cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A study by microdissection and micropuncture of the structure and the function of the kidneys and the nephrons of rats with chronic renal damage

A study by microdissection and micropuncture of the structure and function of the kidneys and nephrons of rats with chronic renal damage. Individual nephrons were studied by microdissection and micropuncture in rats three to four weeks after subcutaneous injection of K 2 Cr 2 O 7 and HgCl 2 for comparison with clearances and tubular transport maximums (Tms) that represented the total activity of the kidney from which they were obtained. At the time of the experiments the acute renal lesions of necrosis had been replaced by regenerative processes of repair. This model has no exact clinical analogy but the structural changes in individual nephrons are similar to those observed in nephrons of humans with chronic renal disease. The kidneys were irregularly and greatly enlarged; in histologic sections there were moderate glomerular and extensive tubular changes. Microdissection demonstrated the renal lesion to be a combination of regressive changes (atrophy, fatty depositions) in some proximal convolutions, progressive reactions (hyperplasia, hypertrophy) in others or more frequently a combination of these alterations in single structural segments (the proximal convolutions) of individual nephrons. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) in the damaged kidneys ranged from the highest to less than the lowest of normal control values but were lower when calculated per gram of kidney weight. Since TmPAH was normal, TmPAH:GFR was increased, indicating functional tubular predominance, correlating closely with the evidence by microdissection of morphological tubular hyperplastic predominance in the abnormal kidney. There was marked heterogeneity of individual nephron GFR but proximal fractional reabsorption was the same as in control nephrons, indicating that rates of reabsorption were also more variable than normal but appropriate for the rate of filtration. Tubular fluid transit times were markedly more variable than in normal animals yet correlated closely with morphological changes demonstrated by microdissection in the same nephrons on which the determination had been made. Microinjection indicated that the repaired abnormal tubules were impermeable to inulin. These results demonstrate a close correlation between the heterogeneity of structure and function at the level of the individual nephrons and, therefore, in their totality as they constitute the kidneys of rats with chronic renal damage. Although the rates of physiological processes showed marked diversity, proximal fractional reabsorption of salt and water was appropriate for the rate of filtration in individual nephrons and, thus, is evidence of the adaptive compensations which constitute the phenomena of chronic renal disease.
A self-consistent F-center calculation for the optical absorption and emission

Abstract A theoretical investigation of the luminescence processes associated with F -centers has been made. It assumes that the marked Stokes's shift arises from the electrostatic interaction between the F -electron and the neighboring ions. A semi-continuum model was employed. First, an examination of most of the previous F -center calculations in NaCI and KC1 was made. These were classified into four categories: (1) the semi-continuum model; (2) the semi-continuum polaron model; (3) the pointion model (a) without polarization and (b) with polarization: and (4) the Hartree-Fock model where the internal structure of the ions which surround the vacancy is taken into account. Some models were omitted. In all calculations, the differences in the eigenvalues associated with the lowest and the first excited state give approximately the measured values of the peak absorption and the peak emission bands. The actual eigenvalues show a large scatter, indicating no reliability in the present calculating techniques. Next, a new self-consistent approach is made. The following results were derived for NaCI and KC1: (1) self-consistent potentials for the absorption and emission; (2) energy level diagrams (relative to the bottom of the conduction band) and wavefunctions for both processes; (3) self-consistent values for the displacements of the first nearest neighbors; and (4) the lifetime of the first excited state (which agrees approximately with the measured result). The loose binding approximation is manifested during emission, whereas tight binding occurs during absorption. These calculations indicate that a self-consistent use of the semi-continuum model can describe the simplest optical properties of the F -center.
The Effect of Age of Breeder Hens on Residual Yolk Fat, and Serum Glucose and Triglyceride Concentrations of Day-Old Broiler Chicks

Abstract The fat content and the concentrations of glucose and triglyceride in day-old chicks hatched from 27 and 60 wk-old broiler-breeder hens were determined from pooled samples of residual yolk and blood serum, respectively. Serum glucose and triglyceride levels were unaffected (P>.05) by breeder age, although there was a linear (P .05) by breeder age. Results indicate mat breeder age may affect chick performance through alterations in the fat content of residual yolk.
Consideration of doping profiles in MOSFET mobility modeling

The channel mobility of a MOSFET in the strongly inverted, linear regime is an important parameter in this modeling process and depends on the effective normal electric field. It is shown that the general form of this field is E/sub eff/=( eta Q/sub c/+ zeta Q/sub b/) epsilon /sub Si/, where Q/sub c/ and Q/sub b/ are the inversion- and bulk-charge areal densities, respectively, and the coefficient eta and zeta determine the weighting of those charge densities. A recent study of p-channel MOSFET transistors indicates that eta approximately=1/3 and zeta =1, which implies that the inversion charge contribution is different for electrons and holes in MOSFETs. It is shown theoretically, by quantum mechanical arguments, that zeta =1/2 for both n- and p-channel MOSFETs and the coefficient of the bulk-charge contribution zeta depends on the doping profile in the near-surface region. A uniform doping profile procedures a value of zeta =1, while a nonuniform profile near the interface leads to zeta >1 (accumulation) or zeta >
Characterization of wildfire NO x emissions using MODIS fire radiative power and OMI tropospheric NO 2 columns

Abstract. We use observations of fire radiative power (FRP) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer~(MODIS) and tropospheric NO2 column measurements from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) to derive NO2 wildfire emission coefficients (g MJ−1) for three land types over California and Nevada. Retrieved emission coefficients were 0.279±0.077, 0.342±0.053, and 0.696±0.088 g MJ−1 NO2 for forest, grass and shrub fuels, respectively. These emission coefficients reproduce ratios of emissions with fuel type reported previously using independent methods. However, the magnitude of these coefficients is lower than prior estimates. While it is possible that a negative bias in the OMI NO2 retrieval over regions of active fire emissions is partly responsible, comparison with several other studies of fire emissions using satellite platforms indicates that current emission factors may overestimate the contributions of flaming combustion and underestimate the contributions of smoldering combustion to total fire emissions. Our results indicate that satellite data can provide an extensive characterization of the variability in fire NOx emissions; 67 % of the variability in emissions in this region can be accounted for using an FRP-based parameterization.
Rectal temperature, calving-related factors, and the incidence of puerperal metritis in postpartum dairy cows.

Abstract The objectives of this study were as follows: 1) to evaluate the association among abnormal calving, parity, and season on the incidence of puerperal metritis (PM) and clinical endometritis (CE) during d 3 to 13 and 20 to 30 postpartum, respectively; 2) to describe the rectal temperature (RT) of cows with PM before diagnosis; and 3) to document associations among PM, CE, and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows. This study followed a prospective observational study design. Cows were classified as having an abnormal calving status (AC), i.e., cows calving with dystocia, twins, retained fetal membranes, or some combination of these conditions, and having a normal calving status (NC). Daily RT was recorded from d 3 to 13 postpartum for all cows, and health examinations were performed on cows that appeared not well. A total of 450 calvings were evaluated. Cows with an AC had greater odds of PM than cows with NC [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.9 to 8.0). A season by parity interaction showed that primiparous cows that calved during the warm season had lower AOR of PM than during the cool season (0.24; 95% CI=0.09 to 0.62), whereas multiparous cows did not have seasonal effects on PM (1.43; 95% CI=0.65 to 3.18). Cows with AC have greater AOR for CE than cows with NC (2.8; 95% CI=1.7 to 4.9), and greater AOR of CE were detected in cows diagnosed with PM than in cows without PM (2.2; 95% CI=1.1 to 3.9). Rectal temperature in cows with PM increased significantly 24h before diagnosis of PM, reaching 39.2±0.05°C on the day of diagnosis. In cows with PM and fever at diagnosis, the RT began to increase from 72 to 48h before the diagnosis of PM and continued to increase to 39.7±0.09°C on d 0 (day of diagnosis). Nonetheless, cows with PM without fever at diagnosis had no daily increases in RT before diagnosis of PM. Still, the RT on d 0 was different from cows without PM. Cows without PM had a stable RT (38.6±0.01°C). There were no detected differences in first-service conception risk or cumulative pregnancy risk by 150 d postpartum between cows with or without PM. Still, a season effect on first-service conception AOR (warm vs. cool=0.98; 95% CI=0.18 to 0.72) and accumulated pregnancy AOR by 150 d postpartum was detected (warm vs. cool=0.18; 95% CI=0.10 to 0.33).
Divergent effects of urban particulate air pollution on allergic airway responses in experimental asthma: a comparison of field exposure studies

Increases in ambient particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) are associated with asthma morbidity and mortality. The overall objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that PM2.5 derived from two distinct urban U.S. communities would induce variable responses to aggravate airway symptoms during experimental asthma. We used a mobile laboratory to conduct community-based inhalation exposures to laboratory rats with ovalbumin-induced allergic airways disease. In Grand Rapids exposures were conducted within 60 m of a major roadway, whereas the Detroit was located in an industrial area more than 400 m from roadways. Immediately after nasal allergen challenge, Brown Norway rats were exposed by whole body inhalation to either concentrated air particles (CAPs) or filtered air for 8 h (7:00 AM - 3:00 PM). Both ambient and concentrated PM2.5 was assessed for mass, size fractionation, and major component analyses, and trace element content. Sixteen hours after exposures, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung lobes were collected and evaluated for airway inflammatory and mucus responses. Similar CAPs mass concentrations were generated in Detroit (542 μg/m3) and Grand Rapids (519 μg/m3). Exposure to CAPs at either site had no effects in lungs of non-allergic rats. In contrast, asthmatic rats had 200% increases in airway mucus and had more BALF neutrophils (250% increase), eosinophils (90%), and total protein (300%) compared to controls. Exposure to Detroit CAPs enhanced all allergic inflammatory endpoints by 30-100%, whereas inhalation of Grand Rapids CAPs suppressed all allergic responses by 50%. Detroit CAPs were characterized by high sulfate, smaller sized particles and were derived from local combustion sources. Conversely Grand Rapids CAPs were derived primarily from motor vehicle sources. Despite inhalation exposure to the same mass concentration of urban PM2.5, disparate health effects can be elicited in the airways of sensitive populations such as asthmatics. Modulation of airway inflammatory and immune responses is therefore dependent on specific chemical components and size distributions of urban PM2.5. Our results suggest that air quality standards based on particle speciation and sources may be more relevant than particle mass to protect human health from PM exposure.
Applications of positron emission tomography/computed tomography image fusion in clinical positron emission tomography-clinical use, interpretation methods, diagnostic improvements.

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scanners with combined dedicated high performance PET and CT scanners have been introduced recently in PET imaging. Oncological imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is currently the dominant application of PET. The addition of CT to PET offers many advantages, including obtaining a fast and relatively low-noise transmission scan, shortening the duration of the examination, adding precise anatomical information to FDG imaging, and providing additional diagnostic information. However, the use of CT for attenuation correction can lead to some artifacts that need to be considered when interpreting a PET/CT study: quantitative measurements may be altered, high density IV and oral and metallic objects may produce artifacts, and the registration of PET and CT may occasionally be suboptimal. Areas where using PET/CT offers particular potential advantages include the head and neck region, abdomen, and pelvis. Even in the thorax, PET/CT offers some advantages. Although clinical data evaluating the added value of PET/CT over PET are presently limited, preliminary results are very encouraging. More studies are warranted to clearly define the clinical impact of PET/CT over PET; however, it is clear this dedicated fusion technology will be very important for patient imaging in the coming years. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Endoglin (CD105) is a target for an oral DNA vaccine against breast cancer.

Endoglin (CD105), a co-receptor in the TGF-β receptor complex, is over-expressed on proliferating endothelial cells in the breast tumor neovasculature and thus offers an attractive target for anti-angiogenic therapy. Here we report the anti-angiogenic/anti-tumor effects achieved in a prophylactic setting with an oral DNA vaccine encoding murine endoglin, carried by double attenuated Salmonella typhimurium (dam−, AroA−) to a secondary lymphoid organ, i.e., Peyer’s patches . We demonstrate that an endoglin vaccine elicited activation of antigen-presenting dendritic cells, coupled with immune responses mediated by CD8+ T cells against endoglin-positive target cells. Moreover, we observed suppression of angiogenesis only in mice administered with the endoglin vaccine as compared to controls. These data suggest that a CD8+ T cell-mediated immune response induced by this vaccine effectively suppressed dissemination of pulmonary metastases of D2F2 breast carcinoma cells presumably by eliminating proliferating endothelial cells in the tumor vasculature. It is anticipated that vaccine strategies such as this may contribute to future therapies for breast cancer.
The Public Good Demand Function: Tax Share as a Dependent Variable

Demand function for public goods has conventionally been specified with the Abstract Walrasian type. In this study, it is argued thatforpublicgoods, demand should be more properly specified with a Marshallian- type function in which tax share is a function of the quantity demanded of public goods. First, theoretical reasoning why the demand function for public goods must be of the Marshallian type is discussed, and the demandfunction of this specification is developed and estimated to evaluate its merits.
Proteins in Flagrante: Excursions in Silico and in Proteo

Understanding biological function, such as the fascinating rate acceleration of enzymes, specificity of protein/protein interactions or the delicately controlled action of signaling has been a long-standing challenge. Despite remarkable information generated using chemical tools in the last 100 years, complemented more recently with structural and computational approaches, we cannot yet identify with a complete energy inventory how ANY protein works. The secret of enzymes lies in their ability to partition energetic contributions among many atoms in a well-coordinated style. To unravel these secrets, proteins in action are spied on at atomic resolution to provide a comprehensive description of enzyme catalysis in the form of an energy landscape. Since the rate of catalysis is determined by the climb over a sequence of energy barriers, we focus here on the critical question of transition pathways with the highest energy state being the transition state.I will discuss our exploration of the full energy landscape of enzyme catalysis through a combination of time-resolved NMR including high-pressure NMR, crystallography, single-molecule FRET and MD simulation. Allosteric is in play for 3 very different systems: an enzyme, a phoshorylation-mediated signaling protein and the inhibition of rhodopsin kinase via protein/protein interactions. For the latter example, binding by conformational selection and not via an induced fit is directly demonstrated by flux measurements, the only rigorous test for the two opposing mechanisms.The presented data stress the point that highly choreographed chemical integrity AND optimized conformational sampling is a prerequisite for efficient enzyme catalysis. The power of an intimate marriage between NMR and other biophysical methods and MD simulations including a variety of novel pathway algorithms will be illustrated.
CULEX TRITAENIORHYNCHUS: FAILURE TO DETECT HETEROSIS IN THE LIFE TABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUTCROSSED LABORATORY COLONIES

Intra and interstrain crosses were made between unselected and inbred adults of the Balloki and Peshawar, Pakistan, laboratory colonies of C. tritaeniorhynchus and life tables were constructed for their progeny. No overall heterosis effects were detected. Inbreeding severely reduced fertility and fecundity and lowered the innate capacity for increase. Interstrain crosses among inbred adults restored some vigor, but all life table estimates relating to fecundity were significantly less than crosses among the unselected adults. Thus, outcrosses among laboratory-adapted colonies did not appear to impart marked heterosis and would probably not enhance the vigor of males used for genetic control. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Culex tritaeniorhynchus: Misserfolg beim Suchen von Heterosis in den Life Table-Daten gekreuzter Laboratoriumskolonien Intra- und Interstammkreuzungen wurden zwischen unselektionierten und ingezuchteten Insekten der Balloki***- und Peshawar-Laboratoriumskolonien von C. tritaeniorhynchus durchgefuhrt und es wurden Life Tables fur ihre Nachkommenschaft erstellt. Dabei konnten keine allgemeinen Heterosis-effekte festgestellt werden. Inzucht verminderte die Fertilitat und Fekunditat stark und reduzierte die genetische Vermehrungsfahigkeit. Interstammkreuzungen zwischen Inzuchtinsekten brachte etwas Vigor zuruck, aber alle Life Table-Schatzungen*** im Hinblick auf Fekunditat waren gesichert tiefer als bei Kreuzungen zwischen nicht selektionierten Insekten. Demnach scheinen Kreuzungen zwischen verschiedenen dem Laboratorium angepassten Kolonien keine ausgepragte Heterosis zu bringen. Sie wurden wahrscheinlich die Qualitat von Mannchen und Weibchen, die fur die genetische Bekampfung verwendet werden, nicht verbessern.
The Role of Prior Expectancies and Relational Satisfaction in Crisis

This study empirically tests (1) expectancy violations theory’s applicability to the setting of organization–public relationships and explores (2) the effectiveness of post-crisis communication in ...
Evaluation of immunosuppressive function of regulatory T cells using a novel in vitro cytotoxicity assay

Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a pivotal role in the maintenance of self-tolerance due to their intrinsic immunosuppressive activity. Currently, a number of human clinical trials are being conducted to investigate the roles of Tregs in treating various immune-mediated disorders. Traditionally, the suppressive activity of Tregs is measured using either a thymidine incorporation assay, which is a radioactive assay; or CFSE based flow cytometry assay, which requires a relatively large number of cells. Consequently, there is an increasing need to develop novel alternative bioassays that can characterize various aspects of the immunosuppressive function of Tregs in vitro .I n this study, using murine clonal CD8 + T cells specific for an islet antigen as responder T cells, we first established a novel, sensitive and quantitative in vitro luminescence based cell viability assay to measure cytotoxicity. Then we used this assay to measure if Tregs could inhibit the cytotoxicity of CD8 effector T cells. This assay does not involve the use of radioisotopes and only needs relatively low number of Tregs. Since normally Tregs only constitute 5-10% of peripheral CD4 + T cells, this advantage is noteworthy compared with other methods. With the assay we developed, we demonstrated that regulatory T cells (Tregs) could inhibit the antigen-specific killing of an adherent target cell monolayer by the CD8 + cytotoxic T cells. We observed more inhibition when Tregs and CD8 killer T cells were incubated during the in vitro activation (stimulation) stage of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) than when they were added later at the start of the effector phase. Interestingly, Tregs from B6 mice demonstrated higher suppression of CD8 + T cell killing than Tregs from NOD mice. Moreover, IL-2/anti-IL-2 mAb complexes induced expansion of Tregs in vivo ,a s well as enhancing the Treg’s suppressive activity per cell. Therefore, this novel non-radioactive, luminescence based cytotoxicity assay mediated by clonal islet antigen-specific CD8 T cells can be used to measure, characterize, and quantitate the immunosuppressive activity of natural Tregs, representing a useful approach to characterize the functions of Tregs in the setting of autoimmune diseases and to elucidate the mechanisms for Treg cell-mediated immunoregulation.
Pronounced phylogeographic structure on a small spatial scale: Geomorphological evolution and lineage history in the salamander ring species Ensatina eschscholtzii in central coastal California

The salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii is a classic example of a ring species, and has an intricate biogeographic history. Within a part of the ring distribution, earlier work using allozymes disclosed high levels of genetic structure in central coastal California, where the subspecies oregonensis, xanthoptica, and eschscholtzii meet. We used mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences to further examine patterns of divergence in this area, including data from 155 localities (309 individuals). Our focus is on the documentation of population-level haplotype lineages. We show that oregonensis is represented by two unrelated, phenotypically similar clades, both of which possess substantial substructure of their own. The subspecies xanthoptica includes two lineages that differ in phenotype, one of which has colonized the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The subspecies eschscholtzii occurs mainly to the south, but some populations from a northern lineage extend into the Monterey Bay region, where they approach xanthoptica geographically. In sum, populations in the central coastal California region form a distributional patchwork, including three subspecies, three clades (which differ from the three subspecies), and ten haplotype lineages. We conclude that such striking levels of phylogeographic structure reflect interspersed episodes of spatial fragmentation, in part driven by the complex geomorphological evolution of the California Coast Range system.
A novel error correction method without overhead for corrupted JPEG images

The paper presents a novel error detection and correction methodology for corrupted coefficients caused by the transmission over a noisy channel of images coded using orthogonal transforms. The method is based on the orthogonal property of image transforms, such as the discrete cosine transform. A few reference pixel intensities of each image block are replaced by a predetermined intensity level prior to transmission. This allows the receiver to identify and correct the error pattern generated by the corruption of DCT coefficients. It is possible to correct t corrupted DCT coefficients in an image block by altering the value of 2t+1 pixel intensity levels to a predetermined value in each image block. After recovering the corrupted DCT coefficients, if necessary, and reconstructing the image, the original intensity level of each reference pixel is estimated by averaging the intensity levels of the adjacent pixels. The resulting image is indistinguishable from the original image when examined by a human. The algorithm does not require any channel overhead. An illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the performance of our algorithm.
Nanoscale phase segregation of mixed thiolates on gold nanoparticles.

Phase segregation and domain formation is observed within the protecting monolayer of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using ion mobility-mass spectrometry, a two-dimensional gas-phase separation technique. Experimental data is compared to a theoretical model that represents a randomly distributed ligand mixture. Deviations from this model provide evidence for nanophase separation resulting in anisotropic AuNPs.
30S Ribosomal Subunit Assembly Is a Target for Inhibition by Aminoglycosides in Escherichia coli

The aminoglycosides paromomycin and neomycin were examined in Escherichia coli cells for an inhibitory effect on 30S ribosomal subunit assembly. Both compounds inhibited the growth rate, viable cell number, and protein synthesis rate with similar 50% inhibitory concentrations. Each drug also showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of 30S subunit formation. The inhibitory effect on 30S particle formation was approximately equivalent to the inhibitory effect on translation for these antibiotics.
Improved method to extract the short-circuit parameters of the BECM

The current method for extracting the short-circuit broadband extended cantilever model (BECM) parameters requires measurement of short-circuit currents, and is problematic over a wide frequency range, prohibiting each short-circuit parameter to be directly measured. The improved method presented herein eliminates the measurements of short-circuit currents. Each short-circuit BECM parameter is directly found from two measurements, an open-circuit voltage gain and a short-circuit admittance. The method is demonstrated for a published five-winding BECM.
Follicular administration of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor can prevent oocyte release without alteration of normal luteal function in rhesus monkeys

Background Prostaglandins (PG), produced by the follicle just before ovulation, appear to act locally to promote follicle rupture and oocyte release. Methods To determine whether administration of PG synthesis inhibitor directly into the primate follicle would prevent ovulatory events, serum estradiol was used to predict the day of the ovulatory LH surge in rhesus monkeys. On the day before or the day of the LH surge, vehicle (n = 9), the PG synthesis inhibitor indomethacin (10(-6) or 10(-5) mol/l final concentration; n = 8), or 10(-5) mol/l indomethacin + 1 micro g/ml PGE(2) (n = 3) was injected into the follicular fluid of the pre-ovulatory follicle. In some animals, luteal phase estrogen and progesterone were measured in daily serum samples. Other animals were ovariectomized 3 days after follicle injection; ovaries were examined for verification of follicle rupture and oocyte release. Results Follicle injection of indomethacin [10(-6) mol/l (n = 4) or 10(-5) (n = 4) mol/l final concentration] or vehicle (n = 6) did not alter luteal function. Examination of serial sections of removed ovaries confirmed follicle rupture and the absence of oocytes in vehicle-injected follicles (n = 3). Trapped oocytes were observed in 4/8 indomethacin-injected follicles, though several ovaries with trapped oocytes had experienced follicle rupture. Oocytes were not detected in the ruptured, luteinizing follicles from indomethacin + PGE(2)-injected monkeys (n = 3). Conclusions Follicular administration of indomethacin can prevent oocyte release without inhibition of follicle rupture or disruption of subsequent luteal function. The ability of PGE(2) to prevent indomethacin-induced ovulatory failure suggests a critical role for locally produced PGE(2) in the process of oocyte release in primates.
Coherence-Based Underwater Target Detection From Multiple Disparate Sonar Platforms

This paper explores the use of multichannel coherence as a tool for detection of underwater targets from imagery captured from multiple disparate sonar systems. The use of multiple disparate sonars allows one to exploit a high-resolution sonar with good target definition while taking advantage of the clutter suppression abilities of a low-resolution broadband (BB) sonar coregistered over the same region to provide much better detection performance comparing to those of the single-sonar cases. In this paper, the standard Neyman-Pearson detector is extended to the dual disparate sonar case allowing target detection across two sensory channels simultaneously. A novel distributed detection system is also developed that exploits the use of multiple dual-sonar detectors for multiplatform target detection. Test results of the proposed detection methods are also presented on an underwater synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) imagery database containing data from three different imaging sonars operating at three different frequencies and resolutions. Test results illustrating the effectiveness of different coherent-based detection systems will be presented and benchmarked against those of two other detection methods in terms of probability of detection, false alarm rate, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Performance gains of about 23% in probability of detection were achieved over the benchmarked methods.
The Constitution and the Future of Criminal Justice in America: Consent, Dignity, and the Failure of Scattershot Policing

Law enforcement officers often work under conditions that afford them a great deal of individual discretion about how to exercise their power to police. In this chapter, I explore how Fourth Amendment doctrine, as formulated by the US Supreme Court, and as interpreted and applied by lower courts, influences law enforcement policy and individual officers’ exercise of this discretion. It does so not only by articulating specific rules for conduct, but by expressing opinions and values about the power relationships between law enforcement officers and those they police. I argue that the Court’s Fourth Amendment jurisprudence has encouraged the aggressive targeting of large numbers of people for stops and searches, the vast majority of whom are innocent of any crime. Many of these searches are premised on the highly questionable notion that the individuals targeted have freely consented to a search of their persons, vehicles, or belongings. The result is a set of law enforcement practices that maximize unpleasant and frightening encounters between civilians and police; the vast majority of these encounters uncover no crime, yet collectively they are gradually cultivating a popular attitude of fear and resentment, rather than a willingness to cooperate with legal authorities. In order to repair what is now an atmosphere of bitterness and distrust toward the police in some communities, law enforcement agencies and officers should follow the lead of the handful of state supreme courts which have limited the ability to conduct consent searches on a scattershot and arbitrary basis. I conclude that rather than leveraging their broad discretion into a fishing expedition for criminal activity based on little or no reasonable suspicion, law enforcement agencies should leverage the cooperation of ordinary people who share their aim to reduce crime and build safer communities.
Crossing the Boundaries: An Implementation of Two Methods for Projecting Data across Boundary Changes

Much of the data used in social science is aggregated into spatial units, even if the analysis itself does not explicitly incorporate that information. A key concern with such aggregation, however, is that changes in the units of aggregation themselves cause difficulty in comparing data gathered on the old boundaries and the new boundaries. Such changes present serious concerns to researchers who may exclude observations or cases due to a lack of comparable units or omit certain key variables. While geographers have long examined this problem and created methods of projecting data from one spatial unit into another, known as areal interpolation, it is telling that a recent article notes the difficulty for researchers in implementing even the most basic solutions without relying heavily on programming skills or proprietary software.
Distinguishing the Efficient Markets Hypothesis from the Random Walk Theory: Historical Based Information as Reliable Information Predictors.

Even though the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH) is also commonly referred to as the random walk theory (Clarke et al, 2001:1), there are several reasons why both can be distinguished. Amongst other objectives, this chapter will also aim to illustrate why the semi-strong and strong forms of the Efficient Markets Hypothesis appear to accord, to a greater degree, with the random walk theory whilst the weak form of the EMH increasingly appears to be contradictory to the random walk hypothesis – in terms of predictability – and based on past information.
Improving the accuracy of convexity splitting methods for gradient flow equations

This paper introduces numerical time discretization methods which significantly improve the accuracy of the convexity-splitting approach of Eyre (1998) 7, while retaining the same numerical cost and stability properties.A first order method is constructed by iteration of a semi-implicit method based upon decomposing the energy into convex and concave parts. A second order method is also presented based on backwards differentiation formulas. Several extrapolation procedures for iteration initialization are proposed. We show that, under broad circumstances, these methods have an energy decreasing property, leading to good numerical stability.The new schemes are tested using two evolution equations commonly used in materials science: the Cahn-Hilliard equation and the phase field crystal equation. We find that our methods can increase accuracy by many orders of magnitude in comparison to the original convexity-splitting algorithm. In addition, the optimal methods require little or no iteration, making their computation cost similar to the original algorithm.
Avatar-Based Advertising in Second Life

AbstractAvatar-based, three-dimensional, virtual environments such as Second Life, the most popular and fastest growing environment, offer a promising corporate communication channel for brand marketing, advergaming, and interactive advertising. Drawing on presence literature, this study examines the effects of the presence (versus absence) of spokes-avatars that provide product information and consumers’ multimodal interactions with these spokes-avatars on improvements in the consumers’ product involvement, attitude toward the product, and enjoyment of the online shopping experience. In addition, this study investigates the effects of spokes-avatars’ physical characteristics in terms of humanness (versus non-humanness) on consumers’ evaluation of their physical attractiveness and the information value of the advertisement message. A path analysis reveals a mediating role of spokes-avatars’ physical attractiveness.
Electrical response of ammonium-rich water ice

The electrical properties of water ice impact the study of diverse frozen environments, in particular the radar sounding of ice masses. The high-frequency response of meteoric polar ice depends partly on the bulk concentration of ammonium (NH4 + ), but the nature of this response has been unclear. Here we use broadband dielectric spectroscopy to investigate the electrical response of laboratory- frozen solutions. By analyzing the relaxation frequency of these samples and its temperature dependence, we show that the mobility of Bjerrum D-defects formed in the ice lattice by ammonium is 1.4 � 0.8 � 10 -9 m 2 V -1 s -1 at -208C, or about an order of magnitude smaller than that of Bjerrum L-defects formed by chloride. However, co-substitution of both ions increases the ice-lattice solubility of chloride by a factor of � 7, causing an enhanced conductivity response due to greater concentrations of Bjerrum L-defects. Thus, despite its low mobility, ammonium can also affect the high-frequency electrical response of polar ice, but its covariance with chloride must be considered.
Integrating ReSET with Glycosyl Iodide Glycosylation in Step-Economy Syntheses of Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigens and Immunogenic Glycolipids

Carbohydrates mediate a wide range of biological processes, and understanding these events and how they might be influenced is a complex undertaking that requires access to pure glycoconjugates. The isolation of sufficient quantities of carbohydrates and glycolipids from biological samples remains a significant challenge that has redirected efforts toward chemical synthesis. However, progress toward complex glycoconjugate total synthesis has been slowed by the need for multiple protection and deprotection steps owing to the large number of similarly reactive hydroxyls in carbohydrates. Two methodologies, regioselective silyl exchange technology (ReSET) and glycosyl iodide glycosylation have now been integrated to streamline the synthesis of the globo series trisaccharides (globotriaose and isoglobotriaose) and α-lactosylceramide (α-LacCer). These glycoconjugates include tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs) and immunostimulatory glycolipids that hold promise as immunotherapeutics. Beyond the utility of the step-economy syntheses afforded by this synthetic platform, the studies also reveal a unique electronic interplay between acetate and silyl ether protecting groups. Incorporation of acetates proximal to silyl ethers attenuates their reactivity while reducing undesirable side reactions. This phenomenon can be used to fine-tune the reactivity of silylated/acetylated sugar building blocks.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR INTRASPECIFIC VARIATION IN THE CALLING SONGS OF CRICKETS

A knowledge of the intraspecific variation in cricket calling songs1 and of the factors causing these variations is fundamental to the study of other aspects of the songs. For instance, work on the behavioral significance of the calling song must take into account the changes in calling song that occur with changes in certain environmental factors. Likewise, evaluation of interspecific differences and attempts to explain their origin are dependent upon a correct understanding of intraspecific differences. Finally, one working on the nervous control of singing must know what he has to explain before he can produce a thorough explanation. The factors responsible for intraspecific variation in cricket calling songs can be classified conveniently under three headings: (1) current environment, i.e., the environment of the cricket at the time he is producing the song, (2) previous interactions with the environment, and (3) genetic factors. Each of these will be discussed in turn, but first I will describe the mechanism of sound production in crickets and the physical characteristics of cricket calling songs.
ENSO Impact on Vegetation

This paper examines the 1981–1997 association between monthly SST anomalies in the 3.4 tropical Pacific and vegetation health (VH) indices for every 16 km2 pixel of the world. The VH indices are represented by the Vegetation ­condition (VCI), Temperature condition (TCI), and Vegetation Health (VHI) indices. VCI determines moisture conditions, TCI – thermal conditions and VHI – the total ­vegetation health. Two types of responses were identified for boreal winter: ecosystems of northern South America, southern Africa, and Southeast Asia experienced severe moisture and thermal stress during El Nino and favorable conditions during La Nina years. In Argentina and the Horn of Africa the response was opposite. One of the most interesting results this paper shows are related to an advanced warnings of ENSO impacts. The eastern Brazil is sensitive to ENSO as early as in the spring (March–May) of the year the ENSO is starting its development.
A cross-sectional study of the acquisition of grammatical morphemes in child speech

Speech samples were taken from 21 children aged 16–40 months covering a wide range of mean utterance length. Presence or absence of 14 grammatical morphemes in linguistic and nonlinguistic obligatory contexts was scored. Order of acquisition of the morphemes was determined using two different criteria. The rank-orderings obtained correlated very highly with a previously determined order of acquisition for three children studied longitudinally. Age did not add to the predictiveness of mean length of utterance alone for grammatical development in terms of which morphemes were correctly used. The approximately invariant order of acquisition for the fourteen morphemes is discussed in terms of three possible determinants of this order. Frequency of use in parental speech showed no correlation with order of acquisition, but grammatical and semantic complexity both correlated highly with acquisition order.
Magnetically induced variations in phonon frequencies

The long-standing question of the existence of phonon-magnetism interactions in metals is examined from first principles. Through density-functional-based linear-response calculations, we show that the phonon frequencies of fcc Ni have an explicit and appreciable dependence on its magnetic moment: the frequencies increase with the magnetic moment near the Brillouin zone center, whereas the situation becomes reversed near the zone boundary, and this behavior originates from the combined role of the spin-dependent screening due to the electrons and the effect of magnetostriction.
SU-F-T-126: Microdosimetic Evaluation of Proton Energy Distributions in the Vicinity of Metal Implants

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of titanium and surgical stainless steel implants on the microscopic dose distribution in proton treatment plans Methods: Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations were used to analyze the microdosimetric distribution of proton radiation in the vicinity of 3.1 mm thick CP Grade 4 titanium (Ti) or 316 stainless steel (SS316) plates in a water phantom. Additional simulations were performed using either water, or water with a density equivalent to the respective metals (Tiwater, SS316water) (to reflect common practice in treatment planning). Implants were placed at the COM of SOBPs of 157 MeV (range of ∼15 cm in water) protons with 30 or 60 mm modulation. Primary and secondary particle dose and fluence, frequency-weighted and dose-weighted average lineal energy, average radiation quality factor, dose equivalent and energy deposition histograms in the plate vicinity were compared. Results: Preliminary results show frequency-weighted (yf) and dose-weighted lineal energy (yd) was increased downstream of the Ti plate (yf = 3.1 keV/µm; yd = 5.5 keV/µm) and Tiwater (yf = 4.1 keV/µm; yd = 6.8 keV/µm) compared to that of water (ie, the absence of a plate) (yf = 2.5 keV/µm; yd = 4.5 keV/µm). In addition, downstream proton dose deposition was also elevated due to the presence of the Ti plate or Tiwater. The additional dose deposited at higher lineal energy implies that tissues downstream of the plate will receive a higher dose equivalent. Detailed analyses of the Ti, Tiwater, SS316, and SS316 water simulations will be presented. Conclusion: The presence of high-density materials introduces changes in the spatial distribution of radiation in the vicinity of an implant. Further work quantifying these effects could be incorporated into future treatment planning systems resulting in more accurate treatment plans. This project was sponsored with funding from the Department of Defense (DOD # W81XWH-10-2-0192).
Towards a revolution in sustainability education: Vision, architecture, and assessment in a case-based approach

Abstract The challenges of sustainability and sustainable development are multifaceted and complex. Addressing them in the long run requires a revolution in the training of future generations of learners so that they can devise solutions for sustainability dilemmas in environments characterized by uncertainty, information deficits, and asymmetric power relationships. Such a revolution is under way in many disciplines. Within the field of sustainability studies, there is much promise in a problem-driven, solution-focused approach that emphasizes experiential learning in the best tradition of case-based teaching. The Michigan Sustainability Cases initiative builds on the familiar case-based approach by adapting it in three ways to support active, engaged learning: integration of audiovisual elements into the conventional text-based case narratives; strong partnerships among students, faculty, and practitioners to flip the curriculum; and a digital platform for enhanced flexibility to configure case-based curriculum design. A competitive funding mechanism and writeshops for case development teams promise to open the case-based approach through imaginative appropriation for sustainability learners in diverse educational and organizational contexts globally.
The voice of the Church Bell in North American Lutheran blessings

Etude des rites de consecration des cloches des eglises lutheriennes en Amerique du Nord au cours du XXe siecle. L'A., a travers cette etude, entend revitaliser l'imagination symbolique qui s'attache aux cloches pour revivifier le culte.
Human neutrophils and oral microbiota: a constant tug‐of‐war between a harmonious and a discordant coexistence

Neutrophils are a major component of the innate host response, and the outcome of the interaction between the oral microbiota and neutrophils is a key determinant of oral health status. The composition of the oral microbiome is very complex and different in health and disease. Neutrophils are constantly recruited to the oral cavity, and their protective role is highlighted in cases where their number or functional responses are impeded, resulting in different forms of periodontal disease. Periodontitis, one of the more severe and irreversible forms of periodontal disease, is a microbial-induced chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gingival tissues supporting the tooth. This chronic inflammatory disease is the result of a shift of the oral bacterial symbiotic community to a dysbiotic more complex community. Chronic inflammatory infectious diseases such as periodontitis can occur because the pathogens are able to evade or disable the innate immune system. In this review, we discuss how human neutrophils interact with both the symbiotic and the dysbiotic oral community; an understanding of which is essential to increase our knowledge of the periodontal disease process.
Radiotherapy for brain metastases: quo vadis?

The brain is precious real estate. Metastases can wreak havoc by lodging in eloquent areas or by raising intracranial pressure.