cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internet Privacy Concerns and Social Awareness as Determinants of Intention to Transact

This study focuses on antecedents to Internet privacy concerns and the behavioral intention to conduct on-line transactions. Perceptions of privacy are socially constructed through communication and transactions with social entities over a networked environment, a process that involves a certain level of technical skill and literacy. The research model specifies that social awareness and Internet literacy are related to both Internet privacy and intention to transact. Survey data collected from 422 respondents were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with LISREL and provided support for the hypothesized relationships. Social awareness was positively related and Internet literacy was negatively related to Internet privacy concerns. Moreover, Internet privacy concerns were negatively related and Internet literacy positively related to intention to transact on-line. This research explores the two alternative antecedents to Internet privacy concerns and intention to engage in e-commerce activity and contributes to our understanding of Internet privacy and its importance in the global information environment. The construct of social awareness can be broadened to develop a much-needed construct of awareness in MIS research related to the voluntary usage of information technology. A segmentation of Internet users with respect to privacy concerns is also proposed.
Gel properties of whey protein concentrates as influenced by ionized calcium

Ionic calcium in four whey protein concentrates (WPC) was decreased using sodium tripolyphosphate (NaTPP) or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and effects on gel properties were determined. Total calcium ranged from 0.22-0.41 g/100g WPC and ionic calcium 2.98-47.25 mg/100g protein. Hardness was maximized and expressible moisture (EM) minimized in three WPC gels with 10 mM NaTPP. EDTA had a similar effect on one WPC gel. Addition of 10 mM NaTPP decreased ionic calcium to 5.23-10.31 mg/100g protein. NaTPP or CaCl 2 did not improve hardness or EM of one WPC gel which contained the lowest total and ionized calcium. Chelating agents were effective in improving gel properties of WPC containing higher than optimal calcium
Computer-assisted writing instruction at Clarkson University

Clarkson University is developing software tools to help students write with more skill and thought. The new programs include a powerful word processor, a spelling checker, an authoring system, numerous pre-writing programs, and computerized prose analyzers. The components of the Clarkson writing system function as an integrated whole, setting a standard for writing packages. Early use of these programs indicates that the computer is making itself indispensable to the writing teacher.
Eruption dynamics at Mount St. Helens imaged from broadband seismic waveforms: Interaction of the shallow magmatic and hydrothermal systems

[1] The current eruption at Mount St. Helens is characterized by dome building and shallow, repetitive, long-period (LP) earthquakes. Waveform cross-correlation reveals remarkable similarity for a majority of the earthquakes over periods of several weeks. Stacked spectra of these events display multiple peaks between 0.5 and 2 Hz that are common to most stations. Lower-amplitude very-long-period (VLP) events commonly accompany the LP events. We model the source mechanisms of LP and VLP events in the 0.5–4 s and 8–40 s bands, respectively, using data recorded in July 2005 with a 19-station temporary broadband network. The source mechanism of the LP events includes: 1) a volumetric component modeled as resonance of a gently NNW-dipping, steam-filled crack located directly beneath the actively extruding part of the new dome and within 100 m of the crater floor and 2) a vertical single force attributed to movement of the overlying dome. The VLP source, which also includes volumetric and single-force components, is 250 m deeper and NNW of the LP source, at the SW edge of the 1980s lava dome. The volumetric component points to the compression and expansion of a shallow, magma-filled sill, which is subparallel to the hydrothermal crack imaged at the LP source, coupled with a smaller component of expansion and compression of a dike. The single-force components are due to mass advection in the magma conduit. The location, geometry and timing of the sources suggest the VLP and LP events are caused by perturbations of a common crack system.
Direct mutation analysis by high-throughput sequencing: from germline to low-abundant, somatic variants

DNA mutations are the source of genetic variation within populations. The majority of mutations with observable effects are deleterious. In humans mutations in the germ line can cause genetic disease. In somatic cells multiple rounds of mutations and selection lead to cancer. The study of genetic variation has progressed rapidly since the completion of the draft sequence of the human genome. Recent advances in sequencing technology, most importantly the introduction of massively parallel sequencing (MPS), have resulted in more than a hundred-fold reduction in the time and cost required for sequencing nucleic acids. These improvements have greatly expanded the use of sequencing as a practical tool for mutation analysis. While in the past the high cost of sequencing limited mutation analysis to selectable markers or small forward mutation targets assumed to be representative for the genome overall, current platforms allow whole genome sequencing for less than $5000. This has already given rise to direct estimates of germline mutation rates in multiple organisms including humans by comparing whole genome sequences between parents and offspring. Here we present a brief history of the field of mutation research, with a focus on classical tools for the measurement of mutation rates. We then review MPS, how it is currently applied and the new insight into human and animal mutation frequencies and spectra that has been obtained from whole genome sequencing. While great progress has been made, we note that the single most important limitation of current MPS approaches for mutation analysis is the inability to address low-abundance mutations that turn somatic tissues into mosaics of cells. Such mutations are at the basis of intra-tumor heterogeneity, with important implications for clinical diagnosis, and could also contribute to somatic diseases other than cancer, including aging. Some possible approaches to gain access to low-abundance mutations are discussed, with a brief overview of new sequencing platforms that are currently waiting in the wings to advance this exploding field even further.
Personality and Attitudinal Predictors of Support of Proposition 187—California's Anti‐Illegal Immigrant Initiative1

Right-wing authoritarianism, stereotypes about illegal immigrants relative to legal immigrants (and nonimmigrants), and collective self-esteem were investigated as predictors of attitude toward California's Proposition 187—the 1994 initiative making illegal immigrants ineligible for public services. Among both Latinos (n= 92) and Caucasians (n= 79), right-wing authoritarianism and negative stereotypes about illegal immigrants predicted Proposition 187 support and reported vote. For Latinos, low collective self-esteem and high levels of acculturation predicted support and vote in favor of Proposition 187. In contrast, high collective self-esteem among Caucasians was related to Proposition 187 support and vote. The results suggest that 3 perspectives on prejudice—personality, cognitive, and cultural—contribute to the understanding of attitudinal and behavioral support of Proposition 187.
Meta-analysis of environmental health data.

Most airborne contaminants have minimal health effects at typical ambient levels, and this is especially true for contaminant levels in the Arctic. Among multiple studies of similar health effects, usually only one or two of the studies show statistically significant effects. Only after an attempt to quantitatively combine the data might some consistency emerge or might the sources of inconsistency be explored. Methods for combining the data from such studies are presented. The methods include combiningP-values, combining effect measures using fixed effects models, and combining effect measures using random effects models. Examples of the methods applied to several pollutants, including lead and oxides of nitrogen, are given. Some discussion of the implications of these findings to contaminant levels found in the Arctic is presented.
Assessment of vascular contrast and depiction of stenoses in abdominopelvic and lower extremity vasculature: comparison of dual-energy MDCT with digital subtraction angiography.

Rationale and Objectives To assess whether dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography improves vascular contrast beyond MDCT angiography and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) while preserving the ability to precisely characterize stenoses, using DSA as reference standard. Materials and Methods This prospective, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant, institutional review board–approved study was performed on 25 patients referred for lower extremity DECT angiography and subsequent DSA. Spectral data were postprocessed to create single-energy 120 kVp (MDCT series) and iodine-only (DECT series) datasets. The arterial tree was subdivided into 11 anatomical levels. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) and corresponding coefficient -of variation (CV) of patent vessel segments were evaluated for DECT, MDCT, and DSA using analysis of variance comparisons. Degree of stenoses was determined for DECT, MDCT, and DSA and correlated with t -test, bivariate Pearson comparisons, and Bland-Altman plots. Results Patent vasculature comprised 230 vessel segments. From infrarenal aorta to distal femoral arteries, DECT showed higher CNR compared to DSA and MDCT ( P P Conclusion DECT angiography improved contrast in vascular abdominopelvic and thigh distributions beyond MDCT angiography and DSA while preserving the ability to precisely assess severity of stenoses, using DSA as an accepted reference standard.
Modal reduction of geared rotor systems with general damping and gyroscopic effects

The presence of damping, gyroscopic behavior, and gearing complicates traditional vibration analysis. This paper presents a methodology for conducting modal reduction on a geared rotor dynamic system under the influences of general damping and gyroscopic effects. Based on the first-order, state-space methodology, a coordinate transformation is presented for diagonalizing the state equations of motion for each substructure in the system. A modal synthesis procedure assembles the system equations from the individual substructures. The substructures are coupled via gear-mesh interactions. Using this technique, the size and complexity of a model can be reduced without incurring significant loss of accuracy. The reduced model allows for traditional methods of system analysis to include eigen-solution analysis, and frequency response. Validation occurs through application to a simple geared system widely discussed in the literature. The results of the modal reduction match closely with the full finite element m...
Owning Capital or Being Shareholders: An Equivalence Result with Incomplete Markets

Many recent papers in macroeconomics have studied the implica- tions of models with household heterogeneity and incomplete …nancial markets under the assumption that households own the stock of physical capital and undertake the intertemporal investment decisions. In these models, production exhibits constant re- turns to scale, households maximize expected discounted utility, and …rms rent capital and labor from households to maximize period by period pro…ts. This paper considers the case in which in…nitely lived …rms, rather than households, make the intertemporal investment decisions. Under this assumption, it shows that there exists an objective function for …rms that results in the same equilibrium allocation as in the standard set- ting with one period lived …rms. The objective requires that …rms maximize their asset value, which is de…ned as the discounted value of future cash ‡ows using present value processes that do not allow for arbitrage opportunities.
Recording distributed snapshots based on casual order of message delivery

Abstract We present a simple and efficient algorithm to record a global snapshot of a distributed system, where all messages are sent and delivered in causal order. For a system with N processes, the algorithm requires N control messages to record a distributed snapshot of the system. It is shown that the snapshot recorded represents a consistent global state of the system.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines as maternal and infant immunogens: challenges of maternal recruitment.

Abstract Maternal pneumococcal immunization may be a strategy for the prevention of pneumococcal disease during the first months of life before infant-administered pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) becomes protective. Preparatory to a Phase III efficacy trial to investigate this strategy for preventing early infant otitis media (OM), we are conducting a Phase I–II randomized, double-masked trial to determine if maternal 9-valent PCV immunization alters active antibody production in infants who are immunized with PCV-7 and to compare local and systemic adverse events among women immunized with PCV-9 or placebo. A pilot study was conducted in 1997 in a Minneapolis–St. Paul health maintenance organization, HealthPartners (HP), to estimate enrollment rate for the proposed Phase III trial. A total of 154 pregnant women were selected of whom 122 appeared to be eligible from ICD codes in the HP claims database; 76 responded, and 46 of these were eligible for participation. Four of the 46 reported that they would be very likely and 21 somewhat likely to participate; an estimated 20% (25/122) participation rate. The records of 4289 women in their second trimester have been reviewed to date for the Phase I/II trial; 2589 (60%) were found not to be eligible; and an additional 1015 (24%) could not be contacted. Of the 685 remaining, 558 (81%) were not interested in participating when interviewed, and 127 (19%) have consented. Most (46%) of those who declined participation have cited concern about the safety of vaccination during pregnancy. While the overall participation rate of second trimester women is only 3% (127/4289), maternal attrition (2.8%) and infant attrition from the study before age 7 months (3.9%) are lower than projected (25%). Differences in study design could explain the difference in participation rates estimated in the pilot study and experienced in the Phase I/II study. Reports of safety from large-scale studies of maternal PCV immunization in industrialized countries are needed before women are receptive to maternal immunization to protect their infants against pneumococcal disease.
FDA Expectations of Cros

It is expected that clinical drug development will need to become significantly more efficient and informative, now and in the years to come, despite reduced research and development budgets and smaller staffs. (Georgetown's Center for Drug Development Science (CDDS), 1997) The current climate of drug development is a storm of innovative "enabling" technologies, increasing pressures for early selection of lead candidates, and evolving scientific issues in design and analysis of clinical trials. The atmosphere is affected by consolidations and mergers, increasing trends in globalization strategies paralleled by international harmonization of regulatory practices, and unprecedented advances in information management and technology.
Capabilities, cognition, and inertia: evidence from digital imaging

There is empirical evidence that established firms often have difficulty adapting to radical technological change. Although prior work in the evolutionary tradition emphasizes the inertial forces associated with the local nature of learning processes, little theoretical attention has been devoted in this tradition to understanding how managerial cognition affects the adaptive intelligence of organizations. Through an in-depth case study of the response of the Polaroid Corporation to the ongoing shift from analog to digital imaging, we expand upon this work by examining the relationship between managers' understanding of the world and the accumulation of organizational capabilities. The Polaroid story clearly illustrates the importance of managerial cognitive representations in directing search processes in a new learning environment, the evolutionary trajectory of organizational capabilities, and ultimately processes of organizational adaptation. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of ethanol on contraction and relaxation of isolated rat ventricular muscle.

Abstract The effects of ethanol on myocardial mechanical properties were evaluated in isolated rat ventricular muscle preparations. Ethanol reduced peak developed tension by 6.3% at a concentration of 100 mg 100 ml , 11.8% at 200 mg 100 ml and 27.2% at 400 mg 100 ml . A similar degree of depression was observed in d T d t . Time to peak tension was slightly shortened, and isometric relaxation rate was increased at a high concentration of ethanol. The resting tension did not change significantly. Despite biochemical data by others suggesting an alcohol induced delay in calcium sequestration by cardiac microsomes, ethanol at concentrations found in human intoxication depressed the systolic performance of isolated muscle preparations but did not prolong relaxation or alter resting tension.
Measurement of subcellular morphology by light scatter filtering with a digital micromirror device

Light scattering methods for assessing structural properties of cells and tissues quantitatively measure morphometric parameters directly without the need for staining. We demonstrate an optical scattering filtering method used in a biological setting that is sensitive to quantifying object orientation and aspect ratio. These parameters are measured in cells both sensitive to and resistant to mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, the latter having been demonstrated to have shorter mitochondria than apoptosis competent cells. The implementation of the digital micromirror device (DMD) allows for robust filtering of the scatter data, which we implement with Gabor-like filters chosen for their ability to intelligently confine the filter response both in the image and in the scatter regimes. By strategically applying Gabor-like filters to the specific frequencies and orientations in the scatter data, relative changes in object size, orientation and aspect ratio may be derived. Furthermore, using a DMD and filtering the optical scatter data in analog allows us to decouple image resolution from frequency resolution and measure these parameters with high sensitivity for objects within the resolution of the optical system despite an undersampled, lower resolution digital image. As a result, this measurement may be made at lower magnifications with higher throughput and ultimately on a larger population of living and unstained cells imaged simultaneously.
Assessment of H.264 video compression on automated face recognition performance in surveillance and mobile video scenarios

We assess the impact of the H.264 video codec on the match performance of automated face recognition in surveillance and mobile video applications. A set of two hundred access control (90 pixel inter-pupilary distance) and distance surveillance (45 pixel inter-pupilary distance) videos taken under non-ideal imaging and facial recognition (e.g., pose, illumination, and expression) conditions were matched using two commercial face recognition engines in the studies. The first study evaluated automated face recognition performance on access control and distance surveillance videos at CIF and VGA resolutions using the H.264 baseline profile at nine bitrates rates ranging from 8kbs to 2048kbs. In our experiments, video signals were able to be compressed up to 128kbs before a significant drop face recognition performance occurred. The second study evaluated automated face recognition on mobile devices at QCIF, iPhone, and Android resolutions for each of the H.264 PDA profiles. Rank one match performance, cumulative match scores, and failure to enroll rates are reported.
Multipole moments for stationary systems: The equivalence of the Geroch-Hansen formulation and the Thorne formulation

It is proved that the multipole moments of a stationary, asymptotically flat system in general relativity theory as defined by Thorne are identical, aside from normalization, to those defined by Geroch and Hansen: Here is Thorne's mass moment of orderl, is the Geroch-Hansen mass moment, is Thorne's current moment of orderl, and is Hansen's current moment. The mathematical techniques of Thorne are combined with those of Geroch and Hansen to prove several new theorems about multipole moments, and to give new proofs to some of the old theorems.
Tailored RF Pulse Modulation for RF Refocussed Variable Flip Angle MRI

Advances in Magnetice Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques have recently made MRI the imaging modality of choice for many applications of clinical imaging. MRI provides the diagnosing clinician a non-invasive method for obtaining soft tissue differentiation with sub-millimeter resolution. Clinical MRI techniques include 3-dimensional imaging, spectroscopic imaging, arterial angiography and cardiac imaging. One MRI technique which has recently gained popularity is a class of protocols known as variable/partial flip angle MRI. Partial flip angle MRI techniques are useful because of their ability to vary contrast between tissues and/or maintain a particular level of contrast with a reduction in acquisition time [1]. Variable flip angle techniques differ from conventional MRI protocols in that the initial RF excitation/rotation pulse is not constrained to a 90 degree rotation of the longitudinal magnetization. Instead, the initial excitation flip angle is calculated to provide improved contrast between two tissues and/or maximize the intensity of a particular tissue. For tissues with reduced TR/T1 ratios, variable flip angle techniques may also be used to increase the image signal to noise within a localized region.
The Effective Surface Recombination of a Germaniun Surface with a Floating Barrier

The effect of heavily doped (alloyed) p-type and n-type surface layers on n-type base, and of metallic plating on n-type base, on the surface recombination velocity s has been computed on the basis of one-dimensional junction theory. The results indicate that s should be of the order 1 cm/sec for the heavily doped surfaces, and several thousand cm/sec for the electroplated surface. The low s comes about for the same reason that the injection efficiency of alloy junctions is high; the alloy junction is a very efficient emitter of minority carriers into the base and a poor acceptor of majority carriers from the base because of the high doping level in the alloyed region. Since recombination in the surface layer of minority carriers from the base requires both majority and minority carriers, the restriction of the flow of either reduces the surface recombination. However, measurements of s by diffusion and pulse methods on alloy junction surfaces indicate that their apparent recombination is almost the same as adjacent untreated surface, e.g., 300-500 cm/sec. It is shown that lateral current flow, due to minority carrier gradients parallel to the junction interface, and neglected in one-dimensional theory, gives rise to circulating currents which translate the minority carriers to the nearest high recombination surface. This hole translation property of the floating p-layer is used to explain the erroneously high lifetimes often observed by diffusion measurements on silicon and p-type germanium, and certain discrepancies in effective life measurement on completed transistors.
Responses to open peer commentaries on "Physicians' silent decisions: because patient autonomy doesn't always come first".

As a group, the peer commentaries on our article (Whitney and McCullough 2007) reflect the reactions that we've had to the ideas in this paper since its inception. Inevitably, some people will say ...
Clinical evaluation of biologically targeted drugs: Obstacles and opportunities

Recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of cancer have indicated that a variety of fundamental cellular processes are dysregulated in malignant cells. These processes include cell cycle control, signal transduction pathways, apoptosis, telomere stability, angiogenesis, and interactions with the extracellular matrix. Remarkable advances in molecular genetics, enzymology, and medicinal chemistry have permitted the design of compounds that modulate some of these processes with specificity that was unimaginable a decade ago. As these novel, biologically targeted compounds enter the clinic, they will require a strategy for clinical evaluation and development different from that used commonly for cytotoxic antineoplastic agents. This review examines the development of cancer drugs directed against angiogenesis, metastasis, signal transduction, telomerase, and molecular message (anti-sense), outlines strategies for the clinical testing of agents directed at these processes, and contrasts these efforts with traditional approaches to cancer drug testing.
PHOSPHORUS EFFICIENCY OF BORNEAN RAIN FOREST PRODUCTIVITY: EVIDENCE AGAINST THE UNIMODAL EFFICIENCY HYPOTHESIS

Plant communities on nutrient-poor soils are thought to use nutrients more efficiently to produce biomass than plant communities on nutrient-rich soils. Yet, increased efficiency with declining soil nutrients has not been demonstrated empirically in lowland tropical rain forests, where plant growth is thought to be strongly limited by soil nutrients, especially phosphorus (P). We tested for higher P uptake and use efficiency across a 16-fold soil P gradient in lowland Borneo by measuring the P content of aboveground net primary productivity (fine litter production plus new tree growth; ANPP) for 24 months. Extractable soil P was positively related to litter production, tree growth, and ANPP. Efficiency of P response (ANPP/available soil P), uptake (P uptake/available soil P), and use (ANPP/P uptake) increased monotonically with declining soil P and was significantly higher on P-rich soil than P-poor soil. Increased P uptake and use efficiency with declining soil P enabled higher than expected plant produc...
Survival Curves for Male and Female House-Flies ( Musca domestica L.)

DURING the course of a study on the biochemical changes accompanying ageing in the adult house-fly, the attention of the senior author was directed to the differential longevities of the male and female members of the common house-fly, M. domestica L. Paradoxically enough, a search of the literature revealed only scattered and inconclusive information on the longevity of this species under controlled laboratory conditions. Several authors have been cited by Roubaud1 to the effect that the longevity of the house-fly can be extended to as much as 90 days by exposure to temperatures of 15° C. (59° F.); West, on the other hand2, states in no convincing terms that the longevity of the house-fly varies from two to three weeks, at most, during the summer and up to three months during the winter months. A side study was therefore undertaken to obtain reliable vital statistics for the male and female members of this species, bred, reared and maintained under standardized laboratory conditions. This report will summarize briefly one phase of this study to be published, in extenso, at a later date.
Hereditary pancreatitis: clinical presentation, ERCP findings, and outcome of endoscopic therapy.

Abstract Background: Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the onset of recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis in childhood and frequent progression to chronic pancreatitis. There are limited data on the role of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in patients with HP. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical presentation and findings on pancreatography and to evaluate the role of endoscopic and surgical intervention in patients with HP. Methods: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with HP were referred for ERCP at two centers in the midwest United States. Medical records and pancreatograms were reviewed. Results: Pancreatography was abnormal in all patients. The majority (70%) had severe (Cambridge Grade III) changes of chronic pancreatitis. Nineteen (70%) patients underwent endoscopic therapy and 8 (30%) surgical intervention. After endoscopic therapy (mean follow-up 32 months), 50% were symptom free, 38% had moderate improvement, and 12% had no or transient improvement in symptoms. After surgery (mean follow-up 32 months), 38% were symptom-free, 25% had moderate improvement, and 12% had transient improvement in symptoms. Two patients treated surgically died of pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: In the short-term, improving drainage of the pancreatic ductal system by endoscopic means effectively relieves pain and reduces the number of attacks of pancreatitis in the majority of patients with HP. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;56:66-71.)
STATE OF LOGISTICS: A VISIONARY PERSPECTIVE

Mentzer and Kahn (1994) advocated that the Journal of Business Logistics (JBL) needed to mature. As a follow-up to that study, the authors analyzed the Journal from the second half of 1993 through the first issue of 2005. Though the study results suggest that more rigorous research has been conducted over the last decade in the field of logistics, did it improve the Journal? Are the standards and criteria put forth in Mentzer and Kahn (1994) the standards and criteria toward which JBL should strive? To address these questions, qualitative interviews were conducted with visionaries in the field of logistics to: (1) investigate the standards and criteria that should be used to gauge the maturity of JBL and (2) determine the future direction of JBL and the discipline.
Air, antibiotics and sepsis in replacement joints

Reducing bacterial contamination of the wound by limiting dispersal from the operating staff through the wearing of special occlusive clothing and by employing directional flow ventilating systems substantially reduces the risk of later joint sepsis. Inhibiting growth of those bacteria which reach the wound, by means of perioperative antibiotics, further reduces the incidence of joint sepsis. When all three means are used together the sepsis rate in the years after operation can be reduced to no more than a few per thousand. The hospital costs of any or all of these measures, in terms of the cases of sepsis avoided, are several times less than the costs of treating a septic joint.
In-hand radio frequency identification (RFID) for robotic manipulation

We present a unique multi-antenna RFID reader (a sensor) embedded in a robot's manipulator that is designed to operate with ordinary UHF RFID tags in a short-range, near-field electromagnetic regime. Using specially designed near-field antennas enables our sensor to obtain spatial information from tags at ranges of less than 1 meter. In this work, we characterize the near-field sensor's ability to detect tagged objects in the robots manipulator, present robot behaviors to determine the identity of a grasped object, and investigate how additional RF signal properties can be used for “pre-touch” capabilities such as servoing to grasp an object. The future combination of long-range (far-field) and short-range (near-field) UHF RFID sensing has the potential to enable roboticists to jump-start applications by obviating or supplementing false-positive-prone visual object recognition. These techniques may be especially useful in the healthcare and service sectors, where mis-identification of an object (for example, a medication bottle) could have catastrophic consequences.
Interacting genes in nematode dauer larva formation

The dauer larva of Caenorhabditis elegans is a developmentally arrested stage induced by starvation or overcrowding. Mutant genes controlling the ability to form dauer larvae interact in a way which allows them to be ordered in a pathway. Mutant phenotypes suggest that the pathway corresponds to neural processing of environmental stimuli.
On the Evolution of Tool-Using Behavior1

New archeological discoveries from the Lower Pleistocene in Africa, the advent of radiometric dating techniques, and recent observations on the behavior of free-ranging nonhuman primates can be combined to provide a fresh perspective on the evolution of tool-using behavior. The Lower Pleistocene in which relatively simple Oldowan tools are associated with small-brained forms lasted over two million years and represents over 80 percent of human history. These discoveries suggest that tool-making and tool-using are behavior patterns that emerged much more slowly in the course of human evolution than was previously thought.
An early framework of national land use and geovisualization: Policy attributes and application of Pulgar Vidal's state-indigenous vision of Peru (1941–present)

Abstract This paper examines the genesis, policy attributes and applications of Javier Pulgar Vidal's pioneering geographic framework of national land use in Peru. It represents the early design of a state-indigenous perspective on land use and policy incorporating geovisualization techniques. Propelled initially through populist agrarian and indigenista politics, it presages general elements of the current prospect of national land use policies under multicultural environmental governance being expanded in many countries. Ongoing application of Pulgar Vidal's geographic framework is concentrated on three themes: (i) indigenous agroecological zonation and regional development; (ii) food security utilizing indigenous agrobiodiversity; and (iii) geo-spatial ordering of cultural-environmental informatics. Important influence and widespread application of this framework, as well as major limitations, have stemmed from its hybrid character. As an intermediate-level conceptual framework it provides a versatile capacity for organizing wide-ranging information on complex land use, linking actors and institutions in diverse land use initiatives, and as an advanced perspective on cultural-environmental adaptations involving major indigenous influences. Its contribution is less significant as a predictive theory and it largely fails to generate participatory inputs or politically empowering processes of direct benefit to indigenous people and organizations.
Dynamic multiphase flow model of hydrate formation in marine sediments

[1] We developed a multicomponent, multiphase, fluid and heat flow model to describe hydrate formation in marine sediments; the one- and two-dimensional model accounts for the dynamic effects of hydrate formation on salinity, temperature, pressure, and hydraulic properties. Free gas supplied from depth forms hydrate, depletes water, and elevates salinity until pore water is too saline for further hydrate formation: Salinity and hydrate concentration increase upward from the base of the regional hydrate stability zone (RHSZ) to the seafloor, and the base of the hydrate stability zone has significant topography. In fine-grained sediments, hydrate formation leads to rapid permeability reduction and capillary sealing to free gas. This traps gas and causes gas pressure to build up until it exceeds the overburden stress and drives gas through the RHSZ. Gas chimneys couple the free gas zone to the seafloor through high-salinity conduits that are maintained at the three-phase boundary by gas flow. As a result, significant amounts of gaseous methane can bypass the RHSZ, which implies a significantly smaller hydrate reservoir than previously envisioned. Hydrate within gas chimneys lies at the three-phase boundary, and thus small increases in temperature or decreases in pressure can immediately transport methane into the ocean. This type of hydrate deposit may be the most economical for producing energy because it has very high methane concentrations (Sh > 70%), located near the seafloor, which lie on the three-phase boundary.
CD137 signaling interferes with activation and function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in induced tolerance to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis

Abstract Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a model for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is a T cell-mediated disease inducible with mouse thyroglobulin (mTg). Pretreatment with mTg, however, can induce CD4 + T cell-mediated tolerance to EAT. We demonstrate that CD4 + CD25 + regulatory cells are critical for the tolerance induction, as in vivo depletion of CD25 + cells abrogated established tolerance, and CD4 + CD25 + cells from tolerized mice suppressed mTg-responsive cells in vitro. Importantly, administration of an agonistic CD137 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited tolerance development, and the mediation of established tolerance. CD137 mAb also inhibited the suppression of mTg-responsive cells by CD4 + CD25 + cells in vitro. Signaling through CD137 likely resulted in enhancement of the responding inflammatory T cells, as anti-CD137 did not enable CD4 + CD25 + T cells to proliferate in response to mTg in vitro.
Foot Contact Interactions of a Clock Torqued Spring-Loaded Inverted Pendulum

The clock-torqued spring-loaded inverted pendulum (CT-SLIP) model describes the robust dynamic stability properties observed in most animals and some legged robots. However, the model’s behavior is sensitive to changes in liftoff conditions such as those experienced on realistic terrain. Here the incorporation of friction at the foot-ground interface is explored on the CT-SLIP model with specific interest in improving the transient center-of-mass dynamics. Multiple friction models are presented and tuned to reflect a periodic center-of-mass gait. The transient dynamics with friction are analyzed in comparison to the CT-SLIP model and improvements to the settling time and disturbance rejection were found. This addition of foot-ground contact friction may allow for better understanding of center-of-mass system dynamics on realistic terrain.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Inflammation-induced preterm birth in a murine model is associated with increases in fetal macrophages and circulating erythroid precursors.

Abstract The presence of intrauterine inflammation has been associated with adverse neurologic outcomes in preterm infants, but the precise mechanisms of fetal brain injury remain unclear. We sought to evaluate inflammatory cell trafficking, fetal organ damage, and molecular regulation in the fetoplacental unit using an established mouse model of preterm birth associated with intrauterine inflammation. Gestational sacs were harvested 6 hours after intrauterine infusion of saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular investigations were performed to identify target organ damage and the cellular phenotype of inflammatory cells and to quantify circulating inflammatory and hematopoietic mediators within the placental and fetal tissue. There was widespread increase in fetal macrophages in LPS-exposed pups, including within the leptomeninges of the brain, associated with significantly higher of interleukin 6 levels in LPS-exposed pups. Although no specific central nervous s...
Echo: a new approach to formal verification based on Ada

Echo is a novel yet practical approach to the formal verification of large software systems. The Echo approach splits verification into two major parts. In the first part, the SPARK tools are used to verify an implementation written in SPARK Ada against a low-level specification written using the SPARK source-code annotations. In the second part, a high-level specification is extracted automatically from the annotated implementation, and a proof constructed using the PVS theorem proving system that the extracted specification implies the original specification. Part of what makes Echo practical is a technique called verification refactoring. The program to be verified is mechanically refactored specifically to facilitate verification. In both parts of the proof process, semantics-preserving refactorings are applied to the implementation to reduce the complexity of the software and thereby to reduce the difficulty of verification proof. Much of the Echo approach is automated. The verification burden is reduced by distributing the burden over separate tools and techniques. In this presentation, the Echo verification technology will be described. The technology will be illustrated using the verification of two security applications and a novel medical device.
The spun micro‐haematocrit and mean red cell volume are affected by changes in the oxygenation state of red blood cells

In this study we examined the effects of in vitro oxygenation and deoxygenation on the spun micro-haematocrit (packed cell volume or PCV) and the electronically measured mean cell volume (MCV) and haematocrit (Hct) of red blood cells. Because PCV and/or MCV and Hct are being used for calibration of haematology analysers, it is important that their potential variability caused by outside factors is known. We found that these parameters did vary with the oxygenation state of the erythrocyte and conclude that the effect is most likely caused by a combination of water shifts due to intracellular carbamate and bicarbonate formation, and conformational changes in haemoglobin. The results of the study have implications for whole blood calibration and for short term imprecision assessments of automated haematology analysers. To ensure consistent results, we recommend that blood specimens be fully oxygenated before reference work or reproducibility studies of MCV, Hct and/or PCV are attempted.
General Anesthesia Causes Long-term Impairment of Mitochondrial Morphogenesis and Synaptic Transmission in Developing Rat Brain.

Background Clinically used general anesthetics, alone or in combination, are damaging to the developing mammalian brain. In addition to causing widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration in vulnerable brain regions, exposure to general anesthesia at the peak of synaptogenesis causes learning and memory deficiencies later in life. Our in-vivo rodent studies have suggested that activation of the intrinsic (mitochondria-dependent) apoptotic pathway is the earliest warning sign of neuronal damage, suggesting that a disturbance in mitochondrial integrity and function could be the earliest triggering events.
State-of-charge (SOC) estimation based on reduced order of electrochemical model for a pouch type high power Li-polymer battery

Accurate estimation of SOC is the crucial factor to ensure safe operation of a battery. Current estimation methods are derived based on electric equivalent circuit models that do not take into account dependences of SOC on lithium concentrations, temperature, and other electrochemical phenomena. A new model for a Li-polymer battery was developed based on a 1D electrochemical microcell model. This model is capable of representing terminal behavior along with internal physical variables that include temperature, potentials, and ion flows. However, the model is very computationally intensive, necessitating order reduction for SOC estimation. A polynomial approach is applied to reduce calculation time of lithium concentration in the electrodes. Static and dynamic performance of this reduced model is compared with a full order model, including analysis of SOC and terminal voltage at different constant current rates. Step and pulses currents are also investigated.
A chemiosmotic mechanism of symport

Lactose permease (LacY), a paradigm for the largest family of membrane transport proteins, catalyzes the coupled translocation of a galactoside and an H+ across the Escherichia coli membrane (galactoside/H+ symport). Initial X-ray structures reveal N- and C-terminal domains, each with six largely irregular transmembrane helices surrounding an aqueous cavity open to the cytoplasm. Recently, a structure with a narrow periplasmic opening and an occluded galactoside was obtained, confirming many observations and indicating that sugar binding involves induced fit. LacY catalyzes symport by an alternating access mechanism. Experimental findings garnered over 45 y indicate the following: (i) The limiting step for lactose/H+ symport in the absence of the H+ electrochemical gradient (∆µH+) is deprotonation, whereas in the presence of ∆µH+, the limiting step is opening of apo LacY on the other side of the membrane; (ii) LacY must be protonated to bind galactoside (the pK for binding is ∼10.5); (iii) galactoside binding and dissociation, not ∆µH+, are the driving forces for alternating access; (iv) galactoside binding involves induced fit, causing transition to an occluded intermediate that undergoes alternating access; (v) galactoside dissociates, releasing the energy of binding; and (vi) Arg302 comes into proximity with protonated Glu325, causing deprotonation. Accumulation of galactoside against a concentration gradient does not involve a change in Kd for sugar on either side of the membrane, but the pKa (the affinity for H+) decreases markedly. Thus, transport is driven chemiosmotically but, contrary to expectation, ∆µH+ acts kinetically to control the rate of the process.
New determinations of far-side lunar radii from Apollo photography

Determinations of far side lunar radii based on the reduction of photogrammetric measurements derived from Apollo 16 photographs obtained during the trans-earth phase of the spacecraft trajectory are presented. Reduction is accomplished by determining the Apollo 16 metric camera orientation relative to control points on the lunar surface whose coordinates are known exactly, than charting the surface on the basis of data coverage. The positions of 66 surface features in the area between longitudes 90 and 130 deg E and 10 and 60 deg N relative to the center of mass of the moon, with a relative accuracy of 500 km, are presented. A topographical map which can resolve basin-sized features has been derived from radius determinations. It is found that the craters Fabry, Riemann and Szilard comprise a topographically depressed region about 500 km in diameter with a floor 2.4 to 3.4 km below the 1730.0 km reference sphere and 4.8 to 5.8 km below the northern rim of the unfilled basin.
Sulfasalazine Metabolites and Dapsone Attenuate Formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine-Induced Mucosal Injury in Rat Ileum

The effects of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), 4-ASA, N -acetyl-5-ASA, and sulfapyridine on mucosal permeability were determined in an experimental model of acute ileitis. In addition, the antiinflammatory drug dapsone was tested. The distal 10 cm of rat ileum was perfused with formyl-methionylleucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) (10 −5 M), a bacterial peptide that activates and attracts neutrophils. Changes in mucosal permeability were assessed using the blood-to-lumen clearance of 51 Cr-ethylenediamineacetate. Luminal FMLP increased 51 Cr-labeled ethylenediamineacetate clearance twofold and fourfold in the first and second hour, respectively. Addition of 5-ASA (10 mM), 4-ASA (10 mM), or dapsone (4 mM) to the luminal perfusate after 60 min of FMLP perfusion greatly attenuated the increased mucosal permeability observed after 120 min of FMLP perfusion. Neither N -acetyl-5-ASA (10 mM) nor sulfapyridine (5 mM) had an effect on the FMLP-induced increase in mucosal permeability. We characterized the inhibitory effect of these drugs on the catalytic activity of myeloperoxidase and tested their ability to scavenge hypochlorous acid in vitro. 5-Aminosalicylic acid, 4-ASA, and dapsone demonstrated a powerful inhibitory effect on the catalytic activity of myeloperoxidase, whereas all drugs were equally effective in scavenging HOCI. In additional in vitro experiments we were unable to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of either of the drugs on the catalytic activity of neutrophilic elastase. Our results indicate that inhibition of neutrophilic myeloperoxidase may be an important mechanism by which 5-ASA, 4-ASA, and dapsone attenuate FMLP-induced mucosal injury.