cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deposition of YBa2Cu3O7-x thick films using an RF thermal plasma reactor

Abstract Superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x films have been deposited by thermal plasma chemical vapor deposition using an RF thermal plasma reactor operated at atmospheric pressure with mixed Ar and O 2 as plasma gases. Mixed aqueous nitrate solutions of yttrium, barium and copper were used as precursors. The liquid precursors were atomized by an ultrasonic nebulizer and introduced into the RF thermal plasma using oxygen as the carrier gas. Polycrystalline CaO stabilized ZrO 2 was used as the substrate material. The substrate temperatures were controlled by gas cooling of the substrate holder. The as-deposited films were black, dense, smooth, and superconducting with onset T c 's higher than 80 K. X-ray diffraction, SEM and transition temperature measurement were carried out for the characterization of the as-deposited films. The x-ray diffraction pattern shows that the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x films were preferentially oriented with the c -axis perpendicular to the plane of the films.
Protein O-GlcNAcylation and Cardiovascular (Patho)physiology

Our understanding of the role of protein O-GlcNAcylation in the regulation of the cardiovascular system has increased rapidly in recent years. Studies have linked increased O-GlcNAc levels to glucose toxicity and diabetic complications; conversely, acute activation of O-GlcNAcylation has been shown to be cardioprotective. However, it is also increasingly evident that O-GlcNAc turnover plays a central role in the delicate regulation of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, the goals of this minireview are to summarize our current understanding of how changes in O-GlcNAcylation influence cardiovascular pathophysiology and to highlight the evidence that O-GlcNAc cycling is critical for normal function of the cardiovascular system.
DIMENSIONAL RELATIONS IN MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS

An analysis of the dimensional relations characteristic of electromagnetic phenomena in fluids of large dimensions is carried out. Most dimensionless quantities are found to be exceedingly small, or large, compared to unity, with resultant simplifications of the theory. We find that, in the absence of instabilities, the conditions for the acceleration of particles to the higher cosmic-ray energies are favorable only when the linear dimensions of the fluids involved are very large.
Sequences in the PreC Region of Duck Hepatitis B Virus Affect Pregonomic RNA Accumulation

Abstract The pregenomic RNA of hepadnaviruses serves as both the mRNA for the core and polymerase proteins and the RNA template for reverse transcription. We have identified a region in the duck hepatitis B virus pregenomic RNA transcription unit that is critical for the accumulation of this transcript. This 85-nt region, termed α, is located within the preC region; deletion of α results in drastically reduced steady-state levels of pregenomic RNA. This effect is not due to reduction in transcription initiation or to enhancement of premature polyadenylation at the 5′ copy of the viral poly(A) signal. However, this phenotype is suppressed by deletion of a second, larger region (β) located ca. 1 kb downstream. The activity of the α element is tissue- and species-nonspecific; however, it displays absolute orientation-dependence and its activity is influenced by its position within the transcript. Models for its action are discussed.
Effects of Pre-Processing Filters on a Wavelet Packet-Based Algorithm to Identify Speech Transients

Speech transients have been shown to be important cues for identifying speech sounds, and amplification of transients can improve the intelligibility of speech in noise. We have developed a time-frequency approach to identify transients that uses a pre-processing filter, but optimal filter parameters are difficult to determine due to the large number of possibilities. This paper describes the use of the Articulation Index (AI) to evaluate the effects of different high-pass filters on our algorithm. The best filter was found to depend on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). AI results should be interpreted with caution, but they appear to provide a reasonable approach to selecting a pre-processing filter.
intra-cultural variability in the structure of the subjective color lexicon in Buganda1

The purpose of this paper is to describe the relationship between variability in the structure of the Luganda color lexicon and other sociocultural variables. The distribution of color in the physical and sociocultural environment in Buganda is described first in order to provide a context for the description of the color lexicon. Several psycholinguistic techniques are used to determine the range and extent of cognitive variability with respect to the color lexicon, and this variability is systematically related to other sociocultural variables.
SU-GG-I-22: Improving Skin-Surface Delineation in Truncated Cone-Beam CT Using Laser Profilometry

PURPOSE: Laser profilometry is a technique where three‐dimensional topographic surface profiles of an object are reconstructed using data acquired with a laser range‐finding system. Axial rotation of a laser range‐finding system around an object can provide enough surface data to allow for this reconstruction. In cone‐beam computed tomography(CBCT), a patient's imaging dose can be reduced by collimating the incident kilovoltage (kV) field; however this comes at the cost of reducing an imaging system's ability to accurately resolve a patient's skin surface. The study described herein is of the implementation of a laser‐profilometry‐based CBCT system which can enhance skin surface delineation while requiring narrower kV imaging beams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The head‐and‐neck region of an anthropomorphic phantom was imaged using the CBCT feature of the Elekta XVI kV imaging system. During this imaging session, a three‐dimensional skin‐surface was reconstructed using an in‐house laser profilometry system attached to the collimator of the Elekta Axesse's MV treatment beam. This profilometry system is capable of measuring the distance to the surface of an object with an uncertainty of +/− 1.5mm. Skin‐surface reconstructions are then compared with CBCTreconstructions with emphasis placed on delineation of skin boundaries. RESULTS: Coregistration of the reconstructed laser‐defined skin surface with XVI‐generated CBCTreconstruction show strong spatial correlation. CONCLUSION: The detail provided by laser data allows for the narrowing of collimators in kV imaging beams without losing the ability to resolve boundary edges in the imaging subject. Research supported by NIH T32‐CA113267.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cu3NbSe4 and KCu2TaSe4

Abstract Cu 3 NbSe 4 has been synthesized from a stoichiometric reaction of the elements at 950°C. The material, which has the sulvanite (Cu 3 VS 4 ) structure, crystallizes in space group T 1 d - P 43 m of the cubic system with one formula unit in a cell with a = 5.638(1) A at - 165°C. Cu 3 NbSe 4 has a three-dimensional structure with edge-sharing of CuSe 4 and NbSe 4 tetrahedra and corner-sharing among CuSe 4 tetrahedra extending equally in all directions. KCu 2 TaSe 4 was prepared from a reaction of K 2 Se 5 , Cu, Ta, and Se in the ratio 1:4:2:3 at 850°C. KCu 2 TaSe 4 crystallizes in space group C 4 3 - Cc of the monoclinic system with four formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 5.660(1), b = 18.829(4), c = 7.662(2) A, β = 90.04(3)° at - 165°C. In this structure the Ta and two independent Cu atoms are in tetrahedral sites. The CuSe 4 and TaSe 4 tetrahedra share edges and corners to make up two-dimensional layers. These layers are separated from one another by K + ions. KCu 2 TaSe 4 is not isostructural with KCu 2 NbSe 4 , although the structures are similar.
Engineering notion of mean-residual-life and hazard-rate for finite populations with known distributions

This article overviews some foundation issues in reliability and argues that generally it does not make sense to use classical notions of the hazard rate (HR) and mean residual life (MRL) to describe the HR and MRL of a device (the HR and failure rate are interchangeable terms). It provides a new methodology, using engineering notions of HR and MRL, to describe the HR and MRL of a device. and discusses the relevance of these methods in comparison to existing methods. In practice, the engineering notions of HR and MRL can be more complicated and more difficult to compute than the classical notions of these functions. Nevertheless, one should adhere to the procedures in this paper insofar as feasible because, as the examples indicate, the engineering notions of these functions dramatically differ from the classical notions. The finite populations have specified joint distributions.
Clinical Pragmatism in Bioethics: A Pastoral Approach

This paper addresses the integration of the philosophical school of American Pragmatism, as articulated by John Dewey and others, with the disciplines of bioethics and pastoral care. It suggests new avenues for theological reflection in the bioethical enterprise. It was first presented as the inaugural Anton. T. Boisen Lecture in Pastoral Care and Education in 2004 under the auspices of Continuum Hospice Care, New York.
Activation of soil pyrophosphatase by metal ions

Abstract Inorganic pyrophosphatase activity in three soils decreased when exchangeable and soluble metals were removed by leaching with in NH 4 OAc (pH 8). The effect of added metal ions at various concentrations in the leached soils showed that, at certain concentrations, Ba 2+ , Ca 2+ , Co 2+ , Mg 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ni 2+ and Zn 2+ promoted, K + and Na + had no effect, and Fc 2+ and Cu 2+ decreased pyrophosphatase activity. At high concentrations (>50 mM). Co 2+ , Mn 2+ , Ni 2+ and Zn 2+ inhibited pyrophosphatase activity in two soils. The concentration of metal ion needed for optimum activity of pyrophosphatase varied among the soils. The efficiency of the metal ions at optimum concentrations (average percentage increase for three soils in parentheses) in promoting pyrophosphatase was Ca 2+ (47) > Mg 2+ (42) > Ba 2+ = Co 2+ (29) > Ni 2+ (27) > Zn 2+ (20) > Mn 2+ (16). Pyrophosphatase activity in two leached soils adjusted to 50, 75, 100 or 150 mM PPi and Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ concentrations from 0 to 250 mM was at an optimum when the metal ion: PPi ratio was 1:1. Soil pyrophosphatase in the presence of 200 mM CaCl 2 or MgCl 2 was protected against inactivation by heat (90 C for up to 30 min).
Long-term endurance and selection studies in hydrogen and oxygen photoproduction by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Abstract Two wild-type strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been subjected to repeated cycles of anaerobiosis, carbon dioxide deprivation, and irradiation as a means of testing the long-term stability of hydrogen and oxygen photoproduction and the effectiveness of these conditions as selection or adaptation pressures for increasing hydrogen and/or oxygen yields. Simultaneous hydrogen and oxygen photoproduction yields were monitored in each culture for 160 h. The cells were then removed from the reaction chamber and used to inoculate fresh growth medium to produce the culture for the next experiment. This cycle was repeated five times. Yields of hydrogen and oxygen improved after three cycles and declined in the fourth and fifth; unlike the second and third cycles, extended periods of aerobic growth were used for the fourth and fifth cycles. The stability of hydrogen and oxygen photoproduction was greater in the fifth cycle than in any of the previous cycles. These subpopulations had hydrogen and oxygen production rates, at 160 h, which were nearly equal to the rates at the beginning of the fifth-cycle experiments. Time profiles of the relative hydrogen yields from each of the five cycles, prepared at 32, 80, and 120 h, show that the relative yield in each varies with the point in time at which the profile was taken. Chlorophyll retention increased with each successive cycle, indicating selection or adaptation for a more durable population of cells with respect to the light-harvesting component of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Stacks, queues, and deques with order-statistic operations

Anorder-statistic deque is a deque that also supports the operationfind(k, D), wherefind(k, D) returns the item inD with rankk. Assumingk is fixed, we show how to implement an order-statistic deque so thatinject(x, D), eject(D), push(x, D), andpop(D) take O(logk) amortized time andfind(k, D) takes worst-case constant time; the time bounds can be made worst case using a technique of Gajewska and Tarjan. We also show our implementations are optimal in the algebraic decision tree model of computation. This deque is applied to three problems: computing order-statistic filters, finding a smallest area convex quadrilateral in the plane, and computing “batched” order statistics.
Characterization of the promoter region of the rat neprilysin gene.

The neprilysin gene is composed of three distinct 5' noncoding exons which can be joined to the first coding exon to generate multiple mRNA species, all encoding the same protein. Genomic fragments containing upstream sequences of each of these three noncoding exons from the rat neprilysin gene were subcloned in the promoterless vector pXp1, which contains the luciferase reporter gene. Expression was compared between a neprilysin positive human spinal cord cell line, HSC-2, and neprilysin negative lines MCF-7, a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and Hep G2, a human liver carcinoma cell line. The first and second promoter regions showed high activity in the positive cell line, but low activity in the negative cell lines. An analysis of the exon 1 promoter region showed that the proximal 85 nucleotides exhibited basal promoter activity. An enhancer-like sequence was found to be located within a 22-bp fragment located at -136 to -115. Scanning mutagenesis of a 29-bp fragment containing the enhancer-like sequence showed that changes in each 5- or 6-bp segment throughout this fragment decreased activity; however, mutations of the segment encompassing positions 19 to 24 eliminated >98% of the promoter activity. Binding of nuclear proteins from HSC-2 cells to this 29-bp fragment was observed by gel shift analysis. The ability of mutations within the 29-bp fragment to affect enhancer activity correlated with the ability of these mutant oligonucleotides to compete for the wild-type sequence in gel shift assays.
Influence of Hcl and H2 on the Heteroepitaxial Growth of 3C-SiC Films on Si(100) Via Low-Temperature Chemical Vapor Deposition

The roles of HCl and H 2 on the low temperature epitaxial growth of 3C-SiC on Si (100) in the SiH 4 -C 2 H-HCl-H 2 system were examined. At a deposition temperature of 1000 °C with pure H 2 as the carrier gas, the deposition rate decreased by approximately 70%, and the structure of the films changed from randomly oriented polycrystals, to textured polycrystals, to single crystals as the Cl/Si gas input ratio was increased from 0 to 40. Without any HCl present, the deposition rate did not change when the H 2 carrier gas was replaced with up to 75% He. With a Cl/Si input ratio of 40, the growth rate decreased by approximately 70% as the He fraction was increased to 75%. Films deposited without HCl became more textured as H 2 was replaced with He, and single crystal films were produce with a 75% He - 25% H 2 mixture as the carrier gas. In contrast, with an input Cl/Si ratio of 40, all films were single crystal, but the rocking curve FWHM increased as H 2 was replaced with He.
Estimating errors of numerical approximation for analytic functions

It is shown that very nearly the same estimates for the errors of numerical approximation for analytic functions can be obtained more simply through Cauchy's integral formula that otherwise result from Davis' method using Hilbert space techniques.
The Latent Class Structure of Exercise and Eating Behavior

Purpose The overall goal of this study is to inform community-based health promotion initiatives related to obesogenic behavior. Three aspects of behavior change (increasing fruit and vegetable intake, reducing fat intake, and increasing exercise) are considered simultaneously in this study. The relationship between chronic disease status and obesogenic behavior was also evaluated. Chronic diseases addressed in this study are hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol as these conditions require ongoing management of dietary and exercise behavior to prevent relapse and worsening. Methods Using data from a county health department's adaptation of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n=7014), Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was employed to identify subgroups of individuals based on their stages of change for multiple eating and exercise behaviors. Latent class analysis (LCA) is a statistical technique used to identify subgroups of individuals where the grouping variable is not directly observed. The latent class structure of obesogenic behaviors was explored separately for each gender-race group, as different latent classes were expected to emerge in these subgroups. Covariates were then incorporated into the latent class model as grouping variables in order to assess the relationship between indicators of chronic illness and latent class membership. Results Eleven unique latent classes of exercise and eating behavior emerged from the race-gender latent class models. Latent class membership probabilities varied substantially by race and gender. Effects of chronic disease status, and overall health status also varied across race-gender groups. Conclusion The LCA approach allows one to look at multiple obesogenic behaviors simultaneously. A latent class approach provides a vehicle by which public health practitioners can design and market community level interventions based on the behavioral characteristics of subgroups of the target population.
On the possible role of crystals in the origins of life. I. The adsorption of nucleosides, nucleotides and pyrophosphate by apatite crystals.

Abstract Ever since Oparin (1936) first formulated a scientific approach to the terrestrial origins of life, there has been increasing interest and research activity in the broad subject area (Fox, 1965). Beginning with Calvin's laboratory (Garrison et al., 1951) and Miller (1955), the successful “chance” synthesis of nearly all the biologically important monomeric substances (amino acids, sugars, fatty acids, even purincs and pyrimidincs) has been accomplished (Calvin and Calvin, 1964). Many laboratories have been involved and, in many cases, the starting materials and conditions employed can be reasonatly hypothesized to have occuired on a primitive prebiotic earth. In general, these syntheses involved reducing atmospheres (H 2 , CH 4 , H 2 O, etc.) and energy sources sufficient to form free ladicals. Recombination of radicals is thought to give rise to HCN and H 2 CO which spontaneously hydrolyze (Calvin and Calvin, 1964) to give a variety of monomers and, on some occasions, even peptides (Moser and Matthews, 1968; Fox, 1965a) The necessary second stage of prebiotic evolution has been less successfully explored experimentally. Here we are concerned with less energetic reactions involving dehydrations and phosphorylations: amino acids to polypeptides, purincs and pyrimidines to nuclcosides, nuclcosides to nucleotides and nucleotides to polynucteotides. The problem is obvious. Dehydration reactions are quite improbable in a dilute aqueous solution such as the primeval ocean. Most investigators (Fox, 1965) have followed the lead of Fox (1965a) in using anhydrous conditions and fairly high thermal energies (above 100 °C). Despite the success of this approach, the probability of such conditions occurring on a massive scale seems, intuitively, to be rather small. On the other hand, the alternating tidal wetting and drying of the oceanic shores is a massive process indeed, and tides date back to the beginnings of the oceans themselves. Moreover, the beaches, at low tide, reach temperatures uncomfortable to the touch on sunny days, even today. The problems with this system are principally two: a mechanism for concentrating solutes is needed and the relatively low temperatures available call for some catalytic process to drive dehydration reactions at appreciable rates. If the beaches themselves could be shown to have such properties, the second phase of prebiotic evolution could be fairly well explained. It seemed worthwhile to examine selected, naturally occurring solids for adsorptive and catalytic properties, particularly with respect to dehydration and phosphorylation reactions. Bernal (1951), among others, has suggested that clays or crystals may have participated importantly in prebiotic evolution. These suggestions were essentially speculative in character, however, and to our knowledge, no relevant laboratory investigation has been reported.
On-line estimation of nonlinear physical systems

Recursive algorithms for estimating states of nonlinear physical systems are presented. Orthogonality properties are rediscovered and the associated polynomials are used to linearize state and observation models of the underlying random processes. This requires some key hypotheses regarding the structure of these processes, which may then take account of a wide range of applications. The latter include streamflow forecasting, flood estimation, environmental protection, earthquake engineering, and mine planning. The proposed estimation algorithm may be compared favorably to Taylor series-type filters, nonlinear filters which approximate the probability density by Edgeworth or Gram-Charlier series, as well as to conventional statistical linearization-type estimators. Moreover, the method has several advantages over nonrecursive estimators like disjunctive kriging. To link theory with practice, some numerical results for a simulated system are presented, in which responses from the proposed and extended Kalman algorithms are compared.
Reproductive Potential of the Black Bullhead, Ictalurus melas, in Clear Lake, Iowa

Abstract Gonadal development, time of spawning, and fecundity of black bullheads were examined in 1969 and 1970 for insight into the reproductive potential of this species in a warm-water lake. Maturity indexes peaked around 1 June in both years. Spawning was evidently triggered by rising water temperatures during June. Fecundity seemed unrelated to body length because ovaries of fish of similar length varied more than 100% in number of mature ova present.
Resolution of radio frequency exposure concerns at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution with a collaborative approach.

Numerous employees at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) have expressed health concerns about occupational exposures to various radio frequency radiation (RFR) sources. These RFR sources of concern include primarily radar systems (ship and experimental) and various communication systems (ship, roof top transmitting and receiving antennas, and portable transceivers.). A certified testing service and an independent health physics consultant evaluated the RFR exposures using appropriate methods and concluded that all occupied work areas were below the applicable maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits. Despite these independent conclusions, numerous employees continued to express health concerns and an interest in evaluating their exposures with a monitoring device that was more representative of their personal exposure (i.e., could be worn on body). To facilitate resolution of these concerns, a collaborative approach between the Environmental, Health & Safety Office and the concerned employees was developed that included: I) a literature search was conducted and information on RFR health effects, exposure limits, and assessment methods was compiled and made available to all concerned employees; 2) all RFR sources of concern were identified and characterized by frequency; 3) an RFR personal monitor was evaluated and selected; 4) RFR exposures were evaluated with full-shift monitoring; and 5) data logged monitoring results and the relevant exposure limits were evaluated. All monitored exposures have been less than 10% of the MPE limit from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard C95.1-1999 for controlled areas, and all occupational RFR exposure concerns have been resolved.
Adipose tissue macrophages: Amicus adipem?

Chronic overnutrition drives complex adaptations within both professional metabolic and bystander tissues that, despite intense investigation, are still poorly understood. Xu et al. (2013) now describe the unexpected ability of adipose tissue macrophages to buffer lipids released from obese adipocytes in a manner independent of inflammatory macrophage activation.
Multivariate fMRI Analysis Using Optimally-discriminative Voxel-based Analysis

This significantly extends Multi-Voxel Pattern Analysis (MVPA) methods, such as the Searchlight and related methods, by building on an approach that was recently proposed for structural brain images, and was named Optimally-Discriminative Voxel-Based Analysis (ODVBA), which uses machine learning models to determine the optimal anisotropic filtering of images that enhances group differences. Precise spatial maps of activation are computed by tallying the weights of each voxel to all of the neighborhood in which it belongs, and significance maps are obtained via permutation testing. We adapt this idea to both single and multi-subject fMRI analysis. Both simulated data and real data from 12 adolescent subjects who completed a standard working memory task demonstrated the use of ODVBA in fMRI improves accuracy and spatial specificity of activation detection over Searchlight.
Surgical treatment of aseptic olecranon bursitis

Most cases of aseptic olecranon bursitis respond to conservative treatment, yet some will develop a chronic bursitis with sufficient symptoms to warrant surgery. Over a 10-year period 21 cases of aseptic olecranon bursitis were treated surgically at our institution. Surveillance was a minimum of 2 years and averaged 5.2 years. The procedure provided complete and long-term relief in only 40% (two of five) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, whereas 94% (15 of 16) of the patients without rheumatoid arthritis did well (p = 0.028, Fisher's Exact test). No patients had deep infection or draining wounds. Properly performed surgical treatment of aseptic olecranon bursitis appears to offer long-lasting symptomatic relief to patients without rheumatoid arthritis.
New approaches to the surgical therapy of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

Abstract Fundamental changes in the therapy of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, in both technique and strategy, are occurring in the practice of cardiac surgery. New surgical approaches to coronary artery bypass grafting include the use of “mini” incisions and off-bypass techniques as well as the more widespread use of arterial conduits. Furthermore, the treatment of adult heart disease, in particular coronary artery disease, may be entering a period of fundamental change with the advent of nongrafting techniques, such as transmyocardial revascularization, therapeutic angiogenesis, and gene therapy. This article provides an overview of these new approaches, which involve either modifications of current coronary artery bypass grafting techniques or the novel use of biologic revascularization.
A meta-analysis of experimental studies of diversion programs for juvenile offenders

OBJECTIVE: Research to establish an evidence-base for the treatment of conduct problems and delinquency in adolescence is well established; however, an evidence-base for interventions with offenders who are diverted from the juvenile justice system has yet to be synthesized. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of experimental studies testing juvenile diversion programs and to examine the moderating effect of program type and implementation quality. METHOD: A literature search using PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the National Criminal Justice Reference Service data-bases and research institute websites yielded 28 eligible studies involving 57 experimental comparisons and 19,301 youths. RESULTS: Recidivism was the most common outcome reported across all studies. Overall, the effect of diversion programs on recidivism was non-significant (k=45, OR=0.83, 95%CI=0.43-1.58). Of the five program types identified, including case management (k=18, OR=0.78), individual treatment (k=11, OR=0.83), family treatment (k=4, OR=0.57), youth court (k=6, OR=0.93), and restorative justice (k=6, OR=0.87), only family treatment led to a statistically significant reduction in recidivism. Restorative justice studies that were implemented with active involvement of researchers led to statistically significant reductions in recidivism (k=3, OR=0.69). Other outcomes, including frequency of offending, truancy, and psycho-social problems were reported infrequently and were not subjected to meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of heterogeneity characterize diversion research. Results of this study recommend against implementation of programs limited to case management and highlight the promise of family interventions and restorative justice. Language: en
Elevated polar ejection forces stabilize kinetochore-microtubule attachments.

Chromosome biorientation promotes congression and generates tension that stabilizes kinetochore–microtubule (kt-MT) interactions. Forces produced by molecular motors also contribute to chromosome alignment, but their impact on kt-MT attachment stability is unclear. A critical force that acts on chromosomes is the kinesin-10–dependent polar ejection force (PEF). PEFs are proposed to facilitate congression by pushing chromosomes away from spindle poles, although knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underpinning PEF generation is incomplete. Here, we describe a live-cell PEF assay in which tension was applied to chromosomes by manipulating levels of the chromokinesin NOD (no distributive disjunction; Drosophila melanogaster kinesin-10). NOD stabilized syntelic kt-MT attachments in a dose- and motor-dependent manner by overwhelming the ability of Aurora B to mediate error correction. NOD-coated chromatin stretched away from the pole via lateral and end-on interactions with microtubules, and NOD chimeras with either plus end–directed motility or tip-tracking activity produced PEFs. Thus, kt-MT attachment stability is modulated by PEFs, which can be generated by distinct force-producing interactions between chromosomes and dynamic spindle microtubules.
The Effects of the Use of Renzulli Learning on Student Achievement in Reading Comprehension, Reading Fluency, Social Studies, and Science

Renzulli Learning is an on-line educational profile and educational learning system designed to match student interests, learning styles, and expression styles with a vast array of educational activities and resources designed to enrich and engage studentsâ?? learning process. In this experimental study, quantitative procedures were used to investigate the use of Renzulli Learning on oral reading fluency, reading comprehension, science achievement, social studies achievement of 383 elementary and middle schools students. The research took place in two schools, an urban middle school in Georgia where half of all students are considered to be at risk due to poverty or other factors, and a suburban elementary school in southern California. Students in grades 3 ­ 5 (n = 185) and grades 6 ­ 8 (n = 198) were randomly assigned to use Renzulli Learning for 2-3 hours each week for a 16-week period. Students in the treatment groups were compared to students who did not have the opportunity to use Renzulli Learning in control classes in the same schools. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to explore differences between treatment and control students. After 16 weeks, students who participated in Renzulli Learning demonstrated significantly higher growth in reading comprehension (p < .001), significantly higher growth in oral reading fluency (p = .016), and significantly higher growth in social studies achievement (p = .013) than those students who did not participate in Renzulli Learning.
Functional genomic analysis of the let-7 regulatory network in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The let-7 microRNA (miRNA) regulates cellular differentiation across many animal species. Loss of let-7 activity causes abnormal development in Caenorhabditis elegans and unchecked cellular proliferation in human cells, which contributes to tumorigenesis. These defects are due to improper expression of protein-coding genes normally under let-7 regulation. While some direct targets of let-7 have been identified, the genome-wide effect of let-7 insufficiency in a developing animal has not been fully investigated. Here we report the results of molecular and genetic assays aimed at determining the global network of genes regulated by let-7 in C. elegans. By screening for mis-regulated genes that also contribute to let-7 mutant phenotypes, we derived a list of physiologically relevant potential targets of let-7 regulation. Twenty new suppressors of the rupturing vulva or extra seam cell division phenotypes characteristic of let-7 mutants emerged. Three of these genes, opt-2, prmt-1, and T27D12.1, were found to associate with Argonaute in a let-7–dependent manner and are likely novel direct targets of this miRNA. Overall, a complex network of genes with various activities is subject to let-7 regulation to coordinate developmental timing across tissues during worm development.
Metabolic heat production, heat loss and the circadian rhythm of body temperature in the rat

Metabolic heat production (calculated from oxygen consumption), dry heat loss (measured in a calorimeter) and body temperature (measured by telemetry) were recorded simultaneously at 6 min intervals over five consecutive days in rats maintained in constant darkness. Robust circadian rhythmicity (confirmed by chi square periodogram analysis) was observed in all three variables. The rhythm of heat production was phase-advanced by about half an hour in relation to the body temperature rhythm, whereas the rhythm of heat loss was phase-delayed by about half an hour. The balance of heat production and heat loss exhibited a daily oscillation 180 deg out of phase with the oscillation in body temperature. Computations indicated that the amount of heat associated with the generation of the body temperature rhythm (1.6 kJ) corresponds to less than 1 % of the total daily energy budget (172 kJ) in this species. Because of the small magnitude of the fraction of heat balance associated with the body temperature rhythm, it is likely that the daily oscillation in heat balance has a very slow effect on body temperature, thus accounting for the 180 deg phase difference between the rhythms of heat balance and body temperature.
Radiative cooling with MgO and/or LiF layers.

Resultats d'experiences montrant la meilleure performance de ces materiaux dans la refrigeration par rayonnement, utilisee notamment en conditionnement d'air
Optical expert system based on matrix-algebraic formulation

This paper describes an expert system paradigm based on matrix algebra. The knowledge base of the expert system is stored in binary matrices, while the learning and inference processes are done by matrix algebra operations. This method is highly parallel and can take full advantage of the inherent parallelism and connectivity of optics. An optoelectronic architecture that implements this system is presented. In addition, the method is compared with the sequential search methods written in the programming language prolog to illustrate their differences and commonalities.
Some effects of ventromedial hypothalamic lesions, adrenalectomies, and corticosterone replacement therapy on energy expenditure in rats.

The present study tested the hypothesis that the decreases in energy expenditure reported following ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions in rats are a function of the decreases in adrenal function. Five groups of rats received 21 1hr/day sessions in activity wheels and then were subjected to either VMH lesions, adrenalectomies, the respective sham-operations, or no operation. Following surgery, each rat was again given access to an activity wheel for 24 1-hr test sessions. During the test phase the rats received a sequence of drug/no drug conditions which consisted of: (1) no injection; (2) injections of the vehicle substance; or (3) injections of corticosterone in the vehicle substance. Under the no-drug conditions, running levels of the VMH-lesioned and adrenalectomized rats decreased, with the levels of VMH-lesioned rats being more severely depressed. Corticosterone replacement therapy reinstated the activity levels of the adrenalectomized rats, but not those of the VMH rats. The hypothesis that the reductions in activity following adrenalectomy or destruction of the VMH are due to disruption of the same mechanism was not supported.
Measurements of ocular aberrations and light scatter in healthy subjects.

Purpose To report and validate an optical imaging system that provides measurements of higher order ocular aberrations and light scatter in human eyes. Methods An optical imaging system has been established that provides for combined measurements of ocular aberrations and light scatter. A laser beam was expanded and focused to a point on the retina by the optics of the eye. Wavefront sensing was performed with a Shack-Hartmann aberrometer to determine the wavefront aberration function and calculate the point spread function, giving information on ocular aberrations. A cylindrical lens was placed in the path of the incident laser beam path, and the line spread function was derived from the laser slit, giving information on combined ocular aberrations and light scatter. A relative index for ocular light scatter was determined by subtracting the area under the two line spread functions. Measurements were performed in one eye of 20 normal healthy subjects. The subjects' ages ranged between 21 and 78 years, and the average for all the eyes was 43 +/- 17 years (mean +/- SD). Results Higher order ocular aberrations were correlated with subjects' ages (r = 0.6; p = 0.01; N = 20). Combined higher order ocular aberrations and light scatter were correlated with age (r = 0.7; p = 0.0002; N = 20). Light scatter was correlated with age (r = 0.6; p = 0.002; N = 20). Conclusions A method was established to measure age-related changes in ocular higher order aberrations and light scatter. Differentiating the contribution of ocular aberrations and light scatter to the retinal image quality has potential value for anticipating the outcome of procedures that attempt to compensate for ocular aberrations and for providing information on factors that degrade the optical performance of the eye in health and disease.
Suppression of polyamine biosynthesis prevents monocrotaline-induced pulmonary edema and arterial medial thickening

Abstract Previous work in our laboratory has shown that the continuous administration of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a highly specific irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, prevented the development of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy induced in rats 21 days after a single injection of monocrotaline (MCT). We now report that DFMO treatment did not influence the proposed first step of MCT pneumotoxicity, that is, the hepatic metabolism of MCT to toxic pyrrolic metabolites. In contrast, DFMO treatment blunted the development of lung perivascular edema at Day 7, inhibited the respective four- and twofold increases in lung putrescine and spermidine contents at Day 21 without significantly altering spermine content, and prevented the arterial medial thickening at Day 21. It thus appears that increased lung polyamine biosynthesis may be essential for the expression of MCT-induced perivascular edema as well as the development of the medial thickening stage of MCT-induced hypertensive pulmonary vascular disease.
Pump Replication and Related Effects in Raman Beam Cleanup

We examine conditions under which pump beam replication can occur in Raman beam cleanup with crossed pump beams. The dependence of pump beam replication on the small signal Raman gain and on the Stokes seed energy is explored.
Cloning and genetic parenthood.

This paper explores the implications of human reproductive cloning for our notions of parenthood. Cloning comes in numerous varieties, depending on (among other things) the kind of cell to be cloned, the age of the source at the time the clone is created, the intended social relationship, if any, between source and clone, and whether the clone is to be one of one, or one of many, genetically identical individuals alive at a time. The moral and legal character of an act of cloning may, moreover, differ in light of these distinctions. Surprisingly, however, reproductive cloning in all its variety seems to undermine the view of parenthood that is most popular among proponents of reproductive technology in the bioethics literature. This view, geneticism, has much to recommend it. I will show, however, that as commonly understood, geneticism is incompatible with the reproductive view of cloning. I then canvass alternative accounts of parenthood—namely, conventionalism, gestationalism, and intentionalism—but none succeeds in explaining reproductive cloning. I thus return to a reconstructed version of geneticism. I argue that the problem for geneticism rests not with the notion of genetic parenthood as such but with a particular, flawed, understanding of it, which I call informational geneticism. Informational geneticism should be rejected in favor of a “physicalistic” version of geneticism, which treats genes as particular objects, not abstract types, and takes seriously the essentially embodied character of reproduction. For these reasons, physicalistic geneticism survives the challenge represented by reproductive cloning. Additionally, physicalistic geneticism accommodates attractive aspects of competing views of parenthood, meeting some powerful objections in the process.
Microstructural models for quantitative analysis of grains and second-phase particles

Abstract Microstructural models for quantitative analysis of shapes and orientationsof grains and second-phase particles on plane sections have been proposed. The models use rectangle, ellipse, regular, and elongated polygons as idealized shapes. For each shape, a function describing the change of average linear intercept length with the scan angle has been derived. These functions are used in the identification of individual shapes as well as in the quantitative characterization of the collection of two-dimensional objects such as grains and particles. In addition, the shape index proposed in the author's earlier work has now been extended to describe the conglomerates of grains or second phase particles. A new orientation factor describing an object's alignment has also been proposed. A simple method for constructing the normalized average intercept length versus scan angle plots using polar coordinates is also presented. The utility of the proposed methodology is illustrated in an example of the characterization of the size, shape, and degree of orientation of subgrains in the 7050 aluminum alloy.
Customizing a similarity filter for object recognition

In object recognition, one goal of matched filter design has been to define a matching function that produces an ideal correlation peak when a target object in an image scene precisely matches the pre-defined template object. The benefit of such a function is that it guarantees a precise detection/identification. The ideal correlation-based function that defines the match has been described as a dirac delta in the correlation plane. This paper suggests that if similarity as opposed to precise matching is the goal of the correlation function, then ony using current two-dimensional correlation techniques will result in a non-dirac delta in the correlation plane. This paper suggests basing the design of the function on the object recognition goal. The approach for correlation function design is demonstrated using psychophysical evidence for class differentiation. A function is designed based on psychophysical experimental results for distinguishing between two simple objects and their deformations: a square and a circle.
Identification of a Maize Locus That Modulates the Hypersensitive Defense Response, Using Mutant-Assisted Gene Identification and Characterization

Potentially useful naturally occurring genetic variation is often difficult to identify as the effects of individual genes are subtle and difficult to observe. In this study, a novel genetic technique called Mutant-Assisted Gene Identification and Characterization is used to identify naturally occurring loci modulating the hypersensitive defense response (HR) in maize. Mutant-Assisted Gene Identification and Characterization facilitates the identification of naturally occurring alleles underlying phenotypic variation from diverse germplasm, using a mutant phenotype as a "reporter." In this study the reporter phenotype was caused by a partially dominant autoactive disease resistance gene, Rp1-D21, which caused HR lesions to form spontaneously all over the plant. Here it is demonstrated that the Rp1-D21 phenotype is profoundly affected by genetic background. By crossing the Rp1-D21 gene into the IBM mapping population, it was possible to map and identify Hrml1 on chromosome 10, a locus responsible for modulating the HR phenotype conferred by Rp1-D21. Other loci with smaller effects were identified on chromosomes 1 and 9. These results demonstrate that Mutant-Assisted Gene Identification and Characterization is a viable approach for identifying naturally occurring useful genetic variation.
Accounting for disease model uncertainty in mapping heterogeneous traits--a Bayesian model averaging approach.

Background: Locus heterogeneity, wherein a disease can be caused in different individuals by different genes and/or environmental factors, is a ubiquitous feature of complex traits. A Bayesian approach has been proposed to account for variable rates of heterogeneity across families in a parametric linkage analysis setup [Biswas and Lin: J Am Stat Assoc 2006;101:1341–1351]. As with any parametric approach, its application requires specification of the disease model, which limits its practical utility. Methods: We address this limitation by proposing a Bayesian model averaging (BMA) approach. We consider a finite number of disease models and treat the model as an unknown parameter. In practice, we use simple single-locus disease models as various categories for model. Results: Our simulations as well as analysis of Genetic Analysis Workshop 13 simulated data show that BMA retains at least 80% of the power that is obtained by analyzing under the true disease model. The coverage probability of interval for disease gene is maintained around the nominal level. Finally, we apply BMA to a Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease dataset and find evidence for linkage on chromosomes 19, 9, and 21. Conclusion: We conclude that the BMA approach utilizing simple single-locus models for averaging is effective for mapping heterogeneous traits.
Constructing the Optimal Hedge Fund of Funds

After having a proposed definition of what constitutes a hedge fund, the author discusses the various kinds of hedge fund strategies. In particular, he suggests that the principal areas of differentiation between various hedge funds are strategies or styles, risk and return objectives, various compensation structures, and the availability of information. He then reviews historical data and offers an analysis of the major sources of risk and return. He concludes that an investor seeking to select a particular hedge fund for inclusion in an “optimal” hedge fund of funds needs to focus on three key issues: the particular investment strategy used by the fund9s manager; how the manager9s strategy can be expected to perform in the existing (and expected) market environment; and how a combination of strategies will provide diversification and minimize volatility in the portfolio.