cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An IDL to Ada95 mapping to support propagation modeling

Representing dynamic interdependencies between design objects is an essential part of modeling the critical software communications found in complex software systems. This paper investigates the modeling of propagations (our term for dynamic interdependencies), which are captured using design-level triggers for specifying dynamic behavior across object types. We focus on the CORBA-compliant utilization of our propagation model to support distributed, propagation-focused applications. We develop a propagation-specific interface in IDL, and examine Ada 95 source code that meets the requirements specified by the IDL design. An example of the CORBA-compliant propagations involved in the maintenance of topological invariance in the industrial domain is examined.
Beating crystallization in glass-forming metals by millisecond heating and processing.

The development of metal alloys that form glasses at modest cooling rates has stimulated broad scientific and technological interest. However, intervening crystallization of the liquid in even the most robust bulk metallic glass-formers is orders of magnitude faster than in many common polymers and silicate glass-forming liquids. Crystallization limits experimental studies of the undercooled liquid and hampers efforts to plastically process metallic glasses. We have developed a method to rapidly and uniformly heat a metallic glass at rates of 10^6 kelvin per second to temperatures spanning the undercooled liquid region. Liquid properties are subsequently measured on millisecond time scales at previously inaccessible temperatures under near-adiabatic conditions. Rapid thermoplastic forming of the undercooled liquid into complex net shapes is implemented under rheological conditions typically used in molding of plastics. By operating in the millisecond regime, we are able to “beat” the intervening crystallization and successfully process even marginal glass-forming alloys with very limited stability against crystallization that are not processable by conventional heating.
Influence of Hospice on Nursing Home Residents with Advanced Dementia Who Received Medicare‐Skilled Nursing Facility Care Near the End of Life

Objectives: To examine differences in outcomes according to hospice status of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care recipients. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Three thousand three hundred fifty-three U.S. nursing homes (NHs). Participants: Four thousand three hundred forty-four persons with advanced dementia who died in NHs in 2006 and received SNF care within 90 days of death were studied, 1,086 of these also received hospice before death: 705 after SNF care, and 381 concurrent with SNF care. Measurements: Treatments, persistent pain and dyspnea, and hospital death. Results: Decedents with any hospice received fewer medications, injections, feeding tubes, intravenous fluids, and therapy services and more hypnotics than those without hospice (all P < .001). Decedents with hospice after SNF care received fewer antipsychotics and those with hospice concurrent with SNF care received more antipsychotics than those without (all P < .001). Multivariate logistic regressions showed that decedents with hospice after SNF had lower likelihood of persistent dyspnea (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.45�0.87) and hospital death (AOR = 0.02, 95% = CI 0.01, 0.07) than those without hospice. Decedents with hospice concurrent with SNF care had a higher likelihood of persistent pain (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.23, 2.19) and a lower likelihood of hospital death (AOR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.26) than those without hospice. Conclusion: Residents dying with advanced dementia who received SNF care in the last 90 days of life had fewer aggressive treatments and lower odds of hospital death if they also received hospice care at any point during that time. Associations between hospice and persistent pain or dyspnea differed according to whether hospice care was received concurrent with or after SNF care.
Dual-wavelength, all-PM Er/Yb fiber ring laser with wavelength and channel separation tunability

Summary form only given. Tunable multi-wavelength fiber laser sources have numerous applications in optical and RF communications and optical sensing. Specific applications include wavelength division multiplexing, wideband RF signal processing, multielement optical sensors, and optical soliton sources. To date, multi-wavelength operation and tunable single wavelength operation of fiber lasers have been demonstrated. The ability to adjust the channel spacing and tune the absolute frequency in a multi-wavelength laser system can provide many degrees of freedom in the fiber laser design. In this paper, we discuss a method for discretely tuning the channel spacing by using a polarization controller and experimentally demonstrate this concept with a dual-wavelength fiber laser source. We have recently demonstrated the continuous tuning capability of this source.
Insect paralysis by baculovirus-mediated expression of a mite neurotoxin gene.

FEMALE mites of the species Pyemotes tritici inject an extremely potent venom into their insect prey that causes muscle-contraction and paralysis1–4. These mites are able to paralyse insects 150,000 times their size5 and their venom is effective in a broad range of insect species4. A toxin (TxP-I) associated with the mite venom apparatus causes immediate muscle-contractive paralysis when injected into insects but not mice6. In this report, we describe the cloning, sequencing and expression of a complementary DNA (Tox-34) encoding TxP-I. Insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus (vEV–Tox34) expressing Tox-34 secrete three polypep-tides related to TxP-I which cause paralysis on injection. Larvae infected with vEV–Tox34 become paralysed during infection, thus reflecting the potential application of this toxin gene in insect biocontrol methods. The toxin gene expression system will also allow further exploration of the neurophysiological basis of its insect-specific effects.
Treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the elderly with low-dose cytarabine, hydroxyurea, and calcitriol.

Twenty-nine patients aged 62–82 years with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) were treated with a 21-day course of continuous infusion cytarabine, oral hydroxyurea, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol). Ten patients had an antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome. Calcitriol was continued as the only postremission therapy. Thirteen patients (45%) obtained a complete remission, and 10 patients (34%) had a partial response for an overall 79% response rate. There were three early deaths. The median remission duration was 9.8 months. Overall median survival was 12 months for all patients and 14 months for responding patients. All responding patients had marked bone marrow hypoplasia. Twenty patients received part or all of their chemotherapy as outpatients. This regimen has acceptable toxicity and can result in prolonged remissions in elderly, high-risk patients with AML. The favorable results may be related to the synergistic effect of hydroxyurea, cytarabine, and calcitriol. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Validation of in vivo two-dimensional echocardiographic dimension measurements using myocardial mass estimates in dogs☆

The accuracy of in vivo measurements of left ventricular wall thickness and chamber size by means of two-dimensional echocardiography was investigated by comparing left ventricular mass estimates obtained at end diastole in 15 closed-chest dogs with a wide range of left ventricular weights. The systolic and diastolic echocardiographic mass estimates were compared with the actual weights of the freshly excised, stripped left ventricles immediately following death. The mean +/- SD of the weighed mass of the excised ventricles was 104 +/- 25 gm. The mean predicted left ventricular mass with the use of the cylinder-ellipse geometric model and gross anatomic sections corresponding to the echocardiographic imaging planes was 106 +/- 26 gm (r = 0.97 compared to the actual weight). The mean echocardiographic estimate of left ventricular mass at end diastolic was 107 +/- 24 gm (r = 0.98 compared to the weight) and 105 +/- 26 gm at end systole (r = 0.95 compared to the weight). The correlation between the echocardiographic mass estimate at end diastole and the echo mass estimate at end systole was 0.95. Regression analysis failed to demonstrate a significant over- or underestimation of the actual weight by the calculated mass with the use of either the gross anatomic or the in vivo echocardiographic dimension measurements.
Molecular mechanism underlying RAG1/RAG2 synaptic complex formation

Two lymphoid cell-specific proteins, RAG1 and RAG2 (RAG), initiate V(D)J recombination by assembling a synaptic complex with recombination signal sequences (RSSs) abutting two different antigen receptor gene coding segments, and then introducing a DNA double strand break at the end of each RSS. Despite the biological importance of this system, the structure of the synaptic complex, and the RAG protein stoichiometry and arrangement of DNA within the synaptosome, remains poorly understood. Here we applied atomic force microscopy to directly visualize and characterize RAG synaptic complexes. We report that the pre-cleavage RAG synaptic complex contains about twice the protein content as a RAG complex bound to a single RSS, with a calculated mass consistent with a pair of RAG heterotetramers. In the synaptic complex, the RSSs are predominantly oriented in a side-by-side configuration with no DNA strand crossover. The mass of the synaptic complex, and the conditions under which it is formed in vitro, favors an association model of assembly in which isolated RAG-RSS complexes undergo synapsis mediated by RAG protein-protein interactions. The replacement of Mg2+ cations with Ca2+ leads to a dramatic change in protein stoichiometry for all RAG-RSS complexes, suggesting that the cation composition profoundly influences the type of complex assembled.
Transcriptional activation of cyclooxygenase-2 in Wnt-1-transformed mouse mammary epithelial cells.

Wnt-1 acts as a mammary oncogene when ectopically expressed in the mouse mammary gland. APC is a tumor suppressor gene, mutations in which cause intestinal tumorigenesis in humans and rodents. Both Wnt-1 expression and APC mutation activate a common signaling pathway involving transcriptional activation mediated by β-catenin/Tcf complexes, but few targets relevant to carcinogenesis have yet been identified. Expression of the inducible prostaglandin synthase cyclooxygenase-2 appears critical for intestinal tumorigenesis resulting from APC mutation, suggesting that cyclooxygenase-2might be a transcriptional target for β-catenin/Tcf complexes. Here, we have investigated the effect of Wnt-1 on cyclooxygenase-2expression. Wnt-1 expression in the mouse mammary epithelial cell lines RAC311 and C57MG induces stabilization of cytosolic β-catenin and morphological transformation. Expression of Wnt-1 in these cells caused transcriptional up-regulation of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene, resulting in increased levels of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein. Prostaglandin E2 production was increased as a consequence of the elevated cyclooxygenase-2 activity and could be decreased by treatment with a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. Cyclooxygenase-2 thus appears to be a common downstream target for APC mutation and Wnt-1 expression. In view of the critical role of cyclooxygenase-2 in intestinal tumorigenesis, cyclooxygenase-2up-regulation in response to Wnt signaling may contribute to Wnt-induced mammary carcinogenesis.
Heuristic Scheduling of Parallel Heterogeneous Queues with Set-Ups

We consider the problem of allocating a single server to a system of queues with Poisson arrivals. Each queue represents a class of jobs and possesses a holding cost rate, general service distribution, and general set-up time distribution. The objective is to minimize the expected holding cost due to the waiting of jobs. A set-up time is required to switch from one queue to another. We provide a limited characterization of the optimal policy and a simple heuristic scheduling policy for this problem. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our heuristic over a wide range of problem instances.
The development of additional radioligands of varying pharmacokinetics for the 5‐HT1A receptor

Six compounds have been prepared to further probe the structure activity relationships based on the 5-HT1A receptor ligand, WAY 100635. The goal is to obtain a series of radiotracers with varying pharmacokinetic properties. Substitution of a pyrimidine for a pyridine moiety, increased the specific binding ratio in the phenylcarboxamide series, but decreased the ratio in the cyclohexanecarboxamide series. A series of compounds with varying pharmacokinetic properties are now available to study a range of properties involving 5-HT1A receptor binding.
New intraoperative brachytherapy techniques for positive or close surgical margins

Tumors attached or adjacent to critical structures can often not be completely resected or resected with adequate surgical margins. Sites involving major blood vessels, the paravertebral spaces, or critical abdominal structures often present technical difficulties for standard brachytherapy procedures using I-125 or Ir-192 implants. These techniques allow for a high-dose delivery to the tumor bed with minimal normal tissue toxicity. A relatively simple and accurate method is described using I-125 seeds in Vicryl suture threaded through Gelfoam. These permanent implant procedures with radioactive I-125 seeds effectively treat small residual tumors or suspicious margins where standard brachytherapy techniques may be unsatisfactory and technically difficult to perform.
Decompiling CODASYL DML into retional queries

A “decompilation” algorithm is developed to transform a program written with the procedural operations of CODASYL DML into one which interacts with a relational system via a nonprocedural query specification. An Access Path Model is introduced to interpret the semantic accesses performed by the program. Data flow analysis is used to determine how FIND operations implement semantic accesses. A sequence of these is mapped into a relational query and embedded into the original program. The class of programs for which the algorithm succeeds is characterized.
Lighting research for interiors: the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning:

For many years, lighting research for interiors has been focused on the twin topics of visibility and visual comfort. The result of this effort has been the development of a validated model that allows the prediction of the effect of lighting and task conditions on visual performance, and an understanding of the conditions that cause visual discomfort. This paper considers whether any more research on lighting conditions for interiors is needed. The answer given is that more research is necessary if we are to fully understand all the impacts of lighting on the health, wealth and safety of people, but not more of the same. Rather, the future of lighting research in interiors lies in a move beyond visibility and visual discomfort to areas where lighting operates on mood and behaviour through the ‘message’ it sends and on health and task performance through the circadian system.
Three-dimensional visualization of partially occluded objects using integral imaging

A three-dimensional (3-D) scene may contain foreground objects which partially occlude background objects. In this paper, we present experiments on reconstruction of the unobstructed view of the background objects from a partially occluded 3-D scene using an integral imaging system. We have reconstructed images of the scene at various distances of interest through computational and optical integral imaging reconstruction in order to obtain images of the occluding foreground objects and partially occluded background objects.
Transforming activity of E5a protein of human papillomavirus type 6 in NIH 3T3 and C127 cells.

Human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV-6) is the etiologic agent of genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. We are investigating the mechanism by which this virus stimulates cell proliferation during infection. In this paper, we report that the E5a gene of HPV-6c, an independent isolate of HPV-11, is capable of transforming NIH 3T3 cells. The E5a open reading frame (ORF) was expressed under the control of the mouse metallothionein promoter in the expression vector pMt.neo.1, which also contains the gene for G418 resistance. Transfected cells were selected for G418 resistance and analyzed for a transformed phenotype. The transformed NIH 3T3 cells overgrew a confluent monolayer, had an accelerated generation time, and were anchorage independent. In contrast, E5a did not induce foci in C127 cells, but C127 cells expressing E5a did form small colonies in suspension. The presence of the 12-kilodalton E5a gene product in the transformed NIH 3T3 cells was shown by immunoprecipitation and was localized predominantly to nuclei by an immunoperoxidase assay. A mutation in the E5a ORF was engineered to terminate translation. This mutant was defective for transformation, demonstrating that translation of the E5a ORF is required for biological activity. This is the first demonstration of a transforming oncogene in HPV-6, and the differential activity of E5a in these two cell lines should facilitate future investigations on the mechanism of transformation. Images
Faster, better, cheaper: A study of NPD project efficiency and performance tradeoffs

Abstract In this paper, we develop a theory of efficiency and performance tradeoffs for new product development (NPD) projects. Data from 137 completed NPD projects are analyzed for evidence pointing to tradeoffs in performance patterns manifested in the data. In addition, we investigate hypothesized relationships between certain NPD practices and a holistic, efficiency based measure of NPD performance. We demonstrate a new approach to the operationalization of holistic new product development (NPD) project performance, employing a sequential data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology that simultaneously incorporates multiple factors including new product development cost, product cost, product quality, and project lead time. The results of the data analysis support our hypothesis that tradeoffs among NPD performance outcomes are manifested more strongly in highly efficient projects when compared to inefficient projects. The presence of three distinct subgroups in highly efficient projects is suggestive of several modes of efficiency which appear to achieve equally effective market success. The absence of such patterns in less efficient projects supports a theory of performance frontiers that may impose the need for tradeoffs more strongly as NPD projects achieve higher levels of efficiency. The findings also point to the importance of project management experience, balanced management commitment, and cross-functional integration in achieving high levels of NPD project efficiency. We discuss the implications of the findings for practice and for future research.
Lanthanide extraction with 2,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyhexanoic acid

Abstract The solvent extraction of lanthanides into chloroform solutions of 2,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyhexanoic has been studied. The light lanthanides can be extracted by forming complexes with the acid anion. The extracted metal species is highly aggregated. This extraction has a solubility limit which increases with the addition of unionized acid. If the unionized acid-to-metal ratio becomes too great, extraction first occurs followed by slow precipitation of the metal salt. The heavy lanthanides do not extract from solutions of the acid and its potassium salt, but form aqueous emulsions and precipitates. In the presence of the organic soluble tetrabutylammonium ion, the heavy lanthanides can be extracted. At the tracer level, neodymium is extracted primarily as NdA3(HA)5 and (NdA3)2(HA)q. The chloroform-water acid partition constant, te chloroform acid dimerization constant, and the stability constants of the light lanthanide carboxylates are also reported.
Testing children for adult-onset genetic diseases.

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics APC — : adenomatous polyposis coli BRCA1 and BRCA2 — : breast cancer–associated genes 1 and 2 FAP — : familial adenomatous polyposis HBOC syndrome — : hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome The Committee on Bioethics of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against genetic testing of children for conditions that have their onset in adulthood. They write, “Genetic testing for adult-onset conditions generally should be deferred until adulthood or until an adolescent interested in testing has developed mature decision-making capacities.”1 The Clinical Genetics Society in the United Kingdom expresses similar views, writing that “The predictive genetic testing of children…for an adult onset disorder should generally not be undertaken…until the ‘children’ request such tests for themselves, as autonomous adults.”2 Nevertheless, many parents seek genetic testing of their children, especially for situations in which a genetic disease is known to be present in the family. They may have different reasons for wanting their children tested. These requests create a dilemma for pediatricians. The dilemmas arise, in part, because not all “adult-onset” diseases are alike. Sometimes, there are interventions that may be beneficial in childhood; sometimes, parents seek the reassurance that might come with a negative test result. When, if ever, should we accede to parents’ requests to test a child for an adult-onset condition? In this “Ethics Rounds,” we present 2 cases that illustrate the dilemma. We then ask experts in genetics and bioethics to comment on the cases and suggest the factors that pediatricians should consider when facing requests from parents for genetic testing of children. ### Case 1 A woman with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) contacted a genetic counselor to request genetic testing for her newborn infant. FAP is an autosomal-dominant, hereditary colon cancer syndrome caused by mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli ( APC ) gene. Affected individuals generally begin to develop precancerous polyps as teenagers, although some have developed polyps as early as age 7. Colon cancer is inevitable, and the average age of colon cancer diagnosis in untreated individuals is … Address correspondence to John D. Lantos, MD, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, 2401 Gillham Rd, Kansas City, MO 64108. E-mail: jlantos{at}cmh.edu
How invader traits interact with resident communities and resource availability to determine invasion success

Competition for limited resources is considered a key factor controlling invasion success. Resource availability can be viewed in either the long or short-term. Long-term availability depends on the baseline nutrient availability in the ecosystem and how those conditions shape the ecological community. Short-term resource availability fl uctuates with disturbances that alter nutrient availability and/or the density and composition of the ecological community. We investigated how species ’ traits interact with short and long-term resource availability to determine the outcome of invasions. We manipulated long-term baseline resource availability, disturbance intensity, disturbance frequency, and propagule pressure in a fully factorial design using protist microcosms. Our results show that short and long-term resource availability and the direct mortality from disturbance interact with the traits of resident community members and traits of invaders to determine community invasibility. While competitively dominant invaders with slow growth rates may suff er rather than benefi t from short-term resource fl uctuations, quickly growing but competitively inferior invaders can benefi t from both the resource fl uctuations and the heterogeneity in community composition created by disturbance. Our fi ndings empirically synthesize two explanations for invasion success, namely short-term resource fl uctuations and long-term resource availability, and highlight the importance of considering traits of invaders and residents, such as growth rate and competitive ability, in the context of productivity and disturbance gradients. Th is species ’ traits approach could resolve idiosyncratic results from natural systems undergoing disturbance and invasion that do not follow patterns predicted by traditional invasion frameworks.
Ordered arrays of -oriented silicon nanorods by CMOS-compatible block copolymer lithography

Dense, ordered arrays of 〈100〉-oriented Si nanorods with uniform aspect ratios up to 5:1 and a uniform diameter of 15 nm were fabricated by block copolymer lithography based on the inverse of the traditional cylindrical hole strategy and reactive ion etching. The reported approach combines control over diameter, orientation, and position of the nanorods and compatibility with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology because no nonvolatile metals generating deep levels in silicon, such as gold or iron, are involved. The Si nanorod arrays exhibit the same degree of order as the block copolymer templates.
Prothrombinase Assembly and S1 Site Occupation Restore the Catalytic Activity of FXa Impaired by Mutation at the Sodium-binding Site

Two loop segments (183–189 and 221–225) in the protease domain of factor Xa contribute to the formation of a Na+-binding site. Studies with factor Xa indicate that binding of a single Na+ ion to this site influences its activity by altering the S1 specificity site, and substitution of Tyr225 with Pro diminishes sensitivity to Na+. Using full-length factor XaY225P, the allosteric relationship between the Na+ site and other structural determinants in factor Xa and prothrombinase was investigated. Direct binding and kinetic measurements with probes that target the S1 specificity pocket indicate that assembly of the mutant in prothrombinase corrected the impaired binding of these probes observed with free factor XaY225P. This appears to result from the apparent allosteric linkage between the factor Va, S1, and Na+-binding sites, since binding of the cofactor to membrane-bound factor XaY225P enhances binding at the S1 site and vice versa. Additional studies revealed that the internal salt bridge (Ile16–Asp194) of factor XaY225P is partially destabilized, a process that is reversible upon occupation of the S1 site. The data establish that alterations at the factor Xa Na+-binding site shift the zymogen-protease equilibrium to a more zymogen-like state, and as a consequence binding of S1-directed probes and factor Va are adversely affected. Therefore, the zymogen-like characteristics of factor XaY225P have allowed for the apparent allosteric linkage between the S1, factor Va, and Na+ sites to become evident and has provided insight into the structural transitions which accompany the conversion of factor X to factor Xa.
Correlation of cusp width with AE(12) and Bz

Abstract The latitudinal width of the polar cusp has been correlated with the AE (12) index and the IMF B z . The boundaries of the cusp were determined by measurements of precipitating electrons made by the DMSP F2 and F4 satellites from February through December, 1979. Only data from active days ( AE ⩾ 200 nT) were selected. The cusp width varied from ∼1° to ∼8° during the 11-month period. In general, the latitudinal width of the cusp correlates poorly with both AE ( R ≈ 0.44) and B z , ( R ≈ 0.59 with 30 min time delay). In spite of considerable scatter, the correlations reveal that the latitudinalwidth of the cusp tends to decrease with increasing magnetic activity, whether measured by AE or B z .
Cutting Edge: Antibody-Mediated TLR7-Dependent Recognition of Viral RNA

TLR7 recognizes the genome of ssRNA viruses such as Coxsackievirus B. Because TLR7 is expressed in intracellular compartments, viral RNA must be internalized before its recognition by TLR7. In this study, we define plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) as peripheral blood mononuclear immune cells that respond to Coxsackievirus. pDC activation by Coxsackievirus B requires the presence of specific antiviral Abs. We show that Fc receptors mediate the recognition of virus-Ab complexes and that TLR7 is required for human and murine pDC production of cytokines. These data define a pathway by which intracellular TLR7 senses viral RNA and indicate a role for TLRs in association with Abs in sustaining virus-specific responses.
Incorporating HCI into the undergraduate curriculum: Bloom's taxonomy meets the CC'01 curricular guidelines

This paper presents an outline for an upper-level human-computer interaction (HCI) course. This work is being carried out in the context of an NSF-sponsored effort by 26 CS educators to incorporate HCI into the undergraduate CS curriculum. This paper presents an overview of existing approaches for incorporating HCI in the undergraduate curriculum, including several "standard" textbooks. It briefly discusses the perceived gap between the interests of the HCI community and the needs of CS educators. It then proceeds to address this issue by presenting one possible implementation of the CC'01 HCI curricular guidelines. This implementation includes a semester-long course outline, project ideas and considerations, and, most importantly, measurable course objectives based on Bloom's taxonomy. Finally, it includes pointers for additional, forthcoming implementations of the CC'01 HCI curricular guidelines.
Changing views of basal ganglia circuits and circuit disorders.

The basal ganglia (BG) have long been considered to play an important role in the control of movement and the pathophysiology of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). Studies over the past decades have considerably broadened this view, indicating that the BG participate in multiple, parallel, largely segregated, corticosubcortical reentrant pathways involving motor, associative and limbic functions. Research has shown that dysfunction within individual circuits is associated not only with movement disorders, but also with neuropsychiatric disorders. Accordingly, a number of movement dis orders and neuropsychiatric disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette’s syndrome are viewed as “circuit disorders.” We here discuss the changes in our current understanding of the anatomic and functional organization of BG circuits and related circuit disorders.
The Personal Acoustics Lab (PAL): a microcomputer-based system for digital signal acquisition, analysis, and synthesis

Abstract A new, integrated digital signal processing (DSP) system, the Personal Acoustics Lab (PAL), is described. This microcomputer-based system is suitable for analogue signal digitization at rates from several samples per hour to 150 000 samples per second in 12- or 16-bit words. Data may be acquired on one to sixteen single-ended A/D, or one to eight double-ended A/D channels in bipolar or unipolar modes. Digitized data may be reconverted to analogue signals using one or two D/A channels. An external clock and trigger and two bidirectional digital ports are provided. Integrated PAL-ILS software commands perform all necessary DSP functions, including: data editing, time- and frequency-domain graphical display, plotting, filtering, Fourier and Hilbert transforms, linear predictive coding, auto and cross-correlation, and summary statistics. The system is suitable for biological and engineering DSP applications. Output from selected PAL-ILS software commands is illustrated using a bioacoustical example.
Wavelength-dependent intersystem crossing in solutions of magnesium octaethyl porphyrin

Abstract Using delayed fluorescence and transient conductance measurement we have determined the action spectrum for formation of the triplet state of magnesium octaethyl porphyrin in solution. Under certain conditions a sharp maximum is seen. We suggest a novel aggregated form of the porphyrin in which intersystem crossing occurs from unrelaxed levels of the S 1 state.
Cardiac Deformation Recovery using a 3D Incompressible Deformable Model

This paper presents a method for cardiac deformation recovery from 3D MR image sequences. The main contribution of this work is that the method is mathematically guaranteed to generate incompressible deformations. This is a desirable property since the myocardium has been shown to be close to incompressible. The method is based on an incompressible deformable model that has a relatively small number of parameters. The myocardium needs to be segmented in an initial frame after which the method automatically determines the tissue deformation everywhere in the myocardium throughout the cardiac cycle. The method has been tested with seven 3D cardiac MR image sequences for the left ventricle, and it has been evaluated against manual segmentation and tagged MR image sequences. The volume agreement between the model and the manual segmentation exceeds 95%, the distance between the model and the manually generated endocardial and epicardial surfaces is 1.5mm on average, and the distance between the model and the intersection of the tagged lines is 0.7mm on average.
A Video Recorder for Coherent Doppler Radar

A system for recording coherent pulse Doppler radar signals on an inexpensive video tape recorder is described. A recording processor translates the radar receiver IF output to a center frequency of 1 MHz. To this is added an amplitude modulated 200-kHz pilot carrier. This unique pilot carrier provides a coherent reference for synchronous demodulation, a timing reference, and synchronization signals for the video tape recorder. A reproducing processor reconstructs the original radar signals from the information contained in the reproduced tape through the use of a pilot tracking loop, which recovers the synchronous reference in the presence of added noise and tape recorder flutter. An analysis of system performance characteristics is included. Of note is the good definition of the start time of the radar interval. Maximum timing jitter at the end of the 1-ms radar interval is about 400-ns peak, and is under 10 ns for the first 10 ?s of the interval. The linear dynamic range of 27 dB can be used to provide about 4-dB resolution over a 90-dB dynamic range using a log compression technique to be discussed. Comparisons between radar signals measured directly and signals recorded on the radar video recorder indicate that velocity information present in a coherent Doppler radar is preserved with high accuracy.
Thermoplastic polymers as modifiers for urea–formaldehyde wood adhesives. III. In situ thermoplastic‐modified wood composites

Acrylic monomers and free-radical initiators were dispersed in an aqueous urea–formaldehyde (UF) suspension and polymerized in situ to afford a suspension containing 5 wt % thermoplastic (5 g of thermoplastic/100 mL of suspension). The viscosity of the thermoplastic-modified UF suspension (65 wt % solids at 25°C) ranged from 240 to 437 cP versus 121 cP for the unmodified UF control. Wood-flour composites (sugar maple and 50 wt % adhesive) were prepared with thermoplastic-modified UF suspensions and cured with the same cycle used for the composites prepared with the unmodified UF adhesive (control). The effect of the thermoplastic-modified UF adhesive was evaluated on the notched Izod impact strength and equilibrium moisture uptake of the wood-flour composites. The notched Izod impact strength of the composites prepared with modified UF adhesives increased by as much as 94% above that of the control. The increase depended on the initiator and the monomer composition. The modification affected the equilibrium moisture uptake and rate of moisture uptake in the wood-flour composites. Preliminary results for particleboard prepared with 10 wt % modified UF adhesive (5% thermoplastic in the UF resin) and unoptimized cure conditions confirmed a significant effect of the thermoplastic modification on both the internal-bond strength and thickness swelling of the particleboard. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Steady-State Algorithms for Nonlinear Time-Periodic Magnetic Diffusion Problems Using Diagonally Implicit Runge–Kutta Methods

A general framework is presented for the formulation of steady-state simulation algorithms for magnetically nonlinear eddy-current problems using implicit Runge–Kutta (RK) methods. A close analogy is drawn between equations discretized using the backward-Euler method and fully implicit RK methods. Detailed formulations of the time-periodic finite-element method (TPFEM) and the shooting-Newton method (SNM) are derived using the popular family of diagonally implicit RK (DIRK) methods. Both algorithms employ the generalized minimum residual method to solve the linear equations arising at each Newton iteration. The benefits of higher-order DIRK methods are demonstrated by simulating a surface mount permanent magnet synchronous machine. The effects of using a solid versus a laminated rotor back iron on the simulation time are examined. Simulation results indicate that the performance of TPFEM and SNM is quite similar and much faster than transient analysis.
Programa de Vivienda Progresiva V Región 1990-1994: la participación de sus actores

This paper deals with a study of the Progressive Housing Program which was carried out in the V Region (1990-1994) and it is concerned with the relationship between the actors of the civil society and the state. Taking into account that one of the main innovations of the Program is the importance given to the community's and the non governmental organizations, participation 8NGO), the analysis is centered upon the relationships between both actors and the state. Through this study it was possible to state that the participation objectives are better achieved during the second stages (extending and improving the built unity) than in the firsts (urbanized site and a kitchen-bathroom unit). The users do not have big chances in taking decisions during the first stages. On the other hand, the most critical situations are related to the lack of compatibility between a minimum house program and the strict technical-bureaucratic demands of the existing urban legislation. The most significant achievement which can be attributed the program is the degree of organization shown by the communities involved, in their interaction with the NGO's and the state
Seasonal variation of coumarin and flavonoid concentrations in persistent leaves of wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis: Asteraceae)

Phenolic substances present in persisent leaves of 10 wyoming big sagebrush plants (Artemisia tridentata Nutall ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young; Asteracae), growing wild from an unknown seed source were monitored over a two-year period to determine intraplant, interplant and seasonal variations in concentration using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phenolics in extracts of whole flowers were also monitored from early development to senescence during year two. Up to 36 compounds were separated in the extracts and the identified constituents included a large array of coumarins and flavonoids. Statistical analyses of the data indicated that 53% of the individual phenolics present in persistent leaves varied significantly over two years at P ≥ 0.05. However, during the four-month period of flower development, concentrations of only 39% of the phenolics varied significantly in persistent leaves. A posteriori tests performed on the 11 most highly variable phenolics over the two years showed that the variation in concentration occurs between seasons and not within. The results also revealed that intraplant variability was lower than interplant variation, and interplant variability in concentrations was generally equal to seasonal variability over two years. Thus, the observed seasonable changes of phenolic concentrations in persistent leaves were found to be relatively consistent and predictable both from season to season and from year to year.
Impact of environmental factors on the economic evaluation of renewable energy alternative generation

With the ever growing concern about global warming, environmental pollution, and the rising cost of fossil fuels like oil and coal, there is a greater interest in developing renewable energy sources to meeting growing energy demand. Additionally with the requirement for utilities to provide transmission access to independent power producers (IPP) to deliver their energy wherever needed, and the growing interest in distributed utility, it is most important to review the economic viability of these renewable energy sources as compared to traditional energy generation. This paper presents an economic evaluation method that includes the effect of environmental penalties associated with traditional generation and the tax credits for using renewable energy sources. Also it considers the costs associated with distribution and transmission losses and capital investment savings and the generation cost credit. It is recognized that the costs are utility dependent but this paper uses costs associated with a mean of the data from various utilities. This analysis should be most useful in developing similar economic evaluations for other types of energy sources.
Effects of 'loop' diuretics on ion transport by dog tracheal epithelium

The "loop" diuretics MK-196, bumetanide, piretanide, and furosemide are all potent inhibitors of Cl transport by the dog's tracheal epithelium. In short-circuited tissues, the drugs caused significant decreases in both unidirectional Cl fluxes and in the net flux of Cl toward the lumen; the change in net Cl flux was not significantly different from the change in short-circuit current. The drugs had no effect on active Na absorption. All drugs caused a significant fall in tissue conductance. All drugs, except MK-196, were more potent from the serosal bath; MK-196 was equipotent from either side of the tissue. In experiments with isolated cells, the diuretics caused no significant changes in intracellular Na and K concentrations, a fall in intracellular Cl concentration, and approximately equal falls in Na and Cl influxes. These results suggest that the site of action of these drugs is on a basolateral linked Na-Cl entry process. Additional evidence for such a linked entry process was provided by experiments in which removal of Cl reduced Na influx and removal of Na reduced Cl influx.
Fair Labor Standards Act Preemption of State Wage-and-Hour Law Claims

Wage-and-hour class actions are by far the most common type of class action claim filed in federal court, accounting for nearly 20 percent of all class action suits. 1 Employees bring wage-and-hour class actions to recover unpaid wages. The stakes are high. Employers pay out at least $1 billion annually in these cases. 2 Wal-Mart recently settled sixty-three wage-and-hour class action suits for an estimated $342 to $640 million and still has another twelve suits pending. 3 Even with this large volume of litigation, a fundamental question remains unanswered: does state or federal law determine the remedies available and the procedures used in these suits? 4
Perception of African American men of their likelihood of a cancer diagnosis at the time of prostate biopsy

6503 Background: Men are supposed to have an “informed discussion” before undergoing PCa screening. African Americans (AA) are diagnosed at later stages of prostate cancer (PCa) than their white co...
At A Crossroad: The U.S. Economy

The U.S. economy stands at a crossroad. Which path will it take – the one that leads to sustainable growth, recession or inflation? This paper will examine market imbalances which may indicate the future economic direction.
Beyond componentry: How principles of motor learning can enhance locomotor rehabilitation of individuals with lower limb loss—A review

Relatively little attention has been given to the use of well-established motor learning strategies to enable individuals with lower limb loss to effectively and safely learn to walk with their prostheses in the home and community. Traditionally, such outcomes have been pursued by focusing on the design and function of a patient's prosthesis, rather than on how he or she should learn to use it. The use of motor learning strategies may enhance physical rehabilitation outcomes among individuals with lower limb loss. This review explores these motor learning strategies and ways in which they can be applied to the physical rehabilitation of individuals with lower limb loss and highlights some of the challenges to their implementation, as well as unanswered research questions.
Workplace Governance, Class Formation, and the New Institutionalism

The "new institutionalism" in labor studies highlights the influence of unions, political parties, and states on workers' collective identities and mobilization. This article recommends extending the new institutionalism to include the organization of workplace governance. A theoretical discussion shows how institutions of employee representation can influence the leadership, solidarities, and scale of labor protest. An empirical illustration connects variations in workplace governance to differences in the occupational range and geographic scale of strikes. The analysis targets industries and regions of the U.S. metal trades during WWI, thus ruling out unions and political institutions as rival explanations for patterns of labor mobilization.
Multiple scattering computations of elastic waves based on integral equation method

The phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of coherent waves propagating through random medium,in which circular or elliptical column holes are distributed randomly in a matrix material,are studied in this paper.First,the specific integral equation to determine the scattering displacement vector is deduced.The equations to compute the scattering cross-section of one elliptical column hole are also deduced.Secondly,the multiple scattering in the random medium with randomly distributed column holes is analyzed and the equations to compute the phase velocities and attenuation coefficients of coherent waves with statistical average significance are given.Next,a numerical example is given and the numerical results are compared with that obtained by Wave Function extension Method.At last,the influence of the elliptical eccentricity and the porosity on the phase velocity and attenuation coefficient of coherent wave are discussed.
Analysis of Tuberculosis Control in Liuzhou City during 2004—2007

[Objective]To understand the implementation of tuberculosis(TB)control in Liuzhou,and provide scientific evidence for developing TB control measures.[Methods] A statistical analysis was conducted on the data of TB project report forms.[Results] The average registration rate of the new smear positive TB patients from 2004—2007 was 30.91/100 000,the annually average registration rate of active TB was 92.57/100 000,the annually average cure rate and death rate of smear positive TB patients was 91.67% and 1.37% respectively.[Conclusion]Through the implementation of TB control project,TB epidemic has been effectively controlled in Liuzhou.
Merging and emerging realities: simultaneous treatment of parent and child.

Therapists are aware of the essential impact of the relationship to the parents upon the course of a child’s treatment. This paper focuses on a method of treating parent and child separately, by th...