cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simultaneous Extraction Method for Organophosphate, Pyrethroid, and Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Aqueous Samples

A method was developed for the extraction and analysis of 2 organophosphate, 8 pyrethroid, and 5 neonicotinoid insecticides from the same water sample. A salted liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) was optimized with a solid-phase extraction (SPE) step that separated the organophosphates (OPs) and pyrethroids from the neonicotinoids. Factors that were optimized included volume of solvent and amount of salt used in the LLE, homogenization time for the LLE, and type and volume of eluting solvent used for the SPE. The OPs and pyrethroids were quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and the neonicotinoids were quantified using liquid chromatography–diode array detector. Results showed that the optimized method was accurate, precise, reproducible, and robust; recoveries in river water spiked with 100 ng L−1 of each of the insecticides were all between 86 and 114 % with RSDs between 2 and 8 %. The method was also sensitive with method detection limits ranging from 0.1 to 27.2 ng L−1 depending on compounds and matrices. The optimized method was thus appropriate for the simultaneous extraction of 15 widely applied insecticides from three different classes and was shown to provide valuable information on their environmental fate from field-collected aqueous samples.
Pharmacological tests for the function of hypothalamic norepinephrine in eating behavior

Abstract Drugs that affect peripheral adrenergic neurotransmission were injected via implanted cannulas into the perifornical region near the posterior part of the anterior hypothalamus of satiated rats, in order to test the hypothesis that in this part of the hypothalamus particularly norepinephrine (NE) functions as a modulator of the neural system involved in regulating eating behavior. The data show that a standard injection of 20 mμ moles of NE, a compound which specifically activates alpha receptors, consistently elicited eating in satiated rats, while doses from 10–150 mμ moles of isoproterenol, a specific activator of beta receptors, did not. Forty and 120 mμ moles propranolol, an adrenergic beta-receptor blocking agent, had no effect on the eating produced by NE but 40 mμ moles of phentolamine, an adrenergic alpha-blocking agent, completely prevented this eating response to NE. Twenty mμ moles of epinephrine elicited significantly more eating than did 20 mμ moles of NE. Neither serotonin (20 mμ moles) nor dopamine (20 or 100 mμ moles) elicited prompt eating, although there was a suggestion of a delayed effect to dopamine, which is a precursor of NE. Desmethylimipramine (400 mμ moles) and lidocaine, inhibitors of the reuptake of NE into the presynaptic terminal, potentiated at least 8-fold the action of 5 mμ moles of NE. The monoamine oxidase inhibitor nialamide (200 mμ moles) elicited eating behavior when followed by 100 mμ moles of tetrabenazine, a substance which blocks the incorporation of free NE in the granules. As would be expected, the reverse sequence of these drugs did not elicit eating. These results are interpreted as strong support for the hypothesis that a specifically adrenergic hypothalamic system is involved in the eating behavior of the rat.
Maintenance of physical activity following an individualized motivationally tailored intervention

This study examined predictors of exercise maintenance following completion of a physical activity intervention. Sedentary adults recruited through newspaper advertisements were randomly assigned to receive either (a) a motivation-matched intervention with feedback reports that were individually tailored (IT) to psychological variables from social cognitive theory and the Transtheoretical Model via computer expert system, or (b) a standard, print-based intervention (ST). The intervention phase of the study included mailed assessments and intervention materials at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. An assessment-only follow-up was conducted 6 months after the end of the intervention (Month 12). Participants were assessed for current physical activity participation, motivational readiness for physical activity, a number of psychological constructs posited to influence participation in physical activity (e.g., self-efficacy), and current affect. Significantly more participants in the IT condition met or exceeded exercise participation goals at the end of the intervention period and maintained this level of physical activity through the Month 12 follow-up compared to ST participants. Prospective analyses revealed significant differences in several psychological constructs both at program entry (baseline) and the end of the intervention period between individuals who maintained their physical activity participation through Month 12 and those who did not. Results suggest that the maintenance of physical activity following the end of an active intervention program may be influenced by attitudes and behaviors acquired along with increased participation in physical activity, as well as by preexisting characteristics that individuals bring into treatment.
The rules of bereavement: Are suicidal deaths different?

The present article describes two studies designed to identify some of the rules that may govern interactions with bereaved persons and whether those rules are different for suicidal deaths, as compared with death by accident or natural causes. In the first study, with university students, 28 rules were identified. The pattern of results suggests that the rules for suicide are more constraining; that is, judgments about the existence of social rules tend to be more inclusive and extreme, in a “should not do” direction, when the death is suicidal. In the second study, with adult citizens, 13 possible rules were examined. The pattern of results confirmed the findings obtained in the first study — that interacting with the survivors of a suicidal death was seen as a more constraining situation with a predominance of proscriptive rules. It was suggested that while individuals may feel greater compassion for the survivors of suicide, they may avoid the situation for fear of violating one of the proscriptive rules.
Results of a pilot study to improve identification and referral for people at high risk for hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes

Background Five percent of colorectal cancers are attributable to hereditary syndromes for which genetic testing is clinically available. Effective surveillance strategies and riskreducing surgeries lower risk for people diagnosed with inherited colorectal cancer syndromes. However, from a public health standpoint, the existence of effective interventions is futile if not applied broadly and appropriately to the population at risk. Efficient identification of people with hereditary risk remains a challenge, and failure to systematically identify people at high hereditary risk results in preventable morbidity and mortality. The William C. Bernstein M.D. Familial Cancer Registry (Bernstein Registry) is a research-based program that triages participants for hereditary cancer risk. Selfreported family histories are assessed and participants are given tailored information about their hereditary risk factors. People at high risk are given information about the availability and advisability of clinical genetics services. Pilot populations are being enrolled to establish registry processes and determine the feasibility of implementation at a population-based level. This pilot group includes volunteers from a previously established colorectal cancer registry. Materials and methods A 7-item screening questionnaire determines potential eligibility for the Bernstein Registry using elements of early onset, multiple primary and family history of cancers. Potentially eligible participants are contacted by telephone and a four-generation cancer history is generated via guided interview. Pedigrees are analyzed by genetic counselors for hereditary cancer risk probabilities based on published guidelines. Targeted, tailored risk information is provided in writing along with a copy of the family tree. A list of genetic counseling service providers is included for people at high risk.
Evolving concepts in radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia

Abstract Our results and those of others (Table I) suggest that both anatomic and electrogram (potential) approaches are highly successful in eliminating AVNRT. The use of slow-pathway potentials appears to minimize lesion delivery and to be associated with a very small likelihood of complete AV block. Approaches aimed directly at the midseptum also appear to reduce lesion delivery. It is important, however, to understand that the fast and slow AV-nodal pathways are not always confined to anterosuperior (fast) and posteroinferior (slow) locations (at least as they are determined fluoroscopically). On occasion, the slow pathway may be ablated anteriorly 18 and the fast pathway posteriorly 1 . Our three inadvertent successful fast-pathway ablations support these findings. We prefer to conceptualize the AV node as having three ablation zones. Ablation in the anterosuperior zone most often affects fast-pathway conduction; ablation in the posteroinferior zone most often affects slow pathway conduction; and ablation in the midseptal region predominantly affects slow-pathway conduction. Lesions applied to the midseptum do, however, appear more likely to affect inadvertently the fast (or both) pathway(s), 22, 25 probably because of the anatomic convergence of the postero-inferior and anterosuperior AV-nodal approaches in this region. A preliminary report by Wu et al. 31 supports this three-zone concept. The subsequent larger series reported by this group 20 has raised concern 3 that midseptal approaches may be associated with too great a risk of complete AV block. On the other hand, approaches guided exclusively by potentials may be associated with much longer procedure times. 1 Controversy exists over the acceptable end point for ablation procedures. We have not found it necessary routinely to eliminate dual-nodal conduction to maintain a low (3.2%) overall recurrence rate. Aggressive attempts to eliminate all evidence of slow-pathway conduction must be balanced against the risk of inadvertent complete AV block. 28 In conclusion, cumulative data and our clinical experience with ablation of AVNRT suggest that it is possible to be both pragmatic and highly successful. The key components of our approach are (1) an anatomically based, systematic, time-limited search for potentials; (2) elimination of unnecessary lesions that are too atrial or too ventricular to involve the reentrant circuit; (3) a caudocephalad approach that avoids excessively anterior initial lesions, which may result in inadvertent complete AV block; and (4) avoidance of unnecessary lesions in the most inferoposterior sector, which results in patient discomfort and low clinical efficacy. This approach is safe (with minimal risk of AV block), reproducible, and efficacious.
SOME PSYCHOMETRIC DATA ON EJACULATORY DISORDERS: A FURTHER NOTE

Summasy.-MMPI scores of 37 general psychiatric outpatients unselected for sexual dysfunction were compared with those of 19 premature and 16 retarded ejaculators, and 19 non-patient controls screened for sexual disorders. The general psychiatric outpatients exhibited significantly more psychopathology than the premature and retarded ejaculators. Scores of the latter two groups tended to fall between those of the normal and psychiatric patient groups. The general psychiatric outpatients scored significantly higher than the nonpatient group on all scales, with the exception of the Masculinity-Femininity and Mania scales. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Galvanic corrosion characteristics of poly silicon–tantalum nitride couple immersed in dilute HF solutions

Abstract Galvanic corrosion characteristics between poly-Si and tantalum nitride (TaN) in dilute HF solutions (0.1 to 1%) have been investigated. Variables such as poly-Si to TaN area ratio, dissolved oxygen concentration in HF solutions and doping level of poly-Si were investigated. Extent of galvanic corrosion was directly measured as well as estimated using Tafel polarization. Morphological changes on poly-Si due to galvanic corrosion were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Increase in exposed cathode (TaN) area as well as aeration results in higher corrosion of poly-Si. In de-oxygenated HF solutions (less than 4 ppm of O 2 ), irrespective of the area ratio, there appears to be no significant silicon loss.
Stm Studies at Electrochemically Controlled Interfaces

We use electrochemical methods to control the adsorption of molecules onto an electrode for imaging in-situ by scanning tunneling microscopy. Measurements of the barrier for electron tunneling show that the mechanism of electron transfer differs from vacuum tunneling. Barriers depend upon the direction of electron tunneling, indicating the presence of permanently aligned dipoles in the tunnel gap. We attribute a sharp dip in the barrier near zero field to induced polarization. We propose a ‘tunneling’ process consisting of two parts: One is delocalization of quantum-coherent states in parts of the molecular adlayer that hybridize strongly (interaction ≥ kT) with Bloch states in the metal. This gives rise to a quantum-point-contact conductance, Gc ⪯ 2e2/h at a height zo. The other part comes from the exponential decay of the tails of localized states, G = Gc exp{-2K(z - z0). Because measured decay lengths, (2K‘)−1, are small (~ 1 A), STM contrast is dominated by the contour along which G[z0 (x,y)] = Gc. Measured changes in z0 are used to calculate images which are in reasonable agreement with observations. We illustrate this with images of synthetic DNA oligomers.
Full-duplex cooperative transmission scheduling in fast-fading MIMO relaying wireless networks

In this paper, we propose a cooperative uplink transmission strategy for a fast-fading multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless network with multiple MIMO users, a single MIMO relay, and a single MIMO destination. Code division multiple access (CDMA) is assumed as a multiple access scheme and pseudorandom codes are employed for different users. We consider a heavy traffic scenario, in which each user always has packets to transmit in the scheduled time slots. If the relay is scheduled for transmission together with users, then it operates in a full-duplex mode, where the packets previously collected from users are transmitted to the destination while new packets are being collected from users. A novel expression of throughput is first derived and then used to develop a scheduling algorithm to maximize the throughput. Our full-duplex scheduling is compared with a half-duplex scheduling, random access, and time division multiple access (TDMA), and simulation results illustrate its superiority. Throughput gains due to employment of both MIMO and CDMA are observed.
Effects of Behavioral Skills Training With Directed Data Collection on the Acquisition of Behavioral Practices by Workers in a Private, Not-for-Profit Child Care Center

Thirty-one workers at a childcare center were observed working with children and data were recorded on their performance of seven behavioral practices. Each week data from observations of individual workers were aggregated into a single data point for each strategy, presented graphically, and posted publicly in the center. Approximately once per month supervisors provided 30 minutes of training (video modeling with directed data collection and discussion) to all workers. Staff reached criterion with training for three skills, and without training for four skills. By study’s end aggregate worker performance was demonstrated at, or above, 80% for all skills.
Mechanical Stability of H3PO4-Doped PBI/Hydrophilic-Pretreated PTFE Membranes for High Temperature PEMFCs

Abstract A novel polybenzimidazole (PBI)/poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) composite membrane doped with phosphoric acid was fabricated for high temperature operation in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. A hydrophilic surface pretreatment was applied to the porous PTFE matrix film to improve its interfacial adhesion to the PBI polymer, thereby avoiding the introduction of Nafion ionomer which is traditionally used as a coupling agent. The pretreated PTFE film was embedded within the composite membrane during solution-casting using 5wt% PBI/DMAc solution. The mechanical stability and durability of three types of MEAs assembled with PBI only, PBI with pretreated PTFE, and PBI-Nafion with untreated PTFE membranes were evaluated under an accelerated degradation testing protocol employing extreme temperature cycling. Degradation was characterized by recording polarization curves, hydrogen crossover, and proton resistance. Cross-sections of the membranes were examined before and after thermal cycling by scanning electron microscope. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy verified that the PBI is dispersed homogeneously in the porous PTFE matrix. Results show that the PBI composite membrane with pretreated PTFE has a lower degradation rate than the Nafion/PBI membrane with untreated PTFE. Thus, the hydrophilic pretreatment employed here greatly improved the mechanical stability of the composite membrane, which resulted in improved durability under an extreme thermal cycling regime.
Molecular switches: Hydrazones double down on zinc.

Molecular engineers have long relied on a single light-driven event or chemical input to induce structural changes in switching systems. By carefully designing two hydrazone-based switches, it has now been shown that a single metal-binding event can trigger a signalling cascade that results in the isomerization of two different molecules.
Nuclear acceptor sites for sex steroid hormone receptors in chromatin.

Abstract The steroid receptor interactions in vitro with specific acceptor sites composed of acceptor protein-DNA complexes fulfill many of the criteria of a physiologically significant binding system. Chromatin acceptor sites for many steroid receptors (especially for the progesterone and estrogen receptor) are specific since they are saturable and competitive with unlabelled receptors, have high affinity for the receptor, distinguish between functional and nonfunctional receptors and demonstrate target tissue specificity. Pure DNA as acceptor sites does not display many of these properties. Therefore, it is clear that certain chromatin proteins provide the necessary specificity for the acceptor sites for the steroid receptors. For the progesterone receptor in the chick oviduct, these nuclear sites appear to contain specific chromosomal proteins as well as specific DNA sequences. The substitution of other chromosomal proteins or the genomic DNAs from evolutionarily distant organisms results in a loss of the specific nuclear binding. The nuclear acceptor sites appear to be resistant to the DNase activity which is not characteristic of transcriptionally active domains of the genome. Further studies using the ovalbumin gene sequences from genomic clones also indicate that none of the sequences within this domain and the 3-k flanking regions appear to contain the specific acceptor sequences. These observations have led to development of a model suggesting that the steroid receptors bind to acceptor sites distant from the structural genes the steroids ultimately regulate. Neighboring these acceptor sites are regulatory genes which code for regulatory substances which in turn (as secondary messengers) regulate at great distances the expression of the structural gene. This model might better fit the sex steroids which require 1–2 h to measurably alter gene transcription, as opposed to the glucocorticoids which more rapidly alter gene expression.
How You Run a Meeting Says a Lot About Your Values: Participatory Practices for Open Communities

Live events are some of the best ways to see the power dynamics and philosophical bent of a community. Many communities, open and closed, glorify sitting in a darkened room and being inspired by a sage on the stage. And then there are events about participation: making and learning with fellow participants around shared passions and interests. The session argues for the use of participatory methods at events as a way to manifest open values. We'll unpack some techniques and case studies, as well as practice ourselves.
Atmospheric Commons as a Public Trust Resource: The Common Heritage of MankindPrinciple in Dialogue with Duties of Citizenship

Baatz's (2014) fair share allocations of individual Emissions Rights proposal under-appreciates systemic ‘moral corruption’ at the heart of climate change (CC) (Gardiner, 2011). Imperfect duties as...
Fetus in fetu

Fetus in fetu is a rare condition in which a monozygotic, monoamniotic, dichorionic twin is included within the body of its sibling [19]. In 1956, Lord presented the first systematic review of the subject, comprising 11 case reports including 1 of her own. She found that many of the earlier reports dealt with teratomas and not true fetus in fetu. In 1958, Willis defined fetus in fetu as a benign mass with a vertebral column, as identified by radiography or at dissection, with other bones and organs arranged around the axis. This is to be differentiated from a true teratoma, which shows no axial arrangements and has definite malignant potential [26]. This paper presents a case occurring in a newborn male and a review of the literature since Lord's initial review.
VAST: the illusion of a large memory space for GPUs

Heterogeneous systems equipped with traditional processors (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) have enabled processing large data sets. With new programming models, such as OpenCL and CUDA, programmers are encouraged to offload data parallel workloads to GPUs as much as possible in order to fully utilize the available resources. Unfortunately, offloading work is strictly limited by the size of the physical memory on a specific GPU. In this paper, we present Virtual Address Space for Throughput processors (VAST), an automatic GPU memory management system that provides an OpenCL program with the illusion of a virtual memory space. Based on the available physical memory on the target GPU, VAST does the following: automatically partitions the data parallel workload into chunks; efficiently extracts the precise working set required for the divided workload; rearranges the working set in contiguous memory space; and, transforms the kernel to operate on the reorganized working set. With VAST, the programmer is responsible for developing a data parallel kernel in OpenCL without concern for physical memory space limitations of individual GPUs. VAST transparently handles code generation dealing with the constraints of the actual physical memory and improves the re-targetability of the OpenCL with moderate overhead. Experiments demonstrate that a real GPU, NVIDIA GTX 760 with 2 GB of memory, can compute any size of data without program changes achieving 2.6× speedup over CPU exeuction, which is a realistic alternative for large data computation.
Effect of academic detailing on the utilization of intravenous antimicrobial therapy

Antimicrobial agents constitute the largest proportion of a hospital's pharmaceutical budget. The present study was designed to determine the effect of pharmacy-based academic detailing on the use of imipenem-cilastatin, an antimicrobial agent of the carbapenem class of beta-lactams. Imipenem-cilastatin has a broad spectrum of activity that includes the majority of gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens, aerobes, and anaerobes, with marked activity against species producing beta-lactamases. The broad spectrum of activity of imipenem-cilastatin and its unit cost ($17.87 per dose) warranted close monitoring of physician's prescribing behavior in an effort to reduce antimicrobial resistance and expenditures. When diagnostic or laboratory data indicated the appropriateness of initiating an alternative therapeutic regimen (cefazolin or cefuroxime), a clinical pharmacist communicated these findings to the prescribing physician. The percentage of intravenous antimicrobial expenditures represented by imipenem-cilastatin in the 6 months before initiating the academic detailing program and the 18 months thereafter were 21.6% and 14.5%, respectively, for a 32.7% reduction in use. In the 23 cases during the experimental period in which academic detailing resulted in the use of an alternative intravenous antibiotic, cefuroxime was used in nine patients (39%) and cefazolin was used in 14 patients (61%), resulting in a cost savings of $2,992.19. Comparisons of patient outcomes between the pre- and post-periods revealed no significant difference in the average length of stay for patients with a primary diagnosis of infection, the average hospital charge for patients with a primary diagnosis of infection, or the average length of stay for all hospital admissions. The objective of academic detailing is to foster budgetary access to expensive therapeutic options by containing inappropriate use. Results indicate that academic detailing represents a flexible, peer-review process by which to optimize antimicrobial pharmacotherapy.
ON THE ESTIMATION OF TECHNICAL INEFFICIENCY IN THE STOCHASTIC FRONTIER PRODUCTION FUNCTION MODEL

Abstract The error term in the stochastic frontier model is of the form ( v – u ), where v is a normal error term representing pure randomness, and u is a non-negative error term representing technical inefficiency. The entire ( v – u ) is easily estimated for each observation, but a previously unsolved problem is how to separate it into its two components, v and u . This paper suggests a solution to this problem, by considering the expected value of u , conditional on ( v – u ). An explicit formula is given for the half-normal and exponential cases.
Mixed integer programming constrained discrimination model for credit screening

Classification, the development of rules for the allocation of observations to groups, is a fundamental machine learning task. A classic example is an automated system for a lending institution that decides whether to accept or reject a credit application. One might desire a machine that allows the non-classification of certain observations that exhibit attributes of belonging to more than one group. This option would allow inspection by an expert for "difficult" cases, or serve as an indication that more data needs to be collected. Classification with an option to reserve judgment on an observation is known as constrained discrimination.We consider a two-stage model for multi-category constrained discrimination in which limits on misclassification rates of training observations may be pre-specified. The mechanism by which the misclassification limits are satisfied is a rejection option, also known as a reserved judgment group, for observations not demonstrating properties of membership to any of the groups.
Small-signal analysis of DCM flyback converter in frequency-foldback mode of operation

The predicted closed-loop bandwidth of the DCM flyback converter in frequency-foldback mode (FFM) of operation obtained by the conventional averaged small-signal model that models the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with a constant gain does not change with the load. However, this prediction is not in agreement with the closed-loop measurements. In this paper, the discrepancy between the conventional averaged small-signal model and measurements is systematically investigated. It is found that the source of this discrepancy is the nonlinearity of the VCO that generates sideband frequency components and, therefore, cannot be modeled as a constant-gain transfer function. By including the effect of the sideband components in the closed loop, a multi-frequency averaged small-signal model of the DCM flyback converter in the FFM which accurately predicts the loop bandwidth behavior with the load is proposed.
Smurf2 alters BPV1 trafficking and decreases infection

Papillomavirus capsid proteins L1 and L2 mediate virion attachment, internalization and trafficking. In our studies of the capsid proteins, we identified an interaction of L2 with the E3 ligase Smad ubiquitin regulatory factor 2 (Smurf2). Smurf2 expression alters BPV1 virion trafficking and L2 protein levels. Using BPV1 pseudovirions (PSVs) containing a GFP or DSRed transgene encapsidated by L1 and L2 proteins, our data showed that although only BPV1 L2 interacts with Smurf2, both L1 and L2 levels decrease in a Smurf2- and ubiquitin-dependent manner. The decrease in L2 protein levels corresponded to a decrease in infection (i.e., loss of GFP or DSRed expression). We propose that Smurf2 regulates L2 protein cellular localization and therefore alters L2 protein levels. This change in trafficking and protein level decreases nuclear delivery and transcription of encapsidated pseudoviral transgenes and thus decreases BPV1 infection levels.
Experimental study of the shock-induced unsteady laminar boundary layer on a flat plate

The behavior of the unsteady laminar boundary layer induced by the incident shock wave passing over a flat plate mounted in a shock tube has been experimentally studied for shock speeds ranging from 2.35 to 7.34 km/sec by measuring unsteady heat transfer rates to the plate using thin‐film heat‐flux gages. Theoretical heat‐transfer rates were predicted from analytical solutions in the literature which describe the unsteady flat plate boundary layer development for equilibrium real‐gas flows. Experimental results obtained for both air and nitrogen were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions.
Acute leukemia and chemotherapy: A modeling viewpoint

A couple of models of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) are proposed. Normal and leukemic cells are assumed to exist side-by-side with the two cell populations obeying Gompertzian dynamics but with the leukemic cells exercising inhibition over the normal cells. The kinetic equations and steady-state properties of one of the models is analytically obtained. Possible situations of detection or nondetection of malignancy are then discussed. Based on the models of AML, a treatment model is proposed and numerically simulated. Consequently, the option of aggressive treatment of the disease with heavy doses of drugs is shown to be a plausible and worthwhile chemotherapeutic strategy.
Data Fusion Architectures for Sensor Platforms

The role of data fusion in sensor platforms is becoming increasingly important in various domains of science, technology and business. Fusion pertains to the merging or integration of information towards an enhanced level of awareness. Multi-sensor fusion can be applied to any system that must retrieve and synthesize data from numerous sources. Its applications can be found in a variety of technology settings, from robotics, structural and vehicle health monitoring to communications, space science and telemedicine. This work is a canonical overview of several major fusion architectures developed from the remote sensing and defense community. We present several types of architecture for managing multi-sensor data fusion, specifically as they relate to the tracking-correlation function and blackboard processing representations in knowledge engineering. Object-Process Methods are used to model the information fusion process and supporting subsystems. Finally, we discuss the importance of fusion to the concept and operation of the Semantic Web. Semantic networks offer powerful ways to exploit the synergy of multi-sensor data platforms. Their operation is based on synthesis of fusion with ontology models for knowledge representation. We discuss the importance of fusion as a reuse process in ontological engineering, and review key lifecycle models in ontology development. The evolutionary approach to ontology development is considered the most useful and adaptable to the complexities of semantic networks. Several potential applications for data fusion are screened and ranked according to the Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) process model for information fusion. Based on these predetermined criteria, the case of medical diagnostic imaging was found to offer the most promising applications for fusion, on which future product platforms can be built.
Use of a Modified Radioligand Assay to Measure the Effect of Estradiol on Uterine Adenosine 3',5'–Cyclic Monophosphate

The acute effects of estrogen on castrate rat uterine cAMP were studied employing a well—validated assay procedure for the nucleotide. Estradiol (1 μAg/100 g bw) administered iv produced no alteration in cAMP from 0–30 min of exposure. Using a suspended uterine preparation in vitro, estradiol (0.5–10 μM) was again ineffective under conditions where isoproterenol produced a marked increase in cAMP concentration. It is concluded that acute elevation of cAMP is not a regular feature of estrogen action on the uterus. (Endocrinology 92: 494, 1973)
A functional role for the switch 2 region of yeast RNA polymerase II in transcription start site utilization and abortive initiation.

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is responsible for the synthesis of mRNA from eukaryotic protein-encoding genes. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was employed to probe the function of residues within the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNAPII active center in the mechanism of transcription start site utilization. We report here the identification of two mutations in the switch 2 region, rpb1-K332A and rpb1-R344A, which conferred conditional growth properties and downstream shifts in start site utilization. Analyses of double mutant strains demonstrated functional interactions between these switch 2 mutations and a mutation in the largest subunit of transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) that confers upstream shifts in start site usage. Importantly, biochemical analyses demonstrated that purified Rpb1-R344A mutant polymerase exhibited impaired ability to stabilize a short RNA-DNA hybrid in the active center, an increased frequency of abortive transcription in runoff assays, and both a downstream shift and increased abortive initiation in reconstituted transcription assays. These results provide evidence for a role of switch 2 during start site utilization and indicate that RNA-DNA hybrid stability at the 3′-end of the transcript is a determinant in this process. We discuss these results within the context of a proposed model regarding the concerted roles of RNAPII, TFIIB, and TFIIF during mRNA 5′-end formation in S. cerevisiae.
Visibility graphs of staircase polygons and the weak Bruhat order, I: From visibility graphs to maximal chains

The recognition problem for visibility graphs of simple polygons is not known to be in NP, nor is it known to be NP-hard. It is, however, known to be inPSPACE. Further, every such visibility graph can be dismantled as a sequence of visibility graphs of convex fans. Any nondegenerated configuration ofn points can be associated with amaximal chain in the weak Bruhat order of the symmetric groupSn. The visibility graph ofany simple polygon defined on this configuration is completely determined by this maximal chain via a one-to-one correspondence between maximal chains andbalanced tableaux of a certain shape. In the case of staircase polygons (special convex fans), we define a class of graphs calledpersistent graphs and show that the visibility graph of a staircase polygon is persistent. We then describe a polynomial-time algorithm that recovers a representative maximal chain in the weak Bruhat order from a given persistent graph, thus characterizing the class of persistent graphs. The question of recovering a staircase polygon from a given persistent graph, via a maximal chain, is studied in the companion paper [4]. The overall goal of both papers is to offer a characterization of visibility graphs, of convex fans.
Siderophore production and outer membrane proteins of selected Vibrio vulnificus strains under conditions of iron limitation

Possible iron-transport mechanisms were examined for 11 Vibrio vulnificus strains from clinical and environmental sources. All strains produced hydroxamate siderophores, and 10 of 11 produced phenolate siderophores. Each strain produced at least 2 new major outer membrane proteins in response to iron limitation; however, the apparent Mr of these proteins varied between strains. While certain patterns of major iron-regulated outer membrane proteins were more common among clinical strains, there was no clear correlation between outer membrane protein profile and source of the isolate. Immune serum showed a strong antigenic response to a 66-kD outer membrane protein that was common to all strains examined and was not iron-regulated. An antigenic response to other outer membrane proteins that appear to be iron-regulated was also noted.
Factors controlling nitrate fluxes in groundwater in agricultural areas

[1] The impact of agricultural chemicals on groundwater quality depends on the interactions of biogeochemical and hydrologic factors. To identify key processes affecting distribution of agricultural nitrate in groundwater, a parsimonious transport model was applied at 14 sites across the U.S. Simulated vertical profiles of NO3−, N2 from denitrification, O2, Cl−, and environmental tracers of groundwater age were matched to observations by adjusting the parameters for recharge rate, unsaturated zone travel time, fractions of N and Cl− inputs leached to groundwater, O2 reduction rate, O2 threshold for denitrification, and denitrification rate. Model results revealed important interactions among biogeochemical and physical factors. Chloride fluxes decreased between the land surface and water table possibly because of Cl− exports in harvested crops (averaging 22% of land-surface Cl− inputs). Modeled zero-order rates of O2 reduction and denitrification were correlated. Denitrification rates at depth commonly exceeded overlying O2 reduction rates, likely because shallow geologic sources of reactive electron donors had been depleted. Projections indicated continued downward migration of NO3− fronts at sites with denitrification rates <0.25 mg-N L−1 yr−1. The steady state depth of NO3− depended to a similar degree on application rate, leaching fraction, recharge, and NO3− and O2 reaction rates. Steady state total mass in each aquifer depended primarily on the N application rate. In addition to managing application rates at land surface, efficient water use may reduce the depth and mass of N in groundwater because lower recharge was associated with lower N fraction leached. Management actions to reduce N leaching could be targeted over aquifers with high-recharge and low-denitrification rates.
In Search of a New Paradigm for Higher Education

In this essay I argue that online education, artificial intelligence, and market pressures are driving higher education to adopt the industrial model and to find a new paradigm for delivering education at low costs. In addition, there is tremendous pressure from the federal government to make universities more accountable while making higher education less expensive and more accessible. I argue that in the future faculty members will not be engaged with students in the ways in which they have historically been engaged and that the structure and operations of higher education institutions will be very different. New, potential paradigms are beginning to emerge.
Optimization of SiNx planar microdisk high Q resonators for chipscale visible integrated photonics

Ultra-high Q (>5 times 105) microdisk resonators are demonstrated in a SiNx platform at 650 nm with integrated in-plane coupling waveguides on a Si substrate. Critical coupling to first-order radial-mode is demonstrated using pedestal layer to control coupling.
Power Transformer Design For Tethered Underwater Vehicles

Tethered underwater vehicles benefit from the smallest possible tether through reduction of both tether handling gear and tether drag. If the vehicle is powered through the tether, a transmis- sion voltage in the range of one to three kilovolts usually results in the smallest tether. AC power transmission system can use trans- formers for conversion of the high voltage to service levels. Transformers for underwater vehicles are designed with different goals than conventional transformers. Weight is a prime consider- ation for any neutrally buoyant vehicle and thus most other con- straints, including efficiency, are relaxed in pursuit of lower weight. Design starts with a prioritized list of constraints. Non-linear optimi- zation can then apply these constraints to the basic electro-magnetic and thermal equations governing a transformer. The result is a tenta- tive core and winding design that can be compared with the original goals and iterated to achieve any necessary compronlises. An example design for a 400 Hz, three-phase, oil cooled, pressure compensated, toroidal system delivering 20 kilowatts DC to a vehicle is detailed. The design target and "as manufactured"' parameters are compared. I INTRODUCTION
Active Heads-up Display based Speed Compliance Aid for Driver Assistance: A Novel Interface and Comparative Experimental Studies

In this paper we introduce a novel laser-based wide-area head-up windshield display, and its evaluation for assisting a driver to comply with speed limits. The paper includes a comparative experimental evaluation with an instrumented vehicle of four different types of display protocols. The result is the dynamic active display - speed control system, a part of the dynamic active display concept of presenting safety-critical visual icons to the driver in a manner that minimizes deviation of his or her gaze direction without adding to unnecessary visual clutter. The experimental system make use of global positioning system (GPS) information to locate the vehicle on an annotated map with speed limits, the novel heads-up-display, and 3 biologically inspired alerts to present speed and speed limit information on this display. Each alert strategy is tested on actual roadways, and compared with the situation of having to rely only on the dash indicators. Given the inclination, drivers who are given an over-speed warning alert reduced the amount of "time-to-slow-back-down" to speed limit by 42% as compared to drivers not given the alert. The use of other alerts produced similar decreases. Ultimately, each of these alerts exhibit strengths in complementing ways, indicating that a combination of these alerts would provide the best strategy for promoting speed limit compliance.
Effects of Alexander Technique training experience on gait behavior in older adults

Heightened fall risk, potentially caused by aging-related changes in gait, is a serious health issue faced by older adults. The Alexander Technique is thought to improve balance and motor function; however, the technique's effect on gait has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Alexander Technique training in older adults on the temporospatial characteristics of gait and medio-lateral center of mass displacement during fast and comfortably paced over-ground walking. Six licensed Alexander Technique teachers and seven controls between the ages of 60 and 75 years of age participated in the study. Alexander Technique teachers exhibited a reduction in medio-lateral center of mass displacement during fast paced walking compared to comfortably paced walking that was not present in controls. Due to this difference Alexander Technique teachers displayed a smaller medio-lateral Center of Mass displacement compared to controls during fast paced walking. Alexander Technique teachers also demonstrated significantly smaller stride width and lower gait timing variability compared to controls. These findings, which suggest superior control of dynamic stability during gait and potentially reduced fall risk in Alexander Technique teachers, warrant further study.
A team public health research project for first-year pharmacy students to apply content from didactic courses.

Objectives. To implement and assess a first-year pharmacy student group research project that provided practical hands-on application and reinforced the curricula of concurrent didactic courses. De...
Zaspopathy in a large classic late-onset distal myopathy family

Distal myopathies have been associated with mutations in titin, dysferlin, GNE, desmin and myosin. Of these, only titin mutations were previously known to cause dominant late-onset distal myopathy. Recent findings, however, have indicated that patients affected with myofibrillar myopathy have a more distal than proximal muscle phenotype and a proportion of these may have mutations in myotilin, ZASP or filamin C, besides previously known desmin and aB-crystallin. Here we report that the disorder in one of the well-characterized autosomal dominant distal myopathy families, the Markesbery et al. family, first reported in 1974, is caused by ZASP mutation A165V. Previous linkage to the titin locus 2q31 proved incorrect. ZASP expression by immunoblotting shows normal presence of the main 32 and 78 kDa bands and immunohistochemistry in patients reveals normal Z-disc localization except for moderate accumulations together with myotilin, desmin aB-crystallin and a-actinin. Muscle imaging reveals involvement in both the posterior and anterior compartments of the lower leg and considerable affection of proximal leg muscles at later stages. Haplotype studies in this family and in five other unrelated families with European ancestry carrying the identical A165V mutation share common markers at the locus suggesting the existence of a founder mutation.
Some theses on desert

Consider the idea that suffering of some specific kind is deserved by those who are guilty of moral wrongdoing. Feeling guilty is a prime example. It might be said that it is noninstrumentally good that one who is guilty feel guilty (at the right time and to the right degree), or that feeling guilty (at the right time and to the right degree) is apt or fitting for one who is guilty. Each of these claims constitutes an interesting thesis about desert, given certain understandings of what desert is. After examining these claims, the paper briefly explores the idea that an offender might deserve certain forms of treatment by others. The paper concludes by contrasting the modest theses on which it focuses with a far bolder one, to the effect that if we are morally responsible, then it makes sense to suppose that some of us might deserve to suffer eternal torment. The more modest theses do not commit one to anything of this sort.
Neurobiology of depression in children and adolescents

This article reviews classical and updated studies of the neurobiology of depressive disorders in children and adolescents. Most studies of childhood and adolescent depression and suicide have followed up the observations and methods used in studies in adults. These studies include neuroendocrine studies, which particularly look at the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the serotonergic system, peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid biologic markers, genetics, gene-environment interactions and sleep studies, and neuroimaging and postmortem studies, although in these areas the number of studies is limited.
Globalization, Agriculture, and Rural Social Change in Japan

Increasingly, globalization is being used to conceptualize ongoing transformations in agrofood production systems. One focus is to understand how globalization expresses itself at the local level. In this paper I contribute to the examination of this issue by analyzing how Japan's agrarian sector is being altered as a consequence of increased activity on the part of transnational corporations. By doing so, I address the question of whether Japan's national agricultural production system is being globalized, despite its comparatively unique agrarian history and Japan's role in the global agrofood trading system as a major food importing, rather than an exporting, nation. The evidence presented demonstrates that transnational firms are beginning to expand their presence in Japanese agricultural commodity production. As these are transnational firms, and as the result of this process is to force Japanese agriculture to compete against foreign agricultures for its ‘home’ market, it is argued that this process...