cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simply produced closed-head, focal lesions for study of repair in immature rat cerebral cortex.

Multiple electroconvulsive shocks consistently and rapidly produce uniform, bilaterally symmetrical lesions in the immature rat's cerebral cortex, without the incidental damage that accompanies other experimental injuries to the central nervous system. The terminal lesion, devoid of nerve cells, is a narrow, laminar band of numerous myelinated axons, unaccompanied by a glial scar. Insofar as the initially damaged area becomes occupied by nerve fibers, the healing process may be thought of as involving a regeneration. A variety of studies for which the electroshock lesions might be used is suggested.
Optical parameters of the eyes of some benthic decapods as a function of habitat depth (Crustacea, Decapoda)

Eye diameter relative to body length, and interommatidial angle, rhabdom length and rhabdom width as a function of eye size, were determined for specimens of 19 benthic macruran decapod species in 8 genera and 5 families, spanning a wide range of habitat depths. For these species, eye diameter relative to body length tends to increase with adult habitat. In addition, rate of eye growth relative to body growth increases with habitat depth, a trend opposite to that of pelagic crustaceans previously investigated. Interommatidial angle decreases with increasing eye diameter, and therefore with depth for an individual of a particular size. Rhabdom length and width tend to increase with eye diameter. Visual sensitivity may increase with depth among these species as a result of both larger eyes and the associated increase in rhabdom dimensions. Differences in energetic limitations and visual environments might produce the difference in trends of eye size relative to body size between benthic and pelagic crustaceans.
Survival in Sinonasal Melanoma: A Meta-analysis.

Sinonasal melanoma is an uncommon tumor which carries a poor prognosis and high rates of local and regional recurrence and distant metastasis. While surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, the utility of multimodality therapy has not been well studied or established. We sought to better evaluate the optimal treatment modality for sinonasal melanoma. We reviewed 39 case reports involving 423 patients with sinonasal melanoma and present a meta-analysis comparing survival by treatment modality. The two-tailed p-value for survival by treatment modality was determined. The number of primary site/local, regional, and distant recurrences was determined where data was available. There was a nonsignificant increase in survival for patients treated with surgery + radiotherapy versus surgery alone. There was a statistically significant increase in survival for surgery + chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone and versus surgery alone. Patients treated with combined surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy had a statistically shorter survival interval than patients treated with surgery + chemotherapy, which may reflect more advanced disease in patients treated with triple therapy. There was no statistically significant increase in survival found for the addition of radiation to surgery. This meta-analysis demonstrates that multimodality therapy, particularly the addition of chemo-or immunotherapy to surgery, may increase survival in a subset of patients. Radiation therapy did not appear to increase survival. There may be a significant increase in overall survival with combined modality therapy with surgery and chemo/immunotherapy versus single modality therapy. Level of evidence: III. Grade of recommendation: C.
Minerals and blood pressure in CCl4 treated rats.

The influence of minerals on metabolic pathways is extensive. Experimental renal hypertension has been reduced to normotension after subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Cross perfusion of renal hypertensive with CCl4 treated rats resulted in blood pressure reduction suggesting that a depressor substance was present in CCl4 treated animal's blood. To further study the effect of CCl4, mineral levels were measured in an attempt to understand the relationship to CCl4 blood pressure lowering effect and attempt to characterize the vasodepressor substance.
Psychophysical lifting capacity over extended periods

The effect of time on an individual's lifting capacity over extended periods using a psychophysical approach was studied. Twelve male subjects estimated their lifting capacity in a 25 min period, and then attempted to lift this weight for an 8 h period under varying conditions. For one experimental condition the subjects were allowed to adjust the weight, the final adjusted maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWOL) averaged 85·4% of the original MAWOL determined in the 25 min session. The subjects also attempted to lift for an 8 h period, without any weight adjustments. All 12 subjects lasted the 8 h at 2 lifts per min, but at a frequency of 8 lifts per min only three subjects completed the eight hour lifting task. This indicates that the psychophysical approach is a valid method to measure lifting capacity across the lower Hfting frequency range but overestimates the lifting capacity at the higher frequency range. Slight fluctuations were noted in heart rate and oxygen consumption which were recorded eve...
Evaluation of toluene as replacement for benzene in tetrabutylammonium hydroxide titrant

Abstract “Toluene has been evaluated as a replacement for benzene in tetrabutylammonium hydroxide titrant. The precision obtained with the titrants is identical. The toluene-containing titrant yields slightly smaller endpoint breaks. In view of the greater toxicity of benzene, toluene is recommended as a replacement in tetrabutylammonium hydroxide titrants”.
Classical conditioning of the nictitating membrane response in the domestic chick

The neuropharmacology and neuroanatomy of the domestic chicken (both developing and mature) has been described in detail. In addition, a wide variety of behavioral tasks has been used to study learning in chicks. In order to increase their usefulness as subjects in psychobiological experiments, we examined them in a paradigm where learning occurs gradually and the chicks are immobile. We demonstrate here that a nictitating membrane response conditioning paradigm can be successfully used with 4-day-old chicks. The response is robust and discrete enough to be manipulated in later work predicting relations between neuronal and behavioral events.
Effect of fatigue on hamstring coactivation during isokinetic knee extensions

We examined the effect of fatigue of the quadriceps muscles on coactivation of the hamstring muscles and determined if the response is different between two isokinetic speeds in ten males and ten females with no history of knee pathology. Electromyographic data were recorded from the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles during 50 maximal knee extensions at isokinetic speeds of 1.75 rad x s(-1) (100 degrees x s(-1)) and 4.36 rad x s(-1) (250 degrees x s(-1)). A greater degree of coactivation was apparent at the higher speed, but the increase in coactivation of the hamstring muscles was similar at both speeds. The results revealed that: (1) coactivation is greater at a higher isokinetic speed, and (2) coactivation increases during fatigue, but the rate of increase is independent of contraction velocity.
1340 The Respiratory Distress as a Cause for Admission to the Picu

Objective: The respiratory distress as a cause foradmission in PICU Material and Methods: Studies have beenretrospectively reviewed to children that hadbeen hospitalized in the PICU “Aglaia Kyriakou”children's hospital from January 2006 untilDecember 2009. From 702 admissions in periodof 4 years, to 182 children (21%) whose admissioncause was respiratory distress. The patients weredivided in seven categories:1)Viral infections of therespiratory tract-Bronciolitis 2)Bacterial infections ofthe respiratory tract, complicated or not 3) Cardiacdisease 4)Malignant disease 5) Chronic diseaseand syndromes 6) Post operational respiratoryfailure 7) and other causes (i.e. intoxication). Results: Viral infections-Bronchiolitis 60children(33%)-RSV(31%), Bacterial pneumonia29(16%): complicated 14(7,7%) of known factor(staph aureus 50%) and simple pneumonia 15(8,3%). Cardiac disease 11 children had (6%), malignante13(7%), chronic sub causal disease(brain paralysis, neuromuscular disease or other syndromes)34 (19%). Postoperation respiratory failure 16(9%) other diseases 19 (10%) as: ADEM(2), sdrGuillain Barre (3), acute obstruction of the airway(11), diaphragmatocele (1), post traumaticalcontusion of the lungs (1), rabdomyolisis(1). Therapy: Oxygen therapy were given 82(45%)children, controlled mechanical ventilation87(47,8%) with minimal duration of ten days andNIV 12(6,5%) with minimal duration 6 days in PICU, while 3 children from these continued mechanicalventilation at home. Thoracic drainage was requiredby 30 children, tracheostomy 6 and thoracectomydecortications9. Conclusion: Respiratory distress is a commoncause for admission in the PICU. Is the mainsymptom for various and different diseases, notincluding only the respiratory tract.
Legitimacy in International Society

Legitimacy in International Society. By Ian Clark. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. 288p. $55.00. Ian Clark's book offers the most comprehensive analysis of legitimacy in international relations available today, in the process breathing new life into the concept of international society. Organized into two main sections—a historical review of major peace settlements and an analysis of contemporary international society—the book develops a framework designed to disentangle the complex threads of discourse that make up both scholarly and public discussions of international legitimacy. The author refines and brings the tradition of the English School into direct dialogue with mainstream U.S. international relations discourse, to productive effect.
Identifying inner retinal contributions to the human multifocal ERG.

Contributions to the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) from the inner retina (i.e. ganglion and amacrine cells) were identified by recording from monkeys before and after intravitreal injections of n-methyl DL aspartate (NMDLA) and/or tetrodotoxin (TTX). Components similar in waveform to those removed by the drugs were identified in the human multifocal ERG if the stimulus contrast was set at 50% rather than the typically employed 100% contrast. These components were found to be missing or diminished in the records from some patients with glaucoma and diabetes, diseases which affect the inner retina.
Knowledge engineering: the applied side of artificial intelligence

Abstract : Expert System research in an emerging area of computer science that exploits the capabilities of computers for symbolic manipulation and inference to solve complex and difficult reasoning problems at the level of performance of human experts. The methods of this area are designed to acquire and represent both the formal and the informal knowledge that experts hold about the tasks of their discipline. Numerous applications to science, engineering, and medicine have been accomplished. Expert System projects represent applied artificial intelligence research, though they also make salient numerous fundamental research issues in the acquisition, representation and utilization of knowledge by computer programs. Knowledge engineering approaches promise significant cost savings in certain applications; intelligent computer-based aids for practitioners in fields whose knowledge is primarily nonmathematical; and the elucidation of the heuristic knowledge of experts -- the largely private knowledge of practice. There are major problems of knowledge engineering including the shortage of adequate computer equipment, the shortage of trained specialists in applied artificial intelligence, the scientific base for adequate knowledge acquisition, and the lack of sustained funding. (Author)
The existence of antibody-like activities against the weakly immunogenic minor histocompatibility antigens.

Abstract BALB/c mice develop cytotoxic lymphocytes as well as produce specific antibodies against the minor histocompatibility antigens when injected with DBA/2 P815 cells. P815 cells grown in BALB/c mice have IgG antibodies on their surface as demonstrated by the binding of 125 I-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG and by complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Serum from BALB/c mice hyperimmunized with P815 cells blocked lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity by BALB/c immune peritoneal exudate cells. This blocking activity was removed by absorbing hyperimmune serum with DBA/2 spleen cells or P815 cells. This result suggests that specific antibodies were generated against the minor histocompatibility differences between BALB/c and DBA/2 mice. The experimental procedures described may be very useful in demonstrating minute quantities of antibody against minor histocompatibility antigens on tumor cells.
Gender differences in burnout among municipal police sergeants

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the levels and predictors of burnout between female and male sergeants in a large municipal law enforcement agency. Design/methodology/approach – This study used surveys of 171 female and 737 male sergeants. In the survey they described their extent of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, and reported on other issues that affect burnout. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare the levels and predictors of these chronic stress reactions. Findings – Female sergeants expressed higher levels of emotional exhaustion and lower levels of depersonalization than male sergeants. Also, the burnout process is largely consistent between female and male sergeants, driven by similar factors, including feelings of work-life conflict and relations with peers and supervisors. Research limitations/implications – The survey was fielded in one organization, which may or may not be representative of other agencies. Future studies of different organizatio...
No effect of 85 mT permanent magnets on laser-Doppler measured blood flow response to inspiratory gasps.

Although no effects of permanent magnets on resting skin blood flow (SBF) in humans have yet been demonstrated, the possibility that magnet related effects might modify dynamic SBF changes has not been previously studied. We hypothesized that magnets may alter local neurovascular mechanisms to cause changes in normal SBF vasoactive responses. To test this, we studied the effects of a magnet on SBF reductions induced by sympathetic reflexes associated with deep inspirations. SBF was continuously monitored by a dual channel laser-Doppler flowmeter with probes on the middle finger dorsum of both hands of 24 healthy subjects. In the first of two successive intervals, each of the fingers rested on sham ceramic magnets (control interval). Subsequently, one finger rested on an active magnet and the other finger on a sham (experimental interval). Skin temperatures were also measured. The magnet was a 37 mm diameter × 14 mm thick ceramic magnet with a surface field strength of 85 mT measured in the geometrical center of the magnet. Field strength at the finger dorsum, 13 mm above magnet, was 31.5 mT. During each interval, three deep breaths were used to elicit SBF reductions. Responses were calculated as the percent reduction in SBF from its prior 20 s average. Breaths in each interval were spaced 3 min apart to permit full recovery between responses. The experimental interval started after an active magnet was in place for 20 min. Results showed no significant difference in either vasoconstrictive responses or skin temperature due to the magnet. We conclude that magnets of the type, strength and duration used, have no significant effect on vasoconstrictive processes associated with this sympathetic reflex in this group of healthy subjects. Bioelectromagnetics 26:331–335, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The role of property-reactivity relationships in meeting the EPA's needs for environmental fate constants

During the next 10 years, the Environmental Protection Agency may consider as many as 70,000 chemicals for potential risk to humans and the environment. As many as 14 kinetic and equilibrium constants can be required for predicting the fate and transport of each chemical, and relatively few reliable constants are available in the literature. Laboratory measurement of the needed constants is prohibitively expensive (as much as $7 billion for all constants and chemicals combined) and too slow for rapid response to site-specific evaluations. Development of reliable computational methods holds promise of a 100-to 1000-fold reduction in cost of providing fate constants within a reasonable time frame.
Purification of DNA from the cell-associated herpesvirus Marek's disease virus for 454 pyrosequencing using micrococcal nuclease digestion and polyethylene glycol precipitation

Methods for the isolation of DNA from cell-associated herpesviruses have often yielded samples contaminated with host cellular DNA. Because 2nd and 3rd generation nucleotide sequencers do not rely on molecular cloning of viral DNA, there is a need to develop methods for isolating highly pure DNA from these viruses. The cell-associated alphaherpesvirus Marek's disease virus (MDV-1) was chosen as a test virus for the development of such methodologies. The genomes of six MDV-1 strains have previously been sequenced using both Sanger dideoxy sequencing and 454 Life Sciences pyrosequencing. These genomes largely represent cell culture adapted strains due to the difficulty in obtaining large quantities of DNA from true low passage isolates. There are clear advantages in analyzing MDV-1 virus taken directly from infected tissues or low passage isolates since serial passage attenuates the virus. Procedures using an ATP-dependent exonuclease and Phi29 DNA polymerase to degrade host DNA selectively and amplify MDV-1 DNA enzymatically from total DNA preps were attempted without much success. Ultimately, however, a protocol was developed for purification of low passage MDV-1 DNA from infected avian fibroblasts. The method builds upon and extends available protocols based on hypotonic lysis to release virus particles followed by micrococcal nuclease treatment to degrade cellular DNA. Intact high-molecular weight viral DNA is purified away from an excess of degraded cellular DNA using polyethylene glycol precipitation. 454-based pyrosequencing of viral DNA purified in this manner has generated data containing as little as 2.3% host sequence. On average, DNA preparations were 70% (+/-20%) pure yielding a genome coverage range of 25-74-fold.
Mitotic Kinesin-Like Protein 2 Binds and Colocalizes with Papillomavirus E2 during Mitosis

MKlp2 is a kinesin-like motor protein of the central mitotic spindle required for completion of cytokinesis. Papillomavirus E2 is a sequence specific DNA binding protein that regulates viral transcription and replication and is responsible for partitioning viral episomes into daughter cells during cell division. We demonstrate that MKlp2 specifically associates with the E2 protein during mitosis. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we show viral genomes are in complex with MKlp2 only within this stage of cell cycle. By immunofluorescence, a subpopulation of papillomavirus E2 colocalizes with MKlp2 in the midbody/midplate during late mitosis. We conclude that during specific stages of mitosis, the papillomavirus E2 protein binds to MKlp2, and infer that association with this motor protein ensures viral genome partitioning during cytokinesis.
Image analysis-based measurement of DNA supercoiling changes in transformed and nontransformed human cell lines☆

An image analysis system was used to visualize and measure the changes in nucleoid diameter (nuclear matrix core plus extruded DNA loops) which occur when increasing concentrations of propidium iodide are used to titrate the DNA supercoiling response. Parallel core size measurements allow estimates of the changes in apparent DNA loop size. Unlike sedimentation assays, DNA loop size estimates are not influenced by particle mass, require no prior cell labeling, and can be performed on a per cell basis. This technique was used to examine changes in DNA loop characteristics which may occur when cells are transformed or undergo changes in their proliferative state. SV40-transformation of human diploid fibroblast lines resulted in a significant increase in both the nucleoid core and average DNA loop size. Lymphoblast cell lines also had larger nucleoid dimensions than normal lymphocytes. The response of several established human tumor cell lines indicated slightly increased loop but not core sizes as compared to normal human diploid fibroblasts. Changes in proliferative state also resulted in changes in DNA loop characteristics as measured in this assay. Both quiescent fibroblasts and unstimulated lymphocytes appeared to have smaller or more condensed DNA loop structures than their proliferating counterparts. These results demonstrate the utility of this assay in detecting changes in DNA loop structure which occur in association with changes in the proliferative activity of cells in culture.
Weak boundary storage liquid crystal displays

Based on the Oseen and Frank elastic continuum theory of nematic liquid crystals and on a generalized torque balance equation at the liquid crystal-to-substrate interface, static deformations of a semi-infinite liquid crystal (LC) medium, a homogeneous LC cell, and a twisted nematic cell have been investigated using the anisotropic LC-to-substrate anchoring energy C as a parameter. Storage effects are predicted for sufficiently small anchoring anisotropy. Numerical ranges of C, within which the weak boundary storage effect may occur, have been calculated for sixteen commercially-available nematic LC mixtures in the homogeneous and twisted nematic cell configuration. An equation for the storage time as a function of C has also been derived. The treatment has also been extended to include the most general form of a LC-to-substrate interfacial potential. Such a weak boundary storage effect could provide a means for realizing low power, non-refreshed, matrix-addressed flat planel displays En se basant sur la theorie d'Oseen-Frank de l'elasticite des cristaux liquides (CL) et sur une equation d'equilibre des couples a l'interface CL-support, etude de la deformation statique d'un milieu CL semi-infini, d'une cellule CL homogene et d'une cellule CL torsadee avec, pour parametre, l'energie d'ancrage anisotrope CL-support (C). Prevision d'effets de memoire pour une anisotropie d'ancrage suffisamment petite. Calcul de C pour 16 melanges nematiques disponibles dans le commerce. Equation de la duree de l'effet de memoire en fonction de C. Incidences pour la realisation de dispositifs d'affichage
A Super-Pipelined Energy Efficient Subthreshold 240 MS/s FFT Core in 65 nm CMOS

This paper proposes a design approach targeting circuits operating at extremely low supply voltages, with the goal of reducing the voltage at which energy is minimized, thereby improving the achievable energy efficiency of the circuit. The proposed methods accomplish this by minimizing the circuit's ratio of leakage to active current. The first method, super pipelining, increases the number of pipeline stages compared to conventional ultra low voltage (ULV) pipelining strategies, reducing the leakage/dynamic energy ratio and simultaneously improving performance and energy efficiency. Measurements of super-pipelined multipliers demonstrate 30% energy savings and 1.6× performance improvement. Since super pipelining reduces the logic depth between registers, two-phase latch based design is employed to compensate for reduced averaging effects and provide better variation tolerance. The second technique introduces a parallel-pipelined architecture that suppresses leakage energy by ensuring full utilization of functional units and reduces memory size. We apply these techniques to a 16-b 1024-pt complex-valued Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) core along with low-power first-in first-out (FIFO) design and robust clock distribution network. The FFT core is fabricated in 65 nm CMOS and consumes 15.8 nJ/FFT with a clock frequency of 30 MHz and throughput of 240 Msamples/s at Vdd=270 mV, providing 2.4× better energy efficiency than current state-of-art and >; 10× higher throughput than typical ULV designs. Measurements of 60 dies show modest frequency (energy) σ/μ spreads of 7% (2%).
Interferon regulatory factor-2 point mutations in human pancreatic tumors.

Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-2, a member of the IRF family, is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of various interferon and virus-stimulated genes and other genes. For example, IRF-2 is an activator of the interferon (IFN)-gamma-inducible MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) type IV promoter. It cooperates with IRF-1 in the activation of the CIITA type IV promoter and can co-occupy the IRF-E of the promoter with IRF-1. In a previous study, we identified an inactivating point mutation in the DNA binding domain of IRF-2 expressed in a human pancreatic tumor cell line that does not express CIITA or MHC class II in response to IFN-gamma. To further assess the potential impact of IRF-2 mutations in tumorigenesis, we screened fresh pancreatic tumor explants and identified 2 IRF-2 point mutations in the 2 alleles of IRF-2 from a single tumor specimen. Both mutations occurred in the DNA binding domain of IRF-2. DNA binding assays demonstrated that the IRF-2 point mutations impaired IRF-2 DNA binding. The transactivation function of the mutant IRF-2s was similarly impaired. This is the first report of IRF-2 mutations in human tumor explants.
Molecular simulations of hydration and swelling in clay minerals

Grand isoshear ensemble Monte Carlo simulations have been used to simulate swelling and hydration thermodynamics in smectite clay minerals. Crystalline or short-range swelling in these layered materials is described in terms of a series of layer-spacing transitions that are thermodynamically analogous to phase transitions. Measured disjoining pressures exhibit oscillations as a function of layer spacing, indicating that swelling occurs in discrete steps. Integration of the disjoining pressures yields swelling free energies that in turn may be decomposed into energetic and entropic components. Results are presented for three Na-smectite clays differing in their layer charge magnitude. Increasing layer charge is found to enhance the stability of more swollen clay states. Analysis of swelling energies and entropies reveals an energetic driving force for swelling, with entropy playing a smaller, compensating role. Results are compared with previous studies of smectite swelling as a function of interlayer ion size and charge.
THE WELFARE COSTS OF TARIFFS, MONOPOLIES, AND THEFT

Evaluates the methods to measure the welfare costs of monopolies and tariffs in the United States. Concerns of the economists; Presentation of equation; Validity of measurements. (Из Ebsco)
Near Earth Millimeter Wave RADAR and Radiometry

The Army is interested in detection systems operating on the earth or at relatively low altitudes . Hopefully, these systems will detect targets, identify them, and guide missiles to the targets. Since grazing angles of 0.1 to 1 degree are involved, multipath signal distortion occurs. The multipath signal causes antenna pattern distortion and inaccurate pointing.
Reaction mechanism of combustion synthesis of NiAl

Abstract Based on precise temperature measurements during combustion and microstructural analysis of quenched samples, the evolution of reaction of the NiAl combustion synthesis has been studied. The combustion reaction of a multilayer Ni/Al system takes place in a thermal explosion mode under near adiabatic conditions. The experimental results clearly show that the combustion reaction starts right after the melting of Al. From the start to completion, the reaction goes through three stages. In the first stage, the temperature rises from the melting point of aluminum to the decomposition temperature of the intermediate phase NiAl 3 , i.e. 854 °C. The reaction is the dissolution of nickel in liquid aluminum, with the formation of small amounts of intermediate phases NiAl 3 and Ni 2 Al 3 at the solid–liquid interface. In the second stage, the temperature of the system increases from 854 to about 1300 °C. The reaction is still the dissolution of nickel in liquid aluminum solution. However, due to supersaturation, solid NiAl precipitates out at about 1300 °C, generates a great deal of heat and increases the temperature suddenly. The third stage starts at about 1300 °C, and ends at the maximum reaction temperature. The reaction rate of this stage is much higher (two orders higher) than that of first and second stages. The final product, liquid NiAl, forms at this stage.
System identification, modeling, and prediction for space weather environments

By now nonlinear dynamical models and neural networks have been used to predict and model a wide variety of space weather environments. This review starts with the physical basis for and a brief description of the system approach. Following that, several examples illustrate practical issues in temporal and spatiotemporal prediction and modeling. The concluding remarks discuss the future developments in this research direction.
Role of MicroRNAs in Plant and Animal Development

Small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), are key components of an evolutionarily conserved system of RNA-based gene regulation in eukaryotes. They are involved in many molecular interactions, including defense against viruses and regulation of gene expression during development. miRNAs interfere with expression of messenger RNAs encoding factors that control developmental timing, stem cell maintenance, and other developmental and physiological processes in plants and animals. miRNAs are negative regulators that function as specificity determinants, or guides, within complexes that inhibit protein synthesis (animals) or promote degradation (plants) of mRNA targets.
Enamel Microwear in Caviomorph Rodents

We developed a new data set of enamel microwear for extant caviomorph rodents (i.e., South American hystricognaths) and inferred the diet of an extinct taxon, Neoreomys australis, from data on microwear. To evaluate frequencies of wear features (pits and scratches) in caviomorphs, we employed low-magnification microwear, which has been used successfully by others to distinguish among the diets of ungulates, primates, and sciurid rodents. We developed 3 broad dietary categories for caviomorphs based on behavioral observations reported in the literature: fruit‐leaf, fruit‐seed, and grass‐leaf. Caviomorphs in general all exhibited wear features indicative of processing hard objects (e.g., seed predation, eating hard fruits, and consuming exogenous grit). Among our grass‐leaf group, we identified an exogenous-grit subgroup that included fossorial and dust-bathing taxa. We used a discriminant function analysis of wear features to examine post hoc classification of the caviomorph taxa into the 3 dietary categories. Ours is the 1st study to quantify the distribution of microwear features among modern caviomorph rodents; it has the potential to clarify the diets of modern forms that have little behavioral data as well as to infer the diets of extinct species. During its long period of isolation, the mammalian fauna of South America included numerous endemic lineages and radiations, most of which are now extinct. The caviomorph rodents of South America were arguably the most successful group to survive the stresses of both environmental changes and competition from North American mammals after the
Droplet spreading on a thin viscous film

We investigated experimentally the flows induced by a localized surfactant (oleic acid) on thin glycerol films. The oleic acid creates surface-tension gradients, which drive convention on the surface and within the film. Qualitative descriptions of the Lagrangian flow field were provided by flow-visualization experiments. Quantitative measurements of surface flows were conducted using dyed glycerol markers, where the initial motion of these markers is used to define the position of the timedependent ‘ convection front ’. The flow characteristics were found to depend largely upon the magnitude of a gravitational parameter, G, representing the ratio of gravitational to surface-tension gradient (Marangoni) forces. Small G (G 0. For this reason, surface markers may not be used to measure accurately the position of the droplet’s leading edge. Finally, simulations of the Lagrangian flows conducted using the theory of Gaver & Grotberg (1990) compare favourably with these experimental results in the limit of dilute surfactant concentrations, and thus experimental verification of that theory is provided by this work. The results of this study may be useful for understanding the behaviour of the lung’s thin-film lining after an aerosol droplet of insoluble exogenous surfactant lands upon its surface.
Intensive Sensorimotor Arm Training Mediated by Therapist or Robot Improves Hemiparesis in Patients With Chronic Stroke

Investigators have demonstrated that a variety of intensive movement training protocols for persistent upper limb paralysis in patients with chronic stroke (6 months or more after stroke) improve motor outcome. This randomized controlled study determined in patients with upper limb motor impairment after chronic stroke whether movement therapy delivered by a robot or by a therapist using an intensive training protocol was superior. Robotic training (n = 11) and an intensive movement protocol (n = 10) improved the impairment measures of motor outcome significantly and comparably; there were no significant changes in disability measures. Motor gains were maintained at the 3-month evaluation after training. These data contribute to the growing awareness that persistent impairments in those with chronic stroke may not reflect exhausted capacity for improvement. These new protocols, rendered by either therapist or robot, can be standardized, tested, and replicated, and potentially will contribute to rational activity-based programs.
Three dimensional alpha weighted quadratic filter based image color contrast enhancement

In this paper, we introduce a new spatial domain color contrast enhancement algorithm based on the three dimensional alpha weighted quadratic filter (3DAWQF). The goal of this work is to utilize the characteristics of the nonlinear filter to enhance image contrast while recovering the color information. For images with less than desirable illumination, a modified Naka-Rushton function is proposed to adjust the underexposed or overexposed intensities in the image. We also present a new image contrast measure called the Root Mean Enhancement (RME) to model Root Mean Square (RMS) contrast in image sub-blocks. A color RME contrast measure CRME is also proposed based on the RME contrast in the RGB color sub-cubes. The new measures help choose the optimal operating parameters for enhancement algorithms, thus improving the practicality for using quadratic filters in image processing applications. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods on a variety of images. Experimental results show that the 3DAWQF can enhance the image contrast and color efficiently and effectively. Comparisons with existing state of the art algorithms will be also presented.
Population biology of the annual grass Triplasis purpurea in relation to distance from shore on Staten Island, New York

Four populations of the native annual grassTriplasis purpurea were surveyed on coastal beaches along the south shore of Staten Island, NY, to determine the potential of this species to colonize shoreline habitats mostly devoid of other vegetation. If the species can establish and maintain dense populations, it may have conservation value for urban beaches disturbed by human activities. For two populations, survivorship, growth, and reproduction were monitored at different distances from shore to determine the ability of this species to maintain viable populations. At three sites,T. purpurea occurred in >75% of all quadrats and the highest density was 1195 plants/m2 at 74 m from shore in one recently disturbed site. Density generally increased with increasing distances from shore at low tide (from ca. 40 – 90 m). Plants showed the greatest growth and reproduction at close distances to shore (30 – 40 m); part of this effect was due to density in one population, but when density effects were removed statistically, there still remained a decline in growth and reproduction with increasing distance from shore. Improved vigor nearest to shore may be due to continual sand deposition. Survivorship showed a Type I pattern, with low mortality throughout the growing season. By colonizing newly-deposited and continually shifting sands,T. purpurea can contribute to the earliest stages of ecological succession along disturbed beaches in eastern North America and may be valuable to the development and management of urban coastal plant communities.
Structural and functional connectivity as a driver of hillslope erosion following disturbance

Hydrologic response to rainfall on fragmented or burnt hillslopes is strongly influenced by the ensuing connectivity of runoff and erosion processes. Yet cross-scale process connectivity is seldom evaluated in field studies owing to scale limitations in experimental design. This study quantified surface susceptibility and hydrologic response across point to hillslope scales at two degraded unburnt and burnt woodland sites using rainfall simulation and hydrologic modelling. High runoff (31–47 mm) and erosion (154–1893 g m–2) measured at the patch scale (13 m2) were associated with accumulation of fine-scale (0.5-m2) splash-sheet runoff and sediment and concentrated flow formation through contiguous bare zones (64–85% bare ground). Burning increased the continuity of runoff and sediment availability and yield. Cumulative runoff was consistent across plot scales whereas erosion increased with increasing plot area due to enhanced sediment detachment and transport. Modelled hillslope-scale runoff and erosion reflected measured patch-scale trends and the connectivity of processes and sediment availability. The cross-scale experiments and model predictions indicate the magnitude of hillslope response is governed by rainfall input and connectivity of surface susceptibility, sediment availability, and runoff and erosion processes. The results demonstrate the importance in considering cross-scale structural and functional connectivity when forecasting hydrologic and erosion responses to disturbances.
Related Services Research for Students With Low-Incidence Disabilities: Implications for Speech-Language Pathologists in Inclusive Classrooms.

When speech-language pathologists provide educationally related services for students with low-incidence disabilities who are placed in inclusive classrooms, they are asked to work with a variety o...
Jumping on the Bandwagon: An Interest-Based Explanation for Great Power Alliances

Despite an impressive collection of classical works on the subject, little is known about the frequency or characteristics of Great Power alliance decisions to balance with the weak or bandwagon with the strong. Most works hold that balancing is the predominant Great Power alliance formation behavior, but many examples to the contrary come to mind. We clearly operationalize the concepts of balancing and bandwagoning and find that Great Powers ally with the stronger of two choices (i.e., bandwagon) more often than balance of power theory expects. We argue this surprising finding occurs because Great Powers ally based on interests, not power. We test the generalizability of our argument with a censored probit model of Great Power alliance formation on all Great Powers from 1816 to 1992.
Green engineering: Environmentally conscious design of chemical processes and products

The viewpoint advanced in this paper is that chemical engineers will require a new group of tools to address the challenges of green engineering and that these tools can fall into three categories: assessment, improvement, and integration.
An approach for reducing adjacent element crosstalk in ultrasound arrays

A method is presented for active cancellation of crosstalk effects in ultrasonic arrays. The approach makes use of the programmable transmitter waveform generators that are now being used with growing prevalence in diagnostic ultrasound systems. The array's transmit mode transfer function is represented by a transfer function matrix. Elements of this matrix are determined by exciting a single, central element with a wideband waveform and determining the resulting pressure output from the central element and adjacent elements. The desired output then is defined (e.g., finite output from a single, central element) and zero output from all other elements. The transfer function matrix equation can be solved to determine the required excitation functions on both the central array element and its neighbors. These excitation functions result in reduced evidence of crosstalk on the output signals. Therefore, the single-element, angular-response function is improved. Using superposition, the approach can be extended to beamformed array excitation. A variety of theoretical and experimental results are shown. The method also can be used in the receive mode but with a less satisfactory solution. A transmitting mode experiment based on a prototype five-element transducer has provided results indicating that sidelobes in the angular response can be reduced using this technique.
Evaluation of Micro-Pillar Compression Tests for Accurate Determination of Elastic-Plastic Constitutive Relations

The micro-pillar compression test is emerging as a novel way to measure the mechanical properties of materials. In this paper, we systematically conducted finite element analysis to evaluate the capability of using a micro-compression test to probe the mechanical properties of both elastic and plastic materials. We found that this test can provide an alternative way to accurately and robustly measure strain, and to some extent, stress. Therefore, this test can be used to measure some strain related quantities, such as strain to failure, or the stress-strain relations for plastic materials.
Agency under constraint: Ideological preferences and the politics of electricity regulation in Latin America

Whereas both the literature on globalization and the literature on regulatory diffusion stress the pressures that led to policy convergence, this article shows how the ideology of incumbents produced different regulatory outcomes, even in the face of strong financial and technological pressures that constrained policy agency. By looking at the regulatory frameworks adopted at the time of electricity privatization in Latin America, this article shows that right-wing governments adopted regulations that eliminated barriers to entry and investment and limited the discretion of regulators (market-conforming regulations), and that former statists who had pragmatically converted to the market creed instead chose regulations that tended to impose higher barriers to entry and investment and gave regulators wide discretion in conflict resolution and price setting (market-controlling regulations). These findings suggest the need to look at the ideology (and ideological legacies) of government coalitions for a more nuanced understanding of the process of regulatory diffusion that took place across many sectors in most regions of the world.
Status of the Z Refurbishment Project (ZR) at Sandia National Laboratories

Summary form only given. Sandia's Z Refurbishment (ZR) Project formally began in August 2002 to increase the Z Accelerator's utilization by providing the capability to perform more shots, improve precision and pulse shape variability, and increase delivered current. A project update was provided at the 15th International Pulsed Power Conference in 2005. The Z facility was shut down in July 2006 for structural/infrastructure modifications and installation of new pulsed power systems. The refurbishment will conclude in 2007. This paper provides a status update of the project covering the past 2 years of activities.
A survey of Turan problems for expansions

The r-expansion G+ of a graph G is the r-uniform hypergraph obtained from G by enlarging each edge of G with a vertex subset of size r − 2 disjoint from V (G) such that distinct edges are enlarged by disjoint subsets. Let ex r (n, F) denote the maximum number of edges in an r-uniform hypergraph with n vertices not containing any copy of the r-uniform hypergraph F. Many problems in extremal set theory ask for the determination of ex r (n, G+) for various graphs G. We survey these Turan-type problems, focusing on recent developments.
A Guidebook to Cypersquatting Litigation: The Practical Approach in a Post-Barcelona.com World

In June 2003, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit rendered its decision in the case of Barcelona.com, Inc. v. Excelentisimo Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, concluding a high-profile dispute between the Spanish registrants of www.barcelona.com and the City Council of Barcelona, Spain. In this case of first impression, the Fourth Circuit added another important building block to the growing body of domain name and trademark jurisprudence in the United States. The holding, which determines the rule of law applicable to the "reverse domain name hijacking" provision of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, carries far-reaching consequences for future international domain name disputes. This Essay explores the background and practical implications of the holding. Sections I, II, and III explain the background of the Barcelona.com dispute, its relevant legal framework, and the Fourth Circuit's ruling. Sections IV and V analyze this ruling and suggest practical litigation strategies for domain name disputes.
Anarchy, Terrorism, and Piracy in Somalia: Revisited

This is an article about anarchy, piracy and terrorism in Somalia and calls for a constructive engagement by the international community.
Multiconfigurational Carbon-Group V Pair Defects in Silicon

In addition to a new configuration of the previously reported multistable carbon-phosphorus pair, we report on two new multiconfigurational defects in electron irradiated silicon doped, with arsenic and antimony. These defects are also identified as interstitial carbon-substitutional group V pairs, (Ci - D ). We identified two different types of metastability for Ci - D . Type I is similar to the bistable carbon-carbon pair defect for which a bond switching mechanism has been reported [1]. Type II is similar to donor-acceptor pairs in silicon which show electrostatically driven metastability [2,3]. The three Ci - D pairs have many similar features, but also show surprising donor related differences. In this paper we will discuss the general features of these defects.