cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The theoretical design of neutral planar tetracoordinate carbon molecules with C(C)(4) substructures.

Using a new charge-compensation strategy, we designed neutral molecules with perfectly planar C(C)4-type tetracoordinate carbon arrangements (ptC) employing DFT computations. These designs, based on the planar preference of methane dications, replace two remote carbons in spiroalkaplanes by borons or two remote hydrogens by BH3 groups; the two formally anionic boron units which result compensate the formal double positive charge on the central ptC's. The LUMOs correspond to the “wasted” lone pair HOMOs of the alkaplanes. As compared to the latter, π occupancies on the central carbon are much smaller (less than 0.7e), and the IPs are much larger. The newly predicted compounds utilize all of the electrons more effectively. There are no lone pairs, and the ptC−C bond lengths are ca. 1.50 A. The Wiberg bond index sums of the ptC's are near 3.2, and the boron sums are close to 4.
Characterization of Human SLC4A10 as an Electroneutral Na/HCO3 Cotransporter (NBCn2) with Cl– Self-exchange Activity

The SLC4A10 gene product, commonly known as NCBE, is highly expressed in rodent brain and has been characterized by others as a Na(+)-driven Cl-HCO(3) exchanger. However, some of the earlier data are not consistent with Na(+)-driven Cl-HCO(3) exchange activity. In the present study, northern blot analysis showed that, also in humans, NCBE transcripts are predominantly expressed in brain. In some human NCBE transcripts, splice cassettes A and/or B, originally reported in rats and mice, are spliced out. In brain cDNA, we found evidence of a unique partial splice of cassette B that is predicted to produce an NCBE protein with a novel C terminus containing a protein kinase C phosphorylation site. We used pH-sensitive microelectrodes to study the molecular physiology of human NCBE expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In agreement with others we found that NCBE mediates the 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid-sensitive, Na(+)-dependent transport of HCO(3)(-). For the first time, we demonstrated that this transport process is electroneutral. Using Cl(-)-sensitive microelectrodes positioned at the oocyte surface, we found that, unlike both human and squid Na(+)-driven Cl-HCO(3) exchangers, human NCBE does not normally couple the net influx of HCO(3)(-) to a net efflux of Cl(-). Moreover we found that that the (36)Cl efflux from NCBE-expressing oocytes, interpreted by others to be coupled to the influx of Na(+) and HCO(3)(-), actually represents a CO(2)/HCO(3)(-)-stimulated Cl(-) self-exchange not coupled to either Na(+) or net HCO(3)(-) transport. We propose to rename NCBE as the second electroneutral Na/HCO(3) cotransporter, NBCn2.
Label-free molecular imaging of atherosclerotic lesions using multimodal nonlinear optical microscopy

Arterial tissues collected from Ossabaw swine bearing metabolic syndrome-induced cardiovascular plaques are characterized by multimodal nonlinear optical microscopy that allows coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering, second-harmonic generation, and two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging on the same platform. Significant components of arterial walls and atherosclerotic lesions, including endothelial cells, extracellular lipid droplets, lipid-rich cells, low-density lipoprotein aggregates, collagen, and elastin are imaged without any labeling. Emission spectra of these components are obtained by nonlinear optical microspectrometry. The nonlinear optical contrast is compared with histology of the same sample. Multimodal nonlinear optical imaging of plaque composition also allows identification of atherosclerotic regions that are vulnerable to rupture risk. The demonstrated capability of nonlinear optical microscopy for label-free molecular imaging of atherosclerotic lesions with 3-D submicrometric resolution suggests its potential application to the diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaques, determination of their rupture risk, and design of individualized drug therapy based on plaque composition.
Family therapy research: Comment on “research as a family therapy intervention technique”

Wright's emphasis on and illustration of the use of family therapy research as a unique intervention technique for therapy is an important contribution to the practice literature. Equally important, however, is the isomorphic shift in focus of the family therapy researcher. Rather than focusing only on process or outcome research, family therapists should become more interested in their clients as research subjects. Though rarely discussed in the family therapy literature, the competencies of family therapists as researchers and the utility of research in a family therapy context is critical to being a well-rounded professional. Examples are provided of how this emphasis is being introduced in a PhD family therapy program.
Rehearsal Strategy Effects on Developmental Differences for Recall of a Movement Series

Abstract When learning verbal information, an important aspect of practice is the method of rehearsal, which has been demonstrated to vary developmentally. A young child practices on an instance-by-instance basis (passive rehearsal), whereas older children and adults practice several items together (active rehearsal). This study investigated the effects of passive and active rehearsal on developmental processing differences for movement reproduction. Three methods of rehearsal were used at ages 5, 7, 11, and 19 years. A child-like strategy forced the subjects to practice location cues for each of eight movements, which were presented one at a time. The mature-strategy group practiced each new position presented with two previously presented positions. A subject-determined strategy group which allowed subjects to choose their own methods of rehearsal was included as a control. Significant ANOVAs supported the hypothesis that quality of rehearsal (active over passive) is important. For the 5- and 7-year-old...
Effects of continuing medical education on improving physician clinical care and patient health: A review of systematic reviews

Objectives: The objective of physician continuing medical education (CME) is to help them keep abreast of advances in patient care, to accept new more-beneficial care, and discontinue use of existing lower-benefit diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The goal of this review was to examine effectiveness of current CME tools and techniques in changing physician clinical practices and improving patient health outcomes. Methods: Results of published systematic reviews were examined to determine the spectrum from most- to least-effective CME techniques. We searched multiple databases, from 1 January 1984 to 30 October 2004, for English-language, peer-reviewed meta-analyses and other systematic reviews of CME programs that alter physician behavior and/or patient outcomes. Results: Twenty-six reviews met inclusion criteria, that is, were either formal meta-analyses or other systematic reviews. Interactive techniques (audit/feedback, academic detailing/outreach, and reminders) are the most effective at simultaneously changing physician care and patient outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines and opinion leaders are less effective. Didactic presentations and distributing printed information only have little or no beneficial effect in changing physician practice. Conclusions: Even though the most-effective CME techniques have been proven, use of least-effective ones predominates. Such use of ineffective CME likely reduces patient care quality and raises costs for all, the worst of both worlds.
Amyloid-like protein structure in mammalian ocular lenses

Purpose. Over the past 30 years, extensive Raman and infrared spectroscopy studies determined that the major proteins in normal mammalian lenses exist predominantly as s-pleated sheets in vivo. The present study examines the presence of amyloid protein supramolecular order of lens protein s-pleated sheet arrays. Methods. The classic amyloidophilic stains Congo red and thioflavine were used in situ to identify lens regions with amyloid protein structure using brightfield microscopy. Birefringence in Congo red stained lenses was determined using polarizing light microscopy. Thioflavine stained lenses were also examined by fluorescence microscopy to detect a diagnostic fluorescence red-shift indicative of the intercalation of thioflavine into s-sheet amyloid protein structures. Results. The major findings are 1) Congo red staining begins in the lens interior at an abrupt boundary coinciding with the extensive reorganization of cell biology and physical environment that occurs during normal lens fiber cell di...
Subcycle analysis for ICESat’s repeat groundtrack orbits and application to phasing maneuvers

The concept of repeat groundtrack orbit subcycles is presented in a general definition. The subcycles of ICESat’s 91-day repeat groundtrack orbit and their track offsets are mapped out on a chart of subcycles, which are used to decompose the repeat cycle into three main subcycles. The influence of the synchronicity parameters of the repeat groundtrack orbit is discussed using the Bezout equation. In a second part, a fuel efficient maneuver, called phasing maneuver, which enables the repositioning of the ICESat satellite into a different part of its repeat cycle is presented. A correlation between the properties of the transition orbit used to accomplish this phasing and the properties of ICESat subcycles are described. Results from on-orbit experience are given.
Medical humanities and cultural studies: lessons learned from an NEH Institute.

In this essay, the directors of an NEH Institute on “Medicine, Literature, and Culture” consider the lessons they learned by bringing humanities scholars to a teaching hospital for a month-long institute that mingled seminar discussions, outside speakers and clinical observations. In an exchange of letters, they discuss the productive tensions inherent in approaching medicine from multiple perspectives, and they argue the case for a broader conception of medical humanities that incorporates the methodologies of cultural studies.
Direct sulfhydrolysis of cyclic AMP: A one‐step synthesis of the cyclic ribonucleotide of 6‐mercaptopurine

Treatment of adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-phosphate with liquid H2S in aqueous pyridine provided a convenient, one-step synthesis of 9-β-D-ribofuranosylpurine-6(1H) thione cyclic 3′,5′-phosphate.
Learning what is where from unlabeled images: joint localization and clustering of foreground objects

"What does it mean, to see? The plain man's answer would be, to know what is where by looking." This famous quote by David Marr (Vision: A Computational Investigation into the Human Representation and Processing of Visual Information, Freeman, New York, 1982) sums up the holy grail of vision: discovering what is present in the world, and where it is, from unlabeled images. In this paper we tackle this challenging problem by proposing a generative model of object formation and describe an efficient algorithm to automatically learn the parameters of the model from a collection of unlabeled images. Our algorithm discovers the objects and their spatial extents by clustering together images containing similar foregrounds. Our approach simultaneously solves for the image clusters, the foreground appearance models and the spatial regions containing the objects by optimizing a single likelihood function defined over the entire image collection. We describe two methods for efficient foreground localization: the first method does not require any bottom-up image segmentation and discovers the foreground region as a contiguous rectangular bounding box. The second method expresses the foreground as a collection of super-pixels generated through a bottom-up segmentation of the image. However, unlike previous methods, objects are not assumed to be encapsulated by a single segment. Evaluation on standard benchmarks and comparison with prior methods demonstrate that our approach achieves state-of-the-art results on the problem of unsupervised foreground localization and clustering.
Bee but not be: oral reading of single words in aphasia and alexia.

Abstract Three studies are reported of the oral reading ability of language-impaired patients. Part of speech and picturability are shown to contribute to a word's readability. In addition, words whose referents can be easily manipulated (operative nouns) prove easier to read than matched words whose referents are relatively figurative. Comparisons of reading and naming ability were drawn between aphasic patients and patients clinically diagnosed as alexic. These comparisons suggest that for most aphasics reading and naming are mediated by separated mechanisms, with the ability to read being relatively spared; that alexics without agraphia achieve most success with short words, irrespective of part of speech; that alexics with agraphia achieve most success with picturable nouns, even when these contain more letters. In alexia with agraphia, reading and naming occur at a comparable level and may be mediated by identical or similar cognitive mechanisms.
Cerebellar lesions and auditory thresholds in cat

Abstract Removal of the cerebellar auditory projection areas (folium and tuber vermis) in two cats resulted in no change of auditory threshold as measured by an increment-threshold task. No impairment was found when the posterior lobe of the cerebellum was removed in a third cat. There was no indication of a loss in auditory attention in any of the animals. The functional properties of the cerebellar teleceptive areas remain to be elucidated.
Setup and Configuration of MapReduce in a Cloud Environment

In this paper we will look at how we went about setting up our clusters. We will work on implementing Apache's open-source software, Hadoop, onto virtual machines in our TCloud Cluster. We will also be implementing Apache's Hadoop in our Net Cloud clusters. Both of these clusters will be running on the open-source software named Eucalyptus. We will discuss installation and configuration of the open-source Eucalyptus cloud onto our Net Cloud cluster. We will also discuss the writing of scripts for both the TCloud Cluster and the Net Cloud cluster, which will setup Hadoop in both the multi-node and single-node configurations. Finally, we will touch on the documentation that we worked on, and we will explain why we did it. Once we have finished presenting what were able to accomplish in both of the clusters available for use, we will discuss our desires for future works, with the paper's conclusion following immediately after.
Ocular pursuit of predicted motion trajectories

The initiation and maintenance of slow eye movements (SEMs) usually depend on the perception of a moving stimulus. However, the endogenous representation of predictable target motion can be sufficient to initiate and maintain brief episodes of SEM even when the stimulus is not present. In this note, we show that expectancies generated by predictable stimulus motion trajectories can also produce smooth deceleration, reversal of direction, and subsequent acceleration in these movements, and explore the limits of the predictive component of the SEM control system quantitatively.
Molecular Dynamics of Human Methemoglobin: The Transmission of Conformational Information between Subunits in an αβ Dimer

Spectroscopic studies indicate an interaction of the distal histidine with the heme iron as well as the transmission of distal heme perturbations across the alpha1beta1 interface. Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to explain the molecular basis for these processes. Using a human methemoglobin alpha beta dimer, it has been shown that at 235 K after 61 ps, a rearrangement occurs in the alpha-chain corresponding to the formation of a bond with the distal histidine. This transition does not take place in the beta-chain during a 100-ps simulation and is reversed at 300 K. The absence of the distal histidine transition in the isolated chains and with the interface frozen indicate the involvement of the alphabeta interface. A detailed analysis of the simulation has been performed in terms of RMS fluctuations, domain cross-correlation maps, the disruption of helix hydrogen bonds, as well changes in electrostatic interactions and dihedral angles. This analysis shows that the rearrangements in the alpha-chain necessary to bring the histidine closer to the iron involve alterations primarily in the CD loop and at the interface. Communication to the beta-chain distal pocket is propagated by increased interactions of the alpha-chain B helix with the beta-chain G-GH-H segment and the flexibility in the EF loop. The G helices shown to be involved in propagation of perturbation across the alpha1beta1 interface extend into the alpha1beta2 interfaces, providing a mechansim whereby distal interactions can modulate the T R transition in hemoglobin.
AIDS Knowledge in Adolescent Anabolic Steroid Users

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare AIDS/HIV risk knowledge between steroid users and their counterparts. In the fall of 1990, a survey was administered to 3,016 students enrolled in public schools in grades eight and 10. The sample comprised 56 percent female, 53 percent under the age of 15. Ethnically respondents were 67 percent white and 33 percent black. Steroid users accounted for 2.4 percent of females and 5.7 percent of males. Twelve items examined students' beliefs, myths, and issues concerning AIDS and transmission of HIV. Results show that steroid users had lower percentages of correct responses than non-steroid users (p<.01) on 10 of the 12 items queried. The findings suggest that steroid utilization is significantly associated with lower knowledge levels concerning AIDS and HIV. Recommendations call for current AIDS/HIV prevention education curricula to include recognizing the dangers for HIV transmission accompanying steroid needle injection and sharing.
Impaired conditioned fear response and startle reactivity in epinephrine-deficient mice.

Norepinephrine and epinephrine signaling is thought to facilitate cognitive processes related to emotional events and heightened arousal, however, the specific role of epinephrine in these processes is less known. To investigate the selective impact of epinephrine on arousal and fear-related memory retrieval, mice unable to synthesize epinephrine (phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase knockout, PNMT-KO) were tested in context and cued fear conditioning. To assess the role of epinephrine in other cognitive and arousal-based behaviors these mice were also tested for acoustic startle, prepulse inhibition, novel object recognition and open field activity. Our results show that compared to wild-type (WT) mice, PNMT-KO mice displayed reduced context fear but normal cued fear. Mice exhibited normal memory performance in the short-term version of the novel object recognition task suggesting PNMT mice exhibit more selective memory effects on highly emotional and/or long term memories. Similarly, open field activity was unaffected by epinephrine deficiency, suggesting differences in freezing are not related to changes in overall anxiety or exploratory drive. Startle reactivity to acoustic pulses was reduced in PNMT-KO mice while prepulse inhibition was increased. These findings provide further evidence for a selective role of epinephrine in contextual fear learning, and support its potential role in acoustic startle.
High Reynolds number oscillating contact lines

Abstract For the eventual use as regards wave generation and damping, we investigate oscillating contact lines on vertical walls. Stainless steel is used rather than the glass of Ting and Perlin [J. Fluid Mech. 295 (1995) 263] for the vertically sinusoidally oscillating plate over a large range of Reynolds numbers. The non-wetting stainless steel minimizes the static meniscus ignored in our analysis. Other than the change in static contact angle serving as an initial condition, the dynamic features in both cases are similar. In low Reynolds number oscillation, a pinned-edge condition can appropriately describe the contact-line motion. Higher Reynolds number oscillatory contact-line behavior becomes non-linear and very complicated. The resulting periodic, non-sinusoidal oscillation of the contact line exhibits three types of apparent motion: stick (associated with contact angle hysteresis), partial stick where only portions of the oscillation cycle exhibit stick, and total slip. Increasing the Reynolds number reduces hysteresis phenomena, however, it still cannot be ignored. It is seen that the static contact angle is unimportant; it is the dynamic contact angle that is consequential.
Microsomal metabolism of the carcinogen, N-2-fluorenyl-acetamide, by the mammary gland and liver of female rats. II. Glucuronidation of ring- and N-hydroxylated metabolites of N-2-fluorenylacetamide.

We determined UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDP-GT) activities of hepatic and mammary gland microsomes of female rats with p-nitrophenol and the ring- and N-hydroxylated metabolites of N-2-fluorenylacetamide (2-FAA) and the effects of hepatic inducers of UDP-GT's on these glucuronidations. Pre-treatment of non-lactating (NL) and lactating (L) rats with beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF) significantly increased glucuronidations, of p-nitrophenol, the phenolic metabolites of 2-FAA, especially of 5-hydroxy-2-FAA, and also of N-hydroxy-2-FAA by hepatic microsomes. Pre-treatment of L rats with beta-NF or 3-methyl-cholanthrene (3-MC) significantly increased glucuronidations of these compounds by mammary gland microsomes suggesting that both liver and mammary gland of L rats possess similar UDP-GT activities. In NL rats, UDP-GT activities of mammary microsomes toward phenols were greater than in L rats, and except for that of 5- and 7-hydroxy-2-FAA, were not inducible with beta-NF. The data obtained with L rats, the greater magnitude of stimulation of the hepatic UDP-GT of NL rats by beta-NF than by phenobarbital, and the lack of effect of the latter on UDP-GT of mammary microsomes suggested that the phenolic metabolites of 2-FAA and N-hydroxy-2-FAA share chiefly the characteristics of substrates for group 1 UDP-GT activities (i.e., those inducible with beta-NF or 3-MC). Neither inducer increased glucuronidation of 9-hydroxy-2-FAA, a relatively poor substrate for UDP-GT of mammary or hepatic microsomes. In contrast to hepatic microsomes which formed considerable amounts of the glucuronide of N-hydroxy-2-FAA, mammary gland microsomes glucuronidated this substrate to a minor extent only. This suggested that glucuronide of N-hydroxy-2-FAA may play a role in systemic, but not in local mammary tumorigenesis by N-hydroxy-2-FAA.
Targeted disruption of one allele of the Y-box protein gene, Chk-YB-1b, in DT40 cells results in major defects in cell cycle

Y-box or inverted CCAAT box-binding proteins are multifunctional regulators of transcription and translation of several genes. Although YB-1 has been shown to play a key role in cell cycle, to date, there is no direct evidence. We disrupted one allele of Chk-YB-1b in a chicken pre-B lymphocyte cell line, DT40. Compared to wild-type DT40 cells, these heterozygous DT40YB1b(+/-) cells with one copy of the wild-type Chk-YB-1b allele showed multiple abnormalities, which include slower rate of growth, abnormal cell morphology, increased cell size, and increased genomic DNA content. These phenotypic defects resemble those cells that have a block in G2 and/or mitosis (G2/M). In addition, we have observed that a fraction of these heterozygous DT40YB1b(+/-) cells undergo apoptosis. In conclusion, we have discovered major defects in the G2/M phase of cell cycle in YB-1 knocked-out heterozygous mutant cells, providing for the first time direct evidence establishing a crucial role for YB-1 in cell proliferation.
Looking Back in Mathematical Modeling: Classroom Observations and Instructional Strategies

Theorists often characterize modeling as a cyclic problem-solving process. One builds the model, assesses its validity with regard to the underlying problem situation, and revises accordingly. The process halts when, in the opinion of the modeler, the model generates a valid solution to the underlying problem. Recent research suggests that students, like experts, employ cyclic modeling processes. Extensive observations of university and high school students’ modeling efforts, however, suggest the use of linear rather than cyclic modeling strategies. That is, novice modelers often fail to look back or revise their initial models. This paper offers empirical evidence on behalf of the linear modeling theory and identifies five factors that promote the use of linear modeling strategies: students’ conceptions of models and the modeling process, the perceived objectives of the modeling activity, constraints on time and resources, statistical misconceptions, and an overall lack of interest. The paper concludes with several promising instructional strategies (strategies that address students’ difficulties and promote reflective modeling behavior), as well as suggestions for future research.
Effects of space exposure on thermal control coatings

Optical degradation of selected thermal control coatings exposed on LDEF Experiment A0034, 'Atomic Oxygen Stimulated Outgassing', attributable to effects of solar radiation, was significantly changed for specimens whose exposure included orbital atomic oxygen impingement. This LDEF experiment consisted of two passive modules, one exposed to the total space environment on the Leading Edge (RAM) and another exposed to the relative wake of the Trailing Edge. Evidence of atomic oxygen stimulated outgassing and the interrelated effects of the natural environment based on evaluation of the flight specimens will be discussed.
Estimating a survival function with incomplete cause-of-death data

Abstract We propose a random censorship model which permits uncertainty in the cause of death assessments for a subset of the subjects in a survival experiment. A nonparametric maximum likelihood approach and a “self-consistency” approach are considered. The solution sets corresponding to both approaches are found. They are infinite and identical. Only some of the solutions are consistent; i.e., the MLEs and self-consistent estimators are not consistent in general. Two estimates are thus proposed and their asymptotic properties are studied. It is shown that both estimates are strongly consistent and converge to Gaussian processes. The covariance structures of these Gaussian processes are derived.
Transparent Rubber Compounds. The Effect of Chemical Composition of Magnesium Carbonate Fillers

Abstract From this investigation the following conclusions may be drawn. 1. The x-ray results of Bixby and Hauser have been substantiated by chemical analysis and by microscopic examination. The magnesium carbonate productive of highest light transmitting properties is of the type: 5MgO.4CO2.xH2O. The normal carbonate, MgCO3, gives very low transmissions. 2. The best Japanese carbonate studied (sample No. 3) is pure 5MgO.4CO2.xH2O. 3. A domestic carbonate (sample No. 20), which is also pure 5MgO.4CO2.xH2O, is commercially available and produces transparency in rubber compounds equal to that obtained with the Japanese product. 4. Domestic carbonates in general contain more carbon dioxide than is required by a 5MgO.4CO2.xH2O carbonate, and are probably mixtures of this material and of the normal carbonate, MgCO3. 5. Light transmitting properties fall rapidly as the proportion of normal carbonate, MgCO3, rises. 6. Carbonates containing less than enough carbon dioxide to provide a 5MgO.4CO2.xH2O carbonate are...
The Correspondence Between Fertility Intentions and Behavior in the United States

Using data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we describe the correspondence between intended family size and observed fertility for US men and women in the 1957–64 birth cohorts. Mean fertility intentions calculated from reports given in the mid-20s modestly overstate completed fertility. But discrepancies between stated intent and actual fertility are common—the stated intent at age 24 (for both women and men) is more likely to miss than to match completed fertility. We focus on factors that predict which women and men will have fewer or more children than intended. Consistent with life-course arguments, those unmarried, childless, or (for women) still in school at approximately age 24 were most likely to underachieve their intended parity (i.e., had fewer children than intended at age 24). We discuss how such discrepancies between intentions and behavior may cumulate to produce sizable cross-group fertility differences.
Should the academic community launch an open-source FPGA device and tools effort?: evening panel

For years, many academic researchers in reconfigurable computing have been frustrated by their reliance on commercial FPGAs and tools. Commercial FPGAs have highly complex micro-architectures, come with undocumented binary interfaces, have no compatibility between generations, and come with difficult to use proprietary place and route tools. The FPGA vendors are making the right moves for serving their commercial customer base, but it seems at times these moves are in conflict with the needs of the academic research community.These problems make it difficult for academics to teach FPGA design and to participate in relevant research related to FPGAs. Complex FPGA fabrics and undocumented proprietary interfaces make it nearly impossible to build new tools to target actual commercial devices. University researchers are now hesitant to participate in FPGA architecture research because the level of complexity of FPGAs is beyond what is possible to implement in an academic setting. Reconfigurable computing application developers are at the mercy of complex FPGA devices and closed-source place and route tools - not optimized for computing applications.Some argue that the time is right for academia to break away and create an open source FPGA device. Such an effort would enable university researchers to take an active role in architecture design, and promote an open source community effort in developing and advancing the state of the art of tools.A similar situation existed in the early 80's surrounding processor design. As a result of competition among the big computer companies, microprocessor designs had evolved from very simple beginnings to highly complex architectures and equally complex compilers. Universities were largely on the sidelines, as they couldn't compete at the level of industrial designs of the day. "RISC" changed all that. By adopting simple architectures, universities were once again able to actually design and implement their own processors and to innovate with microarchitecture and compilers.Is it time for a "RISC" revolution for FPGAs? FPGA companies might argue that FPGA platforms are necessarily complex and out of the realm of what's possible to implement within an academic setting, and would say that an open source effort in not necessary, as they are helping to promote academic research by collaborations with universities, and donation of tools, and hardware platforms.This panel will discuss the pros and cons of an academic community led open FPGA device and tools development effort.
INDUCTION OF GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE AFTER AUTOLOGOUS BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract To induce graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT), five consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease in resistant relapse were treated with cyclophosphamide and total body irradiation or busulphan and cyclophosphamide, followed by autologous BMT. The patients received cyclosporin 1 mg/kg per day intravenously for 28 days after BMT. Histologically proven grade II acute GvHD of the skin developed in all the patients at a median of 11 days (range 9-13) after BMT. One patient died and the GvHD resolved in 1-3 weeks in the four remaining patients— spontaneously in two and with corticosteroid treatment in two. Lymphocytes from one patient obtained at the time of GvHD were cytotoxic for the patient's own pretransplant lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity was blocked by antibodies directed against class II histocompatibility (HLA-DR or Ia) antigens. Cyclosporin-induced GvHD after autologous BMT resembles mild GvHD after allogeneic grafting. This syndrome appears to be mediated by autoreactive Iaspecific lymphocytes.
Subdomain competition, cooperativity, and topological frustration in the folding of CheY.

The folding of multidomain proteins often proceeds in a hierarchical fashion with individual domains folding independent of one another. A large single-domain protein, however, can consist of multiple modules whose folding may be autonomous or interdependent in ways that are unclear. We used coarse-grained simulations to explore the folding landscape of the two-subdomain bacterial response regulator CheY. Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization shows the landscape to be highly analogous to the four-state landscape reported for another two-subdomain protein, T4 lysozyme. An on-pathway intermediate structured in the more stable nucleating subdomain was observed, as were transient states frustrated in off-pathway contacts prematurely structured in the weaker subdomain. Local unfolding, or backtracking, was observed in the frustrated state before the native conformation could be reached. Nonproductive frustration was attributable to competition for van der Waals contacts between the two subdomains. In an accompanying article, stopped-flow kinetic measurements support an off-pathway burst-phase intermediate, seemingly consistent with our prediction of early frustration in the folding landscape of CheY. Comparison of the folding mechanisms for CheY, T4 lysozyme, and interleukin-1β leads us to postulate that subdomain competition is a general feature of large single-domain proteins with multiple folding modules.
Growing up green on serpentine soils: Biogeochemistry of serpentine vegetation in the Central Coast Range of California

Abstract Serpentine soils derived from the weathering of ultramafic rocks and their metamorphic derivatives (serpentinites) are chemically prohibitive for vegetative growth. Evaluating how serpentine vegetation is able to persist under these chemical conditions is difficult to ascertain due to the numerous factors (climate, relief, time, water availability, etc.) controlling and affecting plant growth. Here, the uptake, incorporation, and distribution of a wide variety of elements into the biomass of serpentine vegetation has been investigated relative to vegetation growing on an adjacent chert-derived soil. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic C, total N, soil extractable elements, total soil elemental compositions and plant digestions in conjunction with spider diagrams are utilized to determine the chemical relationships of these soil and plant systems. Plant available Mg and Ca in serpentine soils exceed values assessed in chert soils. Magnesium is nearly 3 times more abundant than Ca in the serpentine soils; however, the serpentine soils are not Ca deficient with Ca concentrations as high as 2235 mg kg −1 . Calcium to Mg ratios (Ca:Mg) in both serpentine and chert vegetation are greater than one in both below and above ground tissues. Soil and plant chemistry analyses support that Ca is not a limiting factor for plant growth and that serpentine vegetation is actively moderating Mg uptake as well as tolerating elevated concentrations of bioavailable Mg. Additionally, results demonstrate that serpentine vegetation suppresses the uptake of Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn and Co into its biomass. The suppressed uptake of these metals mainly occurs in the plants’ roots as evident by the comparatively lower metal concentrations present in above ground tissues (twigs, leaves and shoots). This research supports earlier studies that have suggested that ion uptake discrimination and ion suppression in the roots are major mechanisms for serpentine vegetation to tolerate the chemistry of serpentine soils.
Determining the characteristic length of model ice sheets

Abstract For determining the characteristic length of a floating ice sheet, a vertical load is applied to the ice sheet either by placing dead weights in discrete increments or with a screw drive apparatus in series with a load cell, and the deflection of the ice sheet is monitored at the point of loading or near it. For a model ice sheet exhibiting creep behavior, the experimental results with the screw apparatus show that the slope of the load—deflection curve decreases as the load increases, and one is not able to choose a unique value of the slope for the computation of characteristic length. This is attributed to relaxation of stress in ice. For tests with sudden placement of dead weights, the elastic response of the ice sheet can be separated from the inelastic response. The latter method gives consistent results for the determination of the characteristic length. The effective modulus of elasticity may be calculated from the characteristic length, but the error in measuring the characteristic length and in assuming a value of Poisson's ratio may result in a greater percentage of error in the modulus of elasticity. It is suggested that the characteristic length of a model ice sheet be scaled in ship resistance and other such tests as it describes the flexural behavior of the ice sheet.
Effects of methamphetamine on fixed-ratio responding of food satiated and food deprived rats.

After the initial training of the lever pressing response for sweetened condensed milk, rats were put on different fixed-ratio (FR) schedules of reinforcement under conditions of being food satiated and food deprived. Doses of methamphetamine ranging from 0.125 to 1.0 mg/kg were tested in these rats for effects on response rates. Response rates of the satiated rats at the higher FR requirements were slower than those of the deprived rats. At the doses of methamphetamine used, the satiated animals responded at slower than their control response rates and the deprived rats tended to respond faster than control rates.
Identification and characterization of β-sitosterol target proteins

β-Sitosterol is the most abundant plant sterol in the human diet. It is also the major component of several traditional medicines, including saw palmetto and devil’s claw. Although β-sitosterol is effective against enlarged prostate in human clinical trials and has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, the mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Here, we report the identification of two new binding proteins for β-sitosterol that may underlie its beneficial effects.
ABS Naval Vessel Rules (NVR) for Mission Critical Networks, Software Development, and Safety Critical Control Systems

The following paper provides a rationale, background, and summary of how modern information technology is being used effectively by the U.S. navy in mission critical applications for shipboard control, navigation, and interior communication systems. The paper provides a background and summary of the updated American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) naval vessel rules (NVR) requirements for mission critical networks, software development, and safety critical control systems. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) have partnered to co-write these rules which were initially drafted by comparing the existing commercial steel vessel rules (SVR) in these areas with current United States Navy shipbuilding practice from recent shipbuilding programs. The requirements for safety critical systems were then derived from the safety of flight (SoF) criteria for U.S. Navy submarine ship control systems. The paper explains the relationship between the Naval Technical Authority and the American Bureau of Shipping and their respective roles in the certification of control, automation, and navigation systems software and networks. The current requirements prescribed in the naval vessel rules are compared and contrasted with the commercial steel vessel rules and the merits and rationale behind each approach are discussed.
Mitigating water shortages in a multiple risk environment

This paper estimates the economic value of irrigation water shortfalls and mitigation responses of farmers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. The water shortage levels closely correspond to supply shortfalls experienced by the U.S. during the 1990s when Mexico fell behind on treaty delivery obligations. We identify and evaluate a range of crop choices, appropriate irrigation technology use, water source substitution, and other mitigation strategies used by farmers to deal with water shortages. The effects of exogenous crop price and yield risk, as well as other structural considerations are incorporated in the estimation of the marginal value of irrigation water. Results show that South Texas farmers react to risk by diversifying their crop mix, with implications for the imputed value of water and soil resources. The inclusion of exogenous risk refines the prediction of what decision makers would have grown assuming strict Mexican treaty compliance. The resulting marginal values reflect grower adjustments for risk using crop mix, irrigation level, and irrigation technology. The aggregate damage estimates using this approach are realistically smaller than previous damage estimates that were based on fixed cropping patterns and average water values.
Obesity as a Pleiotropic Effect of Gene Action

Obesity, an easily detected and quantifiable phenotypic endpoint, is often considered, colloquially, as a disease. However, the study of obesity in rodents suggests that it is merely a convenient indicator of diverse underlying metabolic and physiologic dysregulations, rather than a disease entity in itself. To illustrate this concept, the differences between the murine Lep ob /Lep ob and A vy /- ''obesity'' syndromes are delineated. In both syndromes, pleiotropic effects of single mutations play a major role in altering the homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism and a myriad of extra- and intracellular processes in a diversity of tissues and cell types. The Lep ob /Lep ob syndrome mimics juvenile-onset obesity, whereas the A vy /- syndrome resembles maturity-onset obesity. The A vy /- syndrome has its basis in overabundance of agouti protein, whereas the Lep ob /Lep ob syndrome results from a lack of active leptin hormone. Lep ob /Lep ob mice have a smaller lean body mass, whereas A vy /- mice have a larger lean body mass than their respective lean siblings. Lep ob /Lep ob mice have fewer lung and mammary tumors than their lean Lep/- littermates, and A vy /- develop more mammary and lung tumors than their lean A/- or a/a siblings. Lep ob / Lep ob mice are infertile or sterile, whereas A vy /- mice are fertile. Thus, although adult Lep ob /Lep ob and A vy /- mice are both obese, many of the other morphologic and physiologic attributes of one mutant are diametrically opposite to those of the other. J. Nutr. 127: 1897S-1901S, 1997.
A multi-task neural network approach to speech recognition

Improving the speaker-independent generalization exhibited by neural network approaches to phoneme identification is an area of continuing interest to speech recognition researchers. The author reports research exploring the combined impact of multiple task constraints and differing speech input representations on network generalization. The multiple tasks required of the networks are based on a psychological model of speech perception. Using 12 American vowels to train and test the networks, the differing input representations are motivated by current theories of vowel perception and human audition. Network results compare favorably to baseline performance results established by a K-nearest neighbor classification and the classification performance of human listeners on the same task. These results are also extremely good when compared to performance reported by other researchers. >
Connectivity and conditional models of access and abundance of species in stream networks

Barriers to passage of aquatic organisms at stream road crossings are a major cause of habitat fragmentation in stream networks. Accordingly, large investments have been made to restore passage at these crossings, but often without estimation of population-level benefits. Here, we describe a broad-scale approach to quantifying the effectiveness of passage restoration in terms interpretable at population levels, namely numbers of fish and length of stream gained through restoration, by sampling abundance in a study design that accounts for variable biogeographic species pools, variable stream and barrier configurations, and variable probabilities of capture and detectability for multiple species. We modified an existing zero-inflated negative-binomial model to estimate the probability of site access, abundance conditional on access, and capture probability of individual fish. Therein, we modeled probability of access as a function of gradient, stream road-crossing type, and downstream access by fish simultaneously with a predictive model for abundance at sites accessible to fish. Results indicated that replacement of barriers with new crossing designs intended to allow for greater movement was associated with dramatically higher probability of access for all fishes, including migratory Pacific salmon, trout, sculpin, and lamprey. Conversely, existing non-replaced crossings negatively impacted fish distributions. Assuming no downstream constraints on access, we estimated the potential length of stream restored by the program ranged between 7.33 (lamprey) and 15.28 km (small coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout). These contributions represented a fraction of the total length available upstream (187 km) of replaced crossings. When limited ranges of species were considered, the estimated contributions of culvert replacement were reduced (1.65-km range, for longnose dace to 12.31 km for small coastal cutthroat and rainbow trout). Numbers of fish contributed ranged from less than 500 (longnose dace) to greater than 100 000 (sculpin). Although our framework can address the question of effectiveness in a broad array of stream and crossing configurations, much stronger inferences would be possible if future restoration efforts were designed to address the limitations we encountered in this study, particularly the lack of available information on crossings and species presence prior to restoration, and nonrandom selection of crossings to be replaced.
Prediction of gate delay variation for CNFET under CNT density variation

This paper presents an analytical model for prediction of gate-delay variation in CNFETs that is caused by CNT density variation. The analytical gate-delay variation model is derived from our previously developed model for CNT density variation using binomial distribution. Our analytical model shows that the percentage of delay variation (σ/μ) due to CNT density variation in a CNFET logic gate is a function of the average number of CNTs. For example, the delay variation of a lx CNFET inverter with 50 CNTs driving a 200fF load capacitor is expected to be about 10%. However, the delay variation reduces to about 5% in a 4X inverter with 200 CNTs, on average.