cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Capacity Equivalence with Side Information at Transmitter and Receiver

In this paper, a channel that is contaminated by two independent Gaussian noises $S ~ N(0,Q)$ and $Z_0 ~ N(0,N_0)$ is considered. The capacity of this channel is computed when independent noisy versions of $S$ are known to the transmitter and/or receiver. It is shown that the channel capacity is greater then the capacity when $S$ is completely unknown, but is less then the capacity when $S$ is perfectly known at the transmitter or receiver. For example, if there is one noisy version of $S$ known at the transmitter only, the capacity is $0.5\log(1+\frac{P}{Q(N_1/(Q+N_1))+N_0})$, where $P$ is the input power constraint and $N_1$ is the power of the noise corrupting $S$. Further, it is shown that the capacity with knowledge of any independent noisy versions of $S$ at the transmitter is equal to the capacity with knowledge of the statistically equivalent noisy versions of $S$ at the receiver.
Distributed sampling for dense sensor networks: a Bit-conservation principle

We address the problem of deterministic oversampling of bandlimited sensor fields in a distributed communication-constrained processing environment, where it is desired for a central intelligent unit to reconstruct the sensor field to maximum pointwise accuracy.We show, using a dither-based sampling scheme, that is is possible to accomplish this using minimal inter-sensor communication with the aid of a multitude of low-precision sensors. Furthermore, we show the feasibility of having a flexible tradeoff between the average oversampling rate and the Analog to Digital (A/D) quantization precision per sensor sample with respect to achieving exponential accuracy in the number of bits per Nyquist-period, thereby exposing a key underpinning "conservation of bits" principle. That is, we can distribute the bit budget per Nyquist-period along the amplitude-axis (precision of A/D converter) and space (or time or space-time) using oversampling in an almost arbitrary discrete-valued manner, while retaining the same reconstruction error decay profile. Interestingly this oversampling is possible in a highly localized communication setting, with only nearest-neighbor communication, making it very attractive for dense sensor networks operating under stringent inter-node communication constraints. Finally we show how our scheme incorporates security as a by-product due to the presence of an underlying dither signal which can be used as a natural encryption device for security. The choice of the dither function enhances the security of the network.
Computing with electronic nanotechnologies

Computing with electronic nanotechnologies is emerging as a real possibility. In this talk we explore the role theoretical computer scientists might play in understanding such technologies and give examples of completed research. We consider two representative problems, whether nanowire (NW) address decoders can be self-assembled reliably and whether data can be stored efficiently in crossbar nanoarrays, a means for data storage and computation. Recent research suggests that address decoders for a set of parallel NWs can be realized using modulation doping. This is a process in which NWs are grown with embedded electronic switches (field-effect transistors (FETs)) that can be controlled by microwires. h-hot addressing allows a small number of microwires to activate one NW by activating its h FETs. We examine the feasibility of stochastically self-assembling an address decoder using such technology. The crossbar array, two orthogonal sets of parallel wires placed one above the other, is one of the most promising nanotechnology architectures under consideration. Small crossbars have been self-assembled from carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and semiconducting NWs. Two media for binary data storage in nanoarrays have been proposed, namely, changing the state of molecules layered between orthogonal sets of wires and making or breaking mechanical contacts between these wires. Since nanoarrays are expected to be very large, we examine two key questions: (a) "What are the most efficient ways of entering data into such arrays?" and (b) "How difficult is it to find a minimal or near-minimal number of steps to program an array using h-hot addressing when either 1s or 0s can be written into subarrays on each step?" A partial answer to (a) is that some commonly occurring arrays can be programmed much more rapidly when both 1s and 0s can be written than when only 1s can be written. The answer to (b) is that it is NP-hard unless the number of 1s in each row or column is bounded or h is large.
In vivo biotransformations of antibody–drug conjugates

The selective delivery of potent pharmacologically active compounds to target tissue or cells by antibody–drug conjugates makes this immuno-conjugate a promising modality for the treatment of cancers. A thorough understanding of the structural integrity of the linker, the payload and the conjugation site during biological exposure is critical throughout the process of novel linker-payload design and optimization of PK profile. This understanding is a key aspect of the effort to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicity in preclinical testing and to ensure the translation to the clinical setting. The complexity of this bioconjugate modality is a source of significant challenge for analytical interrogation and analysis in vivo. Therefore, we report herein a survey of various types of biotransformation events that have been elucidated in recent years.
Self-defense with guns: the consequences

The choices of potential victims and of criminals with respect to weapons were analyzed in an economic game framework. It was found, using National Crime Victimization Study data, that Victims who have and use guns have both lower losses and lesser injury rates from violent crime. It was also found that the victim's choice of having a gun is not independent of the criminal's choice. Based on these findings, the consequences of having a greater portion of the potential victims being armed were analyzed. It was found that this would reduce both losses and injuries from crime as well as both the criminals' incentives to commit violent crimes and to be armed.
Accruals and managerial operating decisions over the firm life cycle

This paper explores the notion that the firm's life cycle is an omitted variable in commonly used discretionary accrual models. I first document a mean positive (negative) bias in discretionary accruals for firms in the growth (decline) stage of their life cycle. Second, I re-examine prior studies' tests for income-increasing (decreasing) earnings management around IPOs (asset write-downs), and I show how inferences change after controlling for the firm's stage in its life cycle. Last, I show that incorporating controls for life cycle in accrual models leads to comparable, or lower, type I and type II error rates for random samples of discretionary accruals. Robustness tests indicate that these findings are not driven by earnings management incentives.
Further development of the qualitative ellipsometric technique for the study of corrosion processes under organic coatings

Ce developpement permet de detecter l'influence de divers revetements organiques, de distinguer entre l'apparition de rugosite et la croissance d'un film ou sa dissolution. Cas du fer et de l'acier
Long-term outcomes in fibromyalgia patients treated with noninvasive cortical electrostimulation

Abstract Hargrove JB, Bennett RM, Clauw DJ. Long-term outcomes in fibromyalgia patients treated with noninvasive cortical electrostimulation. Objective To evaluate long-term outcomes of a noninvasive cortical stimulation technology in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). Design After trial follow-up survey of subjects who had completed a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of noninvasive cortical stimulation therapy some 45 months previously. Setting General community. Participants Patients with FM (N=69) who participated in the previous study, 39 of whom were mailed surveys. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Changes in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Results There was a 64% survey return rate. The total Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score was 52.6 at baseline, 35.7 at end of study, and 31.8 at follow-up ( P Conclusions A high percentage of patients with FM treated with noninvasive cortical stimulation continued to experience worthwhile improvement at follow-up.
Size Effect and Fracture Characteristics of Composite Laminates

Measurements of the size effect on the nominal strength of notched specimens of fiber composite laminates are reported. Tests were conducted on graphite/epoxy crossply and quasi-isotropic laminates. The specimens were rectangular strips of widths 6.4, 12.7, 25.4 and 50.8 mm (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 in.) geometrically similar in two dimensions. The gage lengths were 25, 51, 102 and 203 mm (1.0, 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 in.). One set of specimens had double-edge notches and a [0/92{sub 2}]{sub s} crossply layup, and another set had a single-sided edge notch and a [0/{+-}45/90]{sub s} quasi-isotropic layup. It has been found that there is a significant size effect on the nominal strength. It approximately agrees with the size effect law proposed by Bazant, according to which the curve of the logarithm of the nominal strength versus the logarithm of size represents a smooth transition from a horizontal asymptote, corresponding to the strength criterion (plastic limit analysis), to an inclined asymptote of {minus}0.5 slope, corresponding to linear elastic fracture mechanics. Optimum fits of the test results to identify the material fracture characteristics, particularly the fracture energy and the effective length of the fracture process zone. Finally, the R-curves are also identified on themore » basis of the maximum load data. The results show that in design situations with notches or large initial traction-free cracks the size effect on the nominal strength of fiber composite laminates must be taken into account.« less
Use of internal standards in electrophoretic surveys of enzyme polymorphism.

General criteria are described for selecting internal standards for electrophoretic gels. Gel sieving behavior is used to characterize the size and charge of enzymes of interest and of putative standard proteins. For a variety of enzymes of the butterfly Colias meadii, hemoglobin and ferritin are shown to be effective standards.
The effects of exogenous cortisol on myostatin transcription in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Glucocorticoids (GCs) strongly regulate myostatin expression in mammals via glucocorticoid response elements (GREs), and bioinformatics methods suggest that this regulatory mechanism is conserved among many vertebrates. However, the multiple myostatin genes found in some fishes may be an exception. In silico promoter analyses of the three putative rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) myostatin promoters have failed to identify putative GREs, suggesting a divergence in myostatin function. Therefore, we hypothesized that myostatin mRNA expression is not regulated by glucocorticoids in rainbow trout. In this study, both juvenile rainbow trout and primary trout myoblasts were treated with cortisol to examine the effects on myostatin mRNA expression. Results suggest that exogenous cortisol does not regulate myostatin-1a and -1b expression in vivo, as myostatin mRNA levels were not significantly affected by cortisol treatment in either red or white muscle tissue. In red muscle, myostatin-2a levels were significantly elevated in the cortisol treatment group relative to the control, but not the vehicle control, at both 12 h and 24 h post-injection. As such, it is unclear if cortisol was acting alone or in combination with the vehicle. Cortisol increased myostatin-1b expression in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Further work is needed to determine if this response is the direct result of cortisol acting on the myostatin-1b promoter or through an alternative mechanism. These results suggest that regulation of myostatin by cortisol may not be as highly conserved as previously thought and support previous work that describes potential functional divergence of the multiple myostatin genes in fishes.
A field and theoretical analysis of garnet+chlorite+chloritoid+biotite assemblages from the tri-state (MA, CT, NY) area, USA

The prograde evolution of minerals in metapelites of a Barrovian sequence from the tri-state area (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York) of the Taconic Range involves assemblages with garnet (Ga), chlorite (Ch), chloritoid (Ct), biotite (Bi) and staurolite (St). Detailed petrologic observations, mineral compositions and chemical zoning in garnet show: (1) garnet high in Mn and Fe but low in Mg is stable with chlorite at grades below those where chloritoid+biotite is found; (2) early formed garnet reacted partially to form Ct+Bi at intermediate grades; (3) at higher grades garnet (with low Mn)+chlorite is again produced, at the expense of chloritoid+biotite, suggesting a reversal in the continuous reaction involving the phases Ga, Ch, Ct and Bi. Thermodynamic modeling of the assemblage Ga+Ch+Ct+Bi±St in the MnKFMASH system reveals: (1) in the MnKFASH system the prograde reaction is Ga+Ch=Ct+Bi whereas in the KFMASH system the prograde reaction is the opposite: Ct+Bi=Ga+Ch; (2) the Ga−Ch−Ct−Bi−St invariant point in the KFMASH system occurs twice, at approximately 6.5 kbar, 545° C and 14.8 kbar, 580° C (although one of them may be metastable in a complex phase system); the appearance of the petrogenetic grid is markedly different from that of Albee, but similar to that of Spear and Cheney; (3) as a consequence, in the KFMASH system, chloritoid+biotite are stable over a wide range of P-T conditions whereas garnet+chlorite assemblages are restricted to a narrow band of P-T conditions; (4) MnO increases the stability field of Ga+Ch relative to both Ct+Bi at low temperatures, and St+Bi at high temperatures; (5) in natural samples the occurrence of Ct+Bi is controlled more by bulk Mg−Fe(-Mn) composition than P-T conditions. Specifically, Ct+Bi is restricted to bulk compositions with Fe/(Mg+Fe+Mn)>∼0.6. Rocks with Fe/(Mg+Fe+Mn)<∼0.5 are likely to display only chlorite+biotite at low grade. These observations are consistent with Wang and Spear and Spear and Cheney.
Laryngocele, laryngeal mucocele, large saccules, and laryngeal saccular cysts: A developmental spectrum

Several clinically different benign lesions can arise from the saccular appendage. The precise lesion at a given time depends on: 1. the size of the saccule; 2. whether free communication is possible between the appendage and the laryngeal lumen; and 3. the presence or absence of inflammation. These lesions represent a spectrum of lesions in that clinical manifestations can vary from those of one type of lesion to another. A tiny saccule of only a few millimeters in length, with its lumen isolated from the ventricle, presents as a cyst of the anterior ventricle. A larger appendage, also closed from the laryngeal lumen, presents as a cyst of the lateral larynx, the so-called congenital cyst or lateral saccular cyst. This same cyst can extend into the neck through the thyrohyoid membrane. This cyst can be seen at any age but is most common in the newborn and infant. An air sac or cyst (laryngocele) also can present as a small lesion of the anterior ventricle or as a larger sac within the lateral intrinsic larynx or can extend into the neck by way of the thyrohyoid membrane. Whether the growth is a mucus-containing cyst or an air sac depends upon whether there is a communication with the air column of the larynx at the ventricle; a laryngopyocele is an infected air sac. Recognition of the developmental spectrum of saccular lesions should simplify terminology.
The activities of thiol proteases in the rat visceral yolk sac increase during late gestation.

Abstract While the rat YVS has been shown to possess an active lysosomal proteolytic system, there are no published reports on the identity of these proteases nor on their changes in activity during the latter half of gestation. We have used specific synthetic substrates to show that cathepsins B, Land Hare present in this organ from days 12.5 to 20.5 of gestation. Cathepsins B and L exhibit a marked increase in activity beginning on day 15.5 ofgestation. By days 19.5–20.5, cathepsin B activity is increased tenfold over that observed on day 12.5. The activity ofcathepsin L may be elevated on day 12.5, decreases more than half by day 14.5 and then increases fourfold by day 20.5. The activity of cathepsin H does not change throughout this period nor do the cathepsins exhibit marked changes in activity in the placenta during this same period or in the PYS from days 12.5 to 14.5 ofgestation. These results indicate a specific increase in VYS cathepsin B and L activities late in gestation. These enzymes may be involved in meeting the nutritional needs of the embryo and/or in the degenerative changes which may occur in the VYS and PYS prior to parturition. Studies on the degradation of rat serum albumin by extracts of day 19.5 VYS indicate that cathepsin L may be the quantitatively most important protease in late gestation.
Quantitative determination of oxidative base damage in DNA by stable isotope-dilution mass spectrometry

For understanding of the role of oxidative DNA damage in biological processes such as mutagenesis and carcinogenesis, it is essential to identify and quantify this type of DNA damage in cells. This can be achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The present study describes the quantification of modified bases in DNA by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry with the use of stable isotope-labeled analogues as internal standards. A number of isotopically labeled DNA bases were synthesized. The mass spectra of their trimethylsilyl derivatives were recorded. Calibration plots were obtained for known quantities of modified bases and their isotope-labeled analogues. Quantification of various modified DNA bases by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry was demonstrated in isolated chromatin exposed to ionizing radiation. The results indicate that gas chromatography/stable isotope-dilution mass spectrometry is an ideally suited technique for selective and sensitive quantification of modified bases in DNA.
Plasma protein changes in normal, thymectomized, and bursectomized chickens during a Plasmodium lophurae infection☆

Abstract Bursaless birds demonstrated higher initial gamma-1, beta-1, beta-2, alpha-1, and alpha-2 values than sham-operated control groups. These high mean values in the bursaless birds decreased during the malarial infection to a low point on about day 4 of the infection. The infected control group showed no decrease; in fact, an increase was often observed in this group. On the other hand, low albumin and gamma-2 titers were obtained in the bursaless groups. These altered protein changes were most apparent in the hormonally bursectomized groups, and especially in the thymectomized hormonally bursectomized group. The plasma protein values of the thymectomized group were similar to those of the sham-operated infected birds. The major plasma protein response to the injected malarial parasites in the sham-operated infected group was an increase in gamma-1 globulin. An early peak was noted on day 2 of the infection as well as an increase from day 10 to day 15. This response did not appear in any of the bursaless groups or in the noninfected group. The possible significance of a relationship between the high-alpha and low-gamma-2-globulin levels of bursaless birds is discussed.
DESIGN OF AN IMAGE DISTRIBUTION SERVICE FROM A CLINICAL PACS

A PACS system has been developed through a multi-phase collaboration between the Mayo Clinic and IBM/Rochester. The current system has been fully integrated into the clinical practice of the Radiology Department for the primary purpose of digital image archival, retrieval, and networked workstation review. Work currently in progress includes the design and implementation of a gateway device for providing digital image data to third-party workstations, laser printers, and other devices, for users both within and outside of the Radiology Department.
Developing Classification Criteria under the U.S. Endangered Species Act: Bowhead Whales as a Case Study

Under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, a species is classified as endangered, threatened, or recov- ered based on the extent to which its survival is affected by one or more of five subjective factors. A key criti- cism of the act is that it makes no reference to quantitative or even qualitative parameters of what consti- tutes "danger of extinction." Without objective standards to guide decisionmakers, classification decisions fall prey to political and social influences. We recommend the development of species-specific, status-determining criteria as a means to rationalize and expedite the listing process and reclassification decisions, independent of the requirement for delisting criteria in recovery plans. Such criteria should (1) clearly define levels of vul- nerability, (2) identify gaps in information on life-history parameters, and (3) address uncertainty in exist- ing data. As a case study, we developed preliminary criteria for bowhead whales ( Balaena mysticetus ). Thresh- olds for endangered and threatened status were based on World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List criteria and population viability analyses. Our analysis indicates that particular attention must be focused on popu- lation structure within the species to appropriately classify the degree to which one or more components of a species are vulnerable to extinction. A similar approach could be used in the classification of other species. Ac- cording to our application of the IUCN criteria and those developed for similar species by Gerber and DeMas- ter (1999), the Bering Sea population of bowhead whales should be delisted, whereas the other four popula- tions of bowheads should continue to be considered endangered.
Deontology and doxastic control

Matthias Steup has developed a compatibilist account of doxastic control, according to which one’s beliefs are under one’s control if and only if they have a “good” causal history. Paradigmatically good causal histories include being caused to believe what one’s evidence indicates, whereas bad ones include those that indicate that the believer is blatantly irrational or mentally ill. I argue that if this is the only kind of control that we have over our beliefs, then our beliefs are not properly subject to epistemic evaluation in deontological terms. I take as premises the claims (1) that acts which violate a deontic standard must be under the control of the agent that performs them, and (2) that deontic standards are deontic standards only if there is both something that it is to comply with them, and something that it is to violate them. The argument proceeds by showing that any belief which one might take to violate a deontic standard of a distinctively epistemic kind has a “bad” causal history, and so is, according to the compatibilist account, not under our control. Since these beliefs are not under our control, it follows from premise (1) that they do not violate any deontic standards of a distinctively epistemic kind. It then follows, from premise (2), that there are no deontic standards, of a distinctively epistemic kind, that govern belief. So if we have only compatibilist control over our beliefs, our beliefs are not properly subject to epistemic evaluation in deontological terms.
Digital transmission techniques for a long haul HF link: DSSS versus OFDM

This paper presents two digital transmission techniques for long haul ionospheric links. Since 2003 we have studied the HF link between the Antarctic Spanish Base, Juan Carlos I, and Spain; and we have described the link in terms of availability, signal-to-noise ratio, and delay and Doppler power profile. Based on these previous studies we have developed a test bed to investigate two digital transmission techniques, i.e., Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which can provide a low power, low-rate ionospheric data link from Antarctica. Symbol length, bandwidth, and constellation are some of the features that are analyzed in this work. Data gathered from the link throughout the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 Antarctic surveys show that the spread spectrum techniques can be used to transmit data at low rate when the channel forecast is poor, but when the channel forecast is good multicarrier techniques can be used to transmit sporadic bursts of data at higher rate.
ACUTE SUDDEN HYPERTENSION IN THE NEWBORN PERIOD

After an initial normotensive period the blood pressure rose in 3 infants at the age of 6 days, 8 days and 4 weeks to 180-230 mmHg. In each case an umbilical artery catheter had been inserted because of respiratory distress on the first day of life to the level of T-10, L-3 and L-6 and remained in place for 3, 4½ and 11 days. Cardiac, intestinal, hematologic and metabolic complications were observed in addition to congestive heart failure, abdominal mass, hepatomegaly, vomiting, irritability, weight loss. The IVP was unremarkable in 1 case but visualized poorly one or both kidneys in the other 2 cases. Abdominal angiography showed thrombosis of the renal artery with partial occlusion of the lumen and extensive irregularities and narrowing of the abdominal aorta. Peripheral or renal vein renin were 11.8, 9.4 and 13 ng/ml/hr. In all 3 infants the hypertension was controlled by medical antihypertensive treatment. They are now normotensive at the age of 12-18 months and only 1 infant still requires antihypertensive treatment. A reevaluation shows one nonfunctioning kidney in 1 case, persistent irregularities of abdominal arteries with normal IVP in the third case. These findings suggest development of renovascular hypertension caused by thrombosis of the renal artery or its branches. The thrombosis most likely was induced by placement of the umbilical catheter.
Dynamics of nonlinear mass-spring chains near the continuum limit

Abstract We study the dynamics of mass-spring chains with arbitrary interparticle and substrate potentials and describe a systematic approach to derive the equations of motion near the continuum limit. Our method, which applies both to strictly one-dimensional problems and to one-dimensional chains free to move in three dimensions, correctly captures all terms to given order in discreteness and allows us to formulate well-behaved nonlinear partial differential equations for these systems. We re-examine the familiar cases of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam problem and the Frenkel-Kontorova model and obtain new insights into these problems.
Elite versus mass sociology: An elaboration on Sociology's Academic Caste System

The American Sociologist / Winter 2006 Stan C. Weeber is an associate professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at McNeese State University. His interests in sociology include the sociology of sociology, social theory, political sociology, collective behavior and social movements, and crime/deviance. He can be reached at sweeber@mail.mcneese.edu. Elite versus Mass Sociology: An Elaboration on Sociology’s Academic Caste System
Validation of diagnoses of peptic ulcers and bleeding from administrative databases: A multi-health maintenance organization study

The automated health plan data and data from medical chart abstractions from eight large health maintenance organizations were used to evaluate the positive predictive values (PPVs) of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9) codes for cases of peptic ulcers and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Overall, 207 of 884 cases of peptic ulcers and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (23%) were confirmed by surgery, endoscopy, X-ray, or autopsy. The PPVs were 66% for hospitalizations with codes for duodenal ulcer (ICD-9-CM 532), 61% for gastric/gastrojejunal ulcer (ICD-9-CM 531, 534), 1% for peptic ulcer (ICD-9-CM 533), and 9% for gastrointestinal hemorrhage (ICD-9-CM578). The overall and diagnostic category-specific PPVs were generally similar for the various HMOs. This study, using data from a large number of health plans located in different geographical regions, underscores the importance of evaluating the accuracy of the diagnoses from automated health plan databases.
Image domain moving target tracking with advanced image registration and time-differencing techniques

Advanced image registration technique with sub-pixel accuracy has been developed and applied for TD (time-differencing) process [1]. The TD process can help to suppress heavy background clutter for improved moving target detection. After processing a CFAR (constant false alarm rate) thresholding detector on the time-differenced image frames, we have developed and applied an image domain moving target tracking (IDMTT) process for robust moving target tracking. The IDMTT process uses a unique location feature by mapping and associating the real moving targets in the previous time-differenced frame with the ghost moving targets in the current time-differenced frame. The accurate location mapping and associating information between time frames is provided by the registration process. Preliminary tests for the IDMTT process are promising. Robust moving target tracking can be achieved even under quite low signal-to-clutter noise-ratio ( SCNR = 0.5).
Crossing Mice Carrying TnT Disease Mutations with Opposite Effects on the Myofilament Calcium Sensitivity Partially Normalizes Myofilament Function and Ameliorates Cardiomyopathy Phenotypes

Mutations in cardiac troponin T (TnT) associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) generally lead to an increase in the calcium (Ca) sensitivity of contraction. In contrast, TnT mutations linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) decrease the Ca sensitivity of contraction.Here we test the hypothesis that two TnT disease mutations with opposite effects on the myofilament Ca sensitivity can rescue each other. To test this hypothesis, we crossed transgenic mice expressing the HCM TnT-I79N mutation with a DCM knock-in (KI) mouse model carrying the TnT-R141W mutation. Two double-transgenic animals were studied: I79N/R141Wmut/+ and I79N/R141Wmut/mut which contained the HCM TnT-I79N transgene and either one or two alleles carrying the DCM TnT-R141W mutation, respectively. The Ca sensitivity of contraction was measured in skinned cardiac muscle fibers and compared to WT, I79N TG and heterozygous R141Wmut/+ KI mice hearts.The results of the Ca sensitivity ranked from highest to lowest were as follow: I79N > I79N/R141Wmut/+ > I79N/R141Wmut/mut > WT > R141Wmut/+. In vivo testing showed that the double transgenic mice had reduced arrhythmia susceptibility and tissue fibrosis compared to I79N TG mice, a hallmark of HCM. Furthermore, the double transgenic mice had reduced heart/body weight ratio compared to mice carrying only the DCM TnT-R141W mutations. These results suggest that carrying two disease mutations in TnT that have opposite effects on the myofilament Ca sensitivity can paradoxically rescue the disease phenotype. The data further point towards an independent role of changes in the Ca sensitivity in the pathogenesis of DCM and HCM. Future studies will explore the in vivo cardiac function of the double-transgenic mice.
Reply about Graduate Agribusiness Management Programs: Supply Meets Demand

S. Andrew Starbird raises some interesting questions and valid points regarding agribusiness management graduate programs. However, there are several additional issues that should be considered in this debate. In particular, we offer two counterpoints to those raised by Starbird. First, Starbird focuses primarily on supply issues and ignores demand for graduate agribusiness management programs. Second, we question the argument that private school adoption of graduate agribusiness management programs is a measure of program success or quality. Lastly, we believe the more important issue is how should graduate agribusiness management programs "fit" into traditional agricultural economics departments and the agricultural economics profession?
A Model for Population Reproducing by Fission

A partial differential equation which describes the dynamics of a single species population for animals reproducing by fission is set forth. The equation is then applied to Dugesia tigrina. Whenever possible, experimental results are used to determine pertinent parameters. Tests are performed to determine those parameters upon which the model has a critical dependence. The model gives results which are qualitatively in agreement with empirical populations. See full-text article at JSTOR
Genotypic and phenotypic progression in endometrial tumorigenesis: Determining when defects in DNA mismatch repair and KRAS2 occur

We set out to determine the relative timing of loss of DNA mismatch repair and KRAS2 mutation in endometrial tumorigenesis. We studied endometrial carcinoma (CA) and synchronous atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH), the premalignant precursor of endometrial cancer. Carcinoma and hyperplasia were investigated for loss of mismatch repair as evidenced by microsatellite instability (MSI) and for KRAS2 mutations. Endometrial cancers previously shown to be MSI-positive were evaluated for KRAS2 codon 12 and 13 mutations. DNA was isolated from foci of AEH concomitant with, but physically remote from, the cancers by use of tissues prepared by laser capture microdissection (LCM). The AEH DNAs were then assessed for MSI and KRAS2 mutations. Of 210 endometrial CAs investigated, 51 (26%) were MSI-positive, and among those, 21 (41%) arose concomitantly with AEH. Of 41 foci of AEH (mean, two foci per patient) investigated, 34 (83%) were MSI-positive. KRAS2 mutations were seen in 5/51 (10%) MSI-positive carcinomas. From the five patients informative for both KRAS2 mutation and MSI, 10 foci of AEH were available for investigation. All 10 AEH specimens (100%) were MSI-positive, and six (60%) had the KRAS2 mutation present in the coexisting CA. The observation that some MSI-positive AEH specimens lack the KRAS2 mutation seen in the coexisting CA supports a model in which loss of DNA mismatch repair precedes KRAS2 mutation. However, in addition to the absence of KRAS2 mutations in AEH, we discovered mutations in LCM hyperplasia and carcinoma specimens that were not present in the portion of the cancers originally investigated. These discordant genotypes suggest genetic heterogeneity in endometrial hyperplasia and concomitant cancer. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Calmodulin content in human prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma: an inverse relationship to serum prolactin levels.

Abstract Calmodulin content was evaluated in 3 prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (prolactinoma) and 3 normal anterior pituitary glands. The calmodulin content in the normal anterior pituitary tissue was quite consistent, 3.32 ± 0.016 μ g/mg protein. In contrast, calmodulin content varied almost 4-fold in the prolactinoma tissue (10.97, 8.50 and 3.00 μg/mg protein). Preoperative serum prolactin levels varied inversely with the prolactinoma calmodulin content (125, 257 and 3526 ng/ml, respectively). This study reveals that prolactinoma calmodulin content differs from normal, although it is not uniformly elevated as in other transformed tissues and that elevation of prolactinoma calmodulin content does not positively correlate with serum prolactin levels.
Health care reform in Vermont: the next chapter

Prologue: For several years the state of Vermont has been among those “states that could not wait for the federal government to act on health care reform. Its unique political structure and relatively homogenous population have made it an ideal proving ground for various models of health system reform, including a single-payer system. In 1992 the Vermont legislature lay the groundwork for statewide health system reform by creating the Vermont Health Care Authority, a quasi-political, quasi-analytical body given responsibility to chart the course for the state s health care reform effort. Another factor in Vermont's favor is its physician-governor, Howard Dean, a Democrat who was reelected in November 1994. Dean has long championed health care reform on both ideological and practical grounds. Despite the positive outlook, however, Vermont's 1994 General Assembly failed to reach agreement on health care reform. In this paper Howard Leichter examines the state s political and economic landscape in the years ...
Vegetation Change and the Role of Atmospheric CO2 Enrichment on a Relict Site in Central Oregon: 1960–1994

Atmospheric CO2 enrichment is increasingly implicated as a contributory cause of vegetation change on North American rangelands. To explore the role of the rising CO2 content of the earth's atmosphere as an agent of vegetation change, we revisited (June 1994) the Island Research Natural Area (IRNA), a relict site of semiarid vegetation in central Oregon, to conduct a replicate survey of Driscoll's (1962) 1960 work. IRNA is one of the best non-laboratory settings to examine CO2 -induced vegetation change because human activities have been limited there. The physiological effects of increased levels of atmospheric CO2 include increased photosynthetic rates, reduced transpiration rates, and increased water-use efficiency. While all species benefit from atmospheric CO2 enrichment, the increase in CO2 alters competitive interactions, typically favoring those species that outcompete others for light, nutrients, habitat, and other resources necessary for reproductive success. Our results show that between 1960 and 1994 IRNA experienced large increases in woody-species cover and density, no change in perennial herbaceous cover, and decreases in annual cover. Western juniper density and cover increased by 41 percent and 113 percent, respectively. Similarly, big sagebrush density and cover approximately doubled. These findings are similar to findings reported in other long-term studies conducted at sites with a variety of land-use activities. We found, however, that none of the traditional mechanisms typically invoked to explain these changes were compatible with the biotic changes that we observed. On the IRNA site, no organized fire suppression had occurred, grazing had been absent since the 1920s, logging was non-existent, variabilities in seasonal water-year precipitation totals were not statistically significant between the 2-, 10-, and 34-year periods prior to each vegetation survey, and disease or pest infestation was not evident. We conclude that the vegetation changes observed are consistent with laboratory and controlled field experiments that enrich the air with CO2.
Evaluation of flow fields on bubble removal and system performance in an ammonium bicarbonate reverse electrodialysis stack

Abstract Ammonium bicarbonate has recently been demonstrated to be an excellent thermolytic solution for energy generation in reverse electrodialysis (RED) stacks. However, operating RED stacks at room temperatures can promote gaseous bubble (CO 2 , NH 3 ) accumulation within the stack, reducing overall system performance. The management and minimization of bubbles formed in RED flow fields is an important operational issue which has yet to be addressed. Flow fields with and without spacers in RED stacks were analyzed to determine how both fluid flow and the buildup and removal of bubbles affected performance. In the presence of a spacer, the membrane resistance increased by ∼50 Ω, resulting in a decrease in power density by 30% from 0.140 W m −2 to 0.093 W m −2 . Shorter channels reduced concentration polarization affects, and resulted in 3−23% higher limiting current density. Gas accumulation was minimized through the use of short vertically aligned channels, and consequently the amount of the membrane area covered by bubbles was reduced from ∼20% to 7% which caused a 12% increase in power density. As ammonium bicarbonate RED systems are scaled up, attention to channel aspect ratio, length, and alignment will enable more stable performance.
Uniaxial Extension and Order Development in Flexible Chain Polymers

Abstract It is well known that the highest elastic moduli reported for linear poly-mers are generally much smaller than their theoretical values. This has been shown particularly by Nakamae and coworkers [1]. For a range of poly-mers they have summarized their crystal moduli determined by x-ray dif-fraction as measured in the stiffest direction, parallel to the polymer chain axis. These values on crystals approximate the ultimate polymer moduli; they therefore may be compared with the much lower presently reported values for the conventional structure of these polymers (Fig. 1). This figure shows that most polymers, including those with rigid backbone chains, have tensile moduli far below those of their crystalline lattice in the chain direction. The exceptions are specially drawn ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE), which in PE parlance is generally considered to mean molecular weight above one million, and for isotactic polypropyl-ene that also has been drawn to tensile moduli that approac...
Chemical composition of fresh snowfalls at Palmer Station, Antarctica

Abstract A first time investigation was performed to establish a chemical baseline for snowfall at Palmer Station Antarctica (64°46′S, 64°05′W) since there was no such record. A chemical baseline for snow could be use to validate climate change studies based on ice core analyses. The snow samples contained (from high to low mass concentration) total organic carbon, chloride, inorganic carbon, sodium, sulfate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, fluoride, ammonium, and nitrate, excluding hydrogen and hydroxide. The pH of these samples ranged between 4.0–6.2. The relatively low nitrate and relatively high sulfate concentrations found in our samples are consistent with the results of other studies for this region of Antarctica. The ions and pH do not appear to favor a particular wind direction during this period. The total deposition of sulfate and flouride via snowfall between 10 January and 10 February is conservatively estimated to be 4.78 and 1.3 kg km -2 , respectively.
Screening of Completely Random One-Bead One-Peptide Libraries for Activities in Solution

A method for the synthesis and screening of polymeric libraries for biologic activities in solution is described. Libraries are constructed on a completely random basis with one structure on one particle of solid support (bead). The screened structure is then released into solution in several distinct steps, allowing screening of aliquots of the library in the first step to identify a mixture containing a structure of interest. Biological evaluation of individual compounds released from the polymeric carrier is performed in the second step. Multiple release of equimolar amounts of the randomized compounds is achieved by use of a construct capable of intramolecular closure of the diketopiperazine ring under neutral conditions in the first stage release. The second release is accomplished by alkaline hydrolysis at higher pH or by ammonolysis by ammonia vapors.
The cryptoendolithic microbial environment in the Ross Desert of Antarctica: mathematical models of the thermal regime.

Microbial activity in the Antarctic cryptoendolithic habitat is regulated primarily by temperature. Previous field studies have provided some information on the thermal regime in this habitat, but this type of information is limited by the remoteness of the site and the harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, a mathematical model of the endolithic thermal regime was constructed to augment the field data. This model enabled the parameters affecting the horizontal and altitudinal distribution of the community to be examined. The model predicts that colonization should be possible on surfaces with zenith angle less than 15°. At greater zenith angles, colonization should be restricted to surfaces with azimuth angles less than 135° or greater than 225°. The upper elevational limit of the community should be less than 2,500 m. The thermal regime probably does not influence the zonation of the community within a rock.
Generation of variable length laser pulses in the subnanosecond region

Abstract A Michelson interferometer pulse forming network is used to generate optical pulses of continuously and precisely variable length. The technique is quite general and it is especially suited to the nanosecond and subnanosecond region. In an experimental demonstration, 1 nsec pulses were obtained utilizing the output of a CO 2 laser. Single pulses of high intensity and variable length can be obtained by this method if the interferometer is made part of the laser cavity.
Locality-Aware Reduce Task Scheduling for MapReduce

MapReduce offers a promising programming model for big data processing. Inspired by functional languages, MapReduce allows programmers to write functional-style code which gets automatically divided into multiple map and/or reduce tasks and scheduled over distributed data across multiple machines. Hadoop, an open source implementation of MapReduce, schedules map tasks in the vicinity of their inputs in order to diminish network traffic and improve performance. However, Hadoop schedules reduce tasks at requesting nodes without considering data locality leading to performance degradation. This paper describes Locality-Aware Reduce Task Scheduler (LARTS), a practical strategy for improving MapReduce performance. LARTS attempts to collocate reduce tasks with the maximum required data computed after recognizing input data network locations and sizes. LARTS adopts a cooperative paradigm seeking a good data locality while circumventing scheduling delay, scheduling skew, poor system utilization, and low degree of parallelism. We implemented LARTS in Hadoop-0.20.2. Evaluation results show that LARTS outperforms the native Hadoop reduce task scheduler by an average of 7%, and up to 11.6%.
The C–O Stretching Band of the CO–N2O van der Waals Complex

Abstract The weakly bound van der Waals complex CO–N 2 O has been studied for the first time. Absorption spectra in the CO stretching region near 2150 cm −1 were recorded using a tunable diode laser spectrometer to probe the continuous supersonic jet from a slit-shaped nozzle. A total of 186 lines were measured and assigned as parallel (Δ K a = 0) transitions of a planar near-prolate asymmetric top molecule. Analysis of these data with a conventional Hamiltonian yielded accurate values for the band origin, rotational, and centrifugal distortion parameters. The parameters obtained were very similar to those of the isoelectronic complex CO–CO 2 , indicating that CO–N 2 O has a similar T-shaped equilibrium structure. The effective intermolecular separation was determined to be 3.878 A.
The effect of electric field gradient asymmetry on motionally averaged spin-1 powder patterns.

Abstract The effect of an asymmetric electric field gradient tensor on anisotropic NMR spectra of spin-1 nuclei is investigated for fast molecular rotations and 2-site jump processes. When molecular rotations are fast, continuous, and complete, the peak-to-peak splitting of motionally averaged spin-1 NMR spectra can depend significantly on the inherent electric field gradient asymmetry, η, for η ≥ 0.05. Parameters describing low-symmetry molecular motion which are extracted from fitting experimental data depend strongly upon η. One implication of these phenomena is that even the modest electric field gradient asymmetry around deuterons in covalent bonds can contribute considerably to motionally averaged lineshapes, especially when molecular motions are not highly symmetric.
Scalable electrical-optical thermal simulator for multicores with optical interconnects

We present a framework for fast and scalable thermal transient simulation embedded into manycore architectural simulator. With speed-up of 13-300x over prior approaches, our solver enables fine-grain thermal simulation without slowing down the architectural simulation.