cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decentralized identification and control of networks of coupled mobile platforms through adaptive synchronization of chaos

Abstract In this paper, we propose an application of adaptive synchronization of chaos to detect changes in the topology of a mobile robotic network. We assume that the network may evolve in time due to the relative motion of the mobile robots and due to unknown environmental conditions, such as the presence of obstacles in the environment. We consider that each robotic agent is equipped with a chaotic oscillator whose state is propagated to the other robots through wireless communication, with the goal of synchronizing the oscillators. We introduce an adaptive strategy that each agent independently implements to: (i) estimate the net coupling of all the oscillators in its neighborhood and (ii) synchronize the state of the oscillators onto the same time evolution. We show that, by using this strategy, synchronization can be attained and changes in the network topology can be detected. We further consider the possibility of using this information to control the mobile network. We apply our technique to the problem of maintaining a formation between a set of mobile platforms which operate in an inhomogeneous and uncertain environment. We discuss the importance of using chaotic oscillators, and validate our methodology by numerical simulations.
Controlling vibrational wave packets with intense, few-cycle laser pulses

Using three precisely timed laser pulses, we show experimentally that subvibrational period, nonresonant laser radiation can control a vibrational wave packet. One pulse launches the wave packet and the second modifies the potential energy surfaces as the wave packet moves and the third probes its time evolution by Coulomb explosion imaging. First, we observe $\mathrm{D}_{2}{}^{+}$ wave packets up to the first half revival without a control pulse. Next, we apply the control pulse to split the wave packet when the wave packet is near the outer turning point. We observe that one piece remains in the bound state and the other propagates to the dissociation continuum. By varying the delay between the pump and control pulses, we control the branching ratios. By a quantum mechanical calculation, we also show that if carrier-envelope phases of subvibrational period pulses are controlled, it can break left-right symmetry during dissociation, freezing the electron on one of the two dissociating fragments during dissociation.
Integrated Core-Edge-Divertor Modeling

A model for calculating the interaction among physics phenomena in the core, edge and divertor of a tokamak plasma is summarized. Application to analyze density limit experiments in gas fueled, H-mode DIII-D shots and to model problem calculations are discussed.
Absolutism and Class at the End of the Old Regime: The Case of Languedoc

Historians of eighteenth-century France, whether of the classic Marxist tradition or the present-day trend focusing on political culture, have not analyzed the social content of the absolutist state. Peasants and artisans controlled resources of Languedoc through the ownership of land, sharecropping, mid cottage industry. The upper classes therefore depended on political relation to appropriate wealth. The judiciary allowed lords to enforce claims on peasants. Office holders in the fiscal system and the judiciary obtained a share of royal taxes. Loans taken out by the province for the crown were lucrative investments for local-nobles and-bourgeois, and steady flows of funds to the royal treasury. Yet to service mounting provincial debt, the crown had to curtail the right of office holders and lords to levy resources on peasants, for these resources were lost to the financial system. Nobles saw infringements on their privileged relationship with the state as despotic. They orchestrated a broad movement in 1788 and 1789 aimed at rendering the Estates of Languedoc representative of the three estates of the province. Thus, a class analysis of the absolutist state helps explain political developments at the end of the Old regime.
The role of spatial metrics in the analysis and modeling of urban land use change

The paper explores a framework combining remote sensing and spatial metrics aimed at improving the analysis and modeling of urban growth and land use change. While remote sensing data have been used in urban modeling and analysis for some time, the proposed combination of remote sensing and spatial metrics for that purpose is quite novel. Starting with a review of recent developments in each of these fields, we show how the systematic, combined use of these tools can contribute an important new level of information to urban modeling and urban analysis in general. We claim that the proposed approach leads to an improved understanding and representation of urban dynamics and helps to develop alternative conceptions of urban spatial structure and change. The theoretical argument is then illustrated with actual examples from the urban area of Santa Barbara, California. Some questions for future research are finally put forward to help strengthen the potential of the proposed framework, especially regarding the further exploration of urban dynamics at different geographic scales.
'The Sphinx in the Household': A New Look at the History of Household Workers

This paper focusses on household service work during the so-called "servant crisis," 1890 to 1920. Contemporaries, under the leadership of Professor Salmon, declared that the servant shortage was due to the "social stigma" attached to service. In this paper we find their basic service study, Domestic Service, to be (deliberately?) biased and false, and counterpose their findings with a servant's view. This is then tied into the general history of housework's development.
REACTION EFFICIENCY ON THE SURFACE OF A POROUS CATALYST

The influence of geometrical factors on the efficiency of diffusion-controlled reactive processes that take place on the surface of a porous catalyst particle is studied using the theory of finite Markov processes. The reaction efficiency is monitored by calculating the mean walklength 〈n〉 of a randomly diffusing atom/molecule before it undergoes an irreversible reaction at a specific site (reaction center) on the surface. The three cases (geometries) considered are as follows. First, we assume that the surface is free of defects and model the system as a Cartesian shell (Euler characteristic, Ω = 2) of integral dimension d = 2 and uniform site valency νi = 4. Then, we consider processes in which the diffusing reactant confronts areal defects (excluded regions on the surface); in this case, both d and Ω remain unchanged, but there is a constriction of the reaction space, and the site valencies νi are no longer uniform. Finally, the case of a catalyst with an internal pore structure is studied by modeling ...
Investigation of methods for calibration of classifier scores to probability of disease

Classifier scores in many diagnostic devices, such as computer-aided diagnosis systems, are usually on an arbitrary scale, the meaning of which is unclear. Calibration of classifier scores to a meaningful scale such as the probability of disease is potentially useful when such scores are used by a physician or another algorithm. In this work, we investigated the properties of two methods for calibrating classifier scores to probability of disease. The first is a semiparametric method in which the likelihood ratio for each score is estimated based on a semiparametric proper receiver operating characteristic model, and then an estimate of the probability of disease is obtained using the Bayes theorem assuming a known prevalence of disease. The second method is nonparametric in which isotonic regression via the pool-adjacent-violators algorithm is used. We employed the mean square error (MSE) and the Brier score to evaluate the two methods. We evaluate the methods under two paradigms: (a) the dataset used to construct the score-to-probability mapping function is used to calculate the performance metric (MSE or Brier score) (resubstitution); (b) an independent test dataset is used to calculate the performance metric (independent). Under our simulation conditions, the semiparametric method is found to be superior to the nonparametric method at small to medium sample sizes and the two methods appear to converge at large sample sizes. Our simulation results also indicate that the resubstitution bias may depend on the performance metric and, for the semiparametric method, the resubstitution bias is small when a reasonable number of cases (> 100 cases per class) are available.
Comparison of two structurally diverse glucocorticoid receptor agonists: Cortivazol selectively regulates a distinct set of genes separate from dexamethasone in CEM cells

Abstract One goal of steroid research is precise differential regulation of gene expression by steroid hormone receptors through use of distinct ligands which modulate defined sets of cellular effects. Such “selective modulator” ligands are known for several receptors. Potent pyrazolo-glucocorticoid (11β,16α)-21-(Acetyloxy)-11,17-dihydroxy-6,16-dimethyl-2′-phenyl-2′ H -pregna-2,4,6-trieno[3,2- c ]pyrazol-20-one) cortivazol activates the glucocorticoid receptor to regulate gene expression and can bring about apoptosis of leukemic CEM cells resistant to (9-fluoro-11,17-dihydroxy-17-(2-hydroxyacetyl)-10,13,16-trimethyl-6,7,8,11,12,14,15,16-octahydrocyclopenta[ a ]phenanthren-3-one) dexamethasone. We therefore tested the hypothesis that cortivazol and dexamethasone regulate non-identical sets of genes in CEM cells. We found that while cortivazol and dexamethasone overlap in regulation of most genes, each steroid regulates an exclusive set of transcripts in clone CEM-C7-14 (sensitive to apoptosis by both dexamethasone and cortivazol) and clone CEM-C1-15 (dexamethasone-resistant but cortivazol-sensitive). Fifty-seven genes were regulated uniquely to a statistically significant extent by cortivazol in both clones. Many of the cortivazol specific genes are key components of various signal transduction pathways. Our data clearly show cortivazol to be a selective modulator of GR action.
Cooperative processing of spatially distributed disparity signals in macaque V1

Although there has been substantial progress in understanding the neurophysiological mechanisms of stereopsis, many questions remain about how the brain solves the correspondence problem. To gain insight into how horizontal disparity signals are spatially integrated and might solve the correspondence problem, we simultaneously recorded from multiple neurons in V1 of awake, alert macaques while displaying dynamic random dot stereograms. Physical distances between neurons ranged from 1 to over 3 mm, and receptive field separation ranged from partially overlapping to 2o. We quantified the functional connectivity among neurons using the correlation coefficient integrated from normalized cross-correlograms for ±25 ms lag times. The functional connectivity between disparity tuned neurons depended on the disparity of the stimulus. The tuning based on functional connectivity was narrower and more robust than predicted by the independent firing rate tuning curves. To determine how disparity estimates might improve over time (i.e., coarse-to-fine), we examined the temporal evolution of disparity tuning. We found that the firing rate-based disparity tuning was initially very broad. The functional connectivity-based disparity tuning emerged shortly after and was much narrower. Functional connectivity continued to strengthen as the firing rate tuning became sharper. Our results suggest that a coarse-to-fine mechanism likely interacts with, and may even arise from, cooperative processing that allows the brain to converge to a correspondence solution.
Effects of Ba2+ and Cd2+ on convulsive electroshock sensitivity and 45Ca distribution in brain subcellular fractions in mice.

Barium increases the convulsive corneal electroshock sensitivity of mice tested 0.5 hr after Ba2+ administration (6.6 and 20 mg/kg, ip) but decreases sensitivity of mice tested 24 hr after Ba2+ (2, 6.6, and 20 mg/kg, ip). Twenty-four hours after Cd2+ injection (0.34, 1.1, and 3.4 mg/kg, ip) the percentage of mice convulsing after electroshock was decreased, but 0.5 hr after Cd2+ was given no alteration of electroshock sensitivity was seen. Doses of Ba2+ and Cd2+ which alter electroshock threshold were used to determine effects of these ions on 45Ca distribution in subcellular fractions of whole mouse brain. Distribution of Ba and Cd in brain subcellular fractions was also determined. Elevated 45Ca in synaptosomes 0.5 hr after Ba2+ injection may reflect the ability of Ba2+ to cause membrane depolarization and influx of calcium, and these effects may be associated with increased electroshock sensitivity. Increased 45Ca in brain synaptosomes was correlated with elevated electroconvulsive shock threshold 24 hr after Cd2+ administration. Excess Ca2+ in cortical neurons may explain the decreased responsiveness of mice to electroconvulsive shock 24 hr after Cd2+ treatment. Accumulation of Ba2+ in neurons in the CNS also appears to increase electroconvulsive shock threshold.
Role of the midgut gland in metabolism and excretion of ecdysteroids by lobsters, Homarus americanus.

Abstract The chromatographic profile of ecdysteroids (Ecds) from the midgut gland (MG) of juvenile female lobsters, Homarus americanus , was examined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and radioimmunoassay (RIA) over four stages of the molt cycle. Upon initial examination, highly polar Ecd conjugates appeared to be the principal metabolites found in all molt stages. HPLC fractions containing apolar Ecds initially exhibited low RIA activity. Upon hydrolysis with a Helix pomatia enzyme preparation and reanalysis, significant amounts of other Ecds were released. Amounts of apolar Ecd conjugates were estimated, at their highest levels, to be at least 50% of the total Ecds in MGs of molt stage D 3 lobsters. Only the MG formed significant amounts of apolar Ecds upon in vitro culture with [ 3 H]ecdysone ([ 3 H]E). Epidermis and antennal gland significantly increased their rates of [ 3 H]E metabolism in vitro between molt stages C 4 and D 1 . This result further supports the idea that regulation of ecdysteroid metabolism, at least in selected tissues, may be important in the molt cycle regulation of hormone titers. Using gel filtration column chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation analyses, evidence was found for association of apolar Ecds with a protein(s) from MG cytosol. The protein was estimated to have a molecular weight of 180,000–200,000 and specifically bound apolar Ecds.
Local Health Department Responses During The 2004–2005 Influenza Vaccine Shortage

During the 2004–2005 influenza vaccine shortage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinated distribution of post-October 5th 2004 doses of influenza vaccine to state and local health departments (LHDs), who subsequently distributed vaccine to community providers. The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) conducted three Web-based surveys throughout the 2004–2005 influenza season to assess in real-time how LHDs were 1) dealing with the vaccine shortage, 2) implementing the interim recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and 3) making efforts to reallocate and redistribute doses of influenza vaccine toward high-priority populations within their communities. This paper highlights LHD responses that alleviated adverse impacts during this public health emergency. The first survey asked LHDs to quantify their community’s vaccine supply; the second survey asked them to describe their specific responses to the crisis; and the third survey asked them to reflect and evaluate the effectiveness of their efforts to vaccinate high-priority groups during the crisis. Six hundred five (605) of 717 (84%) LHDs in 44 states responded to the three surveys. Results show that LHDs leveraged preparedness plans, formed strategic community partnerships, and practiced vaccination drills to address the problems of vaccinating high-priority and hard-to-reach populations that arose out of the vaccine shortage. The practices used by LHDs during this shortage may provide valuable response lessons to minimize the impact of future influenza vaccine shortages and other public health emergencies.
Observation of Retarded Recombination in ChargeSeparation Structures

Measurement of recombination and minority-carrier lifetimes has become a very common activity in current semiconductor technology. The two primary measurement techniques are based on photoconductive decay (PCD) and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL). The measurement of the “true” lifetime depends on the carriers being confined to a given spatial region of a diagnostic device. When internal electric fields exist that separate the charges, the measured value does not represent the real minority-carrier lifetime. In these cases, the measured quantity is a function of the true lifetime and the measurement technique.
A Mechanical Approach to Solve Two-Dimensional Static Electrical and Magnetic Fields: Applications to Contact Between Conductors Under Electrical Load

A general approach has been developed to obtain analytical solutions to the boundaryvalue problems for a two-dimensional conductor under static electric and magnetic fields. This approach is based on a “congruity principle” between a solution of Maxwell’s equation and the corresponding linear elastic plane stress solution with constant mean stress or plane strain solution with constant mean in-plane stress. It also leads to a new avenue to construct analytical solutions of antiplane strain boundary-value problems using plane stress/strain solutions, or vice versa, in linear elastic theory. This approach has been applied for such engineering problems as contact between two conducting solid bodies under electrical load. DOI: 10.1115/1.4000037
AEDs at your fingertips: automated external defibrillators on college campuses and a novel approach for increasing accessibility.

Abstract. The use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) increases survival in cardiac arrest events. Due to the success of previous efforts and free, readily available mobile mapping software, the discussion is to emphasize the importance of the use of AEDs to prevent sudden cardiac arrest–related deaths on college campuses and abroad, while suggesting a novel approach to aiding in access and awareness issues. A user-friendly mobile application (a low-cost iOS map) was developed at Florida State University to decrease AED retrieval distance and time. The development of mobile AED maps is feasible for a variety of universities and other entities, with the potential to save lives. Just having AEDs installed is not enough—they need to be easily locatable. Society increasingly relies on phones to provide information, and there are opportunities to use mobile technology to locate and share information about relevant emergency devices; these should be incorporated into the chain of survival.
Anaerobic Gram Negative Nonsporing Bacteria from the Caeca of Poultry

SUMMARY Four groups (1, 4, 5 and 6) of Gram negative, nonsporing anaerobic rods (family Bacteroidaceae) which have been isolated from the caeca of chickens, turkeys and ducks, are described. Two of the groups (1 and 6) belong to the genus Sphaerophorus but differ in a number of characteristics from named strains. The group 5 strains belong within the genus Bacteroides and resemble Bact. fragilis. The group 4 strains differ from Sphaerophorus and Bacteroides and have not yet been assigned to a genus. The methods used for isolating and identifying these organisms are discussed.
Cytogenetic effects of ethylene oxide, with an emphasis on population monitoring.

Cytogenetic assays are an integral component of the battery of short-term assays that are used for the hazard identification component of a cancer risk assessment. The protocol for the conduct of such assays for maximal sensitivity for detecting clastogenicity has to be attendant to the mechanism of induction of the endpoint being assessed and the fact that several aberration types are cell lethal necessitates that analysis be for cells at their first posttreatment metaphase. Cytogenetic assays for human populating monitoring have been used for predicting potential for carcinogenicity in humans. However, the assays as typically conducted are not appropriate for chronic exposures because nontransmissible alterations are assessed. The use of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques for the assessment of transmissible changes such as reciprocal translocations are required to make population monitoring studies interpretable, and for removing some of the concern over the influence of confounders on outcome. The database for the cytogenetic effects of ethylene oxide in vitro and in vivo, with an emphasis on human population monitoring, has been critically reviewed. Based on the endpoints studied, the size of the study groups, the information on exposure, the nature of any exposure response data, and the possible influence of confounders (i.e., control matching), it is concluded that acute, high exposures to ethylene oxide with sampling shortly (a few days) after exposure can be detected by increases in chromosome aberrations or SCE in peripheral lymphocytes. Such increases are indicators of exposure to a genotoxic chemical and not predictors of subsequent adverse health effects to individuals. The effect of chronic and/or low level (less than about 25 ppm) exposures cannot be reliably evaluated using current methods. The use of FISH, for example, for assessing reciprocal translocation frequencies (as a measure of transmissible events) will greatly improve the ability to detect chronic exposures to clastogenic chemicals.
Biased and Unbiased Cross-Validation in Density Estimation

Abstract Nonparametric density estimation requires the specification of smoothing parameters. The demands of statistical objectivity make it highly desirable to base the choice on properties of the data set. In this article we introduce some biased cross-validation criteria for selection of smoothing parameters for kernel and histogram density estimators, closely related to one investigated in Scott and Factor (1981). These criteria are obtained by estimating L 2 norms of derivatives of the unknown density and provide slightly biased estimates of the average squared L 2 error or mean integrated squared error. These criteria are roughly the analog of Wahba's (1981) generalized cross-validation procedure for orthogonal series density estimators. We present the relationship of the biased cross-validation procedure to the least squares cross-validation procedure, which provides unbiased estimates of the mean integrated squared error. Both methods are shown to be based on U statistics. We compare the two metho...
Pseudovasculitis and corticosteroid therapy

Pseudovasculitis, vasculitis-like syndromes, vasculitis look-alikes, or mimics of vasculitis represent a heterogeneous collection of disorders that are capable of simulating vasculitis. Inappropriate diagnosis leads to delay or absence of proper management and exposure to potentially deleterious treatment modalities such as corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents. We report the case of fibromuscular dysplasia suspected to be a polyarteritis nodosa. The progression of the lesions visualized by the ultrasonographic study and computed tomography (CT) scan after 10 days of treatment led to an emergency laparotomy. The possible deleterious role of steroids given to treat the suspected vasculitis is discussed.
A route to rapid carbon nanotube growth.

CNTs were synthesized in 15–20 seconds by a single carbon fiber initiating the pyrolysis of ferrocene under microwave field without any other chemicals. The growth of CNTs can also be triggered by other carbonaceous materials and influenced by their configurations.
Correlating computed tomography perfusion changes in the pharyngeal constrictor muscles during head-and-neck radiotherapy to dysphagia outcome.

Purpose: To measure changes in perfusion of the pharyngeal constrictor muscles (PCM) using CT perfusion (CTP) imaging during a course of definitive radiotherapy (RT) in head-and-neck cancer (HNC) patients and correlate with dysphagia outcome after RT. Methods and Materials: Fifteen HNC patients underwent CTP imaging of the PCM at baseline and Weeks 2, 4, and 6 during RT and 6 weeks after RT. Blood flow and blood volume were measured in the PCM, and percentage change from baseline scan was determined. A single physician-based assessment of dysphagia was performed every 3 months after RT using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0 grading system. Results: With a median follow-up of 28 months (range, 6-44 months), Grade 3 dysphagia was present in 7 of 15 patients, and 8 patients experienced Grade 0-2 dysphagia. The CTP parameters at Week 2 of RT demonstrated an increase in mean PCM blood flow of 161.9% vs. 12.3% (p = 0.007) and an increase in mean PCM blood volume of 96.6% vs. 8.7% (p = 0.039) in patients with 6-month post-RT Grade 3 dysphagia and Grade 0-2 dysphagia, respectively. On multivariate analysis, when adjusting for smoking history, tumor volume, and baseline dysphagia status, anmore » increase in blood flow in the second week of RT was significant for 3- and 6-month Grade 3 dysphagia (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Perfusion changes in the PCM during Week 2 of RT in the PCM may predict the severity of dysphagia after HNC RT.« less
Neurotransmission to parasympathetic cardiac vagal neurons in the brain stem is altered with left ventricular hypertrophy-induced heart failure

Hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure (HF) are widespread and debilitating cardiovascular diseases that affect nearly 23 million people worldwide. A distinctive hallmark of these cardiovascular diseases is autonomic imbalance, with increased sympathetic activity and decreased parasympathetic vagal tone. Recent device-based approaches, such as implantable vagal stimulators that stimulate a multitude of visceral sensory and motor fibers in the vagus nerve, are being evaluated as new therapeutic approaches for these and other diseases. However, little is known about how parasympathetic activity to the heart is altered with these diseases, and this lack of knowledge is an obstacle in the goal of devising selective interventions that can target and selectively restore parasympathetic activity to the heart. To identify the changes that occur within the brain stem to diminish the parasympathetic cardiac activity, left ventricular hypertrophy was elicited in rats by aortic pressure overload using a transaortic constriction approach. Cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs) in the brain stem that generate parasympathetic activity to the heart were identified with a retrograde tracer and studied using patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings in vitro. Animals with left cardiac hypertrophy had diminished excitation of CVNs, which was mediated both by an augmented frequency of spontaneous inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission (with no alteration of inhibitory glycinergic activity) as well as a diminished amplitude and frequency of excitatory neurotransmission to CVNs. Opportunities to alter these network pathways and neurotransmitter receptors provide future targets of intervention in the goal to restore parasympathetic activity and autonomic balance to the heart in cardiac hypertrophy and other cardiovascular diseases.
Homonymous Quadrantic Visual Field Defect Resulting from Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency: Report of a Case:

A patient showing a congruous homonymous superior quadrantanopsia was found at autopsy to have infarction of the striate cortex. The lesion involved the inferior bank of the calcarine fissure almost entirely and approximately one fifth of the superior bank. Additionally, infarctions of the visual association cortex and the pontine tegmentum were found. No lesions in the corresponding temporal lobe were present. Two types of visual field defects have been described in association with occipital lobe lesions: a monocular temporal crescentic defect if the lesion is anterior and a congruous homonymous hemianopsia if it is posterior. This patient seems to represent a variant of the latter. The most prominent difference with respect to quadrantanopsias resulting from lesions of the optic radiation is the high degree of congruity, especially in the central portion of the field. Association with nonocclusive vascular events related to vertebrobasilar hypoperfusion rather than embolization is also more common.
Multimedia in the classroom

This paper focuses on setting up a system for developing and displaying multimedia classroom presentations that is both economical and easy to learn. Four separate aspects of the process are considered: (1) a hardware configuration to serve both the development and display processes, (2) selecting authoring software and learning to use it, (3) presentation development including locating and acquiring multimedia resources appropriate to psychology, and (4) some of the problems that can be expected to arise in both development and use of multimedia presentations. Some discussion of interactive courseware is included.
A physiological measure of carbonic anhydrase in Muller cells

Carbonic anhydrase activity was characterized in freshly dissociated Muller cells of the salamander retina. Intracellular pH was monitored using ratio imaging of the indicator dye BCECF as extracellular PCO2 was varied. The extracellular solution was switched rapidly (141 ms rise time) from a HEPES buffered to a CO2-HCO3- buffered solution (both pH 7.4). Introduction of CO2-HCO3- produced a rapid cell acidification. Cell pH dropped from a steady-state pH of 7.02 in HEPES solution to pH 6.81 in CO2-HCO3-. Methazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, dramatically reduced the initial rate of acidification, demonstrating that the acidification was produced by the carbonic anhydrase-catalyzed hydration of CO2. The initial rate of acidification, 52.6 pH units per min (0.88 pH units per s), was reduced approximately 150-fold to 0.36 pH units per min by 10(-3) M methazolamide. Half-maximal inhibition occurred at a methazolamide concentration of 5.6.10(-7) M. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (10(-3) M) also greatly reduced the rate of cell acidification. The latency to the onset of carbonic anhydrase inhibition was 660 ms for methazolamide and 7.5 s for acetazolamide. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor benzolamide (10(-4) M, 4 min exposure), which is poorly membrane permeant, had little effect on the rate of cell acidification, indicating that the site of carbonic anhydrase action was intracellular. The activity of Muller cell carbonic anhydrase may help to buffer extracellular CO2 variations in the retina.
Impact of corticosteroid administration in preterm delivery due to severe and superimposed preeclampsia

SEVERE AND SUPERIMPOSED PREECLAMPSIA NAGAKRISHNA REDDY, JEANNA PIPER, ELLY XENAKIS, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Antonio, Texas OBJECTIVE: To determine if corticosteroid administration significantly improves neonatal outcome in preterm deliveries complicated by severe and superimposed preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Pregnancies delivered at 24-33 6/7 weeks gestation between 1999-2003 at a single university hospital with severe or superimposed preeclampsia were reviewed for administration and timing of corticosteroid use. Exclusion criteria included multiple gestation, anomalies, fetal demise and missing steroid data. Maternal characteristics analyzed included age, parity, gestational age, laboratory abnormalities, pulmonary edema, eclampsia, abruption and other complications potentially associated with their preeclampsia. Neonatal characteristics analyzed included Apgar scores, need for and duration of endotracheal intubation, use of CPAP, oxyhood or nasal cannula oxygen, birthweight, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, NICU stay and neonatal death. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association of steroid use with neonatal outcomes controlled for potential confounding factors (gestational age and maternal complications). RESULTS: 94 cases met all inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Steroid use was categorized as none (n = 24), !24 (n = 35), 24-48 (n = 18), and >48 hours prior to delivery (n = 13). Steroids for >48 hours prior to delivery (as compared to no steroids) was associated with significant reductions in need for intubation (odds ratio 0.08 [95% confidence interval 0.01-0.66]), oxygen requirement >7 days (0.04 [0.01-0.68]), and need for intubation or CPAP >3 days (0.09 [0.01-0.71]). Steroid use for less than 48 hours prior to delivery was associated with intermediate reductions of the above outcomes. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroid administration is associated with decreased SMFM Abstracts S117
Influence of a dominant consumer species reverses at increased diversity

Theory and experiments indicate that changes in consumer diversity affect benthic community structure and ecosystem functioning. Although the effects of consumer diversity have been tested in the laboratory and the field, little is known about effects of consumer diversity in the subtidal zone, one of the largest marine habitats. We investigated the grazing effects of sea urchins on algal abundance and benthic community structure in a natural subtidal habitat of the Galapagos Islands. Three species of urchins (Eucidaris, Lytechinus, and Tripneustes) were manipulated in inclusion cages following a replacement design with three levels of species richness (one, two, and three species) with all possible two-species urchin combinations. Identity was the main factor accounting for changes in the percentage of substrate grazed and benthic community structure. Two out of the three two-species assemblages grazed more than expected, suggesting a richness effect, but analyses revealed that this increased grazing was due to a sampling effect of the largest and commercially valued urchin species, Tripneustes. Benthic community structure in treatments with Eucidaris, Lytechinus, and Tripneustes alone was significantly different at the end of the experiment, suggesting that resource use differentiation occurred. Communities in Tripneustes enclosures were characterized by abundant crustose coralline algae and grazed substrate, while those without it contained abundant green foliose algae (Ulva sp.). An unexpected emergent property of the system was that the most species-rich urchin assemblage underyielded, grazing less than any other assemblage with Tripneustes, effectively reversing its dominant influence observed in the two-species treatments. While further experiments are needed to discern the mechanisms of underyielding, it may be related to changing interspecific interactions as richness increases from two to three species or to density-dependent Tripneustes grazing. This study highlights the general importance of evaluating consumer richness effects across the entire range of species richness considered, as the performance of the most species-rich consumer assemblage could not be predicted by manipulations of intermediate levels of consumer species richness.
Specification of DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB proteins.

Nuclearfactor-kB(NF-kB)isapleiotropicmediatorofinducibleandspecificgeneregulation involving diverse biological activities including immune response, inflammation, cell proliferation, and death. The fine-tuning of the NF-kB DNA binding activity is essential for its fundamental function as a transcription factor. An increasing body of literature illustrates that this process can be elegantly and specifically controlled at multiple levels by different protein subsets. In particular, the recent identification of a non-Rel subunit of NF-kB itself provides a new way to understand the selective high-affinity DNA binding specificity of NF-kB conferred by a synergistic interaction within the whole complex. Here, we review the mechanism of the specification of DNA binding activity of NF-kB complexes, one of the most important aspects of NF-kB transcriptional control.
The Effect of Improvements in Motorcycle/Motorcyclist Conspicuity on Driver Behavior

A study was conducted to develop and evaluate various means of making motorcycles more conspicuous. More than 30 conspicuity treatments were developed, and the most promising ones were evaluated in...
Feed-forward control of a redundant motor system

We describe a model of feed-forward control of a redundant motor system and validate it using, as examples, tasks of multi-finger force production. The model assumes the existence of two input signals at an upper level of the control hierarchy, related and unrelated to a task variable. Knowledge of the Jacobian of the system is assumed at the level of generation of elemental variables (variables at the level of effectors). Variance at the level of elemental variables is considered as the sum of two components, related and unrelated to variability in the task variable. An index of stabilization of the task variable is similarly introduced as to how it was done in several studies using the framework of the uncontrolled manifold hypothesis. Several phenomena have been simulated including data point distributions corresponding to presence and absence of force-stabilizing synergies in two-finger tasks, changes in synergies with practice, and changes in synergy indices in preparation to a fast action. The model is discussed in comparison to other models of control of multi-element systems based on feedback processes. It shows that patterns of structured variability in the space of elemental variables can result from feed-forward processes. Relations of the model to the equilibrium-point hypothesis are also discussed.
CAD techniques for embedded systems-on-silicon

This paper surveys CAD techniques being developed to handle the design challenges posed by embedded systems-on-silicon. Systems-on-silicon will make extensive use of embedded processors in order to meet aggressive performance goals under short design cycles. Research over the past decade in embedded system design and hardware/software co-design are applicable to embedded systems-on-silicon, but the challenges of designing single-chip systems raises the stakes as well as introduces new problems.
A Hierarchical Queueing Model for Streaming Video over Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

In our previous work, we proposed a distributed buffer (DB) scheme to tackle the problem of transporting layered video over erroneous multi-hop wireless networks. In DB scheme, some intermediate nodes are selected as DB nodes, which are used to pre-buffer video packets before the video streaming starts. In this paper, a novel hierarchical queueing model for DB nodes is proposed. The video playback quality including buffer overflow probability and video quality throughput can be computed based on the proposed queueing model. The simulation result matches the queueing performance of video streaming application.
Radioautographic analysis of the secretory pathway for glycoproteins in principal cells of the mouse epididymis exposed to [3H] fucose.

The secretory process for glycoproteins in principal cells of the mouse caput epididymidis was studied by electron microscope radioautography at intervals after exposure to (3 HI fucose in vitro. The large Golgi apparatus showed very heavy labeling at the initial interval, followed by a steady decline in percent of grains and relative grain concentrations. Conversely, the epididymal lumen and the apical cell surface began low and increased in radioactivity at the 30-mm interval. The extensive sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum showed modest increases in percent of grains and relative grain concentrations 30 mm after administration of the percursor. Subdivision of the sparsely granulated reticulum into “intermediate” profiles (some ribosomes attached to the membranes) and “smooth” profiles (lacking ribosomes) showed that this increase was due to silver grains assigned to the smooth portions. After the initial interval, high relative grain concentrations were calculated for vesicles. The results indicate that glycosylation of epididymal secretory glycoproteins occurs in the Golgi apparatus, which is, therefore, not bypassed as its morphological features had suggested. The kinetics of the secretory process in the principal cells includes 15 to 30 mm for synthesis of the polypeptide parts of secretory products and addition of sugars in the Golgi apparatus, and a similar time for subsequent release from the Golgi apparatus, transport to the apical end of the cell and discharge to the lumen. Ribosome-studded (intermediate) portions of the sparsely granulated endoplasmic reticulum are probably involved in synthesis of polypeptide parts of secretory products, while vesicles or smooth portions of the sparsely granulated reticulum may play a role in intracellular transport of glycoproteins.
Incorporating the Thematic Ritualistic Behaviors of Children with Autism into Games: Increasing Social Play Interactions with Siblings

This study systematically investigated an intervention increasing sibling social play interactions by incorporating the thematic ritualistic activities of children with autism into typical games. D...
Temporal learning in the giant tropical ant, Paraponera clavata

ABSTRACT. Our findings suggest that the capacity for temporal learning in ants may be associated with nectivory. We tested for the existence of time and location learning in the nectivorous tropical ant, Paraponera clavata (F.). Artificial nectar sources were provided at fixed times and locations to P. clavata workers for 5 days. Ants appeared at the feeding location at the appropriate time on the first day that no reward was provided. By the third day without reward there was no difference in visitation between the feeding site and a control site equidistant from the colony. Most ants arrived at the feeding sites within 30 min of the training time, indicating that the precision of ant time sense is similar to that previously documented for honeybees.
Oviposition and Isolation of Viable Eggs from Orius insidiosus in a Parafilm and Water Substrate: Comparison with Green Beans and Use in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

Abstract Plant parts are commonly used as oviposition substrates for mass rearing of Orius spp., but this system does not permit the isolation of clean intact eggs for use as standards in a yolk protein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An oviposition substrate was devised for O. insidiosus by forming water-filled domes from Parafilm-M. Eggs were deposited through the Parafilm skin into water where they remained viable for at least 24 h. Eggs were extracted from the domes and collected onto black filter paper and then used to prepare lyophilized yolk protein as a quantitative standard in ELISA tests. In no-choice tests, O. insidiosus females oviposited 5.86 eggs per female per d into ‘Blue Lake’ green beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L., and 3.06 eggs into water-filled domes. Hatch rates did not significantly differ, although optimal moisture was critical. In a choice test, O. insidiosus females preferred beans to domes (4.02 versus 0.03 eggs per female per 18 h). Females preferred to oviposit into the ...
Darker than black: radiation-absorbing metamaterial

Taking advantage of the broadband “super-singularity” in the density of states of hyperbolic metamaterials, we develop a new approach to radiation-absorbing systems and present an experimental realization of this concept.
Rapid polymerase chain reaction-based test for the detection of female urogenital chlamydial infections.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Amplicor Chlamydia trachomatis Test (Roche Molecular Systems, Branchburg, NJ), a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique, as a screening test for the detection of female urogenital C. trachomatis infections, comparing it to an enzyme immunoassay method. Methods: Endocervical specimens for PCR and Chlamydiazyme (Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) analysis were obtained from 328 unselected patients at the outpatient Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic at the Allegheny County Health Department, Pittsburgh, PA. In addition, urethral swabs for PCR analysis were obtained from 256 of these patients. Results: By PCR analysis, the prevalence of urogenital chlamydial infections was 15.6% and that of cervical chlamydial infections was 10.7%. The sensitivity of PCR in the detection of endocervical chlamydial infections was 89.7% and the specificity was 100%. The positive and negative predictive values of PCR were 100% and 99%, respectively. The sensitivity of Chlamydiazyme in the detection of cervical infections was 61.5% and the specificity was 99.7%, with a positive predictive value of 96.0%. Among all patients with urogenital chlamydial infections, concomitant infections in the urethra and cervix occurred in 52.5%, whereas the urthra or cervix was solely infected in 35.0% and 12.5%, respectively. Conclusions: This PCR-based technique is a rapid screening tool for the diagnosis of urogenital chlamydial infections and is more sensitive than Chlamydiazyme for endocervical infections in a sexually transmitted disease clinic population.
Comentarios A Algunos Aspectos Del Caso De Colusión De Farmacias Y Sus Proyecciones (An Analysis of Cartel Case 'Pharmacies' and Its Prospects)

Spanish Abstract: El llamado “Caso Farmacias” constituyo durante 2012 uno de los hitos de investigacion y decision relevantes en el Sistema de Defensa de la Libre Competencia chileno desde la reforma del ano 2003. Este trabajo analiza la estructura basica de la sentencia 119/2012 del Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia, confirmada por el fallo de la Excma. Corte Suprema, rol 2578-2012, redactado por el ministro Sergio Munoz, y que denego los recursos de reclamacion en contra de la sentencia del TDLC, interpuestos por Cruz Verde S.A. y Salcobrand S.A. El trabajo tambien esbozara comentarios sobre algunas materias de la sentencia, tales como la determinacion del mercado relevante, el problema del paralelismo y el acuerdo de conciliacion de FASA. La sentencia 119/2012 del TDLC se dicto en el ano del trigesimo aniversario del Nobel otorgado a George Stigler, cuya aportacion a la comprension del problema de la colusion en Libre Competencia es relevante, pero que no es citada en el texto del fallo del TDLC ni en el de la Excma. Corte Suprema.English Abstract: During 2012, the Chilean Antitrust case denominated “Pharmacies” became one of the leading in terms of investigation conducted by the Fiscalia Nacional Economica and one of the highlighted decisions of the Antitrust Court, Tribunal de Defensa de la Libre Competencia. This paper analyses the basic structure of judgement 119/2012 issued by the Tribunal, and confirmed by Chilean Supreme Court, by decision 2578-2012, which it was written by judge Sergio Munoz, rejecting an appeal issued by Cruz Verde S.A and Salcobrand S.A. The article also studies the way by which the judges define the relevant market, and discusses some elements about parallel pricing. Furthermore, the case was controversial with respect to to the application of an agreement of conciliation with FASA S.A.
Party Polarization in Legislatures with Office-Motivated Candidates

We develop a theory of legislative competition in which voters care about local candidate valence and national party positions that are determined by the parties’ median legislators. As long as election outcomes are sufficiently predictable, the only stable equilibria exhibit policy divergence between the parties. If the degree of uncertainty about election outcomes decreases, and if voters place less weight on local candidates’ valence, polarization between the parties increases. Furthermore, a systematic electoral shock makes the party favored by the shock more moderate, while the disadvantaged party becomes more extreme. Finally, we examine data on state elections and the ideological positions of state legislatures and find patterns that are consistent with key predictions of our model.