cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Individual Recognition, Intragroup Cohesion and Intergroup Spacing: Evidence From Sound Playback To Forest Monkeys

The contexts and functions of several loud mangabey vocalizations, particularly the "whoopgobble", were investigated observationally and experimentally. Whoopgobbles are notable for their audibility and distinctiveness over long distances, their temporal pattern of delivery, and particularly their stereotypy and individual distinctiveness. On the other hand, contexts of and responses to these vocalizations are variable and sometimes nonobvious. In order to control context and more systematically investigate response, an experimental method involving playback of recorded vocalizations was developed. Although precautions against habituation were necessary, mangabey responses to playbacks were clearcut and repeatable. Answering vocalizations, changes in group movement, and changes in the dispersion of individuals within a group occurred only in response to mangabey vocalizations. Whoopgobble playbacks provoked a pattern of response, including most notably the rapid approach of one adult male (the "RA" male) from each group, which was specific to this call. Playback of whoopgobbles between 100 and 600m from mangabey groups indicated that this call does transmit information regarding the identity of the vocalizing individual and group over these distances. Test groups moved away from neighboring- and unknown-group calls, but towards those of their own males - particularly those of RA males. RA males, on the other hand, do not approach calls of other males from their own groups. Within a group, whoopgobbles may thus increase cohesion and influence the direction of movements. Characteristics of whoopgobble form and context are discussed with regard to hypothesized functions of these and other forest monkey loud calls. Responses by free-ranging mangabeys to playback of the whoopgobble confirm its role in maintaining distance between groups. Response was found to be independent of group size, despite the fact that whoopgobble rate is closely related to this variable and thus could transmit such information. Since responses were also found to be independent of location within the home range, intergroup spacing among mangabeys appears not be be "territorial", site defense does not occur. Nevertheless, the central areas in at least some mangabey groups' home ranges were never penetrated by neighbors. Playback tests with black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys, among which territorial spacing has been reported, indicate that responses to loud calls have some degree of site-specificity among these species. But the mangabey pattern of intergroup spacing appears to result from a combination of low group density, site attachment within groups, and site-independent avoidance between groups. These results emphasize that spacing "system" and "pattern" are not necessarily equivalent; a given set of spacing behaviors can result in different spacing patterns under different ecological conditions, while a given pattern may be obtained by any of several behavioral means. Evidence for site-independent spacing in other primate species is discussed.
Time Pressure in Information Search

The primary purpose of this research is to explore the impact of perceived time pressure on search behaviors, searcher perceptions of the search system and the search experience. Are there observable behavioral changes when a searcher is time-pressured? To what extent are search behavior differences attributable to objective experimental manipulation versus to the subjective experience of time pressure? An important secondary purpose of this work is to identify appropriate outcome measures that allow for the comparison of session-level search behaviors when time is manipulated.
34Ar and T = 1 states in 34Cl from two-nucleon pick-up reactions

Abstract The reactions 36 Ar(p, t) 34 Ar, 36 Ar(p, 3 He) 34 Cl and 36 Ar(d, α) 34 Cl have been used to study energy levels in 34 Ar and 34 Cl. Excitation energies and J π values have been established for states up to 8 MeV in 34 Ar, and many of their T = 1 analogues have been identified in 34 Cl. These results exemplify the usefulness of the spin and isospin selection rules inherent in two-nucleon transfer reactions. The results are discussed in terms of the mass-34 T = 1 multiplet and the J -dependence of their Coulomb displacement energies.
The influences of language of literacy instruction and vocabulary on the spelling of Spanish-English bilinguals.

The relation of language of instruction and vocabulary to the English spelling of bilingual first graders receiving either English or Spanish literacy instruction and of monolinguals in English literacy instruction was explored. Only bilingual students in Spanish literacy instruction (SLI) exhibited Spanish-influenced spelling, indicating a powerful effect of language of literacy instruction. SLI without English literacy instruction (ELI) may be a prerequisite for the appearance of Spanish influences in English spelling. Spanish-influenced spelling appears to be a normal developmental phenomenon only for those bilingual first graders who have received no ELI. The students in ELI, on average, wrote more orthographically plausible English pseudowords than students in SLI, indicating that the students in SLI simply had not yet learned conventional spelling patterns in English. In addition, children with good Spanish vocabulary showed more Spanish-influenced spelling, while English vocabulary predicted more orthographically plausible English spellings. The relationship between English vocabulary and English spelling was similar for children instructed in Spanish and English. English vocabulary and literacy instruction both made unique, positive contributions to English pseudoword␣spelling, while Spanish literacy instruction played a more important role than Spanish vocabulary in the production of Spanish-influenced spelling in English.
Policy implications of Gaian theory

Abstract A literal and a metaphorical interpretation of Gaian theory are contrasted. It is argued that the literal interpretation raises unnecessary and unresolvable intellectual problems, but that the metaphorical interpretation is defensible and has important implications for the general outlines of environmental policy. The metaphorical interpretation — which generates a number of more specific hypotheses — entails that natural systems must be regarded as self-regulating and self-maintaining, but that these qualities may be diminished, resulting in “illness” of the system. Gaian theory therefore suggests an important analogy between environmental science and medical science: environmental science, like medicine, is value- driven rather than fact-driven. Gaian theory also suggests that environmental problems must be conceptualized on different scales and encourages a hierarchical approach to policy issues, which implies a pluralistic rather than an aggregative analysis of policy options.
Tumor uptake of 99mTc-MIBI and 201T1 by a 9L gliosarcoma brain tumor model in rats

There have been several recent case reports of the accumulation of 99mTc-MIBI [hexakismethoxyisobutylisonitriletechnetium(I), Cardiolite, Sestamibi] in tumors, but no reports of the uptake of this radiopharmaceutical in an animal model. To address this question, the biodistributions of 99mTc-MIBI and 201Tl were compared in Fisher rats bearing 9L gliosarcomas. The results showed that, although the absolute uptake of the tracers by the tumor is relatively low (< 1% ID/g), the tumor-to-normal brain ratios are greater than 6:1 because of low uptake by normal brain. The tumor-to-normal brain ratio of 99mTc-MIBI exceeds that of other currently available 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals suggesting that 99mTc-MIBI may be of particular value in the clinical evaluation of brain tumors and that further investigation of this class of compounds as tumor-avid radiopharmaceuticals is necessary.
Hypervelocity penetration modeling: Momentum vs. energy and energy transfer mechanisms

Analytic penetration modeling usually relies on either a momentum balance or an energy-rate balance to predict depth of penetration by a penetrator based on initial geometry and impact velocity. In recent years, fairly sophisticated models of penetration have arisen that develop the three-dimensional flow field within a target. Based on the flow field and constitutive assumptions, it is then possible to derive a momentum or an energy-rate balance. This paper examines the use of assumed flow fields within a target created by impact and then examines the resulting predicted behavior based on either momentum conservation or energy conservation. It is shown that for the energy-rate balance to work, the details of the energy transfer mechanisms must be included in the model. In particular, how the projectile energy is initially transferred into target kinetic energy and elastic compression energy must be included. As impact velocity increases, more and more energy during the penetration event is temporarily deposited within the target as elastic compression and target kinetic energy. This energy will be dissipated by the target at a later time, but at the time of penetration it is this transfer of energy that defines the forces acting on the projectile. Thus, for an energy rate balance approach to successfully model penetration, it must include the transfer of energy into kinetic energy within the target and the storage of energy by elastic compression. Understanding the role of energy dissipation in the target clarifies the various terms in analytic models and identifies their origin in terms of the fundamental physics. Understanding the modes of energy transfer also assists in understanding the hypervelocity result that penetration depth only slowly increases with increasing velocity even though the kinetic energy increases as the square of the velocity.
Truncated tau and Aβ cooperatively impair mitochondria in primary neurons

Mitochondrial dysfunction is likely a significant contributing factor to Alzheimer disease pathogenesis, and both amyloid peptide (Aβ) and pathological forms of tau may contribute to this impairment. Cleavage of tau at Asp421 occurs early in Alzheimer disease, and Asp421-cleaved tau likely negatively impacts neuronal function. Previously we showed that expression of Asp421-cleaved tau in a neuronal cell model resulted in mitochondrial impairment. To extend these findings we expressed either full length tau or Asp421-cleaved tau (truncated tau) in primary cortical neurons and measured different aspects of mitochondrial function with or without the addition of sublethal concentrations of Aβ. The expression of truncated tau alone induced significant mitochondrial fragmentation in neurons. When truncated tau expression was combined with Aβ at sublethal concentrations, increases in the stationary mitochondrial population and the levels of oxidative stress in cortical neurons were observed. Truncated tau expression also enhanced Aβ-induced mitochondrial potential loss in primary neurons. These new findings show that Asp421-cleaved tau and Aβ cooperate to impair mitochondria, which likely contributes to the neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer disease.
Associations of personality characteristics with transport behavior and residence location decisions

Abstract The objective of this paper is to investigate potential associations between personality and individual travel behavior characteristics. The explorations were based on responses to a mailback household survey from individuals residing in selected Chicago suburbs conducted in spring 1989. Three dimensions of personality were examined: social introversion or extroversion, affinity for suburban living and affinity for material possessions. Personality characteristics tend to correlate well with residence location selection, automobile ownership and travel characteristics. Specifically, socially extroverted people tend to make more trips, more nonwork trips and travel substantially longer distances by automobile for nonwork trips compared with socially introverted people. Materialistic people tend to spend a larger portion of their income for automobile acquisition; they also tend to own more expensive automobiles compared with utilitarian people. More people with an affinity for suburban living tend to reside in outerring, low-density suburbs instead of innerring, high-density suburbs. Thus, personality factors improve the understanding of transport behavior. On the other hand, personality characteristics cannot be affected by policy measures, while values for personality variables are hard to gather and predict. The problem of application of models with personality variables may be solvable for current (i.e. nonforecasting) applications if people can be classified into a small number of personality classes which can be assessed by a manageable number of attitudinal statements. As this study demonstrates, this is feasible.
Patient with bilateral pleural effusion: are the findings the same in each fluid?

Study objectives To determine whether, in patients with bilateral pleural effusions, the main cellular and biochemical features of the pleural fluid on the right side differ from or correlate with those on the left side. We examined lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose, and total protein (TP) levels, RBC count, nucleated cell count (NCC), and differential cell count. Patients and methods Twenty-seven patients with bilateral pleural effusions, including 13 patients with effusions after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, 12 patients with congestive heart failure, 1 patient with malignant pericarditis, and 1 patient with renal failure, were studied retrospectively. Results The right-sided and the left-sided pleural effusions did not differ in the mean TP (p = 0.38), glucose (p = 0.31), and LDH (p = 0.39) levels, RBC count (p = 0.31), NCC (p = 0.96), and the percentage of neutrophils (p = 0.22), lymphocytes (p = 0.73), mononuclear cells (MNCs) [p = 0.49], and eosinophils (p = 0.65). The bias ± precision was 0.1 ± 0.64 g/dL for TP, − 2.7 ± 23 mg/dL for glucose, 41 ± 362 IU/L for LDH, 6,100 ± 62,900 cells/μL for RBC count, − 36 ± 1,043 cells/μL for NCC, − 2.9 ± 11.6% for the percentage of neutrophils, 1.15 ± 17% for the percentage of lymphocytes, 2.3 ± 17% for the percentage of the MNCs, and − 0.15 ± 5.4% for the percentage of eosinophils. Moreover, there was a close correlation between the right-sided and the left-sided pleural effusions concerning TP level ( r = 0.85, p r = 0.78, p r = 0.71, p r = 0.66, p r = 0.60, p = 0.001), and the percentage of neutrophils ( r = 0.77, p r = 0.77, p r = 0.74, p r = 0.84, p Conclusion Since the pleural fluid findings tend to be similar in both sides of patients with bilateral pleural effusion, we suggest that diagnostic thoracentesis may not need to be performed on both sides, unless there is a specific clinical indication.
The 5′-Untranslated Region of GLUT1 Glucose Transporter mRNA Causes Differential Regulation of the Translational Rate in Plant and Animal Systems

The blood-brain barrier GLUT1 glucose transporter is under post-transcriptional regulation, and the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the GLUT1 mRNA increases its translational rate in mammalian cells. To obtain more insight into the mechanism of translational control of GLUT1, the present investigation studied the translational efficiency of capped full-length synthetic human (h) and rabbit (rab) GLUT1 mRNA and both 5'- and 3'-UTR deleted hGLUT1 mRNAs in both mammalian and plant cell free translation systems. Translation efficiency of both h- and rabGLUT1 mRNA was increased 3- to 6-fold in rabbit retyculocyte lysate (RRL) compared with wheat germ extract (WGE). Confirming previous observations, deletion of 5'- and 5'/-3'-UTR markedly reduced the translation efficiency of the h-GLUT1 transcript in RRL. On the contrary, these deletions markedly increased the translation of GLUT1 in WGE. The present data provide additional evidence suggesting that the 5'-UTR of the GLUT1 mRNA contains cis-acting elements involved in the translational activation of the GLUT1 gene in mammalian cells and that factors involved in this cis/trans-acting interaction are either absent or down-regulated in plant systems.
Factors influencing the seasonal variation in particulate nitrate at Cheju Island, South Korea

Abstract The seasonal variation in measured particulate nitrate at Cheju island, South Korea, is analyzed and shown to exhibit high concentrations from February to June and in October, and low values from July to September. Total nitrate concentrations, which are not monitored, are estimated with a gas–aerosol equilibrium model with two-size bins. The total nitrate concentrations are shown to be maximum in June and minimum in August, and these differences are associated with air–mass trajectories. The fraction of particulate to total nitrate is estimated and shown to be sensitive to the total nitrate concentrations and the coarse-mode composition that is dominated by non-volatile species. The particulate nitrate fractions are found to vary within a relatively narrow range around the annual-mean value, indicating that the particulate nitrate concentrations behave similarly to the total nitrate concentrations. Exceptions are found for April, June and July. For April the largest particulate nitrate fraction is found in association with very high concentrations of nss-calcium, an indicator of mineral aerosol. The smallest particulate nitrate fractions occur in June and July and are the result of a combination of low concentrations of nss-calcium, sea salt and total nitrate, and high concentration of nss-sulfate.
Capacitive bolometer effect in the paraelectric phase of triglycine sulfate

Capacitive bolometer detectors using Ferroelectric materials and operating in the paraelectric phase with an external bias are investigated. Their responsivity is directly proportional to the induced polarization. The measured specific detectivity D*(0.9μ, 100 Hz, 1 Hz) for a TGS device, 4 mm2 in area and 325 microns thick, was 1.6 × 108 cm√Hz/W, slightly better than the D* of 1.2 × 108 cm√Hz/H' when the same device was used as a pyroelectric detector at room temperature. Theoretical considerations indicate that by going to high frequency ac bias, the capacitive bolometer detectivity can be increased to an extent where temperature fluctuation limit becomes realizable.
Travel as projection of civic virtue, political power and national identity: Johann Fischart's the fortunate ship from Zurich (1577)

In 1577, Johann Fischart published a small epic poem entitled Das Gluckhafft Schiff von Zurich (The fortunate ship from Zurich), which describes a one-day river journey by 54 citizens of Zurich to Fischart's native Strasbourg in order to attend a rifle competition and to celebrate the military alliance between the cities. This essay interprets Fischart's travel text as a geographical narrative of national identity, and particularly of Swiss identity, focusing on core values of republican self-understanding, the freedom of the citizenry, and civic-mindedness. In line with chorographic tradition, the text describes the Swiss Confederation as a fluvial spatial system which serves as an allegory for its social organisation. The mystical headwaters of the Swiss rivers in the Alps stand at the core of the Swiss founding myth and serve as a source of power which is projected downriver all the way to Strasbourg, as allegorically signified by the river journey. Control of the headwaters allows the Swiss not only t...
Neurochemical effects of prenatal haloperidol exposure

The neurochemical effects of prenatal exposure to dopamine receptor antagonists are as yet poorly characterized. To further examine this problem, pregnant rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of vehicle, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg haloperidol over gestational days 6 through 20. Membrane binding of [3H]SCH-23390 (D1-specific) and [3H]spiroperidol (D2-specific in most brain areas) was measured in four regions of the cerebral dopamine system at postnatal day (PND) 30. Dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels were measured in caudate on PND 30 following a d-amphetamine challenge. Prenatal haloperidol exposure reduced [3H]SCH-23390 and [3H]spiroperidol binding in caudate in a dose-dependent manner. [3H]Spiroperidol binding was similarly reduced in nucleus accumbens, but only the low dose (2.5 mg/kg) group showed decreased [3H]SCH-23390 binding in this region. Binding of neither compound was significantly altered in amygdala or frontal cortex. Basal or drug-stimulated levels of caudate DA and DOPAC were unaltered. It is concluded that prenatal haloperidol exposure reduces D1 and D2 binding in some, but not all regions of the forebrain dopamine system.
Electron spin resonance study of chemical reactions and crossover processes in a fuel cell: Effect of membrane thickness

Abstract Spin trapping ESR experiments were performed in a fuel cell inserted in the resonator of the ESR spectrometer, and allow visualization of crossover processes and separate detection of chemical reactions at anode and cathode. The membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) consisted of the perfluorinated 3M membranes and Pt as catalyst; the detection of unstable intermediates was possible with 5,5-Dimethyl-1-pyrroline N -oxide (DMPO) as the spin trap. The major goal was to determine the effect of membrane thickness on the type and intensity of the spin adducts; MEAs with membrane thicknesses of 25 μm, 50 μm and 100 μm were studied. DMPO/H and DMPO/OOH adducts were detected in most experiments and their presence is explained by the generation of hydrogen atoms, H·, at the catalyst, and reaction with crossover O 2 . A strong effect of membrane thickness was detected: For a 25 μm thickness the relative intensities of DMPO/H and DMPO/OOH are similar at both anode and cathode. For 100 μm thickness the relative intensity of DMPO/H at the cathode decreased significantly, due to decreased H 2 crossover. At the anode DMPO/H was the only adduct detected ; the absence of DMPO/OOH is assigned to negligible O 2 crossover. The results provide evidence for the involvement of hydrogen atoms in the membrane degradation. Enhancement of crossover rates in thinner membranes is expected to reduce membrane durability.
65: Genital Pain, Cramps, and Vaginal Discharge: The Effect of Common Vaginal Complaints on Sexual Practices

Purpose: Genital pain and vaginal discharge are commonly reported gynecological symptoms, but frequency, duration, and association with sexual practices is unknown. The objective of this research was to describe the prevalence of genital pain, pelvic cramps, and vaginal discharge and to evaluate their relationship of symptom duration to event-level sexual behaviors. Methods: Data were daily diaries collected from young women (N 387), ages 14 17 yrs at enrollment. Symptom variables were genital pain (no/yes), vaginal discharge (no/yes) and cramps (no/yes). Symptom duration for genital pain, vaginal discharge or cramps was calculated as the number of consecutive days on which symptoms were noted as well as for the number of days on which 2 or more symptoms were observed. Event level sexual behaviors included coitus (no/yes), condom use during coitus (no/yes), fellatio (no/yes), cunnilingus (no/yes), anal sex (no/ yes), touching a partner’s genitals (no/yes) and having one’s genitals touched (no/yes). Results: Subjects reported 87,311 diary days; 2% were associated with genital pain (1,654/87,311), 6.5% were associated with vaginal discharge (5,680/87,311) and 6% were associated with cramps (5,139/87,311). Most days (87%; 76,135/87,311) had no symptoms; subjects reported one symptom on 10% of days (8,731/87,311) and 2 or more symptoms on 3% of days (2,445/87,311). On average, genital pain duration was 8.79 days (SD 16.31), vaginal discharge duration was 7.38 days (SD 13.37) and cramps duration was 9.48 days (SD 13.39); duration of two or more symptoms was 11.5 days (SD 17.03). Controlling for vaginal bleeding, mood, partner effects, substance use and usual behaviors, longer duration of genital pain increased the likelihood of cunnilingus (OR 1.09), but decreased the likelihood of coitus (OR 0.93), fellatio (OR 0.93), touching a partner’s genital (OR 0.92) and having one’s genitals touched (OR 0.94). A longer duration of cramps was associated with decreased likelihood of coitus (OR 0.87). Longer duration of vaginal discharge was associated with increased likelihood of fellatio (OR 1.04), but decreased likelihood of cunnilingus (OR 0.88), anal sex (OR 0.63), and coitus with a condom (OR 0.8). A longer duration of two or more symptoms decreased the likelihood of all sexual behaviors (OR 0.86 0.96), but was not associated with condom use. Conclusions: Genital pain, cramps, and vaginal discharge appear to have complex relationships with sexual behavior, even in the absence of vaginal bleeding. These findings provide useful insights into the ways young women organize their sexual behaviors, and suggest ways, in which young women may be taught to recognize, interpret and respond to genital and pelvic symptoms. Sources of Support: HRSA T71 MC00008; NIH-NICHD-R01 HD044387; T32AI07637.
A robust two degree-of-freedom controller for systems with both model and measurement uncertainty

Abstract This paper presents a design method for robust two degree-of-freedom (DOF) controllers that optimize the control performance with respect to both model uncertainty and signal measurement uncertainty. In many situations, non-causal feedforward is a welcome control addition when closed loop feedback bandwidth limitations exist due to plant dynamics such as: delays, non-minimum phase zeros, poorly placed zeros and poles ( Xie, Alleyne, Greer, and Deneault (2013) ; Xie (2013) , etc. However, feedforward control is sensitive to both model uncertainty and signal measurement uncertainty. The latter is particularly true when the feedforward is responding to pre-measured disturbance signals. The combined sensitivity will deteriorate the feedforward controller performance if care is not taken in design. In this paper a two DOF design is introduced which optimizes the performance based on a given estimate of uncertainties. The controller design uses H∞ tools to balance the controlled system bandwidth with increased sensitivity to signal measurement uncertainties. A successful case study on an experimental header height control system for a combine harvester is shown as an example of the approach.
Direction discrimination of cyclopean (stereoscopic) and luminance motion

This study compared direction discrimination of cyclopean (stereoscopic) and luminance motion involving stimuli equated for effective strength. The stimuli were random-walk cinematogram (RWC) displays whose signal and noise discs were created from binocular disparity differences embedded in a dynamic random-dot stereogram or from luminance differences. Experiment 1 measured global motion detection thresholds for cyclopean and luminance stimuli by manipulating the proportion of signal to noise discs. Detection thresholds for cyclopean motion were about 25% whereas detection thresholds for luminance motion were 5%, thus five times more cyclopean motion events than luminance events were necessary to elicit threshold responding. Experiment 2 measured thresholds for discriminating the direction of cyclopean and luminance motion under conditions of equal stimulus strength by presenting the motion displays at equal multiples of detection threshold. Direction discrimination thresholds (ranging from about 5-30 deg, depending upon conditions) were similar for cyclopean and luminance motion, thus the precision with which the pooling of local motion events in one direction can be discriminated from the pooling of events in a slightly different direction is the same for cyclopean and luminance stimuli. The finding that cyclopean motion information is pooled is consistent with the idea that the direction of cyclopean motion is coded in the responses of a population of directionally selective mechanisms.
Microwave effects on premixed flames

Abstract It has been proposed in the literature that microwave heating of combustion-generated plasmas in intenal-combustion engines can be used to increase the rate of combustion of dilute mixtures. Experiments were conducted on fuel-lean laminar flames held above a porous burner flowing premixed mixtures of fuel (propane, ethylene, or methane) and oxidizer (air or oxygen-argon mixtures). A flame was positioned in a cavity resonated with microwaves at a frequency of about 2.4 GHz, with electric field intensities ranging to over 105 V/m. For the lean-mixture air flames (0.6
Tumour-endothelium interactions in co-culture: Coordinated changes of gene expression profiles and phenotypic properties of endothelial cells

Tumour angiogenesis is a complex process based upon a sequence of interactions between tumour cells and endothelial cells. To model tumour/endothelial-cell interactions, we co-cultured U87 human glioma cells with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). U87 cells induced an 'activated' phenotype in HUVECs, including an increase in proliferation, migration and net-like formation. Activation was observed in co-cultures where cells were in direct contact and physically separated, suggesting an important role for soluble factor(s) in the phenotypic and genotypic changes observed. Expressional profiling of tumour-activated endothelial cells was evaluated using cDNA arrays and confirmed by quantitative PCR. Matching pairs of receptors/ligands were found to be coordinately expressed, including TGFbetaRII with TGFbeta3, FGFRII and cysteine-rich fibroblast growth factor receptor (CRF-1) with FGF7 and FGF12, CCR1, CCR3, CCR5 with RANTES and calcitronin receptor-like gene (CALCRL) with adrenomedullin. Consistent with cDNA array data, immunohistochemical staining of expressed proteins revealed the upregulation of Tie-2 receptor in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggest that tumour-induced activation of quiescent endothelial cells involves the expression of angiogenesis-related receptors and the induction of autocrine growth loops. We suggest that tumour cells release growth factors that induce endothelial cells to express specific ligands and their cognate receptors coordinately.
The Anatomical and Electrophysiological Basis of Peripheral Nasal Trigeminal Chemoreception

The trigeminal nerve (TN) provides sensory information from the eyes, nose, and mouth. A subset of trigeminal nerve fibers, particularly those containing the neuropeptides substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), responds to chemical irritants in the environment. Axons in the ethmoid and nasopalatine branches of the trigeminal nerve innervate the nasal mucosa where they ramify repeatedly. TN endings extend close to the nasal epithelial surface stopping at the line of tight junctions only a few micrometers from the surface. A single ethmoid nerve axon may send branches to the nasal mucosa, olfactory bulb, and the spinal trigeminal complex. Traditionally, irritants are thought to stimulate free TN endings in the nasal epithelium. Recently, however, solitary chemoreceptor cells (SCCs) have been found scattered throughout the nasal cavity. The SCCs are contacted by TN fibers and may express T2R ''bitter-taste'' receptors alpha-gustducin, and TRPM5. Peripheral trigeminal electrophysiological recordings in response to irritants have been obtained from the mucosa (negative mucosal potential, NMP) and the nerve to analyze characteristics of trigeminal stimuli. Responses to a wide variety of irritants have been recorded from the ethmoid nerve. In general, the more lipid soluble the compound, the lower the threshold. Nerve recordings have also suggested several mechanisms by which irritants elicit responses. Bitter substances elicit responses from the ethmoid nerve and cause a change in respiration indicating stimulation via SCCs. SCCs themselves respond to chemical stimuli and may be contributing to the detection of nasal irritants.
Ab Initio Calculations of the Vibrational and Electronic Spectra of Diketopiperazine

One interesting feature of diamides is that, in principle, they can exhibit many of the characteristic optical properties of a helical polypeptide. Diketopiperazine (dioxopiperazine or cyclic diglycine) can perhaps be considered to be the simplest diamide, and the constraints on its conformation make it an attractive candidate for the theoretical study of the interaction between amide chromophores. We have applied correlated methods to compute ab initio the gas phase conformation of diketopiperazine, its vibrational spectrum, and its electronic spectrum. Using MP2 and density functional B3LYP methods, the boat conformer of the molecule and its nonsuperimposable mirror image were identified as the lowest energy structures. The planar structure was found to be a transition state. Vibrational spectra were computed for the boat and planar structures. The two boat enantiomers lie in a broad well, separated by a very small barrier corresponding to the planar form. For computational tractability, and as the barr...
A note on the estimation of the level of predictive precision of a fitted linear equation

A procedure that utilizes the sample multiple correlation to form a lower bound for the level of predictive precision of a fitted regression equation is suggested. The procedure is shown to yield probability statements which are true at least 100(1−α)% of the time.
Investigation on the clinical efficacy and safety of 0.1% tacrolimus ointment (Protopic®) in canine atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over study

Topical tacrolimus is successfully used in people with atopic dermatitis. Preliminary studies in dogs with atopic dermatitis using tacrolimus in a compounded lotion formulation indicated that tacrolimus significantly decreased erythema and pruritus according to investigator, but no significant improvement was reported by the dog owners. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the commercially available 0.1% tacrolimus ointment (Protopic) in dogs with atopic dermatitis. The study was designed as a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Selected dogs were allocated to either tacrolimus or placebo for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks there was a wash-out period of 2 weeks and treatments were switched. Twelve dogs completed the study. Clinical signs were scored. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count, chemistry panels and tacrolimus levels at week 0 and 4 of each treatment. Tacrolimus ointment significantly decreased severity of symptoms for both owners and investigators at the end of the trial. When the same dogs received the placebo, there were no differences between week 0 and week 4 scores. Dogs with localized disease responded better than dogs with generalized disease. Tacrolimus was detected in the blood of animals receiving the active ingredient. Levels were below the level of toxicity and no adverse effects were reported in any of the dogs. No changes in complete blood count and chemistry parameters were detected between groups or within groups. In conclusion, tacrolimus appears to be a safe alternative treatment in dogs with atopic dermatitis, especially in those with localized disease.
On approximate message passing for reconstruction of non-uniformly sparse signals

This paper considers the reconstruction of non-uniformly sparse signals from noisy linear observations. By non-uniformly sparse, we mean that the signal coefficients can be partitioned into subsets that differ in the rate at which the coefficients tend to be active (i.e., nonzero). Inspired by recent work of Donoho, Maleki, and Montanari, we design a minimax-optimal approximate message passing (AMP) algorithm and we analyze it using a state evolution (SE) formalism that applies in the limit of very large problem dimensions. For the noiseless case, the SE formalism implies a phase transition curve (PTC) that bisects the admissible region of the sparsity-undersampling plane into two sub-regions: one where perfect recovery is very likely, and one where it is very unlikely. The PTC depends on the ratios of the activity rates and the relative sizes of the coefficient subsets. For the noisy case, we show that the same PTC also bisects the admissible region of the sparsity-undersampling plane into two sub-regions: one where the noise sensitivity remains finite and characterizable, and one where it becomes infinite (as the problem dimensions increase). Furthermore, we derive the formal mean-squared error (MSE) for (sparsity,undersampling) pairs in the region below the PTC. Numerical results suggest that the MSE predicted by the SE formalism closely matches the empirical MSE throughout the admissible region of the sparsity-undersampling plane, so long as the dimensions of the problem are adequately large.1
Balanced modulation of striatal activation from D2/D3 receptors in caudate and ventral striatum: Disruption in cannabis abusers

Proper communication between dorsal caudate (CD) and ventral striatum (VS) is likely to be crucial for on-time responses and its disruption might result in impulsivity. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a sensorimotor reaction time task and positron emission tomography (PET) with [(11)C]raclopride in 14 healthy controls and 18 cannabis abusers to contrast the modulation of striatal fMRI responses by dopamine receptors (D2 /D3 R) in CD and VS. In controls, we show that the fMRI signals in VS that occurs concomitantly with on-time responses showed opposite modulation from D2 /D3 R in CD (inhibitory) and D2 /D3 R in VS (stimulatory). In contrast, this modulation was not significant in cannabis abusers. Findings suggest that action speed requires balanced VS-inhibition from D2 /D3 R in CD and VS-facilitation from D2 /D3 R in VS.
Broadband Noise Modeling of SiGe HBT under Cryogenic Temperatures

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis and modeling of the broadband noise parameters for a 200 GHz SiGe HBT technology under cryogenic temperatures. A transit time based noise model is used to accurately predict the fundamental noise parameters using the measured Y-parameters of the device at 85 K. Analytical equations are presented which represent the noise parameters as a function of device parameters and temperature. The frequency and bias dependence of the noise parameters are modeled using this "transit-time" model at room temperature (300 K) and 85 K.
Using Activity-Based Costing for Evaluating Information Technology Related Investments in Emerging Economies: A Framework

Many firms in emerging economies invest in information technology primarily with the objective of protecting their cost advantages. This paper presents a framework for evaluating information technology investments by integrating the value chain model with activity-based costing. The proposed four-step approach is illustrated with a numerical example of a hypothetical manufacturing company seeking improvements in its cost structure.
Crossing the Bridge: Taking Audio DSP from the Textbook to the DSP Design Engineer's Bench

A set of seven audio digital signal processing (DSP) lab assignments have been developed for intermediate and advanced students in electrical engineering. The laboratory modules are designed to bridge the gap between a solid understanding of the mathematical principles of DSP and the practical issues that arise when implementing algorithms for real time audio processing. The audio DSP lab assignments assume a prerequisite of a one semester course in discrete-time signals and systems. The exercises include basic delay lines, recirculating delay lines for audio effects (echo, flanging, phasing, artificial reverberation), variable and parametric IIR equalizer filters, real time signal synthesis techniques (pseudo-random noise, wave table lookup methods, and direct computation), FFT and short-time Fourier transform (STFT) methods, and nonlinear and adaptive audio processes
On the Mechanisms of Rain Formation in an Idealized Supercell Storm

AbstractDeep convective storms produce raindrops through three mechanisms: condensation and coalescence growth of cloud liquid droplets (i.e., warm processes), melting of ice hydrometeors, and shedding from wet hailstones. To investigate the relative importance of these mechanisms and their contributions to exotic drop size distributions (DSDs) observed near the surface in supercell storms, an idealized simulation of a supercell is performed using a modified version of the Morrison two-moment microphysics scheme. The modified scheme includes separate categories for warm, shed, and melted rain.Rain originating from melting ice dominates the rain mass at low levels, especially along the right forward-flank precipitation shield, whereas shed-rain drops dominate a region within the left forward flank. Warm rain is only dominant in the upshear portion of the rear flank of the storm at low levels, though it dominates the total rain mass within the main updraft aloft. The warm-rain mass at low levels is associat...
Bicuculline Increases and Muscimol Reduces the Phase-Delaying Effects of Light and VIP/PHI/GRP in the Suprachiasmatic Region

The present study investigated the effects of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA)A-active drugs on the ability of light or coadministration of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to phase delay hamster activity rhythms. Microinjection of the GABAA agonist, muscimol, significantly (p < .01) reduced the phase-delaying effect of light administered at circadian time (CT) 13.5. By contrast, microinjection of the GABAA antagonist, bicuculline, significantly (p < .01) increased the phase-delaying effect of light administered at CT 13.5. Microinjection of muscimol or bicuculline into the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) produced little or no effect on circadian phase when no light pulses were provided. Coadministration of muscimol with VIP/PHI/GRP significantly (p < .01) reduced the phase-delaying effect of VIP/PHI/GRP, whereas administration of bicuculline with VIP/PHI/GRP significantly (p < .05) increased the phase-delaying effect of these peptides. These data indicate that changes in GABAA activity within the SCN can modulate the phase-delaying effects of light and VIP/PHI/GRP during the early portion of subjective night.
Royal accommodations: pilgrim rest houses in early colonial South India

Purpose – This article provides background on the historical development of royal hospitality in India before the advent of commercial hospitality in the twentieth century. The aim of the paper is to insert into the historiography of commercial hospitality the ancient Indian practice of endowing pilgrim rest houses, or chattrams (choultry) for the temporary housing and feeding of travelers, religious mendicants, and other groups in Indian society. As a case study, the article focuses on the chattrams of the Maratha Kings of Tanjavur (Tanjore) in South India, especially during the reign of Raja Serfoji II (r. 1798‐1832). Serfoji, working from the palette of past practices of his forebears, expanded these practices of traditional Hindu religious hospitality to include more progressive and inclusive charity, education and hospitality during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Serfoji's munificent activities in his chattrams pose a challenge to any characterization that royal elites adapted hi...
An economic analysis of the self commitment of thermal units

Given the load profile of an electricity market and the capabilities of the set of generators supplying power to that market, it is likely that at any given point in time, available supply will exceed demand. If only a subset of generators is required, some method is required to commit and de-commit generators. In the past, system operators have employed a centralized method of unit commitment. Deregulation of the electricity industry throws doubt on the continued suitability of this method due to fairness issues and availability of accurate cost data. This paper examines the performance of decentralized unit commitment, where dispatch of generators is determined by offer curves submitted into a spot market by power producers.
Applications of FACTS

This paper provides a summary of a presentation on “Dynamic Reactive Compensation,” for a session sponsored by the DC and FACTS Education Working Group, under the DC and FACTS Subcommittee of the T&D Committee. This paper and the presentation at the conference meant to be tutorial in nature. This paper summarizes the phases of a power systems planning study for the installation of flexible ac transmission system (FACTS) devices to provide dynamic reactive compensation. Modeling guidelines for the FACTS devices are presented.
Perspectives and Attitudes on the Use of Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Trastuzumab in Older Adults with HER-2+ Breast Cancer: A Survey of Oncologists

Background. Substantial evidence supports the use of adjuvant trastuzumab with chemotherapy for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2 breast cancer; however, a lesser amount of data is available to guide use of this therapy in older patients and in those with significant medical comorbidities. The goal of the current study was to understand how patient age and health status impact oncologists’ decisions to recommend adjuvant therapy in older women with HER-2 breast cancer. Methods.Medical oncologists (n 151) participated in an online survey regarding treatment recommendations for a hypothetical patient of varying age and health status with tumor stage 2, nodal stage 2, estrogen receptor–negative, HER-2 breast cancer. Survey respondents recommended either chemotherapy plus trastuzumab, chemotherapy alone, trastuzumab alone, or no therapy. The effect of age and health status on therapeutic recommendations was assessed. Findings. As the hypothetical patient’s age increased orhealthstatusdeteriorated,oncologistswerelesslikely to recommend a combination of chemotherapy plus trastuzumab. In contrast, oncologists were more likely to recommend either trastuzumab alone or no therapy for patients with advanced age and deteriorating health status. Chemotherapy alone was recommended by only 7.5% of respondents, on average. Interpretation. With limited evidence-based data for the treatment of older women with early-stage HER-2 breastcancer,medicaloncologistsrecommendadiverse array of therapeutic approaches. With increasing age and declining health status they were less likely to recommend chemotherapy plus trastuzumab and more likely to recommend single-agent trastuzumab or no therapy. The Oncologist 2009;14:883–890
Effect of accuracy of the initial defect distribution on successful prognosis of aircraft structures

We utilize fatigue-crack-growth and load-spectra data published in the open literature to estimate aircraft probability of failure (PoF). We show that because single flight PoF values should not exceed 10−7, the behavior of the tail of the initial defect distribution significantly affects the predicted safe life. We demonstrate that even a slight variation of initial defect distribution parameters considerably changes the number of allowable flight hours. A similar effect is observed when the aircraft fatigue-damage assessment is based on the existence of a defined size crack with a specified (small) probability. We consider on-line damage-monitoring sensors and show that use of such sensor data leads to improved accuracy of the safe-life predictions. Finally, we outline an approach for a more accurate assessment of the initial defect distribution that is based on applying recently developed analytical and computational tools to extensive metallographic examination data.