cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opportunities afforded by the study of unmyelinated nerves in skin and other organs.

Neurological practice is mainly focused on signs and symptoms of disorders that involve functions governed by myelinated nerves. Functions controlled by unmyelinated nerve fibers have necessarily remained in the background because of the inability to consistently stain, image, or construct clinically applicable neurophysiological tests of these nerves. The situation has changed with the introduction of immunohistochemical methods and confocal microscopy into clinical medicine, as these provide clear images of thin unmyelinated nerves in most organs. One obvious sign of change is the increasing number of reports from several laboratories of the pathological alterations of cutaneous nerves in skin biopsies from patients with a variety of clinical conditions. This study reviews recent methods to stain and image unmyelinated nerves as well as the use of these methods for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy, for experimental studies of denervation and reinnervation in human subjects, and for demonstrating the vast array of unmyelinated nerves in internal organs. The new ability to examine the great variety of nerves in different organs opens opportunities and creates challenges and responsibilities for neurologists and neuroscientists. Muscle Nerve 756–767, 2004
Modeling of battery charging wind turbines

Small scale wind turbines are typically used in battery charging systems in off-grid and remote applications to provide electric power to small load locations such as homes, cabins and instrumentation stations. This paper is devoted to presenting the results from the modeling case-study of such a turbine. Analytical models, computer simulations and experimental results are presented.
High Q defected ground structures in grounded coplanar waveguide

The correlation between the placement of spiral defected ground structures in each ground plane of a grounded coplanar waveguide and the corresponding frequency response are investigated. S-parameters and current density plots from an EM-based simulation study are examined to understand this relationship. Simulation and measurement results show that the highest rejection is obtained when placing defected ground structures in both the top and the bottom ground planes. Furthermore, placing unique defects in both ground planes allows the design of dual-behaviour resonators.
STAC: statistical timing analysis with correlation

Current technology trends have led to the growing impact of both inter-die and intra-die process variations on circuit performance. While it is imperative to model parameter variations for sub-100nm technologies to produce an upper bound prediction on timing, it is equally important to consider the correlation of these variations for the bound to be useful. In this paper we present an efficient block-based statistical static timing analysis algorithm that can account for correlations from process parameters and re-converging paths. The algorithm can also accommodate dominant interconnect coupling effects to provide an accurate compilation of statistical timing information. The generality and efficiency for the proposed algorithm is obtained from a novel simplification technique that is derived from the statistical independence theories and principal component analysis (PCA) methods. The technique significantly reduces the cost for mean, variance and covariance computation of a set of correlated random variables.
Perspectives on the Analytic Theory of L-Functions

To the general mathematician L-functions might appear to be an esoteric and special topic in number theory. We hope that the discussion below will convince the reader otherwise. Time and again it has turned out that the crux of a problem lies in the theory of these functions. At some level it is not entirely clear to us why L-functions should enter decisively, though in hindsight one can give reasons. Our plan is to introduce L-functions and describe the central problems connected with them. We give a sample (this is certainly not meant to be a survey) of results towards these conjectures as well as some problems that can be resolved by finessing these conjectures. We also mention briefly some of the successful present-day tools and the role they might play in the big picture.
An XML based approach to support the evolution of model-to-model traceability links

The paper summarizes the authors' current research on supporting model-to-model traceability. The authors present a graph theoretic definition of what they mean by models and traceability links. This definition is realized by the use of XML technologies to represent the models and traceability links. Practical means to represent different types of system models (e.g., source code and design) using XML are discussed. Traceability links are also implemented using XML technologies in an efficient and scalable manner. The evolution of the system, along with the traceability links, is supported by a fine-grained versioning technique. This allows for versioning and differencing of specific elements of the models versus just lines or whole files.
Lack of Functional and Morphological Susceptibility of the Greater Superficial Petrosal Nerve to Developmental Dietary Sodium Restriction

Restriction of dietary sodium during gestation has major effects on taste function and anatomy in the offspring. The chorda tympani nerve of offspring that are maintained on sodium-reduced chow throughout life (NaDep) has reduced neurophysiological responses to sodium and altered morphology of its terminal field in the nucleus of the solitary tract. There are many anatomical and physiological similarities between the chorda tympani nerve that innervates taste buds on the anterior tongue and the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSP) that innervates taste buds on the palate. To determine if the GSP is similarly susceptible to the effects of dietary sodium restriction, the present study examined neurophysiological responses and the terminal field of the GSP in NaDep and control rats. Neurophysiological responses of the GSP to a variety of sodium and non-sodium stimuli did not differ between NaDep and control rats. Furthermore, the volume and shape of the GSP terminal field in the nucleus of the solitary tract did not differ between the groups. Therefore, despite the high degree of functional and anatomical correspondence between the chorda tympani nerve and the GSP, the GSP does not appear to be susceptible to the effects of lifelong dietary sodium restriction.
Covariant Calculations at Finite Temperature: The Relativistic Plasma

It is shown that finite-temperature calculations in field theory are manifestly Lorentz covariant at all stages if the Minkowski-space form of the temperature-dependent propagators is used and if the four-velocity ${u}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ of the heat bath is taken into account. New tensor structures involving ${u}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ generally arise but are severely constrained by covariant current conservation. A complete high-temperature ($T\ensuremath{\gg}m$) expansion of the vacuum polarization tensor for non-Abelian gauge theories is computed to order ${g}^{2}$ and displays the separate dependence on frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and wave number $k$ that occurs at finite temperature. A covariant phenomenology of "electric" and "magnetic" properties is applied to the collective plasma effects, characterized by a plasma frequency ${{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}}^{2}=\frac{({N}_{f}+2N){g}^{2}{T}^{2}}{6}$ for $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ with ${N}_{f}$ fermions. The longitudinal normal modes of the "electric" field exist only for $\ensuremath{\omega}g{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$; for $\ensuremath{\omega}l{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ all "electric" fields are screened. The transverse normal modes are plane waves along $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{E}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{B}$ for $\ensuremath{\omega}g{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$; for $\ensuremath{\omega}l{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}$ both transverse "electric" and "magnetic" fields are shielded except for the static ($\ensuremath{\omega}=0$) case.
Gibberellin‐Growth Retardant Interactions on the Growth and Flowering of Clerodendrum thomsoniae

Gibberellin-growth retardant interactions on the vegetative growth and flowering of the vine Clerodendrum thomsoniae Balf. were studied using both exogenous treatments and biologically testing the acid fraction attained from the plant extract. The growth retardant, ancymidol, greatly retarded stem elongation and markedly increased flowering under inductive environments. Gibberellin A3 (GA3) application to the shoot tip stimulated vine growth, prevented flowering under inductive environments, and completely overcame ancymidol-induced effects. In contrast to GA3, treatment with GA7 had little effect on vegetative growth but increased flowering under inductive environments. The elevated activity of gibberellin-like compounds, as determined by bioassay, were similar except for a marked increase in levels in ancymidol-treated plants grown under inductive environmental conditions. Microscopic examination of the stem tip indicated that the action of the growth regulators involved the induction of floral buds. Thus, in Clerodendrum, ancymidol appears to stimulate an unknown gibberellin(s) and simultaneously acts antagonistically with GA3.
Enhancing Validity in Co-occurring Disorders Treatment Research

Despite the high prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance-use disorders, there has been a relative lack of treatment research with this population, and the existing research often has limited validity. This article explores some of the barriers to the conduct of research on promising interventions for substance-abuse treatment for people with co-occurring disorders, using the concepts of external and ecological validity to make recommendations for future investigation. The central recommendation is to move rapidly from efficacy studies to more credible and valid effectiveness studies, in order to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based interventions in routine practice settings.
Characterization of zeolites and amorphous silica—aluminas by means of aluminum-27 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy: A multifield, multiparameter investigation

Abstract We have obtained the aluminum-27 nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) spectra of a large number of ZSM-5 (MFI) zeolites and amorphous silica aluminas by using static, spin-echo, and “magic-angle” sample-spinning (MAS) techniques, at various magnetic field strengths in the 2.35–11.7 Tesia range. Our results give the mean nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (QCC), the static and MAS line widths, the chemical shifts and shift distributions, the spin—spin relaxation times (T2H), as well as the effects of hydration on T2H. We show that such a multiparameter analysis permits an unambiguous differentiation between framework and nonframework (ZSM-5 and amorphous silica—alumina) aluminum sites, which is of use in characterizing the structures of complex commercial zeolite catalysts. We present a theoretical approach to the determination of the QCC values in zeolites and silica—aluminas based upon the field dependence of the MAS or static line widths, which also yields an approximate bond-angle distribution that is found to be in accord with that deduced from X-ray diffraction and 29Si n.m.r.
Learning Ranking vs. Modeling Relevance

The classical (ad hoc) document retrieval problem has been traditionally approached through ranking according to heuristically developed functions (such as tf.idf or bm25) or generative language modeling, which requires explicit assumptions about the term distributions. The nowadays popular discriminative (classification, machine learning, statistical forecasting etc.) approaches have been mostly abandoned while solving this task in spite of their success in a different task of text categorization. In this paper, we studied if a classifier can be trained solely based on labeled examples to successfully generalize to new (unseen by the system) queries and provide performance comparable with popular heuristic or language models. Our SVM-based classifier learns from the relevance judgments available with the standard test collections and generalizes to new, previously unseen queries its ability to compare and rank documents with respect to a given query. To accomplish this, we have designed a representation scheme, which is based on the discretized form of the high level statistics of the query term occurrences (such as tf, df, and document length) rather than individual terms. Using the standard metrics of average precision and the standard large and small test collections we confirmed that our machine learning approach can achieve the performance comparable with and better than the performance of the current state of the art models.
Political Ambition and Women in the U.S. House of Representatives, 1916-2000

This analysis demonstrates how political ambition theory can be applied to women who have served in the U.S. House of Representatives: under what conditions do political women manifest discrete, static, and progressive ambition? Our database includes all women elected to the House between 1916 and 2000. In differentiating between discrete and static ambition, we find that among congressional widows, there are measurable differences between those who seek reelection and those that step down, with independent political experience and working partnerships in their husband’s political careers being especially important. In addition, we show that women in the House are strategic when deciding whether to run for the Senate. Progressive ambition—the decision to run for higher office—flows from a calculus that incorporates the probability of winning, the value of the office, and the costs of running. As such, it appears that the women of the House respond to the same strategic forces as their male counterparts.
Compound osteosynthesis in the thoracic spine for treatment of vertebral metastases: technical report

Metastases to vertebrae often cause bone destruction leading to instability and neural compression. Anterior surgical approaches allow tumor resection and direct neural decompression. For patients with a short life expectancy, vertebral body replacement with methyl-methacrylate polymerized in situ can be used for load sharing in the axial plane. Screws hung from the rod into the corpectomy site are incorporated into the acrylic cement. The technique described in this article allows for immediate spinal stabilization and provides a protective environment for the neural elements. All the patients tolerated the procedure well and were able to ambulation without an orthoses.
Ethics and Retail Management Professionals: An Examination of Age, Education, and Experience Variables.

Ethical maturity and behavior are of great concern to all educators, firms, and investors, and even more so in a recession. This research surveyed managers and employees in the retail environment to measure their Personal Business Ethics Scores (PBES) to see if age, education, and management experience makes a difference in making more ethical decisions. The PBES measures personal commitment to integrity, honesty, and observance of the laws regulating current business activities. This research takes into consideration the respondents age, management experience, and education. This study contributes to the theory of moral development as it is tested with retail managers and employees. The results of this research suggest that while age and management experience are significant factors, higher education may also play a role in the moral development of associates and managers. Kohlbergs moral development theory is supported by this research since older workers, more highly educated workers, and those with more years of management experience have a higher level of moral maturity.
CaEDTA vs CaEDTA Plus BAL to Treat Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels

The effectiveness of CaEDTA alone vs CaEDTA plus BAL was compared retrospectively in a group of 72 children with lead levels between 2.41 mumol/L (50 micrograms/dL) and 2.90 mumol/L (60 micrograms/dL). The children who received both drugs had higher median zinc protoporphyrin (ZnP) concentrations at the initiation of therapy than children who received CaEDTA alone (160 micrograms/dL vs 96 micrograms/dL, p less than .01). There was a significantly increased incidence of vomiting and abnormal liver-function test results in the children who received both drugs. The children who received CaEDTA alone had a greater percent mean fall in lead level at one to three weeks postchelation (30.5% vs 18.1%, p less than .05). Children who received both CaEDTA and BAL had a greater percent decrease in ZnP at four to eight months postchelation, but there was no difference in percent decrease in lead levels. Children who received both drugs also had a greater number of repeat courses of chelation by six months. The addition of BAL to CaEDTA for treatment of children with lead levels of 2.41 mumol/L (50 micrograms/dL) to 2.90 mumol/L (60 micrograms/dL) produced greater toxicity and does not seem to prevent repeat chelations within six months.
Tobacco Cessation Counseling Training with Standardized Patients

A pilot study was conducted to assess clinician receptivity to tobacco cessation counseling training methods using standardized patients. Additionally, the study assessed changes in clinician knowledge and behavioral intentions following the training. Medical and dental residents and dental hygiene students from the University of Louisville attended a one- to two-hour lecture addressing the counseling strategies (the Five As/the Five Rs) and pharmacotherapy recommended in the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Participants subsequently had three training encounters with standardized patients representing various stages of change including a patient ready to quit, a patient contemplating quitting, and a patient resistant to quitting. Thirty-six participants completed a preprogram survey prior to the lecture and a postprogram evaluation that included questions about their attitudes and beliefs about tobacco, their comfort level with various aspects of tobacco intervention, and eight knowledge questions. Participants demonstrated a statistically significant increase in objective knowledge about the practices recommended in the Clinical Practice Guideline following intervention. Results also indicate a significant increase in subjective measures of participant receptivity, self-reported comfort, and perceived skill with various aspects of tobacco intervention. Overall, participants were found to be very receptive to training sessions on tobacco cessation counseling with standardized patients. In light of the educational gains and positive response from participants, the use of standardized patients is a promising strategy for training on tobacco cessation counseling.
A model for the maturation of protective antibody responses to SIV envelope proteins in experimentally immunized monkeys

: Studies using live attenuated virus vaccines in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) rhesus macaque model have demonstrated broad protection against experimental challenge. Protection in these studies was found to be critically dependent on the length of time postvaccination, suggesting that protective immunity involves a necessary maturation of immune responses. The current study characterizes the evolution of protective envelope-specific antibody responses from monkeys inoculated with the highly attenuated SIV/17E-C1 virus vaccine. For comparison, the same antibody assays were used to characterize the properties of SIV envelope-specific antibodies elicited by inactivated whole virus and envelope subunit vaccines that failed to provide protection from experimental virus challenge. Results of these studies identify a continuous and complex maturation of envelope-specific antibody responses during the first six to eight months postinfection. Furthermore, the time required for maturation of SIV envelope-specific antibodies parallels the time required for the development of protective immunity against experimental challenge with heterologous strains of SIV. While no single immune correlate of protection has been identified, we suggest that a combination of antibody parameters may serve as prognostic indicators in the development of candidate AIDS vaccines.
The effect of nitrogen on stolon and ramet growth in four genotypes of Fragaria chiloensis L.

Plant foraging response is a process in which clonal plants proliferate in nutrient-rich sites by shortening stolon length and increasing ramet density. Conversely, stolon length increases and ramet density decreases in nutrient-poor sites. Four genotypes of strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duch.) were grown in a greenhouse for 10 weeks and treated with different concentrations of nitrogen. Genotypes differed in plant size, stolon and ramet production, and nitrogen distribution between parent and ramets. Genotype Q18 were the smallest plants with the greatest number of stolons and ramets, typical of the phalanx morphology. The other genotypes had fewer but longer stolons, typical of the guerrilla morphology. Number of stolons and ramet density increased with increased N more in Genotype Q18 than the other genotypes. Results indicate that vegetative growth changed in response to increasing N treatment of the parent plant by shortening the average stolon length, increasing the number of stolons, and increasing the number of ramets while maintaining total stolon length. Foraging response characteristics were observed in strawberry but varied among genotypes.
Sulphidoleukotriene release of cord blood basophils in response to allergen stimulation correlates with neither a family history of atopy nor a subsequent development of atopic eczema.

Summary Objective We tested a possible relationship between sulphidoleukotriene (SLT) release of cord blood (CB) basophils, a family history of atopy (HA) and subsequent development of atopic eczema. Population and methods A cohort of 86 neonates were involved (48.8% males; 46.5% with a positive HA+). CB samples were analysed for in vitro SLT release quantified by ELISA, and in a subgroup for basophilic activation (CD 63 expression) by flow cytometry in response to a positive control (anti-IgE-receptor antibody), an allergen-mix (TOP and PTOP), egg white (EW), egg yolk (EY), and the purified allergens β-lactoglobulin (BLG) and α-lactalbumin (ALA). Results Median concentrations of SLT were 124.2 (negative), 3871.5 (positive), 123.9 (TOP), 128.5 (PTOP), 113.1 (EW), 108.4 (EY), 125.2 (BLG) and 122.3 (ALA) pg/mL. Groups of HA+ and HA– show no difference in all analysed allergens. An allergen-specific SLT release (defined as SLT>125 pg/mL above individual baseline and a stimulation index >2) was detected in 98% (positive control), 5% (TOP), 7% (BLG), 3% (ALA) and 2% (EW and EY), respectively. After a median observation period of 18 months, n=7 out of 70 children developed an atopic eczema, but we observed no association between CB SLT release (positive response to at least one tested allergen). Conclusion Allergen-specific SLT release is detectable in 15.5% of healthy neonates, irrespective of their family history of atopy. However, early allergen-specific SLT release is not predictive for the development of atopy.
Carrying the Message of Counter-Hegemonic Practice: Teacher Candidates as Agents of Change

In an effort to support future teachers in their work toward enacting (and not just espousing) counter-hegemonic, social justice concepts, this research describes a course assignment that required teacher candidates (N = 134) to identify an issue related to power and/or privilege with which they personally grapple, and to then construct a professional workshop intended to work toward deepening their own understandings and the understandings of the participants in the workshop. With an emphasis on risk-taking and decentering their own authority, the teacher candidates in this study created critical workshops intended to reduce oppression (at the personal or institutional level), addressing topics across a broad spectrum of inequities. The findings from this research suggest that, given a supportive and collaborative forum, teacher candidates may be equipped to challenge hegemonic ideas and emerge as leaders in a new era of social justice.
ПРЕНАТАЛЬНЫЙ СКРИНИНГ ХРОМОСОМНЫХ АНОМАЛИЙ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ ТРОЙНОГО МАРКЕРА

Метою представленого дослідження було вивчення ефективності скринінгу потрійних маркерів Каліфорнійської програми скринінгу, використовуючи дані з Реєстру хромосомних дефектів штату Каліфорнія (CCDR). У дослідження увійшло 752 686 жінок групи ризику, згідно скринінгу, з очікуваною датою пологів в період з липня 2005 року по кінець червня 2007-го. У схвалених державою пренатальних діагностичних центрах проводилося діагностичне спостереження за скринінг-позитивними жінками. Дані про результати візитів цих жінок були введені в Каліфорнійський реєстр хромосомних дефектів. Інші джерела Каліфорнійського реєстру хромосомних дефектів включають обов’язкову звітність усіх цитогенетичних лабораторій і лікарень, а також дані про результати вагітності з документацій пренатальних установ. Отримана чутливість скринінгу на синдром Дауна склала 77,4% (n = 1 217). Цей показник значно різнився залежно від методу оцінки гестаційного віку і віку матері. Чутливість скринінгу синдрому Дауна у жінок молодших 35 років і старшеих 35 років склала 62,4% і 94,0% відповідно. Чутливість скринінгу виявлення синдрому Дауна для вагітностей, діагностованих за допомогою УЗД, склала 81,3%, діагностованих за датою останньої менструації – 67,5%. Частота синдрому Тернера, трисомії 18, триплоїдії і трисомії 13 склала відповідно 79,4%, 82,5%, 98,1% і 36,0%. Скринінг- позитивна частота синдрому Дауна склала 5,4%. Тільки 49,5% жінок з синдромом Дауна у плода, які були скринінг-позитивними, пройшли амніоцентез. Серед жінок, у яких амніоцентез виявив синдром Дауна у плода, 61,4% вирішили перервати вагітність, 26,2% народили живих дітей, у 4,5% був викидень або мертвонародження і у 7,9% результат вагітності невідомий. Таким чином, ефективність цієї масштабної програми скринінгу з використанням потрійного маркеру перевищує звичайний прогностичний рівень виявлення синдрому Дауна. Методологія даного дослідження буде використовуватися для оцінки ефективності подальших удосконалень скринінгу.
Social and Affective Concerns High-Ability Adolescents Indicate They Would Like to Discuss With a Caring Adult: Implications for Educators

This exploratory study investigated the social and affective concerns of 280 high-ability students in Grades 5 through 12 who participated in a summer residential program. Content analysis of responses from an open-ended survey indicated that high-ability adolescents expressed concerns regarding feelings and emotions, future aspirations, and relationships. How these social and affective concerns differed across gender, age, and among U.S. students, international students, and Native American subgroups were also investigated. Boys would like to discuss puberty and maturity more than girls; students in early adolescence cared about feelings, whereas those in late adolescence wanted to discuss future aspirations; Native American students had similar concerns to those of other students; however, Dine students were concerned about personal issues and bullying. These findings provide researchers and educators in the field of gifted education with new perspectives regarding social and affective concerns of high-...
Intelligent information management and knowledge discovery in large numeric and scientific databases

The present article outlines progress made in designing an intelligent information system for automatic management and knowledge discovery in large numeric and scientific databases, with a validating application to the CAST-NEONS environmental databases used for ocean modeling and prediction. We describe a discovery-learning process (Automatic Data Analysis System) which combines the features of two machine learning techniques to generate sets of production rules that efficiently describe the observational raw data contained in the database. Data clustering allows the system to classify the raw data into meaningful conceptual clusters, which the system learns by induction to build decision trees, from which are automatically deduced the production rules.
Refundable Advance Purchase Tickets and Advance Purchase Restrictions under Aggregate Demand Uncertainty

This paper rationalizes the use of discounted refundable advance purchase tickets and advance purchase restrictions in context of models with costly capacity and aggregate demand uncertainty. We show how a monopolist on such markets can improve upon pricing mechanisms, previously proposed in the related literature for markets for perishable products, characterized by uncertain demand and costly capacity (which include but are not limited to such important industries as airlines, hotels, restaurants, car rentals, and live performances). Our model provides a simple link between two strains of literature (one modeling non-refundable discounted tickets with demand uncertainty specified through states of demand, and the other analyzing fully or partially refundable contracts while treating demand uncertainty at the customer level).
Impact of a University-Community Partnership Approach to Improving Health Behaviors and Outcomes Among Overweight/Obese Hispanic Adults

Objective. To examine the impact of a community-informed and community-based Health-Smart Church (HSC) Program on engagement in health promoting behaviors (healthy eating and physical activity) and health outcomes (body mass index, weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Design. A total of 70 overweight/obese Hispanic adults participated in an intervention group (n = 37) or a waitlist control group (n = 33) in 2 Hispanic churches in Bronx, New York. Results. Post-intervention the intervention group significantly increased in frequency of healthy eating and physical activity compared to the waitlist control group. Although no significant changes in body mass index or systolic blood pressure were found for either group, the intervention group decreased significantly in weight from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Conclusions. The results of the present study add to the growing body of literature evidencing the successful use of community-engaged and community-based participatory health promotion interventions with racial/ethnic minority populations and highlight important practices and considerations for similar health promotion interventions with these communities.
Effect of chlorides and heat on extraction and activity of sheep pituitary gonadotrophin.

SummaryConcentrated fractions of dry sheep pituitary tissue obtained from extracts made at 70°C with water, saturated solutions NaCl and KCl, and with 0.88 M sucrose contained the major part of the gonadotrophic activity. Fractions obtained from extracts made with saturated solutions of barium, calcium and magnesium chlorides, and 6.6 M urea at 70°C were much less active. Dialyzed soluble fraction obtained from saturated NaCl extracts made at 80°C contained little activity and those from extracts made at 90°C were essentially inactive. Extraction at 70°C with the saturated solutions and fractionation of the dialyzed extracts did not separate FSH from LH. The activity of the gonadotrophin was augmented when administered in solutions which were 0.5 saturated with NaCl and KCl.
Known Nuclear Tests Worldwide, 1945–1994

(1995). Known Nuclear Tests Worldwide, 1945–1994. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: Vol. 51, No. 3, pp. 70-71.
Cooperative Underwater Localization in Ocean Currents

The localization accuracy determines the value of underwater meteorology data collected using unmanned vehicle fleets. Due to the rapid attenuation of radio frequency in water, the localization problem for autonomous underwater vehicles is very challenging, especially in the presence of strong currents. Due to the small sizes and weights of such vehicles, their motions are more susceptible to background flows than lager platforms. Our recent studies, among others, have shown that, in the presence of strong background flows, unmanned vehicles can follow near fuel-optimal trajectories found by Lagrangian coherent structures based fluid control algorithm, which improves the vehicles’ runtime and path following accuracy. With these vehicles, we propose a mother-daughter cooperative underwater localization method to address localization problems of other lower-cost underwater platforms in ocean currents. A probabilistic formulation of the problem is provided and we divided it into two independent sub problems, i.e. the dynamic simultaneous localization and mapping problem and the cooperative localization problem. The cooperative algorithm is derived in both separated and integrated models. Simulations are performed using the extended Kalman filter to prove the theory. Comparisons between the pure dead reckoning method and the proposed method show our algorithm yields bounded localization errors.
Immunopotentiation for Bacterial Biodefense

Activation of the innate immune system can enhance resistance to a variety of bacterial and viral infections. In situations where the etiological agent of disease is unknown, such as a bioterror attack, stimulation of innate immunity may be particularly useful as induced immune responses are often capable of providing protection against a broad range of pathogens. In particular, the threat of an intentional release of a highly virulent bacterial pathogen that is either intrinsically resistant to antibiotics, or has been weaponized via the introduction of antibiotic resistance, makes immunopotentiation an attractive complementary or alternative strategy to enhance resistance to bacterial biothreat agents. Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Bacillus anthracis, and Burkholderia mallei or pseudomallei can all be easily disseminated via the respiratory route and infections can result in high mortality rates. Therefore, there has been a marked increase in research on immunotherapeutics against these Tier 1 select agents over the last 10 years that will be covered in this review. In addition, immunopotentiation against non-Tier 1 select agents such as Brucella spp., and Coxiella burnetii has also been studied and will be reviewed here. In particular, we will focus on cellular targets, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), carbohydrate receptors and cytokine receptors, which have been exploited by immunomodulatory regimens that confer broad-spectrum protection against virulent bacterial pathogens.
Reconstruction of Lost Burial Plot Records with Ground Penetrating Radar

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted in Hastings Michigan in July of 2008 at West Carleton Cemetery, a cemetery of approximately 5 acres. This cemetery contains burials from the early 1800s through the 1950s. There are several small clusters of headstones marking graves; as well as large sections within the site that have no grave markers, but were believed by the Township Supervisor to be partially occupied.
Use of course-embedded projects for program assessment.

There is increasing demand on science faculty to develop authentic assessment measures for both individual courses and undergraduate programs. We report here on a quarter-long group project used in...
Characteristics of Epidemic and Serum Lipid in Childhood Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Diagnosed from 1999 to 2004 in Zhejiang Province

Objective To analyze the characteristics of epidemiology and serum lipid at first diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus(DM) in Zhejiang province.Methods The cases of type 1 DM first diagnosed in our hospital were collected from 1999 to 2004;the characteristics of epidemiology and serum lipid recorded were analyzed.Results The newly diagnosed cases of type 1 DM in our hospital went up gradually year by year,and there were difference in the number of cases older than 12 years between girls and boys.There were differences in the number of cases between those born and at onset from October to January compared with those born and the onset from February to May.The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA) was 42%,dyslipidemia was more prevalent in DKA group than non-DKA group.There were significant differences in blood sugar,HbAlc and period of hospitalization between the dyslipidemia cases and non-DKA cases.Conclusions The composition ratio of childhood type 1 DM in our hospital goes up gradually.The average age of girls at(dia)-gnosis is one year ahead of boys.The onset of childhood type 1 DM is correlated with purarche.Coldness may involve in the onset of childhood type 1 DM.The incidence of DKA at diagnosis also ascendes,dyslipidemia in type 1 DM children at onset is correlated with the values of blood sugar,HbAlc.
Target detection in hyperspectral Imaging using logistic regression

Target detection is an important application in hyperspectral imaging. Conventional algorithms for target detection assume that the pixels have a multivariate normal distribution. The pixels in most images do not have multivariate normal distributions. The logistic regression model, which does not require the assumption of multivariate normal distribution, is proposed in this paper as a target detection algorithm. Experimental results show that the logistic regression model can work well in target detection.
Positron emission tomography: a new method for determination of renal function.

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) is a newly evolving diagnostic modality that has been widely used in many facets of clinical medicine, but whose use in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the kidney has not been previously described. Employing the radiotracer N-13 ammonia, flow-dependent extraction of this compound after intravenous injection was used to measure renal blood flow (RBF) in a swine model (N = 10). A mean baseline value of 3.16 ml./min./gm. kidney was obtained with this method, in close agreement with values previously reported using established invasive techniques. Four conditions known to affect RBF were also studied to determine the ability of PET to detect changes in RBF. Kidneys were subjected to varying durations of warm ischemia, demonstrating a progressive decrease in RBF with increasing ischemic insult, with return to normal significantly impaired in animals exposed to the greatest degree of ischemia (180 minutes versus 150 or 120 minutes ischemia). Cross-transplant between animals produced acute allograft rejection and a corresponding marked decrease in RBF that failed to normalize. After unilateral nephrectomy, RBF increased two-fold in the remaining kidney by 7 days (R = 0.79), as predicted for compensatory renal hypertrophy. Lastly, there was an inverse, linear relationship between toxic cyclosporine level and RBF (R = 0.68), indicative of vascular-mediated cyclosporine nephrotoxicity. Positron emission tomography is safe and efficient, and yields an accurate measurement of RBF in several important physiologic states. The development of PET as a quantitative measure of renal function is promising.
Energy efficient hidden node detection for improving Quality of Service in wireless multimedia sensor networks

In many wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) the nodes are static. However, node connection is subjected to change due to disruptions in wireless communication, power changes in transmission, or loss of synchronization between neighboring nodes. A sensor should constantly be aware of its immediate neighbors, through a process called continuous neighbor discovery. In this paper we introduce an energy efficient hidden node detection (EEHND) algorithm for continuous neighbor discovery process in the wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). We focus on the continuous neighbor discovery process and regard it as a combined task of all the nodes in every connected segment. Each sensor is entered as a coordinate in an effort in order to reduce the time to detect hidden sensors. Based on the simulation results, we demonstrated that the protocol detected the hidden nodes in the network.
Why and When Entrepreneurs' Passion Affects Investors' Funding Decision

Existing literature remains inconclusive on whether entrepreneurs' passion affects investors' decision to invest, and no research to our knowledge has examined its mechanisms and contingencies. Dra...
Simulation, characterization and design of epitaxial emitter NPN 4H-SiC BJTs for amplifier applications

We have analyzed the implementation of a 4H-SiC NPN high voltage BJT as a small signal amplifier transistor. From experimental characterization and intrinsic device modeling, we determined that the factors limiting performance are base transport considerations and an inefficient layout for high frequency applications. Approaches such as improving base transport and base series resistance are suggested in order to achieve 4H-SiC BJTs with UHF and lower microwave frequency capabilities. Using two-dimensional numerical simulations, we present an improvement on the existing design wherein the intrinsic device modeling suggests a unity gain frequency f/sub T/ of approximately 5 GHz.
Creating powerful dashboards and visualizations of direct and indirect SLOs measures using Google's Dataset Publishing Language (DPSL) and Google's Public Data Explorer (GPDE) to advance assessment practices in institutional research at institutions of higher education

Google's Dataset Publishing Language (DPSL) and Google's Public Data Explorer (GPDE) offer Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) powerful ways to analyze campus-wide assessments of learning outcomes that were formerly unavailable to staff, assessment coordinators, institutional researchers, and other stake holders. Current practices in institutional assessment are severely limited, but DPSL and GPDE offer us a leap forward in institutional assessment. Presently, meaning is lost when the results of direct and indirect assessments of student learning outcomes are aggregated from program-level measures and presented as institution-wide results. For example, numerical results from analytic rubrics of performance assessments or signature assignments and survey responses from program completers and employers are most meaningful and useful at the program level; however, the impact of these measures can dissipate quickly as results are scaled upward toward the department, unit, college, or university levels. A better approach exists now. Using DPSL and the Google's Public Data Explorer, we demonstrate a fully-scalable and animated dashboard of student learning outcome results that not only retains meaning at all levels of the institution, but also affords us with new opportunities for data analysis and data-informed decision making. These animated dashboards provide us with a novel approach to presenting and analyzing direct and indirect assessment results of student learning outcomes.
The Testicular and Epididymal Luminal Fluid Microenvironment

From their humble beginnings as spermatogonia and throughout their development, spermatozoa are continually exposed to a specialized luminal fluid microenvironment. The composition of this fluid is unique to the ducts of the male reproductive tract and is distinctly different from blood plasma. Moreover, the composition of the testicular and epididymal luminal fluid is not constant but changes dramatically from one region to the next. Remarkably, the changes in the luminal microenvironment occur even along very small distances in the reproductive tract. These changes have been assumed to reflect the needs of spermatozoa as they undergo spermatogenesis in the testes and maturation in the epididymis. However, with the exception of some proteins, few components of the microenvironment have been shown to directly play a role in either testicular or epididymal function. This chapter will review some of the key components of the testicular and epididymal luminal fluid milieu and briefly discuss how this microenvironment is formed. Special attention will be given to the role of transport proteins in regulating the luminal fluid microenvironment.
Increased vascular and uteroplacental matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -7 levels and collagen type I deposition in hypertension in pregnancy: role of TNF-α.

The molecular mechanisms of preeclampsia are unclear, making it difficult to predict, prevent, or manage the pregnancy-associated disorder. This study showed that placental ischemia, possibly throu...
Formation of a Selenide‐Based Heterostructure From a Designed Precursor

The formation of the ferecrystalline compound (SnSe)1.15VSe2 is studied utilizing complementary X-ray diffraction techniques, differential scanning calorimetry, compositional analysis, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. A careful analysis unravels the formation mechanism, where a simultaneous crystallization of the individual constituents goes hand in hand with the formation of the superlattice structure. SnSe2 monolayers form along with SnSe and VSe2 units in the superlattice during the formation of (SnSe)1.15VSe2, with the SnSe2 monolayers coexisting up to 300°C. An annealing temperature of 400°C is required to fully self-assemble the ferecrystalline compound (SnSe)1.15VSe2, composed of alternating rocksalt-like SnSe bilayers and VSe2 trilayers. These results demonstrate a complex pathway along a multi-valley energy landscape for these metastable compounds, which in turn offers a rich platform to synthesize targeted layering sequences by precisely controlling the composition of the precursors as well as the annealing conditions.
Distortion invariant pattern recognition using Fourier plane nonlinear filters

The use of nonlinear techniques in the Fourier plane of pattern recognition correlators can improve the correlators’ performance in terms of discrimination against objects similar to the target object, correlation peak sharpness, and correlation noise robustness. Additionally, filter designs have been proposed which provide the linear correlator with invariance properties with respect to input signal distortions and rotations. In this paper, we propose simple modifications to presently known distortion invariant correlator filters which enable these filter designs to be used in a nonlinear correlator architecture. These Fourier plane nonlinear filters can be implemented electronically, or may be implemented optically using a nonlinear joint transform correlator. Extensive simulation results are presented which illustrate the performance enhancements that are gained by the unification of nonlinear techniques with these filter designs.
Mega Deal? A Relative Performance Analysis for Major League Baseball Players

Over the past decade, baseball has entered a period of the mega-deal: multi-year, high-priced contracts that lock in superstar players to a particular team for an extended period of time. General managers and fans alike stress over these long term contracts: will the player continue at a high level of perfor-mance, and hopefully even improve? What will the long term cost be towards putting together a team capable of contending for a championship? Recent disasters have compounded these fears as the following few paragraphs of anecdotal evidence account.
Electronic Health Records and Expectations of the Transformation of the Work of Radiologists

A key component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, popularly known as Obamacare, has been the provision within it entitled Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health or (HITECH). The law expends federal money for the adoption by health care facilities of information technology, specifically for the utilization of electronic health records. The impetus for the initiative is the expectation that by having a patient’s health care record immediately available, the decision making process will be influenced by the ready access to data. Consequently, unnecessary tests, especially perhaps those related to expensive imaging, will be reduced thereby ultimately decreasing health care costs [1].