cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laboratory testing for cryoglobulins

Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate below 37°C and can cause multiorgan damage. There are three types of cryoglobulins: Type I (also called simple), which is mostly associated with monoclonal gammopathy and/or other hematologic disorders and Type II and Type III (known as mixed cryoglobulins), which are associated with infectious and systemic diseases. Testing for cryoglobulins is complicated by lack of reference range, standards, and stringency in maintaining testing temperature conditions. Identification of cryoprecipitate can be critical for patient care; therefore, correct testing conditions are crucial for reliable cryoglobulin testing. The patient's blood sample should be kept at 37°C initially to avoid premature precipitation of cryoglobulins and thereby decreasing the yield for subsequent identification. This could cause a false negative result. After warm centrifugation or warm cell precipitation, the clear serum is observed at 4°C for formation of cryoprecipitate. The cryoprecipitate is then washed in cold buffer, and the resulting precipitate is warmed to 37°C and subjected to further analysis by immunodiffusion and immunofixation. In addition to Meltzer's triad of purpura, weakness and arthralgias, cryoglobulinemias have protean manifestations involving skin, joints, kidney, nervous system, as well as the hematopoietic system. The management of cryoglobulinemia especially in patients with organ damage remains difficult. Treatment of cryoglobulinemia focuses on management of the underlying lymphoproliferative disorder or infectious or systemic causes. Medical management may also include corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents and plasmapheresis. Rituximab therapy seems to abrogate the aberrant B cell response.
Spectral unmixing of vegetation, soil and dry carbon cover in arid regions: comparing multispectral and hyperspectral observations

Remote measurements of the fractional cover of photosynthetic vegetation (PV), non-photosynthetic vegetation (NPV) and bare soil are critical to understanding climate and land-use controls over the functional properties of arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Spectral mixture analysis is a method employed to estimate PV, NPV and bare soil extent from multispectral and hyperspectral imagery. To date, no studies have systematically compared multispectral and hyperspectral sampling schemes for quantifying PV, NPV and bare soil covers using spectral mixture models. We tested the accuracy and precision of spectral mixture analysis in arid shrubland and grassland sites of the Chihuahuan Desert, New Mexico, USA using the NASA Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS). A general, probabilistic spectral mixture model, Auto-MCU, was developed that allows for automated sub-pixel cover analysis using any number or combination of optical wavelength samples. The model was tested with five different hyperspe...
Feeding kinematics and performance of the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus)

Abstract To elucidate feeding kinematics of the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), high-speed (500 frames/s) recordings of dorsal, lateral, and ventral feeding of larval silvery minnow were analyzed through National Institute of Health ImageJ software. Suction-feeding with buccal expansion was observed when feeding was apparent, and approach and feeding angle of H. amarus approaching the feeding substrate were calculated. Angles of approach averaged ca. 24–90°, while feeding angles were ca. 90°. Duration and touches, duration and bites, and touches and bites were correlated at 0.74, 0.62, and 0.54, respectively. Video analysis of feeding kinematics showed that H. amarus uses a combination of biting into the substrate followed by rapid lateral movement of the head. Hybognathus amarus has evolved a rapid-feeding mechanism in a turbid environment that allows for tasting and feeding sequences averaging 50–80 milliseconds.
Distributed image processing and classification for GIS based disaster management and communication system

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes cause huge loss of life, enormous amounts of property damage, and lengthy recovery times. Although it is impossible to avoid the costs of disasters, human sufferings can be minimized through effective disaster management and decision support system that can facilitate and expedite the resource distribution process more efficiently and effectively. In this paper, we utilized the high performance computing resources at Purdue University Calumet (PUC) to develop a disaster data management, visualization and decision supporting system that focuses on North West Indiana region. This paper focuses on three research objectives: 1) development of web-based disaster data management and communication system, 2) fast distributed computation of disaster related damage assessment and resource distribution strategy utilizing Miner Cluster, 3) interactive visualization of disaster affected populations, resource centers, as well as the resource distribution strategy. This research provides an efficient way for the local government agencies to process and manage disaster related information under adverse disaster conditions.
Fast Image Analysis for the Micronucleus Assay in a Fully Automated High-Throughput Biodosimetry System

The development of, and results from an image analysis system are presented for automated detection and scoring of micronuclei in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The system is part of the Rapid Automated Biodosimetry Tool, which was developed at the Center for High-Throughput Minimally Invasive Radiation Biodosimetry for rapid radiation dose assessment of many individuals based on single fingerstick samples of blood. Blood lymphocytes were subjected to the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and the images of cell cytoplasm and nuclei are analyzed to estimate the frequency of micronuclei in binucleated cells. We describe an algorithm that is based on dual fluorescent labeling of lymphocytes with separate analysis of images of cytoplasm and nuclei. To evaluate the performance of the system, blood samples of seven healthy donors were irradiated in vitro with doses from 0–10 Gy and dose-response curves of micronuclei frequencies were generated. To establish the applicability of the system to the detecti...
Lasers For Isotope Separation Processes And Their Properties

Summary of Potential Characteristics of Coherent Pumps for Dye Lasers.Laser Mex. Eff, AV P, W Rep. RateNitrogen glow discharge 6 x 10- ti100 7 x 103 Ar N2 (coaxial E -beam) 1 x 10-2 ? 5 x 102 Ar ion (all visible lines) 1 x 10-3 200 DC Ar ion (all uv lines) 2.5 x 10-4 50 DC Copper vapor 2 x 10-2 1000 >2 x 104Nd:YAG (cw pump, rep Q switch) 2 x 10 -2>100 >1 x 104Nd:YAG (frequency doubled) 5 x 10 -3 >25 >1 x 104tSeparative work is a value balance between feed, product, and tails. The definition of separative work statesthat it is a measure of the net increase or change in value for a given feed amount separated into product or tails. Separative work is commonly measured in kilograms of uranium and termed separative work units, or SWU.As an example, a product output of 1 kg of uranium at 3.2% assay would require 5.871 kg of uranium feed at nor-mal assay (0.71 %) and would involve performing 4.746 kg of separative work. Of course, to achievg3bthe productoutput for this example, the tails or waste stream produced would be 4.871 kg of uranium at 0.2%
Distribution of genetic diversity among disjunct populations of the rare forest understory herb, Trillium reliquum

We assessed genetic diversity and its distribution in the rare southeastern US forest understory species, Trillium reliquum. In all, 21 loci were polymorphic (PS=95.5%) and the mean number of alleles per polymorphic locus was 3.05. However, genetic diversity was relatively low (Hes=0.120) considering the level of polymorphism observed for this outcrossing species. A relatively high portion of the genetic diversity (29.7%) was distributed among populations. There was no relationship between population size and genetic diversity, and we did not detect significant inbreeding. These results are best explained by the apparent self-incompatibility of this species, its longevity and clonal reproduction. To address questions regarding the history of T. reliquum's rarity, we compared results for T. reliquum with that of its more common and partially sympatric congener, T. cuneatum. Despite shared life history traits and history of land use, we observed significant genetic differences between the two species. Although T. cuneatum contains slightly lower polymorphism (Ps=85%), we detected significantly higher genetic diversity (Hes=0.217); most of its genetic diversity is contained within its populations (GST=0.092). Our results suggest that not only is there little gene flow among extant T. reliquum populations, but that rarity and population isolation in this species is of ancient origins, rather than due to more recent anthropogenic fragmentation following European colonization. The Chattahoochee River was identified as a major barrier to gene exchange.
Transfusion reaction, unilateral ureteral obstruction, and renal cortical necrosis

Abstract Bilateral focal renal cortical necrosis developed in a patient who received six units of ABO mismatched blood and inadvertent surgical ligation of one ureter. Unlike case reports and experimental studies in which unilateral ureteral obstruction had a “protective” effect on the development of ipsilateral cortical necrosis, the obstructed kidney sustained more injury than the contralateral kidney. Partial recovery of renal function occurred bilaterally after a six-week period of oliguria requiring 18 hemodialyses.
The zinc finger proteins ZNF644 and WIZ regulate the G9a/GLP complex for gene repression

The G9a/GLP complex mediates mono- and dimethylation of Lys9 of histone H3 at specific gene loci, which is associated with transcriptional repression. However, the molecular mechanism by which the G9a/GLP complex is targeted to the specific gene loci for H3K9 methylation is unclear. In this study, with unbiased protein affinity purification, we found ZNF644 and WIZ as two core subunits in the G9a/GLP complex. ZNF644 and WIZ interact with the transcription activation domain of G9a and GLP, respectively. Moreover, both ZNF644 and WIZ contain multiple zinc finger motifs that recognize consensus DNA sequences. ZNF644 and WIZ target G9a and GLP to the chromatin and mediate the G9a/GLP complex-dependent H3K9 methylation as well as gene repression. Thus, our studies reveal two key subunits in the G9a/GLP complex that regulate the function of this histone methyltransferase complex.
Scientific Logic: A Reader-Oriented Approach to Technical Writing:

Borrowing from scientific logic, the technical writing teacher can demonstrate differences between the way researchers/writers problem solve and the way readers comprehend written reports that are ...
Alliteration and the Sacred : A study of 'be fertile and increase'

The Hebrew Bible is a richly crafted text, teeming with wonderful examples of narrative artistry, not only of how it arranges words, but how it arranges sounds. If the structure of the narrative can help us interpret possible meanings, then it would seem that the phonetic elements of the text can also assist us in the larger task of interpretation (an underexploited resource for the biblical scholar). This article gives an example of how the rhythmic repetition of sound elements contribute to interpretation through the example of the richly alliterative phrase, peru urbu umil’u. The article examines its occurrences in Genesis. It is found ten times (in several grammatical forms), five in the Primeval History, five in the Patriarchal History. Close readings of these occurrences are used to show how the rhythmic arrangement of sounds contributes to the development of the themes at critical junctures of the narrative. When the phrase ‘be fruitful and multiply’ is found in direct speech by God to a human, the phrase is endowed with a tremendous amount of alliteration; when the phrase is found in human speech there is a great deal less. In this example, then, it would seem alliteration is being used to distinguish human from divine speech. As modern readers, it is very easy for us to forget the oral context in which these stories emerged, that most people heard, rather than read, them. So it seems completely reasonable to suggest that, in this one example, phonetic artistry is being used to make it easier for the listener of the text to understand that he has just heard the voice of God.
Ischemic colitis in a crack abuser

We report a case of acute colitis temporally associated with smoking crack. Colonoscopy revealed a patchy left-sided hemorrhagic inflammation from the rectosigmoid colon to the splenic flexure. Biopsy specimens were consistent with resolving ischemic colitis. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute bloody diarrhea in recreational drug users.
Giant axonal neuropathy — A unique case with segmental neurofilamentous masses

Sural nerve biopsy was performed on a six-year-old girl with a slowly progressive distal mixed polyneuropathy. The nerve fiber population was reduced, and of those remaining, approximately half were greatly enlarged, measuring up to 35 microns in cross section. Longitudinal sections showed axonal enlargement to be segmental. Ultrastructurally, swollen axonal segments were filled with neurofilaments in closely-packed swirls which appeared to tie on occasion into granular electron-opaque condensations. Both, myelinated and unmyelinated fibers were involved, and some degree of onion-bulb formation was observed. Although masses of neurofilaments are found in peripheral axons in other disorders, none approaches the proportions encountered in this unique case.
Exercise training for African Americans with disabilities residing in difficult social environments.

Objective: To examine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a structured 12-week exercise training program for a predominantly African-American group of adults with multiple health conditions who reside in difficult social environments. Methods: A total of 37 females and 7 males (mean age, 54.1 years) participated in an exercise training regimen 3 days per week for 60 minutes per day (cardiovascular, 30 minutes; strength, 20 minutes; and flexibility, 10 minutes). Outcome measures included peak VO2 (mL min -1, mL kg -1 min -1); upper and lower body strength (strength); hand-grip strength (GS); body weight (BW); total skin folds (TS); waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); hamstring/low-back flexibility (HLBF); and shoulder flexibility (SF). Results: Compared to the control group, the exercise group showed significant gains in peak VO2 (p < 0.01); strength (p < 0.01); and body composition (TS, p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the exercise and control groups on BW, WHR, HLBF, and GS. Of a total 1116 exercise sessions (31 experimental participants x 36 sessions), 87% of the sessions were attended. Conclusion: A structured exercise-training program can provide substantial improvement in strength and cardiovascular fitness in low-income, sedentary adults with multiple chronic conditions and/or risk factors for chronic conditions. Future research should explore simple home-based and community-based physical activity interventions that provide ongoing support for increasing and maintaining physical activity participation in this cohort.
Alteration Development of the Simulated HLW Glass at High Temperature in Beishan Underground Water

The simulated HLW glass was found to be altered in Beishan underground water at high temperature in two different stages starting with slow leaching of the immobilized elements for a period followed by a sharp degradation of the glass matrix. Immersed at 150°C in Beishan underground water with glass-surface-area-to-solution-volume ratio of 6000 m-1, the glass was alterated rapidly with the sharp release of B, Na, Li, Cs, and Mo from the cold HLW glass after a stable period of 180 days. The glass was degraded up to 73.6% for the immersion period of 730 days resulting in the release of Mo and Cs up to 73.6% and 2.7% from the glass, respectively. With the alteration underway, new minerals were identified to be zeolite P, mordenite, nontronite, dickite, okonite, quartz, saponite, and tincalconite. However, at low temperature of 90°C, the glass was very stable with limited leaching of Na, B, and Li.
Oxygen intake curves reflecting circulatory factors in static work.

Oxygen consumption curves were obtained during static exercise on 34 young males. The workloads consisted of 70, 100, 130, and 160 Ibs. resistance. At the onset as well as immediately after the termination of the work period sudden changes of the normal (dynamic exercise) pattern of oxygen consumption were noted and explained in terms of circulatory factors. The linear increase in the “debt/income” ratio (oxygen intake during recovery over oxygen intake during work) with the increase in load shows that the circulation becomes increasingly impaired during static contraction. The metabolic cost of static work must be met by a relatively larger debt payoff during the recovery period.
An Economic Analysis of the Software Cost Function

*† From the perspective of economic theory, the standard cost estimating relationships that cost estimators use should be consistent with an underlying production function. Economic theory implies that the prices of the production inputs (wage rate and cost of capital) should be inherent to a proper cost function. However, none of the standard or commercial cost models include the price of production inputs in the structure of their cost functions. In this paper we try to explore the implications of the form used by the typical cost estimating relationships (CERs) of standard cost models. This study seeks to verify if the wage rate is a statistically significant determinant of software development effort and to analyze the results from the perspective of economic theory. The results, based on JPL and NASA data from 1980 through 2000, indicate there is insufficient evidence to disprove the functional form of the CERs for ground software. However, given the data, the wage rate is significant with respect to cost for flight software. The results also indicate that flight software and ground software have significantly different underlying production functions. This study is an extension of an earlier study by Lum and Hihn in 2002, which only used NASA data for ground software developments from the 1980’s.
Avidity in immunoadsorption of IgG antibodies

Abstract Fab (3·5 S ) fragments were derived from IgG fractions of anti-dinitrophenyl and anti-lysergil antisera by papain digestion to reduce avidity forces due to polyvalency. The Fab fractions were immunoadsorbed to obtain active purified fragments. Ligand binding properties of the purified Fab fragments were measured by equilibrium dialysis and were compared to the properties of the original unadsorbed fractions. Purified Fab fragments possessed higher average intrinsic association constants ( K o ) than intact IgG antibodies from which they were derived. Purified anti-dinitrophenyl Fab fragments exhibited a K o of 3·5 × 10 6 M −1 compared to 8·7 × 10 5 M −1 for the unadsorbed Fab and IgG fractions. Anti-lysergyl Fab fragments exhibited a K o of 1·7 × 10 6 M −1 compared to 1·4 × 10 5 M −1 for its unadsorbed Fab and IgG fractions. It is propsed that this increase in K o for the adsorbed Fab fragments is a result of the loss of avidity or functional affinity.
Stepwise Bayes distributional inference for a finite population

Stepwise Bayes arguments can be used to derive various decision rules. Admissibility of such rules follows if additional conditions are satisfied. We show that in complete generality almost admissibility is in place. A uniform distribution example is used to demonstrate how stepwise Bayes arguments can be used when the support of the observation distribution depends on the unknown parameter. We then discuss distributional inference and show that weighted Polya posterior distributions provide admissible distributional inference for finite population problems when strictly proper loss functions are used.
Exploring the fluctuation of motivation and use of self-regulatory processes during learning with hypermedia

We collected think-aloud, pre-test, post-test, and motivation data from 43 undergraduates to examine the impact of conceptual scaffolds on the fluctuation of certain motivation constructs and use of self-regulatory processes during learning with hyper- media. Participants were randomly assigned to either the No Scaffolding (NS) or Con- ceptual Scaffolding (CS) condition. During the experimental session, each participant individually completed a pre-test on the circulatory system, a pre-task motivation ques- tionnaire, one 30-min hypermedia learning task during which they learned about the cir- culatory system, a motivation questionnaire at three regular intervals during this learning task, a post-test on the circulatory system, and a post-task motivation questionnaire. Results indicated that while participants in both conditions gained declarative knowledge, participants who received conceptual scaffolds during learning demonstrated deeper understanding of the circulatory system on the post-test. In terms of self-regulatory pro- cesses, the results indicated that participants in the CS condition used significantly more planning processes during learning than participants in the NS condition. Additionally, participants in both conditions significantly decreased their use of strategies as they progressed through the learning task. Regarding motivation while learning with hyper- media, results indicated that participants in both conditions reported significantly increased levels of interest as they progressed through the learning task. Furthermore, participants in the CS condition reported the task as being easier and putting forth less effort than par- ticipants in the NS condition.
Optical Design for Laser Radar Instrumentation

An optical laser radar instrument for atmospheric aerosol remote sensing has been developed. Wide angle optics coupled with CCD detection allow derivation of particulate scattering from laser pulses. Design challenges and experimental results are discussed.
Trauma: A disease of bleeding

A / • U T E blood loss is a very common problem after injury. Rapid recognition and restoration of homeostasis is the cornerstone of the initial care of any badly injured patient. Untreated, hemorrhage robs the cardiovascular system of the preload necessary to ensure adequate cardiac output and peripheral oxygen delivery. Inadequate perfusion, even if it is not associated with overt hypotension, can set off the neurohumoral cascade, ultimately leading to sequential organ failure] This is especially important, as the mortality from established organ failure has not changed since it was first described almost 25 years ago. 2 Thus, it is imperative that hemorrhage is recognized and treated early.
Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae and southern right whales Eubalaena australis in Gerlache Strait, Antarctica

During surveys conducted 2–20 April 1986 in Gerlache Strait, Antarctic Peninsula, 103 humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae and eight right whales Eubalaena australis were sighted. The right whale sightings extend the southern limit of known distribution for the species. Humpback and right whale densities were respectively 0.22 (sd 0.23) and 0.01 (sd 0.06) whales per survey mile. Highest densities for both species were recorded inside bays, rather than in the relatively open water of Gerlache Strait. Both species were feeding on Antarctic krill Euphausia superba. Twenty-three humpback and four right whales were identified individually using photographs of natural features. Also included are sighting records of 18 southern bottlenose whales Hyperoodon planifrons.
A fibril-specific, conformation-dependent antibody recognizes a subset of Aβ plaques in Alzheimer disease, Down syndrome and Tg2576 transgenic mouse brain

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) is thought to be a key contributor to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the general population and in adults with Down syndrome (DS). Different assembly states of Aβ have been identified that may be neurotoxic. Aβ oligomers can assemble into soluble prefibrillar oligomers, soluble fibrillar oligomers and insoluble fibrils. Using a novel antibody, OC, recognizing fibrils and soluble fibrillar oligomers, we characterized fibrillar Aβ deposits in AD and DS cases. We further compared human specimens to those obtained from the Tg2576 mouse model of AD. Our results show that accumulation of fibrillar immunoreactivity is significantly increased in AD relative to nondemented aged subjects and those with select cognitive impairments (p < 0.0001). Further, there was a significant correlation between the extent of frontal cortex fibrillar deposit accumulation and dementia severity (MMSE r = −0.72). In DS, we observe an early age of onset and age-dependent accumulation of fibrillar OC immunoreactivity with little pathology in similarly aged non-DS individuals. Tg2576 mice show fibrillar accumulation that can be detected as young as 6 months. Interestingly, fibril-specific immunoreactivity was observed in diffuse, thioflavine S-negative Aβ deposits in addition to more mature neuritic plaques. These results suggest that fibrillar deposits are associated with disease in both AD and in adults with DS and their distribution within early Aβ pathology associated with diffuse plaques and correlation with MMSE suggest that these deposits may not be as benign as previously thought.
Gene Selection using the GMM-IG Framework based Integrative Analysis

The limitation of sample numbers is becoming a bottle neck in gene expression research. How to integrate the DNA microarray data involving in same or similar biological subjects is a promising way to increase sample numbers. However, the noise and disparities between different microarrays still make integration a challenge. Here we provide a straightforward and easily implemented framework to combine information from multiple microarrays. This framework applies a two-component Gaussian mixture modeling (GMM) to estimate the underlying expression levels of genes and discretize the original continuous values. Then significantly differentially expressed genes are selected and ranked by integrated microarray data and Information-Gain (IG) measure. The real data evaluation showed that this method performed better than other existing integrative methods.
Creating safer workplaces: assessing the determinants and role of safety climate.

Problem: Although there has been considerable interest in safety climate, relatively little attention has been given to the factors that determine safety climate or to testing the hypothesized mediating role of safety climate with respect to safety-related outcomes. Method: Questionnaire responses were obtained from 2,208 employees of a large national retail chain in 21 different locations. Results: After controlling for demographic variables, three factors: environmental conditions, safety-related policies and programs, and general organizational climate, accounted for 55% of the variance in perceived safety climate. Interestingly, organizational climate made a significant contribution to safety climate, even after controlling for the other more safety-relevant variables. Partial correlations showed that safety policies and programs had the largest observed correlation with safety climate, followed by two of the dimensions of organizational climate (communication and organizational support). Using Baron and Kenny’s (J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 51 (1986) 1173) procedures, the principal effects of the various work situation factors on perceived safety at work were found to be direct rather than mediated by safety climate. Safety climate influenced perceived safety at work, but its role as a mediator was limited. Impact on industry: These results are discussed in terms of other recent findings on safety climate and the growing interest in understanding management and organizational factors in the context of workplace safety. D 2004 National Safety Council and Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Optimal Bundling Strategies Under Heavy-Tailed Valuations

We develop a framework for the optimal bundling problem of a multiproduct monopolist, who provides goods to consumers with private valuations that are random draws from a distribution with heavy tails. We show that in the Vickrey auction setting, the buyers prefer separate provision of the goods to any bundles. We also provide a complete characterization of the optimal bundling strategies for a monopolist producer, who provides goods for profit-maximizing prices. For products with low marginal costs, the seller's optimal strategy is to provide goods separately when consumers' valuations are heavy-tailed and in a single bundle when valuations are thin-tailed. These conclusions are reversed for goods with high marginal costs. For simplicity, we use a specific class of independent and identically distributed random variables, but our results can be generalized to include dependence, skewness, and the case of nonidentical one-dimensional distributions.
Bulky Alkylphosphines with Neopentyl Substituents as Ligands in the Amination of Aryl Bromides and Chlorides

Di(tert-butyl)neopentylphosphine (DTBNpP) in combination with palladium sources provided catalysts with comparable or better activity for the Hartwig-Buchwald amination of aryl bromides than tri(tert-butyl)phosphine (TTBP) under mild conditions. DTBNpP also provided effective catalysts for amination reactions of aryl chlorides at elevated temperatures. Further replacement of tert-butyl groups with neopentyl substituents resulted in less effective ligands for amination reactions. Computationally derived cone angles showed that replacement of a tert-butyl group with a neopentyl group significantly increased the cone angle of the phosphine. The larger cone angle of DTBNpP than TTBP appears to correlate with the higher activity of catalysts derived from DTBNpP in the amination of aryl bromides. TTBP is a stronger electron donor than DTBNpP, which may explain the higher activity for TTBP-derived catalysts toward aryl chlorides.
Dendritic Calcium Spike Initiation and Repolarization Are Controlled by Distinct Potassium Channel Subtypes in CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

In CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus, calcium-dependent spikes occur in vivo during specific behavioral states and may be enhanced during epileptiform activity. However, the mechanisms that control calcium spike initiation and repolarization are poorly understood. Using dendritic and somatic patch-pipette recordings, we show that calcium spikes are initiated in the apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons and drive bursts of sodium-dependent action potentials at the soma. Initiation of calcium spikes at the soma was suppressed in part by potassium channels activated by sodium-dependent action potentials. Low-threshold, putative D-type potassium channels [blocked by 100 microM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and 0.5-1 microM alpha-dendrotoxin (alpha-DTX)] played a prominent role in setting a high threshold for somatic calcium spikes, thus restricting initiation to the dendrites. DTX- and 4-AP-sensitive channels were activated during sodium-dependent action potentials and mediated a large component of their afterhyperpolarization. Once initiated, repetitive firing of calcium spikes was limited by activation of putative BK-type calcium-activated potassium channels (blocked by 250 microM tetraethylammonium chloride, 70 nM charybdotoxin, or 100 nM iberiotoxin). Thus, the concerted action of calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels serves to focus spatially and temporally the membrane depolarization and calcium influx generated by calcium spikes during strong, synchronous network excitation.
Computation of the inertial and gravitational coefficients of the dynamics equations for a robot manipulator with a load

We present a method for the computation of the effective inertia, coupling inertia, and gravity loading terms for a manipulator with a load. The calculations are separated so as to consider the manipulator and the load independently. These inertial and gravity loading effects are additive and furthermore their computation need only be performed at a rate commensurate with changes in the configuration of the manipulator, not at the control sample rate. As an example we compute the terms for the PUMA manipulator. Taking advantage of the symmetries in the manipulator we need only 65 multiplications and 41 additions to compute all terms. The computations for a load requires an additional 160 multiplications and 101 additions if the load is considered as a point mass.
INTEGRATING COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES INTO LOCAL JAILS: A POLICY PERSPECTIVE

Across t h e nation, the number o f mentally ill inmates in local jails has increased over the past decade. Moreover, mentally ill inmates are not typically receiving adequate services from either the jail or mental health service systems. In response to the problem, several jurisdictions are attempting to utilize community mental health (CMH) services to provide treatment for these inmates. This paper discusses organizational problems inherent to integrating CMH services into jails and recommends approaches for dealing with those problems. Much of the information and thinking in this paper is based upon the recent experience of the authors with the Michigan Department of Mental Health and local jails as trainers and consultants in integrating CMH workers into jail settings. Copyright 1988 by The Policy Studies Organization.
Numerical Inversion of the Laplace Transform from the Real Axis

A numerical method for inversion of the Laplace transform F(p) given for p > 0 only is proposed. Recommendations for the choice of the abscissa of convergence and parameters of numerical integration are given. The results of the numerical tests are discussed.
International Graduate Education and Innovation: Evidence and Issues for East Asian Technology Policy*

We discuss the policy questions and debate surrounding the role of international (foreign-born) graduate students in the productivity of universities, particularly in the United States. Concerns about national security have induced U.S. immigration authorities to limit the number of foreign doctoral students in science and engineering (S&E) departments in American research universities. This policy has reduced such enrollments beyond the decline already in evidence. Many university officials and business leaders are concerned that this reduction in foreign S&E students will damage domestic research capabilities and broader economic innovation. We review two recent studies of how the presence of international graduate students contributes to scientific journal publications and patents awarded to universities. Both studies, one using macro time-series data and one using micro student-level panel data, find strongly positive impacts, suggesting that limited access to foreign students could diminish knowledge...
Körperlymphe, Muskeln und Bewegung, oder vom Spulwurm zum Pianisten

Nun soll endlich aber unsere Ungeduld befriedigt werden, den gesprachigen Wurm wirklich aufzuschneiden. Wir setzen das scharfe Seziermesser an und fuhren einen geraden Schnitt der ganzen Lange des Tieres entlang. Da wir schon vorher die Haut gespalten hatten, haben wir nur noch eine ganz dunne, weiche Gewebeschicht zu durchschneiden, bis das Messer keinen Widerstand mehr findet und aus der angeschnittenen Hohlung des Wurmleibes eine wasserige rotliche Flussigkeit herausspritzt. Nun heist es aber vorsichtig sein, denn mit dieser Flussigkeit hat es eine gar eigentumliche Bewandtnis; sie ist giftig, ohne das man eigentlich so ganz genau sagen konnte, welches der Giftstoff ist. Erstaunlicherweise ist sie aber nicht fur jedermann giftig. Da gibt es Leute, die ungestort jahrelang mit diesem Wurm arbeiten konnen, ohne irgend etwas zu spuren, denen sogar der Saft in die Augen spritzen mag, ohne das es ihnen schadet. Da gibt es aber andere, die gegen das Gift auserordentlich empfindlich sind. Ich erinnere mich an einen jungen Kollegen von ganz erstaunlicher Empfindlichkeit fur gerade dieses Gift.
Stabilization and trajectory tracking of version and vergence eye movements in human binocular control

Using the well known approach of feedback linearization, we study problems that can be applied to controlling the rotational motion of a pair of human eyes. Eyes move to acquire a fixed point target and the control task is to direct the eye-pair towards a general target direction and, if the target is close by, to focus on the target. Roughly speaking, the former task is accomplished by versional eye movements and the latter task of pinpointing the eye on a specific target is accomplished by vergence eye movements. In this paper, we separately synthesize asymptotically stabilizing controllers, in the neighborhood of a target point, for version and vergence control systems. This is accomplished by defining a suitable output and regulating the output to the origin, while the eyes gaze towards the target.
On the Material Invariant Formulation of Maxwell’s Displacement Current

Maxwell accounted for the apparent elastic behavior of the electromagnetic field by augmenting Ampere’s law with the so-called displacement current, in much the same way that he treated the viscoelasticity of gases. Maxwell’s original constitutive relations for both electrodynamics and fluid dynamics were not material invariant. In the theory of viscoelastic fluids, the situation was later corrected by Oldroyd, who introduced the upper-convective derivative. Assuming that the electromagnetic field should follow the general requirements for a material field, we show that if the upper convected derivative is used in place of the partial time derivative in the displacement current term, Maxwell’s electrodynamics becomes material invariant. Note, that the material invariance of Faraday’s law is automatically established if the Lorentz force is admitted as an integral part of the model. The new formulation ensures that the equation for conservation of charge is also material invariant in vacuo. The viscoelastic medium whose apparent manifestation are the known phenomena of electrodynamics is called here the metacontinuum.
Differences in Black Faculty Rank in 4-Year Texas Public Universities: A Multi-Year Analysis

In this investigation, the degree to which the number and percentage of Texas 4-year public university Black faculty members changed as a function of faculty rank from the 2005 academic year through the 2011 academic years was examined. Utilizing archival data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (2013a), a statistically significant difference was yielded between the percentage of Black Assistant Professors between the 2005 and 2011 academic year. This increase was trivial with a Cohen’s d of 0.15. Of interest, however, for Black faculty at the higher ranks of the professoriate (i.e., Associate Professor and Full Professors), statistically significant differences were not revealed between the 2005 and 2011 academic years. Challenges experienced by Black faculty members as well as implications for increasing equal employment and advancement opportunities for Black faculty in the academy are also discussed in this study.
Characterization of living skin using multi-view stereo and isogeometric analysis

Abstract Skin is our interface with the outside world. In its natural environment, it displays unique mechanical characteristics, such as prestretch and growth. While there is a general agreement on the physiological importance of these features, they remain poorly characterized, mainly because they are difficult to access with standard laboratory techniques. Here we present a new, inexpensive technique to characterize living skin using multi-view stereo and isogeometric analysis. Based on easy-to-create hand-held camera images, we quantify prestretch, deformation and growth in a controlled porcine model of chronic skin expansion. Over a period of 5 weeks, we gradually inflate an implanted tissue expander, take weekly photographs of the experimental scene, reconstruct the geometry from a tattooed surface grid and create parametric representations of the skin surface. After 5 weeks of expansion, our method reveals an average area prestretch of 1.44, an average area stretch of 1.87 and an average area growth of 2.25. Area prestretch is maximal in the ventral region with a value of 2.37, whereas area stretch and area growth are maximal above the center of the expander, with values of 4.05 and 4.81, respectively. Our study has immediate impact on understanding living skin to optimize treatment planning and decision making in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Beyond these direct implications, our experimental design has broad applications in clinical research and basic sciences: it serves as a simple, robust, low cost, easy-to-use tool to reconstruct living membranes, which are difficult to characterize in a conventional laboratory setup.
Expected Utility, Debt-Equity Structure, and Risk Balancing

The potential effects of agricultural policy on the financial structure of farms is often not fully considered. Although it has been recognized that policies that reduce business risk may induce farmers to increase financial risk, the effects of income policies on farm leverage have not been investigated. This paper explores the relationship between farm policy and debt-equity structure for a risk-averse expected utility maximizer. Agricultural economists have demonstrated considerable theoretical interest in the futility of agricultural policy. Many have suggested that policies increasing farm revenues may, well result in higher land prices such that landowners receive a windfall gain but incomes of tenant farmers and new entrants are unchanged. Gabriel and Baker added to this nihilism by suggesting that policies that reduce business risk might induce choices that increase financial risk. Although this important hypothesis is difficult to test, Gabriel and Baker's empirical results appear to be consistent with their hypothesis. This paper suggests an alternative to the Gabriel and Baker model for analysis of the risk-balancing hypothesis that is a structural model of the overall debt-equity decision for agricultural proprietors. Structural variables include not only business risk but also expected return from farm operations, expected capital gains from land, and interest cost. The primary assumptions of the model are that (a) the proprietor's objective is to maximize the expected utility of the rate of return on equity, (b) the utility function of wealth is negative exponential, (c) a normal distribution exists for the rate of return on assets, and (d) taxes are ignored. Risk Concepts and Leverage
Semiconductor nanowires directly grown on graphene – towards wafer scale transferable nanowire arrays with improved electrical contact

We present for the first time the growth of dense arrays of silicon and silicon carbide nanowires directly on graphene as well as methods of transferring these novel hybrids to arbitrary substrates. Improved electrical contact for SiC nanowire/graphene hybrid is demonstrated in the application of a robust supercapacitor electrode.
Anti–Human Immunodeficiency Virus Drugs Are Ineffective against Pneumocystis carinii In Vitro and In Vivo

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors (PIs) recently have been reported to be active against Pneumocystis carinii in cell culture. Twelve anti-HIV drugs were analyzed for their effects against rat P. carinii by an ATP cytotoxicity assay. Indinavir and saquinavir exhibited slight anti-P. carinii activity at concentrations above those that can be clinically achieved in serum; other PIs and nucleoside and nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors were inactive against the organism. Anti-HIV drugs, alone or in combination, did not materially reduce the organism count in the treatment of P. carinii pneumonia in immunosuppressed mice. Thus, anti-HIV drugs have little or no activity against P. carinii in these in vitro and in vivo systems. Caution should be used when interpreting reports of the susceptibility of P. carinii to anti-HIV drugs on the basis of in vitro testing only.
Statistical analysis of correlated binary data in ophthalmology: a weighted logistic regression approach.

Ophthalmological studies often deal with correlated binary outcome variables. We propose a weighted logistic regression method to account for the intraclass correlations between eyes. Using simulation studies, we compared this method with two standard logistic regression approaches: a) based on eyes as the unit of analysis and b) treating individuals classified as cases if at least one eye is affected. The considered approaches were evaluated in terms of type I error, power and estimation properties. The simulation results reveal that the subject-based approach can lead to substantial bias in regression coefficient estimates when the correlation between eyes is heterogeneous across groups or when it is low, and that power is directly affected by this bias. Furthermore, the standard eye-based approach, which ignores intrasubject correlations, leads to inflated type I error rates. The proposed weighted approach performed well in all of the situations considered. This is a simple method which can be implemen...
Jason Rutter and Jo Bryce. Understanding Digital Games. London: Sage, 2006, 249 pp., ISBN 101412900344 (paperback)

Often in scholarship, we see conceptual rifts between scholars diligently laboring at similar questions because their theoretical and methodological perspectives differ. Sometimes the incongruities...
Project TRANSPROSE: reconciling mobile-code security with execution efficiency

Project TRANSPROSE is a comprehensive research project investigating techniques for transporting programs securely over potentially insecure channels. The central focus of this project is the development of a blueprint for a next-generation mobile code distribution format. A problem of previous approaches to mobile code security has been that the additional provisions for security lead to a loss of efficiency, often to the extent of making an otherwise virtuous security scheme unusable for all but trivial programs. TRANSPROSE strives to deviate from the common approach of studying security in isolation and instead focuses simultaneously on multiple aspects of mobile code quality. Besides security, such aspects include encoding density, speed of dynamic code generation and the eventual execution performance. This paper gives a high-level overview of Project TRANSPROSE and presents initial results, which include a highly effective syntax-based compression scheme for Java programs, as well as a performance-oriented intermediate program representation providing guaranteed security.
Imaging in gynaecology

Summary The role of imaging in the management of a wide range of gynaecological disorders is well established. In this article, the various types of imaging available will be discussed, with particular emphasis on their relative advantages and disadvantages. Then a variety of gynaecological conditions will be considered, and for each the most appropriate imaging strategy will be given. This will include the findings on imaging with relevant illustrations.