cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectrally distinct ejecta in Syrtis Major, Mars: Evidence for environmental change at the Hesperian-Amazonian boundary

Analysis of visible and near-infrared (VNIR) imaging spectrometer data of the Syrtis Major volcanic complex on Mars shows spectrally distinct ejecta (SDE) around a subset of the region's impact craters. We explore the nature of this spectral difference with the intention of constraining the physical cause of the distinction and the significance of their near random spatial distribution. Crater counting performed by Baratoux et al. (2007) indicated that the craters with SDE are systematically younger than craters without SDE. Extensive crater counts of the craters with SDE show that they fit a consistent Hartmann (2005) isochron indicting that they represent temporally continuous population. This population was dated near 2 Ga, consistent with the counts of Baratoux et al. (2007). This modeled age corresponds to just after the Hesperian-Amazonian boundary, indicating that it may be related to a global event. We explore possible explanations for the lack of SDE around older craters, including atmospheric changes, significant but brief regional emplacement of materials, and volcanic activity. We conclude that the preferred explanation is that the SDE represent the true composition of the Syrtis Major volcanics and that surfaces older than 2 Ga were altered by interactions with water vapor or volcanic gases under different Hesperian climatic and atmospheric conditions leading to all craters formed after this alteration event to display SDE.
Visualization dot com

The author explores the seemingly well worn subject of distance based or remote visualization. Current practices in remote visualization tend to clump into two broad categories. One approach, called render-remote, is to render an image remotely, then transmit the image to the user. Another option, render-local, transfers raw data to the user, where it is then rendered on the local workstation. With advances in networking and graphics technology, we can explore a class of approaches from a new, third category. With this third category, which we call shared or "dot com" visualization, we stand to reap the best of both worlds: minimized data transfers and workstation-accelerated rendering. The article describes Visapult, a prototype system currently under development at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) that strikes such a balance, achieving a blended, scalable visualization tool. Dot com visualization means that remote and local resources collaborate and negotiate, combining capabilities to produce a final product.
Extrapulmonary granulomatous lesions in canine paragonimiasis

Abstract Extrapulmonary granulomatous lesions associated with a naturally acquired Paragonimus kellicotti infection were observed in a dog with severe pulmonary paragonimiasis. Lung lesions were similar to those previously described. Extrapulmonary granulomatous lesions were found in the liver, mediastinal lymph nodes, spermatic cord and the tunica vaginalis. Extravascular deposition of eggs in the spermatic cord and tunica vaginalis caused a perilymphatic granulomatous inflammation and partially occlusive lymphangitis with dilatation of the external lymphatic vessel of the right spermatic cord.
Relationships between abiotic variables and geographic variation in skulls of pumas (Puma concolor: Mammalia, Felidae) in North and South America

Abstract Relationships between patterns of geographic variation in cranial morphology and selected abiotic variables were studied in the puma (Puma concolorLinnaeus). Our dataset consisted of 11 cranial, 6 dental, and 2 mandibular measurements of 1700 adults, which were separated by gender and age class and analysed by univariate and multivariate statistical procedures. Variation in size was correlated with precipitation, but size was more highly correlated with latitude and temperature. The pattern of geographic variation in size ofP. concoloris consistent with Bergmann's rule; populations with larger pumas occur more distant from the equator than populations with smaller pumas. A combination of climatic and biotic factors contribute to patterns of geographic variation in size ofP. concolorin North and South America.
Energy dilemmas in Asia: the needs for research and development.

Outside of China, the countries of southern and eastern Asia contain 30% of the world's population but only 2% of the known fossil-fuel resources. Economic growth has resulted in increasing imports of petroleum and petroleum products. Because of the tenfold rise in oil prices since 1972, several of these countries are faced with two dilemmas - one short range and one long range. Unless they can discover more fossil-fuel resources within their own borders, they must either incur dangerously growing foreign-exchange deficits or drastically slow their economic growth. Research and development in energy production, conversion, and conservation should eventually allow local energy sources, of which the most promising is biomass energy, to be substituted for imported fuels. But diverting scarce land and water to plantations of fast-growing trees or other kinds of biomass may seriously limit food production in these crowded countries. 44 references, 5 tables.
Differential effects of past-year stimulant and sedative drug use on alcohol-related aggression.

Abstract The goals of this study were to determine the effects of past-year stimulant and sedative drug use on alcohol-related aggression and to examine whether the relation between stimulant drug use and intoxicated aggression is better accounted for by behavioral disinhibition. Participants were 330 healthy social drinkers (164 men and 166 women) between 21 and 35 years of age. Past-year stimulant and sedative use and behavioral disinhibition were assessed via self-report questionnaires. Following the consumption of either an alcohol or a placebo beverage, participants were tested on a modified version of the Taylor Aggression Paradigm [Taylor, S. (1967). Aggressive behavior and physiological arousal as a function of provocation and the tendency to inhibit aggression. Journal of Personality, 35, 297–310] in which mild electric shocks were received from, and administered to, a fictitious opponent. Aggressive behavior was operationalized as the shock intensities administered to the fictitious opponent under conditions of low and high provocation. Results indicated that alcohol significantly strengthened the relation between stimulant drug use and aggression, but only among men. Behavioral disinhibition did not account for this effect. Regardless of past-year drug use, alcohol did not facilitate aggression among women. The present findings suggest that stimulant drug use may be a risk factor for intoxicated aggression for men. However, the underlying mechanisms accounting for this effect remain unclear.
An analysis of the relationship of systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and smoking to 14-year mortality in the Chicago Peoples Gas Company Study-- I. Total mortality in exponential-Weibull model.

Abstract This paper is the first of two presenting newly developed statistical techniques for relating risk factors to heart disease and mortality for use with data from prospective epidemiological studies. This, the first paper, examines the relationship of systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and smoking to death, from all causes, in an exponential-Weibull model. This model utilizes the time of death for an individual as the primary variable, with the risk factors treated as covariates of survival time. This new model, while overcoming the principal drawbacks and objections to the multiple logistic function, is shown to give results which are both comparable and similar to those of the multiple logistic.
Coimplication and its application to fuzzy expert systems

Abstract In two-valued logic or classical logic, an evaluation takes each of a given set of propositions into one of the extreme truth values 0 or 1, subject to certain consistency rules. In fuzzy logic or multiple-valued logic, the truth value of a formula can assume any value in the interval [0, 1] and is used to indicate the degree of truth represented by the formula. Many of the present expert systems use two-valued logic and probability. Since much of the information in the knowledge base of a typical expert system is imprecise and vague, it is well known that we cannot handle those kinds of uncertainties using those tools. In a fuzzy conditional inference of the fuzzy expert systems, the problem is that, given values, for A → B and A′, we have to find a consistent value for B′ through the modus ponens. In this paper we propose to use the equivalence relation for modus ponens of the inference in fuzzy expert systems instead of fuzzy implication and introduce the concept of coimplication as a new approach to approximate reasoning of expert systems using the new concept of modus ponens.
Cognition and Motor Execution in Piano Sight-Reading: A Review of Literature:

Legal Statement UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education is copyrighted by MENC: The National Association for Music Education. You can read or download a single print of an MENC online journal exactly as if you had purchased a subscription to the journal in print form. You do not have any other rights or licenses to this material. This material cannot be reproduced, retransmitted, or reprinted without permission from MENC. This means multiple copies for handout or library reserve cannot be made. Placing on Web sites or school broadcast systems is prohibited, and printing in full or part in other documents is not permitted. To make use of an article or a journal in any of the aforementioned circumstances, please send a request to our editorial department at caroline@menc.org, fax a request to Caroline Arlington at 703-860-9443, or call 800-336-3768, ext. 238 for more information. FALL–WINTER 2005 VOLUME 24, NUMBER 1
Pineal removal or denervation: effects on hypothalamic PRF activity in the rat.

Abstract Medial basal hypothalamic (MBH) extracts from intact, blind-anosmic, blind-anosmic-pinealectomized or nervi conarii transected female rats stimulated the release of prolactin from anterior pituitary glands in vitro. Additionally, a lower tissue level of prolactin was measured in the pituitaries incubated with the extracts. These data indicate that the activity of a prolactin-releasing factor(s) (PRF) was being assayed in the MBH extracts. Additionally, it was observed that MBH extracts from blind-anosmic-pinealectomized or nervi conarii transected rats contained significantly higher levels of PRF activity than the extracts from the intact or blind-anosmic groups. The results support the concept that the pineal control of pituitary prolactin may involve hypothalamic PRF.
GABAA receptor modulation of the rewarding and aversive effects of ethanol

Ethanol has been shown to exert many of its biochemical and behavioral effects through an interaction with the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor system. This review focuses on a subset of studies that has used self-administration, as well as place and taste conditioning, procedures to investigate a role for the GABA(A) receptor system in modulating the rewarding and aversive effects of ethanol. Potential advantages and disadvantages of each procedure are also discussed. A significant amount of evidence supports the suggestion that GABA(A) receptors are important modulators of the motivational effects of ethanol, although most of the findings have been obtained from studies examining oral ethanol self-administration. Relatively fewer studies have investigated ethanol place and taste conditioning. All self-administration studies reviewed used rats, whereas most conditioning studies used mice. Results of these studies show that GABA(A) antagonists and inverse agonists reduce ethanol self-administration under limited-access conditions. The effect of GABA(A) agonists on ethanol self-administration is less clear due to their bidirectional effects. GABA(A) receptor antagonists have been shown to increase ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and conditioned taste aversion in mice and decrease ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in rats. Issues related to interpretation and integration of these findings across models and species are considered. The integration of data from self-administration and conditioning procedures is necessary to define the role of GABA(A) receptors in modulating the rewarding and aversive effects of ethanol and may lead to the development of pharmacotherapies that target GABA(A) receptors to treat alcoholism in human beings.
Cholinergic-dopaminergic interactions in experimental catalepsy

The ‘pinch-induced’ model of catalepsy in the mouse was disrupted by atropine sulfate (4 mg/kg IP), confirming an earlier finding, and also by the antinicotinic mecamylamine (4 mg/kg). Either anticholinergic, when given concurrently with haloperidol (5 mg/kg), interfered with the typical haloperidol-induced enhancement of catalepsy. In mice pretreated with a peripheral cholinergic blocker, the cholinomimetic pilocarpine (10 mg/kg) enhanced catalepsy. The dopamine (DA) agonist apomorphine (5 mg/kg) reversed the enhancement that was normally caused by pilocarpine. Apomorphine did not stimulate open field locomotion in mice that were pretreated with pilocarpine. This lack of correlation between catalepsy and open field activity indicates that catalepsy in a unique state that involves more than mere absence of movement. The DA mechanisms, thus, appear to be specifically antagonistic to catalepsy or, conversely, cholinergic mediation of catalepsy involves reduced influence of DA systems.
The choice of thrombolytic agents in the emergency department

Study objective: To assess the choice of thrombolytic agents in emergency departments and whether administrators and third-party payers are influencing choices because of cost differences. Design: A telephone survey. Type of participants: ED medical directors, stratifying for hospital ownership, size, and regions of the United States. Measurements and main results: One hundred twenty-three ED medical directors completed the interview. Findings indicate that formularies include recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in 94.3% of surveyed hospitals and streptokinase in 63.4%. Public hospitals were significantly less likely to have rt-PA on the formulary ( P = .0001). Based on payer type, 68.9% to 77.5% of patients requiring thrombolysis receive rt-PA, with approximately 15% of EDs using it for 1% to 25% of patients and an additional 15% using it for 26% to 50% of patients. Fourteen medical directors (11%) reported that they delay treatment with rt-PA until authorization is provided by the health maintenance organization, and 40% indicated they would change their choice of agents if rt-PA was denied. Cardiologists were the primary decision makers regarding thrombolytic agents in all types of hospitals. Conclusion: Although rt-PA is the most frequently selected thrombolytic agent, significant practice variations exist among hospitals. To avoid interference from third-party payers and administrators, physicians may need to make decisions regarding such expensive agents in more objective forums (eg, pharmacy and therapeutics committees) and be better prepared to defend the resulting practice guidelines.
Investigation of an alkylamine modified and pH-controlled mobile phase for separation of pyrazolone derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract The separation of pyrazolone derivatives with different acid—base properties and polarities has been investigated in view of recent concepts about the retention mechanisms in reversed-phase liquid chromatography. It is shown that both the protonated (BH+) and uncharged (B) bases undergo a dual mechanism of retention due to solvophobic and silanophilic interactions. The latter are easily suppressed by the addition of an alkylamine modifier (dibutylamine) to the mobile phase. An ion-pairing mechanism is found to be valid in the retention of negatively charged (A−) pyrazolone derivatives, since the dibutylamine modifier (BH+) serves as an appropriate counter ion. The behaviour of these solutes can be prediced from the pH dependence of their capacity factors, and a new smimple method is proposed for calculating the theoretical sigmoidal curves. It is shown that the elution order of the compounds can be changed by control of both the pH value and the modifier concentration in the mobile phase.
Talking the Vote: Why Presidential Candidates Hit the Talk Show Circuit

The 2000 presidential election found the major party presidential candidates chatting with Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell, and Regis Philbin, trading one-liners with Jay Leno and David Letterman, and discussing rap music on MTV. This study investigates the impact of entertainment-oriented talk show interviews of presidential candidates, using the 2000 election as a case study. I consider why such shows cover presidential politics, why candidates choose to appear on them, and who is likely to be watching. This discussion yields a series of hypotheses concerning the effects of these interviews on public attitudes and voting behavior. I test my hypotheses through a content analysis of campaign coverage by entertainment-oriented talk shows, traditional political interview shows, and national news campaign coverage, as well as through a series of statistical investigations. I find that politically unengaged voters who watch entertainment-oriented TV talk shows are more likely to find the opposition party candidate likeable, as well as to cross party lines and vote for him, relative to their counterparts who are more politically aware or who do not watch such shows.
Virtual Reality Interaction and Physical Simu: Kinetic sweep and prune for multi-body continuous motion

We propose an acceleration scheme for real-time many-body dynamic collision detection. We kinetize the sweep and prune method for many-body collision pruning, extending its application to dynamic collision detection via kinetic data structures. In doing so, we modify the method from sample-rate-driven to event-driven, with no more events than the original method processed, also removing the per-frame overhead, allowing our method to scale optimally in terms of frame-rates. Unlike many schemes for many-body collision pruning, ours performs well in both sparse and dense environments, with few or many collisions.
Cost-Effective Cloud Computing: A Case Study Using the Comparative Genomics Tool, Roundup

Background: Comparative genomics resources, such as ortholog detection tools and repositories are rapidly increasing in scale and complexity. Cloud computing is an emerging technological paradigm that enables researchers to dynamically build a dedicated virtual cluster and may represent a valuable alternative for large computational tools in bioinformatics. In the present manuscript, we optimize the computation of a large-scale comparative genomics resource—Roundup—using cloud computing, describe the proper operating principles required to achieve computational efficiency on the cloud, and detail important procedures for improving cost-effectiveness to ensure maximal computation at minimal costs. Methods: Utilizing the comparative genomics tool, Roundup, as a case study, we computed orthologs among 902 fully sequenced genomes on Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud. For managing the ortholog processes, we designed a strategy to deploy the web service, Elastic MapReduce, and maximize the use of the cloud while simultaneously minimizing costs. Specifically, we created a model to estimate cloud runtime based on the size and complexity of the genomes being compared that determines in advance the optimal order of the jobs to be submitted. Results: We computed orthologous relationships for 245,323 genome-to-genome comparisons on Amazon’s computing cloud, a computation that required just over 200 hours and cost $8,000 USD, at least 40% less than expected under a strategy in which genome comparisons were submitted to the cloud randomly with respect to runtime. Our cost savings projections were based on a model that not only demonstrates the optimal strategy for deploying RSD to the cloud, but also finds the optimal cluster size to minimize waste and maximize usage. Our cost-reduction model is readily adaptable for other comparative genomics tools and potentially of significant benefit to labs seeking to take advantage of the cloud as an alternative to local computing infrastructure.
On the controversy over "fast" and "slow" helix-coil transition rates in polypeptides.

The controversy over “fast” and “slow” helix-coil transition rates in polypeptides is discussed. The “slow” results are derived from the assumption that multiple NMR spectra of α-CH and NH groups arise from chemical exchange. In this paper it is shown that such spectra may be obtained without invoking chemical exchange. The multiplicity arises from the difference in helicity of amino acid residues near the ends of the chain by comparison with amino acid residues nearer the middle, and from a polydispersity in molecular weight. As a consequence of this analysis, support is given to the “fast” transition rates.
Vertex-bipartition method for colouring minor-closed classes of graphs

Thomas conjectured that there is an absolute constant c such that for every proper minor-closed class of graphs, there is a polynomial-time algorithm that can colour every G ∈ with at most χ(G) + c colours. We introduce a parameter ρ( ), called the degenerate value of , which is defined to be the smallest r such that every G ∈ can be vertex-bipartitioned into a part of bounded tree-width (the bound depending only on ), and a part that is r-degenerate. Although the existence of one global bound for the degenerate values of all proper minor-closed classes would imply Thomas's conjecture, we prove that the values ρ( ) can be made arbitrarily large. The problem lies in the clique sum operation. As our main result, we show that excluding a planar graph with a fixed number of apex vertices gives rise to a minor-closed class with small degenerate value. As corollaries, we obtain that (i) the degenerate value of every class of graphs of bounded local tree-width is at most 6, and (ii) the degenerate value of the class of Kn-minor-free graphs is at most n + 1. These results give rise to P-time approximation algorithms for colouring any graph in these classes within an error of at most 7 and n + 2 of its chromatic number, respectively.
The WIT cohort: A case study of informal doctoral mentoring

Concerns about the quality and value of doctoral studies continue to be expressed by various constituencies. Cohort mentoring and professional relevance have been identified as significant opportunities for modernising doctoral education. This case study responds to the need for doctoral reform by exploring the process and outcomes of mentoring on a self-formed educational leadership cohort, a grassroots organisation called the WIT (writers in training) cohort. Analysis of this innovation from the members' perspectives suggests that the cohort mentoring experience serves to enhance individual success and improve a particular graduate context. Results indicate that benefits were gained in three areas of professional growth: developing a sense of identity and belonging, support for learning and attaining dreams and experiencing a faculty-student support model.
Control of biofilm formation and colonization in Vibrio fischeri: a role for partner switching?

Summary Bacteria employ a variety of mechanisms to promote and control colonization of their respective hosts, including restricting the expression of genes necessary for colonization to distinct situations (i.e. encounter with a prospective host). In the symbiosis between the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and its host squid, Euprymna scolopes, colonization proceeds via a transient biofilm formed by the bacterium. The production of this bacterial biofilm depends on a complex regulatory network that controls transcription of the symbiosis polysaccharide (syp) gene locus. In addition to this transcriptional control, biofilm formation is regulated by two proteins, SypA and SypE, which may function in an unusual regulatory mechanism known as partner switching. Best characterized in Bacillus subtilis and other Grampositive bacteria, partner switching is a signalling mechanism that provides dynamic regulatory control over bacterial gene expression. The involvement of putative partner-switching components within V. fischeri suggests that tight regulatory control over biofilm formation may be important for the lifestyle of this organism.
Prioritizing Positivity: An effective approach to pursuing happiness?

A decade of research reveals the benefits of positive emotions for mental and physical health; however, recent empirical work suggests the explicit pursuit of happiness may backfire. The present study hypothesized that the pursuit of happiness is not inherently self-defeating; in particular, individuals who seek positivity, as exemplified by how they make decisions about how to organize their day-to-day lives, may be happier. This individual difference is labeled prioritizing positivity. In a community sample of young to older adults (N = 233), prioritizing positivity predicted a host of well-being outcomes (positive emotions, depressive symptomology). In addition, people high in prioritizing positivity have greater resources, and these links are explained by more frequent experiences of positive emotions. In sum, the present study suggests that seeking happiness, although a delicate art, may be a worthwhile pursuit.
On power quality indices and real time measurement

Power quality (PQ) indices are used to quantify the quality of the power supply and serve as the basis for comparing the negative impacts of different disturbances on power networks. To overcome the limitations and deficiencies of the practical applications of some power quality indices in common use, a set of three new indices, namely the fundamental frequency deviation ratio (FDR), waveform distortion ratio (WDR), and symmetrical components deviation ratio (SDR) are proposed in this paper to summarize different types of power disturbances in a comprehensive manner. As instantaneous quantities, these novel indices can reveal the time varying characteristics of power disturbances in real time. Hence, the new PQ indices can well accommodate practical waveform distortions in power networks, which may be caused by multiple types of time varying power disturbances. They can therefore be further used to evaluate both the effectiveness and dynamic responses of PQ mitigation equipment in practical applications. To fully realize the advantages of the new PQ indices, a novel Atom (transform kernel) based time frequency transform and its recursive algorithm are also proposed as the supporting measurement technique. The new Atom approach can continuously measure the instantaneous frequencies and amplitudes of signal components in a nonstationary disturbance waveform with high accuracy, and then update the new PQ indices at each sample. The effectiveness of the new PQ indices and the supporting measurement technique were ascertained using various PQ events, both simulated events and those recorded at an industrial site.
Activity-guided engineering of natural product carrier proteins

A panel of chimeric carrier proteins was developed and screened for functional activity with essential enzymes involved in carrier protein-mediated biosynthesis. Regions on either side of the recognition helix II within three carrier proteins (CPs) from distinct biosynthetic pathways were swapped in all combinations to generate 24 mutated CPs. This panel of chimeric carrier proteins was tested using two previously established and one novel carrier protein assays. The results suggest a significant contribution from multiple structural units within carrier protein structure, rather than universal recognition helix, is necessary for proper recognition and activity with partner enzymes.
Predictors of Suicide in New Generation Jails

Podular direct supervision jails, also called new generation jails, have been credited by practitioners and some researchers with reducing violence, stress, and suicide among inmates. A recent national comparison of these facilities with more traditional jails revealed that the direct supervision institutions were no less likely than the other jails to experience inmate suicides. The current study involves a closer look at the podular direct supervision facilities. The purpose of this study is to determine which jail characteristics are predictors of suicide. Results indicate that the jail environment and the number of inmate-inmate assaults are predictors of jail suicides. Jails that provide an environment that allows inmates to control lighting, control entrance and exits of cells, and have materials that reduce echoes were less likely to report a suicide in 2003 than those that did not offer those features. Jails with a lower number of inmate-inmate assaults were also less likely to report a suicide in 2003.
Morphology of the larval and adult brains of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus plexippus, L.

Cell population and neuropile morphology of larval and adult brains of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus plexippus, L., are compared. The larval brain is in continuous transition, the processes of adult brain development being underway from the earliest larval stages. It is characterized by a less diverse population of cells and more homogenous fiber areas than those of the adult. Neuroblasts, which divide to form the neurones of the adult brain, occur either in discrete proliferation centers or scattered among the larval ganglion cells. The larval brain contains, in addition to small homogeneous antennal centers and a distinct larval optic center, rapidly developing adult optic centers, corpora pedunculata, and protocerebral bridge. The larval brain lacks a central body. Major differences between larval and adult brains are clearly related to the increased dependence of the adult upon sensory input from the eyes and antennae.
Asynchrony and Dyspnea

Patient-ventilator synchrony and patient comfort are assumed to go hand in hand, yet few studies provide support for this common sense idea. In reality, synchrony between the patient and ventilator is complex and can be affected by the ventilator settings, type of ventilator, patient-ventilator interface, and sedation. Inspections of airway pressure and flow waveforms are reliable methods for detecting asynchrony, and automated detection seems accurate. A number of types of asynchronies have been defined, and asynchrony during invasive and noninvasive ventilation have different calling cards. There is a clear association between asynchrony, ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction, and duration of mechanical ventilation. Whether these are cause and effect or simply associated remains to be determined.
Implementation of an active perceptual scheme for legged locomotion of robots

For robots to traverse rugged terrain successfully using legged locomotion, they need not only constantly to maintain structural stability but also, and perhaps more importantly, to detect and adapt to changes in the terrain properties. The authors address the issue of exploration to extract material properties from a given surface for the specific purpose of aiding in and improving the quality of legged locomotion. While it is important to evaluate terrain properties prior to the start of locomotion, it is even more important to evaluate these properties actively during locomotion so that the robot does not sink, slip or fall. It is proposed that the legs of a robot be used not only for stepping and walking but also as probes to examine those properties of the surface that would contribute to the efficiency of locomotion, one way or another. The proposed framework for active perception for legged locomotion suggests that for stable stepping and walking in an unknown environment, it is necessary actively to recover the material properties of penetrability, compliance and surface traction from the supporting surface. These attributes must be recovered by exploratory procedures that are built into the mobile robotic system. This paper focusses on the implementation of the perceptual scheme so that feedback from the measurement of material properties is used to control robot foot forces during legged locomotion. >
AT1R–CB1R heteromerization reveals a new mechanism for the pathogenic properties of angiotensin II

The mechanism of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signal integration is controversial. While GPCR assembly into hetero-oligomers facilitates signal integration of different receptor types, cross-talk between Gαi- and Gαq-coupled receptors is often thought to be oligomerization independent. In this study, we examined the mechanism of signal integration between the Gαi-coupled type I cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) and the Gαq-coupled AT1R. We find that these two receptors functionally interact, resulting in the potentiation of AT1R signalling and coupling of AT1R to multiple G proteins. Importantly, using several methods, that is, co-immunoprecipitation and resonance energy transfer assays, as well as receptor- and heteromer-selective antibodies, we show that AT1R and CB1R form receptor heteromers. We examined the physiological relevance of this interaction in hepatic stellate cells from ethanol-administered rats in which CB1R is upregulated. We found a significant upregulation of AT1R–CB1R heteromers and enhancement of angiotensin II-mediated signalling, as compared with cells from control animals. Moreover, blocking CB1R activity prevented angiotensin II-mediated mitogenic signalling and profibrogenic gene expression. These results provide a molecular basis for the pivotal role of heteromer-dependent signal integration in pathology.
Stalagmite evidence from Belize indicating significant droughts at the time of Preclassic Abandonment, the Maya Hiatus, and the Classic Maya collapse

Abstract Paleoenvironmental data from a stalagmite from western Belize provide a 3300-year record of droughts that impacted the Maya civilization at least four times across a span of 1500 years, and the most sustained period of drought coincided with the collapse of Classic Maya civilization. The stalagmite, which comes from Macal Chasm in the Vaca Plateau, provides reliably dated reflectance, color, luminescence, and C and O stable isotope records for the period from 1225 B.C. to the present. The record thus encompasses the Maya Preclassic, Classic, and Postclassic periods. The Maya civilization peaked in population density and socioeconomic complexity during the Classic period extending from A.D. 25 to 900, but it declined abruptly over the years from A.D. 750 and 900. The stalagmite record indicates that a series of droughts, which collectively form the most prolonged dry interval in the 3300-year record, lasted from A.D. 700 to 1135 and thus coincided with the collapse of the Maya civilization. In addition, two earlier droughts evident in the stalagmite record coincided with the Preclassic Abandonment and the Maya Hiatus, two earlier declines in Maya civilization. A drought in the mid-1400s recorded in post-Classic documents is also evident in the stalagmite record. Collectively, these findings illustrate the dependence of Mayan civilization on water supplies and the impact of declining water resources on a vibrant civilization.
Subtrochanteric stress fractures in runners

Seven college track team members with stress fractures in the subtrochanteric area of the femur were diagnosed using x-ray films and bone imaging. One, with repeated negative x-ray films, was considered to have a stress reaction. Suspected causes for this high incidence of subtrochanteric stress fractures include a change in running surfaces and an exercise called bounding (repetitive jumps with or without weights). The implementation of bone scanning and its usefulness after failure of conservative treatment is emphasized. A discussion of the continuum of stress reaction and the seven cases, diagnoses, treatments, and results are presented.
LIGAND-INDEPENDENT GLUT4 TRANSLOCATION INDUCED BY GUANOSINE 5'-O-(3-THIOTRIPHOSPHATE) INVOLVES TYROSINE PHOSPHORYLATION

To delineate the signaling pathway leading to glucose transport protein (GLUT4) translocation, we examined the effect of microinjection of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS), into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thirty minutes after the injection of 5 mm GTPγS, 40% of injected cells displayed surface GLUT4 staining indicative of GLUT4 translocation compared with 55% for insulin-treated cells and 10% in control IgG-injected cells. Treatment of the cells with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin or coinjection of GST-p85 SH2 fusion protein had no effect on GTPγS-mediated GLUT4 translocation. On the other hand, coinjection of antiphosphotyrosine antibodies (PY20) blocked GTPγS-induced GLUT4 translocation by 65%. Furthermore, microinjection of GTPγS led to the appearance of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins around the periphery of the plasma membrane, as observed by immunostaining with PY20. Treatment of the cells with insulin caused a similar phosphotyrosine-stain...
Scaling Analytical Models for Soft Error Rate Estimation Under a Multiple-Fault Environment

With continuing increase in soft error rates, its foreseeable that multiple faults will eventually need to be considered when modeling circuit sensitivity and evaluating fault- tolerance techniques. Previous work that considers multiple faults assumes the faults are permanent. These assumptions aren't directly valid for soft errors. In this work, we evaluate two currently available models for analyzing circuit sensitivities but subject them to multiple transient fault environments. The first model targets the application of triple modular redundancy (TMR) to a non-branching (no fan-out) circuit with permanent faults. We demonstrate this model's inability to adequately predict sensitivity when circuits with branching are considered and subjected to transient faults. We motivate the need for a model that captures logical masking. This is provided by modifying a soft error rate (SER) estimation algorithm to handle multiple faults and gate input interdependence. We conclude that the simple non-branching model can predict a trade-off threshold for when TMR can benefit a circuit. However accurately predicting the magnitude of reliability changes requires the inclusion of more complicated branching effects and logical masking.
Induction of BAP1 by a Moderate Decrease in Temperature Is Mediated by ICE1 in Arabidopsis

Temperature variations at the nonextreme range modulate various processes of plant growth, development, and physiology, but how plants perceive and transduce these temperature signals is not well understood. Moderate cooling from 28°C to 22°C induces transcription of a number of genes in salicylic acid-dependent and -independent manners. Here, we report the study of the transcriptional control of the BON1-ASSOCIATED PROTEIN1 (BAP1) gene that is responsive to a moderate decrease of temperature as well as to many environmental stimuli. Using reporter genes under the control of series of regions of the BAP1 promoter, we identified a 35-bp fragment that is necessary and sufficient for the BAP1 transcript induction by a moderate cooling. This fragment also confers an induction of BAP1 by cold and reactive oxygen species-generating paraquat. Furthermore, the INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1 (ICE1) protein that is involved in transcriptional control of cold responses is found to bind to a MYC element in this promoter and is required for the cooling induction of BAP1. The ice1 mutant has a low induction of BAP1 and enhanced resistance to a bacterial pathogen. Thus, responses to a moderate decrease in temperature may utilize components in the cold response as well as a potentiating signaling involving salicylic acid.
RESPONSE OF THE PLASMA 17-HYDR0XYC0RTIC0-STEROID LEVEL TO GEL-ACTH IN TUMOROUS AND NON-TUMOROUS CUSHING'S SYNDROME

INTRODUCTION AKNOWLEDGE of the underlying adrenocortical pathology is of practical importance in the therapeutic management of Cushing's syndrome. There are no clinical signs or symptoms which serve to differentiate Cushing's syndrome due to adrenocortical carcinoma from that due to adenoma or hyperplasia. Differentiation of the adrenal pathology by means of the level of urinary neutral 17-ketosteroids is often impossible, although a very high titer of ketosteroids is suggestive evidence in favor of a malignant adrenocortical lesion (1). Plasma and urinary 17-hydroxycorticoid assays and x-ray examination following retrorectal oxygen insufflation may prove to be indecisive in distinguishing tumorous from nontumorous Cushing's syndrome (1). More recently, the use of stimulation of the adrenal cortices with corticotropin (ACTH) has been attempted in Cushing's syndrome in an effort to distinguish tumor from hyperplasia (2–4). The few reports in the literature to date concerning the diagnostic usefulness of th...
Trauma, Nutrition, and Malnutrition in the Andean Highlands During Peru’s Dark Age (1000–1250 C.E.)

The correspondence between increased morbidity and excess mortality often emanates from the enduring and multifarious shock waves of sociopolitical and economic insecurity brought about by the “failure” of modern states and the collapse of ancient empires. This paper contributes to debates regarding elevated morbidity and excess mortality by evaluating how food and warfare were differentially accessed and experienced during a well-known period of tumultuous violence and deprivation. A multi-focal, well-contextualized bioarchaeological approach allows us to reconstruct the lived experiences of individuals, biological and/or social groups, and entire populations. This study focuses on domains including cranial modification to ascertain social affiliation, cranial lesions to gauge nutritional inefficiencies, carbon and oxygen isotope analysis to inform on dietary homogeneity and transhumance, and cranial trauma as a proxy for violence. Scrutinizing the tangled intersections of these axes allows us to better understand how warfare and deprivation get under the skin in the generations proceeding imperial fragmentation.
When Athlete Activism Clashes With Group Values: Social Identity Threat Management via Social Media

On November 30, 2014, five African American St. Louis Rams players locked hands and displayed a “hands-up” gesture during player introductions in response to racial tensions in Ferguson, Missouri, emanating from the Michael Brown case. This act generated significant media attention and prompted discussions via Facebook and Twitter. Two notable venues on social media for these conversations were the “Boycott the St. Louis Rams” Facebook page and the Twitter hashtag #BoycottRams. A thematic analysis of 1,019 user-generated Facebook comments and 452 tweets was conducted through the lens of social identity threat management. Six primary themes emerged: (a) renouncing fandom, (b) punishment commentary, (c) racial commentary, (d) general criticism, (e) attacking other group members, and (f) presenting the “facts” of the case. The results suggest that social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter serve as forums where group members discuss and debate challenges to group values and promote action steps that can...
OttoBib: www.ottobib.com

Visited: Winter 2010 OttoBib is an automatic citation generator developed by computer programmer Jonathan Otto. OttoBib's strength is its ability to generate a ready-made bibliographic citation in ...
Enhancing the carrying capacity of bridge on bridge using pristine bridge

For enhancing the carrying capacity of bridge on bridge using pristine bridge, the concept of feasible sharing-load region and upper and lower limits of interval were defined. A mechanical model consolidating three kinds of modes s etting sharing-load support, such as one sharing-load support, two sharing-lo ad supports and three sharing-load supports to deeply analyze the influencing fact ors of using pristine bridge to enhance the carrying capacity of the prefabricated steel bridge on bridge. The numerical results show that the best mode of setting sharing-load support is setting one obtained sharing-load support. And the su pp ort should be set at the midpoint of bridge span so that the maximum reverse ben ding moment can be obtained.
A Study on Aristotle's Thoughts of Technical Making

Technical making has always been one of the research topics of technical philosophy,which was discussed by such ancient Greek thinkers as Plato and Aristotle.In terms of technical making energeia,Aristotle considers it a kinesis process from dynamis to entelecheia,and what's more,physis,human and agathon are the fundamental elements in the process of technical making energeia.Physis provides hyle and the ultimate underlying subject,which can support and disturb technical making energeia;human designs and operates technical making energeia through eidos extraction;agathon offers "target"to technical making energeia which contributes to the more exquisite,ingenious and sapiential technical making energeia,and meanwhile endows technology with ethical qualities.Aristotle's thoughts of"agathon"in terms of technical guidance may still provide a useful reference to today's modern technology.
Discussion of rural drinking water disinfection using chlorine dioxide

Objective:To discuss the feasibility and advantages of chlorine dioxide disinfection for rural drinking water.Methods:Analyzed the main used chlorine dioxide generating technology in China′s rural areas,and compared the cost of chlorine dioxide disinfection with other commonly used disinfection technology.Results:Chlorine dioxide disinfection technology has obvious advantages in rural areas.It should be based on real needs to choose a suitable type of generator,and control conditions strictly,to reduce the disinfection by-products.Conclusion:Chlorine dioxide disinfection technology has significant cost advantages.If rational management model and correct methods were adopted,it will have a broader application prospects.
Primary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the PleuraA Clinicopathologic Study of Two Cases

Two cases of primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the pleura are described. The patients are 2 men, 48 and 61 years old. Clinically, both men sought care because of chest pain in the right side and breathing difficulty. Neither of the patients had a history of head and neck tumor, and physical examination revealed that no tumor was present in the head and neck area. Radiographic studies in both men disclosed the presence of a pleural-based mass. Both men underwent surgical excision of the mass. Histologically, in both cases the pleura showed areas of fibrinous pleuritis with an underlying neoplastic cellular proliferation composed of cells with epidermoid features without keratinization and presence of mucocytes. Both tumors were classified as low-grade tumors. Both patients were alive and well 8 and 12 months after surgical resection. The cases herein presented highlight the importance of including other epithelial tumors in the differential diagnosis of pleural tumors.