cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultra-fast detection of salient contours through horizontal connections in the primary visual cortex

Salient features instantly attract visual attention to their location and are crucial for object recognition. Experiments in ultra-fast visual perception have shown that object recognition can be surprisingly accurate given only ~20 ms of observation. Such short times exclude neural dynamics of top-down feedback and require fast mechanisms of low-level feature detection. We derive a neural model of the primary visual cortex with physiologically parameterized horizontal connections that reinforce salient features, and apply it to detect salient contours on ultra-fast time scales. Model performance qualitatively matches experimental results for human perception of contours, suggesting rapid neural mechanisms involving feedforward horizontal connections can be used to distinguish low-level objects.
ADAMTSL-3/punctin-2, a novel glycoprotein in extracellular matrix related to the ADAMTS family of metalloproteases.

Abstract The complete primary structure of ADAMTSL-3/punctin-2, a novel member of the family designated ADAMTSL (a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease domain with thrombospondin type I motifs-like), was determined by cDNA cloning from a human placenta library. The predicted open reading frame encodes a protein of 1690 amino acids that has considerable similarity to ADAMTSL-1/punctin-1. These multi-domain proteins lack both a protease domain and a disintegrin-like domain but are remarkably similar in their domain organization to the ADAMTS proteases, hence the name ADAMTS-like. Punctin-2 contains thrombospondin type 1 repeats (TSRs), a cysteine-rich domain and a cysteine-free spacer domain in the precise order in which they occur in the ADAMTS proteases. However, the number and organization of the TSRs in punctin-2 is unique with respect to the ADAMTS proteases. Punctin-2 contains 13 TSRs arranged in two arrays separated by a region containing three immunoglobulin-like repeats. Northern blot analysis of RNA from human adult tissues demonstrated that ADAMTSL3 is widely expressed, with highest expression in liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle, whereas it is expressed at low levels in mouse embryos. We characterized two punctin-2 polyclonal antisera. Using these and a monoclonal antibody to a C-terminal myc tag, we show that in transfected COS-7 cells, punctin-2 is expressed as a 210-kDa glycoprotein that is located in the extracellular matrix. The domain structure of punctin-2 and its matrix localization suggest that it might play a role in cell–matrix interactions or in assembly of specific extracellular matrices.
Linear network coding capacity for broadcast erasure channels with feedback, receiver coordination, and arbitrary security requirement

This work considers a commonly encountered wireless transmission scenario. The base station s would like to send two independent packet streams to clients d1 and d2, respectively. For each time slot, only one of the three nodes {s, d1, d2} can transmit a packet and the packet will be heard by a random subset of the other two nodes. We are interested in the corresponding capacity region (R1*, R2*). Such a setting can also be viewed as allowing receiver coordination for the s-to-{d1, d2} broadcast erasure channel with a critical feature that any coordination/transmission between d1 and d2 also takes away the precious time resources from s. With the exclusive focus on linear network coding (LNC) with causal packet acknowledgement feedback, this work characterizes the exact LNC capacity region with arbitrary security requirement, i.e, the system designer can decide for each di, respectively, whether the corresponding (s, di)-flow needs to be secure or not. The results show that for any channel parameters and any security requirement, the LNC capacity can always be achieved either by the XOR-in-the-air LNC scheme, or by random LNC, or by time-sharing between the two.
The Efficiency of Sticky Traps in Sampling Epidemic Populations of the Eriophyid Mite Aceria Tulipae (K.), Vector of Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus

In 7 out of 11 paired comparisons, 1 × 3 inch grease-coated slides were more efficient on a unit-area basis than 3 × 4 inch slides, and in 5 of these instances the smaller slides caught as many mites as did the larger ones. Trapping efficiency was not increased by mounting a funnel in front of the trapping surface. Statistical analysis showed that mite populations in volunteer wheat could be measured satisfactorily by the trapping method, and where a population was uniform a good estimate of it was provided by a single trap. The mean number of mites per day from 7 traps on margins of winter wheat fields was significantly greater than that of 13 traps in fields at some distance from the source of infestation in volunteer wheat; means of the individual trap collections did not differ significantly. The mean numbers of mites per day for 23 days from 8 traps in volunteer wheat were significantly correlated with those from 13 traps in winter wheat fields and field margins. This correlation should exist if the trapping method is efficient in measuring daily fluctuations in numbers of air-borne mites.
Correlation of VHI-10 to Voice Laboratory Measurements Across Five Common Voice Disorders

Abstract Objective To correlate change in Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10 scores with corresponding voice laboratory measures across five voice disorders. Study Design Retrospective study. Methods One hundred fifty patients aged >18 years with primary diagnosis of vocal fold lesions, primary muscle tension dysphonia-1, atrophy, unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP), and scar. For each group, participants with the largest change in VHI-10 between two periods ( T A and T B ) were selected. The dates of the VHI-10 values were linked to corresponding acoustic/aerodynamic and audio-perceptual measures. Change in voice laboratory values were analyzed for correlation with each other and with VHI-10. Results VHI-10 scores were greater for patients with UVFP than other disorders. The only disorder-specific correlation between voice laboratory measure and VHI-10 was average phonatory airflow in speech for patients with UVFP. Average airflow in repeated phonemes was strongly correlated with average airflow in speech ( r = 0.75). Acoustic measures did not significantly change between time points. Conclusions The lack of correlations between the VHI-10 change scores and voice laboratory measures may be due to differing constructs of each measure; namely, handicap versus physiological function. Presuming corroboration between these measures may be faulty. Average airflow in speech may be the most ecologically valid measure for patients with UVFP. Although aerodynamic measures changed between the time points, acoustic measures did not. Correlations to VHI-10 and change between time points may be found with other acoustic measures.
Personalized Attention @ Scale: Talk Isn't Cheap, But It's Effective

Fostering an effective learning environment in large classes is a challenge: instructors and teaching assistants are stretched thin across many students, students often lack opportunities for personal interaction with course staff, and the size of the classes makes them seem impersonal. Furthermore, students in large classes can often find solutions to their labs and assignments online or copy them from other students, diminishing their impetus to learn and raising plagiarism concerns.This paper describes our experience and evaluation of an assessment method that resolves many of these problems and appears to scale to large classes of 600+ students. Using this method, students are evaluated via a combination of automatic grading mechanisms (or clear objective rubrics) and a 1-on-1 "grading interview". The grading interview serves to ensure the provenance of the student's work product and their depth of understanding. This change allows us to make more effective use of peer-instruction and pair-programming in our courses. It also provides the ability to re-use assignments, the insurance of timely feedback to students, and the opportunity for individualized staff attention.This paper describes variations on this method across numerous classes over the past seven years, some of the goals of this method, modifications and adaptations of the method over time, and the student experience of using this method based on survey feedback.
Online Discussion and Learning Outcomes

This paper describes how we used Facebook as a discussion tool in the instruction of a principles level economics course and reports empirical estimates of the affect of that use on learning outcomes. Social media as a tool for promoting classroom discussion has advantages and disadvantages. For example, its omnipresence and flat learning curve can promote academic discourse. However social media can promote nonacademic “chatting”, and its omnipresence means the user needs more than a passing knowledge of the privacy settings to have control of their “digital identity”. For a Principles of Microeconomics taught in 2011 we collected data, with permission from our institution’s Institutional Review Board, on student use of Facebook, academic and demographic characteristics, learning style preferences and learning outcomes. Our research hypothesis is that an empirical analysis will find a positive correlation between student in-class use of Facebook and learning outcomes. Among our findings are that students should receive more coaching on the use of privacy settings, and qualified evidence that there is a positive net effect on learning outcomes of using Facebook as a discussion tool.
An Evaluation of the Navigability of Web-based Mapping Applications

The purposes of this study are to evaluate the navigability of three web-based mapping applications and to suggest how to improve the navigability of all web-based mapping applications. With these purposes. this study conducted a web-based survey congruent with a think aloud and systematic observation for individual participants, followed up by a focus group with all participants. Based on the findings, recommendations are proposed for web-based mapping applications that include a standard click and drag panning function in mapping application, a scaled zooming option, increased text for icons and buttons, and other potential changes to computer hardware for icons and navigability in these applications. By improving the navigability of web-based mapping applications, the learning time may be reduced for each application and the speed at which users’ geographic information needs are met will be quicker.
Statistically based quarterly earnings expectation models for nonseasonal firms

We present empirical evidence on the relative predictive power of statistically based quarterly earnings expectation models for firms that are characterized as nonseasonal in nature. We are particularly interested in nonseasonal firms for two reasons. First, it appears that a sizable and growing percentage of firms exhibit quarterly earnings patterns that are clearly nonseasonal in nature. We present new evidence that is consistent with this trend. Specifically, 36% of our sample firms (n = 296) are nonseasonal compared to 12% reported in Lorek and Bathke (J Acc Res 22:369–379, 1984) (n = 29); 17% in Brown and Han (J Acc Res 38:149–164, 2000) (n = 155); and 28.2% in Bathke et al. (J Business Inquiry 5:39–49, 2006) (n = 167). Second, we also find that 43.6% of the nonseasonal firms in our sample have no analyst coverage. Therefore, interest in the predictive ability of statistically based models for such firms is greatly enhanced. Our predictive findings indicate that the random walk model provides significantly more accurate pooled, one-step ahead quarterly earnings predictions across 40 quarters in the 1994–2003 holdout period than the first-order autoregressive model popularized in the literature. We attribute the superior performance of the random walk model to at least three contributing factors: (1) its parsimonious nature; (2) the reduced levels of autocorrelation observed in our quarterly earnings data relative to previous work; and (3) a significantly greater frequency of loss quarters evidenced by nonseasonal versus seasonal firms.
780 nm Oxide-Confined VCSEL With 13.5 Gb/s Error-Free Data Transmission

A 780 nm emission wavelength (far-red) oxide-confined vertical cavity surface-emitting laser with a threshold current of 0.6 mA at 20 °C is demonstrated. The device shows an 11.2 GHz modulation bandwidth when biased at I=8 mA (I/ITH=13.3), and it achieves the error-free data transmission at 13.5 Gb/s.
Precipitation of inulins and oligoglucoses by ethanol and other solvents

Abstract We investigated the ethanol precipitation step of the gravimetric method of dietary fiber analysis (AOAC Official Method 985.29). Four different solvents: ethanol, propanol, acetone and acetonitrile at four ratios: 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 (solvent : supernatant, v/v) were studied. Using inulins that contain components with a full range of degree of polymerization values (DP), we found that the percents of precipitation by these solvents were proportional to the average DP of the products. Use of ethanol and propanol produced similar results. In general, acetonitrile and acetone precipitated more of the inulins than did ethanol. Supernatant solutions were analyzed by high performance anion exchange chromatography in order to determine the size of the components that were precipitated. Our data showed that components of inulin with DP 1–10 remain in solution after the addition of ethanol at a ratio of 4:1. However, significant amounts of molecules of DP 11 and 12 and smaller amounts of molecules of DP 14–18 also remain in solution. The precipitation patterns of oligoglucoses with DP 1–DP 7 were also investigated. Our data suggest that the precipitation behavior of oligoglucoses follows a pattern similar to that of inulins.
Life Satisfaction Among Korean Children and Youth: A Developmental Perspective

A cross-sectional study of developmental differences and similarities in the levels and correlates of life satisfaction was conducted with 716 South Korean students in elementary, middle and high school. With age, global and domain-specific life satisfaction (with family, school, living environment and self) decreased; satisfaction with friends did not change with age. The family domain was an important predictor of global life satisfaction of Korean students of all ages. The importance of the self domain to global life satisfaction increased substantially with age to emerge as the most important contributor for global life satisfaction among high school students. School satisfaction was consistently important for Korean students’ global life satisfaction across all ages, although its relative importance decreased with age. These findings were discussed with respect to the development of concerns and interests among children and adolescents and in terms of Korean cultural values based on Confucianism.
Ignoring type 1 interferons

Comment on Gil et al, page [987][1] Modulation of STAT1 levels in virus-specific CD8 T cells allows rapid clonal expansion in the presence of type I interferons. In response to an acute viral infection, naive CD8 T cells triggered by antigen undergo a massive expansion that peaks approximately one
A MODEL FOR THE LAYERED UPPER MANTLE

Abstract Numerical modeling of mantle convection by Liu (1994, Science, 264: 1904–1907) favors a two-layer convection, if the results are reinterpreted for the correct phase relations in (Mg,Fe)2SiO4. The resulting chemical isolation of the upper and lower mantle suggests a highly differentiated and layered upper mantle to account for the discrepancy between the observed compositions of mantle xenoliths and the cosmic abundances of elements. It is shown that a layered upper mantle with a hidden reservoir can have a structure consistent with the observed seismic velocity profiles and an average bulk composition corresponding to the cosmic abundances. The evolution of the upper mantle and the origin of komatiites are discussed in the context of the proposed model.
For a grounded conception of wilderness and more wilderness on the ground

Recently a number of influential academic environmentalists have spoken out against wilderness, most prominently William Cronon and J. Baird Callicott. This is odd, given that these writers seem to support two cornerstone positions of environmentalism as it has developed over the past twenty years: first, the view articulated within environmental ethics that wild, nonhuman nature, or at least some parts of it, has intrinsic or inherent value; second, the understanding developed within conservation biology that we have entered a period of massive anthropogenic biodiversity loss and that landscape-level habitat preservation is essential for combating this. I argue here that Cronon and Callicott are wrong. In fact, an ethics of respect for nonhuman nature and an informed, scientific understanding of what is necessary to preserve it do strongly support increased wilderness preservation.
Spiritual and emotional determinants of health

Within our present health care system, there is a growing movement that argues that our perceptions of health and illness are in need of change. This change includes redefining what we mean by health in terms of the whole person—the emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of our being, as well as the physical. An increasing number of health professionals and social scientists believe our concepts of health and illness must consider all these aspects of life. It is believed that the quality of life may be enhanced by such perceptions of health, which include social and spiritual factors. Using data from the 1985 Akron Area Survey—The Subjective Quality of Life in the Akron Area—this study explores the effects of spiritual well-being and emotional well-being on health satisfaction. Results indicate that emotional and spiritual factors do significantly contribute to the subjective evaluation of health, especially for individuals who are physically limited.
The organization of the pulvinar in the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). I. Cytoarchitecture and connections

The posterior neocortex in the grey squirrel, Sciurus carolinensis, includes an extensive region which receives projections from the pulvinar. Previous studies have demonstrated that this cortical region can be subdivided on the basis of differences in cytoarchitecture and electrophysiologically defined representations of the visual field. The main purpose of the present paper was to determine whether these cortical subdivisions could be related to corresponding subdivisions in the pulvinar. The methods used to trace connections included anterograde degeneration, anterograde axonal transport of tritiated amino acids and the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. The results indicate that the pulvinar in this species contains at least three main subdivisions which can be distinguished by their cytoarchitecture and their patterns of connections. A caudal subdivision contains large, evenly-spaced neurons and receives bilateral input from the superficial, retinal-recipient layers of the superior colliculus. This caudal subdivision has reciprocal interconnections with a cytoarchitectonically distinct area in the temporal cortex. A rostro-lateral subdivision contains smaller, more lightly stained neurons which tend to form clusters. This subdivision receives only ipsilateral tectal input and projects to occipital area 18. This subdivision does not receive input from areas 17, 18, and 19, or from the temporal cortex. Finally, a rostro-medial subdivision is cytoarchitectonically similar to the rostro-lateral subdivision but receives little, if any, input from the superior colliculus. This rostro-medial area does, however, receive corticofugal projections from occipital areas 17, 18, and 19, and projects to area 19. These patterns of connections suggest that each of these subdivisions has close associations with the visual system. The question of whether similar subdivision are present in the visual thalamus of other species is discussed.
Economic recession and headache-related hospital admissions.

Abstract Incidence of headaches across different regions and its relationship to unemployment rates in the United States before and during an economic recession was evaluated. Years 2008 and 2009 were determined as recessionary period. Headache-related admissions, particularly the uncomplicated headaches, increased significantly during recession. Proportion of women with headaches has increased and the age group of 25–54 years was the most affected during the recession. The hospital charges have increased even though the average length and charge of stay decreased. These findings are consistent with our understanding of effects of stress and unemployment on psychological and physical health.
Pituitary lactogenic in lactating rats.

The role of the lactogenic hormone in maintaining lactation in the rat has been studied by comparing milk secretion with the change in concentration of pituitary lactogenic hormone resulting from nursing on each of clays 2, 6, 10, 14 and 21 postpartum. Milk yield per timed nursing, litter body weight and intensity of milk secretion were found to increase throughout lactation, though a slight lag in all occurred on day 14. Maternal body weights were rather uniform but maternal pituitary weight per 100 g. decreased steadily from beginning to end of lactation. Pituitary lactogenic hormone levels of lactating rats, which were isolated from their young for 10 hours to standardize the influence of nursing stimuli (prenursing level), and of rats allowed to nurse 30 minutes after isolation (postnursing level) was determined by the common pigeon micro-method of assay. The prenursing level of lactogenic hormone increased from the 2nd to the 6th day postpartum, then declined toward the end of lactation. The fall in ...
Image analysis measurements and repeatability estimates of siliqua morphological traits in Brassica campestris L

The repeatabilities of six traits; peduncle, pod, beak, and total siliqua length, seed number/siliqua and seed mass/siliqua were estimated for the random-mating CrGC-1 Brassica campestris L. population. All length measurements were made using a fast digital image analysis technique. Beak, pod, and total siliqua length showed the highest repeatabilities of all six traits (0.73, 0.63, and 0.63, respectively). Both pod and total siliqua length were highly correlated with both seed number and seed mass/siliqua. These results suggest that these siliqua-related morphological traits could be used as indirect indices of selection in breeding for improved seed yields in Brassica campestris L.
Rat homolog of mouse interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein: cloning, localization and modulation studies.

Abstract A protein which facilitates the binding between interleukin-1 (IL-1) and the type I IL-1 receptor (designated as interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein, IL-1RAcP) has recently been cloned in mouse cells. In the present study, a rat homolog of the mouse IL-1RAcP was isolated from a rat superior cervical ganglion library. The deduced 570 amino acid sequences between rat and mouse IL-1RAcP have > 95% sequence identity to each other with similar predicted signal peptide sequence (20 amino acids), extracellular domain (339 amino acids), a single transmembrane domain (24 amino acids) and a long intracellular domain (187 amino acids). The rat IL-1RAcP has ~ 25% sequence identity to the rat type I IL-1 receptor and a predicted extracellular domain with three immunoglobulin-like loops. RNase protection assays demonstrated that rat IL-1RAcP is expressed in both brain and peripheral tissues with the highest densities present in liver and brain areas such as hypothalamus, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum; significantly lower densities were present in lung and in immune tissues such as thymus and spleen. The presence of IL-1RAcP in brain was confirmed by in situ hybridization histochemical studies with a discrete localization present in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. The IL-1RAcP was down-regulated in parallel with the type I IL-1 receptor in the liver following endotoxin treatment in rats. These data demonstrating the presence and modulation of a rat homolog of a mouse IL-1RAcP, which is highly expressed in brain and peripheral tissues containing type I rat IL-1 receptor, further suggest the importance of the interaction between the two proteins in rat in modulating the actions of IL-1. On the other hand, the presence of the IL-1RAcP in brain areas which show an absence of type I IL-1 receptors suggests additional functions for this protein in the rat.
Panel on the concept of extensibility

This panel was composed of Cheatham, Christensen, McIlroy, and Nicholls. It came at the end of the day, and the discussion sometimes became rather specialized. Remarks of general interest follow.
Maximizing power harvest in a distributed photovoltaic system

In a conventional grid-tied distributed photovoltaic (PV) system, individual power optimizers are used for modules connected in series to maximize energy harvest from each module. However each power optimizer lacks information on the string voltage and thus an inverter is designed to control the string voltage. This scheme is not guaranteed to have the maximum energy harvest in a PV system since the efficiency of an inverter is dependent not only on the string voltage but also on the string current. To improve the overall system efficiency, this paper presents a dual power optimization scheme for grid-tied distributed PV systems. It uses a power optimizer with feedback from the output of an inverter which controls the string voltage dynamically. We compare the proposed conversion system with the conventional distributed system in view of efficiency using simulation of commercial products.
Behavior of sulfur at high pressures and low temperatures

A new type of high-pressure apparatus for low-temperature experiments was built, which allows loading and measuring the load in situ at low temperature (1.5 K). It uses the diamond anvil in the flat-indentor configuration. It was used to investigate the high-conductivity state of sulfur at low temperatures. For pressures in the 50-GPa range, sulfur is still a semiconductor or at best a two phase semiconductor-metal system. As the temperature is lowered at 50 GPa, the resistance drops slightly, reaches a minimum around 230 deg K, and then increases dramatically.
Nomenclatural Notes on American Thymelaeaceae

The nomenclatural status of all published plant names applicable to American Thymelaeaceae at the rank of genus and below is evaluated. Thirty-two of the 256 published names at specific and infraspecific ranks require effective typifications. Lectotypes are designated for 29 names: Daphne lagetto Sw., D. macrophylla Kunth, D. occidentalis Sw., D. pillopillo Gay, Daphnopsis bogotensis Meisn., D. brasiliensis Mart., D. caracasana Meisn., D. caribaea Griseb. var. ecuadorensis Domke, D. coriacea Taub., D. decidua Domke, D. ekmanii Domke, D. ericiflora Gilg & Markgr., D. longifolia Taub., D. longipedunculata Gilg ex Domke, D. longiracemosa Gilg ex Domke, D. martii Meisn., D. purpusii Brandegee var. ehrenbergii Domke, D. racemosa Griseb., D. sessiliflora Griseb. ex Taub., D. zamorensis Domke, Goodallia guianensis Benth., G. guianensis var. parvifolia Benth., Lagetta funifera Mart. & Zucc. (epitype also designated), Linostoma albifolium Barb. Rodr., Lophostoma bolleanum Domke, Schoenobiblus coriaceus Domke, S. daphnoides Mart., S. ellipticus Pilg., and S. peruvianus Standl. Neotypes are designated for three names: Daphnopsis crassifolia (Poir.) Meisn. var. eggersii Krug & Urb., D. pseudosalix Domke, and D. selerorum Gilg.
Multiscale Modeling of Cortical Bone

Bone is an important multifunctional biological tissue with remarkable mechanical properties: high strength and stiffness, high fracture toughness, and light weight. These superior properties are due, in part, to the hierarchical structure of bone ranging from molecular to macroscopic levels, Fig. 1. Nevertheless, it is not clearly understood how the microstructure and mechanical properties of various hierarchies at different length scales affect the overall behavior of bone. Such understanding is essential in orthopedics for designing implant materials and fabricating synthetic bone substitutes and also for assessing the effect of bone diseases and their medications on bone’s properties. It can, moreover, serve as a guide in design of advanced synthetic bio-inspired materials for a wide range of engineering applications.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Precipitation measurements on wind‐swept slopes

Precipitation catch for three calendar years is compared for four types of gage installation on a wind-swept south-facing slope with a 22° gradient at elevation 5500 ft. The 1950 precipitation catch by (1) weighing-recording gage with the orifice and an Alter type wind shield sloped parallel to the ground surface, (2) unshielded non-recording gage with orifice sloped parallel to the ground surface, (3) weighing-recording gage with horizontal orifice and Alter type wind shield, and (4) unshielded U.S. Weather Bureau standard gage with funnel removed was (1) 62.90, (2) 53.34, (3) 39.82 and (4) 27.64 inches, respectively. In 1951 the respective catches were (1) 61.38, (2) 52.94, (3) 35.91 and (4) 25.67 inches; and in 1952 they were (1) 39.62, (2) 35.01, (3) 27.09, and (4) 15.91 inches. Indications are that gage (1) probably did not overestimate precipitation amounts and that there is a relationship between wind velocity and magnitude of differences in catch between gages.
S01.3 Making Anal Sex Safe: Current Status of Products For Rectal Use

There are no products available that make anal sex completely safe from the point of view of HIV acquisition, and the likelihood of this happening in the future is slim. However, in terms of risk reduction, there are practical interventions to implement, the possibility of new concepts to explore, and the promise in the future of an effective rectal microbicide. The individual risks of anal intercourse (apart from those posed by the insertive partner) are multifactorial and may be broadly broken down to three main areas: trauma, co-infection, and products that may all facilitate inflammation and so increase HIV acquisition risk. Trauma: The anal canal is a high pressure environment due to the combined effects of both internal and external anal sphincters and requires preparation prior to anal intercourse that may be usefully discussed in directed sex education to reduce traumatic injury. Co-infection: Human papillomavirus is an almost ubiquitous infection in sexually active adults and is an independent risk factor for HIV acquisition by both vaginal and anal intercourse. The vaccination of both boys and girls prior to sexual debut may have the potential to reduce HIV acquisition risk. Products: These may potentially harm and also protect. Many unregulated off the shelf sexual lubricant products have high osmolality and may contain Nononxynol 9 that can both injure and induce inflammation in rectal epithelium and so provide an environment conducive to HIV infection. However, the gel formulation of tenofovir has shown efficacy in reducing both HIV and herpes simplex virus acquisition (a cofactor for HIV infection) following vaginal application. The reduced glycerin rectal formulation of this product has been shown to be safe in a short Phase 1 study and is currently entering an extended safety Phase 2 study. These elements will be explored during this presentation.
Graded krull domains

In this paper we study Krull domains graded by an arbitrary torsionless grading monoid г. We generalize many of the well-known results for Krull domains graded by the integers. If г⊂(-г)=0, then there is an injection C1(A0)→C1(A), which need not be a homorphism. We show that C1(A) is generated by the classes of the homogeneous height-one prime ideals of A. Probably the most natural г-graded domain is A[г]. Let A be a Krull domain with quotient field K. If A[г] is a Krull domain, then C1(A[г])=C1(A)⊕C1(K[г]) and C1(K[г]) is independent of K. If г is finitely generated, we give necessary and sufficient conditions or г for A[г] to be a Krull domain. In this case A[г] is just a subring of some generated by monomials. We also study graded domains in which all nonzero homogeneous elements are units. Such graded domains are very close to being group rings over a field.
Probabilistic analysis of a bin covering algorithm

In the bin covering problem we are asked to pack a list X(n) = (x"1, x"2, ... , x"n) of n items, each with size no larger than one, into the maximum number of bins such that the sum of the sizes of the items in each bin is at least one. In this article we analyze the asymptotic average-case behavior of the Iterated-Lowest-Fit-Decreasing (ILFD) algorithm proposed by Assmann et al. Let OPT(X(n)) denote the maximum number of bins that can be covered by X(n) and let ILFD(X(n)) denote the number of bins covered by the ILFD algorithm. Assuming that X(n) is a random sample from an arbitrary probability measure @m over [0, 1], we show the existence of a constant d(@m) and a constructible sequence {@X(n) @e [0,1]^n: n >= 1} such that and |(ILFD(@X(n))n) - d(@m)|@? 1n and lim"n"->"~ (ILFD(X(n))n) = d(@m), almost surely. Since (ILFD(X(n))n) always lies in [0,1], it follows that lim"n"->"~ (E[ILFD(X(n))]n) = d(@m) as well. We also show that the expected values of the ratio r"I"L"F"D(X(n)) = OPT(X(n))ILFD(X(n)), over all possible probability measures for X(n), lie in [1, 43], the same range as the deterministic case.
Unsupervised content-based indexing for sports video retrieval

This demonstration presents an interface to a corpus of broadcast baseball games that have been indexed using an unsupervised content-based method introduced here. The method uses the concept of a grounded language model to motivate a framework in which video is searched using natural language with no reliance on predetermined concepts or hand labeled events. The interface demonstrates the effectiveness of the technique and the ease of use it affords the user.
Structure/activity study of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine-derived translocases for phosphatidylcholine

Sulfonamide and amide derivatives of tris(aminoethyl)amine (TREN) are known to facilitate phospholipid translocation across vesicle and erythrocyte membranes; that is, they act as synthetic translocases. In this report, a number of new TREN-based translocases are evaluated for their abilities to bind phosphatidylcholine and translocate a fluorescent phosphatidylcholine probe. Association constants were determined from (1)H NMR titration experiments, and translocation half-lives were determined via 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD)/dithionite quenching assays. A rough correlation exists between translocase/phosphatidylcholine association constants and translocation half-lives. The tris-sulfonamide translocases are superior to the tris-amide versions because they associate more strongly with the phospholipid headgroup. The stronger association is due to the increased acidity of the sulfonamide NHs as well as a molecular geometry (as shown by X-ray crystallography) that is able to form tridentate complexes with one of the phosphate oxygens. Two fluorescent translocase analogues were synthesized and used to characterize membrane partitioning properties. The results indicate that the facilitated translocation of phospholipids by TREN-derived translocases is due to the formation of hydrogen-bonded complexes with the phospholipid headgroups. In the case of zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine, it is the neutral form of the translocases that rapidly associates with the phosphate portion of the phosphocholine headgroup. Complexation masks the headgroup polarity and promotes diffusion of the phospholipid-translocase complex across the lipophilic interior of the membrane.
NATURAL DISASTERS THAT REVEAL CRACKS IN OUR SOCIAL FOUNDATION

The recent deaths of more than 13,000 French elderly in the European heat wave of 2003 revealed cracks in the social foundation of urban communities, here and abroad. The breakdown occurred in community services, neighborhood networks, and governmental agencies that were responsible for warning of impending dangers to at-risk elderly. This paper provides a profile of the at-risk elderly, the means to reach them, and a plan to match needs to resources.
Synergistic and antagonistic interactions of fungicides against Pythium aphanidermatum on perennial ryegrass

Abstract Mancozeb, fosetyl-Al, propamocarb, metalaxyl, ethazole and chloroneb were tested singly at fractional and full label rates, and in two-way combinations at fractional label rates, for their potential to control the colonization of perennial ryegrass foliage by metalaxyl-sensitive and metalaxyl-resistant strains of Pythium aphanidermatum . The theoretical additive control level was computed for each combination of fractional rates, and this value used as the point of reference for determining if the actual degree of control given by the mixture in question was the product of either synergism or antagonism. The mancozeb + chloroneb mixture was antagonistic whereas the combinations of mancozeb + propamocarb, fosetyl-Al+metalaxyl, and fosetyl-Al+propamocarb were synergistic in the control of the metalaxyl-sensitive strain. Mancozeb+metalaxyl was synergistic in the control of the metalaxyl-sensitive and the metalaxyl-resistant strains. The null hypothesis (additivity) was not rejected for the other combinations. The level of disease control provided by the synergistic combinations tested was equal to or greater than that provided by each of the components applied singly at their full label rates.
Alemtuzumab Therapy for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome and Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia

Purpose: Patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) or chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) that are refractory to standard therapies are difficult to manage and have significantly shortened life expectancy. Experimental Design: CD52 is a surface glycoprotein highly expressed on eosinophils. We treated 11 patients with advanced HES/CEL with alemtuzumab, a humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody. Alemtuzumab was administered, in general, first in escalating doses (5, 10, 30 mg i.v. on days 1-3), then at the tolerated dose thrice per week for a total of 12 doses. Patients with complete hematologic response (CHR; normal percent and absolute eosinophil count) were allowed to continue therapy once weekly as maintenance. Results: Ten patients (91%) achieved CHR after a median of 2 weeks (0.5-5 weeks) of therapy. Bone marrow eosinophilia resolved in four of seven evaluable patients. The median duration of CHR was 3 months (1.5-17+ months). Seven of the 10 CHR patients relapsed, five while off-therapy. Two patients achieved second CHR upon alemtuzumab rechallenge. Three patients experienced mild infusion-related symptoms, two developed cytomegalovirus reactivation requiring therapy, and one developed orbital lymphoma that was successfully treated. Conclusions: Our limited experience suggests alemtuzumab to be a valuable therapy for advanced HES or CEL, refractory to standard therapies, and supports the clinical evaluation of alemtuzumab in a larger trial.
Analysis of left ventricular wall motion by reflected ultrasound. Application to assessment of myocardial function.

Ultrasound echocardiograms from the septal and posterior left ventricular walls were displayed with a simultaneously recorded electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and indirect carotid pulse. These echoes differed in both amplitude and waveform. The contour of the posterior wall echo resembled an inverted ventricular volume curve, while the septal echo was of smaller amplitude and had a characteristic notched appearance. Most of the movement of the left ventricular walls relative to the ultrasound transducer was attributable to systolic contraction and diastolic expansion of the cavity. However, superimposed on this motion due to change in cavity size was movement of the left ventricle as a whole, first anteriorly toward the ultrasound transducer during late systole then posteriorly away from it at the beginning of left ventricular relaxation. These movements added to the amplitude of posterior wall motion but subtracted from the motion of the septum and were responsible for the notch in the waveform of thi...
High-frequency transformer isolated 3-Φ 3-level single-stage soft-switched AC-to-DC converter

This paper presents a new 3-phase, single-stage power factor corrected, ac-to-dc 3-level converter with high-frequency transformer isolation. This converter uses capacitive output filter so that the output full-bridge rectifier diodes turn off with zero current and the turn-off voltage spikes due to high di/dt are absent. Principle of operation and different operating modes are presented with analysis. Based on the analysis design example of a 1 kW, 48 V, 50 kHz 3-phase ac-to-dc converter is presented. PSPICE simulation results for the designed converter are presented. The results show soft-switching operation and low total harmonic distortion of this converter for a reasonably wide (10% -100%) range of load.
Granulocyte storage and antigen stability

BACKGROUND: Current methods for the detection of granulocyte antibodies require panels of freshly isolated cells. This makes these assays time-consuming, costly, and technically difficult. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The immunofluorescence method of detecting the binding of antibodies to granulocytes was modified for use with a flow cytometer, and methods were tested to store granulocytes for use in that assay. Granulocytes were stored at 4°C for 7 days under three conditions: 1-percent formaldehyde-fixed cells were stored in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS); untreated cells were stored in tissue culture medium (RPMI-1640); and cells were fixed and stored with a commercial white cell-storage solution (Cyto-Chex Reagent). Antigen stability was evaluated by using monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and alloantibodies. Serologic studies were done by an indirect immunofluorescence assay and assessed by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: On Day 2, only 2 to 7 percent of granulocytes stored in RPMI-1640 remained. On Day 7, 67 to 76 percent of granulocytes fixed in formaldehyde and stored in HBSS remained, and 47 to 87 percent of granulocytes stored in a white cell-storage solution remained. All antigens were detectable by the MoAbs and alloantisera on Day 7. However, nonspecific staining by the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated secondary antibody hindered interpretation of test results on Day 4. Nonspecific staining occurred over time and was associated with increased cell permeability during storage. Two sources of nonspecific staining were identified. The first source was the FITC-conjugated secondary antibody; it was eliminated by switching to a phycoerythrin conjugate. The second source was factors in human serum; it was resolved by examining only viable, impermeable cells identified by using 7-aminoactinomycin-D. CONCLUSION: Granulocytes and their antigens can be preserved for at least 7 days, but evaluation of antibody reactions was possible for only 4 days as a result of nonspecific staining due to enhanced membrane permeability of dying cells.
Response: Organizations Are Not Central Tendencies: Shadowboxing in the Dark, Round 2

The article presents a response by William H. Glick to a commentary on his paper “Conceptualizing and measuring organizational and psychological climate: Pitfalls in multilevel research.” Glick notes the differences in definitions of organizational climate (OC). One definition classifies OC as a psychological construct, the other defines it as an organizational attribute. He acknowledges that the alternate viewpoints help to identify fundamental differences between two schools of thought in organizational science.
Psychosocial Problems of Wives of Alcoholics

Alcohol abuse is a major health problem in India and world at large. For the past thirty to forty years alcohol consumption has increased tremendously. The problem of alcoholism until a few decades was considered a moral problem and a sign of social irresponsibility. Alcoholism is not only a disease but also a serious problem that all the family has to deal with. Disruption in family caused by alcoholism is a serious, complex and pervasive societal problem. Disruption in family caused by alcoholism is a serious, complex and pervasive societal problem. Alcoholism statistics reveals that alcohol abuse of male is the major cause behind the broken family in Kerala. The impact of alcoholism reflects not only on the consumer, but also on his family especially his wife. The wives of alcoholics suffer a lot with their alcoholic husband resulting in various problems in wife. In this context we attempted to identify and measure the psychosocial problems of wives of alcoholics. It was conducted using a quantitative, descriptive survey method; data were collected from wives of alcoholics’ selected using convenient sampling admitted in selected hospital using a demographic data sheet, a four point rating scale containing 16 items to assess psychosocial problems of wives. Findings revealed that revealed that majority of subjects belonged to the age group of >40 years (60%), educated till 10th standard (83.3%), were unemployed, (63.3%) family income 16 years (60%). Majority of wives of alcoholics had severe psychological (33.3%) and social (46.4%) problems. Knowledge gained from this study can be utilized to provide awareness about managing their partner's unhealthy habit and coping strategies.
Inferences on the common coefficient of variation

The coefficient of variation is often used as a measure of precision and reproducibility of data in medical and biological science. This paper considers the problem of making inference about the common population coefficient of variation when it is a priori suspected that several independent samples are from populations with a common coefficient of variation. The procedures for confidence interval estimation and hypothesis testing are developed based on the concepts of generalized variables. The coverage properties of the proposed confidence intervals and type-I errors of the proposed tests are evaluated by simulation. The proposed methods are illustrated by a real life example.
Looking for sexual selection in the female brain

Female mate choice behaviour has significant evolutionary consequences, yet its mechanistic origins are not fully understood. Recent studies of female sensory systems have made great strides in identifying internal mechanisms governing female preferences. Only recently, however, have we begun to identify the dynamic genomic response associated with mate choice behaviour. Poeciliids provide a powerful comparative system to examine genomic responses governing mate choice and female preference behaviour, given the great range of mating systems: from female mate choice taxa with ornamental courting males to species lacking male ornamentation and exhibiting only male coercion. Furthermore, they exhibit laboratory-tractable preference responses without sexual contact that are decoupled from reproductive state, allowing investigators to isolate mechanisms in the brain without physiological confounds. Early investigations with poeciliid species (Xiphophorus nigrensis and Gambusia affinis) have identified putative candidate genes associated with female preference response and highlight a possible genomic pathway underlying female social interactions with males linked functionally with synaptic plasticity and learning processes. This network is positively correlated with female preference behaviour in the female mate choice species, but appears inhibited in the male coercive species. This behavioural genomics approach provides opportunity to elucidate the fundamental building blocks, and evolutionary dynamics, of sexual selection.