cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human neutrophils utilize a Rac/Cdc42-dependent MAPK pathway to direct intracellular granule mobilization toward ingested microbial pathogens

Elevated levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulatory kinase (MAPK/ERK) activity are frequently found in some cancer cells. In efforts to reduce tumor growth, attempts have been made to develop cancer therapeutic agents targeting the MAPK. Here, by use of biologic, biochemical, and gene manipulation methods in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), we have identified a key pathway important in normal cell function involving MAPK/ERK in PMNs for growth inhibition of Candida albicans. Contact with C albicans triggered MAPK/ERK activation in PMNs within 5 minutes, and blocking of MAPK/ERK activation, either by the pharmacologic reagent PD098059 or by dominant-negative MAPK kinase (MEK) expression via vaccinia viral delivery, suppressed antimicrobial activity. Rac and Cdc42, but not Ras or Rho, were responsible for this MAPK/ERK activation. Expression of dominant-negative Rac (N17Rac) or Cdc42 (N17Cdc42) eliminated not only C albicans- mediated ERK phosphorylation but also phagocytosis and granule migration toward the ingested microbes, whereas dominant-negative Ras (N17Ras) and Rho (N19Rho) did not. PAK1 (p21-activated kinase 1) activation is induced by C albicans, suggesting that PAK1 may also be involved in the Rac1 activation of MAPK/ERK. We conclude from these data that Rac/Cdc42-dependent activation of MAPK/ERK is a critical event in the immediate phagocytic response of PMNs to microbial challenge. Therefore, use of MAPK pharmacologic inhibitors for the treatment of cancer may result in the interruption of normal neutrophil function. A balance between therapeutic outcome and undesirable side effects must be attained to achieve successful and safe anticancer therapy.
Low-temperature (4.2 K) 23Na and 27Al swept-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of zeolites: observation of framework and non-framework aluminum sites

A new method for acquiring 23Na and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of zeolites is introduced. The key features are operation at low temperature, 4.2 K, and the ability to scan across large spectral regions. In this method, the magnetic field is slowly swept through the resonance condition as the line shape is recorded by a lowpower single pulse or spin echo pulse sequence. A single crystal and powder sample of andalusite are studied to verify the spectral response features of the pulse sequences. Then, four hydrogen faujasites are studied; the samples have different amounts of non-framework aluminum. By acquiring the spectra at 4.2 K, the motion of ions and water molecules is suppressed and the NMR spectra are obtained in the static limit. We compare these spectra to simulations based on 27Al quadrupole coupling constants previously obtained in room temperature studies. There is partial agreement, but the 4.2 K spectra appear to show more 27Al sites than are observed at room temperature.
Performance evaluation of a 3D imaging system for vehicle safety

The NIST Construction Metrology and Automation Group (CMAG), in cooperation with the NIST Intelligent Systems Division (ISD), is developing performance metrics and standard tests for the evaluation of 3D imaging systems used in autonomous mobility applications. This work supports the broader effort to develop open, consensus-based performance evaluation standards for a wide range of 3D imaging systems and applications through the ASTM E57 Committee on 3D Imaging Systems. This report presents initial efforts to characterize the range performance of a 3D imaging sensor that will be used in a performance measurement system for crash prevention and safety systems. Factors examined include range, target reflectance, target angle of incidence, and sensor azimuth.
Co-designing the failure analysis and monitoring of large-scale systems

Large-scale distributed systems provide the backbone for numerous distributed applications and online services. These systems span over a multitude of computing nodes located at different geographical locations connected together via wide-area networks and overlays. A major concern with such systems is their susceptibility to failures leading to downtime of services and hence high monetary/business costs. In this paper, we argue that to understand failures in such a system, we need to co-design monitoring system with the failure analysis system. Unlike existing monitoring systems which are not designed specifically for failure analysis, we advocate a new way to design a monitoring system with the goal of uncovering causes of failures. Similarly the failure analysis techniques themselves need to go beyond simple statistical analysis of failure events in isolation to serve as an effective tool. Towards this end, we provide a discussion of some guiding principles for the co-design of monitoring and failure analysis systems for planetary scale systems.
Lithic clasts in the Supuhee chondrite

Bulk chemical analyses of three foreign lithic clasts from Supuhee, a shocked and brecciated H6 chondrite, were carried out in an attempt to locate 'mysterite', a volatile-rich material postulated to be present. Clast 1 bears some similarities to C1 and C2 chondrites, but its relatively low (less than 9.4%) volatile content suggests a different set of physicochemical conditions during low-temperature condensation. Clast 2 was apparently derived from H-group chondrite material by loss of metal and sulfide. Clast 3 is an unusual meteorite type whose chemical composition is reminiscent of the unique chondrite Kakangari (Graham, et al., 1977). These chemically distinct bodies were apparently not present during the metamorphic event which affected Supuhee. Although the presence of mysterite was not confirmed or refuted, the present results indicate that conditions were favorable for the formation, incorporation and preservation of volatile-rich materials.
The biotic response to Neoproterozoic snowball Earth

Abstract The commonly held notion among earth scientists that Neoproterozoic low latitude glaciation (ca. 720–585 Ma), sometimes referred to as snowball Earth, caused major extinctions and imparted important evolutionary consequences upon the biosphere is not supported by the microfossil record. In particular, silicified microfossils from pre- and syn-glacial units in the Death Valley region, California, reveal little change during the glacial interval; in fact, the syn-glacial microbiota is slightly more diverse and contains more putative autotrophic and heterotrophic eukaryotes than underlying strata. In Australia, pre- and post-glacial acritarch assemblages from shale reveal no change in diversity across the glacial interval. In modern glacial environments, productive and diverse modern microbial communities live within and upon sea and glacial ice and may provide an analogue for a more robust snowball Earth biosphere than previously considered.
Total Synthesis of the Ammosamides

The ammosamides A−C are chlorinated pyrrolo[4,3,2-de]quinoline metabolites isolated from the marine-derived Streptomyces strain CNR-698. The natural products, which possess a dense array of heteroatoms, were synthesized in 17−19 steps from 4-chloroisatin. That the five nitrogen atoms were introduced at the appropriate time and in a suitable oxidation state was key to the success of the total synthesis. Compared to synthetic deschloro ammosamide B, natural ammosamide B is much less susceptible to oxidative degradation.
Menopausal Flushes: Effect of Pituitary Gonadotropin Desensitization by a Potent Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Factor Agonist

Recent evidence suggests that the menopausal flush is linked to the neuroendocrine events which govern pulsatile LH secretion and thermoregulation. This study was designed to determine whether abolishment of LH pulses may abate flush episodes. After pituitary gonadotropin densensitization by a LRF agonist, LH and FSH pulses were abolished, and serum gonadotropin levels were decreased. Flush episodes, however, were unaltered. These findings demonstrate that pulsatile LH release by the pituitary is not causally related to menopausal flushes, and support the contention that flush episodes are initiated by a hypothalamic mechanism(s).
Moisture Dependence of Silver-Graphite Brushes in Air, Nitrogen, Helium, and Carbon Dioxide

Wear tests were conducted on silver-graphite brushes sliding against copper slip rings in order to determine moisture levels below which the brushes would dust (wear rapidly). It was found that the brushes would not dust in carbon dioxide at the lowest attainable moisture concentration of 9 to 10 ppm, whereas critical moisture levels were found for the other three gases. The order of increasing moisture dependence for prevention of dusting was as follows: carbon dioxide, air, helium, and nitrogen. Savage's work on graphite adsorptive properties provides the basis for an explanation of these results.
Polysulfone membranes I. performance comparison of commercially available ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract Criteria for membrane comparison are presented based on two structural parameters. Using a transport model that accounts for steric and hydrodynamic effects, an average pore radius for various commercial polysulfone membranes was calculated from solute sieving experiments. The number of pores per unit membrane area divided by the pore length was estimated using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation. The average membrane pore radius governs separation, while the ratio of the number of pores per unit membrane area to the pore length describes the flux through a membrane. Performance limits of commercially available polysulfone membranes are presented.
An analysis of behavior in the hobbits-orcs problem ☆

Abstract Young adults solved a problem in which hobbits and orcs had to be transported across a river. In Expt I, a Part-Whole group of subjects solved the problem starting at a different state in the middle and then were given the entire problem. Comparison with a Control group indicated that the initial practice of the Part-Whole group did not facilitate their later performance on the same problem segment, but did facilitate performance in a different portion of the problem. In Expt II, some subjects were given feedback halfway through the problem that they were on the right track. Results gave some support to the notion that a possible difficulty in the problem is the subject's belief that he must have entered a blind alley in the search space. However, other difficulties were also involved. Inferences from several different dependent performance variables, the transfer results, and subjects' comments consistently suggested that subjects solving this problem needed to undergo a number of cognitive changes (3–4) that was smaller than the minimum number of external moves required to solve the problem (11).
Lexical decision and priming in Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were no faster at making lexical decisions to targets preceded by a semantic prime than to those preceded by an unrelated prime, in contrast to the facilitatory effect of semantic primes for controls. Fewer errors were made by both subject groups on the targets that followed related items, indicating the preservation of associative relationships in AD. The AD patients and controls showed similar effects on lexical decision of repitition priming, word frequency, and the degree to which nonwords approximated real words. The abnormal priming effect in AD may stem from increased susceptibility to lateral inhibition in the semantic network.
Micro analysis of prostaglandins and ecdysteroids in insects by high-performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence labeling

Abstract A method is discussed for the quantitative determination of prostaglandins and ecdysteroids in insects by pre-column derivatization and high-performance liquid chromatography. Prostaglandin and ecdysteroid fractions are first purified from homogenized insect organs by a Sep-Pak C 18 cartridge and derivatized quantitatively by treatment with 1-anthroyl nitrite. These derivatives are then used for quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography analysis on a C 18 column equipped with fluorescence detection. The detection limit is presently below 10 pg as an injected amount of the standard derivatives. The foregoing methods are applied for the determination of the prostaglandin and ecdysteroid titers in the various organs of an individual insect.
Genetic analysis of obesity-induced diabetes associated with a limited capacity to synthesize insulin in C57BL/KS mice: evicence for polygenic control

Expression of obesity-induced diabetes associated with the diabetes or db mutation in mice varies in inbred strains. This study utilized a genetic analysis to evaluate the number of genes responsible for the difference in diabetes responses between mice of the susceptible C57BL/KsJ (BL/Ks) and resistant 129/J inbred strains. BL/Ks (db/+) males and 129/J (+/+) females were bred to generate F1 hybrids, and the F1 females (db/+ and +/+, distinguished by progeny testing) were backcrossed to BL/Ks (db/+) males. A total of 252 backcrossed males were obtained, of which 31 were db/db and obese. While the plasma glucose of all the fed back-crossed mice was greater than 22 mmol/l, the expression of diabetes varied considerably, as measured by fasting plasma glucose, fed plasma insulin, and pancreatic insulin and proinsulin mRNA content. That proinsulin mRNA content was a good indicator of diabetes severity and islet dysfunction was seen in the inverse correlation between proinsulin mRNA content and fasting plasma glucose (r=0.69, p 22 mmol/l) unfasted plasma glucose in all backcrossed mice, allelic differences at two or more genetic loci are responsible for the differences between the two strains in diabetes severity measured by fasting plasma glucose, pancreatic insulin, and proinsulin mRNA content.
Multiresolutional filtering using wavelet transform

An algorithm for optimal and dynamic multiresolutional distributed filtering is derived. The wavelet transform is utilized as a bridge linking signals at different resolution levels. The algorithm can be employed for dynamic multisensor/data fusion. >
A study of the reaction kinetics for the formation of rare earth-transition metal laves compounds

The kinetics of the reaction A(s) + 2B(s) =AB2(s) was studied by differential thermal analy sis. TheA component was Pr, Gd, Dy or Er, theB was Fe, Co, or Ni and the resultingAB2 compound was a MgCu2 Laves intermetallic compound. A generalized search method to de termine the reaction mechanism was developed and applied to the above reactions. The re actions were found to be diffusion controlled and the kinetics best described by the Valensi-Carter equation.
Thermal Radiation in Rayleigh-Bénard Instability

Thermal radiation from finite-conductivity boundaries can strongly affect the stability of horizontally unbounded, plane fluid layers heated from below. The role of thermal radiation in plane layer instabilities is studied under the assumption that the fluid medium is transparent, as a model of infrared through gas layers. The solution procedure modifies a previous formulation of the conductive boundary problem to account for the gray radiant interchange between boundaries. The nonisothermal character of the boundaries is shown to bias instability toward high wavenumbers and to substantially increase the stability of fluid layers between radiative, nonconductive boundaries relative to layers having nonradiative boundaries. A single layer is studied first, and then a case of parallel, interacting fluid layers is considered. Critical Rayleigh numbers are presented as both tabulations and correlations. The implications for solar collector design are discussed.
Intravenous Administration of Bovine Serum Albumin as a Blood Substitute in Experimental Secondary Shock

ConclusionsBovine serum, bovine plasma, and bovine serum globulin are very toxic when given by the intravenous route to dogs. The toxicity of the whole serum or plasma appears to be due to the serum globulin or related protein fractions. The intravenous administration of bovine serum albumin is not only harmless, but is effective in raising and maintaining the blood pressure of dogs subjected to severe hemorrhage. Since bovine blood is readily available, bovine serum albumin may prove useful as a substitute for blood. A study of the effects of the intravenous administration of bovine serum albumin in human beings will be reported later.
Three-dimensional rank annihilation for multi-component determinations

Abstract The method of rank annihilation for multi-component determinations is extended to a three-dimensional data araay. The possibility of improved sensitivity over the two-dimensional method is shown. An illustration using data of the type expected from a liquid chromatograph with a video-fluorimeter as detector is presented. Partial separation of the sample by the liquid chromatograph leads to improved sensitivity in the data analysis of the excitation or emission covariance matrices.
Rethinking the Market Metaphor: School Choice, the Common Good, and the National Football League

School choice advocates often assume that market-like competition will create a dynamic K–12 educational environment that will result in improved outcomes. We critically examine this assumption and draw on the literature on market failure and social dilemmas to demonstrate that the market metaphor in a public schooling context has limited utility. We then compare K–12 education to an unlikely context—the National Football League (NFL). We use this comparison to generate a number of insights into how parental choice might be leveraged within the K–12 education system to improve outcomes.
Germline Variation in Cancer-Susceptibility Genes in a Healthy, Ancestrally Diverse Cohort: Implications for Individual Genome Sequencing

Technological advances coupled with decreasing costs are bringing whole genome and whole exome sequencing closer to routine clinical use. One of the hurdles to clinical implementation is the high number of variants of unknown significance. For cancer-susceptibility genes, the difficulty in interpreting the clinical relevance of the genomic variants is compounded by the fact that most of what is known about these variants comes from the study of highly selected populations, such as cancer patients or individuals with a family history of cancer. The genetic variation in known cancer-susceptibility genes in the general population has not been well characterized to date. To address this gap, we profiled the nonsynonymous genomic variation in 158 genes causally implicated in carcinogenesis using high-quality whole genome sequences from an ancestrally diverse cohort of 681 healthy individuals. We found that all individuals carry multiple variants that may impact cancer susceptibility, with an average of 68 variants per individual. Of the 2,688 allelic variants identified within the cohort, most are very rare, with 75% found in only 1 or 2 individuals in our population. Allele frequencies vary between ancestral groups, and there are 21 variants for which the minor allele in one population is the major allele in another. Detailed analysis of a selected subset of 5 clinically important cancer genes, BRCA1, BRCA2, KRAS, TP53, and PTEN, highlights differences between germline variants and reported somatic mutations. The dataset can serve a resource of genetic variation in cancer-susceptibility genes in 6 ancestry groups, an important foundation for the interpretation of cancer risk from personal genome sequences.
Size determination of enzymes by radiation inactivation.

This review article, with 58 references, evaluates studies in which the molecular size of an enzyme has been determined by means of ionizing radiation. The method relies on measurement of the loss of biological activity with increasing radiation exposure. There are more than 40 enzymes for which radiation molecular weights have been determined all of which are in fairly good agreement with other molecular weight estimates. Target theory analysis of these data has predicted the size of functional units and has been shown to apply to simple and complex enzymes. (KRM)
Weathering the Storms: Credit Receipt and Child Labor in the Aftermath of the Great Floods (1998) in Bangladesh

Summary In this paper we use data from a unique survey conducted in the aftermath of the 1998 floods in Bangladesh to examine how the household shock–child labor relationship is affected by credit receipts of households. Adopting the ratio of assets lost due to the floods as a likely exogenous shock proxy, we find that child labor increases with the magnitude of the shock but only if households do not receive credit. This suggests that following shocks child labor may be a response to non-availability of credit. The policy implication suggests a distinct and alternative channel in combating the economic incentives behind child labor—access to credit diminishes the immediate financial burden on constrained households, reducing their need for child labor.
The proton and carbon‐13 NMR spectra of thioxanthone sulfoxide, thioxanthone sulfone and related ylides ‐ chemical shift assignments

The proton and carbon-13 nmr spectra of thioxanthone sulfoxide, thioxanthone sulfone, thioxanthonium bis(carbomethoxyl)methylide and thioxanthonium bis(carbomethoxyl)methylide S-oxide are assigned using 2-D nmr techniques and compared to those of thioxanthone. The pseudo-equatorial methylide fragment shields C4a/5a by ˜ 11 ppm relative to the corresponding sulfoxide and by ˜ 4 ppm relative to thioxanthone. The pseudo-axial methylide fragment in the oxysulfonium ylide has the same effect upon C4a/5a as does the pseudo-axial oxygen of the corresponding sulfone. The sulfoxide and the sulfonium ylide have similar chemical shifts for C2/7 (˜ 131 ppm) as do the sulfone and oxysulfonium ylide (˜ 133 ppm).
The mushroom bodies of Drosophila melanogaster: an immunocytological and golgi study of Kenyon cell organization in the calyces and lobes.

Golgi impregnations reveal a variety of dendritic morphologies amongst Kenyon cells in the mushroom bodies of Drosophila melanogaster. Different morphological types of Kenyon cells contribute axon-like processes to five divisions of the medial and vertical lobes. Four of these divisions have characteristic affinities to antibodies raised against aspartate, glutamate, and taurine. A newly described posterior subdivision of the medial lobe, here named the βc lobe with its vertical branch αc, comprises glutamatergic Kenyon cells that are probably homologous to glutamatergic Kenyon cells in the cockroach and honey bee, and are the last neurons to differentiate. The first neurons to differentiate, which supply the γ lobe, are equipped with clawed dendritic specializations and are the structural homologues of clawed class II Kenyon cells supplying the γ lobes in cockroaches and honey bees. Three intermediate divisions lie between the βc lobe and γ lobe. These are, from the back towards the front, the β lobe, the β′ lobe, and a narrow division between β′ and γ called the β″ lobe. The fused calyx of the Drosophila mushroom body is comparable to the double calyces of Hymenoptera, here exemplified by a basal taxon, Diprion pini. Further similarities between the hymenopteran calyces and those of Drosophila are suggested by the segregation of different types of Kenyon cell dendrites within the calyx neuropil. The organization of afferents from the antennal lobes also defines regions in the Drosophila calyx that may be homologous to the lip and basal ring regions of the honey bee calyces. As in honey bees, GABAergic processes densely invade Drosophila's calyces, which also contain a sparse but uniform distribution of octopaminergic elements. Microsc. Res. Tech. 62:151–169, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepine antibiotics. Biosynthesis of the antitumor antibiotic sibiromycin by Streptosporangium sibiricum

The biosynthesis of the antitumor antibiotic sibiromycin by Streptosporangium sibiricum requires the construction of four units: the amino sugar from glucose; the anthranilate ring from DL-tryptophan probably via kynurenine; the aromatic methyl group from methionine; the propylidene proline from L-tyrosine with the loss of two aromatic carbons and addition of a C-1 from methionine. Retention of tritium from DL-[5-3H]tryptophan in sibiromycin suggest an NIH shift during hydroxylation of an intermediate.
A high rate Li-rich layered MNC cathode material for lithium-ion batteries

We report a high rate Li-rich layered manganese nickel cobalt (MNC) oxide cathode material of the composition 0.5Li2MnO3·0.5LiMn0.5Ni0.35Co0.15O2, termed Li-rich MNC cathode material, with discharge capacities of 200, 250, and 290 mA h g−1 at C, C/4 and C/20 rates, respectively, for Li-ion batteries. This high rate discharge performance combined with little capacity fade during long term cycling is unprecedented for this class of lithium ion (Li-ion) cathode materials. The exceptional electrochemistry of the Li-rich MNC in Li-ion cells is attributed to its open porous morphology and high electronic conductivity. The structure of the material investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) combined with electrochemical data revealed that the porous morphology was effective in allowing electrolyte penetration through the particle grains in tandem with its high electronic conductivity to provide high Li+ transport for high rate discharge. Extended cycling behavior and structural phase transition of the new material were further examined through Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), XRD, XAS and HRTEM. The new Li-rich MNC cathode material could provide the next generation Li-ion batteries with specific energy exceeding 400 W h kg−1 or energy density over 1000 W h l−1.
The C-terminal residue of actin and its role in reactions of actin and myosin

Abstract A study has been made of the effect of digestion of actin with carboxypeptidase A on the ability of actin to combine with itself (polymerization) and with myosin. Change in viscosity was used as a criterion of the former combination and superprecipitation was a criterion of the latter. Digestion was found to release a single phenylalanine residue from the C-terminus of actin. This caused an alteration in the rate and perhaps the extent of the polymerizing reaction, but did not seem to affect directly the formation of actomyosin from the digested actin and myosin.
A theoretical study of the signal response of a shielded MR sensor (magnetic heads)

A general analysis of the behavior of a shielded magnetic-field biased magnetoresistive sensor is presented. Using a transmission-line model and assuming linear magnetic behavior for the MR sensor material, the nature of the MR transfer curve and the dependence of output amplitude and asymmetry on bias levels and signal strengths is studied. Results show that, in general, there is no single optimum bias level that simultaneously maximizes the small-signal response amplitude and minimizes the positive-negative output asymmetry. As a result, in MR head designs, compromise must be made according to the relative importance of these two objectives. >
The association of antihypertensive agents with MRI white matter findings and with Modified Mini-Mental State Examination in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of antihypertensive regimen with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter hyperintensity and with cognitive impairment in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The Cardiovascular Health study, an observational prospective cohort study of risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke in men and women 65 years of age and older. PARTICIPANTS: 1268 men and women with pharmacologically treated hypertension. MEASUREMENTS: Information on medication use, medical history, and health habits was collected at clinic examinations. Participants completed the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) and underwent MRI examination. Without clinical information, study neuroradiologists assigned an overall grade of white matter signal intensity on MRI on a scale from 0 (no findings) to 9 (extensive findings). RESULTS: Adjusted mean white matter grade was higher for users of calcium channel blockers (2.59, P = .007) and users of loop diuretics (2.60, P = .015) than for users of beta blockers (2.12). The association was present for both dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. Adjusted mean 3MS scores were lower for users of calcium channel blockers (89.6, P < .002), especially dihydropyridines, and users of loop diuretics (89.7, P < .006) than for users of beta blockers (92.3). No statistically significant association could be shown for users of other drug regimens, including thiazides and ACE inhibitors. CONCLUSION: In this study, users of antihypertensive regimens which included calcium channel blockers or loop diuretics had more severe white matter hyperintensity on MRI and worse performance on 3MS than users of beta blockers. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1423–1433, 1997.
Toward consistent cell segmentation: quality assessment of cell segments via appearance and geometry features

Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems based on histopathological images rely on quality low-level image processing, including cell segmentation. Many methods for cell segmentation lack in generality and struggle with the wide variety of cell appearance and inter-cell structure present in histopathological images. We present a computationally efficient system to classify segmentation results as the first step toward automatic segment correction. This general method can applied to existing or future cell segmentation methods to provide corrections for low-quality results. Specifically, with a small collection of easy-to-compute features, we can identify incorrect segments with a high degree of accuracy, which then can be used to determine the needed corrections based on the type of segmentation failure present.
Nucleon emission via electromagnetic excitation in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions: Reanalysis of the Weizsäcker-Williams method.

Previous analyses of the comparison of Weizs\"acker-Williams theory to experiment for nucleon emission via electromagnetic excitations in nucleus-nucleus collisions have not been definitive because of different assumptions concerning the value of the minimum impact parameter. This situation is corrected by providing criteria that allow one to make definitive statements concerning agreement or disagreement between Weizs\"ascker-Williams theory and experiment.
Ferromagnetism and spin-orbital compensation in Sm intermetallics

The electronic structure and magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic Sm intermetallics ${\mathrm{SmAl}}_{2}$ and SmZn have been calculated within the local density approximation $(\mathrm{LDA})+U$ method. In contrast to LDA, which predicts a strong peak of $4f$ character in the density of states on the Fermi level, the $\mathrm{LDA}+U$ method predicts occupied $4f$ states well below the Fermi energy and empty ones well above this energy. We find a sizeable orbital magnetic moment, comparable in magnitude with the opposite oriented spin moment. This result is consistent with the recent observation of ferromagnetic spin ordering, compensated by the orbital magnetization.
Trees as semilattices

Abstract We study semilattices whose diagrams are trees. First, we characterize them as semilattices whose convex subsemilattices form a convex geometry, or, equivalently, the closure induced by convex subsemilattices is antiexchange. Then we give lattice theoretic and two graph theoretic characterizations of atomistic semilattices with tree diagrams.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE NATURAL DISTRIBUTION OF EVERGREEN AND DECIDUOUS ERICACEOUS SHRUBS ON NORTHEAST- AND SOUTHWEST-FACING SLOPES OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS. II. WATER RELATIONS.

Three species of shrubs (Ericaceae) were found to segregate upon the northeast and southwest slopes of spur ridges on Brush Mountain, in southwestern Virginia. Rhododendron maximum was found only in valleys and lower northeast slopes, Rhododendron periclymenoides = R. nudiflorum) was found on northeast slopes while Kalmia latifolia was most abundant on southwest slopes. Previous vegetation studies indicated that these partially segregated distributions were related to irradiance and water availability. In field studies of water potential, R. periclymenoides had the lowest diurnal leaf water potentials and the largest seasonal variation in midday leaf water potential. Kalmia latifolia had the highest leaf conductance in field and phytotron experiments. Rhododendron maximum had the greatest seasonal osmotic adjustment followed by R. periclymenoides and K. latifolia. In phytotron experiments, the photosynthetic capacity of R. maximum was the most sensitive to water stress followed by R. periclymenoides and K. latifolia. Kalmia latifolia was able to modify its conductance rates to reduce water loss and maintain constant leaf water potential minimizing photosynthetic inhibition. Rhododendron periclymenoides showed extreme luxury spending of water indicated by high conductance and low photosynthesis. The ecophysiological responses to water and irradiance provided an explanation for the distributions of the three species. For example, R. maximum leaves are sensitive to elevated irradiance, and carbon gain is strongly influenced by water stress. Thus, R. maximum will perform best in low irradiance environments with ample water, such as valley sites. Each species had a unique set of adaptations for performing best in their optimum habitat.
QoS provisioning for a hybrid satellite DVB - wireless network with fade mitigation for tactical multimedia applications

Emerging hybrid satellite communications and wireless network architectures support high bandwidth services and applications for tactical users. In this paper we propose a cross- layer design approach focusing on physical layer interaction on the application layer using an OPNET simulation environment. This paper studies the effect of fading on dynamic resource allocations and the impact of rain fading on QoS parameters such as delay and jitter. The study also includes the impact of fading on multimedia applications such as VOIP, video conferencing, FTP and HTTP. The system architecture used for these simulation experiments consists of Digital Video Broadcasting - (DVB-S2) for the forward link and DVB-RCS for the return link of satellite network segment. We also propose using WiFi and WiMAX wireless networks for the terrestrial segment. Our simulation framework uses the standard specified three categories of dynamic resource allocation mechanisms and four levels of priority traffic. The simulation results in terms of throughput, delay and jitter demonstrate the effect of fading on QOS provisioning for multimedia traffic over a hybrid network.
Impedance matching for one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP) reactors

A characteristic one atmosphere uniform glow discharge plasma (OAUGDP) reactor requires a power supply capable of delivering a few kilowatts at a frequency of 1-10 kHz, and an rms voltage up to 20 kV. The OAUGDP reactor with the plasma energized can be modeled as a capacitor in parallel with a resistor. In addition, the nonideality of the transformer between the radio frequency (RF) power supply and the plasma reactor introduces an imaginary component in its impedance. Thus, the load of the RF power supply, as seen by its output terminals, is highly reactive. An impedance mismatch resulting from the absence of a matching network will cause a large reflected power from the plasma reactor back to the power supply that does not contribute to plasma formation, but requires an expensive overrated power supply. All the impedance matching networks in the existing literature are for the RF or microwave plasma applications under low pressures, and they cannot be applied to the applications of the OAUGDP, which is operated at much lower frequencies and much higher voltages. In this paper, the design theory and experimental results of two types of impedance matching circuits that match OAUGDP reactors to their power supplies will be presented.
Multi-channel airborne radar

This paper examines two applications of a multi-channel airborne radar system, or an array-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The first mode involves a stripmap SAR array whose electronically-steered beam patterns are exploited to achieved the azimuth resolution of its single element while maintaining a relatively high radar power; this system has applications in foliage penetrating (FOPEN) SAR. The second array-based SAR utlilizes two or more elements in the along-track domain to detect moving targets. Signal processing issues associated with these two array-based SAR systems are discussed.
A mobile SSVEP-based brain-computer interface for freely moving humans: The robustness of canonical correlation analysis to motion artifacts

Recently, translating a steady-state visual-evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) from laboratory settings to real-life applications has gained increasing attention. This study systematically tests the signal quality of SSVEP acquired by a mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) system, which features dry electrodes and wireless telemetry, under challenging (e.g. walking) recording conditions. Empirical results of this study demonstrated the robustness of canonical correlation analysis (CCA) to movement artifacts for SSVEP detection. This demonstration considerably improves the practicality of real-life applications of mobile and wireless BCI systems for users actively behaving in and interacting with their environments.
Heuristic tradeoffs between latency and energy consumption in register assignment

One of the challenging tasks in code generation for embedded systems is register allocation and assignment, wherein one decides on the placement and lifetimes of variables in registers. When there are more live variables than registers, some variables need to be spilled to memory and restored later. In this paper we propose a policy that minimizes the number of spills — which is critical for portable embedded systems since it leads to a decrease in energy consumption. We argue however, that schedules with a minimal number of spills do not necessarily have minimum latency. Accordingly, we propose a class of policies that explore tradeoffs between assignments leading to schedules with low latency versus those leading to low energy consumption and show how to tune them to particular datapath characteristics. Based on experimental results we propose a criterion to select a register assignment policy that for 99% of the cases we considered minimizes both latency and energy consumption associated with spills to memory.
Controlling aerial maneuvering of a miniature jumping robot using its tail

In this paper, we present the design and experimentation of a miniature robot that can jump, run, and perform aerial maneuvering. Specifically, this robot can use wheeled locomotion to run on the ground. Encountering an obstacle, it can jump up to overcome the obstacle. After leaping into the air, the robot can control its body angle using its tail for aerial maneuvering. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first miniature (maximum size 6.5 centimeters) and lightweight (28.0 grams) robot that having all the three capabilities. Furthermore, this robot is equipped with on-board energy, sensing, control, and wireless communication capabilities, which enables the tetherless operation. It can be potentially employed for mobile sensor networks in environments with obstacles.
Movement-related potentials and control of associated movements.

Previous studies have shown a relationship of the readiness potential (RP) preceding a motor act to motor control, as indexed by eye movement (EM). Greater EM and, therefore, less motor control was associated with increased positivity in preresponse RP components. It was hypothesized that these positive components may reflect processes involved in the inhibition of extraneous or associated movement during the performance of a motor act. especially in younger subjects with less motor development. We developed a finger lift task for detecting irrelevant associated movements (AM) from the responding hand and the nonresponding contralateral hand. During each target finger lift, small movements of the other nontarget fingers from the target hand and the contralateral hand were considered movements that should have been inhibited. Trials for each subject were divided into two bins: associated movement (AM) trials which had movement of target plus nontarget fingers, and trials with only target finger movement de...
Photoluminescent energy transfer from poly(phenyleneethynylene)s to near‐infrared emitting fluorophores

Photoluminescent energy transfer was investigated in conjugated polymer-fluorophore blended thin films. A pentiptycene-containing poly(phenyleneethynylene) was used as the energy donor, and 13 fluorophores were used as energy acceptors. The efficiency of energy transfer was measured by monitoring both the quenching of the polymer emission and the enhancement of the fluorophore emission. Near-infrared emitting squaraines and terrylenes were identified as excellent energy acceptors. These results, where a new fluorescent signal occurs in the near-infrared region on a completely dark background, offer substantial possibilities for designing highly sensitive turn-on sensors.
β-Estradiol, but not α-estradiol, reduces myocardial necrosis in rabbits after ischemia and reperfusion

Recent studies in several animal models have suggested that estrogen, given for the short term, may protect ischemic myocardium. Our objective was to test the effect of exogenous estradiol on the development of myocardial necrosis. Twenty minutes before coronary occlusion, rabbits were given an IV bolus of either 17β-estradiol, a form of the hormone that stimulates the estrogen receptor (10 μg) or 17α-estradiol, a natural form of the hormone lacking estrogenic effects (1 mg), or vehicle. Regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) was measured after treatment and during occlusion and reperfusion, and heart rate and blood pressure were monitored throughout. All rabbits underwent 30 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and 4 hours of reperfusion. Estradiol levels were 6 ± 2 pg/ml in untreated rabbits, 392 ± 78 pg/ml in rabbits given 17β-estradiol, and 413 ± 68 pg/ml in rabbits given 17α-estradiol. The size of the ischemic region was similar in all groups, but rabbits treated with 17β-estradiol developed significantly less necrosis than did control rabbits (0.33 ± 0.04 vs 0.53 ± 0.05 of the area at risk; p < 0.05), whereas rabbits treated with 17α-estradiol did not (0.43 ± 0.03; p = NS vs control group). Heart rate, systemic pressure, and RMBF were comparable among groups throughout the protocol. In conclusion, 17β-estradiol exerts a protective effect on ischemic myocardium, reducing infarct size. This beneficial effect is not associated with an increase in myocardial blood flow or alteration in hemodynamics. Because 17α-estradiol did not affect infarct size, the cardioprotective effect of 17β-estradiol is probably receptor mediated.
Multiple Determinants of Dihydro‐β‐Erythroidine Sensitivity on Rat Neuronal Nicotinic Receptor α Subunits

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are differentially sensitive to blockade by the competitive antagonist dihydro-beta-erythroidine. Both alpha and beta subunits participate in determining sensitivity to this antagonist. The alpha subunit contribution to dihydro-beta-erythroidine sensitivity is illustrated by comparing the alpha 4 beta 4 receptor and the alpha 3 beta 4 receptor, which differ in sensitivity to dihydro-beta-erythroidine by approximately 120-fold. IC50 values for blocking alpha 4 beta 4 and alpha 3 beta 4, responding to EC20 concentrations of acetylcholine, were 0.19 +/- 0.06 and 23.1 +/- 10.2 microM, respectively. To map the sequence segments responsible for this difference, we constructed a series of chimeric alpha subunits containing portions of the alpha 4 and alpha 3 subunits. These chimeras were coexpressed with beta 4, allowing pharmacological characterization. We found determinants of dihydro-beta-erythroidine sensitivity to be distributed throughout the N-terminal extracellular domain of the alpha subunit. These determinants were localized to sequence segments 1-94, 94-152, and 195-215. Loss of determinants within segment 1-94 had the largest effect, decreasing dihydro-beta-erythroidine sensitivity by 4.3-fold.
Computed tomography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis: definitive or detrimental?

Utilization of computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with presumed appendicitis was evaluated at a single institution to determine the sensitivity of this diagnostic test and its effect on clinical outcome. Adult patients (age > 17 years) with appendicitis were identified from hospital records. Findings at surgery, including the incidence of perforation, were correlated with imaging results. During a 3-year period, 411 patients underwent appendectomy for presumed acute appendicitis at our institution. Of these patients, 256 (62%) underwent preoperative CT, and the remaining 155 (38%) patients did not have imaging before the surgery. The time interval between arrival in the emergency room to time in the operating room was longer for patients who had preoperative imaging (8.2 ± 0.3 h) compared to those who did not (5.1 ± 0.2 h, p < 0.001). Moreover, this possible delay in intervention was associated with a higher rate of appendiceal perforation in the CT group (17 versus 8%, p = 0.017). Preoperative CT scanning in patients with presumed appendicitis should be used selectively as widespread utilization may adversely affect outcomes. The potential negative impact of CT imaging includes a delay in operative intervention and a potentially higher perforation rate.
Police reports on domestic incidents involving intimate partners: injuries and medical help-seeking.

ABSTRACT This study aims to expand knowledge of partner abuse injury and help-seeking through a new source of data. We reviewed police reports during corresponding periods in 1996 and 1997 (n = 476). Complainants were injured in 17.4% of all incidents; 90% of those injured were women. Hispanics were more likely to be injured than non-Hispanics (OR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.0, 4.25). The likelihood of injury decreased with each year of increasing age (OR = 0.95; CI = 0.91, 0.99). Only 20.5% of those injured consented to medical care. Police reports provide information on partner abuse injury that supplements hospital surveillance and household surveys.
Detecting in-flight page changes with web tripwires

While web pages sent over HTTP have no integrity guarantees, it is commonly assumed that such pages are not modified in transit. In this paper, we provide evidence of surprisingly widespread and diverse changes made to web pages between the server and client. Over 1% of web clients in our study received altered pages, and we show that these changes often have undesirable consequences for web publishers or end users. Such changes include popup blocking scripts inserted by client software, advertisements injected by ISPs, and even malicious code likely inserted by malware using ARP poisoning. Additionally, we find that changes introduced by client software can inadvertently cause harm, such as introducing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities into most pages a client visits. To help publishers understand and react appropriately to such changes, we introduce web tripwires--client-side JavaScript code that can detect most in-flight modifications to a web page. We discuss several web tripwire designs intended to provide basic integrity checks for web servers. We show that they are more flexible and less expensive than switching to HTTPS and do not require changes to current browsers.