cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer-Generated Holograms For Space-Variant Interconnections In Optical Logic Systems

Interest in optical logic systems has been revived recently for several reasons. One major reason is that optics provides a means for overcoming the communication bottlenecks which are beginning to limit the development of electronic systems both at the chip level and at higher levels. This stems from the fact that an optical system in effect processes a large number of independent parallel channels. However, in attempting to implement optical interconnection networks, one is quickly faced with the need to realize space-variant interconnections. In this paper we describe various means of achieving space-variant interconnections for optical logic systems. All of the techniques use computer-generated holograms (CGH) as combination beam-splitting and beam directing elements. The space-variance can be obtained with either a direct approach where a separate CGH element forms the interconnections for each logic element, or with a basis set approach which provides significant reductions in the CGH storage requirements. Examples of the different approaches are discussed.
Teaching Classroom Videorecording Analysis to Graduate Students: Strategies for Observation and Improvement

Videorecording analysis can help improve the teaching of college literature and other subjects. Here, I concentrate on specific analytical strategies that I have been teaching my graduate students since 1994, and I cite my students (including their graphical charts) to illustrate what important lessons they have learned through careful study of videorecordings of their teaching. These are techniques that can be employed by those involved in college teacher training in many fields. My own focus is on teaching college literature, not only because that is my own specialty, but also because videorecording analysis has been scarcely practiced in this field and therefore is in need of study—whereas ever since about 1980, there have been dozens of publications in TESOL, English Education, and many other fields that have been based on videorecordings. Even in that large body of scholarship, however, little attention has been devoted to the training of TAs and other novice college teachers—the focus of this article.
THE EFFECT OF ANSWER SHEET FORMAT ON TEST PERFORMANCE BY CULTURALLY DISADVANTAGED FOURTH GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PUPILS

Answer sheet format was shown to have no effect on the test performance of culturally deprived fourth grade elementary school students.
A Numerical and Experimental Study of Spray Dynamics in a Simple Throat Model

An inhalation airflow through a simple model of the human larynx and trachea, containing dispersed drug spray droplets, is studied numerically using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code KIVA-3V (Amsden 1997) and experimentally using phase doppler interferometry. Flow conditions within the larynx and trachea affect the delivery of inhaled medications to the lungs. Deposition in these regions is considered undesirable and has been shown to be a particular problem for pediatric patients. The larynx geometry is represented by a constricted portion inside a straight tube. This constriction simulates the vocal folds within the larynx. The experimental model was 3.2 cm in diameter (approximately twice human scale) and 90 cm long. The constriction was 0.7 cm thick and was placed 30 cm from the inlet of the tube. The area of the constricted opening is approximately 40% of the tube area. Water droplets are introduced into the low-turbulence upstream airflow using a jet nebulizer. Measurements of axial veloci...
How does β-adrenergic signalling affect the transitions from ventricular tachycardia to ventricular fibrillation?

Aims Ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF) are the most lethal cardiac arrhythmias. The degeneration of VT into VF is associated with the breakup of a spiral wave of the action potential in cardiac tissue. β-Adrenergic (βAR) signalling potentiates the L-type Ca current ( I CaL) faster than the slow delayed rectifier potassium current ( I Ks), which transiently prolongs the action potential duration (APD) and promotes early after depolarizations. In this study, we aimed at investigating how βAR signalling affects the transition from VT to VF. Methods and results We used a physiologically detailed computer model of the rabbit ventricular myocyte in a two-dimensional tissue to determine how spiral waves respond to βAR activation following administration of isoproterenol. A simplified mathematical model was also used to investigate the underlying dynamics. We found that the spatiotemporal behaviour of spiral waves strongly depends on the kinetics of βAR activation. When βAR activation is rapid, a stable spiral wave turns into small fragments and its electrocardiogram reveals the transition from VT to VF. This is due to the transiently steepened APD restitution induced by the faster activation of I CaL vs. I Ks upon sudden βAR activation. The spiral wave may also disappear if its transient wavelength is too large to be supported by the tissue size upon sudden strong βAR activation that prolongs APD transiently. When βAR activation is gradual, a stable spiral wave remains such, because of more limited increase in both APD and slope of APD restitution due to more contemporaneous I CaL and I Ks activation. Conclusion Changes in APD restitution during βAR activation revealed a novel transient spiral wave dynamics; this spatiotemporal characteristic strongly depends on the protocol of isoproterenol application.
Eocene amber from the Pacific Coast of North America

Fossil plant resins are common in Late Cretaceous rocks of North America and in Oligocene and younger sediments of equatorial and Southern Hemisphere locations. The scarcity of amber in early Tertiary rocks, however, poses puzzling geological questions. Detailed examination of mid-Eocene amber-bearing sediments from Coalmont, British Columbia, and Seattle, Washington, indicates that resins were produced by taxodiaceous conifers, with Metasequoia occidentalis being the most likely source. Laboratory heating experiments and paleotemperature analysis of these sediments based on coal rank and vitrinite reflectance suggest that burial temperatures may significantly affect infrared spectra of amber, a phenomenon not previously recognized by researchers who have long used spectral characteristics to speculate on the botanical origin of fossil resins. The occurrence of amber in mid-Eocene rocks of the Pacific Northwest, Arkansas, and southern California suggests that resin production ended as; the climate of North America cooled during the mid-Tertiary and that late Tertiary amber was produced by flowering tropical plants not present in the Eocene forests. This evolutionary record appears somewhat different from that of Western Europe, where progressive southward migration of coniferous amber forests occurred during mid-Tertiary time.
Selenium-enriched Agaricus bisporus mushrooms suppress 7,12-dimethlybenz[a]anthracene bioactivation in mammary tissue.

The present studies compared dietary Se (1.0 μg/g) when provided as either fortified Agaricus bisporus mushrooms, or sodium selenite on the in vivo metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). Dietary addition of Se unenriched A. bisporus mushrooms at 2% did not alter the occurrence of DMBA induced DNA adducts or the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST). However, the addition of Se as enriched mushrooms, or as selenite, significantly increased both liver and mammary GST activity. Providing sodium selenite, or enriched mushrooms also significantly reduced total and anti-3,4-dihydrodiol-1,2-epoxide-deoxyguanosine adducts compared to feeding the basal diet (P<0.05). These investigations provide evidence that Se enriched mushrooms can be used as an effective method to retard chemically induced tumors.
"The Sex Side of Life": Mary Ware Dennett's Pioneering Battle for Birth Control and Sex Education

This is a biography of Mary Ware Dennett, who was an educator in sex education and the author of the widely distributed pamphlet, "The Sex Side of Life". Dennett was a pioneer in sex education, who battled with Congress in her fight against the censorship law that banned the dissemination of any information about human sexuality. So threatening was Dennett's message to those who would limit a woman's knowledge of contraception, that the Post Office used exaggerated obscenity charges to frame Dennett in a trial that became a landmark case in obscenity law. Dennett was also executive secretary of the National American Woman Suffrage Association and founding organizer of the National Birth Control League, and she held key positions in the American Union Against Militarism.
Understanding Satisfied and Dissatisfied Hotel Customers: Text Mining of Online Hotel Reviews

This article aims to examine the underpinnings of satisfied and unsatisfied hotel customers. A text-mining approach was followed and online reviews by satisfied and dissatisfied customers were compared. Online reviews of 2,510 hotel guests were collected from TripAdvisor.com for Sarasota, Florida. The research findings revealed some common categories that are used in both positive and negative reviews, including place of business (e.g., hotel, restaurant, and club), room, furnishing, members, and sports. Study results further indicate that satisfied customers who are willing to recommend a hotel to others refer to intangible aspects of their hotel stay, such as staff members, more often than unsatisfied customers. On the other hand, dissatisfied customers mention more frequently the tangible aspects of the hotel stay, such as furnishing and finances. The study offers clear theoretical and managerial implications pertaining to understanding of satisfied and dissatisfied customers through the use of text mi...
Heat transfer to and from vegetated surfaces: An analytical method for the bulk exchange coefficients

The semi-analytical model outlined in a previous study (Massman, 1987) to describe momentum exchange between the atmosphere and vegetated surfaces is extended to include the exchange of heat. The methods employed are based on one-dimensional turbulent diffusivities and use analytical solutions to the steady-state diffusion equation. The model is used to assess the influence that (1) the canopy foliage structure and density, (2) the wind profile structure within the canopy, and (3) the shelter factor can have upon the inverse surface Stanton number (kB−1) as well as to explore the consequences of introducing a scalar displacement height which can be different from the momentum displacement height. In general, the triangular foliage area density function gives results which agree more closely to observations than that for constant foliage area density. The intended application of this work and its predecessor (Massman, 1987) is for parameterizing the bulk aerodynamic resistances for heat and momentum exchange for use within large-scale models of plant-atmosphere exchanges.
Colon interposition for esophageal substitution.

Abstract Restoration of alimentary tract continuity after destruction or removal of the esophagus may be accomplished by several methods, one of these being interposition of a segment of colon. This operation may be required for congenital anomalies; chemical burns; resection of stricture, varices, or tumor; or bypass of inoperable carcinoma. The right, transverse, or left colon may be used; the pattern of the blood supply may be the determining factor. The retrosternal route is generally preferred, but the colon segment may be placed intrathoracically or subcutaneously. The major complications directly related to operation are gangrene of the colon segment and anastomotic leakage. The mortality following operation for benign disease is 7.5%; for malignant disease it is 24.5%.
The Effects of Beliefs About Smoking and Health on Smoking Cessation

The purpose of this study was to examine whether beliefs of an American sample about smoking and health, as defined by cognitive orientation theory, would determine those smoking cessation program participants who would become abstainers and those who would not. Although the smoking cessation program was not designed to influence the specific kinds of beliefs studied, subscales measuring two of the four types of beliefs differentiated participants who would become abstainers from those who would not. Abstainers tended to have stronger goal beliefs about their desire to quit smoking, and stronger beliefs about the health-related implications of smoking. Participants' beliefs that they could resist an urge to smoke, which implied the use of coping skills, were more important in determining who would abstain from smoking than was their confidence that they could quit smoking, which implied the use of willpower.
Advances in Mathematical Sketching: Moving Toward the Paradigm's Full Potential

Mathematical sketching is a pen-based, gestural interaction paradigm for mathematical problem solving and concept visualization, deriving from the familiar pencil-and-paper process of drawing supporting diagrams to facilitate the formulation of mathematical expressions. MathPad2 is a tablet PC-based application that lets users create and explore mathematical sketches, graph functions, evaluate expressions, and solve equations through an easy-to-use interface. The author describes the work done with MathPad2 thus far and presents recent advances toward realizing mathematical sketching's full potential to aid in mathematical problem solving and visualization
A Hardware Platform for Utilizing TV Bands With a Wi-Fi Radio

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently exploring the use of TV bands for unlicensed communication. This step has sparked significant interest in the research and corporate community as it opens up new possibilities for high speed and long range wireless communication. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a complete system that can detect the presence of TV signals, and perform high-speed data communication in an available TV band without interfering with neighboring TV bands. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first known system with all the above capabilities.
Age, cellular immunity and the HP axis in major depression.

Abstract 1. 1. To assess the effect of age on cellular Immune status and the HP axis in patients with major depression, we examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and measured the plasma level of four neurohormones. 2. 2. In 36 subjects, decreasing T lymphocyte response to con A covaried with age. Percent of lymphocytes labeled as T8 lymphocytes tended to decrease and T4/T8 ratio tended to increase with increasing age. 3. 3. Hamilton and Beck scores were significantly different between the two sex and race matched groups of 18 depressed patients and 18 control subjects, and plasma prolactin was significantly higher in depressed subjects. 4. 4. Increasing age correlated with decreasing T lymphocyte response to con A in the combined group of all subjects, and in the control group, but not in the patient group. 5. 5. Hamilton and Beck scores correlated inversely with T lymphocyte response in the combined group of all subjects. 6. 6. Differences in mitogen responsiveness between patient and control groups were not found, having been obscured by the effect of age. 7. 7. These findings indicate the need to age match subjects when studying the interaction between depression and immune cell function.
A model for the calculation of solar global insolation

Abstract A theoretical model is described that is designed to give the total global insolation falling on the earth's surface and the transmission of the atmosphere. It is compared to a model by Braslau and Dave[1] and found to agree to within a few percent in all cases. Climatogical values of total pricipitable water, turbidity, and surface albedo are required as the model inputs, and the sources of these data are described. The model has been applied to 26 stations in the National Weather Service (NWS) pyranometer network, where measured true solar noon atmospheric transmission values are available, as part of the NOAA program to rehabilitate the old pyranometer observations. For three of these stations where reliable true solar noon irradiance and transmission values are available, the model calculations and observations are compared. At 18 locations the calculated and measured daily mean insolation values are compared for clear days. At one location (Boulder, Colorado) calculated and measured radiation climatologies for all weather conditions are compared. In all comparisons the model and observations differ by no more than 2.7 per cent, which is within the experimental accuracy (±5 per cent) of the pyranometers. Possible sources of errors are discussed.
Zeros of functions in fock spaces

This paper studies the zero sets of the Fock spaces . We show that -zero sets are different from zero sets if p ≠ q; the union of two -zero sets is not an -zero set in general; and a subset of an -zero set is not necessarily an -zero set. We also show that if {z n } is an -zero set (not containing the origin) with multiple zeros repeated and modulus in increasing order then there exists a constant ∊> 0 such that for all n>1.
A model for transition fields during geomagnetic reversals

Palaeomagnetic studies of the reversal of the geomagnetic field have produced a number of palaeomagnetic records of intermediate or transition fields during reversals. These transition fields may provide an important clue as to the nature of the geodynamo. During the last reversal, the geomagnetic field was no longer dipolar1, but the field appeared to be dominated by low-order harmonics2–4. Such transition-field geometries predict that all palaeomagnetic records will include high inclinations of either + or − 90°, which give the virtual geomagnetic pole paths passing through the site or its antipode. Subsequently, when transition records were found not showing these characteristics, the idea of the dominance of low-order zonals was questioned. Here we show that if the low-order zonals are combined with a drifting non-dipole field, similar to that seen at present, most of the features of reversal transitions can be simulated. We therefore suggest that low-order zonals may indeed dominate transition fields, but they are accompanied by some form of drifting non-dipole field.
1,25‐Dihydroxy vitamin D3 stimulation of TGF‐β expression in chick embryonic calvarial bone

Abstract Bone is a highly active producer of the cytokine, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which is likely to be functionally involved in the regulation and maintenance of bone development and growth. In addition, bone functions are also regulated by the major calciotropic hormone, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ). This investigation aims to examine the possible relationship between TGF-β and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 using an unique calcium-deficient chick embryonic model. By means of long-term culture without the eggshell (shell-less or SL culture), chick embryos may be rendered severely calcium-deficient with gross undermineralization of the skeleton. We have previously observed that the calvaria of these SL embryos develop abnormal chondrogenic phenotype, with production of collagen type II, and elevated TGF-β expression. Administration of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 to the SL embryos in vivo on incubation days 10 and 12 (SL+D embryos) resulted in near-normal serum calcium on day 14 and improved calvarial calcification. However, TGF-β expression in the SL+D calvaria was further increased compared to untreated SL calvaria, when analyzed at both the mRNA and protein levels. Histolocalization of gene expression by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that cells in the less mineralized orbital and temporal zones of the calvarium are particularly affected by the 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 treatment. Interestingly, the increased TGF-β expression resulting from 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 treatment did not correct the aberrant collagen phenotype in the SL calvaria. These observations suggest that TGFβ expression by bone cells in situ is stimulated by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , and that normal cellular differentiation and morphogenesis of the embryonic calvaria are dependent on proper and balanced TGFβ expression as well as the state of tissue mineralization.
Resource translocation drives δ13C fractionation during recovery from disturbance in giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera

Resource allocation and translocation are fundamental physiological functions for autotrophs. The mobilization and use of resources drive population dynamics by regulating growth and recovery of individuals, but also influences ecosystem-level processes such as primary productivity and carbon cycling. This study provides the first observation of translocation-driven gradients of δ(13) C in macroalgae, a critically important phenomenon recognized in vascular plants for decades. A ~10‰ δ(13) C increase in new giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) fronds relative to mature canopy blades was produced after 5 weeks following a biomass removal experiment, more than twice the variation typical for macroalgae. The observed δ(13) C patterns are consistent with tissue enrichment following resource translocation in vascular plants. The analogous source-sink relationships and consistent translocation patterns in Macrocystis and vascular plants suggest that translocation of stored resources is critical for structuring productivity and recovery from disturbance in important, habitat-forming macroalgae such as kelps and fucoids.
The localized breakdown and repair of passive surfaces during pitting

Abstract The behavior of localized corrosion sites has been studied using scanning techniques, potential monitoring and simulated pits. The early stages of pitting were found to depend markedly on the properties of the passive oxide film present prior to pitting. These measurements demonstrated that the stability of pitting depended on the role of the passive oxide in confining the aggressive anolyte, keeping it in contact with the actively dissolving surface and preventing its concentration from falling below a level where repassivation can take place. The concentrations of chloride required to maintain active surfaces were determined using pencil-type artificial pits giving a one-dimensional geometry and coupling diffusional and electrochemical effects. The dissolution kinetics were found to depend on the concentration of chloride in contact wih the dissolving surface. Stainless steel and nickel alloys repassivated at high chloride concentrations whereas iron and nickel in general remained active as the chloride concentration decreased. Potential transients and currents from both the passive surfaces and localized corrosion sites were monitored during the early stages of localized corrosion. The measurements have emphasized the difficulties in determining the early stages of localized corrosion.
Cell titration assay for measuring blastogenesis of bovine lymphocytes

The blastogenic response of bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and to microbial antigens was measured using a lymphocyte titration assay. Culture conditions, including lymphocyte concentrations, incubation periods and medium formulation, were established which produced linear or nearly linear responses over a range of cell concentrations. These conditions were established by testing lymphocytes from unimmunized cattle and from heifers infected with Brucella abortus with PHA and a B. abortus extract. Four cell concentrations in 2-fold increments were selected for measuring responses to PHA (3.125 X 10(3) to 2.5 X 10(4) cells/well) and to antigens (5.0 X 10(4) to 4.0 X 10(5) cells/well). The strength of response varied among animals and also over time for individual animals, but the titration assay allowed exponential proliferation to be distinguished from decline, which may have been due to overcrowding of microtiter wells, exhaustion of nutrients or induction of regulatory events. This assay provided a more reliable and discriminating method of evaluating lymphocyte proliferation responses than that achieved by single point assays. The displacement of the titration curves could be used to estimate the relative frequency of lymphocytes responding to antigens or mitogens.
Surgical treatment of aorto-iliac artery disease.

In a period of 6 years, up to January, 1980, the author has treated 248 cases of aorto-iliac artery disease. There were 109 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and the remainder was obstructive aor...
Estimación de la fracción de eyección intraoperatoria: comparación entre método de Simpson y Doppler tisular

Resumen Introduccion La ecocardiografia transesofagica permite una adecuada monitorizacion de la hemodinamia intraoperatoria. Un parametro frecuentemente utilizado es la fraccion de eyeccion medido con metodo de Simpson. Con el advenimiento de Doppler tisular y la medicion de onda s’, que corresponde a la velocidad de la perfusion del tejido miocardico durante la sistole, podria estimarse la fraccion de eyeccion de manera mas rapida y facil durante una cirugia. Objetivos Comparar la fraccion de eyeccion calculada con metodo de Simpson con las mediciones intraoperatorias de la velocidad de la onda s’ medida con Doppler tisular. Material y metodo Se estudiaron pacientes afectos de patologia cardiovascular cronica sometidos a cirugia cardiaca y no cardiaca electiva. Se excluyeron pacientes en ritmo no sinusal y con enfermedad mitral. Se midio en 4 y 2 camaras volumen de fin de diastole y volumen de fin de sistole para calcular la fraccion de eyeccion con metodo de Simpson. Este grupo fue dividido en aquellos con fraccion de eyeccion normal (> 50%) y un segundo grupo con fraccion de eyeccion disminuida ( Resultados Fueron estudiados 92 pacientes, 51 (55%) casos con fraccion de eyeccion normal y 41 (45%) disminuida. El grupo con fraccion de eyeccion 0,5). Conclusion La estimacion de la fraccion de eyeccion con Doppler tisular es una tecnica facil y reproducible. Su utilidad podria ser mayor especialmente en aquellos pacientes que tienen un ventriculo izquierdo alterado.
Toward a framework for developing knowledge-based decision support systems for customer satisfaction assessment: An application in new product development

Abstract Customer-oriented product development has become increasingly necessary for competitive reasons. This paper describes a framework and a methodology for the design, development, and implementation of knowledge-based decision support systems for customer satisfaction assessment. A generic approach is presented that integrates knowledge-based systems with both a well-known and accepted modeling technique (scoring models), and several decision support techniques (such as the analytic hierarchy process and discriminant analysis). In addition to the fexibility and developmental advantages of knowledge-based systems, additional benefits of this approach include reduced information processing and gathering time, improved communications with senior management, and better management of scarce development resources. To simplify the exposition, we illustrate the framework and methodology within the context of a successful system implementation. The resulting system, known as the Customer Satisfaction Assessment System (CSAS), is designed to provide the decision support necessary to evaluate whether or not full-scale development of a candidate product should proceed. The system assesses and estimates the extent to which a potential new product will meet the expectations of the customer. CSAS incorporates market research findings, as well as strategic evaluation factors and their interrelationships. It can function as a stand-alone system or in conjunction with other evaluation systems (e.g., those providingfinancial, technological, manufacturing, and marketing evaluations) to provide a complete assessment of the product under consideration. Since its implementation, the experts' and other users' expressions of complete satisfaction and commitment to the system has been an indication of its value as an important decision support tool. The paper concludes with a discussion of the lessons learned for future implementations and some important extensions of this research.
Nonequilibrium Effects in Coulomb Glasses

We show that the time development of the Coulomb gap in a Coulomb glass can involve very long relaxation times due to slow electron rearrangement and hopping. Such slow dynamics also leads to aging effects. These results are consistent with conductance experiments on thin semiconducting and metallic films.
Molecular characterization of the allelic variation at the VRN-H2 vernalization locus in barley.

VRN-2 is a dominant repressor of flowering that plays a central role in the vernalization pathway of wheat. This gene is a zinc-finger/CCT domain transcription factor (ZCCT-1) down-regulated by vernalization. In barley, there are three related and linked ZCCT genes designated VRN-H1a, b, and c. A deletion of these three genes was observed in six putative spring induced mutants from winter barley variety ‘Chikurin Ibaraki I’. However, analysis of additional molecular markers demonstrated that these deletions were originated by outcrossing with a spring barley variety carrying the natural ZCCT deletion. Hybridization of Southern blots from 84 barley varieties with a wheat ZCCT1 probe showed three or more fragments in 23 winter varieties but none in 60 out of the 61 vrn-H2 spring varieties. The vrn-H2-spring barley variety ‘Fan’ showed only the ZCCT-Hb gene, suggesting that this gene is not sufficient to determine winter growth habit in barley. We also show in this study, that the effect of VRN-H2 on flowering time completely disappears in the presence of the dominant Vrn-H1 allele in a Morex × Hordeum spontaneum segregating population. A different result was described before for the epistatic interactions between the orthologous genes in diploid wheat. We discuss the possible causes of these differences.
Beneficial effect of clonidine on spasticity antagonized by baclofen in a stroke patient

Although Clonidine has recently been described as a useful antispasticity agent, to our knowledge there has not been a previous report of clonidine's antispasticity effect antagonized by baclofen. Using a 0–5 Modified Ashworth Scale to evaluate the right knee extensor tone in a 74-year-old man 5 months following a left middle cerebral artery stroke, tone improved from 3 to 1 on Clonidine 0.6 mg daily in divided doses. The day after addition of baclofen at 15 mg daily in divided doses, tone increased to 4. Baclofen was withdrawn with a decrease in tone to 2. Baclofen alone at the above dose resulted in tone comparable to the clonidine-free baseline. Treatment with Clonidine alone was resumed, and the expected reduction in hypertonicity was again observed. Possible mechanisms of action for baclofen antagonizing the beneficial effect of Clonidine on spasticity after stroke are presented and discussed.
Achievement Motivation for Introductory College Biology

In this paper the results of a simultaneous regression analysis concerning achievement motivation for introductory college biology are presented. A total of 287 undergraduates enrolled in introductory-level college biology courses participated in this study. Participants completed a survey consisting of items from the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, demographic information, and academic achievement. Results indicate that 68% of the variation in biology students’ achievement can be explained by a combination of motivational constructs, intrinsic goals, extrinsic goals, task value, control beliefs, self-efficacy, and test anxiety; with self-efficacy being the strongest predictor. Implications and future directions are discussed.
C−H Activation of Phenyl Imines and 2-Phenylpyridines with [Cp*MCl2]2 (M = Ir, Rh): Regioselectivity, Kinetics, and Mechanism

Sodium acetate promoted C−H activation in a series of para-substituted phenyl imines has been examined using [Cp*MCl2]2 (M = Ir, Rh). The regioselectivity was investigated using a series of meta-substituted phenyl imines (−OMe, −CH3, −F, −COOMe, −CF3, and −CN) and 2-phenylpyridines (−OMe, −CH3, and −CF3). It was found that substrates with electron-donating substituents react significantly faster than substrates with electron-withdrawing substituents, which is consistent with an electrophilic C−H activation mechanism. It was also found that the regioselectivity of the C−H activation was extremely sensitive to steric effects, with a meta methyl group leading to only one regioisomer. Solvent and temperature studies showed that the reaction rate can be increased both by increasing temperature and by using polar solvents such as methanol. The regioselectivity was solvent dependent for the reaction with [Cp*IrCl2]2 but independent of solvent for the reaction with [Cp*RhCl2]2. The regioselectivity was temperatur...
ABSL: an actor-based specification language for office automation

Applications for use in an office environment are often very difficult to implement and/or prototype. One reason for such difficulty is the unavailability of an appropriate specification methodology through which an office analyst can specify the functional behavior of office applications at a high-level of abstraction and in a non-procedural fashion to the implementors. As a result, a great deal of effort, time, and money is often spent on “re-inventing the wheel” whenever a new office system concept is to be developed and/or prototyped. In this paper, we address the above problem by introducing a formal specification methodology, called ABSL, to be used for the specification of applications for offices. In this new methodology, which is based on the actor model, every office entity is uniformly viewed as an active computing component, or an active object. Each active object is viewed as a self-contained entity that models a logical or physical component appearing in an office environment. An example is provided to show the expressiveness of ABSL. Plans for future research in this area are given at the end of paper.
Intranuclear N-N collision model for the production of high-energy gamma rays in heavy-ion collisions

High-energy $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays observed by Stevenson et al. in the reaction of 20-, 30-, and 40-MeV/nucleon $^{14}\mathrm{N}$+C and Pb are calculated from the Boltzmann master equation. The production of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays is included via a semiclassical $\mathrm{np}$ bremsstrahlung calculation. Good agreement is found in shape and magnitude between calculated and experimental results.
Random Price Discrimination

When a monopolist randomly sorts customers, price discrimination “concavifies” the revenue function of the firm, so that it may be optimal for a monopolist to divide customers into groups that have the same demand function and charge them different prices. It is impossible to rule out this type of result whenever the revenue function is somewhere convex in the “economically relevant” set of quantities, because there always exists a non-decreasing cost function that leads to that conclusion. It is also impossible to rule out the case where, with respect to monopoly, the firm raises or lowers price to all classes and, accordingly, the case where the social welfare decreases or increases.
The network structure of management roles in a large matrix firm

Abstract Advances during the last decade in network methodology make it possible to carry out systematic surveys of complex network structures in large populations. Critical variables describing the structure of a manager's network can then be linked to information on the manager's performance within the firm as a guide for management education programs. The authors report on an example application in one of America's leading high-technology firms. The contact networks that high level managers build around their jobs are described inform and content, with a specific focus on the contacts they deem most valuable and most troublesome.
Stochastic comparisons and bounds for aging renewal process shock models and their applications

Sharp comparisons between aging renewal process shock models and the corresponding Esary-Marshall-Proschan (EMP) shock model are considered. The usefulness of such comparisons derive from the simplicity of the latter models. Simple conditions under which such aging renewal process shock models are stochastically ordered relative to a corresponding EMP-model are derived. Applications to renewal functions and single server queues are indicated.
Topes: reusable abstractions for validating data

Programmers often omit input validation when inputs can appear in many different formats or when validation criteria cannot be precisely specified. To enable validation in these situations, we present a new technique that puts valid inputs into a consistent format and that identifies "questionable" inputs which might be valid or invalid, so that these values can be double-checked by a person or a program. Our technique relies on the concept of a "tope", which is an application-independent abstraction describing how to recognize and transform values in a category of data. We present our definition of topes and describe a development environment that supports the implementation and use of topes. Experiments with web application and spreadsheet data indicate that using our technique improves the accuracy and reusability of validation code and also improves the effectiveness of subsequent data cleaning such as duplicate identification.
Developmental-stage-specific expression and regulation of an amphotropic retroviral receptor in hematopoietic cells.

Expression of the transmembrane receptor protein Ram-1 may be critical to optimizing retroviral gene transfer. Ram-1 acts as both a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter and a receptor for amphotropic retroviruses. We previously reported detectable Ram-1 in murine hematopoietic fetal liver cells (FLC) despite resistance of these cells to amphotropic retroviral transduction (infection). We document here that Ram-1 expression is completely absent in murine yolk sac cells from days 9.5 through 13.5 of ontogeny and first appears at low levels in midgestational FLC between days 13.5 and 14.5. In addition, Ram-1 expression is detectedonlyinmoredifferentiatedpopulationswithinFLC,day14.5,andnotinthosehighlyenrichedforstem cells,indicatingdevelopmentalregulationofRam-1duringmurinehematopoiesis.Othershavereportedthein vitrouseofphosphate-freemediumasastimulustoincreaselevelsofRam-1mRNAinnonhematopoieticcells. We now demonstrate that Ram-1 poly(A) 1 mRNA increases significantly following culture of FLC in phosphate-free medium. Further, transduction of FLC in phosphate-free medium with an amphotropic retrovirus containing the multiple drug resistance gene leads to gene transfer not observed previously. These data demonstrate that (i) the normal resistance of FLC to amphotropic transduction is most likely due to an insufficient number of Ram-1 molecules for efficient retroviral recognition and binding, and (ii) Ram-1 can be upregulated by increasing the need for phosphate transport across the cell membrane. The transmembrane protein Ram-1 functions both as a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (13) and as the amphotropic retroviral receptor used for recognition by the retrovirus envelope protein for entry into target cells. Ram-1, the rodentformofthisprotein,isrelatedinstructuretothegibbon ape leukemia virus receptor (designated Glvr-1 in rodents and GLVR-1 in humans), which also acts as a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter (18, 32). Ram-1 shows 92% amino acid similarity with its human homolog GLVR-2 and about 60% amino acid similarity with the related family member Glvr-1. Expression studies of Ram-1 in adult rat tissues have shown a broad distribution of Ram-1 RNA (13). The highest levels of Ram-1 mRNA are in liver, heart, and brain, but Ram-1 is also present at lower levels in thymus, marrow, lung, muscle, and kidney (13). It remains unclear whether the transport of phosphatesacrossthecellularmembranebythisproteinislinkedto
Preserving dignity in the young hospitalized child.

TOPIC Bodily intrusion and exposure are common experiences for hospitalized children. Placing children in such compromising situations can have a significant impact on their self-perception. PURPOSE To recognize pediatric patients' inherent powerlessness in the hospital setting and suggest strategies to overcome it. SOURCES Published literature and author's clinical experiences. CONCLUSIONS Nurses have a key role in ensuring that the psychosocial issues of privacy, modesty, and self-esteem are recognized, respected, and incorporated appropriately into their clinical practice when caring for hospitalized children.
Inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase alleviates impaired NOS-dependent responses of pial arterioles in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: The goal was to identify the role of NAD(P)H oxidase in cerebrovascular dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D).Methods: In a first series of studies, rats were assigned to nondiabetic, diabetic (streptozotocin; 50 mg/kg IP), nondiabetic-apocynin (40 mg/kg/day in drinking water)-treated and diabetic-apocynin-treated groups. Two to three months later, the authors examined in vivo responses of pial arterioles to nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent (acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)) and -independent (nitroglycerin) agonists. Next, they used Western blot analysis to examine protein levels for subunits of NAD(P)H oxidase in cerebral microvessels and parietal cortex tissue of nondiabetic and diabetic rats. Finally, they measured superoxide production by parietal cortex tissue in nondiabetic and diabetic rats.Results: Acetylcholine- and ADP-induced dilatation of pial arterioles was impaired in diabetic compared to nondiabetic rats. In addition, while apocynin did not alter respons...
Origin of Dolomite in the Phosphatic Miocene Hawthorn Group of Florida

ABSTRACT In addition to large amounts of phosphorite, the Miocene Hawthorn Group of Florida contains abundant dolomite. Dolomite is present as disseminated silt-size rhombs, as friable dolosilt beds, and as pore-filling cement in dolostone beds and clasts. The dolomite formed during early burial diagenesis both in the sulfate-reduction zone, overlapping and extending below sediment depths of phosphorite formation, and in adjacent, nonphosphatic, shallow-water lagoonal environments. Much of the dolomite is closely associated with the fibrous, Mg-rich clay minerals palygorskite and sepiolite. The percent carbonate in the Hawthorn Group increases from north to south; the dominant carbonate mineral in north Florida is dolomite, whereas dolomite and calcite are both abundant in south Florida. The 13C values of the dolomite, from +1.82 to -6.21 PDB, suggest that metastable biogenic carbonate (aragonite and high-Mg calcite) and seawater were the predominant sources of carbonate. However, negative 13C values of dolomite from northeast Florida suggest that as much as 30-40% of the carbonate was derived from degradation of organic matter. Degradation of organic matter enhanced dolomitization by removing sulfate ion and increasing the carbonate alkalinity of the pore waters. The oxygen and strontium isotopic values along with moderate Na contents indicate a marine origin. Evaporation of seawater or mixing o seawater and meteoric water were apparently not major factors in dolomite formation. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of the dolomite range from 0.708129 to 0.708820 and correspond to Sr-derived ages of 26 to 12 Ma. The similarity of associated dolomite and phosphorite Sr-derived ages (r2 = 0.79) combined with geochemical and textural evidence suggest that dolomite and phosphorite formed at approximately the same time during rising or maximum sea level and were reworked during marine regressions. Reworking of the sediment concentrates disseminated dolomite rhombs and phosphorite grains, oxidizes organic matter, and exhumes buried dolostone beds to boring and encrusting organisms on the seafloor. Therefore, the presence of dolomite, along with phosphorite, in reworked sequences can indicate deposition of organic-rich sediments from which most of th organic matter has since been removed.
Comparing multilayer perceptron to Deep Belief Network Tandem features for robust ASR

In this paper, we extend the work done on integrating multilayer perceptron (MLP) networks with HMM systems via the Tandem approach. In particular, we explore whether the use of Deep Belief Networks (DBN) adds any substantial gain over MLPs on the Aurora2 speech recognition task under mismatched noise conditions. Our findings suggest that DBNs outperform single layer MLPs under the clean condition, but the gains diminish as the noise level is increased. Furthermore, using MFCCs in conjunction with the posteriors from DBNs outperforms merely using single DBNs in low to moderate noise conditions. MFCCs, however, do not help for the high noise settings.
A specific E3 ligase/deubiquitinase pair modulates TBP protein levels during muscle differentiation

TFIID-a complex of TATA-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-associated factors (TAFs)-is a central component of the Pol II promoter recognition apparatus. Recent studies have revealed significant downregulation of TFIID subunits in terminally differentiated myocytes, hepatocytes and adipocytes. Here, we report that TBP protein levels are tightly regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Using an in vitro ubiquitination assay coupled with biochemical fractionation, we identified Huwe1 as an E3 ligase targeting TBP for K48-linked ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. Upregulation of Huwe1 expression during myogenesis induces TBP degradation and myotube differentiation. We found that Huwe1 activity on TBP is antagonized by the deubiquitinase USP10, which protects TBP from degradation. Thus, modulating the levels of both Huwe1 and USP10 appears to fine-tune the requisite degradation of TBP during myogenesis. Together, our study unmasks a previously unknown interplay between an E3 ligase and a deubiquitinating enzyme regulating TBP levels during cellular differentiation.
High- Q hybrid 3D-2D slab-3D photonic crystal microcavity

The radiation loss in the escaping light cone with a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal slab microcavity can be suppressed by means of cladding the low-Q slab microcavity by three-dimensional woodpile photonic crystals with the complete bandgap when the resonance frequency is located inside the complete bandgap. It is confirmed that the hybrid microcavity based on a low-Q, single-defect photonic crystal slab microcavity shows improvement of the Q factor without affecting the mode volume and modal frequency. Whereas 2D slab microcavities exhibit Q saturation with an increase in the number of layers, for the analyzed hybrid microcavities with a small gap between the slab and woodpiles, the Q factor does not saturate.
Solid‐state microcellular polycarbonate foams. II. The effect of cell size on tensile properties

The effect of cell size on the tensile behavior of high-relative-density microcellular polycarbonate foams is investigated. Microcellular PC foams were produced in a way that allowed the average cell size to be varied, while the foam density was held constant. The polycarbonate-CO2 system offers an order of magnitude variation in the average cell size at a given density, allowing the tensile properties of microcellular polycarbonate to be investigated as a function of cell size. It was found that the tensile modulus, tensile strength, elongation to break, and toughness are not significantly affected when the average cell size is varied from 2.8 to 37.1 μm, and the nominal relative density is held constant at 0.5. This result is significant for solid-state processing of microcellular polycarbonate foams of the type produced here, for it shows that regardless of the processing conditions and regardless of the average cell size, if two foams have the same density then they will also have the same tensile properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers