cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Juvenile atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) in Delaware Bay, USA are the result of local and long-distance recruitment

Abstract We examined patterns of abundance, age, and spawning date distribution for juvenile Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, collected during monthly sampling in Delaware Bay salt marshes during 1996 and 1997 in order to determine temporal patterns of recruitment and their spawning locations. Two distinct cohorts were present during both years of the study; the first cohort appeared in April–May and persisted throughout the summer, while the second cohort appeared in July but was only represented in subsequent collections during 1997. Back-calculated birth dates indicated that some fish had spawned during the fall (September and October) during both years, probably in the vicinity of Delaware Bay. However, the majority of individuals were spawned during winter months (primarily December and January) when water temperatures were too cold to permit local spawning. These winter-spawned individuals probably originated south of Cape Hatteras where winter water temperatures are warm enough (>16 °C) to allow spawning and larval development. These winter-spawned fish were an important but variable fraction of the fish surviving to the juvenile stage in Delaware Bay fish (92 and 73% during 1996 and 1997, respectively). The pattern of fall and winter-spawned juvenile Atlantic menhaden using Delaware Bay is consistent with an earlier study of larval Atlantic menhaden in another southern New Jersey estuary and thus suggests that contributions of spawning from both the Middle Atlantic States and south of Cape Hatteras may occur consistently for Atlantic menhaden and other species.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase-mediated phosphorylation regulates post-endocytic trafficking of the D2 dopamine receptor

We investigated the role of G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-mediated phosphorylation in agonist-induced desensitization, arrestin association, endocytosis, and intracellular trafficking of the D2 dopamine receptor (DAR). Agonist activation of D2 DARs results in rapid and sustained receptor phosphorylation that is solely mediated by GRKs. A survey of GRKs revealed that only GRK2 or GRK3 promotes D2 DAR phosphorylation. Mutational analyses resulted in the identification of eight serine/threonine residues within the third cytoplasmic loop of the receptor that are phosphorylated by GRK2/3. Simultaneous mutation of these eight residues results in a receptor construct, GRK(-), that is completely devoid of agonist-promoted GRK-mediated receptor phosphorylation. We found that both wild-type (WT) and GRK(-) receptors underwent a similar degree of agonist-induced desensitization as assessed using [35S]GTPγS binding assays. Similarly, both receptor constructs internalized to the same extent in response to agonist treatment. Furthermore, using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays to directly assess receptor association with arrestin3, we found no differences between the WT and GRK(-) receptors. Thus, phosphorylation is not required for arrestin-receptor association or agonist-induced desensitization or internalization. In contrast, when we examined recycling of the D2 DARs to the cell surface, subsequent to agonist-induced endocytosis, the GRK(-) construct exhibited less recycling in comparison with the WT receptor. This impairment appears to be due to a greater propensity of the GRK(-) receptors to down-regulate once internalized. In contrast, if the receptor is highly phosphorylated, then receptor recycling is promoted. These results reveal a novel role for GRK-mediated phosphorylation in regulating the post-endocytic trafficking of a G protein-coupled receptor.
4 + G mobile backhaul over OFDMA/TDMA-PON to 200 cell sites per fiber with 10Gb/s upstream burst-mode operation enabling < 1ms transmission latency

The first downstream/upstream OFDMA/TDMA-PON achieving >100Mb/s per-cell mobile backhaul and burst-mode operation using off-the-shelf APDs is demonstrated over 1.645km for 200 cells. The new approach enables <1ms transmission latency and 3dB burst-mode dynamic range tolerance.
Cactin, a conserved protein that interacts with the Drosophila IκB protein Cactus and modulates its function

Rel transcription factors function in flies and vertebrates in immunity and development. Although Rel proteins regulate diverse processes, the control of their function is conserved. In a two-hybrid screen for additional components of the pathway using the Drosophila I-kappaB protein Cactus as a bait, we isolated a novel coiled-coil protein with N-terminal Arg-Asp (RD)- like motifs that we call Cactin. Like the other components of this pathway, Cactin is evolutionarily conserved. Over-expression of cactin in a cactus(A2) heterozygous background results in the enhancement of the cactus phenotype. Both the embryonic lethality and ventralization are strongly increased, suggesting that cactin functions in the Rel pathway controlling the formation of dorsal-ventral embryonic polarity.
The fine structure of the digestive system of Daphnia pulex (Crustacea: Cladocera).

Abstract The alimentary canal of Daphnia pulex consists of a tube-shaped foregut, a midgut (mesenteron) with an anterior pair of small diverticula, and a short hindgut. The foregut and hindgut are structurally similar. Each is formed by a low cuboidal epithelium 5 μm tall and lined with a chitinous intima. The midgut wall consists of a simple epithelium resting on a thick beaded basal lamina which is surrounded by a spiraling muscularis. Anteriorly the midgut cells are columnar in shape being 30 μm in height each having a basal nucleus, anteriorly concentrated mitochondria and an apical border of long thin microvilli. Posteriorly the midgut cells become progressively shorter so that in the posteriormost region of the midgut the cells are 5 μm tall and cuboidal in shape. The microvilli concomitantly become shorter and thicker. All mesenteron cells contain the usual cytoplasmic organelles. The paired digestive diverticula are simple evaginations of the midgut. The wall of each consists of a simple epithelium of cuboidal cells 25 μm in height, each with a brushed border of long thin microvilli. Enzyme secretion appears to be holocrine in mode and not confined to any one region of the mesenteron though definitely polarized anteriorly. The thin gut muscularis encircles the entire length of the midgut and caeca. Thick and thin filaments appear to be in a 6 : 1 ratio.
Can X-ray spectrum imaging replace backscattered electrons for compositional contrast in the scanning electron microscope?

The high throughput of the silicon drift detector energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SDD-EDS) enables X-ray spectrum imaging (XSI) in the scanning electron microscope to be performed in frame times of 10–100 s, the typical time needed to record a high-quality backscattered electron (BSE) image. These short-duration XSIs can reveal all elements, except H, He, and Li, present as major constituents, defined as 0.1 mass fraction (10 wt%) or higher, as well as minor constituents in the range 0.01–0.1 mass fraction, depending on the particular composition and possible interferences. Although BSEs have a greater abundance by a factor of 100 compared with characteristic X-rays, the strong compositional contrast in element-specific X-ray maps enables XSI mapping to compete with BSE imaging to reveal compositional features. Differences in the fraction of the interaction volume sampled by the BSE and X-ray signals lead to more delocalization of the X-ray signal at abrupt compositional boundaries, resulting in poorer spatial resolution. Improved resolution in X-ray elemental maps occurs for the case of a small feature composed of intermediate to high atomic number elements embedded in a matrix of lower atomic number elements. XSI imaging strongly complements BSE imaging, and the SDD-EDS technology enables an efficient combined BSE-XSI measurement strategy that maximizes the compositional information. If 10 s or more are available for the measurement of an area of interest, the analyst should always record the combined BSE-XSI information to gain the advantages of both measures of compositional contrast. SCANNING 33: 174–192, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Toward Defining the Quality Culture

AbstractThis research examines the relationship between TQM and organizational culture. To accomplish this, a questionnaire was developed, based upon the competing values model of culture and the Baldrige Award criteria, to define both the organization's culture and quality management position. This questionnaire was then sent to 1000 members of the American Society for Quality. A total of 219 usable responses were received and analyzed. The results indicate that higher Baldridge scores tend to be significantly related to the adhocracy and group cultural types.
SOMATIC AND OTOLITH GROWTH IN THE OYSTER TOADFISH (OPSANUS TAU L.)

Abstract Otoliths from oyster toadfish were measured and examined for annuli and daily increments. Distinct annual increments made it feasible to determine growth parameters which demonstrated sexual dimorphism in growth. Microincrements, judged to be daily on the basis of two separate criteria, were enumerated and measured to provide verification of annuli. Utilization of multivariate mathematical models relating age to otolith growth and somatic growth simplified age determination. These methods for examining otoliths should be applicable to other fish species and make it possible to link growth and mortality rates to life history and environmental occurrences.
Radiation-induced impairment of hippocampal neurogenesis is associated with cognitive deficits in young mice

Advances in the management of pediatric brain tumors have increased survival rates in children, but their quality of life is impaired due to cognitive deficits that arise from irradiation. The pathogenesis of these deficits remains unknown, but may involve reduced neurogenesis within the hippocampus. To determine the acute radiosensitivity of the dentate subgranular zone (SGZ), 21-day-old C57BL/J6 male mice received whole brain irradiation (2-10 Gy), and 48 h later, tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Proliferating SGZ cells and their progeny, immature neurons, were decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. To determine if acute changes translated into long-term alterations in neurogenesis, mice were given a single dose of 5 Gy, and 1 or 3 months later, proliferating cells were labeled with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Confocal microscopy was used to determine the percentage of BrdU-labeled cells that showed mature cell phenotypes. X-rays significantly reduced the production of new neurons at both time points, while glial components showed no change or small increases. Measures of activated microglia and infiltrating, peripheral monocytes indicated that reduced neurogenesis was associated with a chronic inflammatory response. Three months after irradiation, changes in neurogenesis were associated with spatial memory retention deficits determined using the Morris water maze. Behavioral training and testing increased the numbers of immature neurons, most prominently in irradiated animals. These data provide evidence that irradiation of young animals induces a long-term impairment of SGZ neurogenesis that is associated with hippocampal-dependent memory deficits.
Effect of contact pressure and load on wear of alumina

Wear experiments were conducted in air using self-mated alumina in a pin-on-disk configuration at different loads using balls of different diameters as pins to maintain a constant value of initial Hertzian pressure. The selected initial load was kept constant for the rest of the sliding. Wear volume on the ball and the apparent contact pressures were calculated from the measured wear scar diameters on the balls at regular sliding intervals. The results show reduction in wear coefficient with sliding distance, as the contact pressure reduces (due to increment in the contact area). However, a good correlation was observed between the normalized wear rate and the apparent contact pressure, irrespective of the applied load, sliding distance, ball diameter and apparent contact area. This observation is explained based on the assumption that besides the asperities that deform plastically a large portion of the asperities deforms elastically and carries the applied load. It is argued that for a mixed elastic/plastic contact the number of plastically loaded asperities, and therefore, the wear rate, should depend on the apparent contact pressure.
The influence of ions and radiation on tunneling of electrons from the surface of liquid helium

In work previously reported by Saville et al. [1] and Saville [2], we found that electrons tunneling from their shallow potential well above the surface of liquid helium behave as an almost ideal 1D hydrogen atom. Computations [3], without approximation or adjustable parameters, using the time dependent Schrodinger equation are in excellent agreement with measured tunneling rates. The same computation method was used to compute the influence of AC fields on the tunneling rates [3] as preparation for planned experiments. In this paper I discuss phenomena which appear to set upper and lower limits on the observable tunneling rates. Lower limits were determined by photo assisted escape due to thermal radiation and by cosmic ray generation of ions in the bulk liquid helium. Upper limits were set by the creation of excitations in the superfluid film on the top of the sample chamber when electrons impacted with energy greater than 21.6 eV. Through its influence on the tunneling rate, we were also able to measure very small changes in the electron potential at the surface due to a sub-monolayer coverage of3He.
Is scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) quantitative? Effect of specimen shape

The extraordinary throughput of the silicon drift detector energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SDD-EDS) enables collection of EDS spectra with much higher integrated counts within practical time periods, e.g., 100 s or less, compared to past experience with the Si(Li)-EDS. Such high count SDD spectra, containing one million to ten million counts, yield characteristic peak intensities with relative standard deviation below 0.25%, a precision similar to that achieved with wavelength dispersive spectrometry (WDS), the "gold standard" of microprobe analysis, but at lower dose because of the greater solid angle of the SDD-EDS. Such high count SDD-EDS spectra also enable more accurate quantification, nearly indistinguishable from WDS for major and minor constituents when the WDS unknown-to-standard intensity ratio ("k-value") protocol is followed. A critical requirement to satisfy this measurement protocol is that the specimen must be a highly polished bulk target. The geometric character of specimens examined in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) often deviates greatly from the ideal flat bulk target but EDS spectra can still be readily obtained and analyzed. The influence of geometric factors such as local inclination and surface topography on the accuracy of quantitative EDS analysis is examined. Normalized concentration values are subject to very large errors, as high as a factor of 10, as a result of deviation of the specimen geometry from the ideal flat bulk target.
Use of muscovy duck embryo fibroblasts for the isolation of viruses from wild birds

Techniques are described for the preparation, cryopreservation, and inoculation of Muscovy duck embryo cell cultures. The procedure yields a susceptible reproducible cell culture system for the isolation and cultivation of viruses from wild birds.
Slow evolution of nearly-degenerate extremal surfaces

Abstract It was conjectured recently that the string worldsheet theory for the fast moving string in AdS times a sphere becomes effectively first order in the time derivative and describes the continuous limit of an integrable spin chain. In this paper we will try to make this statement more precise. We interpret the first order theory as describing the long term evolution of the tensionless string perturbed by a small tension. The long term evolution is a Hamiltonian flow on the moduli space of periodic trajectories. It should correspond to the renormgroup flow on the field theory side.
Tight attachment of chitin-binding-domain-tagged proteins to surfaces coated with acetylated chitosan

Several excellent procedures for trapping tagged proteins have been devised, but many of these are expensive, cannot be used outside a limited pH range, fail to work in the presence of chaotropic agents, or are difficult to use. The chitin binding domain (CBD) of Bacillus circulans chitinase, which binds to chitin matrices prepared from inexpensive reagents isolated from crab shells, is an alternative tag that can be used under a variety of pH and denaturing conditions. Kits based on the interaction between the CBD and the chitin beads are available commercially. Here, we show that simultaneous treatment of microtiter plates with chitosan, a deacetylated form of chitin, and acetic anhydride produces a surface-bound film of chitin that also interacts tightly with the CBD. Chitin-coated microtiter well plates captured a CBD-tagged heterodimeric human glycoprotein hormone analog directly from mammalian cell culture media, even when present in trace amounts. Binding to the surface was stable in sodium dodecylsulfate and reversed only partially at low pH or in 8M urea at 37 degrees C. This technique appears well suited to surface attachment and permits biochemical or other analyses of molecules that can be tagged with a CBD.
Association of Oral Disease with 12 Selected Variables: II. Edentulism

Twelve variables of a group of edentulous subjects were compared with those of dentulous subjects in a probability sample of 408 persons, ages ≥20 years, living in Tecumseh, Michigan. Bronchitis and heart disease were also considered in relation to edentulism and to the 12 variables in question.
MAGNETOSPHERIC ECLIPSES IN THE DOUBLE-PULSAR SYSTEM PSR J0737 3039

We argue that eclipses of radio emission from the millisecond pulsar A in the double-pulsar system PSR J0737-3039 are due to synchrotron absorption by plasma in the closed field line region of the magnetosphere of its normal pulsar companion B. On the basis of a plausible geometric model, pulsar A's radio beam only illuminates pulsar B's magnetosphere for about 10 minutes surrounding the time of eclipse. During this time it heats particles at r ≳ 10^9 cm to relativistic energies and enables extra plasma, beyond that needed to maintain the corotation electric field, to be trapped by magnetic mirroring. An enhancement of the plasma density by a factor of ~10^2 is required to match the duration and optical depth of the observed eclipses. The extra plasma might be supplied by a source near B through Bγ pair creation by energetic photons produced in B's outer gap. Relativistic pairs cool by synchrotron radiation close to where they are born. Reexcitation of their gyrational motions by cyclotron absorption of A's radio beam can result in their becoming trapped between conjugate mirror points in B's magnetosphere. Because the trapping efficiency decreases with increasing optical depth, the plasma density enhancement saturates even under steady state illumination. The result is an eclipse with finite, frequency-dependent optical depth. After illumination by A's radio beam ceases, the trapped particles cool and are lost. The entire cycle repeats every orbital period. We speculate that the asymmetries between eclipse ingress and egress result in part from the magnetosphere's evolution toward a steady state when illuminated by A's radio beam. We predict that A's linear polarization varies with both eclipse phase and B's rotational phase.
Enhancement of the accuracy of the (P–ω) method through the implementation of a nonlinear robust observer

Abstract The (P–ω) method is a model-based approach developed for determining the instantaneous friction torque in internal combustion engines. This scheme requires measurements of the cylinder gas pressure, the engine load torque, the crankshaft angular displacement and its time derivatives. The effects of the higher order dynamics of the crank-slider mechanism on the measured angular motion of the crankshaft have caused the (P–ω) method to yield erroneous results, especially, at high engine speeds. To alleviate this problem, a nonlinear sliding mode observer has been developed herein to accurately estimate the rigid and flexible motions of the piston-assembly/connecting-rod/crankshaft mechanism of a single cylinder engine. The observer has been designed to yield a robust performance in the presence of disturbances and modeling imprecision. The digital simulation results, generated under transient conditions representing a decrease in the engine speed, have illustrated the rapid convergence of the estimated state variables to the actual ones in the presence of both structured and unstructured uncertainties. Moreover, this study has proven that the use of the estimated rather than the measured angular displacement of the crankshaft and its time derivatives can significantly improve the accuracy of the (P–ω) method in determining the instantaneous engine friction torque.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF GREEN LIGHT AND OF RED LIGHT ON THE SIMPLE-LEAF DEVELOPMENT OF INTACT AND DECAPITATED BEAN PLANTS.

Increasing effort is being directed to the study and interpretation of both quantitative and qualitative effects of light on plants and a number of investigators have emphasized the inadequacy of present information. Any satisfactory description of the ways in which light may affect the form and growth of plants may be anticipated only as a result of many small contributions by various investigators using varied angles of approach. At the Richmond meeting in 1938 a report was made on experiments in which white potatoes, beans, and strawberry plants were grown for some weeks in continuous illumination under green fluorescent mercury tube grids. The point of seeming interest at that time was that while the plants made fair growth, no starch was found at any time in the leaf mesophyll, though it was abundant in the guard cells. That starch was abundant under such conditions afforded supporting evidence that the guard cells were without plasmodesmata. The results suggested the possible usefulness of this type of illumination when stornata counts were desired (figure 1), since upon clearing with alcohol and staining with IKI solution the stornata became very prominent. The relations of quality of light to stomatal opening and to translocation were obscure and no interpretation of the plant response under this illumination was advanced.
Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumors (PEComas) of the Head and Neck: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

PEComas are a family of neoplastic lesions that share overlapping morphology, immunohistochemistry, and ultrastructure that include angiomyolipoma, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, clear cell “sugar” tumor of the lung as well as similar tumors occurring in a variety of visceral, cutaneous and soft tissue sites throughout the body. The defining histopathological features are epithelioid cells with a perivascular distribution containing clear to pale eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and a round-to-oval centrally located nucleus with an inconspicuous nucleolus. Immunohistochemically, coexpression of melanocytic (HMB-45 and/or Melan-A) and myoid markers are characteristic. In the present study, we describe three PEComas occurring in the head and neck (nasal cavity and larynx) and discuss the behavior of these distinctive tumors and review the literature of head and neck PEComas. The importance of recognizing this entity will ensure its consideration in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the head and neck with a similar morphology. The histogenesis of PEComas still remains elusive and additional cases with a prolonged follow up remain important to accurately determine the behavior of these distinctive tumors. Complete surgical excision still remains the treatment of choice for histologically benign PEComas.
A sequential-design metamodeling strategy for simulation optimization

This paper examines the feasibility and worthiness of a sequential simulation optimization strategy using nonparametric metamodeling. Incorporating notions advanced in the nonparametric statistics literature, the procedure starts with a uniform grid of points, and then adds points based on the solution of a mathematical programming problem involving quantiles of the squared second derivative of a thin-plate spline metamodel. Termination is reached based on two user-specified criteria.A feasibility study is conducted, generating 21,000 nonparametric metamodels to fit seven different, basic simulation surfaces. The appropriateness of metamodel fits is judged using recently published criteria. It is concluded that the nonparametric thin-plate spline sequential procedure faithfully reproduces the test case response surfaces and terminates reasonably. However, it is also seen that misleading results may be obtained in systems heavily constrained by budget, and that splines may do a poor job fitting plateaus due to their inherent predisposition to "create ripples."
Activation of noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons by hemodynamic stress is due to local release of corticotropin-releasing factor.

The present study was designed to determine whether activation of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons by hemodynamic stress is mediated by local release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) within the LC. The ability of local LC injection of the CRF antagonist, alpha helical CRF9-41, to prevent LC activation elicited by i.v. nitroprusside infusion was investigated in halothane-anesthetized rats. Nitroprusside infusion (10 micrograms/30 microliters/min for 15 min) consistently increased LC spontaneous discharge rate with the mean maximum increase of 32 +/- 5% (n = 8) occurring between 3 and 9 min after the initiation of the infusion. Prior local LC injection of alpha helical CRF9-41 (150 ng), but not of saline (150 nl), prevented LC activation by nitroprusside. Alpha helical CRF9-41 did not alter LC spontaneous discharge rate or LC discharge evoked by repeated sciatic nerve stimulation suggesting that the CRF antagonist selectively attenuates stress-elicited LC activation. In contrast to alpha helical CRF9-41, the excitatory amino acid antagonist, kynurenic acid, did not attenuated LC activation by nitroprusside at a dose (0.5 mumol in 5 microliters, i.c.v.) that prevented LC activation by sciatic nerve stimulation. Taken together, these findings suggest that hemodynamic stress elicited by nitroprusside infusion activates LC neurons by releasing CRF within the LC region. The onset of LC activation by nitroprusside was temporally correlated with electroencephalographic (EEG) activation recorded from the frontal cortex and hippocampus. EEG activation was characterized by a change from low frequency, high amplitude activity to high frequency low amplitude activity recorded from the cortex and theta rhythm recorded from the hippocampus. LC activation usually outlasted the EEG activation. Nitroprusside infusion following local LC injection of alpha helical CRF9-41 was also associated with EEG activation in most rats. However, the duration of hippocampal theta rhythm was shorter in rats administered alpha helical CRF9-41. Thus, LC activation during cardiovascular challenge may play some role in EEG activation but is not necessary for this effect.
On the Development of a Piezoelectric-Actuated Compliant Brake Mechanism for Modular Robots

A bistable brake mechanism can be beneficial to the development of an energy efficient module for a modular reconfigurable robot. These robots are comprised of many repeated units. To date, research efforts have focused on increasing specific torque to expand the capabilities of modular robots. In this work, we present the continued development of energy efficient joint-locking mechanisms, specifically a piezoelectric actuator and a compliant transmission. The design and manufacturing of the mechanism is presented along with a model for predicting the static and dynamic behavior of the device. We also present experimental results that indicate better performance in terms of power consumption, specific torque, and bandwidth than is possible with comparable devices that utilize magnetic particles and electromagnetically-actuated disc and drum brakes. When fully implemented, this joint-locking mechanism will lead to three critical improvements in the area of modular robotics: decreased energy expenditure per non-active module, increased ability to utilize dynamic motion due to less reliance on highly-geared servo motors, and improved ability to maintain configurations with high mechanical advantage.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Olivary Climbing Fiber Alterations in PN40 Rat Cerebellum Following Postnatal Ethanol Exposure

Developmental ethanol exposure in rats during postnatal days (PN) 4-6 is known to cause significant loss of the cerebellar Purkinje cells. It is not known what happens to the surviving neurons as they continue to develop. This study was designed to quantify the interactions between the olivary climbing fibers and the Purkinje cells when the cerebellar circuits have matured. Rat pups were treated with a daily dose of ethanol (4.5g/kg body weight) delivered by intragastric intubation on PN4, PN4-6, or PN7-9. The interactions between the climbing fibers and the Purkinje cells were examined on PN40 using confocal microscopy. Mid-vermal cerebellar sections were stained with antibodies to calbindin-D28k (to visualize Purkinje cells) and vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGluT2, to visualize climbing fibers). Confocal z-stack images were obtained from Lobule 1 and analyzed with Imaris software to quantify the staining of the two antibodies. The VGluT2 immunostaining was significantly reduced and this was associated with alterations in the synaptic integrity, and synaptic number per Purkinje cell with only a single exposure on PN4 enough to cause the alterations. Previously, we demonstrated similar deficits in climbing fiber innervation when analyzed on PN14 (Pierce, Hayar, Williams, and Light, 2010). The present study confirms that these alterations are sustained and further identifies the decreased synaptic density as well as alterations to the general morphology of the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex that are the result of the binge ethanol exposure.
Human infrastructure and invasive plant occurrence across rangelands of Southwestern Wyoming, USA

Although human influence across rural landscapes is often discussed, interactions between the native, natural systems and human activities are challenging to measure explicitly. We assessed the distribution of introduced, invasive species as related to anthropogenic infrastructure and environmental conditions across southwestern Wyoming. to discern direct correlations as well as covariate influences between land use, land cover, and abundance of invasive plants, and assess the supposition that these features affect surrounding rangeland conditions. Our sample units were 1 000 m long and extended outward from target features, which included roads, oil and gas well pads, pipelines, power lines, and featureless background sites. Sample sites were distributed across the region using a stratified, random design with a frame that represented features and land-use intensity. In addition to land-use gradients, we captured a representative, but limited, range of variability in climate, soils, geology, topography, and dominant vegetation. Several of these variables proved significant, in conjunction with distance from anthropogenic features, in regression models of invasive plant abundance. We used general linear models to demonstrate and compare associations between invasive plant frequency and Euclidian distance from features, natural logarithm transformed distances (log-linear), and environmental variables which were presented as potential covariates. We expected a steep curvilinear (log or exponential) decline trending towards an asymptote along the axis representing high abundance near features with rapid decrease beyond approximately 50–100 m. Some of the associations we document exhibit this pattern, but we also found some invasive plant distributions that extended beyond our expectations, suggesting a broader distribution than anticipated. Our results provide details that can inform local efforts for management and control of invasive species, and they provide evidence of the different associations between natural patterns and human land use exhibited by nonnative species in this rural setting, such as the indirect effects of humans beyond impact areas.
Parallel stochastic gradient algorithms for large-scale matrix completion

This paper develops Jellyfish, an algorithm for solving data-processing problems with matrix-valued decision variables regularized to have low rank. Particular examples of problems solvable by Jellyfish include matrix completion problems and least-squares problems regularized by the nuclear norm or $$\gamma _2$$ -norm. Jellyfish implements a projected incremental gradient method with a biased, random ordering of the increments. This biased ordering allows for a parallel implementation that admits a speed-up nearly proportional to the number of processors. On large-scale matrix completion tasks, Jellyfish is orders of magnitude more efficient than existing codes. For example, on the Netflix Prize data set, prior art computes rating predictions in approximately 4 h, while Jellyfish solves the same problem in under 3 min on a 12 core workstation.
Pneumomyocardium: An Unusual Complication of Barotrauma

We report a 22-day-old infant who developed Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia with abscesses, pneumatoceles, and sepsis at 10 days of life. Mechanical ventilation was complicated by pneumothorax. At autopsy, a collection of air was found in the interventricular septum of the heart, a lesion we have termed pneumomyocardium. No hemorrhage, inflammatory infiltrate, organisms, or necrotic debris was found on the edge of the area of interstitial emphysema in the heart. We believe that the pneumomyocardium arose as a consequence of barotrauma.
PRODUCTION/OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: PURE PREDICTIONS FOR THE '80s1

The future of production/operations management is examined. Following a lead-in designed to grab your attention and to demonstrate the relation between production/operations management and health care, 14 specific and irrefutable pure predictions are presented. Briefly, they are 1,2, and 3, followed by 4 through 12, and closing with 14 and 15.
Interaction of blood supply to the porcine ovary and corpora lutea function

Forty-eight sows were partially hysterectomized on day 10 (day 0 = 1st day of oestrus) of the oestrous cycle such that the isolated-contralateral ovary received either an ovarian or an ovarian and uterine blood supply. These two treatments were examined for their ability to affect corpora lutea (CL) function when 10, 20, 40 and 80 cm (12 sows/group) of the ipsilateral uterine horn remained intact. Sows with only 10 cm of uterine tissue failed to return to oestrus when observed until day 40. When 80 cm of uterine tissue remained, all the sows recycled between days 20 and 24. As the length of uterine horn increased from 10 to 80 cm the contralateral ovary became susceptible to luteolysis. At these lengths (20–40 cm), increased blood supply to the contralateral ovary afforded the luteal cells resistance to luteolysis (uterine length × blood supply interaction, P 125 I-labelled microspheres for purposes of determining CL blood flow following these alterations of blood supply to the isolated ovary. Blood flow to the CL was increased in three of the four sows when the isolated ovary received an additional uterine blood supply. Results from these experiments support the concept of an involvement of blood flow in the regulation of CL function.
The Respective Roles of Risk and Decision Analyses in Decision Support

Decision support models help structure and inform complex choices under uncertainty. Two classic models are risk analysis and decision analysis. Risk analysis is understood here as risk characterization, and in some cases, the identification and benefit assessment of some risk management options. It is based on systems analysis and probability, and it excludes the actual decision phase, which requires the preferences, e.g., the utility function, of the decision maker(s). Risk analysis and decision analysis have some similarities and are often complementary. To model uncertainties, both rely on probability, generally a subjective Bayesian degree of belief. A decision analysis can include a risk analysis component, and the design of a risk management plan may require decision analysis support. The challenge for risk analysts is to characterize potential failure problems before decision options have been identified, and when there is no single decision maker, or group of decision makers, who can provide preference functions and degrees of belief. Yet, a correct and complete model of uncertainties in the probabilistic risk analysis phase is important if the results are to be used later for decision support, especially when the number of systems involved and the duration of their operations is unknown. In this paper, we explore some of the challenges inherent to probabilistic risk analysis that should be of interest to the decision analysts who intend to use risk analysis results.
Optical hybrid package with an 8-channel 18GT/s CMOS transceiver for chip-to-chip optical interconnect

We describe the design and development of a high-speed 8-channel hybrid integrated optical transceiver package with Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) circuits. The package concept has been developed to be compatible with microprocessor package technology and at the same time allow the integration of low cost, high-performance optical components. A 90nm CMOS optical transceiver chip, 850nm 10Gb/s GaAs based vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array and PIN photodiode array are flip-chip mounted on a standard microprocessor Land Grid Array (LGA) package substrate. The CMOS drivers and receivers on the transceiver chip and the optical components (VCSEL and Photodiode arrays) are electrically coupled using a short transmission line routed on the top surface of the package. VCSEL and photodiode arrays are optically coupled to on-package integrated polymer waveguide arrays with metallized 45° mirrors. The waveguides, which are terminated with multi-terminal (MT) fiber optic connectors, couple out/in high-speed optical signals to/from the chip. The CMOS transceiver chip fully integrates all analog optical circuits such as VCSEL drivers, transimpedance amplifiers and clock and data recovery (CDR) retiming circuit with a low jitter LC-PLL. Digital circuits for pseudorandom bit-pattern sequence generators (PRBS) and bit-error rate test (BERT) are fully integrated. 20Gb/s electrical and 18Gb/s optical eye diagrams for the transmitter were measured out of the package. A fully packaged transmitter and receiver including clock data recovery at 10Gb/s have also been measured.
The upper mantle beneath the north-east Pacific rim - A comparison with the Gulf of California

Summary. Seismograms from 22 earthquakes along the north-east Pacific rim recorded in southern California form the data set for investigation of the upper mantle beneath the Cascade Range-Juan de Fuca region, a transitional area encompassing both very young ocean floor and a continental margin. These data consist of 853 seismograms (6" < A < 42") which produce 1068 travel times and 40 ray parameter estimates. We compare these data directly to another large suite of records representative of structure beneath the Gulf of California, an active spreading centre. We use the spreading centre model, GCA, as a starting point in WKBJ synthetic seismogram modelling and perturb GCA until the NE Pacific data are matched. Application of wavefield continuation to these two groups of data provides checks on the model's con- sistency with the data as well as an estimate of the resolvability of differences between the two areas. The resulting NE Pacific model, CJF, is very similar to GCA. Disparities in travel times and waveforms from 16 to 22", however, are interpretable in Ierms of lateral structural variations between the two regions from 200 to 410 km depth. CJF features velocities from 200 to 350 km that are inter- mediate between the very low values of GCA and the more moderate values of T7, a model for the inland western United States. Models of continental shield regions have even higher velocities in this depth range, but all four model types are similar below 450 km. This regular pattern observed in the rate of velocity increase with tectonic regime suggests an inverse relationship between velocity gradient and lithospheric age above 400 km depth.
RCal: a case study on semantic web agents

The Semantic Web promises to change the way agents navigate, harvest and utilize information on the internet. By providing a structured, distributed representation for expressing concepts and relationships defined by multiple ontologies, it is now possible for agents to read and reason about published knowledge, without the need for scrapers, information agents, and centralized ontologies. We present the RETSINA Calendar Agent, a distributed meeting scheduler, that reads schedules (such as conference programs, events, etc) marked up in RDF on the Semantic Web, and imports these into the user's Personal Information Manager. The embedded Semantic Web Browsing tool allows the user to explore related concepts within the schedule, and to query other agents and service providers for more information.
Nuclear Receptor Signaling in the Control of Cholesterol Homeostasis Have the Orphans Found a Home

Cholesterol is essential for all mammalian cells. Cellular cholesterol requirements are met through de novo synthesis and uptake of plasma lipoproteins, homeostatic responses that are transcriptionally regulated by the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs). To prevent cytotoxicity attributable to accumulation of excess cholesterol, liver X receptors (LXRs) and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), together with other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, promote the storage, transport, and catabolism of sterols and their metabolites. Members of this metabolic nuclear receptor family include receptors for oxysterols (LXRs), bile acids (CAR, FXR, and PXR), and fatty acids (PPARs). Through coordinated regulation of transcriptional programs, these nuclear receptors regulate key aspects of cellular and whole-body sterol homeostasis, including cholesterol absorption, lipoprotein synthesis and remodeling, lipoprotein uptake by peripheral tissues, reverse cholesterol transport, and bile acid synthesis and absorption. This review focuses on the nuclear receptors that are central to the lipid metabolic signaling cascades, communication between lipid metabolites and their receptors, and the role of nuclear receptors in orchestrating the complex transcriptional programs that govern cholesterol and bile acid metabolism.
Independence of the statistician who analyses unblinded data.

This discussion considers arguments for and against separating responsibility for the unblinded interim analysis of a clinical trial from responsibility for trial management and modifications to the ongoing trial. The degree to which one or different statisticians carry out these responsibilities and thus the degree of statistician independence for the two activities can vary, but a sponsor should recognize that giving a single statistician both responsibilities might limit flexibility in managing the trial, particularly with respect to modifying an ongoing trial. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Growth Area of Cotton Varieties on Gram Negative Bacillary and Endotoxin Levels

Three species of cotton grown in different areas of the United States (Mississippi, California, Texas) during 1982 are associated with differing levels of gram negative bacilli and endotoxin activity. Area of growth is an important variable in determining airborne levels of gram negative bacilli and endotoxin activity when the cotton is carded.
A statistical analysis of phase aberration correction using image quality factors in coherent imaging systems

A fundamental analysis of phase aberration correction techniques which use speckle brightness-based image equality factors (QFs) to iteratively reduce phase errors is presented. Phase aberration arises from the spatial inhomogeneity of acoustic velocity in human tissue and degrades the performance of diagnostic ultrasonic imaging systems. A theoretical analysis is presented indicating that the mean speckle brightness decreases with root-mean-square (RMS) phase error. A general definition of QFs is given using the probability of error as a criterion of performance. The QF is optimized through minimization of the probability of error under different conditions. The analysis provides a theoretical framework for the current correction technique using QFs under a variety of conditions, and is a useful tool to evaluate new QFs and correction techniques. >
The Structure of Self-Concept in Second and Fourth Grade Children

This study examined the factor structure of two self-concept measures commonly used with elementary school age children, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) and the Self Concept and Motivation Inventory (SCAMIN). Second (N = 126) and fourth grade (N=237) samples were examined. Sex differences were found on three SCAMIN scales for fourth grade and on one scale for second grade children. On the CSEI, sex differences were found on one subscale, School Self, at the second grade level. Grade differences were found on two CSEI subscales, Lie and School Self. The three identifiable factors emerging at each grade level were readily matched and interpreted as reflecting essentially the same constructs. The instruments were found to measure three distinct and different dimensions of self in spite of the similarity of the instrument titles and of subscale titles.
INFECTION CONTROL IN THE DENTAL OFFICE: HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

Using data collected in two studies, the authors compare infection control practices used in dental offices in 1988 and 1992. During that time, dentists increased their use of barrier protection but still asked and learned very little about their patients. This lack of communication hinders dentists' ability to deliver the best care possible. The authors recommend that dentists improve communication with their patients to obtain better information about their health status.
Architectural design of a complex arithmetic signal processor (CASP)

In this paper, an instruction set architecture is presented for a complex arithmetic signal processor (CASP). CASP is designed to exploit the best features of RISC styled general purpose processors and memory oriented DSP. CASP utilizes the redundant binary (RB) to exploit the single digit carry-propagation property for performance improvement of inner-product unit. Special addressing modes and instructions are designed to provide for faster signal processing. A special register-indirect mode is created for fetching co-processor memory resident dataset elements. The data path on the RB co-processor side is 256-bits wide which allows for processing of large datasets in parallel. Instructions are designed to utilize less than the full width of RB co-processor. The co-processor can perform parallel operations on groups of 8-elements, or two 4-element real TC numbers. The same structure can be alternatively used by instructions for 2-element complex inner-products. An algorithm to detect and correct the bogus or pseudo carry out of RB arithmetic is developed and implemented as a two level hardware process.