cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foil MRT and X-pinch experiments on a MA linear transformer driver

Summary form only given. X-pinch experiments are underway on the MAIZE Linear Transformer Driver (LTD) at the University of Michigan. The MAIZE LTD can supply 1 MA, 100 kV pulses with 100 ns risetime into a matched load. The x-pinch consists of a single 35-50 μm Al or Mo wire separated by conical electrodes, between two current return plates. The LTD is charged to +/-70 kV resulting in approximately 0.4-0.5 MA through the wire. Initial tests show multiple x-ray bursts over the length of the current pulse.The x-pinch will ultimately backlight the Magneto RayleighTaylor (MRT) instability on a planar Al foil. The foil load contains a 1 cm wide, 400 nm thick foil placed between two current return plates. Ongoing MRT experiments involve seeding the MRT instability with arrays of 30 micron holes micromachined in the foil by a 150 fs Ti:sapphire laser. Laser shadowgraphy has previously been used to image the seeded foil as well as determine the MRT growth rate.[1,2] Future plans for the x-pinch include placing it in parallel with the foil in order to more accurately image and characterize the MRT instability. Plans for a smaller 100-150 kA compact pinch driver are also in development; (see poster by YagerEliorraga at this conference).
A convenient synthesis of s-(5′-deoxy-5′-adenosyl)- (±) -2-methylhomocysteine

Abstract The synthesis of S -(5′-deoxy-5′-adenosyl)-+-2-methylhomocysteine in two steps from +- -2-methylmethionine is described.
Detector Backgrounds at Muon Colliders

Physics goals of a Muon Collider (MC) can only be reached with appropriate design of the ring, interaction region (IR), high-field superconducting magnets, machine-detector interface (MDI) and detector. Results of the most recent realistic simulation studies are presented for a 1.5-TeV MC. It is shown that appropriately designed IR and MDI with sophisticated shielding in the detector have a potential to substantially suppress the background rates in the MC detector. The main characteristics of backgrounds are studied.
Establishing A-P polarity in the embryonic heart tube: a conserved function of Hox genes in Drosophila and vertebrates?

Abstract The correct establishment of anterior–posterior (A–P) polarity in the vertebrate embryonic heart tube during embryogenesis is crucial for the proper morphogenesis of the mature heart, but the molecular details of this process are poorly understood. Elucidation of this process should be facilitated by findings of recent studies regarding the establishment of A–P polarity in the Drosophila equivalent of the heart, the dorsal vessel. These studies have demonstrated that members of the Drosophila homeotic selector (Hox) gene family play important roles in this process. It appears that the homeotic gene abdominal-A is a key determinant of A–P polarity in the dorsal vessel, due to its function in specifying the posterior chamber of the dorsal vessel, and that other homeotic genes may function in specifying more anterior portions of the dorsal vessel. Another role of certain homeotic genes is to determine the extent of the cardiogenic region within the early embryonic mesoderm. These results suggest that the Hox genes may also play some role in the positioning of the embryonic heart field and the determination of A–P polarity in the vertebrate embryonic heart tube.
Factors influencing observed β-adrenergic receptor antagonism in guinea-pig trachea☆

Abstract Antagonism of β-adrenergic receptors by (−)-sotalol has been examined in isolated guinea-pig trachea by the use of pA 2 plots. When (−)-isoproterenol was used as agonist, the slope value of the pA 2 plot was 0.82 and was increased to 0.98 when experiments were performed in the presence of tropolone, 10 −4 M, to inhibit COMT. When a COMT resistant compound, (−)-soterenol, was used as agonist, the slope value was 0.95. To test the hypothesis that high concentrations of agonists which are substrates for COMT saturate the enzymatic sites or access to these sites and thereby potentiate their own effects during competitive receptor antagonism, the ability of sotalol to block effects of (+)-isoproterenol was examined. Since a low slope value (0.80) of the pA 2 plot was still obtained under these experimental conditions, agonist saturation of either process does not appear to be operative in this tissue. This suggest that the β-receptor antagonist may impede the O-methylation process in concentration-dependent fashion. The apparent nonclassical antagonism of β-receptors produced by sotalol in guinea-pig trachea can be attributed to changes in agonist disposition in the tissue than deviations from currently accepted receptor theory.
Group-contribution theory for adsorption of gas mixtures on solid surfaces

Equilibrium properties are derived for multicomponent mixtures of complex molecules adsorbed on a nonuniform surface. A model of localized adsorption of simple and branched chain molecules on a patchwise heterogeneous adsorbent is analyzed in terms of lattice statistics. The principal results are obtained by applying Guggenheim's lattice theory of solutions to gas adsorption. Interactions among adsorbed molecules on each patch are treated in the Bragg-Williams approximation. Explicitly accounting for the physical and chemical structure of the adsorbate molecules is the primary improvement over conventional lattice-gas theories. The analysis accounts for adsorbent heterogeneity, molecular size differences of the mixture components, and polyfunctionality of the adsorbate molecules (i.e. different types of functional groups within a molecule), all of which can contribute to nonideal behavior of adsorbed solutions. The theory may provide a basis for developing a group-contribution method of estimating thermodynamic properties for wide classes of adsorbed mixtures from limited experimental data, similar to familiar methods for liquid solutions.
High-performance active control of dynamically complex space structures

Experimental results obtained in a multiyear program to assess the cost and benefits tradeoffs of active structural control for precision space structures are reported. The combination of a complex segmented optics structural test article with broadband disturbances and very stringent performance requirements on both line-of-sight and higher-order aberration errors resulted in an exceptionally challenging control task, involving over 20-dB attenuation of dozens of vibration modes within the 10-200-Hz disturbance band. The authors applied a variety of control design techniques together with two distinct suites of vibration control actuator hardware. The control challenge, the actuator hardware designs, and the remarkably successful experimental results pertaining to a baseline decentralized control design are described.
Rate of opening of a population of Na channels in frog skeletal muscle fibers

Linear Systems convolution analysis of muscle sodium currents was used to predict the opening rate of sodium channels as a function of time during voltage clamp pulses. If open sodium channel lifetimes are exponentially distributed, the channel opening rate corresponding to a sodium current obtained at any particular voltage, can be analytically obtained using a simple equation, given single channel information about the mean open-channel lifetime and current.
A Cognitive Approach to Direct Practice with the Aging

The recent prominence of cognitive approaches in psychotherapy and more recently in social casework holds considerable promise for direct practice with olderpersons on both an individual and group basis. Several central concepts in cognitive theory are delineated and found to have particular advantages for the aging. First, they deal with conscious concerns and avoid the dangers of affective or regressive approaches in breaking down defenses. Second, they are heavily concerned with questions of meaning and self-concept, issues that are central to the last stage of life, as delineated by Erikson, and the task of achieving ego integrity over despair. Two case illustrations of the application of a cognitive approach in a group context are given.
Synaptic Plasticity in an Altered State

In this issue of Neuron, Montgomery and Madison (2002) record from synaptically coupled pairs of CA3 neurons to closely examine the induction of synaptic depression at a small number of identified synapses. The authors provide convincing evidence that the activation history of a synapse determines both the ability of a synapse to depress and the mechanism of depression.
Nitric oxide administration using constant-flow ventilation.

Nitric oxide (NO) gas is known as both a vasodilator and a toxin. It can react with oxygen to form compounds more toxic than itself, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). The reactions are time dependent; thus, infusing NO into breathing circuits as close to ventilated subjects as possible may help minimize toxic byproduct exposure. Unfortunately, flow rates commonly used with mechanical ventilation favor laminar gas flow (streaming) within the breathing circuits. Streaming could delay mixing of NO with other inhaled gases. This mixing delay may interfere with accurate monitoring and/or delivery of NO. We tested the hypothesis that streaming of NO infused by constant flow into the inspiratory limb of a constant-flow mechanical ventilation system can lead to NO concentration delivery estimate errors. We then compared the NO 2 concentrations at the ventilator Y-piece with three different NO mixing methods: blending the gases before they reach the breathing circuit inspiratory limb, infusing NO directly into the breathing circuit inspiratory limb far enough from the Y-piece to ensure thorough mixing, and infusing NO directly into the breathing circuit inspiratory limb immediately before the gases reach an in-line mixing device placed close to the Y-piece. Our results indicate that streaming can lead to NO concentration delivery estimate errors and that these errors can be characterized by measuring NO concentration variations across the inspiratory tubing's luminal diameter. NO 2 concentrations measured at the ventilator Y-piece were dependent on NO concentrations (p
Who Decides?: A Study of the Complainant's Decision to Prosecute in Rape Cases

A criminal complainant's decision to prosecute has long been recognized as an important aspect of criminal justice case processing. Much of the literature regards this decision as a simple expressi...
Psychological dimensions of the infant's physical environment*

Previous research relating early physical environmental parameters to subsequent development has produced data indicating a highly specific relationship between environmental and developmental parameters across time. A model encompassing this specificity has been proposed. An assumption of this model is that the physical environment is multidimensional. This study tests this assumption. The homes of 136 infants were assessed using the 30 physical environment codes of the Purdue Home Stimulation Inventory. These codes were intercorrelated and factor analyzed. Results indicated a complex factor structure, thus supporting the multidimensional physical environment assumption.
Poster: Realizing All-spectrum Cognitive Networking on a Software-defined Radio Testbed

We implement and real-time demonstrate for the first time ROCH; a distributed cognitive algorithm that maximizes secondary network throughput, while at the same time avoids interference to primary users through joint Routing and cOde-waveform CHannelization. ROCH performance is evaluated on a $7$-node software-defined radio testbed using the open-source radio framework, GNU Radio, and Universal Software Radio Peripherals (USRP-N$210$s). The implementation of ROCH is facilitated by the architectural abstractions of the RcUBe radio framework, that provides real-time reconfigurability at the PHY, MAC, and network layers of the protocol stack.
Effects of NFκB activation on KSHV latency and lytic reactivation are complex and context-dependent

Abstract Like all herpesviruses, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) can produce either latent or lytic infection. The latent v-FLIP gene is a strong activator of NFκB, and in primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells, blockade of NFκB activation is associated with enhanced lytic gene expression, while overexpression of p65 impairs expression of reporter genes driven by lytic promoters. This has led to the suggestion that NFκB activation may promote latency by suppressing lytic reactivation. Here we examine in detail the effects of NFκB activation on KSHV replication in several cell types. In accord with earlier work, we find that inhibition of NFκB signaling in PEL cells is associated with enhanced lytic reactivation of KSHV. Similarly, in de novo KSHV infection of primary endothelial cells, inhibition of NFκB signaling leads to an increase in lytic gene expression and enhanced virion production. By contrast, KSHV-infected human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF) show no increase in spontaneous lytic reactivation when NFκB is inhibited. Moreover, if NFκB activation is always inhibitory to lytic gene expression, one might expect its activation to be suppressed during the lytic cycle. However, we find that NFκB signaling is strongly and consistently activated in lytically infected cells of all lineages. Together these data indicate that (i) the relationship of NFκB activation to latency and lytic reactivation is not uniform, but is dependent on the cellular context; and (ii) even though NFκB activation is inhibitory to lytic gene expression in some contexts, such inhibition is at least partially bypassed or overridden during lytic growth.
For a Nonspeciesist Criminology: Animal Abuse as An Object of Study *

This article considers a variety of arguments about why theory and research on animal abuse should be developed by criminologists. These include, with more or less satisfaction, the status of animal abuse as (1) a signifier of actual or potential interhuman conflict, (2) an existing object of criminal law, (3) an item in the utilitarian calculus on the avoidance of pain and suffering, (4) a violation of rights, and (5) one of several oppressions identified by feminism as an interconnected whole. The article concludes that animal abuse is an important object of study for criminology not only sui generis but also because its presence may indicate or predict situations of interhuman violence.
Separated linear prediction—a new all-pole modelling technique for speech analysis

Abstract This study presents a new predictive method, Separated Linear Prediction (SLP), for spectral estimation of speech. The prediction of the signal value x ( n ) is computed from its p + 1 preceding samples by emphasising among the previous samples the one which is located next to sample x ( n ). All the p samples from x ( n − 2) to x ( n − ( p + 1)) are linearly extrapolated with x ( n − 1) to obtain p new values, which are used for prediction. Optimisation of the filter coefficients is computed using the autocorrelation criterion as in conventional LP. The SLP-analysis yields an all-pole filter of the order p + 1 with p unknowns in the normal equations. The performance of SLP was compared to conventional LP by analysing vowels produced by two female and four male speakers. Results showed that the proposed method yielded in general more accurate modelling of higher formants, residuals with smaller energy and increased flatness.
Some Characteristics of the Ionospheric Behavior During the Solar Cycle 23 – 24 Minimum

The Solar Cycle 23 – 24 minimum has been considered unusually deep and complex. In this article we study the ionospheric behavior during this minimum, and we have found that, although observable, the ionosphere response is minor and marginally exceeds the range of normal geophysical variability of the system. Two main ionospheric parameters have been studied: vertical TEC (vTEC, total electron content) and NmF2 (peak concentration of the F region). While vTEC showed a consistent modest decrease of the mean value, NmF2 behavior was less clear, with instances where the mean value for the minimum 23 – 24 was even higher that for the minimum 22 – 23. More extensive work is required to gain a better understanding of the ionospheric behavior under conditions similar to those presented in the last minimum.
Rosiglitazone modifies PEDF gene expression and protein levels in the Koletsky rat choroid-RPE complex

The purpose of this study was to determine whether rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ ligand, altered growth factor expression in the choroid-RPE complex of Koletsky rats. Using lean and obese Koletsky rats fed a normal or rosiglitazone-supplemented diet, gene and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pigment epithelial derived growth factor (PEDF), angiopoietin 1, and its receptor, Tie-2, were assessed. Both gene expression and protein expression of PEDF were significantly increased in both obese and lean Koletsky rats treated with rosiglitazone diet. Gene expression of VEGF, angiopoietin-1 and Tie-2 were increased after rosiglitazone treatment, without changes in protein expression. Since PPARγ ligands have been implicated in vascular remodeling, these results suggest that upregulation of PEDF expression may be a potential mechanism in the rat choroid-RPE complex.
The essentiality of acetylcholinesterase in conduction.

Abstract A method is described for assaying cholinesterase in an intract crab nerve using acetycholine and dimethylaminoethyl acetate (DMAEA) as substrates. This technique makes possible a new evaluation of the relationship between enzyme activity of nerve fibers and their ability to conduct impulses. It is shown that acethylcholine assays only a portion of the total enzyme, called in this paper external enzyme. DMAEA being a tertiary amine is able to penetrate barriers relatively impermeable to acethylcholine and other quarternary ammonium salts, and to reach extra enzyme called internal enzyme. There is probably about 3 times as much internal as external enzyme. The powerful enzyme inhibitors, prostigmine, tetraethyl pyrophosphate, and decamethonium nearly completely inhibit the external enzyme. DMAEA hydrolysis is inhibited only 50%, the unhibited portion being attributed to internal enzyme. These inhibitors do not produce conduction block. In striking contrast, those enzyme inhibitors which block conduction, such as DFP and eserine, inhibit both internal and external eznyme. It is shown that conduction is blocked by DFP when the total enzyme inhibition reaches about 80%. Complete enzyme inhibition can be obtained, but conduction could not be observed when the hydrolytic activity fell below about 20% (one case 14%). It has not been possible to obtain conduction in the absence of easily measured amounts of enzyme. Under large dosages of X-ray irradiation, but where conduction was not impaired, the internal enzyme activity increased although external enzyme activity declined. This was interpreted as caused by an increased permeability to DMAEA resulting from X-ray exposure.
Changes in the phospholipid composition and in fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine of various tissues of the developing tadpole of Agalychnis dacnicolor

Abstract 1. 1. Lipid changes occur in the developing tadpole of A. dacnicolor . The phosphatidylcholine content of liver and tail decrease during metamorphosis. 2. 2. In liver, the fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine become more unsaturated. 3. 3. In skin, phosphatidylcholine becomes more unsaturated and phosphatidylethanolamine becomes more saturated. 4. 4. In tail, phosphatidylcholine becomes more saturated and phosphatidylethanolamine shows no change. 5. 5. Triglycerides become more unsaturated in skin but become more saturated in tail.
Role of metabolism in effects of diflubenzuron on growth of B16 melanomas in mice.

The insect growth regulator diflubenzuron (DFB), which also inhibits growth of experimental tumors in mice, was studied to determine the influence of in vivo microsomal metabolism on its antitumor activity. DFB inhibits chitin synthesis and growth of imaginal epidermis in insects and suppresses melanogenesis and uptake of nucleosides in mouse melanoma cells, but the means of cell growth regulation and the role of metabolism of DFB in such regulation have not been established. Five daily injections of DFB (total of 4000 mg/kg) into C57BL/6 mice with B16 melanomas induced an acute 11–20% decrease in tumor volume and a 2–3 day increase in the initial tumor volume doubling time (Td), but at mid-treatment tumors regained maximum (control-like) rate of volume increase. Tumors in mice conditioned with a mixed function oxidase inhibitor (CoCl2) and treated with DFB did not decrease in mean volume, but their rate of volume increase was reduced by about 75% and the Td was increased by 4.2 days. In contrast, induction of mixed function oxidase with 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) or beta-napthaflavone (B-NF) enhanced the effects of DFB by a factor of 1.5 to 2.0. Therefore, aromatic hydroxylation of DFB may be required for tumor growth regulation. Three metabolites of DFB — two hydroxylated forms and a scission product, 4-chlorophenylurea (CPU), were also tested for tumor growth regulation. CPU was ineffective; a form oxidized at the 3 carbon of the phenyl ring (3-OH-DFB) was only marginally effective; but the 2-carbon form (2-OH-DFB) induced a 24% decrease in mean tumor volume and a 2.4 day increase in Td. Pretreatment with 3-MC and treatment with 2-OH-DFB also resulted in a 24% decrease in tumor volume and a 2.2 day increase in Td, but also reduced tumor volume increase to 20% between the 5th and 10th days after the initial 2-OH-DFB injection, compared to a 125% increase without 3-MC. Further, 3-MC pretreatment caused the otherwise marginally effective 3-OH-DFB to become almost as effective as 2-OH-DFB. These data support our previous report that DFB alters tumor growth and show that mixed function oxidase enhances effects of DFB, 2-OH-DFB and 3-OH-DFB.
Functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes and fullerenes via a dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate-4-dimethylaminopyridine zwitterion approach.

A versatile and highly efficient zwitterion method to functionalize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as well as fullerenes has been developed. This approach employs a combination of moderately weak electrophiles and nucleophiles to create reactive zwitterions, which are the key intermediates toward the functionalization. Such novel protocol provides a powerful platform for functionalization of SWCNTs and fullerenes in a modular fashion and will be of great use to both polymer chemistry and materials science.
Questioning Our Principles: Anthropological Contributions to Ethical Dilemmas in Clinical Practice

This paper presents an analysis of the applicability of a principalist approach for a global, or cross-cultural, bioethics. We focus especially on the principle of individual autonomy, a core value in ethical discourse. We echo some long-standing criticisms of other anthropologists, sociologists, and many medical ethicists that the individualistic approach to autonomy is a Euro-American value and cannot be ethically applied in all settings. As a remedy, we suggest an adaptation of Kleinman's Explanatory Model approach to questions of decisionmaking. We argue that the analysis and resolution of ethical dilemmas might also benefit from forms of pedagogy that integrate anthropological and other social science perspectives, and the incorporation of ethnographic techniques in ethical practice.We appreciate the extensive efforts of Michelle Amoruso, doctoral candidate in anthropology, who assisted with the preparation of the manuscript.
Phosphorus and the rare earth elements in felsic magmas: an assessment of the role of apatite

Abstract The solubility of fluorapatite in 17 silica-rich melts in the system Na 2 O-K 2 O-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 (with and without CaO or CaF 2 ) was determined at 1 kbar water pressure and 750 900°C. Apatite saturation occurs at levels of dissolved P 2 O 5 ranging between 0.04 (± 0.02) and 0.28 (± 0.13) wt%. with only 4 values outside the 0.09–0.20 wt% range. The results demonstrate not only that apatite is a common liquidus phase in felsic melts, but also that, under most circumstances, it remains in the residue during episodes of partial fusion of the crust. Given a solubility limit of 0.14 wt% dissolved P 2 O 5 (the mean of the experimental values) a source containing as little as 0.05% P 2 O 5 must be 35% melted before apatite is lost from the residue and no longer buffers the melt P 2 O 5 concentration at the saturation value. Higher abundances of P 2 O 5 in the source postpone the loss of residual apatite to still higher degrees of melting, and if the source P 2 O 5 content exceeds 0.14 wt%, apatite must be residual for all degrees of melting, increasing in abundance as melting proceeds. The generally secondary influence of apatite on the rare earth element (REE) patterns of melt and residue is most apparent when garnet and/or amphibole is minor or lacking in the residue. Fractional crystallization of intermediate (e.g. andesitic) magmas toward felsic compositions invariably results in saturation in apatite and some consequent depletion of REE in the melt.
Retrieval analysis of a hydroxyapatite-coated hip prosthesis

A 61-year-old woman fitted with a hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated macrotexture all-purpose hip prosthesis died three weeks after implantation. The retrieved femoral and acetabular components were examined using contact roentgenograms, the back-scattered mode of the scanning electron microscope, and light microscopy. Newly formed bone was observed in the marrow spaces and along the morselized autograft bone chips, which had been surgically placed in the medullary canal at the time of implantation. New bone was observed along 10% of the HA surface of the femoral component and 20% of the acetabular component. Some bone was also observed connecting the surrounding bone chips to the HA coating. Light microscopy showed the presence of osteoid on 20% of the femoral component and on 40% of the acetabular component. HA coating on total hip prostheses appears to enhance early skeletal attachment, which may be attributed to the osteoconductive properties of the composite.
Magneto-Optic Principles, Materials And Applications

Birefringence of circularly polarized light induced by the external magnetic field or internal magnetization in a material medium can be described phenomenologically by a skew symmetric permittivity tensor. The origin of this effect can be understood on the basis of magnetic field interacting on orbital electrons for the case of diamagnetic media, or the spin-orbit interaction for oriented spins in the case of ferromagnetic or low-temperature paramagnetic media. Faraday transmission and Kerr reflection effects are the dominant magneto-optic effects and are proportional to the field or magnetization contained in the off-diagonal term of the permittivity tensor, whereas the Voigt and Cotton-Mouton effects are second order effects and are usually difficult to observe. Using this permittivity tensor in the Max-well's equation, the detailed beam propaga-tion characteristics can be analyzed for arbitrary orientation between the magnetization or field, the polarization and the direction of beam propagation. Progress made in recent years in the preparation and refinement of magneto-optic media such as insulating magnetic materials, metallic films, glasses, and semiconductors has led to many new magneto-optic technologies and applications. These include laser mode control, optical mass memory, mode conversion in integrated optics, modulation and deflection, and tunable lasers. Both the magneto-optic materials and applications will be reviewed.
Is the apoE4 allele an independent predictor of coronary events

Abstract Purpose: Although the apolipoprotein E genotype ϵ4 (apoE4) has been associated with high cholesterol levels, whether it is an independent predictor of coronary events is not certain. Subjects and Methods: We measured apoE genotypes in 730 participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (421 men and 309 women, mean [± SD] age of 52 ± 17 years) who were free of preexisting coronary heart disease. A proportional hazards regression model was used to study the association between risk factors and the occurrence of coronary events, defined as angina pectoris, documented myocardial infarction by history or major Q waves on the electrocardiogram (Minnesota Code 1:1 or 1:2), or coronary death, adjusted for other risk factors, including total plasma cholesterol level. Results: The apoE4 allele was observed in 200 subjects (27%), including 183 heterozygotes and 17 homozygotes. Coronary risk factor profiles were similar in those with and without apoE4. Coronary events developed in 104 (14%) of the 730 subjects, including 77 (18%) of the 421 men during a mean follow-up of 20 years and 27 (9%) of the 309 women during a mean follow-up of 13 years. Coronary events occurred significantly more frequently in subjects with apoE4 (n = 40, 20%) than in those without this allele (64, 12%, P P P = 0.62). Conclusion: The apoE4 genotype is a strong independent risk factor for coronary events in men, but not women. The association does not appear to be mediated by differences in total cholesterol levels.
A second-order-residual (SOR) coding approach to high-bit-rate video compression

A novel video compression scheme that exploits the idea of second-order-residual (SOR) coding is proposed for high-bit-rate video applications in this work. We first study the limitation of today's high performance video coding standard, H.264/AVC, and show that it is not effective in the coding of small image features and variations for high-bit-rate video contents. For low to medium quality video streams, these small image features can be removed by the quantization process. However, when the quantization stepsize becomes small in high-bit-rate video, their existence degrades the rate-distortion coding performance significantly. To address this problem, we propose a coding scheme that decomposes the residual signals into two layers: the first-order-residual (FOR) and the second-order-residual (SOR). The FOR contains low frequency residuals while the SOR contains the high frequency residuals. We adopt the H.264/AVC for the FOR coding and propose two schemes, called SOR-freq and SOR-bp, for the SOR coding. It is shown by experimental results that the proposed FOR/SOR scheme outperforms H.264/AVC by a significant margin (with about 20% bit rate saving) in high-bit-rate video.
Simple approach for description of undercooled solidification

Assuming constant rates for nucleation and growth and neglecting thermal gradient in the melt, an analytical approach to describe the undercooled solidification was proposed in terms of ξα(x) function. This approach was adopted to study the solidification of undercooled Ni–B alloy. With increasing melt undercooling, good model fits to recalescences arising from the solidification of the primary and eutectic phases were obtained. The fitting results are consistent with the structure evolution upon solidification.
E-Mailing from Armenia

The development of an information technology industry in the remains of the old Soviet Union brought the discipline of a market economy to the region.
30 mm wide process of GdBCO PLD/clad-type textured metal substrates

Abstract Gd 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O x (GdBCO) coated conductors using bi-axially textured clad-type substrates have been developed for high temperatures superconducting (HTS) power cables. In this project, large amount of coated conductors (CCs) are necessary for the several tests of basic properties of HTS power cables and the fabrication of a 15 m long 3-in-one HTS model cable. In order to ensure an adequate amount and properties of coated conductors, the stable manufacturing technology and the high production rate at each process are required. In this report, we have newly installed a high power laser of 300 W for the PLD system, resulting in improvement of the manufacturing stability and the deposition rate for GdBCO film. In addition, we have optimized target–substrate distance in PLD process, and the uniformity of I c distribution across 30 mm wide tapes were remarkably improved. Furthermore, the surface morphology of buffer layers were enhanced by optimizing the deposition condition using electron beam (EB) evaporation method, and the maximum I c value for a short sample has achieved 497 A/cm at 77 K in the self-field. Based on these progresses, we are currently developing the stable manufacturing process for long CCs with over 400 A/cm.
Multimodal evaluation and management of children with concussion: using our heads and available evidence.

BACKGROUND: Significant attention has been focused on concussions in children, but a dearth of research evidence exists supporting clinical evaluation and management. AIM: The primary objective of this review paper is to describe a multimodal, developmentally adapted, standardized concussion assessment and active rehabilitation approach for children as young as 5 years old. METHODS: This study reviews the CDC-funded research programme, including the development of tools for post-concussion symptom assessment involving the child and parent, measurement of specific neurocognitive functions and assessment of dynamic cognitive exertional effects. RESULTS: A clinical approach to active, individualized, moderated concussion rehabilitation management is presented, including a 10-step guide to symptom management, with a specific focus on the school challenges faced by the recovering student. CONCLUSION: To better inform concussion practice across the developmental age spectrum, a significant need exists for further research evidence to refine clinical assessment methods and develop effective treatment approaches. Language: en
Pion-nucleus coordinate-space potential

A first-order pion-nucleus optical potential which is convenient for the analysis of pion-nucleus data is presented. This configuration-space potential incorporates a number of important theoretical features. A Lorentz transformation of the pion-nucleon interaction from the pion-nucleon to the pion-nucleus center-of-mass system is shown to yield a first-order potential which is almost local in coordinate space, and which differs from the originally proposed gradient potential, by containing an additional term proportional to the Laplacian of the density. We then show how this form is modified by off-shell and high-energy considerations. It is emphasized that proper off-shell and threshold behavior can be included and that energy and momentum variables must be treated carefully in deriving the optical potential. Typical numerical results are given and the new potential is shown to yield significant build-up of large-angle cross sections.[NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{12}\mathrm{C}(\ensuremath{\pi},\ensuremath{\pi})$, $E=120\ensuremath{-}280$ MeV; calculated $\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\theta})$: Optical potential deduced from multiple-scattering theory.]
Multiple Dual Specificity Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases Are Expressed and Regulated Differentially in Liver Cell Lines

An emerging subclass of protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) exhibits sequence identity to the vaccinia H-1 (VH-1) gene product. These VH-1-like PTPases possess the canonical HCXAGXXR(S/T) sequence common to all PTPases, but unlike other PTPases they exhibit dual catalytic activity toward phosphotyrosine and nearby phosphothreonine residues in substrate proteins. We have isolated a novel VH-1-like PTPase, hVH-3, from the human placenta and compared various aspects of its expression with previously isolated members of this subfamily. The mammalian members of this subfamily including hVH-3 commonly localize to the nucleus and exhibit catalytic activity toward phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase. However, while the expression of some VH-1-like PTPases is extremely transient and independent of protein synthesis, hVH-3 expression is sustained over 3 h after being cell stimulated. Tissue-specific expression of hVH-3 is also distinct from other VH-1-like PTPases. Although VH-1-like PTPases have overlapping substrate specificity, there are differences in their mRNA regulation, response to extracellular stimuli, and tissue-specific expression, suggesting they serve specific roles in cellular function.
Peer Play Interactions and Learning for Low-Income Preschool Children: The Moderating Role of Classroom Quality.

Research Findings: The present study examined the degree to which the association between interactive peer play and academic skills was dependent upon the level of classroom quality for a representative sample of culturally and linguistically diverse urban Head Start children (N = 304 children across 53 classrooms). Peer play interactions within the classroom were assessed by teacher assistants in the fall of the year; observations of the quality of classroom instructional, emotional, and organizational support were conducted in the middle of the year; and norm-referenced direct assessments of literacy, language, and mathematics skills were administered in the spring. Findings from multilevel models indicated that disruptive and disconnected peer play behaviors early in the preschool year were associated with lower literacy and language skills regardless of classroom quality. However, interactive peer play early in the year was associated with higher mathematics outcomes when children were enrolled in cla...
Mass spectrometry and fullerenes

This article presents, from amass spectrometry perspective, an historical account of research on gas-phase carbon clusters, which has led to the discovery of another form of carbon, fullerenes. In addition, more recent mass spectrometric studies on analysis of fullerene derivatives and synthesis of doped fullerenes are described. The early, strong evidence for certain “magic number” carbon clusters, most notably C60 (buckminsterfullerene), was obtained largely from mass spectrometric experiments. These studies led to the controversial postulation of the soccerball structure for C60, which provoked increased experimental and theoretical efforts. This research eventually resulted in the discovery of a simple method by which large quantities of fullerenes can be produced. The availability of these new, all-carbon molecules has motivated a broad range of synthetic and characterization studies that are expanding at a frenetic pace. Mass spectrometry not only played a critical role in the discovery of fullerenes but also now is crucial for determination of the unusual chemical and physical properties of fullerenes and fullerene-based materials.
Seed protein and seedling isozyme patterns of Zea mays and its closest relatives

The genus Zea L. has recently been classified into sections Zea and Luxuriantes Doebley & Iltis. Section Zea is recognised to include Z. mays subsp. mays, subsp. mexicana (Schrader) Iltis, and subsp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley. Section Luxuriantes includes Z. luxurians (Durie & Ascherson) Bird, Z. perennis (Hitchcock) Reeves & Mangelsdorf, and Z. diploperennis Iltis, Doebley & Guzman. Band patterns resulting from isoelectric focusing of H2O- and TrisHCl-soluble seed proteins, analysed by the simple matching technique with subsequent clustering analysis, confirm the suggested taxonomy for Zea. Electrophoretic band patterns of seedling isozymes (alcohol dehydrogenase, esterase, and indophenol oxidase) proved to be less satisfactory.
The analgesia produced by food deprivation in 4-month old, 14-month old, and 24-month old rats

The analgesia produced by 24 hr of food deprivation was examined in 4-mo, 14-mo, and 24-mo old rats. To assess opioid and hormonal involvement in food deprivation induced analgesia, different groups of rats from each age group were injected with naltrexone (7 mg/kg), dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg), or equivolume saline. Results revealed that food deprivation produced an equivalent analgesic response in each saline-treated age group. Also, naltrexone and dexamethasone were equally potent in blocking food deprivation induced analgesia in each age group. These results demonstrated that food deprivation activates an endogenous opioid-mediated analgesic system that involves hormonal factors and that this system does not change in function with increasing age.
Essential requirement for caspase-8/FLICE in the initiation of the Fas-induced apoptotic cascade

Abstract Background: Fas (APO-1/CD95) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF-R) family and induces apoptosis when crosslinked with either Fas ligand or agonistic antibody (Fas antibody). The Fas–Fas ligand system has an important role in the immune system where it is involved in the downregulation of immune responses and the deletion of peripheral autoreactive T lymphocytes. The intracellular domain of Fas interacts with several proteins including FADD (MORT-1), DAXX, RIP, FAF-1, FAP-1 and Sentrin. The adaptor protein FADD can, in turn, interact with the cysteine protease caspase-8 (FLICE/MACH/Mch5). Results: In a genetic screen for essential components of the Fas-mediated apoptotic cascade, we isolated a Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line deficient in caspase-8 that was completely resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis. Complementation of this cell line with wild-type caspase-8 restored Fas-mediated apoptosis. Fas activation of multiple caspases and of the stress kinases p38 and c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase (JNK) was completely blocked in the caspase-8-deficient cell line. Furthermore, the cell line was severely deficient in cell death induced by TNF- α and was partially deficient in cell death induced by ultraviolet irradiation, adriamycin and etoposide. Conclusions: This study provides the first genetic evidence that caspase-8 occupies an essential and apical position in the Fas signaling pathway and suggests that caspase-8 may participate broadly in multiple apoptotic pathways.
Prenatal auditory discrimination in the wood duck (Aix sponsa)

Abstract Wood duck embryos were tested to the wood duck maternal call or the mallard maternal call. The group receiving the species-specific call increased bill-clapping during stimulus presentation, and the group receiving the mallard call decreased. Since the wood duck's postnatal behaviour with respect to the species-specific call is inconsistent, the possibility is discussed that the demonstrated prenatal specificity may require some sort of supportive auditory input, perhaps similar to that occurring in the natural situation, in order that it be maintained and carried over for functional significance into postnatal life.
Impact of the SPIRIT III sensor design on algorithms for background removal, object detection, and point-source extraction

This paper describes background removal, point source detection, and position and irradiance extraction data processing algorithms that have been developed for the Spatial Infrared Imaging Telescope (SPIRIT) III design. The SPIRIT III sensor is the primary instrument on the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite and is scheduled for launch in early 1996. The sensor consists of an off-axis reimaging telescope, and, among other instruments, a six-band scanning radiometer that covers the spectrum from midwave infrared to longwave infrared. The radiometer has five arsenic-doped silicon (Si:As) focal plane detector arrays with 8 X 192 pixels. The angular separation between adjacent pixels is 90 (mu) rad. A single axis scan mirror can operate at a constant 0.46 deg/sec scan rate to give programmable fields of regard of 1 X 0.75, 1 X 1.5, and 1 X 3 degrees or can remain fixed. Scanned images are non-uniformly sampled because of non-linear scan mirror motion, array misalignment, optical distortion, detector readout ordering, and satellite rotation. In addition, three of the five arrays contain multiple cross-scan aligned columns of pixels that five scanned images that have spatially overlapping in- scan data. Algorithms for processing data sampled on a uniform grid, such as data obtained from a CCD array, are enhanced and applied to the SPIRIT III radiometer where scanned images are non-uniformly sampled and have spatially overlapping data. The performance of these algorithms are evaluated with point source data acquired during ground measurements.
On the law of the iterated logarithm.

Abstract The law of the iterated logarithm provides a family of bounds all of the same order such that with probability one only finitely many partial sums of a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables exceed some members of the family, while for others infinitely many do so. In the former case, the total number of such excesses has therefore a proper probability distribution, and it is shown here that whenever the law applies this distribution possesses no moments of positive order. This result further elucidates the celebrated precision of this law of probability concerning fluctuations of sums of random variables.
Increasing Returns and the Genesis of American Resource Abundance.

The USA became the world's leading mineral-producing nation between 1870 and 1910, a development paralleled by the rising resource-intensity of American manufacturing. This paper challenges the premise that resource abundance simply reflected the country's geological endowment of mineral deposits. Instead, in the century following 1850 the USA exploited its natural resource potentials to a far greater extent than other countries, and did so across virtually the entire range of industrial minerals. The paper argues that "natural resource abundance" was an endogenous, "socially constructed" condition that was not geologically preordained. It examines the complex legal, institutional, technological and organizational adaptations that shaped the US supply-responses to the expanding domestic and international industrial demands for minerals and mineral products. It suggests that strong "positive feedbacks"--even in the exploitation of depletable resources--were responsible for the explosive growth of the American minerals economy. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.
Design and Performance of a Pumped Counterflow Virtual Impactor

Counterflow virtual impaction uses a flow of gas in a direction opposite the motion of the particles to separate them from gas and smaller particles. In the past such devices have used aircraft flight or wind tunnel flow to impart momentum to the particles. Here we describe the design and performance of an apparatus, termed a pumped counterflow virtual impactor (PCVI), which uses a vacuum pump to provide the flow. We show that this device is capable of inertial separation with a sub-micrometer cutoff diameter, particle enhancement approaching the ratio of the output to the input flow, and replacement of the ambient gas in the output flow with another gas that may be more suitable for downstream analysis techniques. Rejection of input gas and particles smaller than the cutoff diameter can exceed 99.9%.
Early Modern Intentionalism: Replies to LoLordo’s Comments

I clarify Locke’s intentionalism and explain what we might gain by paying more attention to the role of linguistic intentions in the work of the British empiricists.