cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Beamforming for Tele-operated Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Tactical tele-operated mobile robots are increasingly used in the military and law-enforcement for applications where robots can take the place of human operators. This is especially true for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operators who can use robots to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs). For EOD applications, the sufficient standoff between the operator and the robot is critical to the safety of the operator. This paper presents a beamforming array that provides constant line-of-sight (LOS) communications between the operator and the tele-operated robot. The development of the adaptive beamforming communications system is presented. It is shown that through the use of the newly developed system, a 1.6x range improvement is obtained as compared to using a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) system.
Profiling the Thermodynamic Softness of Adenoviral Promoters

We showed previously that anharmonic DNA dynamical features correlate with transcriptional activity in selected viral promoters, and hypothesized that areas of DNA softness may represent loci of functional significance. The nine known promoters from human adenovirus type 5 were analyzed for inherent DNA softness using the Peyrard-Bishop-Dauxois model and a statistical mechanics approach, using a transfer integral operator. We found a loosely defined pattern of softness peaks distributed both upstream and downstream of the transcriptional start sites, and that early transcriptional regions tended to be softer than late promoter regions. When reported transcription factor binding sites were superimposed on our calculated softness profiles, we observed a close correspondence in many cases, which suggests that DNA duplex breathing dynamics may play a role in protein recognition of specific nucleotide sequences and protein-DNA binding. These results suggest that genetic information is stored not only in explicit codon sequences, but also may be encoded into local dynamic and structural features, and that it may be possible to access this obscured information using DNA dynamics calculations.
Gadolinium-bearing red cells as blood pool MRI contrast agents.

Human and rat red blood cells (RBCs) were loaded with gadolinium DTPA dimeglumine using an osmotic pulse technique to create a blood pool contrast agent for MRI. The resulting packed red cells contained 30.9 ± 3.3 (1 SD) mmol Gd/literfor humans and 24.7 ± 3.5 (1 SD) mmol Gd/liter for rats. Longitudinal relaxation rate constant of human RBCs increased from 2.0 ± 0.1 to 145.6 ± 36.2 s−1; the transverse relaxation rate constant increased from 6.8 ± 1.2 to 562 ± 410 s−1. For rat RBCs, R1 increased from 1.45 ± 0.15 to 84.8 ± 23.9 s−1; R2 increased from 7.1 ± O.64 to 247 ± 158 s−1. Affinity for oxygen was slightly reduced (control P50 = 22.3 ± 2.3 versus experimental P50 = 27.3 ± 1.3, P < 0.01), as was mechanical de-formability. No drop in relaxivities was seen after 5 days of storage. The apparent volume of distribution was 0.0164 ± 0.003 liter/kg, biologic half-life 4.38 ± 0.34 h, and total plasma clearance 0.003 ± 0.0006 liter/kg/h. Compared with Gd-DTPA “free” in the plasma, tissue enhancement from RBCs was initially lower but was much prolonged. Preparation is simple enough to be reproduced by most laboratories.
Psychophysiological comparison of self-efficacy and resting heart rate.

This study was used to assess the premise that lower resting heart rates should be associated with higher scores on self-efficacy for exercisers. A total of 64 participants, 29 men and 35 women ran...
Identifying feelings elicited by advertising

This study attempts to identify feelings that are precipitated by advertising. A total of 655 feelings were reduced to set of 180 that were judged by respondents to be most likely to be stimulated by advertising. This group was clustered on the basis of similarity between feeling judgements. Two nested sets of feeling clusters emerged: one of size 22 and the other of size 31.
4He Third Sound and AFM Characterization of Rough Calcium Fluoride Substrates

We present resugts from experiments utilizing third sound and atomic force microscopy (AFM) that are designed to test the reproducibility of the surface roughness obtained by CaF2 thermal deposition onto borosilicate glass substrates. Third sound speed vs. 4He film thickness data show reasonable agreement for all samples. Statistical analysis of the AFM measurements confirm that surfaces with similar roughness characteristics (∼10 nm) can be fabricated using a common deposition protocol.
Role of hypothalamic interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in regulation of energy homeostasis by melanocortins

Abstract In the current study we sought to determine whether hypothalamic IL-1β is regulated by melanocortin signaling and if melanocortin-induced changes in energy balance are dependent on IL-1β. A melanocortin agonist, MTII, increased hypothalamic IL-1β mRNA levels by two-fold, whereas a melanocortin antagonist, SHU9119, blunted lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated increase of hypothalamic IL-1β content. Pharmacological or genetic disruption of IL-1 receptor signaling prevented MTII-mediated reductions in locomotor activity, but did not reduce MTII-induced anorexia. These data suggest a potential role for central melanocortins in mediating the decrease of ambulation characteristic of the ‘sickness’ response.
Kinetic studies of the demetallization and inactivation of concanavalin A

Abstract The demetallization of various metallo derivatives of Concanavalin A (i.e., MnMnP L , CoMnP L , CaCaP L , CoCaP L and MnCaP L , where P L represents protein in a locked conformation) has been examined by three separate procedures. These include the treatment of the protein with the metal ion chelators, EDTA and terpyridine, and subjecting the protein to low pH (i.e., pH 1.2). In all three procedure and for all five species examined, the immediate product of protein demetallization was the P L conformation previously described by Brown, R.D., III, Brewer, C.F. and Koenig, S.H. (Biochemistry (1977) 16, 3883–3896). The rates of dissociation of the metals from the different protein species, as measured spectrophotometrically using terpyridine, were found to be identical to the rates ( k 1 ) of loss of protein sugar binding affinity in the presence of EDTA as measured by assays with the fluorescent sugar, 4-methylumbelliferyl α- d -mannoside. The kinetic and thermodynamic data associated with the inactivation of the protein species have allowed the different metallo derivatives to be classed into two general categories. Class I forms include MnMnP L , CoMnP L and CaCaP L and possess an average k 1 (25°C) value of 3.88 · 10 −2 s −1 and an average E a of 14.2 kcal · mol −1 . Class II forms CoCaP L and MnCaP L have average values for k 1 (25°C) and E a of 3.67 · 10 −5 s −1 and 21.6 kcal · mol −1 , respectively.
The effects of BIG-3 on osteoblast differentiation are not dependent upon endogenously produced BMPs

BMPs play an important role in both intramembranous and endochondral ossification. BIG-3, BMP-2-induced gene 3 kb, encodes a WD-40 repeat protein that accelerates the program of osteoblastic differentiation in vitro. To examine the potential interactions between BIG-3 and the BMP-2 pathway during osteoblastic differentiation, MC3T3-E1 cells stably transfected with BIG-3 (MC3T3E1-BIG-3), or with the empty vector (MC3T3E1-EV), were treated with noggin. Noggin treatment of pooled MC3T3E1-EV clones inhibited the differentiation-dependent increase in AP activity observed in the untreated MC3T3E1-EV clones but did not affect the increase in AP activity in the MC3T3E1-BIG-3 clones. Noggin treatment decreased the expression of Runx2 and type I collagen mRNAs and impaired mineralized matrix formation in MC3T3E1-EV clones but not in MC3T3E1-BIG-3 clones. To determine whether the actions of BIG-3 on osteoblast differentiation converged upon the BMP pathway or involved an alternate signaling pathway, Smad1 phosphorylation was examined. Basal phosphorylation of Smad1 was not altered in the MC3T3E1-BIG-3 clones. However, these clones did not exhibit the noggin-dependent decrease in phosphoSmad1 observed in the MC3T3E1-EV clones, nor did it decrease nuclear localization of phosphoSmad1. These observations suggest that BIG-3 accelerates osteoblast differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells by inducing phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad1 independently of endogenously produced BMPs.
The effect of polycrystallinity on the shock wave response of Fe-34.5wt.%Ni and Fe-15wt.%Cr-15wt.%Ni

Abstract The effect of polycrystallinity on the shock wave response of Fe-34.5wt.%Ni and Fe-15wt.%Cr-15wt.%Ni alloys was studied by subjecting monocrystalline and polycrystalline cylinders to a normal shock pulse having a peak pressure of 7.5 GPa, a pulse duration of 1.2 μs and an average rarefaction rate of 100 GPa μs −1 . No systematic difference in the rate of decay of hardness as a function of the distance from the impact surface could be found between the monocrystalline and polycrystalline specimens. This indicates that, at the pressure and within the total depth investigated, polycrystallinity does not have a noticeable effect on the attenuation of the shock pulse. Transmission electron microscopy yielded results consistent with the hardness measurements. The dislocation substructures consisted of mainly irregular tangles for Fe-34.5wt.%Ni and of planar arrays for Fe-15wt.%Cr-15wt.%Ni, as expected from the higher stacking fault energy of Fe-34.5wt.%Ni. The shock-loaded Fe-34.5wt.%Ni bicrystal exhibited work softening on subsequent deformation in tensile testing. The work softening was responsible for the abnormal “bulging-out” of the material under the hardness indentations, obscuring the results.
Tuberculosis reactivation in hepatocellular carcinoma: association with transarterial chemoembolization

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an important therapeutic option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We discuss five patients with HCC and tuberculosis (TB) reactivation following TACE. Screening patients for latent TB infection at diagnosis of cirrhosis or HCC should be considered because of the immunosuppression inherent in both the diseases and their treatments.
Inverted U-pouch ileal reservoir: A technique for conversion of straight ileoanal pull-through

Abstract The authors describe a technique for creating an ileal reservoir in patients with a straight ileoanal pull-through.
Thermal Effects on Osteogenesis of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Intensive studies were reported on the osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) using chemicals and mechanical loading. However, the maturity of differentiated osteoblasts is not same as that of isolated adult osteoblasts. Thermal treatment could be a missing factor in stem cell differentiation. It was reported that mild heat stimulated bone growth in animal experiments [1–2]. Thermal treatment is also used as a therapy to promote bone repair after injury [3]. In addition, hot shower daily is recommended to osteoarthritis patients. However, the mechanisms for the heat-induced osteogenesis are not completely known and the thermal regulation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiation is not well studied. In this study, the direct effects of mild heat shock (HS) on the differentiation of hMSCs into osteoblasts in self-assembling peptide hydrogel were investigated.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Beyond Multiple Regression: Using Commonality Analysis to Better Understand R[superscript 2] Results.

Multiple regression is one of the most common statistical methods used in quantitative educational research. Despite the versatility and easy interpretability of multiple regression, it has some shortcomings in the detection of suppressor variables and for somewhat arbitrarily assigning values to the structure coefficients of correlated independent variables. Commonality analysis—heretofore rarely used in gifted education research—is a statistical method that partitions the explained variance of a dependent variable into nonoverlapping parts according to the independent variable(s) that are related to each portion. This Methodological Brief includes an example of commonality analysis and equations for researchers who wish to conduct their own analyses; an Excel spreadsheet that conducts the procedure automatically is available from the journal’s supplemental archive or from the author.
A note on a superconvergence result for the generalized airfoil equation

We obtain convergence results and error estimates for calculating linear functionals of solutions of a class of Cauchy singular integral equations via Galerkin's method. These results generalize the superconvergence estimates obtained by Miel [7], and involve extending the class of functionals, relaxing the smoothness conditions imposed, and determining the effects of quadrature errors in the numerical implementation of this method. In particular, it is shown that full superconvergence can be restored by evaluating the integrals sufficiently accurately.
An interval-scaled scoring algorithm for visual function questionnaires.

Purpose The primary purpose of the study is to present and test a simple algorithm for scoring visual function questionnaires (VFQs) that approximates person measure estimates from Rasch analysis, does not introduce nonlinearities at extreme scores, and is insensitive to missing data. A secondary purpose is to test the hypothesis that all VFQs measure the same visual ability variable and can be calibrated to a common measurement scale. Methods Each of 407 consecutively recruited low vision patients were administered two of four visual function questionnaires: Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADVS), National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI VFQ), 14-item Visual Functioning Index (VF-14), Visual Activities Questionnaire (VAQ). Separate Rasch analyses, using the Andrich rating scale model, were performed on responses to each of the four VFQs and again on the merged data of all instruments. An approximation of visual ability, based on average functional reserve and an inverse hyperbolic tangent transformation, is presented and tested by comparing visual ability estimates from the Rasch analyses to corresponding estimates from the approximations. Results Relative to person measure estimates from Rasch analysis, the approximations were observed to be linear and highly reliable (intraclass correlations ranged from 0.97 to 0.997). The measurement scale of each of the four instruments was observed to be a linear transformation of the measurement scale estimated from the merged responses of all four instruments. The approximation algorithm transforms rating scale responses for each instrument to a common measurement scale. By randomly censuring item responses for each subject, it was demonstrated that the approximation algorithm is robust and insensitive to missing data. Conclusions A simple scoring algorithm based on an inverse hyperbolic tangent transformation of average functional reserve produces highly reliable approximations of visual ability estimated from Rasch analysis for the ADVS, NEI VFQ, VAQ, and VF-14. All four instruments measure the same visual ability variable in units that can be calibrated to a common measurement scale.
Differences in O2 reduction by the iron complexes of adriamycin and daunomycin: the importance of the sidechain hydroxyl group

Abstract Both adriamycin and daunomycin chelate Fe 3+ , forming complexes with similar spectroscopic properties but very different redox chemistry. Anaerobic Fe 3+ -adriamycin and Fe 3+ -daunomycin complexes of identical stoichiometry give rise to identical optical absorbance and EPR spectra with maxima at 600 nm and signals at g = 4.2 and g = 2.01. In anaerobic preparations, however, the 600 nm absorption band and the EPR signals of the Fe 3+ -adriamycin complexes decrease as Fe 3+ is reduced to Fe 2+ , with the appearance of an adriamycin free-radical signal at g = 2.0035, while the spectra of Fe 3+ -daunomycin complexes remain unchanged, with no free-radical signal appearing. Polarographic measurements demonstrate that the Fe 3+ -adriamycin complexes consume O 2 while the Fe 3+ -daunomycin complexes do not. Measurements in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase suggest that 75% of the O 2 consumed by Fe 3+ -adriamycin is reduced to H 2 O 2 or .O 2 − . Spin-trapping experiments demonstrate that the Fe 3+ -adriamycin complexes generate .OH, while the daunomycin complexes do not. Qunatitation of .OH generation by Fe 3+ -adriamycin demonstrates that the initital rate of .OH generation approaches the rate of total O 2 consumption. DNA cleavage studies show that only the Fe 3+ -adriamycin complexes cleave DNA in the absence of exogenous added H 2 O 2 . This DNA cleavage can be blocked by catalasa or .OH radical scavengers. These results indicate that the side-chain hydroxyl group is essential for Fe 3+ reduction, subsequent O 2 reduction, as well as for the generation of the drug free radical, since adriamycin and daunomycin are structurally identical except for this hydroxyl. The difference in redox chemistry of the iron complexes of adriamycin and daunomycin is the only known mechanism which can explain the difference in anti-tumor potency and cardiotoxicity of these two structurally similar drugs.
Micro- and Macrohabitat Associations in Mojave Desert Rodent Communities

Characterizing habitat associations of species is fundamental to understanding the mechanistic basis of community organization. Typically, investigators estimate microhabitat characteristics that account for significant amounts of variation in species composition. Nonetheless, highly resolved microhabitat characteristics may account for no more variation in species composition than coarse macrohabitat distinctions, particularly in heterogeneous environments. We describe micro- and macrohabitat associations of 13 species of nocturnal rodents distributed across 31 communities within the Mojave Desert. Rodent species composition, biomass of 81 perennial plant species, representation of 9 soil and rock classes, and the percent cover of annuals and grasses were quantified. Communities also were assigned to macrohabitats based on qualitative characteristics. Multivariate analysis of variance indicated highly significant community-wide differences among macrohabitats and species-specific analyses of variance substantiated differences for all but 1 species analyzed. Microhabitat characteristics accounted for approximately 55% of the variation in rodent species composition. Moreover, microhabitat characteristics accounted for 17% variation in rodent species composition over and beyond that shared with macrohabitat distinctions. Micro- and macrohabitat perspectives provide complimentary insights into species composition of rodent communities. Edaphic features in particular represented important environmental heterogeneity that likely acts both directly on rodent species composition and indirectly through influencing variation in plant species composition. Indeed, the Mojave Desert is represented by a spatial mosaic of species-rich and compositionally dynamic rodent communities that will provide many insights into the coexistence of species at regional spatial scales.
Reality research: project time management and recruitment.

...and then I momentarily turned away to pick up the holter monitor electrodes. When I turned back to the subject, I saw him holding a nearly empty medicine cup that had held the 10 ccs of tincture of benzoin that I had just poured to use in applying the electrodes. The medicine cup had been placed on a table next to me and in front of him. I could only assume that the man drank the tincture. In the words of Martha Stewart, this was not a good thing. I had just experienced a lesson in clinical research: to expect the unexpected. First, to finish the story, the local poison control center was called and the resource person, who sounded surprisingly familiar with the scenario, informed me that there was no danger to the subject, no antidote required, and that he probably drank the tincture for the alcohol content. With a sigh of relief, I returned to my role as researcher and applied the holter monitor following the study protocol. This anecdote illustrates the practical aspects of conducting clinical research that you do not learn in research class. If you go to the nursing research section in a health science library, you will find a variety of research texts. Some focus on the entire process, whereas others focus on a single aspect (eg, methodology). These books present research as a systematic, precise process, controlled by formulating hypotheses, creating operational definitions of variables, using valid and reliable data collection methods, and analyzing data with sophisticated statistical tests.1 Few resources discuss the real experience of managing clinical research and how control on paper can disintegrate when the study is under way. I would like to share some practical advice about a few common research management stumbling Reality research: Project time management and recruitment
Population based analysis of directional information in serial deformation tensor morphometry

Deformation morphometry provides a sensitive approach to detecting and mapping subtle volume changes in the brain. Population based analyses of this data have been used successfully to detect characteristic changes in different neurodegenerative conditions. However, most studies have been limited to statistical mapping of the scalar volume change at each point in the brain, by evaluating the determinant of the Jacobian of the deformation field. In this paper we describe an approach to spatial normalisation and analysis of the full deformation tensor. The approach employs a spatial relocation and reorientation of tensors of each subject. Using the assumption of small changes, we use a linear modeling of effects of clinical variables on each deformation tensor component across a population. We illustrate the use of this approach by examining the pattern of significance and orientation of the volume change effects in recovery from alcohol abuse. Results show new local structure which was not apparent in the analysis of scalar volume changes.
Scar trek: Follicular frontiers in skin replacement therapy [2]

This is the first report on in vivo epithelial stem cell (ESC) transfection using intradermal injections of genes encapsulated in liposomes. Skin gene therapy is a relatively new approach with great potential because of the accessibility and ease with which the modified area can be monitored (Alexander and Akhurst, 1995). Liposomes have become attractive as gene therapy vectors due to their non-viral composition, stability, and ability to interact with the cell membrane (Felgner, 1996). We have successfully utilized cationic liposomes as efficient vectors to deliver genes for growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I (Jeschke et al., 2000) and keratinocyte growth factor (Jeschke et al., 2002), in a previously described murine model of thermal injury (Jeschke et al., 2001). Liposomes were formulated with 1:1 (M/M) 1,2-dimyristyloxypropyl-3-dimethyl-hydroxyl ethyl ammonium bromide and cholesterol suspended in membrane-filtered water (Life Technologies, Rockville, MD, USA). LacZ cDNA encoding for the non-mammalian enzyme, βgalactosidase, was used to confirm transfection. The presence of the β-galactosidase protein was detected by histochemical staining with Bluo-Gal (halogenated indolylβ-D-galactosidase) (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD, USA) (Jeschke et al., 1999). We noticed positive transfection of hair follicle cells at the wound edge (i.e., at the site of intradermal injections) in these experiments (Figure 1A,B). In order to see if these Bluo-Gal-positive cells were indeed ESCs, we dual-stained these sections with anti-cytokeratin 19 (CK19) antibodies (Abcam Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA) using standard immunohistochemical techniques. CK19 is a known marker for hair follicle stem cells (Michel et al., 1996; Brembeck and Rustgi, 2000). As shown in Figures 2 and 3, CK19 was co-localized on Bluo-Gal-positive cells, indicating successful transfection of ESC.
The anatomy of a climatic oscillation: vegetation change in eastern North America during the Younger Dryas chronozone

Century-scale climate changes reshaped circulation patterns over the North Atlantic and adjacent regions during the last glacialto-interglacial transition. Here, we show that vegetation across eastern North America shifted dramatically at the beginning and end of the Younger Dryas chronozone (YDC: 12,900–11,600 cal yr B.P.), when changes in ocean circulation rapidly cooled and then warmed the North Atlantic sea-surface. On both the site-specific scale and the continental-scale, vegetation changed only gradually during the millennia before (15,000–13,000 cal yr B.P.) and after (11,000–9000 cal yr B.P.) the YDC, but climate changes ca 12,900 and 11,600 cal yr B.P. altered the vegetation on both spatial scales within centuries. Plant associations changed and some taxa rapidly migrated hundreds of kilometers (>300 km within B100 yr). In limited regions near the North Atlantic coast, abrupt cooling ca 12,900 cal yr B.P. resulted in a return to earlier vegetation types. Elsewhere, however, the vegetation patterns during the YDC were distinct from those of both earlier and later intervals. They indicate abrupt, ‘non-reversing’ seasonal temperature changes that were probably related to atmospheric circulation changes during the YDC, rather than to the direct influence of North Atlantic sea-surface temperatures. Atmospheric circulation patterns during the YDC were unique within the last 21,000 yr because of a unique combination of climate controls. Insolation, ice sheet extent, and atmospheric composition were significantly different from their full-glacial states, even when the North Atlantic returned to near full-glacial conditions. The YDC vegetation patterns demonstrate (1) rapid ecological responsiveness to abrupt climate change and (2) spatially varied patterns of YDC climate change. r 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Isolation of newly expressed surface T cell antigen receptor complexes by serial precipitation with anti-TCR antibodies and immobilized streptavidin

Expression of the multisubunit T cell antigen receptor (TCR) complex is an enigmatic process requiring coordinated regulation of at least six different gene products (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta), the ordered pairing of partner chains within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and intracellular transport of complete, but not incomplete, TCR complexes to the cell surface. Movement of nascent TCR glycoproteins from the ER to the Golgi compartment is easily studied using various lectins and/or glycosidases specific for oligosaccharide modifications that occur within the Golgi system. In contrast, cell surface transport of TCR complexes is relatively difficult to assess, since this requires physical separation of intracellular complexes from surface TCR complexes. In the current report we describe a method for the isolation of newly transported surface TCR complexes which utilizes metabolic and surface techniques in conjunction with serial precipitation methods. Specifically, we describe the use of anti-TCR antibodies and immobilized streptavidin to isolate nascent TCR alpha proteins localized on the plasma membrane. This technique is rapid, specific, and provides a novel approach for studying the intracellular transport of nascent immune receptor molecules to the cell surface.
Nondestructive Water Content Determination

DURING THE SERIES OF COMPACTION TESTS USUALLY RUN ON EMBANKMENT MATERIAL TO DETERMINE AN OPTIMUM WATER CONTENT AND MAXIMUM DENSITY OF A SOIL AT A STANDARD COMPACTIVE EFFORT, AN ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY MEASUREMENT CAN BE MADE TO PROVIDE A DETERMINATION OF WATER CONTENT. THIS METHOD HAS BEEN TESTED EXPERIMENTALLY AD FOUND USEFUL OVER A RANGE OF MOISTURE CONTENT BELOW OPTIMUM. SOIL RESISTIVITY DECREASES WITH INCREASE IN WATER CONTENT AND DENSITY. THEREFORE, ON THE DRY SIDE OF OPTIMUM, THE SIMULTANEOUS INCREASE OF WATER CONTENT AND DENSITY ENHANCES THE DECREASE IN RESISTANCE. THIS METHOD IS, THEREFORE, QUITE RELIABLE FOR DETERMINING WATER CONTENT ON THE DRY SIDE OF OPTIMUM. BECAUSE WATER CONTENT IS A HYPERBOLIC FUNCTION OF CELL RESISTANCE, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RESISTANCE MEASUREMENT DECREASES AS WATER CONTENT INCREASES. /AUTHOR/
Asymptotic Approach for Thermoelastic Analysis of Laminated Composite Plates

A thermoelastic model for analyzing laminated composite plates under both mechanical and thermal loadings is constructed by the variational asymptotic method. The original three-dimensional nonlinear thermoelasticity problem is formulated based on a set of intrinsic variables defined on the reference plane and for arbitrary deformation of the normal line. Then the variational asymptotic method is used to rigorously split the three-dimensional problem into two problems: A nonlinear, two-dimensional, plate analysis over the reference plane to obtain the global deformation and a linear analysis through the thickness to provide the two-dimensional generalized constitutive law and the recovering relations to approximate the original three-dimensional results. The nonuniqueness of asymptotic theory correct up to a certain order is used to cast the obtained asymptotically correct second-order free energy into a Reissner–Mindlin type model to account for transverse shear deformation. The present theory is impleme...
Carex orestera (Cyperaceae), a New Sedge from the Mountains of California

Abstract. Carex orestera Zika (Cyperaceae) is described from western North America and is endemic to five counties in central and southern California in the Sierra Nevada range and the adjacent White Mountains. The taxon is separable from C. albonigra Mack. in its more lanceolate to oblong scales with a conspicuous pale midvein and relatively narrower perigynia. The new species is assigned to Carex L. sect. Racemosae G. Don, and a sectional key is provided for these sedges in California.
Decision boundary feature extraction for nonparametric classification

A new feature extraction algorithm based on decision boundaries for nonparametric classifiers is proposed. It is noted that feature extraction for pattern recognition is equivalent to retaining discriminantly informative features, and a discriminantly informative feature is related to the decision boundary. Since nonparametric classifiers do not define decision boundaries in analytic form, the decision boundary and normal vectors must be estimated numerically. A procedure to extract discriminantly informative features based on a decision boundary for nonparametric classification is proposed. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm finds effective features for the nonparametric classifier with Parzen density estimation. >
The influence of saddle-shaped annuloplasty on leaflet curvature in patients with ischaemic mitral regurgitation

OBJECTIVES: Reports indicate that repair procedures for ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) are less durable than previously thought. Repair failure has been shown to be stress related. Leaflet curvature is the major determinant of valve stress. Theoretical and animal experiments have shown that saddle-shaped annuloplasty optimizes leaflet curvature when compared with standard flat ring annuloplasty. Despite this, the influence of the ring shape on leaflet curvature has not been described in patients with IMR. This study uses real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (rt-3DE) to assess the influence of the ring shape on leaflet curvature. METHODS: Rt-3DE was performed in 21 patients with IMR after placement of either a flat (n= 10, CE-Physio, Edwards) or saddleshaped (n= 11, Profile 3D, Medtronic) annuloplasty ring. A combination of commercially available and customized software was used to measure multiple leaflet curvature parameters across all regions of the mitral valve. RESULTS: Independently of the shape of the annuloplasty ring, all patients were subject to the same degree of annular undersizing. Patients who received saddle-shaped annuloplasty rings had greater leaflet curvature in all six mitral valve leaflet regions (A1 = 0.36 ± 0.10, A2 = 0.53 ± 0.13, A3 = 0.47 ± 0.13, P1 = 0.35 ± 0.23, P2 = 0.53 ± 0.34, P3 = 0.42 ± 0.20 cm �2 ) compared with patients who received flat annuloplasty rings (A1 = 0.16 ± 0.11, A2 = 0.18 ± 0.09, A3 = 0.16 ± 0.11, P1 = 0.20 ± 0.17, P2 = 0.21 ± 0.11, P3 = 0.18 ± 0.13 cm �2 ). These differences were statistically significant in all regions except the P1 region. CONCLUSIONS: Saddle-shaped annuloplasty rings increase leaflet curvature compared with flat rings in patients with IMR. As a result, saddle-shaped annuloplasty may decrease leaflet stress and potentially increases the durability of the repair in patients with IMR.
Indexing relational database content offline for efficient keyword-based search

Information retrieval systems such as Web search engines offer convenient keyword-based search interfaces. In contrast, relational database systems require the user to learn SQL and to know the schema of the underlying data even to pose simple searches. We propose an architecture that supports highly efficient keyword-based search over relational databases: A relational database is "crawled" in advance, text-indexing virtual documents that correspond to interconnected database content. At query time, the text index supports keyword-based searches with interactive response, identifying database objects corresponding to the virtual documents matching the query. Our system, EKSO, creates virtual documents from joining relational tuples and uses the DB2 Net Search Extender for indexing and keyword-search processing. Experimental results show that index size is manageable and database updates (which are propagated incrementally as recomputed virtual documents to the text index) do not significantly hinder query performance. We also present a user study confirming the superiority of keyword-based search over SQL for a range of database retrieval tasks.
Consumer evaluation and quality measurement of fresh-cut slices of ‘Fuji,’ ‘Golden Delicious,’ ‘GoldRush,’ and ‘Granny Smith’ apples

We compared the eating quality of a new apple cultivar, 'GoldRush,' with 'Golden Delicious' (one of its parents), 'Fuji,' and 'Granny Smith' (the latter two often used for fresh-cut apple slices). We also compared a commercial with an in-house processing treatment, NatureSeal for apples and Produce Quality and Safety Laboratory (PQSL), respectively. Intact apples that had been stored for about 6 months were washed, processed into fresh-cut slices, stored, and then served to consumers. Both NatureSeal and PQSL treatments maintained cut-surface color values similar to values at the time of cutting. NatureSeal-treated slices were rated slightly better for texture than those receiving the PQSL treatment, but there was no significant difference in acceptability of appearance or flavor. Acceptability scores for the texture and flavor of 'GoldRush,' and of 'Fuji' when included, were higher than those of 'Granny Smith' and 'Golden Delicious.' There were small age and gender biases, with older women liking 'GoldRush' less and older men liking 'Granny Smith' less than other age groups and cultivars in one study. No instrumental measurement was a satisfactory predictor of sensory acceptability scores. 'GoldRush' proved to be a promising new cultivar for fresh-cut apple slices and the in-house processing solution maintained the quality of apple slices similar to that of a commercial processing treatment.
Application of Stabilized Nanoparticles for In Situ Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Soil and Groundwater: a Critical Review

Remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with toxic metals has been a major environmental challenge for decades. Yet, cost-effective and sustainable in situ remediation technologies remain lacking. Over the last 15 years or so, an innovative in situ remediation strategy has shown promising by means of stabilized nanoparticles. Stabilized nanoparticles are prepared using novel stabilizers that facilitate the deliverability and transport of nanoparticles in the subsurface. This study reviews synthesis and characterization of some model stabilized nanoparticles and their application for remediation of metal-contaminated soil and water. Fate and transport of these stabilized nanoparticles in groundwater and soil are also examined. Lastly, this review identifies the key knowledge gaps such as lack of field data pertaining to the long-term effectiveness of the immobilized metals and impacts of the delivered nanoparticles on the biogeochemical conditions in the subsurface. The information may facilitate further development of this promising remediation technology.
U.S. Multinationals as Vehicles for International Diversification

The authors consider whether investors can obtain the benefits of global diversification by purchasing the equity of U.S. multinational corporations. They find that USMNC returns tend to move with the swings of the U.S. market, irrespective of the location of their foreign operations, so they provide little in the way of global diversification. Other investment vehicles available to U.S. investors such as ADRs are more highly correlated with the returns in foreign markets.
An economic analysis of patients with active arterial peptic ulcer hemorrhage treated with endoscopic heater probe, injection sclerosis, or surgery in a prospective, randomized trial

Background: There are no published, detailed assessments of the direct costs of endoscopic hemostasis for actively bleeding peptic ulcers. We compared the direct costs of care for patients with active ulcer hemorrhage treated with endoscopic or medical-surgical therapies and correlated these costs with patient outcomes. Methods: In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 31 patients with active ulcer hemorrhage at emergency endoscopy were randomly assigned to heater probe, injection, or medical-surgical treatment. For further ulcer bleeding, heater probe and injection patients were re-treated endoscopically and medical-surgical patients were referred for surgery. Direct costs were estimated using fixed and variable costs for resources consumed and Medicare reimbursement rates for physician fees. Results: Compared to medical-surgical treatment, the heater probe and injection groups had significantly higher primary hemostasis rates (100% and 90% vs 8%) and lower rates of emergency surgery (0% and 10% vs 75%), blood transfusions, and median direct costs per patient ($4153 and $5247 vs $11,149). Furthermore, compared to medical-surgical treatment, the heater probe group had a significantly lower incidence of severe ulcer rebleeding (11% vs 75%). Conclusions: Heater probe and injection sclerosis are similarly efficacious treatments for active ulcer hemorrhage, and both treatments yield significantly lower direct costs of medical care and cost savings. (Gastrointest Endosc 1997;46:105-12.)
Screening for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased dramatically in the United States within recent decades [1], and it is now the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide [2]. The increase has been driven mainly by the epidemic of hepatitis C virus infection. The 5-year cumulative risk for developing HCC is 17% for persons with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis [3]. However, all causes of cirrhosis increase the risk, and patients with cirrhosis have an annual risk of 1% to 6% for developing HCC [4]. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity, also seems to be associated with an increased risk for developing HCC [5]. However, about 90% of all cases are found in patients who are cirrhotic [3], and in the United States, HCC is most commonly found in men aged 45 to 65 years [1].
Preface to 'Topics in Lean Supply Chain Management'

This uniquely designed textbook is structured to support educators in teaching the lean supply chain principles, concepts, and ideas used by industry and researched by scholars. It examines a wide range of current topical subjects in a structured format to help educators impart the value of combining lean management with supply chain management. It focuses on many of the newest and most exciting areas of change in lean and supply chain management. In addition to basic content on the principles of lean and supply chain management, this book converts recent journal research into an easy-to-understand textbook material. While this textbook is suitable as a topical course for operations or supply chain management undergraduate students, it is self-contained and also suitable for graduate students who have had no prerequisite knowledge in operations or production management. A complimentary copy of the 'Instructor's Manual and Test Bank' and the PowerPoint presentations of the text materials are available for all instructors who adopt this book as a course text.
Behavior of Pyrethroid-Susceptible and -Resistant Heliothis Virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae on Cotton Treated with Insecticides

The behavior of a pyrethroid-resistant strain (R) and a -susceptible strain (S) of Heliothis virescens (F.) was observed on budding (flower buds) cotton plants in the greenhouse. Treatments were plants sprayed with (1) chlordimeform at the LC20 for the S strain; (2) cypermethrin at the LC20 for the S strain; (3) a mixture of chlordimeform and cypermethrin at the LC20 for the S strain (combined LC20s used in treatments 1 and 2); and (4) an unsprayed control. Third-stage Rand S larvae were placed on the plants 1 h after spraying, and their behavior was recorded. Feeding of S larvae was reduced and resting was increased on plants treated with cypermethrin compared with R larvae, or Sand R larvae on unsprayed plants. The chlordimeform treatment caused reduced feeding on flower buds and increased locomotion for Sand R larvae compared with Sand R larvae on untreated plants. The mixture of chlordimeform and cypermethrin Significantly increased locomotion and reduced feeding of R larvae compared with their behavior on plants treated only with cypermethrin. Both Sand R larvae abandoned plants treated with chlordimeform or the mixture more frequently compared with untreated or cypermethrin-treated plants. These results show that chlordimeform can alter behavior of Sand R larvae on plants treated with cypermethrin. Under field conditions, use of behavioral active chemicals like chlordimeform could alter the behavior of wild H. virescens larvae so that flower bud damage is reduced and larval acquisition of insecticide residues is increased.
The formic acid-nitric acid complex: microwave spectrum, structure, and proton transfer.

Rotational spectra are reported for seven isotopologues of the complex HCOOH–HNO3 in a supersonic jet. The system is planar and bound by a pair of hydrogen bonds, much like the more widely studied carboxylic acid dimers. Double proton exchange interconverts the system between a pair of equivalent structures, as revealed by a splitting of the a-type spectrum that disappears when one of the hydrogen bonding protons is replaced by deuterium. The observation of relative intensities that are consistent with nuclear spin statistics in a symmetric and antisymmetric pair of tunneling states provides additional evidence for such a motion. The observed splittings in the pure rotational spectrum are 1–2 orders of magnitude smaller than those recently reported in the pure rotational spectra of several related carboxylic acid dimers. This is a curious difference, although we note that because the observed spectra do not cross the tunneling doublet, the splittings are a measure of the difference in effective rotational...
Variation Principle Interpretation for Schrodinger Equation

According to the mechanical wave theory and fluid mechanics, this paper put the conservation formula and the wave equations of mechanical wave theory written into the form of action functions respectively. In some reasonable assumptions, these combine two roles into a new action function. Using variation method, the action function we can deduce the Schrodinger equation from the action function.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring: clinical uses.

Ambulatory monitoring is a strategy that may effectively address the phenomenon of “white coat” hypertension and determine whether the peaks and troughs that typify circadian variations should be considerations in blood pressure management. In selected patients, ABPM may indeed be useful both for diagnosing hypertension and for monitoring response to therapy.
High resolution nonperturbative light-front simulations of the true muonium atom

Through the development of a parallel code called tmswift, an extensive light-front quantization study of the nonperturbative spectrum of the bound state $({\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}})$, true muonium, has been performed. Using Pad\'e approximants, it has been possible to extract continuum and infinite-cutoff limits for the singlet and triplet states for a range of values of the coupling constant $\ensuremath{\alpha}$. This data set allows for an investigation of the $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ dependence of the light-front spectra, the results of which are compared to standard calculations. Decay constants have also been obtained. Improved calculations have been undertaken for the energy shifts due to the presence of a second, lighter flavor ($e$). Finally, initial results for three-flavor ($e$, $\ensuremath{\mu}$, $\ensuremath{\tau}$) calculations are presented.
Early Women Scientists of Los Angeles Harbor

Abstract Los Angeles Harbor, in San Pedro Bay, has long drawn scientific researchers, from its days as a 19th century muddy tide flat to today’s industrial complex of man-made channels and wharves. A marine biological laboratory was established on Terminal Island as an outpost of the University of California and operating for the summers of 1901 and 1902. As it was a teaching laboratory, it attracted women students and researchers. Two Los Angeles women associated with the laboratory and who made contributions to the advancement of biology were Sarah P. Monks, an instructor at the Los Angeles Normal School and Martha Burton Williamson, a self-taught conchologist. These women were born in the 1840’s and grew up at a time when scientific pursuits were not the norm for the proper Victorian women. Both had done research in Los Angeles Harbor before the laboratory on Terminal Island was opened and both continued their independent research in the harbor after the laboratory was relocated to San Diego. Both wome...
Linguistic context and children's recall in a probe word task

A probe word task was used to test first-, third-, and fifth-grade children's recall of words in varying linguistic contexts. Consistent with expectations based on short-term memory considerations, words that occurred in meaningful sentence contexts were better recalled than those appearing in strings of unrelated words, and words that appeared toward the end of the sentence or string were better recalled than those occurring toward the beginning. At the same time, the effects of prior text on recall, seen clearly in tasks used in constructive memory research, were not present in this short-term memory task. These findings suggest that while within-sentence semantic relational and syntactic information may be used for partial analysis while material is still in working memory, this state does not permit access to already analyzed information in prior text.
Comorbid ADHD/Depression Treated with Bupropion SR

A trial of bupropion sustained release (SR) was conducted in 24 adolescents (ages 11-16 years) with ADHD and either major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder at the Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH.