cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Approach to Reactive Potentials with Fluctuating Charges: Quadratic Valence-Bond Model

Chemical potential equilibration models have proven to be a promising approach for describing charge transfer and polarization in the context of classical force fields. These have generally been justified in an ad hoc manner and are known to behave incorrectly in certain cases, presenting a stumbling block to widespread application. In this paper, we present a new wave function-based derivation of a CPE-like model, shedding some light on the nature of the approximations that are made. The concept of a pairwise hardness arises naturally from this derivation, leading us to suggest a model that employs a pairwise electronegativity. We show that this leads to a CPE-like model that dissociates correctly for a diatomic and furthermore predicts charges in agreement with ab initio methods for a simple diatomic.
Ballistic time-gated optical imaging in turbid media using picosecond Kerr gate

Imaging of sub-millimeter phantoms in highly scattering diffusive media such as breast tissues was achieved using a picosecond optical Kerr gate imaging method. It was shown that the ballistic and snake parts of the gated transmitted light carried the least distorted image information with the highest spatial resolution and signal to noise ratio. The ultrafast time shutter rejected the late-arriving diffusive scattering light which blurred the image thus allowing us to see through an opaque scattering wall.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Exoplanet Opportunity: Top-Down Planetary Science

What started as a trickle in the mid-1990s is now a torrent, with more than 1000 extrasolar planets currently known and thousands of candidates awaiting confirmation (see http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov). The study of exoplanets has already revolutionized scientific and public views of planet formation and will soon do the same for planetary atmospheres and interiors.
Phlorizin induced autophagocytosis during hepatocytic glycogenolysis.

Abstract The naturally occurring glucoside, phlorizin, produces massive hepatic glycogenolysis. The mechanism by which glycogen breakdown occurs is unknown. This treatment induces acute glycogenolysis which is limited to the hepatocytes of the portal third of the liver lobule. Electron microscopic examination of these hepatocytes revealed rapid sequestration of masses of glycogen as well as mitochondria within cytoplasmic membranes. These cytosegresomes rapidly acquired acid phosphatase by fusion with lysosomes. Glucose administration did not inhibit this process. These data indicated that a large portion of glycogen degradation induced by phlorizin results from lysosomal reaction. It is suggested that phlorizin produces glycogenolysis by blockade of glucose transport, resulting in a pseudohypoglycemia.
The P2Y2 nucleotide receptor requires interaction with αv integrins to access and activate G12

The P2Y2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y2R) interacts with αv integrins to activate Go and induce chemotaxis in human 1321N1 astrocytoma cells. In this study, it was determined that the P2Y2R also requires interaction with αv integrins to activate G12 and associated signaling pathways that control chemotaxis in 1321N1 cells. Mutation of the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) integrin-binding sequence in the first extracellular loop of the human P2Y2R to Arg-Gly-Glu (RGE), which prevents integrin interaction, did not inhibit Gq or ERK1/2 signaling by the P2Y2R agonist UTP but completely inhibited activation of G12 and G12-mediated events, including Rho activation, cofilin and myosin light chain-2 phosphorylation, stress fiber formation and chemotaxis towards UTP. The involvement of G12 in all these events was verified by using a dominant negative Gα12 construct. G12 activation by the P2Y2R also was inhibited by anti-αvβ5 integrin antibodies and αv integrin antisense oligonucleotides, suggesting that αv integrin activity and expression are required for the P2Y2R to activate G12. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that Gα12 protein associates with the wild-type P2Y2R and with αv integrins but not with the RGE mutant P2Y2R or with α3 integrins. Collectively, these results suggest that αv integrin complexes provide the P2Y2R with access to G12, thereby allowing activation of this heterotrimeric G protein that controls actin cytoskeletal rearrangements required for chemotaxis.
Evaluating Sustainability Approaches of Transportation Agencies Through a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Framework

A national survey of state departments of transportation (DOTs) indicated that such agencies were engaged in a variety of activities to address sustainability issues associated with transportation planning, design, and operations. These activities ranged from piecemeal environmental practices such as roadside mowing policies to comprehensive planning frameworks. However, state DOTs in general did not have sufficient policies or practices in place to evaluate and prioritize investment options that would promote environmental sustainability and sustainable development. For this research, a mixed-methods design that used an expert panel and case studies of individual state DOTs was used to develop, test, and evaluate a strategic planning tool that could help DOTs evolve more sustainable practices. The self-assessment tool was designed to guide agencies through the identification of internal strengths and weaknesses in their planning frameworks and organizational structure and culture, characterization of fea...
The minnesota aerosol-analyzing system used in the Los Angeles smog project

Abstract The Los Angeles Smog Project, a collaborative research effort involving investigators from the University of Minnesota, California Institute of Technology, California State Department of Health, University of Washington, and the California Statewide Air Pollution Research Center, has been described. The project includes an intensive 4-week experiment period from August 19 to September 19, 1969 during which various physical and chemical parameters of the aerosol were measured. A summary description of the project, including its genesis, objectives, and scope has been given in this paper. The Minnesota Aerosol Analyzing System used in the Los Angeles Smog Project has been described. The instrument system, consisting of three aerosol sensors in parallel operation, was used to measure the aerosol size distribution from 0. 0035 to 6. 8 μm diameter automatically; and the data were recorded directly on punched tape for computer processing. The sensors used include a Condensation Nucleus Counter, a Whitby Aerosol Analyzer, and an optical particle counter. Characteristics of the sensors, methods of calibration, and estimates of accuracies have been given.
Quantitative thin-layer chromatography by laser pyrolysis flame ionization or electro-capture detection

Abstract A new quantitation method, laser pyrolysis, is demonstrated for thin-layer chromatography (TLC). No spray reagent or “colo” developing process is necessary for detecting any organic compound. A complete analysis including sample introduction, separation and detection takes less than 20 min. Two amino acids, serine and phenylalanine, and two pesticides, p , p -DDT and methoxychlor were used as the test samples. The sensitivity and linearity compare favorably to conventional densitometry. The detection limit for phenylalanine with flame ionization detection was 100 ng and for methoxychlor with electron-capture detection was 20 ng. This technique combines the advantages of the separation power TLC and the broad spectrum of detection methods of gas chromatography.
Characterization of a class of small auxin-inducible soybean polyadenylated RNAs.

Four new auxin-responsive RNAs from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr., var. Wayne) are described. The RNAs were identified by hybridization to three cDNA probes obtained from a library enriched for sequences which increase in abundance within 60 min after 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) treatment. These RNAs appear to define a new class of small (i.e. approximately 550 nucleotides) RNAs that respond extremely rapidly to application of exogenous auxin. In excised elongating hypocotyl sections, an increase in the abundance of these RNAs can be detected 2 to 5 min after treatment with 50 μM 2,4-D. This response is half maximal after 10 min and reaches steady state in 60 min. RNA blot analysis shows that these RNAs are expressed differentially in various parts of the seedling. The degree of inducibility by auxin is also organ-specific, with the elongating hypocotyl being the most responsive of the organs tested. The RNAs display identical response specificities with one exception. Accumulation of one RNA, designated 10A, is completely abolished by simultaneous addition of cycloheximide and 2,4-D. This RNA also displays a different 2,4-D dose response than other RNAs examined. These results suggest that more than one mechanism is involved in rapid modulation of gene expression by auxin.
Optimality and duality with generalized convexity

Hanson and Mond have given sets of necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality and duality in constrained optimization by introducing classes of generalized convex functions, called type I and type II functions. Recently, Bector defined univex functions, a new class of functions that unifies several concepts of generalized convexity. In this paper, optimality and duality results for several mathematical programs are obtained combining the concepts of type I and univex functions. Examples of functions satisfying these conditions are given.
Piezoelectric Relations and the Radial Deformation of a Polarized Spherical Shell

The piezoelectric relations and equations of equilibrium for an elastic spherical shell permanently polarized in the radial direction are derived. The solution for the radial displacement corresponding to uniform pressures on the inner and outer surfaces of the shell and a given voltage difference between the surfaces is obtained.
The determination of trace elements in new food grain SRM's using neutron activation analysis

Potentially toxic metals in the food chain that can lead to deleterious effects on human health have been well documented. Because of the toxicity of some metals, levels of 1 ppm or less must be routinely monitored in foods to ensure human safety. To ensure the accuracy of measurement, NBS in a cooperative interagency agreement with the Food and Drug Administration is involved in developing and certifying selected elements in food grain as a part of the Standard Reference Material program. Both instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis were used to analyze two food grain standard reference materials (Rice and Wheat Flours) for trace element certification.
Observed dependencies of the large thermal-compressive response of a NiTi shape memory alloy fiber aluminum metal matrix composite

The present work examines how the characteristics of the large thermal-compressive response of a 20 vol. % NiTi fiber 6082-T0 composite change with variations in the value of maximum tensile strain imposed during a preceding room temperature tensile process. We observe that the self thermal compression process is shifted to higher temperatures with increasing maximum room temperature tensile strain, and that the maximal thermal compression versus temperature slope becomes larger as the maximum tensile strain is increased from 4 to 6% and then becomes smaller as the maximum tensile strain is further increased to 7%.
Characterization of acoustically forced swirl flame dynamics

Abstract Lean premixed combustors are highly susceptible to combustion instabilities, caused by the coupling between heat release fluctuations and combustor acoustics. In order to predict the conditions under which these instabilities occur and their limit cycle amplitudes, understanding of the amplitude dependent response of the flame to acoustic excitation is required. This study presents an analysis of phase-locked OH PLIF images of acoustically excited swirl flames, to identify the key controlling physical processes and qualitatively discuss their characteristics. This analysis suggests that the flame dynamics are controlled by a superposition of the following processes: (1) annular jet fluctuations, (2) oscillatory turbulent flame brush development, (3) flame stabilization, and (4) fluid mechanical instabilities of the backward facing step, jet column, swirl, and shear layer. These results illustrate that the flame response is not controlled by any single physical process but, rather, by several simultaneously occurring processes which are potentially competing, and whose relative significance depends upon forcing frequency, amplitude of excitation, and flame stabilization dynamics.
Improving the passive tactile digit span

Two experiments evaluated the effect of interstimulus interval (ISI) on recall of digit sequences printed on the palms. Digits were printed with ISIs of 1 or 5 sec. Half of the patterns were drawn on the left palm and half on the right. High levels of accuracy were obtained in both experiments with the 5-sec rate. The passive tactile digit span was nearly seven at the slower rate, but much less at 1-sec ISIs.
Control of interfacial adhesion in continuous carbon and kevlar fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Carbon fiber surfaces were treated by cold plasmas of oxygen, nitrogen, argon, ammonia, and propylene. A two-component bismaleimide, an epoxy, and a model thermoplastic resin polypropylene were used as the matrices for composites. The effectiveness of various plasmas in improving the interfacial adhesion between carbon fibers and matrix resins was demonstrated. Predominant adhesion promotion mechanisms as influenced by various plasma treatments were determined. Oxygen and argon plasmas were found to promote mechanical keying by increasing the level of fiber surface roughness and porosity. The wettability of carbon fiber surface by the matrix resin was also enhanced by oxygen plasmas and argon plasmas (to a lesser extent), as evidenced by the increased total surface energies and their polar components. These surface energy increases are mainly due to the various oxygen-containing functional groups observed on the oxygen plasma-treated surface. For the cases of ammonia and combined ammonia/argon plasma treatments, possible chemical bonding between bismaleimide and the plasma-deposited amine groups is one important promoter of interfacial bonding. In these cases increased wettability was also observed. Ammonia and ammonia/argon plasmas appear to be the more appropriate treatments for carbon-fiber/thermoset resin composites considering that they generally do not induce any appreciable reduction in fiber strength. In contrast, excessively prolonged exposure of carbon fibers to oxygen, nitrogen or argon plasma could lead to a significant reduction in fiber strength. The plasma-polymerized polypropylene deposited on the fiber surface was capable of improving the compatibility and adhesion between the fiber and the polypropylene matrix.
Differential effects of secretagogues on Na and K secretion in the Malpighian tubules ofAedes aegypti (L.)

1. Rates of fluid secretion were measured in isolated Malpighian tubules from adult female mosquitoes and the concentrations of Na, K and Cl in the secreted fluid were measured by electron probe analysis under control conditions and in the presence of the secretagogues dibutyryl cAMP or head extract. 2. Under control conditions tubules secreted fluid at an average rate of 0.8 nl/min. The principal solutes in secreted fluid were Na at 94 mM, K at 91 mM and Cl at 161 mM. 3. Dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM) stimulated the rate of fluid secretion ∼250% (to 2.9 nl/min), increased the [Na] of secreted fluid to 178 mM, decreased the [K] to 17 mM, and did not change the [Cl]. Consequently, the net effect of dibutyryl cAMP was a highly significant stimulation of Na, Cl, and water secretion with no significant change in the secretion of K. 4. An aqueous extract of mosquito heads (0.1 head/μl) also stimulated the rate of fluid secretion ∼250% (to 2.8 nl/min), but introduced no major changes in the composition of secreted fluid with the exception of a slight, though significant decrease in the [K] from 91 to 73 mM. Consequently, the net effect of the head extract was the highly significant stimulation of Na, K, Cl, and water secretion. 5. The different effects of dibutyryl cAMP and head extract on the secretion of cations suggest that Na secretion and K secretion can be regulated independently of one another. In vivo, such a separate regulation of Na and K secretion might be important in the maintenance of hemolymph Na and K concentrations, especially following a blood meal.
Feedback in dynamic psychotherapy: definitions and essential concepts.

This paper gives a central place to that systemic process within dynamic psychotherapy that is called feedback. I have given the historical antecedents of the multileveled, mutually influencing processes in feedback in terms of their evolution from cybernetics, information, and system theories. Major interdisciplinary contributors included Norbert Wiener, John von Neumann, Jurgen Ruesch, Warren Mc Culloch, Gregory Bateson, Margaret Mead, Kurt Lewin, and Lawrence S. Kubie, who came from such fields as mathematics, neurophysiology, psychiatry, anthropology, psychology, ecology, and psychoanalysis. The place of free-associations, the domain of intrapsychic and interpersonal feedback, the requirements for a matrix allowing for nurturing, curative interaction, the nature of interventions, and the significance of transference-countertransference and reality in the feedback that occurs in dynamic psychotherapy have been focused on in this initial presentation on the subject.
Cholecystokinin expression after hippocampal deafferentiation: molecular evidence revealed by differential display-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract The cortical information flow via the perforant path represents a major excitatory projection to the hippocampus. Lesioning this projection leads to massive degeneration and subsequently to reorganization in its termination zones as well as in primary non-affected subfields of the hippocampus. The molecular mechanisms and factors which are involved in the postlesional events are poorly defined. Using a differential display reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) strategy, we located one band which occurred only in control hippocampus lanes and almost disappeared in the lanes of lesioned hippocampi. By sequencing, we identified the corresponding gene as cholecystokinin (CCK). Northern blot analysis confirmed a decreased transcription of CCK after lesion. In situ hybridization analysis was performed for localization and quantification of altered CCK transcription. We noted a significant downregulation of CCK transcription in the hippocampus (20%) and in the contralateral cortex (12%) 1-day after lesion (dal) and an increased signal in the ipsilateral cortex (10.5%). This pattern was altered, showing upregulation of CCK mRNA expression, reaching its highest level of 70% above control levels at 5 dal. In the hippocampus, the control level was reached again at 21 dal, whereas the cortex reached the control level at 10 dal. In comparison, the mRNA transcripts of the receptors CCK A and CCK B remained unchanged. Since CCK-containing neurons are involved in the modulation of pyramidal and granule cell excitability, our data indicate a time course correlation between CCK mRNA expression and postlesional axonal sprouting response in the hippocampus.
Gravity and tectonic patterns of Mercury: Effect of tidal deformation, spin‐orbit resonance, nonzero eccentricity, despinning, and reorientation

[1] We consider the effect of spin-orbit resonance, nonzero eccentricity, despinning, and reorientation on Mercury's gravity and tectonic pattern. Large variations of the gravity and shape coefficients from the synchronous rotation and zero eccentricity values, J2/C22 = 10/3 and (b − c)/(a − c) = 1/4, arise because of nonsynchronous rotation and nonzero eccentricity even in the absence of reorientation or despinning. Reorientation or despinning induces additional variations. The large gravity coefficients J2 = (6 ± 2) × 10−5 and C22 = (1 ± 0.5) × 10−5 estimated from the Mariner 10 flybys cannot be attributed to Caloris alone since the required mass excess in this case would have caused Caloris to migrate to one of Mercury's hot poles. Similarly, a large remnant bulge due to a smaller semimajor axis and spin-orbit resonance can be dismissed since the required semimajor axis is unphysically small (<0.1 AU). Reorientation of a large remnant bulge recording an epoch of faster rotation (without significant semimajor axis variations) can explain the large gravity coefficients. This requires initial rotation rates ≳20 times the present value and a positive gravity anomaly associated with Caloris capable of driving ∼10°–45° equatorward reorientation. The required gravity anomaly can be explained by infilling of the basin with material of thicknesses ≳7 km or an annulus of volcanic plains emplaced around the basin with an annulus width ∼1200 km and fill thicknesses ≳2 km. The predicted tectonic pattern due to these despinning and reorientation scenarios, including some radial contraction, is in good agreement with the lobate scarp pattern observed by Mariner 10. We also predict that lobate scarps will follow a NE–SW orientation in the eastern hemisphere and a positive gravity anomaly (of a few hundred mGal) associated with Caloris.
Longitudinal patterns of dissolved organic carbon concentration and suspended bacterial density along a blackwater river

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is the dominant form of carbon in transport in blackwater rivers, and bacteria are the major biological agents of its utilization. This study describes longitudinal patterns in DOC concentration and relates them to suspended bacterial populations in the channel. Concentrations of total DOC, three molecular weight fractions, and bacterial numbers were determined at 12 sites along the Ogeechee River in 1985–1986 and 1989 during periods of low and high discharge. Suspended bacterial populations were compared with DOC concentrations to determine if differences in bacterial abundance were related to longitudinal patterns of DOC concentration. Three distinct longitudinal patterns were observed: (1) The longitudinal pattern followed by both total and intermediate molecular weight DOC concentrations was a linear function of the geographic distance along the river. (2) During low flow conditions, there was a high degree of correspondence between patterns of bacterial numbers and low MW DOC ( 10,000) and intermediate (1000–10,000) MW fractions increased, and there was no longer a clear relationship between bacterial cells and low MW DOC.
Iatrogenic air in the cavernous sinus.

Air in the cavernous sinus may be caused by trauma, surgery, or infection. We report a case that occurred in association with IV injection of contrast material through a catheter into a scalp vein.
Review of X-ray lasers

Abstract X-ray wavelength lasers are now being developed by many groups throughout the world. Wavelengths can now be routinely produced from 3.5 to 45 nm, output power can be as high as 100 MW, bandwidth is typically 5 × 10−5, pulselengths from 10 ps to many ns and nearly full spatial coherence has been achieved. Very recently, compact laser-pumped and capillary discharge-pumped XUV lasers have been demonstrated, paving the way to “table-top” systems. Shorter wavelength X-ray lasers are now produced at large glass laser facilities, but recent progress in X-ray laser pumping efficiency plus the design of compact, high-average-power glass laser systems now make it possible to make high repetition rate X-ray laser facilities that fit into a small space and can be relatively low cost. Finally, I will review some of the applications that are being performed with the unique characteristics of the X-ray laser being used as the source.
The patterns of brain gangliosides of Rana catesbiana during metamorphosis and in the adult

Abstract Ganglioside patterns were quantitated for brains of bullfrog (Rana catesbiana) at three stages of metamorphosis and adult. At each stage nine gangliosides were identified by mobility on silica gel thin-layer chromatograms, and quantitated on the basis of sialic acid content. A single band with chromatographic mobility close to that of GD2, and doublets close to GT1b and GQ were quantitatively the major ones (over 16% each). Doublets close to GM1 and GD1b and a single band slightly behind GD1a made up 5–10% each. A doublet comigrating with GM3, and bands close to GM2 (trace) and GD3 were present in smaller amounts. The only developmental trend was a slight increase in the proportion of the band close to GD3 from 2.4% (early prometamorphic phase) to 9.1% (adult). This suggests that changes in the regenerative capacity of frog nervous tissues during metamorphosis are due to changes other than ganglioside composition.
Self-trapping of dark incoherent light beams

“Dark beams” are nonuniform optical beams that contain either a one-dimensional (1D) dark stripe or a two-dimensional (2D) dark hole resulting from a phase singularity or an amplitude depression in their optical field. Thus far, self-trapped dark beams (dark solitons) have been observed using coherent light only. Here, self-trapped dark incoherent light beams (self-trapped dark incoherent wavepackets) were observed. Both dark stripes and dark holes nested in a broad partially spatially incoherent wavefront were self-trapped to form dark solitons in a host photorefractive medium. These self-trapped 1D and 2D dark beams induced refractive-index changes akin to planar and circular dielectric waveguides. The experiments introduce the possibility of controlling high-power coherent laser beams with low-power incoherent light sources such as light emitting diodes.
EFFICIENT FULL INFORMATION MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATION FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL IRT MODELS

Maximum marginal likelihood estimation of multidimensional item response theory (IRT) models has been hampered by the calculation of the multidimensional integral over the ability distribution. However, the researcher often has a specific hypothesis about the conditional (in)dependence relations among the latent variables. Exploiting these relations may result in more efficient estimation algorithms. A well-known example is the bi-factor model, in which each item measures a general dimension and one of K other dimensions, for which Gibbons and Hedeker (1992) showed that full information maximum likelihood estimation only requires the integration over two-dimensional integrals. In this paper, it is shown how the approach of Gibbons and Hedeker (1992) can be placed into a graphical model framework. The advantage of the graphical model framework is that efficient estimation schemes can be derived in a fully automatic way by applying algorithms to the graphical representation of a statistical model. This renders the approach fairly generally applicable, and tedious derivations by hand are no longer involved. The generality of the approach is demonstrated by applying it to a multidimensional IRT model with a second order dimension. It turns out that full information maximum likelihood estimation for such a model also requires the evaluation of two-dimensional integrals only.
Das supramolekulare Tetra-Keggin-Polyoxometallat [Nb4O6(α-Nb3SiW9O40)4]20−

Riesenpolyoxometallate mit katalytischen, magnetischen und antiviralen Eigenschaften, die zumindest teilweise auf ihre Strukturen zuruckzufuhren sind, sind derzeit von grosem Interesse. Hier wird die Synthese und Charakterisierung von 1 beschrieben, einem strukturell neuartigen tetrameren Komplex aus Keggin-Ionen (siehe Bild). Dieser Komplex ist im Magenmilieu (pH 1–2) stabil, was insofern interessant ist, als verwandte Keggin-Anionen zu den am starksten antiviral wirksamen und dabei am wenigsten toxischen der mehr als 300 bisher biologisch und pharmakologisch untersuchten Polyoxometallate gehoren.
Mead Johnson Symposium: functional proteins in human milk: role in infant health and development.

From the Department of Nutrition, Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public n this inaugural conference on the emerging roles of functional proteins in pediatric nutrition, established experts were asked to review basic and clinical research studies on functional proteins such as lactoferrin, lactalbumin, growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, and on transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) and other cytokines found in breast milk. In addition, a newly reported functional protein in breast milk, adiponectin, was considered. Initially, in an overview presentation, Dr. Allan Walker from Boston considered the ‘‘gold standard’’ for functional protein nutrition by reviewing the role of breast milk components in the passive protection and active stimulation of intestinal defenses in the nursing human neonate. This was followed by a comprehensive review by Professor Per Brandtzaeg on human milk and its specific role in activating the mucosal immune system, including the stimulation of an important protective immunogolubulin, sIgA, on mucosal surfaces, as well as the collective activation of a balanced T helper cell response, including the stimulation of T regulatory cells. These overviews lay the ground work for subsequent discussion of specific functional proteins in pediatric nutrition. In a session devoted to TGF-b in human milk, 4 speakers reviewed the extensive influence that this regulatory cytokine, present in varying amounts in human milk, has on the mucosal immune system and host defense. Dr. John Letterio from Case Western Reserve Medical School reviewed the extensive literature on TGF-b1, the principal regulatory cytokine produced by lymphoid cells. He suggested that under different microenvironmental conditions or with different types of lymphoid cells, TGF-b1 can have either inhibitory or stimulatory effects. He suggested that polymorphisms of signaling molecules of TGF-b, SMAD 6 or 7, can contribute to the expression of clinical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Next, Dr. Samuli Rautava from the University of Turku in Finland reviewed his recent work with TGF-b2, the predominate form of TGF-b in breast milk, on inflammation in human models for the developing intestine. He reported that preincubation or concurrent incubation of TGF-b2 at levels found in human milk, could inhibit the intestinal inflammatory response to IL-1b as measured by IL-8 production in human fetal small intestinal xenografts after exposure to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1b. He further suggested that the inhibitory response was mediated by SMAD6 and involved the ERK signaling pathway. Dr. Imme Penttila from Adelaide, Australia, re-
Diagnosis of gout by ultrasound

Objectives. To establish the usefulness of ultrasonography (US) for diagnosing gout and to determine whether there are sonographic features that are characteristic for gout but not for other arthropathies. Methods. We retrospectively compared joint images of gout patients with matching images from patients with other rheumatic conditions. Images of 37 joints of 23 patients with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-proven gout were reviewed. MSU crystals were identified in at least one joint in each patient. Our control group had 23 randomly selected patients with 33 examined joints with rheumatic conditions other than gout. Results. Specific diagnostic features included a hyperechoic, irregular band over the superficial margin of the articular cartilage described as a double contour sign in 92% of gouty joints and in none of the controls (P < 0.001); hypoechoic to hyperechoic, inhomogeneous material surrounded by a small anechoic rim, representing tophaceous material, was seen in all gouty metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints, in all metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints and in none of the controls (P < 0.001); erosions adjacent to tophaceous material were seen in 65% of MTP joints and in 25% of MCP joints. One erosion was seen in a MTP joint in a control patient with psoriatic arthritis. Conclusions. US can detect deposition of MSU crystals on cartilaginous surfaces (P < 0.001) as well as tophaceous material and typical erosions. US may serve as a non-invasive means to diagnose gout.
Latency Sensitive FMA Design

The implementation of merged floating-point multiply-add operations can be optimized in many ways. For latency sensitive applications, our cascade design reduces the accumulation dependent latency by 2x over a fused design, at a cost of a 13% increase in non-accumulation dependent latency. A simple in-order execution model shows this design is superior in most applications, providing 12% average reduction in FP stalls, and improves performance by up to 6%. Simulations of superscalar out-of-order machines show 4% average improvement in CPI in 2-way machines and 4.6% in 4-way machines. The cascade design has the same area and energy budget as a traditional fused multiple-add FMA.
Exploring Innovation Opportunities in Energy Harvesting Using Functional Modeling Approaches

Energy harvesting is a promising and evolving field of research capable of supplying power to systems in a broad range of applications. Energy harvesting encompasses many distinct technologies, including photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, kinetic motion harvesters, and thermal generators. Each technology utilizes different processes to transform energy from the environment into usable electrical energy. As such, there are many analogous functions and processes that are common or similar across the various domains. To leverage and understand these functions and processes, functional modeling approaches are needed to identify these similarities and functions ripe for innovation in new systems. This paper describes a method for modeling the functional architectures of a sample set of energy harvesters, using a functional common basis from the literature. Vector space analysis is used to identify patterns and correlations in the use of functions across different products and energy-harvesting domains in the sample set. The resulting analysis indicates that systems in the same domain usually have very similar function structures, differing only by the addition or removal of a few driving or supporting functions. Systems in different domains also typically have similar structures, with the substitution of different material and energy flows into the system. A generalized functional model for energy harvesting is described, along with possible design ramifications and key opportunities to innovate. Several recommendations are given for the continued development and improvement of the functional common basis and, more generally, functional modeling methodologies. These include improved standardization and explanation of abstract functions, such as blending with the environment, and of organizational conventions to improve consistency.
Patterns of genome size evolution in tetraodontiform fishes

We used flow cytometry to measure genome size in 15 species from seven families and subfamilies of tetraodontiform fishes. Previous studies have found that smooth pufferfishes (Tetraodontidae) have the smallest genome of any vertebrate measured to date (0.7-1.0 picograms diploid). We found that spiny pufferfishes (Diodontidae, sister group to the smooth puffers) possess a genome that is about two times larger (1.6-1.8 pg). Mola mola, a member of the sister group to Diodontidae and Tetraodontidae, also has a relatively large genome (1.7 pg). Parsimony analysis of this pattern indicates that the plesiomorphic condition for Molidae (Diodontidae, Tetraodontidae) is a genome size of 1.6-1.8 pg, and that tiny genome size is a derived character unique to smooth puffers. However, an alternative explanation is that the ancestor of Tetraodontidae acquired a heritable tendency toward decreasing genome size, such as a new or modified deletion mechanism, and genome size in all of the tetraodontid lineages has been decreasing in parallel since the split from Diodontidae. Small genome size (1.1-1.3 pg) also appears to have evolved independently in some members of Balistoidea (triggerfishes and filefishes) within Tetraodontiformes.
Effects of Surgical Septal Myectomy on Left Ventricular Wall Thickness and Diastolic Filling

This study was conducted to examine the late effects of surgical myectomy on left ventricular (LV) structure and diastolic function in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who had complete echocardiographic studies before and ≥6 months after myectomy were included in this retrospective analysis of cavity dimension, septal and LV posterior wall thicknesses, and Doppler flow variables. Compared with preoperative measurement, mean septal thickness (23.6 vs 19.5 mm, p
Genetic Dissection of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pathogenesis: Partial Functional Complementation between Sle1 and Sle3/5 Demonstrates Requirement for Intracellular Coexpression for Full Phenotypic Expression of Lupus

Sle1 on chromosome 1 and Sle3/5 on chromosome 7 are two of the most critical lupus susceptibility loci of the New Zealand Black/White-derived NZM2410 mouse strain. In contrast to C57BL/6 mice congenic for either Sle1 (B6.Sle1) or Sle3/5 (B6.Sle3/5), strains that express only a modest lupus-related phenotype, the bicongenic B6.Sle1.Sle3/5 strain has a robust phenotype, suggesting a critical role for epistatic interactions in lupus pathogenesis. Mixed chimera experiments indicated that the two loci are functionally expressed by different cell populations and predicted that phenotypic expression of the phenotypic features of the B6.Sle1.Sle3/5 strain could be fully reproduced with a combination of B6.Sle1 and B6.Sle3/5 bone marrow. Contrary to our expectations, there was only a partial functional complementation in these mixed chimeras. Spleen enlargement, CD4:CD8 ratio elevation, and epitope spreading of autoantibodies were fully developed in B6+B6.Sle1.Sle3/5 but not in B6.Sle1+B6.Sle3/5 mixed chimeras. This study is the first to present evidence that the pathways mediated by two critical lupus susceptibility loci derived from the New Zealand White strain must be integrated intracellularly for epistatic interactions to occur. Our mixed chimera approach continues to provide novel insights into the functional genetic pathways underlying this important murine model of systemic autoimmunity.
Mining relaxed closed subspace clusters

This paper defines and discusses a new problem in the area of subspace clustering. It defines the problem of mining closed subspace clusters. This new concept allows for the culling of more high quality and less redundant clusters, than that of traditional clustering algorithms. In addition, our method contains a relaxation parameter, which allows for the classification of qualifying clusters into mutually exclusive bins of varying quality---extending the problem to mining relaxed closed subspace clusters. These concepts culminate in a new algorithm called Relaxed Closed Subspace Clustering (RCSC).
Comparing a Problem-Solving Workshop to a Conflict Assessment Framework: Conflict Analysis Versus Conflict Assessment in Practice

The nexus between peacebuilding and development is widely acknowledged, and yet the two fields continue to operate differently in diagnosing destructive intergroup conflicts, as demonstrated by conflict analysis methods versus conflict assessment frameworks. This article juxtaposes conflict analysis, as illustrated by a problem- solving workshop on the Cyprus conflict, with a specialised conflict assessment workshop on an intergroup conflict in India. A comparative analysis based on participant observation in each workshop revealed basic similarities, but these were outweighed by important differences primarily related to differing assumptions about conflict causation (relationships versus structures). The implications for greater cross-fertilisation and the improvement of practice in both fields are identified.
Contribution allocation for voltage stability in deregulated power systems

With deregulation of power systems, it is of great importance to know who contributes to avoid a voltage collapse, which could be due to different parts of the power system-generator, control system and transmission part, etc. This paper focuses on how to allocate the responsibility and contribution by bifurcation analysis. The authors investigate how parameters of the system influence the bifurcation points. Three bifurcations the singularity induced bifurcation, saddle-node and Hopf bifurcation, and their relationship to several commonly used controllers, are analyzed. Their parameters' impact on the bifurcation points is investigated in this paper, from which the authors found a way to allocate the contribution by analyzing the relative positions of the bifurcations. They also analyzed the influence of other parameters (parameters of transmission and generators) on the bifurcation points. A simple two-bus system is used in this paper to demonstrate their approach. Their result shows that bifurcation analysis is a credible way to allocate the contribution, and the analysis will help design the controller and optimize the system to avoid voltage collapse.
A case study of the elder care functions of a Chilean non-governmental organization

This paper examines the history and role of a faith-based Chilean nonprofit organization, Hogar de Cristo (Christ's Home), in providing elderly care in the context of recent economic and sociopolitical changes in the country. Chile has been at the forefront of market-based reforms in the delivery of social services and its experience provides insights into the intersecting roles of the state, the market, and the non-governmental sector in addressing basic human needs. Based on in-depth interviews, archival data, and field observations, we investigate the institutional, political, and social factors that account for the organization's success. These result from a number of factors including a capacity to adapt to changing client needs, the successful adoption of an entrepreneurial style of management and outreach, and the building of trust through effective public relations. Although conditions unique to the situation of this faith-based organization in a highly Catholic country may account for its success, the experience of Hogar de Cristo provides useful lessons for the future of elder care policy in the Americas.
A novel voice recognition model based on HMM and fuzzy PPM

Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is a robust statistical methodology for automatic speech recognition. It has being tested in a wide range of applications. A prediction approach traditionally applied for the text compression and coding, Prediction by Partial Matching (PPM) which is a finite-context statistical modeling technique and can predict the next characters based on the context, has shown a great potential in developing novel solutions to several language modeling problems in speech recognition. These two different approaches have their own special features respectively contributing to voice recognition. However, no work has been reported in integrating them at attempt to forming a hybrid voice recognition scheme. To take the advantages of strengths of these two approaches, we propose a hybrid speech recognition model based on HMM and fuzzy PPM, which has demonstrated by the experiment competitive and promising performance in speech recognition.
Microbiological analysis of drinking water quality of Ananthanar channel of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India

Bacteriological analyses were carried out on Ananthanar channel water of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. The Ananthanar channel was selected in this study because this channel runs about nearly 28 km and supplies water for many villages for drinking and bathing purposes. Fecal and total coliform counts were performed using the standard membrane filtration technique and multiple tube technique. The results obtained were compared with reports of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Standards for Drinking and Recreational Water. Faecal coliform counts varied from 12 to 180 MPN/100 ml while Escherichia coli counts ranged from 6 to 161 MPN/100 ml for all the sampled sites. Among the total coliform Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shewanella putrefaciens, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii and Proteus mirabilis are reported. The Faecal coliform and the E. coli counts exceeding acceptable limits are indicative of pollution from domestic wastes from several informal settlements located along the riverbank. Water uses in the area were determined and were found to be mainly domestic and recreational. The gross pollution of the river exposes the local people who depend on it for their primary water source to serious health risk.
Characterization and comparison of phytoplankton in selected lakes of five Great Lakes area National Parks

Phytoplankton species have been widely used as indicators of lake conditions, and they may be useful for detecting changes in overall lake condition. In an attempt to inventory and monitor its natural resources, the National Park Service wants to establish a monitoring program for aquatic resources in the Great Lakes Cluster National Parks. This study sought to establish baseline information on the phytoplankton and water chemistry of selected lakes in five national parks in a preliminary effort toward establishing a long-term monitoring program. Phytoplankton and water chemistry samples were collected from ten lakes in five national parks over a two-year period. A total of 176 taxa were identified during the study. Northern lakes generally had higher Shannon-Wiener diversity and clustered together in similarity. Lakes exhibited a south to north gradient of many water chemistry variables, with northern lakes having lower hardness, sulfate, turbidity, and temperature and higher dissolved oxygen. Chloride a...
Dynamics of primary charge separation in bacterial photosynthesis using the multilevel Redfield-Davies secular approach

We use Redfield's relaxation theory in the Davies formulation to study primary charge separation reactions in bacterial photosynthesis. The specific model studied is the standard one (spin-boson), with three states for the system, harmonic oscillators for the bath, and linear ohmic system-bath coupling. The Redfield-Davies formulation, which is equivalent to the secular approximation, is Markovian, of second order in system-bath coupling, and is written for the system's density matrix. The approximation does not suffer from any negative probabilities (which appear in the original Redfield approach) and can therefore be used for long-time processes (20 ps or more here). Our results are in line with previous studies, especially to high bath frequencies. They confirm the usefulness of the Redfield-Davies secular approach as a convenient and simple tool for studying system-bath processes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 87: 254-263, 2002
Molecular Identity of Human Outer Radial Glia during Cortical Development

Radial glia, the neural stem cells of the neocortex, are located in two niches: the ventricular zone and outer subventricular zone. Although outer subventricular zone radial glia may generate the majority of human cortical neurons, their molecular features remain elusive. By analyzing gene expression across single cells, we find that outer radial glia preferentially express genes related to extracellular matrix formation, migration, and stemness, including TNC, PTPRZ1, FAM107A, HOPX, and LIFR. Using dynamic imaging, immunostaining, and clonal analysis, we relate these molecular features to distinctive behaviors of outer radial glia, demonstrate the necessity of STAT3 signaling for their cell cycle progression, and establish their extensive proliferative potential. These results suggest that outer radial glia directly support the subventricular niche through local production of growth factors, potentiation of growth factor signals by extracellular matrix proteins, and activation of self-renewal pathways, thereby enabling the developmental and evolutionary expansion of the human neocortex.