cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Data compression using SVD and Fisher information for radar emitter location

This paper presents a method that achieves large compression ratios for radar pulse trains exploited in time-difference-of-arrival/frequency-difference-of-arrival (TDOA/FDOA) emitter location; this method exploits pulse-to-pulse redundancy to get a compression ratio much higher than possible by using standard methods. We show how to use (i) the singular value decomposition (SVD) to exploit redundancy between radar pulses, and (ii) a Fisher information-based distortion criterion to enable elimination of pulses that are negligible to the FDOA estimation task. To use the SVD it is necessary to first gate the pulses, place them in a matrix and then align the pulses to get a matrix that is close to rank one. Finally, we employ reasonable coding schemes for the information to be sent and assess the achievable compression level. With such SVD-based coding the compression ratio depends on the number of pulses intercepted and the number of samples taken per pulse; depending on the scenario the compression ratio can range from about 4 up to 100 or more. Fisher information-based removal of pulses is shown to improve the compression ratio beyond what is achievable using only the SVD approach while having negligible impact on the FDOA accuracy; it does, however, degrade the TDOA accuracy. However, we demonstrate that the SVD method includes an inherent de-noising effect (common in SVD-based signal processing) that provides an improvement in TDOA accuracy over the case of no compression processing; thus, the overall impact on TDOA/FDOA accuracy can be negligible while providing significant compression ratios for typical radar signals.
Can the death of a child be good

Fifty-four thousand children die each year despite the advances in care for children with acute and chronic illnesses. Demands for improved palliative and end-of-life care for children exist. Good death is a concept frequently used in the adult hospice movement. However, how can the death of a child be good? Analysis of good death can assist pediatric nurses to understand the concept and provide a framework for nurses in the clinical and research arenas to work together to develop and provide evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care for dying children and their families.
A Deterministic Approach to Studying Liquid-Mediated Adhesion Between Rough Surfaces

In this work, a numerical method is developed to study the liquid-mediated adhesion between 3D rough surfaces. The presence of a wetting liquid between two rough surfaces generates a negative pressure inside the liquid film, which in turn induces tensile stresses in the contact region. Opposing these tensile stresses are the compressive stresses generated at solid–solid contact spots. An iterative deterministic contact model based on influence coefficients is employed to solve the equations of elasticity and capillarity simultaneously. Results for tensile (adhesive) force, wetted radius, average gap, and contact area between the rough surfaces are obtained. The results show that sudden changes in tensile force, average gap, and contact area occur with an increase in certain parameters, suggesting an elasto-capillary instability and surface collapse.
AN ANALYSIS OF GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN THE DAMSELFLY, ARGIA APICALIS (ZYGOPTERA: COENAGRIONIDAE)

The paper describes and maps stripe pattern variability in the damselfly Argia apicalis (Say) along the periphery of its southeastern distribution. Two major variations exist. One, the broad-striped form, has a wide, full-length humeral stripe and, in females, a well-developed middorsal thoracic stripe. Broad-striped specimens also possess larger areas of black pattern on the dorsum of the head and, in males, on the eighth and ninth abdominal segments. The second, typical form, has a reduced pattern characterizing populations west and north of southeast Georgia and northern Florida. The southeastern margin of distribution consists of broad-striped populations representing four groups of isolated populations. Isolation results from low interchange between colonies of different river systems and, within the southeast, lack of colonies on lakes, ponds, smaller streams, and river headwaters. One intergradation area between typical and broad-striped populations is known. A discussion follows relating origin of the variability to Pleistocene habitat changes.
Directed Construction and Analysis of a Sinorhizobium meliloti pSymA Deletion Mutant Library

ABSTRACT Resources from the Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm1021 open reading frame (ORF) plasmid libraries were used in a medium-throughput method to construct a set of 50 overlapping deletion mutants covering all of the Rm1021 pSymA megaplasmid except the replicon region. Each resulting pSymA derivative carried a defined deletion of approximately 25 ORFs. Various phenotypes, including cytochrome c respiration activity, the ability of the mutants to grow on various carbon and nitrogen sources, and the symbiotic effectiveness of the mutants with alfalfa, were analyzed. This approach allowed us to systematically evaluate the potential impact of regions of Rm1021 pSymA for their free-living and symbiotic phenotypes.
Short-term scheduling of battery in a grid-connected PV/battery system

We present in this paper a short-term scheduling of battery in security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC). For economical operation and control purposes, electric power users with photovoltaic (PV)/battery systems are interested in the availability and the dispatch of PV/battery power on an hourly basis, which is a cumbersome task due to the complicated operating patterns of PV/battery. The details of battery model in the PV/battery system are presented in this paper. The paper applies a Lagrangian relaxation-based optimization algorithm to determine the hourly charge/discharge commitment of battery in a utility grid. The paper also applies a network flow programming algorithm for the dispatch of committed battery units. The paper analyzes the impact of grid-connected PV/battery system on locational pricing, peak load shaving, and transmission congestion management. An eight-bus test system is used to study the operational pattern of aggregated PV/battery and demonstrate the advantages of utilizing PV/battery systems in the electric utility operation.
Transient Analysis of a Voltage-Regulated Aircraft D-C System

The system consisting of a single generator and a carbon pile voltage regulator is a closed-loop regulating system of the proportional type. As such, its stability and dynamic characteristics can be analyzed by the standard theory of servomechanisms. It is, however, necessary to define the variable quantities very carefully as they are not easily recognizable or measurable. For this system it is convenient to utilize the concept of an error transfer function (defined in this paper) rather than to use the system transfer function common in servomechanism literature. When this is done the criteria for frequency spectrum analysis are altered somewhat, as discussed before. The purpose of the foregoing analysis has been to simplify the problem of improving an existing regulator-generator system. A complete loop transfer function can be written in terms of the regulator and generator parameters. From this it can be seen by inspection whether a given system will be stable. For stable systems the effect of changing parameters can easily be determined by examining equations 2, 10, 21, and 22. It is clear that the regulator characteristics alone do not determine the stability of the system. The generator and regulator characteristics must be considered together instead of separately. When the same regulator is used with two different generators, one system may be stable while the other is not. This can be due to the difference of the generator characteristics alone.
In-vivo dynamic deformation of the mitral valve anterior leaflet.

Background Surgical techniques have been developed for mitral valve repair for a wide range of pathologies. However, excessive tissue stress and damage have been identified as etiologic factors limiting long-term durability. Before computational models to optimize valve repair can be realistically developed, in-vivo dynamic mitral valve leaflet strain data are required. However, these data do not presently exist. In the present study, a sheep model and sonomicrometry were used to compute the in-surface Eulerian strain tensor of the anterior leaflet over the cardiac cycle at varying afterloads. Methods The anterior leaflet of nine Dorsett sheep (35 kg to 45 kg) was instrumented with nine 1-mm hemispherical piezoelectric transducers in a 15-mm square array. Three-dimensional crystal spatial positions were recorded at 250 Hz over several cardiac cycles, with peak left ventricular pressures varying from 90 mm Hg to 200 mm Hg. The in-surface Eulerian strain tensor was computed from the crystal displacements. Results The mitral valve anterior leaflet experiences large anisotropic strains and peak strain rates of 400%/s, followed by an absolute cessation of any deformation during systole. Increasing left ventricular pressure also increased the effective leaflet stiffness but not the peak strains. Conclusions We report the first data on the dynamic in-vivo strain tensor of a functioning mitral valve anterior leaflet, which indicated large anisotropic strains and very high strain rates. Our observations also suggest that changes in left ventricular pressure and annular geometry result in altered effective leaflet stiffness, and may be an important factor in reducing leaflet stress and as such potentially affect mitral valve repair longevity.
Antitumor activity and pharmacokinetics following oral administration of natural product DNA topoisomerase I inhibitors 10-hydroxycamptothecin and camptothecin in SCID mice bearing human breast cancer xenografts.

The DNA topoisomerase I inhibitors, 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) and camptothecin (CPT), are indole alkaloids isolated from the Chinese tree, Camptotheca acuminata. They have been shown to have a wide spectrum of anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, their use has been limited due to their water-insolubility. The purpose of the present study was 2-fold, to determine the in vitro and in vivo activity of HCPT and CPT against human breast cancer and to determine the pharmacokinetics of the two drugs to better understand how they can best be used therapeutically. The bl vitro inhibitory effect on tumor growth was observed with breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468. The in vivo antitumor effects were then determined using severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice bearing MDA-MB-468 xenografts. The tumor-bearing mice were orally administered HCPT (1, 3, 6, 9 mg/kg/day, 5 days per week) or CPT (1, 3, 6 mg/kg/day, 5 days per week) for 3 weeks. Growth of the MDA-MB-468 cells was inhibited by HCPT and CPT in vitro and in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. Complete regression of the tumor xenografts, determined by tumor measurement and microscopic examination, occurred in the groups of animals treated with doses of HCPT or CPT of 3 mg/kg/day or more. In general, HCPT was more effective and less toxic than CPT. To determine the potential mechanisms for the pharmacologic differences, the comparative pharmacokinetics of HCPT and CPT were determined in tumor-bearing SCID mice following i.v. or oral administration of H-3-HCPT or H-3-CPT. Parent drugs and their metabolites in plasma, urine, feces, and various tissues were quantified by a recently developed reversed-phase HPLC method. Significant absorption of both HCPT and CPT was observed after oral administration, with CPT having a higher bioavailability. HCPT and CPT were distributed widely into various tissues including the tumor, enterohepatic system, kidneys, and bone marrow. These studies indicate that HCPT and CPT are of potential use in treatment of breast cancer, providing the basis for the design of future human trials with these anticancer drugs.
Genetic Differences among Rainbow Trout Spawned on Different Days within a Single Season

Abstract We found statistically significant differences in gene frequencies at protein loci among progeny produced throughout the spawning season by two hatchery strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, formerly Salmo gairdneri). In addition, progeny produced in the middle of the spawning season generally had more genetic variation than progeny produced either early or late in the spawning season. These results suggest that spawning time is likely to be influenced by many genes spread throughout the genome of rainbow trout. The genetic variation in a hatchery brood stock, therefore, can best be maintained by retaining progeny produced throughout most of the spawning season as future brood fish.
Thermodynamic properties and glass transition of polystyrene

The heat capacity of a narrow molecular weight distribution polystyrene, National Bureau of Standards—Standard Reference Material 1478, has been determined by a fully automated adiabatic calorimeter from 5 to 380 K for the sample subjected to different thermal history. The number-average molecular weight of this sample is 35,800 and the dispersity in the molecular weights, Mw:Mn, is 1.045. The heat capacities of the glass and of the liquid of this material are found to be within 0.5% of other atactic polystyrenes over most of the temperature range studied. The glass transition temperature Tg of the annealed glass (cooling rate < 1 K/h) at 366 K and that of the quenched glass (cooling rate about 6 K/min) at 366 K are determined by the intersections of enthalpy-temperature curves of the glasses with the liquid. The glass transition temperature is slightly higher than that calculated from dilatometrically determined Tgs of a series of low-polydispersity polystyrenes cooled at 0.1 K/h, but is lower than that from thermal analytically determined Tgs.
Correlation of carbaryl uptake with hydrocarbon transport to the cuticular surface during development in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni

Abstract The disappearance of carbaryl from the surface of the cuticle was correlated with the incorporation of [1- 14 C]acetate into hydrocarbon and its transport to the surface of the insect during development in the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni . The uptake of carbaryl, as measured by the disappearance of [1- 14 C]carbaryl from the surface of the insect, followed the same trends, in general, as did the rates of transport of hydrocarbon to the surface. The highest uptake occurred during the larval feeding stages and the lowest uptake occurred during the pupal stage. The similarity between the time of highest transport of labeled hydrocarbon to the surface of the insect and the time of highest uptake of labeled carbaryl during development suggest a common route for transport of hydrocarbon to the surface and the uptake of the insecticide.
Control of eukaryotic messenger RNA synthesis by sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins

The enzymatic machinery that carries out RNA synthesis provides the cell with the means to adjust the patterns of transcription in response to environmental and developmental signals. In eukaryotes, this regulation is mediated in part by promoter-specific transcription factors, which are DNA-binding proteins with the ability to discriminate between distinctive DNA sequence elements found in the promoter regions of different genes. The presence of these factors bound to DNA enables other components of the transcriptional machinery, including the RNA polymerase, to initiate transcription with selectivity and accuracy.
Factors associated with accurate cancer detection during a clinical breast examination

PURPOSE: Although most US women who undergo mammography screening also receive a Clinical Breast Examination (CBE), factors that predict cancer detection during a CBE have not been well studied to date.METHODS: We analyzed 752,081 National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) screening records for CBEs performed from July 1, 1995 thru June 30, 1998 on low income women across the US. CBE results are reported as "normal" or "abnormal, suspicious for cancer." Other variables include CBE date, age, race, ethnicity, presence of breast symptoms at screening, and whether the woman had received a prior NBCCEDP-funded CBE. Most (74%) records include mammography dates and results. Tumor stage and size are reported for invasive cancers whether detected by CBE or mammography.RESULTS: Breast cancer was reported on 3,780 records. On 2,224 records, the CBE was suspicious for cancer. On 1,556 records, the CBE was normal. Most (93%) cancer records with a normal CBE had abnormal mammography results. Bivariate comparisons between normal and abnormal CBE records with a cancer diagnosis found significant differences (p /=70 were less likely (OR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.5-0.9). Larger cancers and those at more advanced stages were much more likely to be detected during CBE.CONCLUSIONS: Among low-income women whose cancers were detected through the NBCCEDP, older women and those who had been screened previously in the program were less likely to have their cancer detected during a CBE, even after controlling for tumor size and stage.
Beyond Standardization: Testing and Assessment in Standards-Based Reform

Abstract From the perspectives of learning theories, the paper discusses the roles of testing and assessment in meeting real academic goals in standards-based reform. It argues that performance-based alternative assessment, which is based on modern constructivists' view of learning, has advantages over high-stakes standardized testing which can be traced back to traditional theory of behaviorism. To help teachers design an appropriate alternative assessment, the paper offers suggestions on what teachers should know and be able to do according to the standards. The paper concludes that teachers should create a curriculum based on dynamic, performance-based assessment to assess students armed with thinking skills for the 21st century.
Right Atrial and Ventricular Masses of Unknown Origin

Intracardiac masses can be characterized as thrombus, vegetation, or tumor. An 83-year-old man had mobile spheric masses in the right atrium and ventricle. The lesions resolved with prolonged anticoagulation, suggesting thrombi as the origin. Three-dimensional echocardiography was useful in further characterizing the morphology and extent of the lesions.
Single needle approach for multiple medial branch blocks: a new technique.

Background and objectives Medial branch blocks are an important tool for the diagnosis of facet joint arthropathy. The most commonly used technique involves multiple needle placements, one for each nerve blocked. This multiple needle technique may require a large amount of local anesthetic for anesthetizing the skin, thereby increasing the rate of false-positive blocks. Technique Diagnostic lumbar medial branch blocks are usually performed using multiple needles, one for each branch. The authors describe a different technique using a single needle for all levels. Initially, the needle is directed toward the medial branch located at the level of the affected facet joint in the antero-posterior view. After anesthetizing this nerve with local anesthetic, the same needle is withdrawn to the skin with the tip still in the subcutaneous tissue and repositioned to block the medial branch above, and thereafter below, while continuing to use only the antero-posterior view, thereby using only one entry site. Conclusions When performed correctly, the single needle technique provides accuracy similar to the more conventional multiple needle approach during the performance of diagnostic facet joint nerve blocks. Because only one skin entry point is needed, however, this technique may afford several advantages over the multiple needle approach. These may include less patient discomfort, less time required and less radiation exposure since only one C-arm position is used, a smaller volume of local anesthetic, and possibly a lower incidence of false-positive blocks.
THE SELF-IDEALIZING AND SELF-ALIENATING PROCESS DURING LATE ADOLESCENCE.

This paper presents a more holistic explanation of adolescent reactions than previous studies based on libidinal and/or ego factors. The difficulty of distinguishing definite clinical pathological states from the so-called normal turbulence of late adolescence is emphasized. Among the “symptoms” described are an extreme intensity and shifting fluidity of clinical phenomena; an intensification of pre-existing attitudinal and emotional conflicts; a changeability and tentativeness of solutions to such conflicts; a confusion in the self-concept and identity; and a tendency toward self-idealization which is expressed in various ways. In reference to identity confusion, various presently held theories of identity formation are discussed, and a new theory of growth of the self-involving the self-concept and identity derived from it (specifically detailed in a previous paper)—is briefly presented. The demands of late adolescence are seen as presenting certain modifications of this process. The libidinal and ego-ideal etiological theories of self-idealization are held to be inadequate to explain all of its aspects. The concept of formation of an idealized self-image as part of the total neurotic process is proposed as a more holistic basis. These two parallel processes occurring from childhood on—neurotic personality development with self-idealization, and the maturational development of the self—will modify and implicate each other. Lesser and greater disturbances (of specific types) in each, may produce the characteristic clinical symptomatology seen in the older adolescent.
Kinetic models for pyrolysis and hydrogasification of Hanna coal

Abstract A kinetic study of non-catalysed and catalysed coal was conducted using a DuPont 951 thermogravimetric analyzer. A kinetic model in which the apparent activation energy is assumed to be a rectilinear function of the extent of reaction was used to describe the pyrolysis of Hanna coal. For the hydrogasification of char the apparent activation energy was found to vary as a second degree polynomial with respect to conversion. The order of reaction was found to be about 0.3 for the pyrolysis step and 0.67 for the hydrogasification step. The effect of hydrogen partial pressure could not be investigated since the thermogravimetric analyzer was not designed to operate under pressure.
On a class of discretizations of Hamiltonian nonlinear partial differential equations

Abstract We present a new class of discretizations of partial differential equations (PDEs) that preserve a (momentum-like) integral of the motion. This results in an “effective” translational invariance for the dynamical problem and the absence of a Peierls–Nabarro barrier that is usually present in discretizations of Hamiltonian PDEs. A general method to construct such discretizations for any nonlinearity is given and the properties of the resulting differential–difference equations are analyzed in a number of different cases for nonlinear Klein–Gordon as well for nonlinear Schrodinger type systems. While for the former nonintegrability of the dynamical problem is evident, in the latter case numerical evidence suggests that the behavior is close to the one of integrable systems. We also show how static solutions of the equations can be constructed for these discretizations and discuss the similarities and differences of the method with previously reported ones.
Urban Angina in the Mountains: Effects of Carbon Monoxide and Mild Hypoxemia on Subjects with Chronic Stable Angina

Seventeen men with stable angina pectoris who resided at or near sea level performed cardiopulmonary exercise stress tests after they were exposed to either carbon monoxide (3.9%), carboxyhemoglobin, or clean air. Investigators conducted the tests at sea level, and they simulated 2.1-km altitudes (i.e., reduced arterial oxygen saturation by approximately 4%) in a randomized double-blind experiment in which each subject acted as his or her own control. The duration of symptom-limited exercise, heart rate, indicators of cardiac ischemia and arrhythmia, blood pressure, and respiratory gas exchange were measured. Analyses of variance showed that both independent variables-altitude and carbon monoxide-significantly (p < or = .01) reduced total duration of exercise for the group as a whole (n=17) and reduced the time to onset of angina for a subset of 13 subjects who experienced angina during all four test conditions (p < .05). Time to onset of angina was reduced either after exposure to sea-level carbon monoxide (9%) or to simulated high-altitude clean-air exposures (11%), compared with clean air at sea level. Joint exposure to carbon monoxide at a simulated high altitude reduced the time to onset of angina, relative to clean air, by 18% (p < .05). Other cardiological, hemodynamic, and respiratory physiological parameters were also affected adversely by altitude and carbon monoxide exposures. None of the parameters measured were associated significantly with either altitude or carbon monoxide, indicating that the effects of carbon-monoxide-induced and high-altitude-induced hypoxia were additive. The results of this study suggest that high-altitude conditions exacerbate the effects of carbon monoxide exposures in unacclimatized individuals who have coronary artery disease.
Auxin Stimulation of Ethylene Evolution

The stimulation of ethylene production from seedling tissue of Phascolus vulgaris, Helianthus annuus and Zea mays by growth regulators was inhibited by actinomycin D and puromycin and to a lesser extent by 2-thiouracil and p-fluorophenylalanine. It is concluded that the mechanism of action of growth regulators on the enhancement of ethylene production is the formation of enzymes involved in ethylene biogenesis.
Photodegraded nifedipine stimulates uptake and retention of iron in human epidermal keratinocytes

Photodegraded nifedipine has been shown to increase uptake of nontransferrin bound iron into erythroid cells. If iron could be loaded into keratinocytes, it might be possible to exploit epidermal desquamation for the purpose of eliminating potentially toxic amounts of iron from the body. We investigated the ability of photodegraded nifedipine to stimulate iron transport and accumulation in human epidermal keratinocytes. Nifedipine was degraded to its nitroso derivative by exposure to sunlight. 59 Fe uptake was measured in keratinocyte monolayers, and total iron content was measured in stratified epidermal cultures. Photodegraded nifedipine increased iron uptake into keratinocytes 80-fold compared to controls. The effect of photodegraded nifedipine on iron uptake was rapid, was concentration dependent and occurred at physiologically relevant concentrations of nonprotein-bound iron. Stimulation of iron uptake by photodegraded nifedipine was independent of transferrin and worked equally well in the presence or absence of serum proteins. Iron content in keratinocytes was increased 3-fold by four daily treatments with photodegraded nifedipine. The increased iron content resulting from photodegraded nifedipine treatment was retained during a 4 d washout period. Photodegraded nifedipine may be a way delivering clinically significant amounts of iron to the epidermis.
Physiological musculoskeletal model identification for the lower limbs control of paraplegic under implanted FES

This paper concerns the whole physiological parameters identification of a musculoskeletal model of a human subject. The patient is equipped with an implanted Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) system as part of the SUAW's European project [1]. The biomechanical model represents the knee and its associated muscles. The identification protocol is noninvasive and based on the in-vivo experimental data acquisition of a Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) patient. However, the human noninvasive identification poses problems of inaccessibility to some data. The identification procedure consists of several steps, in order to identify: the anthropometrical parameters, the geometrical parameters, the joint mechanical parameters, the force-length relationship and the recruitment function. Up to now, only the quadriceps muscle is considered with the knee joint in the identification procedure. A cross-validation has been done using data set not used during the identification process. The identified model shows a satisfactory response comparing to the measured knee response, which is obtained by stimulating the quadriceps through the implanted FES system. In this work, knee model-parameters of the implanted subject were identified successfully using the noninvasive identification procedure.
Using cohort change ratios to estimate life expectancy in populations with negligible migration: A new approach

Census survival methods are the oldest and most widely applicable methods of estimating adult mortality, and for populations with negligible migration they can provide excellent results. The reason for this ubiquity is threefold: (1) their data requirements are minimal in that only two successive age distributions are needed; (2) the two successive age distributions are usually easily obtained from census counts; and (3) the method is straightforward in that it requires neither a great deal of judgment nor “data-fitting” techniques to implement. This ubiquity is in contrast to other methods, which require more data, as well as judgment and, often, data fitting. In this short note, the new approach we demonstrate is that life expectancy at birth can be computed by using census survival rates in combination with an identity whereby the radix of a life table is equal to 1 (l0 = 1.00). We point out that our suggested method is less involved than the existing approach. We compare estimates using our approach against other estimates, and find it works reasonably well. As well as some nuances and cautions, we discuss the benefits of using this approach to estimate life expectancy, including the ability to develop estimates of average remaining life at any age. We believe that the technique is worthy of consideration for use in estimating life expectancy in populations that experience negligible migration.
A Theory for Predicting Ability/Skill Relations: An Approach from Automatic and Controlled Processing

The basic phenomena from studies relating Individual differences in cognitive and perceptual-motor abilities to skill development are investigated. A general theory is provided for predicting patterns of correlations between ability measures and performance scores during training. The theory is based on two major perspectives, Automatic and Controlled Processing types and modern hierarchical theories of cognitive abilities. Additional attention is devoted to Performance-Resource characteristics, task difficulty and task content. A short review of supporting data is also provided.
Are Two Narcissists Better Than One? The Link Between Narcissism, Perceived Creativity, and Creative Performance

The current research examines the link between narcissism and creativity at the individual, relational, and group levels of analysis. It finds that narcissists are not necessarily more creative than others, but they think they are, and they are adept at persuading others to agree with them. In the first study, narcissism was positively associated with self-rated creativity, despite the fact that blind coders saw no difference between the creative products offered by those low and high on narcissism. In a second study, more narcissistic individuals asked to pitch creative ideas to a target person were judged by the targets as being more creative than were less narcissistic individuals, in part because narcissists were more enthusiastic. Finally, a study of group creativity finds evidence of a curvilinear effect: Having more narcissists is better for generating creative outcomes (but having too many provides diminishing returns).
Bradykinin B2-Receptor Activation Augments Norepinephrine Exocytosis From Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve Endings : Mediation by Autocrine/Paracrine Mechanisms

Abstract We determined whether local bradykinin production modulates cardiac adrenergic activity. Depolarization of guinea pig heart sympathetic nerve endings (synaptosomes) with 1 to 100 mmol/L K + caused the release of endogenous norepinephrine (10% to 50% above basal level). This release was exocytotic, because it depended on extracellular Ca 2+ , was inhibited by the N-type Ca 2+ -channel blocker ω-conotoxin and the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro31-8220, and was potentiated by the neuronal uptake-1 inhibitor desipramine. Typical of adrenergic terminals, norepinephrine exocytosis was enhanced by activation of prejunctional angiotensin AT 1 -receptors and attenuated by adrenergic α 2 -receptors, adenosine A 1 -receptors, and histamine H 3 -receptors. Exogenous bradykinin enhanced norepinephrine exocytosis by 7% to 35% (EC 50 , 17 nmol/L), without inhibiting uptake 1. B 2 -receptor, but not B 1 -receptor, blockade antagonized this effect. The kininase II/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalaprilat and the addition of kininogen or kallikrein enhanced norepinephrine exocytosis by ≈6% to 40% (EC 50 , 20 nmol/L) and ≈25% to 60%, respectively. This potentiation was prevented by serine protease inhibitors and was antagonized by B 2 -receptor blockade. Therefore, norepinephrine exocytosis is augmented when bradykinin synthesis is increased or when its breakdown is inhibited. This is the first report of a local kallikrein-kinin system in adrenergic nerve endings capable of generating enough bradykinin to activate B 2 -receptors in an autocrine/paracrine fashion and thus enhance norepinephrine exocytosis. This amplification process may operate in disease states, such as myocardial ischemia, associated with severalfold increases in local kinin concentrations.
Long‐term effects of obstetrical anesthesia on infant autonomic function

The results of this study suggest that anesthetics administered to mothers during delivery affect infants' autonomic function for at least 8 postnatal months. Under repeated auditory stimulation, those infants born without medication tended to show heart rate deceleration (orienting reflex) whereas those born under medication shifted from initial deceleration to acceleration (defense reflex).
Water Uptake along the Length of Grapevine Fine Roots: Developmental Anatomy, Tissue-Specific Aquaporin Expression, and Pathways of Water Transport

To better understand water uptake patterns in root systems of woody perennial crops, we detailed the developmental anatomy and hydraulic physiology along the length of grapevine (Vitis berlandieri × Vitis rupestris) fine roots from the tip to secondary growth zones. Our characterization included the localization of suberized structures and aquaporin gene expression and the determination of hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) and aquaporin protein activity (via chemical inhibition) in different root zones under both osmotic and hydrostatic pressure gradients. Tissue-specific messenger RNA levels of the plasma membrane aquaporin isogenes (VvPIPs) were quantified using laser-capture microdissection and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results highlight dramatic changes in structure and function along the length of grapevine fine roots. Although the root tip lacked suberization altogether, a suberized exodermis and endodermis developed in the maturation zone, which gave way to the secondary growth zone containing a multilayer suberized periderm. Longitudinally, VvPIP isogenes exhibited strong peaks of expression in the root tip that decreased precipitously along the root length in a pattern similar to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) roots. In the radial orientation, expression was always greatest in interior tissues (i.e. stele, endodermis, and/or vascular tissues) for all root zones. High Lpr and aquaporin protein activity were associated with peak VvPIP expression levels in the root tip. This suggests that aquaporins play a limited role in controlling water uptake in secondary growth zones, which contradicts existing theoretical predictions. Despite having significantly lower Lpr, woody roots can constitute the vast majority of the root system surface area in mature vines and thus provide for significant water uptake potential.
Pornography, feminist views of

Feminist women's attitudes toward pornography are significantly polarized. Anti-porn feminists have taken a position that pornography is degrading toward women, leads to distortion of healthy male-female sexuality, leads to distorted images of the female body, increases male anxiety about sexual adequacy, sexual compulsivity, and increase violence toward women including rape and sexual harassment. Keywords: adolescent sexuality; anti-porn feminist; compulsive sexuality; feminine sexuality; feminism; pornography; Internet; Internet pornography
A comparative investigation of neuroglia in representative vertebrates: A silver carbonate study

The phylogenetic development of neuroglia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes) was investigated in homologous cortical and subcortical forebrain regions of selected vertebrates. Microglia were not considered in the current study. Four to seven brains from each species were used. Scharenberg's modification for astroglia of del Rio Hortega's silver carbonate technique was used. The analysis of neuroglia cells was based on (1) the characteristic cellular morphology found in each species, (2) a comparison of the selected regions in each animal, (3) the interrelationships of astrocytes and their relations to neurons, blood vessels, and oligodendrocytes. The predominant type of neuroglia found in the fish, frog, and lizard was the ependymal cell; however, non-ependymal glial cells were also present. The bird represented a transitional phylogenetic stage from a predominance of ependymal glial to a predominance of non-ependymal glia. A progressive increase in the morphological relationships of glial cell bodies and processes to neurons was found with ascension of the phylogenetic scale from fish through primate. Interrelations were observed between adjacent astrocytic processes and cell bodies, and between astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The processes of adjacent glial cells also appeared to show an increase in thickness at the point of approximation. A variety of astrocytes were observed ranging from small, round-oval shaped cells to large polygonal or stellate forms. Variations in the number of astrocytic processes, their thickness, and degree of secondary branching were described, and their possible functional significance was discussed.
Dual-channel audio equalization and cross-talk cancellation for 3-D sound reproduction

Three dimensional (3-D) sound effects depend on psychoacoustic spectral and phase cues being present in a reproduced signal. Dual-channel audio equalization and cross-talk cancellation allow accurate phase and spectral cues to be reproduced over dual-channel loudspeaker systems. This paper presents an innovative dual-stage algorithm that greatly improves the performance in the presence of highly correlated inputs. The first stage uses a modified dual-channel direct path modeling algorithm to model the path network from the loudspeakers to the ears. The second stage uses the direct path model to form the inverse filter network to compensate for the effects of these physical paths.
Consumer-Operated Service Program Members’ Explanatory Models of Mental Illness and Recovery:

Incorporating individuals’ understandings and explanations of mental illness into service delivery offers benefits relating to increased service relevance and meaning. Existing research delineates explanatory models of mental illness held by individuals in home, outpatient, and hospital-based contexts; research on models held by those in peer-support contexts is notably absent. In this article, I describe themes identified within and across explanatory models of mental illness and recovery held by mental health consumers (N = 24) at one peer center, referred to as a consumer-operated service center (COSP). Participants held explanatory models inclusive of both developmental stressors and biomedical causes, consistent with a stress–diathesis model (although no participant explicitly referenced such). Explicit incorporation of stress–diathesis constructs into programming at this COSP offers the potential of increasing service meaning and relevance. Identifying and incorporating shared meanings across indivi...
The proximal association between smoking and alcohol use among first year college students

Objective:: This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between patterns of day-to-day smoking and drinking among first year college students. Method:: Using 210 days of weekly time-line follow-back diary data, the authors examined the within-person relationships between smoking and drinking. Bivariate time series procedures were utilized. Results:: Findings revealed a high degree of significant cross-correlations between smoking and drinking in which the amount of use of one substance could be predicted by current, as well as past and future use of the other. For the majority of participants, smoking and drinking were positively associated with the alternate behavior. The most common pattern of prediction for individuals was within day (i.e. synchronous correlations). When examining rates of individuals showing significant cross-correlations according to their level of either smoking or drinking, those smoking less than one cigarette on average per day were found to be less likely to demonstrate a synchronous cross-correlation between the two behaviors than those smoking at higher rates. No significant association was found between level of drinking and the rate of significant synchronous cross-correlations between smoking and drinking. Conclusions:: Reports of daily behavior over long periods of time have the potential to provide insight into the more proximal influences of smoking and alcohol use on one another. Future research is needed to establish the specific factors (i.e. third variables) and related mechanisms that may drive both behaviors. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
AN ACOUSTIC INVERSE PROBLEM: NUMERICAL EXPERIMENT

As a sequel to Refs. 1 and 2, this paper gives a numerical treatment of the inverse problem associated with the determination of the index of refraction. We show that the problem can be solved in two steps. First we must recover a function from its moments, problem (IM), which we may reformulate as a Fredholm integral equation of the first kind, problem (IE). Second we solve an inverse Goursat problem, (IG). Numerical schemes for both steps are given along with the results of some numerical experiments.
Moving away from PPARs - EGFR signaling and the anti-cancer effects of thiazolinedinediones.

Moving away from PPARs - EGFR signaling and the anti-cancer effects of thiazolinedinediones
Supply Network Structure, Visibility, and Risk Diffusion: A Computational Approach

Understanding and managing supply chain risks is a critical functional competency for today's global enterprises. A lack of this competency can have significant negative outcomes, including costly production and delivery delays, loss of future sales, and a tarnished corporate image. The ability to identify and mitigate risks, however, is complicated as supply chains are becoming increasingly global, complex, and interconnected. Drawing on the complex systems and epidemiology literature, and using a computational modeling and network analysis approach, we examine the impact of global supply network structure on risk diffusion and supply network health and demonstrate the importance of supply network visibility. Our results show a significant association between network structure and both risk diffusion and supply network health. In particular, our results indicate that small-world supply network topologies consistently outperform supply networks with scale-free characteristics. Theoretically, our study contributes to our understanding of risk management and supply networks as complex networked systems using a computational approach. Managerially, our study illustrates how decision makers can benefit from a network analytic approach to develop a more holistic understanding of system-wide risk diffusion and to guide network governance policies for more favorable health level outcomes. The article concludes by highlighting the main findings and discussing possibilities of future research directions.
Effect of chemical modification on the crystallization of Ca2+-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Abstract The influence of chemical modification on the morphology of crystalline ATPase aggregates was analyzed in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles. The Ca 2+ -ATPase forms monomer-type (P1) type crystals in the E 1 and dimer-type (P2) crystals in the E 2 conformation. The P1 type crystals are induced by Ca 2+ or lanthanides; P2 type crystals are observed in Ca 2+ -free media in the presence of vanadate or inorganic phosphate. P1- and P2-type Ca 2+ -ATPase crystals do not coexist in significant amounts in native sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. The crystallization of Ca 2+ -ATPase in the E 2 conformation is inhibited by guanidino-group reagents (2,3-butanedione and phenylglyoxal), SH-group reagents, phospholipases C or A 2 , and detergents, together with inhibition of ATPase activity. Amino-group reagents (fluorescein 5′-isothiocyanate, pyridoxal phosphate and fluorescamine) inhibit ATPase activity but do not interfere with the crystallization of Ca 2+ -ATPase induced by vanadate. In fluorescamine-treated sarcoplasmic reticulum the vanadate-induced crystals contain significant P1-type regions in addition to the dominant P2 form.
Cardiac-Specific Expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 Protects Against Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Transgenic Mice

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 degrades the pro-oxidant heme and generates carbon monoxide and antioxidant bilirubin. We have previously shown that in response to hypoxia, HO-1-null mice develop infarcts in the right ventricle of their hearts and that their cardiomyocytes are damaged by oxidative stress. To test whether HO-1 protects against oxidative injury in the heart, we generated cardiac-specific transgenic mice overexpressing different levels of HO-1. By use of a Langendorff preparation, hearts from transgenic mice showed improved recovery of contractile performance during reperfusion after ischemia in an HO-1 dose-dependent manner. In vivo, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion experiments showed that infarct size was only 14.7% of the area at risk in transgenic mice compared with 56.5% in wild-type mice. Hearts from these transgenic animals had reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and oxidative damage. Our data demonstrate that overexpression of HO-1 in the cardiomyocyte protects against ischemia and reperfusion injury, thus improving the recovery of cardiac function.
Predictive Cruise Control: Utilizing Upcoming Traffic Signal Information for Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing Trip Time

This brief proposes the use of upcoming traffic signal information within the vehicle's adaptive cruise control system to reduce idle time at stop lights and fuel consumption. To achieve this goal an optimization-based control algorithm is formulated that uses short range radar and traffic signal information predictively to schedule an optimum velocity trajectory for the vehicle. The control objectives are: timely arrival at green light with minimal use of braking, maintaining safe distance between vehicles, and cruising at or near set speed. Three example simulation case studies are presented to demonstrate the potential impact on fuel economy, emission levels, and trip time.