cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uptake blockade of endocannabinoids in the NTS modulates baroreflex-evoked sympathoinhibition.

Abstract Previous studies supporting a possible physiological role for an endogenous cannabinoid, arachidonylethanolamide (AEA, anandamide), showed a significant increase in AEA content in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) after an increase in blood pressure (BP) and prolonged baroreflex inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) after exogenous AEA microinjections into the NTS. These results, along with other studies, support the hypothesis that endogenous AEA can modulate the baroreflex through cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation within the NTS. This study was performed to characterize the physiological role of endogenously released cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) in regulating baroreflex control of RSNA through actions in the NTS. Endocannabinoid effects were assessed by measuring the RSNA baroreflex response to increased pressure after bilateral microinjections of AM404, an endocannabinoid transport inhibitor, into the NTS of adult male Sprague Dawley rats. AM404 blocks uptake of endocannabinoids and enhances the effects of any endocannabinoids released [M. Beltramo, et al., Functional role of high-affinity anandamide transport, as revealed by selective inhibition, Science 277 (5329) (1997) 1094–1097.] into the NTS. Therefore, it was hypothesized that microinjections of AM404 should exhibit effects similar to microinjections of exogenous AEA. In this study, AM404 microinjections into the NTS were found to significantly prolong baroreflex inhibition of RSNA compared to control, similar to effects of exogenous AEA. This effect is thought to result from an increased endocannabinoid presence in the NTS, leading to prolonged CB1 receptor activation. These results indicate that endocannabinoids released in the NTS have the potential to modulate baroreflex control at this site in the central baroreflex pathway.
Volume Bragg Grating assisted broadband tunability and spectral narrowing of Ti:Sapphire oscillators

A widely tunable, narrow band Ti:Sapphire oscillator is reported. Tunability and spectral narrowing were achieved by use of a volume Bragg grating in the cavity. Tunability was observed from 785 nm to 852 nm while maintaining a spectral linewidth less than 10 pm with essentially no spectral jitter. Oscillation on only 2 longitudinal modes is also reported at 852 nm with the grating at normal incidence providing ~200 mW output power.
Computer ranking of the sequence of appearance of 40 features of the brain and related structures in staged human embryos during the seventh week of development.

The sequence of events in the development of the brain in human embryos, already published for stages 8-15, is here continued for stages 16 and 17. With the aid of a computerized bubble-sort algorithm, 71 individual embryos were ranked in ascending order of the features present. Whereas these numbered 100 in the previous study, the increasing structural complexity gave 27 new features in the two stages now under investigation. The chief characteristics of stage 16 (approximately 37 postovulatory days) are protruding basal nuclei, the caudal olfactory elevation (olfactory tubercle), the tectobulbar tracts, and ascending fibers to the cerebellum. The main features of stage 17 (approximately 41 postovulatory days) are the cortical nucleus of the amygdaloid body, an intermediate layer in the tectum mesencephali, the posterior commissure, and the habenulo-interpeduncular tract. In addition, a typical feature at stage 17 is the crescentic shape of the lens cavity.
Compressed bit stream classification using VQ and GMM

Algorithms of classifying and segmenting bit streams with different source content (such as speech, text and image, etc.) and different coding methods (such as ADPCM, (mu) -law, tiff, gif and JPEG, etc.) in a communication channel are investigated. In previous work, we focused on the separation of fixed- and variable-length coded bit streams, and the classification of two variable-length coded bit streams by using Fourier analysis and entropy feature. In this work, we consider the classification of multiple (more than two sources) compressed bit streams by using vector quantization (VQ) and Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM). The performance of the VQ and GMM techniques depend on various parameters such as the size of the codebook, the number of mixtures and the test segment length. It is demonstrated with experiments that both VQ and GMM outperform the single entropy feature. It is also shown that GMM generally outperforms VQ.
Regulation of Cyclins and P34CDC2 Expression during Terminal Differentiation of C2C12 Myocytes

Abstract Little is known about the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes upon terminal differentiation of skeletal muscle cells. In this report, we demonstrate that the expressions of cyclin A, cyclin D1 and p34cdc2 are downregulated upon C2C12 myocytes differentiation and are not inducible in differentiated myotubes. SV40 large T antigen can induce cell cycle entry of myotubes through its induction of these genes′ expressions and pRB phosphorylation as well as its suppression of Rb expression. These results provide the first direct evidence that the irreversible downregulation of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases is one mechanism for the permanent cell cycle withdrawal of myotubes.
Estimation of radiation from satellite data

The results of this simple and straightforward analysis show that there is a good correlation between global radiation and the brightness values obtained from satellites. It will be possible to obtain mean annual maps of global radiation and, in addition, monthly values also showed good correlation, although these are not reported on here and will appear in a later publication. The analysis apparently would indicate that the corrections currently applied for snow and sand reflection are somewhat in error and it is hoped that this study will enable these corrections to be modified.
Infrared Imaging Microscope as an Effective Tool for Measuring Thermal Resistance of Emerging Interface Materials

The reduction of interfacial resistance continues to be a significant challenge in thermal management of semiconductor and other microscale devices. Current state-of-the-art thermal interface materials (TIMs) have resistances in the range of 5–10 mm2 ·K/W. At these values, particularly for the emerging highly nonhomogeneous materials, standard measurement techniques often fail to provide accurate results. This paper describes the use of infrared microscopy for measuring the total thermal resistance across multiple interfaces. The method is capable of measuring samples of wide ranging resistances with thicknesses ranging from 50–250 μm. This steady-state technique has several advantages over other methods, including the elimination of the need for intrusive temperature monitoring devices like thermocouples at the area of interest and the need for a priori knowledge of the specific heat and density of the materials of interest, as in the transient techniques for determining thermal resistances. Results for three different commercially available TIM and uncertainty analysis are presented.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Binding of myotrophin/V-1 to actin-capping protein: implications for how capping protein binds to the filament barbed end.

The heterodimeric actin-capping protein (CP) regulates actin assembly and cell motility by binding tightly to the barbed end of the actin filament. Here we demonstrate that myotrophin/V-1 binds directly to CP in a 1:1 molar ratio with a Kd of 10–50 nM. V-1 binding inhibited the ability of CP to cap the barbed ends of actin filaments. The actin-binding COOH-terminal region, the “tentacle,” of the CP β subunit was important for binding V-1, with lesser contributions from the α subunit COOH-terminal region and the body of the protein. V-1 appears to be unable to bind to CP that is on the barbed end, based on the observations that V-1 had no activity in an uncapping assay and that the V-1·CP complex had no capping activity. Two loops of V-1, which extend out from the α-helical backbone of this ankyrin repeat protein, were necessary for V-1 to bind CP. Parallel computational studies determined a bound conformation of the β tentacle with V-1 that is consistent with these findings, and they offered insight into experimentally observed differences between the α1 and α2 isoforms as well as the mutant lacking the α tentacle. These results support and extend our “wobble” model for CP binding to the actin filament, in which the two COOH-terminal regions of CP bind independently to the actin filament, and bound CP is able to wobble when attached only via its mobile β-subunit tentacle. This model is also supported by molecular dynamics simulations of CP reported here. The existence of the wobble state may be important for actin dynamics in cells.
Sustainability management in campus housing: A case study at the University of Michigan

Summarizes a study which provides a framework upon which to base management for sustainability in the University of Michigan’s Housing Division. Discusses three reasons why organizations should be interested in pursuing sustainability management: morality and intergenerational equity; survival; and organizational benefits and risks. Proposes a sustainability mission statement for Housing and assesses five operational areas and six decision‐making areas in terms of environmental impact (specific audit data are presented) and prospects for sustainability management. Presents summaries of all findings, as well as more detailed descriptions of dining and staffing assessments. Concludes that management for sustainability must be holistic, systemic and integrative. Major recommendations include appointing a sustainability coordinator and/or task group; conducting sustainability audits; training staff on sustainability; using full‐cost accounting and life‐cycle assessment as decision‐making tools; creating an environmental procurement program; forming a sustainable dining team; involving outside entities in sustainability efforts; and developing partnerships for material reuse.
Microfluidic antibody arrays for simultaneous cell separation and stimulus

A microfluidic chip containing stamped antibody arrays was developed for simultaneous cell separation and drug testing. Poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) stamping was used to deposit antibodies in a microfluidic channel, forming discrete cell-capture regions on the surface. Cell mixtures were then introduced, resulting in the separation of cells when specific antibodies were used. Anti-CD19 antibody regions resulted in 94 % capture purity for CD19+ Ramos cells. An antibody that captures multiple cell types, for example anti-CD71, can also be used to capture several cell types simultaneously. Cells could also be loaded onto the arrays with spatial control using laminar streams. Both Ramos B cells and HuT 78 T cells were isolated in the chip and exposed to staurosporine in the same channel. Both cell lines had similar responses to the drug, with 2–10 % of cells remaining viable after 20 h of drug treatment, depending on cell type. The chip can also be used to analyze the efficacy of antibody therapy against cancer cells. Anti-CD95 was deposited on the surface and used for simultaneous cell capture and apoptosis induction via the extrinsic pathway. Cells captured on anti-CD95 surfaces had significant viability loss (15 % viability after 24 h) when compared with a control anti-CD71 antibody (81 % viability after 24 h). This chip can be used for a variety of cell separation and/or drug testing studies, enabling researchers to isolate cells and test them against different anti-cancer compounds and to follow cell response using fluorescence or other readout methods.
Life-course exposure to early socioeconomic environment, education in relation to late-life cognitive function among older Mexicans and Mexican Americans.

Objectives: To examine the associations between life-course education and late-life cognitive function along with the modifying role of migration history. Method: The combined sample includes 1,789 participants from the Sacramento Area Latino Study on Aging and 5,253 participants from the Mexican Health and Aging Study. Aged 60+ at baseline, participants were classified as Mexican residents, Mexicans–return migrants, Mexicans–immigrants to the United States, and Mexicans–U.S. born. Cognitive function was measured using standardized z scores of a short-term verbal recall test. Multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted. Results: Participants’ z scores were higher among those whose mother had more than elementary education (β = 0.28, p < .05). Participant’s education mediated this association. For 5-year difference in education, the cognitive z score increased by 0.3 points for a U.S. born. Results were similar with father’s education. Discussion: Adult educational attainment mediates the effect ...
Test support processors for enhanced testability of high performance circuits

A solution for testing fast-switching bidirectional signal lines using an array of technology-specific transceivers has been described previously (1998). This method uses an active component located between the device-under-test (DUT) and the automated test equipment (ATE) to reduce electrical interconnect delays to less than 150 ps. In this paper, the transceiver array concept is extended to include higher-level test processes such as real-time algorithmic pattern generation (APG), multi-gigahertz signal multiplexing, and others. The active test component is therefore called a "Test Support Processor" (TSP). It greatly reduces the functionality and performance capability required of the ATE, while maintaining signal integrity, and improving overall test quality. In its minimum configuration, the TSP provides an array of technology-specific transceivers very close to the DUT. This reduces transmission line effects, allowing for at-speed test of fast I/O switching characteristics. This technique may lead to lower-cost. The TSP is specifically intended to complement and support existing DFT and BIST structures within the DUT. The use of the TSP provides an additional degree of freedom for partitioning the test problem, and may result in a significant paradigm shift for future ATE architectures. This paper describes variations of the TSP concept, its potential applications, and economic impact. Three variations are illustrated through prototype demonstrations, including: (A) a 2.67 Gbps test pattern source, (B) a transceiver array for testing a high speed 4 Mbit SRAM, and (C) a reconfigurable real-time APG for memory testing, implemented using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA).
Effect of intensive training on auditory processing and reading skills.

This study assessed the ability of seven children to accurately judge relative durations of auditory and visual stimuli before and after participation in a language remediation program. The goal of the intervention program is to improve the childrens ability to detect and identify rapidly changing auditory stimuli, and thereby improve their language-related skills. Children showed improved accuracy on a test of auditory duration judgement following the intervention without analogous improvements in the visual domain, supporting the assertion that intensive training with modified speech improves auditory temporal discrimination. However, these improvements did not generalize to reading skills, as assessed by standard measures of phonological awareness and non-word reading.
Similarity join for low-and high-dimensional data

The efficient processing of similarity joins is important for a large class of applications. The dimensionality of the data for these applications ranges from low to high. Most existing methods have focussed on the execution of high-dimensional joins over large amounts of disk-based data. The increasing sizes of main memory available on current computers, and the need for efficient processing of spatial joins suggest that spatial joins for a large class of problems can be processed in main memory. In this paper we develop two new spatial join algorithms, the Grid-join and EGO-join, and study their performance in comparison to the state of the art algorithm EGO-join and the RSJ algorithm. Through evaluation we explore the domain of applicability of each algorithm and provide recommendations for the choice of join algorithm depending upon the dimensionality of the data as well as the critical /spl epsiv/ parameter. We also point out the significance of the choice of this parameter for ensuring that the selectivity achieved is reasonable.
Is the Market Moral? Protestant Assessments of Market Society

Is the market moral? Do different Protestant traditions have competing views of “market society”? Despite the increasing diffusion of market logics in American society, scholars of religion have little empirical data on these questions. Employing discourse analysis of market-related topics in two prominent Christian periodicals over a twenty-year period, this paper compares evangelical and mainline Protestant evaluations of markets. We find that neither group views markets as redeeming, self-regulating, or value neutral, and both groups argue that markets require constraints. Evangelicals prioritize moral constraints on markets, while mainline Protestants prioritize governmental and democratic constraints. The degree of difference between the groups varies considerably by topic, however, depending on the degree of potential state intervention. We close by discussing our findings in light of recent debates over the relationship between religious conservatism and economic conservatism. We find that economic conservatism among evangelicals is driven at least as much by a commitment to collective voluntarism as by atomized individualism or free market ideology.
Microwave remote sensing of soil moisture, progress, potential and problems

Over the past decade or so, tremendous progress has been made in both passive and active microwave remote sensing of soil moisture. Much of this progress can be attributed to improved instrumentation such as with the development of the Electronically Steered Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR) and the SIR-C/X SAR. However, equally important has been the demonstration of soil moisture's importance to hydrologic processes through comprehensive field campaigns. During this period, there has been a parallel development of an awareness of the importance of soil moisture, particularly with climate modellers and scientists studying land surface-atmospheric interactions. Unfortunately, inspite of the technological advances and the scientific interests, we are apparently not any closer to being able to obtain routine soil moisture measurements from a space platform than we were ten years ago. This paper reviews the progress in both passive and active microwave soil moisture measurements, especially as demonstrated by the intensive field campaigns. The scientific interest in soil moisture is discussed-and an attempt is made to define the science and application measurement requirements. Finally, the problems associated with developing a soil moisture mission is addressed.
Boron Segregation and Out-diffusion in Single-Crystal Si 1-y C y

Boron segregation and its effect on carbon diffusion is studied in single-crystal Si1-yCy. We find that boron segregates from silicon to Si0.996C0.004 at a level m=[B]SiC/[B]Si = 1.7 during a 2 hour, 850°Cannealin N2. After this anneal, if most of the carbon is then removed from the Si1-yCy layer (via an oxidation-enhanced out-diffusion process), most of the boron segregation is removed as well. This argues against immobile B-C defects as the predominant mechanism driving the segregation. Boron is shown to increase carbon diffusion during the N2 anneal, but also appears to enhance carbon precipitation during a subsequent oxidation.
Asymptotic and optimal Liouville properties for Wolff type integral systems

This article examines the properties of positive solutions to fully nonlinear systems of integral equations involving Hardy and Wolff potentials. The first part of the paper establishes an optimal existence result and a Liouville type theorem for the integral systems. Then, the second part examines the decay rates of positive bound states at infinity. In particular, a complete characterization of the asymptotic properties of bounded and decaying solutions is given by showing that such solutions vanish at infinity with two principle rates: the slow decay rates and the fast decay rates. In fact, the two rates can be fully distinguished by an integrability criterion. As an application, the results are shown to carry over to certain systems of quasilinear equations.
Maintenance of Egg Production in Coturnix Following Reduction in Photoperiod

Abstract THE rapid degeneration of the ovary which normally occurs when a laying hen is starved can be prevented by injection of mammalian gonadotropins as was demonstrated by Hosoda et al. (1955). Later, Morris and Nalbandov (1961) showed that both avian and mammalian gonadotropins could induce regular daily ovulation for 8 or more days following the removal of food. Taylor et al. (1962) have reported that calcium-deficient hens injected with crude chicken anterior pituitary will continue to lay eggs until the hens collapse from calcium deficiency. To our knowledge, no one has determined how light-starved birds will respond to exogenous hormones. This paper presents the results of three separate experiments concerned with maintaining egg production in corturnix, following an abrupt decrease in the amount of daily light from 14 hours to 8 hours, by injection of avian adenohypophyses and mammalian gonadotropins. 3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from University of…
Segmentation of 3D deformable objects with level set based prior models

We propose a level set based deformable model for the segmentation of multiple objects from 3D medical images using shape prior constraints. As an extension to the level set distribution model of object shape presented in previous papers, this paper evaluates the performance of the level set representation of the object shape by comparing it with the point distribution model(PDM) using the Chi-square test. We define a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation model using level set based prior information to realize the segmentation of the multiple objects. To achieve this , only one level set function is employed as the representation of the multiple objects of interest within the image. We then define the probability distribution over the variations of objects contained in a set of training images. We found the algorithm to be computationally efficient, robust to noise, able to handle multidimensional data, and avoids the need for explicit point correspondences during the training phase. Results and validation from various experiments on 2D/3D medical images are demonstrated.
Power system security considerations in competitive electricity market design

Power system security and market liquidity in competitive electricity markets are potentially conflicting objectives. A key aspect in successful market operation is the harmonized co-existence of these two different objectives. Ensuring the security of the system is essential for the reliability of the power system. Security also promotes competition in electricity markets by avoiding market disruption. This paper describes in detail the principles of market design to include security assessment in the process of clearing competitive bids and offers, such that the clearing mechanism achieves market objectives of maximizing market merits, without jeopardizing the system security. Several real-life illustrative examples of electricity market designs will be presented; examples that show that successful markets worked in harmony with system security. This paper will also describe the evolution of some of the current electricity markets to better integrate security assessment in the market clearing mechanism
Toolbox for analysis and synthesis of Petri nets

In this paper, we present a classroom tool set for graphical editing, simulation, analysis and synthesis of deadlock free Petri net for automated manufacturing systems. Because of the discrete event nature of modern manufacturing systems, Petri nets have been widely applied in the modeling, control and performance analysis of such systems. The tool set consists of a graphical Petri net editor and simulator implemented in Java (JPNE) and a Petri net analysis and synthesis tool implemented in Matlab. The JPNE generates Petri net description data file, which can be read and parsed by the Matlab tool, and then analysis and synthesis can be performed on the parsed Petri net. The analysis includes reachability and deadlock detection, place-invariants and siphons calculation. The synthesis includes control place augmentation of the Petri nets based on selected minimal uncontrolled siphons. The synthesis process can be recursively applied to a Petri net and the result can be outputted to a data file which in turn can be read and parsed by JPNE and simulation can be run on newly synthesized Petri net. The major contributions are the implemented siphons calculation and the control place synthesis, which are rarely seen in existing software tools. Example applications are provided.
Diesel exhaust and lung cancer in the trucking industry: Exposure–response analyses and risk assessment

Background Diesel exhaust is considered a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The epidemiologic evidence rests on studies of lung cancer among truck drivers, bus drivers, shipyard workers, and railroad workers. The general public is exposed to diesel exhaust in ambient air. Two regulatory agencies are now considering regulating levels of diesel exhaust: the California EPA (ambient levels) and the Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) (occupational levels). To date, there have been few quantitative exposure‐ response analyses of diesel exhaust and lung cancer based on human data. Methods We conducted exposure‐response analyses among workers in the trucking industry, adjusted for smoking. Diesel exhaust exposure was estimated based on a 1990 industrial hygiene survey. Past exposures were estimated assuming that they were a function of 1) the number of heavy duty trucks on the road, 2) the particulate emissions (grams/mile) of diesel engines over time, and 3) leaks from trucks’exhaust systems for long-haul drivers. Results Regardless of assumptions about past exposure, all analyses resulted in significant positive trends in lung cancer risk with increasing cumulative exposure. A male truck driver exposed to 5 µg/m 3 of elemental carbon (a typical exposure in 1990, approximately five times urban background levels) would have a lifetime excess risk of lung cancer of 1‐2%, above a background risk of 5%. Conclusions We found a lifetime excess risk ten times higher than the 1 per 1,000 excess risk allowed by OSHA in setting regulations. There are about 2.8 million truck drivers in the U.S. Our results depend on estimates about unknown past exposures, and should be viewed as exploratory. They conform reasonably well to recent estimates for diesel-exposed railroad workers done by the California EPA, although those results themselves have been disputed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 34:220‐228, 1998. r 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Personhood, Ethics, and Animal Cognition: Situating Animals in Hare's Two-Level Utilitarianism

The insistence of utilitarian philosophers on the moral relevance of the fact that animals can suffer has made utilitarian moral thinking central to debates on animal ethics at least since Jeremy B...
3-D reconstructions from cryo electron microscope images: an ab initio algorithm

A statistical method for computing 3-D reconstructions of virus particles from cryo electron microscope images and minimal prior information - particle symmetry and radii - is described and demonstrated numerically.
Chemical composition of cornicle secretion of the brown citrus aphid Toxoptera citricida

Brown citrus aphid Toxoptera citricida Kirkadly is considered as an important pest of citrus because it vectors citrus tristeza closterovirus. Aphids secrete a fluid from their cornicles as a defensive mechanism against natural enemies. Earlier studies on cornicle secretions of aphids focus only on triglycerides and fatty acids. In the present study, three different methods are used to investigate the chemical composition of the cornicle fluid of T. citricida. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection is used to detect and quantify the triglycerides after trimethylsilyl derivatization, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) is used to determine the fatty acid composition after derivatization with boron trifluoride–methanol. Other compounds are detected using GC‐MS after methoxyamine hydrochloride and N‐methyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide derivatization. The major fatty acid in the cornicle secretion of T. citricida is palmitic acid. Oleic, stearic, myristic, myristoleic and sorbic acids are also detected, although in low amounts. Sorboyl, dipalmitoyl (C₆ ‐₂, C₁₆, C₁₆) and disorboyl, stearoyl (C₆ ‐₂, C₆ ‐₂, C₁₈) are the main triglycerides detected in cornicle secretion. Trehalose is the most predominant sugar (558.2 mm), followed by glucose (92.0 mm) and inositol (48.8 mm). Many amino acids, including proline, glycine, alanine and serine, are also detected. In addition, the cornicle secretion is rich in many organic acids, including malic, citric, succinic and lactic acid. Information obtained from the present study improves our understanding of the chemical composition of the cornicle secretion of the brown citrus aphid.
Influence of Pyridoxine on Transaminase Activity of Human Placenta, Maternal and Fetal Blood.∗

Summary1. The glutamic-aspartic transaminase activity of whole blood from normal pregnant subjects is essentially the same as in non-pregnant subjects. Activity is significantly increased by supplementing the diet with 10 mg of pyridoxine daily. Transaminase activity of fetal blood is twice as great as in maternal blood in mothers not receiving additional vit. B6. The transaminase activity of placental tissue is not altered by prior administration of pyridoxine for several weeks. 2. The results suggest that fetal tissues contain optimal quantities of B6 whereas adults, both pregnant and non-pregnant, contain sub-optimal concentrations for peak enzymatic activity. The method employed is not sufficiently sensitive to demonstrate a reduced “reserve” of B6 in normal gestation, but the data are compatible with the view that pyridoxine supplementation is desirable in human pregnancy.
Fabrication and Electrical Characterization of Ba(1-x)SrxTiO3 Based Thin Films

Over the past several years there has been a tremendous growth and development of thin film deposition technology in the electronics industry. Ferroelectric thin films have been recognized for their unique dielectric properties and appear to be desirable for tunable microwave device applications. Among the most promising candidates for such applications are Ba (1−x) Sr x TiO 3 [BST] and BST-based thin films. In this work pure BST and acceptor doped BST-based thin films were fabricated on (100) MgO substrates via pulsed laser deposition [PLD]. X-ray diffraction (XRD) in conjunction with the atomic force microscope (AFM) were used to analyze the film crystalinity and surface morphology. The dielectric properties were characterized at both 100 kHz and 20 GHz. The MIM capacitor configuration was used to attain the dielectric properties at 100 kHz and the microwave measurements, S 11 reflection parameters, were achieved via interdigitated capacitor design with Au/Ag top electrodes. The parallel resistor-capacitor models were used to determine the microwave capacitance and Q factors and the permittivity was calculated using a modified conformal-mapping partial-capacitance method using the dimension of the capacitors. Our results demonstrated that the low frequency and microwave frequency dielectric properties were strongly influenced by the film composition. Specifically, the Mg doping served to lower the dissipation factor, permittivity, and tunability of the BST based films at both frequencies. This work demonstrates that the BST based thin films possessed excellent microstructural, structural, and dielectric properties. The structure-process-property correlations of the pulsed laser deposited BST and acceptor doped BST-based thin films are discussed in detail.
Integrating Leprosy Service Into General Health Service:A Pilot Study in Mianning County, Sichuan Province

Objective To study the new approach for leprosy control under the low endemic situation for the purpose of improving the awareness of leprosy among general population and reducing discrimination stigma in order to detect and treat leprosy cases early and prevent disability. Methods To train general health staff at township and village level on leprosy control and to educate general population on leprosy. Results The awareness of leprosy increased from 26% before project to 67% after project among general population and from 30% to 90% among school children. A total of 25 leprosy cases (19 MB, 6 PB) were detected in five years, among which one case was a child under 14. A total of 69 preventive and reconstructive surgeries were carried out among 48 PALs during the project. Conclusions The diagnose of leprosy case was improved through training general health staff at township and village level on leprosy. The leprosy cases were found and treated in time.
Subclavian-coronary artery anastomosis: A technique for definitive correction of anomalous origin of left coronary artery

A case of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in a 5-year-old child is presented. Surgical correction by means of a direct subclavian-coronary anastomosis was performed at normothermic temperatures without cardiopulmonary bypass. Pre- and postoperative studies including angiography are presented. The rationale for this approach and its benefits are compared to previously utilized surgical techniques. We feel that this method is superior in that it creates a two-coronary system without utilizing prosthetic or vein bypass grafts. It thus can be used in infancy, allows for future growth and development, and is not subject to the inherent deficiencies of prosthetic or vein grafts. All 4 known cases of subclavian-coronary anastomosis previously reported are discussed.
Ignorance at Risk: Interaction at the Epistemic Boundary of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme

Most long-lived organizational deceptions require the cooperation of outsiders who are close enough to the deception to suspect it, yet deliberately limit their knowledge so as to maintain plausible deniability. The interaction of such “proximate outsiders” with insiders—those who are fully “in the know”—can be a delicate affair, yet its careful management is essential to the survival of the deception. I analyze a phone conversation between Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff and executives at Fairfield Greenwich, the investment firm that funneled him the most money, in which they discussed an impending SEC examination. First I examine Madoff’s attempts to cajole the executives into affirming (to Madoff and eventually to the SEC) that their hands-off approach to his operation was unremarkable. Next I consider two instances in which Madoff floundered in his explanations, repeatedly aborting and restarting sentences as he attempted to explain the inexplicable and reconcile the irreconcilable. Finally, I analyze Madoff’s handling of two of the executives’ more intrusive questions, and the part that each side played in the resulting non-answer. The three parts of the analysis illustrate what I argue are recurring and generalizable challenges of interaction at the epistemic boundary, associated with coaching, reconciling, and answering.
Testing memory consistency of shared-memory multiprocessors

Shared-memory multiprocessors are becoming the dominant architecture for single-chip and multi-chip microprocessor based systems. Shared memory architectures are difficult to design because they must correctly implement the complexity of cache coherence and a memory consistency model. Memory consistency is a contract between hardware and software that specifies how memory behaves with respect to read and write operations from multiple processors. We address the challenge of correctly implementing a memory consistency model by developing a methodology for testing shared-memory multiprocessors which is composed of three steps: generating pseudo-random multithreaded programs, executing these programs on a system under test, and checking their compliance with the given memory consistency model. Although the last step is known to be an NP-complete problem, we develop a suite of novel algorithms that work efficiently in practice. Using these algorithms, our methodology has found hundreds of bugs during design and verification of several commercial-graded processors. Many of these bugs are subtle and could not have been detected otherwise. We also successfully apply our methodology to transactional memory, an emerging architecture that can significantly improve programmability while preserving or even enhancing efficiency of the memory system.
Preventing Mistaken Convictions in Eyewitness Identification Trials

It is clear that eyewitness testimony and eyewitness identifications play important roles in the apprehension, prosecution, and adjudication of criminal offenders. Police rely on eyewitness statements in their initial investigations; eyewitness identifications from lineups and photospreads are common; and the eyewitness is probably the most common type of witness in criminal trials.
Papovavirus Infections of the Nervous System

Papovaviruses are DNA viruses which are divided into two genera, papillomaviruses and polyomaviruses. Papillomaviruses, although widely distributed in human and animal species, are not known to invade the central nervous system. Polyomaviruses, on the other hand, produce an opportunistic, demyelinating infection of immunocompromised patients, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and have been suggested as etiologic agents of human brain tumors. The present chapter deals with the role of the polyoma subgroup of papovaviruses in human systemic and central nervous system infection, discusses human and animal data pertaining to the pathogenesis of PML, and reviews the possible role of these agents in central nervous system neoplasia.
The Immune Response in Measles: Virus Control, Clearance and Protective Immunity.

Measles is an acute systemic viral infection with immune system interactions that play essential roles in multiple stages of infection and disease. Measles virus (MeV) infection does not induce type 1 interferons, but leads to production of cytokines and chemokines associated with nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) signaling and activation of the NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein (NLRP3) inflammasome. This restricted response allows extensive virus replication and spread during a clinically silent latent period of 10–14 days. The first appearance of the disease is a 2–3 day prodrome of fever, runny nose, cough, and conjunctivitis that is followed by a characteristic maculopapular rash that spreads from the face and trunk to the extremities. The rash is a manifestation of the MeV-specific type 1 CD4+ and CD8+ T cell adaptive immune response with lymphocyte infiltration into tissue sites of MeV replication and coincides with clearance of infectious virus. However, clearance of viral RNA from blood and tissues occurs over weeks to months after resolution of the rash and is associated with a period of immunosuppression. However, during viral RNA clearance, MeV-specific antibody also matures in type and avidity and T cell functions evolve from type 1 to type 2 and 17 responses that promote B cell development. Recovery is associated with sustained levels of neutralizing antibody and life-long protective immunity.
Enhancing relationship quality measurement: The development of the relationship flourishing scale

Relationship quality is the most frequently assessed construct in the intimate relationships literature. Dozens of assessment instruments exist, but the vast majority conceptualize relationship quality in terms of satisfaction (or a similar construct), which focuses on the hedonic (pleasure or happiness) dimension of the relationship. Some scholars question whether the richness and depth of adult intimate relationships can be captured by satisfaction ratings and suggest focusing on a complementary eudaimonic (human flourishing) dimension of the relationship. This study evaluates the development of the Relationship Flourishing Scale, a 12-item measure of eudaimonic relationship quality that assesses meaning, personal growth, relational giving, and goal sharing. The study supports the construct validity of the Relationship Flourishing Scale, including its content, concurrent, convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity. Its incremental validity and independence suggest that it provides information about deeper and richer aspects of relationship quality than do current hedonic relationship quality measures. (PsycINFO Database Record
Interpolation Operators as Optimal Recovery Schemes for Classes of Analytic Functions

Suppose that the only information we have about a function f is that it belongs to a certain class ℬ (usually a ball in a normed space) and that it takes on given values at some finitely many points x1,...,xn of its domain (or that some other finitely many linear functionals l1,..,ln have given values at f). Suppose we are to assign a value to f(x) where x does not belong to the set {x1,...,xn} (or to l(f) where l is not in the span of {l1,...,ln}). The value α* for f(x) is considered optimal if for any other assignment α there is some fα ∈ ℬ with fα(xi) = f(xi) (i = l,...,n) for which the error |α − fα(x)| is at least as large as |α* − f(x)|. If moreover a function s* ∈ ℬ can be found such that s* evaluated at x gives the optimal value α* and this is so for every x in the domain of the functions f then s* is considered an optimal interpolant (or extrapolant) for these functions.
Response of Lizards to High-Severity Wildfires in a Southern United States Mixed Pine/Hardwood Forest

High-severity forest fires are increasing in large areas of the southern and western United States as the climate becomes warmer and drier. Natural resource managers need a better understanding of the short- and long-term effects of wildfires on lizard populations, but there is a paucity of studies focused on lizard-wildfire relationships. We used a before-after, control-impact (BACI) sample design to assess the response of three lizard species—Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata), Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus consobrinus), and Little Brown Skink (Scincella lateralis)—to high-severity wildfires that occurred in the Lost Pines Ecoregion, Texas, USA. Specifically, we analyzed monitoring data collected across 17 trapping sessions from spring 2008 to spring 2013 using stratified N-mixture models to estimate trends in lizard abundances, while accounting for environmental parameters that might influence lizard detectability. We found no evidence of a fire-induced change in abundance for any of the lizar...
Speed- and Circuit-Based High-Intensity Interval Training on Recovery Oxygen Consumption

Due to the current obesity epidemic in the United States, there is growing interest in efficient, effective ways to increase energy expenditure and weight loss. Research has shown that high-intensity exercise elicits a higher Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC) throughout the day compared to steady-state exercise. Currently, there is no single research study that examines the differences in Recovery Oxygen Consumption (ROC) resulting from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) modalities. The purpose of this study is to review the impact of circuit training (CT) and speed interval training (SIT), on ROC in both regular exercising and sedentary populations. A total of 26 participants were recruited from the UW-Eau Claire campus and divided into regularly exercising and sedentary groups, according to self-reported exercise participation status. Oxygen consumption was measured during and after two HIIT sessions and was used to estimate caloric expenditure. There was no significant difference in caloric expenditure during and after exercise among individuals who regularly exercise and individuals who are sedentary. There was also no significant difference in ROC between regular exercisers and sedentary or between SIT and CT. However, there was a significantly higher caloric expenditure in SIT vs. CT regardless of exercise status. It is recommended that individuals engage in SIT vs. CT when the goal is to maximize overall caloric expenditure. With respect to ROC, individuals can choose either modalities of HIIT to achieve similar effects on increased oxygen consumption post-exercise.
Capture efficiency of a fine mesh seine in a large river: Implications for abundance, richness, and diversity analyses

Abstract Seining is a commonly used method for sampling fishes in shallow water, but studies that rely on data collected by seining rarely include corrections based on varied capture efficiencies for species or size classes, or account for false negative errors of detection. We sampled fishes in shallow, nearshore areas of a large river using a fine-mesh seine within a blocknet to estimate capture efficiencies for age-0 and yearling-and-older (YAO) fishes, make comparisons among species (within age groups), and determine if capture efficiencies were affected by water depth and aquatic vegetation cover. We also estimated the proportions of sites that individuals were present but not detected for each species, compared estimated taxa richness and Shannon diversity index values to true values, and determined if richness estimates were affected by water depth and aquatic vegetation cover. We found that capture efficiencies of age-0 fishes were not affected by depth, but did differ among four levels of vegetation cover and these relationships differed among species. Capture efficiencies differed among YAO species (range of species-specific means = 0.17–0.93), but were not affected by vegetation cover or depth. Total abundance of age-0 and YAO fishes (summed across species) captured during the first seine haul were highly correlated with true abundance (age-0 r = 0.96; YAO r = 0.95) but underestimated. Species and age-specific captures from the first seine haul were also highly correlated with true abundance. Finally, proportions of false negative errors of detection were typically higher for YAO than age-0 fishes, and estimated taxa richness and Shannon diversity were correlated with true values, but generally underestimated. Numerous biotic and abiotic factors appear to drive wide variations in capture efficiencies and false negative errors of detection among species, so results from any one study are likely only applicable to particular species. However, seining is an adequate method for investigating within species or total relative abundance (summed across species) trends. Further, seining-based abundance estimates are likely adequate for identifying habitat features associated with relatively high and low catches for a given species. Therefore, seining may be an effective method for comparing these values across sites to gain insights about what types of habitat or locations are most productive for nearshore fishes.