new cultivars with larger and higher quality berries, resistant insect and disease pests, loss of traditional chemical control methods, and private sector breeding programs. Within the past decade, the annual plastic-mulched production system has quickly expanded into eastern North America prompting the need for cold-hardy cultivars adapted to that system. The continuing loss of traditional chemical controls for strawberry insects and diseases, including the impending loss of methyl bromide, has prompted the need for increased insect and disease resistance. In addition, consumer demands for a healthier food product with lower chemical residues has heightened this need. Small fruit experts from across North America provided information on the primary strawberry cultivars used in the recent past, the present, and potential cultivars for the future, as well as on current strawberry acreage in their respective states and provinces.
Effects of salinity on the juvenile crab physiology and agonistic interactions between two species of blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus and C. similis from coastal Louisiana

Callinectes sapidus and Callinectes similis are found in estuaries along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Juvenile C. sapidus are heavier at similar carapace widths than juvenile C. similis. Juvenile C. sapidus and C. similis exhibit similar patterns of hemolymph osmolality, oxygen consumption, lactic acid concentration, and renal filtration and secretory rates along constant and fluctuating salinity gradients. When similar sized juveniles were present, significantly more C. sapidus were preyed upon at 30 PSU but not at 5 PSU. Juvenile C. similis are more vulnerable to predation by adult C. sapidus at low salinity, this increased predation by adult C. sapidus on juvenile C. similis at 5 PSU may contribute to limiting the presence of C. similis to higher salinity water along estuarine gradients.
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia as a predictor of outcome in major depressive disorder

Background: Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a noninvasive measure of parasympathetic tone that has been related to emotion regulatory capacity. While some previous work indicates that clinically depressed persons exhibit lower levels of RSA than do normal controls, there is nevertheless considerable between-subject variation in RSA among depressed persons. The current study evaluated the significance of variation in RSA among depressed persons by examining whether levels of RSA predicted concurrent symptomatology and the course of depressive illness. Methods: The RSA levels of 55 diagnosed depressed individuals were assessed during a paced breathing procedure at Time 1. Six months later (Time 2), participants were interviewed again to determine whether or not each had fully recovered from depression. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to examine whether RSA predicted Time 2 clinical status. Results: Although RSA levels were not related to overall depression severity, they were associated with specific symptoms of depression: RSA was positively associated with the report of sadness and negatively associated with the report of suicidality. More strikingly, however, higher levels of RSA at Time 1 predicted non-recovery from depression at Time 2, even when statistically controlling for initial depression severity, age and medication use. Limitations: Treatment and medication use were not controlled during the follow-up period and a group of nonpsychiatric controls was not included in this study. Conclusions: A relatively high level of RSA among depressed individuals predicts a more pernicious course of illness than do lower RSA levels.
Optimal Allocation of Observations When Comparing Several Treatments with a Control. III: Globally Best One-Sided Intervals for Unequal Variances.

Abstract : In the paper the authors continue their earlier studies of optimal allocation of observations when comparing several treatments with a control. Previously, the authors considered one-sided and two-sided comparisons and described in detail a general allocation procedure which is globally optimal for the case in which the known variances of the 'test' populations are equal, but possibly unequal to the known variance of the 'Control' population; this same procedure is suboptimal for the case in which the known variances of the 'test' populations are unequal (although it is optimal for this latter case within a more restricted class of procedures). In the present paper the authors generalize the results to obtain the globally optimal procedure for one-sided comparisons for the case in which the known variances of the 'test' populations are unequal. (Author)
Synaptotagmin: is 2 better than 1?

The synaptotagmin protein family, characterized by two C-terminal calcium-binding motifs, is expressed throughout the brain ([Grise et al., 2007][1]). Synaptotagmin-1, the best characterized member, acts as a calcium sensor in the Ca2+-dependent release of neurotransmitter vesicles ([Geppert et al
The Role of RNA Interference in the Drosophila Antiviral Immune Response

Abstract. Evidence is accumulating that small RNAs processed from both host genomic sources and exogenous, viral, double stranded RNAs are biologically active in pathways that downregulate translation and increase degradation of specific transcripts in eukaryotic cells. Here, the mechanisms of small RNA production and processing in Drosophila melanogaster are described, and recent evidence that these pathways are involved in a pathogen-specific, systemic innate immune response is summarised. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) processed from viral dsRNAs are presented in the cell as templates to enable sequence-specific silencing of complementary viral transcripts in infected insect cells. Further, there is evidence that, as part of the ongoing immunological arms race between host and pathogen, insect viruses have evolved means to disrupt or subvert the host siRNA pathway.
Security-aware SoC test access mechanisms

Test access mechanisms are critical components in digital systems. They affect not only production and operational economics, but also system security. We propose a security enhancement for system-on-chip (SoC) test access that addresses the threat posed by untrustworthy cores. The scheme maintains the economy of shared wiring (bus or daisy-chain) while achieving most of the security benefits of star-topology test access wiring. Using the proposed scheme, the tester is able to establish distinct cryptographic session keys with each of the cores, significantly reducing the exposure in cases where one or more of the cores contains malicious or otherwise untrustworthy logic. The proposed scheme is out of the functional path and does not affect functional timing or power consumption.
Single-cell quantification of IL-2 response by effector and regulatory T cells reveals critical plasticity in immune response.

Understanding how the immune system decides between tolerance and activation by antigens requires addressing cytokine regulation as a highly dynamic process. We quantified the dynamics of interleukin-2 (IL-2) signaling in a population of T cells during an immune response by combining in silico modeling and single-cell measurements in vitro. We demonstrate that IL-2 receptor expression levels vary widely among T cells creating a large variability in the ability of the individual cells to consume, produce and participate in IL-2 signaling within the population. Our model reveals that at the population level, these heterogeneous cells are engaged in a tug-of-war for IL-2 between regulatory (Treg) and effector (Teff) T cells, whereby access to IL-2 can either increase the survival of Teff cells or the suppressive capacity of Treg cells. This tug-of-war is the mechanism enforcing, at the systems level, a core function of Treg cells, namely the specific suppression of survival signals for weakly activated Teff cells but not for strongly activated cells. Our integrated model yields quantitative, experimentally validated predictions for the manipulation of Treg suppression.
Capturing intrinsic impact of low-k dielectric stacks and packaging materials on mechanical integrity of Cu/low-k interconnects

We present a methodology for capturing the intrinsic impact of both low-k dielectric stacks and packaging materials on the mechanical integrity of Cu/low-k interconnects. This drastically reduces the time and cost of sample fabrication and reliability tests and provides short-cycle feedback for both low-k and packaging materials development. Furthermore, this methodology is applicable for all types of packaging, from low-cost QFPs to high-performance Pb-free FCBGAs.
Merging nodes under sequential observability

This paper presents a new type of sequential technology independent synthesis. Building on the previous notions of combinational observability and sequential equivalence, sequential observability is introduced and discussed. By considering both the sequential nature of the design and observability simultaneously, better results can be obtained than with either algorithm alone. The experimental results show that this method can reduce the technology-independent gate count up to 10% more than the previously best known synthesis techniques.
Collective transport in random media: from superconductors to earthquakes

Abstract In these lectures, a variety of non-equilibrium transport phenomena are introduced that all involve, in some way, elastic manifolds being driven through random media. A simple class of models is studied focussing on the behavior near to the critical “depinning” force above which persistent motion occurs in these systems. A simple mean field theory and a “toy” model of “avalanche” processes are analyzed and used to motivate the general scaling picture found in recent renormalization group studies. The general ideas and results are then applied to various systems: sliding charge density waves, critical current behavior of vortices in superconductors, dynamics of cracks, and simple models of a geological fault. The roles of thermal fluctuations, defects, inertia, and elastic wave propagation are all discussed briefly.
Ethnic Discrimination and Interstate Violence: Testing the International Impact of Domestic Behavior:

It has been shown in the work of Ted Gurr and others that ethnic discrimination can lead to ethno-political rebellion, and that rebellion often leads to interstate conflict. The authors seek to discover whether rebellion is the only meaningful link between ethnic discrimination and international violence. Many scholars have argued that a domestic environment of inequality and violence results in a greater likelihood of state use of violence internationally. This argument is most fully developed within feminist literature; however, research in the area of ethno-political conflict has also highlighted the negative impact of domestic discrimination on state behavior at the international level. The analysis builds upon the literature linking domestic gender inequality and state aggression to other inequalities created and/or sustained by the state. Using the Minorities at Risk (MAR) and Militarized Interstate Disputes (MID) datasets, the authors test whether states characterized by higher levels of discrimination against ethnic minorities are more likely to exhibit higher levels of hostility or to use force first when involved in international disputes. Group-level data in MAR are used to create a set of state-level variables measuring the extent of formal and informal discrimination against minority groups. The authors then test whether states with higher levels of discrimination against minority groups are more likely to rely on force when involved in an international dispute, controlling for other possible causes of state use of force. Ultimately, the authors confirm their hypotheses that states characterized by domestic inequality with regard to ethnic minorities are more likely to exhibit higher levels of hostility and to use force first when involved in an interstate conflict.
The influence of lightwave technology on computer network architecture and protocols

The opportunities presented by lightwave technology for the implementation of new concepts are considered. The approach taken is to reexamine the layer model and to try to identify what could happen to it if the true potential of lightwave technology were exploited fully. A typical architectural model is described, and the three properties of fiber optic technology that are likely to have the most profound effect on that model are identified. They consist of bandwidth in an amount so copious that many previous assumptions no longer apply, error rates so low that they are limited only by the reliability and performance of the terminal electronics, and software, and broadcast connectivity, so that each station can hear all transmissions. It is suggested that the effect of lightwave technology, at least as applied to local and metropolitan area networks, will be to collapse the physical, data link, and network layers into one, essentially the media-access-control layer and its supporting electrical-to-optical interface. >
Reducing memory requirements through task recomputation in embedded multi-CPU systems

As embedded applications are processing increasingly larger data sets, keeping their memory space consumptions under control is becoming a very pressing issue. Observing this, several prior efforts have considered memory space reduction techniques (in both hardware and software) based on data compression and lifetime-based memory recycling (garbage collection). In this work, we propose and evaluate an alternate approach to memory space saving in multi-CPU embedded systems such as chip multiprocessors. The unique characteristic of our approach is that it recomputed the results of select tasks in a given task graph (which represents the application), instead of storing these results in memory and accessing them from there as needed.
Usability and effectiveness evaluation of a course‐advising chat bot

This research compares the usability and efficiency of a course-advising chat bot with menu driven FAQs (frequently asked questions). Based on a survey and user interviews, a text-based FAQ system was created and compared with a chat bot that was developed to address library and information science (LIS) graduate student course and program related questions. The students conducted tasks with both the chat bot and FAQ systems. The usability and effectiveness of the functionality and user-interface of both systems is assessed.
Impact of Long-Term Potassium Citrate Therapy on Urinary Profiles and Recurrent Stone Formation

Purpose: Potassium citrate therapy has become one of the cornerstones of medical stone management. We elucidated the long-term effects of potassium citrate on urinary metabolic profiles and its impact on stone formation rates.Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients treated at the Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center at our institution between 2000 and 2006. Patients with pre-therapy and post-therapy 24-hour urinary profiles available who remained on potassium citrate for at least 6 months were included in the analysis.Results: Of the 1,480 patients with 24-hour urinary profiles 503 met study inclusion criteria. Mean therapy duration was 41 months (range 6 to 168). Overall a significant and durable change in urinary metabolic profiles was noted as soon as 6 months after the onset of therapy. These changes included increased urinary pH (5.90 to 6.46, p <0.0001) and increased urinary citrate (470 to 700 mg a day, p <0.0001). The stone formation rate also significantly decrea...
The matrix equations of quantum mechanics

A widely discussed paradox in quantum mechanics is due to the failure of the matrices representing linear operators to satisfy the algebraic relations of the operators. Several examples involving boundary conditions on the domains of differential operators show how these failures arise, and sufficient conditions are given to prevent them. It is found that in certain cases the time-dependence of the matrix elements of an observable should be calculated via the commutator of the infinite matrices of the observable and the Hamiltonian, and not in terms of the formal commutator of these operators.
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide: A Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Tool in Heart Failure

B-type natriuretic peptide is a neurohormone secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to ventricular stretch and pressure overload. It counteracts the vasoconstriction that occurs as a compensatory mechanism in heart failure. A new test for measuring plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide can help in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with congestive heart failure. Dyspnea associated with cardiac dysfunction is highly unlikely in patients with levels of the peptide less than 100 pg/mL. Whereas most patients with significant congestive heart failure have levels of the peptide greater than 400 pg/mL, in patients with levels of 100 to 400 pg/mL, left ventricular dysfunction without volume overload, pulmonary embolism, and cor pulmonale must be ruled out. Thus, incorporating measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide into clinical evaluation helps physicians and nurses diagnose heart failure more quickly, especially in patients who have multiple comorbid conditions. Elevated levels of B-type natriuretic peptide indicate a poor prognosis in terms of a higher mortality and more hospital readmissions. Levels of B-type natriuretic peptide could be used to guide therapy and discharge planning for patients admitted with decompensated heart failure. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2004;13:46-55)