cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytical methods for evaluating episodic secretory activity within neuroendocrine axes

We review here our recent analytical methods designed to: (a) detect abrupt increases and decreases in serially measured concentrations of hormones, substrates, or metabolites in body fluids (discrete peak detection); (b) carry out combined calculations of in vivo hormone secretion and metabolic clearance without the infusion of labeled compounds (deconvolution analysis); and (c) assess nonequilibrium concentrations of total, bound, and free hormones or effectors following the injection or secretion of finite amounts of one or more ligands into a closed compartment containing high-affinity transport or binding proteins. First, in relation to discrete peak detection, we illustrate the application of Cluster analysis to immunoradiometrically assayed growth hormone (GH) profiles collected in blood sampled every 30 s over night in healthy young men. Secondly, as examples of deconvolution analysis, both a waveform-independent and a waveform-specific methodology are presented, and their applications discussed (e.g., for episodic GH secretion). Thirdly, to illustrate nonequilibrium interactions between a single blood transporter protein and a hormone/ligand, we highlight the impact of the high-affinity GH binding protein in plasma on the nonsteady-state time course of GH secretion and removal. Collectively, these novel neuroendocrine tools permit a more demanding and quantitative analysis of the temporal regulation of hormone, substrate, or metabolite secretion, distribution, interconversion, irreversible metabolic removal, and association with one or more high- or low-affinity plasma binding proteins. Based upon these dynamic principles, the complex operation of neuroendocrine feedback axes in vivo can be defined and assessed quantitatively and relevant hypotheses of regulation formulated and tested specifically.
Testing the latent factor structure and construct validity of the Ten-Item Personality Inventory

Abstract Recent efforts have aimed to develop relatively short measures of the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality, particularly for when time and/or space is limited. We evaluate the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI), a non-proprietary FFM measure with two items per dimension. We use a latent variable methodology to examine the TIPI’s factor structure and convergent validity with the 50-item International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) FFM measure. We provide correlations between the scale scores and latent factors, and compare each measure’s pattern of correlations with measures of other individual difference constructs. Results were favorable in terms of the factor structure and convergent validity of the TIPI, particularly regarding the correlations between the respective latent factors of the TIPI and the IPIP–FFM measures.
Impairments of ERK signal transduction in the brain in a rat model of depression induced by neonatal exposure of clomipramine.

Abstract Depression is associated with deficiencies in monoaminergic transmitters and possibly neurotrophins. A common cellular response to these molecules is the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). A deficiency of ERK signal transduction in depression was therefore hypothesized and was tested in a rat model of depression, produced by neonatal treatment with clomipramine (CLI). We measured sexual behaviors and brain levels of ERK, phosphorylated ERK (pERK), protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), and MAPK phosphatase-2 (MKP-2) during adulthood in control and neonatally CLI-treated rats (CLI rats). As expected, the CLI rats exhibited significantly lower sexual activities and also exhibited (1) significant decreases of pERK1/2 in the frontal cortex and pERK1 in the hippocampus, (2) slight but significant reduction of ERK2 in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, (3) no change of pERK1/2 levels in the temporal cortex, occipital cortex, parietal cortex, midbrain, and medulla, (4) significantly higher levels of PP1 in both the frontal cortex and hippocampus, (5) no change in MKP-2 in any examined region, and (6) all five measures of sexual function were significantly correlated with ERK2 and pERK2 in the frontal cortex. These findings suggest that a deficiency in the ERK signaling pathway is involved in the display of depressive behaviors.
Reaction time as a function of fixed vs. variable foreperiod in the squirrel monkey

A squirrel monkey was trained to press and hold down a lever in the presence of a blue light. Subsequent release of the lever on appearance of a white circle was reinforced with a food pellet. The monkey was tested under two different foreperiod conditions: (1) the white circle appeared at a variable period from 0-5 sec. following the lever press, and (2) the white circle appeared at a fixed 2 sec. interval following the lever press. The reaction time in the sessions with fixed foreperiod was consistently longer than the reaction time with variable foreperiod.
Duplex ultrasound imaging to detect limb stenosis or kinking of endovascular device

Objective We attempted to correlate duplex ultrasound (DU) findings with the clinical outcome of graft limb stenosis or kinking after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods Between 1998 and 2010, 248 patients underwent EVAR and postoperative DU surveillance of 496 graft limbs in our accredited noninvasive vascular laboratory by one of three experienced technologists. Routine DU surveillance was performed 1 week, 6 months, and annually after EVAR. Peak systolic velocities (PSVs) were measured in the body and midportion and distal attachment site of both limbs of the graft, and adjacent PSV ratios were calculated. Results None of 479 graft limbs with a PSV of 300 cm/s, seven occluded (0 of 479 vs 7 of 17, P Conclusions This large series of DU surveillance for failing EVARs grafts suggests that graft limbs with PSVs
Gender differences in diabetes-related lower extremity amputations.

Background Diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States, with much of the economic and social costs related to macrovascular and microvascular complications, such as myocardial infarctions, renal failure, and lower extremity amputations. While racial/ethnic differences in diabetes are well documented, less attention has been given to differences in diabetes outcomes by gender.
Strain effects on the phonon thermal properties of ultra-scaled Si nanowires

The impact of uniaxial and hydrostatic stress on the ballistic thermal conductance (κl) and the specific heat (Cν) of [100] and [110] Si nanowires are explored using a Modified Valence Force Field phonon model. An anisotropic behavior of κl and isotropic nature of Cν under strain are predicted for the two wire orientations. Compressive (tensile) strain decreases (increases) Cν. The Cv trend with strain is controlled by the high energy phonon sub-bands. Dominant contribution of the low/mid (low/high) energy bands in [100] ([110]) wire and their variation under strain governs the behavior of κl.
The kinetics of myokinase. I. Studies of the effects of salts and pH and of the state of equilibrium.

Abstract 1. 1. The reversible dismutation of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) by myokinase is strongly inhibited by concentrations of KCl, NaCl, MgCl 2 , and CaCl 2 at and above 0.6 ionic strength. 2. 2. The inhibition by KCl has been used for stopping the reaction in mixtures of myokinase and nucleotide in order to ascertain the extent of the reactions studied for this report. 3. 3. Myokinase action is maximal at pH 7–8 in the absence of magnesium and at pH 5.5–6.0 in the presence of magnesium. 4. 4. Data are presented to quantify the well recognized accelerative action of magnesium on myokinase. Calcium was found to have a similar effect. 5. 5. Carefully determined equilibrium constants for the forward and reverse reactions are not equal, indicating that the true constant is yet to be determined. 6. 6. Magnesium increases the apparent amount of dismutation of ADP existing at equilibrium. 7. 7. There is a small effect of temperature on the extent of the forward and reverse reactions existing at equilibrium.
Maintenance of isolated oligodendrocytes in long-term culture.

Abstract A new procedure for isolating oligodendrocytes from ovine white matter is described. The method separates oligodendrocytes into two bands on a linear sucrose gradient. Five criteria have been employed to classify the separated cells. It is shown by indirect immunofluorescence with specific antisera that 97% of the cells from both bands carry galactocerebroside, a specific surface marker for oligodendrocytes, on their plasma membranes and 95% of the cells retain myelin basic protein as distinct patches on their surfaces. Isolated cells conform ultrastructurally to current concepts of oligodendrocytes. The cells incorporate [ 3 H]galactose into galactocerebroside and carrier free H 2 35 SO 4 into sulfatide, specific markers for oligodendrocytes. The specific activity of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide-3′-phosphodiesterase in the two cell fractions is comparable to that reported for isolated oligodendrocytes by others. It is concluded that conservatively, 95% of the cells in both fractions are oligodendrocytes. Cells from both bands survive in culture for months. In vitro the cells extend two or more processes, contain ‘gliosomes’, and surround themselves with extensive sheet-like membranes; i.e. they exhibit the morphological characteristics ascribed to oligodendrocytes in explant cultures. Conservatively 90% of cultured cells stain with an antimyelin basic protein serum. The staining is localized in the cytoplasm and processes. The cells also stain with antigalactocerebroside and antioligodendrocyte sera. Cells remain differentiated for up to 70 days in vitro as evidenced by their incorporation of [ 3 H]galactose and H 2 35 SO 4 into galactosyl and sulfogalactosylceramide, respectively.
Stock exchange governance initiatives: Evidence from the Italian STARs

Abstract Can a stock exchange improve corporate governance and transparency by designating companies that exhibit superior corporate governance? In 2000, the Borsa Italiana created a mid-cap segment with strong listing standards, which is composed of firms (called STARS) that follow stricter standards of transparency, disclosure, monitoring and liquidity. We find that STAR firms exhibit governance characteristics not observed in non-STAR firms, such as a higher incidence of audit and executive committees and higher debt ratios. They experienced a modestly favorable share price response upon the implementation of the STAR initiative. Moreover, they experienced significantly higher buy and hold returns and transparency after the initiative. Several governance characteristics are cross-sectionally associated with performance following the STAR initiative. Overall, the results suggest that firms may be willing to improve governance when they are endorsed by a credible agency for doing so, and such improvements may lead to better performance. The STAR initiative may serve as a model that can be adapted by other stock exchanges to promote transparency and governance.
Genetic analysis of tumorigenesis: I. Expression of tumor-forming ability in hamster hybrid cell lines.

Two new fibroblast cell lines from a male Chinese hamster embryo are described: one tumorigenic in nude mice (CHEF 16) and the other not (CHEF 18-1). Both lines have a stable diploid mode and mean of 22 with 10 pairs of homologous autosomes. The cell lines differ unambiguously in cloning ability in methylcellulose, colony morphology, and tumorigenicity; the expression of these traits was examined in a set of 18-1 × 16-2 hybrid clones. The results show initial suppression of tumorigenicity and anchorage independence, followed by growth in the nude mouse of subsets of cells with chromosomes reduced to the diploid range. Further studies are in progress to establish whether ability to grow in methylcellulose and in the nude mouse segregate coordinately at the cellular level, and whether this segregation has an identifiable chromosomal basis.
Error-related event-related potentials in children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Reading Disorder, and Math Disorder

We studied error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) during a discrimination task in 319 unmedicated children divided into subtypes of ADHD (Not-ADHD/inattentive/combined), learning disorder (Not-LD/reading/math/reading+math), and oppositional defiant disorder. Response-locked ERPs contained a frontocentral ERN and posterior Pe. Error-related negativity and positivity exhibited larger amplitude and later latency than corresponding waves for correct responses matched on reaction time. ADHD did not affect performance on the task. The ADHD/combined sample exceeded controls in ERN amplitude, perhaps reflecting patients' adaptive monitoring efforts. Compared with controls, subjects with reading disorder and reading+math disorder performed worse on the task and had marginally more negative correct-related negativities. In contrast, Pe/Pc was smaller in children with reading+math disorder than among subjects with reading disorder and Not-LD participants; this nonspecific finding is not attributable to error processing. The results reflect anomalies in error processing in these disorders but further research is needed to address inconsistencies in the literature.
ANHARMONIC FREE ENERGY OF CRYSTALS AT LOW TEMPERATURES AND AT ABSOLUTE ZERO

The method of long waves is used to show that the anharmonic contribution to the Helmholtz free energy of crystals has a lowest order temperature dependence of ${T}^{4}$ at low temperatures. The anharmonic correction to the low-temperature Debye temperature is obtained in terms of the ratio of the anharmonic to harmonic free energies at low temperature. Approximate expressions are developed for the anharmonic zero-point energy for the case where all atoms in the crystal have the same mass. These expressions are shown to be simply related to the corresponding anharmonic contributions to the high-temperature free energy. Numerical evaluation of these approximations is carried out for fcc and hcp lattices for a model of two-body central forces represented by a Lennard-Jones form. The various contributions to the zero-point energy are compared for these two lattices, and an application to the inert gas crystals shows that the anharmonic contribution is sufficient to make the fcc structure stable at $T=0$ for Ne and Ar, but not for Kr and Xe. An approximation is developed for the low-temperature anharmonic free energy for the case of one atom per unit cell, and this approximation is evaluated for the fcc lattice for the Lennard-Jones model. The results of the present paper are compared numerically with previously published calculations, and qualitative agreement is found in general.
Short order nanohole arrays in metals for highly sensitive probing of local indices of refraction as the basis for a highly multiplexed biosensor technology.

Abstract A small array of subwavelength apertures patterned in a gold film on glass was characterized for use as a biosensor. It is widely believed that such arrays allow the resonance of photons with surface plasmons in the metallic film. Surface plasmon methods (and other evanescent wave methods) are extremely well suited for the measure of real time biospecific interactions. An extremely high sensitivity of 88,000%/refractive index unit was measured on an array with theoretical active area of .09 μm 2 . The formation of a biological monolayer was monitored. Both sensitivity and resolution were determined through measurement. The measured resolution, for a sensor with an active area of less than 1.5 μm 2 , is 9.4 × 10 −8 refractive index units which leads to a calculated sensitivity of 3.45E6%/refractive index unit. These values far exceed theoretical and calculated values of other grating coupled surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detectors and prism based SPR detectors. Because the active sensing area can be quite small (.025 μm 2 ) single molecule studies are possible as well as massive multiplexing on a single chip format.
Cooperation, Competition, and Coalitions in Enzyme-Producing Microbes: Social Evolution and Nutrient Depolymerization Rates

Extracellular enzymes represent a public good for microbial communities, as they break down complex molecules into simple molecules that microbes can take up. These communities are vulnerable to cheating by microbes that do not produce enzymes, but benefit from those produced by others. However, extracellular enzymes are ubiquitous and play an important role in the depolymerization of nutrients. We developed a multi-genotype, multi-nutrient model of a community of exoenzyme-producing microbes, in order to investigate the relationship between diversity, social interactions, and nutrient depolymerization. We focused on coalitions between complementary types of microbes and their implications for spatial pattern formation and nutrient depolymerization. The model included polymers containing carbon, nitrogen, or phosphorus, and eight genotypes of bacteria, which produced different subsets of the three enzymes responsible for hydrolyzing these polymers. We allowed social dynamics to emerge from a mechanistic model of enzyme production, action, and diffusion. We found that diversity was maximized at high rates of either diffusion or enzyme production (but not both). Conditions favoring cheating also favored the emergence of coalitions. We characterized the spatial patterns formed by different interactions, showing that same-type cooperation leads to aggregation, but between-type cooperation leads to an interwoven, filamentous pattern. Contrary to expectations based on niche complementarity, we found that nutrient depolymerization declined with increasing diversity due to a negative competitive effect of coalitions on generalist producers, leading to less overall enzyme production. This decline in depolymerization was stronger for non-limiting nutrients in the system. This study shows that social interactions among microbes foraging for complementary resources can influence microbial diversity, microbial spatial distributions, and rates of nutrient depolymerization.
Dynamic carrying capacity of thin inelastic circular plates with respect to strength and deformability

Abstract We take into account thin flexible circular plates, which deform elastic-visco-plastically under high intensity external loading and in which volume damage can occur. The plates are submitted to uniformly distributed impulsive loading. The plate-carrying capacity is determined in accordance with deformation and strength criteria. Our purpose is to obtain the relation between the geometrical sizes and the material characteristics of the plate on one hand and the dynamic impulse parameters (amplitude and duration) on the other, when the plates lose their carrying capacity.
The surface contraction waves of Xenopus eggs reflect the metachronous cell-cycle state of the cytoplasm.

Abstract Activated Xenopus laevis eggs undergo a series of surface contractions in response to cell-cycle progression but fall to cleave unless the sperm centrosome is present. These surface contraction waves (SCWs) begin at the animal pole and progress around the egg, occur every cell cycle and precede cleavage [1–3]. The SCWs are biphasic, comprising a relaxation phase (SCWa) and a contraction phase (SCWb). To investigate how these events are linked to the underlying cell cycle, we studied the temporal and spatial relationship between the SCWs and previously characterized biochemical markers of cell-cycle progression. We found that the relaxation phase was a response to activated maturation-promoting factor (MPF). In contrast, the contraction phase required inactivation of MPF and was blocked when MPF activity was maintained at elevated levels. We also found that a wave of MPF activity traveled within the cell from the animal to the vegetal hemisphere. Taken together, these experiments suggest that the SCWs are a local response to a wave of MPF activation and inactivation. The egg cytoplasm, therefore, is metachronous in terms of cell-cycle progression; multiple cell-cycle states are present and spatially distinct within the egg at the same time.
Generic rigidity of molecular graphs via ear decomposition

Abstract A basic model in the study of structural rigidity is a network of rigid bars connected at their endpoints by flexible joints; this can be represented by what is called here a frame, which is a graph G realized in Euclidean space with straight-line edges. The edges act as constraints, fixing the distances between vertices. The degrees of freedom of a frame, i.e., the dimension of the space of infinitesimal motions of its vertices, is a standard measure of its flexibility. A long-standing open problem is to find a purely combinatorial algorithm for computing the generic degrees of freedom in three dimensions, ψ(G), a number which depends on the graph alone. This paper focuses on the special case of molecular graphs and their frames, in which an additional edge is added for each edge-pair angle (i.e., the squares of graphs); such graphs are used to model atom-bond networks with bond-angle forces, which arise in the study of glasses. The main result of this paper is a recurrence relation, which, when combined with previous work by the author, yields a practical algorithm to produce both upper and lower bounds on ψ(G). The result is stated for molecular graphs in three dimensions, but has analogs for standard graphs in two or three dimensions. The algorithm uses a generalization of ear decomposition, here called chain decomposition. The paper gives as a corollary a simple characterization of two classes of molecular graphs for which one can compute ψ(G) exactly. The paper also gives the following theorem: if a graph is edge two-connected and has no chordless cycle of length greater than 6, the corresponding molecular graph is rigid.
Amino acid transport in Neurospora crassa IV. Properties and regulation of a methionine transport system

Abstract A specific amino acid transport system in Neurospora crassa is described with affinity for methionine and several of its analogs. This methionine transport system has a Michaelis constant ( K m ) for l -methionine of about 23 μM and has lower affinity for S- ethylcysteine , ethionine, S- methylcysteine and norleucine. The methionine transport system has high activity under conditions of sulfur starvation and low activity under other conditions. It is regulated both at the level of protein synthesis and, more directly, at the level of activity. The synthesis of a protein needed for methionine transport system activity is regulated by the cys-3 locus, the synthesis being induced in the wild type by sulfur starvation. The methionine transport system is also inhibited by the presence of methionine and structurally similar amino acids in the internal amino acid pool (transinhibition). The ability of an amino acid to transinhibit is correlated with its affinity for the system. Amino acids with high affinity are effective transinhibitors, those with lower affinity are less effective transinhibitors. Most amino acids with no affinity for the methionine transport system show no transinhibition. A model is proposed for transinhibition in which the amino acid binds to the active site of a protein carrier on the inside of the membrane, inhibiting recycling of the carrier for further transport.
A small-plot point injector for liquid fertilizer application

Point injection of liquid fertilizer has shown promise as an alternative to standard surface or subsurface fertilizer application, particularly with no-till and ridge-till planting systems. Field-scale point injector applicators are difficult to use in small plots, especially with labeled fertilizer materials such as ¹⁵N. This paper describes the construction and use of a small, inexpensive fertilizer application system, which simulates fertilizer injection by a large point injection applicator. Use of the applicator for 3 yr has shown the unit to be relatively accurate, durable and compatible with a variety of fertilizer materials. Contribution from the Agronomy Dep., Iowa State Univ. Journal Paper no. J-12871 (Project no. 2737) of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Exp. Stn.
Automatic content extraction of filled form images based on clustering component block projection vectors

Automatic understanding of document images is a hard problem. Here we consider a sub-problem, automatically extracting content from filled form images. Without pre-selected templates or sophisticated structural/semantic analysis, we propose a novel approach based on clustering the component-block-projection-vectors. By combining spectral clustering and minimal spanning tree clustering, we generate highly accurate clusters, from which the adaptive templates are constructed to extract the filled-in content. Our experiments show this approach is effective for a set of 1040 US IRS tax form images belonging to 208 types.
Internally solvated cyclopentadienyllithium compounds : Structural integrity of the Cp-Li+ moiety. NMR, dynamics, X-ray crystallography, and calculations

[Structure: see text]. N(CH2CH2OCH3)2 are as follows: T = CHCH(CH3)2, 6; T = (CH2)2, 10; T = (CH2)3, 14. The results of NOE NMR experiments for 6, 10, and 14 together with X-ray crystallography of 14 support internally coordinated monomeric structures for all three compounds. Models have been constructed for 6, 10, and 14 from modifications of an internally solvated allylic lithium compound at the B3LYP level of theory using basis set 6-311G*. The resulting structural features are very similar to those obtained from the NMR and crystallographic data. In addition, 13C NMR shifts obtained with the GIAO procedure using the results of the B3LYP/6-311G* calculations are closely similar to the experimental shifts, which validate B3LYP as a suitable model for these compounds. The Li+ centroid distance of ca. 1.9 A to 2.0 A obtained for 6, 10, and 14 is common to most crystallographic data for externally solvated Cp-Li+ compounds as well as one which incorporates a (CpLiCp)- triple ion. It is concluded that the ligand tether and the stereochemistry around Li+ accommodate to maintain the structural integrity of Cp-Li+. NMR and crystallography show 14 to be chiral. Carbon-13 NMR line shape changes are attributed to inversion via a lateral wobble mechanism with DeltaH++ = 6 kcal x mol(-1) and DeltaS++ = -2 eu. It is also shown that a 6,6-dimethylfulvene is deprotonated at methyl by LiN(CH2CH2OCH3)3 as well as by butyllithium in the presence of PMDTA producing isopropenyl Cp-Li+ compounds 24 and 25, respectively. NMR line shape changes of the sample containing 24 have been qualitatively interpreted to result from a combination of fast transfer of coordinated ligand between faces of the carbanion plane as well as a lithium-exchange process.
Molecular Conformation of the Full-Length Tumor Suppressor NF2/Merlin—A Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Study

The tumor suppressor protein Merlin inhibits cell proliferation upon establishing cell–cell contacts. Because Merlin has high level of sequence similarity to the Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin family of proteins, the structural model of Ezrin-Radixin-Moesin protein autoinhibition and cycling between closed/resting and open/active conformational states is often employed to explain Merlin function. However, recent biochemical studies suggest alternative molecular models of Merlin function. Here, we have determined the low-resolution molecular structure and binding activity of Merlin and a Merlin(S518D) mutant that mimics the inactivating phosphorylation at S518 using small-angle neutron scattering and binding experiments. Small-angle neutron scattering shows that, in solution, both Merlin and Merlin(S518D) adopt a closed conformation, but binding experiments indicate that a significant fraction of either Merlin or Merlin(S518D) is capable of binding to the target protein NHERF1. Upon binding to the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate lipid, the wild-type Merlin adopts a more open conformation than in solution, but Merlin(S518D) remains in a closed conformation. This study supports a rheostat model of Merlin in NHERF1 binding and contributes to resolving a controversy about the molecular conformation and binding activity of Merlin.
A CLASSIFICATION OF MAP PROJECTIONS1

THE desire for a classification of map projections stems from the fact that an infinite number of distinct projections are possible. Hence, the fundamental problem in classifying map projections is the partitioning of this infinite set into a comprehensible and useful finite number of all-inclusive and preferably non-overlapping classes. Several classifications of map projections are to be found in the cartographic literature. The advantages and disadvantages of each, of course, depend on the purpose, just as the properties by which classes are to be distinguished depend on the purpose. The classification based on geometric models (perspectivities) separating projections into conic, cylindric, planar, polyconic, polycylindric, etc., is convenient and is often used. The major shortcoming of this system is that it is not allinclusive. Another most important method of classification, based on the preservation of certain geometric properties of the surface of the referent object, separates the conformal projections from the equal-area projections, leaving a third class which is neither. Preservation of additional properties yields further classes; e.g., geodesic maps (for the sphere there is the gnomonic projection and all linear transforms thereof), azimuthal projections, equidistant projections (including polar isometries such as the azimuthal equidistant), and many more. In fact, Felix Klein, the German mathematician, defined a geometry as the study of properties preserved by a particular group of transformations. From this point of view, a classification according to properties preserved is the very essence of geometry. Thus one has projective transformations and projective geometry, affine transformations and affine geometry, Euclidean
Evaluation Use: Results From a Survey of U.S. American Evaluation Association Members

This paper presents the results of a cross-sectional survey on evaluation use completed by 1,140 U.S. American Evaluation Association members. This study had three foci: evaluators' current attitud...
Development of volume‐average theory for deep‐bed filtration

Over the past 20 years, researchers have attempted, with limited success, to develop a general correlation for permeability loss within a deep-bed filter. The research presented here yields a unique result by rigorously developing a filtration model that focuses on the effective surface area as the dominant factor causing permeability loss. Both a constitutive relation and a geometric interpretation are developed to represent the effective surface area. The resulting macroscale equations accurately model the permeability reduction by incorporating the lower scale mechanisms. The model was tested using the specific process of water injection into a sandstone formation with experimental variables of salt concentration, pH, and concentration of influent fines. Postulated forms of the constitutive relations were verified through these experiments. By accounting for the changes in effective surface area, the model uniquely and accurately describes the permeability loss within a deep-bed filter.
HookFinder: Identifying and Understanding Malware Hooking Behaviors

Installing various hooks into the victim system is an important attacking strategy employed by malware, including spyware, rootkits, stealth backdoors, and others. In order to defeat existing hook detectors, malware writers keep exploring new hooking mechanisms. However, the current malware analysis procedure is painstaking, mostly manual and error-prone. In this paper, we propose the first systematic approach for automatically identifying hooks and extracting hooking mechanisms. We propose a unified approach, fine-grained impact analysis, to identify malware hooking behaviors. Our approach does not rely on any prior knowledge of hooking mechanisms, and thus can identify novel hooking mechanisms. Moreover, we devise a method using semantics-aware impact dependency analysis to provide a succinct and intuitive graph representation to illustrate hooking mechanisms. We have developed a prototype, HookFinder, and conducted extensive experiments using representative malware samples from various categories. We have demonstrated that HookFinder can correctly identify the hooking behaviors of all samples, and provide accurate insights about their hooking mechanisms.
Adaptive coherent suppression of multiple wide-bandwidth RFI sources in SAR

This paper is concerned with suppressing multiple wide-bandwidth radio frequency interference (RFI) sources in SAR systems. A coherent processing of passive radar (sniff) data is presented to diminish the effects of wide-bandwidth as well as narrow-bandwidth RFI sources in the active radar data that are collected by a SAR system. The approach is based on a two-dimensional adaptive filtering of the active SAR data using the passive sniff data as the reference signal. A similar mathematical (signal) model and processing is also utilized to suppress self-induced resonance (SIR) signals that are generated by the interaction of the radar-carrying platform and the transmitted radar signal. Results are shown using the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) low-frequency, ultra-wideband (UWB) imaging radar (Boom-SAR).© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Subjective reactions to phonological variation in Costa Rican spanish

The results of a subjective reaction test on a sample of 440 Costa Ricans indicate that in societies where educational levels are not generally high, social status groups may be differentiated phonologically by the use of prestigeful features rather than by stigmatized ones, contrary to findings regarding social dialects in the United States. Participating listeners discriminated between three speakers whose reading of a Spanish text varied only according to their percentage use of stigmatized and prestige phonological variables--specifically, accent shift, vowel alternation, and consonantal alternation. As hypothesized, listeners assigned occupational status to, distanced themselves socially from, and attributed personality and socioeconomically related traits to speakers according to the degree of prestigefulness or stigmatization of the latter's speech. However, whereas listeners could distinguish well between the prestige speaker, on the one hand, and the intermediate and stigmatized speakers on the other, they barely differentiated between the latter two. Whereas male and female hsteners did not differ significantly from each other in their reactions, contrary to expectation, older listeners, compared to younger ones, significantly more often discriminated between speakers in the expected direction, confirming further that sociolinguistic competence is acquired gradually.
VASODILATORS IN MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Various adjunctive interventions have been undertaken with mechanical ventilation to improve lung or cardiovascular function and reverse lung injury. This article reviews the use of systemic and inhaled vasodilators in conjunction with mechanical ventilation. Vasodilators affect the pulmonary vasculature and result in a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). Since many pulmonary and cardiovascular conditions requiring mechanical ventilation are associated with pulmonary artery hypertension, a reduction of pulmonary vascular pressures could potentially decrease extravasation of fluid into the interstitial space, improve right ventricle (RV) function and reduce hemodynamic instability. A recognized disadvantage of some vasodilators is deterioration in oxygenation owing to worsening intrapulmonary shunt from an increase in blood flow to poorly ventilated lung units. If the effects of a vasodilator are not limited to the pulmonary vasculature, systemic hypotension and hemodynamic instability may result. Because of these adverse effects, modified systemic vasodilators and inhaled vasodilators have been developed. The agents that will be reviewed include inhaled nitric oxide (NO), parenteral prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ), and parenteral and aerosolized prostacyclin (PGI 2 ).
Fault tolerant control of a gyroscope system

This paper presents an experimental study of a control moment gyroscope using a new controller architecture, generalized internal model control, which separates the controller design into two stages: (a) a nominal performance controller and (b) a robustness controller. The paper shows how to design such controllers for a gyroscope system so that the performance with the nominal controller may be maintained in the case of sensor failure and/or model uncertainties.
Clonal and Leaf Age Variation in Populus Phenolic Glycosides: Implications for Host Selection by Chrysomela scripta (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Feeding and oviposition preferences of adult cottonwood leaf beetles, Chrysomela scripta F., vary among leaf age classes and Populus clones. Phenolic glycoside profiles of different age classes from seven Populus , representing a range of preferences, were examined for salicin, salicortin, and tremulacin composition and concentration among leaf age classes, as measured by leaf plastochron index (LPI). For each clone, extracts from the most preferred leaf age class for both behaviors (LPI 3) and from a nonpreferred class (LPI 12) were examined. Significant differences in the concentrations of these glycosides were found both between leaf age classes and among clones. The LPI 12 leaves contained lower concentrations of all three glycosides than the LPI 3 leaves. Comparisons were made between feeding and oviposition preferences and glycoside content. These suggest that salicin and salicortin content do not negatively influence host selection but that tremulacin may negatively influence such behavior.
Electrical stimulation for control of bladder function

Electrical stimulation of sensory fibers in the pudendal nerve can generate either inhibition or activation of the bladder, and this is a promising approach to restoration of continence and micturition in neurological disease or injury. We review studies of pudendal afferent stimulation to excite the bladder and enhance bladder emptying in urinary retention or restore bladder emptying following spinal cord injury.
Simulation model for competitive bidding in construction

In this paper, bidding optimization procedures are summarized for the construction context, and a model design is proposed for use in simulating the bidding process and its complexities. Situations involving potentially large numbers of bidders are represented. The simulation model incorporates the variety typically representative of projects for which bids are submitted, as well as the tendency of bidders to respond in varying ways to that variety. Ultimately, data are to be generated by the simulation model for use in developing and testing alternative methods used in bidding optimization.
William Beaumont: first American surgeon scientist and father of gastric physiology.

(2003). William Beaumont: First American Surgeon Scientist and Father of Gastric Physiology. Journal of Investigative Surgery: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 55-56.
The Majority of Human Peripheral Blood CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Bear Functional Skin-Homing Receptors

CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Treg) are thought to be important in the peripheral tolerance. Recent evidence suggests that human peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ T cells are heterogeneous and contain both CD4+CD25(high) T cells with potent regulatory activity and many more CD4+CD25(low/med) nonregulatory T cells. In this study, we found that virtually all peripheral blood CD4+CD25(high)Foxp3+ Treg expressed high levels of the chemokine receptor CCR4. In addition, 80% of Treg expressed cutaneous lymphocyte Ag (CLA) and 73% expressed CCR6. These molecules were functional, as CLA+ Treg showed CD62E ligand activity and demonstrable chemotactic responses to the CCR4 ligands CCL22 and CCL17 and to the CCR6 ligand CCL20. The phenotype and chemotactic response of these Treg were significantly different from those of CD4+CD25(med) nonregulatory T cells. We further demonstrated that blood CLA+ Treg inhibited CD4+CD25- T cell proliferation induced by anti-CD3. Based on homing receptor profile, CLA+ Treg should enter normal skin. We next isolated CD4+CD25(high) T cells directly from normal human skin; these cells suppressed proliferation of skin CD4+CD25- T cells. Therefore, the majority of true circulating Treg express functional skin-homing receptors, and human Treg may regulate local immune responses in normal human skin.
Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Most patients present symptomatically when the disease is often at an advanced stage and prognosis is poor. In contrast, outcomes are significantly better in patients diagnosed at earlier stages, with a 5-year survival for stage I approaching 75%. Screening for lung cancer may detect potentially fatal cases earlier in their disease course, at a stage when a curative surgical intervention is feasible. The objective of this review is to examine the current evidence for lung cancer screening and the clinical effectiveness of screening for lung cancer by using computed tomography.
Engineering rodents create key habitat for lizards

There is growing recognition among ecologists that ecosystem engineers play important roles in creating habitat for other species, but the comparative and combined effects of co-existing engineers are not well known. Here, we evaluated the separate and interactive effects of two burrowing rodents, Gunnison's prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) and banner-tailed kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spectabilis), on lizards in the Chihuahuan Desert grassland (USA). We found that the mounds and burrow systems of both rodent species provided important habitat for lizards, with lizard abundance being 2 to 4-fold higher on mounds than in adjacent areas without mounds. Kangaroo rat mounds supported greater numbers of lizards than prairie dog mounds, but the prairie dog colony with kangaroo rats supported 2-times more lizards than the landscape with only kangaroo rats. A greater number of mound habitats were available for lizards where prairie dogs and kangaroo rats co-occurred, and the rodents created unique structural mound types with different spatial distributions on the landscape. Our results demonstrate the importance of burrowing rodents in creating habitat for other animals, and that the combined effect of ecosystem engineers, especially those with large ecological roles, can be complementary and additive in areas where they co-occur.
CHARACTERIZING AN ANALOG AMPLIFIER UTILIZING A FERROELECTRIC TRANSISTOR

ABSTRACT The use of ferroelectric materials for digital memory devices is widely researched and implemented, but ferroelectric devices also posses unique characteristics that made them have interesting and useful properties in analog circuits. Because ferroelectric transistors posses the properties of hysteresis and nonlinearity, an analog amplifier containing an FeFET has very different characteristics than one with a traditional FET. This paper characterizes the properties of a simple analog amplifier using both a traditional FET and a ferroelectric FET. The characterization includes voltage transfer, gain, frequency response, and operating modes. Because of the hysteresis effects the FeFET amplifier has two distinct operating modes, each with significantly different properties. These two regions have very different gain characteristics and are nonlinear. This has the effect of being able to program the FeFET to have two different voltage transfer/current characteristics with a single device. This can a...
The teaching portfolio: a useful guide for pharmacists' teaching goals.

There are few opportunities in life that allow one to take more than they give. Despite the time needed for extensive preparation, teaching can really be this type of blessing in disguise. No matter the format, there is something to be said about the opportunity to impart some lasting mentorship and instruction on one’s peers and students. Whether through subtle words of appreciation or through more tangible examples of appreciation, the gifts from teaching can really be priceless. These examples of gratitude do not go unnoticed by those teachers whose passion is to help others learn.
Benefit of Qigong exercise in patients with fibromyalgia: a pilot study.

ABSTRACTObjective: Fibromyalgia (FM) patients present with widespread chronic pain and other symptoms. Some studies in the literature have reported inconsistent results after a Qigong exercise intervention in patients with FM. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a home-based Qigong exercise in patients with FM. Methods: A total of 14 subjects were randomly assigned into one of two groups. The experimental group went through a six-week Qigong exercise program involving meditation, deep breathing, and synchronized rhythmic body movements. The control group took part in a sham Qigong exercise program using the same body movements also for six weeks. Clinical assessments at baseline and end of intervention used the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Results: Group mean scores of four measurements were significantly (p < .0125) reduced in the intervention group, but not in the cont...
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay for Lyme Disease

The sensitivity and specificity of an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and ELISA for Lyme disease were estimated. Sera from patients with Lyme disease, patients with other infections, and healthy individuals were examined. Significant cross-reactivity occurred only with sera from patients with syphilis, yaws, and pinta . All tested sera from patients with Lyme disease, however, gave negative results in the rapid reagin screening test and the microhemagglutination assay for antibodies to Treponema pallidum confirmatory for syphilis. When sera from patients with treponemal diseases were excluded from the analysis, the IFA and ELISA were highly specific, having 97% and 100% reliability, respectively. Sensitivity of both tests varied with the stage of disease but was 100% for both tests during complicated Lyme disease. The results indicate that both tests are highly specific and sensitive for complicated Lyme disease but relatively insensitive for patients with erythema chronicum migrans alone.
Towards Efficient and Secure Rekeying for IEEE 802.16e WiMAX Networks

In this paper, we study the rekeying issue in IEEE 802.16e WiMAX networks. The existing rekeying scheme - the Multicast and Broadcast Rekeying Algorithm (MBRA) unicasts new keys to each subscriber station (SS). This scheme does not scale well since it incurs large communication overhead when the number of SSs increase. In our work, first we propose a general tree-based rekeying scheme, which is more efficient than the MBRA. We then formulate an optimization problem to determine the optimal tree structure for a given number of SSs. Furthermore, we design a novel and efficient rekeying scheme for WiMAX networks. Our new rekeying scheme utilizes efficient security primitives and application features of WiMAX networks. Both analysis and performance evaluation show that the new rekeying scheme can significantly reduce communication overhead.