cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the maintenance of short-term subtropical wind maxima in the southern hemisphere during SOP-1, FGGE

The extent to which divergent circulations, induced by tropical heating, help to maintain westerly maxima in the Southern Hemisphere subtropics during the SOP-1 of FGGE is explored using Level III-b analyses from the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres. The contribution of the divergent wind component to the total ageostrophic flow in the subtropics is examined, as are the roles of other forcing terms in the localized Eliassen-Palm (1961) flux zonal momentum equation. Throughout the summertime subtropics, it is generally found that the dominant term in the zonal momentum budget is the Coriolis force applied to the diabatically driven meridional circulation. The largest positive tendencies due to this term are found in the entrance regions of the subtropical westerly maxima, and divergent circulations account for nearly all of the total ageostrophic flow. In the SPCZ region, however, it is found that transient eddies play an important role by partially offsetting the strong Coriolis acceleration in the entrance region of the local jet, and they help accelerate the westerly flow in the exit region through both barotropic and baroclinic processes. Energetically, the dominant term in the rotational kinetic energy budget throughout the subtropical belt is the conversion of divergent to rotational kinetic energy. The evidence supports the view that tropical heating in transient events drives or enhances local meridional overturning in the atmosphere, which, in turn, strengthens the summer subtropical westerly jet stream.
Hairless Guinea Pig Bioassay Model for Vesicant Vapor Exposures

Abstract Sulfur mustard (HD; 1,1′-thiobis[2-chloroethane]) induces fluid-filled blisters in man but not in conventional laboratory animals. An animal model is needed to emulate both cytotoxic (vesicant) and vascular (irritant) responses of human skin to HD exposures. An acceptable model must permit reproducible comparisons of uniformly graded and dose-related HD control responses with reduced responses that may follow antivesicant treatments. Hairless guinea pigs were evaluated by exposing six or eight dorsal skin sites 12 mm in diameter to similar HD vapor concentrations for graded intervals (1–16 min). HD vapor was delivered under occlusive caps holding 10 μl of HD in filter paper located 5 mm above the skin. Four-minute exposures induced moderate erythema, slight edema, and microblisters in 1 of 39 sites. Eight-minute exposures induced severe erythema, moderate edema, and microblisters in 31 of 40 sites. Gross blistering was not seen after use of vapor cups, but damage to basal cells resembled lesions of vesicant injury in man. The hairless guinea pig model, with graded HD vapor exposures, provides acceptable comparisons of responses. Exposures of both 4- and 8-min durations were used to show the feasibility of using this model to bioassay antivesicant topical protectants. These methods may be useful for measurements of irritant and cytotoxic responses of skin to other toxic vapors.
Neurotransmitter receptor alterations in Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Neurotransmitter receptor binding for GABA, serotonin, cholinergic muscarinic and dopamine receptors and choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) activity were measured in the frontal cortex, caudate nucleus, putamen and globus pallidus from postmortem brains of 10 Parkinsonian patients and 10 controls. No changes in any of these systems were observed in the frontal cortex. In the caudaye nucleus, only the apparent dopamine receptor binding was altered with a significant 30% decrease in the Parkinsonian brain. Both cholinergic muscarinic and serotonin receptor binding were significantly altered in the putamen, the former increasing and the latter decreasing with respect to controls. In addition, ChAc activity was decreased in the putamen. In the globus pallidus, only ChAc activity was significantly changed, decreasing about 60%, with no change in neurotransmitter receptor binding. The results suggest that a progressive loss of dopaminergic receptors in the caudate nucleus may contribute to the decreased response of Parkinsonian patients to L-dopa and dopamine agonist therapy.
ELEVATED INSULIN LEVELS IN PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY (PP)

Both normal and diabetic children demonstrate impaired insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism during puberty, and adults are similar to prepubertal children in this regard. To determine whether the impairment observed in normal pubertal children occurs in children with PP, we performed oral glucose tolerance tests in 21 children (16 girls, 5 boys; mean age 6.3 y, range 1.1 to 9.6 y) with true PP prior to the inception of the GnRHa nafarelin (NAF) intranasally. Glucose (1.75 g/kg to a maximum of 75 g) was administered po and samples obtained for blood glucose and plasma insulin (IRI) at 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min. We studied 16 of the pts during the course of a GnRH infusion test (2 ug/kg/h IV). 11 of the pts (10 girls, 1 boy) were restudied 6 to 12 months following the inception of NAF therapy. All pts were nonobese, on no interfering medications and had fasting euglycemia. Dita were compared to those for a group of 9 normal adult males (mean age 22.6 y.) Although glucose hcmeostasis was normal in both children and adults, basal IRI (14.0 ± 2.0 uU/ml) in the children with PP was more than double that in adults (6.3 ± 1.0, p <0.005) and 180 min IRI (35.0 ± 5.2) was 3.7 times that of adults (9.6 ± 3.1, p <0.001). All intermediate IRI values were higher in the children than in the adults, although not statistically significant. NAF therapy did not change glucose or IRI response. These data are consistent with sex steroids mediating the impairment of insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism in precocious puberty. This impairment does not appear to be readily reversible by NAF therapy.
Population Characteristics and Angler Harvest of White Crappies in Four Large Missouri Reservoirs

Abstract Populations of white crappie Pomoxis annularis were studied at four Missouri reservoirs to determine population characteristics and develop techniques to improve the quality of fishing. Trap-netting in October was used to sample white crappies in Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Lake of the Ozarks, and Wappapello reservoirs. At all four reservoirs, trap-net capture rates for year-classes that were age-2 or older were significantly correlated with estimated harvests the following year. Growth rates were consistently rated satisfactory; age-3 white crappies averaged 9 in or longer at all of the reservoirs except Wappapello, where they averaged 8.6 in. Trap-netting and creel surveys both indicated that the populations consisted mainly of young white crappies; few age-4 and older fish were captured in nets, and more than 90% of the harvest consisted of ages 1–3. Exploitation rates, determined from tag returns from white crappies tagged at Stockton and Pomme de Terre, were estimated to be about 60% for fish ...
ASSOCIATED MOVEMENTS IN NORMAL CHILDREN

Changes in associated movements in normal children with age and with varying tasks were studied. In the first task, the children held dowels between the fingers of both hands. They were told to drop individual dowels. The number and position of all dowels dropped were recorded. In the second task they were to squeeze two levers together with each hand against incrementally increasing resistance. The third was to release one hand after holding the levers down with both hands. In the two latter tasks any “overflow” movement of the other hand was recorded. Associated movements, as measured by the first two tasks, decrease with increasing age. Increasing resistance to squeezing by one hand tended to produce “overflow” movement of the other hand. In right handers this was significantly more prominent when the left hand was the active one. In the third task, increasing resistance produced more overflow, but no asymmetry between the hands was found. The results suggest that increasing motor control with age represents the progressive differentiation of precise localized movements out of generalized mass movements. The level of differentiation is not invariant at a given age, but is determined by the amount of force exerted. A model to account for the asymmetry of motor overflow suggests that, whether pressure is to be exerted (not released) by the left or right hand, the motor program for the act is established initially in the left hemisphere.
Virtual-pair effects in atomic structure theory.

A modified perturbation procedure for computing relativistic atomic bound-state energies is described, in which the instantaneous Coulomb interaction is included in the unperturbed QED Hamiltonian and the effect of virtual electron-positron pairs and of virtual transverse photons is treated as the perturbation. To illustrate the method in the context of a simple model, a one-electron atom is considered and a ``one-pair'' approximation is analyzed in detail. The approach is based on the resolvent-operator formulation of many-body time-independent perturbation theory. The removal of divergent vacuum-to-vacuum matrix elements is easily accomplished in this formulation, and it leads rather directly to the derivation of a modified Dirac equation in which all perturbative effects are contained in an effective one-electron potential. A set of integral equations for the evaluation of the effective potential in the one-pair model is derived. These equations have the same structure as the Dyson-Schwinger equations of covariant QED and serve a similar purpose. That is, they allow for the isolation of the divergent self-energy and vertex parts, leaving a finite kernel (the K matrix) which contains the effects of multiparticle intermediate states. In the one-pair model considered here the intermediate states consist of an electron and a virtual pair interacting Coulombically. It is shown that the K matrix can be constructed with the aid of a rigorous minimum principle of the Rayleigh-Ritz type. That such a minimum principle exists appears to be an advantage of the noncovariant Hamiltonian procedure. The inapplicability of standard renormalization methods is, however, a distinct disadvantage. While some progress (the removal of vacuum divergences and the isolation of divergent parts in the integral equation) is reported, a full resolution of the renormalization problem in the Hamiltonian formulation remains to be developed.
Minimizing knot tying during reconstructive laparoscopic urology.

Abstract Objectives Intracorporeal knot tying during urologic reconstructive surgery is one of the most technically challenging skills of laparoscopic surgery. We describe our experience using the Lapra-Ty clip to substitute for knot tying. Methods Our technique for minimizing knot tying entails the use of the Lapra-Ty clip during closure of the collecting system and renal parenchyma for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, the vesicourethral anastomosis during robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and the collecting system during laparoscopic pyeloplasty. From October 2002 to July 2005 at our institution, 75 patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, 300 underwent robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, and 14 underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty. We reviewed the charts retrospectively for intraoperative and postoperative parameters related to the use of these clips. Results In the laparoscopic partial nephrectomy group, the mean tumor size, warm ischemia time, and estimated blood loss was 2.53 cm, 30.1 minutes, and 189 mL, respectively. Two postoperative urine leaks (2.7%) developed, and 3 patients experienced postoperative bleeding (4%). In the robotic laparoscopic radical prostatectomy group, the mean operative time was 295 minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 303.6 mL. Only 3 patients had a urine leak (1%), and 4 patients had bladder neck contracture (1.3%). With regard to the laparoscopic pyeloplasty group, the mean operative time and estimated blood loss was 224 minutes and 36 mL, respectively. No intraoperative complications or urinary leaks occurred. Conclusions Using the Lapra-Ty clip, we have safely and efficiently supplemented knot tying in patients undergoing reconstructive laparoscopic surgery.
Extraordinary climates of Earth-like planets: three-dimensional climate simulations at extreme obliquity

A three-dimensional general-circulation climate model is used to simulate climates of Earth-like planets with extreme axial tilts (i.e. ‘obliquities’). While no terrestrial-planet analogue exists in the solar system, planets with steeply inclined spin axes may be common around nearby stars. Here we report the results of 12 numerical experiments with Earth-like planets having different obliquities (from 0° to 85°), continental geographies, and levels of the important greenhouse gas, CO2. Our simulations show intense seasonality in surface temperatures for obliquities [ges ]54°, with temperatures reaching 80–100 °C over the largest middle- and high-latitude continents around the summer solstice. Net annual warming at high latitudes is countered by reduced insolation and colder temperatures in the tropics, which maintains the global annual mean temperature of our planets to within a few degrees of 14 °C. Under reduced insolation, seasonal snow covers some land areas near the equator; however no significant net annual accumulation of snow or ice occurs in any of our runs with obliquity exceeding the present value, in contrast to some previous studies. None of our simulated planets were warm enough to develop a runaway greenhouse or cold enough to freeze over completely; therefore, most real Earth-like planets should be hospitable to life at high obliquity.
RANK ligand and the regulation of skeletal remodeling.

It has long been known that estrogen deficiency in animal models and postmenopausal women is associated with increased osteoclastic bone resorption and bone loss (1–5). In the past decade, several important discoveries of some of the key factors involved in osteoclast formation, survival, function, and regulation by estrogen have been made. A number of hormones and cytokines modulate osteoclastogenesis by enhancing osteoclast differentiation, activation, lifespan, and function. These include parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol, PTH-related protein, prostaglandin E2, thyroxine, and IL-11 (3–5). The formation of active osteoclasts requires M-CSF (1, 3–6) and involves cell-to-cell contact between precursors of the monocyte/macrophage lineage and osteoblasts, marrow stromal cells, and T and B cells. These cells express the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), a member of the TNF ligand family, which is essential for this process. RANKL attaches to RANK, a receptor on the cell surface of osteoclasts and osteoclast precursors, to stimulate proliferation and differentiation of cells to form the osteoclast phenotype and inhibit apoptosis. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a soluble decoy receptor produced by osteoblasts, marrow stromal cells, and other cells, profoundly modifies the effects of RANKL by inhibiting RANKL/RANK interaction (1, 3–5). In laboratory animals, estrogen deficiency leads to increased osteoclastogenesis and bone loss, and inhibition of osteoclastogenesis is the major means by which estrogen prevents the loss of bone. This is accomplished by diminishing production of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α — cytokines that enhance production of M-CSF and RANKL (1, 3–5) — and downregulating NF-κB and RANKL-induced activation of JNK1 and osteoclastogenic activator protein–1 transcription factors c-Fos and c-Jun (7). Estrogen upregulates OPG (8) and TGF-β (9), and TGF-β increases OPG expression by osteoblasts and stromal cells (10) and inhibits bone resorption by increasing apoptosis of osteoclasts (11) (Figure ​(Figure11). Figure 1 Regulation of osteoclast formation, function, and apoptosis by cytokines produced by bone marrow stromal cells, osteoblasts, monocytes, T cells, and B cells. Stimulatory factors are shown in orange and inhibitory factors in green. The effects of E to ...
Graphene-supported platinum and platinum–ruthenium nanoparticles with high electrocatalytic activity for methanol and ethanol oxidation

Abstract In this study, Pt and Pt–Ru nanoparticles were synthesized on graphene sheets and their electrocatalytic activity for methanol and ethanol oxidation was investigated. Experimental results demonstrate that, in comparison to the widely-used Vulcan XC-72R carbon black catalyst supports, graphene-supported Pt and Pt–Ru nanoparticles demonstrate enhanced efficiency for both methanol and ethanol electro-oxidations with regard to diffusion efficiency, oxidation potential, forward oxidation peak current density, and the ratio of the forward peak current density to the reverse peak current density. For instance, the forward peak current density of methanol oxidation for graphene- and carbon black-supported Pt nanoparticles is 19.1 and 9.76 mA/cm2, respectively; and the ratios are 6.52 and 1.39, respectively; the forward peak current density of ethanol oxidation for graphene- and carbon black-supported Pt nanoparticles is 16.2 and 13.8 mA/cm2, respectively; and the ratios are 3.66 and 0.90, respectively. These findings favor the use of graphene sheets as catalyst supports for both direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells.
Direct observation of polarization mixing in nuclear Bragg x-ray scattering of synchrotron radiation.

The direct observation of polarization mixing in nuclear Bragg scattering of synchrotron radiation by \ensuremath{\alpha}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}^{57}$Fe${\mathrm{'}\mathrm{'}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is reported. Application of a magnetic bias field having the appropriate orientation was shown to produce almost complete rotation of the \ensuremath{\sigma}-polarized incident beam to a \ensuremath{\pi}-polarized diffracted beam. Rotation of this field about the diffraction vector through 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} caused the diffracted beam polarization to change continuously from \ensuremath{\sigma} through elliptical to \ensuremath{\pi}, as predicted theoretically.
Soft errors induced by alpha particles

Soft errors induced by alpha particles can be a reliability concern for microelectronics, especially semiconductor memory devices packaged in ceramic. In dynamic random-access memory devices (DRAM), the data are stored as the presence or absence of minority carrier charges on storage capacitors. For example, in n-channel MOS memory devices, the charge carriers are electrons and the capacitors are potential wells in the p-type silicon. Alpha particles emitted from trace levels of uranium and thorium in the packaging materials can penetrate the surface of the semiconductor die. As the alpha particle passes through the semiconductor device, electrons an dislodged from the crystal lattice sites along the track of the alpha particle. If the total number of generated electrons collected by an empty storage well exceeds the number of electrons that differentiates between a 1 and a 0, the collected electron charge can flip a 1 to a 0 generating a soft error in the memory device. The trend toward increased chip density, smaller device dimensions, and lower voltages further increases the susceptibility of DRAM to soft errors. The susceptibility of DRAM to soft errors is typically measured by accelerated tests or real-time SER tests, each of which have strengths and weaknesses. Knowledge of the factors which lead to soft errors can be used to improve reliability in DRAM by using a physics-of-failure approach to monitor variables in the manufacturing process resulting in building reliability into the manufacturing process.
Supported Education: Diversity, Essential Ingredients, and Future Directions

The capstone article for this special issue on Supported Education summarizes the diversity of a select group of programs, in terms of geographical locations, settings, funding sources, organizational arrangements, history, characteristics of the individuals served, and services and programming provided. This diversity shows how supported education programs can be successful in many different agencies and settings, serving consumers who have differing characteristics, tailoring services to population needs, and complementing existing resources. For supported education, essential ingredients are based on the program's philosophy and values, which are grounded in PSR practice. These essential ingredients are identified and described. Future needs of supported education programs are summarized, including funding, vocational rehabilitation involvement, coordination, more research on effective models, and education campaigns to reduce stigma and the discriminatory treatment often associated with mental illness.
Prenatal protein malnutrition and working memory performance in adult rats.

Abstract The performance of prenatally protein malnourished rats was examined in 2 different tasks of learning and memory beginning at 90 or 160 days of age. In Experiment 1, a rewarded alternation task, run as a spatial working memory procedure on an elevated T-maze, revealed no differences between the formerly malnourished 6 25 and control ( 25 25 ) rats when either a minimal or a 20-s inter-trial delay was used. Neither was there a difference when an additional, and conflicting, ‘information’ run was given to provide a source of proactive interference. In extinction, the 6 25 rats required significantly more sessions to abolish their learned alternation response than the controls. In Experiment 2, an operant equivalent of the T-maze task was applied which allowed greater control over the delay interval and task difficulty. Each trial consisted of a forced information response, for which a randomly selected lever was presented, followed by a free-choice stage, when both levers were presented. The rats were rewarded for pressing the lever not presented at the information stage. The inter-trial interval was always 30 s. When the information response requirement was 10 presses no group differences were found in acquisition of the alternation response or in task performance at delays of 5, 10, 15 or 30 s between information and choice stages. As task difficulty was increased, the performance of the 6 25 rats improved more than that of the 6 25 rats, such that they performed significantly better at the longest delay when the information response requirement was 2 presses. This superior performance of the experimental animals is discussed. No differences in reversal were detected. It was concluded that there is no straight-forward ‘hippocampal syndrome’ in prenatally malnourished adult rats. Working memory appears largely unaffected, whereas susceptibility to interference and extinction may be modified, depending upon the test parameters employed.
Alzheimer's disease: exposure of neurofilament immunoreactivity in SDS-insoluble paired helical filaments

Abstract In Alzheimer's disease, neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) react with both antibodies to paired helical filaments (PHF) and certain antibodies to neurofilaments, for example, monoclonal RT97 against the 200,000 mol.wt. neurofilament protein. After isolating NFT by extraction in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), PHF antibodies remain reactive while RT97 weakly stains only a minority of the extracted tangles. We now show that isolated NFT initially unreactive with RT97 apparently develop exposed antigenic sites following incubation under denaturing conditions. Our results suggest that at least one neurofilament epitope is buried in the SDS-insoluble PHF fiber and that conformational changes in PHF proteins allow its exposures.
Aifom, an analytic formula for universal assessment of goodness-of-fit of gamma ray spectra

Abstract An analytic formula is suggested which can be used for examining the goodness-of-fits of all types of spectral peaks — wide or narrow, strong or weak (relative to the associated background) - as well as for evaluating the parameters (peak heights, widths, etc) in least-squares fitting procedures. This formula has been applied to a large number of test cases and has been found to work successfully in all the cases. The output values are such that the goodness-of-fits are easily scanned.
Parity-preserving transformations in computer arithmetic

Parity checking comprises a low-redundancy method for the design of reliable digital systems. While quite effective for detecting single-bit transmission or storage errors, parity encoding has not been widely used for checking the correctness of arithmetic results because parity is not preserved during arithmetic operations and parity prediction requires fairly complex circuits in most cases. We propose a general strategy for designing parity-checked arithmetic circuits that takes advantage of redundant intermediate representations. Because redundancy is often used for high performance anyway, the incremental cost of our proposed method is quite small. Unlike conventional binary numbers, redundant representations can be encoded and manipulated in such a way that parity is preserved in each step. Additionally, lack of carry propagation ensures that the effect of a fault is localized rather than catastrophic. After establishing the framework for our parity-preserving transformations in computer arithmetic, we illustrate some applications of the proposed strategy to the design of parity-checked adder/subtractors, multipliers, and other arithmetic structures used in signal processing.
Determination or appropriate content for a clothing and textiles specialized course

A survey of teachers, parents and students was conducted to determine appropriate content for a semester course in clothing and textiles. A review of literature including research, curriculum guides, projections of future trends in clothing and textiles and knowledge needs of consumers served as the basis for developing the instrument. The initial list of topics identified was reduced to 13 major topics and 66 specific items by a panel of eight experts. The instrument was used to survey 1200 teachers, parents and students. A total of 327 surveys were returned. Respondents were varied on most demographic characteristics identified. Results were analysed to determine the significance of differences between the responses of the three groups. Respondents indicated that no more than Homemaking I should be required as a prerequisite for a clothing and textiles semester course and that simple clothing construction skills should be included. The overall rankings of the 13 major topics was: wardrobe planning, clothing selection, clothing construction, buying clothing, clothing care, clothing alterations, sewing tools and equipment, effects of clothing on individuals, design in clothing, textiles, family clothing, influences on fashion, clothing and textiles careers. Significant differences between groups existed for mean importance scores of 36 of the 66 specific topics. Teachers' mean importance scores differed from those of parents and/or students on 33 topics. Recommendations for content of a clothing and textiles semester course were based on the findings.
Drug Use among African Americans: Ethnic Identity as a Protective Factor:

This study examined the multiple components of ethnic identity, the place of this ethnic identity set in the mediational model of the path to drug use predicted by our family interactional framework, and the protective role of each component of ethnic identity. The participants were 259 male and 368 female African Americans in late adolescence. They responded to a structured questionnaire in individual interviews. We found that few of the specific components of ethnic identity were significantly related as main effects to drug use. Most of the effect of ethnic identity was mediated by the family set of variables. Each of the components of ethnic identity offset risks or enhanced protective factors from the ecology, family, personality, and peer domains, thereby lessening drug use. This pattern highlights the importance of incorporating ethnic identity into drug prevention programs which serve African-American youth.
Treatment and management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the elderly: what the pharmacist clinician should know.

OBJECTIVE To review the literature for current treatment options and supportive care management for elderly patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). DATA SOURCES PubMed searches using the terms chronic lymphocytic leukemia, elderly, practice guidelines, and controlled clinical trials were performed from 1949 through August 2011. Reference lists from relevant articles were examined for additional studies, review articles, and guidelines. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Eighty-three articles were generated and abstracted articles were chosen based on trial results that changed clinical practice, resulted in approval of new drugs for CLL by the Food and Drug Administration and/or had clinical relevance to the elderly population. DATA SYNTHESIS Fit elderly CLL patients have more treatment options than frail elderly. Most studies include patients younger than 65 years of age, and recent advances in treatment may not prove beneficial for all ages. Clinicians should use available evidence and clinical judgment when treating and monitoring elderly CLL patients. CONCLUSION Treatment armamentarium has improved over the last decade, yet clinical trials research should include more elderly cohorts as new agents are developed. Increased awareness of supportive care issues improves quality of life for a population with multiple disease complications.
Phytochrome control of oscillating levels of phenylalanine ammonia lyase in Hordeum vulgare shoots

Abstract Five-day-old etiolated barley shoots respond to brief illumination with red light by increasing their level of PAL ca 50% within 5 hr. When assayed s
Linear-Feedback Sum-Capacity for Gaussian Multiple Access Channels

The capacity region of the -sender Gaussian multiple access channel with feedback is not known in general. This paper studies the class of linear-feedback codes that includes (nonlinear) nonfeedback codes at one extreme and the linear-feedback codes by Schalkwijk and Kailath, Ozarow, and Kramer at the other extreme. The linear-feedback sum-capacity under symmetric power constraints is characterized, the maximum sum-rate achieved by linear-feedback codes when each sender has the equal block power constraint . In particular, it is shown that Kramer's code achieves this linear-feedback sum-capacity. The proof involves the dependence balance condition introduced by Hekstra and Willems and extended by Kramer and Gastpar, and the analysis of the resulting nonconvex optimization problem via a Lagrange dual formulation. Finally, an observation is presented based on the properties of the conditional maximal correlation-an extension of the Hirschfeld-Gebelein-Renyi maximal correlation-which reinforces the conjecture that Kramer's code achieves not only the linear-feedback sum-capacity, but also the sum-capacity itself (the maximum sum-rate achieved by arbitrary feedback codes).
The Meinesz gravity‐apparatus on the Carnegie

Experience with the Meinesz gravity-apparatus on the gravity-measuring cruise of the U.S. Submarine S-21 during October and November 1928 led to the conclusion that gravity-measurements might be made successfully upon surface vessels and especially upon sailing ships which would be free from engine vibrations. The survey-vessel Carnegie of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, which had begun Cruise VII in May 1928, seemed to offer an ideal opportunity for experimental work which would test this conclusion, particularly in view of the fact that the vessel's program was one of scientific work exclusively.
Effects of sediment‐bound endosulfan on survival, reproduction and larval settlement of meiobenthic polychaetes and copepods

Endosulfan-contaminated muddy sediments were collected from a tidal creek bottom after rain runoff from an agricultural watershed and tested for their effects on larval settlement/growth, survival and reproduction of cultured meiobenthic polychaetes and copepods. Endosulfan (ES) strongly inhibited larval colonization and early juvenile growth of the cosmopolitan, euryhaline polychaete Streblospio benedicti. In laboratory microcosms, ES concentrations as low as 50 μg·kg−1 sediment significantly reduced the number of larval colonists by >50% relative to ES-free control sediments. Higher concentrations closer to actual field levels suppressed Streblospio benedicti colonization completely. Early growth of newly metamorphosed juveniles was depressed 36 and 40% relative to controls at ES concentrations of 50 and 100 μg·kg−1, respectively. In contrast, when the common benthic harpacticoid copepod Pseudobradya pulchella was chronically exposed to sediment ES as high as 200 μg·kg−1, survival and egg production were unaffected despite many examples of high ES toxicity to other crustaceans. Of more than 1,600 Pseudobradya pulchella tested, more than 95% survived ES concentrations of at least 200 μg·kg−1, and over 98% of 1,200 females produced normal clutches of eggs. Similarly, survival of another common benthic copepod, Nannopus palustris, was not significantly affected below a threshold concentration of 200 μg·kg−1 ES. At 200 μg·kg−1, however, Nannopus palustris' survival was significantly reduced relative to control and 50-μg·kg−1 ES treatments.
Adaptive nonlinear excitation control of power systems with unknown interconnections

Adaptive nonlinear excitation control of large-scale power systems is considered in this paper. The approach used is an adaptive feedback linearizing control to enhance the robustness to unknown or varying interconnection parameters like equivalent reactances of the transmission lines. Adaptation in estimated parameters is utilized to achieve an asymptotically exact cancellation of terms. Simulation results for a two generator-infinite bus power system are presented to validate the robustness of the adaptive feedback linearizing scheme to unknown interconnections arising due to faults and subsequent line switchings. The performance using the nonadaptive feedback linearizing control is shown to degrade for network configuration variations arising due to transmission line faults. The studies validate the fact that connective stability and robust performance is maintained for unknown interconnection topology using the adaptive feedback linearizing scheme. >
Design and performance of constant-temperature circuits for microbridge-sensor applications

The performance and transient behavior of constant-temperature microbridge bias circuits are analyzed and measured. This type of circuit enhances the microbridge gas-induced signals with respect to those induced by the substrate temperature. If is found that this type of circuit must be compensated to prevent excessive microbridge overheating. The elimination of temperature overshoot implies a reduction in the circuit bandwidth. >
A Flexible Interface between DNA Ligase and PCNA Supports Conformational Switching and Efficient Ligation of DNA.

DNA sliding clamps encircle DNA and provide binding sites for many DNA-processing enzymes. However, it is largely unknown how sliding clamps like proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) coordinate multistep DNA transactions. We have determined structures of Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA ligase and heterotrimeric PCNA separately by X-ray diffraction and in complex by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Three distinct PCNA subunits assemble into a protein ring resembling the homotrimeric PCNA of humans but with three unique protein-binding sites. In the absence of nicked DNA, the Sulfolobus solfataricus DNA ligase has an open, extended conformation. When complexed with heterotrimeric PCNA, the DNA ligase binds to the PCNA3 subunit and ligase retains an open, extended conformation. A closed, ring-shaped conformation of ligase catalyzes a DNA end-joining reaction that is strongly stimulated by PCNA. This open-to-closed switch in the conformation of DNA ligase is accommodated by a malleable interface with PCNA that serves as an efficient platform for DNA ligation.
An Investigation of the Cognitive and Perceptual Dynamics of a Colour–Digit Synaesthete

L, a 47-year-old female of Choctaw descent, was first identified as a potential synaesthete on the basis of self-report data regarding digit-colour associations. Upon completion of the identification procedures typified in the literature, it was concluded that L met the classic memory-performance criteria used to identify synaesthetic ability. A series of Stroop-type tasks were then performed to identify the dynamics of her synaesthetic experiences. The results of these analyses provided three findings of note. First, the clear pattern of response-time differences between L and the control group suggests that tasks designed to produce involuntary divisions of attention can be an effective means by which to demonstrate that synaesthetic experiences are involuntary but elicited. Second, the significantly slower performance by L on a negative-priming Stroop list shaped around her colour – digit associations indicates the presence of a lexical component in her synaesthetic experience. Third, the use of a manu...
System time distribution of Dynamic Traveling Repairman Problem under the PART-n-TSP Policy

We propose the PART-n-TSP policy for the Dynamic Traveling Repairman Problem [1]. We compute a good approximation for the distribution of the system time, defined as the elapsed time between the arrival and the completion of each task. PART-n-TSP stabilizes the system for every load in [0; 1). PART-n-TSP has lower system time variance than PARTTSP [14] and Nearest Neighbor [1] when the load is neither too small or too large. We show that PART-n-TSP is also optimal for system time expectation under light and heavy loads.
Percentage of All Non-Overlapping Data (PAND) An Alternative to PND

Although single-case researchers are not accustomed to analyzing data statistically, standards for research and accountability from government and other funding agents are creating pressure for more objective, reliable data. In addition, “evidence-based interventions” movements in special education, clinical psychology, and school psychology imply reliable data summaries. Within special education, two heavily debated single-case research (SCR) statistical indices are “percentage of non-overlapping data” (PND) and the regression effect size, R 2 . This article proposes a new index—PAND, the “percentage of all non-overlapping data”—to remedy deficiencies of both PND and R 2 . PAND is closely related to the established effect size, Pearson’s Phi, the “fourfold point correlation coefficient.” The PAND/Phi procedure is demonstrated and applied to 75 published multiple baseline designs to answer questions about typical effect sizes, relationships with PND and R 2 , statistical power, and time efficiency. Confidence intervals and p values for Phi also are demonstrated. The findings are that PAND/ Phi and PND correlate equally well to R 2 . However, only PAND/Phi could show adequate power for most of the multiple baseline designs sampled. The findings suggest that PAND/Phi may meet the requirement for a useful effect size for multiple baseline and other longer designs in SCR.
Immigration and the Economic Health of Canadian Cities

This research explores relationships between diversity of local populations and economic well-being: specifically, the connections between foreign-born populations, other measures of community diversity, and local economic health. Using data from the population of mid-sized Canadian cities, I conclude that there is a significant relationship between immigration and health. Several other aspects of diversity—language, visible minority status, and religion—are also related to economic health, but only the correlation with foreign born remains significant in multiple regression. The extent that population growth is dependent on immigration and the clear dispersion of immigrants to mid-sized communities in Canada is an argument for greater attention to public policies that facilitate settlement both on humanitarian grounds and to foster local economic development.
Comparison of an antibody capture and a cell capture ligand-binding assay to quantify a monoclonal therapeutic in serum.

Background: Ligand-binding assays are a tool used for the quantification of antibody therapies. When assay format changes are required during the drug development process it is advisable to assess these formats ensuring the resulting data can be compared. In this article, we outline the method and results obtained comparing an anti-idiotype capture and a cell-capture ligand-binding assay. Results: Comparison of results for all quality controls between assays were within acceptance limits, with the exception of the low quality control. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated 95% power to detect a 20% difference between data sets. Subsequent analysis of unknown samples further confirmed 98% power to detect a 20% difference between data sets. Conclusion: Results obtained using two assay formats are statistically comparable to each other.
Imaging of intrauterine contraceptive devices.

Objective. Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) are reemerging as common methods of birth control in the United States. Imaging, especially sonography, has an important role in their evaluation. This review illustrates the normal and abnormal imaging appearances of IUDs. Methods. We describe and illustrate the appearance of different types of IUDs on different imaging modalities as well as radiologically relevant complications associated with IUDs. Results. On sonography, the IUD should be visualized as centrally located within the endometrial cavity, with the crossbar (if present) in the fundal portion of the endometrial cavity. Some older patients have IUDs in place that are no longer commonly used, such as the Lippes Loop (Ortho Pharmaceutical, Raritan, NJ) and Saf-T-Coil (Julius Schmid Laboratories, Little Falls, NJ), which have a pathognomonic appearance. Newer IUDs, such as the early version of the Mirena IUD (Leiras Oy, Turku, Finland), may be difficult to visualize on sonography. Patients from China frequently have a ring-shaped IUD. Sonography is important in assessing the complications of IUDs, including a low position, associated infection, myometrial migration, uterine perforation, intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancy associated with the IUD, and retention and fragmentation of the IUD. If an IUD is known to be present but not visualized sonographically, plain radiography is helpful in assessing the location. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are not typically used to assess IUDs, but the appearances of IUDs should be recognized with these modalities. Conclusions. Imaging, specifically sonography, has a crucial role in the evaluation and man
TO BE CONTINUED

This chapter discusses the existence of efforts related to the changing economic scenarios that would be continued in future. United Nations system has been involved in multilateral assistance and cooperation programs, and the chapter presents the impact on them of the global dialogue on creating a new international economic order. Across unfriendly borders now there is growing recognition of the need for cooperation. The developing countries have indeed committed themselves to cooperation among themselves on a scope not imagined a decade ago; and developed countries increasingly feel the pressure to consider international cooperation and assistance a moral and material obligation to their own well being. Among more advanced developing countries, on the other hand, the emphasis in United Nations Development Program (UNDP) assistance is already sometimes on equipment. Developing countries as a whole continue to express serious interest in more reliance on national capacities for carrying out UNDP-assisted activities.
How Much Content Knowledge Do Graduating Medical Students Retain from Their Pre-Clinical and Clinical Courses?

Because medical students are exposed to so much material during their 4 years of medical school, many have questioned how much knowledge one might reasonably retain. Further, physicians and medical educators have long been particularly critical of basic science knowledge retention and have asserted that a significant amount of basic science information learned is lost by the time students graduate. The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge retention and decaying effects by utilizing a quasi-experimental design that compared responses from a sample of exiting fourth year medical students to their previously rendered responses to the exact same items 2 to 3 years prior. Results indicated exiting fourth-year medical students performed about equally well on both pre-clinical and clinical items. Additionally, it was found that 53 % of responses were deemed stable, correct knowledge over time as indicated by students providing the same correct response. Conversely, approximately 31 % of responses went from right to wrong when assessed again, indicating students likely forgot prior information or guessed correctly the first time.
Evaluation of ME predictions and the impact of feeding maize distillers dried grains with solubles with variable oil content on growth performance, carcass composition, and pork fat quality of growing-finishing pigs

Abstract A total of 432 pigs (initial BW: 25.8 ± 5.1 kg) were used to evaluate growth performance, carcass characteristics, and pork fat quality of growing-finishing pigs fed maize–soybean meal diets containing 40% distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) with variable ether extract (EE) content, but similar predicted ME concentration (3232 to 3315 kcal/kg predicted by a commercial service). Pigs were blocked by initial BW, and within blocks, pens were allotted randomly to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (9 pigs/pen, 12 replicates/treatment) in a 4-phase feeding program (26–50 kg, 50–75 kg, 75–100 kg, and 100–120 kg BW). Dietary treatments consisted of: (1) maize–soybean meal (CON); (2) 40% low-oil DDGS (59 g/kg EE; LOW); (3) 40% medium-oil DDGS (99 g/kg EE; MED); and (4) 40% high-oil DDGS (142 g/kg EE; HIGH). Diets contained similar concentrations of standardized ileal digestible amino acids and standardized total tract digestible P within each phase. Overall, ADFI of pigs fed CON was greater ( P P P P P P