cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Mpl ligands on platelet production and function in nonhuman primates.

Endogenous thrombopoietin (TPO) stimulates platelet production in nonhuman primates by inducing dose-dependent megakaryocyte development from early marrow hematopoietic progenitors and subsequent proliferation and endoreduplication. Recombinant human TPO, nonpegylated or pegylated recombinant human megakaryocyte growth and development factor produce log-linear responses in peak peripheral platelet counts (or peripheral platelet mass turnover), platelet TPO receptor density, and marrow megakaryocyte volume, ploidy, number and mass. Mpl ligand therapy sustains normal peripheral platelet concentrations following myelosuppressive chemotherapy in baboons and corrects peripheral platelet counts in HIV-infected chimpanzees with severe thrombocytopenia. Whereas Mpl ligands do not directly induce platelet aggregation in vitro, they enhance aggregatory responsiveness of platelets to physiologic agonists both in vitro and transiently ex vivo following treatment with Mpl ligands. However, platelet recruitment into forming thrombus is not augmented by these agents when evaluated in quantitative rabbit or baboon models of platelet-dependent thrombus formation, except for the direct effect of platelet concentration per se. These findings indicate that appropriate dosing of these agents prevents thrombocytopenia without increasing the risk of platelet-dependent thrombo-occlusive complications.
Symbolic dynamics of coupled map lattices.

We present a method to reduce the ${\mathbb{R}}^{N}$ dynamics of coupled map lattices (CMLs) of $N$ invertibly coupled unimodal maps to a sequence of $N$-bit symbols. We claim that the symbolic description is complete and provides for the identification of all fixed points, periodic orbits, and dense orbits as well as an efficient representation for studying pattern formation in CMLs. We give our results for CMLs in terms of symbolic dynamical concepts well known for one-dimensional chaotic maps, including generating partitions, Gray orderings, and kneading sequences. An example utilizing coupled quadratic maps is given.
Treatment of uterine and vaginal prolapse.

As stated earlier, we as gynecologic surgeons are going to see more of these problems as we experience the increased longevity of our patients. With the patients best interest in mind, it is suggested that one inexperienced in the performance of the sacrospinous ligament suspension should serve a tutorial with one who had considerable experience with this procedure. Contrariwise, the colpectomy followed by a total colpocleisis is so straightforward that my teaching is, "See one; do one; teach one!"
Radio Recentered: Local News Returns Home

The phenomenon of outsourcing is prevalent in many industries, including the media. In radio, voice-tracking of programs from other locations is a prominent example. How the practice of outsourcing affects the content of local news is the focus of this study. Comparing data on outsourced and locally-produced news in a small radio market, the study produced statistically significant results that raise questions about how communities are served when their local news decisions are made elsewhere. The study focuses on a market where local news, once outsourced, has been reconverted into an exclusively local enterprise.
Intense X-ray flares from active stellar systems - EV Lacertae and HD 8357

The HEAO A-1 Sky Survey Experiment included X-ray data used to define light curves for the flare star EV Lac and for X-ray flares observed in the binary system HD 8357. The data were taken during flare events and were detailed enough to calculate the flare rates and flaring luminosities. The peak luminosities during flares were several times the luminosities in normal X-ray flares emitted by the objects. Peak luminosities reached 30-50 times the normal variations and were associated with an order of magnitude increase in energy output. EV Lac was sufficiently active to be recommended for inclusion in future X-ray monitoring programs.
Attenuated vascular responsiveness to noradrenaline release during dynamic exercise in dogs

During dynamic exercise, there is reduced responsiveness to alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists in skeletal muscle vasculature. However, it is desirable to examine the sympathetic responsiveness to endogenous release of neurotransmitter, since exogenous sympathomimetic agents are dependent upon their ability to reach the abluminal receptor. Therefore, to further our understanding of sympathetic control of vasomotor tone during exercise, we employed a technique that would elicit the release of endogenous noradrenaline (norepinephrine) during dynamic exercise. Mongrel dogs (n = 8, 19-24 kg) were instrumented chronically with transit time ultrasound flow probes on both external iliac arteries. A catheter was placed in a side branch of the femoral artery for intra-arterial administration of tyramine, an agent which displaces noradrenaline from the nerve terminal. Doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 3.0 microg ml(-1) min(-1) of iliac blood flow were infused for 1 min at rest and during graded intensities of exercise. Dose-related decreases in iliac vascular conductance were achieved with these concentrations of tyramine. The reductions in iliac vascular conductance (means +/- S.E.M.) were 45 +/- 6 %, 30 +/- 4 %, 26 +/- 3 % and 17 +/- 2 %, for the 1.0 microg ml(-1) min(-1) dose at rest, 3.0 miles h(-1), 6.0 miles h(-1) and 6.0 miles h(-1), 10 % gradient, respectively. At all doses, the magnitude of vasoconstriction caused by administration of tyramine was inversely related to workload. We conclude that there is a reduced vascular responsiveness to sympathoactivation in dynamically exercising skeletal muscle.
Histochemical localization of neurohumors in a sponge

The histochemical localizations of acetylcholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, epinephrine, norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and neurosecretory substance were investigated in Sycon. All reactions that were most intense and sensitive to inhibitors were localized in spindle-shaped bipolar cells and multipolar cells situated in the mesenchyme. Some spindle-shaped cells formed a ring around the osculum and others contained branching and interconnecting processes. Multipolar cells were situated singly and possessed up to ten short processes. Activity was most commonly localized to small granules, vesicles, or large droplets within the cells and their processes. These results demonstrate the presence of cells specialized for the secretion of neurohumors and neurosecretory substance in sponges.
When your patient demands a baby

Abstract The purpose of obstetrics is to help women bring health babies into the world. Yet, there are times when such an outcome is impossible or inadvisable. These situations can be agonizing for obstetrician and patient. Are patients entitled to reproductive technologies just because they exist? Where are the boundaries between patient autonomy and physician responsibility? The clinical care of patients demanding reproductive assistance can be enhanced by an understanding of the common and individual reasons for these demands and by the improvement of clinicians' skills in working with these patients.
Optical Quenching of Photoluminescence in Chalcogenide Glasses; Evidence for States in Midgap

Optical quenching of photoluminescence by radiation with photon energy less than the band-gap energy has been observed in glassy ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$. The quenching spectra provide evidence of optical absorption by a narrow band of localized states in the gap which are involved in the radiative recombination process and which are attributable to defects or impurities rather than to tails in the density of states extending into the gap.
Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences of Adolescents in Urban India

Abstract Purpose Research from developing countries suggests that nonconsensual sexual experiences are common, yet these experiences remain understudied. Methods We describe the prevalence and factors associated with nonconsensual sexual experiences of unmarried adolescents (583 boys and 474 girls), ages 15–19 years, from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Delhi, India. We also describe their reports of perpetrators. Results Thirty-two percent of boys and 42% of girls reported being touched against their will. After multivariate adjustment, both boys and girls who had ever worked (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76, p = .05 and OR=1.79, p = .004, respectively) and those who had a friend of the opposite gender (OR = 3.64, p = .0001 and OR=2.19, p = .0001, respectively) were more likely to report the experience. The most commonly reported perpetrators were female friends for boys (60%) and strangers for girls (93%). Fifteen percent of boys and 3% of girls reported that someone forcibly tried to have a physical relationship with them. Boys who had ever worked (OR = 3.73, p = .007) were more likely to report the experience. Both boys and girls who had a friend of the opposite sex were more likely to report attempted forced physical relationship (OR = 3.73, p = .0001 and OR=3.41, p = .03, respectively). The most commonly reported perpetrators were female friends for boys (72%) and neighbors (60%) for girls. Conclusions Nonconsensual sex is a common experience for these adolescents and there are important gender differences in experience and type of perpetrator. The findings underscore the need to develop programs that enable young people to prevent and cope with nonconsensual sexual experiences.
REPAIR-AMI: stem cells for acute myocardial infarction

Evaluation of: Schachinger V, Erbs S, Elsasser A et al.: Intracoronary bone marrow-derived progenitor cells in acute myocardial infarction. N. Engl. J. Med. 355, 1210–1221 (2006). The Reinfusion of Enriched Progenitor cells And Infarct Remodeling in Acute Myocardial Infarction (REPAIR-AMI) trial, the largest randomized, placebo-controlled trial of stem cell therapy in acute myocardial infarction, studied the efficacy of the intracoronary delivery of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) versus placebo in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction following successful percutaneous coronary intervention. At 4 month follow-up, patients treated with BMCs had a significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction compared with placebo (+5.5 vs +3.0%, absolute difference +2.5%). In addition, treatment with BMCs was associated with a statistically significant reduction in adverse clinical events at 1 year follow-up. Despite these promising findings, other studies have shown mixed resu...
Sherds as Tools: The Roles of Vessel Fragments in Prehistoric Succulent Plant Processing

Excavation of an agave-roasting site in southern Arizona disclosed an unexpectedly large collection of sherds. Sherd aggregation and use-alteration analyses were undertaken to determine the role of the ceramics in agave processing. Results indicate that sherds and not vessels were brought to the site, and that sherds may have been used as scoops and possibly as nonflammable covers or receptacles during agave processing. These findings underscore the point that analyses of assemblages of sherds that are not refitted may disregard important information about the nature and organization of prehistoric processing technologies.
Transcriptional fingerprints of antigen-presenting cell subsets in the human vaginal mucosa and skin reflect tissue-specific immune microenvironments

Dendritic cells localize throughout the body, where they can sense and capture invading pathogens to induce protective immunity. Hence, harnessing the biology of tissue-resident dendritic cells is fundamental for the rational design of vaccines against pathogens. Herein, we characterized the transcriptomes of four antigen-presenting cell subsets from the human vagina (Langerhans cells, CD14- and CD14+ dendritic cells, macrophages) by microarray, at both the transcript and network level, and compared them to those of three skin dendritic cell subsets and blood myeloid dendritic cells. We found that genomic fingerprints of antigen-presenting cells are significantly influenced by the tissue of origin as well as by individual subsets. Nonetheless, CD14+ populations from both vagina and skin are geared towards innate immunity and pro-inflammatory responses, whereas CD14- populations, particularly skin and vaginal Langerhans cells, and vaginal CD14- dendritic cells, display both Th2-inducing and regulatory phenotypes. We also identified new phenotypic and functional biomarkers of vaginal antigen-presenting cell subsets. We provide a transcriptional database of 87 microarray samples spanning eight antigen-presenting cell populations in the human vagina, skin and blood. Altogether, these data provide molecular information that will further help characterize human tissue antigen-presenting cell lineages and their functions. Data from this study can guide the design of mucosal vaccines against sexually transmitted pathogens.
Planar control in multi-camera calibration for 3-D gait studies☆

Abstract The complexity of camera calibration has been a dominant limitation to whole-body movement studies in 3-D, especially in regard to the requirements on a calibration distribution in object-space. This paper focuses on photogrammetric calibration of a given camera configuration in which the usual requirement of a 3-D calibration object with known control point coordinates (“absolute control”) is circumvented. A calibration plane containing a 2-D distribution of known control points is placed at various globally defined positions and attitudes throughout the observation field, thus constituting a 3-D partial control distribution with the object-space coordinate system defined by one of these positions and attitudes; the unknown parameters of the remaining planes are solved for simultaneously with those of the cameras. The efficacy of the procedure is evaluated in terms of the relative influences of calibration and observation errors on dynamic target position reconstruction. Assuming equal error levels of the raw image data in calibration and reconstruction, the influence of the former may be rendered negligibly small using three exposures of 10–20 control points each.
Simple and Efficient Algorithms for Computing Smooth, Collision-free Feedback Laws Over Given Cell Decompositions

This paper presents a novel approach to computing feedback laws in the presence of obstacles. Instead of computing a trajectory between a pair of initial and goal states, our algorithms compute a vector field over the entire state space; all trajectories obtained from following this vector field are guaranteed to asymptotically reach the goal state. As a result, the vector field globally solves the navigation problem and provides robustness to disturbances in sensing and control. The vector field's integral curves (system trajectories) are guaranteed to avoid obstacles and are C∞ smooth. We construct a vector field with these properties by partitioning the space into simple cells, defining local vector fields for each cell, and smoothly interpolating between them to obtain a global vector field. We present an algorithm that computes these feedback controls for a kinematic point robot in an arbitrary dimensional space with piecewise linear boundary; the algorithm requires minimal preprocessing of the environment and is extremely fast during execution. For many practical applications in two-dimensional environments, full computation can be done in milliseconds. We also present an algorithm for computing feedback laws over cylindrical algebraic decompositions, thereby solving a smooth feedback version of the generalized piano movers' problem.
Potential mechanism for recruitment and migration of CD133 positive cells to areas of vascular inflammation.

Abstract Objective Mast cells are found in large numbers in atherosclerotic plaques. The present study was conducted to determine whether tryptase stimulation of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) would lead to an increase in transmigration of CD133 positive cells (CD133+). In vitro these cells can differentiate into mast cells under the influence of specific cytokines and growth factors. Methods and Results CD133+ cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood. They express mRNA for several adhesion molecules that are also utilized in neutrophil migration and can migrate across an HCAEC monolayer. Migration increased significantly when HCAEC were stimulated with tryptase and decreased when CD133+ cells were pretreated with CV3988, a platelet activating factor receptor (PTAFR) antagonist. Following long-term cell culture, these cells stained positively for the presence of tryptase, a mast cell enzyme. Conclusion CD133+ cells can be utilized as a mast cell precursor population. The transendothelial migration is facilitated by the presence of tryptase and may utilize the PAF/PTAFR interaction in a manner similar to that involved in neutrophil transmigration. Following transmigration, a subset of these progenitor cells may mature into mast cells in the subendothelial space and play a role in propagation of the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis.
Limb girdle muscular dystrophy: A prospective follow-up study of functional impairment

This 6-year prospective follow-up study evaluated the rate of clinical disease progression in 19 of 20 previously reported patients with strictly selected limb girdle muscular dystrophy. There was no significant deterioration in muscle strength (assessed by manual muscle testing). An activities of daily living (ADL) scale showed significant functional deterioration in 30% of patients with predominant involvement in a single functional domain variable between patients, and determined by the patient's previous level of function. A functional grading system showed that 70% of patients had deteriorated at least one grade in the arms and/or legs. Deterioration of the ADL score correlated with the loss of functional grades. We conclude that assessment of functional ability may be more sensitive to detect clinical disease progression compared to testing of muscle strength. The clinical parameter that correlates best with the activity of the underlying disease process is not determined. Tests for strength and functional impairment are complementary. Patients expressed appreciation that functional disability was addressed during follow-up visits.
Human recombinant interleukin 4 induces Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on normal human monocytes

rIL-4 (B cell stimulatory factor 1) induces the expression of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on normal human monocytes (Mo). Fc epsilon R2/CD23 induction was detectable both by flow cytometry using anti-CD23 mAbs as well as soluble IgE, and by the immunoprecipitation with CD23-specific mAb or IgE of a 45-kD band from 125I-lactoperoxidase-labeled Mo. Fc epsilon R2/CD23 was fully expressed after a 24-h incubation with rIL-4, and was still detectable after 72 h from the addition of IL-4. This effect was specific, because none of the other rILs tested (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-5, B cell stimulatory factor 2, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and IFN-gamma) could induce FC epsilon R2/CD23, either alone or in various combinations. No synergism was observed between IL-4 and other ILs. IFN-gamma was not able to inhibit the IL-4-induced expression of Fc epsilon R2/CD23 on Mo, neither when added to the culture together with IL-4, nor when added 36 h earlier.
Russian‐Indian relations: Alliance, partnership, or?

This article analyzes Indian security options and trajectories within the overall context of evolving Indian‐Russian relations and in the wake of the recent nuclear tests. Bilateral ties between India and Russia have considerable bearing on the emerging Asian balance of power. The two countries find themselves increasingly in the “same weight” category, especially in economic terms. Military‐technical cooperation appears to be the only solid pillar of the strategic partnership. Russian‐Indian relations seem unlikely to acquire alliance‐like dimensions.
Minimum cycle bases of direct products of complete graphs

This paper presents a construction of a minimum cycle basis for the direct product of two complete graphs on three or more vertices. With the exception of two special cases, such bases consist entirely of triangles.
Thyroid hormone promotes insulin-induced glucose uptake by enhancing Akt phosphorylation and VAMP2 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The purpose of this study was to test a hypothesis that T3 promotes glucose uptake via enhancing insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation and VAMP2 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. T3 significantly enhanced insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt, cytoplasma to cell membrane translocations of vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), and glucose uptake in adipocytes. Akt inhibitor X abolished the promoting effects of T3, suggesting that Akt activation is essential for T3 to enhance these insulin-induced events in adipocytes. Knockdown of VAMP2 using siRNA abrogated the effects of T3 on insulin-induced GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake, suggesting that VAMP2 is an important mediator of these processes. These data suggest that T3 may promote glucose uptake via enhancing insulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt and subsequent translocations of VAMP2 and GLUT4 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Akt phosphorylation is necessary for the promoting effects of T3 on insulin-stimulated VAMP2 translocation. Further, VAMP2 is essential for T3 to increase insulin-stimulated translocation of GLUT4 and subsequent uptake of glucose in adipocytes.
The coral-derived natural products eleutherobin and sarcodictyins A and B: effects on the assembly of purified tubulin with and without microtubule-associated proteins and binding at the polymer taxoid site.

We examined interactions with purified tubulin of synthetic sarcodictyins A and B and eleutherobin (coral-derived antimitotic agents) and of compound 1, an analogue of sarcodictyin A methylated at the C-3 oxygen atom (i.e., the methyl ketal analogue of sarcodictyin A and thus structurally similar to eleutherobin but lacking the C-3 sugar moiety). Eleutherobin was much more active than sarcodictyins A and B, which were somewhat more active than compound 1. Effects of eleutherobin did not differ greatly from those of paclitaxel and epothilone A. Eleutherobin and epothilone A were competitive inhibitors of the binding of radiolabeled paclitaxel to tubulin polymer (apparent Ki values of 2.1 and 2.6 μM, respectively). Tubulin assembly reactions induced by all compounds were similar to the paclitaxel-driven reactions in being enhanced by the addition of microtubule-associated proteins and/or GTP to the reaction mixture and by progressively higher reaction temperatures. Antiproliferative activity was studied in ...
Chewing the fat: Genetic approaches to model dyslipidemia-induced diabetic neuropathy in mice

Emerging clinical evidence now suggests that dyslipidemia may be strongly linked with the development and progression of neuropathy in diabetic patients, and dyslipidemia is considered an important risk factor for the development of diabetic neuropathy. However, because of important species differences, current animal models fall short of accurately replicating human diabetic dyslipidemia. Rodents resist expansion in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and typically maintain or increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), despite prolonged high-fat feeding. Here, we discuss the findings of Hinder et al., in which they utilized novel genetic experimental approaches to develop a diabetic mouse model with human-like dyslipidemia. The authors created a mouse with an apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout in conjunction with a leptin receptor mutation. A triple mutant mouse with both ApoE and apolipoprotein B48 knockout and leptin deficiency was also created in an effort to generate a model of diabetic dyslipidemia that better mimics the human condition. The long-term goal of these studies is to develop more faithful models to address how hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia may drive the development and progression of neuropathy. Hinder and colleagues were successful at creating a diabetic mouse model with severe hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and a significant increase in the total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio. This work was successful in establishing a model of diabetic dyslipidemia that more closely emulates the poor lipid profile observed in human diabetic patients with neuropathy. This commentary will also review current models used to study the effects of dyslipidemia on diabetic neuropathy and highlight a proposed mechanism for the role of dyslipidemia in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.
Field Evaluation of a Model for Predicting Nitrogen Losses from Drained Lands

The N simulation model, DRAINMOD-N II, was field-tested using a 6-yr data set from an artificially drained agricultural site located in eastern North Carolina. The test site is on a nearly flat sandy loam soil which is very poorly drained under natural conditions. Four experimental plots, planted to a corn (Zea mays)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-soybean (Glycine max.) rotation and managed using conventional and controlled drainage, were used in model testing. Water table depth, subsurface drainage, and N concentration in drain flow were measured and meteorological data were recorded continuously. DRAINMOD-N II was calibrated using the data from one plot; data sets from the other three plots were used for model validation. Simulation results showed an excellent agreement between observed and predicted nitrate-nitrogen (NO(3)-N) losses in drainage water over the 6-yr period and a reasonable agreement on an annual basis. The agreement on a monthly basis was not as good. The Nash-Sutcliffe modeling efficiency (EF) for monthly predictions was 0.48 for the calibration plot and 0.19, 0.01, and -0.02 for the validation plots. The value of the EF for yearly predictions was 0.92 for the calibration plot and 0.73, 0.62, and -0.10 for the validation plots. Errors in predicting cumulative NO(3)-N losses over the 6-yr period were remarkably small; -1.3% for the calibration plot, -8.1%, -2.8%, and 4.0% for the validation plots. Results of this study showed the potential of DRAINMOD-N II for predicting N losses from drained agricultural lands. Further research is needed to test the model for different management practices and soil and climatological conditions.
Effect of plant growth substances on membrane permeability of urea and erythritol

Abstract Four groups of plant growth substances (the auxins, gibberellins, abscisic acid and cytokinins) were tested as to their effects on increasing the permeability of egg phosphatidylcholine liposomes to erythritol and urea. The cytokinins (kinetin and benzyladenine) produced permeability changes down to about 30 μM for erythritol or urea while the auxins (indoleacetic, indolebutyric and indolepropionic acid), gibberellic acid and abscisic acid affected permeability only at much higher concentrations (above 1300 μM). These results question the physiological significance of the auxins, gibberellic acid and abscisic acid as lipid bilayer perturbing agents.
Comparative properties of the nuclear aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor complex from several human cell lines

The aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) responsiveness of the T-47D, Hep G2, LS180, MCF-7, A431, C-4II and MDA-MB-231 human cancer cell lines was determined by the induction of CYP1A1 mRNA levels and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity. With the exception of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) significantly induced CYP1A1 mRNA levels and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity in the remaining six cell lines and, based on their EC50 values, for ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase induction, their Ah responsiveness followed the order T-47D > C-4II > MCF-7 > LS180 > Hep G2 > A431. In contrast, all the cell lines expressed the nuclear Ah receptor complex (167.1-24.5 fmol/mg protein) which bound to a 32P-labeled consensus dioxin responsive element (DRE) in a gel mobility shift assay. The results of gel permeation chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation studies showed that the calculated Mr values for the nuclear Ah receptor complex varied from 175 kDa (MDA-MB-231 cells) to 221 kDa (MCF-7 cells). In contrast, the photoaffinity labeled nuclear Ah receptor from all the cell lines gave a specifically labeled 110 kDa band and the apparent molecular weight of the nuclear Ah receptor complex cross-linked to a bromodeoxyuridine-substituted DRE was 200 kDa. The data show that the molecular properties and levels of the nuclear Ah receptor complex from seven different human cancer cell lines do not predict Ah responsiveness.
The Influence of Deviant Maternal Input on the Development of Language during the Preschool Years.

“The Influence of Deviant Maternal Input on the Development of Language during the Preschool Years,” by Naomi Schiff, JSHR, September, 1979 contained the following errors: The title was incorrectly...
Gas evolution during operation of a CsI-coated carbon fiber cathode in a closed vacuum system

In order to quantify the gases generated during operation of an explosive emission cathode, residual gas analysis was performed on a closed vacuum system. Two different anode materials were tested using an identical CsI-coated carbon fiber cathode. For both the nearly transparent molybdenum mesh and the carbon fiber anode, the largest pressure increases were observed in hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Use of the molybdenum mesh resulted in the generation of approximately 0.38 neutrals per electron compared to 0.73 neutrals per electron while using the carbon fiber anode. While the background vacuum pressure was typically in the low 10/sup -7/ torr scale, it was found that gas generation during these explosive emission pulses led to local diode pressures of 0.5 mtorr up to several tens of mtorr. Such pressures are consistent with the ability to generate ion densities that can drastically effect the space charge-limited current.
Performance comparison of feature extraction methods for neural network based object recognition

Pre-processing and feature extraction can significantly enhance the performance of a neural network based classifier. In this paper several feature extraction techniques including edge filters, local features and distance transformation are selected for image pre-processing in order to improve the recognition accuracy in combination with a neural network classifier. The visual object recognition performance of these algorithms is extensively compared based on a real world data set with significant variation of viewpoint and illumination.
Effects of nontransposed lines and unbalanced loads on state estimation

This paper investigates the errors introduced in the positive sequence state estimation due to the usual assumptions of having fully balanced bus loads/generations and continuously transposed transmission lines. A three-phase state estimator is first developed in order to verify the actual error free solution in the phase coordinates. Then, several tests are conducted using different assumptions regarding the availability of single and multi-phase measurements. It is demonstrated that incomplete metering of three-phase system quantities may lead to significant errors in the positive sequence state estimates for certain cases. Such cases may also lead to incorrect bad data detection and elimination, further deteriorating the quality of the state estimate. IEEE 30 bus test system is used to illustrate these cases.
Multiband multistatic synthetic aperture radar for measuring ice sheet basal conditions

Ice sheet models are necessary to understand ice sheet dynamics and to predict their behavior. Of the primary inputs to these models, basal conditions are the least understood. By observing the forward and backscatter across a wide frequency range (over two octaves) the basal conditions can be established with a high level of confidence. For this purpose, we developed a multistatic synthetic aperture radar system that operates on three frequency bands (75-85 MHz, 140-160 MHz, and 330-370 MHz). The radar system is designed to use pulse compression techniques and coherent integration to obtain high loop sensitivity (203 dB) necessary to overcome radio frequency losses in ice. The system will be tested at Summit, Greenland (72deg34'N, 38deg29'W) during July 2004
Graphical probabilistic inference for ground state and near-ground state computing in QCA circuits

We propose a graphical probabilistic Bayesian Network based modeling and inference scheme for Clocked Quantum-dot Cellar Automata (QCA) based circuit design that not only specify just the binary discrete states (0 or 1) of the individual cells, but also the probabilities of observing these states for Ground (Most Likely) state computing. The nodes of the Bayesian Network (BN) are the random variables, representing individual cells, and the links between them capture the dependencies among them. The modeling exploits the spatially local nature of the dependencies and the induced causality from the wave propagation and clocking schemes to arrive at a minimal, factored, representation of the overall joint probability of the cell states in terms of local conditional probabilities. This BN model allows us (1) to estimate the most likely (or ground) state configuration and the next lowest-energy configuration that results in output errors and (2) to show how weak spots in clocked QCA circuit designs can be found using these BN models by comparing the (most likely) ground state configuration with the next most likely energy state configuration that results in output error.
Dispersal via stream corridors structures populations of the endangered St. Francis’ satyr butterfly ( Neonympha mitchellii francisci )

Habitat fragmentation may reduce gene flow and population viability of rare species. We tested whether riparian corridors enhanced gene flow and if human habitat modification between riparian corridors subsequently reduced dispersal and gene flow of a wetland butterfly, the US federally endangered St. Francis’ satyr butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii francisci). We surveyed nine populations throughout the taxon’s range using five polymorphic microsatellite loci. We found that genetic diversity of N. m. francisci was relatively high despite its restricted distribution, and that there is little evidence of population bottlenecks or extensive inbreeding within populations. We found substantial gene flow and detectable first generation migration, suggesting that N. m. francisci is unlikely to be currently endangered by genetic factors. Pairwise population differentiation and clustering indicate some structuring between populations on different drainages and suggest that dispersal probably occurs mainly via a stepping stone from the closest riparian corridors. However, genetic differentiation between geographically close populations suggests that isolation by distance is not solely responsible for population structure, and that management actions should be targeted at maintaining connectivity of riparian and upland habitats.
Morphology, Microstructure, and Rheology of Amphiphilic Telechelics Incorporating Polyhedral Oligosilsesquioxane

Amphiphilic telechelics incorporating polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) end-caps were synthesized and studied as a novel building block for the construction of inorganic−organic hybrid materials. Their micron-scale morphologies were investigated using hot-stage polarizing optical microscopy (POM), revealing a dramatic influence of POSS macromer incorporation. The molecular-scale crystalline microstructures of amphiphilic POSS telechelics were investigated using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), revealing significant crystallinity for both POSS-rich and PEO-rich microdomains. This observation clearly indicates that distinct microstructures form from the covalently linked POSS endcaps and PEO bridges. Covalent endcapping by POSS macromers also disrupts the crystallization of PEO for particular compositions, resulting in less ordered PEO crystallites. Further evidence for microphase separation is given by rheological experiments on a selected amphiphilic POSS10k telechelic (Tel10k) that shows evidence...
Analyzing the Fiscal Impacts of Development: Lessons for Building Successful Communities

Standard methodologies of fiscal impact analysis commonly used at the local level can produce strikingly different findings and conclusions. Local professionals can play an important role by making citizens and local officials aware of the assumptions and biases inherent in such methodologies. Given the biases implicit in different methods, communities need to be encouraged to require at least two estimates of fiscal impact, using two different methods, and to conduct follow-up studies five to ten years after development has occurred to determine the actual fiscal impacts of development. In these ways communities will be reminded of the uncertainties in forecasting future costs and revenues, and be encouraged to pay greater attention to the indirect and interactive effects of different types of land uses. They also will be encouraged to remain focused on the long-term goal of achieving a balance and mixture of land uses that is sustainable and that assures a high quality of life.
Constructing permutation representations for large matrix groups

New techniques, both theoretical and practical, are presented for constructing a permutation representation for a matrix group. We assume that the resulting permutation degree, n, can be 10,000,000 and larger. The key idea is to build the new permutation representation using the conjugation action on a conjugacy class of subgroups of prime order. A unique signature for each group element corresponding to the conjugacy class is used in order to avoid matrix multiplication. The requirement of at least n matrix multiplications would otherwise have made the computation hopelessly impractical. Additional software optimizations are described, which reduce the CPU time by at least an additional factor of 10. Further, a special data structure is designed that serves both as a search tree and as a hash array, while requiring space of only 1.6n log2n bits.The technique has been implemented and tested on the sporadic simple group Ly, discovered by Lyons [9], in both a sequential (SPARCserver 670MP) and parallel SIMD (MasPar MP-1) version. Starting with a generating set for Ly as a subgroup of GL(111,5) [5], a set of generating permutations for Ly acting on 9, 606, 125 points is constructed as well as a base for this permutation representation. The sequential version required four days of CPU time to construct a data structure which can be used to compute the permutation image of an arbitrary matrix. The parallel version did so in 12 hours. Work is in progress on a faster parallel implementation.
Sex and experience in the academy award nomination process.

Summary.-Research has indicated significant age differences between male and female Academy Award nominees and winners. However, this discrepancy may be associated with sex differences in actors' ages when they first begin their acting careers. The present research uses event history analysis to investigate the duration of Academy Award nominees' careers from career start (first film) to first three Academy Award nominations. Analysis suggested controlling for an actor's age at first film explains the sex-age disparity between Academy Award nominees and winners. In recent years, research has consistently indicated that female actors are significantly younger than male actors when they receive film industry recognition in the form of an Academy Award nomination or win (Levy, 1990; Markson & Taylor, 1993; Gilberg & Hines, 2000). These findings stem from a comparison of the mean age of male and female nominees (or winners) in a given historical period. However, the outcome of sex-age disparities in the nomination process may be moderated by other considerations. For example, to the extent that the awards have some basis on acting skd, the time an entertainer has had to accumulate the skdls may be relevant, a notion to which Gilberg and Hines allude (2000, p. 178). Such consideration is warranted because research on top film actors has shown that female stars tend to be significantly younger than men when they begin their acting careers (Lincoln & Allen, 2004). As this pattern holds for Academy Award nominees (Table 1 below), part of the age disparity between male and female nominees in any given period might be explained by differences in age at the start of their acting careers. The present research uses event history analysis to explore individual actors' career trajectories linearly from first fh to first nomination to assess whether sex-related age disparities arise in the distribution of the awards. By measuring the duration of actors' careers prior to receiving an Academy Award nomination, this research controls for the age at which actors begin their careers. In this way, only the career durations of first-time nominees are compared to each other. For actors who have received multiple nominations, the analysis also examines the duration to second and third nominations. Thus, this research reframes the finding of sex-related disparities in age at
Comparative and physical mapping of 111 previously reported and 105 new porcine microsatellites

Here we report radiation hybrid mapping of 105 new porcine microsatellite markers on the IMpRH(7000) radiation hybrid panel. In addition, we searched flanking sequences of these markers, as well as 673 previously reported RH-mapped microsatellite markers, for orthology to human sequences. Eighty-seven new and 111 previously mapped sequences exhibited orthology to human sequences. Using a stringent sequence alignment, 25 microsatellite-flanking sequences were found to be highly similar to genic sequences, whereas 173 were similar to non-genic sequences in the human genome. Five markers were located near known breakpoints of synteny between human and swine.
Efficient object serialization in Java

Object serialization is the ability of an object to write a complete state of itself and of any objects that it references to an output stream, so that it can be recreated from the serialized representation at a later time. Pickling, the process of creating a serialized representation of objects, has been investigated for many years in the context of many different distributed systems. Sun Microsystems introduced a simple and extendible API for object serialization in version 1.1 of the Java Development Kit. Application developers can use this standard serialization in their applications, or they can develop custom versions for different user-defined classes. Many distributed applications that use standard serialization to communicate between distributed nodes, experience significant degradation in performance due to large sites of serialized objects. We present a number of improvements to the serialization mechanism aimed at decreasing pickle sizes without visible degradation in serialization performance. Through performance results, we show that it produces pickles up to 50% smaller without degrading serialization performance.
Nodular regenerative hyperplasia and severe portal hypertension in cystinosis.

Background & Aims: Cystinosis is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by the intralysosomal accumulation of cystine, which is responsible for widespread tissue destruction. Liver biopsy specimens of patients with cystinosis show cystine crystal formation in Kupffer cells. However, significant liver disease and portal hypertension is not a common complication of cystinosis. We report the case histories of 2 young men with poorly treated nephropathic cystinosis who developed noncirrhotic portal hypertension with evidence of nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH). Methods: Liver biopsy examinations, upper and lower endoscopy with biopsy examination, imaging studies, venous pressure measurements, and laboratory investigations were used to evaluate the causes of the liver disease and portal hypertension. Results: Histologic examination of liver biopsy specimens from both patients showed changes characteristic of NRH with portal hypertension documented by measurement of pressure gradients. In addition, endoscopy in the first patient showed varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy. Conclusions: NRH was confirmed by histologic examination of the liver in both patients and is the likely cause of their portal hypertension. NRH may represent a rare, late complication of cystinosis, although the mechanism remains undefined.
Father‐daughter dramas: A Q‐investigation of rhetorical visions

Abstract The relationship between a father and daughter strongly influences a daughter's sense of self and how she communicates with others. Bormann's Symbolic Convergence Theory (SCT) was used to conduct a fantasy theme analysis (FTA) of the academic and popular rhetoric produced by and about fathers and daughters. Four rhetorical visions were identified: the Knight in Shining Armor, the Buddy, the Authoritarian, and the Shadow, each composed of dramas regarding description of the father, activities and communication he engaged in with his daughter, and the results of their relationship. Additionally, nine non‐vision dramas were identified. Images from the FTA were transferred to a Q‐sort card deck, which was sorted by 45 adult daughters to assess their level of acceptance, rejection, or neutrality to the dramas. QUANAL analysis revealed four types from the population which closely corresponded to the rhetorical analysis: the Essential Companion, the Silent Intruder, the Loving Patriarch, and the Storyte...
Diagnostic performance of S100B protein serum measurement in detecting intracranial injury in children with mild head trauma

Objective To assess the accuracy of S100B serum level to detect intracranial injury in children with mild traumatic brain injury. Methods A multicenter prospective cohort study was carried out in the paediatric emergency departments of three tertiary hospitals in Switzerland between January 2009 and December 2011. Participants included children aged Results 20/73 (27.4%) included children had an intracranial injury detected on CT. S100B receiver operating characteristics area under the curve was 0.73 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.86). With a 0.14 µg/L cut-off point, S100B reached an excellent sensitivity of 95% (95% CI 77% to 100%) and 100% (95% CI 81% to 100%) in all children and in children aged >2 years, respectively. The specificity, however, was 34% (95% CI 27% to 36%) and 37% (95% CI 30% to 37%), respectively. Conclusions S100B has an excellent sensitivity but poor specificity. It is therefore an accurate tool to help rule out an intracranial injury but cannot be used as the sole marker owing to its specificity. Used with clinical decision rules, S100B may help to reduce the number of unnecessary CT scans.