cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An autonomic approach to extend the business value of a legacy order fulfillment system

In the modern retailing industry, many enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are considered legacy software systems that have become too expensive to replace and too costly to re-engineer. Countering the need to maintain and extend the business value of these systems is the need to do so in the simplest, cheapest, and least risky manner available. There are a number of approaches used by software engineers to mitigate the negative impact of evolving a legacy systems, including leveraging service-oriented architecture to automate manual tasks previously performed by humans. A relatively recent approach in software engineering focuses upon implementing self-managing attributes, or “autonomic” behavior in software applications and systems of applications in order to reduce or eliminate the need for human monitoring and intervention. Entire systems can be autonomic or they can be hybrid systems that implement one or more autonomic components to communicate with external systems. In this paper, we describe a commercial development project in which a legacy multi-channel commerce enterprise resource planning system was extended with service-oriented architecture an autonomic control loop design to communicate with an external third-party security screening provider. The goal was to reduce the cost of the human labor necessary to screen an ever-increasing volume of orders and to reduce the potential for human error in the screening process. The solution automated what was previously an inefficient, incomplete, and potentially error-prone manual process by inserting a new autonomic software component into the existing order fulfillment workflow.
Unmet Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Needs of Sexual Minority Elders

In a survey exploring the reliability and validity of a screening tool, we explored the substance abuse and mental health issues among 371 elders; 74 were sexual minorities. Analyses by age group i...
Personal and occupational factors in burnout among practicing social workers : Implications for researchers, practitioners, and managers

Abstract Burnout is a frequent topic of discussion and study in the helping disciplines, popular because the feelings of fatigue and disengagement that are descriptive of burnout resonate with many caregiving professionals. Social work researchers typically utilize small convenience samples or qualitative methods to study workplace features that contribute to burnout, so this paper fills a significant gap in the literature by utilizing a large representative sample of practicing social workers (N = 751). The findings include a current burnout rate of 39% and a lifetime rate of 75%. Regression analyses support the author's contention that personal variables should be included in analyses of burnout (R2 = .45). Researchers, practitioners, managers, and educators should take an active role in understanding and addressing the multiple influences on burnout among social workers.
Fuzzy inferencing with ART networks

A recent trend in developing adaptive decision models has been to integrate the concept of fuzzy membership functions of data samples with adaptive learning inherent to neural nets. Several different approaches have been suggested for such integration involving Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) as well as Kohonen self-organizing neural networks. Such neuro-fuzzy models appear to be quite effective in successful clustering of complex data samples encountered in many pattern recognition and control applications where traditional decision models fail due to lack of knowledge of data distributions and unavailability of training data sets. The strengths and weaknesses of currently existing ART-based neuro-fuzzy models are described. >
Immunological Relationships Among Some Species of Extremely Halophilic Bacteria

Rabbits were immunized with four strains of halobacteria, Halobacterium halobium NRL, H. halobium R-1, H. salinarium NRL-9, and H. cutirubrum NRL-10, that had been fixed with formaldehyde. The antisera obtained detected the presence of an antigen common to the Halobacterium genus and, after absorption, detected three distinct antigenic groups within the Halobacterium genus. A fourth group was agglutinated only by unabsorbed sera.
Designing visualization capabilities for IDS challenges

This paper describes our work to develop an environment and novel visualization techniques for the visual representation, exploration, and analysis of network traffic data to ease the identification and analysis of sophisticated attacks above and beyond the ability for traditional network firewalls to detect and block. The visualization techniques are geared towards aiding analysts in filtering unwanted or unneeded data in favor of data deemed more critical and more representative of the sophisticated attacks the analysts must focus their attention on. The environment provides the needed capabilities for analyzing traditional network traffic data without additional filtering, i.e., the environment itself provides the needed capabilities.
Structural Characteristics of Cohesive Gravity-Flow Deposits, And a Sedimentological Approach on Their Flow Mechanisms

Abundant mass-transport deposits characterize the seafloor of the northwestern continental slope and rise of Gulf of Mexico. Most of the deposits reveal a cohesive nature, consisting mainly of a silty-clay matrix with dominant to rare mud-clasts. Five types of cohesive gravity-flow deposits have been distinguished, based on their structural characteristics, nature of the mud matrix, and mud-clast percentage. Each type of the cohesive gravity-flow deposits implies different rheological behavior for the flows from which they originate, depending on their viscosity, mud-clast abundance, and external factors (e.g. hydroplaning), thus revealing that these deposits have resulted from a wide range of different types of flows.
A Boltzmann machine solution of the traveling salesperson problem: a study for parallel implementation

Neural net algorithms are intrinsically parallel. They are also often used for solving difficult optimization problems. It is therefore natural to investigate the speedup which might be obtained by implementing a neural net algorithm on a parallel architecture. This work explores that question by looking at three possible implementations of the traveling salesperson problem (TSP) on a binary Boltzmann machine. These three implementations vary in their degree of parallelization. The results suggest that there are important relationships between the amount of speedup obtainable and the quality of solutions obtained. A general framework for studying such questions is described. >
Early shear bond strength of a one-step self-adhesive on orthodontic brackets.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a self-adhesive universal cement, RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany), can be used successfully to bond orthodontic brackets to enamel. Materials and Methods: Forty human molars were cleaned, mounted, and randomly divided into two groups: 20 orthodontic brackets were bonded to teeth using RelyX Unicem, and 20 brackets were bonded using the Transbond XT (3M Unitex, Monrovia, Calif) adhesive system. The teeth were debonded within 30 minutes after initial bonding using a universal testing machine. After debonding, the enamel surface was examined under 10× magnification to determine the amount of residual adhesive remaining on the tooth. Student's t-test was used to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of the two groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) scores for the two adhesive systems. Results: The mean SBS of the brackets bonded using the RelyX Unicem was 3.7 ± 2.1 MPa and was signific...
The effect of phase advance errors between interaction points on beam halos

Phase advance errors between interaction points (IF) break the symmetry of multi-IP colliders. This symmetry breaking introduces new, lower order resonances which may change the halo from the beam-beam interaction dramatically. In this paper, the mechanism of introducing new resonances is discussed. Simulation results showing the changes due to phase advance errors are presented. Simulation results are compared with experimental measurements at VEPP-2M.
Furosemide-sensitive Na+-K+ cotransport and cellular metabolism in human erythrocytes

Abstract Metabolic of human red cells with 2-deoxy- d -glucose in the presence of EGTA decreased ATP to about 4% of the initial value and increased total ouabain- and furosemide-resistant Na + and K + effluxes by 20% and 100%, respectively, and furosemide-sensitive Na + and K + effluxes by 100% and 60%, respectively. When ATP was restored, all the components of Na + and K + fluxes measured returned to baseline levels suggesting a metabolic dependence.
The contribution of burnout to work performance.

While the notion that ‘burnout’ is related to a decline in work performance is widely recognized, empirical support for this relationship is lacking. The present study, composed of human services personnel, is the first to empirically test the relationships among Maslach's three dimensions of burnout and work performance. A negative relationship was established between one dimension of burnout, emotional exhaustion, and subsequent work performance. However, the results failed to establish relationships among work performance, depersonalization and diminished personal accomplishment. These results provide further support for emotional exhaustion as a key component of the burnout experience. Future directions and implications of these findings are introduced. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Horizontal-Polar-Pattern Tracer for Directional Broadcast Antennas

Making space-pattern calculations for the 3-element array is very much more difficult than for the more common 2-element array. Many problems of broadcast coverage or interference have their solution only in the nonsymmetrical patterns of 3-element directional antennas. This paper includes the derivation of the equations for the relative field strength in a horizontal plane of such an array. A mechanical tracer is described which automatically plots the horizontal pattern for 2- or 3-element arrays once the adjustments of tower configuration and current magnitudes and phasings are made. Patterns traced by this machine are shown to have an accuracy usually within the width of the line of the recording pen. Its simplicity and rapidity of operation adapt it particularly to preliminary exploration to find a pattern which meets certain coverage or interference problems.
Impact of multi-scale retinex computation on performance of segmentation algorithms

Classical segmentation algorithms subdivide an image into its constituent components based upon some metric that defines commonality between pixels. Often, these metrics incorporate some measure of "activity" in the scene, e.g. the amount of detail that is in a region. The Multiscale Retinex with Color Restoration (MSRCR) is a general purpose, non-linear image enhancement algorithm that significantly affects the brightness, contrast and sharpness within an image. In this paper, we will analyze the impact the MSRCR has on segmentation results and performance.
Caregiver burden and depressive symptoms: analysis of common outcomes in caregivers of elderly patients.

Despite widespread use of caregiver burden and depressive symptoms in caregiving research, the relationship between these two concepts and the way in which burden and depressive symptoms are affected are not clear. Methods: The authors used structural equation modeling with an inception cohort of 488 family caregivers to examine the relationship between care recipients’ mental and functional status and recency of care demands and caregivers’ burden and depressive symptoms. Results: Care recipients’ mental and functional status and recency of care demands predicted caregiver burden; burden, in turn, was nearly significant in predicting depressive symptoms. Care recipients’ mental status and recency of care demands had a near significant indirect effect on caregiver depressive symptoms. There were no significant direct paths between care recipients’ mental status, functional status, recency of care demands, and caregivers’ depressive symptoms. Discussion: Health care practitioners should assist caregivers w...
The analysis of large hyperfine splitting in paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

A simple method for analysis of large hyperfine splittings in EPR spectra arising from S = 12 systems is discussed. The technique sets out from the Breit-Rabi formulation and brings in anisotropies as perturbations. As an example, the calculation of the 73Ge hyperfine tensors of two germanium centers (AGeLi and CGeLi) in x-irradiated α-quartz is discussed.
Lack of survival benefit of post-operative radiation therapy in prostate cancer patients with positive lymph nodes.

Lack of survival benefit of post-operative radiation therapy in prostate cancer patients with positive lymph nodes
Disruptions of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis increase anticancer drug lethality in the rat

We have previously shown that toxicity of the anticancer agent hydroxyurea (HU) in the rat is markedly increased by hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy. In this study, we investigated whether increased toxicity in ablated animals is a unique feature of HU or it is shared with other anticancer agents; the toxic effects of five such drugs have been compared in intact, hypophysectomized (HYX) and adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. Bis-chloroethyl-nitrosourea (BCNU, 5-10 mg/kg), busulfan (0.1-10 mg/kg), cyclophosphamide (25-125 mg/kg), 5-fluorouracil (15-75 mg/kg) and vindesine (0.1-0.5 mg/kg) were given to intact and endocrine-ablated rats, and lethality was recorded over 3 weeks. It was found that mortality was low or absent in intact rats, whereas (with the exception of HYX rats receiving the highest dose of busulfan) it was dramatically increased by both hypophysectomy and adrenalectomy. However, replacement treatments with long-acting tetracosactrin and corticosterone to HYX and ADX rats respectively afforded significant protection against BCNU toxicity only. We conclude that the integrity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis is needed to tolerate the toxicity of various anticancer drugs, although complex mechanisms appear to underlie such protective effect.
Synaptology of cultured olfactory bulb cells

Cultured embryonic mouse olfactory bulb cells formed asymmetric, symmetric, axodendritic, and dendrodendritic synapses. These neurons contained electron lucent, dense core, and coated vesicles. Dense core and coated vesicles had an average diameter of 71 and 80 nm, respectively. Two statistically different populations of electron lucent vesicles were found, based on synaptic symmetry: electron lucent vesicles from asymmetric synapses had an average diameter of 46 nm with an estimated volume of 49,000 nm3, whereas those from symmetric synapses had an average diameter of 44 nm and an estimated volume of 42,000 nm3. Because these values are similar to those found for intact olfactory bulb, the synapses of these cultured cells have some of the same morphological characteristics as those in the intact olfactory bulb.
Growth and transparency in the lens, an epithelial tissue, stimulated by pulses of PDGF

The rat lens undergoes dramatic growth during early postnatal development. Lens weight increased by a factor of 23 in 26 days. Growth rate per day oscillated between 0 and 87 percent. A new culture system was designed to study the oscillations in growth during development. Lens growth and transparency in vitro required pulsatile delivery of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in HL-1 serum-free medium. Continuous delivery of HL-1 medium with PDGF or pulsatile delivery of HL-1 medium without PDGF resulted in lens opacity and no growth. These results provide direct evidence that PDGF stimulates an epithelial tissue and that oscillations in growth occur during normal development of the rat lens.
Neutralization of H - near vicinal metal surfaces

We calculate the neutralization probability of ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions due to charge transfer in collisions with metal vicinal surfaces. We apply a statistical Thomas-Fermi model with gradient correction to the kinetic energy and a local density approximation for the exchange-correlation energy to compute the ground-state electronic structure of the surface. In comparison with calculations for flat surfaces, we find work-function changes, induced by the vicinal superstructure, in good agreement with published experimental and theoretical data. We evaluate the shift and width of the ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ affinity level resonance for fixed positions of the ion near the surface. For incident anions with a kinetic energy of $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{keV}$, the calculated ion-neutralization probabilities depend sensitively on the impact direction, point of closest approach of the trajectory, and the surface morphology. We find that the ion survival is more likely if the ${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions approach the step from above, as compared to ions that approach a step from below under otherwise identical scattering conditions. In particular, the electron loss after reflection at a terrace of a monoatomically stepped Al surface is predicted to be resonantly enhanced if the ion approaches a step from below.
A prospective evaluation of the directionality of the depression–inflammation relationship.

Cross-sectional studies have found that individuals with depressive disorders or symptoms have elevated levels of inflammatory markers predictive of coronary artery disease, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Due to the paucity of prospective studies, however, the directionality of the depression-inflammation relationship is unclear. We evaluated the longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and both IL-6 and CRP among 263 healthy, older men and women enrolled in the Pittsburgh Healthy Heart Project, a 6-year prospective cohort study. During the baseline and follow-up visits, participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to assess depressive symptoms and underwent blood draws to quantify serum IL-6 and CRP. Path analyses revealed that baseline BDI-II (beta=0.18, p=0.01, DeltaR(2)=0.02) was a predictor of 6-year change in IL-6, even after adjustment for demographic, biomedical, and behavioral factors as well as other negative emotions. Of all the factors examined, only body-mass index was a stronger predictor of IL-6 change than depressive symptoms. In contrast to these results, baseline IL-6 did not predict 6-year change in BDI-II. Evidence of a weak bidirectional relationship between BDI-II and CRP was also observed; however, neither of these longitudinal associations was significant. The present findings indicate that depressive symptoms may precede and augment some inflammatory processes relevant to coronary artery disease among healthy, older adults. Therefore, our results imply that depression may lead to inflammation and that inflammation may be one of the mechanisms through which depression contributes to cardiovascular risk.
Feature selection for computer-aided polyp detection using genetic algorithms

To improve computer aided diagnosis (CAD) for CT colonography we designed a hybrid classification scheme that uses a committee of support vector machines (SVMs) combined with a genetic algorithm (GA) for variable selection. The genetic algorithm selects subsets of four features, which are later combined to form a committee, with majority vote for classification across the base classifiers. Cross validation was used to predict the accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and combined accuracy) of each base classifier SVM. As a comparison for GA, we analyzed a popular approach to feature selection called forward stepwise search (FSS). We conclude that genetic algorithms are effective in comparison to the forward search procedure when used in conjunction with a committee of support vector machine classifiers for the purpose of colonic polyp identification.
Effects of age, speech rate, and type of test on temporal auditory processing.

Cognitive slowing that accompanies aging may be reflected in temporal aspects of auditory processing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of age, type of test, and rate of spee...
Cooperative Intrasectoral Specialization as A Regional Growth Strategy in Northeast Asia

No abstract available. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjia.v4i0.418 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs Vol.4 2007: 35-47
Professional engineering in California

In popular usage, the word “engineer” has come to include many men who are merely technicians or mechanics. In order to set a professional standard for engineers, many states now have passed registration laws defining the qualifications of a Professional Engineer. This article describes the provisions for registration in the State of California.
Analysis of EMG-Force Relation Using System Identification and Hammerstein-Wiener Models

Surface Electromyographic (sEMG) signals have been exploited for almost a century, for various clinical and engineering applications. One of the most compelling and altruistic applications being, control of prosthetic devices. The study conducted here looks at the modeling of the force and sEMG signals, using nonlinear Hammerstein-Weiner System Identification techniques. This study involved modeling of sEMG and corresponding force data to establish a relation which can mimic the actual force characteristics for a few particular hand motions. Analysis of the sEMG signals, obtained from specific Motor Unit locations corresponding to the index, middle and ring finger, and the force data led to the following deductions; a) Each motor unit location has to be treated as a separate system, (i.e. extrapolation of models for different fingers cannot be done) b) Fatigue influences the Hammerstein-Wiener model parameters and any control algorithm for implementing the force regimen will have to be adaptive in nature to compensate for the changes in the sEMG signal and c) The results also manifest the importance of the design of the experiments that need to be adopted to comprehensively model sEMG and force.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Multiple Regression with Stationary Errors

Abstract A practical computing technique is presented for the joint estimation of regression coefficients and the error spectrum in regression problems with stationary errors. In problems where unweighted least squares is not efficient, the procedure gives an estimate approaching the minimum variance linear unbiased estimate. Whether unweighted least squares is nearly efficient or not efficient, the procedure, in general, gives a much closer estimate of the covariance matrix of the estimated regression coefficients. The proposed approach, which involves the finite Fourier transformation of the observations and regression vectors, gives a useful intuitive understanding of the effects of correlated errors on regression.
The Impact of “Trade-offs” and Teacher Training on Economic Understanding and Attitudes

“Trade-offs” is a video/film series designed to teach some economic concepts to children in the elementary grades. In this article, Walstad reports the findings of his study to determine the effectiveness of the films and of special training programs for teachers using the series. One of the unusual aspects of this project is that Walstad attempted to determine the relationship between economic knowledge on the part of elementary school pupils and their attitudes toward economics as a subject. Few attempts have been made to measure student attitudes toward economics at this level. Walstad's methods will be of interest to other researchers, particularly his findings regarding the use of two-stage least squares (TSLS) as opposed to ordinary least squares (OLS). He asserts that OLS estimates “may be biased and inconsistent.”
Exploiting sub-pixel edge detection methods with high-density sampling to provide .001 pixels rigid target localization

An empirical method for Canny filter optimization is explored and applied to the problem of measuring rigid motion between targets for nanometer motion detection. Operating with an image space pixel size of 3 μm, we are able to obtain static target localization to 6 nm at 2σ variation. To discriminate target roughness from sub-pixel measurement noise we use a Laplacian filter method. To extend the resolution beyond the limits of a single sub-pixel sample we use multiple adjacent edge locations along a single target to statistically reduce the overall resolution. With sufficient samples we obtain near .001 pixels resolving power. Even at this resolution we have not reached the limits of sampling which are possible from simultaneously sampling sets of parallel lines allowing for future refinement of method to localize well below .001 pixels.
The Germanic symphony in the eighteenth century: Bridge to the romantic era

(1984). The Germanic symphony in the eighteenth century: Bridge to the romantic era. Journal of Musicological Research: Vol. 5, No. 1-3, pp. 51-83.
Skp2 Contains a Novel Cyclin A Binding Domain That Directly Protects Cyclin A from Inhibition by p27Kip1

Skp2 is well known as the F-box protein of the SCF(Skp2) x Roc1 complex targeting p27 for ubiquitylation. Skp2 also forms complexes with cyclin A, which is particularly abundant in cancer cells due to frequent Skp2 overexpression, but the mechanism and significance of this interaction remain unknown. Here, we report that Skp2-cyclin A interaction is mediated by novel interaction sequences on both Skp2 and cyclin A, distinguishing it from the well known RXL-hydrophobic patch interaction between cyclins and cyclin-binding proteins. Furthermore, a short peptide derived from the mapped cyclin A binding sequences of Skp2 can block Skp2-cyclin A interaction but not p27-cyclin A interaction, whereas a previously identified RXL peptide can block p27-cyclin A interaction but not Skp2-cyclin A interaction. Functionally, Skp2-cyclin A interaction is separable from Skp2 ability to mediate p27 ubiquitylation. Rather, Skp2-cyclin A interaction serves to directly protect cyclin A-Cdk2 from inhibition by p27 through competitive binding. Finally, we show that disruption of cyclin A binding with point mutations in the cyclin A binding domain of Skp2 compromises the ability of overexpressed Skp2 to counter cell cycle arrest by a p53/p21-mediated cell cycle checkpoint without affecting its ability to cause degradation of cellular p27 and p21. These findings reveal a new functional mechanism of Skp2 and a new regulatory mechanism of cyclin A.
AN SVM classifier with HMM-based kernel for landmine detection using ground penetrating radar

We propose a landmine detection algorithm using ground penetrating radar data that is based on an SVM classifier. The kernel function for the SVM is constructed using discrete hidden Markov modeling (HMM). Typically, the kernel matrix could be obtained by defining an adequate similarity measure in the feature space. However, this approach is inappropriate as it is not trivial to define a meaningful distance metric for sequence comparison. Our proposed approach is based on HMM modeling and has two main steps. First, one HMM is fit to each of the N individual sequences. For each fitted model, we evaluate the log-likelihood of each sequence. This will result in an N × N log-likelihood similarity matrix that will be adapted to serve as the kernel of the SVM classifier. In the second step, we train an SVM classifier to learn a decision boundary between the positive and negative samples.
Differences in composition and function of iodinated substances in stimulated thyroid glands.

Abstract Rats were fed a low-iodine diet for 18 months and this was labeled with 125 I for the last 6 months. Their thyroids rapidly approached isotopic equilibriu for 10 days but they showed a slow increase in radioiodide for 4 months after 125 I was begun. The slowly accumulated radio-iodine was slowly released but ultimately it had labeled 71 per cent of the total iodine in the gland. Approximately 23 per cent of the thyroidal iodine was labeled rapidly by an acute tracer dose of 131 I, this component probably supplied the day by day requirements of iodinated proteins. There was little thyroid hormone in the iodinated proteins such that the daily hormone secretion rate of the gland was 4–5 times greater than the total hormonal iodine in the glands. It is suggested that the daily hormone requirement was supplied by such a small part of the thyroidal iodine that the rapidly labeled thyroglobulin pool required replacement more than 13 times each day. The animals appeared euthyroid but their PBI was less than 0.3 μg. per cent. In similar animals given a single dose of 125 I, the radioiodine was depleted by continuing low-iodine diet and feeding potassium perchlorate for 10–14 days. The residual thyroidal radioiodine was slowly released and this was separated into soluble (27%) and insoluble (73%) fractions. The soluble iodinated material had many characteristics suggestive of an iodinated nucleotide.
Activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways mediates fibroblast growth factor-induced growth arrest of chondrocytes.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate long bone development by affecting the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes. FGF treatment inhibits the proliferation of chondrocytes both in vitro and in vivo, but the signaling pathways involved have not been clearly identified. In this report we show that both the MEK-ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways, but not phospholipase Cγ or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, play a role in FGF-mediated growth arrest of chondrocytes. Chemical inhibitors of the MEK1/2 or the p38 MAPK pathways applied to rat chondrosarcoma (RCS) chondrocytes significantly prevented FGF-induced growth arrest. The retinoblastoma family members p107 and p130 were previously shown to be essential effectors of FGF-induced growth arrest in chondrocytes. The dephosphorylation of p107, one of the earliest events in RCS growth arrest, was significantly blocked by MEK1/2 inhibitors but not by the p38 MAPK inhibitors, whereas that of p130, which occurs later, was partially prevented both by the MEK and p38 inhibitors. Furthermore, by expressing the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, TrkA, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor, ErbB1, in RCS cells we show that NGF treatment of the transfected cells caused growth inhibition, whereas EGF did not. FGF- and NGF-induced growth inhibition is accompanied by a strong and sustained activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and a decrease of AKT phosphorylation, whereas EGF induces a much more transient activation of p38 and ERK1/2 and increases AKT phosphorylation. These results indicate that inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation by FGF requires both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling and also suggest that sustained activation of these pathways is required to achieve growth inhibition.
Once a Dean: Some Reflections

A former dean shares observations from 15 years as dean in an ed school. The major dilemma faced by ed school deans and faculties is how to resolve the confusion over mission-should ed schools emphasize the teacher and administrator education missions to the detriment and perhaps the exclusion of the graduate and research missions? Four activities that belong on a dean's To Do list are discussed: (a) educating faculty and central administration, (b). compiling data, (c) building a development fund, and (d) hiring faculty. The author also addresses problems and prospects for deans in the 1990s.
Designing a digital documents curriculum

The paper reports on an (in-progress) effort to design a curriculum that will train professionals to use and construct digital documents. As part of an effort to reinvent information studies curriculum at the University of Michigan's School of Information & Library Studies, a committee has been exploring an interdisciplinary curriculum emphasis that will prepare students to deal with the increasingly important role that digital documents will play in work, education, and daily life. Digital documents include what have been previously called publications, online documents, Web resources, and multimedia materials. The curriculum straddles the traditional fields of information studies, publishing, and of design. It also takes up business issues (such as marketing) and legal issues (such as copyright). The curriculum will train students to provide digital document collection access and support, to be digital publishers and marketers, and to design and develop digital documents. The paper discusses the current design of the curriculum, the process of developing that design, and the problems raised in trying to implement such a design within an existing discipline-based university infrastructure.
Astronomy: The United States must rejoin the SKA

Plans for the radio-telescope array must be firmed up to help Americans get back on board and ensure its success, say Anthony J. Beasley and Ethan J. Schreier.
Selective interference with pacemaker activity by electrical dental devices.

Abstract Objective. We sought to determine whether electromagnetic interference with cardiac pacemakers occurs during the operation of contemporary electrical dental equipment. Study Design. Fourteen electrical dental devices were tested in vitro for their ability to interfere with the function of two Medtronics cardiac pacemakers (one a dual-chamber, bipolar Thera 7942 pacemaker, the other a single-chamber, unipolar Minix 8340 pacemaker). Atrial and ventricular pacemaker output and electrocardiographic activity were monitored by means of telemetry with the use of a Medtronics 9760/90 programmer. Results. Atrial and ventricular pacing were inhibited by electromagnetic interference produced by the electrosurgical unit up to a distance of 10 cm, by the ultrasonic bath cleaner up to 30 cm, and by the magnetorestrictive ultrasonic scalers up to 37.5 cm. In contrast, operation of the amalgamator, electric pulp tester, composite curing light, dental handpieces, electric toothbrush, microwave oven, dental chair and light, ENAC ultrasonic instrument, radiography unit, and sonic scaler did not alter pacing rate or rhythm. Conclusions. These results suggest that certain electrosurgical and ultrasonic instruments may produce deleterious effects in medically fragile patients with cardiac pacemakers.
The effects of smoked Marijuana on interpersonal distances in small groups.

Abstract Twelve adult male research volunteers lived, in groups of three, in a residential laboratory for 7 days. During the later portion of the day (1700–2345), they had the option to socialize with or without access to video-taped films. Four cigarettes containing active marijuana (0–2.7% Δ 9 THC) were smoked daily, two prior to and two during the social access period. Active marijuana decreased verbal and either increased or decreased non-verbal interaction time depending on baseline rates. Decreased verbal interactions were associated with increased interpersonal distance.
State-of-the-art 3DCT angiography assessment of lower extremity trauma: typical findings, pearls, and pitfalls

Multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) of the lower extremities is an integral part of the decision-making process of lower extremity trauma. MDCTA can be integrated into multiphasic whole-body trauma MDCT and has replaced the traditional gold standard of catheter-based angiography as the preferred technique for the initial assessment of lower extremity trauma in many institutions worldwide. Advances in MDCT technology enable high speed simultaneous evaluation of both complete lower extremities, rapid image reconstruction, and advanced image visualization for the noninvasive and accurate diagnosis of vascular, including hematoma, active extravasation, vasospasm, stenosis, external compression, occlusion, intimal injury and dissection, arteriovenous fistulas, and pseudoaneurysm formation. In this exhibit, we outline the role of MDCTA in the management of lower extremity trauma, review current MDCT protocols and the practical use of advanced visualization techniques, and illustrate typical MDCTA findings, pearls, and pitfalls, which help to accurately characterize vascular injury and guide management.
Methionine dipeptide stationary phases for the resolution of enantiomers.

Abstract N-Trifluoroacetyl- l -methionyl- l -methionine cyclohexyl ester as well as the disulfide and disulfone derivatives of this phase have been synthesized. The methionine phase exhibits improved properties as a stationary phase for the separation of amino acid enantiomers as compared to other dipeptide stationary phases and can be used at temperatures ranging from 70 to 150°. The sulfoxide phase, however, was incapable of resolving the enantiomeric derivatives. Physical properties of the sulfone compound limit its use as an effective resolving agent.
Citanest Forte--its use in oral surgery.

Abstract A clinical evaluation of Citanest Forte (brand of prilocaine HCl) was carried out on 3,000 oral surgery patients to determine the effectiveness and safety of the drug. Citanest Forte has been found to be a useful local anesthetic, and the results of this study would indicate that it can be effectively and safely substituted for other local anesthetic solutions currently in use for all routine oral surgery procedures.
Architectural patterns for service-based mobile applications

Mobile devices provide computing power for running software applications as well as cell phone functionality. However, they could not host complex software applications, mainly due to their limited resources. This limitation can well be remedied by architectural design. We provide taxonomy with six different architectural patterns; standalone, full offloading, partial offloading, SaaS-based, CaaS-based, and offloaded CaaS-based. Different architectural patterns yield different levels of qualities, especially for performance and lower energy consumption for mobile applications.
Homogeneous, isobaric, and autonomous algebraic differential equations

where P is a non-trivial polynomial in its n + 2 variables. We say that O(P) = order of P is n if (1) involves y’“’ in a non-trivial way, and we sometimes use the notation P = 0 in place of (1). An ADE (1) is called autonomous if P does not involve the independent variable x, while (1) is called homogeneous if P is a homogeneous polynomial in all its variables. Finally, (1) is isobaric if P( y,, zy , , . . . . t”y,) = t’P( y,, y, , . . . . y,), for some positive integer r. We prove (Theorem 1) that if u is C” and DA, then u must satisfy an algebraic differential equation which is autonomous, homogeneous, and isobaric. An example of such an equation is yy” (y’)* = 0, which is satisfied by e”. The autonomous part of Theorem 1 was first proven in [BR] using resultants, which are not used in this paper. In Theorem 2 we prove that if u is C” and satisfies an ADE P= 0, then u must satisfy an autonomous and homogeneous (or autonomous and isobaric) ADE & = 0 with O(Q) < O(P) + 2. This bound on the order of Q is sharp. The assumption that u is C” is necessary, for we construct in Theorem 4, for each positive integer n, a C” solution of an ADE on an interval Z which satisfies no homogeneous or autonomous ADE on I. Our proof of Theorem 1 does show, however, that an n-times differentiable solution of an algebraic differential equation is a generalized solution of an
Inversions and inverted transpositions as the basis for an almost universal "format" of genome sequences

In genome duplexes that exceed 100 kb the frequency distributions of their trinucleotides (triplet profiles) are the same in both strands. This remarkable symmetry, sometimes called Chargaff's second parity rule, is not the result of base pairing, but can be explained as the result of countless inversions and inverted transpositions that occurred throughout evolution (G. Albrecht-Buehler, 2006, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103, 17828-17833). Furthermore, comparing the triplet profiles of genomes from a large number of different taxa and species revealed that they were not only strand-symmetrical, but even surprisingly similar to one another (majority profile; G. Albrecht-Buehler, 2007, Genomics 89, 596-601). The present article proposes that the same inversion/transposition mechanism(s) that created the strand symmetry may also explain the existence of the majority profile. Thus they may be key factors in the creation of an almost universal "format" in which genome sequences are written. One may speculate that this universality of genome format may facilitate horizontal gene transfer and, thus, accelerate evolution.
Subcritical excitation and dynamic response of structures in frequency domain

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to explore the idea of the critical, subcritical excitations for the assessment and prediction of the earthquake resistance of structures using frequency domain method. A technique for least-square fit of complex valued functions is also developed in this paper, to obtain the subcritical excitation. Results obtained in this study appear to be consistent with those obtained in the time domain method. However, the frequency domain method is more efficient in performing the analysis and needs less computing time.
Spatial and temporal sensitivity of lateral geniculate cells in dark-reared cats

Abstract Electrophysiological recordings were made from single-units in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of normally-reared and dark-reared cats. In agreement with previous studies, significantly fewer Y-cells were encountered in dark-reared cats than in normally-reared cats. In addition, a large number of cells having abnormal receptive field and/or response properties were observed in the dark-reared animals. Included in this latter group were a number of cells that had short latencies to electrical stimulation of the optic chiasm, which is indicative of Y-cells, but did not display the nonlinear response component usually observed in Y-cells. Measures of contrast sensitivity across a wide range of spatial and tempora modulation frequencies were made with counterphased grating stimuli. No differences were observed for these measures between X-cells in normally-reared and dark-reared cats. In addition no differences were observed between Y-cells in normally-reared cats and the few Y-cells in dark-reared cats. While previously reported data from monocularly deprived cats indicate that geniculate X-cells can be affected by an abnormal visual environment created through lid-suture, the present data indicate that the X-system can develop normal electrophysiological properties in the absence of light. This observation suggest that the development of the X-system is not necessarily dependent on the influence of normal visual expereince. In contrast, it appears that the cat must experience a normal visual environment in order for all of its Y-system to develop properly.
Inhibition and disinhibition of direction-specific mechanisms in human vision.

MOTION-SENSITIVE mechanisms in human vision are selective for direction of stimulus movement. Psychophysical experiments reveal direction-specific channels which can be selectively desensitised or adapted1,2. At threshold these direction-specific mechanisms operate independently; they have little or no sensitivity for the opposite direction of motion3–6. Independence at threshold does not, of course, preclude interaction at suprathreshold stimulus levels. Indeed, inhibition has been found above threshold between otherwise independent spatial frequency-specific mechanisms7,8, orientation-selective mechanisms9,10, and binocular disparity-specific mechanisms11. We report here comparable measurements of inhibition between direction-specific channels. We also show that in appropriate conditions the inhibition can itself be reduced or eliminated, a disinhibition effect.
A Monopropellant-Powered Muscle Actuation System

This paper describes the design and control of a new monopropellant-powered muscle actuation system for robotic systems, especially the mobile systems inspired by biological principles. Based on the pneumatic artificial muscle, this system features a high power density, as well as characteristics similar to biological muscles. By introducing the monopropellant as the energy storage media, this system utilizes the high energy density of liquid fuel and provides a high-pressure gas supply with a simple structure in a compact form. This addresses the limitations of pneumatic supplies on mobile devices and thus is expected to facilitate the future application of artificial muscles on bio-robotic systems. In this paper, design of the monopropellant-powered muscle actuation system is presented as well as a robust controller design that provides effective control for this highly nonlinear system. To demonstrate the proposed muscle actuation system, an experimental prototype was constructed on which the proposed control algorithm provides good tracking performance.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Sustainable production of bioenergy and biochar from the straw of high‐biomass soybean lines via fast pyrolysis

The straws of two high-biomass soybean lines developed at ARS for bioenergy were subjected to thermochemical conversion by fast pyrolysis. The objective was to evaluate the potential use of the straw for the production of liquid fuel intermediates. The immediate goal was to demonstrate production of pyrolysis liquid that can be burned “as is” and/or potentially be upgraded to transportation grade fuel and at the same time produce biochar that can be deployed as a soil amendment. The goal supports the concept of on-farm biorefinery where food and bioenergy can be sustainably produced in a soybean farm system. The study shows that high yields of pyrolysis liquids (biooil) can be efficiently produced from the soybean straws using the fluidized-bed fast pyrolysis technology. Free flowing biooils with heating values in excess of 20 MJ/kg were produced in yields of approximately 70 wt %. Accompanying this was 22 wt % mineral-rich biochar that can be returned to the soil and up to 10 wt % combustible gas with the potential to partially power the pyrolysis system. A sustainable farm system may be enhanced by the synergy between production of extra biomass in soybean cultivation, lignocellulosic biofuel production, production and use of carbon sequestering, soil-amending biochar in addition to nitrogen fixation by rhizobial bacteria. Although the findings are encouraging, actual data over several years will be necessary to fully evaluate a potential soybean farm biorefinery system by comprehensive life-cycle analysis. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2010
Full-Scale Testing of Chemical Dust Palliatives in a Semicontrolled Environment

Two commercially available chemical dust palliatives were evaluated in full-scale experiments in an enclosed, controlled environment to evaluate their effectiveness and to determine impacts to a stabilized surface. The dust palliatives were topically applied at multiple application rates to the surface of a silty sand soil that had been stabilized using a combination of Portland cement and polypropylene monofilament fibers. Simulated traffic was applied to enclosed test sections using the heavy vehicle simulator-aircraft fitted with a C-17 aircraft tire at 15,560 kg (34,300 lb) load. The effectiveness of the dust palliatives was quantitatively measured using both gravimetric and optical detection devices. Results from the experiment show nearly complete reduction in dust for Palliative 2 (a synthetic oil) and heavy applications of Palliative 1 (an emulsion polymer). The methodology used for experimentally determining the dust palliative effectiveness provided a mechanism for reducing environmental influences that often invalidate and confuse the results of field experimentation data.