cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability and trends in dry day frequency and dry event length in the southwestern United States

[1] Daily precipitation from 22 National Weather Service first-order weather stations in the southwestern United States for water years 1951 through 2006 are used to examine variability and trends in the frequency of dry days and dry event length. Dry events with minimum thresholds of 10 and 20 consecutive days of precipitation with less than 2.54 mm are analyzed. For water years and cool seasons (October through March), most sites indicate negative trends in dry event length (i.e., dry event durations are becoming shorter). For the warm season (April through September), most sites also indicate negative trends; however, more sites indicate positive trends in dry event length for the warm season than for water years or cool seasons. The larger number of sites indicating positive trends in dry event length during the warm season is due to a series of dry warm seasons near the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century. Overall, a large portion of the variability in dry event length is attributable to variability of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation, especially for water years and cool seasons. Our results are consistent with analyses of trends in discharge for sites in the southwestern United States, an increased frequency in El Nino events, and positive trends in precipitation in the southwestern United States.
Applications of Tensor Theory to Object Recognition and Orientation Determination

A method is developed by which images resulting from orthogonal projection of rigid planar-patch objects arbitrarily oriented in three-dimensional (3-D) space may be used to form systems of linear equations which are solved for the affine transform relating the images. The technique is applicable to complete images and to unlabeled feature sets derived from images, and with small modification may be used to transform images of unknown objects such that they represent images of those objects from a known orientation, for use in object identification. No knowledge of point correspondence between images is required. Theoretical development of the method and experimental results are presented. The method is shown to be computationally efficient, requiring O(N) multiplications and additions where, depending on the computation algorithm, N may equal the number of object or edge picture elements.
Some Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Translocation in Plants

Petioles and apical regions of Phaseolus vulgaris var. Black Valentine were subjected to ionizing radiation to study the effect on the translocation process. Petiole irradiation produced no discernible effect. Inhibition of translocation to the irradiated meristems was reversed by application of the auxin naphthaleneacetic acid.
Large deflection dynamics and control for planar continuum robots

This paper focuses on a class of robot manipulators termed "continuum" robots - robots that exhibit behavior similar to tentacles, trunks, and snakes. In previous work, we studied details of the mechanical design, kinematics, path-planning and small-deflection dynamics for continuum robots such as the Clemson "tentacle manipulator". In this paper, we discuss the dynamics of a planar continuum backbone section, incorporating a large-deflection dynamic model. Based on these dynamics, we formulate a vibration-damping setpoint controller, and include experimental results to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed controller.
The Role of Personal Attributes in the Genesis and Progression of Lung Disease and Cigarette Smoking

Objectives. We examined early maladaptive personal attributes (e.g., depression), later lung disease, and later maladaptive personal attributes over a significant part of a woman’s life.Methods. We gathered longitudinal data on a prospective cohort of community-dwelling women (n = 498) followed from young adulthood to late midlife.Results. We used structural equation modeling to assess the interrelations of maladaptive personal attributes, cigarette smoking, lung disease, and financial strain. The results supported a mediational model through which early maladaptive personal attributes were associated with smoking (b = 0.17, P < .001), which in turn predicted later lung disease (b = 0.33, P < .001), and lung disease was related to later family financial difficulties (b = 0.09, P < .05), which in turn were associated with later maladaptive personal attributes (b = 0.35, P < .001).Conclusions. Our results address a number of important public health and clinical issues. An understanding of the interrelations...
Long-acting oral phosphodiesterase inhibition preconditions against reperfusion injury in an experimental lung transplantation model

Objectives Ischemia–reperfusion injury remains a devastating complication of lung transplantation. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors have been shown to precondition tissues against ischemia–reperfusion injury. Little is known, however, about the utility of phosphodiesterase inhibition in reperfusion injury after lung transplantation. We evaluated the long-acting phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, tadalafil, in an ex vivo lung transplant model. Methods New Zealand White rabbits (4 kg), were given oral tadalafil (n = 11) 24 hours before lung harvest and compared with rabbits given oral vehicle alone (n = 11). Lungs were recovered with Perfadex solution (Vitrolife, Kungsbacka, Sweden) and cold stored for 18 hours. After storage, lung blocks were reperfused with donor rabbit blood in an ex vivo apparatus. Pulmonary artery pressures were recorded with serial arterial and venous blood gas sampling and animals served as their own controls. Phosphodiesterase-5 and protein kinase G tissue activity assays confirmed drug effects. Luminol chemiluminescence assay was used to measure reactive oxygen species and levels of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase were measured. Results Extended cold storage, followed by reperfusion produced a consistent reproducible decrease in oxygenation and increase in pulmonary pressure. Tadalafil-treated animals exhibited greater Pao 2 throughout the course of reperfusion ( P = .001) Mean pulmonary artery pressure was lower in tadalafil-treated animals (22 vs 40 mm Hg; P = .04). Phosphodiesterase-5 activity was decreased (143 ± 8 vs 205 ± 32 mP; P P = .01) in the experimental group confirming that oral pretreatment resulted in active phosphodiesterase inhibition in the lung tissue. Reactive oxygen species (as measured by luminol activity) were decreased in tadalafil-treated animals (7.8 ± 1.5 vs 10.2 ± 1.2 relative light units; P = .003). Conclusions Our experimental model demonstrates that oral donor pretreatment with a long-acting phosphodiesterase inhibitor is an effective strategy for improving pulmonary performance after reperfusion. Importantly, phosphodiesterase enzymes and their downstream effectors may play a critical role in reperfusion injury after lung transplantation.
SelectiveN-acylation-O-trimethylsilylation of hydroxynoraporphines

Abstract N -Heptafluorobutyryl- O -trimethylsilyl derivatives of hydroxynoraporphines were prepared by a selective derivatization procedure. The procedure, although rapid, simple, and quantitative, permitted unambiguous analysis of the derivatives by gc/ms. Certain precautions, such as order of reagent addition and temperature limitations, are noted. Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric data are given with a discussion of their diagnostic features. Enhancement of the volatility and structural characteristics are illustrated, and the significance of these derivatives as potential synthetic tools is discussed.
Teacher and Student Language Practices and Ideologies in a Third-Grade Two-Way Dual Language Program Implementation

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the language ecologies of two classrooms attempting to implement a two-way dual language (TWDL) program and its mediating conditions. Drawing on ethnographic methods and a sociocultural understanding of language, we examined both teachers’ and students’ language ideologies and language practices, including the use of Spanish, English, and code-switching. The English language arts teacher adhered to strict language separation as dictated by the TWDL model, while the Spanish language arts teacher instructed in both English and Spanish to accommodate standardized test preparation. Students enacted agency to engage in their hybrid language practices. Despite the multiplicity and, at times, contradictory ideologies embodied and articulated by both teachers, the overarching dominant language ideology of English superiority was present and powerful. We discuss implications for dual language implementation, including the role of standardized testing, students as la...
Low-cost appliance state sensing for energy disaggregation

Reliable detection of appliance state change is a barrier to the scalability of Non Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) beyond a small number of sufficiently distinct and large loads. We advocate a hybrid approach where a NILM algorithm is assisted by ultra-low-cost outlet-level sensors optimized for detecting appliance state change and communicating the event on a best-effort basis to a central entity for opportunistic fusion with the state change detection mechanism within NILM. In support of such an approach we present the implementation of an appliance power state sensor which achieves low cost via design choices such as a transmit-only radio. We also present results from a study where the sensors tracked power states of tens of appliances with high accuracy.
Perceived effort in sniffing: The effects

Previous research has shown that perceived odor strength does not vary with flow rate of an odorant vapor entering the naris when that variation is produced by subject-controlled changes in sniff pressure, but that it does vary with flow rate when the variation is produced by experimenter-controlled changes in the resistance of the olfactometric system. We have suggested an odor-constancy model in which invariance of perceived odor strength is linked to perceived effort of sniffing, and have hypothesized that changed resistance will have its effect because there is no corresponding change in perceived effort when sniff pressure is held constant. In two studies, subjects made magnitude estimations of the perceived effort of sniffing; sniff pressure was controlled by having the subject match his sniff, displayed on a storage oscilloscope face, to a pattern specifying its required shape, duration, and level. In Experiment 1, resistance was fixed while sniff pressure varied; perceived effort grew as the .8 power of the required sniff pressure. In Experiment 2, sniff pressure and resistance were varied in a factorial design; perceived effort grew as the .8 power of pressure at fixed resistance, but remained unchanged when resistance varied at fixed pressure. This outcome provides indirect support for the odor-constancy model, since it shows that perceived effort covaries with flow rate under the condition in which constancy is found but does not change under the condition in which constancy fails.
Moore's paradox and self-knowledge

L'A. etudie le paradoxe de Moore a la lumiere de l'expression linguistique de la croyance. Il s'agit pour lui de resoudre le probleme assertorique lies aux propositions du type Il pleut, mais je ne crois pas qu'il pleuve, par la distinction entre l'expression et l'assertion d'une croyance. L'A. insiste sur l'utilite des croyances d'une personne rationnelle et la nature de la connaissance de soi
Nuclear Spins and Magnetic Moments in the Hartree Model

From the results of Feenberg and Wigner for the wave function and term character of the ground state of light nuclei (mass number between 6 and 16), the nuclear spins are determined. For those nuclei which contain (or lack) a single proton (or neutron) and an even number (singlet state) of particles of the other kind the considerations of Inglis suffice to determine the spin. For those nuclei which contain a half-filled $p$ shell in one kind of particle it is necessary to calculate the fine structure splitting explicitly. From the spins thus found and with the experimental values for the magnetic moments of the proton and neutron, the nuclear magnetic moments are calculated. The effects on the nuclear moment of the Heisenberg forces and of the motion of the $1s$ shell are considered. The moment of ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ which is of particular interest, is calculated to be 3.07 nuclear magnetons. This is in agreement with the measured value of 3.20 n. m.
Dynamic oligopolies with market saturation

Abstract Dynamic oligopolies are examined with single-product firms and saturated market. Both linear and isoelastic price functions are considered. The local asymptotical stability of the equilibrium is analyzed first, and then computer simulation is used to illustrate the attraction basins in nonlinear models.
Reversible Switching in Molecular Electronic Devices

Here we compare the change in conductance when molecules wired between the ends of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes are switched between different states of conjugation. Our experimental approach utilizes electrodes made by excising a nanoscale section from an individual single-walled carbon nanotube. We use amide bond formation to incorporate photoswitches, diarylethenes, into these electrodes. The thiophene-based molecular bridge when incorporated into these SWNT can be switched from the open form to the closed form but not back again. If we use the pyrrole-based photoswitch, we can cycle between the open and closed states.
Polymorphisms of the β1-adrenergic receptor predict exercise capacity in heart failure

Abstract Background Exercise performance in patients with congestive heart failure is partially dependent on cardiac β 1 -adrenergic receptor (β 1 AR) function. There are 2 common polymorphisms of the β 1 AR gene that alter the encoded amino acids at positions 49 (Ser or Gly) and 389 (Gly or Arg) and alter receptor function in vitro. Their relevance to modification of cardiac function in heart failure is not known. Methods Exercise testing was performed in 263 patients with idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy (left ventricular ejection fraction ~25%). Potential associations were sought between β 1 AR genotypes and the primary outcome variables of peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 ), heart rate response, and exercise time. Results The major determinants of exercise capacity were the polymorphisms at position 389, where patients homozygous for Gly389 had significantly lower peak VO 2 compared with those with Arg389 (14.5 ± 0.6 vs 17.7 ± 0.4 mL/kg/min, P =.006), despite similar clinical characteristics including left ventricular ejection fraction. Consistent with a gene dose-response, heterozygosity was associated with an intermediate response (16.9 ± 0.6 mL/kg/min, P 2 was found. Two haplotypes displayed the most divergent peak VO 2 : homozygous Gly389/Ser49, and homozygous Arg389/Gly49 carriers (14.4 ± 0.5 vs 18.2 ± 0.8 mL/kg/min, P =.001). Genotype did not predict the heart rate response. The above results were independent of β-blocker or other medication use, left ventricular ejection fraction, β 2 AR genotype, or other demographic and clinical characteristics. Conclusion β 1 AR polymorphisms are a significant determinant of exercise capacity in patients with congestive heart failure. Early identification, by genetic testing for these polymorphisms, of heart failure patients at risk for development of depressed exercise capacity may be useful for initiation of specific therapy tailored to genotype. (Am Heart J 2002;144:840-6.)
An examination of heroin conditioning in preferred and nonpreferred environments and in differentially housed mature and immature rats

Abstract The study addressed two issues. First, we examined the effectiveness of heroin as a conditioning agent in a preferred environment using a place preference paradigm. Four daily injections of 80 μg/kg (SC) of heroin HCl were paired with environments that rats initially found to be either preferred or non-preferred. In subsequent tests, only those that had experienced the drug effects in the non-preferred environment increased the percentage of time spent in that environment. Rats conditioned in the test chamber that was initially preferred failed to increase the amount of time spent in that chamber post-conditioning. These results suggest that the conditioned place preference paradigm does not simply assess the rewarding consequence of heroin injections. We also examined the effects of grouped and isolation housing conditions on the heroin-produced conditioned place preference. Rats were housed under these conditions either immediately post weaning or at 120 days of age. There was a difference between the magnitude of the place preference produced by 20 μg/kg heroin in the isolated but not in the group housed rats. When isolated at weaning the rats were less sensitive to the drug than were rats isolated at maturity. These data are discussed with particular reference to the development of the endogenous opioid system.
V. Y. Mudimbe. Undisciplined Africanism

The concern with ‘[excavating] in contemporary intellectual practices the remnants of a very distant past living on in the present’ (183) and the ‘discursive history of Africanism … a dispersed bod...
22q11 deletion syndrome: is that what they used to call . . . ?

PURPOSE. 22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a very common, but commonly overlooked, disorder that has many viariable features, such as serious heart defects, speech and articulation problems, immune compromise, learning problems, pervasive developmental disorders, and a late appearing phenotype of this condition—mental illness. CONCLUSION. Persons with 22q11DS are likely to be medically complex patients with pervasive developmental disorders and late appearing mental problems. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Establishing this diagnosis is useful to families and healthcare providers to anticipate and address immediate and future issues surrounding health promotion, disease prevention, and health maintenence.
Granger causality analysis on IP traffic and circuit-level energy monitoring

Device-level energy monitoring has been increasingly proposed to understand inefficient energy use and design systematic processes for efficient building operation. Its sole use, however, is not sufficient to provide actionable information unless we understand the causes and context of energy use.Fundamentally, energy consumption in a building is due to occupants' various activities. Understanding the causal relationship between occupants and their energy use is thus the key to an efficient building operation. This usually involves fine-grained sensing through intensive instrumentation of individual power outlets and/or extensive user studies that either increase the system cost or become too intrusive.Instead, we advocate that circuit branch level energy monitoring combined with statistical Granger causality analysis is adequate to automatically understand the causal relationship. We monitor energy consumption of various zones in an office using a circuit level power monitor. IP traffic from users' PCs, obtained from a local firewall, is used to relate occupants with their energy use in each micro zone. The output is expressed in the form of causality graphs that illustrate how each individual influences energy use in different zones. We discuss the effectiveness and limitations of this causal analysis in capturing energy use patterns of the occupants in a lab environment.
The Impact of Demographics on Household Personal Computer Purchasing Decisions

The authors examine the relationship between role structure and influence in family decision-making with the changing status of spouses in regard to increased income, education and occupation. Based on a series of personal interviews, this study explores various components of decision-making for the purchase of a home computer. The findings suggest that, although males were overwhelmingly the dominant influence in various stages of decision-making, demographic variables were associated with varying patterns of influence among family members. Differences were also noted between demographic factors and sources of information used prior to purchase results, suggesting that retailers of personal computers would benefit by profiling potential submarkets of this product. Furthermore, children were shown to have input, particularly as initiators, of the decisions concerning home computers
Effect of thiols in biological systems on protein sulfhydryl content.

Abstract An erythrocyte plasma system was incubated with various thiols (final concentration, 0.003 M) to study the effects on protein sulfhydryl content. After timed incubation, the plasma sulfhydryl concentration, i.e. the protein and nonprotein fractions, was determined by polarographic analysis. The results indicate that sulfhydryl groups of the thiol were transferred or converted to increase the protein sulfhydryl content in the presence of tissue sulfhydryl groups. An increase of protein sulfhydryl did not take place in the absence of cellular elements and was partially inhibited by first blocking the sulfhydryl groups of the cellular elements. Studies in vivo were also conducted to determine whether the sulfhydryl groups of the thiols can be exchanged with, or converted to, tissue protein sulfhydryl groups. N -acetylcysteine was given intravenously in Swiss mice and the protein and nonprotein sulfhydryl content of various tissue fractions was assayed. Distribution studies after administration of the 35 S-labeled N -acetylcysteine were conducted utilizing autoradiographic procedures. A significant increase in the tissue protein sulfhydryl content was again achieved in vivo . These findings support the hypothesis that thiols can be utilized to increase tissue sulfhydryl groups when the latter are deficient, as reported in various clinical disorders. The approach may, therefore, have therapeutic application.
Spermidine and cardiovascular control in nucleus tractus solitarii in rat

Abstract Cardiovascular effects elicited by unilateral microinjection of polyamines into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) were tested in anesthetized rats. Spermidine (50–900 pmol) produced dose-dependent depressor and bradycardiac responses that were similar to those elicited byN-methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA; 0.1–1.2 pmol). The polyamines, putrescine and spermine, did not produce significant cardiovascular responses. The cardiovascular responses induced by spermidine and NMDA were almost eliminated by prior injection of the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK801 into NTS. On the other hand, a competitive antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) blocked responses to NMDA but only attenuated those to spermidine. These findings support an action of the polyamine spermidine at the NMDA receptor complex in NTS where it could participate in modulating cardiovascular activity.
Developments in tapered monocapillary and polycapillary glass X-ray concentrators

Abstract Tapered glass capillaries can be used to condense both wide-band and monochromatic hard (> 5 keV) X-ray beams. These long, hollow, needle-like optics have been used in a variety of experiments to demonstrate their utility in areas such as protein crystallography, hard X-ray imaging, and Laue diffraction. Monocapillary versions of these X-ray concentrators have yielded intensity gains of up to 1000 and X-ray beam sizes as small as 50 nm. Recently, in an effort to make larger condensed beam sizes (> 10 μ m), polycapillary tubing has been tapered and a 68 μm diameter X-ray beam with an intensity gain of 4.6 was observed using 6 keV synchrotron radiation. Results from developments of both types of tapered capillaries and from ray-tracing design efforts are presented.
Multi-residue analytical methods for the determination of pesticides and PPCPs in water by LC-MS/MS: a review

Residues of pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) are contaminants of world-wide concern. Consequently, there is a growing need to develop reliable analytical methods, which enable rapid, sensitive and selective determination of these pollutants in environmental samples, at trace levels. In this paper, a review of the liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based methods for the determination of pesticides and PPCPs in the environment is presented. Advanced aspects of current LC-MS/MS methodology, including sample preparation and matrix effects, are discussed.
Energy production cost and PAR minimization in multi-source power networks

We study the problem of minimizing the power generation cost and peak-to-average (PAR) of sources' energy production for a network of multiple energy sources. We consider a power distribution network in which each load is connected to multiple sources and, depending on network connectivity, can be fed by more than one power source. We assume that the power generation cost changes from one power source to another. We also assume that the power generation cost for each source is a function of its load. Based on the network model and assuming the power consumption schedule for all the loads is available, we then introduce two different optimization problems to minimize the overall cost of energy production throughout the network and to minimize the PAR of sources' energy. We also introduce a hybrid optimization problem that combines the energy production cost and PAR objective functions with a proper wight. By solving these optimization problems using convex optimization techniques, we find out the best load sharing schemes that minimize the derived objective functions. In practice, each load shares its consumption schedule hourly (or daily) with the central power network administrator over a wired or wireless area network. This information can then be used to solve the formulated optimization problems. Simulation results confirm that the resulting load sharing schemes bring about significant reduction in the energy production cost as well as the PAR of the required generated energy throughout the network.
Flow control in integrated local area networks

Abstract The modeling and optimal flow control in integrated local area networks is investigated. A generic integrated local area network with a double bus architecture, an adaptive TDMA access protocol, and a heterogenous community of users is considered. The class of control algorithms studied regulates the data flow between a pair of communicating stations. Since the data flow in the network exhibits transient behavior, dynamic optimal flow control strategies on a finite horizon are analyzed. It is shown that an adaptive window flow control mechanism maximizes the average throughput under an average system time delay constraint. The window size dynamically adapts to changes in the integrated traffic load that belongs to the other users accessing the network. Based on this analysis, a flow control mechanism is proposed for implementation that is asymptotically optimum. Simulation results showing the dynamics o of the window process and the effectiveness of the asymptotically optimum control scheme are also presented.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL BERTRAND COMPETITION: BLOCK METRIC, EUCLIDEAN METRIC, AND WAVES OF ENTRY*

This paper examines two-dimensional spatial competition, with Bertrand price determination. With a block metric, equilibrium prices are significantly lower when market areas are squares than when they are diamonds (rotated squares) of the same size. If demand density grows, waves of entry occur, and the shapes of market areas change from squares to diamonds and back to squares again. The former change leaves prim unchanged, whereas the latter cuts prices in half. Results are also derived for a Euclidean metric, with square and hexagonal market areas. Optimal waves of entry are examined with the block metric. With either metric, the socially optimal market shape becomes suboptimal if market areas are constrained to be of the zero-profit size.
Computer simulation of martensitic transformation in Fe-Ni face-centered cubic alloys

Abstract The F.C.C. → B.C.C. martensitic transformation in Fe-Ni alloys containing between 20 and 40 at.% Ni was studied using molecular dynamics simulations. The interatomic interactions were represented using the embedded atom method pseudomonoatomic potentials, which were shown to represent correctly the relative stability of the F.C.C. and B.C.C. structures as a function of the nickel content. The simulation results clearly demonstrate the important role that crystal defects, such as the free surface or grain boundary, play in the formation of martensite. This is consistent with the experimental observations, which suggest that the martensitic nucleation is of a heterogeneous nature. The simulation results further indicate the need for lattice invariant deformation, such as twinning and slip, for the continued growth of martensite.
Abraham Flexner and Medical Education

The Flexner Report had its roots in the recognition in the mid-19th century that medical knowledge is not something fixed but something that grows and evolves. This new view of medical knowledge led to a recasting of the goal of medical education as that of instilling the proper techniques of acquiring and evaluating information rather than merely inculcating facts through rote memorization. Abraham Flexner, a brilliant educator, had the background to understand and popularize the meaning of this new view of education, and he took the unprecedented step of relating the developments in medical education to the ideas of John Dewey and the progressive education movement. Although the Flexner Report is typically viewed as a historical document--due to an understandable tendency to refer only to the second half of the report, where Flexner provides his famous critiques of the medical schools that existed at the time--this article argues that the Flexner Report is actually a living educational document of as much significance to medical educators today as in Flexner's time. The article analyzes Flexner's discussion of medical education and shows that his message--the importance of academic excellence, professional leadership, proper financial support, and service and altruism--is timeless, as applicable to the proper education of physicians today and tomorrow as in the past.
Stephanie Bryant and Feiyi Wang, Aspects of adaptive reconfiguration in a scalable intrusion tolerant system, Complexity (2004) 9(2)74–83: Erratum

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Complexity (2004) 9(2)74–83
DrSVM: Distributed random projection algorithms for SVMs

We present distributed random projected gradient algorithms for Support Vector Machines (SVMs) that can be used by multiple agents connected over a time-varying network. The goal is for the agents to cooperatively find the same maximum margin hyperplane. In the primal SVM formulation, the objective function can be represented as a sum of convex functions and the constraint set is an intersection of multiple halfspaces. Each agent minimizes a local objective subject to a local constraint set. It maintains its own estimate sequence and communicates with its neighbors. More specifically, each agent calculates weighted averages of the received estimates and its own estimate, adjust the estimate by using gradient information of its local objective function and project onto a subset of its local constraint set. At each iteration, an agent considers only one halfspace since projection onto a single halfspace is easy. We also consider the convergence behavior of the algorithms and prove that all the estimates of agents converge to the same limit point in the optimal set.
Low calcium-induced release of glutamate results in autotoxicity of cerebellar granule cells

Primary cultures of cerebellar rat granule neurons were grown for 18-22 days in vitro in the absence of antibiotics. When the cultures were placed in a low calcium (no EGTA) balanced salt solution at room temperature, rapid cell death occurred usually within 30 min of placing cells in the buffer. Changes in the cells were evident within 10 min and included an apparent cellular granulation with a partial loss of cell body birefringence at 10 x magnification which was complete by 30 min. This rapid death was prevented by (1) replacing chloride in the buffer with acetate; (2) increasing the osmolarity of the buffer by 30% with sucrose; (3) the addition of the selective excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonist, 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (APH, 200 microM) but not by the selective kainate-quisqualate antagonist, glutamylaminomethylsulfonic acid (GAMS, 400 microM); or (4) the addition of one of the following calcium channel antagonists, verapamil (400 microM) diltiazem (150 microM) or lanthanum (5 microM). Placing cells in low calcium buffer resulted in a 3.7- and 3.2-fold increase in the non-selective secretion of aspartate and glutamate (as well as other amino acids) over baseline secretion (same buffer except containing 2.5 mM calcium). This increase was partially prevented by verapamil, but not by APH or chloride deletion. Verapamil only partially prevented the efflux of glutamate in buffer containing 1 mM EGTA. These results indicate that placing cells in low calcium buffer results in neurotoxicity secondary to both the influx of chloride and water in conjunction with the efflux of amino acids, some of which stimulate an excitatory amino acid receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Displacement-based design of RC structures subjected to earthquakes

Abstract Earthquake induced structural displacements are a main case of damage in structures subjected to earthquakes. Simple techniques for estimating structural displacements enable development of a design approach based explicitly on expected displacements. This approach is useful both in planning stages where decisions can be made to control displacement demands and in final design stages where details for structural and nonstructural elements are established. Comparison with more conventional force‐ or ductility‐based approaches to design indicates that a displacement‐based approach to design is both simple and effective.
PET Imaging Demonstrates Histone Deacetylase Target Engagement and Clarifies Brain Penetrance of Known and Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors in Rat

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes have been demonstrated as critical components in maintaining chromatin homeostasis, CNS development, and normal brain function. Evidence in mouse models links HDAC expression to learning, memory, and mood-related behaviors; small molecule HDAC inhibitor tool compounds have been used to demonstrate the importance of specific HDAC subtypes in modulating CNS-disease-related behaviors in rodents. So far, no direct evidence exists to understand the quantitative changes in HDAC target engagement that are necessary to alter biochemistry and behavior in a living animal. Understanding the relationship between target engagement and in vivo effect is essential in refining new ways to alleviate disease. We describe here, using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of rat brain, the in vivo target engagement of a subset of class I/IIb HDAC enzymes implicated in CNS-disease (HDAC subtypes 1, 2, 3, and 6). We found marked differences in the brain penetrance of tool compounds from ...
Clinical characteristics of norovirus-associated deaths: a systematic literature review.

Although deaths are often reported in the context of norovirus outbreaks, clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the decedents prior to death are not well established. Through a literature review of published reports of deaths associated with norovirus infection, we identified and summarized 158 norovirus-associated deaths in 12 countries from 1988 to 2011.
Novel filter implementations utilizing HTS materials

Various designs for high temperature superconductor (HTS) filters are reviewed. A hybrid approach utilizing HTS and very loss dielectric resonator is shown. Narrow band microstrip filter configurations, including elliptic designs required to meet satellite transponder requirements, are discussed. Tradeoff analysis is performed and recommendations for the best design are given.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Horizontal Convective Rolls in Cold Air over Water: Buoyancy Characteristics of Coherent Plumes Detected by an Airborne Radar

Abstract Aircraft and airborne cloud radar data are used to describe the vertical structure of the convective boundary layer (CBL) during cold-air outbreaks over Lake Michigan in January 2004. Two days with mesoscale cloud street structure and a day with cellular organization are contrasted. The radar reflectivity and vertical velocity structure of the CBL, as well as the radar-inferred topography of the CBL inversion, are collected along flight legs normal to the cloud streets. High-resolution horizontal and vertical transects of the dual-Doppler airflow field capture horizontal convective roll circulations on one day. Coherent structures within the CBL are analyzed as echo plumes, updraft plumes, and CBL domes. Only updraft plumes have the characteristics of buoyant thermals. Updrafts are narrower, weaker, and less buoyant on the no-roll day, but the differences in characteristics between two cloud street days are larger than those between the no-roll day and the two cloud street days. The lack of a cle...
Design and Analysis of Bit Selections in HARQ Algorithm for Hybrid FSO/RF Channels

A novel type-II hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) algorithm over hybrid channels, consisting of parallel free space optical (FSO) and radio frequency (RF) links, is presented. The algorithm uses different jointly optimized puncturing and RF bit selection patterns for different retransmissions. Analytical bit error rate and throughput performance expressions for the algorithm in case of both time invariant and random fading channels for recursive systematic, non-recursive non-systematic convolutional codes and turbo codes are given. Numerical results show a gain of several dBs of the proposed algorithm when compared to HARQ that uses random bit selection for transmission through the RF channel. The performance of the algorithm for different FSO and RF link conditions is demonstrated.
Consumer Recall of Brand Versus Product Banner Ads

Purpose – The paper aims to determine the effectiveness of specific online advertisements, comparing banner ads that are brand‐reinforcing versus ones that are product‐reinforcing.Design/methodology/approach – The research uses three experimental design studies to empirically test the hypotheses based on the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) by manipulating type of online banner advertisement (brand‐type versus product‐type) and measuring individual need for cognition (NFC).Findings – Consumers high in NFC recall product‐type banner ads more readily than those low in NFC, while brand‐type banner ads are more likely to be recalled by low‐NFC consumers. However, high‐NFC consumers recall brand‐type ads under all situational influences tested. And while consumers low in NFC recall product‐type banner ads featuring a directive better than their high‐NFC counterparts, they do not recall directive ads at a greater rate than high‐NFC consumers recall brand‐type ads.Research limitations/implications – While prev...
Tritiated leucine incorporation in the developing hamster facial nucleus with injury: A liquid scintillation study

Abstract Tritiated leucine incorporation was examined after either crush or axotomy of the hamster facial nerve at specific stages in the maturation of the neuronal nucleolus. Changes in the neuronal metabolic response to injury in development were demonstrated with liquid scintillation examination of tritiated leucine incorporation into the trichloroacetic acid (TCA) - insoluble and TCA - soluble fractions derived from whole reactive and normal facial nuclear groups. Changes in incorporation seen in the developmental sequence were attributed to actual changes in neuronal protein metabolism, and not to changes in the amino acid pool, glial changes or hyperemic capillary changes. The ability to increase leucine incorporation over the normal as a result of injury in development coincided with the time of final nucleolar maturation in the facial motor neurons, beginning at approximately 20 days postnatal age. Thus, there is a correlation between a specific morphological event, the attainment of the mature nucleolar configuration, and the acquisition of the mature synthetic capacity as indicated by the ability to respond to injury in the mature manner.
Nuclear and nucleon transitions of the H dibaryon

We consider 3 types of processes pertinent to the phenomenology of an H dibaryon: conversion of two \ensuremath{\Lambda}'s in a doubly strange hypernucleus to an H, decay of the H to two baryons, and\char22{}if the H is light enough\char22{}conversion of two nucleons in a nucleus to an H. We compute the spatial wave function overlap using the Isgur-Karl, Miller-Spencer and Bethe-Goldstone wave functions, and treat the weak interactions phenomenologically. The observation of $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ decays from doubly strange hypernuclei puts a constraint on the H wave function which is plausibly satisfied. Imposing this constraint, we obtain model-independent lower limits on the H lifetime; if ${m}_{H}l{m}_{N}{+m}_{\ensuremath{\Lambda}},$ the H lifetime can be of the order of or longer than the age of the Universe. We discuss limits on a long-lived or stable H, and point out how experiments can improve the constraints.
Predicting Recurrence of C. difficile Colitis Using Bacterial Virulence Factors: Binary Toxin Is the Key

Recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis is common, yet the ability to predict recurrence is poorly developed. Patients ≥18 years of age treated at our institution for C. difficile of any severity were consecutively enrolled. C. difficile colitis was defined as symptoms of colitis with a positive PCR stool test. Each bacterial isolate was studied for virulence factors: tcdC mutations via PCR; the presence of genes for toxins A, B, and binary toxin using restriction fragment length polymorphism; and identification of ribotype 027 by PCR. Chi-squared tests, t tests, and logistic and linear regression were used to determine which virulence factors predicted recurrence. Sixty-nine patients (male, 57 %) were studied, with a mean age of 64 ± 13 years. Twenty-one (30 %) patients were initially diagnosed as outpatients. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between virulence factors among inpatients and outpatients. The presence of a binary toxin gene was the single virulence factor independently associated with recurrence (p = 0.02). The combination of a tcdC mutation with binary toxin gene resulted in the highest odds of recurrence (OR, 5.3; 95 % CI, 3.52–6.09). Binary toxin gene is a predictor of recurrent infection. Its presence may require longer antibiotic regimens in an effort to lower already elevated recurrence rates.
A Dynamic Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis With Superelastic Actuators

A knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) spans the knee, ankle and foot, and assists in the walking motion of those who suffer neuromuscular deficiencies. KAFOs can be classified as passive, semi-dynamic and dynamic. Passive KAFOs lock the knee joint during the whole gait cycle. Semi dynamic KAFOs lock the knee joint during the stance phase. Dynamic KAFOs attempt to reproduce normal knee motions during the whole gait cycle. Two types of dynamic KAFOs have been reported in the literature. The first one is activated by using a pneumatic system, and the second one uses a spring mechanism. Both systems are bulky and controlled through complex control systems that limit their application as assistive devices. The purpose of our research is to develop a dynamic KAFO that is actuated easily by employing shape memory materials. Such an actuation system makes the KAFO lightweight and with a great commercialization potential. The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual design for the knee actuator of a dynamic KAFO. This actuator uses torsional shape memory rods to match the stiffness of the knee joint of the KAFO with that of a normal knee joint during the walking gait cycle. Joint stiffness is measured by the moment around the joint per degree of joint rotation. The proposed actuator includes two parts that work independently during the two phases of the gait cycle. The first part engages only during the stance phase and the other works only during the swing phase. Each part is developed by combining a superelastic (SE) rod and a rotary spring in series. The conceptual design is verified by simulation. The simulation results show that the proposed knee actuator reproduces the stiffness of the normal knee joint during the whole gait cycle. It is thus possible to develop a novel dynamic KAFO that can provide normal knee stiffness characteristics to assist individuals with quadriceps deficiency.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Mechanism of the photochemical oxidation of Fe(CO)5 and CpW(CO)3Cl (Cp = η5-C5H5) by chlorocarbons

Oxydation photochimique du compose cite conduisant a CpW (CO) 2 Cl 3 se dissociant en CO et CpW (CO) 2 Cl. L'oxydation de Fe (CO) 5 dans CCl 4 conduit a FeCl 4 et un peu de C 2 Cl 4 . Mecanismes
Mechanism of copper induced fluorescence quenching of red fluorescent protein, DsRed.

Abstract The red fluorescent protein, DsRed, and a few of its mutants have been shown to bind copper ions resulting in quenching of its fluorescence. The response to Cu2+ is rapid, selective, and reversible upon addition of a copper chelator. DsRed has been employed as an in vitro probe for Cu2+ determination by us and other groups. It is also envisioned that DsRed can serve as an intracellular genetically encoded indicator of Cu2+ concentration, and can be targeted to desired subcellular locations for Cu2+ determination. However, no information has been reported yet regarding the mechanism of the fluorescence quenching of DsRed in the presence of Cu2+. In this work, we have performed spectroscopic investigations to determine the mechanism of quenching of DsRed fluorescence in the presence of Cu2+. We have studied the effect of Cu2+ addition on two representative mutants of DsRed, specifically, DsRed-Monomer and DsRed-Express. Both proteins bind Cu2+ with micromolar affinities. Stern–Volmer plots generated at different temperatures indicate a static quenching process in the case of both proteins in the presence of Cu2+. This mechanism was further studied using absorption spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer constants and quenching rate constants support the observation of static quenching in DsRed in the presence of Cu2+. Circular dichroism (CD)-spectroscopic studies revealed no effect of Cu2+-binding on the secondary structure or conformation of the protein. The effect of pH changes on the quenching of DsRed fluorescence in the presence of copper resulted in pKa values indicative of histidine and cysteine residue involvement in Cu2+-binding.
Status of the NASA SETI Sky Survey microwave observing project

The Sky Survey observing program is one of two complementary strategies that NASA plans to use in its microwave Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). The primary objective of the Sky Survey is to search the entire sky over the frequency range 1000-10,000 MHz for evidence of narrow band signals of extraterrestrial, intelligent origin. Spectrum analyzers with upwards of 10 million channels and data rates in excess of 10 gigabits per second are required to complete the survey in less than 7 years. To lay the foundation for the operational SETI Sky Survey, a prototype system has been built to test and refine real time signal detection algorithms, to test scan strategies and observatory control functions, and to test algorithms designed to reject radio frequency interference. This paper presents a high level description of the prototype hardware and reports on the preparations to deploy the system to the 34-m antenna at the research and development station of NASA's Deep Space Communication Complex, Goldstone, California.