cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive modulation and coding techniques in MUOS fading/scintillation environments

In this paper, adaptive modulation and coding structures are presented that are appropriate for the MUOS environment. The proposed approach adaptively controls the modulation format, FEC coding rate, transmission power and even possibly bandwidth spreading gain in response to changing channel conditions in an attempt to optimize throughput while maintaining acceptable error rate performance. Being able to estimate and then predict the channel is vital to the system performance. Channel prediction algorithms; have been developed and the advantages of the adaptive modulation/coding techniques are presented together with implementation issues.
On the design of integrated air/ground automation

This paper addresses the design of automation for the primary operators in the air transportation system: air traffic controllers and flight crews. The modernization of the airspace system requires the implementation of extensive integrated automation support in air traffic control facilities and on flight decks. Research in the human factors division at NASA Ames Research Center over the past seven years has focused on prototyping and evaluating both air and ground aspects of envisioned future air traffic management concepts. This paper presents an example of automating an air traffic control task. It expresses lessons learned and views on the process of designing automation for the very complex and distributed air traffic system.
Extensions of object oriented data analysis.

This is a discussion of the following paper: ‘Overview of object oriented data analysis’ by J. Steve Marron and Andres M. Alonso.
Control-related frontal-striatal function is associated with past suicidal ideation and behavior in patients with recent-onset psychotic major mood disorders

Abstract Objective Suicide is highly-prevalent in major mood disorders, yet it remains unclear how suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior relate to brain functions, especially those that support control processes. We evaluated how prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity during goal-representation (an important component of cognitive control) relates to past suicidal ideation and behavior in patients with psychotic major mood disorders. Method 30 patients with recent-onset of either DSM-IV-TR-defined bipolar disorder type I ( n =21) or major depressive disorder ( n =9) with psychotic features, but neither in a major mood episode nor acutely psychotic at study, were evaluated for past suicidal ideation and behavior (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale) and functional MRI during cognitive control task performance. Group-level regression models of brain activation accounted for current depression, psychosis and trait impulsivity. Results Intensity of past suicidal ideation was associated with higher control-related activation in right-hemisphere regions including the ventrolateral PFC (VLPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex, rostral insula, and dorsal striatum. Among those with past suicidal ideation ( n =16), past suicidal behavior ( n =8) was associated with higher control-related activation in right-hemisphere regions including VLPFC, rostrolateral PFC, and frontal operculum/rostral insula; and relatively lower activity in midline parietal regions, including cuneus and precuneus. Limitations The sample size of subjects with past suicidal behavior was modest, and all subjects were taking psychotropic medication. Conclusions This study provides unique evidence that in early-course psychotic major mood disorders, suicidal ideation and behavior histories directly relate to PFC-based circuit function in support of cognitive control.
Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated: 1925-1984 New Jersey’s innovation factory

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated (BTL), the Research and Development arm of ATT describe some the significant innovations and discoveries that came from Bell Labs; and discuss the factors that made Bell Labs so innovative.
A novel technique for making self-encapsulated and self-aligned copper films

We provide a method to grow self-aligned epitaxial MgO/Cu/MgO films on silicon substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. Here, a thin layer of Cu/Mg (Mg 5%) is deposited using a PLD over Si (100) specimens, followed by annealing at 500 °C in a controlled oxygen environment resulting in the segregation of Mg on either side of the copper film. Mg on the upper side of copper reacts with ambient oxygen and on the lower side with the adsorbed oxygen in the substrate to form layers of MgO. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements showed thin layers of MgO formed on either side of the copper films. The lower MgO layer acts as a diffusion barrier and inhibits the diffusion of Cu into the system while the upper MgO layer acts as a passivating layer and protects copper against oxidation. This approach can also be used to grow high quality epitaxial YBa2Cu3O7−δ films with MgO acting as a buffer for the superconducting device applications.
Pictures in cognition

L'A. developpe une approche naturaliste du probleme de la mimesis dans la representation picturale, qui souligne l'incompatibilite du conventionnalisme de la perception defendu par N. Goodman, d'une part, et de la conception cognitive de la perception elaboree par la connaissance physiologique (biologique) et computationnelle du systeme visuel humain, d'autre part, etudie du point de vue de ses capacites mecaniques a percevoir certaines formes paradigmatiques de la representation picturale
Renin and angiotensinase content of the kidney of normal and renal hypertensive rats.

SummaryKidney renin and angiotensinase concentrations were determined for the following groups of rats: normals(7); rats with renal hypertension produced by unilateral clipping of the renal artery (12); and rats unilaterally clipped which failed to develop hypertension(11). Kidney extracts were assayed for renin by 2 methods: 1) direct intravenous injection into a rat sensitized by ganglionic blockade, and 2) in vitro production of angiotensin which was subsequently assayed in a similar manner. Angiotensinase concentration was determined by incubation of the kidney extract for 2 hours at 37° with a known amount of synthetic angiotensin and subsequent assay of the residual angiotensin. Renin concentration was reduced in kidneys of both groups of rats with renal artery clips. The reduction in the untouched kidney was greater than that in the clipped kidney. Concentration of angiotensinase in the kidneys of experimental animals which became hypertensive was equal to that in control animals.
Dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos alters core temperature in the rat

Administration of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos (CHP) to the male rat at a dose of 25–80 mg/kg (p.o.) results in hypothermia followed by a delayed fever lasting for several days. These are high doses of CHP that cause marked cholinergic stimulation. It is important to understand if chronic exposure to CHP would evoke changes in thermoregulation that are comparable to the acute administration. Male rats of the Long-Evans strain were subjected to dietary treatment of 0, 1, or 5 mg/(kg day) CHP for 6 months. A limited amount of food was given per day to maintain body weight at 350 g. The constant body weight allowed for the regulation of a consistent dosage of CHP per kg body weight throughout the feeding period. Core temperature (Ta) and motor activity (MA) were monitored by radio telemetric transmitters implanted in the abdominal cavity. After 5 months of treatment, Tc and MA were monitored in undisturbed animals for 96 h. CHP at 5 mg/(kg day) led to a slight elevation in Tc without affecting MA. The rats were then administered a challenge dose of CHP (30 mg/kg, p.o.) while Tc and MA were monitored. Rats fed the 1 and 5 mg/kg CHP diets showed a significantly greater hypothermic response and reduction in MA following CHP challenge compared to controls. The restricted feeding schedule resulted in marked changes in the pattern of the circadian rhythm. Therefore, in another study, rats were treated ad libitum for 17 days with a CHP diet that resulted in a dosage of 7 mg CHP/(mg day). There was a significant increase in Tc during the daytime but not during the night throughout most of the treatment period. Overall, chronic CHP was associated with a slight but significant elevation in Tc and greater hypothermic response to a CHP challenge. This latter finding was unexpected and suggests that chronic exposure to CHP sensitizes the rat's thermoregulatory response to acute CHP exposure.
Chloride relations of photosystem II membrane preparations depleted of, and resupplied with, their 17 and 23 kDa extrinsic polypeptides.

Photosystem II membranes prepared from thylakoids of Phytolacca americana chloroplasts were depleted of their intrinsic 17 and 23 kDa polypeptides, and the effects of a reconstitution of these polypeptides on the Cl− requirements of O2 evolution activity were analyzed. It was found that the activating effectiveness of limiting amounts of added Cl− was increased several fold by an addition of the 23 kDa polypeptide. When it was supplemented by the 17 kDa species, only a small additional increase occurred, but Cl− retention in Cl− free media was enhanced greatly. Addition of the 17 kDa polypeptide alone was without effect because it is known that it cannot bind to its native site unless the 23 kDa polypeptide is in place. Optimal enhancements of the effectiveness of activating added Cl− were observed when the assays were done in the presence of the reconstituting polypeptides. When the reconstituting treatment with the polypeptides, and the assay of the Cl− relations, were separated, it was advantageous to have Cl− present in the reconstituting medium, and not to add Ca2+, another cofactor of photosynthetic water oxidation. Those requirements are attributed to the labilizing effects Cl− free conditions and divalent cations have on the association of especially the 23 kDa polypeptides with the water oxidizing complex, and to a possible aggregation of the membranes under the influence of Ca2+ which might have impeded proper polypeptide binding.
VAr pricing and control in the competitive market

Summary form only given as follows. A price structure for providing reactive power service and control based on optimal power flow (OPF) approach is developed. The cost of reactive power support service is determined based on capability and contributions to the improvement of system performance such as security, reliability and economics, by computing sensitivity of objective function with respect to reactive power support. The OPF model, in which the objective function is minimization of system loss, is solved by the interior point approach. For VAr planning purpose, three parallel indices are first presented to determine the sites of new VAr sources, based on the cost-benefit analysis, the sensitivity method and the voltage security margin method. Then, the analytic hierarchical process is used to comprehensively consider the effect of three indices and the network topology for each candidate VAr source site. The proposed approach was tested on an MEE 30 bus system with satisfactory results.
Mechanism involved in bradykinin-induced efferent arteriole dilation

Mechanism involved in bradykinin-induced efferent arteriole dilation. Background There is evidence that kinins play a role in the regulation of renal hemodynamics. The balance of vascular resistance in afferent and efferent arterioles (Af-Art and Ef-Art) is a crucial factor in controlling glomerular filtration. We have previously reported that bradykinin has a biphasic effect on the Af-Art and that dilation and constriction are due to cyclooxygenase products, not nitric oxide (NO). The present study was designed to examine ( 1 ) the direct effect of bradykinin on the Ef-Art and ( 2 ) the mechanisms that mediate bradykinin-induced Ef-Art dilation. Methods Isolated Ef-Arts were microperfused retrograde while maintaining the Ef-Art pressure at 30 mm Hg. Isolated Ef-Arts were preconstricted with norepinephrine. Results Perfusing the Ef-Art lumen with bradykinin caused dose-dependent vasodilation, increasing diameter from 6.9 ± 0.7 to 8.0 ± 0.8 (0.01 nmol/L), 8.3 ± 0.7* (0.1 nmol/L), 10.3 ± 0.7* (1 nmol/L) and 11.5 ± 0.8*μm (10 nmol/L; N = 8; * P P N = 6) in the L-NAME-treated group and from 7.4 ± 0.9 to 11.0 ± 1.0 μm (10 nmol/L; P N = 6) in the indomethacin-treated group. However, 25 μmol/L 17-ODYA, a cytochrome cP450 inhibitor, blocked the vasodilator effect of 10 -8 mol/L bradykinin, leaving diameter unchanged (from 7.9 ± 0.8 to 7.7 ± 0.7 μm; N = 6). Finally, 0.1 μmol/L icatibant, a B 2 receptor antagonist, completely blocked the vasodilation induced by bradykinin, and the diameter went from 7.8 ± 0.7 to 8.3 ± 0.8 μm (10 nmol/L). Conclusions Bradykinin dilates Ef-Arts, but in contrast to Af-Arts its effect is not biphasic. The vasodilator effect of bradykinin in Ef-Arts via B 2 receptors is mediated by cP450 metabolites (probably EETs), but not by NO or cyclooxygenase products.
Negative contrast imaging of mitochondria by confocal microscopy.

The paper by Petronilli et al. in the February issue of the Biophysical Journal examined the distribution of calcein fluorescence in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells by confocal microscopy (Petronilli et al., 1999). Previously, we showed that warm incubation with calcein acetoxymethyl (AM) ester led to almost exclusive cytosolic distribution of calcein in both rat hepatocytes and rabbit cardiac myocytes (Nieminen et al., 1995; Ohata et al., 1998). Mitochondria excluded calcein and were visualized by confocal microscopy as round and oval voids about a micron in diameter in images of green calcein fluorescence.
Metallic single-walled, carbon nanotube temperature sensor with self heating

A metallic single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) has been proposed as a highly sensitive temperature sensor with consideration of self-heating induced scattering. This sensor can be implemented to sense temperature spanning from 20o C to 400o C with high temperature coefficient of resistivity (TCR) ranging from 0.0035/oC to 0.009/ oC. Important aspect of this work is consideration of self-heating in SWCNT which was not considered in earlier carbon nanotube based temperature sensors. We have studied a metallic SWCNT over a silicon dioxide substrate and in between two metal contacts. Bias voltage of 0.1V has been applied in between these two contacts. For resistivity calculation, we have utilized one-dimensional semi-classical transport model assuming SWCNT is perfectly conducting. The heat flow equation has been solved assuming steady state flow of heat. We have also assumed that contact and substrate are in thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. Since self-heating significantly affects electro-thermal transport, incorporation of this phenomenon enables to design and model ambient temperature sensor accurately. We have studied CNT sensor with different lengths and chiralities. The results show that resistances of longest (3μm) and thinnest (9, 0) CNTs increase rapidly with temperature. For a 3μm long metallic SWCNT with chirality index (9, 0), TCR has the maximum value (~0.009/ oC).
The role of zooplankton in the regeneration of nitrogen in a coastal upwelling system off northwest Africa

Abstract The biomass, ammonia and urea release, and oxygen consumption of zooplankton were measured in the coastal upwelling ecosystem off northwest Africa (∼21° 40′N, 17° to 17°45′W). Zooplankton 102 to 505 μm in size dominated the biomass nearshore, while zooplankton larger than 1000 μm were the major component offshore. After correcting for depth, regeneration of nitrogen by zooplankton was greater nearshore than offshore. The zooplankton supplied an average of 44% of the ammonia demand of the phytoplankton and an average of 25% of the total nitrogen required by the phytoplankton. This upwelling is unusual among eutrophic systems that have been studied in having such a large percentage of the nitrogen necessary for primary production supplied as ammonia released by zooplankton.
Effects of Re- and Al-alloying on mechanical properties and high-temperature oxidation of MoSi2

Abstract Alloying with Re and Al improves high-temperature strength and low-temperature ductility of MoSi 2 , respectively. The effects of Re + Al on strength and ductility of MoSi 2 is the combination of their individual effects, resulting in an alloy whose BDTT is lowered to room temperature and whose strength at 1600 °C is enhanced by better than one order of magnitude. However, the effects of these alloying elements on oxidation resistance of MoSi 2 were not as promising as the effects on mechanical properties. Alloying with 2 at% Al resulted in acceleration of the oxidation rate of MoSi 2 by about one order of magnitude, whereas alloying with 1 at% Re had little or no effect on oxidation rate at 1400–1700 °C. Moreover, alloying MoSi 2 with 1 at% Re + 2 at% Al resulted in deterioration of the high-temperature oxidation resistance of MoSi 2 beyond the effects of Al alone.
THERMAL PROPERTIES OF SKIPJACK TUNA (KATSUWONUS PELAMIS

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to obtain specific heat, heat of fusion, and protein denaturation temperatures of raw skipjack tuna. Thermal conductivity values of raw skipjack tuna over a range of temperatures were determined by the line heat source probe method. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the specific heat of loin meat (3.536 kJ/kg K), red meat (3.505 kJ/kg K), and viscera (2.263 kJ/kg K). There were significant differences between the backbone and loin meat, backbone and red meat, and backbone and viscera on specific heat values. The protein denaturation temperature of loin meat was higher than that of red meat. There was no significant difference between thermal conductivity of raw loin meat (0.57 W/m K) and viscera (0.56 W/m K). In general, thermal conductivity increased with temperature.
The generalized duffing equation with large damping

Abstract The equation x + 2p x + ω 2 0 x + μ n x = 0 where n is an odd integer greater than or equal to 3, x(0) = A0, and x (0) = 0 has received much attention in the literature but always with the restrictions that μ and p are small. It is the purpose of this paper to remove this restriction on p and to only require that p ⩽ω0 which is just the requirement that the linear portion of the equation is underdamped or critically damped. To accomplish this a suitably functional form for the frequency of the solution is first chosen. The principle of harmonic balance is then applied with the modification, however, that the coefficients of the first harmonic terms are minimized rather than set equal to zero. The results obtained, when checked against a computer solution, prove to be satisfactory even when μ is no longer small.
Invasion from the South: Social Construction of the Haitian ‘Other’ in The Bahamas

Since 1957, the Bahamian government has been trying to control the migration of undocumented Haitians to and their movement through The Bahamas. Due to the continued and incessant migration and the question of citizenship for Haitians, Bahamians have come to perceive Haitians as a threat to the national and cultural sovereignty of The Bahamas. The media, government policies, and everyday constructions of Bahamian identity have played a significant role in socially constructing the image and status of Haitians residing in The Bahamas. The perception and internalization of these images and ideas have resulted in the denial of human rights for Haitians and people of Haitian descent residing in The Bahamas.
EFFECT OF THE DURATION OF SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI INFECTIONS ON THE DEGREE OF PROTECTION AGAINST SUBSEQUENT EXPOSURES.

Abstract Prolongation of initial infection with S. mansoni in rodents results in decreased levels of acquired resistance despite continued presence of adult worms. In the albino rat a significant decrease in resistance occurs between 32 and 64 weeks after primary exposure, although resistance is still at a significant level at the latter time. In hamsters acquired resistance is lost sometime after 12 weeks and before 32 weeks. The mechanism of acquired resistance in the rat develops independently from the mechanism responsible for innate resistance in this host; is presumably unrelated to the latter; and has characteristics similar to the same mechanism in the highly susceptible mouse and hamster.
Eradication of feral goats Capra hircus from Pinta Island, Galápagos, Ecuador

Introduced mammals are a major driver of extinction and ecosystem change, particularly on islands. Feral goats Capra hircus have been introduced to numer- ous islands worldwide and have had wholesale impacts on ecosystems. Techniques are now available, however, to eradicate goat populations from islands, providing a powerful conservation tool. Goats were removed from Pinta Island, Galapagos, Ecuador after a 30-year eradi- cation campaign, the largest removal of an insular goat population using ground-based methods. Over 41,000 goats were removed during the initial hunting effort (1971-82). In the following decade the island was twice wrongly declared free of goats. During this period, the island was visited irregularly but no monitoring programme was implemented. A revised campaign over 1999-2003, which included improved hunting tech- niques and monitoring, removed the final goats from the island. The use of Judas goats was critical in locating the remaining goats and as a tool to confirm eradication. A systematic monitoring programme is critical for confirm- ing eradication and preventing future reintroductions. An earlier monitoring programme would probably have resulted in earlier eradication and significant financial savings. Given limited resources, island conser- vation programmes elsewhere should strive to increase eradication efficiency and learn from past campaigns.
Quality Indicators for the Evaluation of Patients With Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND Ideally, quality indicators are developed with the input of professional groups involved in the care of patients. This project, led by the Thoracic Oncology Network and Quality Improvement Committee of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), had the goal of developing quality indicators related to the evaluation and staging of patients with lung cancer. METHODS Evidence-based guidelines were used to generate a list of process-of-care quality indicators, and project members revised the content and wording of this list. A survey of the Steering Committee of the Thoracic Oncology Network was performed to rate the validity, feasibility, and relevance of the indicators. Predefined thresholds were used to select indicators from the list. This process was repeated for the selected indicators through a survey available to all members of the Thoracic Oncology Network. Three academic medical centers determined if the surviving indicators were feasible and relevant within their practices. RESULTS Eighteen quality indicators were drafted. Eleven survived the first round of voting, and seven survived the second round of voting. One was related to tissue acquisition for molecular testing, four were related to staging and stage documentation, one was related to smoking cessation counseling, and one was related to documentation of a performance status measure. The indicators were feasible and relevant within the practices assessed. CONCLUSIONS We have defined seven process-of-care quality indicators related to the evaluation and staging of patients with lung cancer, which are felt to be valid, feasible, and relevant by lung cancer specialists.
Re: The Impact of Training in Unselected Patients on Mortality and Morbidity in Carotid Endarterectomy in a Vascular Training Center and the Recommendations of the European Board of Surgery Qualification in Vascular Surgery. A Rijbroek, W Wisselink and J A Rauwerda

Re : the impact of training in unselected patients on mortality and morbidity in carotid endarterectomy in a vascular training center and the recommendations of the European Board of Surgery Qualification in Vascular Surgery. A Rijbroek, W Wisselink, J A Rauwerda.
Pyrogenic carbon additions to soil counteract positive priming of soil carbon mineralization by plants

Abstract Important due to both its role in fire-affected ecosystems, and also its proposed intentional production and application for carbon (C) management, pyrogenic organic matter (PyOM) is thought to contain very stable forms of C. However, the mechanisms behind its interactions with non-PyOM soil organic C (SOC) remain speculative, with studies often showing short-term positive and then long-term negative “priming effects” on SOC decomposition after PyOM applications. Furthermore, studies of these interactions to date have been limited to systems that do not include plants. This study describes results from a 12-week greenhouse experiment where PyOM-SOC priming effects with and without plants were investigated using stable isotope partitioning. In addition, we investigated the optimal δ13C proxies for sources of SOC, PyOM, and plant-derived CO2 emissions. The two-factorial experiment included the presence or absence of corn plants and of 13C-labelled PyOM. In order to control for pH and nutrient addition effects from PyOM, its pH was adjusted to that of the soil and optimal nutrient and water conditions were provided to the plants. The δ13C of PyOM sub-components were significantly different. Significant losses of 0.4% of the applied PyOM-C occurred in the first week. We find evidence for a “negative priming” effect of PyOM on SOC in the system (SOC losses are 48% lower with PyOM present), which occurred primarily during the first week, indicating it may be due to transient effects driven by easily mineralizable PyOM. Additionally, while the presence of corn plants resulted in significantly increased SOC losses (“positive priming”), PyOM additions counteract this effect, almost completely eliminating net C losses either by decreasing SOC decomposition or increasing corn C additions to soil. This highlights the importance of including plants in studies of PyOM-SOC interactions.
Oxygen consumption in the prosobranch snail Viviparus contectoides (Mollusca: Gastropoda)—III. Effects of light*

Abstract o 1. Daily metabolic energy demand and weight specific daily metabolic energy demand of male and female Viviparus contectoides is dependent on the number of hours of light. 2. Weight specific daily metabolic energy demand of Viviparus contectoides is dependent on weight. 3. Variation in the number of hours of light caused no apparent pattern in the absolute value or occurrence of the peaks or troughs in the weight specific oxygen consumption in either males or females and no consistent effect of light cycle on these variables was observed. 4. Daily metabolic energy demand for both males and females increased with decreasing hours of light. The energy demand of females increased more rapidly than males. Daily metabolic caloric requirements of both sexes were nearly equal during days with 18 and 24 hr of light. 5. Mean weight specific daily metabolic energy demand of males is greater than females during all light cycles. Mean weight of females is greater than mean weight of males.
Göllnitz-Gordon identities and parity questions

Parity has played a role in partition identities from the beginning. In his recent paper, George Andrews investigated a variety of parity questions in partition identities. At the end of his paper, he then listed 15 open problems. The purpose of this paper is to provide solutions to the first three problems from his list, which are related to the Gollnitz-Gordon identities and their generalizations.
Estimating economic impacts from tourism

Abstract Economists have traditionally used input-output (IO) analysis to examine the impacts of tourism on the economy of a region. This paper introduces a relatively new and alternative technique, computable general equilibrium (CGE). The two approaches are compared and then used to analyze, as an illustration, the impacts on Hawaii's economy from a reduction in visitor expenditure. The study concludes that the results of the IO model are similar in magnitude to those of the CGE model but generally higher and that sectors closely associated with tourism exhibit the largest effects. The ability to account for inter-sectoral resource flows is a major advantage of CGE models and explains differences in IO and CGE results
FUNCTIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF BURST FIRING AND SINGLE SPIKE ACTIVITY IN LATERAL GENICULATE RELAY NEURONS

Guinea-pig thalamocortical relay neurons can intrinsically generate action potentials in two distinct patterns: as high frequency bursts or as relatively independent single spikes. The burst firing mode is due to the presence of a low threshold Ca2+ current and imposes a marked non-linear transformation on depolarizing or hyperpolarizing inputs. In the burst firing mode, thalamic neurons respond to increasing frequencies of depolarizing inputs with progressively fewer action potentials such that they fail to respond to inputs arriving at rates greater than approximately 15 Hz. In this manner, the amplitude of the burst discharge relays little information concerning the characteristics of phasic excitatory postsynaptic potentials which may trigger them, but rather is determined by the membrane potential preceding the burst and the time interval since the last burst. In contrast to the behavior of neurons in the burst firing mode, the pattern of action potentials generated after depolarization into the single spike mode is a more faithful representation of the characteristics of incoming excitatory postsynaptic potentials or depolarizing inputs. The pattern of action potentials generated in the single spike mode is determined by the intensity, duration, and frequency of incoming excitatory inputs even when they arrive at rates in excess of 100 Hz. These, and other properties, allow thalamic neurons to possess two distinct states of neuronal activity: an oscillatory mode in which rhythmic bursts of action potentials are generated and in which responsiveness to stimulation of peripheral receptive fields is greatly reduced, and a transfer mode in which action potentials are generated in relative independence of one another and in which the ability to respond to barrages of phasic excitatory inputs is greatly enhanced. The presence of the rhythmic burst firing mode may therefore facilitate the filtering of sensory information during periods of drowsiness, inattentiveness, and slow wave sleep.
Determining Optimal Sensor Locations for State and Parameter Estimation for Stable Nonlinear Systems

This paper presents a new approach for sensor location for state and parameter estimation for stable nonlinear systems. The unique feature of this technique is that sensor locations for state estimation and measurement locations for parameter estimation can be determined within the same framework. To compute optimal sensor locations, information derived from observability covariance matrices is combined with already existing measures, which were proposed either for state or parameter estimation, to compute the degree of observability of a nonlinear system over an operating region. The optimal sensor locations then correspond to the configuration that returns the highest value of the measure for the degree of observability of a system. The proposed method is illustrated in case studies where optimal sensor locations for state and parameter estimation for a binary distillation column and a fixed-bed reactor are computed. The results obtained from the presented approach are compared with a technique based up...
On the volume concept for the walden product

Abstract A volume concept for the Walden product has been proposed as a new method of estimating limiting ionic conductances from known limiting conductances of electrolytes. This concept is shown to be inadequate and a crude method, at best, in predicting experimental results. Other empirical methods which were suggested for estimating unknown limiting transference numbers are also discussed.
Silver Nanoplates : Size Control in Two Dimensions and Formation Mechanisms

Silver nanoplates, with average thickness of 20−30 nm and average size tunable from 40 to 300 nm, have been synthesized via a simple room-temperature solution-phase chemical reduction method in the presence of appropriate concentrations of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and silver seeds. On the surface of the (111) basal plane of these single-crystal nanoplates are adsorbed CTAB molecules, accounting for the anisotropic formation of plates and their head-to-head self-assembled network superstructures. The size-sensitive in-plane dipole plasmon absorption bands of the nanoplates can be shifted to ∼1000 nm in the near-IR region when the aspect ratio of nanoplates reached 9, opening new possibilities for various near-IR-related applications. The mechanisms of the nanoplate formation were studied by varying the concentrations of different reaction components or substituting them with other counterparts. Br- anions, as well as silver seeds, have been found indispensable for nanoplate formation. The reac...
Carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with tumors of the urogenital tract

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was elevated in 35 (30%) of 116 patients with cancer of the urogenital tract and in only one of 17 patients with benign urologic disease. No positive results were seen in any of 17 patients with well-controlled prostatic carcinoma, whereas 7 of 11 patients with active disease had positive results. In carcinoma of the bladder, 2 of 24 patients with inactive disease and 10 of 20 with active disease had positive results. The test seems to be useful in the follow-up of cancer patients and in evaluating the results of therapy, but the use of the CEA assay as a diagnostic procedure must await the characterization of more specific antigens obtained from urologic tissues.
Using Cognitive Interviews to Assess the Cultural Validity of State and Trait Measures of Mindfulness among Zen Buddhists

Although Western psychological mindfulness shares many common features with Buddhist mindfulness, subtle differences in the way in which it is practiced and assessed may have important implications. Therefore, the primary goal of this qualitative study was to evaluate the cultural validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and Toronto Mindfulness Scale (TMS) by using cognitive interviews among a sample of Buddhist clergy and laypersons to assess their perceptions of these two scales. Participants were 14 Zen Buddhists (seven laypersons, six Zen priests, and one in priest the ordination process) recruited from a monastery in the Pacific Northwestern USA. Each participant completed a cognitive interview using the FFMQ and TMS. We developed a coding schema to identify and categorize participant responses and then applied the final coding framework to all 14 interviews. Results revealed perceived concerns and strengths of each scale, as well as concerns regarding content deemed missing from both scales and general issues related to mindfulness self-assessment. These findings suggest that Buddhist and Western psychological conceptualizations of mindfulness may have important differences.
Pricing behavior of exchange traded funds

We attempt to determine whether characteristics found to be effective indicators of individual stock price performance are effective indicators of exchange traded fund (ETF) price performance. Specifically, we test the performance of investing strategies based on separately categorizing ETFs into deciles according to size, trading volume, and momentum. When analyzing the entire sample, we find that the indicators can effectively signal differences in future performance. However, the indicators appear to be indirect proxies for the types of ETFs (broad-based, sector, or international). When we isolate each type of ETF, the indicators are not as effective. The indicators are not as useful for signaling unusual stock price performance of ETFs as they have been for individual stocks. We attribute the distinctly different results found here for ETFs to the unusual characteristics of ETFs that distinguish them from individual stocks. Investing strategies that rely on these indicators for selecting individual stocks may be indirectly driven by stock-specific fundamentals. However, fundamentals are not as meaningful for stock indexes (represented by ETFs) as for individual stocks.
Cellular Migration and Invasion Uncoupled: Increased Migration Is Not an Inexorable Consequence of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Metastatic dissemination requires carcinoma cells to detach from the primary tumor and invade through the basement membrane. To acquire these characteristics, epithelial tumor cells undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT), whereby cells lose polarity and E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. Post-EMT cells have also been shown, or assumed, to be more migratory; however, there have been contradictory reports on an immortalized human mammary epithelial cell line (HMLE) that underwent EMT. In the context of carcinoma-associated EMT, it is not yet clear whether the change in migration and invasion must be positively correlated during EMT or whether enhanced migration is a necessary consequence of having undergone EMT. Here, we report that pre-EMT rat prostate cancer (PC) and HMLE cells are more migratory than their post-EMT counterparts. To determine a mechanism for increased epithelial cell migration, gene expression analysis was performed and revealed an increase in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in pre-EMT cells. Indeed, inhibition of EGFR in PC epithelial cells slowed migration. Importantly, while post-EMT PC and HMLE cell lines are less migratory, both remain invasive in vitro and, for PC cells, in vivo. Our study demonstrates that enhanced migration is not a phenotypic requirement of EMT, and migration and invasion can be uncoupled during carcinoma-associated EMT.
Lattice Structure and Electrical Properties of Epitaxial Aluminum on GaAs

The crystal structure of aluminum layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on GaAs(100) was studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. We obtained cross-sectional images with nearly atomic resolution of the lattice structure at Al-GaAs interfaces. GaAs epitaxial layers were grown at 585 °C and cooled in the ultrahigh vacuum MBE growth chamber prior to aluminum deposition. After the desired substrate temperature had been achieved, aluminum was immediately deposited onto arsenic-rich surfaces at a rate of 1000 A h −1 . Aluminum layers deposited onto substrates at 80 °C exhibit an Al(110)/GaAs(100) epitaxial relationship along an abrupt interface. In some regions of the interface we observed isolated arsenic crystallites which were epitaxial with the GaAs substrate. The current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C–V) characteristics of this material are well behaved. Barrier heights of 0.79 eV and ideality factors of 1.04 were determined from room temperature I–V measurements. For aluminum deposited onto GaAs substrates at 400 °C, evidence of twodimensional nucleation and growth was observed. The resulting pyramid-shaped aluminum crystallites had facets along crystallographic planes. Two epitaxial relationships were observed: Al(100)/GaAs(100) and Al(110)/GaAs(100). We observed 12 A steps along the Al(100)–GaAs(100) interface. C–V and scanning electron microscopy measurements indicate that the individual aluminum crystallites are electrically and physically separated.
Intermolecular forces between proteins and polymer films with relevance to filtration

In order to understand the effects of protein fouling during ultrafiltration of biological fluids, we have investigated the molecular interactions between a thin polysulfone film and hen egg lysozyme with the surface forces apparatus (SFA). The normalized forces between the adsorbed protein layers and polymer films were measured below, at and above the pI of lysozyme, and compared with four different permeation fluxes obtained from ultrafiltration experiments. The intermolecular forces between two protein layers were also measured at the different pH values. Adsorption kinetics of lysozyme onto mica were also obtained. Buffer and lysozyme solutions at similar pH values and concentrations were filtered with 6 kD polysulfone membranes to obtain flux decline and hence fouling measurements. Hydrophobic membranes, such as polysulfone, exhibit extremely long-range attractive interactions (on the order of 1500−2000 A) with proteins such as lysozyme. Even in the presence of electrostatic repulsion at pH values ab...
Meromorphic Solutions of a Differential Equation with Polynomial Coefficients

We give new estimates for the maximum number M of distinct meromorphic solutions and also for the maximum number L of linearly independent meromorphic solutions of the first order differential equation $$f^\prime = p_0+p_1f+...+p_nf^n,\ \ \ n\geq 3,$$ where each Pk is a polynomial and Pn ≢ 0. The estimate for M depends only on n and the number d of distinct zeros of Pn, while the estimate for L depends only on d.
Comentario a: "Retrasplante renal: factores de riesgo y resultados

El trasplante renal se ha convertido en una manera efectiva de tratar la enfermedad renal en etapa terminal. Desafortunadamente, como consecuencia de los mecanismos patogenicos inmunologicos y no inmunologicos, la disfuncion cronica del injerto es responsable de la perdida de una gran proporcion de los injertos del rinon tras varios anos y del retorno a la dialisis. El trasplante renal ofrece esperanza a los receptores que han sufrido un fallo de injerto renal. El numero global de candidatos a retrasplante ha aumentado para todos los organos y supone entre el 11 y el 13% de todos los candidatos en lista de espera para todos los organos en cada ano entre 1990 y 2007. Los trasplantes de repeticion representaron el 12,0% de todos los trasplantes en 1990 y el 9,5% en 2007. Durante el mismo periodo el numero de candidatos a trasplante renal repetido aumento de 2.322 a 4.553, y el numero de trasplantes renales repetidos aumento de 1.293 a 1.867. La tasa de supervivencia del paciente con injerto fue casi uniformemente mas alto para los primeros trasplantes en comparacion con trasplantes repetidos, con la salvedad de los trasplantes de rinon de donantes muertos, para lo cual la tasa de supervivencia del paciente con injerto en un periodo de 5 anos fue similar para primeros y segundos trasplantes (70 contra 69%, p = 0,5)1. Sin embargo, existen pocos informes que tratan el resultado, los factores de riesgo
Study of the Cis to Trans Isomerization of 1-Phenyl-2,3-disubstituted Tetrahydro-β-carbolines at C(1). Evidence for the Carbocation-Mediated Mechanism

The present study was undertaken to shed light on the mechanism of the epimerization of cis-1,2,3-trisubstituted tetrahydro-beta-carbolines into the trans isomers via a potential carbocationic intermediate at C(1). In order to study the pathway involved in C(1)-N(2) bond cleavage, the electronic character of the carbon atom at C-1 was altered by substitution of electron-rich and electron-poor phenyl rings at this position. This provided direct evidence of the effects of charge at the proposed site of the carbocationic intermediate. In this regard, a diverse set of 1-(phenyl substituted)-2-benzyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carbolines has been synthesized via the Pictet-Spengler reaction by condensation of l-tryptophan derivatives with electron-poor and electron-rich aromatic aldehydes. The epimers involved in the isomerization mechanism were investigated by dynamic (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. The kinetic studies, which involved conversion of cis diastereomers into their trans counterparts, were carried out in dilute TFA/CH(2)Cl(2). The 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) cis diastereomer epimerized at a much faster rate into the corresponding trans diastereomer than the related 1-(4-nitrophenyl) cis diastereomer epimerized. These observations provide support for the carbocationic intermediate in the C(1)-N(2) scission process. The understanding of this epimerization process is of importance when Pictet-Spengler reactions are carried out under acidic conditions during the synthesis of indole alkaloids.
Effects of ethanol on postural adjustments in humans

Surface EMGs and a platform capable of horizontal, vertical, and rotational displacements were used to examine the effects of ethanol on human balance control on three levels within the nervous system's postural control hierarchy: the automatic long-latency muscle responses of proprioceptive origin (100 ms latency), the more centrally originating visual and vestibular responses of longer latencies (150 ms or greater), and the higher adaptive levels of command, responsible for attenuating or facilitating responses under changing task conditions. Two types of long-latency response which were previously considered to involve similar neuronal circuitry, the anteroposterior sway response and the lateral sway response, were affected to significantly different extents by ethanol intoxication. The significantly greater increase in latency of the lateral sway response suggests that its supporting pathway is more complex than that mediating the anteroposterior sway response. Though intoxicating amounts of ethanol significantly prolonged the latency and reduced the amplitude of long-latency muscle responses, sway was not increased sufficiently to produce a fall under normal conditions. However, under conditions where proprioceptive and visual cues were absent, five of the six subjects were destabilized sufficiently to fall on their first trial. Underlying this decreased stability were significantly delayed vestibular compensatory responses. However, with repeated trials subjects were able to adapt normally to altered conditions, suggesting that the higher adaptive levels of command were not significantly affected by ethanol intoxication.
Information technologies: challenges and opportunities for local governments

Abstract Information technology (IT) applications in local government have been mostly used to advance the technical capacity of localities in delivering public services. As decision making responsibility moves from the U.S. federal government to local governments, academic researchers should address the need for developing intuitive decision support systems (DSS) for government managers and senior decision makers. The task-specific models of Web-based information systems (IS) discussed in this study can help local government managers capture information in multimedia format and facilitate information sharing between their department and other agencies without dependency on specific platforms, time differences, or locations in a cost-effective manner. Consequently, research should be encouraged to develop methods that respond to questions of training in the new IS environment and to provide solutions to facilitate service and system integration despite the environmental and political complexity surrounding local governments.
The Model of Conductive Interference in Rapid Transit Signaling Systems

With the objective of gaining a complete understanding of conductive interference (CI) in rapid-transit signaling systems, many aspects of the problem have been investigated. This effort has formed part of the Department of Transportation's Urban Mass Transit Administration (UMTA) rail transit EMI/EMC program and has been conducted in coordination with the UMTA-sponsored Rail Transit EMI Technical Working Group. Topics studied have included dc current-dependent ac impedance of third rail and running rail; circuit properties of the running-rail third-rail circuit from train to substation; statistical signal properties and circuit properties of the multicar train as a source of audio-frequency chopper interference; the coupling of CI currents from rails to track circuit receivers; and field measurements of multicar CI. The result of this program is a complete model of CI that relates CI characteristics of single isolated cars to those of an actual system with multicar trains. Implications of the model for system design are discussed.