cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactive improvisation with a robotic marimba player

Shimon is a interactive robotic marimba player, developed as part of our ongoing research in Robotic Musicianship. The robot listens to a human musician and continuously adapts its improvisation and choreography, while playing simultaneously with the human. We discuss the robot's mechanism and motion-control, which uses physics simulation and animation principles to achieve both expressivity and safety. We then present an interactive improvisation system based on the notion of physical gestures for both musical and visual expression. The system also uses anticipatory action to enable real-time improvised synchronization with the human player. We describe a study evaluating the effect of embodiment on one of our improvisation modules: antiphony, a call-and-response musical synchronization task. We conducted a 3×2 within-subject study manipulating the level of embodiment, and the accuracy of the robot's response. Our findings indicate that synchronization is aided by visual contact when uncertainty is high, but that pianists can resort to internal rhythmic coordination in more predictable settings. We find that visual coordination is more effective for synchronization in slow sequences; and that occluded physical presence may be less effective than audio-only note generation. Finally, we test the effects of visual contact and embodiment on audience appreciation. We find that visual contact in joint Jazz improvisation makes for a performance in which audiences rate the robot as playing better, more like a human, as more responsive, and as more inspired by the human. They also rate the duo as better synchronized, more coherent, communicating, and coordinated; and the human as more inspired and more responsive.
IL-8 is a mediator of NF-κB induced invasion by gliomas

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and deadly form of primary brain tumor with a median survival of eleven months, despite use of extensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. We have previously shown that nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is aberrantly expressed in GBM tumors and primary cell lines derived from tumor tissue. Here we show that IL-8, a chemokine is also aberrantly expressed by GBM cell lines and expression of IL-8 is in large part, attributable to the aberrant activation of NF-κB. We hypothesized that invasiveness of GBM cells is driven at least in part by aberrantly expressed IL-8. In support of the hypothesis we found that treatment of glioma cells with an IL-8 neutralizing antibody markedly decreased their invasiveness compared to cells treated with control IgG or left untreated. Furthermore, downregulation of IL-8 protein production with use of IL-8 targeted siRNA also resulted in decreased invasion in matrigel. We next investigated the presence of IL-8 receptors by FACS analysis and found that GBM cells (U87, U251, D54 and LN229) only express CXCR1 but not CXCR2. Treatment of U87 cells with a blocking CXCR1 antibody reduced their invasion through matrigel. Finally, we found that addition of exogenous IL-8, following downregulation of NF-κB which results in loss of endogenous IL-8 production, incompletely restored tumor cell invasion. Our data indicate that IL-8 is necessary but not solely responsible for glioma cell invasion and mediates its effect in an autocrine manner.
Sociological and Clinical Models of the Family: An Attempt to Identify Paradigms.

Abstract This article reviews the conceptual models of the family as developed by sociology and related academic disciplines and by the clinical disciplines. Striking correspondences are observed between the major sociological models (structure-functional, interactional-situational and family developmental) and the major clinical models (family structural, family process and multigenerational). The general paradigms underlying the models of both disciplines are identified (structural, process and historical).
The Double Exponential Distribution: Using Calculus to Find a Maximum Likelihood Estimator

(1984). The Double Exponential Distribution: Using Calculus to Find a Maximum Likelihood Estimator. The American Statistician: Vol. 38, No. 2, pp. 135-136.
Microplate tectonics along a superfast seafloor spreading system near Easter Island

There is a growing Easter microplate between the Pacific and Nazca plates. The eastern and western boundaries of the microplate are actively spreading and propagating north and south, respectively. The northern and southern boundaries are broad transform zones. Most of the interior of the microplate contains the sort of oblique sheared structures characteristic of zones of transferred lithosphere between propagating and failing spreading centres.
Implementation of Nonthreaded Estimation for Run-to-Run Control of High Mix Semiconductor Manufacturing

Semiconductor processing consists of many different unit operations that are combined in a sequence to create the finished product. Many of these unit operations utilize run to run control in order to keep the process within the required manufacturing constraints. Typically, the difference, or bias, between the desired and actual result of processing a particular wafer is affected by not only the particular product being produced, but the prior processing path. Each possible effect is called a context category, and the particular context items relevant for a wafer is called a thread. Because of frequent changes and updates in semiconductor products as well as a large number of product lines, run to run control must deal with a high-mix environment of products, and a large number of threads. Previously, several authors have discussed a method of describing the bias for a particular thread as a sum of context item biases and using a Kalman Filter to estimate these biases. However, two issues with previous implementations have been the observability of the state realization of the bias model, and the computational cost of the Kalman filter. In this paper, we introduce a model formulation that does not require model reduction or the specification of special reference threads, thus easily allowing new threads to be added and old threads removed. In addition, we describe how the problem structure allows the information form of the Kalman filter to be much more computationally efficient. Simulation results illustrate the proposed method.
Stability criterion for composite superconductor of large aspect ratio

Abstract The stability of a tape/film superconductor of a large aspect ratio is studied by considering the transverse normal zone behaviour subjected to an instantaneous thermal disturbance. Different types of behaviour in terms of stable superconducting operation, current sharing, quenching and superconductivity recovery have been identified. A stability criterion was developed based on heat conduction analyses for the current sharing steady state and the quenching steady state. The criterion was validated by the transient stability behaviour results for an NbTi superconductor obtained through the finite difference method. The effects of operating current density and the composite superconductor's dimensions on the stability performance were also investigated.
Persistence of fecal shedding of Salmonella Enteritidis by experimentally infected laying hens housed in conventional or enriched cages

Salmonella Enteritidis can be deposited inside eggs laid by infected hens, so the prevalence of this pathogen in commercial egg-producing flocks is an important risk factor for human illness. Opportunities for the introduction, transmission, and persistence of salmonellae in poultry are potentially influenced by flock housing and management systems. Animal welfare concerns have spurred the development of alternatives to traditional cage-based housing. However, the consequences of poultry housing systems for food safety have not been fully resolved by prior research. The present study assessed the effects of two different housing systems (conventional cages and colony cages enriched with perching and nesting areas) on the persistence of fecal shedding of Salmonella Enteritidis by groups of experimentally infected laying hens. In each of two trials, 136 hens were distributed among cages of both housing systems and orally inoculated with doses of 10(8) cfu of Salmonella Enteritidis (phage type 13a in one trial and phage type 4 in the other). At weekly intervals, samples of voided feces were collected from beneath each cage and cultured to detect Salmonella Enteritidis. Fecal shedding of Salmonella Enteritidis was detected for up to 8 wk post-inoculation by hens housed in enriched colony cages and 10 wk by hens housed in conventional cages. For both trials combined, the frequency of positive fecal cultures was significantly (P < 0.05) greater for conventional cages than for enriched colony cages at 1 wk (84.7 vs. 71.5%), 2 wk (54.2 vs. 31.3%), 3 wk (21.5 vs. 7.6%), and 4 wk (9.7 vs. 2.8%) post-inoculation. These results demonstrate that the susceptibility of hens to intestinal colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis can differ between conventional and enriched cage-based production systems, although this effect does not necessarily translate into a corresponding difference in the longer-term persistence of fecal shedding.
Ethanol blood levels following acute i.v. administration in mice.

Nach einer einzelnen intravenosen Dosis von 0,33, 0,67 und 2,67 g/kg Athanol wurde der Stoffwechsel in Mausen untersucht. Es wurden dosen-abhangige Geschwindigkeiten des Stoffwechsels gefunden.
Analysis of a spatial-tracking subsystem for optical communications

Spatial tracking plays a very critical role in designing optical communication systems because of the small angular beamwidth associated with the optical signal. One possible solution for spatial tracking is to use a nutating mirror which dithers the incoming beam at a rate much higher than the mechanical disturbances. A power detector then senses the change in detected power as the signal is reflected off the nutating mirror. This signal is then correlated with the nutator driver signals to obtain estimates of the azimuth and elevation tracking signals to control the fast scanning mirrors. A theoretical analysis is performed for a spatial tracking system using a nutator disturbed by shot noise and mechanical vibrations. Contributions of shot noise and mechanical vibrations to the total tracking error variance are derived. Given the vibration spectrum and the expected signal power, there exists an optimal amplitude for the nutation which optimizes the receiver performance. The expected performance of a nutator based system is estimated based on the choice of nutation amplitude.
Heterogeneous forms of polymerase proteins exist in influenza A virus-infected cells.

Abstract In influenza virus-infected cells a virus coded polymerase that consists of three polypeptide subunits, namely PB1, PB2 and PA, mediates both transcription and replication. Radioimmunoprecipitation with monospecific antisera to each of the polymerase proteins revealed additional forms of PB1 and PA proteins in infected cells. PA antiserum detected two additional proteins of 62k and 60k and PB1 antiserum recognized two additional proteins of 85k and 70k. Further investigation was carried out on the 62k PA and 85k PB1 related proteins. Limited proteolysis peptide mapping showed that these proteins are subsets of their normal counterparts. These new forms of polymerase proteins are designated as “b” forms (PAb and PB1b) to distinguish them from the previously recognized forms designated as “a” forms (PAa and PB1a). Both PAb and PBIb proteins were found in cells infected with all the influenza type A viruses tested indicating that they are evolutionarily conserved. Pulse chase experiments showed that the “b” forms are not derived from “a” forms. This suggested that “b” forms are translated independently. The “b” forms were not detected in purified virus but were found to be associated with intracellular RNP templates, suggesting a role for these proteins in intracellular virus replication events.
Did the Big Bang Have a Cause

L'A. mesure la validite d'une philosophie de la cosmologie classique du Big Bang qui soutiendrait la probabilite d'une cause de la singularite d'un tel evenement, en s'appuyant sur la validite de l'argument a posteriori defendu par R. Weingard et sur celle de l'argument a priori de W. L. Craig inspriree des antinomies de Kant, ne debouchant que sur cette seule certitude: l'univers a commence a exister sans la moindre cause
Topics in Biometric Human-Machine Interaction Security

Biometrics is the science and technology of measuring and statistically analyzing biological data. As applied to computing and human-machine interaction (HMI), biometric applications deal with recognizing the individual or deciphering the individual's conversation (e.g., in the form of voice commands or gestures) or collecting and analyzing data regarding the individual's health and emotional status.These applications inherently deal with personally identifiable information (PII), which ultimately has to be stored somewhere, retrieved at some point of time, processed, and probably stored again, perhaps over a wireless channel.
SU‐E‐T‐367: Cervix Brachytherapy Dosimetry: Inconsistencies in Defining Bladder and Rectal Points

Purpose: The Radiological Physics Center (RPC) reviews patient records on brachytherapy cervix trials for completeness, consistency with the protocol and dosimetric accuracy to minimize patient dose delivery and reporting uncertainty for NCI funded clinical trials. Within cervical protocols, bladder and rectum doses are specified to limit toxicity to these normal tissues. However, bladder and rectal doses reported by institutions often disagree with the RPC's calculated doses. The RPC has investigated the sources of these disagreements. Methods: The RPC reviewed 182 HDR brachytherapy (tandem and ovoids (T&O)/tandem and ring (T&R)) implants and compared the institution's bladder and rectum point locations and doses to those determined by the RPC strictly adhering to protocol specifications (ICRU 38) for point location and using its independent dose calculation algorithm. The RPC also analyzed its own uncertainty in defining these two points. A dose agreement criterion of ±15% was used as agreed upon by the study group and RPC. Results: The RPC disagreed with the bladder and rectal doses in 25% and 45%, respectively, of the 182 implants. The RPC's own uncertainty in defining the bladder and rectal points was 1mm±0. 1(STDEV), respectively which in a worst case scenario might account for 7% of the dose disagreement. The majority of the dose disagreements were due to the institution's incorrect localization of the bladder and rectal points, by greater than 5mm and 4mm, respectively, away from the ICRU 38 defined location. There were no differences noted whether the applicator used was a T&O or T&R. Conclusions: Most errors resulted from institutions incorrectly defining the bladder and rectum dose calculation points per ICRU 38. Additional education, timely reviews of implant data and communication with institutions are needed to reduce the number of discrepancies. Work supported by PHS grant CA 10953 awarded by NCI, DHHS
Gram-Schmidt algorithms for covariance propagation

This paper addresses the time propagation of triangular covariance factors. Attention is focused on the square-root free factorization, P = UDUT, where U is unit upper triangular and D is diagonal. An efficient and reliable algorithm for U-D propagation is derived which employs Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization. Partitioning the state vector to distinguish bias and colored process noise parameters increases mapping efficiency. Cost comparisons of the U-D, Schmidt square-root covariance and conventional covariance propagation methods are made using weighted arithmetic operation counts. The U-D time update is shown to be less costly than the Schmidt method; and, except in unusual circumstances, it is within 20% of the cost of conventional propagation.
Scattering of real photons and the structure of baryons

Abstract The leading corrections to point scattering from the proton are characterized by two charge and four spin-polarizability parameters that are sensitive to the proton's internal structure. We review the status of these, focusing on a recent extraction of the backward spin-polarizability, γ π = [−27.1 ± 2.2( stat + sys ) −2.4 +2.8 ( model )] × 10 −4 fm 4 , which differs significantly from theoretical expectations.
2010 Special Issue: Statistical analysis of large-scale neuronal recording data

Relating stimulus properties to the response properties of individual neurons and neuronal networks is a major goal of sensory research. Many investigators implant electrode arrays in multiple brain areas and record from chronically implanted electrodes over time to answer a variety of questions. Technical challenges related to analyzing large-scale neuronal recording data are not trivial. Several analysis methods traditionally used by neurophysiologists do not account for dependencies in the data that are inherent in multi-electrode recordings. In addition, when neurophysiological data are not best modeled by the normal distribution and when the variables of interest may not be linearly related, extensions of the linear modeling techniques are recommended. A variety of methods exist to analyze correlated data, even when the data are not normally distributed and the relationships are nonlinear. Here we review expansions of the Generalized Linear Model designed to address these data properties. Such methods are used in other research fields, and the application to large-scale neuronal recording data will enable investigators to determine the variable properties that convincingly contribute to the variances in the observed neuronal measures. Standard measures of neuron properties such as response magnitudes can be analyzed using these methods, and measures of neuronal network activity such as spike timing correlations can be analyzed as well. We have done just that in recordings from 100-electrode arrays implanted in the primary somatosensory cortex of owl monkeys. Here we illustrate how one example method, Generalized Estimating Equations analysis, is a useful method to apply to large-scale neuronal recordings.
Health of the People: The Highest Law?

From my perspective, as a White House official watching the budgetary process, and subsequently as head first of a health care financing agency and then of a public health agency, I was continually amazed to watch as billions of dollars were allocated to financing medical care with little discussion, whereas endless arguments ensued over a few millions for community prevention programs. The sums that were the basis for prolonged, and often futile, budget fights in public health were treated as rounding errors in the Medicare budget.William Roper (1994)
Clinical appearance and treatment strategies for human papillomavirus: A gynecologic perspective

The outcome of exposure to human papillomavirus (HPV) depends on multiple factors including HPV type, type of skin infected, host immunity, nutritional factors, and smoking. When infection occurs, it is classified as clinical, subclinical, or latent. Clinical lesions, termed "condylomata acuminata," can be diagnosed by gross observation. Subclinical lesions may be detected by abnormal cytologic or histologic studies. They become clinically visible as white epithelial patches after application of 5% acetic acid and magnification by use of an instrument, such as a colposcope. Latent infection is detected only by HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization techniques; it cannot be seen clinically even with acetic acid and magnification. HPV infections are differentiated from HPV-assodated neoplasia, because it appears that other factors are necessary for malignant transformation. Condylomata acurninala
OPTICAL AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC CHANGES IN ULTRAVIOLET-IRRADIATED CHROMOSOME SEGMENTS

Chromosome segments of urodele cells lose some substance after irradiation with about 10(-1) ergs/micro(2) of heterochromatic ultraviolet light. These segments stain faintly or negatively with the Feulgen and pyronine-methyl-green methods and weakly with the Alfert-Gesch-wind stain for basic protein. In the living cells, Perry found in these chromosome segments a decrease of 50 to 60 per cent in absorption at 2400, 2600, and 2800 A, i.e., in the region of intense chromosomal absorption that is maximal at 2600 A. Apparently the material lost contains DNA (?DNP) and we call the process DNA-steresis. In such cells, fixed in neutral formalin in Tyrode's solution and stained with phosphotungstic acid, electron microscopy shows that the unirradiated parts of the chromosomes consist of (a) a homogeneous or finely fibrillar material (component-A) filling the meshes of (b) an irregular network with bars 40 to 300 A in diameter, some of which continue into a similar interchromosomal network. DNA-steretic portions of the chromosomes consist mainly of this network and only small amounts of component-A, which presumably contains the DNA. We have not been able to demonstrate DNA-steresis with the electron microscope after primary fixation with OsO(4) or KMnO(4). Structural changes due to DNA-steresis are compared with certain nuclear changes in the mitotic cycle.
Electron affinities and E1 f values for 11 bound states of La - formed by 6p and 5d attachment

Relativistic configuration-interaction calculations, including valence and some shallow core-valence correlation indicate that ${\mathrm{La}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ has 11 bound states. The seven odd states arising from 6p attachment have electron affinities (in meV) of 462 ${(}^{1}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}), 282 {(}^{3}{\mathrm{F}}_{2}), 247 {(}^{3}{\mathrm{F}}_{3}),$ 235 ${(}^{3}{\mathrm{D}}_{1}), 145 {(}^{3}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}), 84 {(}^{3}{\mathrm{F}}_{4}),$ and 56 ${(}^{3}{\mathrm{D}}_{3}).$ The remaining four bound states are even $5d$ attachments with electron affinities (EA's) of 434 ${(}^{3}{\mathrm{F}}_{2}), 375 {(}^{3}{\mathrm{F}}_{3}), 312 {(}^{3}{\mathrm{F}}_{4}),$ and 62 ${(}^{1}{\mathrm{D}}_{2}).$ The majority of these levels are reported here for the first time. Two of these EA's are in good agreement with the recent experimental values of Covington et al. [J. Phys. B 31, L855 (1998)]. The largest $5d\ensuremath{-}6p$ f value is $\ensuremath{\sim}0.00565.$
Neural network control of nonholonomic robot formations using limited communication with reliability assessment

Architectures for the control of mobile robot formations are often described by three levels of abstraction: an intelligence layer for task planning, a network layer for relaying commands and information throughout the formation, and finally, at the lowest level of abstraction is a robot model layer where each robot is locally controlled to be consistent with the current formation task. In this work, the network and robot model layers are considered, and an output feedback control law for leader-follower based formation control is developed using neural networks (NN) and limited communication. A NN is introduced to approximate the dynamics of the follower as well as its leader using online weight tuning while a novel NN observer is designed to estimate the linear and angular velocities of both the follower robots and its leader. Thus, each robot can achieve its control objective with limited knowledge of its leader's states and dynamics while simultaneously reducing the communication load required in the network layer. It is shown using Lyapunov theory that the errors for the entire formation are uniformly ultimately bounded while relaxing the separation principle. Numerical results are provided to verify the theoretical conjectures, and the reliability of the scheme is evaluated by introducing processing and communication delays, as well as communication failures.
The interactive effects of facial expressions of emotion and verbal messages on perceptions of affective meaning

Abstract The influence of facial expressions of emotion on perceptions of affective sentence meaning was investigated by pairing happy, angry, suprised, and sad faces of “teachers” with sentences of varying affective tone. Ninety-five students judged the overall meaning communicated by these paired stimuli. The design allowed exploration of unique facial-verbal combination effects, overall cue integration effects, and sex differences. Clear effects of cue combinations emerged. Perceived sincerity was found to be a function of the consistency of evaluative (positivity) but not dominance cues. Perceived positivity was an interactive function of both evaluative cues and dominance cues. Perceived dominance was affected by the interaction of evaluative cues. The subtleties of cue combination were clarified through open-ended dependent measures. Also, as expected, females were found to be more sensitive than males to verbal-nonverbal cue conflict in perceptions of sincerity. However, no other sex differences were found. The findings were discussed with regard to the need for a firm empirical base upon which to integrate verbal and nonverbal research traditions in the communication of affective meaning.
Comparing Computer and Traditional Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System Training Methods

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the effectiveness of two versions-paper versus computer-of a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point training plan developed for instructing experienced food service personnel. An independent study training plan on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system was developed and evaluated. It was intended for training enlisted military personnel having approximately seven or more years of work experience in Air Force medical food service facilities. Both a paper-version and a computer-version were developed, and their effectiveness was determined using a pre-test, independent training, and post-test format. Computer-attitude was also determined using a modification to another researcher's questionnaire. A pilot test was first conducted on 29 college students. The training plans were then revised based on observation and feedback. The actual research study was then conducted on 69 experienced hospital food service personnel. Participants were randomly assigned to take either the paper- or computer-version of the training. Both versions of the research study revealed significant increases from pre- to post-test scores (i.e., overall average score for the pre-test was 48.0%, while it was 72.4% for the post-test), with no significant difference between the overall effectiveness of the two versions. However, there were different degrees of pre- to post-test score improvement seen for each test question, indicating the need for further validation of the tests' reliability, or possible changes required in the training plans. All post-test subjects correctly answered that there are seven steps to HACCP, but pre- versus post-test responses were actually better on two questions regarding the acronym HACCP and critical control points. The overall attitude toward computers was 3.72 on a scale of 1 to 5, indicating a generally positive attitude among participants. This training plan, with minor modifications, will be a valuable educational tool that can be used in commercial as well as military food service facilities.
Scaling behavior at high p T and the p / π ratio

We first show that the pions produced at high ${p}_{T}$ in heavy-ion collisions over a wide range of high energies exhibit a scaling behavior when the distributions are plotted in terms of a scaling variable. We then use the recombination model to calculate the scaling quark distribution just before hadronization. From the quark distribution, it is then possible to calculate the proton distribution at high ${p}_{T},$ also in the framework of the recombination model. The resultant $p/\ensuremath{\pi}$ ratio exceeds one in the $\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}{p}_{T}$ region where data exist, but the scaling result for the proton distribution is not reliable unless ${p}_{T}$ is high enough to be insensitive to the scale-breaking mass effects.
Properties of Exciton States in NaI I. The Intrinsic Photoluminescence

The efficiency and the decay time of the intrinsic photoluminescence of NaI have been investigated as a function of temperature and uv excitation energy. Upon excitation in the band-to-band region, the efficiency and the decay time are constant at low temperatures and decrease above 77 and 60 °K, respectively. The decrease in the decay time is not correlated to radiationless transitions occurring within the luminescent center. Upon excitation in the exciton region, the luminescence efficiency reaches a maximum at 60 °K and decreases at both higher and lower temperatures. The high temperature behavior is similar to that produced by band-to-band excitation. At 5 °K the luminescence efficiency for exciton excitation is negligibly small. The low temperature behavior of the luminescence is explained in terms of localized exciton states and temperature activated transitions among them. Ausbeute und Abklingdauer der Eigenlumineszenz von NaJ wurden in Abhangigkeit von der Temperatur und der UV-Anregungsenergie untersucht. Bei Anregung im Bereich der Band–Band-Ubergange sind Ausbeute und Abklingdauer bei tiefer Temperatur konstant und nehmen oberhalb 77 bzw. 60 °K ab. Die Abnahme der Abklingzeit hangt nicht mit strahlungslosen Ubergangen innerhalb des Lumineszenzzentrums zusammen. Bei Anregung im Exzitonenbereich erreicht die Ausbeute bei 60 °K ein Maximum und fallt sowohl zu hoheren wie auch zu tieferen Temperaturen hin ab. Das Verhalten bei hoherer Temperatur ahnelt dem bei Anregung im Bereich der Band–Band-Ubergange. Bei 5 °K ist die Lumineszenzausbeute bei Exzitonenanregung vernachlassigbar klein. Das Verhalten bei tiefer Temperatur wird mit Hilfe von lokalisierten Exzitonenzustanden und thermisch aktivierten Ubergangen zwischen ihnen erklart.
Bispectra of modulated stationary signals

Complex modulation affects the bispectral signatures of a random process and complicates the interpretation of the bispectrum. The impact of complex modulation on bispectral signature analysis and on the detection performance of multitone signals is examined.
Chemical composition of the wound plug and entire plants for species of the coenocytic green alga, Caulerpa

Abstract Levels of ash, NaOH-soluble protein, lipid, and TCA-soluble carbohydrate were determined tor seven species of the green alga Caulerpa, for both the entire plant and wound plugs produced by cutting the rhizomes or blades. Insoluble carbohydrate was estimated by subtraction. Wound plugs had higher ash levels and a distinctly higher level of total carbohydrate. Both entire plants and wound plugs had low levels of lipid and protein. Carbohydrate is the major component of the wound plug in Caulerpa in contrast to protein reported for Bryopsis.
Analysis of monoclonal antibodies reactive with human class II beta chains by two-dimensional electrophoresis and Western blotting.

Abstract We have used the Western blotting technique to examine B lymphoblastoid cell line (B-LCL) membrane proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis specifically to analyze the binding patterns of monoclonal antibodies to separated HLA class II antigen beta (β) subunits. The B-LCL LG-10 (homozygous for DR7), in which at least two sets of class II molecules can be distinguished on the basis of different electrophoretic mobilities, was examined with five monoclonal antibodies which detect monomorphic determinants. Four of the antibodies reacted with only DR β subunits, while one antibody, XD5.A11, reacted with DR and with additional β chains. Examination of two polymorphic monoclonal antibodies, SFR3-DR5, specific for HLA-DR5, and SFR3-PI.1, which reacts with a determinant absent from DR3 and DR7 homozygous lines, showed that both bind β subunits from Swei, a DR5 homozygous line. Purification of a subpopulation of Swei class II molecules using an SFR3-PI.1 affinity column showed that the determinants recognized by SFR3-DR5, SFR3-PI.1, and a monomorphic monoclonal antibody reactive only with HLA-DR β subunits of LG-10, reacted with identical β subunits. Additional class II antigen subunits reactive with XD5.A11 were nonreactive with the polymorphic antibodies and the HLA-DR-specific monomorphic monoclonal antibody.
The effect of crystallinity and crosslinking on the depression of the glass transition temperature in nylon 6 by water

The influence of crystallinity and crosslinking on the depression of the glass transition temperature in nylon 6 by water has been investigated by dynamic mechanical methods. Radiation crosslinking by high-energy electrons was effective in preventing morphological changes during the measurement of the incremental change in heat capacity (ΔCp) at Tg, which was performed by differential scanning calorimetry. The experimentally determined value of ΔCp, when normalized to account for the crystalline phase, was found to deviate from a linear two-phase relation and was reduced further than would be expected based on this model. It is proposed that nylon 6 is best described by a three-phase model which consists of a crystalline domain, a wholly amorphous domain, and an “intercrystalline” region. The importance of this in explaining the relatively large depression of Tg by small quantities of water is illustrated by applying equations derived to account for the compositional dependence of Tg in polymerdiluent mixtures, based on a classical thermodynamic interpretation of the glass transition phenomenon.
Math and Science Attitudes and Achievement at the Intersection of Gender and Ethnicity

Despite gender similarities in math and science achievement, women continue to be underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. Increasingly, researchers are looking to gender differences in STEM attitudes as the root of this disparity. Theoretical support for the importance of STEM attitudes comes from several theories within educational, social, and vocational psychology, including Eccles’ expectancy-value theory, which maintains that education-related choices are shaped by attitudes—namely, expectations of success and task value as well as self-concept. Yet, the studies testing this model generally have not taken into account the intersection of gender and ethnicity. The current study addresses this gap in the literature by describing gender differences in math and science attitudes and achievement among 367 White, African American, Latino/Latina, and Asian American 10th grade students in neighborhood public high schools from a large northeastern ci...
The Active Streptococcal Hyaluronan Synthases (HASs) Contain a Single HAS Monomer and Multiple Cardiolipin Molecules

The functional sizes of the two streptococcal hyaluronan synthases (HASs) were determined by radiation inactivation analysis of isolated membranes. The native enzymes in membranes from Group A Streptococcus pyogenes HAS and Group CStreptococcus equisimilis HAS were compared with the recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia colimembranes. Based on their amino acid sequences, the masses of these four proteins as monomers are ∼48 kDa. In all cases, loss of enzyme activity was a simple single exponential function with increasing radiation dose. The functional sizes calculated from these data were identical for the four HASs at ∼64 kDa. In contrast, the sizes of the proteins estimated by the loss of antibody reactivity on Western blots were essentially identical at 41 kDa for the four HAS species, consistently lower than the functional size by ∼23 kDa. Matrix-assisted laser desorption time of flight mass spectrometry analysis of purified S. pyogenes HAS-H6 and S. equisimilis HAS-H6 gave masses that differed by
Passive ranging of boost-phase missiles

The depth of absorption bands in observed spectra of distant, bright sources can be used to estimate range to the source. Previous efforts in this area relied on Beer's Law to estimate range from observations of infrared CO 2 bands, with disappointing results. A modified approach is presented that uses band models and observations of the O 2 absorption band near 762 nm. This band is spectrally isolated from other atmospheric bands, which enables direct estimation of molecular absorption from observed intensity. Range is estimated by comparing observed values of band-average absorption, (see manuscript), against predicted curves derived from either historical data or model predictions. Accuracy of better than 0.5% has been verified in short-range (up to 3km) experiments using a Fourier transform interferometer at 1cm -1 resolution. A conceptual design is described for a small, affordable passive ranging sensor suitable for use on tactical aircraft for missile attack warning and time-to-impact estimation. Models are used to extrapolate experimental results (using 1 cm -1 resolution data) to analyze expected performance of this filter-based system.
Molecular Analysis and Clinical Significance of Lactobacillus spp. Recovered from Clinical Specimens Presumptively Associated with Disease

Lactobacillus spp. are part of the normal human flora and are generally assumed to be nonpathogenic. We determined the genotypic identification of >100 Lactobacillus isolates from clinical specimens in the context of presumed pathogenic potential (e.g., recovered as the single/predominant isolate from a sterile site or at ≥105 CFU/ml from urine). This study assessed the clinical significance and the frequency of occurrence of each Lactobacillus sp. We identified 16 species of Lactobacillus by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, 10 of which could not be associated with disease. While Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Lactobacillus paracasei were associated with infections, L. gasseri was also a common colonizing/contaminating species. Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii were associated with at least one infection. Species commonly used in probiotic products (e.g., L. rhamnosus and L. casei) were identical, by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, to our isolates associated with disease. Human isolates of Lactobacillus spp. have differing site associations and levels of clinical significance. Knowing the niche and pathogenic potential of each Lactobacillus sp. can be of importance to both clinical microbiology and the food and probiotic supplement industry.
At the crossroads of physiology and ecology: Food supply and the timing of avian reproduction

Abstract The decision of when to breed is crucial to the reproductive success and fitness of seasonally breeding birds. The availability of food for adults prior to breeding has long been thought to play a critical role in timing the initiation of seasonal reproductive events, in particular laying. However, unequivocal evidence for such a role remains limited and the physiological mechanisms by which an increase in food availability results in seasonal activation of the reproductive system are largely speculative. This lack of mechanistic information partly reflects a lack of integration of ecological and physiological approaches to study seasonal reproduction. Indeed, most work pertaining to the role of food availability for adults on the timing of avian reproduction has been ecological and has focused almost exclusively on female traits associated with reproductive timing (e.g., lay date and clutch size). By contrast, most work on the physiological bases of the relationship between food availability and the timing of reproduction has investigated male traits associated with reproductive development (e.g., reproductive hormones and gonadal development). To advance our understanding of these topics, we review the role of proximate factors including food availability, social factors, and ambient temperature in the control of breeding decisions, and discuss the role of three potential candidates (leptin, glucocorticoids, and GnIH–neuropeptide Y) that may mediate the effects of food availability on these decisions. We emphasize that future progress in this area is heavily contingent upon the use of physiology-based approaches and their integration into current ecological frameworks.
Long-Term CD4 Th1 and Th2 Memory following Acute Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infection

CD4 T cells play a central role in viral immunity. They provide help for B cells and CD8 T cells and can act as effectors themselves. Despite their importance, relatively little is known about the magnitude and duration of virus-specific CD4 T-cell responses. In particular, it is not known whether both CD4 Th1 memory and CD4 Th2 memory can be induced by viral infections. To address these issues, we quantitated virus-specific CD4 Th1 (interleukin 2 [IL-2] and gamma-interferon) and Th2 (IL-4) responses in mice acutely infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Using two sensitive assays (enzyme-linked immunospot assay and intracellular stain) to measure cytokine production at the single-cell level, we found that both CD4 Th1 and Th2 responses were induced during primary LCMV infection. At the peak (day 8) of the response, the frequency of LCMV-specific CD4 Th1 cells was 1/35 to 1/160 CD4 T cells, and the frequency of Th2 cells was 1/400. After viral clearance, the numbers of virus-specific CD4 T cells dropped to 1/260 to 1/3,700 and then were maintained at this level indefinitely. Upon rechallenge with LCMV, both CD4 Th1 and Th2 memory cells made an anamnestic response in vivo. These results show that unlike some microbial infections in which only Th1 or Th2 responses are seen, an acute viral infection can induce a mixed CD4 T-cell response with long-term memory.
Crustal thickness in the central Andes from teleseismically recorded depth phase precursors

SUMMARY Although crustal thickness is a critical constraint for geodynamic models of Andean orogenesis, relatively few measurements exist from local seismic studies. In this study, we use reflections from the underside of the Moho as illuminated by intermediate depth earthquakes to provide new estimates of crustal thickness for the central Andes (16–34 ◦ S). These reflected signals (pmP) are identified as precursors to the depth phase pP when recorded at teleseismic distances (35–85 ◦ ). Although relatively small in amplitude, the pmP phase is often clear even on single seismograms. Less obvious pmP phases were enhanced by stacking traces from arrays. This method was most effective for events of M w > 6 and depth > 100 km. Crustal thickness determined in this study ranges from 59 to 70 km in southern Peru, from 49 to 80 km across the Puna-Altiplano and from 50 to 60 km above the Pampean flat slab. The lack of such phases for certain events may be evidence of heterogeneity at the Moho, and some precursors appear to correspond to intracrustal (magma?) and lithospheric mantle discontinuities. The results obtained using the pmP technique combined with those from other studies show the crustal thicknesses under the Central Andes are more variable than expected from purely isostatic considerations. We infer that one or a combination of geodynamic processes involving lower crustal flow, lower crustal delamination, and mantle–crustal lithospheric coupling can explain the highly variable topography on the Moho beneath the Central Andes.
173 picosecond wavelength switching of four WDM channels using an OTDM channel selector

Summary form only given. We demonstrated fast wavelength switching using an OTDM channel selector and a TOAD, with an average latency of 173ps and a maximum latency of 320ps. This system has potential applications in a low latency wavelength converter or wavelength router. By replacing the local source with our system, a wavelength converter can change the wavelength at its output within a few bit periods.
Sensitivity of firing rate to input fluctuations depends on time scale separation between fast and slow variables in single neurons

Neuronal responses are often characterized by the firing rate as a function of the stimulus mean, or the f–I curve. We introduce a novel classification of neurons into Types A, B−, and B+ according to how f–I curves are modulated by input fluctuations. In Type A neurons, the f–I curves display little sensitivity to input fluctuations when the mean current is large. In contrast, Type B neurons display sensitivity to fluctuations throughout the entire range of input means. Type B− neurons do not fire repetitively for any constant input, whereas Type B+ neurons do. We show that Type B+ behavior results from a separation of time scales between a slow and fast variable. A voltage-dependent time constant for the recovery variable can facilitate sensitivity to input fluctuations. Type B+ firing rates can be approximated using a simple “energy barrier” model.
Mindfulness-based interventions for obesity-related eating behaviours: a literature review.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) targeting eating behaviors have gained popularity in recent years. A literature review was conducted to determine the effectiveness of MBIs for treating obesity-related eating behaviors, such as binge eating, emotional eating, and external eating. A search protocol was conducted using the online databases Google Scholar, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Ovid Healthstar. Articles were required to meet the following criteria to be included in this review: (1) describe a MBI or the use of mindfulness exercises as part of an intervention, (2) include at least one obesity-related eating behavior as an outcome, (3) include quantitative outcomes, and (4) be published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. A total of N=21 articles were included in this review. Interventions used a variety of approaches to implement mindfulness training, including combined mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapies, mindfulness-based stress reduction, acceptance-based therapies, mindful eating programs, and combinations of mindfulness exercises. Targeted eating behavior outcomes included binge eating, emotional eating, external eating, and dietary intake. Eighteen (86%) of the reviewed studies reported improvements in the targeted eating behaviors. Overall, the results of this first review on the topic support the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for changing obesity-related eating behaviors, specifically binge eating, emotional eating, and external eating.