cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Dynamics of Accountability, Voice, and Political Environments across Two Samples"

Research has shown that accountability can produce both positive and negative outcomes. As a result, scholars have called for the examination of boundary conditions that affect the direction and magnitude of accountability effects. Thus, this study takes a multidisciplinary, multi-sample approach to investigate the three-way interaction of felt accountability x politics perceptions x proactive voice on job performance, job satisfaction, and job tension. Specifically, it was hypothesized that high levels of felt accountability would be most strongly associated with favorable outcomes when heightened politics perceptions were coupled with increased voice behavior. Further, it was hypothesized that felt accountability would predict negative outcomes in settings associated with high levels of politics and low proactive voice. Across two samples (e.g., graduate school alumni, N =211; insurance employees, N = 186), results supported the hypothesized relationships. First, accountability predicted outcomes in Sam...
Nisoldipine improves ventricular function in rats with ischemic heart failure.

Abstract To determine whether calcium channel blockade is effective in the prevention of the cascade of events leading to the thin walled, decompensated ventricle observed in ischemic heart failure, inhibition of transsarcolemmal transport of calcium by nisoldipine was examined in rats in which luminal narrowing of the left main coronary artery was utilized to produce global cardiac ischemia. Coronary artery narrowing was produced in rats at 2 months of age and animals were maintained on nisoldipine (10 mg/kg body weight) (CANN) or water (CANW) until time of sacrifice 1 month later. Surgical intervention resulted in a 50%, reduction in coronary artery luminal diameter in both experimental groups and was associated with an increase in kidney and lung weights in only CANW animals. Heart weights were also increased in the water treated coronary artery narrowed group. In CANW rats. systemic arterial and left ventricular systolic pressures were reduced whereas left ventricular diastolic pressures were elevated. Peak rates of pressure rise and decay and cardiac output were also reduced in CANW rats. Treatment with nisoldipine prevented the detrimental impact of ischemic heart disease to an extent that all measured parameters in CAN, rats were found to be intermediate between unoperated controls and CANW animals. Thus, calcium channel blockade was therapeutic in the prevention of cardiac dysfunction and failure seen after the onset of ischemic heart disease in rats. Furthermore, the detrimental impact of ischemic heart disease was ameliorated by early and continuous treatment with the calcium channel blocker, nisoldipine.
A modified preschool life skills program focused on teaching functional communication and self-control resulted in acquisition of requesting skills and the prevention of problem behavior in small groups of preschool children

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Luczynski, K. C., & Hanley, G. P. (2013). Prevention of problem behavior by teaching functional communication and self-control skills to preschoolers. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 355–368.Source of funding and disclosure of interest: No source of funding reported, and no conflicts of interest reported by the original authors of this research report.
Cultural Correlates of Ego-Network Closure:

In this paper, the author extends and further develops research and theory on the relationship between cultural taste and social networks by examining the effects of strength of preference in different cultural domains on the relative closure of personal networks. The results show that as the number of strong preferences held by an individual increases, so do the chances that any two of his or her personal discussion network are connected to one another. In contrast, holding a larger number of weaker preferences results in personal discussion networks characterized by the presence of “structural holes.” The author closes by pointing to the theoretical implications of these results.
Chronic and acute neglected children: Psychological variables

In reports on child abuse, and, in particular, the abuse cases involving some form of child neglect, a large increase has recently been noted in the United States. The present study was conducted to determine: (1) specific psychological variables of chronic and acute neglected children, and (2) a comparison of similarities and/or differences of each. Results suggested 5 of the most frequently stated variables of both S groups, and similarities or significant differences between them by S status.
ACE Overexpression in Myelomonocytic Cells: Effect on a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

While it is well known that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in blood pressure control, ACE also has effects on renal function, hematopoiesis, reproduction, and aspects of the immune response. ACE 10/10 mice overexpress ACE in myelomonocytic cells. Macrophages from these mice have an increased polarization towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype that results in a very effective immune response to challenge by tumors or bacterial infection. In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the ACE 10/10 phenotype provides significant protection against AD pathology, including reduced inflammation, reduced burden of the neurotoxic amyloid-β protein and preserved cognitive function. Taken together, these studies show that increased myelomonocytic ACE expression in mice alters the immune response to better defend against many different types of pathologic insult, including the cognitive decline observed in an animal model of AD.
Further study of flickering auroral roar emission: 1. South Pole observations

[1] Hughes and LaBelle (2001) reported a single example of a new geophysical phenomenon: ∼10 Hz modulation of auroral radio emissions near twice the auroral ionospheric electron gyrofrequency. They called this phenomenon flickering auroral roar and suggested that it is related to flickering aurora, which results from ∼10 Hz modulation of the precipitating auroral electrons. Observations at South Pole Station during 2003 using a new high-bandwidth receiving system have yielded 10 examples of flickering roar emissions. Although 10 examples is still a small number for statistics, these observations considerably extend previous knowledge of this phenomenon which was based on a single example. On the basis of the 2003 South Pole data set, flickering auroral roar accounts for only about 1–2% of auroral roar in number of seconds, but ∼20% of auroral roar events have some flickering feature. The observed modulation frequencies range from ∼3 to 30 Hz. The 10- to 20-Hz modulations, which correspond to about 65% of the time when flickering roar occurs, are much more common than the higher-frequency 20- to 30-Hz modulations, which correspond to about 20% of the time when flickering roar occurs. These frequencies compare favorably with optical observations of auroral emissions, rocket observations of electron flux modulations, and modeling results. If these frequencies correspond to the oxygen gyrofrequency where electrons and ion cyclotron waves interact, the 3- to 30-Hz frequency range would imply sources at altitudes of 1500–10,500 km. Six of the ten flickering roar examples occurred during substorm expansion phase as defined from local magnetometer data, in contrast to flickering aurora, which is usually observed after the onset of auroral breakup.
Human Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase Neutralizes Rapidly and Efficiently Chymotrypsin and Trypsin-like Proteases Utilizing Distinct Reactive Site Residues

Abstract Human cytoplasmic antiproteinase (CAP) is an intracellular serpin that has been reported to utilize Arg341 as the reactive site P1 residue to neutralize a broad variety of extracellular serine proteases with trypsin-like specificity. Both native CAP and recombinant CAP purified from Escherichia coli were observed to form SDS-stable complexes not only with 125I-thrombin and 125I-urokinase, but also with 125I-chymotrypsin. Kinetic studies indicated that the amidolytic activity of chymotrypsin is inhibited efficiently and rapidly by CAP in a two-step process with a dissociation constant Ki of an initial loose complex of 3.3 nM, a forward isomerization rate constant k2 to the tight complex of 0.014 s−1, and an overall second order association rate constant of 6 × 106 M−1 s−1, similar to the kinetic constants obtained for the formation of the trypsin-CAP complex. N-terminal amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry indicated that chymotrypsin interacts with CAP at Met340, in contrast to thrombin, which interacts as expected at Arg341. Thus, CAP is the first serpin that has been shown to be capable to inhibit efficiently and with similar association rate constants different proteases at distinct reactive site residues, strongly supporting the notion of a highly mobile and flexible serpin reactive site loop and suggesting that this inhibitor may have evolved separate reactive sites for the specific regulation of different proteolytic activities.
Bepridil treatment of chronic stable angina: a review of comparative studies versus placebo, nifedipine, and diltiazem.

Abstract The antianginal efficacy of bepridil, a calcium antagonist with an extended plasma elimination half-life, has been compared with placebo and the calcium antagonists nifedipine and diltiazem in patients refractory to diltiazem. The earliest observations in the United States of antianginal effects of bepridil were revealed in a single-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial of 77 patients with chronic stable angina pectoris that demonstrated that bepridil (300 mg/day) improved exercise duration by 26%, from 6.9 ± 0.4 (standard error of the mean) to 8.7 ± 0.5 minutes (p −3 KPM (p
The Framing of Islam On Network News Following the September 11Th Attacks

/ This article investigates the shifting discourse on Islam and Muslims in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. It seeks to investigate and compare the visual and verbal frames used to desc...
Oriented hierarchical structure in synthetic fibers

All oriented polymers (net axial orientation function greater than 0.7) possess a microfibrillar morphology and all show significant fibrillation upon failure. Typical microfibrillar dimensions are 10 Nm in diameter and of essentially infinite length. Synthetic fibers comprise the most common form of oriented polymers, and all synthetic fibers possess a hierarchical structure in the sense that they possess a structural repeat of fiber symmetry from the molecular to the macroscopic. The microstructure of synthetic fibers is comprised of crystalline and non-crystalline elements. The choice of polymer and the details of the processing conditions control the ratio of crystalline to non-crystalline units, the net orientation associated with each phase (or subphase), and the connections between them. The microstructure of the typical 100 angstrom diameter microfibril can be between them. The microstructure of the typical 100 angstrom diameter microfibril can be described as an array of crystalline (or at least, mesogenically correlated) and non-crystalline elements in series. The ordered portions of the fibrils are characterized by size (normally 100s of angstrom by about 100 angstrom), net orientation and the nature of the order-disorder interface. While an equilibrium polymer crystal is comprised of fully extended chains, kinetic conditions during practical crystallization almost inevitably cause the chains to fold, forming thin lamellar structures with the chains parallel to the thin dimension. The regular nature of this folding and the concentration of tie molecules between lamellae is still debated in the literature, it is clear that tie molecule formation and less regular fold surfaces are aided by fast crystallization and chain orientation during or prior to the crystallization event. The thickness of the lamellar crystals is a function of the time and temperature of crystallization and lamellar crystals are subject to perfecting and thickening during annealing. (truncated)© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of topography on thermal infrared spectra of planetary surfaces

[1] We use a thermal model with large-scale surface roughness to study the effects of topography and roughness on thermal infrared spectra of planetary surfaces. We study a range of roughness values, illumination geometries, and viewing geometries and find that surface roughness can strongly alter the slope of a thermal infrared spectrum, especially for large solar incidence angles. This roughness-induced slope in the spectrum can shift the location of the Christiansen frequency and should be removed in order to study the mineralogy and other surface properties. The effect is minimized for viewing near zero phase angle. This makes it possible to measure large-scale roughness by comparing thermal infrared spectra taken near zero phase angle with those taken at a large solar incidence angle and nonzero phase angle. Changes in apparent emissivity with wavelength in the thermal infrared due to roughness are calculated for Clementine longwave-infrared images of the Moon. These roughness-induced spectral slopes observed for the Moon are 5% between 5 and 8 microns for regions of moderate topography.
Transport of DC and Bunched Beams through a 25 Mv Folded Tandem Accelerator

Studies of beam transport through the planned ORNL 25 MV folded tandem accelerator demonstrate efficient utilization of phase-space acceptance and t?e feasibility of injecting buched beams from the tandem accelerator into the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron (ORIC). Use of a 180° bending magnet in the terminal provides outstanding charge state selection and permits better control of the high-energy beam transport than has previously been possible in coventional tandem acceler ators. Time spreads introduced in bunched beams by the 180° magnet are kept within a 6° RF acceptance window at ORIC provided the beam has a crossover in the center of the 180° magnet. Ion masses from 12 to 240 amu, preinjection energies from 150 to 500 keV and terminal voltages from 7.5 to 25 MV were studied for dc beams and beams bunched by various modulation techniques.
Problems by the wayside

Several problems are introduced. They are not ''by the wayside'' in the sense that they were once considered and later discarded. They are very much alive. They are by the wayside, because I believe they have not been worked on much, yet relate to the Classical Finite Geometries (that is, Lie incidence geometries of finite buildings) which I view as central.
Infections in frail and vulnerable elderly patients

Frail and vulnerable elderly patients, recognized primarily by the presence of such disabilities as immobility, incontinence, and dementia, are at particularly high risk for the development of infectious diseases, which are the leading cause of hospitalization in this population. The infectious diseases most often observed in the debilitated elderly are pneumonias, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and gastroenteritis, with fever a common manifestation. Some of the factors identified as contributing to their increased susceptibility include diminishing physiologic functioning; compromised host-defense mechanisms; increased incidence of mechanical risk factors, such as pressure ulcers, indwelling or condom catheters, feeding tubes, and soft tissue injuries; and comorbidities such as soft tissue or pulmonary edema. In addition to the common infecting pathogens found in the general population, these unique compromising factors increase the risk of elderly patients for aerobic gram-negative bacillary infection. Further increasing the therapeutic dilemma are ethical considerations involved in prolonging treatment that might be considered medical intervention beyond what is routine and necessary. Although the decision to treat must be made on an individual basis, studies have not always shown treatment to provide benefits in terms of quality of life. Once it is decided to treat, however, appropriate therapy is crucial. One of the most important considerations is renal function, which impacts on effectiveness, toxicity, and cost of therapy and is likely to be diminished in elderly patients. A non-nephrotoxic agent, such as aztreonam, may be a more appropriate therapeutic choice than an aminoglycoside antibiotic in this patient population.
Portable dynamic electronic speed-torque indicator

The concept of instantaneous observation of the complete speed-torque characteristic of a motor while it accelerates from standstill to full speed is based on the assumption that a large percentage of the torque is utilized in acceleration of the inertia if the motor is otherwise unloaded. The basic instrument needed is an accelerometer with dynamic response capable of indicating the true starting torque and the transient cusps of the torque curve. This paper discusses the application of a 2-phase a-c instrument tachometer and active high-gain operational amplifiers to the design of a portable speed-acceleration instrument. The tachometer utilizes a drag-cup rotor and produces a constant frequency carrier output that has a minimum of ripple with frequency proportional to speed, thus eliminating the problem at low speeds of ripple amplification by differentiation encountered when using conventional tachometers. The constant frequency carrier output simplifies the problem of amplification and noise found with the homopolar-type generator. The use of stabilized operational amplifiers for differentiation and amplification after demodulation both provide the necessary dynamic response for the torque signal and virtually eliminates the problem of drift in the d-c stages. Operational applications of the instrument including torque versus speed, acceleration versus time, and speed versus time are included from the engineering laboratories of Robbins and Myers, Inc., Springfield, Ohio.
D-Glucopyranosylation of cellulose acetate

Abstract D -Glucopyranosylation of cellulose acetate (d.s. 2.33) has been effected by treating it with various D -glucosides in the presence of Lewis acids. Glucopyranosylation proceeds rapidly at 25° to derivatize 61% of the free hydroxyl groups, thereby producing up to 0.47 d.s. of D -glucopyranosyl groups. Of various reagents tested, 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl- N - p -tolyl-β- D -glucopyranosylamine with antimony pentachloride catalyst produced most rapid derivatization and yielded the highest d.s. Methyl and isopropyl β- D -glucopyranosides and methyl 1-thio-β- D -glucopyranoside were also found to be the D -glucosylating agents as was 3,5,6-tri- O -acetyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- D - glucofuranose. Of the Lewis acids examined, the most active in effecting transfer of D -glucopyranosyl groups to cellulose acetate were antimony pentachloride and boron triflouride etherate. The major side reaction was the depolymerization of the cellulose chain which occured to the least extent with antimony pentachloride.
Peanut protein and product functionality

Interest in the potential of peanut seed as a source of edible vegetable protein products has been stimulated by an increase in our understanding of protein physicochemical properties, improved protein extraction, fractionation and characterization techniques, advanced technologies to produce high quality and diverse protein ingredients and understanding the interrelationship between physicochemical, functional and nutritional characteristics of protein products. Further expansion in the processing and utilization of peanut products may be constrained by economic conditions rather than by limitations in functionality, nutritional quality, or consumer acceptability. Should changes occur to improve the competitive position of peanuts, the potential contributions of their protein products may be more fully realized.
Retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomatosis a 36‐year benign course in a postmenopausal woman

An 89-year-old asymptomatic white woman was found to have a pelvic mass with retroperitoneal extension. Biopsy of the lesion demonstrated lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Review of her records revealed that 36 years ago a mass in the same location had been found incidentally and biopsy was performed during abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma. Comparison of the old and recent biopsy specimens showed an identical histologic appearance. This case, therefore, represents a benign, localized form of lymphangioleiomyomatosis; the long survival without therapy may be related to the fact that this patient was postmenopausal.
Samuel Benjamin: Unorthodox observer of the Middle East

Artist, author, diplomat, Samuel Greene Wheeler Benjamin's long association with the Middle East provided the raw material for much of his work. A self‐confessed ‘freelance’ in an age of increasing...
Estimation of Probabilistic Extreme Wind Load Effects: Combination of Aerodynamic and Wind Climate Data

A refined full-order method is presented for estimating the extreme wind load effects of rigid structures with given mean recurrence intervals (MRIs) by combining the distributions of annual maximum wind speed and extreme load coefficients. This refined method is capable of dealing with any type of asymptotic extreme value distribution. With this full-order method, the predictions of wind load effects by using distributions of annual maximum wind velocity pressure and wind speed are compared that provide information on the sensitivity of predictions to the upper tail of wind speed distribution. The efficacy of the first-order method is examined. The influences of the type of distributions and the variations of annual maximum wind speed and extreme load coefficient on the predictions are quantified. Finally, the first- and full-order methods are extended to wind load effects of dynamically sensitive structures which facilitate a comprehensive probabilistic analysis as compared to the Monte Carlo simulation...
Japan Pop: Inside the World of Japanese Popular Culture

First published in 1909, W.E.B. Du Bois's biography of abolitionist John Brown is a literary and historical classic. With a rare combination of scholarship and passion, Du Bois defends Brown against all detractors who saw him as a fanatic, fiend, or traitor. Brown emerges as a rich personality, fully understandable as an unusual leader with a deeply religious outlook and a devotion to the cause of freedom for the slave. This new edition is enriched with an introduction by John David Smith and with supporting documents relating to Du Bois's correspondence with his publisher.
Multi-scale analysis of wind power and load time series data

Abstract This paper presents novel analyses of high-resolution wind power and electric system load time series data. We use a discrete wavelet transform to resolve the data into independent time series of step changes (deltas) at different time scales, and present a variety of statistical metrics as a function of the time scale. We show that the probability distribution for wind power deltas is not Gaussian, has an exponential shape near the center and is well fit by a power-law in the tails. We provide a physical interpretation for the observed power-law behavior, and discuss the potential significance for modeling studies, prediction of extreme events, and the extrapolation of statistical characteristics to higher wind penetration levels. Several metrics are presented to quantify the degree of auto-correlation in the wind data, and of the correlations between wind and load. We show that the shape of the autocorrelation function is the same at different time scales, a property of self-similar statistical processes that is consistent with the observed power-law behavior.
Similarity mapping in spoken word recognition

Abstract Five phoneme monitoring experiments are reported that investigate the relationship between the degree of lexical activation (based on similarity of the input to a real word) and phoneme perception. Experiment 1 showed that phoneme monitoring detection times increased as similarity of the carrier to a real word decreased. Experiment 2 replicated these results with a set of two syllable stimuli. Experiment 4 extended the results of Experiments 1 and 2 to a new phoneme. Two additional control experiments (Experiments 3 and 5) were conducted with truncated stimuli where lexical contributions were removed. The results are discussed in terms of the architectural relationship between the acoustic-phonetic input, form-based lexical levels, and semantic levels of representation.
Marital aggression predicts infant orienting toward mother at six months.

Links between marital aggression and infant orienting toward mother in fearful and frustrating contexts were examined in 92 mother–infant dyads when infants were six months. Results demonstrated that marital aggression was linked with less orienting toward mothers in frustrating situations, in fearful situations marital aggression was linked with less orienting among infants who were high on fear reactivity only.
Process Optimization of Radiation-Hardened CMOS Integrated Circuits

The effects of processing steps on the radiation hardness of MOS devices have been systematically investigated. Quantitative relationships between the radiation-induced voltage shifts and processing parameters have been determined, where possible. Using the results of process optimization, a controlled baseline fabrication process for aluminum-gate CMOS has been defined. CMOS inverters which can survive radiation exposures well in excess of 108 rads (Si) have been fabricated. Restrictions that the observed physical dependences place upon possible models for the traps responsible for radiation-induced charging in SiO2 are discussed.
A Storage Integrated Modular Power Electronic Interface for Higher Power Distribution Availability

This paper proposes active power distribution nodes (APDNs) as an effective interface that can improve availability of power distribution networks. APDNs can be used as a modular interface block for critical power networks, such as secure facilities and vehicular platforms. By having bidirectional power flow capability and embedded energy storage, APDNs are able to increase both operational flexibility and availability of power networks. The embedded energy storage can minimize potential power interruptions experienced by the load. In addition, modularity is also inherent in the configuration of APDNs. The advantages of using APDNs as a connection interface inside a power network are discussed from an availability point of view in a quantitative manner by performing a comparison using Markov-based availability models. The configuration, characteristics, and operation states of the APDN are introduced, and a two-level hierarchical control approach that regulates the voltage/current level and performs energy management is discussed. The design is verified with simulation and experiments.
Barry Collin: a visionary for a new direction in optometry.

ABSTRACT Dr. Barry Collin represents the best in academic optometry. An educator, scientist, and visionary, he has throughout his long and distinguished career made important contributions to our understanding of ophthalmic pathology. He has also had an enormous impact on raising the level of optometric education and expanding the scope of optometric practice. This profile covers much of Dr. Collin's professional career, offering insights into what has made him one of the key leaders in Australian and international optometry.
Nonlinear impulse of ocean waves on floating bodies

A new formulation is presented of the nonlinear loads exerted on floating bodies by steep irregular surface waves. The forces and moments are expressed in terms of the time derivative of the fluid impulse which circumvents the time-consuming computation of the temporal and spatial derivatives in Bernoulli’s equation. The nonlinear hydrostatic force on a floating body is shown to point vertically upwards and the nonlinear Froude–Krylov force and moment are derived as the time derivative of an impulse that involves the time derivative of a simple integral of the ambient velocity potential over the time-dependent body wetted surface. The nonlinear radiation and diffraction forces and moments are expressed as time derivatives of two impulses, a body impulse and a free surface impulse that represents higher-order wave loads acting along the body waterline. Numerical results are presented illustrating the accuracy of the new force expressions. Applications discussed include the nonlinear seakeeping of ships and offshore platforms and the extreme wave loads and responses of offshore wind turbines.
Target Identification by Natural Resonance Estimation

This paper presents a target identification method based on an estimation of the natural frequencies of oscillation in transient radar signatures. The emphasis is placed upon signal modeling and estimation ation strategy rather than relating resonance locations to physical structures. Salient features of this identification method are: 1) target aspect angle is not needed, 2) multiple targets of the same type can be illuminated simultaneously, and 3) bandpass interrogation ion pulses can be used. The latter feature is compatible with existing radar facilities. The method is applied to some simulated transfer functions, and factors affecting estimate accuracy are discussed.
Using Data Accessibility for Resource Selection in Large-Scale Distributed Systems

Large-scale distributed systems provide an attractive scalable infrastructure for network applications. However, the loosely coupled nature of this environment can make data access unpredictable, and in the limit, unavailable. We introduce the notion of accessibility to capture both availability and performance. An increasing number of data-intensive applications require not only considerations of node computation power but also accessibility for adequate job allocations. For instance, selecting a node with intolerably slow connections can offset any benefit to running on a fast node. In this paper, we present accessibility-aware resource selection techniques by which it is possible to choose nodes that will have efficient data access to remote data sources. We show that the local data access observations collected from a node's neighbors are sufficient to characterize accessibility for that node. By conducting trace-based, synthetic experiments on PlanetLab, we show that the resource selection heuristics guided by this principle significantly outperform conventional techniques such as latency-based or random allocations. The suggested techniques are also shown to be stable even under churn despite the loss of prior observations.
Building Progressive Organizations: An Alternative View

This comment considers the influence Saul Alinsky and the Industrial Areas Foundation on the trajectory of unions and community organizations in the United States. It argues that this influence has been constructive along a number of important dimensions.
Portable Implementation of Real-Time Signal Processing Benchmarks on HPC Platforms

For the evaluation of HPC systems for real-time signal processing, real-time benchmarks have recently been proposed by the US DoD signal processing and HPC communities. For the implementation of real-time benchmarks, we have developed efficient communication algorithms for M-to-N K-block-cyclic communication. Using our algorithms, we have implemented real-time 2D-FFT and Corner Turn benchmarks that have been defined by MITRE and Rome Lab on SP2 and T3E. Our results show that the number of processors required to perform the 2D-FFT benchmark was reduced by up to 53% compared with earlier implementation. The total corner turn time was also reduced by up to 78%. The performance of IBM SP2 and SGI/Cray T3E are compared using these benchmarks.
Inertial navigation as a basis for animal navigation

Abstract The phenomenon of animal navigation has thus far not been completely explained in physiological terms, although it now appears to be well established that several species utilize celestial aids in their navigation. The remarkably successful development in recent years of self-contained Inertial Navigation Systems for automatic indication of position and for the control of motion of man-made vehicles (missiles, airplanes, submarines) suggests the necessity of a reconsideration of some aspects of the problem of animal navigation in the light of these developments. The basic principle of inertial navigation is that of determination of direction, and of distance travelled, by means of a double integration with respect to time of acceleration, due regard being made for the fact that the motion is carried out with respect to a spherical, rotating earth. Certain inertial systems of a hybrid type utilize celestial navigation as a supplementary aid; for this purpose automatic star-tracking devices are employed. From a close examination of published experimental results it cannot be said that an explanation on an inertial basis of animal navigation is in accord with all of the available experimental evidence obtained from animals, but a number of experimental results that have previously appeared to be puzzling are found to be consistent with the possible existence of a physiological inertial system of either a pure or hybrid form. Accordingly, further investigation of the problems of animal navigation from the standpoint of inertial navigation, a possibility that has in effect long been considered, appears merited. Some additional specific experimental tests, including ones in orbiting earth satellites, are proposed. At least, from the principles of inertial navigation, a full definition and possible explanation in physiological terms of the often-used but ill-defined term, “sense of direction”, and of its logical complement, “sense of distance”, can be advanced. These two senses, which are complementary and interrelated, may be considered as integrated ones, based on a primary “sense of inertia”, for which the specific sensory receptors in vertebrates are the vestibular organs.
Class I Histone Deacetylase Thd1p Promotes Global Chromatin Condensation in Tetrahymena thermophila

Class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate DNA-templated processes such as transcription. They act both at specific loci and more generally across global chromatin, contributing to acetylation patterns that may underlie large-scale chromatin dynamics. Although hypoacetylation is correlated with highly condensed chromatin, little is known about the contribution of individual HDACs to chromatin condensation mechanisms. Using the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila, we investigated the role of a specific class I HDAC, Τhd1p, in the reversible condensation of global chromatin. In this system, the normal physiological response to cell starvation includes the widespread condensation of the macronuclear chromatin and general repression of gene transcription. We show that the chromatin in Thd1p-deficient cells failed to condense during starvation. The condensation failure correlated with aberrant hyperphosphorylation of histone H1 and the overexpression of CDC2, encoding the major histone H1 kinase. Changes in the rate of acetate turnover on core histones and in the distribution of acetylated lysines 9 and 23/27 on histone H3 isoforms that were found to correlate with normal chromatin condensation were absent from Thd1p mutant cells. These results point to a role for a class I HDAC in the formation of reversible higher-order chromatin structures and global genome compaction through mechanisms involving the regulation of H1 phosphorylation and core histone acetylation/deacetylation kinetics.
Vibration stimulates vocal mucosa‐like matrix expression by hydrogel‐encapsulated fibroblasts

The composition and organization of the vocal fold extracellular matrix (ECM) provide the viscoelastic mechanical properties that are required to sustain high-frequency vibration during voice production. Although vocal injury and pathology are known to produce alterations in matrix physiology, the mechanisms responsible for the development and maintenance of vocal fold ECM are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of physiologically relevant vibratory stimulation on ECM gene expression and synthesis by fibroblasts encapsulated within hyaluronic acid hydrogels that approximate the viscoelastic properties of vocal mucosa. Relative to static controls, samples exposed to vibration exhibited significant increases in mRNA expression levels of HA synthase 2, decorin, fibromodulin and MMP-1, while collagen and elastin expression were relatively unchanged. Expression levels exhibited a temporal response, with maximum increases observed after 3 and 5 days of vibratory stimulation and significant downregulation observed at 10 days. Quantitative assays of matrix accumulation confirmed significant increases in sulphated glycosaminoglycans and significant decreases in collagen after 5 and 10 days of vibratory culture, relative to static controls. Cellular remodelling and hydrogel viscosity were affected by vibratory stimulation and were influenced by varying the encapsulated cell density. These results indicate that vibration is a critical epigenetic factor regulating vocal fold ECM and suggest that rapid restoration of the phonatory microenvironment may provide a basis for reducing vocal scarring, restoring native matrix composition and improving vocal quality.
Solving large scattering problem on a PC using the recursive aggregate T-matrix algorithm

The recursive aggregate T-matrix algorithm (RATMA) is used to solve for the scattering solution of an oblong, multilayer, dielectric-coated ogive body. Because the recursive algorithm has reduced computational complexity and memory requirement, the scattering solution of a 10-wavelength-long ogive coated with dielectric layers can be calculated on a PC and the solution agrees well with the method of moments. The method enables the volume scattering from the dielectric region to treated on the same footing as the metallic scatterer. It is demonstrated that this method works well for oblong scatterers with a high aspect ratio. This method is competitive with iterative methods such as the conjugate gradient method since it provides a full scattering solution valid for all incident angles. >
Expression of a cloned cyclopropane fatty acid synthase gene reduces solvent formation in Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824

The cyclopropane fatty acid synthase gene (cfa) of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 was cloned and overexpressed under the control of the clostridial ptb promoter. The function of the cfa gene was confirmed by complementation of an Escherichia coli cfa-deficient strain in terms of fatty acid composition and growth rate under solvent stress. Constructs expressing cfa were introduced into C. acetobutylicum hosts and cultured in rich glucose broth in static flasks without pH control. Overexpression of the cfa gene in the wild type and in a butyrate kinase-deficient strain increased the cyclopropane fatty acid content of early-log-phase cells as well as initial acid and butanol resistance. However, solvent production in the cfa-overexpressing strain was considerably decreased, while acetate and butyrate levels remained high. The findings suggest that overexpression of cfa results in changes in membrane properties that dampen the full induction of solventogenesis. The overexpression of a marR homologous gene preceding the cfa gene in the clostridial genome resulted in reduced cyclopropane fatty acid accumulation.
Effects of environment during growth on the sensitivity of leaf conductance to changes in humidity

Soybeans (Glycine max) and grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) were grown at a range of temperatures, carbon dioxide concentrations and light conditions in controlled environment chambers, and the response of leaf conductance to water vapour to changes in humidity was then measured under a standard set of conditions. The sensitivity of conductance was analysed in terms of (i) the absolute sensitivity of conductance to changes in leaf to air water vapour pressure difference (LAVPD), (ii) the sensitivity of conductance relative to the absolute value of conductance, and (iii) the slope of the relationship between conductance and an index incorporating assimilation rate, carbon dioxide concentration and relative humidity. The sensitivity of conductance varied substantially with growth conditions for all three analyses in both species. The growth temperature of 25 °C increased the sensitivity of conductance by all three measures compared with growth at 20 or 30 °C in amaranth, with little difference between 25 and 30 °C in soybean. Growth at elevated carbon dioxide decreased sensitivity in amaranth by all three measures, and decreased the absolute but not the relative sensitivity in soybean. Growth at reduced photon flux density and growth at high stand density reduced sensitivity in amaranth by all three measures. In soybean, growth at high stand density reduced sensitivity by all three measures, but growth at low photon flux density increased the relative sensitivity. The sensitivity of leaf conductance to changes in humidity varied by a factor of two or more with growth environment by all measures of sensitivity in both the C3 and the C4 species.
Advisory Committees in the Legislative Process

The British Parliament has long used the royal commission as a device to utilize the expertise of persons both outside government and inside the ministries to serve in an investigative and advisory role. The work of a royal commission has often culminated in legislative proposals or administrative changes. Our Congress has seldom deemed it desirable to turn to outsiders rather than to its own committees for such assistance. The notable exceptions in recent years, of course, have been the Hoover Commission on the Organization of the Executive Branch and a committee on social security legislation. State legislatures have tended to follow the Congressional pattern. Legislative inquiry has, as a rule, been channelized through special or select investigating committees, legislative councils, or interim committees. In some states, however, the investigating committee has never taken deep root, and Kentucky has been one of these states. Normally the political power of a Kentucky governor over the legislature is great enough to kill any incipient move to create a special investigating committee. Kentucky's legislative leaders have, however, at gubernatorial suggestion instituted four advisory committees, drawing upon socalled "experts" and laymen, to assist the legislature both in investigative work and policy formulation. The creation in 1948 of the Legislative Research Commission, composed of the legislative leadership and the governor, in effect established a well-financed and supported legislative council with its own research staff.' The Commission became the natural medium through which advisory committees might report and to which they might be attached for financing and research assistance.
Neuromuscular determinants of force coordination during multidigit grasping

The biomechanical structure of the hand and its underlying neurophysiology contribute to the coordination of the kinematics and kinetics necessary for multidigit grasping. We recently examined the neural organization of inputs to different extrinsic finger flexors during multi-digit object hold and found moderate to strong motor unit short-term synchrony. This suggests a common neural input to the motoneurons innervating these different hand muscles/muscle compartments, which may in turn influence the coordination of grip forces. To further characterize this common input to the hand muscles during multidigit grasping, we used the frequency-based measure of coherence. Motor unit coherence provides information with regards to the oscillatory frequency of a common input, as well as the coupling of the discharges of a motor unit pair at both short and long latencies. Preliminary results indicate that a large proportion of trials are characterized by significant coherence in the 1-12 Hz frequency range, which is more pronounced in the within- than between-muscle/muscle compartment analysis. This indicates a differential organization of common oscillatory inputs to pairs of motoneurons innervating the same vs. different muscles/ muscle compartments. The functional role of the 1-12 Hz oscillatory modulation of motor unit behavior is currently being investigated.
Root Xylem Influence on the Water Relations and Drought Resistance of Rice

In order to determine the importance of root axial resistance to water flow for drought resistance of rice (Oryza sativa L.), a series of glasshouse and growth chamber studies was conducted from 1985 to 1986. A preliminary study surveyed root distribution and histological characteristics of six cultivars grown in aerobic soil (20×20×90 cm boxes) under well-watered or moisture deficit conditions. Subsequently, four experiments were conducted with plants grown in culture solution
Feasibility study: In vivo neutron activation for regional measurement of calcium using Californium 252

The feasibility of using a collimated 252Cf neutron source to measure regional changes in skeletal calcium was tested because i n v i v o regional activation of diseased bone should offer advantages over the more widely reported total‐body calcium measuring techniques. Regional activation allows examination of discrete regions where the greatest changes in calcium content occur. Additionally, a simpler radiation facility is required for regional studies. Using a 5.5‐μg 252Cf source, thermal neutron flux and absorbed dose were measured in a tissue‐equivalent phantom. Detection efficiency of 49Ca γ rays for conditions simulating regional activation were measured using a 29‐cm‐diameter ×10‐cm‐thickness sodium iodide detector. These i n v i t r o measurements indicate that a collimated 252Cf source can be used for regional neutron activation of the lower spine and legs. Preliminary calculations indicate that a 1–3‐mg source provides adequate count rates for statistical accuracy with a bone marrow dosage acceptable for human patients and normal subjects.
Secondary relaxation, brittle–ductile transition temperature, and chain structure

We show that the subglass secondary relaxation temperature at which a polymer changes from brittle (crazing) to ductile (yielding) behavior is a function of the characteristic ratio C∞ (which is a measure of the intrinsic flexibility and rigidity of a coiled chain). At 1 Hz frequency, the correlation is given by {Tβ}/{Tα} = Tb/Tg = 0.135 + 0.082C∞, where {Tβ} is the secondary relaxation temperature, which corresponds to Tb the brittle—ductile transition temperature, and {Tα} is the primary relaxation temperature, which corresponds to the glass transition temperature Tg at the given frequency. The ratio {Tβ}/{Tα} or Tb/Tg can be predicted from chemical structure alone.
Regulation of Purified and Reconstituted Connexin 43 Hemichannels by Protein Kinase C-mediated Phosphorylation of Serine 368

Indirect evidence suggests that the permeability of connexin 43 (Cx43) gap-junctional channels (connexons) to small organic molecules (Mr