cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal neuronal morphology and neurochemistry in the auditory brainstem of Fmr1 knockout rats

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder affecting nearly one in 5000 newborn males and is a leading genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder. In addition to developmental delays and intellectual impairment, FXS is characterized by seizures, attention deficit, and hypersensitivity to visual, tactile and auditory stimuli. The Fmr1 gene encodes Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is abundant in neurons, binds select mRNAs and functions as a negative regulator of mRNA translation. A deficiency in FMRP, as in FXS and Fmr1 knockout (KO) animals, results in neuronal dysmorphology and altered synaptic function. Additionally, there is evidence for disruption of GABAergic circuits in subjects lacking FMRP. Our previous studies demonstrated widespread expression of FMRP in human auditory brainstem neurons. Given this observation, we hypothesized that FMRP is highly expressed in rat auditory brainstem neurons and that the auditory hypersensitivity characteristic of FXS results from dysfunction of brainstem networks secondary to decreased expression of FMRP. In our investigation of postnatal day 50 (P50) control rats, we found that FMRP was widely expressed in neurons of the superior olivary complex (SOC). In P50 Fmr1 KO rats, many SOC neurons had a smaller soma when compared to controls, indicative of abnormal neuronal morphology. Additionally, neurons in the medial superior olive (MSO) were more round in Fmr1 KO rats. There was also reduced expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) in neurons of the superior paraolivary nucleus (SPON) and a reduction in the number of calretinin-immunoreactive terminals associated with neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). Together, these findings support the conclusion that the auditory dysfunction characteristic of FXS arises, at least in part, from defective brainstem networks.
Visualization of Multivariate Data by Scaling and Property Fitting

The graphical representation of data matrices which contain variables of different information levels is an essential method for interpretation of real data. However, the results of Multidimensional Scaling and subsequent Property Fitting depend on a suitable initial representation. Therefore, we recommend a Principal Component Analysis without regarding the information levels of data, first. Thus we obtain simultaneously an embedding of variables, represented by vectors of direction. In order to improve this initial representation we will discuss methods of Property Fitting which construct on one hand partitions of representation space for nominal variables and on the other hand directions or ideal points for ordinal or metric variables.
Detachment variants of Chinese hamster cells. Hyaluronic acid as a modulator of cell detachment.

Abstract Variants of the Chinese hamster cell line CHO have been isolated and characterized with respect to attachment and trypsin- or EGTA-mediated detachment kinetics, cell morphologies, and the complex carbohydrates (labeled with [3H]glucosamine) of the cell surface. The variant which was more readily detached from the substratum exhibited a more rounded cell shape and had three times more label as hyaluronic acid on the cell surface than the parental cell. The slowly detaching variant had a morphology similar to the parental cell but only half the radioactivity ascribable to hyaluronic acid. Endogenous levels of cAMP were unaltered in the variants. Exogenous dbcAMP caused the cells to elongate and flatten but did not alter the characteristic detachment kinetics. The role of hyaluronic acid as a modulator of the cell substratum interface is discussed.
Iterative algorithms for optimal control of quantum systems

We propose some iterative algorithms for the generation of open-loop controls of quantum systems. The task that these controls are intended for is the transfer of a given initial state to a given final state with maximal probability. We prove that the algorithms are converging and the resulting controls are optimal.
Brief announcement: self-healing algorithms for reconfigurable networks

We present an algorithm to self-heal reconfigurable networks. This algorithm reconfigures the network during an attack to protect two critical invariants. First, it insures that the network remains connected. Second, it insures that no node increases its degree by more than O(log n). We prove that our algorithm can successfully maintain these invariants even for large networks under massive attack by a computationally unbounded adversary.
The art and design of genetic screens: yeast

Understanding the biology of complex systems is facilitated by comparing them with simpler organisms. Budding and fission yeasts provide ideal model systems for eukaryotic cell biology. Although they differ from one another in terms of a range of features, these yeasts share powerful genetic and genomic tools. Classical yeast genetics remains an essential element in discovering and characterizing the genes that make up a eukaryotic cell.
Model-free plug-n-play optimization techniques to design autonomous and resilient complex systems

This talk will focus on model-free distributed optimization based algorithms for complex systems with formal optimality and robustness guarantees. Given the presence of modeling uncertainties, the unavailability of the model, the possibility of cooperative/non-cooperative goals and malicious attacks compromising the security of networked teams, there is a need for completely model-free plug-n-play approaches that respond to situations not programmed or anticipated in design, in order to guarantee mission completion. Unfortunately, existing schemes for complex systems do not take into account recent advances of computational intelligence. This talk will combine interdisciplinary ideas from different fields, i.e. computational intelligence, game theory, control theory, and information theory to develop new self-configuring algorithms for decision and control given the unavailability of model, the presence of enemy components and the possibility of measurement and jamming network attacks. Due to the adaptive nature of the algorithms, the complex systems will be capable of breaking or splitting into parts that are themselves autonomous and resilient. The proposed algorithms will be provided with guaranteed optimality and robustness and will be able to enable complete on-board autonomy, to multiply engagement capability, and enable coordination of distributed, heterogeneous teams of manned/unmanned vehicles and humans.
A Self-Contained Traversability Sensor for Safe Mobile Robot Guidance in Unknown Terrain

Autonomous mobile robots capable of intelligent behavior must operate with minimal human interaction, have the capability to utilize local resources, and routinely make closed-loop decisions in real-time based on sensor data inputs. One of the bottlenecks in achieving this is an often computationally intensive perception process. In this paper, we discuss a class of cognitive sensor devices capable of intelligent perception that can facilitate intelligent behavior. The primary emphasis is on achieving safe mobile guidance for planetary exploration by distributing some of the perception functionality to self-contained sensors. An example cognitive sensor, called the traversability sensor, is presented, which consists of a camera and embedded processor coupled with an intelligent visual perception algorithm. The sensor determines local terrain traversability in natural outdoor environments and, accordingly, directs movement of a mobile robot toward the safest visible terrain area in a self-contained fashion, placing minimal burden on the main processor. A cognitive sensor design approach is presented and a traversability sensor prototype is described.
Pulsed Laser Fluorometry for Environmental Monitoring

Fluorescence chemistry offers the potential for extremely sensitive detection analyses. At the Los Alamos National Laboratory, we have been developing for several years both instrumentation and analytical procedures to detect and measure fluorescence at the molecular level (reviewed in Jett et al., 1990). Recently, single chromophores of Rhodamine 6 G have been reliably detected in a flowing sample stream using laser-induced fluorescence (E.B. Sherer, et al., submitted for publication). While this level of sensitivity requires very sophisticated instrumentation, moderately priced ($5,000–10,000) commercially available instrumentation can detect fluorescent compounds in the nanomolar to picomolar range. One such instrument is a pulsed laser fluorometer, a nitrogen pumped dye laser with the capability to excite and measure fluorescence from the near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared spectral regions. The authors were tasked to develop a point detector capable of detecting both acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and biological molecules (amino acids, peptides, and proteins) in water or air. As part of this system, we incorporated a pulsed laser fluorometer into a continuous flow monitor for each class of compounds above. The instrument should prove useful for detecting and monitoring any compound or class of compounds for which fluorescent chemistry exists.
An empirical study of the ability of back propagation to approximate posterior probabilities

Proofs which show backpropagation to produce outputs equal to the posteriors of the training data have left open the effect of reduced resources on the accuracy of estimation. The authors empirically explore the effects of reduced resources on the ability of networks to estimate the posterior likelihoods of data in two simple classification problems, one with independent and one with dependent cues. They contrast the effects of restricting hidden units and training cycles for classifying the different cues. Marginal probabilities tend to be incorrectly estimated, and dependencies among the cues affect both the course and outcome of training. For the dependent cue case it was found that even a slight difference between the posteriors for the odd and the even patterns can impair estimation of the posteriors. >
Assessing Spatial Point Process Models Using Weighted K-functions: Analysis of California Earthquakes

We investigate the properties of a weighted analogue of Ripley’s Kfunction which was first introduced by Baddeley, Moller, and Waagepetersen. This statistic, called the weighted or inhomogeneous K-function, is useful for assessing the fit of point process models. The advantage of this measure of goodness-of-fit is that it can be used in situations where the null hypothesis is not a stationary Poisson model. We note a correspondence between the weighted K-function and thinned residuals, and derive the asymptotic distribution of the weighted K-function for a spatial inhomogeneous Poisson process. We then present an application of the use of the weighted K-function to assess the goodness-of-fit of a class of point process models for the spatial distribution of earthquakes in Southern California.
Oxindole Synthesis via Palladium‐catalyzed CH Functionalization

Methyl 4-aminobenzoate 1-Benzyloxycarbonyl-4-piperidone Dichloromethane Acetic acid Sodium triacetoxyborohydride Benzyl 4-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenylamino)piperidine-1-carboxylate Benzyl 4-(2-chloro-N-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)phenyl)acetamido)-piperidine-1-carboxylate Pyridine Ethyl acetate Chloroacetyl chloride Methyl 1-(1-(benzyloxycarbonyl)piperidin-4-yl)-2-oxoindoline-5-carboxylate Palladium acetate 2-(Di-t-butylphosphino)biphenyl 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran 2-Propanol Triethanolamine Keywords: Oxindole synthesis; Palladium-catalyst; CH functionalization; Buchwald's methodology; Hartwig's methodology; Serine palmitoyl transferase enzyme inhibitor 7; Medicinal chemistry synthesis
A Writing Life

This essay was written on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Legal Writing Institute (LWI), celebrated at Mercer University School of Law, LWI’s current home. In a sense the essay is retrospective, for it is written to honor the scholars whose work has moved us toward a vision of legal writing scholarship and all it can offer. Many of those experienced and inspiring scholars have kindly offered their advice for inclusion in this essay. That advice is probably the most important content included here, and it is placed, appropriately, at the end of the text as the essay’s capstone section. Yet the essay primarily looks forward, for it is written to and dedicated to the next generation of scholars whose work will lead the discipline into a future we cannot yet imagine. While the essay may have value for experienced scholars, its primary purpose is to serve as a primer for readers just beginning to build their own writing life, so the essay will speak informally and directly to those particular readers. It will cover some of the hardest parts of the process -- the stages and challenges relevant to getting a draft ready for submission. After a few preliminary points, the topics begin with the threshold challenge of finding time to write, followed by sections on the size of the project and the importance of reading, a theme that reappears throughout later stages. Other sections cover finding topic ideas and choosing among them (including the potentially thorny question of whether to write about legal writing); and the role of good mentors and the critical importance of their feedback. Finally, the essay offers a vision of writing as a highly personal and satisfying creative act, one that can enrich and enlarge the lives of writers and readers alike.
An error in the typification of Aristolochia watsoni Wooton and Standley

Aristolochia watsoni Wooton and Standley is shown to be the correct name forA. porphyrophylla Pfeifer, andA. lassa I. M. Johnst. the correct name forA. watsoni, sensu Pfeifer.
Discordance between adolescent real and ideal sex partners and association with sexually transmitted infection risk behaviors.

Abstract Purpose Epidemic levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among urban youth have drawn attention to the potential role of sex partner selection in creating risk for STIs. The objectives of this study were to describe the ideal preferences and real selection of sex partners, to evaluate sex partner ideal versus real discordance using quantitative methods, and to determine the association between discordance and STI risk behaviors. Methods Data are obtained from an urban, household sample of 429 individuals aged 15–24 years. Trait clusters were developed for participants' ratings of their real and ideal sex partners and tested for reliability. Discordance between the ratings of real and ideal partners was measured. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between sex partner discordance and STI risk behaviors. Results Ratings of the real sex partners were often lower than participants' ideal sex partner ratings. A total of 33% of male adolescents and young men and 66% of female adolescents and young women were discordant on at least one trait cluster. Male adolescents and young men who were discordant on the emotional support they expected of their partner were more likely to report more than two sex partners in the past 90 days (odds ratio=2.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.06–4.26) and perceived partner concurrency (odds ratio=3.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.53–9.72). For female adolescents and young women, discordance on fidelity or emotional support significantly increased the odds of all risk behaviors. Conclusion Male and female adolescents with discordant real and ideal sex partner ratings were more likely to report STI-related risk behaviors. Further steps should involve identification of factors associated with ideal versus real sex partner discordance, such as features of the social context.
Restrictions on Friction Coefficients for Binary and Ternary Diffusion

A friction coefficient formalism provides a convenient method of relating mutual diffusion coefficients and self-diffusion coefficients. However, all of the friction coefficients cannot be eventually eliminated from the analysis unless additional equations relating the friction coefficients are proposed. Restrictions on friction coefficients are useful ways of eliminating proposed possibilities for friction coefficient relationships. In this study, we consider whether the entropy inequality and the Gibbs-Duhem equation produce useful restrictions on proposed friction coefficient relationships for binary and ternary diffusion. In addition, two practical restrictions on friction coefficients are considered, and a new set of equations is derived for the four mutual diffusion coefficients for a ternary system.
Shrinkage in Fish Muscle During Drying

Shrinkage of rectangular slabs of ocean perch (Sebastes marinus) in all three dimensions during air drying at 24.5°C, relative humidity 35% and velocity 35.6 m/min was determined. Percent change in dimensions with volume fraction of water was measured. It was observed that the dimension along the major axis of muscle fibers (length in this case) shrinks far less than the other two dimensions. Maximum shrinkage in length was 20%, while for width it was 50.5% and for thickness, 50.6%. At 95% confidence level, there was no significant difference between thickness and width shrinkage.
Speculative synchronization: programmability and performance for parallel codes

Proper synchronization is vital to ensuring that parallel applications execute correctly. A common practice is to place synchronization conservatively so as to produce simpler code in less time. unfortunately, this practice frequently results in suboptimal performance because it stalls threads unnecessarily. Speculative synchronization overcomes this problem by allowing threads to speculatively execute past active barriers, busy locks, and unset flags. The result is high performance.
Comparative analysis of copper and CNT interconnects for H-tree clock distribution

Clock distribution network is an important part of digital integrated circuits. The clock signal carried by the distribution network has to reach every end node at the same time to ensure synchronized switching. Due to mismatches among different nodes of the H-tree, the clock transitions among the final nodes of the distribution tree show some time difference, the maximum of which is called clock skew. In modern CMOS technologies, copper interconnect is popular for high level interconnects such as clock and power routing. Carbon Nanotube (CNT) exhibits less resistivity than copper making it a better material for interconnect. This paper compares the impact on clock skew of H-tree clock distribution network by replacing the traditional copper interconnects with carbon nanotube interconnects. By applying temperature mismatch, threshold voltage mismatch, and process mismatch, our findings show that using carbon nanotube interconnects reduces the clock skew significantly compared to traditional copper interconnects.
Brown carbon and internal mixing in biomass burning particles

Biomass burning (BB) contributes large amounts of black carbon (BC) and particulate organic matter (POM) to the atmosphere and contributes significantly to the earth’s radiation balance. BB particles can be a complicated optical system, with scattering and absorption contributions from BC, internal mixtures of BC and POM, and wavelength-dependent absorption of POM. Large amounts of POM can also be externally mixed. We report on the unique ability of multi-wavelength photo-acoustic measurements of dry and thermal-denuded absorption to deconstruct this complicated wavelength-dependent system of absorption and mixing. Optical measurements of BB particles from the Four Mile Canyon fire near Boulder, Colorado, showed that internal mixtures of BC and POM enhanced absorption by up to 70%. The data supports the assumption that the POM was very weakly absorbing at 532 nm. Enhanced absorption at 404 nm was in excess of 200% above BC absorption and varied as POM mass changed, indicative of absorbing POM. Absorption by internal mixing of BC and POM contributed 19( ± 8)% to total 404-nm absorption, while BC alone contributed 54( ± 16)%. Approximately 83% of POM mass was externally mixed, the absorption of which contributed 27( ± 15)% to total particle absorption (at 404 nm). The imaginary refractive index and mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of POM at 404 nm changed throughout the sampling period and were found to be 0.007 ± 0.005 and 0.82 ± 0.43 m2 g-1, respectively. Our analysis shows that the MAE of POM can be biased high by up to 50% if absorption from internal mixing of POM and BC is not included.
Update on the management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

This paper reviews the latest treatments for cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It focuses on evidence-based guidance for the management of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, with identification of the strength of evidence available at this time. In addition, I have briefly reviewed the epidemiological aspects, diagnosis and evaluation of patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This review reflects data available from the Cochrane Library, Medline, literature searches, and the experience of the author managing patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus for over 25 years.
Protection from Human Error: Guarded Motion Methodologies for Mobile Robots

Industrial manipulators and unmanned systems often address a large number of tasks with some type of human-in-the-loop method. In these systems, the robot is given responsibility for some portion of the control tasks, but the human has some role for a variety of reasons; for example, the current technology may not be sufficient for the robot to complete the entire task: there may be safety, liability, or regulatory constraints, or the economics favor a human-in-the-loop process. An example of where human-in-the-loop control is of increasing interest is for telecommuting by health-care providers [1] and the general public [2] and for data gathering for disaster response [3]. These remote presence applications allow humans to perceive and act from a distance through a mobile robot. Remote presence is more challenging than telesurgery and space telepresence from an interface perspective, as the operators are not expected to be highly trained on robots and will be working in dynamic or unpredictable environments.
Barriers to Rehabilitation of the Malignant Spine

Improvements in detection, decompressive surgical technique, and radiotherapeutic techniques have significantly improved our ability to identify and treat spine malignancies. These innovations have allowed for decision-making algorithms that value quality of life and function along with quantity of life when deciding among the various therapeutic options. Despite these advances, significant barriers to rehabilitation of patients with spinal malignancies remain. These barriers include deficits in the neurologic, oncologic, medical, pain, and social support status of the patient. This article will review these barriers and discuss management strategies that emphasize the importance of diagnostic accuracy and a comprehensive team approach.
Fighting as a marker for multiple problem behaviors in adolescents

Purpose: Behaviors that put adolescents at risk frequently occur together. To help identify high-risk adolescents, we analyzed a national, self-reported behavior survey of high school students to assess the suitability of fighting as a marker for students with multiple problem behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional cluster survey of 11,631 U.S. high school students in 1990 was used to compare the prevalence of recent problem behaviors among all students and those who fight. Results: One (8%) of every 12 students was in a fight during the 30 days before the survey. Reported problem behaviors were prevalent among fighters: during the previous 12 months, 24% attempted suicide; during the previous 30 days, 26% carried a firearm, 13% used cocaine, and 39% drove a motor vehicle while intoxicated; during the previous 3 months 41% had two or more sex partners; and 45% had sexual intercourse and did not use a condom the last time they had sex. Of all students, fighters accounted for 22% of those who reported attempting suicide, 49% carrying a firearm, 46% using cocaine, 18% driving while intoxicated, 25% having sex with multiple partners, and 11% not using condoms. Three or more of these six problem behaviors were reported by 26% of the fighters. The problem behaviors were all positively correlated, and the first principal component accounted for 35% of the total variation among the individual variables. Conclusions: Serious fighting heralds multiple problem behaviors in need of intensive, multifaceted interventions.
A Strip Element Method for Stress Analysis of Anisotropic Linearly Elastic Solids

For two dimensional problems the domain is discretized in one direction into strip elements. By using the principle of virtual work, approximate governing differential equations are derived for the field dependence in the second direction. These differential equations can be solved analytically. For infinite bodies, some special features such as infinite elements and nonreflecting boundary conditions are introduced and a viscoelastic nonreflecting boundary is also presented
A systematic review of menopausal symptom management decision aid trials

Abstract Objective To systematically review the literature regarding the effects of menopausal symptom management decision aids. Methods Using pre-designated inclusion and exclusion criteria, relevant articles were located using the PubMed.gov online search engine and reviewing reference lists of relevant articles. Full-text, English-language, peer-reviewed articles relevant to testing decision aids in uncontrolled trials (UCT) and randomized controlled trials (RCT) were reviewed. Results The 18 articles represented 15 trials focused on natural health products decision aids (1 UCT, 1 RCT) or hormone therapy decision aids (1 UCT, 12 RCT). Whereas the natural health products aid was intended for women deciding about menopausal symptom management strategies, decision aids for hormone therapy were intended for a broader group of menopausal women and included indications for symptom management, prevention of heart disease, and prevention of osteoporosis. Many trials occurred prior to two pivotal events: the 2002 announcement of the Women's Health Initiative findings and the 2006 publication of the International Patient Decision Aids Standards. Study limitations may help explain contradictory findings for outcomes such as decisional conflict, decisional confidence, decisional satisfaction, knowledge and values, and decisions. Conclusions There is a relatively scant contemporary literature related to menopausal symptom management decision aids. Additional methodologically sound studies are needed to develop and subsequently test decision aids that are based on (a) contemporary knowledge regarding the wide array of available therapies and (b) international standards for decision aids that include consideration of women's values and preferences.
Spectral Interferometric Raman Imaging

We propose a spectral interferometric Raman imaging technique to easily separate resonant and non-resonant Raman contributions. The technique combines three advantages desirable for microscopy namely, a single femtosecond laser, selective excitation, and complex susceptibility measurement.
Voltage-induced shifting of charge-transfer excitations and their role in surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract Changes in the incident photon energy cause the maximum of the surface-enhanced Raman intensity versus the electrochemically applied voltage to shift for the case of pyridine adsorbed on Ag. This is interpreted as the result of charge-transfer excitation from a filled metal state to an unoccupied defect state or molecular level which increases the effective polarizability of the system through electronic resonance. Variations in the local electrostatic potential difference across the interface are found to be larger by 50% than the externally applied changes.
The molecular structure of palmitylcarnitine chloride.

Abstract The structure of palmitylcarnitine chloride has been studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The final structure of this molecule shows that the carnitine moiety has a conformation similar to that of acetylcarnitine and acetylcholine. The molecular packing of this compound is interesting and rarely found in solid structures of amphipathic molecules.
Fine mapping of the qCTS12 locus, a major QTL for seedling cold tolerance in rice.

The temperate japonica rice cultivar M202 is the predominant variety grown in California due to its tolerance to low temperature stress, good grain quality and high yield. Earlier analysis of a recombinant inbred line mapping population derived from a cross between M202 and IR50, an indica cultivar that is highly sensitive to cold stress, resulted in the identification of a number of QTL conferring tolerance to cold-induced wilting and necrosis. A major QTL, qCTS12, located on the short arm of chromosome 12, contributes over 40% of the phenotypic variance. To identify the gene(s) underlying qCTS12, we have undertaken the fine mapping of this locus. Saturating the short arm of chromosome 12 with microsatellite markers revealed that qCTS12 is closest to RM7003. Using RM5746 and RM3103, which are immediately outside of RM7003, we screened 1,954 F5-F10 lines to find recombinants in the qCTS12 region. Additional microsatellite markers were identified from publicly available genomic sequence and used to fine map qCTS12 to a region of approximately 87 kb located on the BAC clone OSJNBb0071I17. This region contains ten open reading frames (ORFs) consisting of five hypothetical and expressed proteins of unknown function, a transposon protein, a putative NBS-LRR disease resistance protein, two zeta class glutathione S-transferases (OsGSTZ1 and OsGSTZ2), and a DAHP synthetase. Further fine mapping with markers developed from the ORFs delimited the QTL to a region of about 55 kb. The most likely candidates for the gene(s) underlying qCTS12 are OsGSTZ1 and OsGSTZ2.
How do we count a language? Translation and discontinuity

Can translation be regarded merely as a bridging of a gap between national languages? Is it not an act with which to produce difference, inscribe borders and thereby identify the unity of a language? This article proposes that translation is anterior to the organic unity of language and that this unity is posited through the specific representation of translation. Accordingly, a regime for the modern representation of translation is construed in terms of the schema of co-figuration. Here translation is understood not only as the bridging of a gap or distance between two language communities. It is also an ambiguous act of creating continuity out of discontinuity; it pertains to a political labour which generates social relations. Translation is investigated with a view to bordering.
EFFECT OF CARBON DIOXIDE ON ABSORPTION OF WATER AND NUTRIENTS BY ROOTS

The importance of soil aeration to plant development has been recognized since the beginnings of agriculture. As our knowledge of the physiology of roots has grown, the beneficial effects of soil aeration have been assigned to a stimulation of root growth (4) and thus an increase of root area and penetration, and more recently to a direct stimulation of aerobic processes of salt accumulation. Hoagland and his associates particularly have shown that the rate of mineral accumulation in roots containing respirable carbohydrates may be positively correlated with the oxygen supply (8, 24). Although many data upon the toxic effect of carbon dioxide on protoplasm are available, this phase of the soil aeration problem has been generally overlooked. Free (7) and Kramer (16) have shown a reduction of water absorption by roots with increased C02 concentrations. Hoagland and Broyer (9), however, thought the effect of C02 related to its displacement of oxygen, and Arrington and Shive (3) concluded that reduced C02 concentrations were not a factor in the beneficial effects of the aeration of a
A Lottery-based pricing scheme for peer-to-peer networks

Users in Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks tend to exploit the maximum resources they are able to obtain, offering minimum resources in response. This behavior undermines the goal of P2P systems in spreading files through the network and imposes the concept of free-riding. In this paper we propose a Lottery-based pricing mechanism to enhance the sharing level in P2P networks and help increase the number of objects disseminated. The scheme is an extension of the traditional micropayment mechanism. Our scheme provides higher payoff for peers who contribute to the P2P network and higher cost for peers who act selfishly and choose not to share resources. We present simulation results to demonstrate the performance of the proposed mechanism.
Voice user interface principles for a conversational agent

In this paper, we describe the user interface principles guiding the design of a conversational agent capable of speech enabling multiple applications, and provide a sample of its typical dialog.
Time–temperature–fluid evolution of migmatite dome crystallization: Coupled U–Pb age, Ti thermometry, and O isotopic ion microprobe depth profiling of zircon and monazite

Abstract Fluid infiltration of high-grade terrains is commonly difficult to track; however, the use of secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling analysis of zircon in high-grade metamorphic rocks allows acquisition of micron-scale U–Pb geochronology, Ti in zircon thermometry, and oxygen isotope measurements that can be used to decipher temporal and physicochemical records of orogens. This investigation focuses on a migmatite dome in a Cordilleran metamorphic core complex that records a long history of partial melting, deformation, and fluid flow during crustal thickening and/or rapid orogenic collapse. SIMS depth-profiling analyses of the outermost rims of zircon and monazite from samples representing a range of crustal levels elucidate the nature of the deep crustal environment during the final stages of extension and orogenic collapse from 58 to 50 Ma, following a major episode of granitoid emplacement and partial melt crystallization. The results from ultrathin (0.25 to 5.00 µm) outer rims of zircon demonstrate that fluid infiltration driven by amphibolite facies metamorphic devolatilization and/or igneous crystallization persisted at deep crustal levels until just before the time that the rocks were rapidly exhumed to upper crustal levels. Collectively, the results indicate that metamorphic fluids continued to infiltrate the gneiss dome from ca. 58 to 50 Ma. The overlap in ages from the zircon rims and monazite with argon cooling ages suggests that the dome cooled rapidly from > 650 °C to 300 °C from 51–47 Ma. The results further demonstrate that the evolution of high-grade terrains, including the fluid history, can be revealed in unprecedented detail through the combination of depth profiling analyses of U–Pb age, Ti thermometry, and O isotopes.
Very long chain fatty acid oxidation in rat liver.

Abstract [l- 14 C]Lignoceric acid (C24:0) was oxidized to CO 2 and water-soluble intermediates by rat liver preparations. With mitochondria alone, the radioactivity in the water-soluble material increased rapidly for the first 10 min, then decreased, while 14 CO 2 appeared only after the 10 min lag. In the postnuclear fraction (mitochondria plus postmitochondrial fraction) 14 CO 2 production was negligible, but the radioactivity in the water-soluble materials increased almost linearly up to 40 min, and the total amount of lignocerate oxidized was increased nearly 5-fold. The addition of cyanide and the removal of carnitine stimulated the oxidation by the postnuclear fraction, but resulted in a severe loss of activity in the mitochondria. Major labeled components in the water-soluble material were acetyl-CoA, succinate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, citrate, aspartate, and glutamate. Subcellular fractionation of the crude mitochondrial fraction indicated that the oxidative activity is located in a particulate fraction heavier than mitochondria. These observations suggest that most of the lignoceric acid is probably oxidized in peroxisomes. The implication of these observations with regard to the disease adrenoleukodystrophy is discussed.
Simple fluidic system for purifying and concentrating diagnostic biomarkers using stimuli-responsive antibody conjugates and membranes.

We report a simple fluidic system that can purify and concentrate diagnostic biomarkers through the capture and triggered release of stimuli-responsive polymer−antibody conjugates at porous membranes that are grafted with the same stimuli-responsive polymer. This technique is applied here to the capture and detection of a model streptavidin antigen and subsequently to clinical ranges of the malaria antigen Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) from spiked human plasma. The carboxyl end-groups of semi-telechelic poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm) synthesized by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization were modified with tetrafluorophenol to yield amine-reactive ester groups for conjugation to amine groups of anti-streptavidin and anti-PfHRP2 antibodies. Stimuli-responsive membranes were constructed from 1.2 μm pore-size, hydroxylated, nylon-6,6 filters (Loprodyne, from Pall Corporation). The surface hydroxyl groups on the filters were conjugated to a 2-eth...
The inventory packing problem

We study the problem of finding the minimum number of identical storage areas required to hold n items for which demand is known and constant. The replenishments of the items within a single storage area may be time phased so as to minimize the maximum total storage capacity required at any time. This is the inventory-packing problem, which can be considered as a variant of the well-known bin-packing problem, where one constraint is nonlinear. We study the worst-case performance of six heuristics used for that earlier problem since the recognition version of the inventory-packing problem is shown to be NP complete. In addition, we describe several new heuristics developed specifically for the inventory-packing problem, and also study their worst-case performance. Any heuristic which only opens a bin when an item will not fit in any (respectively, the last) open bin needs, asymptotically, no more than 25/12 (resp., 9/4) times the optimal number of bins. Improved performance bounds are obtainable if the range from which item sizes are taken is known to be restricted. Extensive computational testing indicates that the solutions delivered by these heuristics are, for most problems, very close to optimal in value.
Ultra-high speed transmission of polymer-based multimode interference devices for board-level high-throughput optical interconnects

Multimode interference (MMI) devices operating at high data rates are important for integrated optics and optical networks. Their 1× N splitting provides a basic functionality in these applications. Ultra-high speed data transmission at 40Gb/s per channel with a total bandwidth of 320Gb/s for all 8 output ports is demonstrated for the first time on a 1 × 8 photo-definable polymer-based MMI power splitter. The transmission integrity is confirmed by the bit-error-rate (BER) testing. To further determine the speed limitations of MMI devices, ultra-short pulse response of these devices is quantified. For example, for 20 f s Gaussian input pulses into a 1×8 polymer-based MMI splitter, the output pulses are severely degraded in coupling efficiency (47%) and completely broken up in time and in space primarily due to inter-modal and intra-modal (waveguide) dispersions.
Curvature Flow and Entropy Conditions Applied to Grid Generation

We describe a numerical technique to generate logically rectangular body-fitted interior and exterior grids. The technique is based on solving a Hamilton-Jacobi-type equation for a propagating level set function, using techniques borrowed from hyperbolic conservation laws. Coordinate grid lines are kept smooth through curvature terms which regularize the equation of motion, and upwind difference schemes which satisfy the correct entropy conditions of front propagation. The resulting algorithm can be used to generate two- and three-dimensional interior and exterior grids around reasonably complex bodies which may contain sharp corners and significant variations in curvature. The technique may also be easily extended to problems of boundary-fitted moving grids.
Information Sources Utilized by Private Practice and University Physicians

A survey of 196 private practice and university-based West Virginia physicians was undertaken to ascertain their use of drug information sources. An overall response rate of 53% was obtained. Physicians had a mean of 3.3 drug information questions daily and spent approximately 16 minutes in finding the answers to these questions. The Physicians' Desk Reference was the most frequently used information source, especially by physicians in private practice settings. Pharmaceutical manufacturers' promotional literature and sales representatives were used significantly more often in private practice settings; colleagues, journals, and pharmacists were used to a similar extent at both sites. The hospital library was infrequently used by all respondents. A continued reliance on commercial information sources exists, in spite of the ever increasing availability of alternative noncommercial sources.
Melittin-phospholipid interaction: evidence for melittin aggregation.

Abstract The fluorescence spectra of the single tryptophan residue of melittin in 0.15 M potassium phosphate solution and when bound to egg phosphatidylcholine bilayer liposomes practically coincide and exhibit a large blue shift relative to that in aqueous solution. The rotational correlation time of the protein increases substantially in the salt solution relative to that in aqueous solution. It is inferred that the protein binds to the phospholipid in an aggregated form, most probably as a tetramer.
Rectal complications of inflammatory disease of the small and large bowel.

In general, rectal complications of inflammatory diseases of the small and large bowel offer the proctologist a large field of interest and usefulness. If he uses to the full his medical knowledge and his diagnostic acumen, as well as his well-timed surgical skill, his efforts should be rewarded with success.
An asperity model to simulate rupture along heterogeneous fault surfaces

A model has been developed to simulate the statistical and mechanical nature of rupture on a heterogeneous strike-slip fault. The model is based on the progressive failure of circular asperities of varying sizes and strengths along a fault plane subjected to a constant far-field shear displacement rate. The basis of the model is a deformation and stress intensity factory solution for a single circular asperity under a unidirectional shear stress. The individual asperities are unified through the fault stiffness and the far-field stress and displacement. During fault deformation asperities can fail and reheal, resulting in changes in the local stresses in the asperities, stress drops, and changes in the stiffness of the fault. Depending on how the stress is redistributed following asperity failure and on the strengths of the neighboring asperities an earthquake event can be the failure of one or more asperities. Following an earthquake event seismic source parameters such as the stress drop, energy change, and moment magnitude are calculated. Results from the model show a very realistic pattern of earthquake rupture, with reasonable source parameters, the proper magnitude-frequency behavior, and the development of characteristic earthquakes. Also the progression of b-values in the model gives some insight into the phenomenon of’ self-organized criticality.’
Doing the Same Work with Hard Copy and with Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Computer Terminals:

Much public concern has centered on possible fatiguing effects of using CRT terminals in one's work. Previous experiments have not carefully distinguished the effects of using a CRT display per se from the effects of the work itself This experiment studies this problem by having people do the same task with a CRT display and with hard copy. Twenty-four participants proofread from a CRT on one day and from hard copy on another day. No change throughout the day in participants' proofreading performance (speed and accuracy), feelings (about the comfort of their eyes, body, mind, and work), or vision (acuity, contrast, and flicker sensitivity, phoria) could be attributed to using CRT terminals. Participants did proofread from hard copy about 20 to 30% faster than from a CRT, however.
Lattice-Dynamical Properties of Fe 57 Impurity Atoms in Pt, Pd, and Cu from Precision Measurements of Mössbauer Fractions

Precision measurements of the M\"ossbauer fractions of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{57}$ in single crystals of Cu, Pd, and Pt were obtained over a range from liquid-helium temperatures to around 750\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K in about 50\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K intervals, using the "black wide absorber" technique. The over-all accuracy is estimated to be better than 0.7%, with a somewhat larger error for Pt. Our data are consistent with a harmonic lattice with small cubic and quartic anharmonic contributions. Properly weighted Debye temperatures ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{D}(\ensuremath{-}1)$ and ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{D}(\ensuremath{-}2)$ were derived from the low- and high-temperature limits of our $f$ measurements, which were compared with equivalent data for the pure hosts. We conclude that Fe in Cu is about 20% more strongly bound than Cu in Cu, while Fe in Pd and Pt shows about a 20% weaker average force constant than the host atoms. Fe in Cu also has a much larger degree of anharmonicity than pure Cu. Analysis of earlier data on Fe in Ni shows a similar behavior. Our data were also examined for evidence of localized impurity modes. The low-temperature data for Fe in Pt are consistent with the existence of a predicted localized mode, but they do not provide unambiguous evidence.
Properties of B4C-Based Composite with Layered Structure

A three-layer material based on B4C/Al, B4C/TiB2 and B4C composites had been successfully prepared. The microstructures and properties of B4C/Al-B4C/TiB2-B4C composite were investigated in detail. The three-layer porous preform was first prepared by hot pressing. Then the three-layer composite was fabricated by infiltrating aluminum into the porous preform in vacuum. The three-layer B4C/Al-B4C/TiB2-B4C composite showed good interfacial bonding. When using the B4C ceramics layer as the load-bearing surface, the flexural strength, fracture toughness and Vickers hardness of the composite were 230 MPa, 3.4 MPa·m1/2 and 38 GPa, respectively.
Effects of Disclosing Financial Interests on Attitudes Toward Clinical Research

Background The effects of disclosing financial interests to potential research participants are not well understood.
Valuing Credit Default Swaps on Correlated LMM Processes

The article derives a model with a closed form solution for valuing default swaps including reference asset—counterparty default correlation. The default correlation between the reference asset and the counterparty is incorporated in two quadruple trees. One tree represents the default swap payoff of the default swap seller; the other tree represents the default swap premium payments of the default swap buyer. Swap valuation techniques are then applied to derive the fair default swap price. The model is combined with three LMM (Libor Market Model) processes. One LMM process simulates risk-free short-term interest rates. Two other LMM processes generate the reference asset default probabilities and the counterparty default probabilities. Two examples of the model are provided. In one model the default swap premium is paid upfront (at the beginning of each period) whereas in the other model the default swap premium is paid in arrears (at the end of each period).