cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of neuropeptides on the distal and mid-tubules of the house cricket.

In the Malpighian tubules of Acheta, the distal and middle segments are functionally and morphologically quite distinct (Spring and Kim, Mol Comp Physiol 12:130–145, 1993). Furthermore, they respond quite differently to corpora cardiaca (CC) homogenates, dibutyryl cAMP, and A23187 (Kim and Spring, J Insect Physiol 38:373–381, 1992). In this study we compared secretion by these two regions in response to Acheta and Romalea CC extracts, synthetic Manduca sexta diuretic peptide (Mas-DP1), and the family of synthetic myotropic peptides, the achetakinins, isolated from Acheta. Both Acheta and Romalea CC extracts had opposite effects on the two regions: mid-tubule secretion increased 3-fold whereas secretion by the distal segment declined 75–80%. Mas-DP1 increased secretion by the mid-tubule more than 3-fold and had no effect on the distal segment. All of the achetakinins decreased secretion by the distal tubule, with achetakinin 1 being least effective (55% inhibition) and achetakinin 5 being most effective (75% inhibition). Achetakinins 1 and 2 increased midtubule secretion by 3.7- and 3.3-fold, respectively, whereas the others had no effect on this region. Regarding HPLC fractions of CC extracts, in general the more hydrophilic fractions inhibited secretion by both distal and mid-tubules. The more hydrophobic fractions were nearly uniformly stimulatory when applied to the mid-tubule, and either inhibited secretion or had no effect on the distal region. The possible interpretations of these data and the implications towards future research are discussed. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Venous thrombosis and permanent cardiac pacing.

Abstract Two patients with transvenous permanent pacemakers developed axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis along the course of the catheter long after the immediate postinsertion period. Both responded well to anticoagulation therapy. It is important to determine the frequency of venous thromboembolism related to pacemaker catheters.
E-Government for Arab Countries

AbstractThis article focuses on the potential of instigating an e-government system within and possibly throughout the Arab world. E-government is currently being adopted in many countries throughout the world to bring more information and at a greater facility to their citizens. Despite its advantages, we analyze the problems and difficulties encountered in promoting the concept of e-government in the Middle East and also highlight the potential opportunities. These prospects are evaluated, along with the adoption of the technology to render advantages to the Arab world. Many countries have and continue to benefit from the acceptance of e-government; understanding its applicability and effectiveness beyond and within the Arab countries is of vital importance to increase and promote its use. Our analysis presents a perspective on regional e-government and utilization of technology within and among Arab countries. We also propose the E-Government System Framework that solves many problems associated with t...
Comparison of Gastrointestinal Morbidity After Norwood and Hybrid Palliation for Complex Heart Defects

This study aimed to compare the incidence of gastrointestinal complications among infants with single-ventricle heart defects after three first-stage palliation strategies: Norwood-modified Blalock–Taussig shunt (mBTS), Norwood right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit (Sano), and hybrid procedures. A retrospective chart review was performed in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit at a tertiary care medical center. The subjects were 32 neonates who had undergone single-ventricle palliation including 13 Norwood-mBTS, 11 Sano, and 8 hybrid procedures. The measurements included baseline as well as pre- and postoperative patient characteristics. The primary outcome was postoperative intraabdominal complications, and the secondary outcomes were feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Intraabdominal complications occurred for 34%, feeding intolerance for 13%, and NEC for 13% of the patients. The hybrid patients had a higher incidence of intraabdominal complications (75%) than the Norwood-mBTS (31%) or Sano (9%) patients (P = 0.01). The relative risk for intraabdominal complications in the hybrid group was 3.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5–8.7). In the multivariate analysis, the hybrid procedure remained an independent predictor of intraabdominal complications (hazard ratio, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.0–34.5). The hybrid, Norwood-mBTS, and Sano patients did not differ significantly in terms of feeding intolerance (25, 15, and 0%, respectively; P = 0.25) or NEC (25, 8, and 9%; P = 0.46). Gastrointestinal morbidity was common regardless of the palliative approach, although the hybrid patients had the highest incidence of intraabdominal complications. This supports the need for caution in using enteral nutrition with all single-ventricle patients, including the hybrid population. Patients undergoing the hybrid procedure may benefit from implementation of standardized feeding protocols.
Λ binding to nuclear matter

Abstract Variational calculations of the binding energy BΛ of a Λ particle to nuclear matter based on Jastrow-týpe trial functions are described. Both zeroth and first cluster contributions have been evaluated. The estimated lower limit on BΛ is around 40 MeV.
Activation of the Protein Deacetylase SIRT6 by Long-chain Fatty Acids and Widespread Deacylation by Mammalian Sirtuins

Mammalian sirtuins (SIRT1 through SIRT7) are members of a highly conserved family of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylases that function in metabolism, genome maintenance, and stress responses. Emerging evidence suggests that some sirtuins display substrate specificity toward other acyl groups attached to the lysine ϵ-amine. SIRT6 was recently reported to preferentially hydrolyze long-chain fatty acyl groups over acetyl groups. Here we investigated the catalytic ability of all sirtuins to hydrolyze 13 different acyl groups from histone H3 peptides, ranging in carbon length, saturation, and chemical diversity. We find that long-chain deacylation is a general feature of mammalian sirtuins, that SIRT1 and SIRT2 act as efficient decrotonylases, and that SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT3, and SIRT4 can remove lipoic acid. These results provide new insight into sirtuin function and a means for cellular removal of an expanding list of endogenous lysine modifications. Given that SIRT6 is a poor deacetylase in vitro, but binds and prefers to hydrolyze long-chain acylated peptides, we hypothesize that binding of certain free fatty acids (FFAs) could stimulate deacetylation activity. Indeed, we demonstrate that several biologically relevant FFAs (including myristic, oleic, and linoleic acids) at physiological concentrations induce up to a 35-fold increase in catalytic efficiency of SIRT6 but not SIRT1. The activation mechanism is consistent with fatty acid inducing a conformation that binds acetylated H3 with greater affinity. Binding of long-chain FFA and myristoylated H3 peptide is mutually exclusive. We discuss the implications of discovering endogenous, small-molecule activators of SIRT6. Background: Sirtuins regulate metabolism, genome maintenance, and stress responses. Results: Long-chain free fatty acids stimulate SIRT6 deacetylase, and sirtuins display distinct but overlapping specificity for diverse acylated peptides. Conclusion: SIRT6 is activated by biologically relevant fatty acids, and long-chain deacylation is a general feature of sirtuins. Significance: Discovery of endogenous, small-molecule activators of SIRT6 demonstrates the therapeutic potential of compounds that promote SIRT6 function.
Single-walled carbon nanotubes as ultrahigh frequency nanomechanical resonators

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA~Received 16 March 2003; revised manuscript received 3 June 2003; published 28 August 2003!The high stiffness and strength, low density, and large aspect ratio of single-walled carbon nanotubes makethem good candidates as nanoresonators. Employing an atomistic modeling technique, molecular structuralmechanics, this work predicts that the fundamental frequencies of cantilevered or bridged single-walled carbonnanotubes as nanomechanical resonators could reach the level of 10 GHz–1.5 THz. The effects of tubediameter, length and end constraints on the fundamental frequency have been discerned.DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.68.073405 PACS number~s!: 62.25.1g, 61.46.1w, 85.35.Kt, 61.48.1c
Characterization of flow maldistribution using inlet-outlet tracer techniques: An application of internal residence time distributions

Abstract The internal residence time distribution (RTD) φ(t) (Buffham, B.A., 1983, Chem. Engng Commun.22, 105–107) is shown to be a useful function for the characterization of the flow patterns of a steady-state flow system, especially one with internal flow maldistribution. The relationship between φ(t) and the more familiar external RTD E(t) is rederived in a way which illustrates the physical significance of this new distribution function. Since the internal RTD provides an inventory of eventual residence times performed on molecules inside the vessel, it describes internal flow velocities more directly than E(t), even though both are measured using identical tracer response techniques and hence contain the same intrinsic information. Quantitative, physically based definitions of relative stagnancy and bypassing based on φ(t) are proposed. Next, the utility of the internal RTD in the interpretation of tracer response curves is demonstrated using both theoretical mathematical models and measured tracer results in maldistributed flow fields. Finally, the holdback, which may be expressed in terms of F(t) and Φ(t)—the cumulative internal RTD—is proposed as an alternative single parameter to estimate isothermal reactor yield for first-order reactions.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 201

Abstract The Nuclear Data Sheets for A=201 were last compiled in 1962. Although the volume ofdata accumulated since the previous compilation in relatively small, the new data are generally of very high quality and serve to establish many level energies and decay properties with high precision, particularly in 201 Tl. The occurrence of isomerism in 201 Hg, 201 TI, 201 Bi, 201 Po, and 201 Rn has been established, in addition to the previously well-known 201m Pb. Adopted level properties and decay schemes presented in the present compilation are based on data received through February 1971.
Silicon nitride membrane substrates for the investigation of local structure in polymer thin films

Abstract The fabrication of silicon nitride membrane substrates and their use in studies of polymer thin films are described. As an integral part of a wafer, these membranes are both self-supporting and transparent for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Therefore, the same polymer film can be spin-cast on the substrate and, without being removed, studied by a variety of techniques, including TEM, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). To demonstrate the utility of these substrates in characterizing both global and local film morphology, experimental results are presented on polystyrene–polymethylmethacrylate diblock copolymers in the ultrathin film limit, using optical microscopy together with combinations of AFM and TEM at the same location. The addition of microfabricated structures to these substrates, such as planar electrodes is also discussed.
A solid-state cumulative recorder for an analog registry of accumulative events

A solid-state device for providing graphic records of various behavioral and physiological events in much the same manner as does the electromechanical cumulative recorder is described. This transistorized version of the cumulative recorder produces a noise-free (electrical and acoustical) analog cumulative record on analog recorders. The circuit provides for such features as: built-in calibrator; internal-reset oscillator; variable incremental step amplitude; and a FET op-amp to provide a constant. drift-free output level over long and extended reset periods. The output of the device can be displayed on one channel of a polygraph recorder with adjacent channels providing physiological and behavioral data to produce a real time correlation of analog and event signals.
Multidivisional structure and capital structure: The contingency of diversification strategy

This study examines the relationship between the implementation of the multidivisional (M-form) organizational structure, capital structure and diversification strategy. Findings indicate that implementation of the M-form structure from a hierarchical (U-form) structure is associated with a general increase in the long-term debt-to-equity ratio for all firms, a result that supports a free-cash-flow argument for the use of debt in restructuring to reduce the opportunism of management. Further, as implied by arguments from transaction cost economics, the debt-to-equity ration differs for different types of diversification strategy.
The Effects of the Temporal Placement of Feedback on Performance

The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effects of the temporal placement of feedback on task performance and skill acquisition. Two temporal placements were examined: feedback immediately after and feedback immediately prior to performance. A two-factor mixed design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups, which differed in the order of condition implementation. Participants performed a computerized data entry task. The primary dependent variable was the number of correctly completed patient records per session. During feedback conditions, participants were provided with individual, graphic feedback and no feedback was provided during baseline. The results of this study indicate no significant differences in performance or the speed of skill acquisition associated with the experimental conditions. Participants indicated a strong preference for any type of feedback over no feedback, as well as a strong preference for feedback prior to performance over feedback after performance.
Long-term cancer control after radical prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection for pT3bN0M0 prostate cancer in the prostate-specific antigen era.

Abstract Objectives We evaluated long-term cancer control outcomes of radical prostatectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection (RP) for pT3bN0M0 prostate cancer in the era of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the University of Southern California Prostate Cancer Database was performed. Between 1987 and 2008, 229 men underwent open RP for pT3bN0M0 prostate cancer. The cohort was divided into early (1987–1997) and contemporary (1998–2008) PSA eras. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional regression models were used to analyze clinical recurrence (CR) and biochemical recurrence (BCR). Results The median follow-up duration was 14.5 years (range, 0.2–21.1 y). The predicted 10-year freedom from CR and BCR rates for men treated in the early and contemporary PSA eras were 73% and 95% (Log-rank P = 0.001) and 65% and 73% (Log-rank P = 0.055), respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that pathologic Gleason grade 8–10 (CR: hazard ratio [HR] = 5.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.72–15.20; P = 0.003; BCR: HR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.60–7.48; P = 0.002) and contemporary PSA era (CR: HR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.06–0.41; P P = 0.013) were independently associated with cancer control. Adjuvant radiation therapy and positive surgical margins were not independently associated with outcomes. Conclusions RP conferred long-term cancer control in men with pT3bN0M0 prostate cancer treated in the PSA era. Pathologic Gleason grade 8–10 and treatment in the early PSA era were independently associated with poorer cancer control outcomes.
Cuba and the Future

Preface Introduction: The Crises of the Castro Regime by Donald E. Schulz Treading Water: Cuba's Economic and Political Crisis by Andrew Zimbalist Where Does Cuba Stand? by Enrique A. Baloyra Why Does Castro Survive? by J. Richard Planas The Cuban Armed Forces and Transition by Phyllis Greene Walker Informal Politics and the Crisis of Cuban Socialism by Damian J. Fernandez Political Changes and Social Attitudes in Cuba during the Special Period: Implications by J. Richard Planas The End of the Affair: Moscow and Havana, 1989-1992 by Stephen Blank Cuba and the United States: Thinking about the Future by Mark Falcoff In Search of a Modern Cuba Policy by Gillian Gunn The United States and Cuba: From a Strategy of Conflict to Constructive Engagement by Donald E. Schulz The Cuban Crisis in Mid-1993: An Opportunity for the United States? by Donald E. Schultz Postscript: The Cuban Crisis in the Summer of 1993: An Opportunity for the United States? Bibliography
Chih-hung lin, m.d. And fu-chan wei, m.d.

I want to thank Dr. Chih-Hung Lin and Dr. Fu-Chan Wei for serving as guest editors for this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on “Extremity-Saving Surgery and Reconstruction: From Microsurgery Reconstruction to Transplantation.” We also appreciate the efforts made by each author on their respective articles and sharing with us their experience and knowledge.
TV heroes: The impact of rhetoric and deeds

Abstract Two experiments examined the influence of children's cartoons and their prosocial messages on the behavior and judgments of kindergarten, second, and fourth grade children. Three conditions or types of programs were used: purely prosocial (moral lesson but no aggression); and purely aggressive (no moral lesson). Behavioral, evaluative, and comprehension measures were taken. All children were able to distinguish the protagonist and antagonist. Older children grasped the implications of the stories but younger children, especially those in the prosocial/aggressive condition, did not. Scores of children in the prosocial/aggressive condition were significantly lower on message comprehension than those of subjects in the purely prosocial condition. Implications for the relationship of behaviors (prosocial actions) to judgments, portrayal of aggressive heroes on television programs, and the acceptance of aggression as normative behaviors, are discussed.
Poster: shaping network topology for privacy and performance

While it is important to design anonymity systems to be robust against attacks, it is also important to provide good performance to users. We explore ways to improve the security and performance of anonymity systems by building both security and performance properties into the network topology. In particular, we study an expander graph based network topology and apply link-based performance metrics in order to build the topology graph. Such a network can be constructed to have enhanced performance and similar security properties to restricted route topologies with random links. Results show that a sparse, D-regular expander graph topology provides nearly the same security, as measured by the likelihood of an incoming stream exiting through any node in the network, as with a fully-connected graph. Further, when the expander graph is constructed with a bias towards faster links, there is a considerable gain in performance without much loss of security.
When more is better

Nutrition support of critically ill patients with sepsis is one of the most debated issues among intensivists. The latest international sepsis guidelines recommend the prescription of a low volume of feeds through gastric or intestinal enteral nutrition (EN) for 7 days after admission to the ICU. The data to support such recommendations are scarce, and large trials are needed to clarify this issue. As reported in the previous issue of Critical Care, Elke and colleagues have revisited a database containing 13,630 ICU patients, of whom 2,270 met four inclusion criteria: sepsis or pneumonia, ICU stay of at least 3 days, mechanical ventilation within 48 hours after ICU admission, and exclusive EN. The goal of the authors was to assess the impact of various levels of energy and protein administration on mortality at 60 days after ICU admission and on the duration of mechanical ventilation. They found that standard levels of energy and protein recommended by international guidelines for patients in the ICU do also apply to patients with sepsis in the ICU. This is an important finding, which contradicts the current recommendations and beliefs for this subgroup of patients in the ICU and gives a strong rationale for launching a large prospective randomized trial.
Combustion characteristics of monopropylpentaborane flames

An account is given of several complementary experiments on the combustion of fuel-lean monopropylpentaborane-air mixtures: viz., determination of burning velocities; measurement of heat-release rates in the well-stirred reactor; determination of composition and temperature profiles in the reaction zone of a flat flame at reduced pressure; analysis of composition in turbulent flames. On the basis of temperature and composition profiles within the reaction zone of flat flames of sufficiently fuel-lean mixtures, the combustion reaction proceeds only approximately 50% toward equilibrium. The boron portion of the molecule is rapidly and completely oxidized (presumably to HBO 2 ). Most of the propyl side chain carbon appears in the form of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, aldehydes, alcohols, etc. A pathway is presented, suggesting the mechanism by which the divergent reactions proceed simultaneously. It is believed that the chain reactions responsible for the rapid boron oxidation are also involved in the decomposition and partial oxidation of the hydrocarbon side chain. The normal, heat-releasing oxidation of the hydrocarbon either does not take place at all (i.e., if the temperature rise in the boron flame zone is too low) or occurs in a separate zone sufficiently uncoupled from the boron oxidation so as not to affect its rate appreciably. Burning-velocity measurements of monopropylpentaborane-air and of pentaborane/ethylene-air are found to be identical if the B/C/H/O atomic ratios are matched. It is concluded that the flame-speed-determining reactions are identical, whether or not the hydrocarbon moiety is initially part of the fuel-molecule structure. The strongly depressant effect of hydrocarbons on burning velocity of boron hydrides is also independent of the fuel structure. Heat-release measurements in the “well-stirred reactor” tend to substantiate the effects noted above, namely, that the hydrocarbon side chain has an inhibiting effect on the rate of boron oxidation, regardless of whether or not a boron-carbon bond exists in the initial fuel molecule. Composition-profile determinations in turbulent flames reinforce the view that the hydrocarbon oxidation reactions leading to the thermodynamically stable reaction products, are only loosely coupled to the rapid oxidation of the boron-containing portion of the fuel molecule.
CLONING AND MUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE LEPTOMONAS SEYMOURI U5 SNRNA GENE :FUNCTION OF THE SM SITE IN CORE RNP FORMATION AND NUCLEAR LOCALIZATION

We have cloned the single-copy gene for the trans -spliceosomal U5 snRNA from the trypanosomatid species Leptomonas seymouri, using U5 RNA affinity selection and cDNA cloning. Sequence comparison revealed that the trans -spliceosomal U5 RNAs from trypanosomatid species share certain characteristic features. Interestingly, the affinity selection procedure yielded-in addition to the bona fide U5 RNA-a closely related small RNA, which can be folded into the same secondary structure, but carries three changes in the loop sequence. This raises the possibility that there may be a larger family of U5-like RNAs in trypanosomes. To study the U5 snRNP assembly and function in trypanosomes we have established a stable expression system in L.seymouri. Two cell lines have been generated that express U5 RNAs with mutations in the Sm site, resulting in a defect of core snRNP formation. In addition, the U5 Sm-mutant RNAs behaved differently in cell fractionation, implying a defect in nuclear localization. In sum, this demonstrates for the first time that the Sm site of trypanosome snRNAs contributes an essential element for stable core RNP assembly and may be important for nuclear localization, in analogy to the Sm site function of cis -spliceosomal snRNAs in higher eucaryotes.
Finalziele, Prinzipien und Träger der staatlichen Sozialpolitik im Überblick

Nach der Darstellung der einzelnen Bereiche der Sozialpolitik erscheint es angebracht, die wesentlichen Ziele, Prinzipien und Trager der staatlichen Sozialpolitik in einem konzentrierten Uberblick zusammenzufassen.
Inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, a downstream target of the raf-1 pathway, is associated with growth suppression in medullary thyroid cancer cells

Glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3beta) is an important regulator of cell proliferation and survival. Conflicting observations have been reported regarding the regulation of GSK-3beta and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) in cancer cells. In this study, we found that raf-1 activation in human medullary thyroid cancer cells, TT cells, resulted in phosphorylation of GSK-3beta. Inactivation of GSK-3beta in TT cells with well-known GSK-3beta inhibitors such as lithium chloride (LiCl) and SB216763 is associated with both growth suppression and a significant decrease in neuroendocrine markers such as human achaete-scute complex-like 1 and chromogranin A. Growth inhibition by GSK-3beta inactivation was found to be associated with cell cycle arrest due to an increase in the levels of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors such as p21, p27, and p15. Additionally, LiCl-treated TT xenograft mice had a significant reduction in tumor volume compared with those treated with control. For the first time, we show that GSK-3beta is a key downstream target of the raf-1 pathway in TT cells. Also, our results show that inactivation of GSK-3beta alone is sufficient to inhibit the growth of TT cells both in vitro and in vivo.
Estimating site-specific strong earthquake motions

Abstract The Campus Earthquake Program (CEP) of the University of California (UC) started in March 1996, and involved a partnership among seven campuses of the UC—Berkeley, Davis, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz—and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The aim of the CEP was to provide University campuses with site-specific assessments of their earthquake strong motion exposure, to complement estimates they obtain from consultants according to the state-of-the-practice (SOP), i.e. Building Codes (UBC 97, IBC 2000), and Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA). The Building Codes are highly simplified tools, while the more sophisticated PSHA is still somewhat generic in its approach because it usually draws from many earthquakes not necessarily related to the faults threatening the site under study. Between 1996 and 2001, the site-specific studies focused on three campuses: Riverside, San Diego, and Santa Barbara. Each campus selected 1–3 sites to demonstrate the methods and procedures used by the CEP: Rivera Library and Parking Lots (PL) 13 and 16 at UCR, Thornton Hospital, the Cancer Center, and PL 601 at UCSD, and Engineering I building at UCSB. The project provided an estimate of strong ground motions at each selected site, for selected earthquake scenarios. These estimates were obtained by using an integrated geological, seismological, geophysical, and geotechnical approach, that brings together the capabilities of campus and laboratory personnel. Most of the site-specific results are also applicable to risk evaluation of other sites on the respective campuses. The CEP studies have provided a critical assessment of whether existing campus seismic design bases are appropriate. Generally speaking, the current assumptions are not acknowledging the severity of the majority of expected motions. Eventually, both the results from the SOP and from the CEP should be analyzed, to arrive at decisions concerning the design-basis for buildings on UC campuses.
Evidence for reversible control of magnetization in a ferromagnetic material by means of spin–orbit magnetic field

The magnetization of a magnetic random-access memory is usually controlled by the injection of an externally polarized spin-current. A proof-of-principle demonstration shows that this could instead be manipulated with local fields generated by spin–orbit interactions of an unpolarized current.
Spatio-Temporal Contextual Classification Based on Markov Random Field Model

A contextural classifier based on a Markov random field model, which can utilize both spatial and temporal contexts, is investigated. Spatial and temporal neighbors are defined, and the class assignment of each pixel is assumed to be dependent only on the measurement vectors of itself and those of its spatial and temporal neighbors according to the Markov random field property. Only interpixel class dependency context is used in the classification. The joint prior probability of the classes of each pixel and its spatial and temporal neighbors are modeled by a Gibbs random field. The classification is performed in a recursive manner. Experiments with multi-temporal Thematic Mapper data show promising results.
Comparison of a Diffracting and a Non-Diffracting Circular Acoustic Array

Localization of acoustic sources has been an area of research starting primarily with underwater acoustics. Recently, localization of sources in air has become a topic of interest for automatic detection, surveillance and tracking for military applications. Other application include novel teleconference devices, specifically automatic focusing on the person currently speaking. Current technology relies on free-field localization arrays, and there is a plethora of literature on array beam-forming of these arrays. This paper introduces a new technology of diffracting arrays and novel signal processing methods for characterization of these arrays and localization of acoustic sources. The theory and experimental implementation of an acoustic diffracting array (ADA) is presented, including singular value decomposition and the effect of robustness. The results indicate that ADA results in increased localization accuracy, and more directional point spread functions due to increased magnitude and phase differences compared to a free-field array.
Record high RF performance for epitaxial graphene transistors

By optimizing of the gate dielectrics and device dimensions, we achieve a record high output current and transconductance of 5 mA/µm and 2 mS/µm in epitaxial graphene FETs. A cut-off frequency of 280 GHz is achieved for a 40-nm graphene FET, the highest so far on any synthesized graphene. Also, highest voltage gain of 10 dB has been achieved, with an f max /f T ratio larger than 1 demonstrated consistently on different devices. For the first time, forward power gain |S 21 |>1 delivered into a 50-Ω load is demonstrated.
Including ligand‐induced protein flexibility into protein tunnel prediction

In proteins with buried active sites, understanding how ligands migrate through the tunnels that connect the exterior of the protein to the active site can shed light on substrate specificity and enzyme function. A growing body of evidence highlights the importance of protein flexibility in the binding site on ligand binding; however, the influence of protein flexibility throughout the body of the protein during ligand entry and egress is much less characterized. We have developed a novel tunnel prediction and evaluation method named IterTunnel, which includes the influence of ligand-induced protein flexibility, guarantees ligand egress, and provides detailed free energy information as the ligand proceeds along the egress route. IterTunnel combines geometric tunnel prediction with steered molecular dynamics in an iterative process to identify tunnels that open as a result of ligand migration and calculates the potential of mean force of ligand egress through a given tunnel. Applying this new method to cytochrome P450 2B6, we demonstrate the influence of protein flexibility on the shape and accessibility of tunnels. More importantly, we demonstrate that the ligand itself, while traversing through a tunnel, can reshape tunnels due to its interaction with the protein. This process results in the exposure of new tunnels and the closure of preexisting tunnels as the ligand migrates from the active site.
Early Detection of Numerical Typing Errors Using Data Mining Techniques

This paper studies the applications of data mining techniques in early detection of numerical typing errors by human operators through a quantitative analysis of multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Three feature extraction techniques were developed to capture temporal, morphological, and time-frequency (wavelet) characteristics of EEG data. Two most commonly used data mining techniques, namely, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and support vector machine (SVM), were employed to classify EEG samples associated with correct and erroneous keystrokes. The leave-one-error-pattern-out and leave-one-subject-out cross-validation methods were designed to evaluate the in- and cross-subject classification performances, respectively. For the in-subject classification, the best testing performance had a sensitivity of 62.20% and a specificity of 51.68%, which were achieved by SVM using morphological features. For the cross-subject classification, the best testing performance was achieved by LDA using temporal features, based on which it had a sensitivity of 68.72% and a specificity of 49.45%. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the averaged values of the area under ROC curves of LDA and SVM for the in- and cross-subject classifications were both greater than 0.60 using the EEG 300 ms prior to the keystrokes. The classification results of this study indicated that the EEG patterns of erroneous keystrokes might be different from those of the correct ones. As a result, it may be possible to predict erroneous keystrokes prior to error occurrence. The classification problem addressed in this study is extremely challenging due to the very limited number of erroneous keystrokes made by each subject and the complex spatiotemporal characteristics of the EEG data. However, the outcome of this study is quite encouraging, and it is promising to develop a prospective early detection system for erroneous keystrokes based on brain-wave signals.
But Was It Wanted?: Young Women's First Voluntary Sexual Intercourse

Existing literature on sexual intercourse is based on the assumption that if an individual engages in sexual activity, not self-defined as rape, then the activity must have been wanted by both partners. This study, using National Survey of Family Growth, identifies factors associated with the “wantedness” of first sexual intercourse for young women in the United States. Approximately 28% of respondents described their first sexual event as not really wanted. The most commonly reported score demonstrated a level of ambivalence regarding wantedness of first sex. Women who delay their first sexual event, who are in a committed relationship, and whose mothers have higher levels of education are more likely to report a higher wantedness score. Ambiguous sexual scripting, conflicting sexual messages, and the symbolic meaning attaching to sexual activity helps to account for the large proportion of respondents who reported that their first sexual experience was neither clearly wanted, nor clearly unwanted.
The Role of Trust as a Mediator Between System Characteristics and Response Behaviors

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current work was to clarify how subjective trust determines response behavior when interacting with a signaling system. BACKGROUND: In multiple theoretical frameworks, trust is acknowledged as a prime mediator between system error characteristics and automation dependence. Some researchers have operationally defined trust as the behavior exhibited. Other researchers have suggested that although trust may guide operator responses, trust does not completely determine the behavior. METHOD: Forty-four participants interacted with a primary flight simulation task and a secondary signaling system task. The signaling system varied in reliability (90%, 60%) and error bias (false alarm, miss prone). Trust was measured halfway through the experimental session to address the criterion of temporal precedence in determining the effect of trust on behavior. RESULTS: Analyses indicated that trust partially mediated the relationship between reliability and agreement rate. Trust did not mediate the relationship between reliability and reaction time. Trust also did not mediate the relationships between error bias and reaction time or agreement rate. Analyses of variance generally supported specific behavioral and trust hypotheses, indicating that the paradigm employed produced similar effects on response behaviors and subjective estimates of trust observed in other studies. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that strong assumptions of trust acting as the prime mediator between system error characteristics and response behaviors should be viewed with caution. APPLICATION: Practitioners should consider assessing factors other than trust to determine potential operator response behaviors, which may be more predictive. Language: en
Reconstruction and simplification of high-quality multiple-region models from planar sections

This paper proposes an accurate and efficient process that reconstructs, smoothes, and simplifies large-scale, three-dimensional models with multiple regions from serial sections. Models are reconstructed using a generally classed marching tetrahedra method that is less complex than the recent generally classed marching cubes algorithms, yet still preserves interface conformability between the regions in the model. Surfaces are smoothed using a volume preserving Laplacian filter that also preserves the region interfaces and topologies. Models are simplified using an efficient and accurate quadric-based edge contraction scheme that maintains the interfaces between regions and preserves the topology of the model. The edge contraction process is constrained to produce surface meshes that have high-quality facet shapes. The process both reconstructs as well as simplifies these models on-the-fly in one pass so that huge models may be processed within limited computer memory. The process does not require the entire original model to fit in the memory at one time. Example results of multiple-region models from the fields of materials science and medicine are presented.
Gerard E. Hogarty (1935–2006): Combining Science and Humanism to Improve the Care of Persons With Schizophrenia

Gerard E. Hogarty was a scholar and clinician whose career was dedicated to improving the lives of persons with schizophrenia through the rigorous development and testing of novel psychosocial treatment approaches. During the course of his career, he is credited with the development of many of the psychosocial treatments that have become the pillars of evidence-based practices for schizophrenia today. This review outlines the evolution of Hogarty's contributions to the development of psychosocial approaches for schizophrenia by presenting a chronological history of the 4 distinct treatments he developed during the course of his career. These include major role therapy, an early precursor to clinical case management; family psychoeducation, an approach to ally with and educate family members to reduce intrafamilial distress; personal therapy, a flexible, individual psychotherapy, aimed at teaching patients stress management and affective regulation techniques; and finally, cognitive enhancement therapy, a comprehensive, developmental approach to the remediation of social- and nonsocial-cognitive deficits. Each of these treatments built upon the findings of the previous one, and as a consequence, each significantly improved the lives of persons with schizophrenia and expanded the treatment possibilities available to such individuals. These efforts represent a lifelong dedication to advancing the treatment of schizophrenia through rigorous scientific inquiry and exemplify a unique combination of science and humanism that has left a lasting impact on the field and the lives of many individuals suffering from this disease.
Nullcline Analysis as an Analytical Tethered Satellite Mission Design Tool

Tethered satellite systems have been proposed for many space mission applications due to the useful dynamics that can be generated with relatively low fuel expenditures. Increasing interest in tethered satellite systems necessitates a fundamental understanding of the dynamics of such systems. An analytic method of qualitatively describing the possible dynamics of a tethered satellite system is presented. This analysis is centered on the study of the sets of states for which at least one of the nondimensional time derivatives of the state variables is zero. These sets are known as the nullclines of a system, and they bound regions of the phase plane in which tethered satellite behavior is similar. The qualitative analysis of the nullclines provides an explanation for, and suggests the controllability of, many types of tethered satellite behavior. For the purposes of this paper, a tethered artificial gravity satellite system is used as a canonical tethered system and the results derived are applied to this system. The utility of the described analytical method is demonstrated by using the method to characterize two different tethered satellite missions.
Exploring the effects of phylogenetic uncertainty and consensus trees on stratigraphic consistency scores: a new program and a standardized method

The stratigraphic record of first appearances provides an independent source of data for evaluating and comparing phylogenetic hypotheses that include taxa with fossil histories. However, no standardized method exists for calculating these metrics for polytomous phylogenies, restricting their applicability. Previously proposed methods insufficiently deal with this problem because they skew or restrict the resulting scores. To resolve this issue, we propose a standardized method for treating polytomies when calculating these metrics: the Comprehensive Polytomy approach (ComPoly). This approach accurately describes how phylogenetic uncertainty, indicated by polytomies, affects stratigraphic consistency scores. We also present a new program suite (Assistance with Stratigraphic Consistency Calculations) that incorporates the ComPoly approach and simplifies the calculation of absolute temporal stratigraphic consistency metrics. This study also demonstrates that stratigraphic consistency scores calculated from strict consensus trees can be overly inclusive and those calculated from less-than-strict consensus trees inaccurately describe the phylogenetic signal present in the source most-parsimonious trees (MPTs). Therefore, stratigraphic consistency scores should be calculated directly from the source MPTs whenever possible to ensure their accuracy. Finally, we offer recommendations for standardizing comparisons between molecular divergence dates and the stratigraphic record of first appearances, a promising new application of these methods. © The Willi Hennig Society 2010.
Timing and Biosynthetic Potential for Carotenoid Accumulation in Genetically Diverse Germplasm of Maize

Enhancement of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in food crops benefits human health and adds commercial value of natural food colorants. However, predictable metabolic engineering or breeding is limited by the incomplete understanding of endogenous pathway regulation, including rate-controlling steps and timing of expression in carotenogenic tissues. The grass family (Poaceae) contains major crop staples, including maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), rice (Oryza sativa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and millet (Pennisetum glaucum). Maize carotenogenesis was investigated using a novel approach to discover genes encoding limiting biosynthetic steps in the nutritionally targeted seed endosperm. A combination of bioinformatics and cloning were first used to identify and map gene families encoding enzymes in maize and other grasses. These enzymes represented upstream pathways for isopentenyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthesis and the downstream carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, including conversion to abscisic acid. A maize germplasm collection was used for statistical testing of the correlation between carotenoid content and candidate gene transcript levels. Multiple pathway bottlenecks for isoprenoid biosynthesis and carotenoid biosynthesis were discovered in specific temporal windows of endosperm development. Transcript levels of paralogs encoding isoprenoid isopentenyl diphosphate and geranylgeranyl diphosphate-producing enzymes, DXS3, DXR, HDR, and GGPPS1, were found to positively correlate with endosperm carotenoid content. For carotenoid pathway enzymes, transcript levels for CrtISO inversely correlated with seed carotenoid content, as compared with positive correlation of PSY1 transcripts. Since zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) depletes the carotenoid pool in subsequent conversion to abscisic acid, ZEP transcripts were examined. Carotenoid accumulation was found to be inversely associated with ZEP1 and ZEP2 transcript levels. Extension of the maize results using phylogenetic analysis identified orthologs in other grass species that may serve as potential metabolic engineering targets.
Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: suture anchor properties, modes of failure and technical considerations

Rotator cuff injury and tears are a common source of shoulder pain, particularly among the elderly. Arthroscopic repair has now become the mainstay in the treatment of significant injuries that have failed conservative therapy. Compared with the traditional open technique, arthroscopic repair offers patients smaller incisions and less soft-tissue trauma, which result in improved postoperative pain and rehabilitation. The advances that have made arthroscopic repairs a reality includes improvement in arthroscopic rotator cuff instrumentation, particularly suture anchors. Suture anchors are used to reattach the torn rotator cuff tissue back onto the bone. Current rotator cuff anchors vary by design, anchor composition and suture materials. A treating physician should be aware of the advantages and limitations of these implants, which may influence the choice of one anchor over another. In addition to anchor variables, other factors that may affect the success of the repair include the local environment and surgical technique. In this article, various aspects of anchor design will be discussed. In addition, a concise review of technical considerations will also be discussed.
Modeling the performance of limited pointers directories for cache coherence

Directory-hsed protocols have been proposed as an efficient means of implementing cache consistency in large-scale sharedmemory multiprocessors. One class of these protocols utilizes a limired pointers directory, which Stores the identities of a Small number of caches mntaining a given block of data. However. the performance potential of these directories in large-scale machines has been speculative at best. In this paper we introduce an analytic model that not only explains the behavior seen in small-scale simulation studies, but also allows us to extrapolate forward to evaluate the efficiency of limited pointers directories in large-scale systems. Our model shows that miss rates inherent to invalidation-based consistencyschemes are relatively high (typically 10% to 60%) for actively shared data, across a variety of workloads. We find that limited pointers schemes that resort to broadcasting invalidations when the pointers are exhausted perform very poorly in largescale machines, even if there are sufficient pointas most of the time. On the other hand, no-broadcast slrategies that limit the degree of caching to the number of pointers in an entry have only a modest impact on the cache miss rate and network traflic under a wide range of workloads. including those in which data blocks are actively accessed by a large number of processors.