cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integration of Simple Antennas to Multiband Receivers Using a Novel Multiplexer Design Methodology

This paper presents a new concept in RF multiplexer design to integrate a single monopole-type antenna to a receiver with large, multiband tuning ranges. Traditional techniques to integrate a single antenna with such receivers are limited in their ability to handle simultaneous channels distributed over very large tuning ranges, which is important for frequency-agile cognitive radio, surveillance, and other applications requiring wideband or multiband monitoring. In our approach, the goal is first to achieve sensitivity which is nominally dominated by external (environmental) noise, and then secondly to improve bandwidth to the maximum possible consistent with this goal. A procedure is described for designing antenna-multiplexer-preamplifier assemblies using this philosophy. It is shown that the approach can significantly increase the usable bandwidth and number of bands that can be supported by a single, traditional antenna. A three channel (10-28 MHz, 32-50 MHz, and 54-80 MHz) multiplexer for a VHF monopole antenna was designed and performance was validated through field experiment.
Modulation of the liver specific phenotype in the human hepatoblastoma line Hep G2.

The human hepatoblastoma line Hep G2 modulates gene expression in vitro in response to increasing culture density. Two stages of growth can be defined. At low density ( 1×106 cells/cm2) have a doubling time of 193 h, a four fold higher level of albumin production, increased levels of the adult isoenzymes of aldolase and pyruvate kinase and increased asialoglycoprotein receptor. The alteration in albumin and alphafetoprotein synthesis was reflected by changes in the messenger RNA levels and the relative transcription of these two genes. Hep G2 provides a cell culture model for the modulation of the liver phenotype which occurs during fetal/adult development or during liver regeneration.
Facilitating knowledge management through information technology in hospitality organizations.

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss how hospitality organizations can facilitate knowledge management (KM) better through information technology (IT) tools.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is developed based on a synthesis of previous literature.Findings – Knowledge can be seen as one of the key assets for hospitality organizations. Therefore, KM can help hospitality organizations create and sustain a competitive advantage. Use of IT applications can assist in creating, storing, transferring and using tacit and explicit knowledge. Hospitality organizations can use numerous IT tools in their KM practices, which include competency databases, decision support systems, online search systems, expert networks, e‐mail, groupware, teleconference, intranet, WWW, document management systems, video conferences, data warehousing, and workflow software.Research limitations/implications – Rather than looking at IT applications from a tactical and operational point of view, this article suggests that hospitality...
Expectation-maximization approach to target model generation from multiple synthetic aperture radar images

A key issue in the development and deployment of model- based automatic target recognition (ATR) systems is the generation of target models to populate the ATR database. Model generation is typi- cally a formidable task, often requiring detailed descriptions of targets in the form of blueprints or CAD models. We propose a method for gener- ating a 3-D target model directly from multiple SAR images of a target obtained at arbitrary viewing angles. This 3-D model is a parameterized description of the target in terms of its component reflector primitives. We pose the model generation problem as a parametric estimation prob- lem based on information extracted from the SAR images. We accom- plish this parametric estimation in the context of data association using the expectation-maximization (EM) method. Our model generation tech- nique operates without supervision and adaptively selects the model or- der. Although we develop our method in the context of a specific data extraction technique and target parameterization scheme, our underlying framework is general enough to accommodate different choices. We present results demonstrating the utility of our method. © 2002 Society of
A National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Alert sent to hospitals and the intentions of hospital decision makers to advocate for latex allergy control measures

This study evaluated a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alert concerning the risk and prevention of latex allergy among health care workers. It has been estimated that 8-12% of health care workers are sensitized to latex. NIOSH Alerts are publications that are intended to educate stakeholders about risks in the workplace; this Alert contained four recommendations for administrative control measures that hospital decision makers could adopt to reduce the risk of latex allergy to employees. The Alert was mailed to a random selection of Directors of Infection Control and Directors of Nursing in hospitals in the US. A random sample of these targeted recipients and a control group were surveyed by telephone (N = 298). Although nearly all of the respondents were concerned about latex allergy (96%), those reporting having seen the Alert were significantly more likely to report an intention to advocate for one or more of the control measures.
A 25-bit reference resistive voltage divider

An automated 25-bit reference resistive voltage divider is described. It features microcomputer-controlled self-calibration and autobalancing voltage ratio measurement to eight significant digits, with an uncertainity (2σ) of three parts in 108 (of the 10-V input) or the equivalent of one least significant bit (LSB). To achieve this accuracy, sources of error have been critically examined, carefully controlled, and accounted for.
Observation of isospin mixing in 12C near 19.5 MeV excitation

Abstract A strongly isospin-mixed doublet has been found in 12C near 19.5 MeV excitation energy in a comparison of π− and π+ inelastic scattering at 162 MeV. The π+ and π− comparison technique may be universally employable in self-conjugate nuclei to extract isospin-mixing matrix elements.
Tense/Aspect Variation in American Indian English

This paper presents possible evidence from Apachean English for the existence of state/nonstate and punctual/nonpunctual distinctions as theorized in Bickerton's bioprogram concept. In addition, it is pointed out that bioprogram characteristics may surface in contact situations other than classic creoles.
Evolution of genetic diversity during the domestication of common-bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

M13 DNA fingerprinting was used to determine evolutionary changes that occurred in Latin American germ plasm and USA cultivars of commonbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during domestication. Linkage mapping experiments showed that M13-related sequences in the common-bean genome were either located at the distal ends of linkage groups or that they were unlinked to each other or to any previously mapped markers. Levels of polymorphism observed by hybridization with M13 (1 probe-enzyme combination) were comparable to those observed by hybridization with single-copy random PstI genomic probes (36 enzyme-probe combinations) but were higher than those observed for isozymes (10 loci). Results indicated that the wild ancestor had diverged into two taxa, one distributed in Middle America (Mexico, Central America, and Colombia) and the other in the Andes (Peru and Argentina); they also suggested separate domestications in the two areas leading to two cultivated gene pools. Domestication in both areas led to pronounced reductions in diversity in cultivated descendants in Middle America and the Andes. The marked lack of polymorphism within commercial classes of USA cultivars suggests that the dispersal of cultivars from the centers of origin and subsequent breeding of improved cultivars led to high levels of genetic uniformity. To our knowledge, this is the first crop for which this reduction in diversity has been documented with a single type of marker in lineages that span the evolution between wild ancestor and advanced cultivars.
Reforming Land Rights: The World Bank and the Globalization of Agriculture

Since independence, landholdings in Southern Africa have remained highly skewed between the rich and poor, reflecting the land and agricultural policies adopted in colonial times and after independ...
Activation and Repression Domains Within the Promoter of the Rat Cathepsin L Gene Orchestrate Sertoli Cell-Specific and Stage-Specific Gene Transcription in Transgenic Mice

In murine testes, only Sertoli cells express the cathepsin L (Ctsl) gene, and this expression is restricted to stages V-VIII of the cycle. Our previous transgenic analysis of Tg (-2065/+977) demonstrated that this expression is regulated by a approximately 2-kb promoter. To begin to elucidate this regulation, we analyzed the in vivo expression of two new transgenes, Tg (-935/+977) and Tg (-451/+977). Tg (-935/+977) was expressed by Sertoli cells but, in contrast to Tg (-2065/+977), was expressed at all stages of the cycle, by spermatocytes, by the vascular endothelium, and by seven other organs. Tg (-451/+977) was not expressed by Sertoli cells but by spermatogenic cells and by the brain. Lack of expression of Tg (-451/+977) by Sertoli cells was not due to a lack of essential cis-acting elements. Transient transfection analysis of primary cultures of mature rat Sertoli cells demonstrated that in mature Sertoli cells, most of the activity of the Ctsl promoter is accounted for by one of two redundant upstream GC motifs and an Initiator that are within 100 bp of the transcription start site. We conclude that transcriptional repressors upstream from nucleotide -935 of the rat Ctsl gene restrict testicular expression of this gene to Sertoli cells at stages V-VIII. At these stages, transcriptional activators located between nucleotides -935 and -452 promote access of the transcriptional machinery to the two GC boxes and to the Initiator. Thus, upstream repressors and activators as well as cis-acting elements near the transcription start site control stage-specific Ctsl transcription by Sertoli cells.
New Structural Invariants of Linear Multivariable Systems

Several sets (e.g., lists of integers, polynomials, etc) which remain invariant under a group of transformations including static output feedback control of a linear dynamic system are indentified. A nested feedback loop decomposition of any given system is given which not only identifies the new invariants but also given an algorithmic procedure of computing them. As is known, structural invariants such as the ones introduced here, play important roles in many theoretical studies of control theory. To show one such a case, here an upper bound to the minimum order of a dynamic output feedback compensator nequired to stabilise a given system is calculated in terms of the newly identified invariants. This paper can be considered as an extension of the work of Morse who identified structural invariants under static state feedback where as this paper identifies structural invariants under static output feedback.
Quantification of blood volume and vascular perfusion in the corpus luteum of rhesus macaques during the menstrual cycle

OBJECTIVE: To determine changes to luteal vascular flow and volume in rhesus monkeys using dynamic contrast enhanced ultrasound (d-CEU). DESIGN: In vivo, repeated measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hormonal status of 8 adult cycling female macaques was monitored to detect the day of ovulation. D-CEU with Definity (Lantheus) microbubble perfusion was performed on the corpus luteum (CL) at the early, mid, mid-late and late luteal phase (LP; Mol Reprod Dev, 76: 367-378, 2009), as recently described for the uterus (Fertil Steril 95:1316, 2011). Vascular parameters were quantified in d-CEU video captures using a region of interest (ROI) focused on the CL. Video intensity (VI) was normalized to brachial artery flow to provide an estimate of blood volume (BV); change in VI (DVI/sec) was used to determine vascular perfusion rate (VP). RESULTS: Significant changes in BVand VP (P<001 and P1⁄40.07) were observed between stages of the LP. BV was negatively correlated with luteal day (P<0.02). In contrast, serum progesterone (P) levels correlated positively with BV (P1⁄40.04) and VP (P1⁄40.001). P area under curve (AUC) also positively correlated with AUC for BV (P1⁄40.03). In typical LPs, BV was highest during the early LP, before decreasing 3-fold in late LP CL. In contrast, VP peaked at mid LP, with values 5 and 11-fold greater than early and late LP, respectively. Two females were identified with luteal insufficiency based on peak P levels during the mid and mid-late LP (2.3 0.2 ng/ml), whereas 5 had normal LPs (6.2 1.2 ng/ml). Another female was identified with a luteal cyst on the contralateral ovary, and a functional CL that regressed before P levels declined. Insufficient LPs trended toward lower peak BVand VP, compared to typical LPs. CONCLUSION: D-CEU provides a non-invasive measurement of the dynamics of CL blood volume and flow during the luteal lifespan in the menstrual cycle. Reduced vascular perfusion is evident in animals with reduced P secretion and in animals with aberrant luteal function. Supported by: P51OD011092, R01HD020869 (RLS).
Cartilage fibronectin isoforms : In search of functions for a special population of matrix glycoproteins

Fibronectins are a part of the repertoire of matrix molecules produced by the chondrocyte in order to assemble a functional cartilage matrix. They are encoded by a single gene, but significant protein heterogeneity results from alternative RNA splicing. The population of fibronectin isofroms in adult cartilage is significantly different from fibronectins in other tissues and includes relatively high levels (20-30%) of ED-B(+) fibronectins and high levels (50-80%) of the cartilage specific (V + C)- isoform which lacks the V, III-15 and I-10 segments. Less than 4% of the fibronectins in cartilage are ED-A(+). The synthesis and accumulation of cartilage fibronectins are modulated in response to matrix pathology and to biochemical and mechanical mediators. In addition, alternative splicing patterns are altered when chondrocytes are allowed to dedifferentiate in monolayer culture such that the (V + C)- isoform is lost but the ED-A(+) isoform is reexpressed at high levels. Cartilage fibronectins have the potential to participate in cell signalling via integrin mediated pathways and to interact with other cartilage matrix macromolecules. The tissue-specific splicing pattern gives rise to a unique population of fibronectins within the cartilage. Together, this points to a critical role for cartilage fibronectins in chondrocyte cell biology and the organization of a biomechanically sound matrix. However, the precise function (or functions) of the cartilage fibronectins has (or have) not been defined. This minireview examines current information about the structure, synthesis and interactions of cartilage fibronectins. When possible, potential consequences of the inclusion of the ED-B segment or the exclusion of the V, III-15 and I-10 segments are discussed. The goal is to stimulate critical thought and discussion in the field about cartilage fibronectin isoforms, their function(s) in normal cartilage, and their role(s) in the pathogenesis of cartilage diseases.
Toward the Treatment and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease: Rational Strategies and Recent Progress

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the major cause of late-life brain failure. In the past 25 years, autosomal dominant forms of AD were found to be primariy attributable to mutations in one of two presenilins, polytopic proteins that contain the catalytic site of the γ-secretase protease that releases the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide. Some familial AD is also due to mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP), but recently a mutation in APP was discovered that reduces Aβ generation and is protective against AD, further implicating amyloid metabolism. Prion-like seeding of amyloid fibrils and neurofibrillary tangles has been invoked to explain the stereotypical spread of AD within the brain. Treatment trials with anti-Aβ antibodies have shown target engagement, if not significant treatment effects. Attention is increasingly focused on presymptomatic intervention, because Aβ mismetabolism begins up to 25 years before symptoms begin. AD trials deriving from new biological information involve extraordinary international collaboration and may hold the best hope for success in the fight against AD.
Methyl 2,4-an­hydro-5-azido-5,6-di­deoxy-l-altronate

The title compound, C7H11N3O4, was prepared from l-rhamnose as a conformationally restricted dipeptide isostere containing an oxetane ring. Its crystal structure was determined to confirm the synthetic product.
Improvement and prevention of asthma with concomitant treatment of allergic rhinitis and allergen-specific therapy.

Background Asthma and allergic rhinitis are 2 of the most prevalent chronic medical diseases. Asthma is estimated to affect 8% of adults and 9% of children, with nearly 300 million people affected worldwide. Poorly controlled allergic rhinitis may be associated with worsening asthma symptoms over time. Various treatments have been proposed in the improvement and prevention of asthma in children and adults with allergic symptoms, which have included pharmacotherapy with antihistamines and topical intranasal corticosteroids, as well as allergen-specific immunotherapy. Methods Articles were selected through PubMed and personal knowledge of the authors based on a comprehensive literature review examining whether treatment of allergic rhinitis improves and/or prevents concomitant symptoms of asthma. The largest and highest-quality studies were included in the literature review. The search selection was not standardized. Articles written in a language other than English were excluded. Results Clinical trials have showed improvement in asthma symptoms with concomitant treatment of allergic rhinitis with antihistamines and topical intranasal corticosteroids, though improvement in objective pulmonary function parameters has not been uniformly demonstrated with antihistamine use alone. There is very strong evidence to suggest that subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy may in addition prevent the progression of asthma in high-risk atopic patients by inducing immunological tolerance. Conclusion Traditional pharmacotherapy with antihistamines and topical intranasal steroids has been shown to improve allergic rhinitis symptoms with concomitant allergic asthma; however, only allergen-specific immunotherapy offers long-term control in improving asthma symptoms, exacerbations, and likely ultimate prevention in developing asthma.
A Typology of Presentence Probation Investigators

There is a lack of knowledge concerning the most basic of probation services-the presentence investigation. In order to develop an understanding of this service, a typology of probation officers who conduct these investigations is presented. An analysis of data, drawn from fifteen years of probation experience and qualitative interviewing of court personnel, revealed that officers use presentence reports to advance personal careers and individual perspectives. The usefulness of presentence investigations is questioned, as well as the willingness of the probation bureaucracy to provide an environment conducive to objective reporting.
The Degradation of Thermal Insulating Mineral Fibers

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effect of the water medium on the material behavior of the inorganic mineral fibers. This was conducted by exposing the mineral fibers to simulated environmental con ditions, in which an excessive water medium and a heating treatment at temperature up to 100°C were maintained for a relatively short period of about 3-4 months. Results of the study showed that these inorganic mineral fibers exhibit a physical change transforming the long and thread-like filaments into small segments and granules as a result of the simultaneous exposure to the heat-humidity treatment. Microscopic examinations showed that the fibers displayed a growth of foreign substance and formation of a reticular network structure on the surface of the individual fibers. The cause of this material degradation process has been interpreted to be related to a chemical leaching process.
Comparing Regression Coefficients between Nested Linear Models for Clustered Data with Generalized Estimating Equations.

Comparing regression coefficients between models when one model is nested within another is of great practical interest when two explanations of a given phenomenon are specified as linear models. The statistical problem is whether the coefficients associated with a given set of covariates change significantly when other covariates are added into the model as controls. Methods for such comparison exist for independent data but do not apply when data are clustered such as longitudinal or familial data. Under the framework of generalized estimating equations, the authors develop statistical methods for such comparison. The properties of the proposed estimator of the difference in regression coefficients between two models are studied asymptotically and for finite samples through simulation. Application of the method to data on changes in depression mood from adolescence through young adulthood reveals that the effect of age after controlling for work status and marital status, although still significant, is ...
The influence of the diffusional boundary layer on dye sorption from finite baths

A non-rigorous technique for approximating the effect of the diffusional boundary layer on the sorption of dye from finite baths is proposed. Dimensionless half-times of sorption are given for various fractional equilibrium bath exhaustion and boundary layer effect conditions. At higher fractional equilibrium exhaustions of the dyebath, the boundary layer is shown to have a greater influence on half-time of sorption.
A REVIEW ON THE COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE OF AUTISM

With increased recognition in the media, heightened prevalence, and advances in research technologies, investigation into the causes of autism has broadened in recent years. Studies at the molecular, structural, and behavioral levels have resulted in significant findings, linking autism to qualitative differences in neurological function and an alteration of early development. Familial aggregation of autism demonstrates a strong genetic factor, although genetics can not completely account for its pathogenesis. Studies show autism having one of the most complex pathologies among neurodevelopmental disorders. Future studies applying sophisticated methodologies in new areas may shed light on current mysteries surrounding the disorder.
Developmental changes in judgments of authentic objects

Abstract This study examined the development of an understanding of authenticity among 112 children (preschoolers, kindergarten, 1st graders, and 4th graders) and 119 college students. Participants were presented with pairs of photographs depicting authentic and non-authentic objects and asked to pick which one belongs in a museum and which one they would want to have. Results suggest that both children and adults recognize the special nature of authentic objects by reporting that they belong in a museum. However, this belief broadens with age, at first just for famous associations (preschool), then also for original creations (kindergarten), and finally for personal associations as well (4th grade). At all ages, an object's authentic nature is distinct from its desirability. Thus, from an early age, children appear to understand that the historical path of an authentic object affects its nature. This work demonstrates the importance of non-obvious properties in children's concepts. For preschool as well as older children, history (a non-visible property) adds meaning beyond the material or functional worth of an object.
Finding a Stable Route Through AODV by Using Route Fragility Coefficient as Metric

The widespread applications of mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) and scarce network resources have lead to the development of many protocols in this field. The need of time is to find a protocol which makes efficient use of resources and improves the overall performance of the network. This paper focuses on enhancing the performance of ad hoc on demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol by choosing route fragility coefficient (RFC) as its metric. This metric causes AODV to find a stable route. The stable route is characterized as the one which has less dynamism and in which nodes stay close to each other. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the improvement in throughput and reduction in routing protocol overhead with increased mobility. The performance metrics are measured by varying the maximum speed of the nodes and size of the network
Analysis and comparison of nonlinear tree height prediction strategies for Douglas-fir forests

Using an extensive Douglas-fir data set from southwest Oregon, we examined the (1) performance and suitabil- ity of selected prediction strategies, (2) contribution of relative position and stand-density measures in improving tree height (h) prediction values, and (3) effect of different subsampling designs to fill in missing h values in a new stand using a regional nonlinear model. Nonlinear mixed-effects models (NMEM) substantially improved the accuracy and precision of height prediction over the conventional nonlinear fixed-effects model (NFEM) that assumes the observations are inde- pendent, particularly when a few trees are subsampled for height. The predictive performance of a correction factor on a NFEM with relative position and stand-density measures was comparable to that of a NMEM when four or more trees were subsampled for height. When two or more heights were randomly subsampled, the NMEM efficiently explained the differences in the height-diameter relationship because of the variations in relative position of trees and stand density without having to incorporate them into the model. When only one height was subsampled, selecting the largest diameter tree in the stand would result in a lower predicted root mean square error (RMSE) than randomly selecting the height, re- gardless of the model form or fitting strategy used.
Is the HP-UHP Hong'an-Dabie-Sulu orogen a piercing point for offset on the Tan-Lu fault?

Abstract The Tan–Lu fault is a major strike-slip fault in eastern China that appears to offset the high-grade rocks of the Hong’an–Dabie–Sulu orogen left-laterally ∼540 km. We evaluate models for the collision between the South and North China blocks, published radiometric dates recording HP–UHP metamorphism and exhumation in the Hong’an–Dabie and Sulu terranes, and the timing of sinistral motion on the Tan–Lu fault to evaluate whether UHP rocks provide a piercing point for offset on the Tan–Lu fault. UHP metamorphism in Hong’an–Dabie was concurrent with Sulu based on U–Pb dating of coesite-bearing domains of zircon at 244 ± 5–226 ± 2 Ma for Hong’an–Dabie and 243 ± 4–225 ± 2 Ma for Sulu. Retrograde metamorphism began c. 220 Ma for both Hong’an–Dabie and Sulu, but retrograde zircon growth ended c. 214 Ma in Hong’an–Dabie and continued until c. 202 Ma in Sulu based on U–Pb dating of zircon domains external to coesite-bearing domains. Structures in Sulu are rotated 25° counter-clockwise from, but are broadly similar to, Hong’an–Dabie suggesting the two areas have a common Triassic orogenic history that pre-dates motion on the Tan–Lu fault, and that is consistent with paleomagnetic studies. We constructed a pre-Cretaceous restoration of the Hong’an–Dabie–Sulu belt that moves the Sulu terrane south, aligning the suture and the eclogite-facies isograd, and rotates Sulu c. 25° clockwise to re-align structures with Hong’an–Dabie. Our restoration is supported by published data and shows that the Hong’an–Dabie–Sulu orogen is a piercing point for post-collisional offset on the Tan–Lu fault and that these regions shared a common subduction–exhumation history. The Tan–Lu fault did not play a significant role in the Hong’an–Dabie–Sulu collision and likely developed later, in the Early Cretaceous.
Further dynamic aperture studies on a wiggler-based ultra-low-emittance damping ring lattice

Further dynamic aperture studies on an ultra-low emittance damping ring lattice are presented. In a previous work (1989) the author explained how the fast damping rate, low emittance, and large dynamic aperture are achieved for this lattice. Dynamic aperture improvement with octupole correction was also reported. In this work, the dynamic aperture improvement is emphasized with a more systematic derivation and study of the octupole correction. The modified sextupole proposal of M. Cornacchia and K. Halbach (1990) is applied to the damping ring lattice. >
Brief commentary on coronary wave-intensity analysis.

coronary pressure-flow relations have long interested physiologists but are so complex that even today they have still not been completely unraveled. Early investigators like Rebatel in 1872 (Ref. [33][1]; cited by van der Meer), Anrep and von Saalfeld in 1933 ([1][2]), Gregg and Green in 1940 ([17
Spanning the canyon between stem cell transplantation and palliative care

Stem cell transplantation (SCT) and palliative care (PC) may initially appear to be distant extremes in the continuum of care of patients with hematologic malignancies, opposed by multiple obstacles preventing their integration. Rather, we will posit that both fields share many similarities and have much to learn from one another. PC has increasing relevance in cancer care given recent studies that link PC to improved quality-of-life, survival, and decreased cost of care. Understanding modern conceptualizations of PC and its role within SCT is key. Through the report of a single academic medical center experience with an integrated SCT and PC model over the last decade, we will discuss future opportunities for strengthening collaboration between SCT and PC. PC in SCT should be considered from the day of diagnosis and tied to need, not to prognosis.
An adaptive control strategy for a five-fingered prosthetic hand

In this paper, an adaptive control strategy is developed for the 14 degrees of freedom (DOFs), five-fingered smart prosthetic hand with unknown mass and inertia of all the fingers. In particular, the forward and inverse kinematics of the system regarding the analytical relationship between the angular positions of joints and the positions and orientations of the end-effectors (fingertips) have been obtained using a desired orientation for three-link fingers. The simulations of the resulting adaptive controller with five-fingered prosthetic hand show enhanced performance.
Judicial Independence in Virginia

This article traces the concept and practice of judicial independence and separation of governmental powers in Virginia from Independence to the present. It also discusses the method of judicial selection in Virginia.
Replication Report: Interpretation of Levels of Significance by Psychological Researchers

dents (p < .06) when making confidence judgments about research findings on the basis of probability (p) values. They found that both students and faculty were more confident of p values based on a sample of 100 than on a sample of 10, indicating that a Type I1 error was also considered. The 9 levels by group (faculty-student) interaction (P X G) was also reported to be significant. In analyzing their data Rosenthal and Gaito tested the P X G and sample sizes by groups (S X G) interactions by the triple interaction (S X P X G) by assuming that SSPG = 0. Gaito (Personal communication, 1964) has suggested that it would be more parsimonious not to make this assumption. Instead, one should employ the usual fixed effects model for two correlated variables in which the P X G and S X G interactions would be tested by P X Ss within groups and S X Ss within groups, respectively. In replicating the study by Rosenthal and Gaito, a questionnaire was given to 11 CGS graduate students and nine Fh.Ds on the CGS faculty. Ss were asked to express their "degree of belief in research findings as a function of associated p levels" based on sample sizes of 100 and 10. Ss rated each of 12 p levels (ranging from .001 to 90) for each sample size on a six-point scale from "extreme confidence or belief," 5, to "complete absence of confidence or belief," 0. The results generally confirm those of Rosenchal and Gaito, although when one uses the fixed effects model to test for significance, neither the P X G nor S X G interaction was significant in the original study or in the replication. Effects due to sample size (S) and p levels (P) were significant in both studies (p < .005) and the groups effect was significant in the replication (p < ,025). In addition, the S X P interaction was significant in the replication (p < .005), indicating that differences in confidence related to sample sizes varied across p levels. Rosenchal and Gaito also reported a "cliff effect" (sharp decrease in confidence) following the .05 level. In the replication, no significant "cliff effect" was found in intervals following the .05, .O1 or any other p level.
A SADCC Comparison: Regionalism and Industrial Development

Having begun with an analysis of secondary industrialisation in South Africa to provide a context for women and textile industrialisation in Swaziland, it is only fitting to conclude with an analysis of the major alternative to South African economic hegemony in the southern African periphery. That alternative is the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) founded in 1980. Since its formation, an ideology of regional economic integration has emerged that involves individual economies both detaching from South Africa and linking with each other.1
Consciousness, Language, and the Opening of Philosophical Critique

The contemporary discussion of the problem of consciousness, interesting in itself, conceals what might prove to be the most important contribution of analytic philosophy to philosophical history. This contribution is the explicitly linguistic development of a philosophical understanding of ourselves through reflection on the language of consciousness. The tradition of analytic philosophy has comprised a set of characteristically linguistic practices and programs of explanation and analysis, programs that make sense of and support our ability to understand the world and ourselves by clarifying the concepts, terms, and propositions with which we do so. As I have attempted to show in the last four chapters, the contemporary discussion of the problem of explaining consciousness manifests an enduring and repeated problem for these methods as they have ordinarily been understood, a problem that can be clarified only by examining the methodological presuppositions that have dictated the specific forms of analysis characteristic of analytic philosophy at several moments of its history. The investigation of philosophical history reveals the genuine sources of the contemporary problem of consciousness in the analysis of the language that expresses it. This paves the way, in turn, for a future discussion that better satisfies the actual needs that have historically generated and continue to drive the current debates. In the history I have related, the discussion of conscious experience has consistently taken the form of a dialectical oscillation between the explanatory claims of theories of experience, grounded in particular analytic projects, and forms of resistance to these projects that cite it as unexplainable in their terms.
“Look to Remove”: A Virtual Reality Application on Word Learning for Chinese Children with Autism

Till now, very few works have studied Virtual-Reality (VR) based intervention on Chinese children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which motivates our study here. In particular, we designed a VR room where players learn new words through the ‘look’ of its visual form on one of the walls of the room. The integration of audio and visual modalities in the VR environment further promotes children’s word-recognition skills. This study offers early insights into the acceptability of such intervention technique among Chinese parents and their children with ASD. Moreover, the study also attempts to examine how children explore and scan their field of view, and how these eye-gaze patterns relate to their word-learning skill.
PHYSICAL STIMULI: PHYSIOTHERAPY, RADIOTHERAPY

The law of initial value (LIV) applies to the stimuli of any kind: chemical, psychic, as well as physical. This chapter presents a series of examples of the application of LIV to physical stimuli. It also describes some of the practical and therapeutic aspects of LIV by using the field of physiotherapy for that purpose. The stimuli used in physiotherapy are mostly thermic and to a lesser extent mechanical and electric. Radiology has confirmed the LIV particularly in those responses of the organism that are not too difficult to measure. Langeri found that over-excited sympathetic nerves can be brought back to norm by small X-ray doses that do not affect healthy nerves. Glauner in his studies on the course of the X-ray erythema noted corroborating evidence in the blood-sugar and leucocytes. Vieten devoted a number of experimental articles to the subject of the LIV in functional X-ray therapy. He could confirm it for the response of eosinophils, lymphocytes, sugar, K, and Ca.
Sources of Noise in Magneto-Optical Readout

Publisher Summary The signal-to-noise ratio, along with the media intrinsic defect level, determines the realizable capacity and the data rate of an optical disk storage system. This chapter analyzes the various sources of noise encountered in optical storage and discusses the spectral nature of the noise. The chapter also develops the relationship among noise, jitter, and system byte error rate (BER). Although the focus is on magneto-optical (MO) disk storage, most of these sources are known to occur in other optical recording systems as well. The arguments of the present discussion, therefore, may be adapted and applied to other media and systems. System performance can be improved by understanding and quantifying the various noise sources. The chapter has three objectives: to serve as a brief tutorial on the nature of noise in optical recording, to quantify the noise sources associated with MO recording media, and to discuss the limits of reducing noise and improving jitter and BER. The chapter briefly reviews the MO readout scheme.
Inducible hkRASG12D Expression in Zebrafish Hematopoietic Cells Leads to Myeloproliferative Disease.

Activating mutations in RAS family members are common in myeloproliferative disease (MPD) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Because the zebrafish has proven to be an excellent leukemia model and can be used in forward genetic and chemical screens to identify modulators of disease pathways, we developed a transgenic zebrafish model of RAS-induced myeloproliferative disease. Stable transgenic zebrafish lines were created in which the ubiquitous B-actin promoter drives expression of a loxed GFP transgene. Upon CRE-mediated recombination, the loxed GFP cassette is excised and the human kRASG12D transgene is expressed. When mated to hsp70-CRE transgenic zebrafish that express CRE recombinase when the animals are heated to 37C for 1 hour, a cohort of 300 double transgenic embryos was generated. In the heat-shocked group, the medial survival time was 25 days, suggesting that oncogenic RAS expression is lethal in developing zebrafish larvae. Of those animals that survived past this time window, most developed sarcomatous muscle tumors. In contrast, most of the double transgenic zebrafish that did not receive heatshock survived to adulthood. Because the hsp70 promoter is active in development and can be induced by stress, the hsp70-CRE transgenic zebrafish line exhibits low levels of CRE expression even in the absence of heatshock. In the non-heat shocked cohort, 10 of 120 double transgenic zebrafish developed MPD by 66 days of life. Histological examination and fluorescence cytometry analysis revealed an expansion of myeloid cell populations within the kidney, comprising granulocytic and monocytic cells in various stages of differentiation, mimicking myeloproliferative diseases seen in both human and mouse. To specifically induce kRASG12D expression in hematopoietic cells, kidneys were dissected from healthy double transgenic animals; heat shocked ex vivo , and then transplanted into sub-lethally irradiated recipient fish. Upon analysis of transplant animals at three months of age, flow cytometry confirmed that MPD had developed in the recipient fish, however other tumor subtypes were not observed. When kidney marrow from transplant animals having MPD were introduced into sub-lethally irradiated secondary recipients, transplant efficiency was greatly reduced. Taken together these results suggest that, as is seen in MPD in mammals, myeloid cells are not fully transformed in our model. In summary, we show that inducible hkRASG12D expression in zebrafish hematopoietic cells leads to myeloproliferative disease and suggest that this model will allow for the identification of novel pathways responsible for full transformation leading to AML.
Smap radar processing and results from calibration and validation

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission launched on Jan 31, 2015. The mission employs L-band radar and radiometer measurements to estimate soil moisture with 4\% volumetric accuracy at a resolution of 10 km, and freeze-thaw state at a resolution of 1–3 km [1]. Immediately following launch, there was a three month instrument checkout period, followed by six months of level 1 (L1) calibration and validation. A beta release of L1 radar data was available on July 1, 2015 and a validated release was made available starting on November 1, 2015. Work continued on L1 radar calibration and validation for several more months to improve the quality of the final product due to be released with the L2 validated release. In this presentation, we will discuss the radar processing algorithms and the calibration and validation activities for the L1 radar data.
Communication: Introducing prescribed biases in out-of-equilibrium Markov models

Markov models are often used in modeling complex out-of-equilibrium chemical and biochemical systems. However, many times their predictions do not agree with experiments. We need a systematic framework to update existing Markov models to make them consistent with constraints that are derived from experiments. Here, we present a framework based on the principle of maximum relative path entropy (minimum Kullback-Leibler divergence) to update Markov models using stationary state and dynamical trajectory-based constraints. We illustrate the framework using a biochemical model network of growth factor-based signaling. We also show how to find the closest detailed balanced Markov model to a given Markov model. Further applications and generalizations are discussed.
Short pulse characterization requires recognizing inseparability of auto-correlation and spectral measurements

We present a mathematical approach to appreciate that short pulse characterization requires recognizing inseparability of the measurements of the amplitude envelope-correlation and spectral measurements and then use a suitable iterative approach to derive the real characteristics. We will use a standard Michelson interferometer, as usual, to introduce the autocorrelation function of a pulse containing single and multiple frequencies. In the process, we also underscore that detectors play the key role in generating measurable Superposition Effects (SE), recognized as fringes after the detectors carry out the square modulus operation. Simple mathematical summation of amplitude factors, the Superposition Principle (SP), is not directly observable. We underscore this by mentioning that we present EM waves as classical and detectors as quantum mechanical. This semi-classical approach has been established by Lamb and Jaynes, which is indirectly supported by Glauber’s comment, “A photon is what a detector detects”. The semi-classical approach helps us separate the phenomenological difference between the absorbed detected energy by a detector (SE) from the energy supplied by the simultaneously present multiple wave amplitudes (SP). As in atomic and molecular physics, we use the detector’s dipolar stimulation as the product of its linear dipolar polarizability multiplied by all the EM fields stimulating it simultaneously. The analysis also demonstrates that for a pulse containing multiple frequencies, the two-beam autocorrelation function becomes a product of the traditional amplitude correlation factor and a frequency-comb correlation factor. Hence, the spectral interpretation of a short pulse and two-beam autocorrelation are inseparable. Therefore, the detailed characterization would require iterative computational approach by guessing the most plausible functional forms. This deeper understanding can be applied to rapid re-calibration of pulsed lasers that need to be maintained at single mode but has the tendency to move to multimode behavior. If the newly measured autocorrelation function differs from the original amplitude correlation factor, then one should check for the spectral characteristics first, before assuming that only the pulse shape has changed.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation: is this the standard of care for pediatric unilateral vocal cord paralysis?

Purpose of review Ansa to recurrent laryngeal nerve reinnervation, otherwise known as a nonselective laryngeal reinnervation (NSLR), is growing in popularity for the management of pediatric unilateral neuronal vocal fold movement impairment (VFMI). In this chapter, we will review the current treatment options for neuronal VFMI and role that NSLR plays in the treatment algorithm. Recent findings In 2018, Bouhabel and Hartnick published a survey of fellowship trained pediatric otolaryngologists and found an increasing comfort level with NSLR. Respondents felt that NSLR resulted in favorable subjective and objective postsurgical voice outcomes. Furthermore, NSLR may decrease the risk of aspiration in children with neuronal VFMI. Although NSLR appears to work, the voice results are not perfect for all children. Further work is being done to understand which preoperative variables, such as age, time from injury, and preop laryngeal electromyography, may predict a better voice outcome. Summary A variety of treatment options exist for unilateral neuronal VFMI. Recent data and developments demonstrate the effectiveness of reinnervation as a potential first-line surgical intervention in children with unilateral neuronal VFMI.