cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural features of the shark brain

The ultrastructural characteristics of elasmobranch central nervous system have not been previously reported. This study presents a general assessment of aldehyde perfused brain and spinal cord in three species of shark: tiger, hammerhead and Atlantic nurse. The same distinct cell types are present in the shark that exist in mammals and similar criteria may be used for their differentiation. Neurons have frequently round nuclei with a prominent nucleoli; cytoplasm is abundant and filled with formed elements; somatic synapses and subsurface cisterns are rare. Astrocytes are smaller, and have less cytoplasm and slightly fewer organelles. Glial fibrils occur, but are not invariably present. Separating astrocytes from neurons is the most difficult identification problem. Oligodendrogliocytes are smaller, and have denser cytoplasm and a dark nucleus. The striking feature of capillary morphology is the presence of an appreciable perivascular space containing collagen; many tortuous evanginations of this space occur into surrounding glial processes which completely invest the capillaries. Astrocyte cell bodies frequently lie immediately next to vessels, and capillaries are occasionally totally surrounded by a single astrocyte process, thus being endocellular. Smaller pericapillary processes may be either astrocytic or ependymal. Dendrites, synapses, axons, and myelin have no obvious special characteristics. Sodium, visualized by precipitation techniques, is prominent in the astroglia and neurons.
Practical Subgrade Model for Improved Soil-Structure Interaction Analysis: Software Implementation

Subgrade models are relatively simple and easy-to-use approximations of the actual load-displacement behavior of the ground and have always played a significant role in foundation engineering research and practice. Winkler’s Hypothesis has been used almost exclusively for this purpose even though it has long been recognized as providing a poor approximation of actual subgrade behavior. The primary flaw of Winkler’s Hypothesis is the lack of coupling or connection between adjacent subgrade “springs.” Although numerous subgrade models that inherently incorporate “spring coupling” into their mathematical formulation have been developed, none has seen widespread adoption and use to date. This is due primarily to various issues that hinder their use with the commercially available structural analysis software used in routine practice. This paper is the second in a series of three that collectively illustrate the development and implementation of a new hybrid subgrade model with inherent spring coupling called ...
Electromagnetic Measurements of Tidal Transports in Estuaries

Measurement of the electric potential produced across a tidal stream is an inexpensive and relatively maintenance free means of monitoring volume flow. Comparison of the electric signal to transports determined from current meter records is used to calibrate the system. A volume flow of 100 m3 per sec will induce a potential near 1 mV. Salinity and temperature changes at the electrodes will induce potentials of 500 μV per ‰ and 350 μV per °C. Transport estimates may need to be corrected for such effects. Examples of measurements made at two locations, Great Bay, New Hampshire, and Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, illustrate that the method is capable of yielding volume flow measurements with an uncertainty of about 15%.
Triaging incoming change requests: Bug or commit history, or code authorship?

There is a tremendous wealth of code authorship information available in source code. Motivated with the presence of this information, in a number of open source projects, an approach to recommend expert developers to assist with a software change request (e.g., a bug fixes or feature) is presented. It employs a combination of an information retrieval technique and processing of the source code authorship information. The relevant source code files to the textual description of a change request are first located. The authors listed in the header comments in these files are then analyzed to arrive at a ranked list of the most suitable developers. The approach fundamentally differs from its previously reported counterparts, as it does not require software repository mining. Neither does it require training from past bugs/issues, which is often done with sophisticated techniques such as machine learning, nor mining of source code repositories, i.e., commits. An empirical study to evaluate the effectiveness of the approach on three open source systems, ArgoUML, JEdit, and MuCommander, is reported. Our approach is compared with two representative approaches: 1) using machine learning on past bug reports, and 2) based on commit logs. The presented approach is found to provide recommendation accuracies that are equivalent or better than the two compared approaches. These findings are encouraging, as it opens up a promising and orthogonal possibility of recommending developers without the need of any historical change information.
Prostate cancer: active surveillance in African American men.

New research has shown that African American men have a significantly higher rate of non-organ-confined prostate cancers than their white counterparts. Is now the time to finally consider changing the criteria for active surveillance based on ethnic risk?
Dissimilar spine and femoral Z-scores in premenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to determine if differences exist in premenopausal women between z-scores for lumbar spine and proximal femoral bone mineral densities (BMD). Participants were 237 women ranging in age from 20 to 45 years. BMDs of the lumbar spine and proximal femur (femoral neck, Ward's area, and trochanter) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Lunar DPX). Mean (±SD) age, height, and weight of the participants were 29.4 ± 6.9 years, 164.4 ± 6.1 cm, and 64.9 ± 12.1 kg, respectively. Lumbar spine BMD and BMD at the femoral neck, Ward's area, and trochanter were significantly correlated with large SEEs (r = 0.59–0.65; SEE = 0.09–0.11). No positive correlation with age and BMD at any site was seen in this population but a significant negative correlation with age was seen in the proximal femur beginning at age 30. Twenty to 24% of the 20–29-year-olds exhibited a difference in z-scores of greater than 1 between the spine and sites in the proximal femur. This percentage increased to 32–46% in the 30–45-year-olds but the nature of the observed differences changed. The differences in spine and proximal femoral z-scores that are seen in the older age group appear to be the result of the earlier onset of bone loss in the proximal femur rather than an initial difference in peak bone mass which has been maintained.
Galliosilicate glasses for viscous sealants in solid oxide fuel cell stacks: Part III: Behavior in air and humidified hydrogen

Abstract Optimized boro-galliosilicate glasses were selected to evaluate their viscous sealing performance in both air and humidified hydrogen atmospheres. Selected low-alkali and alkali-free glasses show excellent performance, with viscous behavior maintained for more than 1000 h in wet hydrogen. Candidate sealants were thermally treated at 850 and 750 °C for up to 1000 h in contact with alumina coated 441 stainless steel (Al-SS) and 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ). Each sealant crystallizes appreciably by 1000 h, and their coefficients of thermal expansion range from 10.2 to 11.7 × 10 −6 K −1 , 100–400 °C. The remnant amorphous phases in most of the partially crystallized sealants show softening points near or below the target operating temperatures, thus enabling viscous sealing. Humidified hydrogen in general increases the rate of crystallization but does not change the crystalline phases formed or interactions with 8YSZ. For the low-alkali GaBA series, wet H 2 enhances the interfacial interaction between potassium in the glass phase and the protective alumina coating on the stainless steel.
Reiter's syndrome: The classic triad and more

Reiter's syndrome, also known as reactive arthritis, is the classic triad of conjunctivitis, urethritis, and arthritis occurring after an infection, particularly those in the urogenital or gastrointestinal tract. Dermatologic manifestations are common, including keratoderma blennorrhagicum, circinate balanitis, ulcerative vulvitis, nail changes, and oral lesions. Epidemiologically, the disease is more common in men, although cases have also been reported in children and women. The pathophysiology has yet to be elucidated, although infectious and immune factors are likely involved. Clinical presentation, severity, and prognosis vary widely. Treatment is difficult, especially in HIV-positive patients. Prognosis is variable; 15% to 20% of patients may develop severe chronic sequelae.
Second prize: preliminary experience with the Niris optical coherence tomography system during laparoscopic and robotic prostatectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the identification of neurovascular bundles (NVBs) during laparoscopic and robotic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Patients and Methods: Between November 2005 and March 2006, 24 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic or robotic radical prostatectomy were enrolled in this study. Once the bladder was taken down and the prostate mobilized, the NirisTM imaging system was deployed. In each patient, in-vivo images were obtained to determine the image characteristics of NVBs, adipose tissue, prostate capsule, and endopelvic fascia. The NVB was imaged again in vivo, after the prostate was excised. Ex-vivo images were obtained from the prostate surface to look for the presence or absence of the NVBs and correlated with the surgeon's assessment of the adequacy of nerve sparing. Results: From 24 patients, we obtained more than 300 OCT images of tissue structures including endopelvic fascia, prostate capsule, NVBs, fa...
On potential design impacts of electromigration awareness

Reliability issues significantly limit performance improvements from Moore's-Law scaling. At 45nm and below, electromigration (EM) is a serious reliability issue which affects global and local interconnects in a chip and limits performance scaling. Traditional IC implementation flows meet a 10-year lifetime requirement by overdesigning and sacrificing performance. At the same time, it is well-known among circuit designers that Black's Equation [2] suggests that lifetime can be traded for performance. In our work, we carefully study the impacts of EM-awareness on IC implementation outcomes, and show that circuit performance does not trade off so smoothly with mean time to failure (MTTF) as suggested by Black's Equation. We conduct two basic studies: EM lifetime versus performance with fixed resource budget, and EM lifetime versus resource with fixed performance. Using design examples implemented in two process nodes, we show that performance scaling achieved by reducing the EM lifetime requirement depends on the EM slack in the circuit, which in turn depends on factors such as timing constraints, length of critical paths and the mix of cell sizes. Depending on these factors, the performance gain can range from 10% to 80% when the lifetime requirement is reduced from 10 years to one year. We show that at a fixed performance requirement, power and area resources are affected by the timing slack and can either decrease by 3% or increase by 7.8% when the MTTF requirement is reduced. We also study how conventional EM fixes using per net Non-Default Rule (NDR) routing, downsizing of drivers, and fanout reduction affect performance at reduced lifetime requirements. Our study indicates, e.g., that NDR routing can increase performance by up to 5% but at the cost of 2% increase in area at a reduced 7-year lifetime requirement.
More soft superconductors: ZrV2 and HfV2

Abstract The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity of ZrV 2 and HfV 2 shows evidence of lattice instability in these high T c superconductors.
2D rigid-body target modelling for tracking and identification with GMTI/HRR measurements

Joint ground moving-target tracking identification is a crucial task in a modern combat operation. Due to the entirely different environment, ground moving-target tracking is quite different from airborne target tracking. A major difference lies in target modelling. In airborne target tracking, a target is usually treated as a point, while for ground target tracking, a target is considered a rigid body. Two approaches for 2D rigid-body target modelling are proposed. Equipped with ground moving-target indicator and high-resolution range sensors, the new approaches effectively explore the concepts of local and global motions of a rigid body. The kinematics of a global motion is described by a constant acceleration model, and a local motion is modelled by the pivoting centre and pseudocentre approaches. The proposed models are implemented by the extended Kalman filter with and without a probabilistic data association filter. The simulation results show that the proposed approaches not only correctly track a rigid-body target in a complicated scenario but also simultaneously report its structural information.
Structural Mechanism for Lipid Activation of the Rac-Specific GAP, β2-Chimaerin

The lipid second messenger diacylglycerol acts by binding to the C1 domains of target proteins, which translocate to cell membranes and are allosterically activated. Here we report the crystal structure at 3.2 A resolution of one such protein, β2-chimaerin, a GTPase-activating protein for the small GTPase Rac, in its inactive conformation. The structure shows that in the inactive state, the N terminus of β2-chimaerin protrudes into the active site of the RacGAP domain, sterically blocking Rac binding. The diacylglycerol and phospholipid membrane binding site on the C1 domain is buried by contacts with the four different regions of β2-chimaerin: the N terminus, SH2 domain, RacGAP domain, and the linker between the SH2 and C1 domains. Phospholipid binding to the C1 domain triggers the cooperative dissociation of these interactions, allowing the N terminus to move out of the active site and thereby activating the enzyme.
Risks of agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia in relation to the use of cardiovascular drugs: The International Agranulocytosis and Aplastic Anemia Study

The risks of agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia in relation to the use of cardiovascular drugs were estimated in a population-based case-control study conducted in Israel and Europe (total population, 23 million). Cardiovascular drug use in the week before onset of illness was compared between 270 patients hospitalized with agranulocytosis and 1870 hospitalized control subjects. Propranolol (relative risk, 2.5), dipyridamole (3.8), digoxin (2.5), and acetyldigoxin (9.9) were significantly associated with agranulocytosis. The excess risks attributable to these drugs ranged from one to three cases per 10 million persons exposed for up to 1 week. Increased risks were also observed for cinepazide (used by six cases and no control subjects), procainamide (7, 1), and aprindine (5, 1); based on crude relative risk estimates, the excess risks for the latter two drugs were approximately three per million persons exposed for up to 1 week. The use of cardiovascular drugs in a 5-month period ending 1 month before hospital admission was compared between 152 patients with aplastic anemia and 2180 control subjects. Furosemide was the only significantly associated drug (relative risk, 3.1); the excess risk attributable to any exposure in a 5-month interval was 1.7 per million.
Iliac fixation length and resistance to in-vivo stent-graft displacement

Purpose Migration of endovascular stent grafts has been related to the security of proximal device fixation to the aortic neck. This study evaluated the importance of iliac fixation in preventing longitudinal in vivo device displacement of a modular, externally supported stent graft. Methods Experimental ovine infrarenal aneurysms (n = 8) were treated with a fully supported, modular, bifurcated stent graft (AneuRx, Medtronic, Santa Rosa, Calif). Minimum iliac fixation length (1 cm) was used in four animals and iliac extender modules were used to achieve maximum iliac fixation in four animals. Suture anastomosis of bifurcated polyester grafts to the infrarenal aorta served as controls (n = 8). Aortic grafts were displaced in vivo by applying downward traction to a guidewire that was passed over the iliac flow divider and brought out both femoral arteries. The displacement force needed to initiate stent-graft migration was recorded and compared with the force needed to disrupt the sutured anastomosis. Results There was no difference in animal weight (88.8 ± 2.5 kg vs 87.5 ± 2.9 kg), aortic neck diameter (12.7 ± 0.9 mm vs 13.4 ± 1.1 mm), aortic neck length (23.2 ± 0.9 mm vs 21.8 ± 2.4 mm), experimental aneurysm size (24.7 ± 1.1 mm vs 24.2 ± 2.0 mm), or iliac artery diameter (9.0 ± 1.5 mm vs 9.3 ± 0.5 mm) among the groups. Iliac fixation length was 31.0 ± 0.3 mm in the maximum iliac fixation group and 11 ± 0.25 mm in the minimum fixation group ( P P = .01). The force needed to disrupt the control surgical anastomosis was 40.6 ± 7.5 N (range, 31 to 50) ( P Conclusions Maximizing iliac fixation length increases the longitudinal in vivo force needed to displace a fully supported stent graft by 67%. This suggests that increasing iliac fixation length may reduce the long-term risk of migration in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair.
Outcomes of Sacral Neuromodulation for Overactive Bladder in Octogenarian Females

Abstract Purpose Elderly women have a high incidence of refractory overactive bladder. Clinicians and elderly patients may be hesitant to consider sacral neuromodulation. We investigated outcomes of sacral neuromodulation in women 80 years old or older. Materials and Methods From 2000 to 2013, 24 octogenarians with overactive bladder underwent stage 1 implantation of the InterStim® sacral neuromodulation device. We defined stage 1 success as 50% or greater improvement in incontinence episodes and/or pads. Those patients underwent placement of an implantable pulse generator. The primary study outcome was the rate of stage 1 success. Secondary outcomes were the complication rate and patient reported improvement/satisfaction. Results We identified 24 octogenarians with a median age of 85 years (range 80 to 89), of whom 18 (75%) experienced stage 1 success. At a mean 17-month followup (range 1 to 59) success was sustained in 13 patients (72%) and 15 (83%) were medication free. Two patients (12%) experienced complications, including urinary tract infection in 1 and pain at the implantable pulse generator site in 1, which resolved within 1 month. Three patients (17%) underwent lead revision and 2 subsequently regained success. Five of the 10 patients (50%) who returned the PGI-I questionnaire reported that their condition was very much or much improved, 3 felt a little improved and 2 reported no change. The self-reported satisfaction rate was 60%. Conclusions Octogenarian women treated with sacral neuromodulation had a high rate of stage 1 success with no major complications. Most of them reported improvement and satisfaction at a mean followup of 17 months. Advanced age alone should not preclude consideration of sacral neuromodulation as a treatment option for overactive bladder in the properly selected elderly patient.
At Loose Ends: Resecting a Double-Strand Break

Double-strand break (DSB) repair is critical for maintaining genomic integrity and requires the processing of the 5′ DSB ends. Recent studies have shed light on the mechanism and regulation of DNA end processing during DSB repair by homologous recombination.
ATP-dependent K+ uptake by a photosynthetic purple sulfur bacterium.

Abstract Chromatium vinosum contains an ATP-dependent K + uptake system which is light independent and sensitive to DCCD. Kinetic measurements show K m = 0.27 mM for K + and K m = 1.3 mM for Tl + , an alternate substrate. The internal K + content of the cell increases with increasing medium osmolality and is unaffected by changes in external K + concentration.
Illegal immigrants in Texas: impact on social services and related considerations.

A 1982-1983 survey of 868 undocumented aliens and a number of providers of public services showed that the state of Texas receives more from taxes paid by undocumented persons than it costs the state to provide them with public services such as education health care corrections and welfare. The same survey showed that 6 cities in the state (Austin Dallas El Paso Houston McAllen and San Antonio) together expended more to provide services to undocumented aliens than they received in taxes. The survey concentrated on undocumented persons not detained by the immigration authorities and found that this group constituted a distinct population from those in detention centers in that the former exhibited normal characteristics of settled families while the latter were predominantly the familiar young single and peripatetic males. A related finding is that the households of the transient group consist predominantly of undocumented persons whereas the households of the settled group contain a greater mixture of legal residents and illegal aliens. Undocumented persons do indeed use public services primarily education and health services. They are rarely recipients of welfare services or food stamps. Undocumented persons do indeed pay taxes and those taxes that go to or revert to the state of Texas clearly exceed the cost to the state to provide services to those people. On the other hand local governmental units (below the state level) in Texas must expend more to provide public services to illegal aliens than those governmental levels receive from the taxes paid by these persons. This is an administrative issue relating to the recipients of tax dollars and the government level on which the burden falls to provide certain services primarily health care and education. Finally since only about half of the settled population is in the job market in Texas a quick fix of deportation of these persons would not create an equivalent number of jobs.
In situ localization of small RNAs in plants by using LNA probes

Small RNAs have crucial roles in numerous aspects of plant biology. Despite our current understanding of their biogenesis and mechanisms of action, the biological function of small RNAs, particularly miRNAs, remains largely unknown. To decipher small RNA function, knowledge about their spatiotemporal patterns of expression is essential. Here we report an in situ hybridization method for the precise localization of small RNAs in plants by using locked nucleic acid (LNA) oligonucleotide probes. This method has been adapted from protocols used to detect messenger RNAs in formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections, but it includes essential optimizations in key prehybridization, hybridization and posthybridization steps. Most importantly, optimization of probe concentration and hybridization temperature is required for each unique LNA probe. We present the detailed protocol starting from sectioned tissues, and we include troubleshooting tips and recommended controls. This method has been used successfully in several plant species and can be completed within 2-6 d.
Enzymatic-isotopic method for octopamine at the picogram level.

Abstract An enzymatic-isotopic method for the quantitative estimation of octopamine in tissues is described. The assay depends on the transfer of the [ 3 H]methyl group from S -adenosyl-1-methionine to octopamine by phenylethanolamine- N -methyltransferase (EC 2.1.1). With this method as little as 50 pg of octopamine can be measured and the simultaneous determination of phenylethanolamine in the same tissue sample can be performed. Using this assay, octopamine can be detected in single rat pineal glands, small brain regions, and fetal rat brain.
Thermodynamics of strecker synthesis in hydrothermal systems

Submarine hydrothermal systems on the early Earth may have been the sites from which life emerged. The potential for Strecker synthesis to produce biomolecules (amino and hydroxy acids) from starting compounds (ketones, aldehydes, HCN and ammonia) in such environments is evaluated quantitatively using thermodynamic data and parameters for the revised Helgeson-Kirkham-Flowers (HKF) equation of state. Although there is an overwhelming thermodynamic drive to form biomolecules by the Strecker synthesis at hydrothermal conditions, the availability and concentration of starting compounds limit the efficiency and productivity of Strecker reactions. Mechanisms for concentrating reactant compounds could help overcome this problem, but other mechanisms for production of biomolecules may have been required to produce the required compounds on the early Earth. Geochemical constraints imposed by hydrothermal systems provide important clues for determining the potential of these and other systems as sites for the emergence of life.
Strength and Conductivity of Deformed Cu-Fe Composites after Solidified with a Horizontal Magnetic Field

In this paper, the Cu-Fe alloys are fabricated by solidifying with and without a 1.0 Tesla horizontal magnetic field and they are drawn to composite wires under different drawing ratios, then their further strength and conductivity are investigated. The results show that, when the drawing ratio is lower, the strength of the Cu-Fe composites pre-solidified with a horizontal magnetic field is lower, which is caused by the coarser solidification microstructures induced by the injected magnetic field. However, the increase ratio in the strength of the Cu-Fe composites, which is plotted as a function of the Fe content and the drawing ratio, is higher in the case of the imposed magnetic field. It indicates that it is more efficient applying the magnetic field to fabricate Cu-Fe composites with high Fe contents and larger drawing ratio. A quantitative relationship is fitted to predict the influence of the Fe content on the strength of the Cu-Fe composites wires. On the other hand, the conductivity of the Cu-Fe composite wires is decreased with increasing Fe content. The injected magnetic field has no effect on the conductivity.
Renter Mobility and Multifamily Mortgage Default Risk

Abstract Renter mobility is a major concern for the performance of multifamily mortgages. If enough new renters are not found to replace those that move, vacancy rates can quickly escalate to where cash flows are negative and property mortgages are in jeopardy. In this study we examine how differences in renter mobility patterns by property type can affect mortgage credit risk within submarkets of an MSA. We expand the default model developed by Goldberg and Capone (2000) to use unique distributions of rental unit turnover and vacancy durations for large and small multifamily rental properties. Monte Carlo simulations then show how credit risk on multifamily mortgages is affected if owners of small properties are able to keep tenants longer than owners of larger properties can. The model can be used to explore other potential intra-MSA differences in property market dynamics.
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Chromosomes and Speciation

Abstract The chromosomes of sea-run Atlantic Salmon from three North American rivers were studied with cell culture preparations. Extensive data from Machias River (Maine) specimens showed a sharp mode of 54 chromosomes. Modes of 55 for the Narraguagus River (Maine) and 56 for the Miramichi River (New Brunswick) represented much smaller percentages of their counts. A relatively constant arm number of 72 indicates a Robertsonian pattern of polymorphism.
N- and O-heterocycles Produced from the Irradiation of Benzene and Naphthalene in H2O/NH3-containing Ices

Aromatic heterocyclic molecules are an important class of molecules of astrophysical and biological significance that include pyridine, pyrimidine, and their derivatives. Such compounds are believed to exist in interstellar and circumstellar environments, though they have never been observed in the gas phase. Regardless of their presence in the gas phase in space, numerous heterocycles have been reported in carbonaceous meteorites, which indicates that they are formed under astrophysical conditions. The experimental work described here shows that N- and O-heterocyclic molecules can form from the ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the homocyclic aromatic molecules benzene (C6H6) or naphthalene (C10H8) mixed in ices containing H2O and NH3. This represents an alternative way to generate aromatic heterocycles to those considered before and may have important implications for astrochemistry and astrobiology.
Implementing a hybrid simulation model for a Kanban-based material handling system

Plant floor material handling is a loose loop in most assembly plants. Simulation offers a quick, controllable and tunable approach for prototyping complex material handling processes in manufacturing environments. This paper proposes a hybrid simulation approach, using both discrete event and agent-based technologies, to model complex material handling processes in an assembly line. A prototype system is implemented using a commercial multi-paradigm modeling tool. In this prototype, JIT principles are applied to both the production and the material handling processes. The system performance is evaluated and system optimization directions are suggested. The proposed hybrid modeling approach facilitates the implementation of a responsive and adaptive environment in that various ''what-if'' scenarios can be simulated under different simulation configurations and real-time situations.
Remarks on “Persistence in models of three interacting predator-prey populations”

For models of three interacting predator-prey populations, a result on the boundedness of solution orbits and a result on ultimate boundedness are presented. A counterexample to another result is also given for comparison.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire

The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) was administered to 675 undergraduate psychology students, and data were examined with regard to central tendency and variability, scale intercorrelation...
Evidence against a role for ovarian hormones in the regulation of blood flow

Objective To determine the effect of ovarian hormone deficiency on peripheral vascular function. Design Randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled. Setting General clinical research center. Patient(s) Twelve healthy, lean, premenopausal women with regular menstrual cycles. Intervention(s) Measurements were made during the early to midfollicular and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Patients were then randomized to an 8-week course of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) and retested. On each occasion, blood flow was assessed in the basal postabsorptive state and under euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic-hyperaminoacidemic conditions. Main Outcome Measure(s) Calf blood flow by venous occlusion plethysmography. Result(s) No differences in calf blood flow under postabsorptive (1.65 ± 0.09 vs. 1.73 ± 0.16 mL/100 g tissue per minute) or insulin-stimulated conditions (2.24 ± 0.20 vs. 2.30 ± 0.18 mL/100 g tissue per minute) were found between the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, respectively; therefore, pretreatment data were averaged. Ovarian hormone suppression did not alter postabsorptive calf blood flow (GnRHa: 1.68 ± 0.13 to 1.69 ± 0.15; placebo: 1.69 ± 0.21 to 1.64 ± 0.14 mL/100 g tissue per minute) or the blood flow response to insulin infusion (GnRHa: 2.40 ± 0.21 to 2.37 ± 0.29; placebo: 2.10 ± 0.28 to 2.19 ± 0.35 mL/100 g tissue per minute). Conclusion(s) Variation in ovarian hormones associated with the menstrual cycle or short-term ovarian hormone deficiency induced by GnRHa do not affect calf blood flow under postabsorptive conditions or the response to hyperinsulinemia.
Nonsaturation of AMPA and NMDA receptors at hippocampal synapses

An important issue in synaptic physiology is the extent to which postsynaptic receptors are saturated by the neurotransmitter released from a single synaptic vesicle. Although the bulk of evidence supports receptor saturation, recent studies have started to reveal that α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors may not be saturated by a single vesicle of glutamate. Here, we address this question through a study of putative single synapses, made by hippocampal neurons in culture, that are identified by FM1–43 staining. An analysis of the sources of variability in the amplitudes of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents at single synapses reveals that this variability must arise presynaptically, from variations in the quantity of agonist released. Thus, glutamate receptors at hippocampal synapses are not generally saturated by quantal release.
THE FISH POND EXPERIMENT: CHAPTER TWO

Forty years ago, after 1 1/2 years of weekly surveys, a Baltimore fishpond was inoculated with three identifiable clones of Pandorina morum. The results of subsequent recollection attempts are published in Amer. Naturalist 118:761 (1981). More recently, molecular analyses have permitted characterization of the P. morum population that was endemic to the pond. The results, and their comparison with those from other P. morum sites, challenge some longstanding assumptions concerning the importance of various lifehistory stages to the introduction and maintenance of algal populations in temperate freshwater locales.
Outdoor Play and Learning: Policy and Practice.

This study describes national school district policy and practice regarding elementary school children's outdoor learning and play. District representatives from 173 randomly selected school districts completed questionnaires describing policy and practice related to recess, outdoor play, outdoor curricular studies, playground materials, ADA accessibility, and administrative support. Quantitative analyses indicate that although the largest proportion of school districts overall reported maintaining the same amount of outdoor activity time, more school districts reported decreasing time spent outdoors than school districts that reported increasing children's time outside. There were no significant differences in variables across the three different-sized school districts. These data are congruent with other findings indicating that decreasing children's outdoor time is a national trend. Data suggest administrators’ greater support for outdoor play and learning than previously identified. These findings are discussed as an opening dialogue between administration and teachers to plan for children’s quality outdoor experiences.
Novel Mechanism of Apoptosis Resistance in Cancer Mediated by Extracellular PAR-4

Tumor suppressor PAR-4 acts in part by modulating sensitivity to apoptosis, but the basis for its activity is not fully understood. In this study, we describe a novel mechanism of antiapoptosis by NF-κB, revealing that it can block PAR-4-mediated apoptosis by downregulating trafficking of the PAR-4 receptor GRP78 from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. Mechanistic investigations revealed that NF-κB mediated this antiapoptotic mechanism by upregulating expression of UACA, a proinflammatory protein in certain disease settings. In clinical specimens of cancer, a strong correlation existed between NF-κB activity and UACA expression, relative to normal tissues. UACA bound to intracellular PAR-4 in diverse cancer cells, where it prevented translocation of GRP78 from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface. This pathway of antiapoptosis could be inhibited by suppressing levels of NF-κB or UACA expression, which enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress and restored GRP78 trafficking to the cell surface, thereby sensitizing cancer cells to apoptosis by extracellular PAR-4 or GRP78 agonistic antibody. In summary, our results identify a novel intracellular pathway of apoptosis mediated by NF-κB through UACA elevation, which by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and GRP78 translocation to the cell surface can blunt the sensitivity of cancer cells to apoptosis.
Optimal routing and wavelength assignment in all-optical networks

The author consider the problem of routing connections in an optical network using wavelength division multiplexing, where each connection between a pair of nodes in the network is assigned a path through the network and a wavelength on that path, such that connections whose paths share a common link in the network are assigned different wavelengths. They derive an upper bound on the carried traffic of connections (or equivalently, a lower bound on the blocking probability) for any routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) algorithm in such a network. The bound scales with the number of wavelengths and is achieved asymptotically (when a large number of wavelengths is available) by a fixed RWA algorithm. Although computationally intensive, this bound can be used as a metric against which the performance of different RWA algorithms can be compared for networks of moderate size. They illustrate this by comparing the performance of a simple RWA algorithm via simulation with our bound. They also derive a similar bound for optical networks using dynamic wavelength converters, which are equivalent to circuit-switched telephone networks, and compare the two cases for different examples. >
Cone invariance and rendezvous of multiple agents

In this article is presented a dynamical systems framework for analysing multi-agent rendezvous problems and characterize the dynamical behaviour of the collective system. Recently, the problem of rendezvous has been addressed considerably in the graph theoretic framework, which is strongly based on the communication aspects of the problem. The proposed approach is based on the set invariance theory and focusses on how to generate feedback between the vehicles, a key part of the rendezvous problem. The rendezvous problem is defined on the positions of the agents and the dynamics is modelled as linear first-order systems. These algorithms have also been applied to non-linear first-order systems. The rendezvous problem in the framework of cooperative and competitive dynamical systems is analysed that has had some remarkable applications to biological sciences. Cooperative and competitive dynamical systems are shown to generate monotone flows by the classical Muller–Kamke theorem, which is analysed using the set invariance theory. In this article, equivalence between the rendezvous problem and invariance of an appropriately defined cone is established. The problem of rendezvous is cast as a stabilization problem, with a the set of constraints on the trajectories of the agents defined on the phase plane. The n-agent rendezvous problem is formulated as an ellipsoidal cone invariance problem in the n-dimensional phase space. Theoretical results based on set invariance theory and monotone dynamical systems are developed. The necessary and sufficient conditions for rendezvous of linear systems are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities. These conditions are also interpreted in the Lyapunov framework using multiple Lyapunov functions. Numerical examples that demonstrate application are also presented.
HLA class I supertypes: a revised and updated classification

Class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules bind, and present to T cells, short peptides derived from intracellular processing of proteins. The peptide repertoire of a specific molecule is to a large extent determined by the molecular structure accommodating so-called main anchor positions of the presented peptide. These receptors are extremely polymorphic, and much of the polymorphism influences the peptide-binding repertoire. However, despite this polymorphism, class I molecules can be clustered into sets of molecules that bind largely overlapping peptide repertoires. Almost a decade ago we introduced this concept of clustering human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and defined nine different groups, denominated as supertypes, on the basis of their main anchor specificity. The utility of this original supertype classification, as well several other subsequent arrangements derived by others, has been demonstrated in a large number of epitope identification studies. Following our original approach, in the present report we provide an updated classification of HLA-A and -B class I alleles into supertypes. The present analysis incorporates the large amount of class I MHC binding data and sequence information that has become available in the last decade. As a result, over 80% of the 945 different HLA-A and -B alleles examined to date can be assigned to one of the original nine supertypes. A few alleles are expected to be associated with repertoires that overlap multiple supertypes. Interestingly, the current analysis did not identify any additional supertype specificities. As a result of this updated analysis, HLA supertype associations have been defined for over 750 different HLA-A and -B alleles. This information is expected to facilitate epitope identification and vaccine design studies, as well as investigations into disease association and correlates of immunity. In addition, the approach utilized has been made more transparent, allowing others to utilize the classification approach going forward.
Review of integrated charging methods for plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles

This paper reviews the current status and implementation of integrated charging methods for plug-in electric vehicles and hybrids. Battery charger systems are categorized into on-board and off-board types. An off-board charger can be designed for high charging rates and is less constrained by size and weight. Typical on-board chargers limit the high power because of weight, space, volume and cost constraints. Integration of the charging function into the electric drive system and electric motor has been developed to minimize battery charger costs, weight and volume. In an integrated charger, motor windings are used for the inductors. The motor drive inverter serves as a bidirectional ac-dc converter. Various integrated charger topologies are presented, compared, and evaluated based on cost, weight, suitability, configurations, and other factors.
Agreement Between Occupational Therapy Practice Framework Classifications and Occupational Therapists’ Classifications

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) developed the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (the Framework) to categorize and organize concepts in the field of occupational therapy in a manner that would be understandable to practitioners within the field as well as to external readers. The current study investigates the degree to which occupational therapists' classification of terminology agrees with the Framework's classification of terminology. Through mail survey format, 200 randomly selected AOTA occupational therapist members were asked to classify 30 randomly selected terms from the Framework into the 6 domain categories of the Framework. Based on the responses of 94 completed surveys, low levels of agreement were found between therapists' and the Framework's categorizations. Overall, practicing therapists did not categorize terms in a manner consistent with the categorization of the Framework. We recommend that AOTA refrain from developing systems of categorization, at least until a consensus develops in the field concerning terminology.
Effect, of transient voltages on power transformer design — IV

When subject to transient voltage excitation, local concentration of voltage takes place in an ordinary transformer in which the capacitance charging current of the coils to ground is supplied through the winding, or the ratio of inductance and capacitance of the various parts throughout the winding is not constant. Calculations and tests of voltage distribution in the winding, caused by the impact of (a) damped high-frequency oscillations, and (b) unidirectional traveling waves, are given. In order to make the analysis clearer, the transformer winding is considered as a network of inductances and capacitances, and this term ``network'' is used throughout the paper. Certain simplified and typical networks are considered. Transformers having one terminal grounded, such as are used in three-phase star connection, particularly in high voltage systems, are frequently built with the insulation graded to other windings and ground, in the order of the normal frequency voltage stress. The danger of such a practise is shown in power transformers which are subject to transient overvoltage, since voltage oscillation in the winding may raise the voltage to ground at intermediate points above the terminal voltage, unless the design of the winding eliminates oscillation. The theoretical and experimental data given show that the distribution and magnitude of voltage stresses existing during recognized standard insulation tests are essentially different from stresses created by transient voltages. This permits the construction of transformers that would satisfactorily pass standard insulation tests but at the same time would not be suitable for average service.
Comparison of Solute Transport in Three Composite Liners

Three composite landfill liners were compared in this study based on leakage rate, mass flux, and sorptive capacity. One composite liner consisted of a geomembrane and a geosynthetic clay liner ~GCL!. The other two had a geomembrane and a thicker soil barrier ~61 or 122 cm!. The analyses employed one- and three-dimensional numerical models that were developed for analyzing con- taminant transport through defects in the geomembrane component of composite liners and diffusion of volatile organic compounds through intact composite liners ~i.e., composite liners without holes in the geomembrane!. Cadmium was used to represent inorganic leachate constituents and toluene was used to represent organic leachate constituents. The composite liner, having a GCL had the lowest leakage rate of the three composite liners. For cadmium, the mass flow rate and sorptive capacity for the three composite liners varied within an order of magnitude. However, for toluene, the mass flux from the GCL composite liner was two to three orders of magnitude greater than that through composite liners having a thicker soil liner. Additionally, for leachate having similar concentrations of cadmium and toluene, the mass flux of toluene can be as much as seven orders of magnitude greater than that for cadmium. For toluene, the sorptive capacity of thicker liners was an order of magnitude greater than that for the GCL composite liner. Similar behavior is expected for other inorganic and organic solutes.
The dynamics of intermodal matching: seven- and 12- month-olds' intermodal matching of affect

The purpose of this experiment was to examine whether and how a common methodological difference frequently employed within the intermodal matching procedure affects infants' intermodal matching. S...
Top-Management Agreement and Organizational Performance

This paper relates top-management agreement on an organization's strengths and weaknesses with organizational performance. The findings are interesting and provocative, for the data show that agreement among managers is positively related to economic performance, even when controlling for other variables potentially related to organizational performance. The importance of top management agreement and its impact on organization performance are discussed.