cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleaved turbo codes protection for progressive image transmission with efficient rate allocation

Instead of using product codes for progressive image transmission over noisy fading channels, we extend, in this paper, a recently proposed image transmission method by the authors by interleaving each coded packet to fading channels so that the effect of burst error can be converted into the random bit errors. As a result, the design of unequal error protection for fading channel can be unified with the rate compatible punctured turbo (RCPT) codes protection only. We show that a better performance than the product code protection can be obtained for a given channel condition. Furthermore, the proposed method is also insensitive to the channel variation. Some interesting technical components including a Genetic Algorithm (GA) based rate allocation method, using RS codes to break the error floor of the turbo codes are also discussed in the paper. The advantages of the proposed methods have been demonstrated with extensive simulation results.
Polymerization in clusters and in the gas phase using metal ions

Consecutive addition and elimination reactions have been observed following the interaction of Ti+ with isobutylene beam expansion. Clusters provide a feasible and valuable approach for understanding the mechanism of ionic polymerization, and how the size of polymer chains is controlled in such a process.
Life cycle variation and regulation of macronuclear DNA content in Tetrahymena thermophila

The mean DNA content of G2 macronuclei varies during the life cycle of the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila. Early in the life cycle the mean is about 130 C; later it is about 94 C. In hybrids between strains A and B the decrease from 130 C to 94 C usually began after 60 fissions after conjugation. In B × B clones the decrease was complete by 50 fissions. The data suggest that there may be a genetic difference between strains A and B with respect to the onset of the decrease in DNA content. The downward regulation of the mean DNA content appears to be related to the mechanism which removes the variance in macronuclear DNA content which is added to macronuclei by unequal macronuclear division. Unequal macronuclear division regularly occurs at all stages of the life cycle, with larger macronuclei tending to divide more unequally. In the absence of regulation, unequal macronuclear division would constantly add variance to G1 macronuclei and their range would continue to increase. Analysis of the variances of G1 and G2 macronuclei suggests that at all stages of the life cycle the added variance is removed by acting upon nuclei which become too small or too large. According to this model, macronuclei with smaller amounts of DNA are regulated upward by an extra macronuclear S phase, while larger amounts are regulated downward by chromatin extrusion and the skipping of macronuclear S. The mean DNA content appears to change during the life cycle because the thresholds at which macronuclei become too small or too large are readjusted. It is postulated that these, thresholds are a function of gene dosage.
University Of California Ten Meter Telescope Project

The University of California is planning to build a segmented, ten-meter effective diameter optical and infrared telescope for use by its astronomers. The anticipated site for the telescope is Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The details of the design and the current activities on prototypes as well as a technical demonstration will be described. The design employs 36 actively controlled hexagonal mirror segments that form a mosaic primary mirror. As the primary will be parabolic, the segments will be off-axis sections of a paraboloid, each segment to be 7.5 cm thick and 1.8 m in diameter. The segments will be polished to their desired shape by stressed mirror polishing, a technique for making non-axisymmetric surfaces. The active control system employs displacement sensors at the edges of the segments that allow the positions of all the mirror segments to be determined; the segments' positions are adjusted by three displacement actuators per segment. The basic characteristics of the control system and its critical components will be described. The overall optical design of the telescope will be a Pitchey-Cretien f/1.75 - f/15 system. The goals and the design of the surrounding building and dome will be described. The dome is extremely compact, and rotates on a stationary building in the manner of conventional telescope domes.
Uptake, accumulation and depuration of sodium perchlorate and sodium arsenate in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Abstract In toxicokinetics studies, interactions between chemicals in mixtures has been largely neglected. This study examines a mixture of perchlorate and arsenate because (1) they have the potential to co-occur in contaminated aquatic habitats, and (2) a previous study by the authors found possible toxicological interactive effects. In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to two concentrations of sodium perchlorate (10 and 100 mg l−1), sodium arsenate (1 and 10 mg l−1), and the mixture-sodium perchlorate + sodium arsenate (10 + 1 mg l−1 and 100 + 10 mg l−1 Na2HAsO4-high mixture) for 90 d. Their uptake and accumulation by zebrafish was evaluated at 10, 30, 60, and 90 d. In addition, depuration was examined at 1, 3, and 5 d after cessation of the exposure. The uptake of either chemical was concentration-dependent, with significantly higher uptake at high concentrations at either exposure interval. In contrast, there was no significant difference in whole body residue between single chemicals and the corresponding mixture except for 100 mg l−1 sodium arsenate at 90 d. However, there was increasing accumulation over time at the high concentration of either chemical alone and their mixture, and this increasing trend was more pronounced in the single chemical exposures than in the mixture. At the concentrations tested in the current study, both chemicals reduced the uptake but enhanced the depuration of the other chemical from the zebrafish. This study represents the first examination of the interaction of two anions-perchlorate and arsenate with respect to toxicokinetics.
The influence of inventories on output and prices: A stage of fabrication approach

This paper estimates models of output, price and total inventory in various manufacturing sectors that allow inventories at different stages of fabrication to exert independent influences. The hypothesis tests generally reject the hypotheses that inventories are irrelevant or can be aggregated across stages of fabrication in the output and price models. The hypothesis that raw materials and work-in-process are irrelevant is rejected in about half of the output and price model. In two-thirds of the industries, inventory behavior is independent of the composition of stocks inherited from the previous period.
Novel priming and crosslinking systems for use with isocyanatomethacrylate dental adhesives.

Abstract Objectives: (a) to design, formulate and evaluate prototype primers and a crosslinking agent for use with isocyanatomethacrylate-based comonomer adhesives and (b) to establish correlations between bond strength and solubility parameter differences between the adhesives and etched dentin, and the permeability coefficients of the adhesives. Methods: Equimolar mixtures of 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) and a methacrylate comonomer were formulated with tri- n -butyl borane oxide (TBBO) as the free radical initiator to have cure times of 6–10 min. Shear bond strengths to dentin were determined for each adhesive mixture ( n =7) using standard testing protocols. Shear bond strengths for the three systems were also determined after application of “reactive primers” to the dentin surface. The “reactive primers” contained 10–20 parts by weight of the respective comonomer mixture and 3.5 parts by weight TBBO in acetone. Solubility parameters difference values (Δ δ ) and permeability coefficients ( P ) were approximated for each adhesive system and correlated with shear bond strength values. Additionally, a crosslinking agent was prepared by bulk reaction of an equimolar mixture containing IEM and a methacrylate comonomer. The effects of crosslinker addition on: (a) the setting time of IEM; and (b) the setting times and initiator requirements of selected IEM/comonomer mixtures were determined. Results: Shear bond strength values (MPa): IEM/HEMA 13.6±2.0 (no primer), 20.1±2.0 (with primer); IEM/HETMA 9.3±3.3 (no primer), 20.8±8.1 (with primer); IEM/AAEMA 13.6±1.9 (no primer), 17.3±3.2 (with primer). Also, approximated permeability coefficients showed a significant correlation ( r =+0.867, p Significance: The shear bond strengths of isocyanatomethacrylate-based dental adhesives can be enhanced by using reactive primers; their setting times and initiator requirements can be improved using a dimethacrylate crosslinker. Approximated permeability coefficients may be useful as indicators of bonding performance for dentin adhesive systems.
Effects of the particle sizes of expansive clinker on strength-expansion characteristics of type K expansive cements

In tests conducted on blended Type K expansive cements, it was observed that in fine blends, the main expanding particles (C4A3S) and sulfates deplete faster compared to identical coarser blends because the fine blends have a larger number of expansive sites. This can decrease the expansion time and susceptibility to abnormal behavior, i.e. “double-curvature expansion” and “strength-drop” phenomena. Observations suggest that the mechanism of formation of ettringite crystals is topochemical.
Effect of soluble additives, boric acid (H3BO3) and salt (NaCl), In pool boiling heat transfer

The effects on pool boiling heat transfer of aqueous solutions of boric acid (H₃BO₃) and sodium chloride (NaCl) as working fluids have been studied. Borated and NaCl water were prepared by dissolving 0.5~5% volume concentration of boric acid and NaCl in distilled-deionized water. The pool boiling tests were conducted using 1 x 1 ㎠ flat heaters at 1 atm. The critical heat flux (CHF) dramatically increased compared to boiling pure water. At the end of boiling tests it was observed that particles of boric acid and NaCl had deposited and formed a coating on the heater surface. The CHF enhancement and surface modification during boiling tests were very similar to those obtained from boiling with nanofluids. Additional experiments were carried out to investigate the reliability of the additives deposition in pure water. The boric acid and NaCl coatings disappeared after repeated boiling tests on the same surface due to the soluble nature of the coatings, thus CHF enhancement no longer existed. These results demonstrate that not only insoluble nanoparticles but also soluble salts can be deposited during boiling process and the deposited layer is solely responsible for significant CHF enhancement.
Transactivation of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors Is Essential for Vascular Barrier Regulation NOVEL ROLE FOR HYALURONAN AND CD44 RECEPTOR FAMILY

The role for hyaluronan (HA) and CD44 in vascular barrier regulation is unknown. We examined high and low molecular weight HA (HMW-HA, ∼1,000 kDa; LMW-HA, ∼2.5 kDa) effects on human transendothelial monolayer electrical resistance (TER). HMW-HA increased TER, whereas LMW-HA induced biphasic TER changes ultimately resulting in EC barrier disruption. HMW-HA induced the association of the CD44s isoform with, and AKT-mediated phosphorylation of, the barrier-promoting sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1P1) within caveolin-enriched lipid raft microdomains, whereas LMW-HA induced brief CD44s association with S1P1 followed by sustained association of the CD44v10 isoform with, and Src and ROCK 1/2-mediated phosphorylation of, the barrier-disrupting S1P3 receptor. HA-induced EC cytoskeletal reorganization and TER alterations were abolished by either disruption of lipid raft formation, CD44 blocking antibody or siRNA-mediated reductions in expression of CD44 isoforms. Silencing S1P1, AKT1, or Rac1 blocked the barrier enhancing effects of HA whereas silencing S1P3, Src, ROCK1/2, or RhoA blocked the barrier disruption induced by LMW-HA. In summary, HA regulates EC barrier function through novel differential CD44 isoform interaction with S1P receptors, S1P receptor transactivation, and RhoA/Rac1 signaling to the EC cytoskeleton.
Bigger is not Necessarily Better: An Analysis of Violence Against Women Estimates from the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Violence Against Women Survey

Apparent differences between violence against women estimates from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) and the National Violence Against Women Survey (NVAWS) continue to generate confusion. How is it that two surveys purporting to measure the nature and extent of violence against women present such seemingly dissimilar estimates? The answer is found in the important, yet often over-looked details of each survey. Our objective is to clarify some of the reasons for apparent disparities between NCVS and NVAWS estimates by first identifying why published estimates are not comparable. Next, we adjust NCVS estimates to make them comparable to NVAWS estimates by restricting NCVS estimates to 1995 and including only persons age 18 or older, and by applying the NVAWS series victimization counting protocol to NCVS estimates. Contrary to findings in the literature, the NVAWS did not produce statistically greater estimates of violence against women compared to the NCVS. Further, incident counting protocols used in the NVAWS and the recalibrated NCVS increased the error, and decreased the reliability of the estimates.
Tioga: A database-oriented visualization tool

In the work we present a new architecture for visualization systems that is based on data base management system (DBMS) technology. By building on the mechanisms present in a next-generation DBMS, rather than merely on the capabilities of a standard file manager, we show that a simpler and more powerful visualization system can be constructed. We retain the popular "boxes and arrows" programming notation for constructing visualization programs, but add a "flight simulator" model of movement to navigate the output of such programs. In addition, we provide a means to specify a hierarchy of abstracts of data of different types and resolutions, so that a "zoom" capability can be supported. The underlying DBMS support for this system, Tioga, is briefly described, as well as the current state of the implementation. >
Pediatric patient selection and provider issues

Abstract In this article some factors that influence the safety of anesthesia care for infants and children are reviewed. In particular elements of training and ongoing experience necessary for the safe provision of pediatric anesthesia care are identified and also the necessary support needed in terms of personnel and facilities. Several guidelines relating to the provision of pediatric anesthesia care are reviewed. Finally, those infants and children who are at increased anesthetic risk are identified. It is essential that the needs of these at risk patients and the capabilities of the provider and facility are matched.
CONVERGENT AND DISCRIMINANT VALIDITY OF THREE MEASURES OF ABILITY, ASPIRATION‐LEVEL, ACHIEVEMENT, ADJUSTMENT AND DOMINANCE1

The convergent and discriminant validity of three measures of the concepts of aspiration level, ability, achievement, adjustment, and dominance were examined in the context of a multitrait-multimethod matrix. Self-reports and peer-reports on 75 Ss were employed as two measures of each trait. In addition, aspiration level was measured by the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule (EPPS) Nach scale, dominance by the EPPS (dom scale), achievement by cumulative college grade point ratio (GPR), ability by the Ohio State Psychological Examination (OSPE), and adjustment by the Bell Adjustment Inventory. Of the paper and pencil instruments, only the OSPE and EPPS (dominance scale) exhibited satisfactory convergent validity. No measure met all the requirements of discriminant validity. The desirability of establishing adequate validational evidence prior to using “trait” measures in studies relating theoretical variables was emphasized.
Transport properties of antimony nanowires

This paper reports the temperature dependence of the resistivity and the longitudinal and transverse magnetoresistance of antimony quantum wires with diameters ranging from 200 down to 10 nm. The samples were prepared in porous anodic alumina host materials using the vapor-phase technique. A theoretical calculation of the band structure of Sb nanowires is presented and a transport model for nanowire systems is used to explain the measured temperature dependence of the resistivity, showing both classical and quantum finite-size effects. The magnetoresistance is quadratic at low fields. In the 200 nm wires, the low-temperature (T,50 K) longitudinal magnetoresistance exhibits a maximum at the magnetic field where the cyclotron radius roughly corresponds to the wire radius. Surface scattering dominates below that field, and bulklike scattering dominates above it. In the narrower wires, the low-temperature ~below 10 K for 50 nm wires and below 40 K for 10 nm wires! magnetoresistance shows a steplike feature at the critical magnetic field where the magnetic length equals the wire diameter, as was the case for bismuth wires. This phenomenon is independent of the effective masses, depending only on the geometry of the nanowires and on the magnetic flux in the wire, and it is therefore attributed to a localization effect.
Atmospheric Lifetimes and Global Warming Potentials of Hydrofluoroethers: Reactivity toward OH, UV Spectra, and IR Absorption Cross Sections

The rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with the fluorinated ethers, CHF{sub 2}-O-CHF{sub 2} (HFOC-134) and CF{sub 3}CH{sub 2}-O-CH{sub 2}CF{sub 3} (HFOC-356mff), were measured using the flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique over the temperature range 277--370 K to give the following Arrhenius expressions: k{sub HFOC-356mff}(T) = (2.32{sub {minus}0.41}{sup +0.46}) x 10{sup {minus}12} exp{l{underscore}brace}{minus}(790 {+-} 47)/T{r{underscore}brace} cm{sup 3} molecule{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. On the basis of the analysis of the available experimental results, the following Arrhenius expression can be recommended for the rate constant of the reaction between OH and HFOC-134: k{sub HFOC-134}(T) = (0.82{sub {minus}0.24}{sup +0.34}) x 10{sup {minus}12} exp{l{underscore}brace}{minus}(1,730 {+-} 110)/T{r{underscore}brace} cm{sup 3} molecule{sup {minus}1} s{sup {minus}1}. Atmospheric lifetimes were estimated to be 24.8 years for HFOC-134 (23.8 years based on the results of this study alone) and 0.3 years for HFOC-356mff. Infrared absorption cross sections of HFOC-134, HFOC-356mff, and HFOC-125 (CHF{sub 2}-O-CF{sub 3}) were measured at T = 295 K from 500 to 1,600 cm{sup {minus}1} and the global warming potentials of the three compounds were estimated. Ultraviolet absorption spectra of the ethers were measured between 160 and 220 nm. The general pattern of reactivity of hydrofluoroethers toward OH is discussed.
Stochastic Control of Relay Channels With Cooperative and Strategic Users

This paper studies node cooperation in a wireless network from the MAC layer perspective. A simple relay channel with a source, a relay, and a destination node is considered where the source can transmit a packet directly to the destination or transmit through the relay. The tradeoff between average energy and delay is studied by posing the problem as a stochastic dynamical optimization problem. The following two cases are considered: 1) nodes are cooperative and information is decentralized, and 2) nodes are strategic and information is centralized. With decentralized information and cooperative nodes, a structural result is proven that the optimal policy is the solution of a Bellman-type fixed-point equation over a time invariant state space. For specific cost functions reflecting transmission energy consumption and average delay, numerical results are presented showing that a policy found by solving this fixed-point equation outperforms conventionally used time-division multiple access (TDMA) and random access (RA) policies. When nodes are strategic and information is common knowledge, it is shown that cooperation can be induced by exchange of payments between the nodes, imposed by the network designer such that the socially optimal Markov policy corresponding to the centralized solution is the unique subgame perfect equilibrium of the resulting dynamic game.
Correlates of injury among ED visits: effects of alcohol, risk perception, impulsivity, and sensation seeking behaviors.

This cross-sectional study used a random sample of 412 Emergency Department (ED) patients to test the following hypothesizes: 1) injury would be positively associated with problem drinking and recent drinking; 2) impulsivity and sensation seeking would be positively associated with injury, while risk perception would be negatively associated with injury. Results show recent drinking is associated with 2-fold increase in the odds of injury [OR and 95%; CI = 2.34 (1.07–5.10)] while problem drinking and personality factors were unrelated to injury. Other significant predictors were gender and age. Findings suggest a need for alcohol screening for patients who check themselves into the ED due to injury.
Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase Kinase 2: Roles in Signaling and Pathophysiology

Many cellular Ca2+-dependent signaling cascades utilize calmodulin (CaM) as the intracellular Ca2+ receptor. Ca2+/CaM binds and activates a plethora of enzymes, including CaM kinases (CaMKs). CaMKK2 is one of the most versatile of the CaMKs and will phosphorylate and activate CaMKI, CaMKIV, and AMP-activated protein kinase. Cell expression of CaMKK2 is limited, yet CaMKK2 is involved in regulating many important physiological and pathophysiological processes, including energy balance, adiposity, glucose homeostasis, hematopoiesis, inflammation, and cancer. Here, we explore known functions of CaMKK2 and discuss its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention.
Flagellar ion channels of sperm: similarities and differences between species.

Motility and fertilization potential of mammalian sperm are regulated by ion homeostasis which in turn is under tight control of ion channels and transporters. Sperm intracellular pH, membrane voltage and calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) are all important for sperm activity within the female reproductive tract. While all mammalian sperm are united in their goal to find and fertilize an egg, the molecular mechanisms they utilize for this purpose are diverse and differ between species especially on the level of ion channels. Recent direct recording from sperm cells of different species indicate the differences between rodent, non-human primate, ruminant, and human sperm on the basic levels of their ion channel regulation. In this review we summarize the current knowledge about ion channel diversity of the animal kingdom and concentrate our attention on flagellar ion channels of mammalian sperm.
Student Thought and Classroom Language: Examining the Mechanisms of Change in Dialogic Teaching

Dialogue, as a communication form characterized by its commitment to inclusiveness and rationality, has long been advocated by educators as a mechanism for helping students become better thinkers. Unfortunately, numerous claims about the educational potential of participating in dialogue have not resulted in substantial changes in classroom practices. Studies have consistently shown that in today's schools the dominant discourse remains largely monologic. In this article, we present a testable theory of change that suggests how sociocultural processes in a dialogic classroom influence students’ development. We identify and discuss three learning outcomes of dialogic teaching, including epistemological understanding, argument skills, and disciplinary knowledge. We then critically review empirical research related to the proposed theory, highlighting unsolved questions, inconsistencies, and directions for future studies. Finally, we focus on the implications of the proposed integrated theory and reviewed re...
Heterogeneity of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase is revealed by anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography

When smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase, purified by standard procedures from chicken gizzard smooth muscle, was applied to an anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatographic column, three well resolved peaks were obtained. Each peak contained a single protein whose electrophoretic mobility corresponded to that of MLCK. However each enzyme was characterized by a different specific activity. Peptide mapping experiments were unable to demonstrate different proteolytic patterns for the three proteins. Treatment of myosin light chain kinase with alkaline phosphatase, prior to ion chromatography, resulted in a change of elution profile. These experiments suggest that myosin light chain kinase could exist in three forms characterized by a different degree of phosphorylation.
Distribution of mass, kinetic energy, and neutron yield in the spontaneous fission of /sup 254/Fm

The mass distribution for spontaneous fission of /sup 254/Fm was determined for both pre- and post-neutron-emission fragments. The post-neutron-emission (final) mass distribution was deduced from radiochemical measurements of 24 mass yields. Starting with an assumed distribution of neutron yield versus fragment mass, the pre-neutron-emission (initial) mass distribution and neutron-yield distribution were derived from the kinetic-energy measurements of the fragments and the final-mass distribution by an iterative method. These distributions together with distributions of fragment kinetic energy, total kinetic energy of both fragments, and average kinetic energy and average total kinetic energy as functions of fragment mass are presented. The results are discussed in terms of a scission-point model of fission.
Student Characteristics and Activity Choices of College Freshmen and their Intent to Persist in Religiously Affiliated Institutions

Persistence and retention have been studied extensively in higher education, but little research has been conducted on these areas in religiously affiliated institutions. The present study was designed to examine factors that influence the intentions of students to persist from their freshmen to sophomore year in private, religiously affiliated, four-year institutions. The variables selected for the study were derived from constructs including student characteristics, institutional classification, and activity choices of college freshmen. This cross-sectional study analyzed data obtained from the 27 religiously affiliated institutions that participated in the 2003 Your First College Year survey (YFCY) administered by the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at UCLA. The conceptual framework for the study was based on the research of Astin (1978) and Tinto (1987), which shares one common thread: social integration. Both scholars state that social integration is critical in determining whether student...
Comparison of structural and least-squares lines for estimating geologic relations

Two different goals in fitting straight lines to data are to estimate a “true” linear relation (physical law) and to predict values of the dependent variable with the smallest possible error. Regarding the first goal, a Monte Carlo study indicated that the structural-analysis (SA) method of fitting straight lines to data is superior to the ordinary least-squares (OLS) method for estimating “true” straight-line relations. Number of data points, slope and intercept of the true relation, and variances of the errors associated with the independent (X) and dependent (Y) variables influence the degree of agreement. For example, differences between the two line-fitting methods decrease as error in X becomes small relative to error in Y. Regarding the second goal—predicting the dependent variable—OLS is better than SA. Again, the difference diminishes as X takes on less error relative to Y. With respect to estimation of slope and intercept and prediction of Y, agreement between Monte Carlo results and large-sample theory was very good for sample sizes of 100, and fair to good for sample sizes of 20. The procedures and error measures are illustrated with two geologic examples.
Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer: Technique and initial outcomes

ABSTRACT Purpose: We describe the technique and our evolving outcomes of laparoscopic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: Since 1999 laparoscopic radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and intracorporeal urinary diversion has been performed in 22 patients. The initial 11 patients underwent limited dissection (group 1) and the subsequent 11 consecutive patients underwent extended lymphadenectomy (group 2). Our split-and-roll technique of laparoscopic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy has evolved to achieve lymphatic tissue clearance by bilaterally skeletonizing the genitofemoral nerve, external iliac artery, external iliac vein, obturator nerve, hypogastric artery, common iliac artery and pubic bone. Results: Extended lymphadenectomy added 1.5 hours of operative time. The median number of nodes retrieved was 3 and 21 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.001). Three patients per group were found to have positive nodal disease. In 1 patient undergoing extended dissection injury to a deep pelvic vein was managed by intracorporeal suturing and resulted in 200 ml blood loss. Two other patients had deep venous thrombosis. At a mean followup of 11 months (range 2 to 43) there were no port site recurrences. Conclusions: Laparoscopic extended pelvic lymphadenectomy for bladder cancer can be performed with anatomical boundaries and nodal yields commensurate with those of current recommendations for open surgery.
Conditions Facilitating Participatory-Democratic Organizations*

This paper examines “alternative institutions” in a variety of institutional domains as participatory-democratic modes of organizution. Grounded in comparative data, it posits structural conditions, both internal to an organization and in its environment, which support or undermine the achievement of its collectivist-democratic ideals. While the literature on social movement organizations well demonstrates the fragility of democratic systems and their tendency toward oligarchization, goal displacement, and organizational maintenance, this work suggests, in propositional form, conditions which militate against these all-too-common transformation patterns.
Evidence for eight tandem and five centric fusions in the evolution of the karyotype of Aethomys namaquensis A. Smith (Rodentia: Muridae)

G- and C-banded chromosomes of Aethomys namaquensis (2n = 24), A. chrysophilus (2n = 44), and Praomys coucha (2n = 36) are compared and contrasted with published material on Australian Muridae and North American Sigmodontidae. Direction and types of chromosomal rearrangements are established using cladistic methodology. An acrocentric morphology for chromosomes 5, 14, 15 and 20 (numbering system from Peromyscus) are proposed as primitive for the common ancestor of the Muridae and Sigmodontidae rodent lineages. Reduced diploid number of Aethomys namaquensis is derived by eight tandem and five centric fusions since divergence from the common ancestor with A. chrysophilus. The two species of Aethomys share one derived metacentric chromosome that distinguishes them from Praomys. Praomys has unique chromosomes which can be derived from the proposed primitive condition by five centric fusions and five pericentric inversions. It is concluded that karyotypic orthoselection for tandem and centric fusions is best explained by cellular or biochemical mechanisms rather than variation in population characteristics.
Sediment and Nutrient Loss from Clay Soils as Affected by Tillage

Agricultural source pollution of water resources has been a source of concern in recent years. Research is needed to define mechanisms of chemical and sediment loss in runoff from agricultural land, and to develop management practices that minimize transport of these pollutants. This study was designed to compare the effect of no-till (NT) and conventional chisel-till (CT) soil management on runoff water volumes, sediment loss, and N and P loss from small watersheds on a clay soil []
Characterization of solid and dissolved carbon in a spruce-fir Spodosol

Organic substances are an integral part of the biogeochemistry of many elements in forest ecosystems. However, our understanding of the composition, chemistry, and reactions of these materials are incomplete and sometimes inconsistent. Therefore, we examined in detail dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in forest floor leachates over a two-year period (1992–1993), soil C, and DOC adsorption by a mineral soil to determine the relationship between soil solid and solution C characteristics in a spruce-fir ecosystem. The structural composition of DOC, DOC fractions (hydrophobic and hydrophilic acids, hydrophilic neutrals), and soil samples from the organic and mineral horizons were also analyzed using13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Total DOC in forest floor leachates ranged from 7.8 to 13.8 mmol L−1 with an average of 8.6 mmol L−1. Concentrations were highest in September of both 1992 and 1993. Fractionation of the forest floor DOC indicated these solutions contained high organic acid contents that averaged 92% of the total DOC. Hydrophobic acids were also preferentially adsorbed by the B horizon. The13C NMR data suggested alkyl, carbohydrate, aromatic, and carboxylic C were the primary constituents for organic and mineral soils, DOC, and DOC fractions. Compositional changes of C were observed as aromatic and carbohydrate decreased, whereas alkyl, methoxy, and carbonyl moieties increased with depth. However, C composition changed little among the three organic layers based on the similarity of alkyl/carbohydrates ratios as determined from NMR area integration, suggesting that in this acid soil, decomposition proceeds rather slowly. Hydrophobic acids contained high contents of aromatic C, whereas hydrophilic acids were comprised primarily of carboxylic C. Hydrophilic neutrals were rich in carbohydrate C. Results indicated that these DOC fractions were unaltered during the isolation process. Carboxylic C groups appeared to dissolve easily and were probably the primary contributor to organic acidity in our organic dominate leachates. Results also suggested that DOC materials adsorbed on the B horizon underwent further biodegradation. Several seasonal patterns of C composition were observed in the forest floor leachates and DOC fractions collected between 1992 and 1993. Overall, the evidence from this study suggested that (i) DOC levels were mainly controlled by biological activity, (ii) forest floor DOC was comprised primarily of organic acids, (iii) contact of soil leachates with B horizon material affected DOC quantitatively and qualitatively, (iv) phenolic, carboxylic, and carbonyl C appeared to dissolve readily in the forest Oa horizon, (v) DOC materials adsorbed on the B horizon selectively underwent further decomposition, and (vi) C composition is a function of the extent of decomposition and DOC fractions.
Variations in gender-role equality among classes: A research note

A widely accepted view describes gender-role inequality as less prevalent among the middle class than the working class. Gender-role inequality within the intact nuclear family is asserted to be a syndrome characterized by unequal husband—wife authority, rigid division of household labor, and greater freedom in leisure pursuits for the husband. This view is generally unsupported by the findings of the present study, a secondary analysis of a sample survey conducted in Houston in 1969–1970. Two classes (working and middle) were compared, with ethnicity (Anglo, Black, Mexican-American) and sex controlled. Questionnaire items concerned leisure-time freedom for wives, gender differences in children's socialization, and sexual division of labor in the household. Differences between groups were generally small and inconsistent. In some cases, sexual and ethnic differences were greater than those of class. An intercorrelation matrix revealed few significant correlations between egalitarian responses to the various items, suggesting that egalitarianism or its opposite is not a syndrome.
Magnesium-doped optical fibers by the outside deposition process

Magnesium as a dopant for silica-based optical fibers has the potential advantages over germanium in the areas of profile stability and refractive power. Also, it can act as a modifier for aluminosilicate glass which can decrease the tendency toward crystallization. Using a variation of the outside deposition process, a method has been developed for fabricating optical fibers doped with magnesium. Single-mode fibers in the MgO-SiO2 and MgO-AI2O3-SiO2 system have been prepared by this method with minimum losses of 5 and 3 dB/km at 1.3 and 1.55 μm, respectively.
View-invariant recognition of body pose from space-time templates

We propose a new template-based approach for view invariant recognition of body poses, based on geometric constraints derived from the motion of body point triplets. In addition to spatial information our templates encode temporal information of body pose transitions. Unlike existing methods that study a body pose as a whole, we decompose it into a number of body point triplets, and compare their motions to our templates. Using the fact that the homography induced by the motion of a triplet of body points in two identical body pose transitions reduces to the special case of a homology, we exploit the equality of two of its eigenvalues to impose constraints on the similarity of the pose transitions between two subjects, observed by different perspective cameras and from different viewpoints. Extensive experimental results show that our method can accurately identify human poses from video sequences when they are observed from totally different viewpoints with different camera parameters.
Mapping interconnection networks into VEDIC networks

The authors show the universality of the VEDIC network in simulating other well known interconnection networks by generating the parameters of the VEDIC network automatically. Algorithms are given to represent chordal rings, toroidal meshes, binary hypercubes, k-ary n-cubes, and Cayley graphs-star graph and pancake graph, as VEDIC networks. Using these parameters the VEDIC network can be used as a tool for generating currently known and new interconnection networks. >
People with absolute pitch process tones without producing a P300.

The P300 is a positive-going component of the event-related potential. In subjects with absolute, or "perfect," pitch, the P300 elicited by the less frequent of two auditory probes is small or absent. In these subjects, visual probes elicit a normal P300. These results support the view of P300 as a manifestation of the updating of working memory.
Fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT Findings Following Bone Marrow Harvesting

Two patients demonstrated an unusual pattern of intense bone and surrounding soft tissue hypermetabolic uptake in the posterior pelvis on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography PET-CT scans. After further investigation, we found that both patients underwent uncomplicated autologous bone marrow harvesting several weeks before imaging. These two cases illustrate a distinctive PET-CT appearance following bone marrow harvesting that the radiologist needs to recognize to not confuse the findings with metastatic disease.
The effect of incorporating vessel compliance in a computational model of blood flow in a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC) with caval centerline offset.

Background-The total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC), a palliative correction for congenital defects of the right heart, is based on the corrective technique developed by Fontan and Baudet. Research into the TCPC has primarily focused on reducing power loss through the connection as a means to improve patient longevity and quality of life. The goal of our study is to investigate the efficacy of including a caval offset on the hemodynamics and, ultimately, power loss of a connection. As well, we will quantify the effect of vessel wall compliance on these factors and, in addition, the distribution of hepatic blood to the lungs. Methods-We employed a computational fluid dynamic model of blood flow in the TCPC that includes both the non-Newtonian shear thinning characteristics of blood and the nonlinear compliance of vessel tissue. Results-Power loss in the rigid-walled simulations decayed exponentially as caval offset increased. The compliant-walled results, however, showed that after an initial substantial decrease in power loss for offsets up to half the caval diameter, power loss increased slightly again. We also found only minimal mixing in both simulations of all offset models. Conclusions- The increase in power loss beyond an offset of half the caval diameter was due to an increase in the kinetic contribution. Reduced caval flow mixing, on the other hand, was due to the formation of a pressure head in the offset region which acts as a barrier to flow.
ICAT expression disrupts β-catenin–TCF interactions and impairs survival of thymocytes and activated mature T cells

T cell factor (TCF) family of transcription factors and b-catenin critically regulate T cell development as demonstrated by the deletion of the tcf gene, which results in a block early in development that becomes complete in mice bearing tcf/lef double deletion. However, the role of b-catenin, a major TCF cofactor, remains controversial. To directly address this, we have generated transgenic mice expressing Inhibitor of b-catenin and TCF (ICAT), a naturally occurring inhibitor that specifically disrupts TCF and b-catenin interactions. In this report, we demonstrate that disrupting the interaction of b-catenin with TCF renders adult thymocytes and activated T cells highly susceptible to apoptosis. In contrast to previously reported observations during fetal thymocyte development, these data show that in adult mice, survival and not differentiation of thymocytes, depends on transcription by TCF and b-catenin. Indeed, we demonstrate that expression of ICAT impedes thymocyte survival by reducing the expression of BclxL in thymocytes below a critical threshold. Survival of activated mature T cells was also impaired due to diminished expression of activation-induced BclxL. Accordingly, expression of transgenic Bcl-2 rescued activated ICAT-Tg CD4 T cells from apoptosis. Thus, disruption of TCF-b-catenin interactions specifically impairs the survival of thymocytes and activated T cells.
Annealing characteristics of hot carrier induced damage in n-channel MOSFETs

The recovery process of hot carrier induced degraded device parameters in n-channel MOSFETs has been analysed by both isothermal and isochronal annealing. A wide distribution of activation energies of hot carrier induced damage, with a peak at around 0·9eV is observed. It can be seen that isochronal annealing has advantages over isothermal annealing in recovering the degraded device characteristics in comparatively less time. Bias annealing of the device reveals that initially the annealing of trapped oxide charges increases the interface state density, after reaching the peak value interface states anneal as a logarithmic function of time. The energy distribution of hot carrier induced interface states is similar to radiation induced interface states after a few hours of annealing at room temperature.
Constraints on Strong Generative Power

We consider the question "How much strong generative power can be squeezed out of a formal system without increasing its weak generative power?" and propose some theoretical and practical constraints on this problem. We then introduce a formalism which, under these constraints, maximally squeezes strong generative power out of context-free grammar. Finally, we generalize this result to formalisms beyond CFG.
Two Methods for the Determination of Enantiomeric Excess and Concentration of a Chiral Sample with a Single Spectroscopic Measurement

The previously established enantioselective indicator–displacement assays (eIDAs) for the determination of concentration and enantiomeric excess (ee) require two spectroscopic measurements for each chiral sample. To further simplify the operation of eIDAs, we now introduce two innovative analytical methods, both of which utilize a dual-chamber quartz cuvette, which reduces the number of spectroscopic measurements from two to one. An attractive feature of this cuvette is that the concentration- and ee-dependent absorption data can be collected at the isosbestic points or transparent regions of the spectra recorded in each individual chamber, thereby reflecting optical changes that occur in the other chamber. Therefore, two independent equations, which are needed to solve the values of the two independent variables—concentration and ee—can be established with only a single spectroscopic measurement. The first method takes advantage of this feature in conjunction with a judicious choice of indicator/host combinations to generate concentration- and ee-dependent calibration curves. Our second method removes the requirement to measure equilibrium constants and molar absorptivities altogether through the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs). The most frequently used three-layer feed-forward network is generated, which relates the absorption data to concentration and ee of the samples by training with a back propagation procedure. Here, the data collection is not limited to the isosbestic points or transparent regions. Both approaches enabled accurate and rapid determination of concentration and ee of chiral samples. The technology removes the relative difficulty, which is the need for two separate measurements for concentration and ee respectively, of analyzing chiral samples compared to achiral samples. When implemented in a high-throughput format, this technology should greatly facilitate the discovery of asymmetric catalysts in the same way as conventional high-throughput screening assays.
The Synchronization Game

The first, although restricted, solution of the Serial-Search PN Code Acquisition problem in presence of Slowly Time-Varying Fading Channels is herein presented, providing a determinant performance measure for Spread Spectrum Systems under these conditions. As a case study, a white noise, average power constrained, random, symmetric two-state Jammer is analyzed, and the corresponding minimax threshold is determined.