cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of atrazine exposure on male reproductive performance in Drosophila melanogaster

Atrazine is a commonly utilized herbicide to control broadleaf weeds in the agricultural setting. It can, however, have negative effects on male reproductive performance in a variety of vertebrate species. Much less is known, however, about the effects of atrazine on invertebrates. In this study, we investigated the effects of several different concentrations of larval atrazine exposure on measures of reproductive performance in adult male Drosophila melanogaster. Atrazine exposure had significant effects on a male's mating ability and the number of eggs his partner laid when he was successful at mating. Exposed males also sired a smaller proportion of the offspring under competitive conditions when they were the first male to mate to a doubly mated female. Atrazine exposure had no measurable effect on a male's ability to prevent a mated female from mating to another male or on the proportion of offspring sired when the exposed males were the second male to mate. Exposure upregulated expression of one male reproductive gene, ovulin, but had no effect on expression of another, sex peptide. Exposed males produced and transferred more sex peptide protein to the female during mating but ovulin protein levels were not affected. In general, we observed non-monotonic responses such that the intermediate exposure levels showed the largest reduction in male reproductive performance. This study suggests that atrazine exposure affects male reproductive performance in insects and future studies should aim to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the fitness effects of exposure.
Restoration of Normal Lactation in Hypothyroid Cows

Abstract Seven dairy heifers treated with 131 I to damage thyroid glands before first gestation were compared with their normal identical twins. Thyroid secretion rates and protein-bound iodine of treated cows averaged 33 and 38% of normal in the first lactation. Complete first lactations of the former were 50.6% of normal. Second lactations started at 55% of normal. Thyroxine feeding (8 g/day Prota-mone), started at 6 to 8 weeks of the second lactation, stimulated milk yields to 70% of normal for 9 weeks, after which they declined gradually to about 50%. Thyroxine feeding was continued through the dry period and next lactation in five paired lactations, which averaged 3,868kg for the treated group and 3,737kg for controls. Stopping thyroxine before the next calving resulted in a decrease to 23.5% of normal lactation. Thyroid deficiency must be corrected before the beginning of lactation to produce normal milk yields.
JumboGen: dynamic jumbo frame generation for network performance scalability

Network line speeds have increased at a significant rate. Unfortunately, network performance has not been able to keep pace with increases in line speed. This is due to the majority of packets being less than or equal to 100 bytes in addition to network routers not being able to scale well with the increased number of packets. In this paper we present our solution, JumboGen, an approach that will allow for a higher utilization of larger packet sizes on a domain-wise basis. Through simulations and experimentation, we show that the dynamic creation of jumbo packets decreases the number of packets processed by core routers and does not have an adverse impact on link utilization or fairness. The final result of JumboGen is a reduction in the number of packets seen by core routers which directly improves network scalability.
Two Korean Villages: Culture Contact at the 38th Parallel

The term applied anthropology has come to refer to attempts to use specialized knowledge of a culture as an aid in solving problems that, in terms of our own culture, lie within the province of other disciplines, e.g., economics, political science, medicine, etc. Ordinarily the applied anthropologist is at a methodological disadvantage in that he cannot set up differing experiments to test alternative ways of dealing with a problem. His problems are serious matters, usually for a large number of people, and what is required of him is a certain kind of "practical" result, not a contribution to the methodology of achieving such results. It is for this reason that we seldom see two quite different methods applied simultaneously to the solution of the same problem, and in close proximity to one another geographically. This account of culture contact in the occupation of two Korean villages is presented, therefore, not in the expectation of revealing any new facts (most of the items of behavior have been repor...
Two-photon ionization of colliding atoms

Semiclassical expressions of two-photon ionization of two colliding atoms are derived for a wide range of electromagnetic field intensity and detunings from the isolated atom line. The dependence of the ionization yield on the details of the interaction potential of the system is derived. This process promises an extremely sensitive method for studying line broadening on the far wing, especially when absorption or fluorescence becomes very weak.
Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Mood, and Breastfeeding Outcomes among Primiparous Women

Background:A link between postpartum mood and breastfeeding has been established in the literature, but little is known about the relationship of breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) to breastfeeding and mood outcomes, particularly in primiparous women.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the relationship among BSE, mood, and breastfeeding outcomes in primiparous women. A secondary purpose was to explore self-reported reasons for difficult emotional adjustment during the transition to motherhood.Methods:Primiparous women who initiated breastfeeding were surveyed at 2 days, 6 weeks, and 6 months postpartum. Breastfeeding self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, work status, breastfeeding difficulties, partner support, and use of lactation services were included in a hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Women who identified as emotionally distressed provided open-ended responses identifying the main cause of their stress.Results:High BSE at 2 days postpartum predicted positive em...
Implementation of a reduced field-of-view method for dynamic MR imaging using navigator echoes.

A new technique was designed and implemented that increases imaging speed in dynamic imaging in which change is restricted to a fraction of the full field of view (FOV). The technique is an enhancement of a reduced FOV method first reported by Hu and Parrish. This enhancement extends the use of the Hu and Parrish method to cases in which there is cyclic motion throughout the entire FOV that normally would be aliased into the reduced FOV. This method requires the initial acquisition of a number of baseline k-space data sets to characterize the background physiological motion during imaging. Projection navigator echoes along both the phase- and the frequency-encoded directions are acquired and used to correct for motion outside the reduced FOV. Automatic placement or repositioning of the updated fraction of the FOV using navigators also is investigated. With this method, when using a 32-echo rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) sequence, single-shot updates of T2-weighted, 128 × 128 pixel images are obtained, yielding a fourfold increase in temporal resolution compared to full k-space update methods.
The crystal structure of dicarbonyl(dimethylthiocarboxamido)dimethyldithiocarbamatoiron, Fe(CO)2(CSNMe2)(S2CNMe2)

Abstract The crystal structure of Fe(CO)2(CSNMe2)(S2CNMe2) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes with four molecules in a unit cell of space group P21/c and dimensions a 13.448(6), b 7.066(2), c 14.590(4) A, β 98.40(3)°. The molecule contains separate dimethyldithiocarbamate and chelating thiocarboxamido ligands in a highly distorted octahedral complex. The FeC distance to the thiocarboxamido ligand is quite short (1.876 A), indicating a considerable degree of π-interaction between these atoms.
Optimal Pivot Selection in Fast Weighted Median Search

Weighted median filters are increasingly being used in signal processing applications and thus fast implementations are of importance. This paper introduces a fast algorithm to compute the weighted median (WM) of N samples which has linear time and space complexity as opposed to O(N log N) which is the time complexity of traditional sorting algorithms. A popular selection algorithm often used to find the WM in large data sets is Quickselect whose performance is highly dependent on how the pivots are chosen. We introduce an optimization based pivot selection strategy which results in significantly improved performance as well as a more consistent runtime compared to traditional approaches. The selected pivots are order statistics of subsets. In order to find the optimal order statistics as well as the optimal subset sizes, a set of cost functions are derived, which when minimized lead to optimal design parameters. We compare the complexity to Floyd and Rivest's algorithm SELECT which to date has been the fastest median finding algorithm and we show that the proposed algorithm compared with SELECT requires close to 30% fewer comparisons. It is also shown that the proposed selection algorithm is asymptotically optimal for large N.
The HeArt of regeneration.

Fish and amphibian hearts are known to regenerate after partial resection, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. In this issue of Cell, Lepilina et al. (2006) analyze regeneration in the zebrafish heart. Their work indicates that new cardiomyocytes originate from undifferentiated progenitor cells and reveals a critical role for the epicardium, the cellular layer that covers the heart.
A probabilistic look at networks of quasi-reversible queues

Probabilistic arguments are given to explain some recent results on networks of queues. Those results are the product form, the output theorems, the distributions at the jumps, and the Poisson character of the flows. The proposed approach replaces the usual calculations by arguments showing these properties to be consequences of the behavior of the nodes in isolation.
What's in a Face? Facial Maturity and the Attribution of Legal Responsibility

Recent research has provided considerable evidence that when facial appearance is the only information provided about a stimulus person, babyfaced adults are perceived to have more childlike qualities than mature-faced adults who are equal in perceived age and attractiveness. The present study utilized a simulated trial format to assess the impact of facial maturity on social perceptions in a more complex situation in which other meaningful information about the stimulus person was available. The fact that babyfaced adults are perceived to be more naive than those with mature features led to the prediction that a babyfaced defendant would be more often found guilty of an offense resulting from negligent actions than would a mature-faced defendant. The fact that babyfaced adults are perceived to be more honest than those with mature features yielded the prediction that babyfaced defendants would less often be perceived as guilty of charges involving intentional criminal behavior. Finally, when defendants w...
Dinitrogen cleavage by three-coordinate molybdenum(III) complexes: Mechanistic and structural data

The synthesis and characterization of the complexes Mo[N(R)Ar]3 (R = C(CD3)2CH3, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2), (μ-N2){Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2, (μ-15N2){Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2, NMo[N(R)Ar]3, 15NMo[N(R)Ar]3, Mo[N(t-Bu)Ph]3, (μ-N2){Mo[N(t-Bu)Ph]3}2, and NMo[N(t-Bu)Ph]3 are described. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility data indicate a quartet ground state for Mo[N(R)Ar]3. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for Mo[N(R)Ar]3 and NMo[N(t-Bu)Ph]3 are described. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) structural studies for Mo[N(R)Ar]3, (μ-N2){Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2, and NMo[N(R)Ar]3 are reported. Temperature-dependent kinetic data are given for the unimolecular fragmentation of (μ-N2){Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 to 2 equiv of NMo[N(R)Ar]3 and for the fragmentation of (μ-15N2){Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 to 2 equiv of 15NMo[N(R)Ar]3. The temperature dependence of the 15N2 isotope effect for the latter N2 cleavage process was fitted to a simple harmonic model, leading to a prediction for the difference in NN stretching frequencies for the two isotopomers. ...
Rugate Filters By Laser Flash Evaporation Of SiOxNy On Room Temperature Polycarbonate

A deposition system for laser flash evaporation was assembled and used to deposit onto polycarbonate SiOxNy rugate filters with optical densities as high as 2.5 and band-widths as low as 6.8% of the rejection wavelength. When coupled with feedback loop closure, installation of a real-time index and thickness monitor should provide the necessary control to produce higher quality rugate filters with multiple rejection lines and optical densities greater than 4.
TiO2 rectifying barriers

Abstract Measurements of the current-voltage characteristics, barrier capacitance, and distributions of the donor density within the potential barriers (as determined from the barrier capacitance) are presented for both gold-ceramic rutile rectifiers and gold-single crystal rutile rectifiers. The sample barriers have a thin insulating layer within the rectifying barrier between the gold contact and a semiconducting rutile substrate. Over a moderate range of applied voltage, the barriers on ceramic substrates follow the Mott-Schottky theory, but the forward current with large applied voltage is space-charge-limited.
Physical Examination of the Pulmonary System

Physical examination of the pulmonary system includes inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. By integrating these findings, it is often possible to diagnose and differentiate pulmonary edema, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pulmonary fibrosis, and tracheal collapse. The veterinarian can use the physical examination optimally by initially performing examinations with those who are experienced with the methods and with an understanding of the relatively simple laws of physiology and physics governing transmission of sounds from the patient's lung.
Guided ultrasonic waves for the health monitoring of existing sign support structures

This paper describes a method based on Guided Ultrasonic Waves for the structural health monitoring of sign support structures. The general framework presented in this paper is applied to ultrasonic data collected from an overhead sign structure removed from service, and tested at the University of Pittsburgh under varying environmental conditions. The probing hardware consisted of a National Instruments-PXI platform that controlled the generation and detection of the ultrasonic signals by means of piezoelectric transducers. The effectiveness of the proposed approach to detect damage under large temperature variations and dry/wet/snowy conditions is demonstrated. Finally, the same hardware / algorithm system was applied for the health monitoring of two structures deployed in the Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) area.
Clustering of Large Hydrophobes in the Hydrophobic Core of Two-stranded α-Helical Coiled-Coils Controls Protein Folding and Stability

Abstract The de novo design and biophysical characterization of two 60-residue peptides that dimerize to fold as parallel coiled-coils with different hydrophobic core clustering is described. Our goal was to investigate whether designing coiled-coils with identical hydrophobicity but with different hydrophobic clustering of non-polar core residues (each contained 6 Leu, 3 Ile, and 7 Ala residues in the hydrophobic core) would affect helical content and protein stability. The disulfide-bridged P3 and P2 differed dramatically in α-helical structure in benign conditions. P3 with three hydrophobic clusters was 98% α-helical, whereas P2 was only 65% α-helical. The stability profiles of these two analogs were compared, and the enthalpy and heat capacity changes upon denaturation were determined by measuring the temperature dependence by circular dichroism spectroscopy and confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed that P3 assembled into a stable α-helical two-stranded coiled-coil and exhibited a native protein-like cooperative two-state transition in thermal melting, chemical denaturation, and calorimetry experiments. Although both peptides have identical inherent hydrophobicity (the hydrophobic burial of identical non-polar residues in equivalent heptad coiled-coil positions), we found that the context dependence of an additional hydrophobic cluster dramatically increased stability of P3 (ΔTm ≈ 18 °C and Δ[urea]½ ≈ 1.5 m) as compared with P2. These results suggested that hydrophobic clustering significantly stabilized the coiled-coil structure and may explain how long fibrous proteins like tropomyosin maintain chain integrity while accommodating polar or charged residues in regions of the protein hydrophobic core.
Python for Internet GIS Applications

Python offers a unique capability in the field of geographic information system applications because it helps developers create multipurpose Internet maps. This article discusses PDF maps in particular.
Teaching the Professions

This essay argues that we should teach the professions. The author discusses in particular teaching the rise of the modern professions in conjunction with the development of the Anglo-American novel through the Victorian, modern, and contemporary periods. He also suggests readings from the history and theory of professions, showing how they build a fuller portrait of both the literature and the theory. Teaching the professions is a useful way to examine class. It also opens a way to look at the precarious condition of the professional managerial class today.
Microscopy and tunable resistive pulse sensing characterization of the swelling of pH-responsive, polymeric expansile nanoparticles.

Polymeric expansile nanoparticles (eNPs) that respond to a mildly acidic environment by swelling with water and expanding 2–10× in diameter represent a new responsive drug delivery system. Here, we use a variety of techniques to characterize the pH- and time-dependence of eNP swelling as this is a key property responsible for the observed in vitro and in vivo performance of eNPs. Results demonstrate a significant change in eNP volume (>350×) at pH 5.0 as seen using: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM), freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy (ff-TEM), fluorescence microscopy, and a new nanopore based characterization technology, the qNano, which measures both individual particle size as well as overall particle concentration in situ using tunable resistive pulse sensing. eNP swelling occurs in a continuous and yet heterogeneous manner over several days and is pH dependent.
Who cares about the issues? Issue voting and the role of news media during the 2000 U.S. presidential election

Analyzing data from the 2000 American National Election Study, we examined the role of news media in facilitating issue voting. We found that respondents who paid greater attention to news coverage of the election were more likely to hold specific opinions on campaign issues. Voters who devoted greater attention to news media were also more aware of where each candidate stood on various policy issues. These two political cognitions (issue opinionation and knowledge of candidate issue positions) were important conditions for issue voting. We found that those who devoted greater attention to news media were more concerned about the issues when making electoral choices. Beyond and above demographic predispositions, we conclude that issue voting is also a function of paying attention to news media.
Whither Mankind? The Choice Between a Genetic Twilight and a Moral Twilight

SYNOPSIS. The biological evolution of mankind continues at present, even though for the lastfew millennia mankind's mode of adaptation has been primarily cultural. The necessary and sufficient conditions for biological evolution are genetic variability and differential reproduction (natural selection). The genetic variation of human populations is immense: no two individuals developed from different eggs can ever be genetically identical to each other. The two components of natural selection—differential mortality and differential fertility—continue unabated in modern mankind. Cultural changes fuel human biological evolution, which may well be faster now than it has ever been. The genetic endowment of mankind may be deteriorating precisely owing to the advances of modern health care, although this is not occurring as fast as some would have it. The eugenic measures proposed to improve the genetic lot of mankind may be classified into four broad categories: genetic counselling, genetic surgery, germinal selection, and cloning. The first two can be used as measures of negative eugenics, that is, to prevent the spread of harmful gene mutations. The goals of negative eugenics would seem unobjectionable, and so would be their voluntary application; compulsion would violate fundamental human rights. Germinal selection and cloning are primarily proposals for positive eugenics that seek the multiplication of desirable genetic characteristics. Positive eugenic proposals are unacceptable on biological, ethical, and sociopolitical grounds.
Identification of immunodominant epitopes in envelope glycoprotein of human T lymphotropic virus type II.

Abstract A series of synthetic peptides derived from the envelope glycoprotein of human T lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) was used in an enzyme immunoassay to determine the immunodominant epitopes of envelope glycoprotein. Of the 11 synthetic peptides spanning the external glycoprotein of HTLV-II (gp52) and the 3 from the transmembrane protein (gp21), 3 peptides from gp52 (termed Env-20 85−102 . Env-20 −209 , and Env-20 173−256 ) reacted with most of the polymerase chain reaction-confirmed HTLV-II specimens (83, 95, and 76%, respectively); all other peptides reacted minimally with these specimens. Env-20 173−209 reacted with a greater percentage (91 to 100%) of specimens from different risk groups, including intravenous drug users ( n = 30), North American Indians ( n = 13), Guaymi Indians from Panama ( n = 22), and routine U.S. blood donors ( n = 34), when compared with Env-20 85−102 (73 to 100%) or Env-203 219−256 (68 to 83%). Furthermore, Env-20 85−102 and Env-202 172−209 had some reactivity (8–25%) with serafrom HTLV-I-infected individuals, whereas Env-20 219−256 reacted with 58% of HTLV-I specimens. We conclude that peptides Env-20 85−102 and Env-202 173−209 represent the type-specific immunodominant epitopes of HTLV-II external glycoprotein.
8K LCD: Technologies and challenges toward the realization of SUPER Hi-VISION TV

Since 2011, we have successfully developed a number of 8K LCD prototypes for SUPER Hi-VISION. The latest prototype has an 85-inches panel of 7680 by 4320 pixels and the frame rate has been achieved 120Hz and the color system has been expanded to a wide-gamut which is compliant with BT2020. Furthermore, the input interface has been upgraded to a novel optical fiber system which is capable to transmit 256Gbps with one cable.
Polyimides derived from 1,2‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)propane

The diamine 1,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy)propane, containing the flexible 1,4-dioxa-2-methylbutyl-ene unit, was synthesized. Polyimidization was carried out with 5,5′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidine]bis-1,3-isobenzofurandione in m-cresol employing toluene as azeotroping agent to yield a polyimide that was soluble in a variety of solvents and had an inherent viscosity of 0.84 dL/g in N,N-dimethylformamide. Poly(amic acid) formation with pyromellitic dianhydride, 4,4′-carbonyldiphthalic anhydride, and 5,5′-[ethanediylbis(oxy)]-bis-1,3-isobenzofurandione was carried out in N,N-dimethylformamide with imidization completed by heating at 160°C for 24 h under vacuum. All of the polyimides exhibited a 5% weight loss in air and in helium by 420°C.
Enhanced quaternary stability of β4 hemoglobin in 2 m-sodium chloride☆

Abstract Isolated β chains of human hemoglobin spontaneously associate to aggregates in a tetramer-dimer equilibrium. The dissociation constant for the tetramerdimer equilibrium, K4.2, for β4 tetramers in the CO form is higher than for human hemoglobin A (K4.2 = 1 × 10−5 m for β4; K 4.2 = 2 × 10 −6 m for hemoglobin A). However, the addition of 2 m -NaCl, which increases dissociation of hemoglobin A appreciably (K4.2 = 7.5 × 10−5 m ), results in enhanced stability of the β4 tetrainer (K4.2 = 1 × 10−6 m ). The results are interpreted in terms of possible interactions between β chains based on homologies with the α1–β2 interface of hemoglobin A.
FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY

Financial Ratio Analysis is newly proposed to examine the financial performance of the American power/energy industry. The new approach compares the financial performances of 147 non-default firms with those of 24 default firms in the US power/energy market. The proposed approach is a new type of nonparametric discriminant analysis that provides a set of weights of a linear discriminant function, consequently yielding an evaluation score for group membership. Such weight estimates, along with an evaluation score, of the discriminant function provide a total financial evaluation measure, based upon which we can determine the financial performance of the power/energy firms. This empirical study informs that both leverage (debt) and profitability (returns on equity) are important financial factors in terms of avoiding corporate distress or bankruptcy. The empirical results obtained from the American power/energy industry are further extended to the international comparison of other major industrial nations including Japan and the European nations. The international comparison concludes that Japanese electric power firms have enough managerial and financial capabilities even if the American financial standard is hypothetically introduced into the evaluation of their financial performances. However, the empirical results also indicate that the Japanese power industry performs barely above the American standard. Thus, corporate leaders in the Japanese power industry need to pay more serious attention to their corporate finances and financial strategies. Such financial perspective will be increasingly important along with the current deregulation policy of the Japanese government.
Direct contact cytotoxicity assays for filter-collected, carbonaceous (soot) nanoparticulate material and observations of lung cell response

Abstract A simple, direct contact, cytotoxicity (in vitro) assay has been developed where particulate matter (PM) collected on glass fiber filters was exposed to human epithelial (lung) cells. Carbonaceous (soot) PM included tire, wood, diesel, candle, and variously combusted natural gas PM from a kitchen stove range. Black carbon PM and a commercial multiwall carbon nanotube aggregate PM was also examined in vitro as surrogate materials, and all experimental PM was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Assay results for 48 h cultures showed toxicity for all carbonaceous PM with various natural gas PM being the most toxic; this was comparable to the toxicity induced by the surrogate PM. Light microscopy examination of affected epithelial cells confirmed the semi-quantitative results. Comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content and concentration for the carbonaceous PM showed no PAH correlation with relative cell viability (cell death) after 48 h.
Experimental analysis of high-efficiency avalanche-resonance pumped oscillators

Silicon avalanche diodes yielded efficiencies of 10, 20 and 45% at the first, second and seventh subharmonic of an essential self-generated pump signal close to the diode's avalanche resonance. Measured large-signal impedances and dynamic characteristics explain the efficiency degradation at higher frequencies and suggest measures for further improvement.
Annealing and electrical properties of Hg1−xCdxTe grown by OMVPE

The annealing behavior of Hg1−xCdxTe layers, grown by the conventional organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE), is reported. Some of the as-grown layers, which are p-type with a concentration around 4 × 1016 cm-3 of Group II vacancies, become light p-type with carrier concentrations around 1×1015 cm-3 after Hg saturated annealings at temperatures in the range of 200–230°C. These conditions are typically expected to result in complete annealing and n-type conversion of the layer. These layers can be converted to n-type with a carrier concentration of approximately 5×1014 cm-3 by a higher temperature anneal at 290°C, followed by a low temperature anneal at 220°C. Hall effect measurements were made under variable temperature as well as variable magnetic field conditions. Bulk carrier concentrations and mobilities were evaluated by considering the effect of the surface inversion/accumulation layer on the Hall data. It is proposed that p-type conduction in the partially annealed layers is due to the persistence of Group II vacancies in the Hg1−xCdxTe layers, which are not completely annihilated during the low temperature anneal. Conversion to n-type is probably due to residual donor impurities in the as grown Hg1−xCdxTe layer.
Modulation of room-temperature GaAs lasers at X-band frequencies

GaAs lasers operating at room temperature are directly modulated at X-band frequencies. A fast silicon avalanche photodiode is used to demodulate the laser light.
Numerical inverse scattering theory for the design of planar optical waveguides

A numerical inverse scattering theory for synthesizing refractive-index profiles of planar optical waveguides with prescribed transmission characteristics is presented. The method can reconstruct, from nonrational reflection coefficients, an appropriate characterization of truncated refractive-index profiles that model the actual waveguides. A scaling transformation that translates the reconstructed potential of the Schrodinger equation into a class of refractive-index profiles for planar optical waveguides is also discussed.
Racial and emotional factors predicting teachers' perceptions of classroom behavioral maladjustment for urban African American male youth

The present study investigated the predictive influence of students' reactive emotional coping and racial socialization experiences on teachers' perceptions of classroom behavior adjustment problems. Participants were 148 African American male youth attending a secondary school in a large northeastern city. Behavioral outcomes included teacher ratings of student behavioral overactivity in different classroom situations. Results using hierarchical regression analyses show that measures of social rejection sensitivity, anger expression, and racial socialization predict teacher-observed behavioral overactivity, with overt anger expression being the most powerful predictor. Findings suggest that racial socialization and particular styles of emotional coping are important determinants for teachers' impressions of classroom behavior for some African American adolescent males. Implications for future research and interventions with African American male youth in urban secondary schools are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparative study of the normal histochemical and proliferative properties of the large intestine in ICR/Ha and C57B1/Ha mice

The histochemical staining, labeling index and incorporation of [3H] thymidine [TdR] in large intestinal epithelium were compared in four anatomically distinct segments from ICR/Ha and C57B1/Ha mice. This comparison was done because the incidence of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced carcinomas is different for different anatomic segments as well as for the two strains. Within each strain, the amount of [3H] TdR incorporated into mucosal DNA was found to vary less than 20% at each anatomic site of the large intestine. However, there were site-specific differences in the depth of the proliferative populations within the crypts. In autoradiograms from both strains, the crypts of the proximal colon showed maximal [3H] TdR labeling of nuclei in midcrypt cells, some of which contained mucin. In contrast, the distal colon and rectum were characterized by maximal nuclear labeling in a population of undifferentiated cells near the base of each crypt. In distal ICR/ Ha colon, the proportion of labeled nuclei at each crypt depth corresponded to the [3H] TdR labeling of DNA that had been isolated from frozen sections cut sequentially.
Physiological and morphological variation in Metrosideros polymorpha, a dominant Hawaiian tree species, along an altitudinal gradient: the role of phenotypic plasticity

Metrosideros polymorpha, a dominant tree species in Hawaiian ecosystems, occupies a wide range of habitats. Complementary field and common-garden studies of M. polymorpha populations were conducted across an altitudinal gradient at two different substrate ages to ascertain if the large phenotypic variation of this species is determined by genetic differences or by phenotypic modifications resulting from environmental conditions. Several characteristics, including ecophysiological behavior and anatomical features, were largely induced by the environment. However, other characteristics, particularly leaf morphology, appeared to be mainly determined by genetic background. Common garden plants exhibited higher average rates of net assimilation (5.8 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1) and higher average stomatal conductance (0.18 mol H2O m−2 s−1) than their field counterparts (3.0 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1, and 0.13 mol H2O m−2 s−1 respectively). Foliar δ13C of most common-garden plants was similar among sites of origin with an average value of −26.9‰. In contrast, mean values of foliar δ13C in field plants increased substantially from −29.5‰ at low elevation to −24.8‰ at high elevation. Leaf mass per unit area increased significantly as a function of elevation in both field and common garden plants; however, the range of values was much narrower in common garden plants (211–308 g m−2 for common garden versus 107–407 g m−2 for field plants). Nitrogen content measured on a leaf area basis in common garden plants ranged from 1.4 g m−2 to 2.4 g m−2 and from 0.8 g m−2 to 2.5 g m−2 in field plants. Photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE) decreased 50% with increasing elevation in field plants and only 20% in plants from young substrates in the common garden. This was a result of higher rates of net CO2 assimilation in the common garden plants. Leaf tissue and cell layer thickness, and degree of leaf pubescence increased significantly with elevation in field plants, whereas in common garden plants, variation with elevation of origin was much narrower, or was entirely absent. Morphological characteristics such as leaf size, petiole length, and internode length decreased with increasing elevation in the field and were retained when grown in the common garden, suggesting a potential genetic basis for these traits. The combination of environmentally induced variability in physiological and anatomical characteristics and genetically determined variation in morphological traits allows Hawaiian M. polymorpha to attain and dominate an extremely wide ecological distribution not observed in other tree species.
Hypertension in the Elderly: The Time Has Come to Treat

Both pure systolic, and systolic plus diastolic hypertension are risk factors for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease in patients over 65 years old, but the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy in preventing the complications of hypertension in the elderly has been questioned. The risks associated with such therapy seem to have been overemphasized. Although the evidence is incomplete, elderly patients should be treated when the systolic blood pressure exceeds 160 mm Hg or the diastolic pressure exceeds 95 mm Hg, or both. A revised stepped-care approach, with use of vasodilating agents as the Step-2 drugs, is proposed.
Dynamic melt properties of polymer blends

The dynamic mechanical properties of blends of polymer melts were measured using the orthogonal rheometer. Two-phase blends, polyethylene-polystyrene, polyethylene-poly-(methylmethacrylate), and polystyrene-polymethylmethacrylate, were studied. The in-phase and out-of-phase moduli were measured over the range of composition and at frequencies between 10−4 and 10 revolutions/sec. The out-of-phase modulus increases in a monotonic manner with composition. The in-phase modulus, however, shows a maximum with composition in two cases. Examination of the relaxation spectra of these blends shows that when no maximum occurs it can be written as an additive function of the spectra of the components. In the case where a maximum is observed in the modulus the measured spectrum of the blend is shifted in frequency relative to the calculated one. This is tentatively attributed to slight interpretation and solubility of one phase in the other in these cases.
Minimizing Weighted Completion Times with Deadlines

We examine a one-machine scheduling problem whose objective is to minimize the weighted sum of completion times, subject to deadline constraints. We synthesize and extend current known theory, and derive precedence relations between jobs. These relationships, along with tight new bounding criteria, are incorporated in a branch and bound solution procedure.
Alcohol's effects on sexual perception.

Objective: This study examines hypotheses about alcohol's effects on sexual judgments based on both alcohol and misperception theories. It was hypothesized that gender, alcohol consumption and alcohol expectancy set would influence perceptions of sexuality. Method: Participants were unacquainted women and men (88 dyads) who interacted for 15 minutes within the context of the balanced placebo design. After the conversation ended, participants answered questions about their behavior and their partners' behavior. Conversations were videotaped and coded by trained raters. Results: Men perceived their female partner and themselves as behaving more sexually than women perceived their male partner and themselves. When alcohol was consumed, both women and men were perceived as behaving more sexually and in a more disinhibited manner than when alcohol was not consumed. Ratings made by members of white and black dyads were largely comparable. Trained observers coded participants' use of active attention and dating ...
Destructive proteolysis by cysteine proteases in antigen presentation of ovalbumin

Most native antigens require digestion by acidic proteases in order to be recognized in the context of major histocompatibility complex class II by T helper cells (Th). We have studied the roles of three different acidic proteases, cathepsin D, cathepsin B and cathepsin L, in the processing of ovalbumin (OVA) for presentation in the context of I-Ad. We report that digestion of OVA in vitro with the aspartyl protease cathepsin D generates the epitope OVA322-336, which is recognized by I-Ad-restricted OVA-specific Th in the presence of paraformaldehyde-fixed antigen-presenting cells (APC). In contrast, digestion of OVA with the cysteine proteases cathepsin B and L not only failed to generate an epitope, but also destroyed OVA322-336. In the presence of fixed APC expressing I-Ad. OVA322-336 was protected from destructive proteolysis by cathepsin L. These results illustrate the dependence of epitope selection on the intracellular proteolytic environment in APC, and suggest that mechanisms must exist for protection of epitopes from destructive proteolysis in the processing compartments.
Providing wireless Internet access in a TDMA/TDD wireless LAN through a new wireless packet fair queueing scheme

A TDMA/TDD MAC protocol for Internet access is proposed on the basis of wireless packet fair queueing (PFQ). First, the issues of wireless packet fair queueing are addressed. To resolve these issues, a new wireless PFQ scheme is proposed. Second, the basic TDMA/TDD MAC protocol for the wireless Internet access network is presented. By incorporating the new PFQ scheme into the MAC protocol, the fairness of medium access is achieved, the QoS of Internet services is guaranteed, and TDD management is implicitly implemented.
NECROTIZING FASCIITIS OF THE PHARYNX FOLLOWING ADENOTONSILLECTOMY

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare clinical entity in the head and neck region. We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis following adenotonsillectomy in a previously healthy 2-year-old girl. The child presented in a septic state with impending airway compromise. Computed tomography (CT) showed massive soft tissue widening with air in the retropharyngeal, parapharyngeal and retromandibular spaces. Intraoperative exploration showed necrosis of the posterior pharyngeal wall from the skull base to the cricoid, with extension into the parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal spaces. Cultures from the debrided tissues grew two aerobes and three anaerobes. Management involved airway support, surgical debridement, broad spectrum antibiotic coverage and nutritional support. The patient ultimately developed nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal stenosis requiring tracheostomy and gastrostomy tube placement. This case report highlights an extremely rare complication of adenotonsillectomy.
Openness in Adoption: What We Know So Far—A Critical Review of the Literature

What are the factors that keep adoptive parents and birth parents connected and sustain their kinship relationships over time? This is the central research question critically reviewed across studies dating from 1987 to 2000. A preliminary review of the literature revealed 15 to 20 studies within this 13-year scope limited to the perspective of the adoptive parents. This review includes 14 of those studies in which contact took place with children as well as those in which the adults had contact and the child was not aware of it. Factors that facilitate the kinship network in maintaining connection over time are identified and implications for future research and practice are discussed. Findings should be approached with cautious optimism given the significant methodological limitations of the majority of this literature.
Componentization in the Systems Modeling Language

This paper describes new capabilities in the Systems Modeling Language that reduce the complexity of specifying systems through componentization, and increase the range of systems that can be specified. Modelers can identify portions of components available for connection to other components, and specify how systems make use of them. This reduces the complexity of specifying system by lowering the number of ways components can be connected, partly by hiding portions of components, and partly by limiting how exposed portions can be connected to others. The paper introduces basic SysML concepts and notations for specifying components and assembling them into a system. It covers capabilities added to SysML enabling a wider range of systems to be modeled, through detailed specification of the portions of components available for connection to other components, and detailed specification of the connections between them. These capabilities are described by relating models to potential systems built to meet the specifications, an approach typical in specifying semantics of formal languages. The paper is intended for those concerned with increased precision in SysML concepts, such as builders of model analyzers, checkers, and other automated support for systems engineering. It also enables more reliable interpretation of the SysML models generally, for example, during manufacturing and other stages of the product lifecycle. Examples are given in SysML notation for each concept. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 17
Racial Stereotypes From the Days of American Slavery: A Continuing Legacy1

During the days of American slavery, many whites held stereotypes of blacks as inferior, unevolved, and apelike. The present study was designed to see whether such stereotypes persist in contemporary American society. A random-digit telephone survey was conducted of 1,490 Connecticut residents, resulting in completed interviews with 686 respondents. Our findings suggest that negative stereotypes concerning the physical and mental endowments of blacks are more common than previously estimated. Most respondents endorsed at least one stereotypical difference in inborn ability (e.g., whites have greater abstract thinking abiliry than blacks), and nearly half endorsed at least one stereotypical difference in anatomy (e.g., blacks have thicker skulls than whites). Logistic regression analyses indicated that the best predictor of stereotyping was education level. Respondents without a high school degree were roughly twice as likely to endorse racial stereotypes as were respondents with a graduate degree. The consequences of racial stereotyping are discussed.
The development test flight of the flight telerobotic servicer: design description and lessons learned

The Development Test Flight (DTF-1) system design is described, and the technical, operational and safety considerations that affected the design are discussed. Also discussed are the lessons that were learned during the design and early development stages in an effort to capture some of the knowledge from the program. >
A bounded uncertainty approach to multi-robot localization

We offer a new approach to the multi-robot localization problem. Using an unknown-but-bounded model for sensor error, we are able to define convex polytopes in the configuration space of the robot team that represent the set of configurations consistent with all sensor measurements. Estimates for the uncertainty in various parameters of the team's configuration such as the absolute position of a single robot, or the relative positions of two or more nodes can be obtained by projecting this polytope onto appropriately chosen subspaces of the configuration space. We propose a novel approach to approximating these projections using linear programming techniques. The approach can handle both bearing and range measurements with a computational complexity scaling polynomially in the number of roots. Finally, the workload is readily distributed - requiring only the communication of sensor measurements between robots. We provide simulation results for this approach implemented on a multi-robot team.
POPULATION CHANGE IN AN OUTBREAK OF THE DOUGLAS-FIR TUSSOCK MOTH, ORGYIA PSEUDOTSUGATA (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE), IN CENTRAL ARIZONA

Changes in population density were evaluated over an outbreak cycle of the Douglas-fir tussock moth. Growth rate of populations was independent of larval density in the first year, but thereafter became a reciprocal function of density, terminated by complete population collapse at the end of the third year. Through correlation analyses, it was found that density of small larvae accounted for a large proportion of the change in population density between years. This suggests that the local infestations developed largely from resident populations of at least 2 years and not from spread of early instar larvae during the outbreak.