cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Giant's Rival: The USSR and Latin America

"The Giant's Rival" is an authoritative survey of Soviet relations with Latin America. Blasier provides a concise account of Soviet diplomatic, economic, and political-military involvement in the region, focusing on the post-1970 period. This revised edition includes chapters analyzing developments since 1983. Blasier views the origins of the Sandinista revolution, and its relation to international Communism, and how the Nicaraguan government has grown dependent on Soviet oil, arms, and economic and political assistance. He also describes the growing relations between the New Jewel Movement in Grenada and Moscow before it was toppled by the U.S. invasion. Blasier explains how U.S. policies have affected Soviet outcomes and makes proposals for protecting and advancing U.S. interests."
Analyzing the M/M/1 queue in frequency domain experiments

Abstract Frequency domain experiments are a method of performing sensitivity analysis and factor screening, and estimating gradients for steady-state simulation models. The validity of the frequency domain analysis can be assessed by measuring the distance between the expected outputs of the sinusoidally oscillated input parameter system (as found in frequency domain experiments) and the fixed input parameter system (as found in time domain experiments). In this paper, an upper bound on this distance is derived for an M / M /1 queue, as the oscillation frequencies of the sinusoidally varied input parameters approach zero. This bound is shown to converge to zero as the input parameter oscillation ranges approach zero. This bound is also related to a Taylor series approximation of the output response function, and shown to converge to zero at the same rate as this approximation function. In addition, this bound is used to assess the bias of the harmonic gradient estimator.
European Positivism and the American Unitarians

Few movements have been so remarkably transformed within such a short period of time as nineteenth century American Unitarianism. In the 1830s, despite its recently acquired denominational independence, it remained theologically quite close its Congregational ancestry. Its most typical leaders of that period —Orville Dewey, John G. Palfrey, Ezra Stiles Gannett, and Nathaniel L. Frothingham—were all men of gentility and moderation, with little taste for theological revolution. Thus their Unitarianism differed from orthodox New England theology in degree rather than kind and still formed, as one contemporary put it, “the liberal side of the old Congregational body.” Men like Frothingham, who filled the prestigious pulpit of Boston's First Church, continued to believe in a supernatural deity revealed by miracles and divinely inspired Scripture. They placed only limited faith in man. Although not totally depraved, humanity was filled largely with evil and needed divine mediation for salvation. Jesus, who provided this mediation, was described as “the divinely inspired Son of the Father.” The social views of these men, based as they were on the assumption that God had ordained and established the social institutions of the day, were predominantly conservative.3 Within a generation, however, this Old Unitarianism had dissolved. Not everyone changed, of course. Some Conservatives maintained the traditional views until their deaths, but they quickly became a minority as a New Unitarianism emerged.
Remote detection of magmatic water in Bullialdus Crater on the Moon

The remote detection of surface water indigenous to the Moon has proved difficult because of alternative sources, such as the solar wind. Spectroscopic observations of hydroxyl-bearing materials in Bullialdus Crater by the Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft are consistent with indigenous magmatic water that was excavated by impact from the lunar interior.
A New Example of Anti‐LW and Further Studies on Heterogeneity of the System

A case is reported in which an LW, woman formed anti-LW. It is shown that the case represents the “genetic” and not the “transient” type of red blood cell LW antigen depletion. Studies have confirmed the quantitative difference of LW antigen on LW3 and LW4 red blood cells and the fact that Rh null individuals produce the only totally LW-negative red blood cells. The difficulties encountered in the identification of anti-LW, because of the LW3 and LW, states, are described. It is clear, from this study, that if random donors are typed for LW using anti-LW made by an LW4individual, those who are LW3 will be classed as unremarkable LW-positives.
Improving the performance of label-free optical biosensors

Rapid and real-time detection of antigens, bacteria, viruses, etc., for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring requires the development of highly sensitive biosensors. Traditionally, labeled sensors, such as ELISA assays and fluorescent immunoassays, have been used for as highly sensitive detection platforms in complex environments, such as serum or whole blood. 1–5 These sensors are particularly successful in such environments due to their high specificity to the target molecule. However, labeled sensors detect the presence of the fluorescent probe rather than the molecule of interest, requiring a priori knowledge of the target. In direct contrast, label-free sensors, such as cantilever sensors, optical waveguide sensors, and surface plasmon resonators, detect the molecule itself, but many times with less sensitivity or with difficulty in minimizing false positives in complex environments.6–10 To overcome these limitations, improvements in both the sensitivity and specificity of label-free sensors must be simultaneously addressed.11
Driving the cell cycle with a minimal CDK control network

Control of eukaryotic cell proliferation involves an extended regulatory network, the complexity of which has made it difficult to understand the basic principles of the cell cycle. To investigate the core engine of the mitotic cycle we have generated a minimal control network in fission yeast that efficiently sustains cellular reproduction. Here we demonstrate that orderly progression through the major events of the cell cycle can be driven by oscillation of an engineered monomolecular cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK) module lacking much of the canonical regulation. We show further that the CDK oscillator acts as the primary organizer of the cell cycle, imposing timing and directionality to a system of two CDK activity thresholds that define independent cell cycle phases. We propose that this simple core architecture forms the basic control of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
Sorption and Transport of Veterinary Pharmaceuticals in Soil—A Laboratory Study

Land application of manure can change soil chemical properties, thus affecting fate and mobility of agricultural antibiotics in soil. The main objective of this study was to examine the effects of dissolved organic C (DOC) and background electrolyte cation type on the sorption and transport of chlortetracycline (CTC), tylosin (TYL), and sulfamethazine (SMT) in two different soils. A series of batch isotherm and column miscible displacement experiments were conducted using surface and subsurface soils of Etowah clay loam (fine-loamy, siliceous, semiactive, thermic Typic Paleudults) and Captina sandy loam (fine-silty, siliceous, active, mesic Typic Fragiudults). Decreased retention of CTC and TYL to soils was observed in the presence of Ca²⁺ ion compared with Na⁺. For example, the Freundlich coefficient (KF) for TYL ranged from 67 to 341 under a Na⁺ system while it ranged from 17 to 173 under a Ca²⁺ system. Sorption of CTC and TYL decreased on the addition of DOC extracted from dairy manure, while SMT sorption increased by DOC addition. For example, in the Ca²⁺ system, CTC KF values without DOC ranged from 2.40 × 10³ to 4.84 × 10³ while they ranged from 1.52 × 10³ to 2.86 × 10³ with the addition of DOC. Column transport experiments generally agreed with the batch study results, showing increased CTC mass recovery in effluents (i.e., increased from 2.1–4.3% for both surface and subsurface soils) and decreased retardation factors (R) in the presence of dairy manure DOC (i.e., from 890–371). The reduced CTC adsorption may be explained by competition between the DOC and CTC for sorption sites or by the aqueous association of CTC with DOC. Elevated levels of DOC also resulted in increased mobility of TYL and SMT for surface soil column. In summary, changes in background electrolyte cation type and DOC level in soil solution caused by addition of animal manure can influence fate and transport of agricultural antibiotics in soils.
Translational and post-translational cleavage of M13 procoat protein: extracts of both the cytoplasmic and outer membranes of Escherichia coli contain leader peptidase activity

Abstract The coat protein of coliphage M13 is an integral protein of the host cytoplasmic membrane at all stages of the infectious cycle. Both in in vivo and DNA-directed in vitro synthesis, it is initially made with an NH2-terminal "leader peptide" of 23 amino acids and is termed procoat. We now report that leader peptidase, and activity which removes the leader peptide and converts procoat to coat, is found in both the inner (cytoplasmic) and outer membrane of Escherichia coli. However, only cytoplasmic membranes will catalyze cleavage of procoat in the absence of detergent. Leader peptidase will cleave procoat either during translation or after protein synthesis is complete.
Biological control of Lygus lineolaris by Peristenus spp. in strawberry

Abstract Peristenus digoneutis Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was introduced to the US for biological control of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), and has since spread through much of the northeast. The purpose of this study was to determine if P. digoneutis and a native congener, Peristenus pallipes (Curtis), parasitize L. lineolaris in strawberry (where it is a key pest), and what factors relate to parasitism levels. During 1997–1999 we monitored parasitism on 17 strawberry farms in 14 counties in eastern and western New York State. We found that in eastern NY (where P. digoneutis has been established since the early 1990s), overall mean parasitism was 19.7% (ranging from 0 to 70%), mostly by P. digoneutis. Mean parasitism was significantly lower (12.3%, ranging from 0 to 58%) in western NY (where P. digoneutis was first recorded in 1999), and was mostly by P. pallipes. P. pallipes parasitism was significantly lower in eastern than western NY, suggesting the potential for competitive interaction with P. digoneutis. The insecticide regime of a farm was an important factor influencing parasitism rate, which was 5- to 6.5-fold higher on organic or casually sprayed farms than on intensely treated farms, though pest density under these three regimes was not significantly different. L. lineolaris density, and parasitism rate in nearby alfalfa and abandoned fields were also significant factors for parasitism in strawberry.
Lysine metabolism in rabbits.

Abstract The metabolism of l -lysine, l -pipecolate, and saccharopine was studied in rabbits. The results indicated the existence of the same metabolic pathways as have been delineated in other species. The rabbit differed from the other species studied previously since saccharopine, l -pipecolate, and d -lysine were all readily converted to CO 2 . The only endogenous source of pipecolate detected in rabbits was the catabolism of the d -lysine which had been injected. No pipecolate was produced from l -lysine under these experimental conditions. These data indicated that the major pathway for l -lysine catabolism in rabbits involved saccharopine as an intermediate. The existence of an alternate route involving pipecolate cannot be ruled out, but was indicated to be of very minor importance in l -lysine catabolism.
Extraction of text words in document images based on a statistical characterization

Text structures in document images are usually laid out in a structured manner—having preferred spatial relations. These spatial relations are rarely deterministic; however, they can be modeled by probabilities. Therefore, any realistic document layout analysis algorithm should utilize this type of probabilistic knowledge to optimize its performance. We first describe a method for automatically generating a large amount of nearly perfect layout ground truth data from the LaTeX device-independent (DVI) files, where the bounding boxes for the characters, words, text lines, and text blocks are represented in hierarchies. These ground truth data enable us to construct statistical models that characterize the various layout structures in document images. We demonstrate this concept through the development of a word segmentation algorithm, which employs the recursive morphological closing transform to model word shapes in document images. We also conducted systematic experiments to evaluate the performance of our algorithm using the synthetic images generated from the LaTeX DVI files and the real images from the UW-I and UW-II English document image databases. The results indicate that the correct word detection rate is about 95% on the synthetic images and more than 90% on most of the tested real images.
Structural transformations induced in graphite by grinding: Analysis of 002 X-ray diffraction line profiles

The x-ray diffraction line profiles of the 002 reflections of graphite samples ground in a ball mill for periods up to 90 hours were studied using newly developed peak analysis methods that permitted separation of overlapping peaks having different peak positions, intensities, and line-breadths. For 3.354A ≤ d002 ≤ 3.375A a continuous range of single phases characterized by symmetrical peaks of increasing breadths was observed, but peaks whose centroids fell between 3.375A and 3.55A were asymmetrical and composed of a superposition of symmetrical peaks of increasing breadths characterized by 3.375A, 3.40A, 3.44A, and 3.55A spacings. There is some indication of a phase characterized by a 3.49A interlayer spacing. These results confirm previous reports of discrete 002 spacings in carbons and disordered graphite and suggest that elemental carbon(s) are composed of mixtures of these metastable graphite phases.
The association of major, minor and trace inorganic elements with lignites. III. Trace elements in four lignites and general discussion of all data from this study

Abstract Fourteen trace elements (La, Cr, Sc, Y, Yb, Ga, Ni, V, Be, Zr, Ge, Pb, Sn, Ce) have been determined by emission spectroscopy in the ash from 7–17 levels within four early Tertiary lignite seams from Wyoming, Texas and Alabama, and two elements (Cu, Zn) in the acid-soluble and acid-insoluble fractions of the samples by inductively coupled plasma arc emission spectrometry. These elements were also determined in the roof and floor strata enclosing the seams. The concentrations of a number of elements (e.g. Be, V, Cu, Y, Yb) were considerably higher in the coal ash than in the adjacent inorganic layers, and these elements are most probably associated with organic matter as coordination complexes. Several elements (Be, Y, Yb, Ga, Sc) were frequently found to be concentrated near the margins of the seam relative to the main body. One of the seams has a 6 cm “rider” separated from the top of the main seam by 9 cm of clayey sand. Analysis of fractions separated by specific gravity and solubility in acid showed this to be rich in trace elements, of which V, Be, Cu, Ni, Ge, Cr, Y, Yb, Ga and Sc appeared to be partly complexed with organic matter, and Sn and Pb were present only in minerals. The rider evidently acted as an efficient trap for unusually large amounts of many trace elements. Cluster analysis showed that the distributions of elements with depth in three of the seams represent three very distinctly separate populations of data; each seam constitutes a different geochemical problem. In a general discussion of the results of the whole series of three papers, a model describing the incorporation of inorganic components in peats is presented, based on the erosion of rocks by chelating organic acids and other agents, followed by transport in water and trapping of mineral grains and dissolved ions by the organic matter of peat. Inorganic materials in peat thus constitute the principal input of mineral matter into coals. The elements that tend to be enriched near the margins of lignite seams are mostly those that have complexed with organic matter. However, the data on this enrichment from our own and previously published work are quite variable, no doubt depending on the nature and efficiency of transport of the incoming cations.
Validation process for new endoscopy teaching tools

With the development of any new technology or educational curriculum, validation of its effectiveness is a critical but often overlooked step. When validation is performed, it is often done in a very superficial manner and all too often the results are wrongly extrapolated to draw conclusions on findings independent of the aspects validated. In this review we describe the process required to establish rigorous and more accurate validation evidence of simulation tools and teaching curriculum. These steps will be demonstrated through the review of our experiences with computerized colonoscopy simulators over the past decade. As educators and researchers, placing a focus on developing strong validity evidence for the use of new educational tools is something we owe not only to our trainees and institutions but also to our patients. Educators must be diligent in researching new educational devices or curriculum to ensure they truly enhance current training and improve patient outcomes.
First report of Rhizomonas sp. causing corky root of lettuce in Europe

Typical symptoms of corky root were observed on iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in the Netherlands and England, on prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.) in Spain, and on sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.) in Greece. Slow-growing bacteria with similar colonies as strains ofRhizomonas suberifaciens or otherRhizomonas species were isolated from soil surrounding plants with corky root symptoms using lettuce seedlings as bait. Crude lysate from all strains was tested for DNA homology with DNA fromR. suberifaciens strain CA1 (R. sub. CA1) andRhizomonas sp. strain WI4 (R. sp. WI4). Strains that had homology values higher than that ofR. sp. WI4 orR. sub. CA1 were tested for pathogenicity on 1-wk-old lettuce seedlings, cv. Salinas, Two strains from the Netherlands induced typical symptoms of corky root on lettuce. These strains tested negative with monoclonal antibody MAb-Rs1 specific forRhizomonas suberifaciens in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). They had low DNA homology withR. sub. CA1 (4–9%) and low to moderate DNA homology withR. sp. WI4 (4–17%). Some nonpathogenic strains had moderate to high levels of DNA homology withR. sub. CA1 orR. sp. WI4 (19–84%). All strains had fatty acid profiles similar to those ofRhizomonas species. This is the first report ofRhizomonas sp. causing corky root of lettuce in Europe.
Spatial Competition between Jurisdictions Which Tax Perfectly Competitive Retail (or Production) Centers

Abstract This paper examines the taxes that jurisdictions choose to impose on perfectly competitive retail centers (or production centers) within their boundaries. Retail centers are located on a line, and jurisdictions are segments of the line. A jurisdiction maximizes the sum of tax revenues and residents′ consumer surplus. The tax chosen by a jurisdiction is a function of the spacing between retail centers, the locations of interjurisdictional boundaries, and the taxes imposed by neighboring jurisdictions. An exporting jurisdiction chooses a positive tax. An importing jurisdiction chooses a zero tax, even if neighboring jurisdictions have taxes or subsidies. If all jurisdictions with retail centers use endogenous fiscal policy, then each imposes a positive or zero tax.
Selective Effects of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors on Different Phosphodiesterases, Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate Metabolism, and Lipolysis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

3T3-L1 adipocytes contain both soluble and particulate cAMP phosphodiesterases which can be distinguished by several criteria. Particulate phosphodiesterase activity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but not undifferentiated fibroblasts, was selectively increased by incubation of cells with insulin or lipolytic hormones. Particulate cAMP phosphodiesterase activity from 3T3-L1 adipocytes was very sensitive to inhibition by cilostamide in an apparently competitive fashion. Particulate activity from undifferentiated 3T3-L1 fibroblasts or supernatant activity from either type of cell was much less sensitive to cilostamide. On the other hand, supernatant cAMP phosphodiesterase activity from both undifferentiated fibroblasts and 3T3-L1 adipocytes was very sensitive to inhibition by Ro-20-1724 in an apparently competitive fashion. Ro-20-1724 was not an effective inhibitor of particulate activity from either type of cell. In fractions from 3T3-L1 adipocytes, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) effectively inhibited both supernatant and particulate cAMP phosphodiesterase activities. In addition, however, IBMX was relatively more specific in inhibiting supernatant calmodulin-activated cGMP phosphodiesterase activity than supernatant calmodulin-independent or particulate cGMP phosphodiesterase activities. In intact 3T3-L1 adipocytes, cilostamide enhanced lipolysis in the absence or presence of isoproterenol and had no effect on cAMP content in the presence of low concentrations of isoproterenol. Ro-20-1724 increased lipolysis to a lesser extent than cilostamide and did not enhance isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis, but did increase isoproterenol-stimulated accumulation of cAMP to a greater extent than cilostamide. Like cilostamide, Ro-20-1724 did not enhance accumulation of cAMP in the absence of isoproterenol. IBMX enhanced lipolysis and cAMP accumulation with or without isoproterenol. Taken together, these results support the idea that although particulate and soluble low Km phosphodiesterases influence cAMP content, the particulate enzyme may be more important in the metabolism of cAMP involved in the regulation of lipolysis. Since combinations of Ro-20-1724 and cilostamide were not as effective as IBMX in increasing cAMP content, perhaps the calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase, which is selectively inhibited by IBMX, is also involved in the regulation of total cell cAMP content.
Time evolution of the westward-traveling surge on an ionospheric time scale

Abstract A global westward traveling surge model is formulated to study the evolution of the convection pattern, the surge velocity, the field-aligned current and the conductivity distributions. The time scale of the model is governed by the recombination in the auroral ionosphere. The main results are as follows. (i) The Harang discontinuity is formed due to the blockage of the Hall current from diverging along field lines, (ii) The westward-traveling surge moves rapidly at the onset of a substorm and then slows down to become stationary as the substorm subsides. The average westward speed is a few kilometers per second for auroral electrons of a few kiloelectronvolts energy. The speed increases with the energy of the auroral electrons, (iii) The sense of the field-aligned current in the post-midnight sector agrees with region I and region II current only when the Hall current is “blocked” from diverging along field lines.
Novel drug delivery systems: Opportunities and caveats

Abstract Programmed infusion pumps, polymers and neural transplants provide the capability of delivering a variety of agents to specific locations in the central nervous system. If a necessary or therapeutically useful substance cannot otherwise penetrate the blood-brain barrier, or must be delivered to a precise location in the CNS, these strategies may be of value in neurologic disease. The possibility of transplanting functioning tissue into the brain raises the hope of providing “new parts for old.” For drugs that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and do not require a single precise anatomic site of action, systemic administration remains the “gold standard.” The role of these novel drug delivery systems in treatment of Alzheimer's disease is as yet unclear.
An Arrayed Bacteriophage P1 Genomic Library of Pneumocystis carinii

We have constructed an arrayed, large insert, multiple coverage genomic library of Pneumocystis carinii DNA using the bacteriophage P1 cloning system. The library consists of approximately 4800 independent clones with an average insert size of approximately 55 kbp individually arrayed in 50 microtiter plates, and is readily screened on ten or fewer microtiter plate-sized filters using a high density colony replicating device. Screening of the library for unique P. carinii sequences detected an average of 4-5 positive clones for each, consistent with a several-fold coverage of the approximately 10-mbp P. carinii genome. Restriction and hybridization analyses demonstrated that the P1 clones in this library are quite stable and contain few, if any, chimeric inserts. Thus, this arrayed, large insert library of P. carinii genomic DNA will be a valuable tool in the future genetic dissection of this important pathogen.
Serum Thyroglobulin in the Follow-Up of Patients With Treated Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

To determine the significance of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level in terms of presence or absence of thyroid cancer, we evaluated available serum Tg data on and off T4 therapy in 180 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who have now been followed up to 18 yr. The presence of cancer was established by radioiodine scans, x-rays, and clinical examination. Thirty-two patients with detectable serum Tg autoantibodies were excluded from this analysis. Tg was measured by RIA with a sensitivity of 1 ng/mL. Patients who had all stages of cancer, but who had no evidence of active disease after treatment, were grouped according to operative and 131I ablative therapy. In patients with a partial thyroidectomy with or without ablation, the presence of Tg did not indicate the presence of cancer since levels were often above either a 5 ng/mL or a 10 ng/mL cutoff. The presence of residual normal thyroid tissue decreases the diagnostic value of serum Tg assay. In patients who underwent near total (NTT) or total thyroidectomy (TT) and 131I ablation, 3 of 55 (5.5%) patients had Tg greater than 5 ng/mL and 1 of 55 (1.8%) patients had Tg greater than 10 ng/mL during therapy, whereas off therapy 13 of 57 (22.8%) patients had Tg greater than 5 ng/mL and 6 of 57 (10.5%) patients had Tg levels greater than 10 ng/mL. In this group of patients, a Tg level less than 10 ng/mL during suppressive therapy indicated the absence of apparent tumor in 54 of 55 (98.2%) of patients. Whereas sensitivity of the assay was increased by withdrawal of hormone, "false positives" increased especially at lower (3-6 ng/mL) cut-off levels. No cut-off value properly categorized all patients. These data suggest, that even in patients who underwent 131I ablation and total thyroidectomy and were thought to be cured, small foci of thyroid tissue which are undetectable by standard 2 mCi 131I scans may exist and produce some Tg. However, these residual cells do not appear to cause an adverse prognosis in most patients. In patients with recurrent or continued disease, during T4 treatment, Tg levels ranged between 2-21,000 ng/mL and 5 of 11 patients had a Tg less than 5 ng/mL. Off treatment, Tg levels ranged between 6-10,700 ng/mL and 3 of 13 patients had a Tg less than 10 ng/mL. In 4 patients Tg levels were less than 10 ng/mL on treatment but greater than 10 ng/mL off therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
COMPENSATORY ENERGETIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN UPSTREAM ACTIVATORS AND THE RNA POLYMERASE II GENERAL TRANSCRIPTION MACHINERY

Abstract Activation of RNA polymerase II transcriptionin vivo and in vitro is synergistic with respect to increasing numbers of activator binding sites or increasing concentrations of activator. The Epstein-Barr virus ZEBRA protein manifests both forms of synergy during activation of genes involved in the viral lytic cycle. The synergy has an underlying mechanistic basis that we and others have proposed is founded largely on the energetic contributions of (i) upstream ZEBRA binding to its sites, (ii) the general pol II machinery binding to the core promoter, and (iii) interactions between ZEBRA and the general machinery. We hypothesize that these interactions form a network for which a minimum stability must be attained to activate transcription. One prediction of this model is that the energetic contributions should be reciprocal, such that a strong core promoter linked to a weak upstream promoter would be functionally analogous to a weak core linked to a strong upstream promoter. We tested this view by measuring the transcriptional response after systematically altering the upstream and core promoters. Our data provide strong qualitative support for this hypothesis and provide a theoretical basis for analyzing Epstein-Barr virus gene regulation.
How to review a technical paper

Abstract Peer review of journal articles and other technical reports is a key element in the maintenance of academic integrity. This article assists the reader in the efficient preparation of constructive reviews. The parts of a typical review are listed, as well as formats for the most common situations. Common defects of technical papers are discussed.
More is Less, Less is More: Molecular-Scale Photonic NoC Power Topologies

Molecular-scale Network-on-Chip (mNoC) crossbars use quantum dot LEDs as an on-chip light source, and chromophores to provide optical signal filtering for receivers. An mNoC reduces power consumption or enables scaling to larger crossbars for a reduced energy budget compared to current nanophotonic NoC crossbars. Since communication latency is reduced by using a high-radix crossbar, minimizing power consumption becomes a primary design target. Conventional Single Writer Multiple Reader (SWMR) photonic crossbar designs broadcast all packets, and incur the commensurate required power, even if only two nodes are communicating. This paper introduces power topologies, enabled by unique capabilities of mNoC technology, to reduce overall interconnect power consumption. A power topology corresponds to the logical connectivity provided by a given power mode. Broadcast is one power mode and it consumes the maximum power. Additional power modes consume less power but allow a source to communicate with only a statically defined, potentially non-contiguous, subset of nodes. Overall interconnect power is reduced if the more frequently communicating nodes use modes that consume less power, while less frequently communicating nodes use modes that consume more power. We also investigate thread mapping techniques to fully exploit power topologies. We explore various mNoC power topologies with one, two and four power modes for a radix-256 SWMR mNoC crossbar. Our results show that the combination of power topologies and intelligent thread mapping can reduce total mNoC power by up to 51% on average for a set of 12 SPLASH benchmarks. Furthermore performance is 10% better than conventional resonator-based photonic NoCs and energy is reduced by 72%.
PLP/DM20 ratio is regulated by hnRNPH and F and a novel G-rich enhancer in oligodendrocytes.

Alternative splicing of competing 5′ splice sites is regulated by enhancers and silencers in the spliced exon. We have characterized sequences and splicing factors that regulate alternative splicing of PLP and DM20, myelin proteins produced by oligodendrocytes (OLs) by selection of 5′ splice sites in exon 3. We identify a G-rich enhancer (M2) of DM20 5′ splice site in exon 3B and show that individual G triplets forming M2 are functionally distinct and the distal group plays a dominant role. G-rich M2 and a G-rich splicing enhancer (ISE) in intron 3 share similarities in function and protein binding. The G-rich sequences are necessary for binding of hnRNPs to both enhancers. Reduction in hnRNPH and F expression in differentiated OLs correlates temporally with increased PLP/DM20 ratio. Knock down of hnRNPH increased PLP/DM20 ratio, while hnRNPF did not. Silencing hnRNPH and F increased the PLP/DM20 ratio more than hnRNPH alone, demonstrating a novel synergistic effect. Mutation of M2, but not ISE reduced the synergistic effect. Replacement of M2 and all G runs in exon 3B abolished it almost completely. We conclude that developmental changes in hnRNPH/F associated with OLs differentiation synergistically regulate PLP alternative splicing and a G-rich enhancer participates in the regulation.
Interactions between immune and bone cells: new insights with many remaining questions

It has been over 25 years since the first observations that cells of the immune system could influence the functions of bone cells. Since that time, significant strides have been made in our understanding of the role of the immune system in bone cell activity. A number of recent discoveries demonstrated that a variety of cytokines and growth factors can influence the function of both bone and immune cells, advancing our knowledge of the interactions of these cellular systems, but important questions remain to be answered before we can fully appreciate the intricacies of the relationship between immune and bone cells.
Some properties of principal component scores

Commonly used methods for calculating component scores are reviewed. Means, variances, and the covariance structures of the resulting sets of scores are examined both by calculations based on a large set of electron microprobe analyses of melilite (supplied by D. Velde)and by a survey of recent geological applications of principal component analysis. Most of the procedures used to project raw data into the new vector space yield uncorrelated scores. In exceptions so far encountered, correlations between scores seem to have been occasioned by the use of unstandardized variables with components calculated from a correlation matrix. In a number of cases substantive interpretations of such correlations have been proposed. A different set of correlations results for the same data if scores are computed from standardized variables and components based on the covariance matrix. If unscaled components are rotated by the varimax procedure, the result is a return to the original space. In the work reported here, nevertheless, scores calculated from varimax-rotated scaled vectors are uncorrelated.
Can the use of multiple stop signals reduce the disinhibiting effects of alcohol

Background Research has consistently demonstrated that alcohol impairs the ability to divide attention across 2 or more stimuli. However, under certain circumstances, the presentation of multiple stimuli can actually facilitate performance. The “redundant signal effect” (RSE) refers to the phenomenon by which individuals respond more quickly and accurately when information is presented as redundant, bimodal stimuli (e.g., visually and aurally), rather than as a single stimulus presented to either modality alone. Recent work has shown that reaction time (RT) to redundant signals is hastened under alcohol, ameliorating the slowing effects of the drug. However, no research has examined whether RSE can reduce the impairing effects of alcohol on the ability to inhibit behavior. Methods This study examined whether the impairing effects of alcohol on inhibitory control might be altered by the presentation of redundant inhibitory signals. Inhibitory control was assessed by a go/no-go task which included single and redundant inhibitory signals. Performance was tested following placebo (0.0 g/kg) and alcohol (0.65 g/kg). The effect of redundant activation signals on alcohol impairment of response activation was also measured. Results The results showed evidence for RSE on the activation of behavior, but not for inhibitory control. Compared with placebo, alcohol slowed RT and reduced response inhibition. Redundant signals had a robust speeding effect on RT, even following alcohol. By contrast, redundant signals failed to improve inhibitory control following placebo or alcohol. Conclusions These findings have important implications for understanding how drinkers respond to multimodal signals in their everyday environments and highlight the vulnerability of inhibitory control to alcohol's impairing effects.
A comparative study of three groups of ductile fracture loci in the 3D space

Abstract Ductile fracture is inherently a three-dimensional phenomenon and should be represented in the 3-D space. Sixteen fracture models are evaluated and divided into three groups: physics based models, phenomenological models and empirical models. These models are then calibrated from the three sets of experimental data, TRIP 690 and TRIP 780 steel sheets and 2024-T351 aluminum alloy. Under the assumption of monotonic loading conditions, major qualitative differences emerged from the comparison of the models in terms of the range of applicability as well as shapes of the 3D fracture envelope are discussed. Several implicit features of these models are revealed.
Development of organic porous materials through Schiff-base chemistry

In the past decade there has been tremendous interest in the development of organic porous materials due to their great potential in gas storage/separation and catalysis applications. These purely organic-based porous materials are constructed through covalent bonds and usually exhibit high chemical and thermal stability. A variety of chemical reactions have been utilized to construct organic porous materials, among which Schiff-base chemistry has been one of the most frequently used approaches. Since such chemistry doesn't require expensive transition metal catalysts and also has “self-correction” capability under thermodynamic control, it has been widely utilized in materials development. Typically, organic porous materials can be classified into two groups: porous organic molecular cages and porous organic networks. In this article, we highlight the recent progress of utilizing Schiff-base chemistry to construct discrete organic molecular cages as well as porous polymer networks. These studies showed the great structure tunability (e.g., pore size, surface functionality) of purely organic-based porous materials, and the findings would open up many new possibilities for the design and synthesis of novel organic porous materials targeting a variety of important energy and environmental applications.
Abiotic Transformations of Toxic Organic Chemicals in the Liquid Phase and Sediments

Increasing concern over the disposal of hazardous chemicals in commercial waste sites and municipal landfills in the United States has served to focus additional emphasis on the transport and transformation of organic compounds in ground waters, sediments and soils. In particular, mechanisms of transformations of the parent compounds as well as daughter products are receiving increased attention. Because of the large number of disposal sites (> 20,000) and an expanding list of hazardous organic chemicals to be assessed, models are being increasingly used to predict the impact of these chemicals on the environment as well as their potential for human exposure (Brown et al. 1986).
Progressive and Accelerated Disability Onset by Race/Ethnicity and Education among Late Midlife and Older Adults

Objective: This study explores the pace of severe disability onset with an emphasis on the role of race/ethnicity and education. More specifically, this research examines whether race/ethnicity and educational attainment are independent predictors of progressive and accelerated disability onset. Method: Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Waves 2 to 10 (1994-2010), a series of discrete-time Cox proportional hazards models with multiple competing events were created to ascertain whether respondents developed progressive or accelerated disability in subsequent waves. Results: Black and Hispanic respondents were at an increased risk of developing progressive disability. Respondents without a high school degree were more likely to experience progressive or accelerated disability. Discussion: Low educational attainment was a particularly strong predictor of accelerated disability onset and may represent an acute lack of resources over the life course. Race and ethnicity were important predictors of pro...
PERSPECTIVES ON WILDERNESS: RE-EXAMINING THE VALUE OF EXTENDED WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES

Abstract This paper presents results from the final phase of a ten-year research program dealing with the dynamics and the impacts of wilderness experiences. Although these data are from participants in shorter trips than those reported on previously, questionnaire data indicate that responses to the different trips were similar, and that responses from participants of different ages and sexes were also similar. Theoretical issues which emerged from earlier analyses of participants' journals are also re-examined in light of the current data. These earlier results had suggested that an individual's growing perceptual understanding of the surrounding wilderness environment was connected to a wide range of personal insights as well as other psychological benefits. Results from the current data concur with this finding. Furthermore, contrary to alternative hypotheses, feelings of control over the environment were not evident either in the original data or in the current participants' journals. These data suggest that an alternative stance, described as feeling ‘at one with’ or ‘part of’ the environment, is more frequent and is generalized to nonwilderness surroundings. Other categories of individual response which complement this non-dominant environmental orientation are also documented in the current data.
Calculation of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction of Abnormal Heart in SPECT

A method is presented for calculation of left ventricular ejection fraction from EKG-gated SPECT images. The method is based on analyzing volumes of ellipsoids fitted to points of maximal activity in the ventricular wall for systole and diastole. This approach differs from methods that rely on defining the inner myocardial wall for systole and diastole either automatically or by hand. The proposed method should be applicable to patients with large perfusion defects. Details of the method are shown using gated SPECT studies of two human subjects.
Reliability analysis of descent systems of planetary vehicles using bivariate exponential distribution

This paper evaluates the accuracy of two Monte-Carlo simulation methods that draw the minimum of two correlated exponentials. This evaluation is done by comparing the simulation results against the results from two well-known analytical bivariate exponential distribution (BED) sources. Then, the future systems are simulated to obtain the probability density functions (PDF) of the system lives from which the reliability expressions are derived. Results show that simulation is a viable tool in analyzing the reliability of systems composed of correlated components. Positive correlation seems to increase both the mean and the standard deviation of the lives of both systems.
Heat Transfer During Microwave Combination Heating: Computational Modeling and MRI Experiments

Combination of heating modes such as microwaves, convection, and radiant heating can be used to realistically achieve the quality and safety needed for cooking processes and, at the same time, make the processes faster. Physics-based computational modeling used in conjunction with MRI experimentation can be used to obtain critical understanding of combination heating. The objectives were to: (I) formulate a fully coupled electromagnetics -heat transfer model, (2) use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments to determine the 3D spatial and temporal variation of temperatures and validate the numerical model, (3) use the insight gained from the model and experiments to understand the combination heating process and to optimize it. The different factors that affect heating patterns during combination heating such as the type of heating modes used, placement of sample, and microwave cycling were considered. Objective functions were defined and minimized for design and optimization. The use of such techniques can lead to greater control and automation of combination heating process benefitting the food process and product developers immensely.
Scene Matching between a Map and a Hand Drawn Sketch Using Spatial Relations

The goal of this work is to determine the object correspondence between a sketched map and the scene depicted by the sketch, e.g., as represented by an occupancy grid map (OGM) built by a robot. We describe a novel method based on spatial relations for accomplishing this task. Our method is based on using the histogram of forces as scene descriptors. We generate a correspondence map between two scene descriptors and evaluate its confidence. From this map, we generate a one-to-one object correspondence map for the two scenes such that the object correspondence confidence value is maximized. Challenges include the fact that the two scenes may differ in terms of the shape and size of the objects, their orientation, and the objects might be shifted due to translation. The approach is evaluated using several hand drawn sketches that were collected as a part of a user study. We believe that the ability to perform scene matching will make our sketch interface more robust and easier to use, thereby providing us with a more intuitive way of communicating with the robots
SHIP SYSTEMS TEST PROCESS - CONCEPT AND APPLICATION

Many ship systems introduced into the U.S. Navy are not operationally ready due to inadequate testing. The test process must be properly designed, constructed and operated, and is best controlled by program management techniques. The facilities available at the U.S. Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station are described, and the improved system and component performances achieved in various systems by adopting well-planned testing are described.
Study of the Hall-Petch Dependence in an Annealed Nanocrystalline Iron Thin Film

The hardness dependence on grain size of a nanocrystalline iron thin film prepared by sputtering was investigated. The as-deposited film had an initial grain size of 11.4 nm and sections of the film were annealed in a reducing atmosphere furnace to increase the grain size up to 31.5 nm. Hardness was measured by nanoindentation for different grain sizes, and a Hall-Petch plot of hardness versus reciprocal square root of grain size was obtained. This Hall-Petch plot gave a positive slope that was about a factor of seven smaller than the slope obtained from ball-milled iron with grain sizes between 6.0 and 8.5 nm [8].