cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid modulation of human cortical motor outputs following ischaemic nerve block.

The amplitudes of motor evoked potentials to transcranial magnetic stimulation from muscles immediately proximal to a temporarily anaesthetized [Bier's block] human forearm increase in minutes after the onset of anaesthesia and return to control values after the anaesthesia subsides. In order to determine the level at which the early modulation of human motor outputs takes place, we recorded maximal H reflexes, peripheral M responses, motor evoked potentials to transcranial magnetic stimulation, and motor evoked potentials to transcranial electrical stimulation and spinal electrical stimulation from a muscle immediately proximal to a limb segment made ischaemic by a pneumatic tourniquest. The amplitudes of motor evoked potentials to transcranial magnetic stimulation, but not to transcranial electrical stimulation and spinal electrical stimulation, were larger during ischaemia, implying that the site of change was in the motor cortex. The maximal H/M ratios were unaffected by ischaemia, indicating that α-motor neuron excitability to segmental la inputs remained unchanged. The map of cortical representation areas for this muscle obtained with transcranial magnetic stimulation was also enlarged. Taken together, our findings suggest that the temporary removal by ischaemic nerve block of myelinated afferent inputs reduces inhibition at the motor cortical level and that this disinhibition is responsible for the increased excitability of the cortico-spinal system.
Feature Article-Operations Research for Agricultural Pest Management

It is increasingly important to maximize the productivity of our agricultural land. As concern for efficient food and fiber production increases, the importance of the application of operations research to agricultural problems increases. During the past decade, there has been much effort to combine mathematics and agriculture. This paper presents the role that operations research has played in integrated pest management for the agricultural industry. An effort is made to present the state-of-the-art in biological modeling for agriculture pest management and to provide an understanding of the type of mathematical techniques utilized.
The value of computerized tomography as a routine follow‐up procedure for patients with Wilms' tumor

We performed routine computerized tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen on patients treated for Wilms' tumor and reviewed the records of all patients who relapsed (10 patients) and 43 additional patients followed for at least 1 year. Routine chest radiographs and abdominal ultrasounds were compared with 210 CT examinations (107 chest and 103 abdomen). CT examinations were obtained at 6 months for stage I (13 patients) and at 3, 8, and 15 months for stages II, III, and IV (40 patients). Of the 10 patients who relapsed, only 2 were documented by CT scan in the absence of clinical symptomatology and presence of normal radiographs and ultrasound. Eight relapses were diagnosed by physical examination, chest radiograph, or ultrasound and confirmed by CT scan. Questionably abnormal CT scans were obtained in 7 patients, only 1 of whom eventually relapsed. Since only 2 of 210 routine CT examinations were the the only indicator of relapse, we conclude that the routine use of CT for follow-up in Wilms' tumor is not warranted.
Using Existing Hardware Services for Malware Detection

The paper is divided into two sections. First, we describe our experiments in using hardware-based metrics such as those collected by the BPU and MMU for detection of malware activity at runtime. Second, we sketch a defense-in-depth security model that combines such detection with hardware-aided proof-carrying code and input validation.
Functionalized boron nitride nanotubes with a stannic oxide coating: a novel chemical route to full coverage.

BN nanotubes are coated with SnO2 by a simple chemical reaction in solution. BN nanotubes are stirred inside a SnCl2 solution at room temperature for 1 h. The coating is uniform with complete cover...
Cheek pouch capacities and loading rates of heteromyid rodents

Rodents of the family Heteromyidae are proficient gatherers and hoarders of seeds. A major component of their adaptive specialization for harvesting and transporting seeds is their spacious, fur-lined cheek pouches. Precise measurements of cheek pouch capacities are essential if ecologists are to understand the foraging ecology, possible constraints on locomotion patterns, and competitive relationships of heteromyid rodents. To measure the size of these cheek pouches and the rate at which animals load seeds into their pouches during seed harvest, we attracted 56 individuals representing ten species of heteromyid rodents to bait stations in the field and allowed them to fill their cheek pouches with seeds several times while we observed and timed the events with the aid of night-vision equipment. The largest load taken by each individual was used as an estimate of its cheek pouch capacity. At the end of observations, each subject was captured and its mass and other data gathered. The allometric relationship between cheek pouch capacity and body mass for ten species of heteromyids was significant [pouch capacity (ml) = 0.148 body mass (g)0.992, r 2=0.91, P<0.0001]. The regression coefficient is ≈1.0, which indicates that the volume of the cheek pouches scales in direct proportion to body size. When the data were subdivided into quadrupeds (Perognathus and Chaetodipus) and bipeds (Dipodomys) (n=5 for each), the relationships between pouch capacity and body mass were significant, but the two regressions were not significantly different from each other. When all loads (full and partial) were considered, subjects filled their cheek pouches an average of 93 ± 10% of pouch capacity (n=185). Cheek pouch capacities from published studies of artificially filled pouches of heteromyids in the laboratory averaged about 40% below the field measurements obtained here. The allometric relationship between mean loading rate and body mass was also significant [seeds/s=1.067 bodymass (g)0.830, r 2=0.85,P=0.0011), but when quadrupeds and bipeds were considered separately, the relationships were not significant. Seed densities and bulk densities were used to calculate packing coefficients for seed species, which, when used in conjunction with the allometric relationship between cheek pouch capacity and body size, can be used to estimate the maximum load carried by a heteromyid. Except for the very largest kangaroo rat species, a full pouch load of Indian ricegrass seeds represents less than the daily energy requirements of an active heteromyid.
Potential for Abdominal Wall Implantation After Laparoscopic Procedures of the Hepatobiliary Tract

Hepatobiliary malignancies are often unsuspected at routine laparoscopic operations. Case reports have recently drawn attention to the potential for neoplastic "seeding" of laparoscopic incision sites. Although the exact incidence of tumor implantation-as well as if there is any change in incidence or with laparoscopic surgery—will remain obscure, surgeons must remain alert to this possibility. If cancer is suspected or found after laparoscopy, time-honored surgical principles apply to the management of these patients at risk for early and aggressive recurrences. Copyright © 1995 by W. B. Saunders Company
363 Hz Oscillations during the Rising Phase of Bursts from 4U 1728–34: Evidence for Rotational Modulation

We report a study of the temporal and spectral characteristics of the rising portions of X-ray bursts from 4U 1728-34 observed with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). We find that when oscillations are present during burst rise, their amplitudes systematically decrease as the X-ray burst flux increases, reaching undetectable levels near the burst peaks before eventually increasing again later in the burst. Oscillation amplitudes as high as 43% ? 12% are measured within the first 0.2 s of burst onset and have pulse shapes consistent with sinusoids. Spectral analysis indicates that the rises are substantially underluminous compared with those at intervals later in the burst with similar measured blackbody temperatures; this argues that the thermonuclear burning is nonuniform during burst rise and spreads to encompass the star in 0.5 s. Thus, rotational modulation of the expanding hot spot should be expected, assuming that the viewing geometry is favorable. We present the results of theoretical calculations of the light curve from a rotating neutron star with such a growing hot spot and show that this model can account for both the observed initial pulsation amplitudes and their subsequent decrease during the rising phase. We argue that these results provide strong evidence in favor of the rotational modulation hypothesis for the millisecond oscillations seen during X-ray bursts with RXTE.
Iteratively maximum likelihood decodable spherical codes and a method for their construction

The authors propose a class of spherical codes which can be easily decoded by an efficient iterative maximum likelihood decoding algorithm. A necessary and sufficient condition for a spherical code to be iteratively maximum likelihood decodable is formulated. A systematic construction method for such codes based on shrinking of Voronoi corners is analyzed. The base code used for construction is the binary maximal length sequence code. The second-level construction is described. Computer simulation results for selected codes constructed by the proposed method are given. >
Inner-Shell Excitation Spectroscopy of Fused-Ring Aromatic Molecules by Electron Energy Loss and X-ray Raman Techniques

Oscillator strengths for C 1s excitation spectra of gaseous benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, phenanthracene, triphenylene, pyrene, and 1,2-benzanthracene have been derived from inner-shell electron energy loss spectroscopy recorded under scattering conditions where electric dipole transitions dominate (2.5 keV residual energy, θ ≤ 2° corresponding to a product of momentum transfer and C 1s orbital size (qr) of 0.08). These spectra are interpreted with the aid of ab initio calculations on selected species. They are compared to the C 1s spectra of solid samples of benzene, naphththalene, anthracene, triphenylene, and 1,2-benzanthracene, recorded with inelastic X-ray Raman scattering in the dipole limit (qr < 0.5). When differences in resolution are taken into account, good agreement is found between the inelastic electron scattering spectra of the gases and the inelastic photon scattering spectra of the corresponding solid. Small differences are attributed to quenching of transitions to Rydberg states in t...
Seamless Access to Decentralized Storage Services in Computational Grids via a Virtual File System

This paper describes a novel technique for establishing a virtual file system that allows data to be transferred user-transparently and on-demand across computing and storage servers of a computational grid. Its implementation is based on extensions to the Network File System (NFS) that are encapsulated in software proxies. A key differentiator between this approach and previous work is the way in which file servers are partitioned: while conventional file systems share a single (logical) server across multiple users, the virtual file system employs multiple proxy servers that are created, customized and terminated dynamically, for the duration of a computing session, on a per-user basis. Furthermore, the solution does not require modifications to standard NFS clients and servers. The described approach has been deployed in the context of the PUNCH network-computing infrastructure, and is unique in its ability to integrate unmodified, interactive applications (even commercial ones) and existing computing infrastructure into a network computing environment. Experimental results show that: (1) the virtual file system performs well in comparison to native NFS in a local-area setup, with mean overheads of 1 and 18%, for the single-client execution of the Andrew benchmark in two representative computing environments, (2) the average overhead for eight clients can be reduced to within 1% of native NFS with the use of concurrent proxies, (3) the wide-area performance is within 1% of the local-area performance for a typical compute-intensive PUNCH application (SimpleScalar), while for the I/O-intensive application Andrew the wide-area performance is 5.5 times worse than the local-area performance.
Pyomyositis: Report of Three Patients and Review of the Literature:

Pyomyositis is the primary infection of skeletal muscles, accompanied by abscess formation in the suppurative phase but may be without a focal fluid collection in the presuppurative phase. We describe three patients, one with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, another with sickle cell disease, and the third a previously healthy child with varicella infection who developed pyomyositis. Ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging suggested the diagnosis in each case. The patients were treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and two required abscess drainage. The infection in the third resolved without surgical drainage. None of our patients had residual functional limitations. We believe that a high index of suspicion and prompt diagnosis can prevent complications from pyomyositis.
Migrating epidermis produces AB 2 collagen and requires continual collagen synthesis for movement

EPITHELIAL CELLS demonstrate remarkable motility during the in vivo processes of wound healing, organogenesis and neoplastic invasion1. We have been interested in the control of epithelial motility. From earlier studies we know that in vitro epithelial movement requires the continual presence of a serum component2,3 and a proper substratum4. In culturing dissociated epithelial cells, collagen-coated dishes have been found to provide a better substratum than non-coated surfaces5. As studies in other laboratories had suggested that epithelium produces collagen6–8, it seemed appropriate to investigate the role of collagen in epithelial movement. Reported here are morphological and metabolic studies of a well defined tissue culture system of skin explants involving both epithelial outgrowth and epiboly. The observations support the possibility that the continual synthesis of collagen is necessary for epithelial cell movement.
Time-Dependent Dielectric Barrier Dishcharge Plasma Actuator Modeling

Single Dielectric Barrier Discharge (SDBD) plasma actuators have been used in a variety of o w control applications. With increased interest in plasma actuator o w control has come the need for a model of plasma actuators that can be used in an iterative design process. This work compares v e dieren t empirical models based on the lumped circuit element model. A qualitative analysis of the force vector direction as well as a quantitative comparison of the voltage scaling were used to determine which model best captures the actuator physics. This model was then implemented into a CFD code to simulate an impulsively started actuator on a at plate. The resulting velocity elds were compared to PIV measurements in order to validate the model. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of this model in practical applications, it was also applied to o w over a circular cylinder at ReD = 40; 000. It was shown that the use of actuators could eliminate the vortex shedding which agrees with experimental results of Thomas et al. 10
Exact solution for the vibration and active damping of composite plates with piezoelectric shear actuators

An exact three-dimensional solution is obtained for the cylindrical bending vibration of simply supported laminated composite plates with an embedded piezoelectric shear actuator. The piezoelectric actuator, which is poled in the longitudinal direction, will induce a transverse shear strain in the hybrid laminate when it is subjected to an electric field in the thickness direction. Suitable displacement and electric potential functions that identically satisfy the boundary conditions at the simply supported edges are used to reduce the equations that govern the steady-state vibrations of the hybrid laminate to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations, which are solved by employing the power series method. Natural frequencies, mode shapes, displacements, electric potential and stresses are presented for three-layer hybrid laminates consisting of a piezoelectric shear actuator sandwiched between fiber-reinforced composite layers. Active vibration damping is implemented using either a position feedback controller or velocity feedback controller. Frequency response curves for different controller frequencies, controller damping ratio and feedback gain demonstrate that the embedded shear actuator can be used for active damping of the fundamental flexural mode. In addition, it is shown that vibration suppression of thickness modes is also feasible using a shear actuator.
Characterization of a cytosolic steroid-binding protein in the liver of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus

The winter flounder liver contains significant concentrations of estrogen binding protein(s) that fulfill some of the criteria normally assigned to receptor proteins, in that these proteins are saturated at low substrate concentrations (<5 nm) and have a high affinity for ligand (Kd approximately 6 × 10−10 M for [3H]17β-estradiol). Sedimentation analysis of the 17β-estradiol-binding protein complex on 5–20% sucrose density gradients detected an 8 S form of the binding protein under low salt conditions. Nonspecific sites sedimented in the 4 S region. These sedimentation characteristics are similar to those observed for the estrogen receptor and nonspecific binding sites in mammalian tissues. In contrast to mammalian estrogen receptor, which binds selectively to estrogens, the binding protein(s) investigated in our studies also binds other steroids. Competitive binding studies demonstrated that 10-fold excess of unlabeled testosterone and progesterone displaced 50 and 45% of [3H]17β-estradiol from the binding protein, respectively. These studies demonstrate the presence of steroid-binding protein in liver of female winter flounder which might play a role in regulating hepatic steroid hormone action.
Effect of age on some aspects of sulfate metabolism in the rat.

S35-labelled sodium sulfate was administered to rats 10, 30, and 300 days old in an intraperitoneal dose of 0.3 µc. per gm. of body weight. Representative animals of each age were sacrificed 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours after injection. The concentration of sulfur-35 in the pooled sera of the 10-day-old rats was found to be strikingly higher than the level in the sera of the 30-day-old and the 300-day-old rats, while the levels of sulfur-35 in the sera of rats in the latter two age groups were similar. The difference was not explained by the differences in binding of sulfate by serum proteins. Although no binding could be detected when sulfate was added to serum in vitro, a substantial fraction, up to 80 per cent by the 96th hour, was observed to be bound after injection into the living rat. The 10-day-old rats differed from the older ones in having lower levels of serum proteins and lesser amounts of bound sulfate. The non-dialyzable sulfur-35 was associated to the largest extent with the albumin component in the sera. The age of the rats found expression in the specific activities of the sulfate-sulfur of mucopolysaccharides isolated from the skeletons, pelts, and viscera. The highest specific activities were observed in the mucopolysaccharides isolated from the tissues of the youngest rats; the lowest in those from the oldest rats. Though the maximum concentration was rapidly attained in the mucopolysaccharides from the various tissues in each of the age groups, the subsequent decreases in concentration were slow. Radiochemical analyses for sulfur-35 in ends and shafts of femurs and radioautographs of humeri supported the assumption that the labelled sulfate had been incorporated into the chondroitin sulfate of growing cartilage.
Stimulus-induced extracellular pH transients in the in vitro turtle cerebellum.

Abstract In a number of CNS preparations, neuronal activation has been shown to result in a rapid extracellular alkaline transient, followed by a prolonged acid shift. The isolated turtle cerebellum was used to investigate the early alkaline transient. Double-barreled ion-sensitive microelectrodes for H + , K + and tetramethylammonium were used to measure field potentials and extracellular ion and volume shifts in response to bipolar electrical stimulation of the parallel fibers. Transition from 15 mM HEPES to 35 mM HCO 3 − -buffered Ringer decreased the amplitude of the alkaline shift, presumably due to a marked increase in extracellular buffering power. In HEPES-buffered Ringer, repetitive stimulation produced alkaline shifts as large as 0.3–0.4 pH. Single shocks produced an alkaline shift of 0.006 ± 0.0002 pH with a latency as short as 70ms. Kynurenic acid (an excitatory amino acid antagonist), or Mn 2+ , blocked the alkaline shift and the postsynaptic component of the field potential. The alkaline shift was not blocked by the Na-H exchange inhibitor amiloride. The relationship between pH o and extracellular volume transients was studied using tetramethylammonium as an extracellular volume indicator. In nominally HCO 3 − free Ringer, stimulation at 5 Hz for 10 s caused a decrease in extracellular volume of 3.0 ± 0.2 per cent. The volume transient was unaffected by 3 mM Mn 2+ , while the alkaline shift was completely abolished. The data for the alkaline shift are consistent with a channel-mediated transmembrane flux of proton equivalents. The size of the pH change and the underlying perturbation it represents, indicate that acid-base shifts may be a functionally important consequence of neuronal activity.
Use of ICP-MS and 10B to trace the movement of boron in plants and soil

Abstract Of all the plant essential elements, boron (B) is the least understood. This lack of understanding is due in part to the unavailability of a suitable isotope to trace the movement of B. With the introduction of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) in the mid 1980s, it is now possible to utilize the stable isotope 10B as a tracer of B. The low detection limits of the ICP‐MS also allow determination of B concentrations in small samples such as membrane or cell wail preparations. In this paper, we describe the use of enriched 11B and 10B to trace B uptake in intact plants (soil and nutrient solution application), isolated protoplasts, leaf and stem tissue (foliar application). Results suggest that stable isotope labelling is an effective and inexpensive method of monitoring B movement in plants and soil. The recovery of enriched B in fruit and nut tissue suggests B may be at least partially phloem mobile. Enriched B isotopes were effectively used to monitor B uptake into isolate...
Discovery of Nonsteroidal Androgens

Nonsteroidal androgens have not been reported. During studies to identify affinity ligands for the androgen receptor in our laboratory, we synthesized several electrophilic nonsteroidal ligands for the androgen receptor and examined their receptor binding affinity and ability to stimulate receptor-mediated transcriptional activation. We found that three of these ligands (1) bound the androgen receptor with affinity similar to that of dihydrotestosterone (the endogenous ligand) and (2) mimicked the effects of dihydrotestosterone on receptor-mediated transcriptional activation (i.e., they were receptor agonists). These studies demonstrate that nonsteroidal ligands can be structurally modified to produce agonist activity. These ligands thus represent the first members of a novel class of androgens with potential therapeutic applications in male fertility and hormone replacement therapy.
Effective Diffusivities in Zeolites .3. Effects of Polarity, Cation Density, and Site Occupancy in ZSM-5

Abstract The effective diffusivity that determines the catalytic reaction inhibition (utilization factor) in the steady-state process of catalysis, Dss, differs from that derived from nonsteady-state sorption kinetics, Dns, (e.g.. "uptake diffusivity"). Dss is obtainable from Dns, by a transformation based on the equilibrium ratio cT/co of the total sorbed concentration lathe applied vapor phase concentration co. Dss is several orders of magnitude larger than Dns. For o-xylene in siliceous ZSM-5, Dss was found to be virtually invariant with temperature. Introducing a polar NH2 substituent in place of CH3 does not alter the temperature independence, i.e., it does not introduce or alter "activation energy." In fact, a larger diffusivity results, presumably from the slightly smaller effective molecular size. Introducing a high sodium cation density in the zeolite structure creates a temperature dependence of Dss. However, it is shown to be a result of the high percentage of occupancy of transition (jump) sites by sorbed molecules which diminishes with increasing temperature. These several observations allow important conclusions to be drawn concerning the real or apparent nature of "activated" diffusion in the zeolite.
Fat Content and Stopover Ecology of Spring Migrant Semipalmated Sandpipers in South Carolina

Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) stop at staging areas during migration to replenish fat reserves that fuel long distance flights. We hypothesize that if sandpipers are minimizing time spent en route between wintering areas and breeding grounds, a negative correlation should exist between fat content upon arrival at a staging area and length of stay. We examined the relationship between these two variables at a spring staging area in coastal South Carolina using simple and multiple regression models. Length of stay was independent of estimated fat content at capture after controlling for date in the season. Birds with sufficient energy reserves for long distance flights were as likely to remain on the study area as lean birds. Date in the season showed more influence on stopover time than estimated fat mass at capture. Stopover time decreased with later date, suggesting an increase in the speed of migration as the season progressed. These results show that date is a critical variable influencing Semipalmated Sandpiper migration stopover strategy. Migrants appear to shift their migration priorities with respect to fat stores and stopover time as the season progresses
Patterns of Aggression in Gulls: Asymmetries and Tactics in Different Social Categories

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1369461#references_tab_contents.
RETURN TO THE OLD QIBLA

“The fools among men will say, What has turned them from their qibla on which they were agreed?”—Surah 2:135.
Poly-carbon chemistry: reactions of the multi-sitecoordinated diyndiyl ligand in{Fe2(CO)6(μ-PPh2)}2(μ-η1,η2∶μ-η1,η2-CC–CC) with the nucleophilesP(OMe)3 and NHEt2

The diyndiyl complex {Fe2(CO)6(μ-PPh2)}2 (μ-CC–CC) reacts with P(OMe)3 or NHEt2 to give products derived from addition to Cα and facile P–C, N–C and/or C–C bond formation.
Leakage current aware high-level estimation for VLSI circuits

The ever-growing leakage current of MOSFETs in nanometre technologies is the major concern to high performance and power efficient designs. Dynamic power management via power-gating is effective to reduce leakage power, but it introduces power-up current that affects the circuit reliability. The authors present an in-depth study on high-level modelling of power-up current and leakage current in the context of a full custom design environment. They propose a methodology to estimate the circuit area, maximum power-up current, and minimum and maximum leakage current for any given logic function. Novel estimation metrics are built based on logic synthesis and gate-level analysis using only a small number of typical circuits, but no further logic synthesis and gate-level analysis are needed during the high-level estimation. Compared to time-consuming logic synthesis and gate-level analysis, the average errors for circuits from a leading industrial design project are 23.59% for area, 21.44% for maximum power-up current, 15.65% for maximum leakage current and 6.21% for minimum leakage current. In contrast, estimation based on quick synthesis leads to an 11× area difference in gate count for an 8-bit adder.
Unexploded Ordnance identification—A gamma-ray spectral analysis method for Carbon, Nitrogen and Oxygen signals following tagged neutron interrogation

A novel gamma-ray spectral analysis method has been demonstrated to optimally extract the signals of the signature elements of explosives, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) from 57–155 mm projectiles following tagged neutron interrogation with 14 MeV neutrons. The method was implemented on Monte Carlo simulated, synthetic spectra of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) that contained high explosive fillers (Composition B, TNT or Explosive D) within steel casings of appropriate thicknesses. The analysis technique defined three broad regions-of-interest (ROI) between 4–7.5 MeV of a spectrum and from a system of three equations for the three unknowns namely C, N and O, the maximum counts from each of these elements were extracted. Unlike conventional spectral analysis techniques, the present method included the Compton continuum under a spectrum. For a neutron output of � 2 � 10
Experimental validation and field performance metrics of a hybrid mobile robot mechanism

This paper presents the experimental validation and field testing of a novel hybrid mobile robot (HMR) system using a complete physical prototype. The mobile robot system consists of a hybrid mechanism whereby the locomotion platform and manipulator arm are designed as one entity to support both locomotion and manipulation symbiotically and interchangeably. The mechanical design is briefly described along with the related control hardware architecture based on an embedded onboard wireless communication network between the robot's subsystems, including distributed onboard power using Li-ion batteries. The paper focuses on demonstrating through extensive experimental results the qualitative and quantitative field performance improvements of the mechanical design and how it significantly enhances mobile robot functionality in terms of the new operative locomotion and manipulation capabilities that it provides. In terms of traversing challenging obstacles, the robot was able to surmount cylindrical obstacles up to 0.6-m diameter; cross ditches with at least 0.635-m width; climb and descend step obstacles up to 0.7-m height; and climb and descend stairs of different materials (wood, metal, concrete, plastic plaster, etc.), different stair riser and run sizes, and inclinations up to 60 deg. The robot also demonstrated the ability to manipulate objects up to 61 kg before and after flipping over, including pushing capacity of up to 61 kg when lifting objects from underneath. The above-mentioned functions are critical in various challenging applications, such as search and rescue missions, military and police operations, and hazardous site inspections. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Renegotiation of Troubled Debt: The Choice between Discounted Payoff and Maturity Extension

Renegotiation of securitized debt contracts is generally a more efficient solution to default than foreclosure when there are significant deadweight costs associated with the enforcement of security rights. Recent literature shows that when renegotiation takes the form of discounted loan payoffs, it eliminates deadweight costs associated with the liquidation or transfer of assets. There is evidence, however, that, in practice, renegotiation of other contract terms such as maturity is a more common form of loan workout. This observation is puzzling because, in general, maturity renegotiation does not eliminate deadweight costs. We provide a partial answer to this puzzle by showing that maturity renegotiation better aligns the incentives of borrowers and lenders than does renegotiation of principal. Specifically, we find that borrowers who expect that lenders will renegotiate maturity in the event of default have less incentive to divert cash flow from the collateral during the term of the loan and less incentive to take on additional risk. If the lender’s cost of managing these standard agency problems is positively related to the magnitude of the borrower’s incentive, then maturity renegotiation will result in lower monitoring and enforcement costs. Renegotiation of debt contracts is a tool that borrowers and lenders have long used to improve the efficiency of financial contracts. Renegotiation is preferable to strict enforcement of the lender’s right to the borrower’s assets when value would be lost in the process of transferring and liquidating pledged assets. 1 For example, real estate lenders frequently renegotiate or “work out” problem loans because of the significant time and costs associated with the foreclosure process.
Zinc supplementation for the prevention of acute lower respiratory infection in children in developing countries: meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized trials

Background Routine zinc supplementation is a potential intervention for the prevention of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in developing countries. However, discrepant findings from recent randomized trials remain unexplained. Methods Randomized trials of zinc supplementation in young children in developing countries were identified by a systematic literature review. Trials included in the meta-analysis met specific criteria, including participants <5 years of age, daily/weekly zinc and control supplementation for greater than 3 months, active household surveillance for respiratory morbidity and use of a case definition that included at least one sign of lower respiratory tract illness. ALRI case definitions were classified on the basis of specificity/ severity. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were pooled by random-effects models. Meta-regression and sub-group analysis were performed to assess potential sources of between-study heterogeneity. Results Ten trials were eligible for inclusion (n=49 450 children randomized). Zinc reduced the incidence of ALRI defined by specific clinical criteria [IRR 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52-0.82], but had no effect on lower-specificity ALRI case definitions based on caregiver report (IRR 1.01, 95% CI 0.91-1.12) or World Health Organization 'non-severe pneumonia' (0.96, 95% CI 0.86-1.08). By meta-regression, the effect of zinc was associated with ALRI case definition, but not with mean baseline age, geographic location, nutritional status or zinc dose. Conclusions Routine zinc supplementation reduced the incidence of childhood ALRI defined by relatively specific clinical criteria, but the effect was null if lower specificity case definitions were applied. The choice of ALRI case definition may substantially influence inferences from community trials regarding the efficacy of preventive interventions.
Too Much of a Good Thing or the more the Merrier?: Exploring the Dispersion and Gender Composition of Informal Leadership in Manufacturing Teams

Organizations are increasingly relying on informal leaders within teams to positively affect team outcomes. Also, as the percentage of women in the workforce grows, women are likely to shoulder mor...
Mode-area scaling of helical-core, dual-clad fiber lasers and amplifiers using an improved bend-loss model

For small-bend radii, the waveguide condition for total internal reflection is violated in a large angular spread of incident angles at the interface of the fiber core. To account for this, we derived an improved semianalytic bend-loss model that allows for the propagation of radiated fields outside the plane of the fiber bend. This new model is applied to large-mode-area helical-core fibers (which require small-bend radii) for use as high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers. In particular, the limits of scaling the mode area while maintaining good beam quality are explored. Single-mode operation is expected for a 40 μm core with a 0.10 numerical aperture, and scaling to a 100 μm core diameter is shown to be possible. Additionally, helical fibers are shown to readily perform where conventional coiled fibers are not appropriate to operate long term.
Exercise improves postischemic function in aging hearts

Exercise improves cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion in young animals but has not been investigated in older animals, which represent the population most likely to suffer an ischemic eve...
Web visualization of geo-spatial data using SVG and VRML/X3D

Data visualization is an important technique that helps in understanding and analysis of complex data. Most of current-web-based geo-spatial data visualization products use two-dimensional visualization. A tool that uses the combination of two-and three-dimensional visualization can provide extra spatial dimension as well as flexible usability. Current Web technologies: scalable vector graphics (SVG), virtual reality modeling language (VRML), and extensible 3D (X3D) provide a necessary foundation for such a tool. In this paper, we present a general framework for effective integration and Web-based presentation of complex heterogeneous spatial-temporal data sets. This framework facilitates interpretation, exploration and analysis of large volume of data with significant geo-spatial and temporal characteristics. Advantages of this approach include improved visualization of geo-spatial and temporal raw data; better navigation and selection of data; and intuitive user interface. A Web-based road traffic visualization system illustrates this approach using the Twin Cities road traffic data.
Comparison of the use of L-tyrosine apodecarboxylase and D-serine apodehydratase for plasma pyridoxal phosphate assay.

The enzymatic methods for plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) assay using L-tyrosine apodecarboxylase (apo-LTD) and D-serine apodehydratase (apo-DSD) were compared with respect to their operating characteristics, accuracy and precision. With the apo-LTD assay, the recovery of authentic PLP added to irradiated plasma was 96-100% and the precision for within-run and run-to-run replicates was 4-5% (coefficient of variation). The recovery of authentic PLP with the apo-DSD assay tended to be lower (viz., 95%) and the within-run and run-to-run coefficients of variation tended to be higher (viz., 5-6%), but these differences were not statistically significant. When these two assay methods were directly compared in determining the plasma PLP levels of 67 hospitalized patients, the regression lines exhibited correlation coefficients of 0.89 and 0.92 and slopes of 0.77 and 0.78, respectively. When the plasma PLP values were less than 7.5 ng/ml, the values determined by the apo-DSD assay tended to be higher than those measured by the apo-LTD method and vice versa. The lack of better agreement between the two assay methods may be explained by the fact that an inhibitor exists in plasma extracts that impairs the binding of PLP to apo-DSD and that the correction for this interference may not be uniform from one plasma sample to another. However, if one is willing to tolerate the small discrepancies between the values obtained by the apo-DSD and apo-LTD assays, these assay methods can be used interchangeably. The apo-DSD assay has the advantage of being easily adapted to a modern automated spectro- photometric centrifugal analyzer. J. Nutr. 114: 385-392, 1984.
More evidence on the value of Chinese workers' psychological capital: A potentially unlimited competitive resource?

As China continues its unprecedented economic growth and emergence as a world power, new solutions must be forthcoming to meet the accompanying challenges. We propose a positive approach to Chinese HRM that recognizes, develops and manages the psychological capital (PsyCap) of workers. After providing a brief overview of hope, efficacy, optimism, resilience and overall PsyCap in today's Chinese context, the results of a follow-up study provide further evidence that the PsyCap of Chinese workers is related to their performance. The implications that this evidence-based value of Chinese workers' psychological capital has for China now and into the future concludes this study.
Eilat Virus Host Range Restriction Is Present at Multiple Levels of the Virus Life Cycle

ABSTRACT Most alphaviruses are mosquito-borne and exhibit a broad host range, infecting many different vertebrates, including birds, rodents, equids, humans, and nonhuman primates. This ability of most alphaviruses to infect arthropods and vertebrates is essential for their maintenance in nature. Recently, a new alphavirus, Eilat virus (EILV), was described, and in contrast to all other mosquito-borne viruses, it is unable to replicate in vertebrate cell lines. Investigations into the nature of its host range restriction showed the inability of genomic EILV RNA to replicate in vertebrate cells. Here, we investigated whether the EILV host range restriction is present at the entry level and further explored the viral factors responsible for the lack of genomic RNA replication. Utilizing Sindbis virus (SINV) and EILV chimeras, we show that the EILV vertebrate host range restriction is also manifested at the entry level. Furthermore, the EILV RNA replication restriction is independent of the 3′ untranslated genome region (UTR). Complementation experiments with SINV suggested that RNA replication is restricted by the inability of the EILV nonstructural proteins to form functional replicative complexes. These data demonstrate that the EILV host range restriction is multigenic, involving at least one gene from both nonstructural protein (nsP) and structural protein (sP) open reading frames (ORFs). As EILV groups phylogenetically within the mosquito-borne virus clade of pathogenic alphaviruses, our findings have important evolutionary implications for arboviruses. IMPORTANCE Our work explores the nature of host range restriction of the first “mosquito-only alphavirus,” EILV. EILV is related to pathogenic mosquito-borne viruses (Eastern equine encephalitis virus [EEEV], Western equine encephalitis virus [WEEV], Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus [VEEV], and Chikungunya virus [CHIKV]) that cause severe disease in humans. Our data demonstrate that EILV is restricted both at entry and genomic RNA replication levels in vertebrate cells. These findings have important implications for arbovirus evolution and will help elucidate the viral factors responsible for the broad host range of pathogenic mosquito-borne alphaviruses, facilitate vaccine development, and inform potential strategies to reduce/prevent alphavirus transmission.
Microstrip antennas on ferrite substrates

A rigorous moment method is used to find the radiation properties of a center-fed microstrip dipole on a ferrite substrate. The radiation characteristics of a microstrip dipole, including input impedance, antenna gain, and radiation efficiency, as a function of dipole size, frequency, and the ferrite material characteristics are studied parametrically using a moment-method solution. It is demonstrated that the bias magnetic field can dynamically change the antenna characteristics. >
Optimal Conjunctive Granulometric Bandpass Filters

A conjunctive homothetic granulometry is an intersection of openings by independently scaled structuring elements. Like classical Euclidean granulometries, conjunctive granulometries possess size distributions and pattern spectras however, they are based on intersections of openings by scaled structuring elements instead of unions of such openings. For a disjunctive granulometry, which is a union of openings, a grain (or part thereof) is passed if there exists a translate of at least one structuring element that is a subset of the grains for a conjunctive granulometry, there must exist a translate of each structuring element that is a subset of the grain. Like disjunctive granulometries, they possess size distributionss however, unlike disjunctive granulometries, their pattern spectra are not probability densities. An optimal granulometric bandpass filter passes image components so as to minimize the expected area of the symmetric difference between the filtered and ideal images. This paper provides an analytic formulation of optimal conjunctive granulometric bandpass filters. The theory provides one of the few areas of nonlinear image processing in which three of the basic components of linear optimization apply: (1) there is an analytic expression determining the optimal filter; (2) there is an explicit error formula; (3) and there is a closed-form representation of the optimal filter based on a decomposition of the observed random image. These correspond to the Wiener-Hopf equation, mean-square-error formula, and filter representation via an integral canonical representation of the observed image in linear filtering.
Reader reaction: A note on the evaluation of group testing algorithms in the presence of misclassification

In the context of group testing screening, McMahan, Tebbs, and Bilder (2012, Biometrics 68, 287-296) proposed a two-stage procedure in a heterogenous population in the presence of misclassification. In earlier work published in Biometrics, Kim, Hudgens, Dreyfuss, Westreich, and Pilcher (2007, Biometrics 63, 1152-1162) also proposed group testing algorithms in a homogeneous population with misclassification. In both cases, the authors evaluated performance of the algorithms based on the expected number of tests per person, with the optimal design being defined by minimizing this quantity. The purpose of this article is to show that although the expected number of tests per person is an appropriate evaluation criteria for group testing when there is no misclassification, it may be problematic when there is misclassification. Specifically, a valid criterion needs to take into account the amount of correct classification and not just the number of tests. We propose, a more suitable objective function that accounts for not only the expected number of tests, but also the expected number of correct classifications. We then show how using this objective function that accounts for correct classification is important for design when considering group testing under misclassification. We also present novel analytical results which characterize the optimal Dorfman (1943) design under the misclassification.
DYSFUNCTIONAL ISOLATION IN THE ELDERLY: INCREASING MARITAL AND FAMILY CLOSENESS THROUGH IMPROVED COMMUNICATION

Unique developmental crises in old age may lead to social withdrawal that negatively affects the individual and his/her marital and family relationships. Without an awareness of these aging dynamics, the therapist can inadvertently perpetuate these distancing behaviors which can exacerbate marital and family con- flict. This paper discusses certain developmental crises which can result in increased isolation for the older adult, and suggests thera- peutic interventions to facilitate increased closeness among family members.
Perspective: Meeting of minds

When cancer researcher and physician David Agus met particle physicist Murray Gell-Mann in 2009, they soon discovered that they occupied different worlds. Agus says their interaction showed him that “borrowing from the world of physics could help my field in unimaginable ways” and that their interaction has “shifted not only how I work and approach medicine, but also how I ask questions, how I solve problems, and how I do science”. What follows is a conversation between the biologist and the physicist about an issue that may be blocking progress in cancer research.