cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The dual-processual model in ancient Greece: Applying a post-neoevolutionary model to a data-rich environment

Abstract Dissatisfaction with neoevolutionary concepts in social evolution has prompted archeologists to offer new post-neoevolutionary models to investigate social change. One concept, the dual-processual model, is salient among several because it focuses attention onto the central dynamics of exclusionary/networking or corporate strategies for obtaining power. Yet this model remains somewhat uncontextualized, with knowledge of how each strategy would work in a culture hinted at only in large concepts. This lack of contextualization hinders us from achieving the stated goals of the dual-processual model: the introduction of new cultural axes of analysis and the promotion of cross-cultural comparison. I argue here that we need to apply this model to a data-rich environment to elucidate to a greater degree how each of these power strategies operates. Classical cultures, within which post-neoevolutionary models are rarely applied, can supply this needed fine-grained context. In applying the model to the ancient city of Priene, which supplies several well-understood interactional contexts, I discern how we might define exclusionary/networking or corporate within different social contexts, how people use these strategies to gain power, and how these strategies change over time. Information from this application helps us to further the stated goals of its dual-processual proponents.
Detection of seizure induced transient structural changes in the mouse hippocampus using Optical Coherence Tomography

We detected transient structural changes of neuron in seizure using phase-resolved spectral domain optical coherence tomography by correlating changes in optical phase with electrophysiology using a multi-electrode array in a murine hippocampal brain slice.
C3‐C4 PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE GENUS MOLLUGO: STRUCTURE, PHYSIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION OF INTERMEDIATE CHARACTERISTICS

The genus Mollugo has been reported to have species which are C4 plants and a C3-C4 intermediate. In the present paper, we report on the anatomy and photosynthetic physiology of three additional species in the Molluginaceae, M. pentaphylla, M. nudicaulis, and M. lotoides, all of which possess some anatomical and physiological features of both C3 and C4 plants. Most notable among the variable C3-C4 features are C4-like bundle sheath cells, along with a C3-like arrangement of palisade and spongy parenchyma. M. nudicaulis appeared to have lower photorespiration based on its CO2 compensation point and lower oxygen sensitivity of photosynthesis. The occurrence of polyploidy within this group of plants and its relationship to lower photorespiration or evolution of these species is discussed.
Four Myths About America's Teacher Quality Problem

Few educational issues have received more attention in recent times than the problem of ensuring that our nation's elementary and secondary classrooms are all staffed with quality teachers. Concern with the quality of teachers is neither unique nor surprising. Elementary and secondary schooling are mandatory in the United States, and children are legally placed into the custody of teachers for a significant portion of their lives. The quality of teachers and teaching are undoubtedly among the most important factors shaping the learning and growth of students. Moreover, the largest single component of the cost of education is teacher compensation. Comments Reprinted from Developing the Teacher Workforce, 103rd Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, edited by Mark A. Smylie and Debra Miretzky (Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2004), pages 1-33. This book chapter is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/gse_pubs/29
Development of criteria used to establish a background environmental monitoring station

It is generally considered necessary to measure concentrations of contaminants-of-concern at a background location when conducting atmospheric environmental surveillance. This is because it is recognized that measurements of background concentrations can enhance interpretation of environmental monitoring data. Despite the recognized need for background measurements, there is little published guidance available that describes how to identify an appropriate atmospheric background monitoring location. This paper develops generic criteria that can guide the decision making process for identifying suitable locations for background atmospheric monitoring station. Detailed methods for evaluating some of these criteria are also provided and a case study for establishment of an atmospheric background surveillance station as part of an environmental surveillance program is described. While the case study focuses on monitoring for radionuclides, the approach is equally valid for any airborne constituent being monitored. The case study shows that implementation of the developed criteria can result in a good, defensible choice for a background atmospheric monitoring location.
Acute changes in noradrenaline levels do not alter lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptor concentrations in man

Physiological means of elevating plasma catecholamines were characterised with respect to their effect on β-adrenergic catecholamine receptors in man. The noradrenaline content of plasma was determined by the single isotope enzyme method on blood samples from which lymphocytes were also isolated by centrifugation on ficol-hypaque density gradients. β-adrenergic catecholamine receptors were quantified by specific binding of (−)-[3H]-dihydroalprenolol to these cells, in which noradrenaline acts by stimulating β-adrenergic receptors. Nine subjects had supine blood pressure measurements and blood samples drawn every 20 min for 24 h for measurement of plasma noradrenaline (NA). Six of these subjects had blood samples collected for measurement of lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptor concentration over a 14 h period (0800 to 2200 h). Mean recumbent plasma NA levels were lowest at 0400 to 0600 h (126 to 150 pg·ml−1), rose sharply prior to awakening and reached peak concentrations at 0800 to 1100 h (280 to 340 pg·ml−1). There was also a rather sharp drop in plasma NA from 1600 h to 2200 h (290 to 210 pg·ml−1). There was an excellent correlation between blood pressure and plasma levels of NA throughout the 24 h of study. Despite periodic circadian changes in plasma NA over the 14 h sampling period (210 to 360 pg·ml−1) β-adrenergic receptor concentration of lymphocytes did not vary. In addition, basal supine NA levels and lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptor concentrations and their response to 2 h upright posture were examined in six normal volunteers. Plasma NA levels were significantly elevated after 10 min, reached peak levels two-fold greater than basal levels at 30 min, and remained elevated throughout 2 h of upright posture. During the 2 h of upright posture, lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptor concentration did not change. These results suggest that acute variations in plasma catecholamines over a physiological range are not associated with changes in receptor number.
Discussion on "Second-Guessing Clinical Trial Designs" by Jonathan J. Shuster and Myron N. Chang

Abstract Sequential designs, permitting the possibility of early termination, have become commonly used in clinical trials of treatments for serious diseases. Some level of judgment is always involved in using these designs, both at the design stage (how extreme do we want the results to be before we stop and declare that we know the answer?) and at the implementation stage (are there reasons to continue the study, despite the fact that the data now meet the criteria for early stopping?). Those serving on data and safety monitoring committees inevitably have access to much information not widely available, making “second-guessing” a risky enterprise. For most trials, early stopping for benefit is not a consideration, for very good reasons. It must be recognized that many more trials address relief of symptoms over a short period of observation than address serious and irreversible health outcomes in long-term studies; for the former types of trials, there is generally no ethically compelling basis to stop...
Cesarean and VBAC rates among immigrant vs. native-born women: a retrospective observational study from Taiwan Cesarean delivery and VBAC among immigrant women in Taiwan

Background: Cultural and ethnic roots impact women’s fertility and delivery preferences This study investigated whether the likelihood of cesarean delivery, primary cesarean, and vaginal delivery after cesarean (VBAC) varies by maternal national origin. Methods: We conducted a nation-wide, population-based, observational study using secondary data from Taiwan. De-identified data were obtained on all 392,246 singleton live births (≥500 g; ≥20 weeks) born to native-born Taiwanese, Vietnamese and mainland Chinese-born mothers between January 1 2006 and December 31 2007 from Taiwan’s nation-wide birth certificate data. Our analytic samples consisted of the following: for overall cesarean likelihood 392,246 births, primary cesarean 336,766 (excluding repeat cesarean and VBAC), and VBAC 55,480 births (excluding primary cesarean and vaginal births without previous cesarean). Our main outcome measures were the odds of cesarean delivery, primary cesarean delivery and VBAC for Vietnamese and Chinese immigrant mothers relative to Taiwanese mothers, using multiple regression analyses to adjust for maternal and neonatal characteristics, paternal age, institutional setting, and major obstetric complications. Results: Unadjusted overall cesarean, primary cesarean, and VBAC rates were 33.9%, 23.0% and 4.0% for Taiwanese, 27.6%, 20.1% and 5.0% for mainland Chinese, and 19.3%, 13.9 and 6.1% for Vietnamese respectively. Adjusted for confounders, Vietnamese mothers were less likely than native-born Taiwanese to have overall and primary cesarean delivery (OR = 0.59 and 0.58 respectively), followed by Chinese mothers (both ORs = 0.90 relative to native-born Taiwanese). Vietnamese mothers were most likely to have successful VBAC (OR = 1.58), followed by Chinese mothers (OR = 1.25). Conclusion: Immigrant Vietnamese and Chinese mothers have lower odds of cesarean and higher VBAC odds than native-born Taiwanese, consistent with lower cesarean rates prevailing in their home countries (Vietnam 10.1%; mainland China 20% - 50% rural and urban respectively).
1/Q expansions for Potts models in all dimensions☆

Abstract The quantum hamiltonian versions of the Q -state Potts models are solved in the 1/ Q expansion for an arbitrary dimension d . Each model has a first order phase transition for Q > Q c ( d ). We find that Q c ( d ) is 4 at d = 2, is 2.6 ± 0.1 at d = 3, and is 2.00 ± 0.05 for all d ⩾ 4. The d → ∞ limit is solved exactly for all Q using hamiltonian mean field theory.
Chain dynamics of nascent polypeptides emerging from the ribosome.

Very little is known about the conformation of polypeptides emerging from the ribosome during protein biosynthesis. Here, we explore the dynamics of ribosome-bound nascent polypeptides and proteins in Escherichia coli by dynamic fluorescence depolarization and assess the population of cotranslationally active chaperones trigger factor (TF) and DnaK. E. coli cell-free technology and fluorophore-linked E. coli Met-tRNAfMet enable selective site-specific labeling of nascent proteins at the N-terminal methionine. For the first time, direct spectroscopic evidence captures the generation of independent nascent chain motions for a single-domain protein emerging from the ribosome (apparent rotational correlation time ∼5 ns), during the intermediate and late stages of polypeptide elongation. Such motions are detected only for a sequence encoding a globular protein and not for a natively unfolded control, suggesting that the independent nascent chain dynamics may be a signature of folding-competent sequences. In su...
Barriers to adopting satellite remote sensing for water quality management

Sustainable practices require a long-term commitment to creating solutions to environmental, social, and economic issues. The most direct way to ensure that management practices achieve sustainability is to monitor the environment. Remote sensing technology has the potential to accelerate the engagement of communities and managers in the implementation and performance of best management practices. Over the last few decades, satellite technology has allowed measurements on a global scale over long time periods, and is now proving useful in coastal waters, estuaries, lakes, and reservoirs, which are relevant to water quality managers. Comprehensive water quality climate data records have the potential to provide rapid water quality assessments, thus providing new and enhanced decision analysis methodologies and improved temporal/spatial diagnostics. To best realize the full application potential of these emerging technologies an open and effective dialogue is needed between scientists, policy makers, environmental managers, and stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels. Results from an internal US Environmental Protection Agency qualitative survey were used to determine perceptions regarding the use of satellite remote sensing for monitoring water quality. The goal of the survey was to begin understanding why management decisions do not typically rely on satellite-derived water quality products.
Studies on the mechanism of leukotriene induced coronary artery constriction

Abstract Leukotriene (LT) C 4 , D 4 ,and E 4 at concentrations of 10 to 100 ng/ml were found to be potent coronary artery constrictors in the perfused cat coronary artery and perfused rat heart. In contrast, LTB 4 , was essentially inactive. The coronary constrictor effect of leukotrienes was not related to thromboxane release, but rather appeared to be due to a calcium mediated activation of specific leukotriene receptors.
Effect of flooding on the annual dormancy cycle and on germination of seeds of the summer annual Schoenoplectus purshianus (Cyperaceae)

Abstract Seeds of Schoenoplectus purshianus were dormant at maturity in early autumn and thus did not germinate in light or darkness at 15/6, 20/10, 25/15, 30/15 or 35/20°C. Seeds buried in either flooded or nonflooded soil and exposed to natural seasonal temperature changes for 32 months exhibited an annual dormancy/nondormancy cycle each year when tested in light under either flooded or nonflooded conditions. That is, seeds came out of dormancy during autumn and winter and could germinate to high percentages in spring. Burial prevented seeds from germinating, thus they re-entered dormancy by summer and could not germinate at any temperature. Seeds buried in flooded soil and tested in darkness on wet sand (=nonflooded) also exhibited an annual dormancy/nondormancy cycle, but those buried in nonflooded soil and tested in darkness on wet sand never germinated to more than 2%. Optimum habitat conditions for high year-to-year germination are a regime of nonflooding in winter and flooding in spring.
Terahertz imaging and time-domain spectroscopy of large-area graphene on silicon

We demonstrate THz imaging and time-domain spectroscopy of a single-layer graphene film. The large-area graphene was grown by chemical vapor deposition on Cu-foil and subsequently transferred to a Si substrate. We took a transmission image of the graphene/Si sample measured by a Si:bolometer (pixel size is 0.4-mm). The graphene film (transmission: 36 - 41%) is clearly resolved against the background of the Si substrate (average transmission: 56.6%). The strong THz absorption by the graphene layer indicates that THz carrier dynamics are dominated by intraband transitions. A theoretical analysis based on the Fresnel coefficients for a metallic thin film shows that the local sheet resistance varies across the sample from 420 to 590 Ohm, consistent with electron mobility ~ 3,000 cm 2 V -1 s -1 . We also measured time-resolved THz waveforms through the Si substrate and the graphene/Si sample. The waveforms consist of a series of single-cycle THz pulses: a directly transmitted pulse, then subsequent "echos" corresponding to multiple reflections from the substrate. The amplitude difference between graphene/Si pulses and Si pulses becomes more pronounced as the pulses undergo more reflections. From these measurements, we obtained spectrally flat transmission spectra of the transmitted pulses and the average sheet resistance 480 Ohm, consistent with the results of the power transmission measurement. The flat spectral responses indicate that the carrier scattering time in our graphene sample is much shorter than the THz pulse duration.
An Improved Archimedes Pump

In this note we propose a slightly improved version of the Archimedes pump which was advertised as a toy model in The Physics Teacher. It consists of a hose wound densely around a tube (or pipe made of metallic or plastic material) which can be rotated mechanically (a hand driven one is the most primitive case as shown in the Picture 1) or electrically.
Characterization of the high molecular weight insulin-like growth factor complex in term pregnancy serum.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) circulate in human adult serum predominantly as a high mol wt complex of 150 kilodaltons (kDa), which is made up of three subunits: alpha, the acid-labile subunit, a glycoprotein of around 85-100 kDa; beta, the acid-stable IGF-binding protein subunit, which is the 40-kDa GH-dependent glycoprotein IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3); and gamma, the 7.5 IGF-I or -II peptide subunit. During human pregnancy, all three subunits are elevated when measured by RIA. However, recent ligand blotting studies have shown that IGFBP-3 is markedly reduced during pregnancy. When pregnancy serum is acidified and neutralized to inactivate endogenous alpha-subunit, ternary complex formation is normal with exogenous radiolabeled alpha-subunit, indicating functional IGFBP-3. We have attempted to clarify the status of IGFBP-3 and the high mol wt (alpha beta gamma) complex in human term pregnancy serum by further analyses. Term pregnancy (TP) or nonpregnancy (NP) pooled sera were fractionated on a ...
Ultra-sensitive sensing with A superluminal ring laser

We show, theoretically and experimentally, how a ring laser can be tuned to a regime where the group velocity of light far exceeds the vacuum veocity, realizing a superluminal laser, with high sensitivity to perturbations.
The Development of Intermediation in French Credit Markets: Evidence from the Estates of Burgundy

We document how intermediaries shaped markets or, conversely, how market institutions constrained intermediaries. In Dijon, where the Estates of Burgundy's debt amounted to nearly half of all bonds in that small market, there was limited need for intermediaries. In the 1740s the borrowing needs of the province expanded, and the estates began to borrow in Paris, where their debt remained a small fraction of the market, and where they relied on notaries to place their bonds and to create a secondary market. These developments assured the estates' capacity to borrow and thus Burgundian autonomy from the French Crown.
Reducing Test Execution Cost of Integrated, Heterogeneous Systems Using Continuous Test Data

Integrated, heterogeneous systems are comprehensively tested to verify whether their performance specifications fall within some acceptable ranges. However, explicitly testing every manufactured instance against all of its specifications can be expensive due to the complex requirements for test setup, stimulus application, and response measurement. To reduce manufacturing test cost, we have developed a methodology that uses binary decision forests and several test-specific enhancements for identifying redundant tests of an integrated system. Feasibility is empirically demonstrated using test data from over 70 000 manufactured instances of an in-production microelectromechanical system accelerometer, and over 4 500 manufactured instances of an RF transceiver. Through our analysis, we have shown that the expensive cold-mechanical test of the accelerometer and nine out of the 22 RF tests of the transceiver are likely redundant.
Joint attention in preverbal children : Autism and developmental language disorder

For preverbal children, episodes of joint attention are contexts for communication with responsive adults. This study describes the joint attention of 3- to 5-year-old children, 15 with autistic disorder (AD) and 15 with developmental language disorder (DLD), during play sessions with unfamiliar adults. Adults used fewer conventional than literal bids for joint attention with AD children and vice versa with DLD children. Children with AD were less likely to engage in joint attention than children with DLD. In the allocation of attention, AD children monitored the channel of communication with the adult 37% less often than DLD children. We discuss how perturbations in reciprocal interactions permeate the sharing situation and the implications of this problem for the mastery of cultural conventions.
Sensorimotor Gating Deficits in Adults with Autism

Background Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating and is impaired in a family of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by abnormalities of inhibitory function. Adults with autistic disorder (AD) exhibit clinical features of inhibitory deficits, such as restrictive and repetitive behaviors, that may be explained by deficits in sensorimotor gating. Methods Acoustic startle reactivity, habituation, and PPI (30-, 60-, 120-msec interstimulus intervals) were assessed in 14 adult men diagnosed with AD and 16 typically developing normal comparison (NC) participants. All participants were administered measures of intelligence and frontal-executive functioning. Results Adults with AD exhibited significantly less PPI in the 60-msec condition than NC participants, which was correlated with increased ratings of restricted and repetitive behaviors. The groups did not differ on measures of startle amplitude or overall habituation. There was, however, a significant group-by-block habituation effect. Furthermore, PPI was not related to intelligence but was moderately associated with performance on a measure of frontal-executive functioning. Conclusions Adults with AD have sensorimotor gating deficits similar to other neurodevelopmental disorders, implicating a failure of normal inhibitory regulation of sensory, motor, and attentional mechanisms. Thus, PPI deficits may be indirectly linked to one of the hallmark features of AD.
MOCVD based zinc diffusion process for planar InP/InGaAs avalanche photodiode fabrication

We investigated the diffusion of zinc into InP/InGaAs avalanche photodiode structures using dimethylzinc in an MOCVD reactor. Diffusion profiles were measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry and compared with cleaved cross-sections imaged by scanning electron microscopy, in order to accurately target the diffusion depth for device fabrication. The dependence of the diffusion depth on the diffusion temperature, partial pressures of dimethylzinc and phosphine, and diffusion time is reported. Diffused devices exhibit, in some cases, a step increase in dark current at or near the punch-through voltage. We show that the dark current above the punch-through voltage is proportional to the junction area and originates in the bulk of the material. The dependence of this bulk dark current contribution on the diffusion process parameters has been studied in detail, and a reduction of three orders of magnitude was achieved.
Social norms and the traditional deterrence game

Bicchieri (The grammar of society: The nature and dynamics of norms, 2006, xi) presents a formal analysis of norms that answers the questions of "when, how, and to what degree" norms affect human behavior in the play of games. The purpose of this paper is to apply a variation of the Bicchieri norms analysis to generate a model of norms-based play of the traditional deterrence game (Zagare and Kilgour, Int Stud Q 37:1-27, 1993; Morrow, Game theory for political scientists, 1994), the paradigmatic model of conflict initiation in International Relations. The deterrence game is modeled here as a sequential decision problem. As such, our analysis is an adaptation of Bicchieri's game-theoretic formalization of norms to what we will call the norms account of the game. We find that the standard account of the traditional deterrence game is a special case of the norms account of the game. We also show that the adaptation of Bicchieri's analysis of social norms yields new and interesting claims regarding when, how, and to what degree norms operate as a constraint on risk-related behavior in the traditional deterrence game. Moreover, we discuss how the results of the model provide testable propositions of relevance to the role of norms in international interactions.
Redescription of Lagenophrys eupagurus Kellicott (Ciliophora, Peritricha, Lagenophryidae) and a Comparison of It with Three Similar Species

Lagenophrys eupagurus, a poorly known loricate peritrich ectocommensal on the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus, has been rediscovered and is redescribed. Lagenophrys lunatus and L. articularis were found to be conspecific with L. eupagurus based on close similarities, especially with regard to structure of the lorica aperture and proportions of the lorica. Lagenophrys callinectes, although resembling L. eupagurus, was determined to be a separate species because of distinct, consistent differences in structure of the lorica aperture and proportions of the lorica. Lagenophrys eupagurus and L. callinectes share some features of the lorica aperture with 3 other species of Lagenophrys, prompting the speculation that the 5 species may constitute a cluster of related species within the genus. Lagenophrys eupagurus utilizes a relatively wide variety of hosts compared to other species of Lagenophrys and appears to subsist mainly on phytoplankton. In some cases, the feeding behavior of the host may assist L. eupagurus in obtaining food. Lagenophrys callinectes appears to be restricted to brachyuran crabs of the genus Callinectes. It appears to be a bacterivore and is probably assisted in obtaining food by the preference of its hosts for estuarine areas that are rich in organic material.
Mass Propagation of Archytas marmoratus (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Opportunities to advance natural enemy augmentation rapidly against major insect pests of American agriculture are primarily limited by the inability to mass propagate quality entomophages efficiently and economically. Efforts to advance mass propagation of Archytas marmoratus (Townsend) on the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.), are reported. When maggots of A. marmoratus were mechanically extracted from fecund females and applied in aqueous suspension into corrugated cardboard disks (13 cm diameter by 2 cm depth) (19.5 maggots per cm2) against ≍600 mature larvae of G. mellonella , a mean of 375.3 adult A. marmoratus (62.8% recovery) were subsequently produced. The highest percentage recovery of A. marmoratus adults (87.3%) occurred when individually exposed G. mellonella larvae ranged from 250 to 299 mg in weight. A. marmoratus maggots contained within corrugated cardboard disks were effectively stored for 72 h at 10 and 18°C before G. mellonella larvae were introduced for parasitism without significantly affecting the percentage recovery of A. marmoratus adults. A. marmoratus held for development on larvae and pupae of G. mellonella within corrugated cardboard disks at 29°C, 65% RH, and 14:10 (L:D) photophase emerged over 9 d, with initial emergence of males preceding females by 1 d and peak emergence of males and females occurring on days 4 and 5, respectively. Opportunities for augmentation of A. marmoratus are also discussed.
Analysis of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle utility factors

Abstract Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are hybrid electric vehicles that can be fueled from both conventional liquid fuels and grid electricity. To represent the total contribution of both of these fuels to the operation, energy use, and environmental impacts of PHEVs, researchers have developed the concept of the utility factor. As standardized in documents such as SAE J1711 and SAE J2841, the utility factor represents the proportion of vehicle distance travelled that can be allocated to a vehicle test condition so as to represent the real-world driving habits of a vehicle fleet. These standards must be used with care so that the results are understood within the context of the assumptions implicit in the standardized utility factors. This study analyzes and derives alternatives to the standard utility factors from the 2001 National Highway Transportation Survey, so as to understand the sensitivity of PHEV performance to assumptions regarding charging frequency, vehicle characteristics, driver characteristics, and means of defining the utility factor. Through analysis of these alternative utility factors, this study identifies areas where analysis, design, and policy development for PHEVs can be improved by alternative utility factor calculations.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF EUROPEAN MONETARY UNIFICATION: AN ANALYTICAL INTRODUCTION

European monetary unification (EMU) - the creation of a single European currency and a European Central Bank - is both an economic and a political phenomenon. Yet few studies have attempted to address simultaneously the political and economic dimensions of the process. In this introduction, we review and extend the relevant literatures. The evidence leads us to conclude that EMU is driven mainly by political rather than economic factors, although our understanding of even these political forces remains incomplete.
A new robust model predictive control method I: theory and computation

Abstract In this paper, we propose a new robust MPC method that guarantees stability and offset-free set point tracking in the presence of model uncertainty. A min-max optimization problem that explicitly accounts for model uncertainty is used to determine the optimal control action subject to the input and output constraints. The robust regulator uses a tree trajectory to forecast the time-varying model uncertainty. The controller design procedure uses integrators to reject non-zero disturbances and maintain the process at the optimal operating conditions (set points). Constraints may cause offset, which occurs when the set points are unreachable. In the feasible region where constraints are not active, the robust MPC theory we propose achieves offset-free non-zero set point tracking if there exists a control policy that robustly stabilizes all models in the uncertainty set.
Nucleotide and Predicted Amino Acid Sequence-Based Analysis of the Avian Metapneumovirus Type C Cell Attachment Glycoprotein Gene: Phylogenetic Analysis and Molecular Epidemiology of U.S. Pneumoviruses

A serologically distinct avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) was isolated in the United States after an outbreak of turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) in February 1997. The newly recognized U.S. virus was subsequently demonstrated to be genetically distinct from European subtypes and was designated aMPV serotype C (aMPV/C). We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the cell attachment glycoprotein (G) of aMPV/C (Colorado strain and three Minnesota isolates) and predicted amino acid sequence by sequencing cloned cDNAs synthesized from intracellular RNA of aMPV/C-infected cells. The nucleotide sequence comprised 1,321 nucleotides with only one predicted open reading frame encoding a protein of 435 amino acids, with a predicted Mr of 48,840. The structural characteristics of the predicted G protein of aMPV/C were similar to those of the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) attachment G protein, including two mucin-like regions (heparin-binding domains) flanking both sides of a CX3C chemokine motif present in a conserved hydrophobic pocket. Comparison of the deduced G-protein amino acid sequence of aMPV/C with those of aMPV serotypes A, B, and D, as well as hRSV revealed overall predicted amino acid sequence identities ranging from 4 to 16.5%, suggesting a distant relationship. However, G-protein sequence identities ranged from 72 to 97% when aMPV/C was compared to other members within the aMPV/C subtype or 21% for the recently identified human MPV (hMPV) G protein. Ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous nucleotide changes were greater than one in the G gene when comparing the more recent Minnesota isolates to the original Colorado isolate. Epidemiologically, this indicates positive selection among U.S. isolates since the first outbreak of TRT in the United States.
Limits on computationally efficient vcg-based mechanisms for combinatorial auctions and public projects

A natural goal in designing mechanisms for auctions and public projects is to maximize the social welfare while incentivizing players to bid truthfully. If these are the only concerns, the problem is easily solved by use of the VCG mechanism. Unfortunately, this mechanism is not computationally efficient in general and there are currently no other general methods for designing truthful mechanisms. However, it is possible to design computationally efficient VCG-based mechanisms which approximately maximize the social welfare. We explore the design space of computationally efficient VCG-based mechanisms under submodular valuations and show that the achievable approximation guarantees are poor, even compared to efficient non-truthful algorithms. Some of these approximation hardness results stem from an asymmetry in the information available to the players versus that available to the mechanism. We develop an alternative Instance Oracle model which reduces this asymmetry by allowing the mechanism to access some computational capabilities of the players. By building assumptions about player computation into the model, a more realistic study of mechanism design can be undertaken. Finally, we give VCG-based mechanisms for some problems in the Instance Oracle model which achieve provably better approximations than the best VCG-based mechanism in the standard model. However, for other problems we give reductions in the Instance Oracle model which prove inapproximability results as strong as those shown in the standard model. These provide more robust hardness results that are not simply artifacts of the asymmetry in the standard model.
Use of sparsely distributed synchronized recorders for locating faults in power grids

This study considers the use of synchronized measurements which may be few in number and possibly disbursed in a sparse manner throughout the system. An analytical derivation of a method by which location of a disturbance can be accurately determined solely based on sparsely located synchronized voltage sensors will be reviewed first. This derivation will illustrate some of the limitations and practical constraints imposed by the system topology as well as transmission-line characteristics. The paper will then build on the results of the disturbance location approach in order to devise an optimal deployment scheme for placing synchronized voltage sensors in the transmission system. This will be accomplished in such a way that any disturbance irrespective of its location can be detected and located by using as few sensors as possible. Simulated fault transients by an electromagnetic transients simulation program will be used to illustrate the performance of the developed technique.
DEco‐TILLING: an inexpensive method for single nucleotide polymorphism discovery that reduces ascertainment bias

Genetic markers that measure DNA variation are important for population genetics research, resource management and other applications. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are becoming a popular marker because they are abundant and because rapid and efficient assays can be developed to detect them. However, with the exception of a few organisms, most species have little DNA sequence information available and relatively few SNPs have been developed for species that lack sequence data. Methods to find SNPs can be expensive and incorporate substantial ascertainment bias, which may result in failure to discover SNPs that are useful or efficient for addressing specific questions. We have developed a system to detect SNPs that we call DEco-TILLING, which is derived from Eco-TILLING (targeting induced local lesions in genomes). The DEco-TILLING method facilitates the development of useful genotyping assays rapidly and inexpensively and can reduce ascertainment bias.
Back-arc basalts from the Loncopue graben (Province of Neuquen, Argentina)

Abstract Young basaltic back-arc volcanoes occur east of the main Andes chain at about 37.5°–39°S in the Loncopue graben, Province of Neuquen, Argentina. These olivine-rich basalts and trachybasalts have up to 8% MgO, with high Ni and Cr contents, but highly variable incompatible element concentrations. Mafic lava flows and cinder cones at the southern end of the graben lack phenocrystic plagioclase. The northern samples have relative Ta–Nb depletions and K, Pb and LREE enrichment. These samples strongly resemble rocks of the nearby arc volcanoes Copahue and Caviahue, including their Fe–Ti enrichment relative to the main Andes arc rocks. The Sr, Nd and Pb isotope ratios show that the source regions of these back-arc basalts are enriched in subducted components that were depleted in the aqueous mobile elements such as Cs, Sr and Ba as a result of prior extractions from the subducted complex below the main arc. Some mafic flows show slightly low 206Pb/204Pb and 143Nd/144Nd values as well as incompatible trace element ratios similar to southern Patagonia plateau back-arc basalts, suggesting contributions from an EM1 mantle source. Geothermometry and barometry suggest that the basalts crystallized and fractionated small amounts of olivine and spinel at ∼ 35 km depth at temperatures of 1170–1220 °C, at about QFM + 0.5 to QFM + 1 with 1–2% H2O, and then rose rapidly to the surface. The Loncopue graben back-arc basalts are transitional in composition between the South Patagonia back-arc plateau basalts and the Caviahue and Copahue arc volcanoes to the northwest. The EM1 source endmember is possibly the subcontinental lithospheric mantle. Strong variations in incompatible element enrichment and isotopic compositions between closely spaced cinder cones and lava flows suggest a heterogeneous mantle source for the Loncopue graben volcanics.
Real-Time Strong-Motion Broadband Displacements from Collocated GPS and Accelerometers

We present a new solution to the classical problem of deriving displacements from seismic data that is suitable for real-time monitoring. It relies on an optimal combination of collocated high-rate GPS displacements and very high-rate strong-motion accelerometer data using a Kalman filter that takes advantage of the individual strengths of seismic and geodetic networks while minimizing their weaknesses. The result is a more accurate broadband estimate of velocities and displacements at the higher rate provided by accelerometers. In contrast to displacements inferred through integration of seismic data alone, which are degraded by the presence of unphysical drifts and limited dynamic ranges, broadband displacements do not drift and will not clip. Furthermore, they are more accurate and robust than those obtained solely from GPS receivers. We establish the accuracy and precision of the new solution using earthquake engineering data from the University of California, San Diego’s Large High-Performance Outdoor Shake Table. Then we estimate broadband displacements for the 2010 M w 7.2 El Mayor–Cucapah earthquake using 1 Hz GPS displacements and 100 Hz accelerometer data from collocated sensors in southern California. We also reconstruct velocity measurements equivalent to those of broadband seismometers, which clipped at stations hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter during the earthquake. The ability to obtain broadband displacement waveforms in three dimensions with millimeter precision is a breakthrough for a number of areas ranging from earthquake source physics to the response of long-period engineered structures. To do so in real time from a dense monitoring network provides distinct advantages for earthquake early warning and rapid earthquake response.
The superior precentral gyrus of the insula does not appear to be functionally specialized for articulation

Broca (Broca P. Bull Soc Anat Paris 36: 330–357, 1861) influentially argued that posterior left inferior frontal gyrus supports speech articulation. According to an alternative proposal (e.g., Dron...
Anatomic segmentectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer in the elderly.

Background Anatomic segmentectomy for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) offers the potential of surgical cure with preservation of lung function. This may be of particular importance in elderly NSCLC patients with declining cardiopulmonary status and a limited life expectancy. Methods The study compared outcomes of 78 elderly patients (aged > 75 years) with stage I NSCLC undergoing segmentectomy and 106 undergoing lobectomy for stage I NSCLC from 2002 to 2007. Primary outcome variables included perioperative morbidity and mortality, hospital course, recurrence patterns, and survival. Results Age, gender, tumor histology, and surgical approach were similar between groups. Comorbidities were similar except for a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes in segmentectomy patients. The tumors in the lobectomy group were significantly larger (3.5 vs 2.5 cm, p = 0.0001). Operative mortality was 1.3% for segmentectomy and 4.7% for lobectomy. Segmentectomy patients had fewer major complications (11.5% vs 25.5%, p = 0.02). There were no differences in median hospitalization (7 vs 6 days). The estimated overall survival at 2, 3, and 5 years was 76%, 69%, and 46% for segmentectomy patients and 68%, 59%, and 47% for lobectomy patients ( p = 0.28). The 5-year disease-free survival was equivalent (segmentectomy, 49.8%; lobectomy, 45.5%; p = 0.80). Conclusions Anatomic segmentectomy can be performed safely in elderly patients with early-stage NSCLC. This approach is associated with reduced perioperative complications and comparable oncologic efficacy compared with lobectomy in older patients with a limited life expectancy.
Reactions of neutral amino acids plus Na(+) with a cationic amino acid transport system.

Before we could understand the transport interactions between the neutral and the basic amino acids, we needed to answer four questions: 1. To what extent do diamino acids actually react with transport systems in their neutral forms? First, a,fl-diamino propionic acid, pK; = 6.7, was shown to behave in transport almost entirely as a neutral amino acid, an analogue to serine and alanine in one neutral form, and to isoserine and palanine in the other [ 1,2]. Next, we found that (IL, y-diaminobutyric acid [3], although largely cationic in neutral solution, was also conspicuously reactive for transport as a neutral acid [4]. Finally it became clear that all the diamino acids, including lysine, were sufficiently reactive as neutral amino acids so that at high concentrations this reactivity could predominate over that with the cationic amino acid (Lp) transport system [6]. Accordingly, we were persuaded to use homoarginine as a test substrate for that system, taking advantage of (a) the exceedingly small extent to which the guanidinium group exists in its depronated form in neutral solutions, and (b) a high transport activity arising from the presence of a large apolar section in the sidechain.
Clinical application of rapid serial fourier-domain optical coherence tomography for macular imaging.

Purpose To introduce and examine the utility of a retinal imaging technique using high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) for creating a more complete retinal structural map to aid in the evaluation of patients with macular pathology. Design Prospective observational case series. Participants Five patients with a variety of macular pathologies. Methods Patients were imaged with a Fourier-domain high-speed high-resolution OCT system built at our institution. A sweeping serial OCT B-scan of the macula was acquired to create a detailed retinal structural map. The data were then used to make individual clinical observations. Results Rapid serial OCT B-scans produced detailed macular maps for all 5 patients. Diagnoses of imaged patients included macular hole, lamellar macular hole, regressed macular hole or macular microhole, choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) from age-related macular degeneration, and CNV from presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. Reconstructed B-scans and C-scans are shown for selected patients to illustrate the additional perspectives gained by obtaining a detailed retinal map. Conclusions Rapid serial Fourier-domain OCT B-scanning can be used to create a detailed retinal structural map. This technique provides additional information that can be missed on single OCT images and provides an accurate way to image large or complex lesions, and allows B-scan and C-scan reconstructions to be made that provide additional perspectives into retinal structures that may be missed using traditional imaging methods.
Contrasting patterns of language-associated brain activity in autism and Williams syndrome

Two neurodevelopmental disorders, Williams syndrome (WS) and autism, are both commonly described as having opposite social profiles: social avoidance in autism vs hypersociability in individuals with WS. The goal of this study was to contrast the brain activity associated with language processing in these two populations, in order to understand the very likely interplay between the use of language and the sociability dimension, on which these disorders diverge. Towards this aim, the N400 component of the event-related potentials was used to quantify the processing of semantic integration in these two populations. Results revealed that individuals with WS showed a significantly larger N400 effect, as compared to both typical controls and individuals with autism, while the latter group demonstrated the smallest N400 effect. The findings demonstrate quite opposite profiles of neural correlates of language processing in WS and autism, mirroring their contrasting social phenotypes.
Dental Cements, Direct Filling Resins, Composite and Adhesive Restorative Materials: A Resume

This resume concerns experimental and commercial dental cements and restorative and adhesive materials usually containing nonmetallic inorganic components, the biocompatibility of the above with oral tissues, proposed methods of bioevaluation, the oral environment, the nature of the hard tooth tissue, cavity treatment, agents for bonding the restorative material to the tooth, and 112 references. The cements include those based on (C-1) zinc oxide-eugenol with additives such as zinc acetate, rosin, polymers and most important o-ethoxybenzoic acid (EBA); (C-2) metallic oxides-phosphoric acid; (C-3) acid phosphate salts-water; (C-4) aluminosilicate glass-phosphoric acid; (C-5) zinc oxide-polyacrylic acid; (C-6) methyl methacrylate-poly-(methyl methacrylate) with or without inorganic fillers. Direct filling resins (C-6) without filler and composite restorative materials (C-6) with filler are based on acrylic resins or reaction products of acrylic (methacrylates) with other resins. Coupling agents include cyanoacrylates, epoxy-acrylic adducts and polyurethanes. The 10 tables give composition, values for pertinent physical properties or dental requirements. (C-2) Dominates the cements but (C-1) with (EBA) and (C-5) which has some adhesion to hard tooth tissues and stainless steel may displace (C-2). (C-4) Restorative materials are anticariogenic and widely used but are being supplanted by composite restorative materials.