cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Landsat 7 processing on the EROS Data Center's National Land Archive Processing System (NLAPS)

Staff at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) EROS Data Center (EDC) process Landsat 7 data for customer distribution on two distinct systems. The Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) processing is done on the Level -1 Product Generation System (LPGS), and the USGS processing is completed on the National Land Archive Processing System (NLAPS). The NLAPS is capable of processing data from Landsat 1-5 and 7 and SPOT 1-3. The data can be processed with correction levels ranging from Level-0 raw data to terrain-corrected precision products in a variety of output formats. The NLAPS processing system requires that different ordering procedures be used for standard recipe versus special order processing, and it makes available many processing and framing options. The NLAPS draws on a ground control point library whose sources range from paper maps to textual descriptions and registered source imagery, such as digital orthophoto quadrangles. The accuracy of the final products will vary depending on the level of correction applied and the source of the ground control points used for the precision corrections. An accuracy assessment of the LPGS systematic product versus the NLAPS systematic product demonstrates that both systems provide the same geometric and radiometric accuracy in systematically corrected products.
A Bioassay for Thyroxine Based on Rat Kidney Transamidinase Activities

Kidneys removed from rats 6 weeks after thyroidectomy have been found to have low transamidinase activities which were similar to those found in kidneys from hypophysectomized rats. Injections of growth hormone into thyroidectomized rats or of thyroxine into hypophysectomized rats were without any effect on the low enzyme activities, whereas the injections of growth hormone into hypophysectomized rats or of thyroxine into thyroidectomized rats did have an effect on the low transamidinase activities. Thyroxine is concluded to have a concomitant or prerequisite role in the direct regulation of transamidinase activities by growth hormone. A bioassay for thyroxine based on the transamidinase activities of kidneys from thyroidectomized rats has been developed. (Endocrinology 87: 1237, 1970)
Role of local immunosuppression in murine fetoplacental listeriosis.

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that local immunoregulation may prevent rejection of the placenta by the mother. This local immunoregulation may also compromise the response to placental infection. Listeria monocytogenes infection in 121 pregnant mice and 1,050 fetoplacental units was examined and the kinetics of bacterial growth in various maternal and fetal tissues were determined. A subset of pregnant mice developed overwhelming placental listeria infections. Pregnancy did not impair the maternal immune response in the liver and spleen. Pregnant mice without placental infection had numbers of listeria equivalent to nonpregnant controls and mice immunized during pregnancy had significantly less listeria than nonimmunized controls. The secondary response in immunized pregnant mice had no effect on the development of placental infection and the histologic features of placental infection were distinct from those in other organs. Our data suggest that an ineffective local immune response may contribute to the pathogenicity of listeria for the placenta.
A redox-enzyme-based electrochemical biosensor with a CMOS integrated bipotentiostat

This paper presents an electrochemical biosensor featuring redox enzymes and a supporting CMOS bipotentiostat. The bipotentiostat architecture supports redox recycling through a common potential control unit and two readout channels where excitation signals can be inserted. The readout channel was characterized to have a dynamic range from 1 nA to 10 μΑ. A fructose sensor was created on a microfabricated interdigitated electrode array as an example redox-enzyme-based biosensor. Cyclic voltammogram measurements show a 27% increase in electrochemically magnified current due to redox recycling while measuring 200 mM fructose. Chronoamperometry experiments using the CMOS bipotentiostat agree well with a commercial bipotentiostat for fructose concentration from 50 mM to 400 mM.
Simulation estimation of mixed discrete choice models using randomized and scrambled Halton sequences

Abstract The use of simulation techniques has been increasing in recent years in the transportation and related fields to accommodate flexible and behaviorally realistic structures for analysis of decision processes. This paper proposes a randomized and scrambled version of the Halton sequence for use in simulation estimation of discrete choice models. The scrambling of the Halton sequence is motivated by the rapid deterioration of the standard Halton sequence’s coverage of the integration domain in high dimensions of integration. The randomization of the sequence is motivated from a need to statistically compute the simulation variance of model parameters. The resulting hybrid sequence combines the good coverage property of quasi-Monte Carlo sequences with the ease of estimating simulation error using traditional Monte Carlo methods. The paper develops an evaluation framework for assessing the performance of the traditional pseudo-random sequence, the standard Halton sequence, and the scrambled Halton sequence. The results of computational experiments indicate that the scrambled Halton sequence performs better than the standard Halton sequence and the traditional pseudo-random sequence for simulation estimation of models with high dimensionality of integration.
The death of justice theory is likely if theorists neglect the "wheels" already invented and the voices of the injustice victims.

Abstract In my reaction to Cropanzano et al.'s review of the justice literature, I highlight the need for justice researchers to: (1) stop neglecting the “wheels” (theory) already invented; and (2) start asking injustice victims where we next need to go. I also highlight where in the justice literature I see these actions are needed most acutely. In so doing, I highlight where I agree and disagree with points raised by Cropanzano et al. in their much-needed review. The review's substance, although helpful in summarizing the justice literature, does not push us to take actions that will keep justice theory alive and well.
Polysaccharides and sticky membrane surfaces: critical ionic effects

By measuring the adhesion (using Atomic Force Microscopy, AFM) between a series polymer substrates of different surface energies and an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) secreted by Pseudomonas atlantica, we show that the ionic strength of the aqueous solution critically determines their mutual adhesion. The results presented here demonstrate that, under physiological and marine conditions, critical surface tension correlates with adhesion, and that during synthetic membrane filtration with solutions containing biological molecules, such as polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids at relatively low ionic strength, wettability correlates inversely with adhesion (fouling).
Studies on the role of myosin light chain-LC2 in tension generation.

Abstract Myosin deficient in light chain LC 2 was prepared and tension generation by actomyosin-threads composed of skeletal muscle actin, myosin, and light chain-(LC 2 )-deficient myosin was measured. No difference was observed between myosin complexed with LC 2 , and myosin deficient in LC 2 , with respect to velocity of contraction and tension generation. These studies demonstrate that LC 2 has no specific role in the tension generated by actomyosin threads.
Improving the capacity of tire normal force via variable stiffness and damping suspension system

Abstract Tire normal force of a vehicle equipped with a variable stiffness and damping (VSVD) suspension system is studied via numerical simulation in this paper. The main purpose of the paper is to illustrate the effects of VSVD suspension system on the capacity of tire normal force. Firstly, a modified suspension system and its variable stiffness and damping characteristics are presented based on a conventional suspension system. With the application of adjustable suspension system in vehicle, the effects of equivalent stiffness of suspension system on vehicle performance are analyzed by the term of load transfer at tires when cornering. By using a reference model, a simple on/off control strategy is developed to improve normal forces at tires and a fuzzy control strategy to model Direct Yaw moment Control (DYC) based on yaw rate is also developed to show the required longitudinal force. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the important role of VSVD in improving tire normal force and then ameliorating vehicle lateral stability. It is shown from the results that the normal force at tires can be increased through the application of VSVD suspension system. It also indicates that DYC would be much efficient when implementing this system.
Novel quaternary ammoniumboronate salts as selective acylation catalysts

Abstract N-boronomethyltrialkylammonium salts were prepared via the reaction of trialkyl amines with α-halomethylboronates. These compounds were utilized as selective catalysts for acetylation of primary alcohols and aldehydes.
Sudden Death Associated with QT Interval Prolongation and KCNQ1 Gene Mutation in a Family of English Springer Spaniels

Background A 5-year-old, healthy English Springer Spaniel died suddenly 4 months after delivering a litter of 7 puppies. Within 4 months of the dam's death, 3 offspring also died suddenly. Hypothesis Abnormal cardiac repolarization, caused by an inherited long QT syndrome, is thought to be responsible for arrhythmias leading to sudden death in this family. Animals Four remaining dogs from the affected litter and 11 related dogs. Methods Physical examination and resting ECG were done on the littermates and 9 related dogs. Additional tests on some or all littermates included echocardiogram with Doppler, Holter monitoring, and routine serum biochemistry. Blood for DNA sequencing was obtained from all 15 dogs. Results Three of 4 littermates examined, but no other dogs, had prolonged QT intervals with unique T-wave morphology. DNA sequencing of the KCNQ1 gene identified a heterozygous single base pair mutation, unique to these 3 dogs, which changes a conserved amino acid from threonine to lysine and is predicted to change protein structure. Conclusions and Clinical Importance This family represents the first documentation in dogs of spontaneous familial QT prolongation, which was associated with a KCNQ1 gene mutation and sudden death. Although the final rhythm could not be documented in these dogs, their phenotypic manifestations of QT interval prolongation and abnormal ECG restitution suggested increased risk for sudden arrhythmic death. The KCNQ1 gene mutation identified is speculated to impair the cardiac repolarizing current IKs, similar to KCNQ1 mutations causing long QT syndrome 1 in humans.
Aerodynamic and vorticity erosion of Mars: Part II. Vortex features, related systems, and some possible global patterns of erosion

In Part I of this study, emphasis was placed on local and regional linear wind-erosion systems, particularly in the Tharsis and western Valles Marineris areas. In this, Part II, emphasis is placed on features interpreted to have developed or to have been enhanced by vorticity. Additional emphasis is placed upon correlations between character of topography and type of wind-eroded feature. Examples are: topography that causes vertical air movements promotes the development of centers of vorticity; thus, pits and craters are more abundant on top of and to the lee of plateau-like surfaces than on broad lowlands. In zones of strong confluence of air currents, such as the polar regions, large cyclic systems are developed, and they influence erosion over broad areas. Extremely high features such as the so-called volcanoes on Mars have caldera-like pits at their apices, within and around which there is abundant evidence of erosion by vorticity and interfacial-flow activity. Large centers of vorticity in these craters may also have created the low pressures necessary to establish the pressure gradients that are interpreted to have eroded the furrowed belt that nearly engirdles Mars. Comprehension of the relationship of furrowed landscape to centers of vorticity and other loci of low pressure permits development of data on both Martian wind patterns and on wind-erosion systems in general.
“Our father has won a great victory”: the authorship of Berenguela's account of the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, 1212

Scholars studying the letter of Berenguela to Blanche of Castile describing Alfonso VIII's victory at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa initially interpreted it within a familial context. The letter is a source for the battle of Las Navas, one that is not quite an eyewitness account, but one penned by the daughter of Alfonso VIII who, by her own testimony, had access to the king's letters reporting the victory. More recently, it has gained attention as an authentic female voice from the thirteenth century. Historians have used the letter not only for information about a notable battle, but also for insight into the women of the Castilian royal family, even though they noted anomalies in its format, its account of the battle, and in its choice of language. Close comparison of Berenguela's letter with the eyewitness accounts written by Alfonso VIII, Arnauld Amaury, and Rodrigo Jimenez de Rada highlight the verbal idiosyncrasies previous historians have noted. The letter's failure to conform to known medieva...
Physiological responses to variable environments: storage and respiration in starving rotifers

1. Zooplankton exist in environments where food availability varies greatly over time, and success depends in part on the ability to store resources when food is abundant and to conserve them when food is scarce. This paper reports on interspecific differences in the size of stored reserves, and in respiration rate during food deprivation, of four species of planktonic rotifers. 2. The size of reserves varied from 42 to 71% of initial (well-fed) body mass. Interspecific differences in reserve size explained some of the previously observed differences in starvation time. 3. The initial response of respiration rate to food deprivation was quite variable between species. Brachionus calyciflorus was the only species to conserve energy by decreasing respiration rate in response to food deprivation. In contrast, the respiration rate of starved Asplanchna priodonta increased, while that of A. silvestrii and Synchaeta pectinata did not change, during food deprivation. 4. Theory predicts that temporal variation in resource level may facilitate the coexistence of competing species. This theory depends upon trade-offs between traits that confer competitive success in different environments. Although rotifers show a trade-off between competitive ability and maximum population growth rate, we found no evidence for trade-offs between either of those two traits and the size of reserves.
Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma is a problem we need to tackle

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only curative therapy of HCC with underlying cirrhosis, but due to HCC metastasis and recurrence, its benefit is limited to a small population who meet the strict selection criteria. We previously reported that Licartin ([131I]mAb HAb18G/CD147) was safe and effective in treating HCC patients, and its antigen, HAb18G/CD147, was closely related to HCC invasion and metastasis. Here, we reported a randomized controlled trial to assess the post-OLT antirecurrence efficacy of Licartin in advanced HCC patients. We randomized 60 post-OLT patients with HCC, who were at tumor stage 3/4 and outside the Milan criteria before OLT, into 2 groups. Three weeks after OLT, the treatment group received 15.4 MBq/kg of Licartin, while the control group received placebo intravenously for 3 times with an interval of 28 days. At 1-year follow-up, the recurrence rate significantly decreased by 30.4% (P = 0.0174) and the survival rate increased by 20.6% (P = 0.0289) in the treatment group, compared with those in the control group. For the control group versus the treatment group, the hazard ratio for recurrence was 3.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.50–8.60) and that for death was 3.87 (95% CI, 1.23–12.21). Licartin treatment also resulted in an earlier decreased AFP level and a longer time of normal AFP level than placebo (P = 0.0016). No Licartin-related toxic effects were observed. Conclusion: Licartin is a promising drug for preventing post-OLT tumor recurrence in advanced HCC patients excluded by the currently strict criteria for OLT. HAb18G/CD147 can be a good drug target.
Extending ERD modeling notation to fuzzy management of GIS data files

Geographic information systems manage a wide variety of data. Some of these data are stored in traditional databases, but much more is not. We developed a model, based on the concept of aggregating data into sets, to manage a wide variety of diverse data formats as a single logical entity. Because it manages descriptive information (metadata) about sets rather than the data files themselves, this model will be able to accommodate new data formats as they are developed in the future. The model was initially annotated as an entity relation diagram. It was then extended with concepts from fuzzy set theory in order to deal with problems that occur when selecting among similar sets with overlapping data. The new fuzzy notations developed in this research are generally applicable to all entity relation data modeling and provide the basis for a new, more robust and descriptive type of modeling methodology.
Disorder-induced enhancement of the quantum size effects in quantum wires with a tunnel barrier.

In this paper, we report results of a theoretical study that demonstrates an unexpected effect of disorder on the conductance of quantum wires. It is known that disorder suppresses quantum size effects arising from the lateral confinements in the structure of the conductance. The presence of a tunnel barrier in ballistic wires also destroys the quantum size effects. However, in wires with a weak barrier, introduction of disorder can recover the suppressed quantum size effects. We present a qualitative explanation for this interesting result. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Growth Inhibition of Human Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells by Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1

AbstractPancreatic cancer is an extremely aggressive malignancy. The factors allowing human pancreatic cancer cells to escape normal growth constraints are not known. However, it has been proposed that certain cancer cells may obtain a growth advantage as the result of a lack of responsiveness to negative growth regulators such as transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). We now show that two established pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, COLO 357 and PANC-I, are sensitive to growth inhibition by TGF-β1. The growth of COLO 357 cells is inhibited by 50% when incubated in the presence of TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) under low serum conditions (0.5%). PANC-I cells are growth inhibited by 25% under the same conditions. In COLO 357 cells, but not PANC-I cells, TGF-β1 also causes a marked alteration in cell morphology. In both cell lines, TGF-β1 induces TGF-β1 mRNA levels in a time and dose-dependent manner. However, TGFβ1 does not increase the amount of TGF-β2 or TGF-β3 mRNA in these cells. In spite of its growth inhibito...
The crystal and molecular structure of a trifluoroacetylacetonate complex of scandium, Sc(CH 3 COCHCOCF 3 ) 3

The crystal and molecular structure of Sc(CH3COCHCOCF3)3 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes as pure mer-isomer in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with lattice parameters a=15.166(8) A, b=13.560(7) A, c=19.327(10) A, α=β=γ=90°, V=3974(4) A3, Z=8. The complex at 100 K is partially disordered in the crystal structure in an approximate 5:1 ratio with 83% fluorine population at C-11 and 17% at C-15. NMR data is compared to that previously reported.
Numerical Modeling of Chaotic Mixing in Electroosmotically Stirred Continuous Flow Mixers

We present numerical studies of particle dispersion and species mixing in a potential patterned straight microchannel. A continuous flow is generated by superposition of a steady pressure-driven flow and time-periodic electroosmotic flow induced by a stream-wise ac electric field. potential patterns are placed critically in the channel to achieve spatially asymmetric time-dependent flow fields that lead to chaotic stirring. Parametric studios are performed as a function of the Strouhal number (normalized ac frequency), while the mixer geometry, ratio of the Poiseuille flow and electroosmotic velocities, and the flow kinematics (Reynolds number) are kept constant. Lagrangian particle tracking is employed for observations of particle dispersion. Poincare sections are constructed to identify the chaotic and regular zones in the mixer. Filament stretching and the probability density function of the stretching field are utilized to quantify the "locally optimum" stirring conditions and to demonstrate the statistical behavior of fully and partially chaotic flows. Numerical solutions of the species transport equation are performed as a function of the Peclet number (Pe) at fixed kinematic conditions. Mixing efficiency is quantified using the mixing index, based on standard deviation of the scalar species distribution. The mixing length (l m ) is characterized as a function of the Peclet number and l m ∝ ln(Pe) scaling is observed for the fully chaotic flow case. Objectives of this study include the presentation and characterization of the new continuous flow mixer concept and the demonstration of the Lagrangian-based particle tracking tools for quantification of chaotic strength and stirring efficiency in continuous flow systems.
Left atrial appendage spontaneous echo contrast in patients with atrial arrhythmias using integrated backscatter and transesophageal echocardiography.

In contrast to nonspecific postrace elevations in myoglobin and CK-MB as early-stage markers for AMI due to exertional rhabdomyolysis of trained skeletal muscle, late-stage markers including cTnI and cTnT remained negative with rapid quantitative methods within 24 hours after competition. A 6.5-fold increase in cTnI by high-sensitivity methods as predictive of poor outcome in patients with acute coronary syndromes occurred in these middle-aged male runners without evidence for microinfarction by SPECT sestamibi myocardial scintigraphy, for left ventricular dysfunction by BNP, or for apparent risk of cardiac events over 4 years.
Parametric point spread function modeling and reduction of stray light effects in digital still cameras

In any real optical imaging system, some portion of the entering light flux is misdirected to undesired locations due to scattering from surface imperfections and multiple reflections between optical elements. This unwanted light is called stray light. Its effects include lower contrast, reduced detail, and color inaccuracy. Accurate removal of stray-flux effects first requires determination of the stray light point-spread function (PSF) of the system. For digital still cameras, we assume a parametric, shift-variant, rotationally invariant PSF model. For collection of data to estimate the parameters of this model, we use a light source box that provides nearly uniform illumination behind a circular aperture. Several images of this light source are captured when it is at different locations in the field of view of the camera. Also, another exposure of each scene with a different shutter speed is used to provide details in the darker regions. A subset of the data obtained from these images is used in a nonlinear optimization algorithm. After estimating the parameters of the PSF model, we provide the results of applying the correction algorithm to the images taken of real world scenes.
The effect of collisions upon the Doppler width of spectral lines

Quantum mechanically the Doppler effect results from the recoil momentum changing the translational energy of the radiating atom. The assumption that the recoil momentum is given to the radiating atom is shown to be incorrect if collisions are taking place. If the collisions do not cause broadening by affecting the internal state of the radiator, they result in a substantial narrowing of the Doppler broadened line.
The relations of thematic and nonthematic childhood depression measures to defensiveness and gender

The susceptibility of self-report and thematic measures of depression to the effects of a defensive test-taking approach was assessed among 44 child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients. It was hypothesized that scores on a measure of defensiveness would be associated with self-reported but not thematic measures of depression, and furthermore, that this finding would be more pronounced for girls than boys. Patients completed the Lie Scale of the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Roberts Apperception Test for Children. As predicted, RCMAS-Lie scores were significantly associated with CDI but not Roberts Depression scores, and this effect was more pronounced among females, primarily due to the high CDI scores of nondefensive girls. Implications of results for psychological assessment of children and adolescents are discussed.
Review: Stenting increases stroke but decreases periprocedural MI compared with endarterectomy in carotid artery disease

Source Citation Murad MH, Shahrour A, Shah ND, Montori VM, Ricotta JJ. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials of carotid endarterectomy vs stenting. J Vasc Surg. 2011;53:792-7. ...
Eccentricity compensated dark-on-bright stimuli in screening for neuro-ophthalmic visual field loss

One hundred and sixty-nine (87 right, 82 left) eyes of 98 consecutive patients aged 9-78 years (mean 42 yrs) were examined with both dark-on-bright and standard Goldmann bright-on-dark stimuli in a Neuro-Ophthalmology clinic. Single intensity suprathreshold static dark-on-bright stimuli were successively presented on a high resolution monitor under computer control at pre-selected coordinates in the central visual field, and the stimulus awareness was recorded by the patient pressing a button. Conventional luminous stimuli revealed a visual field abnormality in 110 eyes (57 right, 53 left) from 75 patients, and the dark stimuli correctly detected the presence of scotomas in 90% of eyes, with good or fair topographical correlation in 82% of eyes and poor correlation in 18% of eyes. Among the 59 eyes (30 right and 29 left, 36 patients) with no visual field defect, the dark stimuli produced a normal result in 86.5% of eyes. Dark-on-bright stimuli allow accurate diagnostic visual field examination in neuro-op...
A Note: An Invariance Theorem for Mappings II

Conditions on a domain D in \({\mathbb{R}^n}\) are given so that if f is a continuous mapping of \({\overline{D}}\) into \({\mathbb{R}^n}\), is an open mapping on the interior of D and maps the boundary of D into the closure of D then f maps the entire set into its closure, i.e. \({\overline{D}}\) is invariant. This is an improvement over a previous result where f was required to be injective (one-to-one) since a locally injective map on the interior of D is an open map.
Performance of MPEG-4 Profiles used for streaming video

To allow interoperability and cost effective implementation of codecs, MPEG has defined Profiles and Levels as conformance points. Two of those Profiles are Simple Profile (SP) and Advanced Simple Profile (ASP). ASP is also used as base level for the Fine Granularity Scalability (FGS) Profile. Applications related to streaming video on Internet are expected to use these profiles. In this paper we compare the performance of Simple and Advanced Simple Profiles at different levels. Results show that, for difficult to compress video, SP can be significantly inefficient by requiring as many as about 50% more bits. Also, for full resolution video, ASP at Level 4 can provide significantly better end-to-end quality than ASP at Level 3.
The Border Network for Human Rights: From Community Organizing to Public Policy Action

The Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) is a community-based organization in the United States-Mexico borderlands, focused on human rights in the domain of immigration law enforcement and comprehensive immigration reform. BNHR has three important features. First, it focuses on the U.S.-Mexico border region, the region of most intensive U.S. immigration enforcement. Second, the BNHR uses a base community organizing strategy, as opposed to external activist or service provider strategies. Third, the BNHR has brought the voices and perspectives of border and immigrant community members to the public policy process. In these ways, the BNHR is reformulating political agency in the borderlands and the U.S. [U.S.-Mexico border, immigration, community organizing, human rights, public policy]
Rate-constrained two-layer coding of H.261 video

This paper describes a proposed method for two-layer coding of low-rate H.261-encoded video subject to a rate constraint. A refinement scheme is utilized where the base layer consists of H.261 video encoded at some low rate, and the refinement layer consists of the difference between the original video and the H.261-encoded video, rate constrained so that the total bit rate of the two layers equals some desired higher rate. We show that the proposed method provides significant improvement over the lower rate baseline H.261-encoded scheme, as expected, both quantitatively (in terms of an error measure) as well as qualitatively (in terms of perceived picture quality). We also show that the additional computational costs incurred are typically held to around 10-20% at the encoder, with varying costs at the decoder depending on the specific method implemented. Finally, we show that the proposed scheme offers a more graceful degradation in performance in the presence of packet loss when compared to single-layer H.261. >
Stimulus-Response Coding in Four Classes of Stimulus-Response Ensembles

Stimulus-Response Coding is treated in the framework of compatibility. A taxonomy is presented based on the dimensional overlap model (Kornblum, Hasbroucq, and Osman, 1990) that includes four different types of S-R ensembles. Some of the literature on human performance with each type of ensemble is reviewed, and new data are presented.
Quantized H ∞ controller design for networked control systems

This paper studies problems of stability and stabilization for discrete-time networked control systems (NCSs) with an Hinfin performance bound via quantized state feedback. The effects of both the signal quantization and the network conditions are taken into consideration. In order to estimate the lower bound of quantization ranges directly, a new model of NCSs via quantized state feedback is presented, based on which a new quantized Hinfin controller design method is proposed. A numerical example is given to illustrate the merit and effectiveness of the proposed methods.
STRATAFORM: overview of its design and synthesis of its results

Abstract The strata formed on continental margins record the history of both marine and terrestrial events occurring on Earth. The STRATAFORM Program was created to develop a better understanding of relationships between these events and margin stratigraphy. In order to obtain the maximum information from strata, they are being examined simultaneously on various temporal and spatial scales, and their formation is being studied where events and accumulation are known to be active. The general objectives of STRATAFORM are: to add geological perspective to studies of sedimentary processes, to constrain stratigraphic interpretations better, and to develop numerical models relating processes and stratigraphy. This research is being undertaken on margins off northern California and New Jersey, which provide unique opportunities for investigation of short-term and long-term stratigraphy, respectively. This volume and paper focus upon studies undertaken off northern California, north of Cape Mendocino. This area is tectonically active, with a coastal mountain range, narrow shelf, and input of sediment primarily from the Eel River. Recent estimates indicate that 1 to 3×10 7 t/yr of mud (silt and clay) are supplied to the continental shelf. Sand accumulates on the inner shelf ( 70%) reaches the continental slope (or deeper). During the previous lowstand of sea level, sediment discharge was ∼25% greater, and probably led to hyperpycnal, debris and other flows transporting sediment down the slope. On the Eel shelf, flood and storm events combine to create normally stratified fine-grained layers with basal sand, and much terrestrial organic debris. These layers are modified through time, but some can be buried and preserved. Subsurface flood layers seem to impact observations of acoustic backscatter on the middle shelf, and subsurface fluids (gas? freshwater?) affect electromagnetic measurements on the inner shelf. Budgets of Eel River mud accumulation for the past century indicate ∼20% trapped on the adjacent shelf and ∼20% on the upper slope (150–600 m). The remaining 60% is dispersed to more distal locations. Over Holocene time scales, Eel River sediment has built a small sandy subaqueous delta, and a subtle bulge of muddy sediment on the middle shelf north of the river. Gullies have been eroded on the open slope during lowstands of sea level, and have accreted upward during highstands. A massive failure has formed the Humboldt slide, due to earthquake activity and unstable substrates (possibly from excess pore pressures and gas). The tectonic setting has impacted margin stratigraphy from small scales (fluid-expulsion pockmarks) to large scales (spatial variation of late Cenozoic sedimentation). The broad dispersal of Eel sediment demonstrates the three-dimensional character of the resulting stratigraphy, including the large-scale clinoform structure developed on the shelf/upper slope. The rollover point (topset/foreset boundary) for this feature is the shelf break (i.e., below sea level), which is important information for stratigraphic interpretations of sea-level change.
PROCUREMENT LEADERSHIP: FROM MEANS TO ENDS

Procurement is often perceived as a tactical rather than a strategic function. Such perceptions result from the way procurement is usually defined as beginning after a need has been identified. Procurement thus focuses on tactical decisions involving means rather than on strategic decisions involving ends. For procurement to become strategic, procurement professionals must be recognized as having legitimate leadership roles in determining organizational ends. The paper presents two conceptual frameworks to move procurement in this direction. The first-pragmatism-resolves the dichotomy between ends and means. The second-a conservator model of agency leadership-highlights the importance of promoting and maintaining public procurement's institutional integrity. Together, these may equip procurement professionals to adopt leadership roles in strategic organizational decision making.
Targeting RSK2 in human malignancies.

Importance of the field: p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) belongs to a Ser/Thr kinase family containing four members, RSK1 – 4, which play an essential role in a number of cellular functions including cell cycle, survival and proliferation. Recent advances reveal a crucial role of RSK2 in oncogenesis and tumor progression, making RSK2 an attractive therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Area covered in this review: Recent findings identifying the role of RSK2 in human cancers, including hematopoietic malignancies and solid tumors. Therapeutic implications of targeting RSK2 are also discussed with regard to clinical circumstance. What the reader will gain: A better understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying RSK2 activation and its contribution to human cancers and also insight into the development of novel targeted cancer therapy. Take home message: The significance of RSK2 in cancer cell survival, proliferation, invasion and tumor metastasis varies amongst human malignancies and depends on the sig...
The effects of safety-seeking behavior and guided threat reappraisal on fear reduction during exposure: an experimental investigation

We examined the effects of safety-seeking behavior and guided threat focus and reappraisal on fear reduction during exposure. Participants (N=46) displaying marked claustrophobic fear were randomized to one of three 30-min exposure conditions: (a) guided threat focus and reappraisal; (b) safety-behavior utilization; or (c) exposure only control. Tripartite outcome assessments during a behavioral approach test, along with measures of suffocation and restriction fears were obtained at pre- and post-treatment, and at a 2-week follow-up. Treatment process measures were collected throughout treatment and consisted of indices of fear activation; within and between-trial fear habituation; and suffocation and entrapment expectancies. Measures of safety behavior utilization and attentional focus were also collected to assess the integrity of the experimental manipulations. Consistent with prediction, those encouraged to utilize safety-behaviors during exposure showed significantly more fear at post-treatment and follow-up relative to those encouraged to focus and reevaluate their core threat(s) during exposure. Moreover, growth curve analyses of treatment process data analyses revealed that safety-behavior utilization exerted a detrimental effect on between-trial habituation; whereas guided threat reappraisal enhanced between-trial habituation.
An Isoenergetic Very Low Carbohydrate Diet Improves Serum HDL Cholesterol and Triacylglycerol Concentrations, the Total Cholesterol to HDL Cholesterol Ratio and Postprandial Lipemic Responses Compared with a Low Fat Diet in Normal Weight, Normolipidemic Women

Very low carbohydrate diets are popular, yet little is known about their effects on blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease risk factors. We reported previously that a very low carbohydrate diet favorably affected fasting and postprandial triacylglycerols, LDL subclasses and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) in men but the effects in women are unclear. We compared the effects of a very low carbohydrate and a low fat diet on fasting lipids, postprandial lipemia and markers of inflammation in women. We conducted a balanced, randomized, two-period, crossover study in 10 healthy normolipidemic women who consumed both a low fat (<30% fat) and a very low carbohydrate (<10% carbohydrate) diet for 4 wk each. Two blood draws were performed on separate days at 0, 2 and 4 wk and an oral fat tolerance test was performed at baseline and after each diet period. Compared with the low fat diet, the very low carbohydrate diet increased (P <or= 0.05) fasting serum total cholesterol (16%), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (15%) and HDL-C (33%) and decreased serum triacylglycerols (-30%), the total cholesterol to HDL ratio (-13%) and the area under the 8-h postprandial triacylglycerol curve (-31%). There were no significant changes in LDL size or markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha) after the very low carbohydrate diet. In normal weight, normolipidemic women, a short-term very low carbohydrate diet modestly increased LDL-C, yet there were favorable effects on cardiovascular disease risk status by virtue of a relatively larger increase in HDL-C and a decrease in fasting and postprandial triaclyglycerols.
The Folly of Praise: Plato's Critique of Encomiastic Discourse in the Lysis and Symposium

Plato targets the encomiastic genre in three separate dialogues: the Lysis , the Menexenus and the Symposium . Many studies have been devoted to Plato's handling of the funeral oration in the Menexenus . Plato's critique of the encomium in the Lysis and Symposium , however, has not been accorded the same kind of treatment. Yet both of these dialogues go beyond the Menexenus in exploring the opposition between encomiastic and philosophic discourse. In the Lysis , I will argue, Plato sets up encomiastic rhetoric as a foil for Socrates' dialectical method; philosophic discourse is both defined and legitimated by way of its opposition to eulogy. In the Symposium , Plato offers a much more complex critique. First, he illustrates and comments on the vices that inhere in the encomiastic genre. Second, he juxtaposes Socrates' ironic ‘praises’ of his interlocutors with traditional encomiastic discourse, thus inviting the reader to explore the relation between Socratic irony and the rhetoric of eulogy (and censure). And, third, the Symposium exhibits two untraditional ‘encomia’ – Socrates' eulogy for Eros and Alcibiades' for Socrates – that illustrate and interrogate the false ontology underlying the rhetoric of praise.
The use of neuromuscular blocking drugs in the intensive care unit: a US perspective.

Surprisingly little is known about the use of neuromuscular blockers (NMBs) in intensive care units (ICUs) in the USA. Recently, Klessig et al. surveyed anesthesiologists/intensivists in the USA and found that the 55% who responded used NMBs in the ICU in an average of 10 patients per ICU per month. Anxiolytics and analgesics were administered concomitantly with NMBs, but a majority of respondents did not use electrophysiologic measures of the degree of blockade. Another survey of predominantly medical ICUs also demonstrated widespread use of NMBs, but internists did not use sedation/analgesia as frequently as anesthesiologists for patients receiving NMBs, and infrequently monitored the degree of neuromuscular blockade. Because these were retrospective surveys, we decided to monitor prospectively the use of NMBs in our ICUs. The use of NMBs was ascertained by daily review of pharmacy records and, when use was documented, the patients' hospital records were reviewed. Where information was missing or not found, attending physicians were interviewed. On average, one patient per month per ICU received NMBs. Approximately 5% of neonatal and pediatric, and 1% of adult, ICU patients received NMBs. Eighty-three percent of patients received NMBs to facilitate mechanical ventilation, and mortality was high (51%) in those critically ill patients. More than half the patients were treated for 3 weeks. Twitch monitors were used for monitoring the degree of neuromuscular blockade in adult patients, and all patients received sedatives/analgesics. We estimated that the risk of clinically significant, prolonged neuromuscular blockade following the discontinuation of NMBs was 5% per year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Studies of thyroid economy in two patients with phenylketonuria.

On the basis of previous studies of the biochemical abnormalities in phenylketonuria and of factors which influence several aspects of thyroid hormone economy, it might be supposed that there would occur in patients with phenylketonuria disturbances of thyroid hormone synthesis, transport, or peripheral turnover. Studies were therefore performed in 2 adult patients with phenylketonuria. These revealed no significant abnormality in 131I uptake, protein-bound iodine (PBI) or butanol-extractable iodine (BEI). These functions responded in an essentially normal manner to administration of TSH. Thyroxinebinding capacities of thyroxine-binding globulin and prealbumin were within normal limits, as were diverse aspects of the peripheral metabolism of thyroxine.
Vascular endothelial growth factor protects post-ganglionic sympathetic neurones from the detrimental effects of hydrogen peroxide by increasing catalase.

AIM Vascular production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is implicated in the development and progression of vascular disease. Hydrogen peroxide also promotes neuronal degeneration, which suggests that vascular H(2)O(2) would promote degeneration of perivascular sympathetic nerves. Vascular cells also produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which could protect perivascular nerves from the detrimental effects of H(2)O(2) . The aim of this study was to test these hypotheses. METHODS The effects of H(2)O(2) and VEGF on neuronal survival and noradrenaline uptake were studied in cultures of rat post-ganglionic sympathetic neurones. Western analyses of catalase and growth associated protein 43 were performed and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using the fluorescent indicator 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2'7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester. RESULTS Hydrogen peroxide (30 μm) decreased the survival of post-ganglionic sympathetic neurones (57.8 ± 4.8% of control) and decreased noradrenaline uptake into the neurones (14 ± 6% of control). Hyperglycaemia, which is known to increase H(2)O(2), also decreased survival (31.4 ± 12% of control) and noradrenaline uptake (42 ± 18.4% of control). VEGF reduced the effects of H(2)O(2) (94.3 ± 12% of control) and hyperglycaemia (83.5 ± 23.6% of control) on survival. VEGF increased catalase, a primary determinant of intracellular concentrations of H(2)O(2) , and decreased H(2)O(2) -induced increases in ROS. CONCLUSION These results indicate that VEGF protects post-ganglionic sympathetic neurones from the detrimental effects of H(2)O(2). Our data suggest that an increase in catalase is the mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection.
Effect of trifluoromethyl ketone-based elastase inhibitors on neutrophil function in vitro

Neutrophils release elastase, which is known secondarily to cause tissue damage. However, it is rapidly inactivated by the endogenous alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha1Pi). Nevertheless, under pathological conditions, alpha1i is inactivated by oxidants released from neutrophils, resulting in an excess of elastase at the site of inflammation. This elastase/alpha1Pi imbalance has been implicated as a pathogenic factor in cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and emphysema. Elastase inhibitors, which do not interfere with the microbicidal activity of neutrophils and are resistant to neutrophil-released oxidants, would undoubtedly represent an important advance in the management of neutrophil-mediated tissue injury. We report that a new family of elastase inhibitors ICI200355 and ZD0892 was found to be resistant toward superoxide, hypochlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and peroxynitrite mediated degradation as well as having no effect on the formation of these oxidants by activated neutrophils. More importantly, we found that these inhibitors did not interfere with the ability of human neutrophils to phagocytose and to kill Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, a new potent class of elastase inhibitors, while blocking the effects of neutrophil elastase, was found not to impede various physiological functions of human neutrophils, in particular the ability of these phagocytic cells to phagocytose and kill bacteria.
Satellite observation of a zipper-like internal wave-wave interaction pattern in the Mid-Atlantic Bight

On a SPOT-4 panchromatic image of the Mid-Atlantic Bight, a zipper-like pattern is observed due to the nonlinear internal wave-wave interaction process. The pre-interaction and post-interaction angles are measured approximately and , respectively. The length of merged fronts in the interaction zone decreases from front to rear. It indicates a fundamentally unsteady interaction. The brightness of the post-interaction waves is much weaker than the pre-interaction waves, which implies much smaller wave amplitudes. The brightness of merged fronts is much stronger, which implies larger wave amplitudes. These characteristics qualitatively agree well with numerical results of Mach interaction of large amplitude waves by Tanaka [4]. The exceptionally large amplitudes in the interaction zone may pose threats to underwater structures.