cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A high-pressure polarized 3He gas target for nuclear-physics experiments using a polarized photon beam

Following the first experiment on three-body photodisintegration of polarized 3He utilizing circularly polarized photons from High-Intensity Gamma Source (HI $ \gamma$ S) at Duke Free Electron Laser Laboratory (DFELL), a new high-pressure polarized 3He target cell made of pyrex glass coated with a thin layer of sol-gel doped with aluminum nitrate nonahydrate has been built in order to reduce the photon beam-induced background. The target is based on the technique of spin exchange optical pumping of hybrid rubidium and potassium and the highest polarization achieved is ∼ 62% determined from both NMR-AFP and EPR polarimetries. The phenomenological parameter that reflects the additional unknown spin relaxation processes, X , is estimated to be ∼ 0.10 and the performance of the target is in good agreement with theoretical predictions. We also present beam test results from this new target cell and the comparison with the GE180 3He target cell used previously at HI $ \gamma$ S. This is the first time that the sol-gel coating technique has been used in a polarized 3He target for nuclear-physics experiments.
Conformational preferences and activities of peptides from the catecholamine release-inhibitory (catestatin) region of chromogranin A

Abstract Previous modeling (PDB 1cfk) of the catecholamine release-inhibitory “catestatin” region of chromogranin A (CgA) suggested a β-strand/loop/β-strand active conformation, displaying an electropositive Arg-rich loop (R 351 AR 353 GYGFR 358 ). To explore this possibility, we studied NMR structures of linear and cyclic synthetic catestatin, bovine (bCgA 344–364 ) or human (hCgA 352–372 ). By 2-D 1 H-NMR, the structure of linear catestatin (hCgA 352–372 ) exhibited the NOE pattern of a coiled loop (PDB 1lv4). We then constrained the structure, cyclizing the putative Arg-rich loop connecting the β-strands: cyclic bCgA 350–362 ([C 0 ]F 350 RARGYGFRGPGL 362 [C +14 ]). Favored conformations of cyclic bCgA 350–362 were determined by 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR spectroscopy. Cyclic bCgA 350–362 conformers (PDB 1n2y) adopted a “twisted-loop” conformation. Alignment between the homology model and the cyclic NMR structure showed that, while portions of the NMR structure's mid-molecule and carboxy-terminus were congruent with the homology model (RMSD, 1.61–1.91 A), the amino-terminal “twisted loop” coiled inward and away from the model (RMSD, 3.36 A). Constrained cyclic bCgA 350–362 did not exert nicotinic cholinergic antagonist activity (IC 50 >10 μM), when compared to full-length linear (IC 50 ∼0.42–0.56 μM), or cyclic (IC 50 ∼0.74 μM) catestatin. Thus, loss of activity in the small, constrained peptide did not result from either [Cys]-extension or cyclization, per se. While linear catestatin displays coiled character, a small cyclic derivative lost biological activity, perhaps because its amino-terminal domain deviated sharply from the predicted active conformation. These results refine the relationship between structure and function in catestatin, and suggest goals in future peptidomimetic syntheses, in particular attempts to constrain the correct amino-terminal shape for biological activity.
Robust approach for suburban road segmentation in high-resolution aerial images

The goal of this research is to develop an algorithm that accurately segments high-resolution images, where linear features, such as roads, are corrupted by noise. In high-resolution images, there are two types of noises that are obstacles to road segmentation. Noise could be within road areas (such as cars, water, differences in composite road surface mix) or unwanted contents outside road areas, like buildings and trees. To remove unwanted contents, the geographical information from the United States Geographical Survey (USGS) is used. The USGS provides a collection of road centre line information that has been collected for many years and can be used to limit the area for road segmentations close to roads. In this paper, a standard process was developed to align the USGS geographical information with the high-resolution images. USGS geographical data is used to eliminate background clutter that is disjunct from roads. The road segmentation process is then reduced to dealing with automobile traffic, shadows and pavement colour discontinuity within road areas. In order to achieve reliable road segmentation in the presence of these objects, the mean-shift clustering approach is used within the hue-saturation-intensity (HSI) space. Conditional morphological image processing techniques are also used to significantly improve the segmentation results. The proposed method results in the average accuracy of road segmentation above 85%.
Direction of arrival estimation of wideband signals using sub-Nyquist samples

This work is dedicated towards finding the Direction of Arrival (DOA) of Wideband signals using Sub-Nyquist samples. In a sensor array, the time delay between two sensors depends on the position of sources and thus its estimate could be used in finding the DOA of the sources. In this paper, we propose to estimate the time delay among sensors using cross-correlation of the signals received at the sensor array. The wider the bandwidth of the signal, the sharper will be the peak of its autocorrelation. Thus, it would be safe to assume that the autocorrelation of a wideband signal is sparse. The number of sharp peaks in the autocorrelation will be the same as the number of uncorrelated sources. The strength of Compressive Sampling (CS) lies in solving an underdetermined problem with a very high probability, provided the solution is sparse. This fits our wideband DOA problem very well, and is used to estimate the autocorrelation and hence the DOA of the signals with sub-Nyquist sampling. Simulations are given to support this concept.
Differential maturation of μ and δ opioid receptors in the chick embryonic brain

The developmental profiles of the binding of μ and δ opiate receptors agonists was investigated using the chick embryo brain. Binding of opioids was performed at embryonic days 5, 6, 15, 18, and 20 in the developing chick embryo brain. [3H]dihyromorphine was used as a μ ligand and with 5×10−7 M levorphanol for non-specific binding, and [3H](d-Ala2-d-Leu5)-enkephalin was used as a δ with 5×10−7 M (d-Ser-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr)-enkephalin for non-specific binding. Crude membranes were prepared from whole brain at days, 5, 6 and cerebral hemispheres at days 15, 18, and 20 of embryonic age. Both μ and δ opiate receptors were present during early embryogenesis and as early as day 5. Analysis of binding sites revealed high and low affinity μ sites during early embryogenesis but only one δ site. By 18 days of embryonic age, only one μ site remained. This developmental change is interpreted as a transitory state of the receptor to the adult μ pattern. The presence of only one δ site is constant throughout embryonic age; it is high during early embryogenesis reaching a lower level by 18 days. The presence of a dual binding site pattern for the μ receptor in early embryogenesis is implicated to have a functional significance in the pluripotential role of the endogenous opioids in early development.
Response to Sheehan, B. (2012) Assessment scales in dementia. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 5: 349–358:

I read with interest a recent review ‘Assessment scales in dementia’ by B. Sheehan published in Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders [Sheehan, 2012]. The review provides important information but leaves out scales that are useful for research in advanced dementia when the subjects are mostly nonverbal. We have developed several scales for this population that may be useful for readers of the journal. Since most of the scales that measure the severity of dementia bottom out in severe stages, we developed the Bedford Alzheimer Nursing Scale – Severity (BANS-S) scale that does not have this problem [Volicer et al. 1994]. The score of this scale correlated with density of neurofibrillary tangles measured in subsequent autopsy. The scale may also be used to define the severe stage of dementia [Van der Steen et al. 2006]. Discomfort and pain are difficult to evaluate in noncommunicative individuals. We have also developed the Discomfort Scale – Dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DS-DAT) scale [Hurley et al. 1992] to measure discomfort and the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale [Warden et al. 2003] to measure pain. While DS-DAT is most useful for research studies, PAINAD can be used in routine clinical practice and was translated to several languages. Behavioral symptoms are often the most disturbing symptoms of dementia. Most scales evaluating these symptoms rely on caregiver report and do not differentiate circumstances at which the symptoms occur. Direct observation can differentiate between two main behavioral symptoms, agitation and rejection of care, and we developed observational scales for both of these symptoms: the Scale for Observation of Agitation in Persons with Dementia (SOAPD) [Hurley et al. 1999] and Resistiveness to Care Scale (RTC-DAT) [Mahoney et al. 1999]. One factor that may improve quality of life of institutional persons with dementia are visits by their relatives. Improving the quality of these visits may increase their frequency and family satisfaction. Therefore, it can be useful to measure the quality of these visits using the Family Visit Scale for Dementia (FAVS-D) scale [Volicer et al. 2008]. Finally, because advanced dementia is a terminal disease, it is important to be able to evaluate end-of-life issues. We developed three scales that measure Satisfaction With Care at the End-of-life in Dementia (SWC-EOLD), Symptom Management at the End-of-life in Dementia (SM-EOLD) during the last 3 months of life, and Comfort Assessment in Dying with Dementia (CAD-EOLD) [Volicer et al. 2001]. These scales were validated [Kiely et al. 2006] and are sensitive to clinically meaningful changes of specific outcomes related to end-of-life care and quality of life among residents with end-stage advanced dementia and their healthcare providers [Kiely et al. 2012]. The psychometric characteristics of all of these scales were evaluated and they were used in multiple research studies. None of these scales is copyrighted and they are available for free use.
Maternal serum androgens in human pregnancy: early increases within the cycle of conception

Previous studies have demonstrated elevations in testosterone and androstenedione initiated within the cycle of conception in pregnant non-human primates, and minimal data in the human support the same picture. In the present study we have investigated a group of patients scheduled for artificial insemination with regular menstrual cycles. For this study all patients provided blood samples at 5 days after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surges and daily through the luteal phase and into early pregnancy (n = 12). Patients who did not become pregnant served as normal controls (n = 9). We have measured 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) as a marker of luteal activity not obscured by progesterone within the cycle of conception and testosterone and androstenedione as the major androgens. There were no significant changes in testosterone and androstenedione in the non-pregnant controls, but both testosterone and androstenedione were significantly elevated in the pregnant luteal phase, with the first increases occurring at 15 and 14 days respectively after the LH surge. Three of 12 pregnant patients did not demonstrate a dramatic increase in either testosterone or androstenedione and when examined more carefully a corresponding lack of increase in 17-OHP in those same subjects indicated less than optimal luteal activity, suggesting that these androgens were products of the corpus luteum. In three subjects in which consecutive non-pregnant and pregnant cycles were followed there was a dramatic increase from the non-pregnant luteal phase to the pregnant luteal phase indicating that the more important observation may be the concentrations of androgens in the conceptive luteal phase compared to some baseline, either previous luteal phase or even follicular phase. We have also studied changes in dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and found that there was no significant contribution to this increase in androgens in early conception. These studies demonstrate a significant increase in both testosterone and androstenedione presumably of ovarian, specifically luteal, origin and that adrenal androgen production is not a factor in these changes.
Multistage hydrothermal alteration of gabbroic rocks from the failed Mathematician Ridge

Oxygen isotopic, mineralogical and fluid inclusion data are presented for fresh and hydrothermally altered gabbroic rocks from the failed Mathematician Ridge. The Mathematician Ridge, though initially a fast-spreading ridge presently has a deep central rift valley more typical of slow-spreading rifts. The inner rift walls expose rare plutonic rocks uncomplicated by proximity to deep large-offset fracture zones. Undeformed Mathematician Ridge gabbros preserve most of the original texture and phase compositions and have been only slightly mineralogically or isotopically modified by post-crystallization hydrothermal alteration. Metagabbros have been subjected to a pervasive ductile deformation and recrystallization to foliated rocks composed of aluminous amphibole, low-calcium plagioclase and ilmenite. Oxygen isotope and phase chemical data suggest this event began at temperatures of up to 700°C, water-rock ratios of less than one, and produced modified seawater fluids with isotopic compositions of 3.5–6.0‰. The amphibolites are cross-cut by multiple generation quartz-epidote veins forming a network. Replacement of the amphibole-grade mineralogies by greenschist-grade mineralogies, fluid oxygen isotopic compositions of 2–4‰, and a two-phase separation in the fluid captured in conjugate vapor-fluid inclusions are all associated with the formation of this network. Fluid inclusion data for the quartz indicate initial temperatures of over 500°C. These samples may represent rocks from the 1–2 km deep plumbing system of black-smoker-type venting.
Streptococcus pyogenes c-di-AMP Phosphodiesterase, GdpP, Influences SpeB Processing and Virulence

Small cyclic nucleotide derivatives are employed as second messengers by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes to regulate diverse cellular processes responding to various signals. In bacteria, c-di-AMP has been discovered most recently, and some Gram-positive pathogens including S. pyogenes use this cyclic nucleotide derivative as a second messenger instead of c-di-GMP, a well-studied important bacterial second messenger. GdpP, c-di-AMP phosphodiesterase, is responsible for degrading c-di-AMP inside cells, and the cellular role of GdpP in S. pyogenes has not been examined yet. To test the cellular role of GdpP, we created a strain with a nonpolar inframe deletion of the gdpP gene, and examined the properties of the strain including virulence. From this study, we demonstrated that GdpP influences the biogenesis of SpeB, the major secreted cysteine protease, at a post-translational level, susceptibility to the beta lactam antibiotic ampicillin, and is necessary for full virulence in a murine subcutaneous infection model.
An Investigation of Corona Loss and Radio Interference from Transmission Line Conductors at High Direct Voltages

Corona loss and radio interference (RI) from one single Drake conductor and one Drake 2-conductor bundle, installed on two short test lines have been measured at direct voltages up to 600 kv, positive and negative, under a variety of weather conditions and voltage levels. The Drake conductor is a 1.108-inch-diameter 795-MCM (thousand circular mil) ACSR (aluminum cable steel-reinforced) conductor with 16 outer strands of aluminum each of 0.175-inch diameter. Comparisons of corona-loss performance of these two conductor systems, obtained from both short-term voltage increment tests and from long-term constant voltage tests, are given. Equipment for loss measurements, including a shielding method which substantially reduces the measurement errors ordinarily introduced by losses through solid line insulation, is described. Results obtained from occasional surveys of RI at frequencies up to 10 mc (megacycles) are presented.
Limitations of the uniform effective field approximation due to doping of ferroelectric thin-film capacitors

The electric‐field distribution in a ferroelectric capacitor often is treated as a uniform effective field for circuit‐level modeling. By solving Poisson’s equation and treating the ferroelectric capacitor as a back‐to‐back Schottky‐barrier system, the nonuniform electric‐field distribution is calculated inside a ferroelectric thin film, assuming that the thin‐film capacitor is completely depleted and has a constant doping concentration. It is found that the departure of the local field from the uniform effective field increases with an increase in the doping concentration of the film. Within this model, the uniform field approach to extraction of microscopic ferroelectric parameters is inaccurate for doping levels great enough that the surface field exceeds the coercive field even at zero bias. Based on this criterion, the critical doping concentration for parameter extraction using the uniform field approximation is found to be about 5×1017 cm−3. That is, according to the assumed model, for the high doping concentrations reported for typical lead‐zirconate‐titanate thin films (1018–1019 cm−3), the extraction of microscopic film properties based on a uniform electric field approximation is inaccurate.
Protein-load effects on the pH gradient of isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel.

Abstract The pH of the most basic section of an isoelectric-focusing gradient prepared in a polyacrylamide gel decreases in direct proportion to the amount of chick or rat liver or brain protein focused in the gel. At modest protein loads (0.3 mg) the decrease in pH is relatively small (0.28 pH unit) but at high protein loads the decrease in pH becomes appreciable (∼ 1.00 pH unit). This phenomenon is independent of the source of the ampholytes. To observe basic proteins in two-dimensional, equilibrium polyacrylamide gels low protein loads combined with silver staining is recommended.
Comparison of the performances of DRAINMOD-NII and ADAPT models in simulating nitrate losses from subsurface drainage systems

Abstract Adequate knowledge on the movement of nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3 -N) under different subsurface (tile) drain configurations and management practices in the U.S. Midwest is essential for developing remedial measures for reducing hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. In this study, DRAINMOD-NII, a daily time-step soil carbon (C) and N model, was calibrated and validated for subsurface drainage and associated NO 3 -N losses, and crop yield. Long term (1983–1996) monitoring data measured on three experimental plots under continuous corn ( Zea mays L.) with conventional tillage practice at the University of Minnesota's Southern Research and Outreach Center near Waseca, southern Minnesota was used for this purpose. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), Percent Error (PE) and Index of agreement ( d ) were used for assessing the model performance. DRAINMOD-NII predicted monthly subsurface drainage matched well with measured data during calibration (NSE = 0.81, PE = −7.8% and d = 0.94) and validation (NSE = 0.67, PE = −0.7% and d = 0.88) periods. Performance of DRAINMOD-NII for predicting monthly NO 3 -N losses in subsurface drainage was also good for both calibration (NSE = 0.64, PE = 0.8%, and d = 0.85) and validation (NSE = 0.62, PE = −5.3%, and d = 0.83) periods. DRAINMOD-NII predicted average (1983–1992) annual corn relative yield (93%), a ratio of crop yield in a year to the long-term average crop yield, was close to the observed relative yield (92.5%). DRAINMOD-NII simulation results were also compared and contrasted with those obtained by the Agricultural Drainage and Pesticide Transport (ADAPT) model with the same dataset. Both models performed equally well in predicting monthly subsurface drainage. However, DRAINMOD-NII performed slightly better in predicting monthly NO 3 -N losses and annual N budget, in addition to showing potential to simulate the effects of excess and deficit water stresses on crop yield. Studies comparing performances of different drainage models in the U.S. Midwest are useful to select an appropriate model for devising various strategies for reducing NO 3 -N losses from subsurface drainage systems, and thereby minimizing hypoxic conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.
Ethics and public policy analysis: Stakeholders' interests and regulatory policy

This article asserts the need for the ethical analysis of regulatory policy. The article explores the conventional wisdom surrounding the proper role of government, the function of law, the role of lawmakers, the nature of business, and the relationship between business and government. It is the traditional thinking regarding these fundamental aspects of our social life which creates barriers to the ethical analysis of regulatory policy. It is argued that, in spite of the persistence of agency theories of the firm, a stakeholder theory of the firm best approximates a true descriptive and normative view of business organizations. If the role of government is to maximize the full range of public — private relationships for any given series of inputs, and the role of the firms is to maximize the balance of diverse stakeholders' interests, then a stakeholders' interests paradigm becomes the natural foundation for the ethical analysis of policies which regulate business.
Microstructure of Thermally Crosslinkable Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) (PET-co-XTA) Benzocyclobutene Functionalized Copolymers

The microstructure and thermal properties of copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containing a crosslinkable terephthalic acid, 1,2-dihydrocyc Iobutabenzene 3,6 dicarboxylic acid (XTA) are reported. Wide angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) show that the addition of XTA does not alter the PET crystal structure in copolymers at low XTA contents. However, the degree of crystallinity drops for higher XTA levels. WAXS profiles show that PET-co-XTA 50% is amorphous, and that PEXTA homopolymer has a different crystal structure. Thermal data from DSC and TGA show that crosslinking of the benzocyclobutene groups (:_350°C) occurs at temperatures between melting (:_250°C) and degradation (:_400°C), making it possible to melt process the copolymers into fibers before the onset of crosslinking. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) measurements show that increased oxygen concentrations are required to sustain a stable flame in PET-co-XTA copolymers; whereas unmodified PET had an LOI value of:_18%, the copolymers had LOI values near 32%. Further, while unmodified PET melts and drips as it burns, XTA copolymers formed a stable char that inhibiting flame propagation. An increased char was observed in optical micrographs for XTA containing polymers, and crystalline domains were observed near the burn surface in transmission electron micrographs.
Interrupting Yield Depression in Monoculture Corn: Comparative Effectiveness of Grasses and Dicots

It has been well documented that monoculture corn (Zea mays L.) yields less than corn grown in certain rotations. This field study conducted from 1992 through 1995 investigated several agronomic crops, rotated with corn, for their relative effectiveness in interrupting the yield depression associated with corn monoculture. The study was conducted on a Webster clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Endoaquolls) near Lamberton, MN. Corn grain yields were increased by a single-year interruption with either alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) or sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for each of 4 yr, with the exception of sunflower in 1992. Averaged across 4 yr, corn yields were increased from 7.81 Mg ha -1 for continuous corn by 19 and 17% following a single year of alfalfa and sunflower, respectively. A single year of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], sorghum x sudangrass (intraspecific S. bicolor hybrid), or fallow did not improve corn yields compared with corn monoculture. This was true for each year, and when averaged across 4 yr, with the exception of the corn-fallow rotation in 1995. Averaged across 4 yr, a 2-yr interruption with sunflower followed by alfalfa increased corn yield by 22%. A 2-yr interruption of sorghum followed by sorghum x sudangrass increased corn yield by 6% over that of monoculture. We conclude that the closely related grasses were relatively ineffective rotation crops for corn. Leguminous alfalfa and nonleguminous sunflower were equally effective in alleviating the corn monoculture yield depression.
Astrophysical Radiation Dynamics: The Prospects for Scaling

The general principles of scaling are discussed, followed by a survey of the important dimensionless parameters of fluid dynamics including radiation and magnetic fields, and of non-LTE spectroscopy. The values of the parameters are reviewed for a variety of astronomical and laboratory environments. It is found that parameters involving transport coefficients — the fluid and magnetic Reynolds numbers — have enormous values for the astronomical problems that are not reached in the lab. The parameters that measure the importance of radiation are also scarcely reached in the lab. This also means that the lab environments are much closer to LTE than the majority of astronomical examples. Some of the astronomical environments are more magnetically dominated than anything in the lab. The conclusion is that a good astronomical environment for simulation in a given lab experiment can be found, but that the reverse is much more difficult.
Online Training on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders for Court-Appointed Special Advocates Volunteers

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a leading cause of developmental disabilities. Children within the child welfare system are five to 10 times more likely than other children to experience these symptoms. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are uniquely positioned to identify these children and refer them for assessment and services. This study used a one-group pretest-posttest design to assess the impact of a three-hour online FASDs training on CASA workers' knowledge of FASDs and their comfort and confidence in identifying children with FASDs for referral, advocating for them, and linking them to services. The training and assessment measures were completed by 338 CASA volunteers and staff from 55 CASA locations in Texas. Wilcoxon matched-pairs tests and paired t tests were used to assess change in each of the dependent measures. All comfort and confidence items showed significant improvement from pretest to posttest; there was also a significant improvement in knowledge. These results support the potential of this online training to enhance CASA volunteers' ability to help children with FASDs.
Cerebrospinal fluid neuropeptide Y in combat veterans with and without posttraumatic stress disorder

Accruing evidence indicates that neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide neurotransmitter, is a resilience-to-stress factor in humans. We previously reported reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NPY concentrations in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subjects as compared with healthy, non-combat-exposed volunteers. Here we report CSF NPY in combat-exposed veterans with and without PTSD. We quantified NPY concentrations in morning CSF from 11 male subjects with PTSD from combat in Iraq and/or Afghanistan and from 14 combat-exposed subjects without PTSD. NPY-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) was measured by EIA. The relationship between CSF NPY and clinical symptoms, as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), was assessed, as was the relationship between combat exposure scale (CES) scores and CSF NPY. As compared with the combat-exposed comparison subjects without PTSD, individuals with PTSD had significantly lower concentrations of CSF NPY [mean CSF NPY was 258. 6 ± 21.64 pg/mL in the combat trauma-no PTSD group but only 180.5 ± 12.62 pg/mL in PTSD patients (p=0.008)]. After adjusting for CES and BDI scores the two groups were still significantly different with respect to NPY. Importantly, CSF NPY was negatively correlated with composite CAPS score and intrusive (re-experiencing) subscale scores, but did not significantly correlate with CES or BDI scores. Our current findings further suggest that NPY may regulate the manifestation of PTSD symptomatology, and extend previous observations of low CSF NPY concentrations in the disorder. Central nervous system NPY may be a clinically important pharmacotherapeutic target, and/or diagnostic measure, for PTSD.
Plant ecological strategies shift across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.

The Chicxulub bolide impact caused the end-Cretaceous mass extinction of plants, but the associated selectivity and ecological effects are poorly known. Using a unique set of North Dakota leaf fossil assemblages spanning 2.2 Myr across the event, we show among angiosperms a reduction of ecological strategies and selection for fast-growth strategies consistent with a hypothesized recovery from an impact winter. Leaf mass per area (carbon investment) decreased in both mean and variance, while vein density (carbon assimilation rate) increased in mean, consistent with a shift towards ‘‘fast’’ growth strategies. Plant extinction from the bolide impact resulted in a shift in functional trait space that likely had broad consequences for ecosystem functioning.
Impact of propagation delay on media access protocol performance for star-coupled WDM local area networks

The authors evaluate the impact of propagation delay on the performance of media access protocols for star-coupled wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) photonic local area networks. The relative impact on preallocation and reservation based protocols is evaluated. I-SA and I-TDMA are designed for a network where channels are preallocated to the nodes for reception where each node has a home channel it uses for all data packet receptions. TDMA-C is control channel based, with one WDM channel allocated to reserve access for data packet transmission on the remaining data channels. Control channel access arbitration is achieved through time-division multiplexing, enabling all active nodes the opportunity to transmit once every control cycle. The performance of the protocols is evaluated through discrete-event simulation in terms of network throughput, packet delay, and data channel utilization. >
The Standing of International Law in Undergraduate IR Texts

International law is marginalized in the books that introduce the majority of U.S. university and college students to International Relations as a field of study. Textbook writers commonly state that international law is most difficult or least effective as applied to issues of security or high politics due to the primacy of state survival and the cardinal rule of sovereignty. Ironically, however, the typical chapter or unit on international law focuses precisely on high politics or law related to the use of force. The synthetic impression, reading these texts together, is that international law is something distinct from global governance or the development of international regimes. If the evaluative judgment is that law is weak and the text gives much less attention to the areas where it is functioning effectively, that is a qualitatively different sort of omission than writing an abstract that has to leave out details in order to cover the main points. The author concludes with three recommendations for improvement.
Optimization of detection networks with multiple event structures

Considers a multilevel hierarchical decision network faced with a distributed binary detection problem with partial information at the individual decisionmaker (DM). The partial information is modeled by different local events at the DMs, and these local events are probabilistically related to one another. Solution to this generalized hypothesis testing problem is obtained using the optimal control approach, where the optimization criterion is the expected decision cost of the network. The impacts of variations in the correlation of events at two communicating nodes on the aggregated expertise of the network and on the overall decision cost are illustrated via a numerical example. >
Insight in schizophrenia: a review of etiological models and supporting research.

1. Insight in schizophrenia: a review of etiological models and supporting research Few practitioners would debate the importance of insight as a clinical descriptor in the context of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Yet, although the construct of insight in psychosis has a long history of clinical use, it has a relatively short history in the research literature. Recent advances in pharmacology that revolutionized treatment of psychoses highlight a need to better understand insight. Such understanding may help our current lack of a comprehensive phenomenological model of schizophrenia [1], which is limiting to the field. During the past 2 decades, researchers begun to explore the nature of insight, its etiology, and what clinical or predictive value it holds. The number of empirical investigations of insight grew dramatically. This article reviews extant etiological models of insight with empirical evidence used to support them, and comments on promising directions for future research. The concept of “insight” in the context of studying psychoses first needs to be differentiated from its more general psychodynamic use. In psychodynamic theory, insight refers to a general self-awareness, particularly of one's unconscious drives and motivations. Under this definition, insightful individuals understand how they feel, comprehend the root causes of their problems, and are aware of how they are perceived by others. This article uses the definition of insight specifically as an individual's recognition of their psychopathology. Psychiatric patients frequently “lack insight” into, are “unaware” of, or deny the presence of their mental illness. Such individuals may deny the presence of specific symptoms, the impact that their disorder has on their lives, and/or the need for treatment. This conceptualization of insight is similar to the phenomenon of anosognosia
Time-series temporal classification using Feature Ensemble learning

Time series data classification is important in many applications. Learning temporal knowledge in time series data is challenging. In this paper we propose a novel machine learning algorithm, Feature Ensemble (FE), to learn effective subsequences of signal features distributed over time series data streams. Both the FE learning and the FE classification have been applied to an application problem. Our empirical results strongly suggest that FE learning is an effective technique for time series data classification.
121 Chronic Kidney Disease Surveillance for the United States: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Initiative

Chronic Kidney Disease Surveillance for the United States: A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Initiative Elizabeth Hedgeman, Laura Plantinga, Nilka Rios Burrows, Jerry Yee, Neil Powe, Desmond Williams and Rajiv Saran for the CDC CKD Surveillance System. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; University of California, San Francisco, CA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Baltimore, MD; Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10-15% of the population within the US, yet no comprehensive system has thus far existed to track the disease and its outcomes. In 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as a major part of its CKD Initiative, funded two teams to jointly develop and implement a CKD surveillance system. A Steering Committee and Advisory Group of external stakeholders provided input toward selection of priority measures and key data sources. Data from national and regional data sources have been analyzed and comprehensive written reports submitted to the CDC since 2008. All findings of the CDC CKD Surveillance System will be available at www.cdc.gov/ckd by early 2011. The website covers priority measures under six major topic areas (burden of disease, awareness, risk factors, health consequences, processes and quality of care and healthcare system capacity for CKD) from a variety a data sources selected to represent the population. Figures and tables of specific measures will be updated regularly including relevant stratifications and time trends. The system will evolve to reflect feedback, scientific advances and changing patterns of disease. We believe that the CDC CKD Surveillance System will heighten awareness and provide timely information to regulatory agencies, research and clinical communities, and the general public, thereby providing a solid basis toward stemming the national epidemic of CKD.
Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma: a study of six cases concurrently involving the same site

Cotta C V, Coleman J F, Li S & Hsi E D (2011) Histopathology 59, 1194–1203 Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a study of six cases concurrently involving the same site Aims: Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a slowly progressing neoplasm with a favourable prognosis. However, in a minority of cases (3–12%) it progresses to a clonally related diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), diagnosed between 6 months and 24 years after NLPHL. This study investigated six cases of NLPHL and DLBCL at the same location. Methods and results: The patients were five men and one woman. In four cases, the site was an axillary lymph node, and in two it was inguinal. In all cases, NLPHL areas had typical morphological and immunophenotypic features. DLBCL involvement was multifocal, diffuse, and characterized by large centroblastic and anaplastic cells. Immunohistochemical studies showed DLBCL cells to be positive for CD20, CD45, and BCL6. In one case, DLBCL cells were positive for BCL2, and in two cases they were positive for MUM-1. There were no networks of follicular dendritic cells (FDC) associated with DLBCL. Rosettes of PD-1-positive and CD57-positive cells surrounding malignant cells in NLPHL were absent in DLBCL. All the cases were negative for Epstein–Barr virus. No translocations involving MYC were identified in DLBCL. Treatment and outcome were known in four cases. All of these patients were treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP), and this was followed by clinical remission (CR). Conclusions: In adequately sampled tumors, DLBCL can be associated with NLPHL at diagnosis. Diffuse architecture, loss of FDC networks, sometimes immunophenotype shift are characteristics of DLBCL associated with NLPHL. Treatment with R-CHOP usually leads to CR.
Correlation between Surface Area Reduction and Ultrasonic Velocity in Sintered Zinc Oxide Powders

Specific surface area and longitudinal wave ultrasonic velocity were measured in zinc oxide (ZnO) powder compacts partially sintered to different pore fractions (P). A linear correlation was observed between the reduction in surface area and the increase in ultrasonic velocity at all P up to the onset of pore closure. During the initial stage of sintering, the ultrasonic velocity increased by as much as 300%, with negligible reduction in P, whereas during the intermediate stage, the surface area reduction was accompanied by increasing ultrasonic velocity and decreasing P. During the final stage of sintering, the pores closed and became isolated. The linear relation between the reduction in surface area and the increase in longitudinal wave velocity encompassed the entire range of porosity from completely unsintered to the onset of pore closure, thus spanning the transition from initial- to intermediate-stage sintering. Ultrasonically inferred surface areas were used to evaluate the kinetics of the initial stage of sintering, and the results compared favorably with previously published values.
Historical Review of School-Based Randomized Trials for Evaluating Problem Behavior Prevention Programs:

The authors provide a historical review of developments in the methods of school-based evaluations of problem behavior prevention interventions. The design and statistical methodologies used in school-based intervention research have advanced tremendously over the past twenty years. Methods have improved for approaches to the randomization of whole schools, the choice of appropriate comparison or control groups, solutions when randomization breaks down, limiting and handling of variation in integrity of the intervention received, limiting biases introduced by data collection, awareness of the effects of intensive and long-term data collection, limiting and analysis of subject attrition and other missing data, approaches to obtaining parental consent for children to engage in research, design and analysis issues when only small numbers of schools are available or can be afforded, the choice of the unit of analysis, phases of research, optimizing and extending the reach of interventions, and differential ef...
Methamphetamine‐Using Felons: Psychosocial and Behavioral Characteristics

Methamphetamine (meth) users with felony convictions may be important vectors in the HIV/AIDS pandemic because of their drug and sexual risk histories. This study gathered personal, psychosocial, and behavioral data from 450 HIV-negative, heterosexually identified, meth-using men and women. Significant differences were found between felons and non-felons in meth use patterns, contexts and reasons for use, involvement of social networks in meth use, and certain psychosocial and sexual risk variables. Our findings suggest that targeting meth use patterns and motivations, social networks, and sexual risk behaviors of meth-using felons may help to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission in and outside the prison system.
Joint tracking-registration with linear complexity: An application to range sensors

Sensor fusion of multiple sources plays an important role in robotic systems to achieve refined target position and velocity estimates. In this paper, we address the general registration problem, which is a key module for a fusion system to accurately correct systematic errors of sensors. A fast maximum a posteriori (FMAP) algorithm for joint registration and tracking is presented. The algorithm uses a recursive two-step optimization that involves orthogonal factorization to ensure numerically stability. Statistical efficiency analysis based on Cramer-Rao lower bound theory is presented to show asymptotical optimality of FMAP. Also, Givens rotation is used to derive a fast implementation with complexity O(n) (n denoting number of targets). Experiments are presented to demonstrate the promise and effectiveness of FMAP.
A dynamic fuzzy logic approach to adaptive HVS-based watermarking

A novel image watermarking algorithm is introduced that consists of an adaptive watermarking algorithm based on a human visual system (HVS) model and a dynamic fuzzy inference system (DFIS). This scheme relies on the DFIS to extract the human eye sensitivity knowledge using the HVS model. The DFIS and the HVS combined are used to adjust and select the appropriate watermark length as well as the watermark strength for each pixel in an image. The main goal of the algorithm is to provide a more robust and imperceptible watermark. The aforementioned has been implemented and tested under various attacks including image compression, cropping, additive Gaussian noise distortion, scaling, low-pass filtering, as well as collusion attacks. The results achieved demonstrate that the watermark can survive these attacks while remaining imperceptible. The primary contribution of this adaptive watermarking approach is to further enhance spread-spectrum based watermarking schemes by introducing a DFIS model that encompasses a dynamic membership function engine to accurately approximate the relationship found between all properties of the HVS.
Expression of a Polygalacturonase Associated with Tomato Seed Germination

Radicle protrusion from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seeds to complete germination requires weakening of the endosperm tissue opposite the radicle tip. In common with other cell wall disassembly processes in plants, polygalacturonases (PGs) may be involved. Only calcium-dependent exo-PG activity was detected in tomato seed protein extracts. Chromatographic profiles of a partially acid-hydrolyzed fraction of polygalacturonic acid further digested with seed extract were consistent with the presence of only calcium-dependent exo-PG activity. In addition, a transcript encoding a previously unknown PG was detected prior to the completion of germination. The mRNA, produced from a gene (LeXPG1) estimated by Southern analysis to be represented once in the genome, was also present in flowers (anthers) and in lower amounts in roots and stems. LeXPG1 mRNA abundance was low during seed development, increased during imbibition, and was even greater in seeds that had completed germination. Expression of LeXPG1 during germination predominates in the endosperm cap and radicle tip, and in the radicle appears as a distinct band possibly associated with vascular tissue differentiation. We suggest that PG is involved in cell wall loosening of the endosperm necessary for radicle protrusion from tomato seeds and in subsequent embryo and seedling growth.
Neuropsychological Deficits, Low Self-Control, and Delinquent Involvement: Toward a Biosocial Explanation of Delinquency

There is growing interest in identifying the factors that contribute to variation in self-control. Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990) maintain that levels of self-control are determined solely through socialization processes, especially those that occur in the family. Another body of research, however, suggests that biological factors are also important to the development of self-control. The authors draw from these two lines of inquiry and examine the biosocial underpinnings to low self-control. Analyses of data from the National Survey of Children reveal that levels of self-control are the result of a complex arrangement of biological and social factors. Measures of neuropsychological deficits, birth complications, low birth weight, harsh parental punishment, family rules, and neighborhood disadvantage all have significant direct or indirect effects on levels of self-control. Additional analyses reveal significant associations between low self-control and delinquent involvement.
Streaming Scalable Videos over Multi-Hop Cognitive Radio Networks

We investigate the problem of streaming multiple videos over multi-hop cognitive radio (CR) networks. Fine-Granularity-Scalability (FGS) and Medium-Grain-Scalable (MGS) videos are adopted to accommodate the heterogeneity among channel availabilities and dynamic network conditions. We obtain a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem formulation, with objectives to maximize the overall received video quality and to achieve fairness among the video sessions, while bounding the collision rate with primary users under the presence of spectrum sensing errors. We first solve the MINLP problem using a centralized sequential fixing algorithm, and derive upper and lower bounds for the objective value. We then apply dual decomposition to develop a distributed algorithm and prove its optimality and convergence conditions. The proposed algorithms are evaluated with simulations and are shown to be effective in supporting concurrent scalable video sessions in multi-hop CR networks.