cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An interest-driven approach to integrated unicast and multicast routing in MANETs

This paper introduces an integrated framework for multicast and unicast routing in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) based on interest-defined mesh enclaves. Such meshes are connected components of a MANET that span the sources and receivers of unicast and multicast flows. We present the Protocol for Routing in Interest-defined Mesh Enclaves (PRIME), which establishes meshes that are activated and deactivated by the presence or absence of interest in destinations and groups, and which confines most of the signaling overhead within regions of interest (enclaves) in such meshes. Experimental results based on simulations show that PRIME attains similar or better data delivery and end-to-end delays than traditional unicast and multicast routing schemes for MANETs (AODV, OLSR, ODMRP), and that PRIME incurs only a fraction of the signaling overhead of traditional routing schemes.
Dopamine D1-Like Receptors Depress Excitatory Synaptic Transmissions in Striatal Neurons After Transient Forebrain Ischemia

Background and Purpose— Spiny neurons in the neostriatum are highly vulnerable to ischemia. Despite an enormous body of research suggesting that dopamine is involved in ischemia-induced neuronal loss in the striatum, it remains unclear how dopamine interacts with the glutamatergic excitotoxicity that is widely accepted as a major cause of ischemic cell death. Our study was designed to investigate the effects of dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) activation on excitatory neurotransmission in postischemic striatal neurons. Methods— We used the 4-vessel occlusion ischemia model and brain slice preparations. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recording was performed on striatal neurons to measure excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs). Systemic administration of a D1R agonist after ischemia and hematoxylin/eosin staining were performed to evaluate the effects of D1R activation on ischemia-induced neuronal degeneration in the striatum. Results— D1R activation depressed EPSCs in postischemic striatal neurons. The depression wa...
Histologic abnormalities associated with gadolinium enhancement on MR in the initial hours of experimental cerebral infarction.

PURPOSE To determine the histologic changes associated with gadopentetate dimeglumine enhancement on MR images in acute focal cerebral ischemia. METHODS In each of two baboons, a microcatheter was used to occlude partially the middle cerebral artery and reduce cerebral blood flow for approximately 3.5 hours. The catheter was then removed allowing reperfusion for approximately 3.5 hours. In two other baboons, cerebral blood flow was completely and irreversibly interrupted by injecting liquid adhesive into the middle cerebral artery. T2-weighted and serial enhanced T1-weighted MR images were obtained. Brain specimens were studied histopathologically. RESULTS In the animals with incomplete and reversible reduction of cerebral blood flow, postcontrast T1-weighted images obtained during the initial 3 hours of ischemia showed focal areas of hypointensity. These areas were enhanced on later images. The areas of signal abnormality were subsequently found to be necrotic and were characterized by neuronal cytolysis and vascular "plugging." In the animals with complete and irreversible interruption of cerebral blood flow, no abnormal signal intensity or enhancement was observed. Histologic abnormalities were milder in these animals. CONCLUSIONS Contrast enhancement on MR images in the initial hours of cerebral ischemia was associated with histologic evidence of tissue necrosis but was not associated with milder ischemic changes.
Asynchronous Participatory Exams: Internet Innovation for Engaging Students

The asynchronous learning networks participatory examination (APE) is a constructivist approach that fully engages students in the entire exam life cycle. Students design and solve exam questions while evaluating their peers' solutions using an anonymous, structured process enabled by Internet technologies. APE achieves higher-level learning by encouraging students to tap into all levels of cognitive skills. Compared to the traditional exam experiences in most classes, most students prefer APE, enjoy its process, and recommend its use. APE liberates both students and instructors by reengineering the examination process and deepening learning throughout.
Implementation Planning to Promote Parents' Treatment Integrity of Behavioral Interventions for Children with Autism

Behavioral interventions delivered across home and school settings can promote positive outcomes for youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Yet, stakeholders who deliver these interventions may struggle to implement interventions as intended. Low levels of treatment integrity can undermine potentially positive intervention outcomes. One way to promote implementers' treatment integrity is Implementation Planning, a logistical planning and barrier reduction strategy that is supported by emerging school-based research. The current study extended the research on Implementation Planning and evaluated the effectiveness of the strategy with parents implementing a behavioral intervention at home within a Conjoint Behavioral Consultation model. The behavioral intervention aimed to increase compliance and decrease aggression for two children with ASD at home. Initially, parents struggled to deliver the intervention consistently; however, after Implementation Planning, parents' treatment integrity increased and...
Creativity in Early Childhood -- Buttons are to Push

(1989). Creativity in Early Childhood -- Buttons are to Push. National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators Bulletin: Vol. 10, Bulletin No. 32, pp. 16-17.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Induced Orthogonal Growth of Polyethylene Single Crystals at a Curved Liquid/Liquid Interface

We report herein single-walled carbon nanotube-induced polyethylene crystallization at the curved liquid/liquid interface. A Pickering emulsion system comprised of polyethylene (PE)/single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)/1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB)/water is formed using probe sonication at an elevated temperature. SWCNTs are used as the Pickering agents, and they are bent into nanosized rings by the curved DCB/water interface. Upon cooling, PE crystallizes onto SWCNTs, forming kebab single crystals, and the PE lamellae are orthogonal to the DCB/water interface. The unique structure resembles nanohybrid shish kebab (NHSK) rings.
An Analysis of Price Aggressiveness in Gasoline Marketing

An investigation of the relationship between the pricing behavior of retail gasoline outlets and a number of identifying characteristics reveals the limited usefulness of association tests. The aut...
Development of Thermoregulation and Torpor in the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel Spermophilus saturatus

Small mammals ectothermic at birth become endothermic when they weigh only 20–50% of adult body mass. Juveniles of several species show torpor shortly after endothermy is reached, and it appears that they conserve energy during food shortages to avoid starvation. We became interested in whether juveniles of a species with a marked annual cycle of hibernation and activity can enter torpor during the season in which adults remain homeothermic. Neonatal Spermophilus saturatus were ectothermic, and development of endothermy and thermoregulation required about 36 days. In summer, withdrawal of food and water did not induce torpor in endothermic juveniles. Only in fall, 2 weeks before all juveniles began hibernation with surplus food and water, could torpor be induced in some individuals by food and water deprivation.
Wafer Cleaning Influence on the Roughness of the Si/SiO2 Interface

The roughness of the Si/SiO2 interface has a great impact on the electrical properties of the gate-oxide in integrated circuits and consequently it is a large concern for the semiconductor industry. As the thickness of the oxide is decreased, the role of the roughness becomes more critical for the device. The nature of a buried interface prohibits the use of commonly used surface techniques. By the use of crystal truncation rod (CTR) x-ray scattering, it is possible to get information on the termination of the bulk silicon in a nondestructive fashion. The authors have investigated the influence of different cleanings on interfacial roughness using synchrotron radiation-based CTR-scattering. In particular, we looked at silicon(001) wafers both before and after the growth of a 1000A thermal oxide. The results show that the use of HF during cleaning results in a smoother interface between silicon and its native oxide. Due to smoothing of the interface during the oxidation process, the difference between the various cleaning methods becomes less significant for these thick oxides.
Medical Management of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. It is estimated that by the year 2000, 66.8 million people will be affected, of whom 6.7 million will be blind in both eyes.1 Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy in which the axons of the optic nerve die and the plates of lamina cribrosa collapse, leading to loss of optic-nerve tissue and excavation, or “cupping,” of the ophthalmoscopically visible optic-nerve head. When sufficient axonal loss occurs, peripheral vision declines; loss of central vision occurs much later. Most forms of glaucoma are painless, and the loss of vision is insidious. . . .
Transformer Condition Assessment and Residual Life Prediction

A three-tier assessment model of transformer condition is established in this paper,and the electrical equipment health index formula is introduced in the model,and then a formula is derived to obtain the residual life and future health index formula.The model thus is used in the condition assessment and calculation of the residual life for a 500 kV transformer substation.The results arisen from the process are found to be in conformity with the actual conditions.
The concept of immunologic specificity

This chapter overviews the concept of immunologic specificity; it is an experimental science that can be viewed as the continuing quest for the meaning and basis of immunologic specificity. In surveying the history of the discipline, this search appears logically to be divisible into three somewhat overlapping phases. In addition, it is important to examine more closely Ehrlich's view of toxin–antitoxin and other antigen–antibody interactions, for they not only illustrate his view of the workings of immunologic specificity, but also introduce for the first time in immunology, the equally important concept of affinity. Specificity and repertoire size became the central issues in all theories of antibody formation—an approach reinforced by the changing character of the discipline from about 1910 onward. The historic importance of Jerne's theory lies in the fact that it appears to provide for a biologic alternative to the instruction theories of the immunochemists, and served as the stimulatory point of departure for biologically oriented theoreticians.
Dynamic Connectivity and Packet Propagation Delay in ALOHA Wireless Networks

We consider an ad hoc network which uses multihop and slotted ALOHA for its MAC contention. We then formulate the minimum time required for a packet to reach the destination from the origin. We define this delay as the minimum time required for a causal path to form between the source and destination. We derive the distributional properties of the connection time using ideas from first passage percolation and epidemic processes. We show that the delay scales linearly with the distance and also provide asymptotic results (w.r.t time) for the positions of the nodes which are able to connect to a transmitter located at the origin. We also provide simulation results to support the theoretical results.
Three New Species of Grammitid Ferns (Polypodiaceae) from the Fern Hunter's Paradise: Sierra Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract Field work conducted over the past fifteen years in the Sierra Juarez of Oaxaca, Mexico, has resulted in three new species of grammitid ferns and a new state distribution record. Two of the new species, Ceradenia sacksii and Lellingeria labiakii, are known only from the vicinity of Cerro Pelon and Humo Chico, in the Sierra Juarez. The third new species, Mycopteris martiniana, is also known from similar habitats in the states of Mexico and Veracruz. All three species are illustrated with line art and photographs and distinguished from their most similar relatives. The new record, Ceradenia margaritata, was previously known in Mexico from Chiapas. With these new additions, 37 species of grammitid ferns distributed in ten genera are now known from Mexico. Twenty eight of these species occur in Oaxaca, which remains the Mexican state with the overall highest diversity of ferns.
Recommended Reading and Reference Bibliography for Forensic Pathology Fellows

In the context of forensic pathology training milestones, which attempt to define measurable training progress and outcomes, this report contains a list of recommended reading for forensic patholog...
Effect of Different Bullet Calibers and Distances from Target on Blood Spatter

This study was carried out in order to determine how different bullet calibers shot from different distances would affect blood spatter. Using two distinct firearms and varying distances, bullets were shot at a target in order to make blood spatter from different angles onto a tri-fold project board. The results illustrated that as the caliber of a bullet and the distance away from a target increase the area of blood spatter will increase and higher caliber bullets create more spatter because of their increased force.
Selective predation by reintroduced juvenile Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Ft. Loudoun reservoir, Tennessee (USA)

Following water quality and minimum flow improvements to the impounded Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) have been restocked annually since 2000. Our goal was to seasonally assess foraging mode of this recovering population in Ft. Loudoun Reservoir in the Upper Tennessee River. During 2014–15, individuals were captured using trot-lines in a 13-km reach that supports the greatest density of lake sturgeon. We used colonic flushing and gastric lavage techniques to obtain diet. We took systematic benthic sediment grabs along multiple transects throughout the reach and opportunistically deployed rock cages filled with hard substrates to assess potential prey that colonize hard surfaces. Foraging modes of lake sturgeon were determined by comparing relative abundances of invertebrate taxa in the gut contents (6581 invertebrates) of 28 fish to the relative abundances of the same invertebrate taxa collected from the resource base (1667 invertebrates). Proportional similarity, Levin’s niche breadth, and Manly’s index were used to assess the degree of prey selectivity. Lake sturgeon fed selectively on a narrow range of available prey consisting mostly of larval chironomids (93% composition by number during warm season, 96% during cool season), some genera of which they prey upon selectively, primarily Chironomus sp., but to a lesser extent Procladius, Ablabesmyia, Coelotanypus, and Cryptochironomus spp. Meanwhile, other abundant taxa in the resource base were avoided, such as Oligochaetes, Hexagenia mayflies, and the chironomid Glyptotendipes. Our results illustrate that assessing seasonally available prey from habitat utilized by lake sturgeon is important when investigating diet preference.
Sclerotherapy and Alternatives

Varicose veins are superficial dilated veins that may be troublesome for cosmetic reasons or because they are symptomatic. However, in all settings, they are always the result of increased venous pressure and possibly an underlying source of reflux. The traditional approach to treating large varicose veins and complicated venous pathology has been surgical. However improvement in sclerotherapy methods as well as other minimally invasive techniques has allowed for non-surgical treatment of large diameter vessels.
A Multidimensional Network Approach to Strategic Communication

In this article, we introduce a multidimensional network perspective as a theoretical and methodological touchstone for the study of strategic communication. The perspective embraces the various di...
EYES WIDE OPEN

AbstractIn this contribution, I plumb the depths of Georges Didi-Huberman’s abiding notion of the “eye of history” and, in particular, I explore to which responsible acts this notion might hold us. Does a reader of texts or viewer of an image have a right to claim a certain status as witness if the experience of being present at the crime is “merely” by the proxy of a text or an image? This is a fundamental ethical question and, consequently, a profoundly political one that Didi-Huberman’s abiding exploration of the “eye of history” asks. I attempt to answer it by reading a variety of texts by the prolific author. In particular, however, I test what Didi-Huberman speculates in Images in Spite of All about what went through the mind of Alex, the Sonderkommando who took four furtive shots from an Auschwitz gas chamber, against what I’ve learned recently after having discovered the Hiroshima photographs made on 6 August 1945 by hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) Yoshito Matsushige.
ER Stress and Unfolded Protein Response in Cancer Cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a devastating syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss attributed to extensive skeletal muscle wasting. The pathogenesis of cachexia is multifactorial because of complex interactions of tumor and host factors. The irreversible wasting syndrome has been ascribed to systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, dysfunctional mitochondria, oxidative stress, and heightened activation of ubiquitin-proteasome system and macroautophagy. Accumulating evidence suggests that deviant regulation of an array of signaling pathways engenders cancer cachexia where the human body is sustained in an incessant self-consuming catabolic state. Recent studies have further suggested that several components of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) are activated in skeletal muscle of animal models and muscle biopsies of cachectic cancer patients. However, the exact role of ER stress and the individual arms of the UPR in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass in various catabolic states including cancer has just begun to be elucidated. This review provides a succinct overview of emerging roles of ER stress and the UPR in cancer-induced skeletal muscle wasting.
Improving Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes

International Diabetes Federation estimates that there are more than a half-billion adults ages 20 to 79 years worldwide who have diabetes mellitus (DM) and that the global health care expenditure for adults with DM in 2015 was $673 billion. Nonadherence and nonpersistence to prescribed type 2 DM medications are common and remain a barrier to optimal health outcomes. There is a high prevalence of nonadherence among older adults. Research has focused on prevalence and predictors of adherence, research methodologies, and development of measures of adherence. Improvements hopefully will result in better disease monitoring, medication adherence, and reduced rates of diabetes complications.
Successful repair of spontaneous indirect bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula with coil embolization

Bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a rare disease process, which portends poor visual outcome with delayed diagnosis and treatment. An 82-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of proptosis and decreased vision. A complete ophthalmologic examination along with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain and orbits, and MR angiography and venography of the brain confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral CCF. Diagnostic cerebral angiogram with concurrent coil embolization of the right cavernous sinus via left superior ophthalmic vein approach was performed. Bilateral indirect CCFs (type D CCF on the right and a type B CCF on the left) regressed completely after unilateral coil embolization. Visual acuity and limitation in extraocular movements significantly improved with complete resolution. In summary, we describe successful management of bilateral concurrent CCF with image-guided embolization and immediate recovery of vision and resolution of ophthalmological symptoms including proptosis and diplopia.
AUV Tool Manipulation With Hard and Soft Actuators

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) outfitted with manipulators are useful for performing various tasks. As the AUVs manipulate tools, they deviate from neutral buoyancy, and must constantly actuate to maintain depth and orientation. This results in large energy consumption. Furthermore, AUVs continuously oscillate when thrusters are unable to fix minor motion discrepancies. This letter investigates the use of reversible fuel cells–enabled buoyancy control devices (BCDs, soft actuators) with existing thrusters (hard actuators) to correct the heave and tilt motion during tool manipulation. A state-space model that describes an AUV equippped with a manipulator and actuated with thrusters and BCDs is derived. A set of control laws are proposed to allow for a novel collaboration between the two actuators (thrusters and BCDs) for station keeping. Different scenarios are simulated using the model with experimentally identified parameters to analyze the motion and energy performance of the control law. Simulation results show that synergizing the two forms of actuation (soft/hard) improves performance and energy efficiency with the thrusters providing quick depth and orientation correction while BCDs adjust buoyancy and small maneuvering.
Deep learning-based probabilistic anomaly detection for solar forecasting under cyberattacks

Abstract Recently, cyberattacks on solar power forecasting emerge with the increase of solar penetration, which may lead to substantial economic losses and power system reliability issues. This paper presents a novel probabilistic anomaly detection framework to effectively and accurately detect cyberattacks in solar power forecasting, which consists of three major components. First, a convolutional neural network is used to extract spatial correlations among solar farms at the bottom of the model. Second, a long short-term memory network is used to capture the temporal dependencies within solar power data and generate deterministic solar power forecasts, which is then converted to probabilistic forecasts through pinball loss optimization. Finally, the probabilistic solar power forecasts are used for anomaly detection. The effectiveness of the proposed framework is validated by using 16 solar farms with a variety of data integrity attacks. Numerical results of case studies show that the developed probabilistic anomaly detection methodology could effectively detect data integrity attacks in solar power forecasting with a relatively high accuracy.
Prioritization schemes for reference and command governors

Reference and command governors are predictive add-on schemes that are applied to closed-loop systems and guarantee constraint enforcement while tracking desired reference inputs. This paper introduces two methods for using these predictive methods in the presence of prioritized constraints. The first method handles the case of “soft” constraints by using a slack variable to relax the constraints. The second method prioritizes the reference inputs, enforcing the constraints by modifying the lower priority reference inputs first. Two examples are reported consisting of a constrained spring-mass-damper system and an F-16 aircraft with actuator constraints.
A dynamic programming approach to the energy management problem of photovoltaic power systems

A new mathematical approach to proper load management techniques is presented. Loads are classified into four categories: convenient, essential, critical, and emergency. Priorities are assigned to the loads of each category. The energy requirement and duty cycle for each load are assumed to be known. The problem is to determine, in an optimal way, the actual energy supplied to these loads during a certain period of time. The solution to this problem is based on the maximization of a weighted objective function which depends on the load priorities and is subject to the total available energy. The mathematical problem is formulated as a resource allocation problem and is solved using dynamic programming techniques. Simulation studies illustrating the applicability of the new approach are presented. >
Genetic control of heart weight in mouse and man (697.4)

Heart weight (HW) serves not only measure of cardiac structure and function, and also as an intermediate phenotype for cardiovascular disease outcome. In humans HW is a heritable trait and has been linked to several genetic loci. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms in and near genes that may contribute to variability in HW. The BXD family of recombinant inbred strains comprise a large panel of isogenic but diverse strain derived by crossing C57BL/6J and DBA/2J. This genetic reference panel is a remarkable resource because genotype data (high density SNP markers) is available in GeneNetwork database; and the genomes of both parents have been sequenced. Our goal is to define genetic loci and candidate genes that control HW. There is significant variation in HW among the BXD strains_from 81 to 182 mg. A locus in chromosome 3 is responsive for a significant fraction (70%) of HW variation. The expression of candidate genes in this locus was studied using whole t...
Measuring TLR function in transfectants.

This unit summarizes a combination of methods that can be optimized for measuring toll-like receptor (TLR) function. TLRs serve as primary innate immune sensors and exhibit high specificity towards evolutionarily conserved microbial and viral structures. The unit focuses specifically on TLR4, the principal Gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensor. Methods described include transient transfections, analyses of activation of various promoters in reporter-gene assays, and induction of IL-8 secretion. Other topics that will be briefly discussed include the necessity for the assessment of surface expression of transmembrane receptors (e.g., TLR4) using FACS analysis, and a permutation of the TLR functional analysis approach using site-directed mutagenesis. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 91:14.16.1-14.16.15. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: toll-like receptors (TLRs); TLR agonists; lipopolysaccharide (LPS); signal transduction; cell activation; transient transfection; reporter or luciferase assays; mutants; FACS analysis
The False Promise of Social Security Privatization

Social Security is the single largest transfer program in the world. In 1999, Social Security paid $334.4 billion in benefits to retired workers and their families and collected $396.4 billion in taxes. More than 151 million persons worked in jobs covered by Social Security and paid Social Security taxes, while more than 37.9 million received benefits. In 1998 more than 90 percent of elderly households received social security payments, and such payments provided more than half of total income for 64 percent of individuals aged 65 and older living alone. According to all observers, Social Security faces a long-term financial problem. Although the Social Security Trust Fund currently boasts a substantial balance and collects far more in taxes than it pays out in benefits, this situation will change over the next several decades as the Baby Boom generation hits retirement age. By 2015 Social Security will be paying more in benefits than it collects in taxes, and by 2039 the Trust Fund will be exhausted, given current benefit formulas and tax rates. Partially in response to this problem, but also to address other concerns about Social Security, a growing chorus of politicians, policy analysts, and economists advocates the full or partial privatization of Social Security. Among politicians, President George W. Bush has made partial privatization the center-piece of his solution to the Social Security crisis. Among economists, Harvard University's Martin Feldstein is the most visible advocate of this approach, but many others have endorsed some form of privatization. Similarly, policy analysts at conservative and libertarian think tanks also support privatization. Privatization means creating private, individual accounts in which Social Security participants would put some or all of the monies they would otherwise pay in Social Security taxes. One common argument in support of this approach is that, since stocks have historically paid a higher return than either the government bonds held in the Social Security Trust Fund or Social Security contributions themselves, allowing individuals to purchase stocks rather than paying taxes will improve Social Security's rate of return and thereby alleviate the impending crisis. In this paper we explain that privatization per se does nothing to alleviate Social Security's impending fiscal imbalance or improve Social Security's rate of return. Privatization might have desirable consequences - as well as negative ones - but for reasons independent of the alleged crisis. Our goal is not to advocate for or against privatization; we simply attempt to clarify what privatization can and cannot accomplish in hopes of focusing debate on the real issues.
Kalman Filtering and RLS

This chapter contains sections titled: Equivalence in Linear Estimation Kalman Filtering and Recursive Least-Squares Appendix: Extended RLS Algorithms ]]>
Freedom as a Natural Phenomenon

“Freedom” is a phenomenon in the natural world. This phenomenon—and indirectly the question of free will—is explored using a variety of systems-theoretic ideas. It is argued that freedom can emerge only in systems that are partially determined and partially random, and that freedom is a matter of degree. The paper considers types of freedom and their conditions of possibility in simple living systems and in complex living systems that have modeling (cognitive) subsystems. In simple living systems, types of freedom include independence from fixed materiality, internal rather than external determination, activeness that is unblocked and holistic, and the capacity to choose or alter environmental constraint. In complex living systems, there is freedom in satisfaction of lower level needs that allows higher potentials to be realized. Several types of freedom also manifest in the modeling subsystems of these complex systems: in the transcending of automatism in subjective experience, in reason as instrument for passion yet also in reason ruling over passion, in independence from informational colonization by the environment, and in mobility of attention. Considering the wide range of freedoms in simple and complex living systems allows a panoramic view of this diverse and important natural phenomenon.
Scholarly Approaches to the Concept of “Evil” and the Figure of Māra in South Asia

In this article, I survey prominent themes in the scholarly analysis of the concept of `evil’ in South Asian religious traditions. Some of the issues I highlight in this regard are the problems in defining `evil’ in the South Asian context and the past tendency to privilege philosophical materials over literary sources. Besides this general topic, I also focus particularly on past scholarly approaches to and interpretations of the Buddhist figure `Māra,’ which to a great extent have illustrated the general trends laid out in the first section. Finally, I conclude that future approaches to the South Asian concept of `evil’ in general, and Māra in particular, ought to find ways to blend philosophical and literary materials, as well as maintain sensitivity to how the notion of `evil’ has played a social role among South Asian religious traditions.
Solidification of Flake, Compacted/Vermicular and Spheroidal Graphite Cast Irons as Revealed by Thermal Analysis and Directional Solidification Experiments

When trying to understand the thermal behavior of solidifying cast irons, two experimental procedures seem to be especially helpful in generating the expected type of information, which then can be used for a quantitative understanding of the phenomena. They are thermal analysis and directional solidification.
And/Or Programs: A New Approach to Structured Programming

A simple tree-like programming/specification language is presented. The central idea is the dividing of conventional programming constructs into the two classes of and and or subgoaling, the subgoal tree itself constituting the program. Programs written in the language can, in general, be both nondeterministic and parallel. The syntax and semantics of the language are defined, a method for verifying programs written in it is described, and the practical significance of programming in the language assessed. Finally, some directions for further research are indicated.
Fostering Gender Diversity in Computing

Computing and information technology are among the fastest growing US industries, and participating in efforts to attract and retain a diverse workforce will provide a valuable contribution toward meeting future demands in these professions.
Computing in a less-developed country

Almost all of the nations of Latin America are so-called less-developed countries (LDCs). But unlike many such countries elsewhere, quite a few have recently attempted to install more democratic, or at least less authoritarian, governments that are permitting greater freedom of expression and information and encouraging market-oriented economic developments. The latter include decreasing protectionism and moves toward the privatization of state enterprises such as telecommunications companies. Given the land area, natural resources, and populations involved, these developments are potentially of enormous international importance. The information technologies (IT) could be used to accelerate and reinforce these political and economic changes.
Variation in the prosody of focus in head- and head/edge-prominence languages

Abstract This study explored the prosodic realization of focus in four typologically unrelated languages: American English, Paraguayan Guarani, Moroccan Arabic, and K’iche’. American English and Paraguayan Guarani mark prosodic prominence culminatively on the head of the prosodic unit, whereas Moroccan Arabic and K’iche’ mark prosodic prominence demarcatively on the right edge of the prosodic unit. To allow for cross-linguistic comparisons, the same interactive task was used for all four languages in their respective countries. Utterances were elicited in which a color-denoting adjective, a shape-denoting noun, or the noun phrase consisting of the adjective and the noun was focused. Data from each language were annotated phonologically using an autosegmental-metrical approach and analyzed acoustically. The results suggest that the prosodic realization of focus is partially orthogonal to the distinction between head-prominence and head/edge-prominence languages, and may be due to differences in macro-rhythm. American English and Paraguayan Guarani, the head-prominence languages, share deaccenting as a means for marking non-focused expressions, but only English uses pitch accent type to mark focused elements. Moroccan Arabic, a head/edge-prominence language, uses phrasing and duration cues to focus, but K’iche’, also a head/edge-prominence language, does not. In addition, American English shares phrasing cues, and both American English and Paraguayan Guarani share duration cues with Moroccan Arabic, despite their structural prosodic differences.
A Cross-Sectional Audit of Student Health Insurance Waiver Forms: An Assessment of Reliability and Compliance

To assess the reliability of using a waiver process to ensure compliance with health insurance requirements established by a university, the author conducted a cross-sectional verification and compliance audit of insurance waiver forms received for the 1999/2000 academic year. This study revealed that a waiver form process could not be relied upon to enforce compliance.
Repeatability of gastric analysis.

Repeatability of gastric analysis was evaluated by performing five tests on each of 12 subjects, using 2-hour basal and 2-hour poststimulation periods and betazole HCl as the stimulant. Coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated for each parameter of secretion (CV=SD/mean×100). Our CV's for basal secretion ranged from 26 to 49, and for stimulated secretion from 12 to 27. A review of the literature showed CV's ranging from 21 to 64 for basal secretion and 8 to 16 for stimulated secretion. A significant negative linear correlation (.01 level) was found between basal volume and CV. We concluded that gastric analysis is not as repeatable in the basal state as after stimulation and that repeatability in the basal state is partly dependent on the level of secretion.
The Influence of Commitment to Assigned Goals and Performance on Subsequent Self-Set Goals and Performance1

Seventy-seven undergraduates were assigned a performance goal for the first of two trials of a word game, and set goals for themselves on a second trial. Goal commitment was hypothesized to moderate the influence of goal level on performance within both trials. In addition, commitment to the assigned Trial I goals was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between goal attainment and self-set goals for the second trial. Subjects' initial performance on a practice trial was also hypothesized to interact with the goal levels they were assigned on the first trial, such that individuals who performed relatively well on the practice trial were expected to evidence a greater positive relationship between goal level and performance than individuals who performed relatively poorly on the practice trial. The results of three moderated regression analyses yielded no support for the hypothesized within-trial moderating influence of goal commitment on goal level-performance relations. However, commitment to assigned goals and goal attainment did interact as related to personal goals for Trial 2. Further, the hypothesized influence of practice trial performance and assigned goal level on Trial I performance was supported. The results are discussed in terms of how goal levels should be determined and assigned to employees, and the role of goal commitment in goal setting predictions.
Post-Superplastic Forming Analysis Under Different Loading Paths. Part One: Uniaxial Loading Case

In a previous work, an optimization approach for superplastic forming based on a multiscale stability criterion, and yielding a variable strain rate loading path instead of the commonly used constant strain rate one, was presented. The approach was experimentally validated using the AZ31 magnesium alloy, where it was proven effective in reducing forming time without sacrificing the uniformity of deformation. In this work, the validation process is taken to a different level, where the post-superplastic forming mechanical properties, often ignored in superplasticity, become the criteria. The material is first superplastically deformed under uniaxial loading at an elevated temperature, following both loading paths; constant strain rate versus optimized variable strain rate. Thereafter, specimens extracted from the deformed material are tested at room temperature to evaluate the changes in mechanical properties, in reference to those of the as-received material. The results emphasize on the necessity of a combined forming and post-forming analysis in optimizing the superplastic forming process.
Single Molecule Measurements of TCR Triggering in Self-Reactive T Cells

Autoimmune disease is characterized by T cell recognition of self-antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Due to the low affinity of self-peptide-MHC for the T cell receptor (TCR), autoaggressive T cells are capable of escaping negative selection in the thymus. However, despite the reduced stability of the peptide-MHC:TCR complex, endogenous antigen can trigger self-reactive cells with sufficient strength required to initiate and sustain an immune response. To elucidate how weak binding can activate autoaggressive human T cells, we are developing a hybrid live cell-supported membrane system to study signaling at the single molecule level. An artificial lipid bilayer functionalized with peptide-MHC is used to mimic the antigen-presenting cell and trigger T cells. Each peptide antigen is labeled with a single fluorphore, allowing us to track individual peptide-MHC:TCR complexes while simultaneously monitoring the local membrane recruitment of signaling molecules. Using this living T cell-artificial membrane system and single molecule imaging, we can directly observe early signaling events in healthy and self-reactive T cells and better understand the mechanism of TCR triggering in autoimmune disease.
The role of choline on the activity-temperature relationship of brush-border alkaline phosphatase

Abstract We have studied the effect of choline on the activity and temperature dependency of the brush-border alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes from rat intestine (tissue-specific type), and from kidney and placenta (tissue-nonspecific type). The removal of choline with phospholipase D resulted in the loss of enzyme activity in all the membranes, whereas in situ loss in the discontinuity of Arrhenius plots occurred in the kidney and the placental membranes, but not in the intestinal membranes. The lost activity was restored either by addition of free choline or phosphatidylcholine or by the removal of the enzyme from the membrane surface. Intestinal enzyme was removed by papain, while the tissue-nonspecific enzyme was released by subtilisin and by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The enzyme from kidney and placental membranes aggregated ( ρ = 1.13) upon removal of choline, and addition of choline resulted in disaggregation ( ρ = 1.03). Conversion of discontinuous to continuous linear plots of alkaline phosphatase in the kidney and placental membranes paralleled the increase in membrane phosphatidic acid content, and the decrease in total phosphatidylcholines. The intestinal enzyme produced plots with break points at all phosphatidic acid/phosphatidylcholine ratios. The change brought about by treatment with phospholipidase D was not due to changes in the half-saturation kinetics ( K m ) for the substrate. Based on these studies we conclude (1) that the active site of the tissue-nonspecific phosphatase is approximated to exterior membrane cholines, as in the case of the intestinal isoenzyme [7]; (2) that despite similar effects on the membrane content of phospholipids, phospholipase D treatment caused much greater effects on the tissue-nonspecific enzyme, as assessed by Arrhenius plots and density centrifugation; (3) that these effects are due to different protein structures rather than to a lipid milieu unique to each brush-border membrane.
Thermodynamic Benchmarking of CO2 Capture Systems: Exergy Analysis Methodology for Adsorption Processes

Abstract Exergy analyses of carbon capture systems provide a directly cross-comparable figure of merit (the exergy efficiency), and identify the process steps in each system that are most in need of improvement. In order to perform an exergy analysis of adsorption systems, the exergy of an adsorbed phase must be defined; however, the thermodynamics of these phases are different from those of bulk phases so bulk phase exergy expressions cannot be used directly. The exergy of an adsorbed phase is derived from fundamental principles. Restrictions on adsorbed-phase equations of state and mixing rules, as well as the definition of the dead state, are discussed. Examples relevant to carbon capture are presented; however, the expression derived here applies generally to adsorption processes.
Interannual Variation in Sea Level near Truk Island—A Bimodal Seasonal Cycle

Abstract The relationship between typical seasonal and interannual variations in Truk sea level is discussed. Periods of extreme low sea level occur episodically, at the same time that El Nino occurs in the eastern tropical Pacific. The episodes have a well-defined phase relative to the seasons and a persistence of one year. They mimic an annual cycle, but they do not repeat every year. Nevertheless, they distort the long-term mean seasonal cycle because they are very energetic. Complex demodulation shows that the amplitude of the annual oscillation is bimodal, the larger amplitude occurring during the episodes of low sea level. The phase is stable only when the amplitude is large. The amplitude and phase of the semiannual oscillation are stable; the range is approximately one-third as large as that of the interannual episodes. Thus, the seasonal cycle is bimodal in the sense that it is dominated by either the annual episode or the stable semiannual oscillation. The climate-related sea-level variation at ...
Estrogenic regulation of dopaminergic neurons in the opportunistically breeding zebra finch.

Steroid-induced changes in dopaminergic activity underlie many correlations between gonadal hormones and social behaviors. However, the effects of steroid hormones on the various behaviorally relevant dopamine cell groups remain unclear, and ecologically relevant species differences remain virtually unexplored. We examined the effects of estradiol (E2) manipulations on dopamine (DA) neurons of male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), focusing on numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) cells in the A8–A15 cell groups, and on TH colocalization with Fos, conducted in the early A.M., in order to quantify basal transcriptional activity. TH is the rate-limiting enzyme for catecholamine synthesis, and specifically DA in the A8–A15 cell groups. In contrast to other examined birds and mammals, reducing E2 levels with the aromatase-inhibitor Letrozole failed to alter TH-ir neuron numbers within the ventral tegmental area (VTA; A10), while increasing neuron numbers in the central gray (CG; A11) and caudal midbrain A8 populations. Consistent with findings in other birds, but not mammals, we also found no effects of E2 manipulations (Letrozole or Letrozole plus E2 replacement) on TH-Fos colocalization in any location. In accordance with previous observations in both mammals and birds, E2 treatment decreased the number of TH-ir neurons in the A12 population of the tuberal hypothalamus, a cell group that inhibits the release of prolactin. In general, males and females exhibited similar TH-ir neuron numbers, although males exhibited significantly more TH-ir neurons in the A11 CG population than did females. These results suggest partial variability in E2 regulation of DA across species.
In Vivo Behavior of Polymerized Lipid Vesicles

We have investigated the blood clearance kinetics and tissue distribution of large multilamellar liposomes (MLVs) and small unilamellar liposomes (SUVs) composed of the photopolymerizable lipid bis[12-(methacryloyloxy)dodecanoyl]-L-α-phosphatidylcholine. Polymerized MLVs or SUVs are cleared from the bloodstream more rapidly than nonpolymerized vesicles with similar size profiles. Both polymerized and nonpolymerized vesicles primarily accumulate in liver and spleen. However, the polymerized vesicles display an enhanced biostability as revealed by an elevated level of radioactive lipid marker remaining in the tissues.
Isolation and culture of protoplasts of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea grass): somatic embryogenesis and plantlet formation

Summary Protoplasts were isolated from predominantly embryogenic cell suspension cultures derived from proliferating immature embryos and young inflorescences of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Guinea Grass). A large number of protoplasts divided in a liquid culture medium to form hundreds of embryogenic cell aggregates and many globular embryoids. Upon transfer to an agar medium an embryogenic callus was obtained which differentiated more organized embryoids. These embryoids subsequently germinated precociously to form green plantlets. The importance of using embryogenic cell suspensions as a source of totipotent protoplasts of cereals and grasses is emphasized.