cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibronectin fragments upregulate insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in chondrocytes.

Abstract Addition of fibronectin fragments (Fn-fs) to cultured cartilage explants has been shown to mediate extensive cartilage matrix degradation followed by anabolic responses. Objective To determine whether specific Fn-fs regulate cartilage metabolism through a mechanism, in part, involving insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Methods Primary bovine articular chondrocyte cultures were treated with Fn-fs. mRNA from the cultures was analysed by Northern blotting. Changes in the levels of IGFBPs in cellular extracts and conditioned media were analysed by Western ligand blotting. Explant cultures of bovine articular cartilage were used to assay release of exogenous IGF-I and IGFBP-2. An analog of IGF-I with altered affinity for IGFBPs was used to assay the effect of IGFBPs on proteoglycan synthesis. Results The Fn-fs increased protein levels of IGFBPs-2, -3 and -5 in conditioned media and of IGFBP-2 in cell extracts by as much as nine-fold. Conversely, the protein level of constitutively expressed IGBP-4 was decreased in conditioned medium. Northern blot analysis reflected increased IGFBP-3 mRNA but not decreased IGFBP-4 mRNA. The IGF-I analog was more effective at restoring PG synthesis suppression by Fn-fs than was wild type IGF-I. Conclusions The Fn-fs increased levels of IGFBPs in cultures of bovine articular chondrocytes and elicited release of IGFBP-2 and IGF-I from articular cartilage. The increased level of IGFBPs may trap IGF-I and account in part for the initial suppression of PG synthesis. Induced proteinases may subsequently liberate IGF-I and cause greatly enhanced anabolic processes, contributing to cartilage repair. Copyright 2002 OsteoArthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved .
Save Our Unions: Dispatches from a Movement in Distress

Over the last 40 years the American labor movement has suffered some bitter defeats. From the PATCO (air traffic controllers) strike in 1981 to the recent passage of so-called “right to work” legis...
Female sexual dysfunction.

Abstract Female sexual dysfunction is a common patient concern. After providing an overview regarding the various types of female sexual dysfunction, we will focus on history taking and treatment options for desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain disorders. Testosterone therapy and management of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-associated sexual dysfunction are reviewed. Treatments for atrophic vaginitis are appraised. Patient cases lead the discussion, providing the reader with clinically relevant information.
A new Monte Carlo model of lunar megaregolith development

The use of a new Monte Carlo model to examine the development of the lunar megaregolith through impact cratering processes is discussed. The simulation incorporates some of the features and assumptions of the models of Short and Forman (1972), Gault et al. (1974), Quaide and Oberbeck (1968), Oberbeck et al. (1973, 1975), and Hoerz et al. (1976); and also greatly improves on some of these features. The problem of edge effects in computer modeling is resolved, and information on the geometry of craters and their ejecta blankets, as well as on crater production functions are included in the model. It is shown that this new model predicts greater megaregolith thicknesses than did the other models. The increase is due to the use of the observed lunar highlands crater size-frequency curve as the production function, to the retention of topographic information as cratering proceeds, and to the differences in the crater bowl and ejecta geometries.
Modal-sum and image-sum procedures for estimating wide-band random response of structures

Abstract The nature of the mean-square velocity response field in one- and two-dimensional structures subjected to point excitation by wide-band random forces is described, with emphasis on the effects of damping and of excitation bandwidth. Two procedures for predicting the response are studied. Both procedures require evaluating an array of integrals. The sizes of the arrays and the relative dominance of the main-diagonal terms in the arrays are shown to depend differently on the damping, excitation and dimensionality of the structure. The modal-sum procedure is advantageous for lightly damped, two-dimensional structures excited by relatively narrow-band processes. The image-sum procedure is advantageous for heavily damped, one-dimensional structures excited by very wide-band processes. The image-sum procedure has the additional feature that it provides a simple means of locating local zones of intensification and reduction of response and estimating the magnitude of the relative intensification or reduction in such zones.
COVARIANT WAVE FUNCTION REDUCTION AND COHERENT DECAYS OF KAON PAIRS

Abstract The recently developed relativistically covariant formulation of wave function reduction is illustrated for Lipkin's proposal to study CP violation in the coherent decay of kaon pairs. Covariant results are obtained in agreement with an amplitude approach proposed in the literature.
Orientation measurements of microsphere doublets and metaphase chromosomes in flow

Obtaining information about the shape of particles from slit-scan profiles is facilitated if the particles are oriented. Elongated particles orient in the nozzle of flow cytometers, but orientation may be disrupted before the particles get to the point of measurement. We have used our slit-scan flow cytometer to investigate the orientation of microsphere doublets in a liquid jet in air, in flow across a glass surface, and in a 200-μm-square capillary tube as a function of distance from the flow chamber nozzle. Particles were classified as being oriented if there was a centrally located dip in the slit-scan profile. Essentially all the doublets in the jet were oriented, and no disorientation was noted over the distances measured (up to 10 mm from the nozzle). Particle orientation was maintained for 80 μm in flow across a glass surface. In the capillary-type flow chamber, essentially all of the particles were oriented at the tube entrance and for several millimeters into the tube. There then occurred a region where particle tumbling started and progressively fewer doublets met the orientation criteria. The distance to where tumbling began could be estimated by calculating the length required to establish the parabolic flow profile in the tube. Finally, the fraction of oriented particles reached a constant value that did not change with increased distance into the tube. When sample was injected off axis (i.e., half-way between the chamber center and the chamber walls), particle tumbling began closer to the tube entrance. Orientation studies of Chinese hamster M3–1 metaphase chromosomes showed that over 95% of the larger chromosomes (1–5) and over 65% of the smaller chromosomes (9–11) were oriented near the entrance of the capillary tube.
Triggering Mechanisms of Slope Instability and their Relationship to Earthquakes and Tsunamis

Submarine and shoreline slope failures that accompany large earthquakes and large tsunamis are triggered by several mechanisms. Triggering mechanisms range from direct effects, such as inertial forces from earthquake shaking, to indirect effects, such as rapid drawdown that occurs when an earthquake-generated tsunami first approaches a shoreline. Soil shear strength also plays an important role in earthquake-related slope failures. Earthquakes change the shear strength of the soil by inducing excess pore water pressures. These excess pore water pressures change with time after the earthquake, resulting in changes in shear strength and slope stability with time. This paper reviews earthquake-related triggering mechanisms for submarine and shoreline slope failures. The variation in shear strength with time following an earthquake is examined and it is shown that delayed slope failures after an earthquake can occur as a result of changes in earthquake-induced excess pore water pressures and shear strength with time.
Theoretical and experimental aspects of the response of stripping voltammetry in flow injection systems

Abstract The coupling of stripping voltammetry with flow injection systems offers significant advantages over conventional stripping methods. Equations solved for conventional stripping voltammetry, with steady-state deposition current, are not applicable to flow injection systems. Theoretical equations for the peak current under flow injection conditions are derived. As the total charge passed during the deposition step, ∫i dt, is independent of the shape of the sample plug, the stripping peak current is independent of the degree of dispersion. As a result, precise control of the dispersion or deposition period may not be required. The peak current is predicted to be directly proportional to the sample volume. Experimental results are incorporated to support the theoretical conclusions. The effects of experimental variables such as flow rate, length of tubing, deposition period, or sample volume are presented using cadmium ion as test species.
Desiccation Dependent Structure and Stability of an Anhydrobiotic Nematode Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) Protein

A number of organisms have been found to be capable of surviving severe water deficit as a result of extreme drought and cold in nature by entering a state of suspended animation (i.e., anhydrobiosis or life without water) [1]. Although the precise molecular repertoire of desiccation tolerance in anhydrobiotic organisms is still not fully understood, results from recent studies indicate the crucial role of stress proteins such as the late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins [2]. LEA proteins have been proposed to play a variety of roles in protecting biologicals from damaging by dehydration stress such as molecular chaperone and shield, ion chelator, antioxidant, and space filler. The multifunctional capacity of LEA proteins has been attributed in part to their structural plasticity: they are unfolded and when fully hydrated and become folded during water deficit [1]. However, the structural stability of LEA protein in response to desiccation is still not fully understood. In this study, the structure alteration of a group 3 LEA protein from an anhydrobiotic nematode (AavLEA1) [2] were investigated using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation approach to understand the structural stability at different water contents.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Self-Esteem and Coping Responses of Athletes with Acute versus Chronic Injuries

6 athletes with acute and 6 with chronic injuries reported differences in measures of self-esteem and coping strategies following sport-related injury.
Synthetic cannabinoid use associated with acute kidney injury

To the Editor:The use of synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with multiple adverse effects, including seizures and psychosis.1 Possible nephrotoxic effects from synthetic cannabinoid use hav...
An Examination of the Research Objectives of Recent Citation Analysis Studies

This work attempts to assess the variations and similarities in the stated research objectives of recent citation analysis studies. Eighty-eight citation studies published between January 1995 and March 2008 were categorized and selected examples of specific types were reviewed.
Development of microbial communities associated with tobacco root systems

Abstract Comparisons were made between patterns of microbial community development associated with tobacco root systems in nonautoclaved and autoclaved soils. Patterns of root system colonization by fluorescent Pseudomonas spp, actinomycetes and other bacteria did not differ between the two soils. Fungal community diversity, measured in terms of number and densities of taxa present, was greater in association with rhizospheres and root surfaces of tobacco grown in nonautoclaved soil than in autoclaved soil. Diversity within the rhizosphere and at root surfaces increased more slowly over time in autoclaved soil than in nonautoclaved soil. At all sampling dates fungal colonization of surfaces of first-order roots was more extensive in nonautoclaved soil than in autoclaved soil. As measured by Lloyd's index of mean crowding, average densities of hyphae in colonized regions of root surfaces were greater in nonautoclaved soil than in autoclaved soil at 7 and 28 days of plant growth. Colonized regions along root surfaces were more patchy or aggregated within autoclaved soil than in nonautoclaved soil as determined from values of Lloyd's index of patchiness. Measurements describing root surface colonization remained fairly constant over time because samples at each date were taken from tissues of similar physiological age.
Raman scattering in Mg2Sn and Mg2Si

Abstract The Raman spectra of single crystal Mg 2 Sn and Mg 2 Si have been studied at room temperature. In Mg 2 Sn we observe a single relatively strong line produced by the degenerate Raman active F 2 g modes, seen previously by neutron inelastic scattering. Two weaker peaks are seen, one occuring at the F 2 g overtone; the assignment for the other is uncertain. In Mg 2 Si we find a strong line having a shift comparable to the value calculated by previous workers.
Transient dynamics by continuous-spectrum perturbations in stratified shear flows

The transient dynamics of the linearized Euler–Boussinesq equations governing parallel stratified shear flows is presented and analysed. Solutions are expressed as integral superpositions of generalized eigenfunctions associated with the continuous-spectrum component of the Taylor–Goldstein linear stability operator, and reveal intrinsic dynamics not captured by its discrete-spectrum counterpart. It is shown how continuous-spectrum perturbations are generally characterized by non-normal energy growth and decay with algebraic asymptotic behaviour in either time or space. This behaviour is captured by explicit long-time/far-field expressions from rigorous asymptotic analysis, and it is illustrated with direct numerical simulations of the whole (non-Boussinesq) stratified Euler system. These results can be helpful in understanding recent numerical observations for parallel and non-parallel perturbed stratified shear flows.
Miocene goethitic and chamositic oolites, northeastern Colombia

The late (?) Miocene non-marine to paralic Guayabo Group in northeastern Colombia and adjacent Venezuela contains as many as thirty-four thin (to 15 cm) goethitic and chamositic oolites and ooid-bearing sandstones in 1080 m of section. This eastward prograding deltaic complex consists mainly of chert-rich litharenite in fluvial, distributary channel, and shoreline facies, and of montmorillonite mudstone in floodplain and interdistributary embayment facies. Within this framework the oolites are restricted to a paralic association that developed during episodes of waning detrital sedimentation when distributary abandonment was followed by minor transgression across mudflats. Most of the multilayered and symmetrical ooids are composed of goethite, rarely with a small amount of chamosite. These are essentially spherical; many of the chamosite-rich ones have been plastically deformed. Goethitic ooids resemble those in a thin layer accumulating in brackish Lake Chad, central Africa. Chamositic ooids have affinities with those accumulating in a sea loch in western Scotland. Each of these examples is associated with detrital (silicate) sedimentation, apparently developed directly from colloidal ferric oxide and silicate precursors, and affords no evidence that primary aragonitic ooids were later placed by ironbearing oxide and clay.
Liquid deposition photolithography for the fabrication of gradient index (GRIN) micro-optics

One photon diffusive photopolymers enable self-developing three dimensional (3D) refractive index patterning of up to cm thick solid volumes for the fabrication of micro-optics. However, one photon absorption in solid, thick materials does not yield complete control of the 3D refractive index distribution due to diffraction and the excessive development time for index features measuring 100’s of microns in diameter or larger. We present a fabrication method and photopolymer formulation that can efficiently create mm 3 optical devices with programmable, gradient index of refraction with arbitrary feature size and shape. Index contrast of 0.1 is demonstrated, which is 20 times larger than commercial holographic photopolymers. Devices are fabricated by repetitive micro-fluidic layering of a self-developing photopolymer structured by projection lithography. The process has the unusual property that total fabrication time for a fixed thickness decreases as the number of layers is increased, reducing the fabrication time for high axial resolution micro-optics. We demonstrate the process by fabricating thick waveguide arrays and gradient index lenses.
Excitons in InSb quantum wells: a multiuse tool

We use exciton signatures in optical absorption spectra to probe material and structural properties of InSb/AlxIn1-xSb multiple quantum wells. Excitonic transition lines have been observed up to room temperature for the system in which exciton binding energy is only 1 meV largely due to very weak LO-phonon-electron coupling. Parabolically graded quantum wells were grown and used to study the band offset ratio at the InSb/AlxIn1-xSb heterointerface. A 0.62 +/- 0.04 offset ratio is extracted from the exciton transitions measured on samples with Al concentrations in the range 2% to 12%. Furthermore, deformation potentials in the system have been studied. The hydrostatic and the shear deformation potentials are determined simultaneously to be around -6.5 +/- 0.3 and -1.5 +/- 0.2, respectively.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The elusive Phillips curve

Abstract The empirical evidence that has accumulated over the past twenty years for major countries, and especially the United States, Canada, and the U.K., suggests three distinct “phases” for the Phillips curve. In the “early” phase the coefficient on the unemployment variable was correctly signed and statistically significant; in the “middle” phase, as further studies were made and the data period extended, the unemployment coefficient tended to become numerically smaller and often to be statistically insignificant; in the “late” phase, as yet more studies accumulated and the data period was extended into the seventies, the unemployment coefficient was sometimes perversely signed and also statistically significant. This paper offers a possible theoretical interpretation of this phenomenon. The theoretical analysis is supplemented with some empirical simulations.
Biochemical lesion in rat liver mitochondria induced by hexachlorophene.

Abstract Mitochondria obtained from the livers of rats 18 hr after oral dosing with 20 and 100 mg/kg of 2,2′-methylenebis (3,4,6-trichlorophenol) (hexachlorophene; HCP) exhibited decreased oxidative phosphorylation, high adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, but no modification in the activities of electron transport enzymes when compared to controls. An inverse correlation between phosphorylation and the level of bound HCP was found, with 50 per cent uncoupling occurring at 0·1 mμmole HCP/mg of mitochondrial protein and complete uncoupling at approximately 0·6 mμmole/mg of protein. The concentration of HCP required for 50 per cent uncoupling in vitro was shown to be directly dependent on the mitochondrial protein concentration and was 0·5 μM when the latter was 2·5 mg protein/ml. Binding of HCP by mitochondrial protein was complete even when the ratio of bisphenol to protein in the incubation medium exceeded that necessary for 50 per cent uncoupling by 2000 times. Oxidative phosphorylation could be completely restored in HCP-inhibited mitochondria by the addition of a 200-fold molar excess of bovine serum albumin. In rats given a sublethal intraperitoneal injection of the drug, maximum uncoupling in liver mitochondria occurred within 15 min and complete recovery by about 6 hr. With a sublethal oral dose of HCP, maximal uncoupling occurred at 12–15 hr with complete recovery by about 36 hr. In both cases, the times for maximal uncoupling and subsequent recovery appeared to be nearly identical with the times for appearance and disappearance of gross symptomatology Significant uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation still occurred when less than 50 per cent of the oral or intraperitoneal LD 50 doses were given. These observations suggest that uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation may be the primary biochemical lesion in acute intoxication by HCP.
Longitudinal Variations in Mesospheric Winds: Evidence for Gravity Wave Filtering by Planetary Waves

Abstract Mesospheric horizontal wind data from the High Resolution Doppler Image (HRDI) satellite instrument are used to investigate the longitudinal variation of nontidal winds in the upper mesosphere and their relationship with winds in the stratosphere. The period covered by the study is late winter (February–mid-March) for 1992–1994. The results indicate that there is a negative correlation between longitudinal variations of the zonal winds in the stratosphere and those in the mesosphere, and between longitudinal variations of the meridional winds in the stratosphere and mesosphere. The data are examined to determine which of several possible causes is responsible. The possibilities are 1) that planetary-scale disturbances are produced in situ by gravity wave drag in the mesosphere that is not zonally symmetric because of filtering by the planetary waves in the stratosphere, 2) that asymmetries are caused by longitudinal variations in gravity wave drag due to azonal source distributions that are coinc...
Real-time emotion identification for socially intelligent robots

This paper presents a real-time emotion recognition system (RTERS) as a first step towards developing a socially intelligent robot. The RTERS first localizes faces in a sequence of images, then features are extracted and passed to a recognition engine that codes facial expressions into one of seven different emotional states: happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, anger, surprise, and neutrality.We propose and develop a distance-based classifier, called Distance-Ratio Classifier, for emotion identification from the feature vectors. The performance of the proposed distance-ratio classifier was compared with support-vector-machine-based classifiers, using different feature extraction and dimensionality reduction approaches, including principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, kernel principal component analysis, greedy kernel principal component analysis, and generalized discriminant analysis. Extensive computer simulations were conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed RTERS. Using two widely used databases for performance evaluation, the best performance of the proposed RTERS was 95.8% using the generalized discriminant analysis for dimensionality reduction and the proposed distance-ratio classifier.
Darwin and the Seeing Eye: Iconography and Meaning in The Beagle Years

Strongly influenced by Lyell's Principles of Geology, Darwin during the Beagle voyage developed a highly theoretical geology based on premises of continental uplift and oceanic subsidence. From the beginning he used his theoretical interpretations to validate and select his field observations. These he interpreted and communicated largely in the form of profile diagrams, of South American shorelines, Andean tectonic structures, and coral reef development. His published works from the voyage are very sparsely illustrated, except for profile diagrams, and contain remarkably few maps. Of the latter all are derivative except one. The one exception is his 1842 map of the distribution of coral reefs, which he uses as a theoretical argument to delineate areas of elevation and subsidence in the oceans, implicitly illustrating the formal logical analogy between the nature of theory and the nature of maps. The illustrations in general illustrate the contrast between Darwin's verbal facility in describing landscapes...
Asimadoline, a kappa-opioid agonist, and satiation in functional dyspepsia

Background Asimadoline, a kappa-opioid agonist, reduces visceral sensitivity in experimental animal models and may decrease satiation and postprandial fullness in healthy individuals. However, its effect on satiation in functional dyspepsia is unclear, and any symptom benefit has not been explored.
Preventing Perinatal Depression in High Risk Women: Moving the Mothers and Babies Course from Clinical Trials to Community Implementation

A growing research literature highlights the public health need for preventive interventions to reduce symptoms and incidence of perinatal depression among vulnerable populations. The Mothers and Babies (MB) course is a cognitive–behavioral intervention designed to teach mood regulation skills to English- and Spanish-speaking low-income women at high risk for perinatal depression. We describe the development of the MB course and evaluate the extent to which research findings support efficacy, effectiveness, and dissemination based on the Society for Prevention Research Standards Committee’s standards of evidence. Our review of research and implementation activities suggests that the MB intervention demonstrates promising evidence for efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms; empirical support for prevention of major depressive episodes is still preliminary. Work is in progress to evaluate program effectiveness and prepare for broad dissemination and implementation. The MB course shows promise as an intervention for low-income women at risk for perinatal mood issues. Spanish and English intervention materials have been developed that can be delivered in different settings (hospitals, home visiting), in different dosages (6, 8, or 12 sessions), and via different modalities (group, individual). Evaluating the MB course against current standards is intended to inform other prevention intervention development research.
Calculation of optimal fertilizer rates : A comparison of three response models

Determination of optimal N-fertilization rates, N oe , for crop production that minimize risk of environmental degradation require accurate application of a response model. Several models are available to describe crop yield response to N fertilization. The objective of this work was to compare the relative accuracy of a quadratic, f(N Q ), a modified Mitscherlich, and tanh(N) models on 48 data sets. Data were collected from a Tara silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, frigid Pachic Udic Haploboroll) over a 6-year period using two maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids and four tillage treatments, mouldboard plough, chisel plough, ridge tillage and no-tillage. In about one-third of the cases, all models performed about equally well. Generally, the tanh(N) and modified Mitscherlich models gave better fit between N rate and grain yield data. The N oe ranged from about 140 to 170 kg ha -1 for the modified Mitscherlich model, 136 to 184 kg ha -1 for the tanh(N) function, and 124 to 173 kg ha - using the f(N Q ) model. Estimated grain yields at these rates ranged between 6.58 ± 1.30 to 7.59 ± 1.69 Mg ha -1 for the 90-day Minnesota maturity rated (MR) hybrid and between 7.52 ± 2.40 to 8.72 ± 1.70 Mg ha -1 for the 95-day MR hybrid.
Banzhaf voting power, random elections, and the Electoral College winner’s advantage

In a recent article, Riggs et al. (2009) aim to measure the ‘Electoral College winner's advantage’—in particular, the extent to which the winner’s electoral vote margin of victory is magnified as a result of (i) the ‘two electoral vote add-on’ given to each state and (ii) the ‘winner-take-all’ mode of casting state electoral votes. Their results are based on two sets of one million simulated two-candidate elections. This note has two purposes. The first is to demonstrate that RHR’s simulation estimates can be calculated precisely using the theory of voting power measurement. The second is to correct several flaws in RHR’s analysis, the most substantial of which pertains to the effect of the two electoral vote add-on, which actually has a negative effect on the winner’s advantage.
The Structure of the Chromosphere

We review the structure and dynamics of the solar chromosphere with emphasis on the quiet Sun and properties that are relevant to element fractionation mechanisms. Attention is given to the chromospheric magnetic field, its connections to the photosphere, and to the dynamical evolution of the chromosphere. While some profound advances have been made in the “unmagnetized” chromosphere, our knowledge of the magnetically controlled chromosphere, more relevant for the discussion of element fractionation, is limited. Given the dynamic nature of the chromosphere and the poorly understood magnetic linkage to the corona, it is unlikely that we will soon know the detailed processes leading to FIP fractionation.
What Shall we do with the Blue-Green Counterparts?

Abstract Lichens are troublesome organisms for taxonomists because of their special ‘ double nature ’, i.e. being composed (normally) of two partners. Only recently has it been understood properly that the same fungus can take different photosynthetic partners and develop into quite different-looking organisms, for example Lobaria amplissima and Dendriscocaulon umhausense . The taxonomic problem is to show that two totally different-looking lichens in fact contain the same fungus. This is possible to demonstrate when mixed stands are available, but is now best done with molecular methods. Since the international code of nomenclature rules that the name of a lichen species is the name of the fungus, two different organisms with the same fungus must under the Code carry the same name, which is most impractical. To remove this unintentional complication, one must either make an exception in the Code for these cases, or establish an informal system to take care of them. The latter seems to be preferable.
Pinning control for complex networks of linearly coupled oscillators

In this paper, we study the pinning control of networks of coupled oscillators using master stability-like function. The assignment of controllers is performed on the basis of collective dynamics of the network and local and coupling dynamics through the Lyapunov direct method. We assume that the controllers' gain are constrained and we show that our results recover existing ones, when this constraint is removed. Numerical results verify that in more realistic scenarios our method assigns pinning points much more effectively compared to existing approaches.
Issues in using a DIS facility in analysis

This paper analyzes the future prospects for the use of the Theater Battle Arena (TBA) specifically, and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) facilities in general, in conducting analysis for senior Air Force leadership. The desire is to broaden the use of the TBA in the arena of combat analysis. We believe that such a study would benefit other participants in the Advanced Distributed Simulation (ADS) environment as they plan, develop, construct, and upgrade facilities that take advantage of the still emerging ADS technology.
Increased risk of Parkinson's disease in parents and siblings of patients

We studied the incidence of Parkinson's disease in 586 first-degree relatives (parents and siblings) of 114 randomly ascertained white patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and in 522 first-degree relatives of 114 age-matched unrelated white control subjects. Sixteen percent of patients had a family history as compared to 4% of control subjects (p < 0.01). The age-specific cumulative incidence was higher in the first-degree relatives of patients than in the first-degree relatives of control subjects (p = 0.007). The age-adjusted odds ratio was 3.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.3–9.4; p = 0.014). These results suggest that genes contribute to the etiology of Parkinson's disease.
Fluid inclusion and stable isotope analyses of veins from the central Appalachian Valley and Ridge province: Implications for regional synorogenic hydrologic structure and fluid migration

Fluid inclusion microthermometric analyses and O and C stable isotopic analyses of vein minerals are used to determine the chemistry and trapping conditions of fluids present in the central Appalachian fold-and-thrust belt during the late Paleozoic Alleghanian orogeny. The upper Paleozoic rock section contains three regional hydrostratigraphic systems based on fluid chemistry and temperature. The Ordovician Trenton Formation through the Devonian Helderberg Group was a regional aquitard and was dominated by high-salinity, CH 4 -saturated, in situ fluids. The Devonian Oriskany Formation through the lower portion of the Chemung Formation was a regional aquifer system and underwent an influx of warm migrating fluids. The upper portion of the Devonian Chemung through Pocono Formations was also a regional aquifer, but it was dominated by an influx of meteoric water that mixed with in situ fluids. The migrating fluid was a warm (160 to >220 °C) CH 4 -saturated NaCl-CaCl 2 brine that was stratigraphically restricted to the Oriskany Formation through the lower portion of the Chemung Formation, although there is evidence for infiltration into lower stratigraphic units. Two separate fluid migration events are recorded in the rocks. The first event is either late synfolding to postfolding, and the second event is postfolding. Approximately 2‐4 km of overburden were removed by erosion between the two migration events. The source of the warm migrating fluids is still unknown. However, the most likely source would be fluids that were tectonically driven through the fold-and-thrust belt by large-scale, out of sequence thrusting in the hinterland. The migrating fluids were transported far into the foreland where they may have been directly responsible for (1) flushing of hydrocarbons from the upper Paleozoic of the Valley and Ridge into the Plateau province and (2) elevated thermal maturation indicators in the Valley and Ridge and Plateau provinces.
Variation in perceived competence, glycemic control, and patient satisfaction: relationship to autonomy support from physicians

There is considerable variation in care provided to patients with diabetes related to metabolic control, preventive services, and degree of patient-centered support. This study evaluates the relation of self-determination theory (SDT) constructs of clinician autonomy support, and patient competence to glycemic control, depressive symptoms, and patient satisfaction from baseline surveys of 634 patients of 31 Colorado primary care physicians participating in a program to improve diabetes care. Spearman correlations of autonomy support from one’s clinician with patient competence, HbA1c, depressive symptoms and satisfaction were significant ( r =− 0.11 to 0.55, P< 0.05). Structural equation modeling demonstrated that autonomy support was significantly related to perceived competence, depressive symptoms, patient satisfaction, and indirectly to glycemic control. Perceived competence was significantly related to depressive symptoms, patient satisfaction and glycemic control. Further, the motivation constructs from SDT accounted for 5% of the variance in glycemic control, 8% of the variance in depression, and 42% of the variance in patient satisfaction. Quality improvement efforts need to pay greater attention to patient competence, satisfaction, and depression, in addition to glycemic control. Clinician autonomy support was found to be reliably measured and moderately correlated with psychosocial and biologic outcomes related to diabetes self-management. These results suggest training clinicians to increase their support of patient autonomy may be one important avenue to improve diabetes outcomes. © 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Eigenvarieties for reductive groups

We develop the theory of overconvergent cohomology introduced by G. Stevens, and we use it to give a construction of eigenvarieties associated to any reductive group G over Q such that G(R) has discrete series. We prove that the so-called eigenvarieties are equidimensional and generically at over the weight space.
Nanoscale flexoelectric energy harvesting

Abstract One of the most tantalizing applications of piezoelectricity is to harvest energy from ambient mechanical vibrations for powering micro and nano devices. However, piezoelectricity is restricted only to certain materials and is severely compromised at high temperatures. In this article, we examine in detail, the possibility of using the phenomenon of flexoelectricity for energy harvesting. The flexoelectric effect is universally present in all dielectrics and exhibits a strong scaling with size. Using a simple beam-based paradigmatical design, we theoretically and computationally examine flexoelectric energy harvesting under harmonic mechanical excitation. We find that the output power density and conversion efficiency increase significantly when the beam thickness reduces from micro to nanoscale and flexoelectricity-based energy harvesting can be a viable alternative to piezoelectrics. Specifically, the conversion efficiency in flexoelectric transduction at sub-micron thickness levels is observed to increase by two orders of magnitude as the thickness is reduced by an order of magnitude. The flexoelectric energy harvester works even for a single layer beam with a symmetric cross section which is not possible in piezoelectric energy harvesting. Our results also pave the way for exploration of high temperature energy harvesting since unlike piezoelectricity, flexoelectricity persists well beyond the Curie temperatures of the high electromechanical coupling ferroelectrics that are often used.
A generalized, distributed analysis system for optimization of Parallel Applications

Developing a high performance parallel application is difficult. An application must often be analyzed and optimized by the programmer before reaching an acceptable level of performance. Performance tools that collect and visualize performance data can reduce the effort needed by the user in the nontrivial optimization process. However, as the size of the performance dataset grows, it becomes nearly impossible for the user to manually examine the data and find performance issues. To address this problem, we have developed a new analysis system to automatically detect, diagnose, and possibly resolve bottlenecks. In this paper, we present the architecture and the distributed, peer-to-peer processing mechanism of a programming model-independent analysis system, which includes a range of useful analyses such as scalability analysis and common-bottleneck detection. We then describe the details of an initial sequential implementation of the system that has been integrated into our Parallel Performance Wizard (PPW) tool. Finally, we provide correctness and performance results for this initial version and demonstrate the effectiveness of the system through two case studies.
Rightsizing the Workforce: Changing Roles of Vocational Psychology:

This article briefly defines rightsizing the workforce and discusses the rightsizing dilemma in relation to the current economic downturn in the United States, its disparate effects on citizens, an...
The mtp40 gene is not present in all strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A multiple PCR-based assay that targets IS6110 and the mtp40 gene was evaluated for the rapid differentiation of Mycobacterium bovis and M. tuberculosis, two of the causative agents of tuberculosis. The IS6110 target is present in both species, whereas the mtp40 gene was thought to be specific for M.tuberculosis (P. Del Portillo, L.A. Murillo, and M.E. Patarroyo, J. Clin. Microbiol. 29:2163-2168, 1991). However, the mtp-40 gene is not present in all M. tuberculosis strains and, hence, is not useful for differentiating M.tuberculosis and M.bovis.
M34 actin regulatory protein is a sensitive diagnostic marker for early- and late-stage mammary carcinomas.

Purpose: At present, there is no available molecular marker that reliably detects the earliest stages of epithelial transformation in the majority of patients affected with incipient breast carcinoma. Here we introduce M34 protein, a mammalian actin filament regulatory protein, as a highly sensitive and easily detected positive cellular marker for both early and late stages of breast carcinoma. Experimental Design: In this study, 24 human lactation duct neoplasms from postmenopausal women, including fibroadenoma, ductal carcinoma in situ , intraductal lobular papilloma, and metastatic adenocarcinoma, were analyzed for the presence of M34 protein by histochemical staining of paraffin and fresh-frozen sections. Results: All 24 neoplasias tested positive for M34, whereas none of the 4 normal breast tissues stained for the protein. M34 identification was strongly positive for transformed epithelium in all tumor types tested. Twelve precancerous lesions of fibroadenoma ( n = 4), intraductal papilloma ( n = 4), and incipient ductal carcinoma in situ ( n = 4) all showed high levels of M34 staining, suggesting that precancerous tumors, as well as the earliest stages of mammary carcinoma, can be sensitively detected. Furthermore, anti-M34 antibody selectively stained all 12 advanced-stage metastatic adenocarcinoma cell masses and micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes tested. Single-cell micrometastases embedded in connective tissue or lymph node parenchyma could be clearly resolved by M34 with horseradish peroxidase staining. Lymphocytes, normal ductal endothelium, and vascular endothelial cells were M34-negative, as were muscle, nerve, and adipose tissues. Low-level M34 staining was detected in connective tissue fibroblasts, macrophages, and neutrophils. Conclusions: To our knowledge, no previously reported markers have shown high sensitivity of detection for both the earliest and most advanced stages of breast carcinoma. Consequently, M34 appears uniquely suited for diagnosis of the earliest stages of lactation duct transformation as well as for advanced-stage mammary carcinoma metastases in surgical margins and axillary lymph nodes.
Analysis of vibrating structures in nonlinear media using the extended angular spectrum method

A measurement technique capable of remotely determining the characteristics of vibrating structures is described. The technique may be used to predict a particle velocity field distribution over a plane, based upon a known field contour at a parallel plane. The restriction to planar distributions does not significantly limit the applicability of the technique because many practical sources can be modelled as planar radiators with characteristic phase distributions. The technique allows the reconstruction of cross-sectional images of the particle velocity field radiated by a vibrating structure. Reconstructions are generated by applying a propagation algorithm to measured or simulated planar particle velocity distributions. The authors outline the basic principles and further development of the algorithm often referred to as the angular spectrum method. Selected results which demonstrate the ability of the angular spectrum method to analyze vibrational characteristics and accurately predict the propagation of acoustic fields are presented. The applicability of the method is also discussed based upon comparisons between experimental data and extended angular spectrum predictions. >
Electrocatalysis in Membrane Mimetic Media

Nature uses membrane-based microstructures which organize redox enzymes and reactants to provide living organisms with highly efficient redox processes. Micellar solutions and microemulsions contain surfactant aggregates which can be considered crude models for biological membranes. We have employed surfactant aggregates to bind redox catalysts which are cycled at an electrode to their reactive forms. Taking reductions as an example, the electrochemically generated reduced form of an aggregatebound catalyst can react with a nonpolar, organic substrate bound to hydrophobic regions of the same surfactant aggregate. Such organized systems are potential models for dark biological redox processes at membranes. Other advantages include providing non-toxic, aqueous media for organic redox reactions of nonpolar substrates, and enhancing rates of reactions due to compartmentalization of reactants in the aggregates1.
A New Species of Dialictus from Sombrero Island, Anguilla (Hymenoptera, Halictidae)

A new species of Lasioglossum Curtis subgenus Dialictus Robertson (Halictinae, Halictini) is described and fi gured from a series of female and males collected on Sombrero Island, Anguilla; the northernmost island of the Lesser Antilles. Lasioglossum (Dialictus) sombrerense sp. n. is distinguished from its congeners and the name made available for a forthcoming work on the arthropod diversity of Sombrero Island.
Adaptive Neural Network-Based Event-Triggered Control of Single-Input Single-Output Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems

This paper presents a novel adaptive neural network (NN) control of single-input and single-output uncertain nonlinear discrete-time systems under event sampled NN inputs. In this control scheme, the feedback signals are transmitted, and the NN weights are tuned in an aperiodic manner at the event sampled instants. After reviewing the NN approximation property with event sampled inputs, an adaptive state estimator (SE), consisting of linearly parameterized NNs, is utilized to approximate the unknown system dynamics in an event sampled context. The SE is viewed as a model and its approximated dynamics and the state vector, during any two events, are utilized for the event-triggered controller design. An adaptive event-trigger condition is derived by using both the estimated NN weights and a dead-zone operator to determine the event sampling instants. This condition both facilitates the NN approximation and reduces the transmission of feedback signals. The ultimate boundedness of both the NN weight estimation error and the system state vector is demonstrated through the Lyapunov approach. As expected, during an initial online learning phase, events are observed more frequently. Over time with the convergence of the NN weights, the inter-event times increase, thereby lowering the number of triggered events. These claims are illustrated through the simulation results.