cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The onset of hyperreflexia in the rat following complete spinal cord transection.

Hyperreflexia occurs after spinal cord injury (SCI) and can be assessed by measuring low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex. Previous studies showed the time course for the onset of hyperreflexia to occur between 6–28 days in the contusion model of SCI. To determine the time course of the onset of hyperreflexia in the transection model of SCI and examine changes in Connexin-36 (Cx-36) protein levels in the lumbar enlargement of animals. Spinal Cord Injury Mobilization Program of the Center for Translational Neuroscience, the research arm of the Jackson T. Stephens Neuroscience Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA. Adult female rats underwent transection at T10 level. Low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex was tested at 7, 14 and 30 days post-transection. Lumbar enlargement tissue was harvested following reflex testing and western blots were performed after immunoprecipitation to compare Cx-36 protein levels. Significant decreases in low frequency-dependent depression of the H-reflex were observed in animals tested 14 and 30 days post-transection compared with control animals, but it was not different from control animals at 7 days. Significant decreases in Cx-36 protein levels were observed in animals 7 days post-transection compared with controls. Rats transition to a state of hyperreflexia between 7 and 14 days post-transection. Cx-36 protein levels decreased at 7 days post-transection and gradually returned to control levels by 30 days post-transection. These data suggest there may be a relationship between changes in neuronal gap junction protein levels and the delayed onset of hyperreflexia.
Analysis and analog implementation of directionally sensitive shunting inhibitory neural networks

The most significant property of these networks is their differential response to stimuli moving in opposite directions. A quantitative analysis shows that this directional response adapts to mean luminance levels and varies with size and speed of moving objects, as well as with coupling order among elements of a network. Both biophysical and analog hardware implementations of this class of networks are given here. Implementation of unidirectional coupling and the response to directional edges are demonstrated and shown to accord well with that of the neural network.
Primate skeletal muscle contains cells capable of sustaining in vitro hematopoiesis

Abstract Objective Several investigators recently reported that adult murine skeletal muscle cells possess a remarkable capacity to differentiate into hematopoietic cells. We further examined this biologic process by studying the phenotype and in vitro functional behavior of primate skeletal muscle cells. Materials and Methods Muscles from human abortuses as well as fetal and adult baboons were digested enzymatically and mononuclear cell fractions were isolated. Muscle tissue–derived mononuclear cells (mu-TDMNC) were phenotypically characterized. Both short-term and long-term hematopoietic progenitors were assayed from mu-TDMNC using standard techniques. Gene expression patterns characteristic of hematopoietic and endothelial cells were examined in primary and cultured muscle cells. Results Primate muscle cells were shown to express the CD34 antigen. Such CD34 + cells were shown to be CD45 − and desmin + , indicating they were not of hematopoietic origin. Fetal but not adult muscle cells contained assayable hematopoietic progenitors. In addition, muscles contained an additional class of progenitors that formed colonies composed of blast cells after prolonged incubation (3–4 weeks). A two-step culture system was established that permitted muscle cells to continue to proliferate when exposed to a hematopoietic environment for 8 months. During this prolonged period of time, the generation of CD34 + , CD56 + , CD11b + , and CD31 + as well as von Willebrand factor (vWF) + cells were observed. Conclusions Our studies indicate that although primate muscle cells contain a significant number of CD34 + cells, they are likely not of hematopoietic origin. Important ontogenic differences in the hematopoietic potential of primate muscle cells were documented. When exposed to appropriate microenvironmental stimuli, mu-TDMNC displayed an extensive proliferative capacity and contained primitive progenitors with the capacity to generate cells in vitro with phenotypic and genetic properties of hematopoietic and endothelial cells for sustained periods of time. Whether this observation can be accounted for by true transdifferentiation of muscle cells or proliferation of reservoirs of hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells residing within skeletal muscle remains unresolved.
Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Nematoda: Rhabditidae), a potential biocontrol agent isolated for the first time from invasive slugs in North America.

Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita is reported for the first time in North America from cadavers of the invasive slug species Deroceras reticulatum, D. laeve and Lehmannia valentiana collected from three different locations in California, USA. Four isolates were identified using combined morphology, morphometrics and molecular sequence data for complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1, 5.8S, ITS-2), D2-D3 expansion segments of the large subunit (LSU or 28S) and nearly complete small subunit (SSU or 18S) ribosomal DNA. Extremely low sequence variations in the COI gene of the mitochondria were observed among US isolates as well as between US isolates and the two UK sequences. The occurrence of P. hermaphrodita in North America has regulatory implications for potential biological control strategies against non-native gastropod species that are pests in ornamental and agricultural cultivation on this continent. The D2-D3 sequence of the LSU rDNA is new for the species.
Dissection and Rupture of the Ascending Aorta: Unusual Complications of Aortocoronary Bypass Surgery

This is a report concerning two cases of unusual complications, dissection and rupture of the ascending aorta, secondary to saphenous vein bypass surgery. We recommend that evaluation of patients undergoing saphenous vein bypass surgery include careful image-intensifier fluoroscopic examination during coronary arteriography. If aneurysmal dilatation of the aorta or calcification is observed, ascending aortography should be performed to better evaluate the aorta, and surgeons should be alerted to use appropriate maneuvers and techniques to minimize the risk of complications in the aortic site of the vein anastomosis. Internal mammary coronary-artery bypass should be the procedure of choice in such conditions.
Induction of alkaline phosphatase activity in HeLa cells by sodium butyrate.

The induction of HeLa cell alkaline phosphatase activity by sodium butyrate could be inhibited by the coadministration of caffeine or theophylline. The inhibitions were dose dependent, and at any given concentration the potency was theophylline > caffeine. Although the induction by sodium butyrate was more sensitive to the inhibition by the xanthines than was that produced by 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine, the magnitudes of the increases in cyclic AMP concentrations after treatment with the xanthines were similar in the inhibition of both types of induction. The induction of alkaline phosphatase activity by sodium butyrate also produced a shift in the thermostability pattern of the enzyme, with a proportionately greater increase in the heat-labile, rather than heat-stable, from of the activity.
Aggregated human colostral sIgA stimulates delayed, non-complement-dependent, NBT reduction by human neutrophils

Antibodies often alert polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to the presence of pathogens. In a study to learn if secretory immunoglobulins can carry out this function, we observed that as little as 4 micrograms/ml of secreted human immunoglobulin A from colostrum (sIgA), in the absence of antigen, stimulated human PMNs to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). NBT reduction was inhibited 71% by superoxide dismutase. Active complement pathways were not required since comparable activity was obtained in the presence of heat-inactivated serum. Aggregated forms of sIgA were much more stimulatory than nonaggregated dimeric sIgA. Such interaction between PMNs and sIgA could act in situ to enhance protection against infections of exposed body sites or could initiate inflammatory tissue damage.
On the Distribution of the Limit of Products of I.I.D. 2×2 Random Stochastic Matrices

This article gives sufficient conditions for the limit distribution of products of i.i.d. 2×2 random stochastic matrices to be continuous singular, when the support of the distribution of the individual random matrices is finite.
Coupling of chromatin structure to cell geometry during the cell cycle: transformed versus reverse-transformed CHO.

Abstract The cellular and nuclear morphometry of synchronized CHO cells growing on glass in the presence or absence of 10 −3 M of cAMP has been determined. Measurements were made at various time intervals following selective mitotic detachment. The changes in nuclear morphometry during the cycle of cells growing on glass confirms previous findings on similar cells growing in suspension. When cells are grown on glass, the cell shape also changes. Specifically, when cells are treated with cAMP, the cytoplasmic cell shape and condensation is directly coupled with nuclear chromatin shape and condensation, but they are uncoupled for the transformed cells.
Between Chaos and Diversity: Is Social Memory Studies a Field?

Is (or are) memory studies, social or otherwise, a field? If so, does anything hold it together beyond the mere use of the phrase “collective memory”? Memory studies is simultaneously still in its charismatic phase, though it no longer has a right to be, as well as highly resistant to efforts to escape from it, though it clearly needs to do so. To be a field, it needs a memory of its own.
Accuracy of intraocular lens calculations using the IOLMaster in eyes with long axial length and a comparison of various formulas

Purpose To evaluate the relationship between eyes with long axial length (AL) and postoperative refractive errors as predicted by various commonly used intraocular lens (IOL) formulas using the Zeiss IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). Design Retrospective chart review. Participants A total of 53 eyes of 36 patients with an AL of more than 27 mm who underwent uncomplicated cataract extraction with IOL implantation. Methods Data were obtained from patient charts and the IOLMaster. Main Outcome Measures The main parameters assessed were AL, preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative BCVA, and mean absolute error (actual postoperative spherical equivalent minus predicted postoperative spherical equivalent). Mean absolute error was calculated using predicted spherical equivalents obtained from the Holladay 1, Holladay 2, SRK/T, Hoffer Q, and Haigis formulas. Results The Haigis formula was found to be the most accurate in predicting postoperative refractive error in long eyes. The SRK/T formula was the second most accurate, followed by the Holladay 2, then the Holladay 1, then the Hoffer Q. All formulas predicted a more myopic outcome than was actually achieved. Conclusions These results suggest using the Haigis, SRK/T, or Holladay 2 formulas for very long eyes. It is also advisable to aim for a more myopic result than is intended. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Unseen and unaware: implications of recent research on failures of visual awareness for human-computer interface design

Because computers often rely on visual displays as a way to convey information to a user, recent research suggesting that people have detailed awareness of only a small subset of the visual environment has important implications for human-computer interface design. Equally important to basic limits of awareness is the fact that people often over-predict what they will see and become aware of. Together, basic failures of awareness and people's failure to intuitively understand them may account for situations where computer users fail to obtain critical information from a display even when the designer intended to make the information highly visible and easy to apprehend. To minimize the deleterious effects of failures of awareness, it is important for users and especially designers to be mindful of the circumscribed nature of visual awareness. In this article, we review basic and applied research documenting failures of visual awareness and the related metacognitive failure and then discuss misplaced beliefs that could accentuate both in the context of the human-computer interface.
Generalized weighting function and restricted stability of a linear pulse-modulated error feedback system

A generalized weighting function is obtained for a linear feedback system with a pulse-modulated error signal. This is expressed in the form of a matrix operator acting on an input vector, the components of which are the first R − 1 derivatives of the input, where R is the order of the unmodulated closed-loop system. In addition, since the system operator takes the form of a finite dimensional matrix, it has been possible to make and realize more stringent conditions on the transient stability; namely, a preassigned bounded output after a preassigned time. Although the solution has been obtained generally for non-uniform pulsing, the latter stability investigation has been made only for the uniform case.
Fitting of mixtures with unspecified number of components using cross validation distance estimate

Estimation of the number of mixture components (k) is an unsolved problem. Available methods for estimation of k include bootstrapping the likelihood ratio test statistic and optimizing a variety of validity functionals. We investigate the minimization of distance between fitted mixture model and the true density as a method for estimating k. The distances considered are Kullback-Leibler (KL) and L2. We estimate these distances using cross validation. A reliable estimate of k is obtained by voting of B estimates of k corresponding to B cross validation estimates of distance. This estimation method with KL distance is very similar to Monte Carlo cross validated likelihood method discussed by Smyth (Statist. Computing 10(1) (2000) 63). With focus on univariate normal mixtures, we present simulation studies that compare the cross validated distance method with Akaika's Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion/Minimum description criterion (BIC/MDL), and Information Complexity (ICOMP). We also apply the cross validation estimate of distance approach along with AIC, BIC/MDL and ICOMP approach, to data from an osteoporosis drug trial in order to find groups that differentially respond to treatment. In our closing remarks, we highlight the general applicability of our method to choose between any set of estimators of a particular parameter of interest, assuming the presence of an approximately unbiased estimator.
Two-dimensional finite element model of the pultrusion process

Composite materials used in the fabrication of industrial products/components are under constant development. Applications vary widely from consumer products to high-performance aerospace components. The pultrusion process is one of the important methods of production of composite materials. In order to develop a fundamental understanding of this process, a computational model employing the finite element method is developed which enables a prediction of the material temperature and degree-of-cure at any time during the process. The model is comprehensive; it can readily be employed to perform parametric studies of the process and to aid in the development of efficient design procedures for this type of material system. Comparisons are made between model predictions and experimental results and good agreement is observed.
Röntgenographische Untersuchungen zur Kristallperfektion von GaAs‐Einkristallen und ‐Epitaxieschichten. Will Kleber zum Gedenken

Die Defektstruktur von kompaktem GaAs und von GaAs-Homooepitaxieschichten wird mit Hilfe rontgentopographischer Reflexionsmethoden (Doppelkristalltopographie, Berg-Barrett-Methode) sowie zusatzlich durch Messung von Rockingkurven charakterisiert. Neben Versetzungen werden grosraumige Verzerrungen der GaAs-Einkristalle untersucht und quantitativ bestimmt. Die gemessenen Rockingkurvenbreiten kommen teilweise den fur Idealkristalle zu erwartenden nahe. In Wachstumshugeln auf Epitaxieschichten werden einfache bzw. doppelte Verzwilligungen in Verbindung mit einem hoheren Defektgehalt festgestellt. Die Perfektion einkristalliner Schichten ist der der Substratkristalle vergleichbar. Auf Grund der beobachteten Kontraste und energetischer Betrachtungen werden Aussagen zur Defektgeometrie der doppelkristalltopographisch abgebildeten Stapelfehlertetraeder in Epitaxieschichten gemacht. The defect structure of bulk GaAs and homoepitaxial layers has been characterized by means of reflection methods of x-ray diffraction topography (doublecrystal topography, Berg-Barrett method) and in addition by rocking-curve measurements. Besides of dislocations, long-range distortions of the single crystals of GaAs are investigated and determined quantitatively. The measured widths of the rocking curves approach those expected for perfect crystals. Single and double twinning in growth hillocks on epitaxial GaAs is found in connection with a higher degree of imperfection. The perfection of single-crystal layers is similar to that of the bulk crystals. Based on contrasts observed in double crystal topographs and energetic discussions, statements are made one defect geometry of stacking-fault tetrahedra in epitaxial layers.
Change of Cosmic Rays in Space

Variations in cosmic-ray activity based on data taken between 1954 and 1958 are given and discussed. (T.R.H.)
Lagrange interpolation problem for quaternion polynomials

Interpolation theory for complex polynomials is well understood. In the non-commutative quaternionic setting, the polynomials can be evaluated “from the left” and “from the right”. If the interpolation problem involves interpolation conditions of the same (left or right) type, the results are very much similar to the complex case: a consistent problem has a unique solution of a low degree (less than the number of interpolation conditions imposed), and the solution set of the homogeneous problem is an ideal in the ring H[z]. The problem containing both “left” and “right” interpolation conditions is quite different: there may exist infinitely many low-degree solutions and the solution set of the homogeneous problem is a quasi-ideal in H[z].
A modified reversed direct-stress device

A device for uniaxial direct stress testing of ice samples is described. Based on the original Reversed Direct-Stress (RDS) device designed by Cole and Gould (1989), this device uses most of the original components with a few modifications. Primarily, the modified device utilizes a rectangular end cap to apply uniaxial stress to square plate-based test geometries rather than the core-based specimens of the original. Details of the new end caps, as well as a description of the bonding technique developed for attaching the specimen to them, are discussed. Also included are some preliminary uniaxial stress test results obtained from tensile strength experiments on saline ice.
Comparable outcome with T-cell-depleted unrelated-donor versus related-donor allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract To assess the effect of related versus unrelated donors on outcomes in patients following T-cell-depleted (TCD) allogeneic BMT, we compared engraftment, GVHD, relapse rates, and survival in BMT patients who received CD6+ TCD marrow from HLA-matched related donors (MRD) with those in patients who received CD6+ TCD marrow from unrelated donors (URD). A total of 170 consecutive patients (120 with related donors, 50 with unrelated donors) were analyzed. The 2 groups were similar in age, sex, prior cytomegalovirus exposure, and stage of disease at the time of transplantation. GVHD prophylaxis was identical in the 2 groups, with TCD as the only method of GVHD prophylaxis. The total number of nucleated, CD34+, CD3+, and CD6+ cells infused did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The median day to reach 500 X 106 neutrophils/L was 12 days for both related (range, 8-22 days) and unrelated (range, 9-23 days) graft recipients (P = .92). Incidence of grades 2 through 4 acute GVHD was higher in URD than in MRD recipients (42% versus 20%, P=.004). According to multivariable analysis results, donor source was the single most important factor influencing GVHD (P = .01). The 2-year estimated risk of relapse was 45.9% in MRD recipients compared to 25.7% in URD recipients (P = .06). Multivariable analysis revealed that the 2 most pertinent factors adversely affecting overall survival were advanced disease stage (P = .0002) and age greater than 50 years (P = .0003) at transplantation. There was no difference in relapse-free survival in URD and MRD recipients. We conclude that for patients undergoing TCD-BMT, use of unrelated marrow is associated with a higher risk of GVHD and other transplantation-related complications. However, these adverse events do not lead to inferior probability of relapse-free survival because they are accompanied by a reduction in relapse rates. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2002;8(11):601-7.
Quark Distributions in Nuclei

Recent deep-inelastic muon-scattering data from iron and deuterium targets are interpreted as evidence that the distribution of quarks in iron differs markedly from that in isolated nucleons. Some sources of the difference are suggested.
Copper(II) complexes of deprotonated 2-alkylaminopyridine n-oxides and 2-aminopicoline n-oxides

Abstract Molecular Cu(II) complexes of deprotonated 2-aminopyridine N-oxides have been prepared by adding sodium hydroxide to aqueous slurries of their Cu(HL)4(ClO4)2 salts. The latter green solids were isolated from ethanolic solution with HL representative of 2-aminopyridine N-oxide (HA); 2-amino-4, -5- and -6-picoline N-oxide, 4MAH, 5MAH and 6MAH, respectively; and 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl, 2-propyl- and 2-isopropylaminopyridine N-oxide, MH, EH, PH and IPH, respectively. The solids are characterized by their partial elemental analyses, infrared spectra, solid reflectance and solution (CHCl3) electronic spectra, and esr spectra of both solid and solution. The majority are isolated as anhydrous solids of various shades of tan and their spectroscopic characterization indicates them to be square planar with significant covalent character in their bonding.
Voices of Older Baby Boomer Students: Supporting Their Transitions Back into College

The success of older adult students seeking higher education degrees depends, in part, upon fulfillment of critical support needs. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of nine contemporary Older Baby Boomer students (ages 50–62) who are pursuing bachelor's degrees at a Midwestern university. Qualitative data was gathered from individual interviews and reflection questionnaires. Nancy Schlossberg's transition model provided a theoretical framework for the findings, which suggest that most of these learners (a) are first generational college students with deficient information about formal higher education process, (b) are primarily motivated by career aspirations, and (c) experience complex support needs.
STRUCTURAL FACTORS AND OPTIMIZATION OF SPACE VEHICLES

I the analysis of space vehicles, structural factors— originally defined as means of identifying structural mass—have been more recently treated as functions. This gives them a quite different connotation. In 1947, Malina and Summerfield defined the structural factor as the ratio of stage mass ejected, ms, to stage mass with propellant, b = ms/(ms + mp), and, so defined, it pertains only to one particular stage, and involves neither the payload of that stage nor the payload or mass of any subsequent stages. Another factor alternately used is rs = ms/(ms + mp + mi), mi being the stage payload; this factor includes all subsequent stages and their payloads. Both factors are used by some authors,' 3 the choice depending upon the application, and both are convenient realistic terms used to identify particular structures. In analyses they are used as parameters, modifications in design being handled by usual methods of variable parameters or parametric curves. However, in recent analyses,' 5 for the optimum number of stages, n0, the optimum is assumed to be at d<5/dn(or drs/dn) = 0, and d (or r8) is used as a function determined by n. With this usage d (or rs) is no longer an identifying parameter but a function describing a particular manner of variation of structural hardware mass with variation of n—e.g., ms = (constant) (ms + mp). To use the factor in this sense implies a foreknowledge of the functional influence of all the complex factors which determine ras. Since it would be a monumental task to determine these precisely, it is pertinent to learn how sensitive important vehicle characteristics are to certain structural factors used as functions. The system specific impulse, I88—introduced in a previous paper as a measure for comparing propulsive systems that have wide differences in mass, and expressed in terms of d by Eq. (11) of Ref. 3—for a single-stage vehicle becomes, with the aid of Eqs. (4) and (6) of the same reference,
CLONES CLOSED UNDER CONJUGATION I: CLONES WITH CONSTANTS

We show that if G ≤ SA is a permutation group on a finite set A satisfying |A| ≥ 3, then the set of G-closed clones on A that contain all constant operations is finite iff G = SA, AA, AGL(1,5) (|A| = 5), PSL(2,5) (|A| = 6), PGL(2,5) (|A| = 6), PGL(2,7) (|A| = 8), PGL(2,8) (|A| = 9), or PΓL(2,8) (|A| = 9).
Nonparametric decision making based on tree-structured information aggregation

A nonparametric decentralized detection problem is investigated over tree-structured sensor networks, in which sensors are configured in trees with the fusion center being the root of the tree. A kernel-based classification approach is applied, which generalizes the approach initially proposed by Nguyen, Wainwright, and Jordan for single-level networks to tree networks. An algorithm for computing a jointly optimal decision rule for the fusion center and local decision rules for individual sensors are provided, which is based on a coordinate gradient algorithm. Furthermore, by exploiting the tree structure and choosing a suitable kernel function, a distributive protocol is proposed to distribute the computational loads to individual sensors for an efficient implementation of the optimization algorithm. Numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate that our algorithm achieves satisfactory accuracy in decision making for the cases with correlated and independent observations. It is also numerically demonstrated that our algorithm has a much smaller testing error than the likelihood-ratio based algorithm.
An analysis of the accuracy of an initial value representation surface hopping wave function in the interaction and asymptotic regions

The behavior of an initial value representation surface hopping wave function is examined. Since this method is an initial value representation for the semiclassical solution of the time independent Schrodinger equation for nonadiabatic problems, it has computational advantages over the primitive surface hopping wave function. The primitive wave function has been shown to provide transition probabilities that accurately compare with quantum results for model problems. The analysis presented in this work shows that the multistate initial value representation surface hopping wave function should approach the primitive result in asymptotic regions and provide transition probabilities with the same level of accuracy for scattering problems as the primitive method.
Classroom Assessment and Grading to Assure Mastery

Achieving learning standards is at the forefront of current educational philosophy, and is the goal of sound educational practice. That “all children can learn” and there will be “no child left behind” presume that teaching and assessment practices must benefit all children. Agreement in principle is nearly universal. Practical implementation, however, is another matter. One philosophy of learning and instruction that has a long history of targeting instruction and achievement for all students is mastery learning. This article examines (a) fundamental tenets that mastery learning is built upon, (b) the clear connection between learning standards and mastery learning, and (c) how mastery is often erroneously implemented. It then outlines the defining features of mastery and how to implement them. These defining features include developing clear objectives, setting a mastery standard, using criterion-referenced assessments, and grading incentives for students to learn beyond initial mastery.
On Functionally Distributed Quotas

We consider “functionally distributed” quotas, where trade is restricted to a function of another economic activity, paying special attention to the ratio constraint and its relation to “proportionally distributed” quotas. We propose a simple principle defining the optimal policy under a functionally defined restriction, extend the analysis of ratio import/production constraints to general equilibrium, introduce export constraints, and constraints defined in proportion to factor use. We develop the general-equilibrium geometry of functional trade constraints and the concomitant optimal policies, deriving a “quota locus” that depicts the consumption possibilities under various regimes.
Study of factors influencing prenatal brain development.

This article attempts to assess some of the factors which may affect brain development, in either direction, deterioration or improvement.
Reconfigurable power management using novel monolithically integrated CMOS-on-PV switch

This paper presents a novel reconfigurable power management architecture for PV modules. This architecture allows for operation or isolation (islanding) of individual or groups of cells. Flexible Voc and Isc combinations may be achieved with switching speeds up to 1MHz. Multiple advantages and functionalities can be achieved, such as lower power losses if one cell is shaded or degrading, variable optimized maximum power point tracking, integrated monitoring and communication from PV modules, longer lifetime and others. In order to properly understand the benefits of cell-level switching, bypassing and MPPT, a simulation framework was developed using NGSPICE and Octave which allows component-level simulation of PV modules.
Electronic aids to learning

In an audiotutorial booth, a student can follow a lecture at his own pace, without distractions, at any hour of the day or night. The author describes American experience of these and other teaching aids, in which there is a steadily growing interest in Britain
Adipose tissue engineering: the future of breast and soft tissue reconstruction following tumor resection.

Reconstructive surgeons have always been at the forefront of medical technology. The history of reconstructive surgery began with ablative surgery, which was followed by tissue and organ transplantation, leading to contemporary tissue reconstruction. The field of reconstructive surgery is poised at the next stage of its evolution, namely tissue regeneration. The field of tissue engineering has largely defined this evolutionary leap. One active area of investigation is the development of tissue engineering strategies for adipose tissue. Bioengineers, life scientists, and reconstructive surgeons are synergistically coupling expertise in areas such as cell culture technology, tissue transfer, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, computer modeling, and polymer chemistry to regenerate adipose tissue de novo for breast replacement and soft-tissue augmentation following tumor resection. This work presents the current state of the art in adipose tissue engineering, as well the clinically translatable strategies currently under development. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:302-311, 2000.
Evidence for the role of the General Factor of Personality (GFP) in enculturation: The GFP and self-construal in Japanese and American samples

Data from Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) studies, one with American participants and one with Japanese participants, were used to test the hypothesis that the General Factor of Personality (GFP) is positively associated with enculturation. To this end, the relationships between the GFP and independent self-construal and interdependent self-construal were examined. Consistent with the hypothesis, the results showed that an independent self-construal was more closely associated with the GFP in the American sample.
Reliability of Use, Abuse, and Dependence of Four Types of Inhalants in Adolescents and Young Adults

Inhalants, as a class of drugs, consists of heterogeneous substances that increase the probability of many serious illnesses and death. Research on inhalant abuse has lagged behind other drugs partly because of the need for a diagnostic instrument of different types of inhalants. This study was conducted to obtain reliability estimates for the new Substance Abuse Module DSM-IV inhalants diagnoses for four types of inhalants: aerosols, gases, nitrites, and solvents as well as different diagnostic configurations of inhalant-related criteria. Participants were 162 community sample adolescents or young adults (mean age=20.3 years, S.D.=2.4). Two-thirds of the sample was male and 83.3% was Caucasian. Kappas and intraclass correlation coefficients were computed to estimate test-retest reliabilities. Results suggested (a) abuse was more common than dependence (34.6% versus 12.3%), (b) reliabilities of abuse criteria and diagnosis were good to excellent across subtypes, and (c) reliabilities of dependence criteria and diagnoses were poor to good across subtypes. Alternative configurations of DSM-IV criteria that were consistent with previous research on adolescents provided excellent reliabilities across subtypes of inhalants. Moreover, 11.1% of participants experienced inhalants withdrawal.
Synthesis and Characterization of Gold Clusters Ligated with 1,3‐Bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)propane

In this multidisciplinary study the chemical reduction synthesis of novel gold clusters in solution was combined with high-resolution analytical mass spectrometry (MS) to gain insight into the composition of the gold clusters and how their size, ionic charge state, and ligand substitution influences their gas-phase fragmentation pathways. Ultrasmall cationic gold clusters ligated with 1,3-bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)propane (dcpp) were synthesized for the first time and introduced into the gas phase using electrospray ionization (ESI). Mass-selected cluster ions were fragmented by employing collision-induced dissociation (CID) and the product ions were analyzed using MS. The solutions were found to contain the multiply charged cationic gold clusters Au9 L4 3+ , Au13 L5 3+ , Au6 L3 2+ , Au8 L3 2+ , and Au10 L4 2+ (L=dcpp). The gas-phase fragmentation pathways of these cluster ions were examined systematically by employing CID combined with MS. In addition, CID experiments were performed on related gold clusters of the same size and ionic charge state but capped with 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) ligands containing phenyl functional groups at the two phosphine centers instead of cyclohexane rings. It is shown that this relatively small change in the molecular substitution of the two phosphine centers in diphosphine ligands (C6 H11 versus C6 H5 ) exerts a pronounced influence on the size of the species that are preferentially formed in solution during reduction synthesis as well as the gas-phase fragmentation channels of otherwise identical gold cluster ions. The mass spectrometry results indicate that in addition to the length of the alkyl chain between the two phosphine centers, the substituents at the phosphine centers also play a crucial role in determining the composition, size, and stability of diphosphine-ligated gold clusters synthesized in solution.
RENOMEDULLARY VASODEPRESSOR SUBSTANCE, MEDULLIN: ISOLATION, CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES.

The chemical and physiological properties of renomedullary depressor substances were investigated utilizing the normotensive, vagotomized, pentolinium-treated rat for assay. By a combination of solvent extraction, column chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography, three biologically active acidic lipids were isolated from rabbit renal medulla. The first compound, called medullin, is an acidic lipid with potent vasodepressor and relatively weak nonvascular smooth muscle-stimulating properties. Ultraviolet analysis revealed spectra closely resembling that of prostaglandin E-1 (PGE-1). Infrared analysis showed the presence of carbonyl, methylene, and hydroxyl groups in addition to trans ethylene bonds. Although closely resembling PGE-1, medullin appears to be a more unsaturated carboxylic lipid with less polar (hydroxyl) groups. The hypotensive action of medullin is attributable to a direct effect on peripheral arteriolar beds without cardiac depression, because intra-arterial and intravenous injections of medullin reduced peripheral resistance markedly and increased cardiac output simultaneously. In addition, no effect on cardiac rate or contractility was observed in the isolated rabbit heart preparation. Comparative studies of medullin and PGE-1 indicated that the hypotensive activity of these compounds is similar with respect to potency and mechanism of action. The only biological difference between crystalline PGE-1 and medullin was a fiftyfold greater stimulation of nonvascular smooth muscle by PGE-1 in comparison to medullin. A second biologically active acidic lipid isolated from rabbit medulla was tentatively identified as PGE-1, and was found to possess both vasodepressor and nonvascular smooth muscle-stimulating properties. The third isolate from rabbit medulla possessed potent intestinal stimulating activity but weak to absent vasodepressor effects, properties similar to those of prostaglandin F compounds.
Utility of Multiple-Stool-Specimen Ova and Parasite Examinations in a High-Prevalence Setting

A retrospective analysis of the results of 2,704 ova and parasite (O & P) examinations performed on stool specimens collected from 1,374 patients between October 1996 and September 1997 was performed to evaluate the utility of performing O & P examinations on multiple, independently collected stool specimens in a high-prevalence setting. A total of 995 specimens (36.8%) examined during the study contained parasites; 546 (20.2%) contained pathogenic organisms. The positivity rate (54.5%) for the patients from whom three specimens were examined was significantly higher than for the patients from whom either two specimens (33.3%) or a single specimen (19.8%) was submitted for examination. For the group of patients from whom at least 3 specimens were submitted for O & P examination, 373 independent opportunities for diagnosing infection with intestinal parasites could be analyzed. The first stool specimen collected proved to be adequate in only 75.9% (283 of 373) of evaluated cases; however, examination of two specimens increased the sensitivity of O & P detection to 92% (343 of 373). The third specimen collected provided additional information on only 30 of 373 occasions (8%). These data indicate that in populations with a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, two independently collected stool specimens should be subjected to O & P examination to ensure adequate diagnostic sensitivity.
New assignment-based data association for tracking move-stop-move targets

In this paper we present a new assignment-based algorithm for data association in tracking ground targets employing evasive move-stop-move maneuvers using moving target indicator (MTI) reports obtained from an airborne sensor. To avoid detection by the MTI sensor, the targets deliberately stop for some time before moving again. The sensor does not detect a target when the latter's radial velocity (along the line-of-sight from the sensor) falls below a certain minimum detectable velocity (MDV). Even in the absence of move-stop-move maneuvers, the detection has a less-than-unity probability (P/sub D/ < 1) due to obscuration and thresholding. Then, it is of interest, when a target is not detected, to develop a systematic technique that can distinguish between lack of detection due to P/sub D/ < 1 and lack of detection due to a stop (or a near stop). In this paper, we develop a novel "two-dummy" assignment approach for move-stop-move targets that consider the problem in data association as well as in filtering. Typically, in assignment-based data association a "dummy" measurement is used to denote the nondetection event. The use of the standard single-dummy assignment, which does not handle move-stop-move motion explicitly, can result in broken tracks. The new algorithm proposed in this paper handles the evasive move-stop-move motion by introducing a second dummy measurement to represent non-detection due to the MDV. Using this two-dummy data association algorithm, the track corresponding to a move-stop-move target is kept "alive" even during missed detections due to MDV.
Influence of In-Plane Modes of a Rotor to Brake Noise

In the effort of improving brake noise, recent studies showed increasing encounters with in-plane modes of a rotor for a root cause of a brake noise. Although studies about in-plane modes of a rotor or a disc have been done a lot, a study about the influence of in-plane modes to brake noise has rarely been done. This paper explored the relationship between unstable eigenvalues and rotor mode shapes, focusing on explaining why unstable eigenvalue excited by in-plane modes behaved differently from one caused by out-of-plane modes. Complex eigenvalue analysis was used to assess the instability of a brake corner. This paper showed the way of analytically calculating the sensitivities of unstable eigenvalues about out-of-plane and inplane modes of a rotor. By using the results of sensitivity analysis, it was first discovered that one of the rotor in-plane doublet modes has the opposite sign to the other in the real parts of the sensitivity, and this precludes eliminating the unstable eigenvalues, which are dominated by rotor in-plane modes. However, it was also found that the corresponding unstable eigenvalues could be eliminated if we could separate the frequencies of these modes. Frequency separation of in-plane doublet modes due to disk rotation was examined.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Detecting Patterns for Assisted Living Using Sensor Networks: A Case Study

In this paper we demonstrate the application of a probabilistic grammar-based formulation to detect complex activities from simple sensor measurements. In particular, we present a grammar hierarchy for identifying "cooking activity" from low-level location measurements in an assisted living application. Using real data from a pilot network deployment, we show that our system can recognize complex behaviors in a manner that is invariant across multiple different instances of the same activity. Our experiments also demonstrate that substantial data interpretation can take place at the node level, allowing the network to operate on compact symbolic representations.
Phase 2 study of dasatinib in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are scarce. This phase 2 study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of dasatinib in this setting. METHODS: Patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC after platinum-based therapy were treated with dasatinib either orally or via percutaneous feeding gastrostomy (PFG). Primary endpoints were 12-week progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate with a 2-stage design and early withdrawal if the 12-week PFS rate was ≤20% and no patients had an objective response (OR). Forty-nine serum cytokines and angiogenic factors (CAFs) were analyzed from treated patients. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients enrolled, 12 were evaluable for response, and all patients were evaluable for toxicity. No OR was observed and 2 patients (16.7%) had stable disease (SD) at 8 weeks. The median treatment duration was 59 days, the median time to disease progression was 3.9 weeks, and the median survival was 26 weeks. One patient required a dose reduction, 3 patients required dose interruptions, and 4 patients were hospitalized for toxicity. Dasatinib inhibited c-Src both when administered orally and via PFG. Greater mean drug exposure, decreased half-life, and greater maximum concentration were observed in patients receiving dasatinib via PFG. Eleven baseline CAFs were associated with treatment outcome and 1 CAF, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, was found to be differentially modulated in correlation with SD versus disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Single-agent dasatinib failed to demonstrate significant activity in patients with advanced HNSCC, despite c-Src inhibition. The toxicity profile was consistent with that reported in other solid tumors, and the drug can be given via PFG tube. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Thunderclap headache with diplopia and anorexia.

The differential diagnosis for thunderclap headache is expanding. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, venous sinus thrombosis,1 artery dissection, CSF leak, and pituitary apoplexy have been associated with thunderclap headache. A 65-year-old …
TWISTED GROUP ALGEBRAS SATISFYING A GENERALIZED POLYNOMIAL IDENTITY

If Kt [G] is a twisted group algebra satisfying a nondegenerate multilinear generalized polynomial identity f(ζ1,ζ2,…, ζ n ) = 0, then we show that G has certain normal subgroups of finite index which can be viewed as being almost central. For example, there exists H ◃ G with |G:H| · |H′| bounded by a fixed function of the support sizes of the nonzero Kt [G]-terms involved in f. Indeed, we obtain a more precise version of this result, with the structure of H depending upon the specific twisting in the group algebra. We then go on to determine necessary and sufficient conditions for Kt [G] to satisfy such an identity.
Effects of Inbreeding and Genetic Variation on Forage Quality Traits and Dry Matter Yield in Dactylis glomerata L. Subspecies

Cultivated 4× clones, 2× germplasm and their respective S; progeny were utilized in this study. Dry matter yield and forage quality data (in vitro dry matter disappearance, cell wall constituents, total nitrogen) were obtained on composited vegetative plant material harvested during four successive 4-week growth periods in the greenhouse. There was no detectable average inbreeding effect for any of the traits. The group mean of the diploids was significantly lower for in vitro dry matter disappearance than the tetraploid group mean. However, two out of six diploid 51 families exceeded the highest tetraploid family for this trait. The diploids had significantly higher cell wall constituents than tetraploids except for acid detergent lignin. There was more variation for any trait at the diploid level than at the tetraploid level among S1 families as well as within families. Dry matter yield and total nitrogen were significantly correlated in diploids and in tetraploids. However, little variation was detected lot total nitrogen at either ploidy level. The results suggest that selection for improved quality in progeny from interploidy crosses may be more efficient by first selecting at the diploid level followed by scaling to the tetraploid level, rather than selection at the tetraploid level after hybridization.