cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On functional testing of array processors

This correspondence presents a new testing method for single instruction multiple data (SIMD) VLSI arrays. A new fault model is presented. Faults are defined at the functional level. A systematic test generation procedure is derived. Testing is performed by sequences of instructions. Two criteria are used. The first criterion establishes the external observability and controllability of the instructions. The second criterion uses instruction cardinality as a metric of instruction complexity. An example of the application of the proposed technique to an existing parallel scheme is described. >
Personal advertisements of male-to-female transsexuals, homosexual men, and heterosexuals

Transsexuals, because of their attempts at gender reversal, offer a unique opportunity to study self-presentation, social roles, and stereotypes. The present study is a content analysis of personal advertisements of male-to-female transsexuals (TM, N =99), homosexual (HoM, N =64) and heterosexual men (HM, N =99), and heterosexual women (HW, N =99). Advertisements were coded for the presence or absence of 11 characteristics either offered or sought, based on the 1984 work of Deaux and Hanna. The content of TM personal advertisements was significantly different from those of HW, HM, or HoM. TM mentioned physical characteristics and sincerity, and requested friendship most often; HoM mentioned sexuality most often; HM offered financial security and status in the form of occupation, and listed marital status most often; and HW offered personality characteristics and attractiveness most often. Several factors may contribute to the pattern of differences observed, including the fact that TM were more likely to be seeking friendship than sexual partners, in contrast to the other three groups.
Modeling displacement and deformation in a single matrix operation

Abstract Computer models are increasingly employed in the effort to understand geological structures. Such models must frequently accommodate simultaneous discrete displacement and distributed deformation, as in the case of a fault-bend fold structure, for example. Traditionally, vectors are used for the specification of displacements and rank-2 tensors for deformations. In this paper, an alternative method is described. Displacement and deformation in two dimensions are modelled using a single 3 × 3 matrix and a three-dimensional model is created with a 4 × 4 matrix. This works because of the correspondence between displacement in n dimensions and simple shear in n + 1 dimensions. The method is a special case of one commonly used for perspective rendering in computer graphics applications but is apparently unfamiliar to structural geologists.
1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)-Induced Alteration in Leaf Photosynthetic Rate, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Respiration and Membrane Damage in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under High Night Temperature

High night temperature (HNT) can induce ethylene-triggered reactive oxygen species production, which can cause premature leaf senescence and membrane damage, thereby affecting production, consumption and transfer of photosyn-thates, and yield. The 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) can competitively bind with ethylene receptors and decrease ethylene effects. The objective was to determine the effects of HNT and 1-MCP on leaf photosynthetic rate (PN), chlorophyll fluorescence, total chlorophyll (TC), respiration, membrane damage, pollen germination, spikelet fertility (SF) and yield of rice hybrid ‘XL723’. Plants were grown under ambient night temperature (ANT) (25 °C) or HNT (30 °C) with or without 1-MCP treatment. Application of 1-MCP was at the boot stage. The decrease in yield (11 %) under HNT was associated with decreased PN (4 %), stomatal conductance (8 %), quantum yield (11 %) TC (23 %) and SF (5 %) and increased respiration (74 %), Fo/Fm (increase in thylakoid membrane damage; 11 %) and membrane damage (leaf electrolytic leakage; 57 %). The 1-MCP-treated plants grown under HNT showed increased yield (17 %), which was associated with increased PN (10 %), stomatal conductance (30 %), quantum yield (9 %), TC (37 %) and SF (11 %) and decreased respiration (39 %), Fo/Fm (5 %) and membrane damage (18 %). Plants grown under HNT showed increased grain chalkiness (154 %) compared with plants grown under ANT.
Renal-vein thrombosis in kidney allografts.

Abstract Renal-vein thrombosis developed in four patients with renal allografts. It was characterised by massive proteinuria, deterioration of renal function, and thrombophlebitis. Renal scan revealed large kidneys and renal-biopsy specimens showed membranous glomerulopathy and interstitial œdema. Venography may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis. The prognosis is poor, two of the four patients died of pulmonary embolism. Long-term anticoagulant therapy is recommended to prevent pulmonary embolism. Renal function may improve but massive proteinuria usually persists.
Alignment of Elementary Geometry Curriculum With Current Standards

The subject of geometry in the curriculum continues to be an area of concern among mathematics educators. The gap between standards expectations and actual textbook content continues to reflect the need for substantial change. In this study, the geometry language introduced in K-6 textbooks was carefully examined and compared to the language used in the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1989), Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 1999), and New Standards Elementary School Mathematics Performance Standards (National Center for Education and the Economy, 1997). The. logic followed was that the language in textbooks reflects the content presented in the textbook, and the language in the standards reflects what should be presented. The results of the study clearly indicate that there is a substantial misalignment between the geometry presented in the textbooks, the. geometry expected to be taught by groups such as NCTM, and the geometry being assessed in student performance measures as suggested by NCEE. Specific areas of misalignment are identified, along with implications, and some areas in which the curriculum should be revised are identified.
Myelinated dorsal root ganglion cultures activate both the alternative and classical pathways of complement

We used rat myelinated dorsal root ganglion (MDRG) cultures to study antibody and complement-mediated mechanisms of peripheral demyelinating diseases. Heat inactivated serum from a patient (LT) with peripheral neuropathy and a monoclonal IgM reactive with myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) and sulfated glucuronosyl glycolipids (anti-SGGL) was used as an antibody source. Incubation of whole human serum (WHS) or WHS and anti-SGGL with MDRGs resulted in reduction of classical and alternative pathway hemolytic activities and the development of abnormal myelin sheaths. Incubation of MDRG cultures with C2-deficient serum showed activation of the alternative complement pathway. Classical pathway hemolytic activity was reduced when Factor B-depleted serum was incubated with MDRG cultures. The rat MDRG culture system provides a good model system of a peripheral nerve and has therefore been used by several investigators to study antibody and complement-mediated demyelination associated with peripheral neuropathies. However, our studies indicate a high degree of complement activation and membrane disruption of cultures incubated with WHS.
Laser absorption measurement of electron temperature in an argon plasma.

Abstract The electron temperature of an argon plasma created in an inverse pinch has been measured by the absorption of argon-ion laser light. The electron density, which is a necessary auxiliary measurement, can be determined easily with an interferometer whenever it is possible to measure the absorption coefficient. Then the electron density and the absorption coefficient provide sufficient information to determine the electron temperature with good accuracy, even when complete local thermodynamic equilibrium is not valid, and when Doppler broadening is important. The various parameters of the argon ion which are necessary for the calculation are tabulated.
Warty dyskeratoma (isolated dyskeratosis follicularis) of the oral mucosa.

Abstract Warty dyskeratoma (isolated dyskeratosis follicularis) is a cutaneous lesion which occurs most commonly on the skin of the head and neck. Mucosal involvement is uncommon. Three cases of intraoral warty dyskeratoma are presented, along with a discussion of the lesion's clinical features, histomorphology, and histopathogenesis.
New diterpenoic acid glycerides from the antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelensis

Abstract A single specimen of the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelensis contained two major glyceride esters, 2′-acetoxyglyceryl (5R,1OR,13R)-labda-8-en-15-oate (1) and 3′-acetoxyglyceryl (5R,1OR,13R)-labda-8-en-15-oate (4), the diketones 6 and 7 that arise from oxidation of the 8,9-olefinic bond, and glyceryl (5R,1OR,13R)-7-ketolabda-8-en-15-oate (8). The probable source of these metabolites is discussed.
An absorption feature in the spectrum of the pulsed hard X-ray flux from 4U0115 + 63

A spectral feature, apparently an absorption line, has been observed at an energy of 20.1 + or - 0.5 keV in the pulsed flux of the 3.61-s X-ray pulsar 4U 0115+63 by using the UCSD/MIT instrument on HEAO 1. The line strength, expressed as equivalent width, is 3.1 + or - 0.5 keV. Although essentially unresolved, the feature has a depth more than 60% of the continuum flux. If the feature arises by cyclotron resonance absorption near the magnetic poles of the neutron star, it implies a magnetic field of between approximately 1.8 and 2.5 x 10 to the 12th G, depending on the gravitational redshift (no more than about 5-40%).
Transient depletion of CD4 lymphocyte improves efficacy of repeated administration of recombinant adenovirus in the ornithine transcarbamylase deficient sparse fur mouse

One of the current limitations of adenoviral gene therapy is a vector-induced humoral immune response that blocks effective re-administration of the vector. In an animal model of the inborn error of urea synthesis ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, the sparse fur (spf/y) mouse, we tested a strategy to transiently block the CD4 mediated immune response at the time of virus administration using an anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody (GK1.5). The co-administration of GK1.5 resulted in a significantly diminished production of neutralizing antibody to the adenovirus vector, but minimally prolonged metabolic correction. A second infusion of the same virus in GK1.5 treated spf/y mice led to a complete normalization of liver OTC activity at day 3 after infection and a significant metabolic correction of urinary orotate and plasma glutamine. In contrast, there was no evidence of enhanced OTC expression or metabolic correction (measured by normalization of plasma glutamine and urinary orotate) after the second infusion of virus in spf/y mice not treated with GK1.5. Furthermore, when co-administered with two consecutive doses of adenovirus, the anti-CD4 treatment allowed improved transgene expression upon a third administration of virus and a partial normalization of the metabolic abnormalities, compared with mice that did not receive anti-CD4 treatment. The level of OTC expression from the third viral infusion, however, was lower than that from the second viral infusion. Passive transfer experiments suggest that low levels of neutralizing antibodies developing over repeated viral administration was the likely cause of the reduced transgene expression. Together, these findings demonstrated that the host immune system can be modulated to permit effective transgene expression at therapeutic levels by re-administered adenoviral vectors.
An overview of the GOES-R ground segment architecture

The next generation of NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system, Series R (GOES-R) provides continuity of the GOES mission and improvement of its remotely-sensed environmental data. The GOES-R system consists of the Space and Ground Segments. The Space Segment consists of spacecraft bus, its remote-sensing instruments, and communications payloads; while the Ground Segment consists of all Earth-based functions, provides satellite operations and instrument product generation and distribution. This paper presents an overview of the GOES-R Ground Segment (GS) architecture as it continues to evolve consistent with the GOES-R Ground Segment Project (GSP) approved requirements documents. The GOES-R Ground Segment operates from three sites. The first is the NOAA Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, MD which houses the primary Mission Management (MM), and selected Enterprise Management (EM), Product Generation (PG), and Product Distribution (PD) functions. The Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Station (WCDAS), located in Wallops, VA, provides the primary space communications services, EM and MM functions, and selected PG and PD functions. The third site is a geographically diverse remote backup facility (RBU) located at Fairmont, WV. The architecture has been developed to allow integrated operation within a geographically distributed framework. Because of the unique configuration of the Mission Management Element, the Wallops Command and Data Acquisition Site will have the ability to assume control of satellite operations in the event of an emergency - when authorized by the primary NSOF controllers. This concept allows the Enterprise Management element to have available a wide range of capabilities governed by operations policy rather than the need for system upgrades. This concept also provides flexibility for addition and deletion of modules for major functions. The use of Service Based Architecture concepts within the Product Generation element (PG) provides service interaction capabilities for product generation with only a fraction of the necessary overhead.
Transfer ribonucleic acid methylases of HeLa cells.

Abstract Enzymes which catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S -adenosylmethionine to RNA have been found in the cytoplasmic fraction of HeLa cells. Methyl-deficient transfer RNA and methyl-deficient ribosomal RNA from Escherichia coli K12W6 as well as transfer RNA from E. coli B functioned effectively as methyl acceptors, but ribosomal RNA from E. coli B was utilized only slightly. Transfer RNA and ribosomal RNA of animal origin were ineffective. Some of the characteristics of the methylating systems have been described. The components of the transfer RNA methylated enzymically have been shown to consist of 1-methyladenine, 1-methylguanine, N 2 -methylguanine, N 2 -dimethylguanine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylcytosine, and smaller quantities of thymine and 2- O -methylribose. This methylation pattern qualitatively resembles the pattern of methylated components of transfer RNA from HeLa cells (and differs substantially from the pattern of ribosomal RNA from HeLa cells). These facts indicate that these cytoplasmic enzymes function normally as transfer RNA methylases.
Stereoscopic Acuity and the Role of Convergence

To what extent changes in convergence can contribute to stereoscopic acuity is again considered, using new data. Certain difficulties of obtaining the most desirable measurements of stereoscopic thresholds without and with eye movements are pointed out. Data obtained by the author and by others can be interpreted to show that, physiologically, convergence changes themselves do not contribute to stereoscopic acuity over that due to disparity between the images alone. In the tests where eye movements occur, lower apparent thresholds are found because retinal regions of higher visual acuity and higher stereoacuity come into play.
Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose in ionic liquid for efficient production of α-ketoglutaric acid by Yarrowia lipolytica.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are benign solvents that are highly effective for biomass pretreatment. However, their applications for scale-up biorefinery are limited due to multiple expensive IL recovery and separation steps that are required. To overcome this limitation, it is very critical to develop a compatible enzymatic and microbial biocatalyst system to carry the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation in IL environments (SSF-IL). While enzymatic biocatalysts have been demonstrated to be compatible with various IL environments, it is challenging to develop microbial biocatalysts that can thrive and perform efficient biotransformation under the same conditions (pH and temperature). In this study, we harnessed the robust metabolism of Yarrowia lipolytica as a microbial platform highly compatible with the IL environments such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM][OAc]). We optimized the enzymatic and microbial biocatalyst system using commercial cellulases and demonstrated the capability of Y. lipolytica to convert cellulose into high-value organics such as α-ketoglutaric acid (KGA) in the SSF-IL process at relatively low temperature 28 °C and high pH 6.3. We showed that SSF-IL not only enhanced the enzymatic saccharification but also produced KGA up to 92 % of the maximum theoretical yield.
Three-dimensional plasma-based flow control simulations with high-fidelity coupled first-principles approaches

Numerical simulations are employed to understand flow control mechanisms of asymmetric dielectric barrier discharges in the context of a NACA 0015 wing section. The body force is obtained separately from phenomenological and first-principles based models, respectively. A procedure to couple unsteady force fields obtained from multi-fluid models to very high-fidelity implicit large-eddy simulations is developed, implemented and evaluated. The article discusses the effect of Reynolds number, angle of attack, actuator strength and location as well as unsteadiness at radio frequency excitation and wide-spectrum duty cycle variation. Turbulence structure, streamwise vorticity generation mechanisms and acoustic fields are described. The results are assimilated in the context of the combined impact of near wall momentum enhancement and transition to turbulence, which appear to be the dominant effects at low-and high-Reynolds numbers respectively.
CONTRACTING BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROVIDERS: A SURVEY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA

This paper reports on a public authority's decision to “make” or “buy” mental health services. Data come from key informant interviews with California county contract or program managers. The questionnaire measures the extent of contracting and the importance of factors that are hypothesized to affect the relative costs of contracting. The percent of contracting by programs ranges from zero to 100, averaging 41%. Sixty-two percent of rural programs perceive little or no competition for public mental health contracts, and contract significantly less than urban programs. The extent of contracting is related to economic and public organizational factors.
Teaching and Learning with Maps: Improve-a-Text

In this lesson, we describe an example in which students demonstrate their understanding of various aspects of maps and the purposeful creation of maps to better understand a time and place. This l...
Evaluation of florisil tubes in detection of aflatoxin.

A study was made to determine the reliability and sensitivity of detecting aflatoxin in florisil tubes. Six panelists examined 40 samples with 222 responses recorded. At levels of 5 ppb and higher, panel members were able to detect aflatoxin with an accuracy of better than 99%. At levels above 10 ppb, accuracy was 100%.
Approximate graph clustering for program characterization

An important aspect of system optimization research is the discovery of program traits or behaviors. In this paper, we present an automated method of program characterization which is able to examine and cluster program graphs, i.e., dynamic data graphs or control flow graphs. Our novel approximate graph clustering technology allows users to find groups of program fragments which contain similar code idioms or patterns in data reuse, control flow, and context. Patterns of this nature have several potential applications including development of new static or dynamic optimizations to be implemented in software or in hardware.For the SPEC CPU 2006 suite of benchmarks, our results show that approximate graph clustering is effective at grouping behaviorally similar functions. Graph based clustering also produces clusters that are more homogeneous than previously proposed non-graph based clustering methods. Further qualitative analysis of the clustered functions shows that our approach is also able to identify some frequent unexploited program behaviors. These results suggest that our approximate graph clustering methods could be very useful for program characterization.
Learning gross anatomy: dissection and prosection.

The gross anatomy course at St. Louis University School of Medicine consists of 40 regions or units covering the entire body and utilizes peer teaching in which students do every fourth dissection. One-fourth of the students learn each unit by dissecting; three-fourths learn from predissected material. Four multiple choice tests were studied to determine whether students scored better on questions on units they dissected than those who learned from predissected material. Results were adjusted on the basis of students' scores on whole tests. There were four teams of students and four tests resulting in 16 sets of questions. Dissectors scored better than nondissectors in 13 sets, but the overall differences were small (67.80 vs. 66.70). It is concluded that there is a small advantage gained from dissecting and demonstrating to their peers, but that learning from dissected cadavers is a satisfactory method of study, since our students traditionally score above the national average on the anatomy portion of the National Board Examination. Clin. Anat. 9:57–59, 1996. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ecology of Glaucomys sabrinus: Habitat, Demography, and Community Relations

A common arboreal rodent of boreal and montane coniferous forests, the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) has several life-history traits typical of K-selected species. Density varies among forest types, with core areas of use centering on food patches. Density is largely limited by food, and to a lesser extent, suitable natal dens, but also is influenced by potential competitors and predators. Local abundance of G. sabrinus frequently is correlated with density of large trees and snags, shrub and canopy cover, prevalence of old-forest features (e.g., coarse woody debris), and abundance of hypogeous mycorrhizal fungi (truffles). Diet varies seasonally and among habitats, but truffles (spring and autumn) and lichens (winter) are most often reported. In some parts of its geographic range, G. sabrinus has a more diverse diet and lower reliance on truffles in forests with a depauperate arboreal small mammal community. G. sabrinus is a keystone species in the Pacific Northwest, because its diet facilitates an obligate mutualistic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and some trees and shrubs and because it is essential prey for mesocarnivores and avian predators. G. sabrinus achieves its highest densities in old growth, but also occurs in secondary forests. Disturbance that reduces structural complexity, canopy cover, or the availability of large, decadent trees typically results in smaller populations through effects on food, den sites, or risk of predation. The fundamental niche of G. sabrinus may be broader than suggested by early research in the Pacific Northwest. Sustaining viable and well-distributed populations in heavily modified landscapes will depend on the capability of remaining forest habitat to sustain breeding populations without immigration, or functional connectivity among fragmented populations such that viable metapopulations will persist. Future research should focus on identifying habitat conditions that sustain breeding populations in modified habitats and determining whether G. sabrinus can migrate freely through a matrix of unsuitable habitat.
A fast synchronizer for burst modems with simultaneous symbol timing and carrier phase estimations

In burst-mode data transmission used in GSM and IS-136, rapid acquisition of the symbol timing and the carrier phase from the observation of a short signal-segment is essential. Feedforward timing recovery is well suited for such transmissions due to its rapid acquisition characteristics. For personal mobile communications where low complexity and low power are the major requirements, it is desirable to sample the signal at the lowest possible rate and to have the synchronizer be as simple as possible. In this paper we propose a synchronizer for initial timing and carrier-phase estimation using preambles. The synchronizer needs just two samples per symbol period and it exhibits good performance, even for signals employing small excess bandwidth. These estimations can be obtained directly from the burst detector output. We also show that the synchronizer can be implemented very efficiently.
The Development of Modern Neurological Thinking in the 1860s

����� This article will attempt to show that modern modes of thinking in clinical neurology began to take shape during the 1860s. In essence, by the 1870s physicians thought about diseases of the nervous system in ways that were fundamentally different from their approaches in the 1850s. Since this transformation occurred gradually over the decade, the process was still very incomplete by 1870. Therefore, it was not clearly perceived at the time. The significance of the change may have been obscured by the general excitement in the larger realm of biology and medicine during the 1860s [I]. Indeed, the boundaries of the alteration remain difficult to define even now. Nonetheless, with the benefit of hindsight, we can see that a real change in thinking did occur. Whether it was of "revolutionary" proportions is probablyjust a matter of semantics, but it was a "paradigm change," as Kuhn [2, p. 68] uses that term. That is, a community of working scientists (neurologists) eventually agreed that they could solve their problems in a better way by using a different analytical approach.
Advantages of plasma etch modeling using neural networks over statistical techniques

Due to the inherent complexity of the plasma etch process, approaches to modeling this critical integrated circuit fabrication step have met with varying degrees of success. Recently, a new adaptive learning approach involving neural networks has been applied to the modeling of polysilicon film growth by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). In this paper, neural network modeling is applied to the removal of polysilicon films by plasma etching. The plasma etch process under investigation was previously modeled using the empirical response surface approach. However, in comparing neural network methods with the statistical techniques, it is shown that the neural network models exhibit superior accuracy and require fewer training experiments. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate that the predictive capabilities of the neural models are superior to that of their statistical counterparts for the same experimental data. >
Evaluation of a Transvaginal Laparoscopic Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery Approach to the Abdomen of Mares

Objective: To report natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using laparoscopic and endoscopic instrumentation transvaginally into the mare's abdomen and identify structures visible using this approach. Design: Descriptive experimental study. Animals: Mares (n=8). Methods: A standing, transvaginal approach was made in the cranial vaginal vault at either the 1 (right; 4 mares) or 11 (left; 4 mares) o'clock position relative to the cervix. The abdomen was visually explored and the viscera evaluated using a 2 m flexible endoscope followed by a 62 cm laparoscope. Incisional healing was monitored by vaginoscopy at days 3 and 7. Results: Abdominal exploration was adequate through either a left or a right transvaginal approach. Endoscopically, the left kidney, spleen, nephrosplenic space, stomach, cecum, duodenum, left and right ovaries, diaphragm, and caudal peritoneal reflection were consistently observed and the liver inconsistently. Similar views of the caudal abdomen were obtained with the laparoscope; however, we were unable to view cranially beyond the nephrosplenic space or base of the cecum and lateral mobility of the laparoscope was limited. Incisional closure was evident at 3 days. Complications in 1 mare included mild colic behavior that resolved with conservative treatment. Conclusions: The NOTES transvaginal approach is seemingly well tolerated and safe and provides adequate observation of most structures within the dorsal caudal region of the abdomen on the side of endoscope or laparoscope insertion. Clinical Relevance: NOTES transvaginal approach may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of intraabdominal disorders in mares.
Uniform proofs and disjunctive logic programming

One formulation of the concept of logic programming is the notion of an abstract logic programming language. Central to its definition is a uniform proof, which enforces the requirements of inference direction, including goal-directedness, and the duality of readings, both declarative and procedural. We use this technology to investigate disjunctive logic programming (DLP), an extension of traditional logic programming that permits disjunctive program clauses. This extension has been considered by some to be inappropriately identified with logic programming because the indefinite reasoning introduced by disjunction violates the goal-oriented search directionality that is central to logic programming. We overcome this criticism by showing that the requirement of uniform provability can be realized in a logic which is more general than that of DLP under a modest, sound modification of programs. We use this observation to derive inference rules that capture the essential proof structure of InH-Prolog (Inheritance Near-Horn Prolog), a known proof procedure for DLP.
Divergent Pathways for the Angiotensin-(1-12) Metabolism in the Rat Circulation and Kidney

Abstract Evidence of endogenous angiotensin-(1–12) [Ang-(1–12)] may necessitate revision of the accepted view that Ang I is the immediate peptide product derived from the precursor protein angiotensinogen. As the processing of this peptide has not been fully elucidated, we characterized Ang-(1–12) metabolism in the serum and kidney of the mRen2.Lewis rat, a model of high circulating renin and ACE expression. A sensitive HPLC-based method to detect the metabolism ex vivo of low concentrations of 125 I-labeled Ang-(1–12) was utilized. Ang-(1–12) processing to serum did not reveal the participation of renin; however, serum ACE readily converted Ang-(1–12) to Ang I with subsequent metabolism to Ang II. Ang I and Ang II forming activities for serum ACE were 102 ± 4 and 104 ± 3 fmol/ml/min serum ( n = 3), respectively, and both products were abolished by the potent ACE inhibitor lisinopril. The metabolism of Ang-(1–12) in renal cortical membranes also revealed the formation of Ang I; however, the main products were Ang-(1–7) and Ang-(1–4) at 129 ± 9 and 310 ± 12 fmol/mg/min protein ( n = 4), respectively. Neprilysin inhibition abolished these products and substantially reduced the overall metabolism of Ang-(1–12). Incubation of Ang-(1–12) with either human or mouse neprilysin revealed identical products. We conclude that endogenous Ang-(1–12) may contribute to the expression of biologically active angiotensins through a renin-independent pathway. The preferred route for Ang-(1–12) metabolism likely reflects the relative tissue content of ACE and neprilysin.
Assessment of object-based video compression for epilepsy monitoring

Simultaneous recording of the electroencephalogram (EEG) and video is often conducted during the evaluation of patients with seizures. This recording often lasts for several days, resulting in a tremendous amount of data. We have investigated an object based video compression method specifically tailored to epilepsy monitoring. Our data indicate that this method out-performs the conventional video compression method by a wide margin.
Describing and Quantifying Growth Stages of Perennial Forage Grasses

A system for identifying and quantifying the stages of growth and development of perennial forage grasses was developed. The system consists of a universal set of morphological descriptors for forage and range grasses and a continuous numerical index. The life cycle of individual grass tillers is divided into five primary growth stages (i) germination, (ii) vegetative, (iii) elongation, (iv) reproductive, and (v) seed ripening. Substages corresponding to specific morphological events are defined within each primary stage. Each growth stage consists of a primary and secondary state and has both a mnemonic code and numerical index associated with it (...)
An adaptive calibration algorithm for synchronized chaos

An approximate gradient descent algorithm is proposed for adaptive calibration of the composite error system associated with the transmitter-receiver of a recently proposed scheme for secure communication based on synchronized chaos. >
Inter and intra‐estuary variability in ingress, condition and settlement of the American eel Anguilla rostrata: implications for estimating and understanding recruitment

The objective of this study was to quantify spatial and temporal variability of anguillid glass eel ingress within and between adjacent watersheds in order to help illuminate the mechanisms moderating annual recruitment. Because single fixed locations are often used to assess annual recruitment, the intra-annual dynamics of ingress across multiple sites often remains unresolved. To address this question, plankton nets and eel collectors were deployed weekly to synoptically quantify early stage Anguilla rostrata abundance at 12 sites across two New Jersey estuaries over an ingress season. Numbers of early-stage glass eels collected at the inlet mouths were moderately variable within and between estuaries over time and showed evidence for weak lunar phase and water temperature correlations. The relative condition of glass eels, although highly variable, declined significantly over the ingress season and indicated a tendency for lower condition A. rostrata to colonize sites in the lower estuary. Accumulations of glass eels and early-stage elvers retrieved from collectors (one to >1500 A. rostrata per collector) at lower estuary sites were highly variable over time, producing only weak correlations between estuaries. By way of contrast, development into late-stage elvers, coupled with the large-scale colonization of up-river sites, was highly synchronized between and within estuaries and contingent on water temperatures reaching c. 10–12 ◦ C. Averaged over the ingress season, abundance estimates were remarkably consistent between paired sites across estuaries, indicating a low degree of interestuary variability. Within an estuary, however, abundance estimates varied considerably depending on location. These results and methodology have important implications for the planning and interpretation of early-stage anguillid eel surveys as well as the understanding of the dynamic nature of ingress and the spatial scales over which recruitment varies.
Natural experiments to study the effects of early experience: Progress and limitations

Questions concerning the long-term effects of early experience on psychological development in humans continue to stir up controversy. There are, at present, great diversity and contradictions among extant conceptual models and inadequate data to resolve these differences. Limited opportunities to use experimental approaches and the inherent restrictions of observational approaches in research on humans implies that alternative research designs are needed. This article examines the use of "natural experiments" as a method for testing hypotheses concerning the effects of early experience on psychological development. The benefits and limitations of using natural experiments are reviewed and several case illustrations are considered.
Color-center laser continuously tunable from 1.67 to 2.46 μm

Laser action is reported for a KCl crystal containing both sodium and lithium (F2+)A centers. The laser is continuously tunable from 1.67 to 2.46 μm and is pumped with the 1.3-μm lines of a Nd:YAG laser.
Control of a magnetic suspension system using TMS320C31-based dSPACE DS1102 and Simulink/spl reg/

In this paper, Feedback Inc. model 33-210 lab-scale one degree-of-freedom (DOF) magnetic suspension system plant is used as a test bed for mechatronic sensing and control experimentation. First, a nonlinear mathematical model of the magnetic suspension system plant is linearized about a desired equilibrium position. The resulting linear model is used to design classical and optimal state feedback digital controllers to suspend a 21 gram hollow steel ball at a desired set-point and track reference position square-wave signals. The digital controllers are implemented using Texas Instruments TMS320C31 digital signal processor (DSP) based DSPACE DS1102 board and Simulinkreg.
Properties of MO-CVD-grown GaAs/GaAlAs lasers as a function of stripewidth

Gain-guided lasers grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MO-CVD) are studied experimentally and theoretically with conducting stripewidth s as a variable. Stripe geometry lasers of 2, 4, 6, and 8 μm width, delineated by shallow proton implantation, are very uniform relative to those grown by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). Measured and calculated thresholds are virtually independent of s for the low-spreading resistance devices studied, whereas differential quantum efficiency decreases monotonically with diminishing s . Computed charge density distributions peak most sharply for s = 2 \mu m, and only for s = 8 \mu m do they become sufficiently broad so that kinks occur below 15 mW output power levels. Spectra spread inversely with s and shift to shorter wavelengths as s is decreased. Measured and calculated far-field radiation patterns agree well and change continuously from a single central-peaked lobe for s = 8 \mu m to one with two lobes at s = 2 \mu m. Near-field intensity patterns depend only weakly on s between 2 and 8 μm, but computed phases vary greatly with s and, as a result of charge-induced antiguiding, account directly for the far-field results. Catastrophic damage levels are independent of s in agreement with the near-field results. Noise measurements and threshold temperature dependence are also described.
A laboratory comparison of systematic desensitization, flooding, and punishment procedures in the extinction of the human avoidance response

A button press avoidance response was conditioned in four groups of subjects using a photographic slide of a rat as CS and shock as UCS. Extinction was attempted by laboratory analogues of systematic desensitization (S.D.) and implosive therapy (Flooding) in two of the groups, by response contingent punishment (Punishment) in another group and by normal extinction (Extinction) in the fourth group. Both trials to extinction criterion, and Tear or anxiety felt by the subjects were measured. More subjects extinguished in the S.D. and Punishment groups than in the Flooding and Extinction groups and when the stringent extinction criterion in the S.D., condition was allowed for these two groups also required fewer trials to extinguish. The Punishment and Flooding groups experienced more fear during extinction than the S.D. and Extinction groups. Clinical evidence suggesting the efficacy of implosive therapy, when considered in the light of the present inferiority of Flooding to S.D., is thought to be due to the action of some variables extraneous to the learning theory basis of implosion. It is concluded that the application of the learning theory principles of S.D. provide the most effective extinction of avoidance and fear responses.
Stunting professionalism: The potency and durability of the hidden curriculum within medical education

Despite an extensive literature within medical education touting the necessity in developing professionalism among future physicians, there is little evidence these ‘calls’ have thus far had an appreciable effect. Although various researchers have suggested that the hidden curriculum within medical education has a prominent role in stunting the development of professionalism among future physicians, there has been minimal discussion of how the content of the hidden curriculum actually function to this end. In this article, we explore: (i) how the hidden curriculum may function within medical education as a countervailing force to medicine’s push for professionalism and (ii) why the hidden curriculum continues to persist within medical training and particular aspects so difficult to dilute. We conclude by proposing mechanisms to assuage elements of the hidden curriculum, which may, in turn, allow the principles of professionalism to blossom among medical students.
Do Clients Share Preparers' Self‐Assessment of the Extent to Which They Advocate for Their Clients?

A conflict between the tax preparation services that tax preparers provide and the services taxpayers seek is demonstrated in the literature: tax professionals equate client advocacy with aggressive tax positions while taxpayers hire preparers to increase accuracy and reduce the probability of tax audit. Although this difference has been demonstrated at the large firms, more than half of tax preparers are at regional and local firms. This study examines tax preparers, self‐employed or from local and regional firms, and their clients using an established scale—the recently developed Mason–Levy Advocacy Scale. This research measures the understanding taxpayers have of their tax preparers' self‐assessed levels of client advocacy. A practically small but statistically significant difference is found. Advocacy is found to be equal between CPAs and non‐CPAs—counter to prior research. Also, CPA clients and non‐CPA clients are found to have similar perceptions regarding the aggressiveness of their preparers. The ...
The Dynamics of Structural Realignment

G overnments render decisions on how resources and values are allocated in a society. In the United States, Congress is the institution in which most of the key allocating decisions are made. To the extent the U.S. political system is integrated, the coalitions that form around the issues debated in Congress should be reflected in the coalitions that support presidential candidates and those that support the major political parties. We formulate a spatial theory of political change in which new ideological cleavages appear in congressional behavior and presidential elections and gradually reorganize the mass party base. The theory leads us explicitly to consider the question of realignment and to specify conditions under which the parties will lose support from voters.
Public university opeb burden: Recognition, funding and future obligations

Public universities began reporting the costs for nonpension retiree benefit obligations known as other postemployment benefits (OPEB) in their fiscal 2008 financial statements. The reported OPEB obligation is the projected benefits to be paid after an employee retires. This descriptive study examines the status of OPEB funding at land grant universities, composition of the benefits provided, and whether modifications are under consideration. Results indicate land grant institutions cover their costs on a pay-as-you-go basis, OPEB liabilities are significantly underfunded, and universities provide comparable types of benefits in their OPEB plan. Revenue shortfalls and current fiscal pressures raise concerns about how they can support the OPEB liabilities. Thus many institutions are evaluating the OPEB cost and the benefits currently provided.
Introduction to Robotics and Digital Human Modeling

Robotics research and technology development have been on the road to grow and advance for almost half a century. The history of expedition can be divided into three major periods: the early era, the middle age and the recent years.
Rop, the Sec1/Munc18 homolog in Drosophila, is required for furrow ingression and stable cell shape during cytokinesis

Physically separating daughter cells during cytokinesis requires contraction of an actin-myosin ring and vesicle-mediated membrane addition at the cleavage furrow. To identify vesicle trafficking proteins that function in cytokinesis, we screened deficiencies and mutations of candidate genes by live imaging the mitotic domains of the Drosophila embryo. In embryos homozygous for some of these deficiencies, we observed several cytokinesis phenotypes, including slow furrow ingression and increased membrane blebbing. We also found that cytokinesis required the Sec1/Munc18 homolog Rop, which interacts with syntaxin and mediates exocytosis at the plasma membrane. In a temperature-sensitive Rop mutant (Rop(TS)), the contractile ring disassembled during furrow ingression, indicating that maintenance of the ring required vesicle addition. Furthermore, in some dividing Rop(TS) cells, the shape of the daughter cells became unstable, causing cytokinesis failure. These results further highlight the importance of vesicle trafficking in animal cytokinesis and show that vesicle fusion influences cell shape during cytokinesis.
Photopreventive Effect and Mechanism of AZD4547 and Curcumin C3 Complex on UVB-Induced Epidermal Hyperplasia

Aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the skin is the second most common type of skin cancer in the United States due to high exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. In our previous studies, Curcumin C3 complex (C3), a standardized preparation of three curcumonoids, delayed UVB-induced tumor incidence and inhibited multiplicity. Exposure to UVB activates mTOR and FGFR signaling that play a key role in skin tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of C3 complex to afford protection against acute UVB-induced hyperproliferation by targeting the mTOR and FGFR signaling pathways. Pretreatment with C3 complex significantly inhibited UVB-induced FGF-2 induction, FGF-2-induced cell proliferation, progression and colony formation, mTORC1 and mTORC2 activation, and FGFR2 phosphorylation in the promotion-sensitive JB6 cells epithelial cells. Further, FGFR was critical for UVB-induced mTOR activation, suggesting an important role of FGFR2 in UVB-induced mTOR signaling. SKH-1 mice pretreated with C3 (15 mg/kg/b.w.) for 2 weeks followed by a single exposure to UVB (180 mj/cm(2)) significantly attenuated UVB-induced mTORC1, mTORC2, and FGFR2 activation. To further assess the role of FGFR in UVB-induced hyperproliferation, SKH-1 mice were pretreated with AZD4547 (5 mg/kg/b.w.); a selective pan-FGFR kinase inhibitor followed by single exposure to UVB (180 mj/cm(2)). AZD4547 significantly inhibited UVB-induced mTORC1 and mTORC2 activation, epidermal hyperplasia and hyperproliferation. Our studies underscore the importance of FGFR signaling in UVB-induced acute skin changes and the role of FGFR/mTOR signaling in mediating the effects of C3 complex in the pathogenesis of skin cancer.
Block Total Response as an Alternative to the Randomized Response Method in Surveys

The randomized response technique appears to have been an innovative and useful procedure for eliciting reliable responses from individuals on sensitive or embarrassing questions. In this paper a new and alternative method is proposed for the same problem. Through the use of supplemented block, (v, k, r, b, A) balanced incomplete block, and spring balance weighing designs, the individual is required to give a total of the responses to k questions, sensitive or not. From these block totals it is possible to obtain estimated responses for each of the v questions used in the survey, yet not obtain individual response to single questions. Anonymity of response for a single interviewee is thus maintained. Estimators and their variances for the estimated responses are obtained. The method allows the surveyor to obtain answers to several sensitive questions without being unduly time-consuming.