cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using STT-RAM to enable energy-efficient near-threshold chip multiprocessors

Near-threshold computing is gaining traction as an energy-efficient solution for power-constrained systems. This paper proposes a novel near-threshold chip multiprocessor design that uses non-volatile spin-transfer torque random access memory (STT-RAM) technology to implement all on-chip caches. This technology has several advantages over SRAM that are particularly useful in near-threshold designs. Primarily, STT-RAM has very low leakage, saving a substantial fraction of the power consumed by near-threshold chips. In addition, the STT-RAM components run at a higher supply voltage to speed up write operations. This has the effect of making cache reads very fast to the point where L1 caches can be shared by several cores, improving performance. Overall, the proposed design saves 11-33% energy compared to an SRAM-based near-threshold system.
Sensitive periods during embryogeny for hormonally induced sex determination in turtles.

Abstract Administration of exogenous estradiol between embryonic stages 10 and 19 inclusive caused embryos of snapping turtles (a species which exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination) to develop ovaries rather than testes, while administration of hormone either prior to stage 10 or after stage 22 did not affect the predicted sex ratio of offspring. Thus the sensitive period for hormonal effects on gonadal development apparently coincides with the period of normal gonadal differentiation. In light of these and prior results use of the term “sex reversal” when discussing the effects of hormones on gonadal differentiation may be a misnomer. We suggest the alternative phrase “hormonally induced gonadal differentiation” (HGD) as a substitute. Results also indicate that variations in the timing of injections among studies may account fur at least some of the interspecific differences previously reported for effects of exogenous hormones on gonad differentiation.
Induction of apoptotic cell death in hen granulosa cells by ceramide.

Recent studies have demonstrated that ovarian follicle atresia occurs extensively before follicle selection into the avian preovulatory hierarchy, and that this process is mediated via granulosa cell apoptosis. Subsequent to follicle selection, granulosa cells are inherently resistant to apoptosis, and such resistance is correlated with increased expression of death suppressor genes such as bcl-xlong. In the present studies we used this avian ovary model system to 1) identify cellular characteristics and mechanisms related to apoptotic cell death of granulosa cells in vitro, and 2) further characterize functional differences between apoptosis-susceptible (4- to 8-mm follicle) and apoptosis-resistant (preovulatory follicle) granulosa cells. Treatment of granulosa cells from the largest preovulatory follicle with N-octanoylsphingosine (C8-ceramide) results in pronounced oligonucleosome formation, a hallmark of apoptosis. That this is indicative of programmed cell death is supported by an increased incidence...
Calorimetry using BaF2 with photosensitive wire chamber readout

Abstract A detailed review is given on the use of BaF 2 with a low-pressure, photosensitive wire chamber readout. New results are presented on the pulse shapes in various modes of operation, the ability to work in magnetic fields and at high rates, and the detection capabilities of these devices for photons of ≤1 MeV. A discussion is also given of the aspects of using a system of detectors of this type on a large scale for high-energy and nuclear physics experiments.
A note on the Gaussian cardinal-interpolation operator

Suppose λ is a positive number, and let , x∈Rd, denote the d-dimensional Gaussian. Basic theory of cardinal interpolation asserts the existence of a unique function , x∈Rd, satisfying the interpolatory conditions , k∈Zd, and decaying exponentially for large argument. In particular, the Gaussian cardinal-interpolation operator , given by , x∈Rd, , is a well-defīned linear map from l2(Zd) into L2(Rd). It is shown here that its associated operator-norm is , implying, in particular, that is contractive. Some sidelights are also presented.
ASPECTS OF PLANNING AND EVALUATION OF CHILDREN'S DENTAL CARE IN APPALACHIA

The dental public health literature contains almost no information on caries experience and treatment needs of Appalachian children, and little information concerning resource requirements for children's dental care programs in general. Data from three dental treatment programs in Appalachia are summarized for purposes of planning and evaluation of similar programs. Age specific caries and service experiences are presented, and evaluation criteria and planning considerations are discussed. Resource requirements, including time, cost and manpower are also presented, and special considerations for planning programs are discussed.
Simultaneous Multimode Pressure-Induced Frequency-Shift Measurements in Shock-Compressed Organic Liquid Mixtures by Use of Reflected Broadband Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering

Reflected broadband (multichannel) coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering was used to measure the ring-breathing-mode vibrational frequencies of neat liquid benzene, neat liquid deuterated benzene (benzene-${d}_{6}$), and mixtures of these under shock compression to pressures up to 1.53 GPa. The pressure-induced frequency shifts determined for neat benzene agree with those obtained previously by use of backward stimulated Raman scattering. Evidence for nearest-neighbor effects on the vibrational frequency shifts is presented.
Neural network with maximum entropy constraint for nuclear medicine image restoration

A neural-network-based algorithm is proposed for the restoration of nuclear medicine images as required for antibody therapy. The method was designed to address the particular problem of restoration of planar and tomographic bremsstrahlung data acquired with a gamma camera. Restoration was achieved by minimizing the energy function of the Hopfield network using a maximum entropy constraint. The performance of the proposed algorithm was tested on simulated data and planar gamma camera images of pure p-emitting radionuclides used in radioimmunotherapy. The results were compared with those of previously reported restoration techniques based on neural networks or traditional filters. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the data suggested that the neural network with the maximum entropy constraint has good overall restoration performance; it is stable and robust even in cases where the signal-to-noise ratio is poor and scattering effects are significant. This behavior is particularly important in imaging therapeutic doses of pure β emitters such as yttrium-90 in order to provide accurate in vivo estimates of the radiation dose to the target and/or the critical organs.
GABAB receptor gene expression is not altered in cocaine-sensitized rats

Recent behavioral and neurobiological data indicate that GABAB receptor transmission is involved in cocaine-induced hyperactivity and reinforcement. GABAB receptor gene expression in cocaine-sensitized rats was examined in this study. Rats were injected with cocaine (15 mg/kg, daily, i.p.) or saline for 5 consecutive days, and challenged with the same dose of cocaine after a 1-, or 20-day hiatus. The locomotor activities of rats were recorded after challenge, and the rats were killed 24 hr later. GABABR1a, 1b, and GABABR2 mRNA in discrete brain regions was detected by RPA and In Situ Hybridization; GABABR1a protein was measured by Western blotting. Rats pretreated with cocaine developed a hyperactivity to the cocaine challenge after a 1-day or 20-day hiatus, but GABABR subunit mRNA and GABABR1a protein densities in the targeted regions showed no significant difference compared to those in control rats. These data indicate that GABAB receptor gene expression is not necessarily relevant to the behavioral sensitization of cocaine. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Online handwriting recognition in a form-filling task: evaluating the impact of context-awareness

Guiding a recognition task using a language model is commonly accepted as having a positive effect on accuracy and is routinely used in automated speech processing. This paper presents a quantitative study of the impact of the use of word models in online handwriting recognition applied to form-filling tasks on handheld devices. Two types of word models are considered: a dictionary, typically from few thousands and up to hundred-thousand words; and a grammar or regular expression generating a language several orders of magnitude bigger than the dictionary. It is reported that the improvement in accuracy obtained by the use of a grammar compares with the gain provided by the use of a dictionary. Finally, the impact of the word models on user acceptance of online handwriting recognition in a specific form-filling application is presented.
Direct observation of orientation change by channel die compression of polycrystalline aluminum—Use of a split sample

Abstract The orientation changes of a set of grains in a 2 × 2 mm region on an “internal” surface of a two-part polycrystalline aluminum sample were measured by the Backscattered Kikuchi Diffraction (BKD) technique before and after 40% height reduction in a channel die. Bulk textures determined by both BKD and X-ray diffraction showed moderate agreement with predictions from a rate dependent, Taylor like, polycrystal model. However, the predicted local orientation changes agreed with the experiments for only a few of the 58 grains studied. In most cases, the average orientation change was different in magnitude and direction from this prediction. The observations also showed large in-grain misorientations sometimes as large as 25°, while the model assumes a single orientation for each grain. Although the orientations of many grains were along the rolling texture fiber after deformation, they were not at the positions predicted by the model. Thus homogeneous uniform strain, a common assumption in deformation texture models cannot be used to predict structural changes at grain level.
Hypercalcitoninemia and inappropriate calciuria in the acute trauma patient

Abstract Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the role of calcium-regulatory hormones (calcitonin [CT], parathyroid hormone [PTH], and vitamin D analogs) during the first 48 hours after acute trauma. Methods: Eleven acutely traumatized patients admitted to the shock-trauma intensive care unit (STICU) in a tertiary care teaching hospital were enrolled. Eleven same-day elective surgery patients served as the control group. Levels of ionized calcium (Ca 2+ ), total calcium, magnesium, phosphate, CT, PTH, vitamin D analogs, electrolyte supplementation, and renal electrolyte loss were recorded during the first 48 hours after admission to the STICU. Control-group measurements consisted of Ca 2+ and CT. Results: At admission, 91 % of the patients had ionized hypocalcemia (1.04 ± 0.10 mmol/L). Ca 2+ levels increased significantly overtime (1.13 ± 0.08 at 24 hours; 1.16 ± 0.07 at 48 hours) but remained below the control-group value (1.28 ± 0.05; P P Conclusions: Acute trauma patients have ionized hypocalcemia associated with inappropriate urinary calcium loss, increased CT levels, and normal PTH and vitamin D analog values. We believe the degree of calciuria we observed was inappropriate in the context of ionized hypocalcemia. The cause of these increased CT levels is unclear. Our results suggest that Ca 2+ -regulatory mechanisms may be disrupted in the acute trauma patient.
Spectrum of Doubly Ionized Lanthanum (La iii)

Forty-five spectral lines of doubly ionized lanthanum in the interval from 700 to 2000 A are reported. Thirteen newly discovered terms of the ns, np, nd, nf, and ng series are given. Calculations of the limit of three of these series result in a value of 154 672 cm−1 for the ionization energy with an estimated uncertainty of ±10 cm−1.
The process of cavity filling including the fountain flow in injection molding

This work deals with the simulation of the filling of a cavity utilizing the Marker-and-Cell numerical technique in solving the transient problem involved. The cavity is confined by two parallel plates, and is “end fed.” The flow was assumed isothermal and the fluid incompressible, obeying the power law model. Special attention was given to the flow region near the advancing melt front, in order to obtain a better insight of the “fountain effect,” during which the fluid flows from the center to the walls of the cavity. The results of the simulation of the front flow region are supported by and in qualitative agreement with experimental results involving “tracer resins” during cavity filling. Although the flows considered were slow and isothermal, this study has significant practical ramifications on industrial mold filling during injection molding.
Hybrid Reynolds-Averaged/Large-Eddy Simulations of a Co-Axial Supersonic Free-Jet Experiment

Reynolds-averaged and hybrid Reynolds-averaged/large-eddy simulations have been applied to a supersonic coaxial jet flow experiment. The experiment was designed to study compressible mixing flow phenomenon under conditions that are representative of those encountered in scramjet combustors. The experiment utilized either helium or argon as the inner jet nozzle fluid, and the outer jet nozzle fluid consisted of laboratory air. The inner and outer nozzles were designed and operated to produce nearly pressure-matched Mach 1.8 flow conditions at the jet exit. The purpose of the computational effort was to assess the state-of-the-art for each modeling approach, and to use the hybrid Reynolds-averaged/large-eddy simulations to gather insight into the deficiencies of the Reynolds-averaged closure models. The Reynolds-averaged simulations displayed a strong sensitivity to choice of turbulent Schmidt number. The initial value chosen for this parameter resulted in an over-prediction of the mixing layer spreading rate for the helium case, but the opposite trend was observed when argon was used as the injectant. A larger turbulent Schmidt number greatly improved the comparison of the results with measurements for the helium simulations, but variations in the Schmidt number did not improve the argon comparisons. The hybrid Reynolds-averaged/large-eddy simulations also over-predicted the mixing layer spreading rate for the helium case, while under-predicting the rate of mixing when argon was used as the injectant. The primary reason conjectured for the discrepancy between the hybrid simulation results and the measurements centered around issues related to the transition from a Reynolds-averaged state to one with resolved turbulent content. Improvements to the inflow conditions were suggested as a remedy to this dilemma. Second-order turbulence statistics were also compared to their modeled Reynolds-averaged counterparts to evaluate the effectiveness of common turbulence closure assumptions.
Holocene sedimentary and environmental history of an in-channel wetland along the ecotone of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Desert grasslands

Abstract The paleoenvironmental record of sedimentation and development of an in-channel wetland that spans the border of southeast Arizona, USA, and northeast Sonora, Mexico, suggests a complex history between climate change and regional groundwater levels. From the late-Pleistocene to early Holocene, the channel occupied by the San Bernardino Cienega was largely aggradational with cobbles to sands being deposited in the oldest and deepest sediments. Changes in grain size indicate lowered stream power through the early to middle Holocene. Around 7200 years ago, sediments changed from sand and cobble dominance to significant proportions of silts and clays suggesting standing or still waters. Along with changes in sediment texture, preservation of organic material initiated, providing a record of regional and local vegetation change. The upland transitioned from woody/grassland co-dominance between 7000 and 5400 cal BP, to grassland dominated conditions after 5400 cal BP. Locally, wetland vegetation established within the stream channel after 7000 cal BP and persisted until ca. 4100 cal BP. From 4100 to ∼2400 cal BP, the cienega remained stabilized, but was covered with grasses and forbs. Wetland vegetation returned after 2400 cal BP. The change in sediment characteristics and inferred establishment of wetland vegetation is interpreted as increased importance of regional groundwater hydrology from the middle Holocene to present. The timing of this change is coincident with increasing El Nino variability and suggests a causal mechanism for increasing regional groundwater, namely increase in winter precipitation in the American Southwest.
Ensemble-Averaged Flow Routing in Channel Networks: Kinematic Wave Equation

A new ensemble-averaged kinematic wave equation is derived for the flow routing problem in channel networks. This derivation is performed by ensemble averaging the second-order Taylor series expansion of the point scale kinematic wave equation around the mean value of the equation’s parameters. Utilizing this ensemble-averaged kinematic wave equation, the ensemble-averaged solution for the same ordered channels (according to the Strahler–Horton ordering) are obtained. Instead of solving the flow at each channel one by one, the ensemble-averaged solution is computed for the ensemble of channels that are of the same order within the channel network. Ensemble averaging is only applied to the channel orders that include a sufficient number of channels to form an ensemble of adequate size. Using this methodology, the computational load, parameter data requirements, and time/effort required to set up the model are reduced substantially. Besides the obtained economy in computations, data requirements and effort ...
Is inventor network structure a predictor of cluster evolution

Abstract Geographical clusters are significant drivers of regional economic growth and competitiveness in today's economy. Recent studies have shown that geographically limited knowledge diffusion which results from inventor movements within clusters is a facilitating factor to regional innovation output and therefore to the development of clusters. However, it remains unclear whether the dynamics of inventor movements can be used as an indicator for different stages of cluster progression. In this study, using patent co-authorship data, we construct inventor networks for two telecom clusters, New Jersey and Texas. Based on the longitudinal analysis of inventor network properties and interviews with the key inventors maintaining the networks, we seek to gain a better understanding of 1) how the properties of inventor networks across the two clusters reflect their difference in fundamental “typology” of clusters; and 2) are the patterns of inventor network structures and properties over time indicative of the change in viability of the clusters. Our findings suggest that the cluster “typology” is a key factor determining the structure of the inventor networks in a geographical cluster. Over time, as the economic and social conditions of a cluster change, the regional inventor networks change their performance accordingly. Importantly, the cluster “typology” may be a significant moderating factor for the relationship between the inventor network performance and the cluster's development.
Empirical electron-phonon λ values from resistivity of cubic metallic elements

Band-theory values of $N({E}_{F})$ and ${\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{p}$ (density of states and Drude-plasma frequency) are used to extract dimensionless electron-phonon parameters ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{tr}}$ from the measured resistivity $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ from the measured low-$T$ electronic specific heat $\ensuremath{\gamma}T$ for 25 cubic elements. In cases where independent reliable estimates of $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ are available from the superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$, ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\mathrm{tr}}$ is consistent, and ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, although more uncertain, seems meaningful. Empirical estimates of $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ for the nonsuperconducting metals Ca, Ba, Fe, Ni, and Rh are suggested.
Understanding how trace segmentation impacts transportation mode detection

Transportation mode (TM) detection is one of the activity recognition tasks in ubiquitous computing. A number of previous studies have compared the performance of various classifiers for TM detection. However, the current study is the first work aiming to understand how TM detection performance is impacted by how the recorded location traces are segmented into data segments for training a classifier. In our preliminary experiments we examine three trace segmentation (TS) methods---Uniform Duration (UniDur), Uniform Number of Location Points (UniNP), and Uniform Distance (UniDis)---and compare their performance on detecting different transportation modes. The results indicate that while driving can be more accurately detected by using UniDis method, walking and bus can be more accurately detected by using UniDur method. This suggests that choosing a right TS method for training a TM classifier is an important step to accurately detect particular transportation modes.
Secondary organic aerosol production from terpene ozonolysis. 1. Effect of UV radiation.

We report secondary organic aerosol (SOA) yields from the ozonolysis of α-pinene under both dark and UV-illuminated conditions. Exposure to UV light reduces SOA yield by 20−40%, with a maximum reduction in yield coinciding with a minimum in the amount of terpene consumed (15−30 ppb). The data are consistent with a constant absolute reduction in the yield of ∼0.03. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of filter samples indicates that the major products found in α-pinene SOA include organic acids (e.g., pinic acid), keto acids (e.g., pinonic acid), and hydroxy keto acids (e.g., 10-hydroxypinonic acid). Analysis of filter-based results suggests that yield reduction is a result of the formation of a more volatile product distribution when experiments are conducted in the presence of UV light. These results imply that previous “dark bag” experiments may overestimate SOA generation from monoterpenes and also that SOA generation in the atmosphere may depend significantly on actinic flux.
Survey of Enterocyte Morphology and Tight Junction Formation in the Small Intestine of Avian Embryos

The developing villus in the small intestine is covered by a single cell layer epithelium where tight junctions are present between the individual enterocytes. As the incubation period proceeds, the epithelium is expanding both in area as well as replenishing epithelial cells. The formation of tight junctions was evaluated in the small intestinal segments of the chicken, duck, and turkey in the final days of incubation and the first few days posthatch. The percentage of enterocyte membrane involved in tight junctions decreased as day of hatch approached followed by an increase in the 3 d after hatch. The rapid increase of epithelial cell proliferation at day of hatch may affect the percentage of cell membrane involved in tight junctions by having enterocytes of various sizes. The microvillus length changes throughout the incubation and posthatch period with differences between the crypt and villus tip. The microvillus length on the villus tip increases after hatch, whereas the crypt microvillus length remains static. Across the intestinal segments, the microvillus length is longest on the villus tip and shortest on the crypt at day of hatch in all 3 species. The observations made in cellular structure, mitochondria and nucleus location, and lipid droplets are similar to reports by other researchers, but this is the first report of those observations in both duck and turkey. The tight junctions appear to be ensconced by day of hatch with little change in cell perimeter in the next 24 h. Potential for embryonic enterocytes exist with the appearance of a goblet cell originating along the basolateral membrane and extruding the enterocytes at day of hatch.
Activation-induced deaminase: controversies and open questions.

Activation-induced deaminase (AID) is required for three distinct reactions crucial to the diversification of the antibody repertoire; these are somatic hypermutation (SHM), class switch recombination (CSR) and gene conversion (GC). AID is a cytidine deaminase and is believed to initiate these reactions by deaminating cytidine residues in single-stranded DNA in Ig genes. This reaction has the potential to produce DNA damage in non-Ig genes and to destabilize the genome. Here, we review the current understanding of how AID is targeted and mutates Ig genes and how genome integrity is maintained during SHM, CSR and GC.
Three-dimensional object registration using wavelet features

Recent developments in shape-based modeling and data acquisition have brought three-dimensional models to the forefront of computer graphics and visualization research. New data acquisition methods are producing large numbers of models in a variety of fields. Three-dimensional registration (alignment) is key to the useful application of such models in areas from automated surface inspection to cancer detection and surgery. The algorithms developed in this research accomplish automatic registration of three-dimensional voxelized models. We employ features in a wavelet transform domain to accomplish registration. The features are extracted in a multi-resolutional format, thus delineating features at various scales for robust and rapid matching. Registration is achieved by using a voting scheme to select peaks in sets of rotation quaternions, then separately identifying translation. The method is robust to occlusion, clutter, and noise. The efficacy of the algorithm is demonstrated through examples from solid modeling and medical imaging applications.
Inoculation of dogs with a recombinant ACTH vaccine

Objective—To determine whether inoculation of healthy dogs with a recombinant peptide containing 3 copies of ACTH would result in the production of antibodies against ACTH and whether this would affect pituitary-adrenocortical function. Animals—8 healthy dogs. Procedures—A recombinant peptide consisting of 3 copies of ACTH fused to a T-helper cell epitope was produced in Escherichia coli. The protein was inoculated into 4 dogs at 4-week intervals (total of 3 inoculations/dog). Four control dogs received inoculations of PBS solution mixed with adjuvant. Blood samples were collected for determination of antibody titers against ACTH and for measurement of basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma cortisol concentrations. Results—Inoculation with the ACTH vaccine resulted in production of anti-ACTH antibodies in all 4 dogs. Titers were initially high but declined by 15 weeks after the initial inoculation. Basal cortisol concentrations were unaffected by inoculation with the ACTH vaccine. Plasma cortisol concentrations...
Dynamic Phenotypic Clustering in Noisy Ecosystems

In natural ecosystems, hundreds of species typically share the same environment and are connected by a dense network of interactions such as predation or competition for resources. Much is known about how fixed ecological niches can determine species abundances in such systems, but far less attention has been paid to patterns of abundances in randomly varying environments. Here, we study this question in a simple model of competition between many species in a patchy ecosystem with randomly fluctuating environmental conditions. Paradoxically, we find that introducing noise can actually induce ordered patterns of abundance-fluctuations, leading to a distinct periodic variation in the correlations between species as a function of the phenotypic distance between them; here, difference in growth rate. This is further accompanied by the formation of discrete, dynamic clusters of abundant species along this otherwise continuous phenotypic axis. These ordered patterns depend on the collective behavior of many species; they disappear when only individual or pairs of species are considered in isolation. We show that they arise from a balance between the tendency of shared environmental noise to synchronize species abundances and the tendency for competition among species to make them fluctuate out of step. Our results demonstrate that in highly interconnected ecosystems, noise can act as an ordering force, dynamically generating ecological patterns even in environments lacking explicit niches.
Lacan's theory of the four discourses∗

(1988). Lacan's theory of the four discourses. Prose Studies: Vol. 11, Lacanian Discourse, pp. 32-49.
Behavior-dependent modulation of hippocampal EEG activity by the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor reboxetine in rats.

Both active wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep (REM) give rise to rhythmic synchronized hippocampal field oscillations, known as theta activity. Antidepressant drugs, including norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors are proven to diminish REM sleep, and REM sleep-related hippocampal theta oscillation. Since reboxetine, a highly selective norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor has been shown to block REM sleep, but induce or facilitate hippocampal theta activity in anesthetized rats, the current study investigated the effects of reboxetine on stage- and behavior dependent theta activity. Polysomnographic recordings, which included hippocampal field potentials at the hippocampal fissure, were carried out in rats for 8 h during the light phase of the circadian cycle. Theta rhythm was analyzed during three different behavioral conditions: REM sleep, during motor activity in a familiar environment, and during exploration in a novel environment. We found that, compared with REM sleep, theta power was relatively low during periods of active wakefulness when the animal was in the familiar home cage, but considerably increased during exploration in a novel environment. Reboxetine suppressed sleep and thus abolished REM sleep-related hippocampal theta rhythm, attenuated theta in the familiar environment, and significantly enhanced theta oscillations associated with exploratory behavior. Our findings demonstrate a state- and behavior-dependent modulation of hippocampal theta activity by reboxetine, providing further evidence for a prominent role of norepinephrine in arousal and focused or selective attention © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A histomorphometric study of cortical bone activity during increased weight-bearing exercise

To quantify cortical bone response to weight-bearing exercise, bone size, mineral content, and formation were measured at the femoral midshaft in swine. Bone formation was measured histomorphometrically on the periosteal, endosteal, and osteonal surfaces. Sedentary adult crossbred sows (3 years, 229 kg) were randomly assigned to basal (B, n = 6), control (C, n = 7), or trained (T, n = 7) groups. The basal and control groups did not exercise and were killed initially (B) or after 20 weeks (C). The trained group walked on a treadmill 20 minutes/day at 5 km/h and 5% grade, 5 days/week for 20 weeks. Bone length, area, or fat-free dry weight was not different with time (B versus C) or with training (C versus T). Periosteal modeling was stimulated by walking. Periosteal formation surface and mineral apposition rate (MAR) were greater in trained than control femora. No effects of walking were measured on the endosteal surface. Intracortical remodeling was not affected by walking. The number of labeled osteons (22.4 cm-2) was not different among groups, but osteonal MAR was greater in trained (1.18 microns/day) than control (0.96 mu/day) femora. Walking for 20 weeks in the previously sedentary sows was not a sufficient stimulus to create differences in gross measures of bone size or mineral content but did increase periosteal and intracortical MAR. The primary effect of increased exercise appeared to be osteoblast activation.
Dr Beringer's fossils: A study in the evolution of scientific world view

Summary This paper deals with a major problem of the early days of the science of palaeontology, the nature and origin of fossils. In 1725, the German physician and academician, Dr Johann Beringer, was deceived into believing that fraudulent, carved stones were true fossils. Despite an extensive analysis, Beringer was not able to fit his ‘fossils’ to any contemporary concept of how fossils originate. The reason for Beringer's inability to classify his stones is explored here. It is argued that the carvings embodied a sixteenth-century, Neoplatonic, concept of fossils, a concept that was outdated in Beringer's time. Beringer chose not to explain his stones rather than to accept the meaning they implied.
The effect of behavioral tracking practices on consumers' shopping evaluations and repurchase intention toward trusted online retailers

The study applies the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model and Social Contract Theory to investigate the effect of behavioral practices scenarios (stimulus) on consumers' evaluations of their online shopping experiences (internal organism) and repurchase intention toward online retailers (external response). The findings suggest there is a disconnect between online shoppers and their trusted online retailers regarding the information collected from online shoppers since, currently, sharing of information collected from customers within affiliates or even with third-party companies such as networking advertising associations for secondary uses (e.g. targeted advertising) is a fairly common practice in the marketing field. Left unresolved, this disconnect may undermine consumers' repurchase intention toward the retailers and potentially injure the social contract between retailers and their customers. These findings are significant for the online retailing industry, consumers and public policy makers.
Generating orthomorphisms of GF( q )

Abstract A map θ : GF( q ) + →GF( q ) + , with O θ =0, is an orthomorphism of GF( q ) + if θ and the map η defined by xη = xθ − x are both bijections. Orthomorphisms can be used in the construction of sets of mutually orthogonal latin squares and in the construction of affine planes. In this paper we give a method for constructing classes of orthomorphisms of GF( q ) + . We also described all orthomorphisms of GF( q ) + for q ⩽ 8.
Case studies of navigational patterns in constructive hypertext

Abstract This paper describes hypertext navigational patterns used by seven authors/readers using a general purpose hypertext editing system to create documents of personal relevance. Five patterns were observed: Linear Traversal, Side Trip, Star, Extended Star, and Chaotic. Navigation in these patterns was facilitated by software utilities allowing traversals among unlinked nodes. This capability is recommended as a standard feature of future hypertext systems.
Enhancing a Geriatric Emergency Department Care Coordination Intervention Using Automated Health Information Exchange-Based Clinical Event Notifications

Purpose: In a health care system where patients often have numerous providers and multiple chronic medical conditions, interoperability of health information technology (HIT) is of paramount importance. Regional health information organizations (RHIO) often provide a health information exchange (HIE) as a solution, which gives stakeholders access to clinical data that they otherwise would not otherwise have. A secondary use of preexisting HIE infrastructure is clinical event notification (CEN) services, which send automated notifications to stakeholders. This paper describes the development and implementation of a CEN service enabled by a RHIO in the New York metropolitan area to improve care coordination for patients enrolled in a geriatric emergency department care coordination program. Innovation: This operational CEN system incorporates several innovations that to our knowledge have not been implemented previously. They include the near real-time notifications and the delivery of notifications via multiple pathways: electronic health record (EHR) “in-baskets,” email, text message to internet protocol-based “zone” phones, and automated encounter entry into the EHR. Based on these alerts the geriatric care coordination team contacts the facility where the patient is being seen and offers additional information or assistance with disposition planning with the goal of decreasing potentially avoidable admissions and duplicate testing. Findings: During the nearly one-year study period, the CEN program enrolled 5722 patients and sent 497 unique notifications regarding 206 patients. Of these notifications, 219 (44%) were for emergency department (ED) visits; 121 (55%) of those notifications were received during normal business hours when the care coordination team was available to contact the ED where the patient was receiving care. Hospital admissions resulted from 45% of ED visits 17.8% of these admissions lasted 48 hours or less, suggesting some might potentially be avoidable. Conclusions and Discussion: This study demonstrates the potential of CEN systems to improve care coordination by notifying providers of the occurrence of specific events. Although it could not directly be demonstrated here, we believe that widespread use of CEN systems have potential to reduce potentially avoidable admissions and duplicate testing, likely leading to decreased costs.
The professionalization of instructional leadership in the United States: competing values and current tensions

While there has been considerable scholarship on the role of school and district leadership within instructional change, there has been little analysis of the values and orientations that undergird current policy debates about instructional leadership. In this chapter, the author argues the importance of examining instructional leadership in the context of broader political and cultural debates about government and about how society should be organized. She identifies two distinct models of instructional leadership emerging as part of these dynamics: the market model and the polis model.
Different Periodicities in the Sunspot Area and the Occurrence of Solar Flares and Coronal Mass Ejections in Solar Cycle 23 – 24

In order to investigate the relationship between magnetic-flux emergence, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), we study the periodicity in the time series of these quantities. It has been known that solar flares, sunspot area, and photospheric magnetic flux have a dominant periodicity of about 155 days, which is confined to a part of the phase of the solar cycle. These periodicities occur at different phases of the solar cycle during successive phases. We present a time-series analysis of sunspot area, flare and CME occurrence during Cycle 23 and the rising phase of Cycle 24 from 1996 to 2011. We find that the flux emergence, represented by sunspot area, has multiple periodicities. Flares and CMEs, however, do not occur with the same period as the flux emergence. Using the results of this study, we discuss the possible activity sources producing emerging flux.
The preparation of tropomyosin and troponin from natural actomyosin

Abstract The procedure described by Bailey for the preparation of tropomyosin B has been modified to yield either a complex of tropomyosin and troponin or the individual proteins. This complex, the EGTA-sensitizing factor has been implicated in the relaxation mechanism of muscle. The starting material, in the modified procedure, was purified natural actomyosin which had been treated with ethanol and ether. Subsequent high ionic strength extraction of this material yielded the EGTA-sensitizing factor complex. Impurities were removed on ammonium sulfate fractionation, and the complex was isolated in the fraction precipitated between 40 to 60% ammonium sulfate saturation. Troponin was obtained as the isoelectric supernatant of the complex over the pH range of 3.5 to 4.6. Tropomyosin was isolated from the isoelectric precipitate by ammonium sulfate fractionation between the limits of 53 to 60% saturation. This separation depended critically on the protein concentration. In the sedimentation velocity analyses the separation was manifested by a transformation of the hypersharp boundary of the EGTA-sensitizing factor complex into two broader boundaries representative of tropomyosin and troponin. The separation was also monitored by the effect of relevant fractions on the ATPase activity of synthetic actomyosin.
Preconcentration of benzalkonium chloride using sodium dodecyl sulfate attached to a strong anion exchange resin

A surfactant-mediated solid phase extraction procedure is applied for the preconcentration of benzalkonium (BA) chloride from a river water sample. Dodecyl sulfate is attached to a strong anion exchange resin and aqueous samples are passed through a column containing this surfactant-resin material. Benzalkonium chloride, a cationic compound very useful in cosmetics and an important fungicide, is adsorbed from the aqueous solution onto the sorbent via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. When using traditional silica-based nonpolar sorbents, strong electrostatic interactions between the cationic analyte and the silica surface make elution difficult. Using the presented sorbent, electrostatic attractions occur between the benzalkonium cations and removable dodecyl sulfate anions. Removing this ion pair from the sorbent results in efficient elutions. The results of this solid-phase extraction (SPE) method are presented in terms of various rinse solutions parameters, breakthrough studies and a real river water sample.
South African guidelines for the management of Gaucher disease, 2011

Background. Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessive lysosomal glycosphingolipid storage disorder resulting from a deficiency of lysosomal enzyme acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase). This partial enzyme deficiency results in accumulation of glycosphingolipid-laden macrophages (Gaucher cells) throughout the liver, spleen, bone marrow, skeleton, lungs and brain (only in types 2 and 3). Objective. These guidelines aim to provide a standard of care for patients with Gaucher disease in keeping with international standards, but also realistic for South Africa, and to provide a shared-care model for treating physicians and funders regarding care for these patients. Recommendations. All healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of Gaucher disease should take note of and implement these guidelines in clinical practice as far as possible. Validation. These guidelines were developed through consensus by the Lysosomal Storage Disorder Medical Advisory Board. They are largely based on the UK 2005 National Guidelines for Gaucher Disease, but include new treatment recommendations for enzyme replacement therapy based on subsequent publications. The Southern African Society for Human Genetics (SASHG) (who have endorsed the guidelines) and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of South Africa (NOFSA) provided valuable input. Guidelines sponsor. Genzyme initiated the project and sponsored the meetings of the Advisory Board and all costs generated by these meetings. Conclusion. It is intended that these guidelines will enable all patients suffering from Gaucher disease to be diagnosed and offered the best possible care available.
Control of a remote maneuvering unit during satellite inspection.

Operator performance in flying a simulated remote maneuvering unit (RMU) on a coplanar satellite in-pection mission was evaluated under two conditions of RMU attitude control and two condiitons of cockpit instrumentation. The maneuver was repeatedly performed successfully using either an on-off acceleration-command attitude control system or an on-off rate-command attitude control system, each with either a full panel of cockpit instruments (six) or only one cockpit instrument.The rate-command system was found to be superior for pitch control during station keeping and for roll control in general. The acceleration-command system was superior for pitch control during the trajectory portions of the mission. Because both control systems had disadvantages, investigation of a variable rate-control system is recommended.More economical and precise RMU control was obtained under the full-panel cockpit instrumentation condition irrespective of the control system used. The instruments of most value were found to b...
Improving benders decomposition using maximum feasible subsystem (MFS) cut generation strategy

A new multi-generation of cuts algorithm is presented in this paper to improve the efficiency of Benders decomposition approach for the cases that optimality cuts are difficult to be achieved within the iterations of the algorithm. This strategy is referred to as maximum feasible subsystem (MFS) cut generation strategy. In this approach in each iteration of the Benders algorithm an additional cut is generated that has the property to restrict the value of the objective function of the Benders master problem. To illustrate the efficiency of the proposed strategy, it is applied to a scheduling problem of multipurpose multiproduct batch plant. Two different partitioning alternatives are tested in order to show the importance of the way that a problem is decomposed upon the efficiency of the Benders algorithm. The application of the proposed acceleration procedure results in substantial reduction of CPU solution time and the total number of iterations in both decomposition alternatives.
Microinjection of FITC-dextran into mouse blastomeres to assess topical effects of zona photoablation

The objective of the current experiments was to investigate whether all or only some blastomeres from precompacted mouse embryos were affected by zona photoablation. The microbeam of xenon chloride excimer laser (308 nm) was guided through an inverted microscope (non-contact system). Topical effects of lasing were determined by microinjection of a vital fluorescent dye of high molecular weight (fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC] dextran) into the cell immediately adjacent to the site of zona photoablation. This dye is only passed onto daughter blastomeres and therefore allows study of specific cell lines. Embryonic growth was assessed following cell separation at the morula and blastocyst stage. Four-cell embryos treated with the laser had significantly fewer cells 12 h after zona photoablation than control embryos. A similar effect was noted after 24 h between dye injected embryos and those injected and lased simultaneously, indicating potential toxic effects of the laser treatment on the embryo. Effects on the blastomere closest to the site of ablation were evaluated by calculating the ratio of dyed cells to the total number of cells at specific time intervals. The ratios were similar in the dye and laser + dye groups of treated 4-cell embryos 36 h after treatment (0.22 and 0.23, respectively), indicating that the dye was still present in approximately 25% of the cells and that the negative effect of photoablation was evenly distributed among the blastomeres. It is concluded that zona photoablation may have long-term detrimental effects of a non-topical nature on precompacted mouse embryos in spite of the apparent precision of the laser spot size.
Noncoding RNAs in mental retardation

Recent genome-wide interrogations of transcribed RNA have yielded compelling evidence for pervasive and complex transcription throughout a large majority of the human genome. Tens of thousands of noncoding RNA transcripts have been identified, most of which have yet to be functionally characterized. Along with the revelation that noncoding RNAs in the human genome are surprisingly abundant, there has been a surge in molecular and genetic data showing important and diverse regulatory roles for noncoding RNA. In this report, we summarize the potential roles that noncoding RNAs may play in the molecular pathogenesis of different mental retardation disorders. We suspect that these findings are just the tip of the iceberg, with noncoding RNAs possibly being involved in disease pathogenesis at different levels and through multiple distinct mechanisms.