cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perlecan Domain V induces VEGf secretion in brain endothelial cells through integrin α5β1 and ERK-dependent signaling pathways.

Perlecan Domain V (DV) promotes brain angiogenesis by inducing VEGF release from brain endothelial cells (BECs) following stroke. In this study, we define the specific mechanism of DV interaction with the α5β1 integrin, identify the downstream signal transduction pathway, and further investigate the functional significance of resultant VEGF release. Interestingly, we found that the LG3 portion of DV, which has been suggested to possess most of DV’s angio-modulatory activity outside of the brain, binds poorly to α5β1 and induces less BEC proliferation compared to full length DV. Additionally, we implicate DV’s DGR sequence as an important element for the interaction of DV with α5β1. Furthermore, we investigated the importance of AKT and ERK signaling in DV-induced VEGF expression and secretion. We show that DV increases the phosphorylation of ERK, which leads to subsequent activation and stabilization of eIF4E and HIF-1α. Inhibition of ERK activity by U0126 suppressed DV-induced expression and secretion of VEGR in BECs. While DV was capable of phosphorylating AKT we show that AKT phosphorylation does not play a role in DV’s induction of VEGF expression or secretion using two separate inhibitors, LY294002 and Akt IV. Lastly, we demonstrate that VEGF activity is critical for DV increases in BEC proliferation, as well as angiogenesis in a BEC-neuronal co-culture system. Collectively, our findings expand our understanding of DV’s mechanism of action on BECs, and further support its potential as a novel stroke therapy.
Elastic and inelastic proton scattering from heavy collective nuclei

Abstract Elastic and inelastic differential cross sections have been measured for 16 MeV protons on nuclei with 148 ≦ A ≦ 198. Optical model, DWBA and coupled-channel analyses were performed. Results show systematic dependence on deformations.
Determinants of Social Support Provision in Personal Relationships

Social support is discussed as dyadic interactions in which one person is experiencing distress and the other person attempts to provide support. Drawing from helping research in social psychology as well as social-support research, four sets of variables are presented which influence the likelihood of support attempts: stress factors, recipient factors, relationship factors and provider factors. We also present partial results of a pilot study of support intentions which suggests that the extent of past experience with major stressful conditions is significantly and positively associated with a willingness to provide support to peers themselves experiencing stressful problems.
An effective tool for learning the visual effects of rendering algorithms

Visual analysis is important to computer science students taking graphics courses. We created a tool called TERA to help students hone their visual analysis skills. We evaluated TERA's effectiveness by recording student performance on the visual identification portion of the midterm for two quarters. In the first class, students did not have access to TERA. In the second, they did. Students having access to TERA scored better on the visual identification portion of the midterm.
The mass spectral rearrangements of 1,6‐bis(arylsulfenyl)‐2,4‐hexadiynes and 1,6‐bis(arylsulfonyl)‐2,4‐hexadiynes

The mass spectral. behavior of 1,6-bis(arylsulfenyl)-2,4-hexadiynes and 1,6-bis(arylsulfonyl)-2,4-hexadiynes were examined. The sulfenyl derivatives extruded the hexadiynyl moiety with the formation of ArSSAr fragments. The sulfonyl derivatives, on the other hand, showed no extrusion of the hexadiyne fragment but an expulsion of SO2 and even two SO2 units.
Ablative skin resurfacing

Ablative laser resurfacing has evolved as a safe and effective treatment for skin rejuvenation. Although traditional lasers were associated with significant thermal damage and lengthy recovery, advances in laser technology have improved safety profiles and reduced social downtime. CO2 lasers remain the gold standard of treatment, and fractional ablative devices capable of achieving remarkable clinical improvement with fewer side effects and shorter recovery times have made it a more practical option for patients. Although ablative resurfacing has become safer, careful patient selection and choice of suitable laser parameters are essential to minimize complications and optimize outcomes. This article describes the current modalities used in ablative laser skin resurfacing and examines their efficacy, indications, and possible side effects.
Detection and staging of esophageal cancers.

Purpose of reviewTechnology for detection and staging of esophageal cancer has made significant strides advances in the past 2 years. These advances have led to the enhanced selection of appropriate treatments for esophageal cancer. Cancers that are discovered at an early stage can be treated with e
Different roles of 12/15-lipoxygenase in diabetic large and small fiber peripheral and autonomic neuropathies.

Up-regulation of 12/15-lipoxygenase, which converts arachidonic acid to 12(S)- and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, causes impaired cell signaling, oxidative-nitrosative stress, and inflammation. This study evaluated the role for 12/15-lipoxygenase in diabetic large and small fiber peripheral and autonomic neuropathies. Control and streptozotocin-diabetic wild-type and 12/15-lipoxygenase-deficient mice were maintained for 14 to 16 weeks. 12/15-lipoxygenase gene deficiency did not affect weight gain or blood glucose concentrations. Diabetic wild-type mice displayed increased sciatic nerve 12/15-lipoxygenase and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels. 12/15-lipoxygenase deficiency prevented or alleviated diabetes-induced thermal hypoalgesia, tactile allodynia, motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity deficits, and reduction in tibial nerve myelinated fiber diameter, but not intraepidermal nerve fiber loss. The frequencies of superior mesenteric-celiac ganglion neuritic dystrophy, the hallmark of diabetic autonomic neuropathy in mouse prevertebral sympathetic ganglia, were increased 14.8-fold and 17.2-fold in diabetic wild-type and 12/15-lipoxygenase-deficient mice, respectively. In addition, both diabetic groups displayed small (
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GROUPS: Grass-roots Movement or NGO Networks? Some Policy Implications

The literature on environmental justice indicates that there is a strong presence of grass-roots activity. This research uses the political process model to investigate whether the environmental justice groups are a social movement or a network of nongovernmental organizations. The results indicate that the majority of these groups do not track the theoretical tenets. There are two groups operating under the penumbra of the environmental justice movement: a social movement and a nongovernmental organization (NGO s) network. There is a modest degree of insurgent action, i.e., blocking the siting of landfills. The NGO's predominate and are the driving force behind this movement through the use of orthodox strategies, formal organizations, ample institutional capacity, lack of protest politics and a strong perception of injustice. These groups do not perceive success in their efforts. This research contributes to the scarcity of literature on the role of minority NGO's in domestic policy-making.
Modeling of second-life batteries for use in a CERTS microgrid

A second-life battery is an electric vehicle battery pack that has reached an end-of-life condition for its vehicular use, yet retains enough performance to be re-purposed for another application. One promising application of a second-life battery is stationary energy storage within a CERTS microgrid. This paper investigates the modeling of multiple paralleled traction battery packs within a CERTS microgrid, examining the impacts of elevated internal pack impedance on microgrid system operation. Impedance spectroscopy and hybrid-pulse power characterization are used to model vehicular Li-ion cells under a range of conditions that include second-life aging. The ac bus dynamics of the microgrid model are validated experimentally. Second-life battery models are incorporated into two CERTS microgrid architectures and system-level effects of changing the battery impedance are explored. Simulation results indicate that the modeled EV second-life batteries deliver promising performance characteristics in both CERTS microgrid architectures that were investigated.
Airborne Measurement of Liquid and Total Water Content

AbstractTwo identical liquid water content (LWC) King probes—one total water content/liquid water content (TWC/LWC) Nevzorov probe and two constant-temperature T probes that are different in size to distinguish particles of different densities and diameters (section 2c)—were flown during the Alliance Icing Research Study (AIRS) II field campaign in the fall of 2003. This paper assesses measurements performed during several flights in mostly stratiform clouds. The two LWC King probes tracked well; however, discrepancies of up to 0.1 g m−3 for 1-s LWC measurements of 0.3 g m−3 were observed. Agreement between probes of different geometry and size was generally favorable, while levels of disagreement between the probes changed during numerous cloud penetrations from less than 20% up to a factor of 2, varying with flight conditions and microphysical structure of the cloud. Disagreement between probes was even larger when detecting ice water content (IWC). Measurement differences were attributed to different c...
THEORY OF ELASTICITY AND CONSOLIDATION FOR A POROUS ANISOTROPIC SOLID

The author's previous theory of elasticity and consolidation for isotropic materials [J. Appl. Phys. 12, 155–164 (1941)] is extended to the general case of anisotropy. The method of derivation is also different and more direct. The particular cases of transverse isotropy and complete isotropy are discussed.
Changes in antigen densities on leukocyte subsets correlate with progression of HIV disease.

In a cross-sectional study of 154 HIV-infected and 33 uninfected healthy adults, we show that characteristic changes in the levels of expression of leukocyte surface antigens occur in the HIV-infected individuals. These changes, which collectively occur on virtually every leukocyte subset, are specific: a particular antigen may increase or decrease on one subset of PBMC but remain constant on another. Furthermore, within any particular subset, the levels of one or more antigens may change, while the levels of other surface antigens on the same cells remain constant. Some of these antigens density changes have been noted before, e.g. increased CD20 on B cells, and increased CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8 T cells. However, the multiparameter flow cytometry methodology used here reveals changes in a substantially larger number of surface markers, some of which are restricted to fine subsets of PBMC, such as naive or memory T cell subsets. For many of these antigens, the change in expression correlates with absolute CD4 counts >500/microl; others differ only in those with counts >100microl. The changes in antigen densities we observed on B and T cells are consistent with the observation of a persistent quasi-activated state of these cells in HIV-infected individuals. Similarly, the altered expression of the signal-transducing molecules CD7 and CD16 that we demonstrated for NK cells may correlate with the functional defects previously demonstrated in NK cells. Thus, measurements of antigen densities such as those demonstrated here may provide surrogate markers for the altered functional capacities of PBMC subsets in HIV-infected individuals, and may thereby provide a much simpler assay for immunocompetence than in vitro functional assays.
Connectivity and separating sets of cages

A (k; g)-cage is a graph of minimum order among k-regular graphs with girth g. We show that for every cutset S of a (k; g)-cage G, the induced subgraph G[S] has diameter at least ⌊g-2⌋, with equality only when distance ⌊g-2⌋ occurs for at least two pairs of vertices in G[S]. This structural property is used to prove that every (k; g)-cage with k ≥ 3 is 3-connected. This result supports the conjecture of Fu, Huang, and Rodger that every (k; g)-cage is k-connected. A nonseparating g-cycle C in a graph G is a cycle of length g such that G - V(C) is connected. We prove that every (k; g)-cage contains a nonseparating g-cycle. For even g, we prove that every g-cycle in a (k; g)-cage is nonseparating. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Graph Theory 29: 35–44, 1998
Critical infrastructures will remain vulnerable: neighbourhoods must fend for themselves

Critical infrastructures in the US will remain vulnerable to a variety of attacks, both physical and cyber, into the foreseeable future. This paper explores strategies for making those infrastructures more resilient in the face of such attacks (or natural disasters). We focus on three key infrastructures: provision of electric power, telecommunications (both voice and data), and information systems, with greater attention on power and telecoms. We explore the idea that "neighbourhoods must fend for themselves" with a deliberate policy of diversification and decentralisation of power and telecommunications, based on the principles: 1) locate backup power in individual buildings, or at telecom Central Offices (COs) or Points of Presence (POPs), 2) provide a secondary, heterogeneous source of telecommunications access for the "neighbourhood", and 3) provide redundant and resilient implementation of information services provided to or accessed by the neighbourhood. Subsequent analysis suggests that attention be focused on redundant provision of the "last mile" interconnection of individual organisations with backbone networks supplying power and telecommunications.
Impact of the conversion to low-NOx combustion on ash characteristics in a utility boiler burning Western US coal

Fly ash quality before and after conversion to low-NOx combustion was investigated at a 150 MW unit in Kentucky burning a blend of western United States bituminous coal and Powder River Basin, WY, subbituminous coal. The fly ash collection system is divided into mechanical and baghouse collection systems. The mechanical collection hoppers, capturing fly ash from a hotter portion of the flue gas stream than the baghouse hoppers, tends to capture a coarser, carbon-rich fraction of the fly ash than the baghouse hoppers. The latter was particularly the case for the pre-conversion fly ash. The post-conversion fly ash had significantly more carbon than the pre-conversion ash. The post-conversion baghouse has abundant coarse, thin-walled carbon, suggesting that this particular carbon form is an artifact of the lower post-conversion combustion temperatures.
Measurement of the flow of thermosetting molding compound

The extrusion rheometer, suggested by the author, is used for the relative measurement of the flow of thermosetting molding compounds in a curing process which is more complicated and difficult to measure than that of thermoplastics. Allyl polyester molding compound, which contains asbestos as a filler in the amount of 50% and Luperco ATC as a catalyzer in the amount of 4%, is used as a test sample of the thermosetting compound. Because the unsaturated polyester which is used as a resin in the test sample of the thermosetting compound contains diallyl phthalate monomer, which acts as a crosslinking component in the radical polymerization reaction, there is no volatile by-product in the curing reaction. Therefore, breathing during the molding of this test sample is not needed, and this allyl polyester molding compound is considered to be most suitable to use as the test sample of the thermosetting molding compound. Several factors which exert an influence on the flow of the thermosetting compound in the curing process are investigated, and recommended testing conditions are determined. Although the flow curve of the thermosetting molding compound in the extrusion rheometer is not as simple as that of thermoplastics, the flow characteristics of the thermosetting molding compound can be evaluated and compared by the factors Rf, vf, fts, and fte, which are obtained from the flow curve. As an example, the influences of time-aging effect and various fillers on the flow of the thermosetting molding compound are examined by the above method.
Safety of preoperation endoscopic tattoo with india ink for identification of colonic lesions.

Background: Colonic tattooing with india ink is a widely practiced technique regarded as safe, accurate, and reliable. In this series, the largest reported, the safety of this technique is studied. Methods: A retrospective study of 8,125 consecutive patients who undersent colonoscopy over a 64-month period was conducted. India ink colonic mucosal tattooing was used for either preoperative marking or future endoscopic identification of a lesion. Results: During the study, 195 patients underwent endoscopic injection of india ink. Of these, 50 patients were marked before surgery, and 145 underwent marking with the intent of facilitating future endoscopic localization. Patients were followed by either telephone interviews or physical examination. None of the patients developed fever, persistent abdominal pain, or abdominal tenderness on examination. All surgeons were interviewed. They uniformly reported the tattoo as intensely visible and of great utility in locating the lesions. Conclusions: Preoperative mucosal tattooing with india ink is recommended as a safe and necessary procedure.
How students socially evaluate interest: Peer responsiveness influences evaluation and maintenance of interest ☆

Social influences (e.g., by teachers, parents and peers) on students’ experience of interest are typically described in terms of affecting students’ initial choice of and/or completion of specific educational activities. When considered within the framework of the Self-Regulation of Motivation (SRM) model, however, other people may influence the interest experience even after activity completion, by influencing how a person evaluates that past experience. Previous experimental research showed that when students talked about a game upon completion, listeners’ responsiveness influenced their evaluation of interest. The present research examined whether peer responsiveness when undergraduates talked about topics covered in actual classes predicted students’ evaluation of class interest. In Study 1, we examined responsiveness in the context of conversations that took place as a structured part of an online psychology class (i.e., discussion board), and found that the frequency of replies from classmates to students’ posts (but not the reverse) predicted students’ interest in the class measured at the end of the semester. In Study 2, we examined responsiveness in the context of students’ reported everyday conversations about two completed interesting class topics or two completed class exams in an introductory physics course. Perceived listener responsiveness in conversations about class topics (but not about exams) predicted students’ concurrent evaluation of class interest, even when controlling for anticipated interest at the beginning of the semester. Moreover, listeners indirectly affected interest measured at the end of the semester via their influence on interest during the semester.
An Operational Large-Scale Marine Planetary Boundary Layer Model

A marine planetary boundary layer (PBL) model is presented and compared with data from sea-based experiments. The PBL model comprises two layers, the outer an Ekman-Taylor layer with stratification-dependent secondary flow, and the logarithmic surface layer corrected for stratification and humidity effects and variable surface roughness. Corrections are noted for air much warmer than water in stable conditions and for low wind speeds. The layers are analytically defined along with similarity relations and a resistance law for inclusion in a program. An additional interfacial layer correction is developed and shown to be significant for heat flux calculations. Experimental data from GOASEX were used to predict the windfield in the Gulf of Alaska, and JASIN data was used for windfields SE of Iceland. The JASIN-derived wind field predictions were accurate to within 1 m/sec and 10 deg in a 200 km triangle.
Flux of Primordial Monopoles

We discuss how in supersymmetric models with D and F-flat directions, a primordial monopole flux of order 10{sup -16}-10{sup -18} cm{sup -2} sec{sup -1} sr{sup -1} can coexist with the observed baryon asymmetry. A modified Affleck-Dine scenario yields the desired asymmetry if the monopoles are superheavy ({approx}10{sup 13}-10{sup 18} GeV). For lighter monopoles with masses {approx}10{sup 9}-10{sup 12} GeV, the baryon asymmetry can arise via TeV scale leptogenesis.
Soap: a pointing and gaming device for the living room and anywhere else

Soap is a pointing device based on hardware found in a mouse, yet works in mid-air. Soap consists of an optical sensor device moving freely inside a hull made of fabric. As the user applies pressure from the outside, the optical sensor moves independent from the hull. The optical sensor perceives this relative motion and reports it as position input. Soap offers many of the benefits of optical mice, such as high-accuracy sensing. We describe the design of a soap prototype and report our experiences with four application scenarios, including a wall display, Windows Media Center, slide presentation, and interactive video games.
Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758) in two New Hampshire estuaries. Part 2: assessment of average intermolt period

Green crabs, Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758), were sampled from two New Hampshire estuaries, Hampton-Seabrook Estuary (HSE) and Great Bay Estuary (GBE), over the course of a one year field season (Nov. 2009-Oct. 2010) in order to determine the timing of molt cycles and egg-bearing periods expressed by both populations. Average timing of population molt was assessed by length of average intermolt period, which was estimated based on the color of the ventral side of the crab using the Munsell paint color charts, 40 hue edn. Crabs in both estuaries appeared to be on a simultaneous molting schedule centered around the month of June. Females experienced a single population-wide molt beginning in June and completed by November. Males experienced two population-wide molts starting in April and November that were both completed by June. Regressions between color variables and crab size or distance from the mouth of the estuary ( α = 0 . 05 ) revealed no statistically significant correlations. Photoperiod (day-length) appeared to be the most important environmental cue for green crab molting and reproduction. Berried females were captured from January until November, with peak catch occurring in May. These results suggest that green crabs in both estuaries experience a single summer breeding season between June and November, which coincides with a period of relatively lower foraging activity as compared to the spring and fall months.
Seasonal and interannual global surface mass variations from multisatellite geodetic data

[1] Monthly global surface mass distribution changes are estimated in the spherical harmonic domain with a complete spectrum up to degree and order 50. The estimates are derived by inverting GPS displacement series measured at roughly 450 continuously tracking sites and ocean bottom pressure (OBP) estimates of a data assimilated ocean circulation model from 1993 to 2004. The inversion uses a hybrid estimator after singular value decomposition of the normalized measurement equations with reduced reliance on a priori spectral information. The results are then compared and combined with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravity data to provide enhanced spectral and geographic coverage. High fidelity degree-1 surface mass variation coefficients are recovered, corresponding to equivalent geocenter motion with better than 0.5 mm annual amplitude precisions in all three components. A clear annual surface mass cycle occurs in both GPS/OBP- and GRACE-derived results. There is very good agreement among the low-degree spherical harmonic coefficients and in global geographic pattern but with significant regional differences in amplitudes. Annual variations of average mass over the global oceans, Antarctica, and Greenland are then derived. Total surface mass over both Antarctica and Greenland peak in their respective summers due to increased atmospheric mass. Large interannual variations have also been found involving several continents in the 11-year GPS/OBP solution. The patterns of variation suggest that the recent satellite laser ranging (SLR) observation of a reversal in trend of the Earth's oblateness may be largely an interannual surface mass cycle with considerable contribution from the northern continents.
C3-1: Footprints in the Sand: Tracking Physician Work Efforts in Primary Care Using Access Logs in an Electronic Health Record

Background/Aims Using EpicCare Electronic Health Record (EHR) data in a large multispecialty ambulatory delivery system, we explore a unique opportunity in which existing EHR data may offer clues on how clinicians use time, a scarce yet critical resource in health services delivery. Traditional means of studying physician time use during clinical encounters (e.g., direct observation) are costly and ignore pre-service and post-service work of physicians’ services. The EpicCare EHR offers an alternative, unobtrusive portal to study time use through analysis of access logs.
Molecular Thermodynamics for Partitioning of Native and Denatured Proteins in Aqueous Two-Phase Systems

A molecular-thermodynamic analysis of protein partitioning in an aqueous two-phase system shows that the partition coefficient for a native (globular) protein is very much different from that for a...
The image of nursing as perceived by nurses.

Summary Purpose To explore the image of nursing as perceived by nurses. Background Nurses' image has always been a concern among those in the profession. The decision to enter nursing, to remain in nursing, to promote nursing, and to further a career in nursing may be the result of nurses' perception of the image of the profession. No recent studies have been done on how nurses perceive the profession Methods A purposeful sample of 13 participants ranging in experience from senior student nurses to Registered Nurses with over 21years of experience in direct patient care, participated in in-depth interviews. For this descriptive exploratory design, qualitative data were collected and analyzed. Findings Three broad categories that were significant in how nurses perceive the profession emerged: a) role of nurses, b) nursing knowledge, and c) attitude of nurses. Those about to enter the profession have a positive image of nursing based on their roles and their nursing knowledge. Attitude of nurses significantly influenced participants' perceptions of nursing's professional image. As they progress through their career, nurses have negative perceptions of the profession, influenced by working environment and interactions with others in the health care arena. Conclusion Overall, nurses working in hospitals have negative perceptions of the profession; nurses working in maternal–child health have positive perceptions; nurses' perceptions of nurses working in areas different from theirs are negative; nurses perceive senior nurses in a negative light and senior nurses have negative perceptions of new nurses.
Modeling adsorption of copper(II), cadmium(II) and lead(II) on purified humic acid

In this study, a system consisting of Pb, Cu and Cd as typical heavy metal pollutants, and purified Aldrich humic acid as a representative of natural organic materials were selected as prototypes to model the environmental system. The effect of environmental factors such as pH, salinity, and concentration on the interaction between metals and humic acid were investigated in detail. The experimental results show that pH and ionic strength are the most important variables in controlling metal adsorption on humic acid. The results also show a high complexation capacity of humic acid for the metals, especially Cu and Pb. The strength of binding of the three metals is in the sequence of Pb > Cu > Cd. A theoretical model featured by surface complexation reactions and double layer theory combined with the Poisson−Boltzmann equation was applied to simulate the experimental data. Titration data of humic acid with NaOH and Ba(OH)2 were used as concentrations of strong and weak acid groups on HA and the input data f...
Biomarkers of hypercoagulability and inflammation in childhood-onset arterial ischemic stroke.

Objective To test the hypothesis that acute elevations of biomarkers of hypercoagulability and inflammation are common in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), particularly among etiologic subtypes that carry an increased risk of recurrent stroke. Study design In this prospective/retrospective institutional-based cohort study of acute childhood-onset AIS (n = 50) conducted between 2005 and 2009, D-dimer, factor VIII (FVIII) activity, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were serially evaluated at the time of clinical blood sampling. Patients were classified by stroke subtype as cardioembolic, moyamoya, non-moyamoya arteriopathy, or other. Results Both D-dimer and CRP were frequently elevated in acute childhood-onset AIS and exhibited a decreasing trend with time. Acute D-dimer levels were significantly higher in cardioembolic AIS compared with noncardioembolic AIS (median, 2.04 μg/mL [range 0.54-4.54 μg/mL] vs 0.32 μg/mL [0.22-3.18 μg/mL]; P = .002). At an optimal threshold of ≥ 0.50 μg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer for cardioembolic subtype were 78% and 79%, respectively. Conclusions Our findings identify D-dimer and CRP as candidate biomarkers for etiology and prognosis in childhood-onset AIS. Further studies should investigate the role of these and other biomarkers of hypercoagulability and inflammation in childhood-onset AIS.
TRMM microwave radiometer algorithms

The TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) is a modified SSM/I. Significant modifications include: the addition of 2 channels at 10.7 GHz (H and V polarization), a shift of the 22.235 GHz V channel to 21.4 GHz H, and increasing the cone angle from 45/spl deg/ to 49/spl deg/. The azimuthal angle over which data are taken will increase from 102/spl deg/ to something between 130 and 140/spl deg/. Because of the lower orbit the TMI will have much better spatial resolution than the SSM/I. Unfortunately, it was not feasible to increase the scan rate so the scans will not be contiguous at 85.5 GHz. The author very briefly describes the rainfall retrieval algorithms. >
Pubertal Acceleration of Pulsatile Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Release in Male Rats as Revealed by Microdialysis

A microdialysis technique was used in male rats to directly assess the postulate that pubertal maturation is associated with accelerated GnRH pulsatility. Juvenile male rats, postnatal d 43 or 45 (n = 4) were stereotaxically fitted with guide cannulas directed toward the lateral median eminence, and repeated microdialysis experiments were conducted over 4–6 d. In each session, samples were collected continuously over 12 h (0900–2100 h) at 5-min intervals Results from individual peripubertal animals were pooled into two time bins for postnatal d 45–47 and 48–50, respectively, and GnRH characteristics were compared between the two epochs. The GnRH pulse frequency and mean GnRH concentration were significantly elevated at 48–50 d compared with 45–47 d. The GnRH pulsatility characteristics for 45–47 d vs. 48–50 d were as follows: pulse frequency, 0.74 ± 0.16 vs. 1.79 ± 0.19 pulses/h (P < 0.05); pulse amplitude, 254.1 ± 22.3 vs. 347.2 ± 15.8 Δpg/ml (difference in value from trough to peak); and mean release, 0...
Optimization by Random Search on the Analog Computer

One method of searching a system for optimum operating conditions is to evaluate system performance for many randomly-chosen combinations of the independent parameters. This paper explains the use of standard electronic analog computer equipment to accomplish such a search of a mathematical model quickly and economically. Gaussian noise sources generate values of the independent parameters and sample-hold circuits hold those values which give the best value of the optimization criterion. An application of the method to a production allocation problem is mentioned.
Bi-instability and the global role of unstable resonant orbits in a driven laser

Driven class-B lasers are devices which possess quadratic nonlinearities and are known to exhibit chaotic behavior. We describe the onset of global heteroclinic connections which give rise to chaotic saddles. These form the precursor topology which creates both localized homoclinic chaos, as well as global mixed-mode heteroclinic chaos. To locate the relevant periodic orbits creating the precursor topology, approximate maps are derived using matched asymptotic expansions and subharmonic Melnikov theory. Locating the relevant unstable fixed points of the maps provides an organizing framework to understand the global dynamics and chaos exhibited by the laser. © 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
The solution structure of a cardiac troponin C-troponin I-troponin T complex shows a somewhat compact troponin C interacting with an extended troponin I-troponin T component.

We have investigated the structure of the cTnC-cTnI-cTnT(198-298) calcium-saturated, ternary cardiac troponin complex by small-angle scattering with contrast variation. Shape restoration was also applied to the scattering information resulting from the deuterated cTnC subunit, the unlabeled cTnI - cTnT(198-298) subunits, and the entire complex. The experimental results and modeling indicate that cTnC adopts a partially collapsed conformation, while the cTnI-cTnT(198-298) components have an extended, rod-like structure. Shape restoration applied to the X-ray scattering data and the entire contrast variation series suggest that cTnC and the cTnI-cTnT(198-298) component lie with their long axes roughly parallel to one another with a relatively small surface area for interaction. Our findings indicate that the nature of the interactions between TnC and the TnI-TnT component differs significantly between the cardiac and skeletal isoforms as evidenced by the different degrees of compactness between the cardiac TnC and skeletal TnC in their respective ternary complexes and the fact that the cTnC subunit is not highly intertwined with the other subunits, as observed in the binary complex of the skeletal isoforms (Olah, G. A., and Trewhella, J. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 12800-12806). In the sliding-filament model of striated muscle action, thick and thin filaments move past each other to accomplish contraction or relaxation. The thick filaments are composed of myosin, while the thin filaments are a double-stranded helical assembly of actin monomers with tropomyosin polymerized head to tail in the grooves of the actin helix (covering approximately seven actin monomers). Each tro- pomyosin is bound to one troponin. The contractile force is generated by the cyclic attachment and detachment of the myosin S1 heads to the actin monomers whereby a power stroke, driven by actin-S1 myosin ATPase activity, occurs some time during the attachment phase of the cycle (for reviews, see refs 1-4). Troponin and tropomyosin form a Ca 2+ -sensitive switch that regulates this cycle of attachment and detachment. Troponin is composed of three subunits. TnC 1 binds Ca 2+ ;
Poverty and Proximate Barriers to Learning: Vision Deficiencies, Vision Correction and Educational Outcomes in Rural Northwest China

Uncorrected vision may present a significant barrier to educational mobility in poor communities in low and middle income countries. Focusing on the case of rural Northwest China, we analyze the Gansu Survey of Children and Families (2,000 children; 100 rural villages) and the Gansu Vision Intervention Project (a randomized trial; 19,185 students, 165 schools, two counties). Four main findings emerge: significant unmet need for vision correction; socioeconomic gradients in vision correction; somewhat greater vulnerability to vision problems among higher socioeconomic status and more academically engaged children; and significant favorable effects of vision correction on math and literacy performance and class failure.
Introduction: Fifth Annual NIH Interdisciplinary Women's Health Research Symposium, November 19, 2008.

As the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Office of Research on Women's Health at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1990 approaches, the NIH interdisciplinary research and career development programs, specifically designed to advance knowledge about women's health and illnesses, determine sex and gender differences, and promote career advancement in research that will address these issues, will be among the major accomplishments to provide hope for new horizons and strategies for future years. During the Sixth Annual NIH Interdisciplinary Women's Health Research Symposium, presentations of the progress from the research and researchers funded through these interdisciplinary programs will emphasize the productive endeavors and encouraging results from a collaborative scientific approach to sex differences in the health of women and men. The abstracts of these presentations, published in this issue of the Journal of Women's Health, demonstrate some of the current efforts to expand the knowledge base that can improve women's health and the ever growing numbers of research scientists dedicated to these efforts.
Interpersonal coping styles and couple relationship quality: Similarity versus complementarity hypotheses

This study employs a dyadic approach and examines how two partners’ interpersonal coping styles may independently and jointly predict their relationship quality. Hypotheses were derived on the basis of dyadic coping theory focusing on how similar versus complementary styles of interpersonal coping may be useful in explaining couples’ relationship quality. On the basis of attachment theory and self-determination theory, three interpersonal coping styles were included: dismissive, adaptive, and anxious/expressive. Data were collected from 123 romantic couples. Actor–partner interdependence models revealed that interpersonal coping styles were related to self-perceived (actor effect) and partner-perceived (partner effect) relationship quality. Furthermore, results also showed that relationship quality was predicted by the interactions between self’s and partner’s interpersonal coping styles. Findings suggest that future research should focus on understanding interpersonal coping behaviors of both partners in a relationship, especially the complex interactions between two partners’ characteristics and their effects on relationship outcomes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Individuals often turn to their significant others for support as a primary way of dealing with stressful events or emotional distress. Among different social relationships, romantic partners are regarded as the most important coping resources during adulthood (Carbery & Buhrmester, 1998; Cutrona, 1996). For two reasons, we argue that research on how individuals involve (or do not involve) their romantic partner during the coping process is vital toward understanding their relationship functioning (Bodenmann, 2005; Randall & Bodenmann, 2009; Reis & Shaver, 1988). First, relationship quality is the result of a dynamic process in which two partners mutually disclose personal vulnerabilities, thoughts, and feelings in times of stress, and the emotional exchanges forge the foundation for intimacy and closeness (Reis & Shaver, 1988). Second, romantic partners who are subjected to overwhelming external stressors may also suffer from the “spillover” effects and experience more relationship distress, even though the relationship itself may not be the source of stress to begin with (Bodenmann, 2005). Thus, building upon past frameworks (e.g., Bodenmann, 2005; Reis & Shaver, 1988), the current study’s overarching goal is to examine the interplay between adaptive and maladaptive interpersonal coping styles and relationship quality among romantic couples. Specifically, this study employs a dyadic approach and focuses on how two partners’ interpersonal coping styles may independently and jointly predict their relationship quality.
On the Functional Properties of Perceived Self-Efficacy Revisited:

This commentary addresses the functional properties of perceived self-efficacy in the context of a set of studies contending that belief in one’s capabilities has debilitating or null effects. It encompasses four theoretical orientations. These include social cognitive theory rooted in an agentic perspective, control theory grounded in a cybernetic model, and trait self-efficacy theory and Big Five theory based on a decontextualized trait model. Critical analyses of the studies in question document their failure to fulfill key theoretical, methodological, analytical, and construct assessment requirements. The article extends beyond critical analyses of the published studies. It specifies the theoretical, methodological, and analytical requirements essential to the advancement of knowledge on the role that perceived self-efficacy plays in human self-development, adaption, and change at both the individual and collective levels.
A Prediction-Based Scheduling Mechanism for Interconnection between WiMax and Satellite Networks Interactive Network

In this paper, we describe and evaluate a scheduling mechanism that can be used in joint satellite/WiMax environments. The proposed mechanism consists of three parts. The first part requests satellite bandwidth based on an estimation of the needs of the WiMax network at the time the bandwidth is granted. The second part allocates bandwidth on the satellite channel, while the third distributes it to the WiMax users. Simulation results show considerably improved performance compared to a simpler mechanism, especially in terms of throughput and delay.
Instruction recirculation: eliminating counting logic in wakeup-free schedulers

The dynamic instruction scheduling logic (the issue queue and the associated control logic) forms the core of an out-of-order microprocessor. Traditional scheduling mechanisms, based on tag broadcasts and associative tag matching logic within the issue queue are limited by high power consumption, large access delay and poor scalability. To address these inefficiencies, researchers have proposed various flavors of so-called wakeup-free scheduling logic. Such wakeup-free scheduling techniques remove the wakeup delay from the critical path, but incur other forms of complexity, essentially stemming from the need to keep track of the cycle when each physical register will become ready and when each instruction can be (speculatively) issued. We propose instruction recirculation– a wakeup-free instruction scheduler design that completely eliminates all counting and issue time estimation logic inherent in all previously proposed wakeup-free schedulers. This complexity reduction is also accompanied by 3.6% IPC improvement over the state-of-the-art wakeup-free scheduler.
Design of low-phase-noise CMOS ring oscillators

This paper presents a framework for modeling the phase noise in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) ring oscillators. The analysis considers both linear and nonlinear operations, and it includes both device noise and digital switching noise coupled through the power supply and substrate. In this paper, we show that fast rail-to-rail switching is required in order to achieve low phase noise. Further, flicker noise from the bias circuit can potentially dominate the phase noise at low offset frequencies. We define the effective Q factor for ring oscillators with large and nonlinear voltage swings and predict its increase for CMOS processes with smaller feature sizes. Our phase-noise analysis is validated via simulation and measurement results for ring oscillators fabricated in a number of CMOS processes.
A new technique for simulating space-charge potential distributions.

Space charge potential distributions simulation technique using line sources for current injection
Positive Feedback in Pairwork and Its Association With ESL Course Level Promotion

What is the role of positive feedback in the adult English language classroom? This study applies ideas from complexity theory to explore the relation between frequency of oral feedback received and student language proficiency. The researcher collected data from digital recordings of adult students (N = 41) who attended classes for 30 weeks at Portland State University Laboratory School. During the focused observation, the researcher recorded tokens of praise, affirmation, laughter, and nodding given by teachers and students in response to target student interlanguage. Students provide far more affirmation tokens than praise tokens to their peers, while teachers issue each with nearly equal frequency. Statistical tests support the hypothesis that the rate of positive feedback received is associated with ESL student course level promotion regardless of student variables such as initial course level, gender, and first language (L1). The results support a possible language learning model akin to the complexity theory notion of increasing returns: Minor initial gains in producing English can result in more rapid second language development, the gains building on one another to form a positive feedback loop.
FREE CASH FLOW AND PUBLIC GOVERNANCE: THE CASE OF ALASKA

In a widely cited 1986 article in the American Economic Review, Michael Jensen gave the concept of free cash flow (FCF) a new twist by redefining it as cash flow in excess of that required to fund all projects with positive net present values. Put another way, FCF represents funds available in the firm that managers may choose to hold as idle cash, return to shareholders, or invest in projects with returns below the firm's cost of capital. In redefining FCF in this way, Jensen converted FCF from a measure of economic income and value into a measure of corporate assets available for discretionary, and potentially value-destroying, use by firm managers. And, as he argued in his important article, managers in mature businesses with substantial free cash flow have a tendency to destroy value by plowing too much capital back into those businesses or, often worse, making ill-advised acquisitions in unrelated businesses. Several methods have been developed in financial markets and internal corporate governance systems to discourage managers from wasting FCF. Better monitoring by boards of directors, large ownership blocks, and properly aligned management compensation contracts are all parts of the solution. And the extraordinary increase in stock repurchases in recent years, invariably applauded by investors, is another illustration of the market's success in encouraging companies to address their free cash flow problems. But if the “FCF problem” of the private sector has attracted considerable attention from finance scholars, the problem is even more acute in the public sector, where FCF can be thought of as tax revenue in excess of what is required to finance well-defined and generally accepted levels of public services. Unlike the private sector, in the public sector there are neither measures nor mechanisms by which to monitor and constrain wasteful spending by elected officials. In this article, the authors attempt to measure the costs to taxpayers of government FCF using the case of Alaska, which since 1969 has received a huge windfall of tax revenue from North Slope oil leases. After examining the state's public finances from 1968 through 1993, the authors offer $25 billion as a conservative estimate of the social losses from Alaska's waste of free cash flow during that 25-year period.