cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Sparse-integer Measurement Matrices in Compressive Sensing

Performance of the reconstruction algorithms in compressed sensing largely depends on the characteristics of measurement matrices. As such, the construction and analysis of the measurement matrix is of paramount interest. In this paper, for the first time, we focus on the class of sparse sensing matrices with (non-negative) integer entries. This problem, among other applications, is particularly motivated by the constraint of measuring gene regulatory expressions. We study randomly generated matrices from the integer family and analyze their properties in terms of the covariance and RIP constant. We derive bounds for the coherence and RIP constant of such measurement matrices. Further, apart from the coherence, we find that the RIP constant is closely related to the minimum non-diagonal entry ρ n in the covariance matrix, which is rarely studied before.
Multiple cytochromes b in Mycobacterium phlei

Abstract Electron transport particles from M. phlei contain at least 3 different active forms of cytochrome b, one reduced by NADH, with a λmax at 563 nm (bN563), and the other two reduced by either succinate or NADH, with λmax at 559 and 563 nm (bS559) and (bS563). Low temperature λmax for cytochrome b reduction with NADH or succinate are described. During steady state only bS563 was observed with succinate. In the presence of ATP, succinate reduced an increased amount of a b563. A branching of the NAD+-linked pathway and a convergence at the level of cytochrome c is suggested, with only one branch accessible to succinate.
Using old results to produce new solutions in age–period–cohort multiple classification models

The best fitting solutions to the age–period–cohort multiple classification (APCMC) model lie on a line of solutions in multidimensional solution space. This means that there are an infinite number of best fitting solutions to an APCMC model. This paper uses that fact to show how researchers can find new solutions based on previously published solutions that are more consistent with theory and/or substantive research in a specific area of research. These results can refine and/or challenge the published research. Finally, the paper demonstrates how results from a previous study can be used to derive some important estimable functions that are true for any just identifying constrained solution to an APCMC model.
Is There a Protection Order to Prison Pipeline? Gendered Dimensions of Cross-Petitions

There is extensive debate about whether criminal justice responses are appropriate or effective in helping domestic violence (DV) victim/survivors achieve safety. Supporters argue that criminalizat...
Models for the Mechanics of Joining Dissimilar Materials

The joining of dissimilar materials is a well-studied problem in mechanics, but nevertheless a persistent challenge. This chapter presents an overview of some of these challenges by summarizing key model problems. The problems presented here fall under the category of small-strain, linear elasticity solutions. We discuss these solutions in the context of the attachment of tendon to bone.
The impact of neurovascular, blood-brain barrier, and glymphatic dysfunction in neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases

The cerebral vasculature serves as the crossroads of the CNS, supporting exchange of nutrients, metabolic wastes, solutes and cells between the compartments of the brain, including the blood, brain interstitium, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates the entry and efflux of molecules into brain tissue. The cells of the neurovascular unit regulate cerebral blood flow, matching local metabolic demand to blood supply. The blood-CSF barrier at the choroid plexus secretes CSF, which supports the brain and provides a sink for interstitial solutes not cleared across the BBB. Recent studies have characterized the glymphatic system, a brain-wide network of perivascular spaces that supports CSF and interstitial fluid exchange and the clearance of interstitial solutes to the CSF. The critical role that these structures play in maintaining brain homeostasis is illustrated by the established and emerging roles that their dysfunctions play in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Loss of BBB and blood-CSF barrier function is reported both in rodent models of AD, and in human AD subjects. Cerebrovascular dysfunction and ischemic injury are well established contributors to both vascular dementia and to a large proportion of cases of sporadic AD. In animal models, the slowed glymphatic clearance of interstitial proteins, such as amyloid β or tau, are proposed to contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. In total, these findings suggest that cellular and molecular changes occurring within and around the cerebral vasculature are among the key drivers of neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis.
Transforming Language Intervention: Collaborating with Latinx Families.

Sylvia, an immigrant to the United States, is a loving mother to her 2 ½-year-old son, Emilio. As Emilio appeared to have significant language delays in his native language of Spanish, his pediatri...
A Fast Knowledge Distillation Framework for Visual Recognition

While Knowledge Distillation (KD) has been recognized as a useful tool in many visual tasks, such as supervised classification and self-supervised representation learning, the main drawback of a vanilla KD framework is its mechanism, which consumes the majority of the computational overhead on forwarding through the giant teacher networks, making the entire learning procedure inefficient and costly. ReLabel, a recently proposed solution, suggests creating a label map for the entire image. During training, it receives the cropped region-level label by RoI aligning on a pre-generated entire label map, allowing for efficient supervision generation without having to pass through the teachers many times. However, as the KD teachers are from conventional multi-crop training, there are various mismatches between the global label-map and region-level label in this technique, resulting in performance deterioration. In this study, we present a Fast Knowledge Distillation (FKD) framework that replicates the distillation training phase and generates soft labels using the multi-crop KD approach, while training faster than ReLabel since no post-processes such as RoI align and softmax operations are used. When conducting multi-crop in the same image for data loading, our FKD is even more efficient than the traditional image classification framework. On ImageNet-1K, we obtain 79.8% with ResNet-50, outperforming ReLabel by ~1.0% while being faster. On the self-supervised learning task, we also show that FKD has an efficiency advantage. Our project page: http://zhiqiangshen.com/projects/FKD/index.html, source code and models are available at: https://github.com/szq0214/FKD.
Psychological test evaluation of personality change during intensive psychotherapy.

(1955). Psychological Test Evaluation of Personality Change during Intensive Psychotherapy. Psychiatry: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 175-192.
“Reasoning” and “talking” DNA: can DNA understand english?

Memory is a fundamental challenge in computing, particularly if they are to store large amounts of interrelated data based on content and be queried associatively to retrieve information useful to the owners of the storage, such as self-assembled DNA structures, cells, and biological organisms. New methods to encode large data sets compactly on DNA chips have been recently proposed in (Garzon S Deaton, 2004) [6]. The method consists of shredding the data into short oligonucleotides and pouring it over a DNA chip with spots populated by copies of a basis set of noncrosshybridizing strands. In this paper, we probe into the capacity of these memories in terms of their ability to discern semantic relationships and discriminate information in complex contexts in two applications, as opposed to their raw capacity to store volumes of uncorrelated data. First, we show that DNA memories can be designed to store information about English texts so that they can “conduct a conversation” about their content with an interlocutor who wants to learn about the subject contained in the memories. In this preliminary approach, the results are competitive, if not better, with state-of-the-art methods in conventional artificial intelligence. In a second application in biology, we show how a biomolecular computing analysis based on similar techniques can be used to re-design DNA microarrays in order to increase their sensitivity to the level required for successful discrimination of conditions that may escape detection by standard methods. Finally, we briefly discuss the scalability of the common technique to large amounts of data given recent advances in the design of noncrosshybridizing DNA oligo sets, as well other applications in bioinformatics and medical diagnosis.
Electron microscopic analysis of bacteriophages P1, P1Cm, and P7: Determination of genome sizes, sequence homology, and location of antibiotic-resistance determinants

Abstract The sizes of the genomes of bacteriophages P1, P1Cm, and P7 (φAMP) and their corresponding plasmid prophages were measured by electron microscopy. It was found that the genomes from the phage particles were the same size, while the prophage DNA molecules of P1Cm and P7 were larger than the P1 prophage by an amount close to the size of the antibiotic determinant which they carried. Heteroduplex analysis of hybrids formed in vitro between P1 and P1Cm DNA showed one region of nonhomology, an insertion of 2.2 kilobases (kb) which was presumed to be the Cm r determinant. Similar hybrids between P1 and P7 DNA showed six regions of nonhomology, two insertion-deletion loops, and four substitution loops. Further analysis showed that the insertion of a 5.5-kb segment contained the determinant for ampicillin resistance. Sequence homology between P1 and P7, determined from heteroduplex analysis, was about 90% with respect to the genome size of P1.
Using direct methods for terminal guidance of autonomous aerial delivery systems

This paper discusses the usage of direct methods of calculus of variations for real-time optimization of a final turn-into-the-wind maneuver for autonomous guided parafoil-based delivery systems. It reviews several approaches that are currently being pursued by different developers of such systems and discusses the necessity of usage and applicability of a direct method to optimize the final turn. The proposed approach seeks for an optimal solution within a certain class of parameterized inertial trajectories and further employs inverse dynamics to find the corresponding control. This approach has been successfully used in a variety of real-time applications already and proved to work well in a developed miniature aerial delivery system, Snowflake, as well. The paper presents the results of the most recent real drops and ends with a discussion of the developed algorithm as compared to another one, pursued by Draper Laboratory, where instead of parameterizing a reference trajectory the control itself is being parameterized. The paper ends with conclusions.
The Power Law Population Growth Model

The classical logistic equation is generalized to a model with power law growth parameter. It is shown that though the growth of human population was influenced by many factors, but the power law model can be successfully applied to give the distribution of population by seeking a suitable power law growth parameter. The verifications are made with the population of provinces of China, the mainland of China, and the American. Some interesting values of power law growth parameters are determined. The power law parameter is a decreasing function of population. For provinces of China are: Ji-Lin 0.6, Liao-Ning 0.5825, Fu-Jian 0.595, Zhe-Jiang 0.58, Nei-Meng 0.615, Wu-Gong County 0.8, respectively. For the mainland of China, the parameter is 0.474, and for American the parameter is 0.5.
Rise and fall of radical prostatectomy rates from 1989 to 1996

Abstract Objectives. To describe the changes in the rates of radical prostatectomy procedures, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening tests among Medicare beneficiaries, and the incidence of prostate cancer in the United States and to explain the exaggerated increase and decrease in the frequency of radical prostatectomy from 1989 to 1996. Methods. Medicare claims data on radical prostatectomy procedures and screening PSA tests and the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results prostate cancer incidence data were used to estimate the rates of PSA testing and radical prostatectomy among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 74 years and 75 years and older (population rates). The age-specific true rates of the procedure were also estimated for the incident cases of prostate cancer (the population at risk of undergoing radical prostatectomy) among the beneficiaries. Results. The PSA test, prostate cancer incidence, and radical prostatectomy rates increased from 1989 to 1992. Thereafter, the incidence of prostate cancer, and the population and true rates of radical prostatectomy declined. The percentage of increase and decrease in the population rate of radical prostatectomy was approximately twice that in its true rate. Conclusions. The radical prostatectomy rates based on all Medicare beneficiaries grossly exaggerated the changes in the use of the procedure. Where possible, true rates, using the population at risk as the denominator, should be used in the studies of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, complications, and adverse effects.
Effect of Residual Stress on Femoral Arterial Stress-Strain Behavior

It is well established that arteries are subjected to residual stress. Due to the effect of residual stress, the arteries open to a horse-shoe shape when a longitudinal cut is made on an excised arterial segment. Previously, the residual stress has been quantified by the opening angle of the horse-shoe shape. We have employed a finite element analysis of the open arterial segment to restore the same to the original cylindrical shape and computed the circumferential strain as well as the stress distribution in the wall. In this study, the stress and strain distribution in the femoral arteries of miniswine was computed with and without the residual stress for a range of transmural pressures. Our analysis showed that the residual stress has the effect of redistribution of the circumferential stresses between the intima and the adventitia under physiological loading. The redistribution of the stress with the inclusion of residual stress may be important in the studies on effect of wall stresses on the endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells.
Identification of noncausal ARMA models of non-Gaussian processes using higher-order statistics

The problem of estimating the parameters of a stable, scalar, noncausal autoregressive moving average (ARMA) (p,q) signal model driven by an i.i.d. non-Gaussian sequence is considered. The driving noise sequence is not observed. Two methods are proposed and analyzed: one is a multistep linear method and the other is a nonlinear optimization method. Both methods exploit both the second- and third- (or higher-) order cumulants of the observed signal. The strong consistency of the two estimators is proved. The main focus is on the linear method. Extensions to include i.i.d. measurement noise (Gaussian or non-Gaussian) can be done easily. >
Maximizing both external and internal validity in longitudinal true experiments with voluntary treatments: The “combined modified” design☆

Abstract Human services interventions are most rigorously evaluated with true experimental designs in longitudinal experimental field trials (LEFTs). However, differential self-selection or attrition often pose a serious threat to the LEFTs internal validity. This threat can be largely overcome by describing all conditions in advance to prospective subjects and securing their agreement to participate in and complete whichever condition is selected at random by a Lottery. This solution, however, in turn then poses the external validity problem that the program's effects on those who would participate in a Lottery may well be different than its effects on those who would participate in any single condition. In the present paper, we describe a new design, termed the Combined Modified Design, which assesses and overcomes this problem. This new design, in which a modified version of the Randomized Invitation Design (in which only one condition, assigned at random, is described to a potential subject, but outcome measures are obtained on everyone) is combined with the Lottery LEFT, is illustrated with a hypothetical example.
Effect of amplitude modulation on profile detection

The effect of amplitude modulation on profile detection was examined in three experiments. The observer’s task was to determine in which observation interval an increment was added to the 1000‐Hz target component of a multitone complex in which the components were equally spaced on a logarithmic frequency scale from 200 to 5000 Hz. The target was unmodulated throughout the study. In some conditions, all nontarget components of the standard were modulated in phase; in other conditions, they were modulated with random phase. In experiment 1, the threshold was measured as a function of the modulation rate. The results show that, at low modulation rates, 5 Hz for example, modulation elevates threshold by about 13 dB. The threshold decreases as the modulation rate increases, with the threshold elevation being only 3 dB at 80 Hz. In experiment 2, threshold was measured as a function of modulation depth for both 21‐ and 5‐component complexes. The results show that for a 5‐Hz modulation rate the threshold decreases as the modulation depth decreases, and that the rate of decrease is greater for the 21‐component complex than for the 5‐component complex. In experiment 3, the effects of random‐phase modulation were explored; the phase of the modulation waveform was randomly chosen for each component. The results show that there is no difference between in‐phase and random‐phase modulation when each component occupies a different critical band. If, however, two or more components occupy the same critical band, then randomizing the phase of modulation reduces the effective depth of modulation within that critical band, and the effect of modulation is thereby lessened.
Estimation of hectare-scale soil-moisture characteristics from aquifer-test data

Abstract Analysis of a 72-h, constant-rate aquifer test conducted in a coarse-grained and highly permeable, glacial outwash deposit on Cape Cod, Massachusetts revealed that drawdowns measured in 20 piezometers located at various depths below the water table and distances from the pumped well were significantly influenced by effects of drainage from the vadose zone. The influence was greatest in piezometers located close to the water table and diminished with increasing depth. The influence of the vadose zone was evident from a gap, in the intermediate-time zone, between measured drawdowns and drawdowns computed under the assumption that drainage from the vadose zone occurred instantaneously in response to a decline in the elevation of the water table. By means of an analytical model that was designed to account for time-varying drainage, simulated drawdowns could be closely fitted to measured drawdowns regardless of the piezometer locations. Because of the exceptional quality and quantity of the data and the relatively small aquifer heterogeneity, it was possible by inverse modeling to estimate all relevant aquifer parameters and a set of three empirical constants used in the upper-boundary condition to account for the dynamic drainage process. The empirical constants were used to define a one-dimensional (1D) drainage versus time curve that is assumed to be representative of the bulk material overlying the water table. The curve was inverted with a parameter estimation algorithm and a 1D numerical model for variably saturated flow to obtain soil-moisture retention curves and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity relationships defined by the Brooks and Corey equations. Direct analysis of the aquifer-test data using a parameter estimation algorithm and a two-dimensional, axisymmetric numerical model for variably saturated flow yielded similar soil-moisture characteristics. Results suggest that hectare-scale soil-moisture characteristics are different from core-scale predictions and even relatively small amounts of fine-grained material and heterogeneity can dominate the large-scale soil-moisture characteristics and aquifer response.
Effects of Electron Irradiation on Deep Centers in High-Purity Semi-insulating 6H-SiC

Many point-defect–related centers have been investigated in electron-irradiated 6H-SiC by deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). Most of them are believed to be related to vacancies. Our DLTS studies on deep centers produced by electron-irradiation (EI) in conductive epi-6H-SiC are in agreement with the literature data. However, for semi-insulating SiC, DLTS cannot be used for trap studies so we have applied thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectroscopy. At least nine TSC traps have been observed in high-purity/semi-insulating (HPSI) 6H-SiC. To understand the nature of these centers, 1-MeV EI and postirradiation annealing at 600°C were applied to the sample. The TSC spectroscopy and 4.2 K photoluminescence (PL) have been used to study the effects of EI and annealing on the centers in HPSI 6H-SiC. It was found that (1) some of the major EI-induced DLTS centers in conductive 6H-SiC, such as ED1, E1/E2, Ei, Z1/Z2, and L9, have TSC counterparts even in as-grown HPSI 6H-SiC; (2) EI-induced TSC centers in HPSI 6H-SiC are due to point defects, which have been confirmed by typical PL lines (such as S, L, and V lines); and (3) the concentration of the 1.1-eV center, which controls material conductivity, can be increased by 1-MeV EI and decreased by 600°C annealing.
Adherence of Candida Species to Human Epidermal Comeocytes and Buccal Mucosal Cells: Correlation with Cutaneous Pathogenicity

Adherence of microorganisms to epidermal corneocytes may be a prerequisite for cutaneous colonization and infection. Six species of Candida were assayed in vitro for adherence to human epidermal corneocytes and buccal mucosal cells, and compared to previous studies of pathogenicity in a rodent model of cutaneous candidiasis. C. albicans and C. stellatoidea exhibited marked adherence to both epithelial cell types over time, and were cutaneous pathogens in the rodent model. The remaining species showed little or no adherence, and were nonpathogenic to skin. Adherence to corneocytes was not inhibited by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, mannan polysaccharide, or concanavalin A lectin. Fresh human serum, but not heat-inactivated serum, inhibited C. albicans adherence by 50%, and was associated with the deposition of complement components, C3 and factor B on blastospores. Adherence to epithelial corneocytes and mucosal cells is a property of pathogenic species of Candida, and may participate in cutaneous colonization and infection mechanisms. Adherence was time-dependent, and did not require divalent cations. Cell wall mannan may participate in the "adhesin" complex. Mannan activation of serum complement and deposition of C3 and factor B on blastospores may provide a protective action by inhibiting Candida adherence to corneocytes.
Development of Reactivity to New Myelin Antigens during Chronic Relapsing Autoimmune Demyelination

Cells from 25 mice at different stages of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) adoptively transferred using lymph node cells sensitized to a synthetic encephalitogenic peptide of myelin basic protein (p87-99) were examined for reactivity to a different encephalitogenic myelin antigen, proteolipid protein (PLP). Cellular reactivity to a synthetic encephalitogenic peptide of PLP (pPLP) was found in 3/5 mice with acute EAE, 4/9 with chronic EAE, 1/6 mice with EAE in remission, and 0/5 during relapse. No proliferation to pPLP was seen in naive mice or in healthy mice immunized with p87-99. Two of 13 mice developed typical EAE after the serial transfer of cells from animals with p87-99-induced EAE had been activated with pPLP in vitro. Controls consisted of recipients of (a) pPLP-activated cells from naive donors or donors immunized with a nonencephalitogenic MBP peptide, (b) cells from mice immunized with MBP activated in vitro with irrelevant antigen, or (c) ovalbumin-activated cells serially transferred from mice with adoptively transferred EAE. No control mice developed signs. These results suggest that during the course of myelin breakdown caused by an immune response to one myelin component (MBP), autoimmune reactivity to at least one additional myelin antigen (PLP) can arise. Furthermore, the acquired cellular reactivity to additional myelin components may be sufficient in some cases to induce disease itself, perhaps lending insight into mechanisms involved in disease progression.
Is Short-Term Memory for Discrete Arm Movements Impaired in Huntington's Disease?

Explicit memory for arm movements was investigated in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and normal controls (NC). Participants recalled the end-position of arm movements determined by the examiner following an immediate or a 30-second delay that was either unfilled or filled with a motor distractor task. Movement error was measured in absolute (AE), variable (VE), and constant (CE) error. When performance was measured in AE, HD patients were impaired equally across delays compared to controls, regardless of whether the delay was filled or unfilled. HD patients did not demonstrate a directional bias (i.e., CE), but they were more inconsistent in their reproduction of arm movements (i.e., VE). Both groups were more variable in their reproduction of the movements following the delay, and were most variable when the delay was filled with motor distraction. Results preliminarily suggest that the caudate is specifically involved in the encoding, or temporary storage, of explicit motor information and may be less involved in the short-term retention of newly learned motor information. Results should be viewed somewhat cautiously, however, as the relative contributions of proprioceptive sense and primary motor functioning on task performance were not fully explored.
Treating Elevated Cholesterol Levels: The Great Satan in Perspective

The purpose of this review is to provide perspective on the developments leading to the recognition of high cholesterol levels as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Another objective is to consider the unfolding controversies regarding the relative value of cholesterol-lowering drug therapy in primary and secondary prevention. Should physicians use lipid-lowering drugs to treat patients with elevated cholesterol levels but no clinical evidence of coronary disease, or limit intervention to patients with a previous history of angina, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, or myocardial infarction? This review finds inadequate data to support a recommendation for screening large populations for the presence of elevated cholesterol levels or for primary prevention in those known to have high cholesterol. On the other hand, there is mounting evidence to support vigorous intervention in those with known coronary disease. Further study is needed to determine whether a subset of patients with one or more well-defined risk factors would benefit from primary prevention.
Homotopy exponents of mod 2(r) Moore spaces

Abstract We prove that 2 r + 1 ⋅ π ∗ ( P m ( 2 r ) ) = 0 provided m ≥ 4 and r ≥ 6 . This is the best possible result. As well, for 2 ≤ r ≤ 5 we obtain upper bounds on the homotopy exponent of P m ( 2 r ) .
Talc Poudrage for Treatment of Pleural Effusion in Selected Patients

ABSTRACT Recurring pleural effusions are a significant cause of patient morbidity. Treatment goals are to relieve distressing symptoms (eg, dyspnea, pain) caused by the effusion, to prevent further extracellular fluid accumulation in the pleural space, and to restore the patient to a functional pulmonary status. Talc poudrage is a therapy that instills iodized talc through a tube thoracostomy to cover opposing pleural surfaces with an irritating powder. Talc stimulates adhesion formation that obliterates the pleural space. Recent study results indicate that intrapleural instillation of iodized talc is an adequate and effective treatment for control of neoplastic or benign pleural effusion. AORN J 62 (July 1995) 83–91.
Vaccination policies for healthcare workers in Europe

Health-care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk for acquisition of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and vaccination is justified in order to protect them from occupational exposure and to prevent the spread of VPDs that pose a threat to susceptible patients. Review of European vaccination policies for HCWs revealed significant differences between countries in terms of recommended vaccines, implementation frame (mandatory or recommendation), target HCW groups and health-care settings. Further, the few published studies available identified indicate significant immunity gaps among HCWs against VPDs in Europe. In order to achieve higher vaccination coverage against VPDs stronger recommendations are needed. The issue of mandatory vaccination should be considered for diseases that can be transmitted to susceptible patients (influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, pertussis, varicella). The acceptance of vaccinations and of mandatory vaccinations by HCWs is a challenge and appears to be VPD-specific.
Evidence that Hensen's node is a site of retinoic acid synthesis.

HENSEN'S node of amniotes, like the Spemann organizer of amphibians, can induce a second body axis when grafted into a host embryo1. The avian node, as well as several midline structures originating from it (notochord, floor plate), can also induce digit pattern duplications when grafted into the chick wing bud2,3. We report here that the equivalent of Hensen's node from mouse is an effective inducer of digits in the chick wing bud. Tissues anterior and posterior to the node also evoke pattern duplications, but with a significantly lower efficiency. The finding that the murine node operates in an avian wing bud suggests that the same inducing agent(s) function in both primary and secondary embryonic fields and have been conserved during vertebrate evolution. Digit pattern duplications are also evoked by local administration of all-trans-retinoic acid4,5. This similarity raises the possibility that Hensen's node is a source of retinoic acid. The mouse node is capable of synthesizing retinoic acid from its biosynthetic precursor all-trans-retinol at a substantially higher rate than either anterior or posterior tissues.
Ultra-long-haul 112 Gb/s PM-QPSK transmission systems using longer spans and Raman amplification.

Ultra-long-haul transmission at distances greater than 10,000 km is investigated for 112 Gb/s PM-QPSK signals using span lengths of 75 km and 100 km and all-Raman amplification. Two different ultra-low loss and large effective area optical fibers are studied. We demonstrate a reach length of 10,200 km for a 40 channel system using a fiber with effective area 112 μm2 with 100 km spans, and a reach length of 13,288 km for a system with 75 km spans using a fiber with effective area of 134 μm2.
An exploration of the impact of individual and group factors on programmer productivity

This paper reports on an empirical study that explores the impact of individual and group factors on programmer productivity. Programmer productivity is modeled as a function of Individual Characteristics, Group Cohesiveness and Leader Behavior. Individual Characteristics are measured in terms of years of college education, training, and months of experience in a language at the site. Group Cohesiveness is measured in terms of person to group attraction, person to person attraction, and person to leader attraction. Leader Behavior is measured in terms of production emphasis which is the application of pressure for productive output. Programmer productivity is measured in terms of lines of code (LOC), executable lines of code (ELOC), and Halstead's effort. This study found that person to group attraction, person to person attraction, person to leader attraction, years of college education, training, and programmer's experience at the organization do not correlate to productivity measures in a statistically significant way. The implications of these finding are explored.
Wide-sense regeneration for Harris recurrent Markov processes: an open problem

Harris recurrence is a widely used tool in the analysis of queueing systems. For discrete-time Harris chains, such systems automatically exhibit wide-sense regenerative structure, so that renewal theory can be applied to questions related to convergence of the transition probabilities to the equilibrium distribution. By contrast, in continuous time, the question of whether all Harris recurrent Markov processes are automatically wide-sense regenerative is an open problem. This paper reviews the key structural results related to regeneration for discrete-time chains and continuous time Markov processes, and describes the key remaining open problem in this subject area.
Hyperinflation during lung preservation and increased reperfusion injury1

Background Reperfusion injury after lung transplantation remains a perplexing and unpredictable problem. Most surgeons preserve the lung inflated, but the amount of inflation that should be used is not well documented. Therefore, we studied the effect of high inflation during organ preservation on lung function during reperfusion. Our hypothesis is that donor lung hyperinflation during storage contributes to early allograft dysfunction during reperfusion. Methods To test our hypothesis we used an isolated, blood-perfused, ventilated rabbit lung model. Group I lungs (control) underwent immediate reperfusion after harvest. Group II lungs (low-inflation, maintained at 6 mmHg airway pressure) and group III lungs (high-inflation, maintained at 20 mmHg airway pressure) were stored for 4 h in 4°C Euro-Collins solution after harvest. All lungs were then reperfused with whole blood for 1 h, and measurements of arterial oxygenation (PO2, mmHg), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP, mmHg), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP, cm H2O), and wet-to-dry weight ratio (WTD) were obtained. Results Throughout the 1 h reperfusion period group III lungs had significantly lower oxygenation compared to groups I and II. In addition, throughout reperfusion, group III lungs showed significantly higher PAP and PIP compared to group II. WTD did not differ significantly between groups, however, there was a trend toward increased edema in group III. Conclusions These results indicate that high inflation during cold storage results in acute pulmonary dysfunction. Careful monitoring of airway inflation pressure during storage, especially to prevent hyperinflation, should be maintained in the current practice for lung transplantation.
Deformational and sedimentary processes in trench slope basins of the western Sunda Arc, Indonesia

Abstract A detailed geophysical survey of the Sunda Trench lower slope reveals the structure and stratigraphy of trench slope basins west of Nias Island. Structural ridges bound the basins and generally strike parallel to the trend of the arc. The ridges on the lower part of the trench slope are formed of folded trench strata and are bounded on their seaward margins by landward-dipping thrust faults. The basins near the toe of the slope are narrower and contain less sediment than basins higher on the slope. Deformation occurs across the entire slope; near-surface strata in the shallowest basin are tilted landward and are cut by a recent thrust fault. A progressive increase in the intensity of deformation with depth is evident. The landward dips and numerous onlapping relationships at the seaward edges of the basins indicate that the seaward margins of the basins are being relatively uplifted with respect to the basin strata. Basins near the outer-arc ridge receive terrigenous turbidites that are delivered down submarine canyons from Nias Island. A small submarine fan has developed at the mouth of a canyon in the shallowest basin. Local slumping of hemipelagic slope sediment forms a minor contribution to the overall sediment fill. Slumping is more important near the toe of the slope, because basins there are isolated from terrigenous sediment input.
Antihormone formation complicating pituitary gonadotropin therapy in infertile men, properties of the antihormones.

PROLONGED administration of gonadotropic hormones derived from one species to an individual of a different species can elicit formation of substances in the plasma capable of preventing the action of the administered hormones. These substances have been named antihormones, or more specifically, antigonadotropins. Such terminology infers a similarity between antihormone and antibody formation; however, it is not the purpose of this report to consider the immunological properties of antihormones. This subject has been amply reviewed by Zondek and Sulman (1). Antigonadotropins, besides being effective against the administered hormone, may also be effective against other gonadotropic hormones. In experimental animals, it has been demonstrated that nonspecific antigonadotropins may even be effective against the normal, circulating gonadotropins. For example, Rowlands (2) found that nonspecific antihormones were formed in the serum of rabbits injected with an ox anterior pituitary extract. Administration of thi...
MARITAL SATISFACTION AND JEALOUSY AMONG MEN

In a study of the relationship between marital satisfaction and reactions to hypothetical, jealousy-producing events in marriage, questionnaires were administered to 49 married males at a health cl...
Comparison of the Cooling Performance of Staggered and In-Line Arrays of Electronic Packages

The cooling performance of in-line and staggered regular arrays of simulated electronic packages is compared for both sparse and dense packaging configurations. At equal flow rates, staggered arrays exhibit higher element heat transfer coefficients and friction factors than in-line arrays. Furthermore, an increase in the packaging density of the elements results in a moderate reduction in the friction factor with negligible change in the heat transfer coefficient. However, when performance is expressed in terms of heat transfer rate per unit packaging system volume, dense arrays are found to out perform sparse arrays at equal flow rate, applied pressure gradient or pumping power. Furthermore, no significant difference in performance is observed between staggered and in-line configurations when they are compared on the basis of either equal coolant flow pressure drop or pumping power.
Teacher Directed Active Learning Games

Games are widely recognized for their potential to enhance students' learning. Yet they are only rarely used in classrooms because they cannot be modified to meet the needs of a particular class. This article describes a novel approach to creating educational software that addresses this problem: provide an interface specifically for teachers that enables them to define the content of the games, and track the impact on their students' learning. The games themselves use physical interfaces and multimedia to encourage collaboration and keep students active and engaged. Two specific applications are described, along with results of field-testing the applications in local elementary schools. A system for disseminating and sharing the teacher-defined content is also presented.
Segmentation in Urban Housing Markets.

Abstract This study tests the hypothesis that urban housing markets are segmented in the sense of significantly different prices per unit of housing services existing contemporaneously in spatially or structurally defined submarkets. Using an unusually rich data set for single-family, suburban Boston homes, significant differences in the prices of individual housing attributes are found; but these differences result in negligible differences in the overall price per unit of services. A main conclusion is that the market is working fairly efficiently to eliminate price premiums and discounts, at least in the portion of the market analyzed.
Volume averaging, probabilistic averaging, and ergodicity☆

Abstract The relationship between probabilistic averaging and volume averaging is analyzed in a rigorous setting. The question of ergodicity is shown to be inappropriate for multiphase averaging techniques. The correct question to ask is whether or not the underlying probability space exists.
Effect of initial process conditions on the structural properties of AlN films

A two-step pressure process was recently developed for depositing AlN layers on sapphire substrates by MOCVD. Together with optimum substrate nitridation, the process resulted in AlN layers that had FWHM values of ∼ 350 and ∼ 550 arcsec for the (0002) and (1012) rocking curves, respectively. While the films show excellent X-ray FWHM values, they often have poor morphology as well as small inversion domains spread throughout the film surface. A systematic study was initiated to understand the effect of substrate nitridation and the initial process conditions on the surface morphology and the structural properties. Using atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, it was found that the nitridation conditions as well as the initial deposition conditions result in a mixed polarity surface coverage of the substrate. It is possible to force the growth of predominately Al- or N-polarity AlN layers by choosing different initial growth conditions.
In Acta Neurol Scand 1998: 97: 131–137, the name of the 3rd author, A. Waziri, was misspelled as A. Warzeri. We regret this error. The corrected version is shown below.

Objective– To explore the role of the motor cortex during implicit and explicit learning. Materials and methods– EEG signals were recorded from 30 channels by measuring task-related desynchronization (TRD) when 10 right-handed naive volunteers performed a variation of the serial reaction task. Stimuli, consisting of 4 pure tones of 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 HZ, lasting 200 ms, were presented binaurally through a pair of tubephones at 60 dB with a 2-s constant interstimulus interval. A series of 10 repetitive tones represented the test sequence; the random sequence was the control. Results– All subjects developed implicit and explicit knowledge reflected by decreased response time, increased accuracy, and the ability to generate the sequence. Six of 10 subjects demonstrated implicit learning without explicit learning during the first 3 blocks. When subjects acquired full explicit learning, 10 Hz TRD at C3 reached a peak amplitude, declining thereafter. Conclusions– Properties of the sensorimotor cortex change during learning and these changes are independent of stimulus modality.
Site selective laser spectroscopy of defects in SrCl2:Eu3+

Site selection excitation has been used to classify the sites in .01 % to .3 % concentrations of SrCl2:Eu3+ into cubic, associated single ions, and clusters. Site dependence on total dopant concentration has been measured and is similar to other fluorite crystals.
The Catholic Context in Bonhoeffer's Lifetime

Delivered during a panel discussion entitled "Bonhoeffer's Context: The Churches' Responses to Nazism" during the conference Dietrich Bonhoeffer for Our Times: Jewish and Christian Perspectives , cosponsored by the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning at Boston College, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Hebrew College, and Andover-Newton Theological School, September 17, 2006. The essay discusses the lack of resistance by the Catholic Church in general and, with some exceptions, by Catholic theologians in particular.
Homo coupling, disproportionation and cross coupling of alkyl groups. Role of the transition metal catalyst

Abstract Silver is an effective catalyst for the homo coupling of the Grignard reagent and alkyl halide when both alkyl groups are the same. Copper(I) catalyzes the cross coupling of Grignard reagents and alkyl bromides when carried out in tetrahydrofuran solutions at low temperatures. Facile vinylation of the Grignard reagent can be achieved with alkenyl bromides using an iron catalyst. Oxidation–reduction concepts are important in the formulation of these catalytic processes.
The transcription factor, Bright, and immunoglobulin heavy chain expression.

Bright, or B cell regulator of immunoglobulin heavy chain transcription, is a B lymphocyte-specific protein first discovered for its ability to increase immunoglobulin transcription three-to sevenfold in antigen-activated B cells. It interacts with DNA through an ARID, or A/T-rich interaction domain, and is the only member of a previously undescribed family of DNA-binding proteins for which target genes have been identified. The mechanisms(s) by which Bright facilitatestran scription are unknown. Several proteins that associate with Bright may shed light upon its function. These include the nuclear matrix proteins sp 100 and LYSp 100B, and suggest that Bright may affect chromatin configuration and nuclear sublocalization. Furthermore, Bruton's tyrosine kinase is required for Bright binding activity, suggesting links between Bright, cell signaling cascades, and X-linked immunodeficiency disease.
Development of viable solutions for the synthesis of sulfur bearing single crystals

The discovery of high temperature superconductivity in FeAs and FeSe based compounds has once again focused the condensed matter community on the need to systematically explore compounds containing chalcogens and pnictogens. Whereas some solution growth techniques have been developed to handle P and As, and Sb and Bi are versatile solvents in their own right, S has remained a problematic element to incorporate into conventional solution growth. To a large extent its low boiling point, combined with its polymeric nature in a molten state have made S an uninviting solvent. In this paper we present our development of a range of binary sulfur bearing solutions (some even sulfur rich) and demonstrate how we have been able to use these as useful starting points for the growth of a wide range of transition metal–sulfur–X ternary compounds. We present growth details and basic characterization data for Ni3Bi2S2, Co3Sn2S2, Fe2GeS4, CoSSb, and CePd3S4. In addition we present a remarkably simple method for the growth...
Changes in cortical and subcortical levels of monoamines and their metabolites following unilateral ventrolateral cortical lesions in the rat.

Abstract Suction lesions were made in the anterior, posterior or both halves of the right ventrolateral cortex in rats. Six days later, levels of the monoamine neurotransmitters, norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT), and their metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), were measured in cortical and subcortical regions of lesioned rats and compared to values in sham-operated animals. NE and 5-HT were decreased in sections of ipsilateral (right) cortex including, and posterior to lesions, while 5-HIAA was increased throughout the ipsilateral cortex. Decreases in monoamines and increases in metabolites and metabolite: monoamine ratios (especially 5-HIAA:5-HT) were found in ipsilateral subcortical structures, including striatum, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, hypothalamus, midbrain and brainstem, depending on the type of lesion. Subacutely, focal ventrolateral cortical lesions may profoundly alter the levels and utilization rates of monoamine neurotransmitters in widespread regions of the ipsilateral hemisphere.