cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Self-Test Hardwired Control Section

A fault detect mechanism is described for hardwired control logic. The mechanism takes advantage of inherent redundancy in the control logic design style which assigns a unique flip-flop to each machine state. The mechanism is capable of detecting all single stuck-at faults, as well as many multiple faults and intermittents within the control section.
993. Optical Bioluminescence and Immunologic Analyses of Lentiviral Vectors Administered In Vivo: Transcriptional Targeting through an MHCII Promoter Yields Persistent Transgene Expression and Lack of CTL Stimulation in Immunocompetent Mice Indicating Tolerance

In vivo administration of lentiviral vectors is a promising novel approach for genetic vaccination and for gene replacement therapy. Bio-distribution studies have shown that i.v. systemic administration of lentiviral vectors produces conspicuous gene marking of antigen presenting cells (APCs) in the liver and spleen. Expression and presentation of immunogenic antigens by APCs may explain the potential of lentiviral vectors for vaccination and the poor persistent expression in immunocompetent animals. Based on this rationale, we attempted to improve the biosafety and immunization potential of lentiviral vectors by targeting the transgene expression to APCs through the Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHCII) promoter. We produced third generation self-inactivating vectors with the MHCII or with the CMV promoter as ubiquitous expression control. Ex vivo transduction of MHCII+ and MHCII- cell lines and primary cells using GFP and luciferase as reporter genes confirmed the expression and selectivity of vectors with the MHCII promoter. Nu/Nu nude and C57BL/6 mice (n=3 per group) were injected i.v. with 2 mcg p24 equivalent of vectors expressing firefly luciferase (LV-CMV-LUC or LV-MHCII-LUC) and were analyzed by optical imaging on weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 after injections. Statistical analyses used a linear regression model comparing the overall differences (bioluminescence signal detected in liver and spleen) between the LV-CMV-LUC and LV-MHCII-LUC injected groups in early (1-8 weeks) and late (8-24 weeks) periods. Nude mice injected with LV-CMV-LUC and LV-MHCII-LUC showed increase in bioluminescence signal during the first 8 weeks, which maintained stable for the late period. Notably, a significant drop in bioluminescence signal occurred for LV-CMV-LUC expression in C57BL/6 mice throughout the observation periods (slope= -21+/-8, p=0.0112), whereas for LV-MHCII-LUC a much lower drop was observed (slope= -8+/-7.4, p=0.2827) and the signal persisted for 24 weeks. Subcutaneous administration of vectors produced similar results. Additionally, we performed immunologic studies with vectors expressing the melanoma-associated antigen TRP2. I.v. vaccination of C57BL/6 mice with LV-CMV-TRP2 produced high frequencies of TRP-2 specific CTL responses (4.5% - 12.5% of circulating CD8+ cells, measured by flow cytometry after anti-TRP-2 tetramer staining or intracellular IFN-gamma staining) and significant (p=0.0365) protection against B16 melanoma challenge. Vaccination with LV-MHCII-TRP2 yielded baseline results comparable to the placebo vaccination group. In summary, these results indicate that transgene expression regulated through the MHCII promoter may induce a tolerogenic effect that would be unsuitable for use in vaccination strategies, but might allow more persistent expression in gene replacement therapy.
The Growth and Diffusion of Knowledge

This paper analyzes a decentralized process for the diffusion of knowledge. In equilibrium, the economy converges from an initial distribution of knowledge over agents to the steady-state distribution, which is unique. Because of the public good aspect of information, too little learning takes place, and ideas are implemented too early. The key difference between earlier formulations of search externalities by Diamond, Mortensen, and Spence on the one hand, and our own on the other, is that here spillovers of knowledge depend not only on how hard people are trying, but also on the differences in what they know: if all of us know the same thing, we cannot learn from each other. The model also addresses the following two substantive questions: first, the relationship between inequality and growth, noted some time ago by Kuznets, and second, the effect on growth of improvements in the communication technology.
Pre-eruption compositional gradients and mixing of andesite and dacite magma erupted from Nevado del Ruiz Volcano, Colombia in 1985

Abstract A small volume of mixed andesite and dacite magma was ejected as pumice fall, pyroclastic flow and pyroclastic surge during the 13 November 1985 explosive eruption of Nevada del Ruiz volcano in Colombia. Whole-rock compositions range from 59 to 63% SiO 2 and are classified as medium- to high-K andesites and dacites. Three types of pumices occur in the fall deposit: (1) homogeneous, crystal-rich dacite; (2) hetereogeneously mixed dacite and andesite; and (3) homogeneous andesite with abundant microlites (volumetrically dominant). Matrix glasses show a distinct compositional gap between 68 and 71% SiO 2 . The gap is similar within heterogeneous pumices of type (2) and between homogeneous pumices of types (1) and (3). In contrast, melt inclusions in phenocrysts preserve a continuous compositional spectrum between the two end-member matrix glass compositions of the homogeneous andesite and dacite. Modelling of fractionational crystallization involving removal of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides can produce the liquid trend defined by melt inclusions. A compositional gap in the Ruiz pumice matrix glasses is attributed to the establishment of a two-layer zonation of the magma chamber prior to eruption. Collection of a fractionated liquid (dacite) at top of the chamber resulted from side-wall crystallization and fractionation of an andesitic magma body. Independent convection in each layer led to two thermal regimes which stabilized two dominant melt compositions. The large contrast in SiO 2 of these liquids reflects the shallow slope of cotectic boundaries in composition/temperature space of calc-alkaline magmas of these compositions. Intermediate liquids trapped by melt inclusions represent volumetrically small, random sampling of the fractionation process occuring at the margin of the andesite magma. Mixing of andesite and dacite magma occurred during the explosive eruption as draw-up of denser andesite magma through the overlying dacite took place. Fluid-dynamic calculations indicate that discharge conditions of the Ruiz eruption and the viscosity ratio of the magmas was suitable for the production of mixed pumices even though the flow was in the laminar regime. These observations corroborate experimental work by Blake and Campbell (1986) on the mixing of magmas with contrasting viscosites. Sulfur yield from the eruption, manifested by a large SO 2 plume detected by satellite, and high adsorbed sulfur content on tephra fallout, indicate total sulfur emission of 4.7 × 10 8 kg S, or about an order of magnitude larger than can be accounted for by degassing of the erupted magma. If a separate sulfur-rich vapor phase existed in the magma reservoir, as implied by our results, then its pre-eruption volume was of the order of 4 to 7 vol. % of the erupted magma.
Guyana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) from Costa Rica emit whistles that vary with surface behaviors

Guyana dolphins show remarkable intraspecific whistle variation. This variation has been largely explained in terms of distance among populations; however, other factors such as behavior may also be important. A broadband recording system recorded the whistles of Guyana dolphins under three behavioral states. A discriminant analysis found that during social and travel events, dolphins emit whistles with high delta and minimum frequency, respectively. Whistle duration was also important in discriminating behaviors. This study indicates that behavior is an important factor contributing to whistle variation of Guyana dolphins. Understanding how dolphin whistles vary with behavioral context will advance our understanding of dolphin communication and enable appropriate comparative studies.
Areal Coverage of Spurious Reversals of the Earth's Magnetic Field

The Laschamp event ended between 8000 and 20000 years ago. In several other parts of the world, excursions of the Earth's magnetic field have been seen at about this time interval, but at other parts, notably in the Aegean sea, there is no evidence for a reversal or excursion of the field during this time. By using a two dipole model, we have shown that it is possible to produce an apparent reversal at one point on the Earth's surface, which produces deviations in the direction of the magnetic field over a rather small area around the position of reversal. The two dipoles used were a centered axial dipole to model the main magnetic field, and a dipole located at the top of the core, to produce the reversed field above it. Our models show that the data from the Aegean sea are not contradictory with the Laschamp event provided that it is a pseudo reversal. We have also shown that if the non-dipole field is caused by horizontal electric currents at the top of the core, then pseudo reversals are more likely to occur at high latitudes than at low latitudes.
Hormone complement of the Cancer productus sinus gland and pericardial organ: an anatomical and mass spectrometric investigation.

In crustaceans, circulating hormones influence many physiological processes. Two neuroendocrine organs, the sinus gland (SG) and the pericardial organ (PO), are the sources of many of these compounds. As a first step in determining the roles played by hemolymph-borne agents in the crab Cancer productus, we characterized the hormone complement of its SG and PO. We show via transmission electron microscopy that the nerve terminals making up each site possess dense-core and/or electron-lucent vesicles, suggesting diverse complements of bioactive molecules for both structures. By using immunohistochemistry, we show that small molecule transmitters, amines and peptides, are among the hormones present in these tissues, with many differentially distributed between the two sites (e.g., serotonin in the PO but not the SG). With several mass spectrometric (MS) methods, we identified many of the peptides responsible for the immunolabeling and surveyed the SG and PO for peptides for which no antibodies exist. By using MS, we characterized 39 known peptides [e.g., β-pigment-dispersing hormone (β-PDH), crustacean cardioactive peptide, and red pigment-concentrating hormone] and de novo sequenced 23 novel ones (e.g., a new β-PDH isoform and the first B-type allatostatins identified from a non-insect species). Collectively, our results show that diverse and unique complements of hormones, including many previously unknown peptides, are present in the SG and PO of C. productus. Moreover, our study sets the stage for future biochemical and physiological studies of these molecules and ultimately the elucidation of the role(s) they play in hormonal control in C. productus. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:607–626, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Gas Flows around Two Young Stellar Clusters in NGC 2264

Observations of the dust and gas toward two young stellar clusters, IRS 1 and IRS 2, in the NGC 2264 star-forming region are presented. Continuum emission is used to locate the dusty envelopes around the clusters and individual protostars within, and line emission from the J = 3-2 transitions of HCO+ and H13CO+ is used to diagnose the gas flows around them. The molecular abundance, velocity centroid, and dispersion are approximately constant across the IRS 1 clump. With these constraints, the self-absorbed HCO+ lines are modeled as a large-scale collapse, with speed vin = 0.3 km s -1 and mass infall rate = 4 × 10-4 M☉ yr-1 falling onto an expanding central core. The signature of large-scale collapse, with a similar speed and mass infall rate, is also found toward IRS 2 but again appears disrupted at small scales. Individual protostars are resolved in this cluster and their size and velocity dispersion show that the stellar system is currently bound and no older than 5 × 105 yr, but is destined to become unbound and disperse as the surrounding cloud material is lost.
The effect of pectin and nickel pectinate on the healing of granulating wounds in albino rats

Abstract 1.1. When wounds made on the rumps of rats were treated with pectin and nickel pectinate gels, in 85 per cent of the cases, the rate of formation of granulation tissue was more rapid and the vascular tissue was firmer than in the untreated wounds. 2.2. Pectin and nickel pectinate had an adverse effect on epithelization, when treatment was continued for a prolonged period. Microscopically, there is definite evidence that the pectin preparations inhibit the formation of epithelium as shown by bleb formation, ulceration and cellular changes. 3.3. Bacteriological studies show that nickel pectinate gel containing 0.024 per cent nickel completely inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and has slight germicidal action. A 5 per cent pectin gel has an inhibiting effect on the growth of this organism but does not entirely prevent growth. Clinical work on the use of nickel pectinate on the treatment of wounds is in progress and will be reported in a later paper.
Unlabeled trees: Distribution of the maximum degree

Pick a tree uniformly at random from among all unlabeled trees on n vertices, and let Xn be the maximum of the degrees of its vertices. For any fixed integer d, as n∞, where μn = c1 log n, where {μn} : = μn – ⌊μ⌋ denotes the fractional part of μn and where co, c1, and η∞ are knnown constants, givenb approximately by c0 = 3.262 …, c1 = 0.9227 …, and η∞ = 0.3383…. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Use of linear, Weibull, and log-logistic functions to model pressure inactivation of seven foodborne pathogens in milk.

Abstract Survival curves of six foodborne pathogens suspended in ultra high-temperature (UHT) whole milk and exposed to high hydrostatic pressure at 21.5 °C were obtained. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was treated at 300 MPa and other pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes , Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus were treated at 600 MPa. All the survival curves showed a rapid initial drop in bacterial counts followed by tailing caused by a diminishing inactivation rate. A linear model and two nonlinear models were fitted to these data and the performances of these models were compared using mean square error (MSE) values. The log-logistic and Weibull models consistently produced better fits to the inactivation data than the linear model. The mean MSE value of the linear model was 6.1, while the mean MSE values were 0.7 for the Weibull model and 0.3 for the log-logistic model. There was no correlation between pressure resistance and the taxonomic group the bacteria belong to. The order, most to least pressure-sensitive, of the single strains tested was: V. parahaemolyticus (gram negative) L. monocytogenes (gram positive) Salmonella Typhimurium (gram negative) ≅ Salmonella Enteritidis (gram negative) E. coli O157:H7≅ Staphylocollus aureus (gram positive) Shigella flexneri (gram negative). The most pressure-resistant gram-negative bacterium, Shigella flexneri, and most pressure resistant gram-positive bacterium, Staphylocollus aureus , were pressurized at 50 °C. Staphylocollus aureus was treated at 500 MPa and Shigella flexneri at 600 MPa. Elevated temperature considerably enhanced pressure inactivation of these two pathogens, but did not affect the overall shape of the survival curves. Pressure level (250 MPa) and substrate (1% peptone water plus 3% NaCl) in which V. parahaemolyticus was suspended affected the shape of survival curves of V. parahaemolyticus .
Pulse wave analysis and prevalent cardiovascular disease in type 1 diabetes

Abstract Objective Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with a high risk for and mortality from premature coronary artery disease (CAD), including coronary artery calcification (CAC), a subclinical marker, and lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). Pulse wave analysis (PWA) arterial stiffness indices have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and outcomes in various populations, but little is known regarding these relationships in T1D. Methods PWA was performed using the SphygmoCor Px device on 144 participants in the Pittsburgh EDC Study of childhood-onset T1D. The cross-sectional associations between arterial stiffness indices, augmentation index (AIx) and augmentation pressure (AP), and subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), an estimate of myocardial perfusion, with prevalent CAD, electron beam computed tomography-measured CAC and low ( Results Higher AP (but not AIx) and lower SEVR were univariately associated with prevalent CAD, high CAC score, and low ABI. AP and SEVR's association with CAD and CAC did not, however, remain significant after adjustment for age. In individuals not using nitrates, which profoundly affect PWA measures, AP was significantly higher in those with CAD events and explained more of the variance than either age or brachial blood pressure measures. SEVR was associated with low ABI in multivariable models. Conclusions Greater augmentation pressure is independently associated with prevalent CAD and estimated myocardial perfusion with low ABI in type 1 diabetes. These measures may thus help to better characterize CVD risk in type 1 diabetes and need to be examined prospectively.
Optical spectroscopy of hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract Important properties of all semiconductors can be accessed via optical spectroscopy. The techniques described here are absorption, luminescence and Raman spectroscopies. These methods reveal the optical gap, the density of states in the gap, structural information and the carrier lifetime.
Pinealectomy blocks vernal courtship behavior in red-sided garter snakes.

Abstract Male red-sided garter smakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) court only on emergence from winter dormancy. The salient proximate factor responsible for the initiation of courtship behavior appears to be warm ambient temperatures subsequent to sustained exposure to cold temperatures. In the present study, autumn-captured garter snakes were pinealectomized or sham-pinealectomized 1–2 weeks prior to hibernation. After 17 weeks of maintenance in several ambient lighting and temperature conditions, all males were tested for the presence of courtship behavior. No pinealectomized animals exhibited any indications of reproductive behavior, whereas 53% of sham-pinealectomized males actively courted females. Photoperiod did not influence the prevalence of mating behavior. These results suggest that the pineal gland mediates non-photoperiodic seasonal information in the garter snake. This is the first demonstration, in any vertebrate species, that the pineal gland can directly influence reproductive behavior.
Rotation-invariant fast features for large-scale recognition and real-time tracking

We present an end-to-end feature description pipeline which uses a novel interest point detector and rotation-invariant fast feature (RIFF) descriptors. The proposed RIFF algorithm is 15x faster than SURF [1] while producing large-scale retrieval results that are comparable to SIFT [2]. Such high-speed features benefit a range of applications from mobile augmented reality (MAR) to web-scale image retrieval and analysis. In particular, RIFF enables unified tracking and recognition for MAR.
A MODEL TO EXPLAIN THE EARTH'S MAGNETIC FIELD AND OTHER GEODYNAMIC PHENOMENA

Paleomagnetism and other geodynamic processes, such as mantle convection and sea-floor spreading, are of basic importance to petroleum geology. We present a model that explains the cause of these phenomena.
Cyclosporine-associated neurotoxicity. The need for a better guide for immunosuppressive therapy.

Heart transplantation has become the most effective treatment of end-stage heart failure in selected patients. More than 30 000 heart transplantations have been performed worldwide since its introduction in 1967, with a current 1-year survival rate of ≈85% and 5-year survival rate of 70%.1 Besides the enormous survival advantage associated with heart transplantation compared with all other therapies, it also usually is associated with the restoration of a nearly normal age-predicted functional capacity. In this issue of Circulation , Grimm and colleagues2 document with the use of P300-evoked potentials that patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting transplantations also have impaired cortical function, a finding that reaffirms that of previous reports using psychometric tests.3 These abnormalities also were totally normalized within 4 months of transplantation, which is consistent with the hypothesis of decreased cerebral perfusion as the cause of the impairment. These patients underwent repeated testing 12 months after transplantation. The results showed that the mean evoked potentials had declined to levels similar to those before transplantation, although none of the patients were thought to have any clinically detectable neurological symptoms. This suggests that evoked potentials are more sensitive than more traditional psychometric tests, which also were abnormal before transplantation, improved 4 months after transplantation, but did not change 12 months after transplantation. Using multiple regression analysis, Grimm et al found that the cumulative dose of cyclosporine was the only significant variable associated with the changes in cortical function. Cyclosporine has been used as the primary immunosuppressive agent in heart transplantation for 15 years. Its introduction was associated with a significant improvement in survival, which led to a significant increase in the number of patients undergoing heart transplantation. Its use also has been associated with a decrease in the incidence and severity of rejection. However, the dosage of cyclosporine …
Son Preference, Autonomy and Maternal Health in Rural India

The primary objective of this paper is to identify factors that affect maternal health in rural India. This is important given the high maternal and infant mortality rates in India, particularly rural India. The paper will focus particularly on whether and how the culture and practice of son preference (which is well documented in South Asia) has had an impact on maternal health. Assuming parents do not have access to knowledge about the sex of their unborn child, this paper examines whether a pregnant mother's maternal care (prior to giving birth) is affected by the presence of son(s) from earlier pregnancies. Additionally, the paper will analyze the impact of mothers' autonomy on their maternal health. The results show that existence of sons reduces the likelihood of receiving maternal care for successive pregnancies. Maternal autonomy, especially the mother's education, increases the likelihood of receiving maternal care. The results have meaningful policy implications.
The Value of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Children With Congenital Heart Disease

With the use of dedicated pediatric single-plane probes, transesophageal echocardiography was performed prospectively in 102 children to determine the potential value of this new technique in the diagnosis (40 patients) and the follow-up of congenital heart disease (29 patients) and as a monitoring technique during the perioperative period or interventional cardiac catheterization (33 patients). The findings were correlated with precordial studies (102 patients), cardiac catheterization (82 patients), epicardial ultrasound findings (18 patients), or surgical inspection (34 patients). The age at investigation ranged from 2.5 months to 14.9 years (mean age, 5.2 years); weight ranged from 3.7 to 52 kg (mean weight, 19.1 kg). Additional information was obtained in 49 patients (48.4%) and was relevant for patient management in 21 patients (20.6%). Major areas of improved diagnostic insight included the following: (1) systemic and pulmonary venous return, (2) atrial morphology, (3) atrioventricular junction abnormalities, (4) left ventricular outflow tract disease, (5) atrial baffle function, and (6) the Fontan circulation. Inherent limitations were as follows: (1) the semiinvasive character of the procedure, (2) the need for heavy sedation or general anesthesia, and (3) the limited imaging planes provided. Transesophageal echocardiography in children can provide important additional diagnostic information on a wide spectrum of congenital heart lesions. The technique would appear to be a highly valuable adjunct to the diagnostic armentarium of the pediatric cardiologist.
Species Discrimination of Postlarvae and Early Juvenile Brown Shrimp (Farfantepenaeus aztecus) and Pink Shrimp (F. duorarum) (Decapoda: Penaeidae): Coupling Molecular Genetics and Comparative Morphology to Identify Early Life Stages

We collected postlarvae (PL) and early juveniles of Farfantepenaeus aztecus and F. duorarum , 7.0 mm CL from the Gulf of Mexico and verified their species identity using a multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay, which targeted the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene. We examined young with $ 5 dorsal teeth (DT) for differences in morphology and used a General Discriminant Analysis approach and ‘best’ subsets model-building technique to help identify the ‘best’ characters to discriminate taxa and predict species membership. Farfantepenaeus duorarum with $ 5 DT and F. aztecus with $ 7 DT have spinules on the epigastric and first DT, a character not previously reported for these two species. Differences in antennal scale shape and sixth pleomere length discriminate . 95% of Farfantepenaeus sp. with , 7–8 + 2 rostral teeth. Farfantepenaeus duorarum has an antennal scale with an acutely rounded margin about twice the height of the adjacent lateral spine, and has a sixth pleomere length measurement , 2.5 mm. In F. aztecus, the antennal scale has a more broadly rounded margin with a lateral spine that approaches or exceeds the tip of the scale, and has a sixth pleomere length measurement . 2.5 mm. Species discrimination of Farfantepenaeus sp. with $ 7–8 + 2 rostral teeth requires body measurements. Classification models accurately discriminate . 90% of Farfantepenaeus sp. from the western Gulf and increase the reliability of discrimination by . 20% over characters that have been used for species discrimination, some of which are unreliable. The unsatisfactory performance of the models in discriminating Farfantepenaeus sp. from the eastern Gulf is consistent with the possibility of different ecological populations in the eastern and western Gulf that may warrant further study. Integration of molecular taxonomy and comparative morphology, as we did here, can provide insight into the patterns of diversity and ecological and evolutionary principles that encompass fisheries management.
Vitamin B12 administration for milk fat synthesis in lactating dairy cows fed a low fiber diet.

Thirty lactating Holstein cows were in two groups in a study of effects of vitamin B12 injections on milk fat synthesis. All cows were fed a normal fiber diet for the first 28 days after calving and then adjusted gradually to a low fiber diet over the next 28 days. After adjustment to the low fiber diet, in a single reversal trail, cows received either 150 mg of vitamin B12 in the form of hydroxocobalamin intramuscularly every 7 days for 21 days or no treatment for 21 days. Daily milk yield (kg), percent milk fat, and milk fat yield (g) for the normal fiber, low fiber adjustment, low fiber control, and low fiber plus vitamin B12 treatments were 29.6, 3.59, 1192; 31.5, 2.85, 840; 28.0, 2.58, 715; and 28.8, 2.65, 760. Injections of vitamin B12 did not correct the milk fat depression associated with the low fiber diets. In addition, there was no consistent relationship between blood B12 and milk fat production. Milk fat production was highly correlated with molar percent acetate in the rumen .63 and with blood acetate concentration .74.
β-Apocarotenoids do not significantly activate retinoic acid receptors α or β

β-Carotene oxygenase 2 cleaves β-carotene asymmetrically at non-central double bonds of the polyene chain, yielding apocarotenal molecules. The hypothesis tested was that apocarotenoids are able to stimulate transcription by activating retinoic acid receptors (RARs). The effects of long- and short-chain apocarotenals and apocarotenoic acids on the activation of RARα and RARβ transfected into monkey kidney fibroblast cells (CV-1) were investigated. We synthesized or purified β-apo-8′-carotenoic acid (apo-8′-CA), β-apo-14′-carotenoic acid (apo-14′-CA), β-cyclocitral (BCL), β-cyclogernanic acid (BCA), β-ionone (BI), β-ionylideneacetaldehyde (BIA) β-ionylideneacetic acid (BIAA) and a C13 ketone, β-apo-13-carotenone (C13). None of the apocarotenoids tested showed significant transactivation activity for the RARs when compared with all-trans retinoic acid (RA). The results suggest that biological effects of these apocarotenoids are through mechanisms other than activation of RARα and β.
Synaptology and origin of somatostatin fibers in the rat lateral septal area: convergent somatostatinergic and hippocampal inputs of somatospiny neurons.

Abstract This study deals with the synaptology, morphologically identified postsynaptic targets, and origin of somatostatin (SOM) fibers in the rat lateral septal area (LSA) with special reference to those forming pericellular baskets. Septal vibratome sections were immunostained for SOM-14 in 3 experimental groups: control animals, rats subjected to a chronic transection of the ascending afferents to the septum, and animals with acute fimbria-fornix lesion. Light microscopy revealed that the SOM-immunoreactive fibers form pericellular baskets predominantly in the intermediate and ventral parts of the caudal half of the LSA. Electron microscopic analysis showed that the somatospiny neurons are postsynaptic targets of these pericellular baskets. Eight days after a unilateral cut placed at the ventral border of the septum, virtually all SOM-immunoreactive axon terminals disappeared from the ipsilateral intermediate and ventral LSA, and they were substantially reduced in the dorsal LSA. However, in these rats SOM-positive neurons could be observed in the LSA on the lesioned, but not on the contralateral side. Furthermore, on the lesion side of the anterior periventricular hypothalamus an increase was detected both in the number and the intensity of immunostaining of SOM-positive neurons. Thirty-six h following a unilateral transection of the fimbria-fornix, the SOM-immunoreactive axon terminals in the LSA remained intact; only immunonegative degenerated hippocamposeptal boutons were detected forming synaptic contacts with somatospiny neurons. Axosomatic synapses of SOM-positive boutons regularly appeared at the neck of somatic spines which were postsynaptic to degenerated hippocamposeptal fibers. The results indicate that the septal SOM fibers are of multiple origin. Those forming pericellular baskets in the LSA originate in ventral extraseptal, probably periventricular hypothalamic areas. SOM fibers scattered in the dorsal LSA are most likely processes of local SOM neurons. The accumulation of immunoreactive SOM in some cells of the undercut septum is a sign of axonal lesion, indicating that these neurons project outside the septum. The SOM innervation of somatospiny neurons which also receive hippocampal input and have been reported to contain γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be a morphological substrate of the SOM-related disinhibition in the LSA.
Absorption of high-intensity subpicosecond lasers on solid density targets.

The absorption of subpicosecond (\ensuremath{\approxeq}100 fs) high-intensity (I\ensuremath{\approxeq}${10}^{20}$--${10}^{21}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$) laser pulses normally incident on solid density targets is examined by particle simulations, which include electron scattering. For targets which are overdense by factors exceeding 100, electrons accelerated by the ponderomotive force of the laser couple their energy electrostatically to the ions and the absorption efficiency into the ions scales as ${\mathit{I}}^{1/2}$. For example, absorption in a carbon target is only a few percent, but a large fraction of the absorbed energy is transferred to the ions.
Wavelet transforms of the Navier-Stokes equations and the generalized dimensions of turbulence

The generalized dimensions D q defined in the multifractal description of turbulence are related to the Navier-Stokes equations, and equations are presented for D q and its evolution. In order to reach this result, the equations for incompressible flows are wavelet-transformed. When the analyzing wavelets belong in the Gaussian family, the pressure and momentum equations are transformed into first-order wave equations, for which the characteristics are obtained explicitly. Formal integration is carried out. As in Meneveau (1991), fractal statistics are then constructed from the local energy spectrum.
A Review of Natural Lightning: Experimental Data and Modeling

A critical review is presented of the currents and the electric and magnetic fields characteristic of each of the salient discharge processes which make up cloud-to-ground and intracloud lightning. Emphasis is placed on the more recent work in which measured waveform variation is in the microsecond and submicro- second range, since it is this time-scale that is of primary importance in lightning/aircraft interactions. The state of the art of the modeling of lightning currents and fields is discussed in detail. A comprehensive bibliography is given of all literature relating to both lightning measurements and models.
A Study of Internal Validity of the Instrument Timbre Preference Test

This research is an examination of an aspect of internal validity of Edwin Gordon's Instrument Timbre Preference Test (ITPT). The purpose of the ITPT is to provide an objective aid in helping stude...
Extremals of Gaussian processes

The probability distribution and moments of the random variable max0 ? t ? T[Y(t)-E(Y(t)] are determined where Y(t) is an integral of a nonstationary Gaussian process obeying a stochastic dfferential equation. Some applications of the results are given.
Singing down the barriers: Encouraging singers of all racial backgrounds to perform music by African American composers

This chapter investigates the barriers faced by singers of all racial backgrounds when performing spirituals and African American art songs and suggests ways to eliminate those barriers.
Extending SPQR to Architectural Analysis by Semi-Automated Training

We present an overview of SPQR, the System for Pattern Query and Recognition, a toolkit that detects instances of known design patterns directly from object-oriented source code in an automated and flexible manner. Based on our previous work in n-calculus and Pattern/Object Markup Language (POML), SPQR is retargetable to most OO languages, and system design notations. We discuss how this approach may be applied to architectural concerns by leveraging SPQRs training mode. The System for Pattern Query and Recognition, or SPQR, is an automated framework to analyze software systems in the small or the large, and detect instances of known programming concepts in a flexible yet formal manner. These concepts, combined in well-defined ways to form abstractions, as found in the design patterns literature, then lead to the possible automated detection of design patterns directly from source code and other design artifacts. Our previous publications [7, 8] have described SPQR in detail, as well as its successful application to a number of software systems. Here we describe SPQR briefly, and how these principles can be extended to architectural analysis.
Financial liberalisation and productivity – a sample of countries from SE Asia

Financial liberalisation, which is aimed at removing regulations on financial market activity, has become a central part of the financial globalisation process. The paper econometrically estimates by means of a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) technique the impact of a comprehensive financial policy, including regulation on the average productivity of capital. Our findings suggest that the effects of the financial policies are not uniform across the sample countries and that some form of financial control or restraints may indeed enhance economic efficiency or progress.
Description and kinematic analysis of the Anthrobot-2 dextrous hand

An anthropomorphic five-fingered hand, the Anthrobot-2, is described. It features anatomical consistency with a human hand, giving it special advantages during teleoperation. Each finger has four joints as in the human hand: two at the knuckle, one between the proximal and middle finger segments, and one between the middle and distal finger segments. The thumb has four degrees of freedom, allowing it to emulate human thumb motion. The controlling hardware and the kinematic analysis, including forward and inverse kinematics, are presented. Future research is discussed. >
Online social networks in economics

This paper describes how economists study social networks. While economists borrow from other fields like sociology or computer science, their approach of modeling of social networks is distinguished by the emphasis on the role of choices under constraints. Economists investigate how socioeconomic background and economic incentives affect the structure and composition of social networks. The characteristics of social networks are important for economic outcomes like the matching of workers to jobs and educational attainment. I review the theoretical and empirical literature that investigates these relationships and discuss possible implications of new, Internet based, forms of social interactions.
A Background Noise Reduction Technique using Adaptive Noise Cancellation for Microphone Arrays

Background noise in wind tunnel environments poses a challenge to acoustic measurements due to possible low or negative Signal to Noise Ratios (SNRs) present in the testing environment. This paper overviews the application of time domain Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC) to microphone array signals with an intended application of background noise reduction in wind tunnels. An experiment was conducted to simulate background noise from a wind tunnel circuit measured by an out-of-flow microphone array in the tunnel test section. A reference microphone was used to acquire a background noise signal which interfered with the desired primary noise source signal at the array. The technique s efficacy was investigated using frequency spectra from the array microphones, array beamforming of the point source region, and subsequent deconvolution using the Deconvolution Approach for the Mapping of Acoustic Sources (DAMAS) algorithm. Comparisons were made with the conventional techniques for improving SNR of spectral and Cross-Spectral Matrix subtraction. The method was seen to recover the primary signal level in SNRs as low as -29 dB and outperform the conventional methods. A second processing approach using the center array microphone as the noise reference was investigated for more general applicability of the ANC technique. It outperformed the conventional methods at the -29 dB SNR but yielded less accurate results when coherence over the array dropped. This approach could possibly improve conventional testing methodology but must be investigated further under more realistic testing conditions.
Identification of an iron-regulated virulence determinant in Vibrio cholerae, using TnphoA mutagenesis.

Abstract Several virulence determinants of bacteria are regulated by the concentration of iron in the medium, with increased expression occurring under low-iron conditions. Iron-regulated virulence factors have not been previously described in Vibrio cholerae. We used the transposon vector Tn5 IS50L::phoA (TnphoA) to obtain insertion mutations in iron-regulated genes of V. cholerae 0395. One strain, carrying an insertion mutation in iron-regulated gene irgA, had reduced virulence in an animal model and had lost the 77-kilodalton major iron-regulated outer membrane protein. The 50% lethal dose of this mutant strain (MBG40) in suckling mice was 3 x 10(5) bacteria compared with 4 x 10(3) bacteria for 0395 wild type. In an in vivo competition assay, the wild-type strain out competed the mutant almost 10-fold, suggesting a possible colonization defect in MBG40. The in vitro competitive index and in vitro growth curves in low- and high-iron media showed that the mutant strain had no discernable growth defect. These data suggest that the 77-kilodalton iron-regulated outer membrane protein may play a role in the pathogenesis of V. cholerae infection. It is not yet clear whether the reduction of virulence in MBG40, as assessed by 50% lethal dose analysis, is explained by a colonization defect or whether it relates to another defect associated with loss of the IrgA protein.
Effects of a Potent and Selective PPAR-α Agonist in Patients With Atherogenic Dyslipidemia or Hypercholesterolemia: Two Randomized Controlled Trials

ContextFibrates are weak agonists of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPAR-α). No trials have reported effects of more potent and selective agents.ObjectivesTo examine the safety and efficacy of LY518674, a PPAR-α agonist.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsTwo multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials: 1 in patients with elevated triglycerides and low HDL-C (atherogenic dyslipidemia), the other in patients with elevated LDL-C (hypercholesterolemia). Between August 2005 and August 2006, the dyslipidemia study randomized 309 patients at US centers; the hypercholesterolemia study, 304 patients.InterventionsDyslipidemia study: placebo, fenofibrate (200 mg), or LY518674 (10, 25, 50, or 100 μg) for 12 weeks. Hypercholesterolemia study: placebo or atorvastatin (10 or 40 mg) for 4 weeks, then placebo or LY518674 (10 or 50 μg) for 12 more weeks.Main Outcome MeasuresDyslipidemia study: percentage change in levels of HDL-C and triglycerides. Hypercholesterolemia study: percentage change in levels of LDL-C.ResultsDyslipidemia study: LY518674 (25 μg) and fenofibrate increased HDL-C by 5.9 and 5.5 mg/dL (15.8% and 14.4%) (both P≤.001 vs placebo, P = .79 between treatments). Higher LY518674 doses yielded smaller increases. LY518674 decreased triglycerides by 97.3 to 114.5 mg/dL (34.9% to 41.7%) but was similar to fenofibrate. LY518674 produced a dose-dependent increase in LDL-C, reaching 20.4 mg/dL (19.5%) for the 100-μg dose vs 0.3 mg/dL (2.3%) for fenofibrate (P≤.01). Fenofibrate and LY518674 (50 μg and 100 μg) increased serum creatinine (P≤.001 vs placebo), with 38% and 37.3% of patients exceeding the normal range. Fenofibrate, but not LY518674, increased creatine phosphokinase (P = .004 vs placebo). Hypercholesterolemia study: LY518674 (10 μg or 50 μg) decreased LDL-C by 21.4 to 26.0 mg/dL (13.2%-15.8%) and triglycerides ≈37% for both doses, and increased HDL-C by 6.3 to 6.7 mg/dL (12.5%-15.0%). When added to atorvastatin, LY518674 changed HDL-C by −0.7 to 6.2 mg/dL (−0.6% to 11.9%) and significantly decreased triglycerides but had no additional effect on LDL-C.ConclusionsIn patients with dyslipidemia, LY518674 and fenofibrate decreased triglycerides and increased HDL-C but also increased serum creatinine. LY518674, but not fenofibrate, increased LDL-C. In those with hypercholesterolemia, LY518674 reduced triglycerides and increased HDL-C, but did not further reduce LDL-C in combination with atorvastatin. Fenofibrate and LY518674 both raised safety concerns.Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00133380 and NCT00116519Published online March 25, 2007 (doi:10.1001/jama.297.12.1362).
The Marriage Relationship During the Transition to Parenthood: A Review and a Model

Most couples experience some disruption in their relationship when they have a first child. A number of theories account for this disruption: sociological theories, normative crisis theory, the Double ABCX theory, role conflict theory, and behavioral marriage therapy theory. Both research and clinically based theories describe the nature of marital problems to be expected during the transition to parenthood and delineate ways to cope with the problems. This article reviews major theoretical approaches and summarizes pertinent research concerning each theory. Finally, three critical variables are identified: disruption of time schedules, conflict over relationship rules, and adjustment of the couple prior to the transition. A model using these three variables, which may direct and organize both research and practice with troubled and untroubled couples, is proposed.
Assessing Stress in Cancer Patients: A Second-Order Factor Analysis Model for the Perceived Stress Scale

Using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), perceptions of global stress were assessed in 111 women following breast cancer surgery and at 12 and 24 months later This is the first study to factor analyze the PSS. The PSS data were factor analyzed each time using exploratory factor analysis with oblique direct quartimin rotation. Goodness-of-fit indices (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA]), magnitude and pattern of factor loadings, and confidence interval data revealed a two-factor solution of positive versus negative stress items. The findings, replicated across time, also indicate factor stability. Hierarchical factor analyses supported a second-order factor of "perceived stress." This alternative factor model of the PSS is presented along with observations regarding the measure's use in cancer research.
Seed germination and seedling growth in the arrow bamboo Fargesia qinlingensis

Improving natural regeneration of bamboos after they die following mass flowering is critical for conservation of giant pandas. However, little is known about factors that affect seed germination and seedling growth of bamboos. We studied seed germination and seedling growth in Fargesia qinlingensis, which mass flowered in a giant panda habitat in the Qinling Mountains of China in early 2000, in laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Seed germination rate was tested under light and dark conditions 5 and 12 months after seed collection. Germination rate displayed no significant difference under light or dark conditions 5 months after seed collection, but was significantly greater in the dark than under light 12 months after seed collection, suggesting light inhibition of seed germination. A 2×2 factorial design was conducted to test the effects of nitrogen (N fertilization and non-N fertilization) and light [full sun and shade (i.e., 14% full sun)] on seedling growth and biomass allocation. N fertilization significantly increased seedling growth, resulting in greater seedling height, more branches, more leaves, greater stem biomass, and greater leaf biomass. Seedlings under 14% full sun conditions had a significantly lower percentage of biomass allocated to the stem. The root/shoot ratio was significantly greater in non-N/shade than non-N/full sun, while there was no significant difference in this ratio between N/shade and N/full sun, suggesting that nitrogen fertilization compensated for the effect of shade on biomass allocation. Our results suggest that N fertilization could be employed in restoration of F. qinlingensis stands after die-off following mass flowering.
Principles for Rethinking The Federal Government's Role in Economic Development

This article begins with a discussion of differences between economic and community development. A three-dimensional policy frame work for analyzing subnational economic development policy is prese...
Learning How to Learn: Theological Reflection at Cuddesdon

Theological educators involved in the teaching of theological reflection (TR) frequently report mystification on the part of students and failure to apply their training in ministry. Experience at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, however, suggests that this may not inevitably be the case. The paper gives an account of the way TR is taught at Cuddesdon and reflects on the issues to arise.