cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deregulation of the balance between data and conceptually driven processing: A shift toward the conceptual

Behrendt & Young (B&Y) propose that a dysfunction in the reticular thalamic nucleus contributes to disinhibition of specific thalamic nuclei, allowing cortical attention mechanisms to engage thalamic relay neurons, causing underconstrained activation of the cortex and hallucinations. The following hypothesis challenges the notion of impaired sensory gating by providing the alternative view that hypofrontality reduces the power of incoming stimuli, causing internal drives to override consciousness, resulting in hallucinations.
Automatic production of tactile graphics from scalable vector graphics

This paper presents a method to convert vector graphics into tactile representations for the blind. Generating tactile pictures from vector graphics is an important effort to bring more accessibility to the WWW as well as other means of communications since vector graphics are an increasing trend in web based graphics. Prior research has investigated methods that extracts object boundaries from images to produce raised-line tactile pictures. The proposed method extends this idea for vector graphics, producing tactile pictures where important outlines are emphasized. Important outlines are determined by using the hierarchical structure of a vector graphic. A Braille printer is used where raised dots are embossed for the outlining boundaries. Important and detail boundaries are embossed with dots of larger and smaller height, respectively, while all other regions contain no raised dots. Results testing a person's ability to discriminate, identify, and comprehend tactile pictures shows the proposed methods' advantage over two other methods.
Self-defining as sexually abused and adult sexual risk behavior: Results from a cross-sectional survey of women attending an STD clinic

Objective Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with increased sexual risk behavior in adulthood, and this association may be mediated by traumagenic dynamics constructs (i.e., traumatic sexualization, trust, guilt, and powerlessness). However, few studies have investigated whether such relationships hold for women who do not identify as having experienced CSA despite meeting objective criteria that CSA occurred. This study sought to determine whether individuals who met research criteria for CSA and who self-defined as sexually abused differed on traumagenic dynamics constructs and current sexual risk behavior from individuals who met research criteria for CSA and who did not self-define as sexually abused.
Molecular Complexing Ability of Quinoline and Its Simple Derivatives

Abstract Electron donor-acceptor complexes for a group of quinolines and naphthalenes with 9-(dicyanomethylene)-2,4,7-trinitrofluorene in dichloroethane were studied by optical absorption methods. Association constants, molar absorptivities, and charge-transfer transition energies were evaluated for each system, together with theoretically calculated orbital energies and complex geometries. In contrast to the association constants and structures reported for N-heterocycle-halogen complexes, these studies indicate that, with a moderately large jr-electron acceptor, quinolines function as tr -rather than n - (lone-pair) donors. These results support intercalation models for drug-receptor interactions involving the quinoline moiety.
Associations of Cigarette Smoking and Polymorphisms in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase with Neurocognition in Alcohol Dependent Individuals during Early Abstinence.

Chronic cigarette smoking and polymorphisms in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) are associated with neurocognition in normal controls and those with various neuropsychiatric conditions. The influence of these polymorphisms on neurocognition in alcohol dependence is unclear. The goal of this report was to investigate the associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in BDNF Val66Met and COMT Val158Met with neurocognition in a treatment-seeking alcohol dependent cohort and determine if neurocognitive differences between non-smokers and smokers previously observed in this cohort persist when controlled for these functional SNPs. Genotyping was conducted on 70 primarily male treatment-seeking alcohol dependent participants (ALC) who completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery after 33 ± 9 days of monitored abstinence. Smoking ALC performed significantly worse than non-smoking ALC on the domains of auditory-verbal and visuospatial learning and memory, cognitive efficiency, general intelligence, processing speed and global neurocognition. In smoking ALC, greater number of years of smoking over lifetime was related to poorer performance on multiple domains. COMT Met homozygotes were superior to Val homozygotes on measures of executive skills and showed trends for higher general intelligence and visuospatial skills, while COMT Val/Met heterozygotes showed significantly better general intelligence than Val homozygotes. COMT Val homozygotes performed better than heterozygotes on auditory-verbal memory. BDNF genotype was not related to any neurocognitive domain. The findings are consistent with studies in normal controls and neuropsychiatric cohorts that observed COMT Met carriers showed better performance on measures of executive skills and general intelligence. Overall, the findings support to the expanding clinical movement to make smoking cessation programs available at the inception of treatment.
Direct Foreign Investment and Welfare in the Transforming Economies: The Case of Central Asia

This paper studies the welfare effects of foreign investment into an economy with a trade regime of export taxes and/or import subsidies. This regime is characteristic of the Central Asian economies but has received no consideration in previous literature. We show that in many circumstances, foreign investment into an economy with a Central-Asian-type trade regime reduces welfare. In particular, we find that foreign investment is most likely to immiserize when it is directed toward nondistorted traded sectors or free trade zones.J. Comp. Econom.,June 1997,24(3), pp. 297–312. University of Miami, P.O. Box 248126, Coral Gables, Florida 33124.
Infrared photometry and spectroscopy of comet P/Encke 1987

New IR observations in the 2.3-18.5 micron range are presented which demonstrate that P/Encke exhibited very little continuum superheat and very weak silicate emission when near perihelion, at a heliocentric distance of 0.37 AU. It is inferred on the basis of this finding that the grains in P/Encke are large; also, no evidence is found for a 3.4-micron feature associable with hydrocarbon emissions. While there is evidence of jet-like coma activity on the P/Encke nucleus near perihelion, the total IR flux at heliocentric distances near 1 AU may be from a bare, rotating nucleus with a radius in the 2.5-6.4 km range.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) is essential for chromium silencing of gene induction in human airway epithelial cells.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) promotes lung injury and pulmonary diseases through poorly defined mechanisms that may involve the silencing of inducible protective genes. The current study investigated the hypothesis that Cr(VI) actively signals through a signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)–dependent pathway to silence nickel (Ni)–induced expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGFA), an important mediator of lung injury and repair. In human bronchial airway epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells, Ni-induced VEGFA transcription by stimulating an extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascade that involved Src kinase–activated Sp1 transactivation, as well as increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) stabilization and DNA binding. Ni-stimulated ERK, Src, and HIF-1α activities, as well as Ni-induced VEGFA transcript levels were inhibited in Cr(VI)-exposed cells. We previously demonstrated that Cr(VI) stimulates STAT1 to suppress VEGFA expression. In BEAS-2B cells stably expressing STAT1 short hairpin RNA, Cr(VI) increased VEGFA transcript levels and Sp1 transactivation. Moreover, in the absence of STAT1, Cr(VI), and Ni coexposures positively interacted to further increase VEGFA transcripts. This study demonstrates that metal-stimulated signaling cascades interact to regulate transcription and induction of adaptive or repair responses in airway cells. In addition, the data implicate STAT1 as a rate limiting mediator of Cr(VI)-stimulated gene regulation and suggest that cells lacking STAT1, such as many tumor cell lines, have opposite responses to Cr(VI) relative to normal cells.
Perception of groups, size of opposition, and social influence.

Abstract Two experiments investigated the relationship between social influence and the number of persons attempting influence. The organization of these persons was varied so that subjects either perceived them as a single group, as several distinct groups, or as an aggregate of unrelated individuals. Conformity was found to increase as the number of separate individuals and groups (distinct social entities) in opposition increased. But varying the size of a single group had little effect on subjects' level of conformity. Furthermore, even when subjects had a partner (social supporter), they conformed more when the opposition was categorized as several entities than as a single group. Overall, findings from the studies suggest that the manner in which persons are initially organized into groups and aggregates of individuals affects their persuasive impact on observers. Implications of these findings for research on social influence were considered.
Local gauge and Lorentz invariance of the heterotic string theory

Abstract The Hull-Witten proof of the local gauge and Lorentz invariance of the σ-model describing the propagation of the heterotic string in arbitrary background field is extended to higher orders in α′. The modification of the transformation laws of the antisymmetric tensor field under these symmetries is discussed. Finally we point out the existence of an anomally in the naive N= 1 2 supersymmetry transformation, and show that is is cancelled by the same counterterms which restore local Lorentz and gauge invariance of the σ-model.
Light Increment and Decrement as Sensory Reinforcers for Domestic Chicks

Summary.-Three intensiry levels of light increment and decrement treatment conditions with appropriate yoked controls were used to investigate the functional relationship between stimulus change and its reinforcing properties for 240 domestic chicks. The general results substantiated light increment as an effective sensory reinforcer; however light decrement had no demonstrable reinforcing properties. Eacker and Meyer (1967) have observed the behavior of domestic chicks under the experimental conditions of light onset and offset, and light increment and decrement. In general, their results supported Kish and Antonitis' stimuluschange theory (1956) in that onser, offset, increment and decrement functioned as effective reinforcers. In Eacker and Meyer's study, there was no environmental change for the control chicks, i.e., the light was continuously on or off for the control groups. Recently, Meyer (1968) replicated in part the study by Eacker and Meyer but ucilized yoked controls. Meyer's results substanciated the finding that light onset is an effective sensory reinforcer for chicks but did not verify light offset as an effective reinforcer. This study was in part a replication of the report of Eacker and Meyer, using cockerel chicks as experimental and yoked-control Ss and the disruption of a photoelectric beam as the operant affecting various levels of light increment:
Natural Presence of Campylobacter spp. in Various Internal Organs of Commercial Broiler Breeder Hens

Campylobacter are known to cause acute bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Poultry products have been implicated as a significant source of these infections. Six experiments were performed to determine whether Campylobacter could be isolated naturally from the primary and secondary lymphoid organs, liver/gallbladder, and ceca of commercial broiler breeder hens. Broiler breeder hens were acquired from different commercial sources during the early, middle, and late lay cycles. The birds were euthanatized, defeathered, and aseptically opened. To reduce the possibility of cross-contamination between samples, the thymus, spleen, and liver/gallbladder were aseptically removed prior to removal of the ceca. Individual samples were placed in sterile bags, packed on ice, and transported to the laboratory for evaluation. In this study Campylobacter were found in 11 of 43 thymii, eight of 43 spleens, four of 43 liver/gallbladders, and 30 of 43 ceca. Overall, 28 of 53 isolates from the above samples were Campylobacter coli and 25 of 53 isolates were found to be Campylobacter jejuni.
Ramping up assessment at the UNLV Libraries

Purpose – Sets out to describe the development of an assessment program at UNLV Libraries and current assessment activities.Design/methodology/approach – Assessment activities are first placed in organizational context, distinguishing between assessment initiated by departments, and assessment done library‐wide. Common expressions of resistance to assessment are noted, followed by the library and campus context relating to assessment. The impact of technology and of the LibQual+ survey is discussed.Findings – Assessment activities at UNLV Libraries have strengthened and diversified over the last several years, thanks to several factors including the guidance of its dean, the development of technology and human infrastructure, the impact of implementing the LibQual+ survey, and other factors. Signs of its place in the Libraries can be seen in the Libraries' Strategic Plan and a recent review of the Strategic Plan's effectiveness and continued relevance.Practical implications – Provides insight into the fac...
Parameter Sensitivity Analysis of a Stochastic Ca2+ Spark Model using Novel Computational Methods

Parameter sensitivity analysis is useful for identifying how changes in model parameters affect measurable model outputs. Stochastic models, however, require multiple simulations with each parameter change, which can make a comprehensive analysis extremely time-consuming. We developed a novel parameter sensitivity analysis method for stochastic models that involves randomly varying all parameters, running a single simulation with each set of parameters, and then statistically relating the random parameters to the simulation results using regression methods. We tested this method using an established stochastic Ca2+ spark model with 18 parameters. Results show that standard linear regression can successfully relate parameters to continuous model outputs such as spark amplitude and duration, and logistic regression can provide insight into how parameters affect Ca2+ spark triggering (a probabilistic process that is all-or-none in a single simulation). Benchmark studies demonstrate that the new method is less computationally intensive than standard methods by a factor of 6.6. Importantly, we tested model predictions with measurements of Ca2+ sparks in mice with knockout of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein triadin. These mice exhibit a decrease in the number of RyRs per Ca2+ release unit, a decrease in junctional SR volume, and an increase in diastolic SR [Ca2+]. The regression model predicts that these changes cause a 30% decrease in Ca2+ spark amplitude, almost exactly matching the 29% decrease observed experimentally. Additionally, this analysis provides an intuitive and quantitative understanding of how much each alteration in the triadin knockout mouse contributes to the observed change in spark amplitude. This approach is therefore an effective, efficient and predictive method for analyzing stochastic mathematical models to gain biological insight.
An experimental adaptation of Higdon-type non-reflecting boundary conditions to linear first-order systems

Experiments in adapting the Higdon non-reflecting boundary condition (NRBC) method to linear 2-D first-order systems are presented. Finite difference implementations are developed for the free-space Maxwell equations, the linearized shallow-water equations with Coriolis, and the linearized Euler equations with uniform advection. This NRBC technique removes up to 99% of the reflection error generated by the Sommerfeld radiation condition with only a modest increase in computational overhead.
Design and assessment of a chamber to expose plants to simulated aerosol and rain

Abstract Increased reports of contaminants in atmospheric aerosols necessitate the development of exposure systems that can accurately simulate aerosols for research purposes. This study outlines the design, construction, cost, and performance of a simple plexiglass chamber equipped with nozzles for rain and aerosol generation. The chamber occupies approximately 152 cm × 125 cm (height × width) space and can be used to expose six large (625 cm 2 ) plants or twelve smaller (144 cm 2 ) ones. The total cost of the materials used in construction, including nozzles, was less than $700 Repeated analysis of the quantity and particle size distribution of the simulated aerosol and rain showed them to be highly predictable. By adjusting the volume and/or concentration of the spray, and the position of plants within the chamber, particle sizes typical of environmental aerosols (≤20 μm ) and rains (0·7 to 1·2 mm) could be applied to experimental plants. This sample, economical system will allow for precise simulations of important aerosols and rain events in the study of their impingement on plants.
Response to Prakash, et al.

To the Editor:—We greatly appreciate the letter from Prakash and colleagues, which brings to light recent reports on the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in medical education published since the completion of the literature search for our systematic review.1 These reports confirm that PDAs remain useful to trainees in a variety of ways—e.g., in logging work hours2 and examination skills,3 and in learning about disease processes.4 Most of the reports cited by Prakash and colleagues were observational studies, while only 1 was a controlled trial. This underscores the continued lack of, and need for, more rigorously designed investigations. The controlled trial, by Grad et al.,5 warrants comment. It found no effect on knowledge test scores after first-year family medicine residents used a PDA-assisted evidence-based medicine (EBM) course. These findings differ from results of a randomized control trial by Leung et al.,6 which demonstrated that third-year medical students using PDAs with clinical decision support software increased their learning and application of EBM. Several factors may have led to these conflicting results, including differences in the study design and populations. In addition, more technical problems with the handheld device occurred in Grad's5 study, where 65% of the residents in the intervention group had technical problems with their handheld device on an average of 28.5 days over the 208 investigational days. The recent reports highlighted by Prakash are noteworthy. However, more rigorous controlled studies are still needed to examine how handheld devices impact medical learning and patient outcomes.
Characterization of Zr(IV)–Phosphonate Thin Films Which Inhibit O2 Reduction on AA2024-T3

Zr(IV)-alkyl-phosphonate and Zr(IV)-aryl-phosphonate thin films of varying compositions were investigated for corrosion inhibition capabilities on AA2024-T3. A strong correlation between the alkyl chain length and the ability of these self-assembled systems to inhibit the O 2 reduction reaction at the alloy surface was found. In particular, modification using Zr(IV)-octadecyl-phosphonate initially inhibits O 2 reduction currents by more than 2 orders of magnitude in 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 at a potential of -0.80 V vs a saturated calomel electrode and by greater than 95% after 5500 s under similar conditions. Scanning electrochemical microscopy reveals uniform inhibition of cathodic processes. Auger electron spectroscopy confirms the presence of Zr and P in the thin film. Infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy indicates that the alkyl chains are in a liquidlike environment. Long-term testing of the Zr(IV)-octadecyl-phosphonate system in a sulfate-containing solution yields low levels of surface activation, as evidenced by small amounts of trenching adjacent to intermetallic particles and little change in near-surface Cu content.
Study of 4f inner shell excitations in Gd and Tb using resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering

Abstract Inelastic scattering of 4d electrons near the 4d–4f threshold of Gd2O2S and Tb4O7 has been studied with monochromatic synchrotron radiation excitation. The emission in the vicinity of the 4d–4f threshold is dominated by inelastic and elastic scattering. The energy losses are due to 4f inner-shell excitations in which the d-electrons (initial state 4d104fn) are excited to the 4f level (intermediate state 4d94fn+1) and then refill the open d-shell (final state 4d104fn+1) leaving the 4f shell in an excited state. Our atomic calculations are in excellent agreement with the experimental emission spectra indicating strong localization of the 4f electrons.
Template-directed chemistry and the origins of the RNA world

Prompted by the growing number of reports about reactions catalyzed by ribozymes, this paper summarizes mechanistic and kinetic aspects of template-directed (TD) chemistry important for the synthesis of a diverse population of polynucleotides and analogues possibly up to 100 units long. Assuming that this chemistry takes place in a microenvironment conducive to life under the constant influx of mM concentrations of activated monomeric building blocks, the proposed scenario represents a working hypothesis for the prebiotic synthesis of the RNA world.
Neurogenic pulmonary edema in childhood

Three patients presenting with pulmonary edema associated with head trauma and increased intracranialpressure are described. Pulmonary edema is a clearly recognized complication of head trauma; the pathogenic mechanisms appear to be regulated by increased intracerebral pressure, sympathetically induced vascular hypertension, and increased pulmonary capillary permeability. If there is evidence that neurogenic pulmonary edema is the underlying etiology, therapeutic modalities should be directed at reducing intracranial pressure and strict attention paid to the interaction between intrathoracic and intracranial pressures in order to avoid the high mortality rate associated with this condition.
Effect of initial composition, phase separation temperature and polymer crystallization on the formation of microcellular structures via thermally induced phase separation

Abstract Microcellular polypropylene structures were obtained through liquid-liquid thermally induced phase separation followed by polymer crystallization using the model system isotactic polypropylene (iPP)-diphenyl ether (DPE). The effect of the phase separation temperature and initial polymer concentration on the final morphology has been investigated. The observed morphological characteristics have been explained on the basis of the kinetics of liquid-liquid phase separation and polymer crystallization using a phase diagram developed for the iPP-DPE system, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Movement of the diluent-rich droplets (formed via liquid-liquid phase separation) due to spherulitic growth has been observed and the effect of this displacement on the final morphology has been assessed.
A note on maximum entropy spectrum estimation

This article studies the maximum entropy spectrum estimation. After a bnei discussion on iiow co select ciic appropriate constraints and tiie objec¬tive functions, we decide to choose the constraints containing only the first four sample moments and, consequently, to employ the second order spectral entropy as the objective function. The resulting (maximum entropy) spectral estimate is the power spectral density of an ARMA sequence. Examples for comparing our proposal with the traditional maximum entropy spectral estimate follow at the end.
Trilepton signal of minimal supergravity at the Tevatron including τ-lepton contributions

Abstract The trilepton signal with missing transverse energy ( 3l+ E / T , with l=e or μ) from chargino-neutralino (χ±1χ02) associated production and decays is studied for the upgraded Fermilab Tevatron Collider with 2 TeV center of mass energy and integrated luminosity of 2 fb−1 (MI) to 20 fb−1 (TeV33). In some regions of parameter space in the minimal supergravity model, χ±1 and χ02 decay dominantly into final states with τ leptons via real or virtual τ 1 sleptons. The contributions from τ−leptonic decays increase the trilepton signal from χ±1χ02 by at least a factor of two when soft but realistic cuts on lepton transverse momenta are used. With the Main Injector, a trilepton signal can be detected at tanβ≡v2/v1∼3 for universal masses m1/2,m0≲ 200 GeV.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hydrated Rubidium Thio-hydroxosilicogermanates Using Mechanochemical Hydrothermal Synthesis

The synthesis, structure, and proton conductivity of the hydrated thio-hydroxosilicogermanates RbzGexSi1-xSz(OH)4-z·yH2O (2 ≤ z ≤ 3; 0 < y < 1.7) are reported. X-ray diffraction indicates that the z = 2 materials are amorphous and show no unreacted starting materials, which is consistent with the mechanochemical hydrothermal evaporation−precipitation synthesis method. Infrared spectroscopy shows a fully reacted system where both silicon and germanium central anions have vibrational modes at ∼950, ∼780, ∼667, and ∼450 cm-1 associated with asymmetric modes for Si−O, Ge−O, Si−S, and Ge−S chemical bonds, respectively. O−H stretching and bending modes are present at ∼3370 and 1655 cm-1, respectively, with the intensities of both modes decreasing with the addition of SiO2. Raman spectroscopy reveals symmetric stretching modes of the Ge−S unit at ∼420 cm-1. A new peak appears at ∼460 cm-1 with the substitution of Si4+ for Ge4+. There are weak peaks above ∼460 cm-1 that can be attributed to H2O and O−H libration ...
Magnesium Content and Crystal Habits in Ancient Carbonates

RECENT studies1 of modern marine deposits have yielded valuable information about carbonate cementation, and have also created new and perplexing problems. Metastable high magnesium calcite (> 5% MgO) and aragonite are the most abundant cements in recent sediments, in contrast to ancient marine limestones, which are cemented by stable low magnesium calcite (< 5% MgO), much of which must have originally been precipitated as one of the metastable phases. At present, there are no criteria for recognition of metastable high magnesium calcite and aragonite (now diagenetically altered to stable low magnesium calcite) in ancient carbonates, although this is important in understanding cementation processes. Vein calcite in septarian concretions (Fig. 1a) has a direct bearing on this problem. This calcite, while technically “low magnesium”, shows small scale variations in magnesium and iron content related to particular fabrics; these differences probably reflect major changes in the chemical environment at the time of formation.
Laparoscopic access: complications, technologies, and techniques

Purpose of reviewTo review laparoscopic access systems, insertion techniques, and the risks of complications associated with their use.Recent findingsAccess devices usually comprised an external cannula and a removable sharp pyramidal trocar for penetration of the abdominal wall, and were nearly uni
Enhancement Of Observed Contrast In Radiographs By Use Of Multiple-Pass Illumination

This presentation describes an experimental method of image contrast en-hancement adaptable to a variety of photo interpretative disciplines including radiology. Because of the relatively low order of spatial frequency resolution required for interpretation of radiographs, it is in this area that the principle can first be brought to a state of practical application. In the course of the work reported here, a laboratory bread-board, satisfactorily demonstrating the usefulness and practicability of the contrast enhancement technique, was fabricated and evaluated.© (1971) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Activation of the Ki-ras protooncogene in spontaneously occurring and chemically induced lung tumors of the strain A mouse

Abstract The strain A mouse has a high incidence of spontaneous lung tumors and is susceptible to lung tumor induction by chemical carcinogens. By utilizing transfection assay, Southern blot analysis, and DNA amplification techniques, we have detected an activated Ki-ras gene in the DNAs of both spontaneously occurring and chemically induced lung tumors of strain A mice. The point mutations in the spontaneous lung tumors were in both codon 12 (60%) and codon 61 (30%). In contrast, 100% of the mutations in the Ki-ras gene detected in methylnitrosourea-induced lung tumors and 93% of the mutations in the Ki-ras genes detected in benzo[a]pyrene-induced lung tumors were in codon 12, whereas 90% of the mutations in the Ki-ras genes detected in ethyl carbamate-induced lung tumors were in codon 61. The selectivity of mutations in the Ki-ras oncogene observed in chemically induced tumors, as compared to spontaneous tumors, suggests that these chemicals directly induce point mutations in the Ki-ras protooncogene. These data indicate that the strain A mouse lung tumor model is a very sensitive system to detect the ability of chemicals to activate the Ki-ras protooncogene in lung tissue.
Decorrelating (DECOR) transformations for low-power adaptive filters

Presented in this paper are decorrelating transformations (referred to as DECOR transformations) to reduce the power dissipation in adaptive filters. The coefficients generated by the weight update block in an adaptive filter are passed through a decorrelating block such that fewer bits are required to represent the coefficients. Thus, the size of the arithmetic units in the filter (F-block) is reduced thereby reducing the power dissipation. The DECOR transform is well suited for narrow-band filters because there is significant correlation between adjacent coefficients. In addition, the effectiveness of DECOR transforms increases with increase in the order of the filter and decrease in coefficient precision. Simulation results indicate reduction in power dissipation in the F-block ranging from 12% to 38% for filter bandwidths ranging from 0.15 f/sub s/, to 0.025 f/sub s/, (where f/sub s/ is the sample rate).
Line preserving adaptive median filtering

A new form of adaptive median filtering that suppresses impulsive noise while preserving image detail and thin lines is presented. This is accomplished by first generating a binary mask of the image which is subsequently used to drive the type of filtering within the filter windows. The decisions used are either 2-D or directional 1-D median filtering, depending on line structure information from the binary mask. Filtering along the direction of a line preserves the line and suppresses impulsive noise. Experimental results with a real image demonstrate the performance of the algorithm.
Selective suppression of endogenous peroxidase activity: application for enhancing appearance of HRP-labeled neurons in vitro

A simple procedure to suppress selectively the endogenous peroxidase activity of red blood cells in histological sections of the mammalian nervous system is described. Pretreatment of sections with a series of ethanol solutions results in selective abolition of red blood cell staining and also leads to enhanced visualization of neurons that have been injected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The method is particularly useful for processing in vitro brain slices that contain HRP-labeled neurons. It can also be used for processing unperfused neural tissue from in vivo HRP labeling experiments. The ethanol pretreatment is compatible with several standard histochemical techniques for the demonstration of HRP.
STOCHASTIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AND TARGET FUNCTION

and β(t) is the standard Brownian motion process. The above system becomes stochastic through the influence of "noise" which is being characterized by β(t). The aim of the present study is concerned with the following question: Does there exist an admissible control function u = u(t), under the influence of which the expected value of the random solution (a second order stochastic process), x(t), of the stochastic control system (1.1) is arbitrarily close to a target function y(t) for all t ≥ T with an assigned probability? That is, does there exist an admissible control u(t) so that it will steer (drive) the expected value of the random solution to the system (1.1) to be arbitrarily close to a given target. This question has been investigated from a deterministic point of view by Bellman, Barbasin, Liberman, Kayande and Muley and Tsokos and Lakshmikantham. However, due to the complexity of the system a stochastic investigation to the question posed will give a better understanding and interpretation of the problem, see Tsokos and Padgett. The primary mathematical tools which have been utilized in the present study are a) Random Transformations. b) Theory of Random Differential Inequalities. c) Theory of Stochastic Lyapunov Functions. The findings of the present investigation will be of importance to space research, war strategies, conflict situ­ ations, among others. In Section 2 we present some of the mathematical preliminaries which are essential in fulfill­ ing the aim of the present study. The main results are given in Section 3.
Economical Design of Wind-Solar Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

Every location on Earth has its own unique set of natural resources to draw upon for sustainable energy production. As these resources are generally of an intermittent nature, hybrid systems will be necessary in many situations to achieve economical energy independence while meeting our inconsistent demands for electricity with minimal or no energy storage. Wind and solar resources often have complimentary attributes that combined can more closely match energy load requirements. This match can be customized for optimum economy by adjusting the orientation and design of the PV system as well as the rotor length and generator size of the wind turbine system. Different load requirements and electricity rate structures require a different design approach in order to achieve optimum cost savings. Using the Penn State SURFRAD wind speed and solar radiation data set the design process for solar-wind hybrid renewable energy systems is explored for the case of a grid-tied residential scale application with a time of use electricity rate structure.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Error correcting coding of a 220 Mbit/s coherent optical communication channel

Coherent optical communication systems that employ semiconductor lasers have exhibited degraded performance caused by laser phase noise. A rate 1/2, constraint length of seven, convolutional code with hard decision, Viterbi decoding has been applied to an experimental 220 Mbit/s optical FSK channel. Code testing has demonstrated the ability to improve system efficiency and significantly reduce the effect of laser linewidth on bit error rate performance, verifying prior theoretical work.
Transactions section: Effect of sapphire-crystal orientation on the wear of watt-hour-meter bearings

This paper describes the most recent of a series of studies on the life of watt-hour meter bearing materials. It covers an investigation of the effect of jewel crystalline axis orientation upon jewel wear. Lifetime stability of meter calibration is a function of bearing wear. A study of the wear (after several years' service) of the sapphire jewel cups of meters in relation to crystalline orientation confirms predictions of another investigator; and a corroborative theory, based upon the physics of crystals, is presented.
How Do Surgical Residents and Non-Physician Practitioners Play Together in the Sandbox?

Introduction The reduction of resident work hours due to the 80-hour workweek has created pressure on academic health-care systems to find “replacement residents.” At the authors’ institution, a group of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs), collectively referred to as non-physician practitioners (NPPs), were hired as these reinforcements, such that the number of NPPs (56) was almost twice the number of clinical categorical surgery residents (37). An experienced leader with national credibility was hired to run the NPP program. On each service, the call system was changed to a night float system, whereby residents were pulled from traditional resident teams to serve as nighttime residents during the week. A total of 1-3 NPPs were hired for each team, but whether NPPs worked for the team as a whole, or were assigned to individual attendings, was left to the discretion of the division chiefs. One year after the start of this program, the authors wanted to study the effects it has had on both surgery resident education and NPP job satisfaction. Methods An electronic, anonymous survey was conducted during a monthly surgery resident meeting, and out of 72 categorical and preliminary surgery residents, 50% submitted answers to 12 questions. A similar electronic survey was administered to all 56 NPPs, with 45% responding. Results Overall, 63% of residents believed that lines of communication between surgery team members were clear, and 58% of residents and 71% of NPPs believed that attendings, residents, and NPPs worked together effectively. A total of 91% of residents believed that the addition of NPPs to the teams was positive overall, and 80% of NPPs were satisfied with their positions. Overall, 60% of residents and 50% of NPPs felt that educational goals were being met. Discussion Implementation of the 80-hour workweek and introduction of NPs and PAs onto the inpatient surgical services has altered resident education at the authors’ institution. Although overall most residents view the addition of NPPs to the clinical services as positive, there are concerns about the program. Although hired to fill the void left by decreasing labor hours of residents, NPPs do not necessarily have the same goals as surgery residents and there is confusion about how NPPs fit into the hierarchy of the traditional surgical team.
The Role of the School Counselor in Facilitating Sexual Development.

Because there is a trend in the helping professions toward recognizing sexuality as an integral and important dimension of healthy personality development, school counselors and other school personnel have become committed to assisting students in understanding and dealing with their sociosexual needs and concerns. Yet school counselors need to be better prepared to meet these needs. This article suggests skills and attitudes that are necessary for accomplishing the goals of counseling on issues of human sexuality, and how counselors can acquire these skills and attitudes.
Shope papilloma virus and tooth germ transplants.

Abstract Growth and development of transplants of species-susceptible tooth germs were altered, whether homotransplanted or heterotransplanted. With species-resistant tooth germs, whether transplants were made to a species-susceptible or a species-resistant strain, no alterations in expected growth and development were observed. The greatest effect was on the epithelial layers of the tooth germ transplants. Odontoblasts were also altered in their appearance and association with dentine. Both enamel and dentine were changed in appearance. Keratin formations and their manner of proliferation were strikingly similar to those induced by treating tooth germs with polycyclic carcinogenic hydrocarbons before transplantation.
Thermographic imaging of cracks in thin metal sheets

The presence of cracks significantly decreases the structural integrity of thin metal sheets used in aerospace applications. Thermographic detection of surface temperature variations due to these cracks is possible after external heating. An approximate line source of heat is used to produce an inplane flow of heat in the sheet. A crack in the sheet perturbs the inplane flow of heat and can be seen in an image of the surface temperature of the sheet. An effective technique for locating these perturbations is presented which reduces the surface temperature image to an image of variations in the inplane heat flow. This technique is shown to greatly increase the detectability of the cracks. This thermographic method has advantages over other techniques in that it is able to remotely inspect a large area in a short period of time. The effectiveness of this technique depends on the shape, position and orientation of the heat source with respect to the cracks as well as the extent to which the crack perturbs the surface heat flow. The relationship between these parameters and the variation in the heat flow is determined both by experimental and computational techniques. Experimental data is presented for through-the-thickness, subsurface and surface EDM notches. Data for through-the-thickness fatigue cracks are also presented.
Using Pictures to Enhance Students' Understanding of Bayes' Theorem

Summary Students often have difficulty understanding algebraic proofs of statistics theorems. However, it sometimes is possible to prove statistical theorems with pictures in which case students can gain understanding more easily. I provide examples for two versions of Bayes' theorem.
Frameless Localization for Functional Neurosurgical Procedures: A Preliminary Accuracy Study

Background: Targeting for functional stereotactic procedures is traditionally carried out in a noninteractive fashion, without real-time positional feedback. In addition, stereotactic frames are uncomfortable for patients and may impede intraoperative neurological evaluation. As an initial step toward a fully frameless approach to functional surgery, we have investigated the use of an image-guided microdrive coupled to a stereotactic frame system. Methods: For initial laboratory tests, a stereotactic phantom was imaged using high-resolution CT scanning. Three representative targets were chosen within the phantom. Targeting was carried out in the usual fashion using the StealthStation planning suite, utilizing the Radionics CRW system. An LED-equipped reference arc was attached to the CRW base ring. Registration of the base ring was accomplished using a spherical probe. A custom-built microdrive was fitted with an LED array, mounted on the CRW arc and tracked by the StealthStation. The distance between the Stealth real-time localization and the CRW localization was measured on-screen. To evaluate the accuracy of the system in the operating room, a similar procedure was carried out in 13 functional neurosurgical operations (pallidotomy or deep brain stimulator placement). Results: Errors of localization in the laboratory setting ranged from 0.53 to 0.70 mm. In 11 operative cases, the average difference between the CRW localization and the Stealth localization was 1.77 mm. In the remaining 2 cases, equipment malfunction prevented measurement of localization error. Conclusions: Frameless image-guided localization compares favorably to targeting performed noninteractively. In addition, real-time positional feedback confers advantages in target region visualization and confidence in placement of lesions and stimulators for functional procedures. With small improvements in accuracy and system reliability, fully frameless functional procedures could be safely carried out.
Agreement with inequality axioms and perceptions of inequality among environmental justice and risk assessment professionals

Quantitative measures of inequality are commonly used when evaluating income inequality and have gained increasing importance in evaluating distributions of environmental and other health risks. However, there have been few attempts to determine whether the theoretical underpinnings of these measures are supported empirically, especially among individuals who may be end users of the information, and whether considerations differ for health risks and income. In this study, we administered surveys to 160 environmental justice and risk assessment professionals to identify adherence to standard inequality axioms for questions framed around both health and income. To better understand beliefs and relative priorities placed on inequality, we also assessed preferences for utilitarian, egalitarian or prioritarian methods of resource distribution, and willingness to trade efficiency for equality. A majority of respondents did not support key axioms that underlie common inequality indicators, believing that uniform...
NOX4 Pathway as a Source of Selective Insulin Resistance and Responsiveness

Objective— Type 2 diabetes mellitus and related syndromes exhibit a deadly triad of dyslipoproteinemia, which leads to atherosclerosis; hyperglycemia, which causes microvascular disease; and hypertension. These features share a common, but unexplained, origin—namely, pathway-selective insulin resistance and responsiveness. Here, we undertook a comprehensive characterization of pathway-selective insulin resistance and responsiveness in liver and hepatocytes by examining 18 downstream targets of the insulin receptor, surveying the AKT, ERK, and NAD(P)H oxidase 4 pathways. Methods and Results— Injection of insulin into hyperphagic, obese type 2 diabetic db/db mice failed to inactivate hepatic protein tyrosine phosphatase gene family members, a crucial action of NAD(P)H oxidase 4 previously thought to be required for all signaling through AKT and ERK. Insulin-stimulated type 2 diabetic livers unexpectedly produced an unusual form of AKT that was phosphorylated at Thr308 (pT308), with only weak insulin-stimulated phosphorylation at Ser473. Remarkably, knockdown or inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase 4 in cultured hepatocytes recapitulated the entire complicated pattern of pathway-selective insulin resistance and responsiveness seen in vivo—namely, monophosphorylated pT308-AKT, impaired insulin-stimulated pathways for lowering plasma lipids and glucose, but continued lipogenic pathways and robust ERK activation. Conclusion— Functional disturbance of a single molecule, NAD(P)H oxidase 4, is sufficient to induce the key harmful features of deranged insulin signaling in type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and other conditions associated with hyperinsulinemia and pathway-selective insulin resistance and responsiveness.
Reactions of accessions in the annual Medicago core germ plasm collection to Erysiphe pisi

Reaction to Erysiphe pisi was evaluated in the annual Medicago core germ plasm collection of 199 USDA Plant Introduction accessions from 33 species. Seedlings at the first trifoliolate leaf stage were inoculated with conidia and maintained in growth chambers for 21 days at 20°C, 70 to 90% relative humidity, and a 12-h photoperiod. Beginning 4 days after inoculation, plants with the first sign of powdery mildew were recorded and removed daily. Results for each accession were presented as the percentage of plants mildew-free 21 days after inoculation and also as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values expressed as standardized proportion/days. AUDPC values were useful to account for length of latent period (number of days from inoculation until first sign of mildew). Thirty-two accessions from 14 species included plants mildew-free 21 days after inoculation. Mildew-free plants in those 32 accessions ranged from 100% in M. heyniana PI 537136 and M. truncatula PI 292436 down to 1% in six accessions. All plants in 87 accessions, which included all accessions of 11 species, had powdery mildew 4 days after inoculation and thus expressed no resistance. The remaining 80 accessions included slow-mildewing plants with latent periods of 5 to 14 days. This slow-mildewing trait may be a useful source of resistance to E. pisi.