cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution, annual cycle, and vertical migration of acoustically derived biomass in the Arabian Sea during 1994–1995

The distinguishing characteristic that sets the Arabian Sea apart from other oceanic regions is the regular oscillation of monsoonal atmospheric conditions that produces predictable periods of upwelling or convective mixing, with associated biological response, during the Southwest and Northeast monsoons, respectively. This oscillation is also evident in cycles of standing stocks of zooplankton and micronekton. The vertical distribution and spatial pattern of zooplankton and micronekton biomass were estimated using an acoustic Doppler current profiler along a 1000-km transect extending from the continental shelf of Oman to the central Arabian Sea during ten cruises on the R/V Thomas G. Thompson (November 1994–December 1995). The influence of the Southwest Monsoon, and accompanying upwelling and enhanced acoustically derived biomass, was the dominant feature in the spatial-temporal distributions of both zooplankton and micronekton near the Omani coast. The diel vertical migration of predators (myctophids, pelagic crabs), and the seasonal changes in the strength of this signal, was the most significant pattern observed in the vertical distribution of biomass and imparted a strong day–night signal to the integrated upper water-column biomass. Significant differences in the magnitude of integrated upper water-column biomass, both zooplankton (day) and migrator-zooplankton (night), were seen between inshore and offshore of the atmospheric Findlater Jet. A station located in the central Arabian Sea demonstrated seasonal changes in biomass over the year, despite being quite far from the influence of the monsoonal oscillations. Predation pressure was greater offshore of the Findlater Jet than in the region inshore of the Jet or in the central Arabian Sea. The pelagic community of the Arabian Sea may have evolved life history strategies to coincide with the predictable monsoonal cycle. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Approximate dynamic programming-based approaches for input-output data-driven control of nonlinear processes

We propose two approximate dynamic programming (ADP)-based strategies for control of nonlinear processes using input-output data. In the first strategy, which we term 'J-learning,' one builds an empirical nonlinear model using closed-loop test data and performs dynamic programming with it to derive an improved control policy. In the second strategy, called 'Q-learning,' one tries to learn an improved control policy in a model-less manner. Compared to the conventional model predictive control approach, the new approach offers some practical advantages in using nonlinear empirical models for process control. Besides the potential reduction in the on-line computational burden, it offers a convenient way to control the degree of model extrapolation in the calculation of optimal control moves. One major difficulty associated with using an empirical model within the multi-step predictive control setting is that the model can be excessively extrapolated into regions of the state space where identification data were scarce or nonexistent, leading to performances far worse than predicted by the model. Within the proposed ADP-based strategies, this problem is handled by imposing a penalty term designed on the basis of local data distribution. A CSTR example is provided to illustrate the proposed approaches.
Kainate Receptor Signaling in Pain Pathways

Receptors and channels that underlie nociceptive signaling constitute potential sites of intervention for treatment of chronic pain states. The kainate receptor family of glutamate-gated ion channels represents one such candidate set of molecules. They have a prominent role in modulation of excitatory signaling between sensory and spinal cord neurons. Kainate receptors are also expressed throughout central pain neuraxis, where their functional contributions to neural integration are less clearly defined. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of kainate receptor activity reduces pain behaviors in a number of animal models of chronic pain, and small clinical trials have been conducted using several orthosteric antagonists. This review will cover kainate receptor function and participation in pain signaling as well as the pharmacological studies supporting further consideration as potential targets for therapeutic development.
Electrocardiographic and Vectorcardiographic Diagnosis of Posterior Wall Myocardial Infarction: Significance of the T Wave

The electrocardiographic diagnosis of posterior wall myocardial infarction remains elusive. To determine discriminating criteria a group of 27 patients with posterior infarction proven by biplane angiocardiography were compared to 97 controls. All patients had single-vessel obstruction of the circumflex artery or one of its major branches (≥75 percent area stenosis) without occlusive disease in the other coronary arteries. High-frequency, high-gain electrocardiograms and Cube and McFee vectorcardiograms were analyzed. Pathologic Q waves in the inferior leads were present in only 22 percent (six) of the patients; increased R-wave amplitude or duration in the right precordial leads was found in 17 to 26 percent, and an R/S ratio ≥1 in lead V 1 or ≥1.5 in lead V 2 was present in 22 percent (six) of patients. Vectorcardiographic criteria which improved the diagnostic yield were: (1) the presence of a QRS loop mostly anterior to the E point, and (2) the presence of an abnormally anterior T wave. This abnormal T-wave shift was present in over 70 percent of the patients with posterior infarctions and was clearly discernible from the 12-lead ECG, as manifested by tall T waves in lead V 2 and flat T waves in lead V 6 . To approximate the T-wave angle in the 12-lead scalar ECG, an index was calculated by subtracting the amplitude of the T wave in lead V 6 from its amplitude in lead V 2 (T 2 –T 6 index). An index of 0.38 mV or more yielded a sensitivity of 81 percent and a specificity of 75 percent; however, this was not as discriminating as the vectorcardiogram where a T angle of 60° or more in the horizontal plane yielded a sensitivity of 70 percent and a specificity of 97 percent.
Walking a narrow line: Helen Taylor's literary contribution to the British women's rights movement

(1997). Walking a narrow line: Helen Taylor's literary contribution to the British women's rights movement. Women's Studies: Vol. 26, No. 3-4, pp. 259-283.
Newborn Hearing Screening in Developing Countries: Understanding the Challenges and Complexities of Implementation

Universal newborn hearing screening (NBHS) has become the norm in the United States; however, this is not the case worldwide. Although the World Health Organization recommended in 2000 that “a poli...
Role of nitric oxide in cardiovascular disease: focus on the endothelium

Nitric oxide is a soluble gas continuously synthesized by the endothelium. This substance has a wide range of biological properties that maintain vascular homeostasis, including modulation of vascular dilator tone, regulation of local cell growth, and protection of the vessel from injurious consequences of platelets and cells circulating in blood. A growing list of conditions, including those commonly associated as risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, are associated with diminished release of nitric oxide into the arterial wall either because of impaired synthesis or excessive oxidative degradation. Diminished nitric oxide bioactivity may cause constriction of coronary arteries during exercise or during mental stress and contribute to provocation of myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. Additionally, diminished nitric oxide bioactivity may facilitate vascular inflammation that could lead to oxidation of lipoproteins and foam cell formation, the precursor of the atherosclerotic plaque. Numerous therapies have been investigated to assess the possibility of reversing endothelial dysfunction by enhancing the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium, either through stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis or protection of nitric oxide from oxidative inactivation and conversion to toxic molecules such as peroxynitrite. Accordingly, causal relationships between improved endothelial function and reduction in myocardial ischemia and acute coronary events can now be investigated.
A KNOWLEDGE-BASE D ADAPTIVE CLUSTERING TECHNIQUE FOR NEUROCOMPUTING MODELING OF STRUCTURES*

This paper presents an adaptive clustering technique to increase the accuracy of neurocomputing modeling and reduce the time required to develop neurocomputing applications. Both objectives are attained by (i) partitioning the training data so that the structural response in each contiguous subsets belongs to a similar class, and (ii) designating different neural networks to fitting partitioned data. Partitioning, or domain decomposition is performed based on quantificatio n of the response characteristic by an automated clustering routine. The routine uses a rule-based module with a fuzzy logic inference engine to adapt data partitioning to the changing response characteristic. The adaptive clustering is illustrated with an example involving modeling of the nonlinear deformation of an upper skin of a wing-box. It is also shown that neurocomputing models compress data that are produced by finite element analysis. An example involving storing natural modes of a solar panel is used to demonstrate the feasibility of using neurocomputing models for data compression.
Contemporary Management of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Endovascular Versus Open

Aneurysms that originate in the descending thoracic aorta occur at an estimated incidence of 5.9 to 10.4 per 100 000 person-years and rupture at a rate of 3.5 per 100 000 person-years.1–3 In a population-based study of patients with untreated thoracic aortic aneurysms (TA), Bickerstaff et al1 reported an actuarial 5-year survival rate of 19.2% for patients with degenerative aneurysms, and rupture was identified as the cause of death in 51% of patients. This disease presents across a spectrum of anatomic complexity that ranges from isolated descending TA to thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAA) that can extend from the subclavian artery to the aortic bifurcation. Repair of aneurysms across this spectrum presents a multitude of technical and cognitive challenges that span the preoperative and postoperative periods. Indeed, conventional open surgical treatment of TA/TAA is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality compared, for example, with repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Improvements in operative care, particularly an aggressive posture toward intercostal artery preservation and the adoption of protective adjuncts against spinal cord ischemia (SCI) complications, have halved the overall incidence of SCI associated with open operative repair since Crawford’s benchmark series describing a 16% incidence of SCI in 1500 patients.4–8 Despite considerable progress, contemporary series from centers of excellence continue to report a consistent overall risk of SCI in the 5% to 10% range.6,9–11 In addition, when ruptures are included, the perioperative mortality of open TA/TAA repair is 8% and has remained essentially unchanged over the last 40 years.6,12 The recent emergence of stent graft repair in the thoracic aorta has the potential to substantially diminish the morbidity and mortality of surgical repair and alter long-standing treatment paradigms. In this article, we review contemporary management of TA/TAA and adjunctive methods to decrease end-organ injury and SCI. We include clinical …
Integrating Online Instruction in a College Classroom to Improve Cost Effectiveness

We compared online study guides to pen-and-paper study guides in terms of academic performance, the amount of time instructors spent grading study guides, and student preferences. Students in 3 sections of a child psychology course used online study guides (n = 46), and students in 3 other sections used pen-and-paper study guides (n = 64). Instructors spent 14.3 hr during the semester grading the pen-and-paper study guides and no time grading the online study guides. Students who used the online study guides reported higher satisfaction than the students who used pen-and-paper study guides. Our results suggest that integrating online study guides saved labor costs and increased student satisfaction while maintaining student performance.
Air-Standard Modelling for Closed-Cycle Diesel Engines

The author posits that a model constructed from ideal processes is the most desirable starting point for analysis of real power machinery, and then presents of following this concept in the case of a closed-cycle diesel engine. The traditional air-standard limited-pressure cycle is found unsuitable for this application in that it offers only an unrealistic constant-volume cooling as the model for the processes that must occur between cylinder exhaust and cylinder intake. The present paper substitutes isentropic expansion, throttling and constant-pressure cooling as being suitable ideal models for the actual processes. Equations are presented and sample calculations are given for the cylinder-to-cylinder part of an ideal cycle representing a four-stroke naturally aspirated engine. Two alternatives are also discussed via examples: an engine with partial bypassing of untreated exhaust gas to the cylinder intake and a two-stroke engine with blower or compressor driven by an exhaust gas turbine. A closing example is given to demonstrate one way in which the analyses can be used to find the effect of external process states an engine-cycle output
Using Poetry and the Visual Arts to Develop Emotional Intelligence

This article presents a series of experiential exercises designed to use visual arts and poetry in classroom settings to increase students’awareness and recognition of emotion—two key components of...
A Catastrophe Theory Model of Child Abuse

This article presents a formal mathematical model of child abuse based upon elementary catastrophe theory, a branch of differential topology. It was found that child abuse, when viewed as discontinuity in parent-child relations, could be successfully modeled by a five-dimensional butterfly catastrophe composed of four control parameters: stress, extrafamilial communication, attachment behavior, and parental history. Implications of the model for theory and research include: (a) emphasizing the role of communication in the etiology of abuse, (b) explanation of a wide array of seemingly contradictory findings, and (c) the generation of new research questions. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that the butterfly model of abuse warrants further investigation.
Locus of Learning and Affective Strategy Use: Two Factors Affecting Success in Self-Instructed Language Learning

As distance learning and other nontraditional methods of language learning become more populal; it is important to understand the factors that influence learners' ability to succeed in such environments. This paper reports on two factors that have a signijcant impact on the student experience in a self-instructed language program: locus of learning and use of affective strategies. Locus of learning describes students' beliefs about who controls the education process. This study found that learn ers with an internal locus of learning are more likely to be successful in self-instructed language learning than those with an external locus of learning. Moreovel; successful self-instructed learners made use of affective strategies, whereas less successful learn ers did not. These affective factors may play a critical role in self-access language learning.
The importance of enhancing self-efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To examine relationships among changes in self-efficacy and changes in other clinically relevant outcome measures. Method. Subjects (n = 44) were participants in a prospective, randomized stress-management study followed over 15 months. Outcome measures included self-efficacy, depression, pain, health status, and disease activity. Results. Correlational analyses revealed significant associations between changes in self-efficacy (particularly total self-efficacy) and changes in selected measures of depression, pain, health status, and disease activity. The observed associations were not due to changes in medication regimen or to nonadherence to the stress-management program. Conclusions. Evidence is provided that induced changes in self-efficacy following a stress-management program were significantly related to other clinically important outcome measures.
Ocean wave power data generation for grid integration studies

Ocean wave power is a promising renewable energy source that offers several attractive qualities, including high power density, low variability, and excellent forecastability. Within the next few years, several utility-scale wave energy converters are planned for grid connection (e.g., Pelamis Power in Portugal and Ocean Power Technologies in Oregon, USA), with plans for more utility-scale development to follow soon after. Presently, there is little research on the impact of large wave parks on utility operation. This paper presents a methodology for generating large-scale wave park power time-series data that can be used for utility integration studies. In addition, this paper presents a broad, brief introduction to ocean wave energy fundamentals, history, and state of the art.
Organic Phosphorus Compounds 68. The direct synthesis of tri(alkyl- and arylseleno)phosphites and of tris(p-anisyltelluro)phosphite [1]

White phosphorus reacts with organic diselenides in a dipolar aprotic solvent in the presence of a base with the formation of tri(alkyl- or aryl-seleno)phosphites in good yield. Tri(methylseleno)phosphitc shows a 31P-chemical shift = −107 ppni (JP, 77Se = 233 Hz). It is readily oxidizcd in air to the corresponding selenophosphate, (CH3Se)3 PO, 31P-chemical shift = −16 ppm. Tri(phenylseleno)phosphite reacts readily with mercury oxide to give the tri(phenylseleno)phosphate, a yellow solid of m.p. 105–110°. It also reacts with sulfur in refluxing benzene solution to give tri(phenylseleno)thiophosphate, also a yellow solid of m.p. 55–58°. However, an attempt to prepare tri(phenylseleno)selenophosphate failed. Under the same conditions as given above, white phosphorus also reacts with di-p-anisyl ditelluride to give tris(p-anisyltelluro)phosphite, shiny, rusty brown crystals which decompose rapidly at room temperature, but are stable for several months when kept in acetonc solution at −20°.
Optimal divisibility conditions for loose Hamilton cycles in random hypergraphs

In the random $k$-uniform hypergraph $H^{(k)}_{n,p}$ of order $n$, each possible $k$-tuple appears independently with probability $p$. A loose Hamilton cycle is a cycle of order $n$ in which every pair of consecutive edges intersects in a single vertex. It was shown by Frieze that if $p\geq c(\log n)/n^2$ for some absolute constant $c>0$, then a.a.s. $H^{(3)}_{n,p}$ contains a loose Hamilton cycle, provided that $n$ is divisible by $4$. Subsequently, Dudek and Frieze extended this result for any uniformity $k\ge 4$, proving that if $p\gg (\log n)/n^{k-1}$, then $H^{(k)}_{n,p}$ contains a loose Hamilton cycle, provided that $n$ is divisible by $2(k-1)$. In this paper, we improve the divisibility requirement and show that in the above results it is enough to assume that $n$ is a multiple of $k-1$, which is best possible.
Perceptual scale space and its applications

In this paper, we study a perceptual scale space by constructing a so-called sketch pyramid which augments the Gaussian and Laplacian pyramid representations in traditional image scale space theory. Each level of this sketch pyramid is a generic attributed graph - called the primal sketch which is inferred from the corresponding image at the same level of the Gaussian pyramid. When images are viewed at increasing resolutions, more details are revealed. This corresponds to perceptual transitions which are represented by topological changes in the sketch graph in terms of a graph grammar. We compute the sketch or perceptual pyramid by Bayesian inference upwards-downwards the pyramid using Markov chain Monte Carlo reversible jumps. We show two example applications of this perceptual scale space: (1) motion tracking of objects over scales, and (2) adaptive image displays which can efficiently show a large high resolution image in a small screen (of a PDA for example) through a selective tour of its image pyramid. Other potential applications include super resolution and multiresolution object recognition.
Not Hearing History: A Critique of Chief Justice Roberts's Reinterpretation of Brown

In the principal opinion in Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1, Chief Justice Roberts invoked Brown v. Board of Education to bolster his view that the United States Constitution forbids the use of virtually all racial classifications. In its closing paragraphs, the plurality opinion claimed that the NAACP attorneys in Brown subscribed to an anticlassification view of the Constitution and that the Court adopted that view. Far from hearing history, the Chief Justice’s opinion sought to rewrite it. The discussion ignored the historic context in which Brown was argued and based its argument on extracting isolated sentences from the attorneys’ argument from their linguistic context. The discussion of Brown advanced a fallacious reading of the opinion. The discussion, though a relatively small part of the opinion, reflected a distressing and opportunistic use of history in an effort to justify a “color blind” vision of the Constitution. Rather than manipulating history to support doctrinal preferences, constitutional argument is more likely to produce enlightened doctrine, in this and other areas, if it addresses the moral and pragmatic considerations underlying competing positions.
Fear of Disease and the Puzzle of Futures Cases in Tort

This article addresses the framework on which courts have developed emotional distress doctrine in toxic tort cases. This preliminary description focuses on two cases: the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Metro-North Commuter Railroad Co., and the California Supreme Court’s decision in Potter v. Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. These cases represent a doctrine that permits emotional distress recovery based on two factors: (1) whether a defendant’s conduct has caused the plaintiff to suffer from a physical consequence; and (2) whether the plaintiff demonstrates that she is likely to manifest disease in the future. The article then considers these factors in the pre-manifestation setting. Here, the Article suggests that the factors are too restrictive. Instead, the Article asserts that courts should permit futures plaintiffs to recover emotional distress damages whenever a fact finder deems fear of disease to be reasonable. In so doing, however, the article’s proposal contains an important catch: when considering fear of disease cases in the pre-manifestation context, courts should vigorously apply the single action rule. In other words, courts should recognize futures actions, and they should liberally permit emotional distress damages in such claims. But once a court has resolved the claim, a plaintiff should have no further opportunity to seek damages related to the exposure even if disease later manifests. This proposal runs counter to much of the case law and literature that discusses the single action rule in toxic tort cases. In the context of pre-manifestation claims, however, the proposal would improve the judicial system’s approach to toxic tort litigation.
Renal organic anion secretion: evidence for dopaminergic and adrenergic regulation

To examine possible regulatory control of renal proximal tubule organic anion secretion, winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) proximal tubule primary cultures were mounted in Ussing chambers. Unidirectional fluxes of [2,4-(14)C]dichlorophenoxyacetic acid were determined under short-circuited conditions. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (1 microM) caused a significant (P < 0.01) inhibition of net 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid secretion. Preincubation with staurosporine (1 microM) blocked the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced decrease in secretion. Neither forskolin (10 microM) nor W-7 (20 microM) had any effect on net transport. Elevation of intracellular calcium activity with either A-23187 or thapsigargin produced a slight, transient decrease in transport. Addition of dopamine (1 microM) to the peritubular side, but not the luminal side, caused a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in net secretion. Both the alpha-adrenergic agonist oxymetazoline (10 microM) and depletion of intracellular Na+ transiently, but significantly (P < 0.05), increased net transport. The data indicate that renal organic anion excretion may be regulated through dopaminergic inhibition and alpha-adrenergic stimulation of net transepithelial secretion.
Dietary S-Methylmethionine, a Component of Foods, Has Choline-Sparing Activity in Chickens

Acid hydrolysis of dehulled soybean meal (SBM) and corn gluten meal (CGM) followed by chromatographic amino acid analysis (ninhydrin detection) revealed substantial quantities of S-methylmethionine (SMM) in both ingredients (1.65 g SMM/kg SBM; 0.5 g SMM/kg CGM). Young chicks were used to quantify the methionine- (Met) and choline-sparing bioactivity of crystalline L-SMM, relative to L-Met and choline chloride standards in 3 assays. A soy isolate basal diet was developed that could be made markedly deficient in Met, choline, or both. When singly deficient in choline or in both choline and Met, dietary SMM addition produced a significant (P 0.10) growth of chicks fed a Met-deficient, choline-adequate diet. A standard-curve growth assay revealed choline bioactivity values (wt:wt) of 14.2 +/- 0.8 and 25.9 +/- 5.1 g/100 g SMM based on weight gain and gain:food responses, respectively. A fourth assay, using standard-curve procedures, showed choline bioactivity values of 20.1 +/- 1.1 and 22.9 +/- 1.7 g/100 g SMM based on weight gain and gain:food responses, respectively. It is apparent that SMM in foods and feeds has methylation bioactivity, and this has implications for proper assessment of dietary Met and choline requirements as well as their bioavailability in foods and feeds.
Inhomogeneities In Sol-Gel Coatings

The structure of sol-gel derived silica coatings was investigated using nanoindentation. chemical etching. and cross-sectional TEM. For coatings heated at 100°C. the surfaces were harder, etched slower, and appeared less porous than the interior of the coatings. For samples fired at higher temperatures (400–800°C). the surfaces remained harder and etched slower than the interior. even though the porosity appeared to be evenly distributed throughout the thickness of the coating. It is proposed that this difference is due to inhomogeneities on two scales in the coatings: bulk porosity and skeletal strain.
Intake fraction for the indoor environment: a tool for prioritizing indoor chemical sources.

Reliable exposure-based chemical characterization tools are needed to evaluate and prioritize in a rapid and efficient manner the more than tens of thousands of chemicals in current use. This study...
A Penetrometer to Quantify Leaf Toughness in Studies of Defoliators

An understanding of the physical characteristics of a leaf is necessary in feeding behavior studies of phytophagous insects. A penetrometer based on a strain gauge transducer, miniature lathe, and recorder readout was devised to measure leaf toughness. Details of its construction and use are reported.
Home Gateway Based on Telecom Networks

As triple-play and multi-play services are emerging, deployment of the home gateway becomes more and more important for home networks. Therefore it's necessary to make a comprehensive understanding and exact orientation of the home gateway based on telecom networks. The home gateway is a device via which home networking devices communicate with external networks. It should support QoS, security and management for the home network. With the home gateway, home networks can provide various services such as home communications, information and entertainment, home office and intelligent home services. However, the home-gateway technology is not mature yet. It needs the promotion of manufactures at different links in the industry chain.
Protective effect of cordyceps sinensis oral liquid on subhealth fatigue

Objective To investigate the anti-subhealthy-fatigue effect of Cordyceps sinensis oral liquid(CSOL) and the anti-anoxia mechanism. Methods Twenty-four rats were arranged into three groups: control, model and CSOL group. After the rats in model and CSOL groups were sleep deprivation for 5 consecutive days, the exhausted swimming time of rats in all groups were observed.Co Cl2 was used to induce chemical anoxia in SH-SY5 Y cell line, and the cell viability of CSOL(0, 0.1, 0.3, 1.0mg/ml) treatment was detected. Results The body weight of rats in control group increased steadily, but those in model and CSOL group decreased. CSOL treatment prolonged the exhausted swimming time of rats from 7.6 ±0.7min up to 12.4 ±1.8min with significance(t=-7.003,P0.01). The IC50 of SH-SY5 Y cells treated by Co Cl2 for 24h is approximate to 600μM. CSOL treatment(0.1, 0.3, 1.0mg/ml)significantly increased the cell viability(F=233.97, P0.01). Conclusion CSOL showed obvious anti-subhealth-fatigue effect, and this might be through the anti-anoxia mechanism.
Effects of a perfluorochemical emulsion on the fate of circulating Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Because mononuclear phagocytes take up perfluorochemical emulsions (PFCE), we examined how prior treatment with PFCE affects the fate of circulating bacteria. Rats were preinjected with three daily...
The Role of Hormones during Seed Development and Germination

Seed production1 is an extraordinary adaptation to a terrestrial environment that permits plants to reproduce under dry conditions and broadly disperse their progeny, which can then survive in an arrested state until environmental conditions favor growth of the next generation. Although there are many anecdotal reports of extreme longevity (6), the current record for documented viability is over 1000 years for an Indian Lotus seed, collected from an ancient lake bed in China (51). To accomplish this remarkable feat, seeds contain an embryo and a supply of nutrient reserves, packaged as a dry desiccation-tolerant unit. The features that make seeds an effective means of reproduction (high nutrient content and extended viability during developmental arrest) also make them a convenient food supply, and led to the development of civilizations in cultures that made use of this dependable source of crops to supply themselves with food. Consequently, features such as nutrient content, yield, and germination control are of major agronomic importance and have been the focus of much research.
Histopathological Evaluation of Drug-Induced Liver Disease

Drug-induced liver disease may be associated with histopathological changes that mimic other etiologies of liver disease or patterns of injury that are rarely seen. A liver biopsy may be performed in order to exclude competing causes of liver injury, classify injury caused by a particular agent, grade the severity of the injury, or suggest a mechanism of injury. In evaluating the pathological changes, the pathologist should carefully define the pattern(s) of injury so that the pathological differential diagnosis can be used to guide further workup or to compare with reported patterns of drug injury. Using this approach, the liver biopsy can become a powerful diagnostic tool in complex cases of drug-induced liver disease.
Charge pump optimization and output spur reduction in VCO-based OTAs for active-RC analog filters

This paper presents performance improvement techniques for VCO-based OTAs (VCO-OTAs). An on-off charge pump(CP) topology is used as an alternative to power-hungry current-steering charge pump used in earlier VCO-OTAs. This brings down the power consumption of the CP and also the phase frequency detector (PFD) used in VCO-OTAs. The paper also presents the use of inherent low pass filtering in VCO-OTAs for out-of-band spur reduction. The techniques have been demonstrated by prototyping a 4-MHz 4th order active-RC filter using VCO-OTAs. The filter prototype, fabricated in 180nm CMOS technology, shows a power reduction of 41% in the CP and 25% in the PFD, achieved by trading off in-band IIP3 from 21dBm to 19dBm and noise from 0.71mVrms to 0.75mVrms.
Comparative Analysis of Secretomes from Ectomycorrhizal Fungi with an Emphasis on Small-Secreted Proteins

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbioses are major components of boreal and temperate forest ecosystems (Smith and Read, 2008; Clemmensen et al., 2013). Although well studied for several decades, very little is known about the molecular players involved in the establishment and maintenance of ECM symbioses (Garcia et al., 2015). Identifying the symbiont secretome is a promising way to dissect the fungal contribution to the mutualistic molecular dialog. Pellegrin et al. (2015) compared for the first time the predicted secretome of 49 soil-borne ECM, saprotrophic and pathogenic fungi, revealing shared and specific features between species, and providing a better understanding of the ECM lifestyle evolution.
Ultra-wideband multiple access: unification and narrowband interference analysis

Interference from co-existing narrowband services constitutes the bottleneck of ultra-wideband (UWB) communications. To quantify interference and compare UWB systems on that basis, a general framework is needed. In this paper, we develop a unifying transmission and Rake reception model for UWB multiple access encompassing existing and novel spreading codes: direct-sequence (DS), digital single- and multi-carrier (SC/MC), time-hopping (TH), and combinations of them. Performance analysis is also carried out in closed-form. The relative merits of several UWB systems are further assessed by simulations, in narrowband interference (NBI), multipath, and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), for both matched-filter (MF), and minimum, mean-square error (MMSE) Rake receivers.
Influence of strategies to determine the significance of the crisis by the managers of small and medium-sized enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises play an important role in the European economy as a source of entrepreneurial skills, innovation and employment. Strategic management is vital for long-term competitiveness of these organizations, and even more significant when struggling with a crisis. Enterprises with strategic management are able to look into their future and their managers are able to recognize upcoming issues in advance so they are much better prepared for them. Crisis is then perceived as a phenomenon which is more common than rare. It is therefore essential that businesses reflect the aspects and impacts of the crisis in a corporate strategy and managers learn to manage crises effectively. The article deals with a partial research of the management of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech Republic. It is focused on defining a strategy by the managers of these organizations and the assessment of the significance of crises. Only about 25% of the companies formulated a strategy for the future direction of the organization. The crises happen in all organizations, varying in degrees and intensity. The importance of crisis is evaluated by the managers by an average rate of 3.4 (where the highest rate was five). The aim of the article is an assessment of the importance of crisis as seen by the managers in strategically managed organizations structured according to sectors of the economy. For primary data collection, the questionnaire method was used.
Robust Harmonic Features for Classification-Based Pitch Estimation

Pitch estimation in diverse naturalistic audio streams remains a challenge for speech processing and spoken language technology. In this study, we investigate the use of robust harmonic features for classification-based pitch estimation. The proposed pitch estimation algorithm is composed of two stages: pitch candidate generation and target pitch selection. Based on energy intensity and spectral envelope shape, five types of robust harmonic features are proposed to reflect pitch associated harmonic structure. A neural network is adopted for modeling the relationship between input harmonic features and output pitch salience for each specific pitch candidate. In the test stage, each pitch candidate is assessed with an output salience that indicates the potential as a true pitch value, based on its input feature vector processed through the neural network. Finally, according to the temporal continuity of pitch values, pitch contour tracking is performed using a hidden Markov model (HMM), and the Viterbi algorithm is used for HMM decoding. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms several state-of-the-art pitch estimation methods in terms of accuracy in both high and low levels of additive noise.
Evolutionary Perspective of Tumorigenesis and Antitumor Immunity: A Comparative Approach

This review proposes a comparative and evolutionary view of the complex interactions between the immune system and cancers. First, modern concepts of cancer immune surveillance and immunoediting, as well as evidence of malignancy and antitumor immunity in invertebrates and vertebrates are discussed. Second, the evolution of the immune system and tumor immunity is explained, followed by a brief description of immunotherapies. Finally, special focus is placed on an amphibian model, the Xenopus laevis, which represents a powerful alternative to nonmammalian animal models for not only exploring novel avenues in cancer immunotherapy but also better distinguishing species-specific specializations from more fundamental and conserved aspects of tumorigenesis and tumor immunity. Given that the immune system appears to not only control (immune surveillance) but also remodel (immunoediting) malignancies, an evolutionary perspective of the complex interactions between cancer and the host immune system may also bring useful insights into the selective pressure and conservation of antitumor immunity. In summary, a broader comparative approach could significantly improve our understanding of the coevolution or arms race between tumors and host immune systems.
Forest Ownership Patterns

Forests, whether public or private, provide the general public with countless goods and services. As it is the owners who ultimately decide the fate of these forests, it is important to understand forest ownership trends and patterns. As the results of political, economic, social, historic, and biophysical factors, forest ownership patterns vary considerably across the nation and across the urban–rural spectrum. For example, the eastern United States is dominated by private ownership,while the western United States is dominated by public ownerships. Across the urban–rural spectrum, federal and state lands tend to be in more rural areas, while private forest ownerships tend to be in closer proximity to urban areas. The urban–rural spectrum is also correlated with other ownership patterns such as size of family forest holdings, timber harvesting, and some reasons for owning land. The population pressures exerted across the urban–rural spectrum will influence the future of these lands through land use conversions and different values, desires, and expectations for lands depending upon where they are located.
L’importance de la somatotopie pour obtenir des effets analgésiques dans la stimulation du cortex moteur à visée antalgique

Introduction L’objectif de cette etude est de localiser les contacts des electrodes en regard du cortex cerebral moteur et chercher la relation entre la localisation anatomique et l’effet antalgique de stimulation electrique de chaque contact. Materiaux et methodes Vingt-deux patients (14 hommes et 8 femmes) sont victimes de douleurs neuropathiques centrales et/ou peripheriques. Ils ont beneficie d’une stimulation corticale a vise antalgique mise en place dans le departement de neurochirurgie du CHU de Lyon. Implantation d’electrodes intracerebrales (Resume, Medtronic, MA) Le positionnement des electrodes (en extradural) a ete effectue a l’aide de : – reperage anatomique peroperatoire par la neuronavigation en utilisant l’IRM cerebrale en 3D ; – enregistrement de l’activite physiologique peroperatoire du cortex cerebral concernant les deux zones motrice et sensitive, en utilisant : – recueil des potentiels evoques somesthesiques par stimulation peripherique, – recueil des reponses motrices par stimulation corticale peroperatoire afin d’identifier la zone motrice et sa somatotopie ; – choix de la position des contacts : (en fonction des resultats anatomo-physiologiques et cliniques). Analyse des donnees anatomiques et cliniques Dans le but de localiser les electrodes, nous realisons une etude tridimensionnelle d’imagerie pre-(IRM) et post-(TDM) implantation. Recueil des effets cliniques antalgiques de stimulation electrique de facon reguliere. Analyse des donnees pour chercher la correlation entre la position des contacts et les effets antalgiques. Resultats Les effets analgesiques post-implantation ont ete obtenus chez 18 (81,81 %) patients sur 22. L’effet analgesique a ete accompagne par la reduction de la consommation de medicaments chez 15 patients (68,18 %). L’analyse du scanner 3D postoperatoire montre une correspondance entre la localisation des contacts efficaces et la somatotopie du cortex moteur chez les patients avec des effets analgesiques postoperatoires. Aucune correspondance n’a ete trouvee entre la localisation des contacts et la somatotopie du cortex cerebral moteur chez les 4 patients sans effet analgesique. Des effets analgesiques ont ete observes chez 3 de ces 4 patients, apres une nouvelle chirurgie permettant un remplacement de la position de l’electrode sur la somatotopie du cortex moteur correspondant a la zone douloureuse. Conclusion Cette etude montre la correlation entre la position du contact sur le cortex pre-central et l’analgesie obtenue lorsque la somatotopie du cortex stimule correspond a la zone douloureuse.
The local diffusion of international human rights norms – understanding the cities for CEDAW campaign

While the international human rights norm literature has revolved mainly around the diffusion and implementation of human rights at the national and global level, less is known how international hu...
Seabirds and the 1982-1984 El Niño-Southern Oscillation

Abstract The 1982-1984 El Nino and associated events affected seabirds in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Effects ranged from extralimital dispersal to nest desertion and adult mortality, and appeared most severe in the eastern Pacific upwellings off Peru and California, and in the central Pacific. Up to 85% of seabirds died in Peru. In contrast, effects were mild in the Caribbean Sea. Other areas such as the North Atlantic and Indian Oceans were apparently unaffected. El Nino appears to be an important force shaping life-histories only for seabirds In the Peruvian upwelling, where El Nino events are both frequent and severe. In other areas, with milder or less frequent events, responses to normal environmental variability, such as deferred breeding, readiness to abandon nesting efforts, and low reproductive effort, may be sufficient to buffer seabirds against all but the most severe El Nino events. On an evolutionary scale, El Nino, by generating massive extralimital dispersals or by exterminating colonies, may have caused disjunct ranges or even speciation in Pacific seabirds. Our ability to study the effects of El Nino on seabirds is limited by the lack of long-term, intensive studies of seabird populations. Without such studies, our knowledge is likely to remain anecdotal and superficial. We also lack information on the environmental features to which seabirds respond during El Nino. These may include sea and air temperature, rainfall, food abundance or parasite loads.
Space-Time Mappings as Database Browsing Tools

One possible value to examining cinematic structures is that once understood, they can serve as visual and conceptual mappings which can then function as an interface to accessing the work in question. Determining such structures is not purely a systematic technique, but some ideas about segmentation can perhaps be useful in developing approaches to accessing visual material.
Assessing the Huang–Brown Description of Tie Chains for Charge Transport in Conjugated Polymers

Intercrystallite molecular connections are widely recognized to tremendously impact the macroscopic properties of semicrystalline polymers. Because it is challenging to directly probe such connections, theoretical frameworks have been developed to quantify their concentrations and predict the mechanical properties that result from these connections. Tie-chain connectivity similarly impacts the electrical properties in semicrystalline conjugated polymers. Yet, its quantitative impact has eluded the community. Here, we assess the Huang–Brown model, a framework commonly used to describe the structural origins of mechanical properties in polyolefins, to quantitatively elucidate the effect of tie chains on the electrical properties of a model conjugated polymer. We found that a critical tie-chain fraction of 10–3 is needed to support macroscopic charge transport, below which intercrystallite connectivity limits charge transport, and above which intracrystallite disorder is the bottleneck. Extending the Huang–B...
Synthesis and understanding of Na11Sn2PSe12 with enhanced ionic conductivity for all-solid-state Na-ion battery

Abstract All-solid-state Na-ion batteries (NIBs) that incorporate nonflammable solid-state electrolytes and an inexhaustible alkali metal offer a potential solution to the safety and cost concerns associated with conventional Li-ion batteries that use liquid electrolytes. Na-ion solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) with high ionic conductivity are the key to success for all-solid-state NIBs. Here, we report a new Na-ion SSE, Na11Sn2PSe12, with a superior grain conductivity of 3.04 mS cm−1 and a total ionic conductivity of 2.15 mS cm−1 at 25 °C. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, first-principles phonon calculations, and the proposed bonding energy model indicate that its superior ionic conductivity stems from the presence of a high density of dispersive Na+ vacancies, three-dimensional Na-ion conduction pathways, and a low bonding energy of the Na+ ion with its neighboring atoms. Na11Sn2PSe12 is used for the first time as the electrolyte in all-solid-state Na-Sn/TiS2 battery cell, which shows excellent rate performance and delivers a high reversible capacity of 66.2 mAh (g of TiS2)−1 after 100 cycles with cycling retention of 88.3% at a rate of 0.1 C at room temperature.