cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Point Sources in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe Sky Maps

We discuss point-source foregrounds for the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) experiment. We consider several possible strategies for removing them and we assess how the statistics of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) signal are affected by the residual sources. Assuming a power-law distribution for the point sources, we propose a method aimed at determining the slope of the distribution from the analysis of the moments of the observed maps. The same method allows for a determination of the underlying CMB variance. We conclude that the best strategy for finding point sources is the simultaneous thresholding of the filtered map at all frequencies, with a relatively low threshold. With this strategy, we expect to find 70% (95%) of the sources above 3 (4) σ. Assuming the most conservative case for point-source detection, the recovered slope of the point-source distribution is 2.55 ± 0.15, for a fiducial n = 2.5 value. The recovered CMB plus noise map variance is within 0.2% from the real one, with a standard deviation of 0.31%, while cosmic variance contributes 2.2% to the same CMB plus noise map.
Androgen activity and markers of inflammation among men in NHANES III.

Objectives Inflammation contributes to chronic diseases. Lower serum testosterone among men is associated with less inflammation, yet immune defense is thought to trade-off against reproduction with androgens adversely affecting immune function. Anti-androgens are effective at castrate levels of serum testosterone, suggesting serum testosterone may not capture all androgen activity. The association of two androgen biomarkers with key markers of inflammation was examined. Methods The adjusted association of serum testosterone and androstanediol glucuronide with C-reactive protein, white blood cell, granulocyte and lymphocyte count, fibrinogen, and hemoglobin, as a control outcome because testosterone administration raises hemoglobin, were examined in a nationally representative sample of 1,490 US men from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III phase 1 (1988–1991) using multivariable linear regression. Results Serum testosterone and androstanediol glucuronide were weakly correlated (0.13). Serum testosterone was associated with lower white blood cell count [−0.26 × 10−9 per standard deviation, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.37 to −0.14] and granulocyte count (−0.21 × 10−9, 95% CI −0.29 to −0.13) but not with hemoglobin (0.02 g/l, 95% CI −0.89 to 0.92), adjusted for age, education, race/ethnicity, smoking, and alcohol. Similarly adjusted, androstanediol glucuronide was not associated with white blood cell count (0.10 × 10−9, 95% CI −0.05 to −0.25), granulocyte count (0.12 × 10−9, 95% CI −0.02 to 0.25), or fibrinogen (0.05 g/l, 95% CI −0.004 to 0.11), but was with hemoglobin (0.70 g/l, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.32). Conclusions Different androgen biomarkers had different associations with inflammatory markers, highlighting the need to consider several androgen biomarkers. The possibility remains that androgens may generate inflammatory processes with implications for chronic diseases. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 25:622–628, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sub-Micron Large Motion Multi-Robot Planar Motion System or ROBOTWORLD — The Next Generation

A table-top sub-micron large motion high Performance modular manufacturing system is discussed using several improvements to commercial Sawyer planar motor technology. Commercial planar Sawyer motors provide uniform Performance over their entire workspace, offering fairly high speeds, accelerations, accuracy and resolution. They also offer mechanical and kinematic simplicity, modularity, large motion ranges, and a short path to mechanical ground. On the other hand, primarily because they are operated as open-loop step motors, they can miss steps, have long settling times, and fall short of their potential capabilities. These short Comings are overcome and the system is improved by: (i) A novel very high resolution (0.4 Jim) Sawyer planar sensor which can be used for electronic commutation and closed-loop control. (ii) Improved accuracy by thermal deformation compensation. (iii) Motor speed and force improvement by a new composite structure. (iv) Motion extension to 6 degrees-of-freedom using the same planar motor technology with a simple modular parallel manipulator configuration.
15 – Summary and conclusions

Publisher Summary The most successful private practices depend, not surprisingly, upon good interrelationships with referral sources, patients and their families, and with colleagues in other practices or settings. Although it is not possible to agree with everyone at every moment, if one is competent, fair, and generous in approach to others, one finds that opportunities for work will return in multiplicative fashion. Mutual best interest is a valuable goal in any setting, and private practice is no exception. One needs to determine what outcomes, goals, procedures, and processes are in best interest for every facet of a business. At the same time, one must remember that an important part of one's best interest is ensuring that others are being treated fairly, as well. These include patients, referral sources, colleagues, employees, family, and oneself. One must speak to possible referral sources, to neuropsychologists within institutions, and learn with what populations it might make most sense to begin.
A Specific Inhibitory Pathway between Substantia Gelatinosa Neurons Receiving Direct C-Fiber Input

The spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) is a major termination region for unmyelinated (C) primary afferent fibers; however, how the input it receives from these sensory fibers is processed by SG neurons remains primarily a matter of conjecture. To gain insight on connections and functional interactions between intrinsic SG neurons, simultaneous tight-seal, whole-cell recordings were made from pairs of neurons in rat spinal cord slices to examine whether impulses in one cell generated synaptic activity in the other. Most SG neuron pairs sampled lacked synaptic interaction. Those showing a linkage included a recurring pattern consisting of a monosynaptic, bicuculline-sensitive inhibitory connection from an islet cell to a transient central neuron, each of which received direct excitatory input from different afferent C-fibers. This newly defined inhibitory circuit is postulated to represent a SG neural module by which a nociceptive C-fiber input to transient central cells is modified by other C-fiber messages.
Dependence of Ypt1 and Sec4 membrane attachment on Bet2.

MANY small GTP-binding proteins are synthesized as soluble proteins that are post-translationally modified as a prerequisite for membrane attachment1. Ypt1 and Sec4 are homologous Ras-like GTP-binding proteins that have been proposed to regulate the specificity of vesicular traffic at different stages of the secretory pathway by cycling on and off membranes2–6. Here we show that BET2, initially identified as a gene required for transport from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus in yeast7, encodes a factor that is needed for the membrane attachment of Ypt1 and Sec4. DNA sequence analysis has revealed that Bet2 is homologous to Dpr1 (Ram1), an essential component of a protein prenyl-transferase that modifies Ras8, enabling it to attach to membranes9,10. We propose that Bet2 modifies Ypt1 and Sec4 in an analogous manner.
Differences between managers and line employees in a quality management environment

Quality management (QM) literature has consistently failed to distinguish between managers and line employees when it comes to implementing QM tools and techniques. However, managers and line employees vary considerably on several key individual characteristics. Thus, it is logical to expect that they will react differently to QM implementations. The research reported here shows that managers differ in their equity sensitivity, organizational citizenship behavior, and growth needs strength. Additionally, these differences are shown to impact the way each group perceives QM practices. Findings indicate that managers and line employees perceive that QM practices affect organizational culture and organizational outcomes differently.
Pharmacological studies of the optic system of the chick: Effect of γ-aminobutyric acid and pentobarbital

Abstract The optic system of the young chick was selected for the present studies because endogenous γABA levels can be elevated in the optic tectum by parenteral administration of solutions of this compound. The results obtained have shown that intravenously administered γABA can alter the electrical activity of the optic system at both the retinal and tectal levels. The action of γABA upon the electroretinogram (ERG) which has not been previously described in any species, modified the electrical activity of the eye in a manner seemingly different from that reported for other substances tested in various species On the basis of the present results, it is suggested that γABA acts as an inhibitor of neural control of retinal activity. The effect of pentobarbital was also studied. Its effect upon the behavior of the avian optic system is similar to that observed for this drug in the mammalian cortex and on the ERG of a variety of species, including man. The effect of pentobarbital upon the ERG, correlated with anatomical features of the avian optic system, suggests an action mediated through centrifugal nerves, possibly the isthmo-optic tract which arises from a caudal midbrain nucleus—the isthmo-opticus. The data further seem to support the view that this centrifugal system is inhibitory and may be associated with adaptation to the dark. Results of these experiments with pentobarbital and γABA alone or in combination, together with the similarity of action of pentobarbital upon the electrical activity of the avian tectum and mammalian cortex, led to the suggestion that γABA exerts its action in the avian tectum at the presynaptic level. These studies indicate that the optic system of the chick can serve as a useful and subtle tool for neuropharmacological studies in general.
Alternative Approach to the Surgical Management of Congenital Tracheal Stenosis

Congenital tracheal stenosis is a serious disease associated with high operative mortality and morbidity, especially in the newborn period. Its surgical management involves either sliding tracheoplasty, which is associated with extensive dissection and recurrent stenosis, or with pericardial patch tracheoplasty that fails to address recoiling of the stenotic complete ring and collapse of the patch into the tracheal lumen. We report a modification of the latter technique, in which a half ring external stenting device is used to keep the rings from recoiling.
An Algorithm for Optimal NAND Cascade Logic Synthesis

This paper is concerned with optimal synthesis of switching logic by a limited depth tree-like network, the NAND cascade. This cascade consists of a number of complete three-level, fan-in restricted NAND trees feeding a NAND collector. The goal of the proposed synthesis is to minimize the number of NAND trees of the cascade, which in turn will minimize its overall depth, i.e., the delay time of the cascade.
Combustion characteristics of a solid propellant with a charring binder

A brief investigation of the combustion characteristics of a solid propellant containing a binder which chars, as opposed to melting or volatizing, has been made. The burning rate of the propellant with the charring binder was significantly higher than similar propellants containing non-charring binders. High speed motion pictures of the burning propellant showed that the aluminum burned on the regressing surface, rather than a short distance from it as is typical with composite propellants.
Plausible assumptions, questionable assumptions and post hoc rationalizations: Will the real IAT, please stand up?

In a recent article, we described psychometric limitations to the Implicit Association Test (IAT). These limitations restrict the utility of this measure and render it problematic for testing many psychological theories that posit a causal role for implicit attitudes. Past failures to recognize this may have promoted faulty conclusions in the literature. In a critique of our article, Nosek and Sriram rejected our entire analysis. They asserted that our original article was based on faulty assumptions and argued that the IAT performs nicely when these assumptions are replaced by other, more plausible assumptions. We show that these plausible assumptions have all the hallmarks of post hoc rationalizations. They make little theoretical sense, are buttressed by deceptive statistical practices, contradict statements these same researchers have made in the past and do little to advance research and theory on implicit attitudes. We close by considering the vigor with which IAT researchers have dismissed meaningful criticisms of their measure.
The 7th World Congress on Itch

All aspects of the field of itch, from basic science to quality of life to therapeutics, are moving rapidly. Attendees are already looking forward to the next congress in Nara, Japan, in the fall of 2015.
Post-buckling response of isotropic and laminated composite square plates with circular holes

Abstract In this paper, the authors emphasize the well-known anomalous behavior observed in buckling of square plates with centrally located cut-outs. For certain size holes and depending upon whether the loading is displacement or stress controlled, perforated square plates have higher buckling loads than equivalent solid plates. Because of this anomaly, the authors have examined the post-buckling response of such plates of both isotropic and laminated composite construction. Having concluded from their post-buckling response that such plates are imperfection-insensitive except for a slight loss of their post-buckling strength resulting from the presence of the hole, the authors go on to examine the possible weight savings in using perforated square plates to resist buckling.
A Method of Pepper Plant Modeling and Animation Set-Up in Autodesk Maya

Virtual crop models and animation make great significances to agricultural researches. But to recreate the structure and dynamic is often a hard and laborious task. Most existing plant-modeling systems require the user to have specific biological knowledge about plants, but its often the 3D artists who do the work. This paper discusses a method of plant modeling and rigging in Maya, which has already been familiar to 3D artists and has advantages in industrial production pipelines. The method takes pepper plant for example, dividing the problem into organs and the growth patterns, and using Maya modeling and animating system to simulate the topological structure and growth dynamic. It set up the geometry with controls which are easy to use. The result can be conveniently exported to projects. This approach helps prepare the research of variety plant modeling and animation plug-in for Maya.
Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) observations of rotational tunneling within partially deuterated methane monolayers adsorbed on MgO(1 0 0) surfaces

Abstract High resolution inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements of the low temperature (T ∼ 2.0 K) rotational dynamics of isotopically substituted methane monolayers adsorbed on MgO(1 0 0) are presented. These spectra, obtained using BASIS at SNS, represent the most detailed measurements available for surface-adsorbed monolayer films of methane. Distinct excitations are readily observed at 15, 31, 45 and 127 μeV for the CH2D2 on MgO monolayer and at 40, 51, 95 and 138 μeV for CH3D/MgO. These features are attributed to tunneling transitions between sublevels within the ground librational state and are interpreted using the pocket state (PS) formalism first proposed by Huller. This theoretical analysis employs the findings of earlier studies of CH4 on MgO(1 0 0) which suggest that molecules adsorb with their C2v axes normal to the surface plane. The comparison between theory and experiment provides direct insight into the impact of molecular versus surface symmetry on the observed tunneling spectra.
Management of pretem labor with continuous subcutaneous home terbutaline therapy

Prematurity is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns. This article de scribes the use ofterbutaline via continuous subcutaneous infusion in the home setting to prevent premature birt...
Effects of Dietary Lipids on Fatty Acid Composition of Channel Catfish Fry

Abstract Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) fry were reared in flow-through troughs and circular tanks on practical diets supplemented with fish oil, soybean oil, or beef tallow. A control diet was also utilized which contained beef tallow at a reduced level. Fry reared on the fish oil diet increased in weight significantly more than fish fed the soybean oil and control diets. Survival was relatively poor because of water quality problems. Fry reared on the beef tallow diet exhibited poor growth and survival due to an Ichthyophthirius multifilis infestation and generally poor fish condition. Proximate analyses showed that body compositions among the four treatment groups were similar. In general, fatty acid compositions of the fry reflected dietary levels. Fry fed the fish oil diet contained high levels of linolenic family fatty acids, while fry reared on the soybean oil diet showed high carcass levels of linoleic family fatty acids. Fry reared on the beef tallow and control diets were intermediate in ...
Distribution and regulation of expression of serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 in the rat kidney

The serum- and glucocorticoid-induced kinase-1 (sgk1) increases the activity of a number of epithelial ion channels and transporters. The present study examines the distribution and subcellular localization of sgk1 protein in the rat kidney and the regulation of levels of expression induced by steroids. The results indicate that the kidney expresses predominantly the sgk1 isoform with a distribution restricted to the thick ascending limb of Henle, distal convoluted, connecting and cortical collecting tubules. Within cells, sgk1 strongly associates with the microsomal fraction of homogenates and it colocalizes with the Na+,K+-ATPase to the basolateral membrane. Analysis of the levels of expression of sgk1 by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry indicates constitutive high expression under basal conditions. Approximately half of the basal level is maintained by glucocorticoids whereas physiological fluctuations of aldosterone produce minor changes in sgk1 abundance in adrenal-intact animals. These results do not support the notion that physiological changes of aldosterone concentration turn the expression of sgk1 'on and off' in the mammalian kidney. Additionally, localization of sgk1 to the basolateral membrane indicates that the effects mediated by sgk1 do not require a direct interaction with the ion channels and transporters whose activity is modulated, since most of these proteins are located in the apical membrane of renal epithelial cells.
The effect of hyperbaric oxygen on nitric oxide synthase and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in ischemia reperfusion injury

Abstract Introduction: Previous work demonstrates that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) decreases ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury by blocking CD18 polarization thus inhibiting neutrophil adhesion. The effects of HBO are via a nitric oxide (NO) mechanism which is nitric oxide synthase (NOS) dependent. Recent studies show NOS activity to be stimulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study was performed to determine whether HBO causes upregulation of NOS isoforms and/or VEGF. Methods: A gracilis flap was raised in 4 groups of Wistar rats: SHAM, SHAM-HBO treated with 100% oxygen at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes, IR (4 hrs of ischemia) and IR-HBO (4 hrs ischemia + HBO during the last 90 min. of ischemia). After 30 min. reperfusion, samples were harvested from the gracilis muscle, rectus femoris muscle, aorta and pulmonary vessels. Rt-PCR was performed to detect iNOS, eNOS, nNOS and VEGF mRNA. Results: There was no significant difference in mRNA expression of the NOS isoforms between treatment groups or tissues. Expression of VEGF mRNA in gracilis muscle of the IR-HBO group was increased 156% vs SHAM and 82% vs IR (P Conclusions: HBO significantly increases VEGF expression but does not upregulate NOS. Since it is known that HBO’s effect on IR-induced PMN CD18 polarization is NOS dependent, we are currently studying whether HBO increases NOS activity to further elucidate the role of VEGF in this pathway.
Vortex Shedding From Smooth Cylinders and Stranded Cables

This technical brief reports the results of some initial experiments concerned with the effects of cable stranding on the vortex shedding frequency and the effects of transverse vibrations on the vortex formation behind cables. Measurements were made at Reynolds numbers 240 and 500 in the transition and irregular ranges of vortex shedding, for five bodies; a smooth circular cylinder and four cable models with different stranding characteristics.
Measurement of a counter rotation propeller flowfield using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter

This paper is a summary of the results of the experimental investigation of the flow field about a counter-rotating propeller (CRP) system using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV). The number of configurations available for the CRP system is limitless, thus only a small portion of the number of possible cases were examined. Measurements were made upstream, in between and downstream of the propeller system. The abundance of data readily available from the LDV system clearly identifies the tip vortices and wake regions. The recovery by the downstream propeller of the swirl velocity imparted to the flow by the upstream propeller is very evident. The coefficients of thrust and power were determined using momentum and energy analysis of the data and compared to theory.
The hydroxyproline of elastin.

Abstract The question of whether the hydroxyproline found in elastin represents contamination with collagen was studied by subjecting solubilized elastin (α- plus β-elastin) to prolonged collagenase digestion. No loss of hydroxyproline was seen, and it is concluded that hydroxyproline is indeed a constituent of elastin in which it occurs in a collagenase-resistant sequence. The origin of this elastin hydroxyproline was studied by comparing the rate of incorporation of [14C]proline and hydroxy-[14C]proline into hydroxyproline of dermal and aortic collagen and aortic elastin. As has been repeatedly demonstrated for collagen, it was found that proline is a far better precursor of elastin hydroxyproline than is hydroxyproline itself. Both proteins incorporated a small amount of labeled hydroxyproline directly.
Superoxide dismutase in an animal model of otitis media

Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a metalloprotein that catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion into O2 − and H202, and therefore functions to maintain a low intracellular concentration of an otherwise toxic metabolite of oxygen. SOD protects living tissue from the destructive effects of free radicals. Increasing evidence implicates free radicals, including the superoxide radical (O2 −), in the pathogenesis of disease, including otitis media. In an effort to elucidate the role free radicals play in the pathogenesis of otitis media, SOD was localized immunocytochemically to determine its cellular distribution in specimens of guinea pig middle ear. In normal ears, SOD was found concentrated in the epithelium of the middle ear mucosa. Low quantities were characteristic of connective tissue, bone, and cartilage. In streptococcus-infected ears, SOD localized similarly, concentrating in the epithelium. The infected ears had extensive submucosal edema which stained poorly and appeared to have less SOD than did normal ears. This was confirmed by an assay using laser densitometry of Western blots to quantify the amount of SOD in the mucosa of normal versus infected middle ears. This demonstrated a value of SOD in normal mucosa of 1.77 ± 0.48 μg/mg of protein compared with 1.02 ± 0.28 μg/mg in the infected mucosa. The two groups were significantly different at P < 0.05. These findings are discussed, and suggestions for future experimentation addressed.
A finite element comparison between short and long cracks within a plastic zone due to a notch

Abstract This paper considers the finite element characteristics of a crack growing within an area affected by a small notch. It is a continuation of an investigation leading from the development of a finite element program which considers elastic-viscoplastic constitutive relations to the actual features present in modelling a crack growth within a specimen. A final paper actually compares given parameters developed within this paper with experimental findings. The material considered is IN 718 at a temperature of 1200°F. A compact tension with a blunt notch is the specimen eventually tested. The findings relate to the most effective technique for allowing the crack to grow within a specimen. A trace is carried out on stress and strain functions as the crack grows with a consideration of the closure phenomenon. Parameters such as the J range, COD, maximum stress and strain range, stress intensity, and effective stress intensity range are shown to be potential candidates for crack growth as short and long cracks are compared.
A structurational analysis of how course management systems are used in practice

An understanding of the role of e-learning needs to be accompanied by a realisation of the variety of social dimensions in the innovation process. As most studies in this domain are typically context-independent, this research, building on structuration theory, seeks to investigate different interpretations and uses of course management systems (CMSs) in an academic context. For the purpose of this research, a case study has been conducted on the introduction of a CMS in a higher education institution. Findings from this empirical study have been drawn on to illuminate how this system is employed in disparate manners by different groups of academics and what are the reasons behind this discrepancy. The study also demonstrates that the practice lens (Orlikowski, W.J., 2000. Using technology and constituting structures: a practice lens for studying technology in organizations. Organization Science, 11 (4), 404-428), viewing the use of technology as a process of enactment, presents a useful insight for explanation and synthesis of the variations in usage patterns.
Cloning of genes encoding colicin E2 in Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis and evaluation of the colicin-producing transformants as inhibitors of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during milk fermentation

Colicin E2 (ColE2) is a proteinaceous bacterial toxin produced by some strains of Escherichia coli and other members of the Enterobacteriaceae that exhibits inhibitory activity against some strains of E. coli O157:H7. A 2.0-kb DNA fragment, containing the ColE2 structural gene ceaB and immunity gene ceiB from E. coli NCTC 50133 (pColE2-P9), was cloned into the lactococcal plasmid vector pNZ2103. The lysis gene, celB, was not cloned. The plasmid, pLR-E2, encoding the cloned genes was transformed into E. coli DH5α and Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis LM0230 and PN-1 using electroporation. The bacteriocin ColE2 was expressed in transformants of both E. coli and L. lactis ssp. lactis. Secretion of ColE2 into media was verified by spot-on-lawn assays and measurement of ColE2 activity in the growth medium of transformants. The level of ColE2 produced by transformants containing pLR-E2 was similar to that produced by the parental strain, E. coli NCTC 50133 (pColE2-P9). Evaluation of a ColE2-producing transformant of L. lactis ssp. lactis as a starter culture revealed that, although ColE2 was produced by transformants and could be detected in milk during fermentation, the inhibitory activity of ColE2 against E. coli O157:H7 was significantly decreased in milk compared with buffered growth medium.
Experimental Demonstration of Hopfield Neural Network using DNA molecules

DNA Computing is a rapidly-developing interdisciplinary area which could benefit from more experimental results to solve problems with the current biological tools. In this study, we have integrated microelectronics and molecular biology techniques for showing the feasibility of Hopfield Neural Network using DNA molecules. Adleman’s seminal paper in 1994 showed that DNA strands using specific molecular reactions can be used to solve the Hamiltonian Path Problem. This accomplishment opened the way for possibilities of massively parallel processing power, remarkable energy efficiency and compact data storage ability with DNA. However, in various studies, small departures from the ideal selectivity of DNA hybridization lead to significant undesired pairings of strands and that leads to difficulties in schemes for implementing large Boolean functions using DNA. Therefore, these error prone reactions in the Boolean architecture of the first DNA computers will benefit from fault tolerance or error correction methods and these methods would be essential for large scale applications. In this study, we demonstrate the operation of six dimensional Hopfield associative memory storing various memories as an archetype fault tolerant neural network implemented using DNA molecular reactions. The response of the network suggests that the protocols could be scaled to a network of significantly larger dimensions. In addition the results are read on a Silicon CMOS platform exploiting the semiconductor processing knowledge for fast and accurate hybridization rates.
Eigensolution of finite element problems in a completely connected parallel architecture

A parallel algorithm for the solution of the generalized eigenproblem in linear elastic finite element analysis, (K)(phi)=(M)(phi)(omega), where (K) and (M) are of order N, and (omega) is of order q is presented. The parallel algorithm is based on a completely connected parallel architecture in which each processor is allowed to communicate with all other processors. The algorithm has been successfully implemented on a tightly coupled multiple-instruction-multiple-data (MIMD) parallel processing computer, Cray X-MP. A finite element model is divided into m domains each of which is assumed to process n elements. Each domain is then assigned to a processor, or to a logical processor (task) if the number of domains exceeds the number of physical processors. The macro-tasking library routines are used in mapping each domain to a user task. Computational speed-up and efficiency are used to determine the effectiveness of the algorithm. The effect of the number of domains, the number of degrees-of-freedom located along the global fronts and the dimension of the subspace on the performance of the algorithm are investigated. For a 64-element rectangular plate, speed-ups of 1.86, 3.13, 3.18 and 3.61 are achieved on two, four, six and eight processors, respectively.
Comparison of Two Distributed Fuzzy Logic Controllers for Two-Link Rigid-Flexible Manipulator

Fuzzy logic control presents a computationally efficient and robust alternative to conventional controllers. While experts can easily design fuzzy logic controllers (FLC’s) for many applications, some systems such as multi-link flexible manipulators, which have many variables and complex behavior, offer challenges to fuzzy logic control. An earlier work, [1], presented two distributed FLC’s for a single-link flexible manipulator. This paper extends that work to the area of two-link rigid-flexible manipulator that moves in a vertical plane where the gravity field is active. The first distributed structure, which is based on observing the performance of the manipulator, uses three PD-like FLC’s. The first two FLC’s control joint angles and joint angular velocities while the third controls the tip vibration. The second distributed structure is based on evaluating the importance degrees of the system output variables of the system by randomly varying its inputs. Variables with the same rank of the importance degree are grouped together and variables with less importance degrees may be deleted to simplify the design of the controller. The fuzzy rules of FLC’s in the two structures are selected to mimic the performance of comparable linear controllers. The parameters in both structures are tuned using nonlinear programming to obtain better performance. The two distributed structures are simulated and compared.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Factors associated with partner violence among female alcoholic patients and their male partners.

Objective: This study described the extent of partner violence victimization and perpetration among married or cohabiting female alcoholic patients and the factors associated with it. Method: Male-to-female and female-to-male physical partner violence were examined for 103 female alcoholic patients seeking couples-based outpatient alcoholism treatment. Partner violent (PV) and nonpartner violent (NPV) groups were compared on hypothesized risk factors. Results: In the year before treatment, about two thirds of the women were victimized by their male partners, and a similar proportion engaged in violence toward their male partners. Severe violence also was high, with 22% victimization and 50% perpetration prevalence. Women committed more violent acts overall and were more likely to commit severely violent acts than the men in these couples. Risk factors for PV in both the victimization and perpetration models were as predicted: less education, lower income, greater relationship problems, stronger beliefs in...
A Cost-Oriented Approach to Stochastic Line Balancing1

Abstract This paper presents a new heuristic for balancing paced assembly lines involving tasks which exhibit significant time variations. Labor and incompletion costs are explicitly considered in grouping tasks into work assignments to achieve a near minimum cost line design. The procedure is computationally attractive because its calculations are comparably efficient to those of heuristics which consider task times deterministically.
Photic entrainment of circadian rhythms by illumination of implanted brain tissues in the cockroach Blaberus craniifer

Abstract The locomotor activity rhythms of ‘blinded’ Blaberus craniifer adults receiving transplants of either an entire brain or both optic lobes of a donor B. craniifer were studied in contrast to the activity rhythms of surgical control and untreated insects. When the implants were located in the abdomen of a ‘host’ insect beneath a small glass ‘window’ and exposed to a 12L : 12D photoperiod entrainment occurred and the activity of such ‘host’ insects receiving either type of implant was comparable to that of control insects. The results provide some substantiating evidence that locomotor activity rhythms may be controlled by a hormonal clock.
Transient and sustained components of the pupil response evoked by achromatic spatial patterns

The present study provides new clues about visual processes underlying the human pupillary responses evoked by achromatic spatial patterns. The pupillary responses can be modeled as a combination of two processes, a temporally transient process which saturates with increasing contrast and a temporally sustained process which varies linearly with increasing grating contrast. The transient process has low-pass, whereas the sustained process has a middle band-pass spatial filter characteristic. The results support the hypothesis that the visual input to the pupillomotor nuclei is composed of phasic and tonic visual neurons that are functionally similar to those in the magno (M)- and parvo (P)- cellular layers in the lateral geniculate nucleus.
Learning effective dispatching rules for batch processor scheduling

Batch processor scheduling, where machines can process multiple jobs simultaneously, is frequently harder than its unit-capacity counterpart because an effective scheduling procedure must not only decide how to group the individual jobs into batches, but also determine the sequence in which the batches are to be processed. We extend a previously developed genetic learning approach to automatically discover effective dispatching policies for several batch scheduling environments, and show that these rules yield good system performance. Computational results show the competitiveness of the learned rules with existing rules for different performance measures. The autonomous learning approach addresses a growing practical need for rapidly developing effective dispatching rules for these environments by automating the discovery of effective job dispatching procedures.
Altruism in the “market” for giving and receiving: A case of higher education

Abstract This paper examines donations to colleges as the outcome of the simultaneous solution of supply and demand functions. Donors demand attention and prestige supplied by college fund raisers. Colleges maximize donations; donors maximize recipient services. To test this model, cross section data were obtained from 13 private colleges. Besides the price variable, the amount of donations per donor, independent variables included number of donors and percent of large gifts, on the demand side. On the supply side, other independent variables included endowment per student, research expenditures, solicitation success rate, and a prestige variable. Equations were estimated with two and three stage least squares techniques.
Diurnal Changes in Paraventricular Hypothalamic α1 and α2-Adrenoceptors and Food Intake in Rats

The prominent feeding rhythm evident in rats may reflect circadian variation in activity of feeding-relevant adrenoceptors within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In the present study, separate groups of rats were sacrificed at six time points (ZT0, ZT4, ZT8, ZT12, ZT16, ZT20) over a diurnal cycle. Food intakes were recorded during the 4-h period prior to sacrifice in each group. Brain sections were incubated with either an α1-adrenoceptor ligand (3H)-prazosin [(3H)-PRZ] or an α2-adrenoceptor ligand (3H) para-aminoclonidine [(3H)-PAC] prior to autoradiography analyses. Binding of (3H)-PRZ within the PVN varied as a function of the diurnal cycle, with significantly greater binding evident during the light phase of ZT0 (first 4 h of the light phase) and at ZT4, compared to nadir binding during the dark phase at ZT16 (first 4 h of the dark phase). Binding of (3H)-PAC within the PVN also varied as a function of the diurnal cycle, with significantly greater binding evident during the first 8 h of the dark phase (ZT16 and ZT20) than during the light phase. Food intake and α1-adrenergic binding were inversely related across the diurnal cycle. These results support the hypothesis that PVN adrenergic systems may be organized in an antagonistic fashion so as to modulate feeding in the rat.
Weightism, Racism, Classism, and Sexism: Shared Forms of Harassment in Adolescents

Abstract Purpose To document the prevalence of harassment on the basis of weight, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, as well as sexual harassment, among a diverse population of adolescents. Specifically, this study examined rates of each type of harassment reported across groups within the corresponding sociodemographic category (e.g., racial/ethnic category differences in prevalence of racial harassment), and also explored patterns of "cross-harassment" (i.e., differences in prevalence of each harassment type across all other sociodemographic characteristics). Methods We used data from Project Eating and Activity in Teens 2010 for the study. The sample was composed of 2,793 adolescents (53% female; 81% nonwhite). We conducted regression analyses to yield prevalence estimates of each type of harassment in each demographic and body mass index category. Results Weight- and race-based harassment (35.3% and 35.2%, respectively) was most prevalent, followed by sexual harassment (25.0%) and socioeconomic status–based harassment (16.1%). Overweight and obese adolescents reported disproportionately higher rates of all forms of harassment than did normal-weight and underweight adolescents. In addition, Asian and mixed-/other race adolescents were more vulnerable to harassment overall compared with those from other racial/ethnic groups. Conclusions Harassment experiences are prevalent among adolescent boys and girls. Differential rates of each type of harassment are reported across groups within the corresponding sociodemographic category, but a pattern of cross-harassment also is evident, such that differences in prevalence of each type of harassment emerge across a variety of sociodemographic characteristics. Adolescents from various intersecting sociodemographic and weight-status groups are particularly vulnerable to certain types of harassment.
The Search for Meaning in Political-Administrative Relations in Local Government

Abstract Local government provides a useful setting for examining political-administrative relations. In an examination of roles and relationships beginning in the 1980s, my interpretation of the nature of interaction between elected officials and administrators shifted from a partial endorsement of the dichotomy model to a demonstration that both sets of officials have extensive interactions, are interdependent, and have reciprocal influence. There is evidence that public administration scholars in the United States from the beginning recognized and advocated this kind of interaction. It is useful to analyze political-administrative relations in terms of a model of complementarity in which two distinct and partially separated sets of officials come together to shape the governmental process.
Medieval origins of constitutional government in the West

This survey of the political history of nonwestern countries has shown that Russia, Japan, and China never developed the levels of constitutional government found in late medieval Europe. Three of the four social origins of constitutionalism in the West, rough balance between crown and noble, contractual-feudal military organization, and lordpeasant dynamics have been largely absent from these countries. Nor has any other substantial source (such as religion or economic organization) been uncovered that compensated for these absences or which otherwise fostered constitutionalism. Consequently, the major institutes of medieval constitutionalism, rural local government, autonomous towns, estates, and the rule of law, have also been largely absent. Village government, on the other hand, which was fostered in the West by the continuance of Germanic peasant organization and by the commune movement of the medieval period, has been found to be quite ubiquitous outside Europe. Village government existed — and in vital forms — in all three nonwestern regions, but always dwarfed by the power of authoritarian organs of the surrounding state structures. Thus, village government in and of itself lacked constitutional significance unless it was able to fuse with other, stronger constitutional institutions as it did in the West.
Inversion Rise Model Based on Penetrative Convection

Abstract A mathematical model to describe the height changes and other characteristics of an inversion base under the influence of surface convection and general subsidence is developed. Inversion interface dynamics and entrainment rates are formulated based on an unstable boundary layer environment of well-organized, plume-like, penetrative convection. The use of unstable boundary layer scaling velocities in describing the convection leads to a natural inclusion of the relevant parameters associated with inversions into this model. It is found that the model does accurately predict realistic rates of inversion rise and of temperature changes for conditions where organized free convection is prevalent.
Impairment of afferent arteriolar myogenic responsiveness in the galactose-fed rat is prevented by tolrestat.

By permitting the separation of increased aldose reductase activity from hyperglycaemia and insulin deficiency, galactose-fed rats have constituted a useful model for investigating diabetic complications. Such rats manifest an impaired afferent arteriolar responsiveness to pressure similar to that of rats 4 to 6 weeks after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. In the present study, we investigated whether treatment of galactose-fed rats with the aldose reductase inhibitor tolrestat prevents this autoregulatory defect and whether the blunted afferent arteriolar responsiveness to pressure is associated with impaired responsiveness to angiotensin II. Pressure-induced vasoconstriction of afferent arterioles was assessed in kidneys made hydronephrotic to allow direct visualization of renal microvessels by computer-assisted image processing. Vessel diameters were quantitated following stepwise increments of renal perfusion pressure (RAP; from 80 to 180 mm Hg) in kidneys of control rats and rats fed a diet for 2 weeks with 50% galactose with or without tolrestat. Subsequent to the pressure studies, angiotensin II (0.3 nmol/l) was added to the perfusate, and vessel diameters were reassessed. Control rats exhibited progressive afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction when RAP was increased from 80 to 180mm Hg (−17.2±1.0%; p<0.001). In contrast, myogenic responses to increases in pressure were absent in the arterioles of the galactose-fed rats (−4.1±1.9%; N.S.). Treatment with tolrestat completely prevented this impairment in afferent arteriolar responsiveness (−16.5±1.8%; p<0.001). The angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction did not differ between control rats and galactose-fed rats. We conclude that increased aldose reductase activity contributes to impaired renal autoregulation in galactose-fed rats, a model of diabetic nephropathy, but is not involved in the loss of afferent arteriolar responsiveness to angiotensin II.
Quantitative geography: Revolution or counter-revolution?

Abstract There has been a crisis of the so-called “quantitative geography” for a few years. It is partly due to a poor use of mathematics, often presented for its own sake. There are also deeper reasons: refusal of rational formalization; and more emphasis on social and political studies. This paper tries to snow that a formal language (i.e., vocabulary and syntax) is necessary. Linguistics show how a language can be perverted by ideology into a myth. This has happened with traditional geography and is still present in some recent radical studies.
Investigating Energy Transfer in the Bacterial Reaction Center with 2D Electronic Spectroscopy

Two-dimensional electronic spectroscopy was employed on the reaction center from purple bacteria in order to resolve previously inseparable transitions and investigate timescales and mechanisms of energy transfer between the newly revealed states.