cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aligning windows of live video from an imprecise pan-tilt-zoom camera into a remote panoramic display for remote nature observation

A pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) robotic camera can provide a detailed live video of selected areas of interest within a large potential viewing field. The selective coverage is ideal for nature observation applications where power and bandwidth are often limited. To provide the spatial context for human observers, it is desirable to insert the live video into a large spherical panoramic display representing the entire viewing field. Accurate alignment of the video stream within the panoramic display is difficult due to imprecise pan-tilt values and rapid changes in camera configurations. Common image alignment algorithms are computationally expensive for real time applications. We are interested in designing algorithms that fit low power computation platform and hence can be implemented inside the PTZ camera in the future. We present a sampling-based constant-time image alignment algorithm based on spherical projection and projection-invariant selective sampling that accurately registers paired images at 100 frames per second on a simulated embedded platform. The alignment accuracy actually is better than existing methods when high rotational difference is involved. Experiments suggest that the new alignment algorithm is faster than existing algorithms by 1,471.6 times when aligning a six-mega-pixel image pair.
Toward a Theoretical Framework for Membership: The Case of Undocumented Immigrants and Financial Aid for Postsecondary Education

This case study/philosophical analysis responds to the primary research question: "Should undocumented immigrants receive financial aid by responding to the sub-question: What does it mean to be a member of society?" The case study organizes and collects empirical evidence from stakeholders involved in Texas House Bill 1403 (2001), legislation granting in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. The study found that principles of residency, social awareness, reciprocation, investment, identification, patriotism, destiny, and law abidingness form a framework that explains substantive membership. I argue that undocumented immigrants who have developed into substantive members should receive financial aid.
Algorithmic aspects of alternating sum of volumes. Part 2: Nonvergence and its remedy

if the convex hull of its deficiency CH(~,) -- ~, Js equal to CH(~,), and convergent otherwise It is desirable to be able to characterize the nonconvergence of a deficiency ~, directly, rather than invoke the comparison between CH(~-~,) and CH(.Q,)- ~, This pursuit is justified in two respects. First, four convex-hull operations and two set-d~fference operations must be performed to obtain the datum CH(~,), CH(~,) -- ~,, and CH(CH(~,)--.Q,) for the comparison. Setdifference operation on a polyhedron with m vertices is known to take at least O(m 2) time prior to the O(mlogm) result given in Part 1 of this paper 2. Second, even if the fast O(mlogm) difference operation ts involved, detecting the presence of a null set, as the result of the dtfference, can be numerically unstable A fast nonconvergence detectton algonthm for a
Particle Acceleration, X-Rays, and Gamma-Rays from Winds

The instability of the line-driven winds of hot stars leads to the formation of strong shocks. These shocks not only emit thermal X-rays, but also accelerate a small fraction of the thermal electrons and ions to relativistic energies. Synchrotron radiation from these energetic particles can account for the non-thermal radio emission observed from some hot stars, and can also explain the hard X-rays detected in the Einstein X-ray spectra. Our calculations indicate that the γ-ray emission from non-thermal particles should be detectable by GRO. The detection (or non-detection) of these emissions over a wide energy range, from the radio to γ-rays, should provide a great deal of information on the structure of the unstable winds and the physics of particle acceleration by shocks.
Structural responses of pulmonary intravascular macrophages in lentivirus-infected and/or recombinant ovine interferon-τ-treated lambs

Ovine lentivirus (OvLV), a retrovirus, infects and disseminates to various tissue organs via monocytes. The differentiation of infected monocytes into macrophages is a prerequisite for viral replication, and the presence of infected macrophages in tissue organs induces chronic immunopathology such as lymphoid interstitial pneumonia. The pulmonary intravascular macrophage (PIM) is a recently identified mononuclear phagocyte in domestic animal species, including sheep. Recombinant ovine interferon-tau (roIFN-τ), a type I IFN originally named as the ovine trophoblast protein, has potent antiviral activity against OvLV and human immunodeficiency virus and prevents the development of OvLV-associated lung pathology. We investigated and compared the structural features of PIMs in OvLV-infected and/or roIFN-τ–treated 1-month-old lambs using transmission electron microscopy. The PIMs' numerical counts were performed in toluidine blue–stained sections of Epoxy-embedded lung tissues. A reduction in the number of PIMs was observed with OvLV infection and/or roIFN-τ treatment of lambs as compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). The majority of the PIMs in OvLV-infected and/or roIFN-τ–treated groups were devoid of their surface coat. The PIMs of OvLV-infected lambs exhibited signs of biosynthetic activation such as expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum, prominent Golgi complexes, and accumulation of secretory vesicles. A few PIMs contained OvLV-like structures. In roIFN-τ–treated OvLV-infected lambs, the lymphocytes had ruffled plasma membranes and were in intimate contact with the PIMs, as is observed during cytotoxic cell-mediated killing of target cells. Most of the PIMs in roIFN-τ–treated OvLV-infected lambs appeared smaller in size. Ovine lentivirus and roIFN-τ, individually or in combination, alter the integrity of the surface coat of PIMs and cause their disappearance from the lungs. Ovine lentivirus infection induces morphological changes that correlate with cytotoxic cell behavior between lymphocytes and PIMs in roIFN-τ–treated or placebo-treated lambs. The loss of PIMs, probably infected with OvLV, either through direct killing by roIFN-τ or indirectly by roIFN-τ–activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes may represent different aspects of therapeutic actions of this cytokine. Anat. Rec. 251:472–485, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dispersive Transport of Angiographic Contrast During Antegrade Arterial Injection

Angiography is commonly used during endovascular procedures to navigate catheters into a target artery and for evaluation of the arterial luminal geometry. X-ray attenuating contrast material is injected into the arteries and transported into pathologies such as aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations. Images of the transported contrast are used to guide therapeutic decisions. Experience and intuition of the interventionalist are often serving as guide for the injection force, and hence, the speed and volume of the bolus. Forceful injections of small boluses can evoke local turbulence and dispersive mixing in the zone immediately distal to the catheter tip. Turbulence by its nature acts as a strong agitating mechanism such that the bolus of contrast quickly mixes with the flowing blood to occupy the entire lumen so the artery can be visualized. The aims of the present study are (a) to determine the distance from catheter tip beyond which contrast can consider to be fully mixed with the blood during antegrade injection and (b) to determine the thickness of the boundary layer in which contrast concentration is poor, which can contribute to underestimation of vascular diameter using this method. We performed in silico experiments to describe blood and angiographic contrast transport in a straight artery model. The conditions investigated are derived from clinical contrast injection rates typically found in cerebral angiography. A recirculation flow exists in the mixing zone distal to the catheter tip issuing the contrast and convective mixing rather than diffusion is dominating the rapid mixing process. In the vicinity of the arterial wall in the mass transfer boundary layer, however, transport is dominated by molecular diffusion. For lower molecule diffusion coefficient, the mass transfer boundary layer contains a lower concentration of contrast than for a higher molecular diffusion coefficient. These findings imply that contrast visibility near the arterial wall is poor such that arterial dimensions derived from angiograms may be underestimated and consequently sizing of potential implants inaccurate. Outside the mass transfer boundary layer contrast can be considered as fully mixed with the carrying flow in about 10 arterial diameters distal to the injection port.
Perceptual fading of visual texture borders

Abstract A light gray square was displayed on a background of dynamic two-dimensional noise. After 10 sec of steady eccentric fixation, the square disappeared completely and the region corresponding to it was “filled in” by dynamic noise from the surround. Furthermore, when the whole display was switched off, a persisting patch of dynamic two-dimensional noise was seen in the region corresponding to the gray square. This persistent patch could be seen for almost 10 sec on some trials, suggesting that a dynamic neural representation of the surrounding “twinkle” is being created in this region. The fading of the square was especially pronounced in peripheral vision. Also, displacing the square by a small distance was usually sufficient to restore its visibility but this distance increased with eccentricity. This may be a consequence of the progressive increase of receptive field size with eccentricity that has been noted in both area 17 and MT. The perceptual fading and “filling in” that we report concurs with the recent physiological observations of Pettet and Gilbert [(1991) Society fer Neuroscience Abstracts, 17 , 1090] and Gilbert and Wiesel [(1992) Nature, 356, 150–152] in area 17 of cats and primates.
Symptomatic pelvic accessory spleen

Accessory spleens are found most commonly at the splenic hilum, however, they rarely are symptomatic. An 18-year-old man presented with lower abdominal pain. Cross-sectional imaging studies with 3-dimensional reconstruction suggested the presence of a mass that was associated with the spleen. A nuclear medicine radioisotope scan confirmed that the mass was a pelvic accessory spleen. Laparoscopic excision was performed with excellent results. This accessory spleen was unusual in its size and location. Accessory spleens should be removed if symptomatic or if they are identified at splenectomy for hematologic disease.
Causality and Mind: Essays on Early Modern Philosophy

INTRODUCTION 1. SCIENTIA AND SELF-KNOWLEDGE IN DESCARTES 2. DESCARTES AND THE ACTION OF BODY ON MIND 3. INTELLECT AND ILLUMINATION IN MALEBRANCHE 4. SENSATION, INTENTIONALITY, AND ANIMAL CONSCIOUSNESS: MALEBRANCHE'S THEORY OF THE MIND 5. MALEBRANCHE ON THE SOUL 6. OCCASIONALISM AND EFFICACIOUS LAWS IN MALEBRANCHE 7. LEIBNIZ AND MALEBRANCHE ON INNATE IDEAS 8. LEIBNIZ AND THE EXCELLENCE OF MINDS 9. LEIBNIZ AND OCCASIONALISM 10. CAUSALITY AND CREATION IN LEIBNIZ 11. LEIBNIZ AND THE CAUSAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF SUBSTANCES 12. LEIBNIZ AND PHENOMENALISM 13. LOCKEAN ABSTRACTIONISM VERSUS CARTESIAN NATIVISM 14. DULL SOULS AND BEASTS: TWO ANTI-CARTESIAN POLEMICS IN LOCKE 15. BEREKELEY, MALEBRANCHE, AND VISION IN GOD 16. BERKELEY AND MALEBRANCHE ON CAUSALITY AND CREATION 17. HUME, MALEBRANCHE, AND THE LAST OCCULT QUALITY BIBLIOGRAPHY
Distribution of Witch Flounder in the Northern Gulf of St. Lawrence and Changes in Its Growth and Sexual Maturity Patterns

Abstract Witch flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) in the Gulf of St. Lawrence form dense prespawning concentrations in a localized area of deep water during the early winter months. At this time they are fished by the Newfoundland deep sea otter trawlers. During the summer, these fish disperse throughout the Gulf and do not form concentrations large enough to afford a viable otter trawl fishery. One area of localized abundance in St. George's Bay, however, allows for a small seiner fishery during summer months. Growth rates of both males and females in this area increased significantly since 1976. The life span of this stock also has decreased from 26 to 16 years while stock biomass appears to have remained stable and the mean size at maturity has not changed. There is some indication of a reduction in the age at maturity; however, the evidence presented cannot be regarded as conclusive. These changes in growth and maturity are discussed in relation to changes in catch levels since 1975.
Rabbit alveolar β-adrenergic receptors increase with gestational age

Pulmonary β-adrenergic receptors, which mediate the actions of endogenous catecholamines, increase before birth, an important step in pulmonary maturation. This increase, which occurs primarily in the alveoli, may be hastened by corticosteroids. However, because the lung is composed of more than 40 cell types, we asked whether the normal distribution of p-adrenergic receptors changes with gestational age in a way that seems physiologically relevant. We compared lungs from fetal rabbits at 26 and 31 days' gestation with lungs from adult rabbits by autoradiography with 125 iodocyanopindolol, a β-adrenergic antagonist. While the total silver grain concentration increased during gestation, the greatest proportional increase occurred in the alveoli. We conclude that pulmonary β-adrenergic receptor concentration increases during gestation and that this increase is most dramatic for alveoli. This pattern is consistent with that previously observed after treatment of fetal rabbits in utero with corticosteroids. (Ann J OBSTET GYNECOL 1990;162:269-72.)
The drive toward protestant union in early eighteenth-century Geneva: Jean-Alphonse Turrettini on the Fundamental Articles' of the Faith

Jean-Alphonse Turrettini (1671–1737) was the last of the line of theology professors from his family at the Academy of Geneva, following his grandfather Benedict (1588–1631) and his father Francois (1623–1687), the famed Reformed scholastic theologian. Jean-Alphonse started his theological career as the pastor of the Italian congregation in Geneva in 1693; he was then named professor of church history at the Academy in 1697 and then rector in 1701 and finally professor of theology in 1705. Although his father was one of the principal architects of the Helvetic Formula Consensus (1675), Jean-Alphonse led the movement toward eliminating such credal religion through the abrogation of the Formula in 1706.
Molecular Chemisorption of O2 on a PdO(101) Thin Film on Pd(111)

We used temperature programmed desorption (TPD) to investigate the molecular chemisorption of O2 on a (101)-oriented PdO thin film grown on Pd(111) in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) using an oxygen atom beam. Our results show that the molecular chemisorption of O2 is facile on the PdO film at 85 K, producing a saturation O2 coverage of 0.27 ML (monolayers). Experiments with co-adsorbed 16O2 and 18O2 further reveal that molecularly chemisorbed O2 dissociates negligibly on the PdO(101) surface under the conditions examined. The O2 TPD spectrum from the PdO(101) surface at O2 saturation exhibits two main features centered at 117 K and 227 K, as well as smaller features at 275 K and 315 K, associated with the desorption of molecularly chemisorbed O2. Comparison with O2 TPD obtained from clean Pd(111) demonstrates that a large fraction of the O2 molecules on the PdO(101) surface are more strongly bound than O2 chemisorbed on the metallic surface at 85 K and saturation of the respective O2 layers. We find that O2 molec...
DEA and the management of the product cycle: the U.S. computer industry

The method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is applied to rank the efficiency of U.S. computer companies during a 10-yr period. To reflect the dynamic setting of the computer industry, the inputs include investment in real capital and expenditures on RD the outputs are sales revenues, profits, and market capitalization. We develop a procedure for studying the time path of the observed DEA ratings of a high tech company over its product cycles. The empirical observations confirm the key relationship between efficiency and the product cycle. Since computer companies differ greatly in their success in managing their product cycles, they will also show quite different efficiency results. A few companies, like Apple and Compaq, manufacturing products with long and sustained cycles, were consistently located at the efficiency frontier. But most companies, spending heavily to bring on line a stream of innovative products, were inefficient.
Sex differences in myosin heavy chain isoforms of human failing and nonfailing atria

Mammalian hearts express two myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms, which drive contractions with different kinetics and power-generating ability. The expression of the isoform that is associated with more rapid contraction kinetics and greater power output, MHC-α, is downregulated, with a concurrent increase in the relative amount of the slower isoform, MHC-β, during the progression to experimentally induced or disease-related heart failure. This change in protein expression has been well studied in right and left ventricles in heart failure models and in humans with failure. Relatively little quantitative data exists regarding MHC isoform expression shifts in human failing atria. We previously reported significant increases in the relative amount of MHC-β in the human failing left atrium. The results of that study suggested that there might be a sex-related difference in the level of MHC-β in the left atrium, but the number of female subjects was insufficient for statistical analysis. The objective of this study was to test whether there is, in fact, a sex-related difference in the level of MHC-β in the right and left atria of humans with cardiomyopathy. The results indicate that significant differences exist in atrial MHC isoform expression between men and women who are in failure. The results also revealed an unexpected twofold greater amount of MHC-β in the nonfailing left atrium of women, compared with men. The observed sex-related differences in MHC isoform expression could impact ventricular diastolic filling during normal daily activities, as well as during physiologically stressful events.
Synthesis of a glycotripeptide and a glycosomatostatin containing the 3-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-serine residue☆

Abstract 3- O -(2-Acetamido-3-4,6-tri- O -acetyl-2-deoxy-β- d - glucopyranosyl)- N -( tert -butyloxycarbonyl)- l -serine was synthesized and condensed by the solid-phase procedure to give the sequence Gly-[β- d -Glc p NAc-(1→3)-Ser]-Ala-OH and β- d -Glc p )NAc-(1→3)-Ser-13-somatostatin. The synthetic glycopeptides appeared homogeneous on t.l.c and l.c. examination and showed the correct amino acid composition and 2-amino-2-deoxy- d -glucose content. The structure of Gly-[β- d -Glc p NAc-(1→3)-Ser]-Ala-OH was further confirmed by mass spectrometry of the N -acetyl per methyl derivative, and by n.m.r. spectroscopy.
MRP contributes to a company's profitability

Material requirements planning (MRP) systems have become the most effective and widely used inventory control systems across the world. Many operation managers have found the vast knowledge that MRP systems provide is absolutely necessary to effectively and competitively succeed in the current global economy. Although MRP systems have been in existence for almost 25 years, they have had their share of problems and are both challenged and enhanced by new supply chain management techniques and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. As the world wide web evolves into a global market of information, the information provided by MRP systems, in particular ERP systems, will be necessary in order for businesses to compete in the global marketplace.
Magnetic recording configuration for densities beyond 1 Tb/in/sup 2/ and data rates beyond 1 Gb/s

A new magnetic recording system is evaluated that includes the single-pole head, a new medium design, and the soft underlayer of perpendicular recording. The proposed medium consists of perpendicular grains with anisotropy directions tilted optimally about 45/spl deg/ with respect to the perpendicular direction. Here, focus is on the tilt angle at 45/spl deg/ in the crosstrack direction, including a small but typical dispersion. The write pole consists of a tapered-neck single-pole head with a very small throat height that yields maximized write fields without increased edge track degradation. The advantages of tilted perpendicular recording are discussed using theoretical and numerical micromagnetic analyses. This design achieves a much higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than conventional recording, because it is less sensitive to medium orientation distributions and, for the same thermal decay, can utilize media with much smaller grain sizes. The switching speed is much more rapid due to increased recording torque. Estimated recording limits for tilted perpendicular recording with a medium-jitter SNR of 17 dB are beyond densities of 1 Tb/in/sup 2/ and data rates of 1 Gb/s.
Pharmacologic and clinical effects of lonapalene (RS 43179), a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, in psoriasis.

The pharmacologic and clinical effects of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, lonapalene, have been determined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, topical study in ten volunteers with psoriasis. A statistically significant clinical improvement was seen in lesions treated with 2% lonapalene ointment as compared with vehicle-treated sites. Although there was a statistically significant reduction in the levels of material similar or identical to the chemoattractant arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase product, leukotriene B4>, in skin chamber fluid samples from lonapalene versus vehicle treated lesions, no significant reduction in arachidonic acid or 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid was seen. The reduction in leukotriene B4 equivalents occurred before significant clinical improvement in lesions was seen. This and the selectivity of the pharmacologic response suggest that the therapeutic effect of topical lonapalene in psoriasis might be related to inhibition of leukotriene B4 synthesis. These results support the view that 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of psoriasis, and that leukotriene B4 is a relevant mediator of the pathology of this disease.
The socio-economic perspective and its institutional prospects

Abstract Socio-economics is characterized as an interdisciplinary perspective that can fill a major gap in social science and provide knowledge needed for wise policy making. This article describes the gap in knowledge, sketches the basic propositions of socio-economics and the research agenda that follows from them, and discusses the potential for socio-economics to develop into a coherent field. It concludes by discussing the relationship between descriptive and prescriptive analysis in socio-economics.
Ceramide-induced alterations in dopamine transporter function

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ceramide on dopamine and serotonin (5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine) transporters. Exposure of rat striatal synaptosomes to C2-ceramide caused a reversible, concentration-dependent decrease in plasmalemmal dopamine uptake. In contrast, ceramide exposure increased striatal 5-HT synaptosomal uptake. This increase did not appear to be due to an increased uptake by the 5-HT transporter. Rather, the increase appeared to result from an increase in 5-HT transport through the dopamine transporter, an assertion evidenced by findings that this increase: (1) does not occur in hippocampal synaptosomes (i.e., a preparation largely devoid of dopamine transporters), (2) occurs in striatal synaptosomes prepared from para-chloroamphetamine-treated rats (i.e., a preparation lacking 5-HT transporters), (3) is attenuated by pretreatment with methylphenidate (i.e., a relatively selective dopamine reuptake inhibitor) and (4) is inhibited by exposure to exogenous dopamine (i.e., which presumably competes for uptake with 5-HT). Taken together, these results reveal that ceramide is a novel modulator of monoamine transporter function, and may alter the affinity of dopamine transporters for its primary substrate.
The effect of liver denervation on meal patterns, body weight and body composition of rats

Neural liver glucoreceptors have been proposed as a primary controller of food intake (FI). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham operated or liver denervated (LD). LD rats had all tissue cut between the liver and the esophagus, stomach and upper 1 cm of the duodenum. The hepatic artery and surrounding tissue were also removed. Finally the hepatic portal vein and the bile duct were stripped clean and the former phenol treated. Three days after surgery animals were placed in modules for continuous computer monitoring of feeding behavior. At no time after surgery did the daily food intake or body weight of the groups differ significantly. Meal size and frequency (light-dark distribution) were determined for 6 days and averaged. Neither parameter was altered by LD. During the next 6 months food intake and body weights of the groups did not differ significantly. At sacrifice, body composition was directly determined with no significant differences observed between LD and sham operated rats. LD were confirmed histologically. Monoamine histofluorescence of the livers of rats subjected to liver denervation revealed an absence of the normal fluorescence seen on small blood vessels in liver parenchyma of sham operated rats. The data do not support the concept that liver glucoreceptors are a major controller of FI.
Challenges in resonant cavity biosensor design: collection efficiency and specificity

Optical cavities have successfully demonstrated the ability to detect a wide range of analytes with exquisite sensitivity. However, optimizing other parameters of the system, such as collection efficiency and specificity, have remained elusive. This presentation will discuss some of the recent work in this area, including 3D COMSOL Multiphysics models including mass transfer and binding kinetics of different cavity geometries and covalent attachment methods for a wide range of biological and synthetic moieties. A few representative experimental demonstrations will also be presented.
Proposed cosmic ray carbon to nickel isotope experiment

Abstract An instrument is described for measuring cosmic ray isotopes of carbon through nickel at ≈ 1 GeV/nucleon with resolution σ ∼ 0.2–0.4 amu.
Propagating spin waves in Ni above Tc: Evidence against their existence.

We have reexamined the spin-wave peaks recently reported by Mook and Lynn for Ni above ${T}_{c}$. We present comprehensive neutron scattering measurements for the intermediate \ensuremath{\zeta} range between 0.10 and 0.18. No evidence for spin-wave peaks is found for the energy range below 50 meV.
Controlled exposures of volunteers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to sulfur dioxide

Twenty-four volunteers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were exposed to sulfur dioxide (SO2) at 0, 0.4, and 0.8 ppm in an environmental control chamber. Exposures lasted 1 hr and included two 15-min exercise periods (mean exercise ventilation rate 18 liter/min). Pulmonary mechanical function was evaluated before exposure, after initial exercise, and at the end of exposure. Blood oxygenation was measured by ear oximetry before exposure and during the second exercise period. Symptoms were recorded throughout exposure periods and for 1 week afterward. No statistically significant changes in physiology or symptoms could be attributed to SO2 exposure. Older adults with COPD seem less reactive to a given concentration of SO2 than heavily exercising young adult asthmatics. This may be due to lower ventilation rates (i.e., lower SO2 dose rates) and/or to lower airway reactivity in the COPD group.
Adapting counseling to changing learner demographics via a school-wide system of support

Abstract The School of Language Studies at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) offers full-time, intensive language training in more than 70 languages to US diplomats and other government employees preparing to serve at US Embassies abroad. Students at FSI, the primary training institution of the US foreign affairs community, have access to a fully independent, school-wide, language-learning counseling program, the Learning Consultation Service (LCS). LCS principles and protocol have remained intact from its inception, but changes in student demographics have demanded new approaches and practices. Specifically, multiple meetings with Learning Counselors and Learning Consultants, coaching, and more student accountability have gained priority. During the 2004/2005 training year, the LCS conducted a Learning Strategies Pilot Project with a limited number of student volunteers; feedback and observations appeared to justify the evolution of LCS protocol and counseling approaches.
Photosynthetic acclimation in the context of structural constraints to carbon export from leaves

The potential role of foliar carbon export features in the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to differences and changes in light environment was evaluated. These features included apoplastic vs. symplastic phloem loading, density of loading veins, plasmodesmatal frequency in intermediary cells, and the ratio of loading cells to sieve elements. In initial studies, three apoplastic loaders (spinach, pea, Arabidopsis thaliana) exhibited a completely flexible photosynthetic response to changing light conditions, while two symplastic loaders (pumpkin, Verbascum phoeniceum), although able to adjust to different long-term growth conditions, were more limited in their response when transferred from low (LL) to high (HL) light. This suggested that constraints imposed by the completely physical pathway of sugar export might act as a bottleneck in the export of carbon from LL-acclimated leaves of symplastic loaders. While both symplastic loaders exhibited variable loading vein densities (low in LL and high in HL), none of the three apoplastic loaders initially characterized exhibited such differences. However, an additional apoplastic species (tomato) exhibited similar differences in vein density during continuous growth in different light environments. Furthermore, in contrast to the other apoplastic loaders, photosynthetic acclimation in tomato was not complete following a transfer from LL to HL. This suggests that loading vein density and loading cells per sieve element, and thus apparent loading surface capacity, play a major role in the potential for photosynthetic acclimation to changes in light environment. Photosynthetic acclimation and vein density acclimation were also characterized in the slow-growing, sclerophytic evergreen Monstera deliciosa. This evergreen possessed a lower vein density during growth in LL compared to HL and exhibited a more severely limited potential for photosynthetic acclimation to increases in light environment than the rapidly-growing, mesophytic annuals.
Anti-poly(A) polymerase antibodies in the sera of tumor-bearing rats can inhibit specific cleavage and polyadenylation reactions

Sera from rats bearing Morris hepatoma 3924A for 7 weeks contained antibodies against the 48 kd tumor-type poly(A) polymerase, whereas sera from normal rats or rats bearing the tumor for shorter periods did not exhibit immunoreactivity against the enzyme. Purified IgG from the sera of the tumor-bearing rats inhibited both cleavage at the poly(A) site and polyadenylation of adenovirus L3 RNA in nuclear extracts derived from HeLa cells. By contrast, IgG from normal rats did not block the 3'-terminal processing reaction. Control or immune IgG had no effect on the transcription of ribosomal gene in the extracts derived from H-4 hepatoma cells. These data demonstrate the functional specificity of the anti-poly(A) polymerase antibodies found in the sera of the tumor-bearing rats.
Normal SUV values measured from NaF18- PET/CT bone scan studies.

Objectives Cancer and metabolic bone diseases can alter the SUV. SUV values have never been measured from healthy skeletons in NaF18-PET/CT bone scans. The primary aim of this study was to measure the SUV values from normal skeletons in NaF18-PET/CT bone scans. Methods A retrospective study was carried out involving NaF18- PET/CT bone scans that were done at our institution between January 2010 to May 2012. Our excluding criteria was patients with abnormal real function and patients with past history of cancer and metabolic bone diseases including but not limited to osteoporosis, osteopenia and Paget's disease. Eleven studies met all the criteria. Results The average normal SUVmax values from 11 patients were: cervical vertebrae 6.84 (range 4.38-8.64), thoracic vertebrae 7.36 (range 6.99-7.66), lumbar vertebrae 7.27 (range 7.04-7.72), femoral head 2.22 (range 1.1-4.3), humeral head 1.82 (range 1.2-2.9), mid sternum 5.51 (range 2.6-8.1), parietal bone 1.71 (range 1.3-2.4). Conclusion According to our study, various skeletal sites have different normal SUV values. SUV values can be different between the normal bones and bones with tumor or metabolic bone disease. SUV can be used to quantify NaF-18 PET/CT studies. If the SUV values of the normal skeleton are known, they can be used in the characterization of bone lesions and in the assessment of treatment response to bone diseases.
Observations on small tunnel junctions: Anomalous critical-current temperature dependence, periodic structure, and microwave detection

Observations on very small Pb-Pb oxide-Pb tunnel junctions prepared by a new method are reported. The zero-voltage Josephson critical current is found to increase, then decrease with decreasing temperature. The current-voltage characteristics show very prominent periodic structure. The junctions have microwave (X-band) power sensitivities of 10-14W, more than two orders of magnitude better than conventional-size junctions.
Interaction of water with oriented DNA in the A- and B-form conformations.

High resolution 2H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to investigate the interaction of D2O with solid samples of uniaxially oriented Li-DNA (B-form DNA) and Na-DNA (A- and B-form DNA). At low levels of hydration, 0 approximately 4 D2O/nucleotide, the 2H spectra shows a very weak (due to short T2) broad single resonance, suggestive of unrestricted rotational diffusion of the water. At approximately 5 or more D2O/nucleotide, the Li-DNA (B-form) spectra suddenly exhibit a large doublet splitting, characteristic of partially ordered water. With increasing hydration, the general trend is a decrease of this splitting. From our analysis we show that the DNA water structure reorganizes as the DNA is progressively hydrated. The D2O interaction with Na-DNA is rather different than with Li-DNA. Below 10 D2O/nucleotide Na-DNA is normally expected to be in the A-form, and a small, or negligible splitting is observed. In the range 9–19 D2O/nucleotide, the splitting increases with increasing hydration. Above approximately 20 D2O/nucleotide Na-DNA converts entirely to the B-form and the D2O splittings are then similar to those found in Li-DNA. We show that the complex Na-DNA results obtained in the range 0–20 D2O/nucleotide are caused by a mixture of A- and B-DNA in those samples.
Implications for the existence of a heptasulfur linkage in natural o-benzopolysulfanes.

Natural o-benzopolysulfanes are often thought to exist as either the trisulfane or pentasulfane; the nomenclature has evolved around such notions. No study makes reference to the possible existence of natural o-benzoheptasulfanes. The work performed here indicates that a facile equilibration takes place between the tri-, penta-, and heptasulfanes (o-C 6 H 4 S 3 , o-C 6 H 4 S 5 , and o-C 6 H 4 S 7 ) in solution. In these simpler (unnatural) compounds, the number of sulfur atoms can be established unequivocally from their independent syntheses. The o-benzopolysulfanes, even after purification, yield mixtures of compounds in solution. A similar equilibration may be anticipated for the corresponding natural products.
Lévy statistics and anomalous transport in quantum-dot arrays

A novel model of transport is proposed to explain power law current transients and memory phe- nomena observed in partially ordered arrays of semiconducting nanocrystals. The model describes electron transport by a stationary Levy process of transmission events and thereby requires no time dependence of system properties. The waiting time distribution with a characteristic long tail gives rise to a nonstationary response in the presence of a voltage pulse. We report on noise measure- ments that agree well with the predicted non-Poissonian fluctuations in current, and discuss possible mechanisms leading to this behavior.
Nonparametric quality control charts based on the sign statistic

Nonparametric control chart are presented for the problem of detecting changes in the process median (or mean), or changes in the process variability when samples are taken at regular time intervals. The proposed procedures are based on sign-test statistics computed for each sample, and are used in Shewhart and cumulative sum control charts. When the process is in control the run length distributions for the proposed nonparametric control charts do not depend on the distribution of the observations. An additional advantage of the non-parametric control charts is that the variance of the process does not need to be established in order to set up a control chart for the mean. Comparisons with the corresponding parametric control charts are presented. It is also shown that curtailed sampling plans can considerably reduce the expected number of observations used in the Shewhart control schemes based on the sign statistic.
Observations of absorptive photon switching and suppression of two-photon absorption in cold atoms

Atomic coherence and interference in an atomic medium exhibiting electromagnetically induced transparency may lead to enhancement or suppression of nonlinear susceptibilities. Absorptive photon switching has been observed by constructive quantum interference, which is based on the enhanced third-order, nonlinear absorption in a four-level system. In a different four-level system, suppression of the two-photon absorption by destructive quantum interference has been observed. Experiments were carried out on 87Rb atoms cooled and confined in a magneto-optical trap and the experimental results agree with theoretical calculations of simple four-level model systems.
A prevalence-based association test for case-control studies.

Genetic association is often determined in case-control studies by the differential distribution of alleles or genotypes. Recent work has demonstrated that association can also be assessed by deviations from the expected distributions of alleles or genotypes. Specifically, multiple methods motivated by the principles of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) have been developed. However, these methods do not take into account many of the assumptions of HWE. Therefore, we have developed a prevalence-based association test (PRAT) as an alternative method for detecting association in case-control studies. This method, also motivated by the principles of HWE, uses an estimated population allele frequency to generate expected genotype frequencies instead of using the case and control frequencies separately. Our method often has greater power, under a wide variety of genetic models, to detect association than genotypic, allelic or Cochran-Armitage trend association tests. Therefore, we propose PRAT as a powerful alternative method of testing for association. Genet. Epidemiol. 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Monitoring breathing activity and sleep patterns using multimodal non-invasive technologies

The monitoring of sleeping behavioral patterns is of major importance for various reasons such as the detection and treatment of sleep disorders, the assessment of the effect of different medical conditions or medications on the sleep quality, and the assessment of mortality risks associated with sleeping patterns in adults and children. Sleep monitoring by itself is a difficult problem due to both privacy and technical considerations.The proposed system uses a combination of non-invasive sensors to assess and report sleep patterns and breathing activity: a contact-based pressure mattress and a non-contact 2D image acquisition device. To evaluate our system, we used real data collected in Heracleia Lab's assistive living apartment. Our system uses Machine Learning and Computer Vision techniques to automatically analyze the collected data, recognize sleep patterns and track the breathing behavior. It is non-invasive, as it does not disrupt the user's usual sleeping behavior and it can be used both at the clinic and at home with minimal cost. Going one step beyond, we developed a mobile application for visualizing the analyzed data and monitor the patient's sleep status remotely.
Physical and psychological variables that influence pain in patients with fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of chronic pain. Its etiology is unknown and treatment is not well defined. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of specific variables on pain in 107 women with fibromyalgia. METHODS Data collection included two pain measurements administered by the researcher, four survey questionnaires self-administered by the participants (measuring activity, fatigue, depression, and demographic data), and three measures of physical fitness for flexibility, strength, and endurance. FINDINGS Fatigue, pelvic pain, and physical trauma explained 23% of the variance in sensory pain; activity, depression, and pelvic pain explained 23% of affective pain; and a flare-up of symptoms and depression explained 25% of the intensity of pain experienced by the participants. CONCLUSION Nurses should consider decreasing depression and fatigue and increasing activity so that fibromyalgia pain may be lessened during care.
The effect of a pragmatic presupposition on syntactic structure in question answering

This paper investigates the relationship between a speaker's decision to treat portions of the information in a sentence as given or new and the syntactic form of the sentence produced. It was hypothesized that alternative surface structures are used differentially in order to array the information in sentences with given information preceding new information. This hypothesis was supported in a question-answering task. Results showed that answers to questions retained the syntactic structure and the order of given and new information from previously presented sentences when the original sentences placed given before new information. However, when the original sentence positioned new information before given, and alternative syntactic form was used and the order of information was reversed in subjects' answers.
Patient safety and quality improvement education: a cross-sectional study of medical students’ preferences and attitudes

Recent educational initiatives by both the World Health Organization and the American Association of Medical Colleges have endorsed integrating teaching of patient safety and quality improvement (QI) to medical students. Curriculum development should take into account learners’ attitudes and preferences. We surveyed students to assess preferences and attitudes about QI and patient safety education. An electronic survey was developed through focus groups, literature review, and local expert opinion and distributed via email to all medical students at a single medical school in the spring of 2012. A greater proportion of students reported previous exposure to patient safety than to quality improvement topics (79% vs. 47%). More than 80% of students thought patient safety was of the same or greater importance than basic science or clinical skills whereas quality improvement was rated as the same or more important by about 70% of students. Students rated real life examples of quality improvement projects and participation in these projects with actual patients as potentially the most helpful (mean scores 4.2/5 and 3.9/5 respectively). For learning about patient safety, real life examples of mistakes were again rated most highly (mean scores 4.5/5 for MD presented mistakes and 4.1/5 for patient presented mistakes). Students rated QI as very important to their future career regardless of intended specialty (mean score 4.5/5). Teaching of patient safety and quality improvement to medical students will be best received if it is integrated into clinical education rather than solely taught in pre-clinical lectures or through independent computer modules. Students recognize that these topics are important to their careers as future physicians regardless of intended specialty.
The ultrafast response of a scanning tunneling microscope

The development of the ultrafast scanning tunneling microscope is reviewed. It is shown that the response of the tunneling gap of a scanning tunneling microscope to excitation by a subpicosecond electrical pulse has a capacitive component, the origin of which is quantum mechanical
Synthesis of Trialkyl- and Triphenylcadmate Anions

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows crystals isolated from a reaction of Me2Cd, Me2Mg, and 14N4 (1,4,7,11-tetramethyl-1,4,7,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) in benzene to be Me3Cd-MeMg(14N4)+(C6H6). 1H NMR observations indicate that solutions prepared from R2Cd, the corresponding R2Mg compound, and14N4 (R = an alkyl group or Ph) also contain R3Cd- and RMg(14N4)+ ions.
Witnessing the Gradual Slowdown of Powerful Extragalactic Jets: The X-Ray-Optical-Radio Connection

A puzzling feature of the Chandra-detected quasar jets is that their X-ray emission decreases faster along the jet than their radio emission, resulting from an outward-increasing radio-to-X-ray ratio. In some sources this behavior is so extreme that the radio emission peak is located clearly downstream of that of the X-rays. This is a rather unanticipated behavior given that the inverse Compton nature of the X-rays and the synchrotron radio emission are attributed to roughly the same electrons of the jet's nonthermal electron distribution. In this letter we show that this morphological behavior can result from the gradual deceleration of a relativistic flow and that the offsets in peak emission at different wavelengths carry the imprint of this deceleration. This notion is consistent with another recent finding, namely, that the jets feeding the terminal hot spots of powerful radio galaxies and quasars are still relativistic with Lorentz factors GAMMA approximately 2-3. The picture of the kinematics of powerful jets emerging from these considerations is that they remain relativistic as they gradually decelerate from kiloparsec scales to the hot spots, where, in a final collision with the intergalactic medium, they slow down rapidly to the subrelativistic velocities of the hot spot advance speed.