cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of application specific programmable processors

Synthesis of Application Specific ProgrammableProcessors poses numerous new tasks onbehavioral synthesis tools.We address some ofthem including application bundling.ApplicationBundling is a synthesis task where n control-data flowgraphs are bundled into at most m groups, so that eachapplication belongs to at least one group and throughputconstraints for all applications are satisfied.We have shown how a variety of application specificconstraints such as manufacturing cost reduction andproduction risk reduction can be targeted during thesynthesis process.The effectiveness of our approach isdemonstrated on a number of real examples.
Silica-supported aminoxyls as reactive materials for NOx removal

The design of new materials for gaseous NOx (NO and NO2) removal at ambient temperature using organic active sites is reported. The materials consist of unfunctionalized silica and silica modified by immobilized aminoxyls and function via sequential processes consisting of (i) NO oxidation to NO2 and (ii) NO2 storage. NOx removal by physical mixtures of immobilized PTIO (2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-3-oxide-1-oxyl) sites on silica as the NO oxidant and hydrated silica as the NO2 trap occurs with significant degradation of the PTIO oxidant via undesired side reactions with NO2 when NO2 adsorption sites are fewer than required for its complete removal along the packed bed. The use of packed beds with sufficient NO2 adsorption sites requires a large excess of unfunctionalized silica, because of its low surface density of geminal silanols, which are shown to be the relevant sites for NO2 storage on silica at ambient temperature based on density functional theory calculations. This PTIO degradation is circumvented by the design of NOx traps consisting of immobilized PTIO on silica as the NO oxidant and immobilized TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl) on silica as an adsorbent with a high density of strong NO2 binding sites. Packed beds consisting of a 2 : 1 molar mixture of PTIO and TEMPO sites consume NOx as predicted by stoichiometry without detectable PTIO degradation and also without a contribution from geminal silanols as NO2 storage sites. This result requires that PTIO and TEMPO sites on silica render geminal silanols as inactive towards NO2 storage presumably because of the titration of these silanols by immobilized aminoxyls.
Laboratory Efficacy of Chemical Repellents for Reducing Blackbird Damage in Rice and Sunflower Crops

Nonlethal alternatives are needed to manage blackbird (Icterids) damage to rice and sunflower production in the United States. We evaluated 4 registered fungicides on rice seeds (i.e., AllegianceH FL, Thiram 42-S, TrilexH, and VitavaxH 200 preplant seed treatments) and 2 foliar pesticides on sunflower seeds (Cobalt TM insecticide and Flock Buster bird repellent) as candidate blackbird repellents. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) preferred untreated rice relative to rice treated with Thiram (P , 0.001) and Vitavax (P , 0.001), and untreated sunflower relative to sunflower treated with Cobalt (P , 0.001). Blackbirds preferred untreated sunflower relative to sunflower treated with Flock Buster repellent on day 1 of a 4-day preference test (P , 0.001). We observed no difference in consumption of treated versus untreated rice during the Allegiance preference test (P 5 0.928), and blackbirds preferred rice treated with Trilex relative to untreated rice (P 5 0.003). Although repellency was positively related to tested concentrations of Thiram (P 5 0.010), Trilex (P 5 0.026), and Vitavax (P , 0.001), maximum repellency was ,50% during our concentration-response tests of these seed treatments. Repellency was also positively related to tested concentrations of Cobalt (P , 0.001), and we observed .80% repellency of sunflower treated with Cobalt at L 50% of the label rate. We observed no concentration-response relationship for the Allegiance seed treatment (P 5 0.341) and Flock Buster repellent (P 5 0.952). We recommend implementation of supplemental field studies to compare laboratory efficacy, repellency, and chemical residues of effective avian repellents throughout periods of needed crop protection.
Knock-Off My Mark, Get Set, Go to Jail? The Improprieties of Criminalizing Post-Sale Confusion

This Note argues that the Trademark Counterfeiting Act (TCA) has been incorrectly and unjustly applied to cases of post-sale confusion. This occurs when someone buys a knock-off luxury item knowing that it is fake. The only people that are confused are the members of the general public who observe someone wearing what looks like a genuine Rolex watch or Louis Vuitton bag and think it is real. While every circuit that dealt with knock-off goods held that post-sale confusion is criminalized by the TCA, this Note argues that this relies on an improper reading of the statute. The TCA was only designed to make criminal those actions that were clearly actionable civilly in 1984, when it was enacted. This Note will show that post-sale confusion was far from uniformly accepted civilly in 1984 and that therefore it should not be read into the TCA. Furthermore, this Note argues that the harms of post-sale confusion are identical to the harms of dilution, which was not covered in the Lanham Act until 1996 and was never included in the TCA. The Note then looks at the statutory scheme to argue that Congress had only point-of-sale confusion in mind when it enacted the TCA. The statute unambiguously does not cover more typical dilutive sales, which is strong evidence that, contrary to the courts' reasoning, Congress did not have the harms of dilution in mind when it added criminal penalties to trademark law. Finally, this Note argues that from a policy perspective post-sale confusion should not criminalized. The harms are small and companies have had a great deal of success with civil actions. There is no need to impose severe fines and long prison terms for selling knock-offs. This Note concludes by stating that there are serious harms from counterfeits that create point-of-sale confusion, but the public does not take these seriously because they think only of knock-offs when they think about counterfeits. By decriminalizing the sale of knock-offs the public will be more willing to accept the true dangers of 'real' counterfeits and will become more vigilant in the marketplace.
Fineprint Company (Abridged)

Do not edit content of this case. It is supposed to match the Cambridge book version (2009) EXACTLY. Formatting may be updated as necessary. John Johnson, owner of FinePrint Company, is presented with two opportunities to consider: (1) whether to accept a one-time special printing order and (2) whether to outsource some of his printing to another printing company. In making his decisions, he must consider the relevance of certain costs, the behavior of those costs, and the extent to which he has capacity constraints.
Resistance bioassay from southern chinch bug (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) excreta

Antibiosis is considered to be the mechanism of resistance to the southern chinch bug, Blissus insularis Barber, because of high mortality and reduced oviposition rate of southern chinch bugs confined on ‘Floratam’ St. Augustinegrass, Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walter) Kuntze, compared with susceptible cultivars. To evaluate an alternative resistance bioassay, we determined the feeding response as excreta weight and grass residence frequency, based on the frequency of confined bugs on the grass. Within 24 h after presentation, excreta dry weight and grass residence frequency were reduced when bugs were confined on the resistant ‘Floratam’, compared with the susceptible ‘FX-313’ St. Augustinegrass. Excreta weight differed among hosts in several experiments involving 1 to 20 bugs per sprig. Excreta dry weight on resistant St. Augustinegrass genotypes such as ‘Floratam’ was always low (1-3 μg per bug per day) compared with susceptible hosts (range mostly 10-20 μg per bug per day). Excreta weight was highly correlated with oviposition rate (r2 = 0.42) on a genotype-mean basis. Because visual evaluation of the amount of excreta was more efficient than weighing in detecting resistance differences, we conclude that this technique is a rapid and powerful tool for detecting resistance. In two experiments, bugs reinstated within 2 and 5 d from ‘Floratam’ to a susceptible host showed no continuing effect from the prior host. Therefore, we conclude that the basis of resistance by ‘Floratam’ must be a feeding resistance.
Age-specific mating activities of Mexican rice borers (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Occurrence, timing within the scotophase, and duration of mating, as well as timing within the scotophase of calling by females, were observed in the laboratory for pairs of all age combinations of 0- to 5-d-old male and female Eoreuma loftini (Dyar). Also, occurrence of mating of 1- to 5-d-old E. loftini females was examined on mating stations in commercial sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.). Percentage of mating moths in the laboratory ranged from 67.3 (4 d old) to 78.7% (1 d old) for females and from 56 (0 d old) to 81.3% (5 d old) for males. Occurrence of mating generally increased with male age. Mating was least likely to occur when one sex was very old and the other very young. Females called earlier, and both sexes mated earlier as age increased. Duration of mating also was influenced by age of either sex, but these differences were small relative to the mean total duration of mating. Differences in female age seldom resulted in large differences in occurrence of mating on mating stations, but when differences occurred, younger females were more often mated than older females. Changes in temporal patterns of sexual response and receptivity of males and females, respectively, probably caused the observed effects of age on mating occurrence.
The value of a well-placed stoma.

Purpose The author describes the purpose, procedure, and practice of stoma-site marking. Patient anxiety and other emotional implications of ostomy surgery are explored, and expenses related to supplies and reimbursement issues are discussed. Overview Patients with specific advanced colorectal, bladder, ovarian, or endometrial cancers sometimes require surgery that controls malignancies but necessitates ostomy creation. Despite a well-placed and well-constructed stoma, adjustment to an ostomy is difficult and lengthy. Maladaptive behaviors are exacerbated when an ostomy is constructed poorly and positioned poorly on the abdominal wall. Additional expenses are incurred when this stoma requires a customized and complex pouching system. Clinical implications Malformed ostomies, leaking ostomy pouches, or skin irritations impact negatively on the patient and family members and may result in treatment delays. The patient's body structure, fat stores, occupation, and clothing style must be considered when determining the appropriate stoma site. Attention also must be paid to psychosocial support so that both emotional and physical healing occur.
Assessment of Liver Function

No single test provides sufficient indication of the status of liver function, therefore a combination of several tests may be helpful for the clinical evaluation of patients with liver disease. The basic tests utilized in the assessment of liver disease are measurements of bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase, total proteins with albumin and globulin, and prothrombin time. History, physical examination, liver biopsy, cholangiography, and a variety of invasive tests are now available to aid in the further differentiation of liver diseases.
Basic fibroblast growth factor mediates its effects on committed myeloid progenitors by direct action and has no effect on hematopoietic stem cells.

Basic fibroblast growth factor or fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF) has been shown to affect myeloid cell proliferation and hypothesized to stimulate primitive hematopoietic cells. We sought to evaluate the effect of FGF on hematopoietic stem cells and to determine if FGF mediated its effects on progenitor cells directly or through the induction of other cytokines. To address the direct effects of FGF, we investigated whether FGF induced production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, granulocyte colony- stimulating factor, or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor by two types of accessory cells, bone marrow (BM) fibroblasts and macrophages. We further evaluated whether antibodies to FGF-induced cytokines affected colony formation. To determine if FGF was capable of stimulating multipotent progenitors, we assessed the output of different colony types after stimulation of BM mononuclear cells (BMMC) or CD34+ BMMC and compared the effects of FGF with the stem cell active cytokine, kit ligand (KL). In addition, a subset of CD34+ BMMC with characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells was isolated by functional selection and their response to FGF was evaluated using proliferation, colony-forming, and single-cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. We determined that FGF had a stimulatory effect on the production of a single cytokine, IL-6, but that the effects of FGF on colony formation were not attributable to that induction. FGF was more restricted in its in vitro effects on BM progenitors than KL was, having no effect on erythroid colony formation. FGF did not stimulate stem cells and FGF receptors were not detected on stem cells as evaluated by single-cell reverse transcription PCR. In contrast, FGF receptor gene expression was detected in myeloid progenitor populations. These data support a directly mediated effect for FGF that appears to be restricted to lineage-committed myeloid progenitor cells. FGF does not appear to modulate the human hematopoietic stem cell.
Mass Spectrometric Quantification of Neuropeptides

The molecular specificity of MS/MS methods for the accurate quantification of endogenous neuropeptides, such as ME and BE, exceeds that of all other methods because: 1. MS/MS qualitative analysis first establishes the amino acid sequence of the endogenous peptide; 2. MS/MS establishes and maintains the structural link between the (M + H)+ ion and its corresponding amino acid sequence-determining ion(s) during quantification; and 3. A stable isotope-incorporated synthetic peptide internal standard is used. Endogenous ME and BE have been measured in human pituitary tissue by this quantitative analytical MS method.
Sustainability, Ecojustice, and Adult Education

Adult education has a significant role to play in creating a just and sustainable world. This chapter explores a continuum of perspectives related to the environment and education and highlights sustainability and ecojustice education theory and practices in this volume.
Morphologic Markers of Neurodevelopmental Paths to Schizophrenia

The most widely studied cerebral morphologic abnormalities in schizophrenia may be classified as indications of: 1. medial fronto-limbic system defects; 2. periventricular damage; and 3. cerebral specialization abnormalities. The existing literature supports the independence of these morphologic abnormalities and suggests that they may reflect different pathologic processes. We hypothesize that these pathologic dimensions may be accompanied by distinguishable developmental courses and psychopathologic evolutions. An outline of these hypothetical paths to schizophrenia is presented as a heuristic for understanding heterogeneity of the cerebral morphological, neuropsychological, and clinical features of the schizophrenic syndrome.
Deep Brain Stimulation Programming for Movement Disorders

The clinical success of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating advanced movement disorders is crucially dependent on the quality of postoperative neurological management. A well-implanted lead in an appropriately selected patient is useless without the application of proper stimulation settings. DBS therapy introduces in many cases a delicate balance of electrical and pharmacological treatment that requires a critical understanding of the principles of pulse generator programming. While the countless number of possible setting combinations seems to make programming a complicated and time-consuming endeavor, a systematic approach can prove invaluable in optimizing DBS therapy. This chapter outlines the general principles of stimulation, including the parameters that may be modulated to optimize therapy. We also review the common steps required to select optimal DBS contacts independent of the anatomical target and general troubleshooting guidelines. Programming issues relative to individual brain targets are addressed, which include the elements of anatomy, contact selection, medication adjustment (when appropriate), and specific stimulation-related side effects.
X-linked retinitis pigmentosa: functional phenotype of an RP2 genotype.

Rod- and cone-mediated function was studied with psychophysics and electroretinography in members of an X-linked retinitis pigmentosa pedigree with the RP2 genotype. An asymptomatic hemizygote with an early stage of the disease had cone dysfunction in the mid-periphery and an abnormal cone electroretinogram (ERG); rod function was normal. Hemizygotes with more advanced disease had cone and rod dysfunction in the mid-peripheral retina and cone dysfunction in the far periphery; cone and rod ERGs were abnormal. At very advanced stages, there was an absolute mid-peripheral scotoma and marked cone and rod dysfunction in the far peripheral and central retina. Cone and rod ERGs were severely abnormal or not detectable. Heterozygotes showed tapetal-like reflexes, patches of pigmentary retinopathy, and a range of functional findings from no detectable abnormalities to moderate levels of retinal dysfunction. There were regions of normal function adjacent to dysfunctional patches that had greater cone than rod sensitivity losses or comparable cone and rod losses. The results suggest that the phenotype of this RP2 genotype of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, unlike other forms of retinitis pigmentosa, is first expressed as a cone photoreceptor system dysfunction, and as the disease progresses, both rod and cone systems are involved. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 33:3481-3492, 1992
SHAPE America’s 50 Million StrongTM: Critical Research Questions Related to Youth Physical Activity

ABSTRACTSHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators has targeted youth physical activity (PA) as 1 of its 4 goals within the 50 Million StrongTM campaign. Only 27.1% of youth met the target of all students (preK–12) participating in at least 60 min of PA that increases their heart rate enough to breathe hard at least some of the time for 7 days/week. Thus, improvements for child and adolescent engagement in PA need to be made now through 2029 and beyond. The need for these improvements warrants research related to PA and youth. We present a plethora of research questions within 3 general areas: PA and school PA programs, PA and sedentary behavior measurement, and PA and social justice imperatives. Each question is framed within the social-ecological framework levels of learning, opportunity, policy, and population health.
Early hypoxemia burden is strongly associated with severe intracranial hemorrhage in preterm infants.

The objective of this study was to define the association between the burden of severe hypoxemia (SpO2 ≤70%) in the first week of life and development of severe ICH (grade III/IV) in preterm infants. Infants born at <32 weeks or weighing <1500 g underwent prospective SpO2 recording from birth through 7 days. Severe hypoxemia burden was calculated as the percentage of the error-corrected recording where SpO2 ≤70%. Binary logistic regression was used to model the relationship between hypoxemia burden and severe ICH. A total of 163.3 million valid SpO2 data points were collected from 645 infants with mean EGA = 27.7 ± 2.6 weeks, BW = 1005 ± 291 g; 38/645 (6%) developed severe ICH. There was a greater mean hypoxemia burden for infants with severe ICH (3%) compared to those without (0.1%) and remained significant when controlling for multiple confounding factors. The severe hypoxemia burden in the first week of life is strongly associated with severe ICH.
An analysis of North Korea’s economic development with special reference to agriculture

The article examines North Korea’s record of economic development with special reference to agriculture. There has been some success in grain production using a centrally directed economy and the Juche method and Chungsan-ri spirit of farming. However, too much emphasis on grain production has resulted in shortages of other agricultural products, such as livestock and livestock products. A fundamental problem in North Korea is that the economy as a whole is supply-constrained, a common failing of planned economies.
Framing the question: is shrinking good or bad?

Saehoon Kim’s (2018) suggestion to articulate and promote a shrinking-sensitive urban design approach strikes me as being an excellent idea. It could lead to the development of an interesting and u...
Learners’ Feedback Regarding ASR-based Dictation Practice for Pronunciation Learning

Although early ASR-based dictation programs were criticized for lack of accuracy and explicit feedback for L2 pronunciation practice, teachers and researchers have shown renewed interest. However, little is known about student reactions to ASRbased dictation practice. This qualitative study examines student perspectives, identifying advantages and challenges to working with dictation software and generating ideas for the ideal ASR dictation program. Advanced ESL participants (n=16) worked with Windows Speech Recognition in a three-week hybrid pronunciation workshop. The study identifies many themes, including advantages such as ease of use, usefulness for pronunciation learning due to feedback provided, and heightened awareness of pronunciation issues, but also disadvantages, such as frustrating levels of recognition, particularly in the first attempt, doubts of the program's transcription abilities, and lack of convenience. Participants reported that convenience and greater support in pronunciation practice would be important for an ideal program.
High repetition rate detection through dual-comb Vernier frequency division

We report a new Vernier frequency division method to detect sub-THz microresonator soliton rep-rate. Our method vastly reduces required electrical bandwidth for rep-rate detection, and we stabilized 200 GHz rep-rate to a 1 GHz reference.
What do mathematicians mean by proof? A comparative-judgement study of students’ and mathematicians’ views

We present a study in which mathematicians and undergraduate students were asked to explain in writing what mathematicians mean by proof. The 175 responses were evaluated using comparative judgement: mathematicians compared pairs of responses and their judgements were used to construct a scaled rank order. We provide evidence establishing the reliability, divergent validity and content validity of this approach to investigating individuals’ written conceptions of mathematical proof. In doing so, we compare the quality of student and mathematician responses and identify which features the judges collectively valued. Substantively, our findings reveal that despite the variety of views in the literature, mathematicians broadly agree on what people should say when asked what mathematicians mean by proof. Methodologically, we provide evidence that comparative judgement could have an important role to play in investigating conceptions of mathematical ideas, and conjecture that similar methods could be productive in evaluating individuals’ more general (mathematical) beliefs.
The optimum pressure drawdown for production from a shale gas reservoir: A numerical study with a coupled geomechanics and reservoir model

Abstract Pressure drawdown in a production well is a key parameter to control and optimize hydrocarbon production from the reservoirs. During production process in a stress-sensitive unconventional reservoir, there exist two competing mechanisms that are related to the pressure drawdown and impact the production: pressure gradient between the reservoir and production well and stress dependency of permeability. The combination of the two mechanisms results in the potential existence of the optimum pressure drawdown beyond which the production rate decreases with further increasing pressure drawdown for a given reservoir. This study investigates the factors impacting the optimum drawdown based on a coupled geomechanics and reservoir model. Specifically, we employed a reservoir simulator (TOUGH2) coupled with a geomechanics simulator (FLAC3D) to model the reservoir gas production under stress effects on porosity and permeability. The reservoir matrix permeability is exponentially related to the change in effective stress through the stress sensitivity factor. Simulation results show that the optimum pressure drawdown exists only for stress-sensitive shale reservoirs and mainly depends on the stress sensitivity factor, rather than the initial reservoir matrix permeability. This provides a simple guideline for the pressure drawdown management; the pressure drawdown should not exceed the optimum pressure drawdown in the field operations.
Using qualitative content analysis to understand the active ingredients of a parent-mediated naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention:

Although naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions have a sizable and growing evidence base for supporting the development of children on the autism spectrum, their active ingredients and...
Intrapartum Fetal Electrocardiogram in Small- and Large-for-Gestational Age Fetuses.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether intrapartum fetal electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings with ST-elevation or depression occur more frequently in each stage of labor in small-for-gestational age (SGA) or large-for-gestational age (LGA), as compared with appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) fetuses. Study Design We conducted a secondary analysis of a large, multicenter trial in which laboring patients underwent fetal ECG waveform-analysis. We excluded participants with diabetes mellitus and major fetal anomalies. Birth weight was categorized as SGA ( 90th percentile), or AGA (10–90th percentile) by using a gender and race/ethnicity specific nomogram. In adjusted analyses, the frequency of ECG tracings with ST-depression or ST-elevation without depression was compared according to birthweight categories and labor stage. Results Our study included 4,971 laboring patients in the first stage and 4,074 in the second stage. During the first stage of labor, there were no differences in the frequency of ST-depression in SGA fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (6.7 vs. 5.5%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93–2.13), or in ST-elevation without depression (35.8 vs. 34.1%; aOR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.94–1.46). During the second stage, there were no differences in the frequency of ST-depression in SGA fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (1.6 vs. 2.0%; aOR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.27–1.73), or in ST-elevation without depression (16.2 vs. 18.1%; aOR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.67–1.22). During the first stage of labor, there were no differences in the frequency of ST-depression in LGA fetuses compared with AGA fetuses (6.3 vs. 5.5%; aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.60–1.57), or in ST-elevation without depression (33.1 vs. 34.1%; aOR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.62–1.03); during the second stage of labor, the frequency of ST-depression in LGA compared with AGA fetuses (2.5 vs. 2.0%, aOR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.61–3.03), and in ST-elevation without depression (15.5 vs. 18.1%; aOR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.18) were similar as well. Conclusion The frequency of intrapartum fetal ECG tracings with ST-events is similar among SGA, AGA, and LGA fetuses. Key Points
Cdk8 Kinase Module: A Mediator of Life and Death Decisions in Times of Stress

The Cdk8 kinase module (CKM) of the multi-subunit mediator complex plays an essential role in cell fate decisions in response to different environmental cues. In the budding yeast S. cerevisiae, the CKM consists of four conserved subunits (cyclin C and its cognate cyclin-dependent kinase Cdk8, Med13, and Med12) and predominantly negatively regulates a subset of stress responsive genes (SRG’s). Derepression of these SRG’s is accomplished by disassociating the CKM from the mediator, thus allowing RNA polymerase II-directed transcription. In response to cell death stimuli, cyclin C translocates to the mitochondria where it induces mitochondrial hyper-fission and promotes regulated cell death (RCD). The nuclear release of cyclin C requires Med13 destruction by the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). In contrast, to protect the cell from RCD following SRG induction induced by nutrient deprivation, cyclin C is rapidly destroyed by the UPS before it reaches the cytoplasm. This enables a survival response by two mechanisms: increased ATP production by retaining reticular mitochondrial morphology and relieving CKM-mediated repression on autophagy genes. Intriguingly, nitrogen starvation also stimulates Med13 destruction but through a different mechanism. Rather than destruction via the UPS, Med13 proteolysis occurs in the vacuole (yeast lysosome) via a newly identified Snx4-assisted autophagy pathway. Taken together, these findings reveal that the CKM regulates cell fate decisions by both transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms, placing it at a convergence point between cell death and cell survival pathways.
Dinosaurs, mammals, and Mesozoic taphonomy

Predation is an important mode by which animals enter the fossil record. Reptilian and amphibian digestive systems decalcify prey, whereas those of small mammalian predators do not. The origin of endothermy in the fossil record should be marked by abundant, undecalcifled coprocoenoses. If predacious dinosaurs were endothermic, microvertebrate coprocoenoses produced by them should reflect this. Ectothermic warm-bloodedness in dinosaurs could have resulted from high ambient temperatures, at least during the Cretaceous. An eleva ted body temperature in reptiles may be more important for digestion than for levels of activity. A short-term lowering of temperatures at the end of the Cretaceous could have induced digestive failure in reptiles, without affecting other physiological activities. A trend toward giantism in herbivores may be a means of processing forage high in cellulose.
Newer Coronary Risk Factors

Although traditional coronary risk factors have included elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, and cigarette smoking, several other factors are now being considered. This chapter provides a sampling of some of these “newer” risk factors, particularly those that have a biologic basis. The major categories to be considered are hematologic, newer lipid particles and their metabolic considerations, vitamins and homocysteine, and aspects of glucose metabolism.
The human controller as an adaptive, low pass filter.

Data is presented on the ability of a human controller to track a signal contaminated with noise. Signal frequencies and signal-to-noise ratio are the independent variables. An optimal, adaptive filter is presented for comparison. A descriptive model is derived based on known human characteristics in manual control. Future research needs are discussed.
Analysis of Facebook steganographic capabilities

The massive information-sharing capabilities and global reach of Facebook are of great interest to organizations of all types, including those with malicious and/or illegal intents. Our main findings in this research include the following. Steganography can be employed to send covert information via Facebook photos and potentially videos as well. Facebook Cover Photos can effectively utilize steganography, of at least 15.75% capacity using DCT coefficient embedding algorithms. Network traffic analysis determined no distinguishable differences between network traffic patterns of normal images and cover photos as they were uploaded to the Facebook servers. Firewall rules can be written to block all image uploads to Facebook.
Sol-Gel Synthesis and Phase Evolution Behavior of Sterically Stabilized Nanocrystalline Zirconia

Nanocrystalline as well as submicron sized, non-agglomerated, spherical ZrO2 particles have been successfully synthesized using the sol-gel technique utilizing hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) as a polymeric steric stabilizer. The effect of various parameters such as the ratio of molar concentration of water and alkoxide (R), the molar concentration [HPC] and the molecular weight (MWHPC) of HPC polymer as well as the calcination temperature on ZrO2 nanocrystallites size and their phase evolution behavior is systematically studied. The phase evolution behavior of nanocrystalline ZrO2 is explained and correlated with the adsorption behavior of HPC polymer on ZrO2 nanoparticles surface, which is observed to be a function of R, [HPC], MWHPC and the calcination temperature. Optimum synthesis parameters for obtaining 100% tetragonal phase in nanocrystalline ZrO2 are identified for the present sol-gel method of synthesizing nanoparticles.
Field Technique for the Identification of Deer Blood

A latex suspension sensitized with deer antiserum has been prepared, placed on plastic cards, dried, and packaged for field use. The product was tested against bloodstains from 22 species (including Homo sapiens). Strong agglutination reactions occurred only with blood-stains from deer and elk.
Phosphorylation of the Activation Loop of γ p21-Activated Kinase (γ-Pak) and Related Kinases (MSTs) in Normal and Stressed Neutrophils

Neutrophils stimulated with a variety of chemoattractants exhibit a rapid activation of two p21-activated kinases (Paks) with molecular masses of approximately 63 and 69 kDa (gamma- and alpha-Pak). A number of in vitro studies suggest that modification of Thr(402) in the activation loop (AL) of gamma-Pak can play a critical role in the regulation of this kinase under certain circumstances. A phosphospecific Ab was generated to this region of Pak (pPak(AL)Ab). This Ab reacted with activated gamma- and alpha-Pak from fMLP-stimulated neutrophils that contain the sequence KRXT(P)XXGTP in their ALS: The rapid but transient activation of Paks in normal stimulated neutrophils coincided with phosphorylation and dephosphorylation at the ALs of these enzymes. In contrast, stressed cells exhibited a prolonged phosphorylation at Thr(402) in both intact gamma-Pak and a proteolytic fragment of this kinase. The pPak(AL)Ab also reacted with the mammalian sterile twenty-like kinases (MSTs) (members of the Pak family) in osmotically stressed neutrophils and neutrophils treated with certain apoptotic agents (i.e., tumor promoters that inhibit type 1 and 2A protein phosphatases) but not in normal fMLP-stimulated cells. Thus, our results indicate that the AL of gamma-Pak undergoes transient phosphorylation during normal neutrophil stimulation and chronic phosphorylation in stressed cells. In addition, we demonstrate that a number of MSTs are present in neutrophils and also undergo phosphorylation during stressful circumstances.
The Bias Associated with New Mutual Fund Returns

Mutual funds that were less than five years old represented approximately 38% of the open-end mutual fund population as of December 31, 1999. This study's primary research question examines whether the initial returns of mutual funds are biased. The implications of this study are that inferences about the stock-picking ability of small-cap growth, mid-cap growth, and high-yield bond fund managers are more likely to be overstated for new funds than seasoned funds. The most likely sources of the new fund return bias estimated during the period 1994 through 1999 include incubation, favoritism, and higher termination rates of new funds relative to seasoned funds.
GAP: A General Approach to Quantitative Diagnosis of Performance Problems

Quantitative performance diagnosis (QPD) provides explanations that quantify the impact of problem causes. An example of such an explanation is it Increased web server traffic accounts for 90% of the increase in LAN utilization, which in turn accounts for 20% of the increase in web response times. This paper describes GAP, a general approach to quantitative performance diagnosis. GAP has two parts: (1) an algorithm for computing quantitative performance diagnosess and (2) a framework for constructing diagnostic techniques that provides the basis for quantifications produced by the algorithm. The GAP algorithm makes use of a measurement navigation graph, a directed acyclic graph whose nodes are measurement variables and whose arcs have weights that quantify the effect of child variables (e.g., LAN utilization) on parent variables (e.g., response time). The framework for developing diagnostic techniques consists of (a) the choice of statistic (e.g., mean, variance) to aggregate problem values, and (b) the estimator of the statistic.
Isolation of plasma membrane vesicles from animal cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the fractionation and purification of plasma membranes as sealed vesicles. To purify the plasma membrane vesicles, the fate of surface and cytoplasmic membranes following cell disruption need to be monitored quantitatively. For plasma membranes the markers might be (1) membrane enzymes, (2) groups that can be labeled in intact cells from the extracellular space, and (3) membrane receptors that react exclusively with extracellular ligands. For intracellular membranes, only enzymes are useful. The disruption medium should be one where the cells to be fractionated remain viable for at least several hours at ice-bath temperatures. When testing for optimal conditions for cell disruption, how to evaluate nuclear integrity after cell disruption should be decided. For purposes of isolating high yields of purified plasma membrane vesicles, it is necessary to use cell disruption techniques that spare other cellular organelles. After cell disruption, various organelles, and vesicular fragments of plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum, can be partially separated by differential centrifugation. Aqueous two-phase or liquid-interface partition is a classical procedure for the separation of small and large molecules, and utilizes the principle of differential partition between two immiscible phases. Electrophoretic techniques with possible potential for the purification of plasma membrane vesicles involve separation according to their surface charge density.
Credit cards, financial responsibility, and college students: an experimental study

Policymakers are concerned about the limited financial expertise of young adults because their naivete leaves them vulnerable to the perils of excess debt. We report the results of three experiments designed to investigate college students' mental representations of credit cards, focusing on linkages to financial responsibility. Students complete an inferential reasoning task in which they assess conditional relations to provide evidence on their rudimentary understanding of what credit card ownership entails. The findings suggest that students readily associate credit card ownership with the need to exercise financial responsibility. Yet, they have difficulty correctly assessing conditional relations. While these young adults believe that they should be financially responsible, their mental models do not fully describe the linkages between credit card ownership and financial responsibility. Additional investigation indicates that analogical transfer can be used to enrich students' mental models, underscoring an obligation to exercise financial responsibility.
Evolution of focal choroidal excavation underlying combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium in a child

Combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a benign tumor seen mostly in children. Enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography (OCT) of these tumors often shows an epiretinal membrane, tangential traction, disorganization of the retinal layers, and underlying uniform choroidal thinning. We describe the evolution over 9 years of focal choroidal excavation, a novel finding on OCT characterized as a "microstaphyloma," in a girl with combined hamartoma of the retina and RPE.
Residues near the active site of UCH enzymes that may contribute to isopeptide binding in ubiquitin-linked substrates (LB257)

Ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase (UCH) enzymes release small peptide and protein leaving groups from the C-terminus of ubiquitin. Although the interaction with ubiquitin is fairly well understood in these enzymes, recognition of the isopeptide moiety of the substrate at the active site has not been well characterized. The crystal structure of TsUCH37 (T. spiralis) bound to suicide substrate, UbVMe, reveals a conserved tryptophan residue that may play a role in stabilizing the isopeptide linkage in the active site. To study the contribution of this tryptophan residue, the equivalent residue in human UCH37, W55, was mutated to alanine and phenylananine. The phenylalanine mutant retained most of its ubiquitin-AMC (Ub-AMC) hydrolysis activity as compared to the wild type enzyme, but the alanine mutant was substantially impaired. The loss of activity with the alanine mutant is not due to any alteration in the three-dimensional fold of the enzyme. Considering the distance of this tryptophan residue from G7...
Relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by calcium sparks

Local increases in intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) resulting from activation of the ryanodine-sensitive calcium-release channel in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of smooth muscle cause arterial dilation. Ryanodine-sensitive, spontaneous local increases in [Ca2+]i (Ca2+ sparks) from the SR were observed just under the surface membrane of single smooth muscle cells from myogenic cerebral arteries. Ryanodine and thapsigargin inhibited Ca2+ sparks and Ca(2+)-dependent potassium (KCa) currents, suggesting that Ca2+ sparks activate KCa channels. Furthermore, KCa channels activated by Ca2+ sparks appeared to hyperpolarize and dilate pressurized myogenic arteries because ryanodine and thapsigargin depolarized and constricted these arteries to an extent similar to that produced by blockers of KCa channels. Ca2+ sparks indirectly cause vasodilation through activation of KCa channels, but have little direct effect on spatially averaged [Ca2+]i, which regulates contraction.
Symptom burden predicts nursing home admissions among older adults

Context Symptom burden has been associated with functional decline in community-dwelling older adults and may be responsive to interventions. Known predictors of nursing home (NH) admission are often nonmodifiable.
Establishment of New Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Is Improved by Physiological Glucose and Oxygen

Embryonic stem cell lines are routinely selected and cultured in glucose and oxygen concentrations that are well above those of the intrauterine environment. Supraphysiological glucose and hyperoxia each increase oxidative stress, which could be detrimental to survival in vitro by inhibiting proliferation and/or inducing cell death. The aim of this study was to test whether isolation of new embryonic stem cell lines from murine blastocysts is improved by culture in physiological (5%) oxygen instead of approximately 20%, the concentration of oxygen in room air, or in media containing physiological (100 mg/dL) instead of 450 mg/dL glucose. We found that culturing in either physiological oxygen or physiological glucose improved the success of establishing new murine embryonic stem cell lines, and that culture when concentrations of both oxygen and glucose were physiological improved the success of establishing new lines more than culture in either alone. Physiological oxygen and glucose reduce oxidative stre...
Structure and elasticity mechanism of full length resilin proteins

Full length resilin, as well as resilin peptides encoded by exons 1 and 3, were analyzed for structural features. The elasticity mechanisms of resilin related to insect function are described. To approach this goal, a simple energy input method based on thermal treatment was used to detail the transitions and structures of resilin. A systematic pathway to the mechanism was followed based on Temperature-modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TMDSC), Real-time Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), synchrotron Real-time X-ray, and AFM. The results revealed that the conformation and transition of resilin proteins played a critical role for their elastic mechanisms, which provided an effective pathway to design new super elastic biomaterials.
Prognostic value of SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with elevated cardiac troponin I levels and atypical clinical presentation

Background We determined the prognostic value of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with atypical clinical presentations and unexpected elevation of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels.
Guaranteed Consensus in Radar Deception With a Phantom Track

Radar deception problems serve as a motivation to address the key issue of feasibility in trajectory planning for constrained dynamics of multi-agent systems. In a recent paper, Jayasuriya et al. presents an algorithm which claims to produce a dynamically feasible reference trajectory in real time. However, there was no proof provided for the proposed control strategy. This paper work through that algorithm; and, with a slight modification, provides some conditions on configuration parameters and the desired trajectory such that the proposed control guarantees consensus. These conditions dictate certain conditions on the initial configuration of the agents, consistent with the limitations on their actuators. Simulations support the idea that if the initial configuration along the final team goal is in admissible regions, the agents would always reach a consensus and maintain the formation.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
The role of discontinuous gas exchange in insects: the chthonic hypothesis does not hold water

Insects breathe through valved openings (spiracles) in their cuticle. Many insects open and close their spiracles in a cyclic pattern (discontinuous gas-exchange cycles, or DGC). These cycles were observed over half a century ago, their hypothesized function being to minimize loss of water from the tracheal system. However, numerous recent studies have found that respiration accounts for a small fraction of total water loss, and that insects stop performing DGC at times when this pattern would be most useful. Thus, the importance of cyclic gas exchange for water conservation has been challenged. The leading alternative is the chthonic hypothesis, which proposes that DGC originated in insects from hypercapnic (high CO2) environments (e.g. burrows) to aid in release of carbon dioxide. By keeping the spiracles closed, insects would concentrate CO2 and increase the gradient for outward diffusion of CO2. CO2 would be released rapidly when the spiracles opened, and respiratory water loss would be reduced. The chthonic hypothesis therefore predicts that DGC minimizes the ratio of respiratory water loss to CO2 release relative to other modes of gas exchange. We tested the chthonic hypothesis by simultaneously measuring water loss and CO2 release in reproductive females (queens) of the seed-harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus, a burrowing species from North American deserts. Queens used one of three patterns of gas exchange, discontinuous, cyclic and continuous. We resolved the problem of separating cuticular transpiration and respiratory water loss for individuals that used continuous gas exchange by developing a regression method that can be used across all patterns of gas exchange. The ratio of respiratory water loss to CO2 release did not differ among ants using different patterns of gas exchange, in contrast to the expectation of the chthonic hypothesis. Metabolic rate, however, varied with gas-exchange pattern, and was lowest for individuals that used discontinuous gas exchange, intermediate for individuals using cyclic gas exchange, and highest for individuals using continuous gas exchange.