cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial sensitization in the short wavelength sensitive pathways under dichoptic viewing conditions.

Abstract Spatial sensitization (Westheimer) functions were measured under conditions that isolated the short wavelength sensitive pathways. The variable diameter pedestal and the test probe were either presented to the same eye (monoptic presentation) or to different eyes (dichoptic presentation). The most significant new finding was that a dichoptically presented, small, blue pedestal caused threshold elevations of about 1–2 long units for an S cone detected probe. However, a large pedestal caused little or no change in threshold. This result contrasts with previous results using white light stimuli, which showed that steadily presented dichoptic pedestals caused little or no threshold change. Furthermore, we show there is little masking when the probe is detected by the isolated M or L cone pathways. These data thus demonstrate a binocular, size dependent interaction revealed only when S cones detect the probe.
Cover Choice by Bluegills: Orientation of Underwater Structure and Light Intensity

Abstract In a series of laboratory experiments, I examined the attraction of bluegills Lepomis macrochirus to cover as a function of light intensity and orientation of underwater structures. Changing the density from one fish to five fish per aquarium did not change the results. Fish always preferred the lowest light intensity available. In very low light, they chose areas with structure more frequently than open water. Their choice of horizontally or vertically oriented structure was influenced by the size of the interstitial spacing between the structural components. Horizontally oriented structures were used less when the interstices were smaller than the body depth of the fish, and they were used less than vertically oriented structures. When artificial habitats are added to water bodies, the orientation and the interstitial spacing of the structure may influence the size of fish attracted.
Collaborative Design Processes for Authentic Preservice Music Teacher Observations

The purpose of this action research study was to transform the classroom culture from one of observation viewed as obligation to observation viewed as a powerful learning tool. At two universities, preservice music teachers collaborated to create teaching observation instruments. Through class discussions, investigation, and creation of teaching observation formats, rating scales, and categories for evaluation, including musical teaching skills, an environment was created in which the preservice teachers became an integral part of the observation process. Analysis of instructor journals, class assignments, and interviews with supervising teachers and preservice teachers showed that students at both sites expressed increased enthusiasm and commitment to the observation process and greater insight into evaluating teaching. Findings from this study indicate that involving preservice music teachers in a collaborative environment can increase their appreciation for the observation process.
eCushion: A Textile Pressure Sensor Array Design and Calibration for Sitting Posture Analysis

Sitting posture analysis is widely applied in many daily applications in biomedical, education, and health care domains. It is interesting to monitor sitting postures in an economic and comfortable manner. Accordingly, we present a textile-based sensing system, called Smart Cushion, which analyzes the sitting posture of human being accurately and non-invasively. First, we introduce the electrical textile sensor and its electrical characteristics, such as offset, scaling, crosstalk, and rotation. Second, we present the design and implementation of the Smart Cushion system. Several effective techniques have been proposed to improve the recognition rate of sitting postures, including sensor calibration, data representation, and dynamic time warping-based classification. Last, our experimental results show that the recognition rate of our Smart Cushion system is in excess of 85.9%.
Probabilistic bounds for dual bin-packing

The problem called dual bin-packing is: given a set of n piece sizes and a fixed number m of unit capacity bins, pack as many pieces as possible into the bins. The problem is NP-complete; an heuristic is known that achieves 6/7 of the optimal number of pieces in all cases. Here we study the first fit increasing heuristic under the assumption that piece sizes are chosen uniformly from [0,1]. We show that, given a desired degree of confidence 1-e, if n piece sizes ¯X = (X1,..., Xn) are chosen uniformly, then $$P\left[ {\frac{{OPT(\bar X)}}{{FFI(\bar X)}} < 1 + O\left( {\frac{1}{{\sqrt n }}} \right)} \right] \geqq 1 - \varepsilon $$ where FFI(¯X) is the number of pieces packed by the heuristic and OPT(¯X) is largest number that can be packed. Thus the performance of the FFI policy can be made arbitrarily close to that of the optimal policy with any desired degree of confidence, for large sample sizes. It is also shown that, at any desired confidence level, FFI(¯X)=Ω(√n) and FFI(¯X) = O(√n). A lower bound on the expectation of FFI(¯X) is derived. The proofs are based upon the distribution of the one-sided Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic.
Simulation of Drift-Compression for Heavy-Ion Fusion

Abstract Lengthwise compression of space-charge-dominated beams is needed to obtain the high input power required for heavy-ion fusion. The “drift compression” scenario studied here first applies a head-to-tail velocity variation with the beam tail moving faster than the head. As the beam drifts, the longitudinal space-charge field slows compression, leaving the beam nearly monoenergetic as it enters the final-focus magnets. This paper presents initial work to model this compression scenario. Fluid and particle simulations are compared, and several strategies for setting up the compression schedule are discussed.
Ultrasound of fetal cardiac anomalies.

OBJECTIVE. Fetal cardiac anomalies are common, with half of them being lethal or requiring complex surgeries. Early detection of these anomalies enables early referral to tertiary care centers with adequate expertise. A routine antenatal ultrasound performed between 18 and 22 weeks enables detection of most of these malformations. Further comprehensive evaluation can be performed with a dedicated fetal echocardiography, particularly in high-risk pregnancies and in cases with extracardiac anomalies. CONCLUSION. Doppler imaging is used in the evaluation of vascular and valvular lesions. Three-dimensional imaging enables reconstruction of multiple complex planes from a single transverse acquisition. Four-dimensional imaging enables cine looping of images in multiple planes, enabling estimation of cardiac motion and function. This review illustrates the various sonographic techniques for evaluation of fetal hearts and the imaging appearance of various fetal cardiac anomalies.
Rapidly fatal familial histiocytosis associated with eosinophilia and primary immunological deficiency.

Abstract Two new cases are reported of a familial disease clinically characterised by onset within the first month of life of an erythematous, maculopapular skin eruption associated with hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia, hypoglobulinaemia, or agammaglobulinaemia, increased susceptibility to infections, diarrhœa, and a rapidly fatal course. Histopathological findings, not previously described, included a profound depletion or absence of lymphocytes in the thymus, lymph-nodes, spleen, and lamina propria of the gut and an absence of Hassall's corpuscles in the thymus. An abnormal myeloid/erythroid ratio in the bone-marrow and blood, with a preponderance of eosinophilic granulocytes and their precursors, and a diffuse proliferation of bizarre histiocytes in the bone-marrow, lymphnodes, and skin were also noted. Possibly these signs and symptoms represent either a variant of the Letterer-Siwe syndrome or a graft-versus-host reaction in infants with severe combined immunological deficiency, but the unusual clinical and pathological findings suggest that this is a distinct disease. If this were correct, the disease might aptly be called familial malignant histiocytosis with eosinophilia.
Integrating mechanical weeding with reduced herbicide use in conservation tillage corn production systems

Integrated weed management for conservation tillage systems is needed so producers can minimize the environmental impacts of crop production while maintaining effective weed control and profitability. Reduced levels of herbicides and rotary hoeing were evaluated in combination with interrow cultivation for weed control in corn (Zea mays L.) planted into chisel-plowed or untilled seedbeds. Atrazine [6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 diamine] at 1.1 kg a.i. ha -1 or cyanazine {2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methyl-propanenitrile} at 1.7 kg a.i. ha -1 applied within 2 d after corn planting greatly reduced weed growth compared with no herbicide use. These reduced herbicide treatments often controlled weeds as well as a standard full-rate treatment (atrazine at 1.6 kg ha -1 plus 2.0 kg a.i. ha -1 metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methyl-ethyl) acetamide]) prior to cultivation in both tillage systems. In the chisel-plow experiment, rotary hoeing was not as effective as atrazine or cyanazine in reducing early-season weed growth. In most cases, one or two interrow cultivations following atrazine or cyanazine increased weed control and corn grain yield to levels similar to the full-rate treatment in both the chisel-plow and no-tillage systems. Integrating interrow cultivation with reduced levels of herbicide maintained weed control and corn yield compared with the full-rate treatment and is an effective weed management option for corn planted in conservation tillage systems.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Benzodioxanylpiperazine Derivatives as Potent Serotonin 5-HT1A Antagonists: The Discovery of Lecozotan

A series of benzodioxanylpiperazine derivatives possessing a 4-aryl amide substituent was prepared and evaluated for 5-HT1A affinity and functional antagonist activity in vitro and in vivo. All of the compounds in this series possessed high affinity for the human 5-HT1A receptor and many displayed potent antagonist activity in vitro and varying degrees of intrinsic activity in vivo. Compound 11c (Lecozotan) was selected for further development and is currently in clinical trials.
Effect of Size of Stimulus on Size and Shape of Color Fields

Color fields were charted under fixed conditions of illumination, background, preexposure of the eye and standard colors, the stimulus in the different tests varying in size, so as to subtend angles of 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.17 degrees. It is found the size of the stimulus comes next in importance to its intensity in determining the boundary of the field. For red and blue the large stimulus carried boundary almost to that of the field of vision. The effect of size of stimulus and other variable factors is greater for pathologic than for normal eyes, and varies for different colors.
Business Education in Germany: Past Systems and Current Practice

Although the American contribution to business education is well-known, that of other nations has been largely overlooked. In this article, Professor Locke reviews the very different history of business education in Germany, which he traces from its early twentieth-century origins to the present. He concludes that, while the German model no longer has the international reputation it did before World War II, it continues to promote solid economic growth.
Monocyte insulin receptors in infants of strictly controlled diabetic mothers.

Infants of diabetic mothers have hyperinsulinism at birth, presumably resulting from maternal hyperglycemia or some other derangement of maternal metabolism, and are extremely sensitive to insulin. Such infants have significantly greater numbers of insulin receptors on cord blood monocytes compared to normal infants. To assess the role of maternal diabetic control, nine infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers, who were intensively treated during pregnancy, were studied. Maternal blood glucose values were measured during weekly out-patient visits throughout pregnancy, and insulin therapy was given to maintain fasting blood glucose values below 100 mg/dl. When necessary, the patie nts were hospitalized early in pregnancy in order to achieve glucose control, and all patients were hospitalized for up to 2 weeks before delivery for strict glucose control. The mean birth weight (±SD) of these infants (3.23 ± 0.23 kg) was lower than that of nine infants of mothers with gestational diabetes not receiving in...
Sequence organization and genomic complexity of primate θ1 globin gene, a novel α-globin-like gene

The α-like and β-like globin genes have provided a paradigm for the study of molecular evolution and regulation of multigene families in eukaryotes. The human α-globin gene cluster, which is on chromosome 16 (ref. 1), consists of six genes arranged in the order2–5 5′-ζ(embryonic)-ψζ-ψα2-ψα1-α2(adult)-α1(adult)-3′. DNA sequencing data have demonstrated that ζ (ref. 6) and α2 (or α1, refs 7–9) are the embryonic and adult genes, respectively, while ψζ (ref. 6), ψα2 (ref. 5) ψα1 (ref. 10) are all inactive pseudogenes. Restriction mapping analysis has shown that the structure of this locus in several anthropoid primates is nearly identical to that of the human11,12. Recently, we have isolated the adult α-globin gene region from orang-utan, olive baboon and rhesus macaque by molecular cloning. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of a gene located immediately downstream from the adult α1-globin gene of the orang-utan, along with its flanking DNA. We designate this gene as θ1, and show that it contains the essential sequence elements required for an expressive gene. The putative polypeptide is 141 amino acids long, identical to that of the α- or ζ-globin, but its predicted amino-acid sequence is nearly as different from the orang-utan α-globin (55 differences) as the human ζ-globin is from the human α-globin (59 differences), suggesting an ancient history for the θ1 -globin gene. Results of blot hybridization experiments using the cloned orang-utan θ1 gene sequence as probe demonstrate a similar α2-α1-θ1 linkage map existing in the human genome. Furthermore, multiple copies of sequences homologous to the θ1 gene are detected in both human and orang-utan. These results cast a new light on the primate α-globin gene family, and have intriguing implications for the existence of previously unreported, functional globin-like gene(s) in the primate genomes.
Relative Diffusion of Tetroon Pairs During Convective Conditions

Abstract Observations of the relative diffusion of 13 sets of tetroon pairs in the mixed layer during convective conditions in eastern Tennessee are reported. The root-mean-square separation S is proportional to time t raised to a power of 1 for times from 2 to 30 min and a power of 0.75 for times from 30 to 100 min. On the average, the observations are satisfied by the approximation dS/dt ≈ σy where σy is the standard deviation of the lateral wind speed fluctuations, as sensed by the tetroon.
Antibiotic use in infancy and the risk of asthma in Mexican American children

AbstractObjective: This study examined the associations of antibiotic use in infancy with lifetime doctor-diagnosed asthma and current wheeze among Mexican American children. Methods: In a population-based, cross-sectional investigation, parents of 2023 children 4–18 years of age completed a questionnaire/interview addressing respiratory conditions, antibiotic use, and covariates. Results: In adjusted analyses, among children without history of ear infections in infancy, children who used antibiotics ≥3 times and 1–2 times were more likely to report doctor-diagnosed asthma compared with their peers who did not use antibiotics in infancy [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 5.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.88–9.17, and aOR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.26–3.69, respectively, p trend < 0.0001]. The respective aORs for current wheeze were 3.67 (95% CI: 1.95–6.89) and 1.63 (95% CI: 0.91–2.95). Antibiotic use in infancy was not associated with asthma or current wheeze in children who had ear infections in infancy. In additio...
Disease processes in epithelia: the role of the actin cytoskeleton and altered surface membrane polarity

Abstract The establisment and maintenance of cell polarity is essential for normal epithelial function. Disruption of the underlying processes, either as a primary inborn defect or as a secondary result of other pathologic processes, can lead to loss of epithelial polarity and further cellular and organ-level dysfunction. Continued elucidation of the processes involved may prove fruitful both in the understanding of basic cell biology and in the understanding and treatment of a variety of disease states.
NMDA receptor dependent paroxysmal discharges in the dentate gyrus

Abstract The N- methyl- d -aspartic acid subclass of glutamate receptors is thought to be involved in events that depend on repetitive activation of neurons. The present study shows that repetitive stimulation of CA3 can produce epileptiform discharges in the contralateral dentate gyrus. This distinctive paroxysmal response was blocked by the NMDA antagonists, ketamine and MK-801. The MK-801 blockade required previous activation of the dentate gyrus in the presence of the drug, thus demonstrating, in vivo, a use-dependent effect. These studies show that repetitive, low intensity stimulation of hippocampal circuits can produce NMDA-mediated epileptiform discharges in the dentate gyrus.
Online Syntactic Storage Costs in Sentence Comprehension.

This paper presents three self-paced, word-by-word reading experiments that test for the existence of on-line syntactic storage/expectation costs in English. To investigate this issue, we compared reading times for sentence regions in which syntactic expectation costs varied, keeping other factors constant. Experiment 1 manipulated the number of verbs needed to form a grammatical sentence. It was observed that in the critical region, people read the condition in which zero verbs were predicted fastest, followed by the conditions in which one verb was predicted, with the condition in which two verbs were predicted slowest. Experiments 2 and 3 investigated whether incomplete filler-gap dependencies also incur storage costs. It was observed that people read the critical region in which a wh-filler is pending slower than if no such wh-filler is pending. The results of all three experiments demonstrate the role of online syntactic storage costs in sentence comprehension.
Calcium-Mediated Dual-Mode Regulation of Cardiac Sodium Channel Gating

Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) can trigger dual-mode regulation of the voltage gated cardiac sodium channel (NaV1.5). The channel components of the Ca2+ regulatory system are the calmodulin (CaM)-binding IQ motif and the Ca2+ sensing EF hand–like (EFL) motif in the carboxyl terminus of the channel. Mutations in either motif have been associated with arrhythmogenic changes in expressed NaV1.5 currents. Increases in [Ca2+]i shift the steady-state inactivation of NaV1.5 in the depolarizing direction and slow entry into inactivated states. Mutation of the EFL (NaV1.54X) shifts inactivation in the hyperpolarizing direction compared with the wild-type channel and eliminates the Ca2+ sensitivity of inactivation gating. Modulation of the steady-state availability of NaV1.5 by [Ca2+]i is more pronounced after the truncation of the carboxyl terminus proximal to the IQ motif (NaV1.5Δ1885), which retains the EFL. Mutating the EFL (NaV1.54X) unmasks CaM-mediated regulation of the kinetics and voltage dependence of inactivation. This latent CaM modulation of inactivation is eliminated by mutation of the IQ motif (NaV1.54X-IQ/AA). The LQT3 EFL mutant channel NaV1.5D1790G exhibits Ca2+ insensitivity and unmasking of CaM regulation of inactivation gating. The enhanced effect of CaM on NaV1.54X gating is associated with significantly greater fluorescence resonance energy transfer between enhanced cyan fluorescent protein–CaM and NaV1.54X channels than is observed with wild-type NaV1.5. Unlike other isoforms of the Na channel, the IQ-CaM interaction in the carboxyl terminus of NaV1.5 is latent under physiological conditions but may become manifest in the presence of disease causing mutations in the CT of NaV1.5 (particularly in the EFL), contributing to the production of potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias.
A stage analysis of self-initiated smoking reductions

Most smoking cessation treatments are predicated on the assumption that the course of smoking reduction is psychologically homogeneous. The present study tested an alternative model incorporating three distinct stages: initial decision, initial control, and maintenance. Three measures (perceived health locus of control, desire to stop, and self-esteem) were used to predict self-initiated smoking reduction in 61 regular smokers. Criterion smoking change measures (one for each stage) were obtained at follow-up. Multiple regression analyses of the criteria showed a different set of predictors were significant for each: desire to stop predicted the decision to reduce smoking, self-esteem predicted initial smoking reduction, and the combination of internal health locus of control beliefs and strong desire to stop predicted successful maintenance of reduction. The differential success across criteria of the predictors shows the value of the stage analysis and suggests the development of smoking treatments varying by stage.
New approaches to the study of polyaniline

Abstract Freestanding films of polyaniline (PANI) base were fabricated from N,N′-dimethyl propylene urea (DMPU) solution by both casting and spin coating procedures with subsequent drawing. A new near infrared wave guide coupling technique was used to determine the three dimensional refractive indices and symmetry axis direction of the anisotropic films. Quantitative infrared dichroism measurements were made on the same films. A direct correlation was predicted and observed between the measured birefringence and the infrared dichroic function of the PANI absorption bands studied. The three dimensional molecular anisotropy developed by the different fabrication and deformation procedures were compared and found to differ.
The safety of inhaled β-agonist bronchodilators during pregnancy

To assess the safety of inhaled beta-agonist bronchodilators during pregnancy, perinatal outcomes in 259 prospectively managed women with asthma using these medications during pregnancy were compared to perinatal outcomes in 101 concurrently followed pregnant subjects with asthma not using inhaled bronchodilators and to perinatal outcomes in 295 concurrently followed pregnant control subjects without asthma. No significant differences between women with asthma using inhaled bronchodilators and subjects not receiving inhaled bronchodilators were found in the following parameters: perinatal mortality, congenital malformations, preterm births, low birth weight infants, mean birth weight, small for gestational age or low ponderal index infants, Apgar scores, labor/delivery complications, or postpartum bleeding. Increased incidences of maternal chronic and pregnancy-induced hypertension and transient tachypnea of the neonate were observed in the pregnancies of subjects with asthma using regular inhaled bronchodilators compared to control subjects, but a logistic regression analysis within the sample of subjects with asthma did not significantly associate the use of inhaled bronchodilators with these outcomes. In the light of the known substantial perinatal risks of severe, uncontrolled asthma and the relatively sparse evidence of human gestational safety for alternative asthma medications, these data support the use of inhaled beta-agonist bronchodilators as part of the management of asthma during pregnancy.
Toxicodynamics and long-term toxicity of the recreational drug, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy')

The recreational drug, (9)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’), is a potent serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin in animals. Whether humans who use MDMA incur 5-HT neural injury is unknown. The present studies utilized positron emission tomography (PET) in conjunction with the 5-HT transporter ligand, [ 11 C]McN-5652 to assess the status of brain 5-HT neurons in human MDMA users. Like nonhuman primates treated with neurotoxic doses of MDMA, humans with a history of MDMA use showed lasting decrements in global brain [ 11 C]McN-5652 binding, with decreases in [ 11 C]McN-5652 binding positively correlated to the extent of previous MDMA use. These results suggest that human MDMA use results in brain 5-HT neurotoxicity. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Interaction of Ag/Pd Metallization with Lead and Bismuth Oxide‐Based Fluxes in Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors

An ongoing challenge for future developments in high-performance ceramic multilayer capacitors and integrated ceramics is to reduce the internal electrode cost and thickness without sacrificing yield or reliability. Key to these developments is a thorough understanding of the interactions which occur between flux-sintered dielectrics and low-cost, Ag/Pd electrodes. In this paper we present results on the pahse equilibria of Ag/Pd electrode systems with Bi2O3 and PbO fluxes. The conditions under which the bismuth reaction occurs and reactions in the Pd–PbO system are reported. Results show that the equilibrium phases which form depend strongly upon the Ag/Pd ratio and temperature. These phases include PdBi2O4, Pd(Bi), PdPbO2, Pd(Pb), and PbPd3. The PdBi2O4 and PdPbO2 phases decompose when PdO destabilizes, resulting in a series of reactions which result in oxygen evolution and partial melting of components. The exact phase relations of the Ag/Pd–Bi2O3–O2(air) system and Ag/Pd–PbO–O2(air) system have been established for the first time and are discussed in terms of their impact on multilayer, cofired structures.
Coalition Government and Political Communication

One of the central challenges facing multiparty governments in parliamentary democracies is the need for coalition parties to communicate to their constituents that they have not strayed significantly from their electoral commitments when agreeing to policy compromises. We argue that one of the main ways parties attempt to make their case to constituents is through their behavior in legislative debate. Debate provides a unique opportunity—tied directly to the policy the government is implementing—to declare party positions on the coalition compromise. In an analysis of several hundred legislative speeches in two parliamentary democracies, we show that coalition parties communicate with constituents much more extensively on internally divisive issues, especially as the next parliamentary elections draw near. We also demonstrate contextual and institutional effects (including the impact of junior ministers) that complement emerging findings in the literature on coalition governance.
Reality check: the possible detection of simulated environments through observation of selected physical phenomena

And yet, and yet… Denying temporal succession, denying the self, denying the astronomical universe, are apparent desperations and secret consolations. Our destiny… is not frightful by being unreal; it is frightful because it is irreversible and iron-clad… The world, unfortunately, is real; I, unfortunately, am Borges.” — Jorge Luis Borges, “A New Refutation of Time”
Low-temperature scanning electron microscopy of particle-exposed mouse lung.

SUMMARY Inflated frozen mouse lungs were examined using low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LTSEM) following bulk fracture under vacuum. Various aspects of pulmonary architecture were identified and correlated with structures revealed by SEM following conventional fixation and preparation techniques. Surface etching of selected samples was performed by radiant heating, revealing characteristic cytoplasmic, nuclear and extracellular lattice patterns resulting from ice crystal formation during freezing. These patterns aided in distinguishing between intra- and extracellular spaces. Pulmonary fluids such as mucus and surfactant were identified. Iron oxide particles were introduced into the lungs of some animals by intratracheal instillation and were subsequently identified in frozen-hydrated lung tissue using characteristic X-ray identification and mapping techniques. Particles were observed both intra-and extracellularly and were commonly found in large deposits. These observations confirm the utility of LTSEM techniques for examination of particles within pulmonary tissue. Particle exposure by intratracheal instillation was found to result in a non-uniform distributional pattern.
Surfactant effects on soil aggregate tensile strength

Little is known regarding a soil aggregate's tensile strength response to surfactants that may be applied to alleviate soil water repellency. Two laboratory investigations were performed to determine surfactant effects on the tensile strength of 1) Ap horizons of nine wettable, agricultural soils collected from across the continental U.S., and 2) two of the nine soils (Latahco and Rad silt loams from the Pacific Northwest) that were sampled at two depths (5 and 15 mm) after being sprinkler irrigated. Along with an untreated control, three surfactants (an alkyl polyglycoside, an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer, and a blend of the two) were spray applied by hand at rates of 0, 1, 1.63, 3.35, 4.79, or 8.14 kg active ingredient ha1 to 1) air-dry, loose soil in Study 1 and 2) field-moist, tamped soil in Study 2 before being irrigated with surfactant-free water at 88 mm h/1 twice, once for 0.33 h, then about 8 d later for 0.25 h. Tensile strength was measured on oven-dry, 4- to 6.35-mm-diameter aggregates (18=n=37) of known mass for each treatment using a load cell with an attached flat-tip probe moving at a constant 0.27-mm s-1 rate that applied continuous strain to each aggregate until it failed. In Study 1, tensile strength ranged widely, from 27 kPa for Adkins loamy sand to 486 kPa for Bolfar loam, averaged across surfactant treatments. Tensile strength for all nine surfactant-treated soils averaged 164 kPa, 7% greater (P=0.099) than the control. In Study 2, surfactants significantly affected the tensile strength of Latahco but not Rad aggregates, when averaged across irrigations and sampling depths. After irrigation, aggregate tensile strength averaged 26% less (Pb0.001) at the 5- than 15-mm depth, likely due to droplet kinetic energy fracturing near-surface, intra-aggregate bonds or surfactant leaching. All told, tensile strength varied more by soil series and depth than by surfactants.
Embedding cube-connected cycles graphs into faulty hypercubes

We consider the problem of embedding a cube-connected cycles graph (CCC) into a hypercube with edge faults. Our main result is an algorithm that, given a list of faulty edges, computes an embedding of the CCC that spans all of the nodes and avoids all of the faulty edges. The algorithm has optimal running time and tolerates the maximum number of faults (in a worst-case setting). Because ascend-descend algorithms can be implemented efficiently on a CCC, this embedding enables the implementation of ascend-descend algorithms, such as bitonic sort, on hypercubes with edge faults. We also present a number of related results, including an algorithm for embedding a CCC into a hypercube with edge and node faults and an algorithm for embedding a spanning torus into a hypercube with edge faults. >
Geometric state space model reduction for linear systems

The authors propose a state-space technique for the model-reduction problem based on the total-least-squares principle. An explicit algorithm is given for discrete-time linear systems, and simulation results are presented for unit pulse response error and numerical stability. Similar tests have been run for balancing and aggregation, and the relative performances of the methods are compared. >
Successful Transitions of Runaway/Homeless Youth from Shelter Care

Previous research indicates that runaway and homeless youth often achieve positive outcomes after shelter stays however few studies have examined how these outcomes are achieved. This study employs qualitative methods to explicate this phenomenon. Twenty-five providers and 21 youth from four shelters participated in this study. Youth were recruited who had completed shelter care and returned home for minimally six months. Multiple raters identified themes and created a conceptual model. While in shelter, youths experienced structure and freedom, and the family experienced respite. Once youth became involved in treatment, the family re-connected and the youth returned home. After returning home, youth and family become involved in follow-up services. Results from our study provide insight into the process through which runaway/homeless youth return home after a shelter stay. Our findings emphasize the need for continued change by all members of the family system, highlighting the need for continued intervention to maintain positive changes.
Development and characterization of a reconstituted yeast translation initiation system.

To provide a bridge between in vivo and in vitro studies of eukaryotic translation initiation, we have developed a reconstituted translation initiation system using components from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have purified a minimal set of initiation factors (eIFs) that, together with yeast 80S ribosomes, GTP, and initiator methionyl-tRNA, are sufficient to assemble active initiation complexes on a minimal mRNA template. The kinetics of various steps in the pathway of initiation complex assembly and the formation of the first peptide bond in vitro have been explored. The formation of active initiation complexes in this system is dependent on ribosomes, mRNA, Met-tRNAi, GTP hydrolysis, eIF1, eIF1A, eIF2, eIF5, and eIF5B. Our data indicate that eIF1 and eIF1A both facilitate the
Quantitative characterization of spurious numerical oscillations in 48 CMIP5 models

Spurious numerical oscillations (SNOs) (e.g., Gibbs oscillations) can appear as unrealistic spatial waves near discontinuities or sharp gradients in global model fields (e.g., orography) and have been a known problem in global models for decades. Multiple methods of oscillation reduction exist; consequently, the oscillations are presumed small in modern climate models and hence are rarely addressed in recent literature. Here we use two metrics to quantify SNOs in 13 variables from 48 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 models along a Pacific ocean transect near the Andes. Results show that 48% of nonspectral models and 95% of spectral models have at least one variable with SNO amplitude as large as, or greater than, atmospheric interannual variability. The impact of SNOs on climate simulations should be thoroughly evaluated and further efforts to substantially reduce SNOs in climate models are urgently needed.
Surviving organizational disasters

Abstract Man-made and natural disasters are becoming increasingly common in today's world. Among other entities, companies should be concerned because these impact organizational survival, disrupting the lives and functioning of employees, suppliers, customers, and organizational infrastructure. If the present trend continues, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is on track to declare 30% more disasters in 2010 than in 2009. Organizational disasters are crises in the extreme. While the crisis management literature provides a useful foundation for planning for internal organizational threats, it does not adequately address larger external threats brought about by disasters. With this gap in mind, we herein present a framework for planning for man-made or natural disasters: continuity of operations planning (COOP). Continuity of operations planning is a tool that aids organizations in staying in business under extreme circumstances. Although continuity of operations planning is not an entirely new practice, many small and medium-sized firms are reluctant to engage in this type of planning. To highlight the value of the process, this article provides examples of organizational disasters, alongside a simplified method for developing an effective continuity of operations plan.
Studies in the history of probability and statistics, L: Karl Pearson and the Rule of Three

Karl Pearson's role in the transformation that took the 19th century statistics of Laplace and Gauss into the modern era of 20th century multivariate analysis is examined from a new point of view. By viewing Pearson's work in the context of a motto he adopted from Charles Darwin, a philosophical theme is identified in Pearson's statistical work, and his three major achievements are briefly described. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
NGS: Service Adaptation in Open Grid Platforms

Large-scale donation-based distributed infrastructures need to cope with the inherent unreliability of participant nodes. A widely-used work scheduling technique in such environments is to redundantly schedule the outsourced computations to a number of nodes. We present the design and implementation of RIDGE, a reliability-aware system which uses a node's prior performance and behavior to make more effective scheduling decisions. We have implemented RIDGE on top of the BOINC distributed computing infrastructure and have evaluated its performance on a live PlanetLab testbed. Our experimental results show that RIDGE is able to match or surpass the throughput of the best BOINC configuration by automatically adapting to the characteristics of the underlying environment. In addition, RIDGE is able to provide much lower workunit makespans compared to BOINC. RIDGE is also able to produce significantly lower communication makespans for downloading clients. Collectively, the results suggest that RIDGE has great promise for service-oriented environments with time constraints.
Energy-time-efficient adaptive dispatching algorithms for ant-like robot systems

In this paper, we investigate energy-time-efficient dispatching methods for ant-like robots to cover an unmapped region effectively. These ant-like robots have very limited energy and sensor ability, making them practical and inexpensive to build. Our dispatching model was based on bio-inspired algorithms from an ant colony system. We assumed that all the ant-like robots start from their home starting point, the nest, and the region is composed of floor tiles that can be modelled as vertices in a graph. In this dispatching system, the ant-like robots leave pheromone on the tiles and use this information to cover the region. We developed and analyzed two different adaptive dispatching algorithms with different communication methods to the nest. We further compared these two adaptive dispatching algorithms with two non-adaptive methods. Extensive computer simulations validated the proposed adaptive algorithms, showing that they can dispatch ant-like mobile robots to cover an unmapped region with energy-time efficiency.
Impact of Japanese beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) feeding on seashore paspalum.

Ten cultivars of seashore paspalum, Paspalum vaginatum Swartz, were compared for their response to Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, larval root feeding. Cultivars of Bermuda grass, Cynodon sp., and zoysiagrass, Zoysia sp., also were included for comparison. Turf grown in pots in the greenhouse was infested with second and third instars in this 2-yr study. Grub survival and weight gain, foliar growth, and root loss were compared among turfgrass species and cultivars. Few species-related differences were identified. Differences in grub tolerance were, however, observed to be a function of turfgrass cultivar. Some turf types demonstrating tolerance to grub feeding had rapid root growth and high root mass in control pots, but this was not consistent for all cultivars showing enhanced ability to maintain foliar growth despite grub feeding. The paspalum cultivars that seemed most tolerant of grub feeding were ‘561-79’, ‘Sea Isle 2000’, ‘Durban’, ‘HI-10’, ‘Kim-1’, ‘Sea Dwarf’, and ‘Sea Spray’.
The Role of Extracellular Matrix in Cardiac Development

The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides important biophysical and biochemical cues during embryogenesis and tissue morphogenesis. Embryonic ECM is provisional and rapidly changes; even slight perturbations to the ECM can have catastrophic consequences that result in severe defects or even death of the developing embryo. As the ECM can influence essentially every cell behavior, it is critical to understand its role in healthy development and pathological progression. This chapter describes the general functions of the ECM and its primary constituents, and provides an overview of the current knowledge of the role of the ECM in the major milestones of cardiac development. Changes to the ECM in congenital heart defects, adult heart disease, and during cardiac regeneration are also discussed. ECM-based approaches offer much promise for cardiac regeneration and repair, many of which are discussed in further detail in later chapters.
Who’s Who in the Policymaking Process: An Overview of Actors, Incentives, and the Roles They Play

This document presents a literature survey on the incentives, characteristics, and interactions of a number of key actors, institutions, and arenas that participate in the policymaking process. It draws from an extensive literature in political science and political economy and each of the actors is looked at individually but connected to the other actors by linking the impact of political institutions on their incentives to the features of the policymaking game.
Acculturation, social self-control, and substance use among Hispanic adolescents.

Between 2000 and 2010, the Hispanic population in the U.S. rose by 43%, making Hispanics the largest minority group in the country (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). In the same time period, among Hispanic adolescents 12 to 17 years of age, cigarette or alcohol use showed only a modest decrease whereas marijuana use increased by approximately 2% (SAMHSA, 2011). The U.S. Census (2010) considers people of Hispanic origin to be a nonracial demographic category composed of individuals of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin that may be further classified as Mexican (e.g., Mexican American, Chicano), Puerto Rican, Cuban, or of another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (e.g., Spaniard, South or Central American). Thus the Hispanic/Latino population in the U.S. is heterogeneous. The majority of the Hispanic population in the U.S. (i.e., 63%) is represented by individuals of Mexican origin (the remaining include 9% Puerto Rican, 4% Cuban, and 24% Other; U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Research shows that compared to adolescents in Mexico, Mexican-origin adolescents in the U.S. are more at risk for early substance use initiation and higher illicit drug use (Felix-Ortiz, Villatoro-Velazquez, Medina-Mora, & Newcomb, 2001). Further, U.S.-born Hispanic adolescents with immigrant parents (i.e., second-generation youth) are more at risk for substance use than foreign-born Hispanic adolescents (Pena et al., 2008). Research among Hispanics in the U.S., including those of Mexican origin, shows that greater acculturation to the mainstream U.S. culture is associated with greater likelihood of engagement in risky health behaviors, including substance use (Lara, Gamboa, Kahramanian, Morales, & Bautista, 2005).
Conception and the Concept of Harm

In recent years, science and the courts have created new options whereby prospective parents can avoid the birth of a diseased or defective child. We can ascertain the likelihood that certain genetic diseases will be transmitted; we can detect a number of fetal abnormalities in utero; we have legal permission to abort for any reason, including fetal abnormality. With these new options come new questions concerning our moral obligations toward our prospective offspring. An important conceptual question concerns whether such congenital diseases and defects constitute harms to the children who bear them. In this essay I shall examine the prevailing analysis of harm, the "Otherwise-Condition" approach, which denies that we can predicate harm of such abnormalities. I will show first that this analysis is inadequate even to account for certain very ordinary, clear cases of harm. It thus is suspect regardless of its stance on congenital anomalies. Second, it sets up an ill-considered connection between harm and causation - a connection which renders its harm ascriptions slippery, arbitrary. Finally, this analysis cannot be squared with certain of our deeply entrenched moral intuitions. By thus rebutting this most influential definition of harm, I will have opened the door to the possibility of ascribing harm for congenital disease and defect.
Granuloma Venereum of Cervix Uteri

Summary From a study of 830 biopsies of diseased cervices of the uterus, the lesion was due to granuloma venereum in 9 cases, an incidence of 1.1 per cent. In biopsies from negro patients the incidence was 6.6 per cent. In biopsies from negro patients without carcinoma of the cervix, the incidence was 13.4 per cent. We have never observed granuloma venereum of the cervix in a biopsy from a white patient. Nine cases of granuloma venereum of the cervix have been found since 1934. No cases were observed six years prior to 1934. The cervix uteri may be the primary site of granuloma venereum, and is often a complication of other venereal diseases. The symptoms suggest carcinoma.
Achilles Tendon Repair in Obese Patients Is Associated With Increased Complication Rates

Objective. The objective of the present study is to utilize a national database to examine the association between obesity and postoperative complications after primary Achilles tendon repair. Meth...
Selecting and Training the Sales Force in China

This study examines the sales selection and sales training practices of 51 global and domestic firms in Shanghai, China. Respondents reported similar managerial practices for selecting sales persons, while greater differences were found in the sales training area. Global firms are more market-oriented in their training focus and devote significantly more time to sales training. Global firms also evaluate training programs at higher levels and focus upon the most useful measure of training effectiveness-results. Suggestions for future research are also provided.
Plaque-forming cells after in vitro stimulation with θ-AKR antigen

Abstract Spleen cells of inbred mice strains carrying θ-C3H allele have been cultured in the presence of AKR thymus cells and their in vitro primary PFC response against thymic alloantigen θ-AKR was studied. The responses of a magnitude which was comparable with that obtained in previous in vivo experiments were obtained 4 days after stimulation. The strain-dependent variability of the magitude of anti-θ-AKR responses was observed in vitro . RR and C58/J spleen cells produced much more PFC than C57BL/6J and DBA/2J spleen cells. This was in agreement with previous in vivo studies on the genetic control of the anti-θ AKR responses. In the absence of AKR thymus cells, spleen cells of high responders, RR, developed in vitro PFC which released antibodies lytic to AKR thymus cells. Their number was ten-times lower than in stimulated cultures. Spleen cells of all strains tested produced also small numbers of PFC secreting antibodies against θ-identical allogenic thymus cells and even to syngenic thymus cells.