cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Diagnosis and Psychophysiological Management of Chronic Pain and Anxiety

There is a growing awareness that the parameters of acute and chronic pain vary widely. Acute pain is easy to localize and recognize, and may, in fact, be mediated through different pathways from chronic pain (Sweet, 1981). These pathways include the (a) dorsal-column post synaptic system (DCPS), (b) spinocervical tract (SCT) and (c) neospinothalamic tract (NSTT), which are all rapidly conducting systems suited to convey phasic information (Melzack & Dennis, 1978). Acute pain is marked by an increase in mytonia, heart rate, blood pressure, skin conductance, and peripheral vasoconstriction together with other indicators of sympathetic activation. From a psychological or behavioral viewpoint we are seeing the same signs that indicate fear or anxiety. Chronic pain has been defined as any pain that has persisted for over 6 months and has not responded to standard medical management, including drugs, physical therapy, and surgery (Sternbach, 1974). Bonica, a pioneer in the study and therapy of chronic pain, defines it as “pain which persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or a reasonable time for an injury to heal, or it recurs at intervals of months or years (Bonica, 1980). Studies by Johnson (1978) and Barton, Haight, Marsland, and Temple (1976) reveal that 75% of patients who complain of recent onset back pain experience spontaneous remission within 3 months.
SPAND: shared passive network performance discovery

In the Internet today, users and applications must often make decisions based on the performance they expect to receive from other Internet hosts. For example, users can often view many Web pages in low-bandwidth or high-bandwidth versions, while other pages present users with long lists of mirror sites to chose from. Current techniques to perform these decisions are often ad hoc or poorly designed. The most common solution used today is to require the user to manually make decisions based on their own experience and whatever information is provided by the application. Previous efforts to automate this decision-making process have relied on isolated, active network probes from a host. Unfortunately, this method of making measurements has several problems. Active probing introduces unnecessary network traffic that can quickly become a significant part of the total traffic handled by busy Web servers. Probing from a single host results in less accurate information and more redundant network probes than a system that shares information with nearby hosts. In this paper, we propose a system called SPAND (Shared Passive Network Performance Discovery) that determines network characteristics by making shared, passive measurements from a collection of hosts. In this paper, we show why using passive measurements from a collection of hosts has advantages over using active measurements from a single host. We also show that sharing measurements can significantly increase the accuracy and timeliness of predictions. In addition, we present a initial prototype design of SPAND, the current implementation status of our system, and initial performance results that show the potential benefits of SPAND.
Building multi-model collaboration in detecting multimedia semantic concepts (invited paper)

The booming multimedia technology is incurring a thriving multi-media data propagation. As multimedia data have become more essential, taking over a major potion of the content processed by many applications, it is important to leverage data mining methods to associate the low-level features extracted from multimedia data to high-level semantic concepts. In order to bridge the semantic gap, researchers have investigated the correlation among multiple modalities involved in multimedia data to effectively detect semantic concepts. It has been shown that multimodal fusion plays an important role in elevating the performance of both multimedia content-based retrieval and semantic concepts detection. In this paper, we propose a novel cluster-based ARC fusion method to thoroughly explore the correlation among multiple modalities and classification models. After combining features from multiple modalities, each classification model is built on one feature cluster, which is generated from our previous work FCC-MMF. The correlation between medoid of a feature cluster and a semantic concept is introduced to identify the capability of a classification model. It is further applied with the logistic regression method to refine ARC fusion method proposed in our previous work for semantic concept detection. Several experiments are conducted to compare the proposed method with other related works and the proposed method has outperform other works with higher Mean Average Precision (MAP).
Plant Interactions with Herbivores

Plants are eaten by a tremendous array of herbivores, including almost half of known insect species. Although herbivores consume most plants to some degree, many plants are also relatively well defended, and herbivore populations are often limited by predators. The net result of these processes is that the extent of herbivory, and the strength of its effects on plant populations and ecosystem processes, are highly variable. Herbivores strongly influence plants in aquatic environments, productive environments and environments with nutritious, poorly defended plants or few predators. Effects of herbivores can also be accentuated through positive feedbacks between herbivory and soil resources, in which herbivore-mediated changes in plant community composition accelerate or decelerate nutrient cycling. Although research on herbivory has focused primarily on natural systems, few of these systems are free of human influence. Humans dramatically change plant–herbivore relationships by removing predators, increasing plant resource availability and moving both plants and herbivores around the globe. Key concepts Plants defend themselves effectively, using a combination of chemical defences and physical defences and tolerance. Plant defence theory aims to explain variation among species and ecosystems in the types and amounts of plant defence. In addition to plant defences, the extent of herbivory is limited by predation, which can greatly reduce herbivore abundance. Despite plant defences and predation, herbivores often have strong effects on plants. Positive feedbacks between plant resources, plant traits and herbivores can increase the influence of herbivores on plants and ecosystems. Humans dramatically alter plant–herbivore dynamics by moving plants and herbivores, reducing the abundance of predators, increasing nutrient availability and changing the spatial distribution of plant communities. Keywords: grazing; herbivory; plant defence; plant productivity and diversity; predation
A better landmark for positioning a central venous catheter.

Background.Improper positioning of central venous catheters (CVCs) can lead to erosion through the superior vena cava (SVC) or right atrium (RA) and pericardial tamponade. It is widely recommended that the tip of CVCs be placed above the heart or the pericardial reflection. The purpose of this study was to identify an easily recognized landmark to allow identification of the proximal extent of the pericardial reflection on a routine chest radiograph (CXR). Methods.We analyzed the computerized tomograms of the chest from 97 adults to evaluate the relationship between the pericardial reflection, SVC, carina, and right mainstem bronchus. Correlations between demographic data and length of SVC or pericardial reflection were sought. Results.The mean length of the SVC was 6.5 cm. The pericardial reflection covered an average of 3.6 cm of the distal SVC. The carina was a mean of 1.3 cm below the mid-point of the SVC and 0.7 cm below the pericardial reflection. There was no significant correlation between SVC or pericardial length and either age, height, or weight. Conclusions.The distal half of the SVC lies within the pericardial reflection, and the upper limit of the pericardial reflection is slightly above the level of the carina. These landmarks are useful for determining proper position of the tip of a CVC on CXR.
Practices and beliefs concerning screening family members of patients with melanoma: Results of a survey of New England dermatologists

Background: First-degree relatives of patients with melanoma are roughly two to eight times more likely than the general public to be diagnosed with melanoma. Several organizations recommend regular screening for these and other persons at high risk for melanoma. However, there are no data as to how frequently such persons receive skin cancer examinations. Objective: Our purpose was to determine the current screening recommendations and practices of dermatologists regarding family screening for melanoma. Methods: With a one-page questionnaire, we surveyed dermatologists attending a 1989 meeting of the New England Dermatological Society. Results: Seventy-three dermatologists completed the questionnaire. Most dermatologists (70%) reported that they encouraged screening of family members of patients with melanoma but also reported that family members infrequently appeared for skin examinations. Conclusion: Although most dermatologists encouraged screening of first degree relatives of melanoma patients, there appears to be infrequent acceptance by the patient of these recommendations. Recording family screening in the patients' charts, reminders to patients, and distributing literature on familial melanoma may increase acceptance by the patient of these recommendations.
Influence of permafrost distribution on groundwater flow in the context of climate‐driven permafrost thaw: Example from Yukon Flats Basin, Alaska, United States

[1] Understanding the role of permafrost in controlling groundwater flow paths and fluxes is central in studies aimed at assessing potential climate change impacts on vegetation, species habitat, biogeochemical cycling, and biodiversity. Recent field studies in interior Alaska show evidence of hydrologic changes hypothesized to result from permafrost degradation. This study assesses the hydrologic control exerted by permafrost, elucidates modes of regional groundwater flow for various spatial permafrost patterns, and evaluates potential hydrologic consequences of permafrost degradation. The Yukon Flats Basin (YFB), a large (118,340 km2) subbasin within the Yukon River Basin, provides the basis for this investigation. Model simulations that represent an assumed permafrost thaw sequence reveal the following trends with decreasing permafrost coverage: (1) increased groundwater discharge to rivers, consistent with historical trends in base flow observations in the Yukon River Basin, (2) potential for increased overall groundwater flux, (3) increased spatial extent of groundwater discharge in lowlands, and (4) decreased proportion of suprapermafrost (shallow) groundwater contribution to total base flow. These trends directly affect the chemical composition and residence time of riverine exports, the state of groundwater-influenced lakes and wetlands, seasonal river-ice thickness, and stream temperatures. Presently, the YFB is coarsely mapped as spanning the continuous-discontinuous permafrost transition that model analysis shows to be a critical threshold; thus, the YFB may be on the verge of major hydrologic change should the current permafrost extent decrease. This possibility underscores the need for improved characterization of permafrost and other hydrogeologic information in the region via geophysical techniques, remote sensing, and ground-based observations.
Beamspace STAP for circular arrays

Beamspace space-time adaptive processing for oversampled circular antenna arrays using refocusing and/or interpolating beamspace transformation is examined in this study. Three beamspace transformations that rely on array interpolation, phase adjustment, and Toeplitz induced mapping are compared in the context of pulse to pulse space-time adaptive processing. The paper presents recommendations regarding the applications of these algorithms in STAP and presents a comparison in terms of performance, computer processing time, and robustness.
Synthesis and Structures of Two Functionalized Isobenzofurans: (3aR,7aR,4S,5S)-1,3,3a,4,5,7a-Hexahydro-5-methyl-3-oxoisobenzofuran-4-carboxylic acid and (3aα,4β,7β,7aα)-4-[(Acetyloxy)methyl]-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-7-methyl-1,3-isobenzofurandione

The title compounds, C10H12O4 and C12H14O5, were prepared as part of an ongoing study to explore the practical aspects of solventless reaction methods. As confirmed by the crystal structures, treatment of maleic anhydride with (2E,4E)-hexa-2,4-dien-1-ol or its acetate counterpart resulted in cis bicyclo [4.3.0] molecular frameworks. The racemic product derived from the dienol synthon crystallized in chiral space group P212121 via a pasteurian resolution process with molecules organized by carboxyl⋯carboxyl and C–H⋯O contacts. The acetate derivative crystallizes in space group Cc. The synthesis and crystal structures of the title compounds, C10H12O4 and C12H14O5, are reported.
Does this band make sense? Limits to expression based cancer studies

Cancer researchers commonly employ reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gene expression analysis of cancer cells. While this technique is facile and reproducible, it is not without limitations. The human genome contains abundant nearly identical sequences (e.g. pseudogenes) to mRNA transcript sequences, which amplify when performing RT-PCR on samples with even trace amounts of genomic DNA. Such sequences include housekeeping transcripts such as beta-actin and GAPDH. This is also true for numerous gene products whose expression is altered in disease states such as cancer (e.g. pp32). Moreover, we describe that amplification of undesirable sequences is not simply avoided by designing primers spanning multiple exons. We also found that template-specific reverse transcriptase reactions lack the specificity necessary to definitively determine the sense or anti-sense orientation of an mRNA transcript. Given the above mentioned caveats and limitations of expression analysis studies, we encourage cancer investigators to test for the existence of intronless genomic sequences that are similar to the specific transcript of the gene being studied. Further, RNA samples should be completely genomic DNA-free prior to performing RT-PCR based assays. Finally, to ensure reliability of RT-PCR or array results, we recommend not utilizing the widely accepted loading controls, GAPDH and/or beta-actin.
Prostaglandin production by methylcholanthrene-transformed mouse BALB/3T3: effect of oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors.

Abstract Oligomycin, antimycin, and 2,4-dinitrophenol, compounds that are known to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation by different mechanisms, inhibit the production of prostaglandins by serum-stimulated MC5-5 cells. The prostaglandin production that is stimulated by thrombin and bradykinin is inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol. Prostaglandin synthesis by MC5-5 cells from exogenously-supplied arachidonic acid, however, is not affected by 2,4-dinitrophenol. Antimycin and 2,4-dinitrophenol also inhibit the serum-stimulated release of arachidonic acid from the cellular lipids, suggesting that it is the expression of phospholipase activity, a prerequisite for synthesis of prostaglandins by MC5-5 cells, that is dependent on oxidative phosphorylation.
Intrinsic Polarity of Mammalian Neuroepithelial Cells

Progenitor cells in the mammalian forebrain can undergo either symmetric or asymmetric cell divisions by varying their cleavage orientation. In asymmetric divisions, cells distribute apically and basally localized proteins differentially to their daughters. Here we explore the intrinsic polarity of neuroepithelial cells in the developing telencephalon. Actin microfilaments are concentrated apically, forming beltlike structures that encircle spots of gamma-tubulin immunoreactivity. Staining for N-cadherin, beta-catenin, and the tyrosine kinase substrates pp120 and paxillin is also enriched at the lumenal surface, presumably due to the localization of these proteins at adherens junctions. Phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity is concentrated apically in rings, suggesting that adherens junctions are enriched for signaling molecules. In mitotic cells it appears that adherens junction proteins and phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity may be inherited either symmetrically or asymmetrically, depending on the cell's cleavage orientation during mitosis. The differential inheritance of junctional proteins may determine whether a daughter cell can respond to extrinsic signals after mitosis.
A relative resistance ratio for evaluation of Mexican rice borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) susceptibility among sugarcane cultivars.

The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), is a major pest of sugarcane (hybrids of Saccharum spp.) in Louisiana and Texas. Resistance to E. loftini was evaluated in 51 commercial and experimental cultivars of sugarcane, energycane (hybrids of Saccharum spp.), and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench and hybrids of Sorghum spp.] in four replicated small plot field experiments from 2009 to 2012. A relative resistance ratio was developed to compare levels of susceptibility among cultivars based on the percentage of bored internodes and survival to adulthood. This index was able to separate cultivars into five resistance categories and provides a new method for comparing levels of resistance among cultivars. E. loftini pest pressure in 2009 was among the highest recorded with injury ranging from 55 to 88% bored internodes. Commercial sugarcane cultivar HoCP 85-845 was identified as resistant in three of four experiments, whereas HoCP 04-838 was identified as susceptible in all experiments. Of the five sugarcane cultivars in commercial production in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, only TCP 87-3388 was categorized as resistant. Of the cultivars with potential for bioenergy production, all of the energycane cultivars demonstrated higher levels of resistance than high-biomass and sweet sorghum cultivars. Continued evaluation of cultivar resistance to E. loftini is important to development of effective integrated pest management strategies for this pest.
Dental microstructure and life history in subfossil Malagasy lemurs

When compared with their recently extinct relatives, living lemurs represent a mere fraction of a broad radiation that occupied unique niches in the recent past. Among living lemurs, indrids exhibit the fastest rates of dental development. This dental precocity is tightly correlated with rapid pace of postnatal dental eruption, early replacement of the deciduous teeth, high dental endowment at weaning, and relatively slow somatic growth. This pattern is in stark contrast to that seen in extant lemurids, where somatic development is highly accelerated and dental development is relatively slow. We report on the pace of dental development in one species of palaeopropithecid, the sister group to extant indrids. Like much smaller modern indrids, the chimpanzee-sized Palaeopropithecus ingens was dentally precocious at birth as evidenced by the advanced state of molar crown formation. This finding implies a pattern characteristic of Propithecus and other indrids—rapid dental development despite relatively prolonged gestation. Gestation length in this one species of subfossil lemur was likely greater than 9 months. Our results demonstrate that large body size in primates does not preclude exceedingly rapid dental development.
Influence of mercury drop growth and geometry on the A.C. polarographic wave

Theoretical reassessment of the contributions of electrode growth and geometry on the a.c. polarographic wave is given. Examination of the theory for the ‘quasi-reversible’ a.c.wave indicates that these factors contribute significantly when the d.c.process is influenced by charge transfer kinetics. Generalization of these results leads to the conclusion that growth and geometry can be important when any rate process in addition to diffusion kinetically influences the d.c. process. If the d.c. process is diffusion-controlled or non-existent (zero direct current), theory predicts that these effects will be negligible, in agreement with earlier works of Koutecky and Gerischer. An equation is given for the a.c. polarographic wave with a quasi-reversible process at the expanding spherical electrode. Derivation of similar exact expressions for more complex mechanisms is discussed. Implications of these results with regard to experimental approach and work with stationary electrodes are considered.
Gallium-67 scans in renal tumors.

The role of gallium-67 is limited in the genitourinary tract [1]. The rare occurrence of increased67Ga uptake in renal carcinoma and other tumors is notable because of a lack of documentation in the literature [2]. This report is of such cases found in the last year. Gallium-67 scanning has been performed at our institution since 1972 with an average of 200 cases per year.
Late quaternary pollen records from the Kobuk and Noatak river drainages, northwestern Alaska

Pollen diagrams from Joe and Niliq Lakes date to ca. 28,000 and 14,000 yr B.P., respectively. Mesic shurb tundra grew near Joe Lake ca. 28,000 to 26,000 yr B.P. with local Populus populations prior to ca. 27,000 yr B.P. Shrub communities decreased as climate changed with the onset of Itkillik II glaciation (25,000 to 11,500 yr B.P.), and graminoid-dominated tundra characterized vegetation ca. 18,500 to 13,500 yr B.P. Herb tundra was replaced by shrub Betula tundra near both sites ca. 13,500 yr B.P. with local expansion of Populus ca. 11,000 to 10,000 yr B.P. and Alnus ca. 9000 yr B.P. Mixed Picea glauca/P. mariana woodland was established near Joe Lake ca. 6000 yr B.P. These pollen records when combined with others from northern Alaska and northwestern Canada indicate (1) mesic tundra was more common in northwestern Alaska than in northeastern Alaska or northwestern Canada during the Duvanny Yar glacial interval (25,000 to 14,000 yr B.P.); (2) with deglaciation, shrub Betula expanded rapidly in northwestern Alaska but slowly in areas farther east; (3) an early postglacial thermal maximum occurred in northwestern Alaska but had only limited effect on vegetation; and (4) pollen patterns in northern Alaska and northwestern Canada suggest regional differences in late Quaternary climates.
Unconventional switching behavior in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 exchange-spring bilayers

We report on the observation of exchange-spring behavior in complex oxide bilayers composed of high coercivity ferromagnetic (FM) La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 (LSCO) and low coercivity FM La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO). The magnetization process from each individual layer is revealed by a combination of bulk magnetometry and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism measurements. The results show unexpected magnetic switching behavior which deviates from conventional exchange-spring systems in that reversible switching occurs not only within the soft LSMO layer but is also accompanied by the switching of an interfacial LSCO layer. The origin of such exchange coupling is discussed in terms of charge redistribution at the interface.
No Side Effects After Low-Dose Amphetamine Administration in Stroke Rehabilitation

To the Editor: We have previously reported the use of dextroamphetamine to enhance recovery from motor and language deficits subsequent to stroke.1 2 However, some clinicians have questioned the safety of the use of a stimulant drug in stroke patients. We have now followed a series of patients with no side effects of low-dose amphetamine administration as an adjunct to stroke rehabilitation. The protocol, which we have found to be safe, specifies that patients be entered between days 10 and 40 after stroke onset. Hemiplegic/aphasic patients are administered an oral dose of 10 mg of dexedrine or placebo 30 minutes before relevant therapies for 10 sessions. We monitor blood pressure of all patients before and within each treatment session and document any adverse reactions.3 We found no adverse reaction notations in any chart in a …
WDM fiber laser sources

Two novel simple and flexible WDM laser sources are demonstrated using loop erbium-doped fiber amplifier configuration. The loop serves as a mirror and as an amplification medium. The laser cavity was made form loop mirror and either a set of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) in the first design, or a 100 percent reflecting mirror in the second scheme. The FBGs select the proper lasing wavelengths in the first technique, while a combination of stress induced effect of erbium-doped fiber and the presence of fused fiber filter in the laser cavity determine the lasing wavelengths in the second design. The FBGs can be placed either in parallel or in series at the input of the loop configuration. Optical attenuators are placed in front of the FBG to control the flatness of the laser source output and determine the required lasing condition for each wavelength to avoid competition of the different lasing wavelengths. This configuration is flexible for adding any number of wavelengths as long as enough amplified spontaneous emission is generated in the loop. Signal to noise ratio as high as 55-dB can be achieved.
Uncovering the micro-foundations of turnout and electoral systems

This paper tackles the micro-foundations of voting and addresses why proportional representation systems (PR) are associated with higher turnout than majoritarian systems (SMD). I argue that individual evaluations of the differential benefit in the calculus of voting are affected by spatial party competition framed by electoral institutions. Unlike PR, SMD constrains the number of parties and creates large centripetal forces for party competition, which reduces the perceived benefits of voting. A citizen’s voting propensity is related to the distance between her preferred policy position and those of her most- and least-favored parties. I use multilevel modeling to analyze individual voting decisions structured by aggregate variables across 64 elections. The empirical findings confirm the argument and the mechanism holds both in established and non-established democracies.
Using Six Sigma for performance improvement in business curriculum: A case study

During the last few decades, a number of quality improvement methodologies have been used by organizations. This article provides a brief review of the quality improvement literature related to academia and a case study using Six Sigma methodology to analyze students' performance in a standardized examination. We found Six Sigma to be an effective tool for curriculum improvement and team building. The challenges and benefits of using Six Sigma are discussed.
Relation between phenomenological few-level models and microscopic theories of the nonlinear optical response of semiconductor quantum wells

We analyze a generic atomic few-level model for the third-order $({\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(3)})$ optical response of semiconductor quantum wells. The purpose is to seek a good understanding of the physical nature of the model's parameters in terms of the material's microscopic constituents and their motions. The strategy is to bring the algebraic expression of the ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(3)}$ interband polarization in the few-level model to a form similar to that derived in microscopic theories. Most importantly, in the coherent limit, we make the ``time evolution structure'' of the interband polarization in the few-level and microscopic formalisms coincide, whereby the atomic model's parameters can be interpreted microscopically through a comparison of terms of similar structure in the two formalisms. We also discuss how the conclusion of this comparison can be changed by the introduction of phenomenological dephasing and decay into both theories.
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and crystal and molecular structure of μ-(dimethylstannado)-μ-(hydrido) dodecacarbonyltrirhenium

Abstract The title compound, Re3(μ-H)(μSnMe2)(CO)12 (I) prepared by treatment of [(C6H5)As]2[Re3(μ-H)(CO)12] · 1 2 C4H8O (II) with (CH3)2SnCl2 or (CH3)3- SnCl, has been characterized by IR, Raman, 1H NMR and mass spectra. An absorption due to bridging hydrogen in I has been identified in the Raman at 1680 (Δv 1 2 ≈ 110) cm-1; this is replaced by an absorption at 1185 (Δv 1 2 ≈50) cm-1 in the deuterated derivative Re3(μ-D)(μ-SnMe2)(CO)12 (I-d1) The crystal and molecular structure of I has been determined by a three-dimensional X-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallizes in the form of yellow-orange platelets in the centrosymmetric space group P21/c (C52h, No. 14) with a 16.929(5) A, b 16.968(9) A, c 16.699(4) A, β  114.80(2)°; Z8, θ pcalc 3.187 and Ppobs 3.19(1) g cm-3. Diffraction data to 2ϱmax  45° (Mo-Kα radiation) were collected on a Picker FACS-1 diffractometer equipped with a graphite monochromator. The structure has been solved using direct methods, Fourier, and full-matrix least-squares refinement techniques. The final discrepancy index is Rf0.066 for 4366 independent observed reflections.The asymmetric unit contains two similar crystallographically independent molecules, and, in each, the three rhenium atoms define an approximately equilateral triangle with the tin atom asymmetrically bridging one edge and essentially coplanar with the Re3 triangle; SnRe(2) 2.87 A and SnRe(3) 2.68 A. The Me2Sn-bridged ReRe distance is 3.15 A. Each rhenium atom is associated with four terminal carbonyl ligands, of which two can be considered axial and two equatorial. Indirect evidence implies that the hydrido—hydrogen atom bridges the longest ReRe edge (3.23 A). The remaining ReRe distance is 3.01 A
Children of the condemned: grieving the loss of a father to death row.

This article explores the effects of a death sentence and execution on the children of the accused. Insight into the unique bereavement of this population is provided, while contributing to the lit...
A comparison principle for the equations of a system of coupled bodies with damping elements

~ is defined by a semitopogeneous order <61i<mSi which can be expressed as UfF~(<i), where <iESi and J is a finite part of the class I. ~EJ Then (<~)~E(S~)~, i(~ , and ~gi -I((<i)~) = <'Elim(Si) s 47-iEJ . Let us show that A * < z B * implies q~ (A*) < ' qo (B*). Relation A*<s is equivalent to the existence of parts A and B of the class lim Xi such t h a t J < B, A* c {(W) : W N J =/= ~5} and {(W) : W N B ~ ~ } c B * . + L e t ioCg b e t h a t i n d e x f o r w h i c h one h a s A[i~(<c.)B. F i n d p a r t s Ai0 and Bi0 o f t h e class Xi0 satisfying jio<ioBio, 71 fiT* (AG) , and[Zo1(B4)cB . Setting d*=e0 {(W):W N At0~ ~} and
Joint moment contributions to swing knee extension acceleration during gait in individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Abstract The mechanisms contributing to swing phase knee acceleration in individuals with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) are not well understood, but evidence suggests that selective voluntary motor control (SVMC) may play a role. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lower limb SVMC, measured using Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity (SCALE), and joint moment contributions to swing knee extension acceleration in participants with spastic diplegic CP. Eighteen participants were recruited (mean age = 13.8 years, range = 6–30 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I–III). Induced acceleration analysis was performed during the swing phase of gait. Average joint moment contributions to swing knee extension acceleration were calculated. Contributions from stance limb and swing limb joint moments were correlated with SCALE scores using Pearson's correlations. A strong correlation was found ( p r = 0.85) between SCALE score and the total swing joint moment contributions to swing knee extension acceleration. As SCALE score increased, swing joint moments provided less resistance to knee extension acceleration. No relationship ( p = 0.18) was found between stance moment contributions to swing knee acceleration and stance limb SCALE scores. Excessive contributions from swing limb joint moments appear to be the factor limiting swing knee extension in spastic diplegic CP gait. Interventions that address negative contributions due to spasticity may not be effective in patients who cannot generate adequate knee extension due to poor SVMC.
A method for labeling cells for positron emission tomography (PET) studies.

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) may provide an ideal means of monitoring the delivery of cells to normal and pathological tissue owing to its high resolution, specificity and three dimensional imaging capabilities. In order to implement such a technique, it is important to develop a labeling method for cells which provides a rapid and stable incorporation of the positron emitter without altering the viability or functional activity of the cells to be studied. Two approaches have been explored to achieve this end: metabolic incorporation of 2-[ 18 F]fluorodeoxylglucose (2-[ 18 F]FDG) or protein labeling with [ 11 C]methyl iodide (MI). IL-2 activated mouse natural killer lymphocytes were expanded in culture for 7 days and used for these studies. Uptake of 2-[ 18 F]FDG by the natural killer cells was found to occur rapidly and to level off after 30 min. The amount of cell-associated label was found to decay at a steady rate immediately following the procedure, with approximately 21% loss of label after 1 h. In contrast, labeling of cells with MI provided a stable association for 60 min which did not alter the viability or the cytotoxic activity of the cells. Injection of the labeled cells into a normal mouse followed by a full body scanning procedure demonstrated the accumulation of the cells in the lungs which corresponded to those seen by microscopy. These findings suggest that labeling lymphocyte populations with MI may provide a rapid and practical means to quantify systemic cell distribution by PET.
Quantum amplified isomerization in polymers based on triplet chain reactions.

Photoinitiated triplet quantum amplified isomerizations (QAI) of substituted Dewar benzene derivatives in polymeric media are reported. The quantum efficiencies and the ultimate extents of reactant-to-product conversions increase significantly with the incorporation of appropriate co-sensitizers; compounds whose triplet energies are similar to or lower than that of the sensitizer and close to that of the reactant. These co-sensitizers serve to promote chain-propagating energy transfer processes and thereby increase the action sphere of photosensitization. Isomerization quantum yields increase, as predicted, with increasing concentrations of the reactants and the co-sensitizers. Chain amplifications as large as ∼16 and extents of conversion that approach 100% have been achieved. Mechanistic schemes are proposed to account for the dynamics of the inherent energy transfer processes and provide a predictively useful model for the design of a new class of photoresponsive polymers based on changes in the refrac...
Integrated Pest Management with a Mixed Birth Rate for Prey Species

X. Song and Z. Xiang [7] develop an impulsive differential equations model for a two-prey, one-predator model with stage structure for the predator. They demon-strate the conditions on the impulsive period for which a globally asymptotically stable pest-eradication periodic solution exists, as well as conditions on the im-pulsive period for which the prey species is permanently maintained under an economically acceptable threshold. We extend their model by including stage structure for both predator and prey and also by adding stochastic elements in the birth rate of the prey. As in [7], we find the conditions under which a globally asymptotically stable pest-eradication periodic solution exists.
Compression of binary images on a hypercube machine

Abstract The S-tree linear representation is an efficient structure for representing binary images which requires three bits for each disjoint binary region. We present parallel algorithms for encoding and decoding the S-tree representation from/onto a binary pixel array in a hypercube connected machine. Both the encoding and the decoding algorithms make use of a condensation procedure in order to produce the final result cooperatively. The encoding algorithm conceptually uses a pyramid configuration, where in each iteration half of the processors in the grid below it remain active. The decoding algorithm is based on the observation that each processor can independently decode a given binary region if it contains in its memory an S-tree segment augmented with a linear prefix. We analyze the algorithms in terms of processing and communication time and present results of experiments performed with real and randomly generated images that verify our theoretical results.
GENDER EFFECTS AND MARITAL SATISFACTION: A BRIEF REPORT FROM A SAMPLE OF DUAL MILITARY COUPLES FROM THE 1992 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WORLDWIDE SURVEY OF MEMBERS AND SPOUSES

Among 1,320 dual military couples who responded to the 1992 Department of Defense Worldwide Survey of Military Members and Spouses, female spouses reported lower marital satisfaction than male spouses (effect size = .14), a result comparable to previous research on sex differences in marital quality. However, no differences were observed for parental satisfaction, but female spouses were more satisfied with time their partners had available for family, although both spouses were much less satisfied with the latter than with either marital or parental relationships.
Rapamycin reverses chronic graft vascular disease in a novel cardiac allograft model.

Background—Chronic graft vascular disease (CGVD) in cardiac allografts has been defined as a slowly evolving vasculopathy unresponsive to conventional immunosuppression. We compared 4 rodent models of CGVD to evaluate the reproducibility of CGVD in heart allografts. Rapamycin (Rapa) and cyclosporine (CSA) were then used to treat CGVD. Methods and Results—Hearts were harvested and placed heterotopically into allogenic recipients. CGVD scores of PVG allografts from ACI recipients treated with CSA on days 1 through 10 were significantly elevated on day 90 (n=16) compared with other models (immunosuppression used): (1) Lewis to F344 recipients (CSA), (2) Brown Norway to Lewis (FK506), and (3) DA to Wistar-Firth (methylprednisolone, azathioprine, CSA). Although delayed (day 60 to 90) CSA treatment had no effect (n=6), delayed Rapa (3 mg · kg−1 · d−1 IP) reversed CGVD in PVG grafts (0.22±0.19 on day 90, n=6). ACI isografts showed no evidence of CGVD (n=6) at day 90. Immunohistochemistry of PVG grafts revealed p...
Proactive interference in short-term memory: Fundamental forgetting processes

Two possible models of forgetting in a short-term memory task subject to proactive interference are considered. One model assumes that the fundamental forgetting process is competition while the other relies upon a decay of the memory trace. Both models are shown to provide plausible, quantitatively accurate explanations of forgetting in the Brown-Peterson situation. Two general classes of models are defined, and some data are presented which deny the feasibility of the class which contains the decay model as a special case. A tentative model, based on the assumption that retrieval depends upon temporal discriminations and a “filtering” of traces is proposed.
DEVELOPMENTS IN AIR COOLING OF GAS TURBINE VANES AND BLADES

Over the history of gas turbine engine development, improvements in engine performance are closely tied to increases in the level of tolerable turbine inlet temperatures. The ability to operate at increasingly high temperatures has been the result of both improvements in materials capability and advances in the art of cooling the hot section components. For propulsion engines and their derivatives the cooling medium is air supplied from the compressor stages, requiring an expense of engine power. The hot section airfoils, particularly the first stage vanes and blades, consume a significant fraction of the total engine cooling air. Designers are continuously faced with the task of making more effective use of the coolant to improve either performance or durability or both. The design process requires detailed knowledge of heat transfer and flow friction characteristics for present and candidate future cooling schemes. Typical current cooling schemes and associated research work directed to future improved designs are discussed.© 1983 ASME
Development and hormonal control of territorial marking in the male mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Male Mongolian gerbils were either castrated or sham operated at 30 days of age. Assessment of territorial marking was carried out every 6 days beginning at 52 days of age and extending to 100 days of age. After each marking test, 10 intact males received 640 μg testosterone propionate subcutaneously; 10 other intact animals and 10 castrates received oil injections. The ventral sebaceous scent gland, used by the gerbil to deposit sebum on objects during the marking response, was measured after each test. Behavioral marking and the scent gland were entirely absent in castrates. Relative to controls, marking in hormone-treated animals began earlier and reached higher frequencies. Gland development was also responsive to the hormone, but lagged behind marking activity.
Disruption of Protein-Mediated DNA Looping by Tension in the Substrate DNA

Protein-mediated DNA looping is important in a variety of biological processes, including gene regulation and genetic transformation. Although the biochemistry of loop formation is well established, the mechanics of loop closure in a constrained cellular environment has received less attention. Recent single molecule measurements show that mechanical constraints have a significant impact on DNA looping and motivate the need for a more comprehensive characterization of the effects of tension. By modeling DNA as a wormlike chain, we calculate how continuous stretching of the substrate DNA affects the loop formation probability. We find that when the loop size is >100 bp, a tension of 500 fN can increase the time required for loop closure by two orders of magnitude. This force is small compared to the piconewton forces that are associated with RNA polymerases and other molecular motors, indicating that intracellular mechanical forces might affect transcriptional regulation. In contrast to existing theory, we find that for loops <200 bp, the effect of tension is partly dependent on the relative orientation of the DNA-binding domains in the linker protein. Our results provide perspective on recent DNA looping experiments and suggestions for future micromechanical studies.
IFN-γ upregulation and protection by macrophage-adapted infectious bursal disease virus

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) causes an acute, highly contagious and immunosuppressive disease in chickens. The virus infects and destroys actively dividing IgM-bearing B cells in the bursa. Although antibody response is considered important in defense against virulent IBDV, antibody alone is not sufficient and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) appears to play a critical role. We serially passaged classical IBDV (cIBDV) in MQ-NCSU, an avian macrophage cell line. The macrophage-adapted virus (mcIBDV) was used in ovo to immunize chickens. mcIBDV, which was non-pathogenic and highly protective, induced anti-IBDV antibody and, most importantly, upregulated the expression of IFN-gamma mRNA in spleen. The IFN-gamma upregulation by mcIBDV was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that induced by a commercially available vaccine originated from adaptation of cIBDV in the tissue culture (chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells) (tcIBDV). The level of IFN-gamma upregulation by cIBDV that had been adapted by serial passages to CEF (fcIBDV) was similar to that by tcIBDV and significantly lower (P<0.05) than that by mcIBDV. Virus load was significantly higher (P<0.05) in spleen macrophages obtained from mcIBDV-inoculated chickens than that from fcIBDV-inoculated chickens. These data indicated that adaptation of IBDV to macrophages enhanced the ability of the virus to induce cell-mediated immune response in chickens.
Interactions of Perilipin-5 (Plin5) with Adipose Triglyceride Lipase

Members of the perilipin family of lipid droplet scaffold proteins are thought to play important roles in tissue-specific regulation of triglyceride metabolism, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Present results indicate that adipose triglyceride lipase (Atgl) interacts with perilipin-5 (Plin5) but not perilipin-1 (Plin1). Protein interaction assays in live cells and in situ binding experiments showed that Atgl and its protein activator, α-β-hydrolase domain-containing 5 (Abhd5), each bind Plin5. Surprisingly, competition experiments indicated that individual Plin5 molecules bind Atgl or Abhd5 but not both simultaneously. Thus, the ability of Plin5 to concentrate these proteins at droplet surfaces involves binding to different Plin5 molecules, possibly in an oligomeric complex. The association of Plin5-Abhd5 complexes on lipid droplet surfaces was more stable than Plin5-Atgl complexes, and oleic acid treatment selectively promoted the interaction of Plin5 and Abhd5. Analysis of chimeric and mutant perilipin proteins demonstrated that amino acids 200–463 are necessary and sufficient to bind both Atgl and Abhd5 and that the C-terminal 64 amino acids of Plin5 are critical for the differential binding of Atgl to Plin5 and Plin1. Mutant Plin5 that binds Abhd5 but not Atgl was defective in preventing neutral lipid accumulation compared with wild type Plin5, indicating that the ability of Plin5 to concentrate these proteins on lipid droplets is critical to functional Atgl activity in cells.
Internationalization of US multinational hotel companies: Expansion to Asia versus Europe

Abstract Internationalization has been a major expansion strategy for many US corporations including hotel companies. Some researchers argue that internationalization adds value to firms while others hold an opposite perspective. This study examines impacts of general internationalization of US multinational hotel companies (MNHCs) on firm value, estimated by Tobin's Q . Second, the study examines differences between internationalization of US MNHCs in different regions, that is, Asia and Europe. Lastly, the study tests a curvilinear relationship between internationalization and firm value.
Evaluation of DMD-based high-precision beam shaper using sinusoidal-flattop beam profile generation

We evaluate system performance of a high-precision beam shaper using a digital micromirror device (DMD) followed by a telescope with an adjustable pinhole low-pass filter. Beam shaping quality was measured by comparing the intensity and wave-front conformity with respect to the target image, and by the energy conversion efficiency. We previously demonstrated various flattop beams with high-precision intensity and a nearly uniform wave-front by using both coherent and incoherent light sources at visible and infrared wavelengths. The diffraction efficiency analysis determined optimized operation wavelengths for different diffraction orders. This paper extends beam shaping experiments to target images of a series of 2-D sinusoidal functions. An iterative pattern refinement process, based on the point spread function (PSF) of a single DMD pixel, was used to improve the image quality and to seek the optimized DMD binary pattern. Sinusoidal-flattop profiles with different spatial carrier frequencies were chosen for the purpose of system evaluation. Experiments demonstrated RMS error ranging from 0.95% to 11.87% in the raw camera image as the sinusoidal period was decreased. The DMD-based beam shaper achieved 1% RMS error level at low system bandwidth (large sinusoid period) and maintained 5% RMS error performance for a wide bandwidth range. We analyzed the relationship between spatial intensity error and system bandwidth. The ultimate system performance had amplitude error of ±1 to ±1.5 PSFs. Iterative refinement made a significant improvement in error for low system bandwidth as compared to the simulation of a DMD pattern designed by the error diffusion algorithm.