cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Auditory cortex spatial sensitivity sharpens during task performance

Activity in the primary auditory cortex (A1) is known to be essential for normal sound localization behavior, yet previous studies of the spatial sensitivity of neurons in A1 have found surprisingly broad spatial tuning. We tested the hypothesis that spatial tuning sharpens when an animal engages in an auditory task. Cats performed a task that required evaluation of the locations of sounds and another that required active listening but in which sound location was irrelevant. Some 26–44% of the units recorded in A1 showed significantly sharpened spatial tuning during the behavioral tasks compared to idle conditions, with greatest sharpening during the location-relevant task. Spatial sharpening occurred on a scale of tens of seconds and could be replicated multiple times within ~1.5-hr test sessions. Sharpening resulted primarily from increased suppression of responses to sounds at least-preferred locations. That and an observed increase in latencies suggest an important role of inhibitory mechanisms.
Soil richness and endemism across an environmental transition zone in Wisconsin, USA

Abstract Soil richness was examined across the Wisconsin ecological tension zone, which constitutes a transition between the central hardwood forest and prairie biomes to the south and the northern mixed hardwood and conifer forest biome to the north. There were greater numbers (normalized by county area) of soil orders, suborders, and great groups in counties within the transition zone than in those outside the zone. A zone of soils containing glossic horizons extends 75 km to the north of the Wisconsin transition zone separates Alfisols (dominantly Hapludalfs) and Mollisols in the south from Spodosols and Glossudalfs in the north; this zone may represent the mid-Holocene position of the tension zone. Soil endemism is a concept whereby soils are restricted to a limited geographic area based on a unique set of soil-forming factors. In this study, endemic soils were identified on the basis of having a centralized distribution, lacking competing soil series, and being unique to Wisconsin and adjoining states. Although the transition zone contains 13% of the state's area, it has 40% of the endemic soils. Endemic soils in Wisconsin occur in 7 orders, 14 suborders, 29 great groups, 83 subgroups, and 138 families; they include 159 soil series that cover 1.44 million ha (19% of state land area). The predominant soil properties related to soil endemism include (i) the presence of a glossic horizon (34% of endemic soils), (ii) aquic conditions or oxyaquic subgroups (28%), and (iii) bisequal profiles (20%). There are 102 vascular plant species endemic to Wisconsin, the distribution of which appears to be related more to the landform than to soil taxa.
Rising Inequality in an Era of Austerity: The Case of the US

US inequality has rapidly increased since the early 1970s. For advanced economies, inequality is linked to stronger incentives that enhance growth, education, innovation and entrepreneurship. However, the rise in US inequality is concentrated in the top 1%. Hence it is increasingly possible that economic rewards may be too uncertain to promote effort, suggesting the US has crossed a tipping point in which inequality reduces growth. Other costs include more social and political instability, making inequality the next potential “crisis” facing America. This study first examines trends in inequality and then reviews arguments that suggest that it is both good and bad for growth in America's cities. We then provide evidence that there has been a reversal in the effects of inequality after 2000 with it now being associated with less income and job growth in US metropolitan areas. We conclude by arguing that no general solution is possible without significant political reforms that equalize political influence.
A note on a result in the theory of code construction

This note establishes a connection between Hadamard matrices H4t and the maximal binary codes M(4t, 2t; 8t), M(4t — 1, 2t; 4t) and M(4t — 2, 2t; 2t) in two symbols 0 and 1, where by M(n, d; m) we mean a set of m n-place sequences with 0 and 1 such that the Hamming distance between any two sequences is greater than or equal to d. The structure of these maximal codes is also studied in this paper.
Electrical and mechanical properties of oriented poly(3-alkylthiophenes) I. Doping-enhanced stiffness of poly(3-octylthiophene)

Abstract The mechanical and electrical properties of solution-processed poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT) are presented and discussed. Hot drawing yielded oriented P3OT with moderately improved mechanical properties. Doping with FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O or iodine vapor led to significant enhancement of the stiffness, strength and electrical conductivity of the drawn samples. The increase in stiffness, through the introduction of I 2 vapor, was reversed upon removal of the dopant. As previously found for other conducting polymer systems, strong correlations were observed between mechanical properties and the electrical conductivity.
Information tradeoffs in model building: a network routing application

An integral part of the model-building process is the modeler's choice of how much information to gather and encode in the decision model. Obtaining more detailed and accurate information enables a more precise problem representation which, in turn, leads to more effective decision making. However, acquiring extensive and accurate information entails higher costs and delays. This paper uses a network routing decision context to illustrate the tradeoff between model precision and decision effectiveness, and explores a formal decision-theoretic approach to determine an appropriate model specification that balances information gathering costs and decision quality. We propose optimal and heuristic methods for generating good information search strategies, and report computational results based on random test problems. Our results highlight the importance of simultaneously considering information costs and decision payoffs for constructing a decision model to support routing decisions. The issues raised in this paper are especially significant for modeling dynamic, real-time decision contexts where delays induced by information gathering activities could have significant economic impact.
A Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy Study of Vanadyl Phthalocyanine on Au(111): the Effect of Oxygen Binding and Orbital Mediated Tunneling on the Apparent Corrugation

Submolecular resolution STM images of vanadyl phthalocyanine (VOPc) are reported. Unlike previously studied metal phthalocyanines, the image has neither a simple dark or bright spot in the center. Rather, it appears to have nodal planes running through the center of the molecule. The dark central region is attributed to the oxygen atom reducing the number of available states near the Fermi energy. The apparent height of the Pc ring is very bias dependent having a value of 0.1 nm between -1.5 and 0.2 V (sample) bias. The apparent height increases rapidly to a plateau of about 0.55 nm at +1.0 V sample bias. I - V and dI/dV data taken over VOPc islands are very different from the same measurements made on exposed Au(111) substrate adjacent to the islands. Strong peaks in dI/dV are seen at +1.38 and -1.8 V sample bias. The +1.38 V feature is associated with orbital mediated tunneling via the ﷿* LUMO of the Pc ring. Occasionally, the tip-surface interaction generates anomalous dark areas in the VOPc islands.
Experimental demonstration of a retro-reflective laser communication link on a mobile platform

Successful pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) are crucial for the implementation of laser communication links between ground and aerial vehicles. This technology has advantages over the traditional radio frequency communication, thus justifying the research efforts presented in this paper. The authors have been successful in the development of a high precision, agile, digitally controlled two-degree-of-freedom electromechanical system for positioning of optical instruments, cameras, telescopes, and communication lasers. The centerpiece of this system is a robotic manipulator capable of singularity-free operation throughout the full hemisphere range of yaw/pitch motion. The availability of efficient two-degree-of-freedom positioning facilitated the development of an optical platform stabilization system capable of rejecting resident vibrations with the angular and frequency range consistent with those caused by a ground vehicle moving on a rough terrain. This technology is being utilized for the development of a duplex mobile PAT system demonstrator that would provide valuable feedback for the development of practical laser communication systems intended for fleets of moving ground, and possibly aerial, vehicles. In this paper, a tracking system providing optical connectivity between stationary and mobile ground platforms is described. It utilizes mechanical manipulator to perform optical platform stabilization and initial beam positioning, and optical tracking for maintaining the line-of-sight communication. Particular system components and the challenges of their integration are described. The results of field testing of the resultant system under practical conditions are presented.
Aramid, steel, and glass: characterization via cut performance testing, of composite knitted fabrics and their constituent yarns, with a review of the art

Aramid, glass, and steel have been compared for their performance in composite forms in protective applications, which are not the most usual ones. After underlining the importance of cut protection, a rather extensive review of the art in the domain of cut performance reveals that a good basis has been established, still leaving space for the study of non-coated, less uniformly interlocked composite yarn assemblies in the form of knitted structures or woven ones. Slightly departing from the traditionally friction-driven cut mechanism, those structures are distinguishable. This offers some elements for the long-awaited clarification of normalized test differences. Statistically, relevant families of commercial or semi-commercial products have been selected to address simultaneously the variability and the performance boundaries of those materials using instrumented ASTM cut equipment to obtain a “smarter” response of the material performance during its testing and to perform a “more sophisticated” data analysis beyond usually specified ones. The attempts to analyze more localized physical events open the door to micro or nanoanalysis of the fracture mechanism during the cut event which may differ from the traditional friction analysis. The contribution of meltable companion fillers, although not being the core of the study, could be translated to applications where those fillers become functional elements further improving the performance and synergism of the three basic elements, aramid, glass and steel. Previous study on the tribological properties of Kevlar® (DuPont’s registered trademark) composite fabrics stands as a natural prolongation of this study when applied to the knitted composite structures of this study.
Defect mapping and repair in UltraSPARC-I microprocessor memories

Yield is perhaps the single most important measure of manufacturing efficiency for large integrated circuits like UltraSPARC-I. To accelerate continuous yield improvement, we have integrated memory test, repair, and defect mapping into the UltraSPARC-I manufacturing flow. We use the UltraSPARC-I memory test port, together with standard memory test equipment and integrated software, to detect, locate and repair defects in the larger memory arrays. Pattern- recognized memory defect maps are collected for every chip manufactured, accelerating the understanding of defects and their causes. As part of the manufacturing process, we also program a unique identity into each chip that can be read electronically. In this paper, we present the memory defect mapping system that has been established and our use of that system to accelerate yield learning.
Vascular subcortical dementias: clinical aspects

Vascular dementia (VAD) is common, and small vessel disease is one of the most frequent etiologies of the disorder. Lacunar state and Binswanger's disease are the two types of VAD associated with small vessel disease. Lacunar state and Binswanger's disease produce a dementia syndrome with characteristics of subcortical dementia including slowing of information processing, impaired memory, and poor sustained attention. Executive dysfunction includes poor word list generation and verbal fluency (design generation), impaired motor programming with perseveration and impersistence, and difficulty with set shifting. Memory loss in subcortical VAD is characterized by poor retrieval and intact recognition. Apathy is ubiquitous in VAD and depression and psychosis are common. Parkinsonism with prominent gait disturbances in conjunction with pyramidal tract signs, dysarthria, pseudobulbar affect, and incontinence are frequent motor manifestations of VAD with small vessel disease. The lesions of subcortical VAD affect the structures--caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus-and connecting fibers of frontal--subcortical circuits and produce a clinical syndrome similar to that seen in other subcortical diseases.
Neurophysiology of Ganglia of Auerbach's Plexus

The enteric plexuses of the automatic nervous system may be considered, on the basis of both function and morphology, to be a simple integrative nervous system of vertebrate animals. Microelectrcde studies of single unit activity within enteric ganglia reveal four distinct types of ganglion cells distinguished on the basis of pattern of spike discharge. These are (i) burst-type units which spontaneously discharge bursts of spikes at periodic intervals; (ii) fast- and slowly-adapting mechanoreceptors; (iii) tonic-type units which respond to mechanical stimulation with prolonged, all-or-nothing trains of spikes; (iv) single-spike units which spontaneously discharge single action potentials at variable intervals. The enteric plexuses are adapted for control of the intestinal musculature which behaves as an electrical syncytium activated by myogenic pacemaker potentials. The mechanism of neural control is integration of continuous neurogenic inhibition of the inherently excitable musculature.
Regeneration of liver in lysine-deficient, partially hepatectomized rats.

SummaryRats maintained for 2 weeks on a lysine-deficient ration and then partially hepatectomized were able to regenerate their livers in spite of continued consumption of a lysine-deficient diet.
Recent Advances in the Epidemiology of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Since initial reports in the mid-1970s provided epidemiology data on primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), many studies have characterized the variable frequency of this disease in diverse populations worldwide and sought to identify associated risk factors. Recent research confirms earlier work suggesting that the incidence and prevalence of PBC are on the rise, although geographic variation persists. Analysis of familial and geographic clustering supports the hypothesis that development and progression of the disease hinge on a complex interplay between genetic and environmental risk factors. International clinical data systems are needed to advance PBC epidemiologic research. Given this complexity, international clinical data systems are needed to advance PBC epidemiologic research.
Increased Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1, Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor, and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Fetal Versus Adult Fibroblast Cell Lines†

Objectives: Fetal wound healing occurs without scar tissue formation. Differences in growth factor expression between fetal and adult fibroblasts have been explored. Recently we used RNA expression studies to demonstrate that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, acidic fibroblast growth factor (a-FGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (β-FGF) could be detected in both fetal and adult fibroblast cell lines. In addition, adult fibroblasts showed greater relative expression of these growth factors than fetal fibroblasts. The aim of this study was to identify the level of protein expression in fetal and adult fibroblasts. Study Design/Methods: Fetal and adult fibroblasts were grown in culture using standard and serum-free media. After protein extraction, Western blot studies were performed to detect the presence and amount of TGFβ-1, α-FGF, and β-FGF growth factor proteins. β-Tubulin was used as a control. Results: TGFβ-1, α-FGF, and β-FGF proteins were detected in fetal and adult fibroblasts grown in standard and serum-free media. The fetal fibroblasts showed higher levels of all three growth factor proteins compared with the adult fibroblasts. Conclusions: Western blot studies suggest higher levels of TGFβ-1, α-FGF, and β-FGF expression in fetal fibroblasts. It is clear that significant differences exist in the expression/production of these growth factors and it seems likely that further study of these differences will help elucidate the unique healing capabilities of fetal fibroblasts.
Cleavage inhibition in marine eggs by puromycin and 6-dimethylaminopurine.

Abstract The possibility is discussed that puromycin may not inhibit cleavage in marine eggs solely by inhibiting protein synthesis. It is suggested that part of the effect of puromycin is through 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP) (the purine component of puromycin) a potent cleavage inhibitor which appears to enhance protein synthesis in sea urchin eggs.
Biomechanical Analysis of Postural Sway in Elderly Adults on Ramps

This study investigated the effects of ramp angles on postural deviation as a function of age. Five ramp inclinations (1:8, 1:10, 1:12, 1:16, and 1:20) were examined in both ascent and descent directions. Five younger (22 to 28 years) and five older (78 to 88 years) adults participated in the study. Video-based motion analysis was used to measure torso and hip angles while participants walked on an adjustable inclined ramp. Both young and older participants had a significant increase in torso angle across ramp slopes from ascent to descent. In addition, the data indicated that older participants tended to lean to the right while walking while the young participants leaned to the left. Measurements of hip angle revealed that young participants had significantly greater hip movement than older participants and that hip angle decreased significantly as participants transitioned from descent to ascent trials. Based on the data observed, it is possible that ramp descent is more problematic for elderly adults. ...
Service restoration in naval shipboard power systems

Service restoration is an important problem in naval shipboard power systems. When faults occur as a result of battle damage or equipment failure and are isolated by protective devices, some critical loads are left without supply. Fast restoration of supply to these vital loads is necessary for system survivability. Loads have different priorities that must be considered during restoration in the shipboard power systems (SPS). These loads are categorised as vital or non-vital. Vital loads have two paths through which they can be supplied. Under some circumstances, it may be preferred to supply a vital load through one of the two paths. Butler et al have developed a method to restore maximum loads in SPS based on the fixed-charge network flow method. An enhancement to their method is proposed to handle priority for loads and paths while restoring service in SPS. The proposed method is illustrated with some case studies on a simplified SPS.
Minimizing gender differences in children's interest assessment: Development of the Inventory of Children's Activities-3 (ICA-3)

Abstract The focus of this study was on revising the Inventory of Children's Activities–Revised (ICA-R; Tracey & Ward, 1998) to enhance its psychometric properties while minimizing gender differences in scale scores. The original 30 ICA-R items and an additional 30 items were administered to 70,280 fifth-eighth grades students. The original scoring was compared to a revised scoring method based solely on the empirically best items and a scoring method balancing empirical scoring with minimizing gender differences. All three item sets (original, empirical, and combined empirical/gender balancing) resulted in strong internal consistency estimates and adequate fit to the circular structure, yet the combined empirical/gender method had much lower gender differences especially for the scales measuring Investigative and Social interests. The implications of using the revised scale with children is discussed.
The aesthetic ear: sound art, Jacques Rancière and the politics of listening

If we are to value ‘‘sound art’’ as a worthwhile creative form and a legitimate fragment in the history of art, we must move away from debates of nomenclature and forge ahead to critically examine sound’s aesthetic and political potential. Approaching ‘‘sound art’’ as a problematic and unnecessary term, what follows is a simultaneous survey and refutation of recent publications on the topic and an assertion of sound’s aesthetics via the theory of French philosopher, Jacques Ranciere. Heard through the writings of Ranciere, contemporary work in sound breaks out of its exclusive sphere and reveals itself as a vivid commentary on the everyday and a keen activator of ‘‘heterogeneous’’ political elements. Framed by an overview of the details and import of Ranciere’s recently translated collections is an analysis of four active artists whose work engages the ‘‘aesthetic ear’’ and proves itself to be more than merely sound-for-sound’s sake. Keywords: contemporary art; sound studies; sound art; Christian Marclay; Toshiya Tsunoda; Janet Cardiff; Janek Schaefer; Alan Licht (Published: 24 May 2010) Citation: Journal of Aesthetics & Culture, Vol. 2, 2010 DOI: 10.3402/jac.v2i0.4895
Force transition control within a movement sequence in Parkinson's disease.

An experiment was performed which examined movement planning and force transition control in six patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) during a sequence of five finger taps at either a fast (200 ms) or slow (600 ms) temporal speed. The patients acted as their own controls and performed finger taps under three task conditions: (1) where all taps had to be of the same force intensity: no stress; (2) where it was known that one of the taps had to be executed with an augmented force: stress simple reaction time (SRT); and (3) where it was not known prior to initiation which one of the taps was to be more forcefully produced: stress choice reaction time (CRT). Reaction time data revealed a between-condition effect where stress SRT was faster than stress CRT and no stress was faster than both. Under both speed conditions, the interval after the stressed tap was profoundly lengthened. It was found that the lengthening was due to increases in both lift and dwell times for the slow tapping rate. In contrast, at the fast tapping rate, proportionately more of the interval increase was due to the increase in lift time. These findings suggest that patients with Parkinsons disease, when performing under a motor program mode, have difficulty in initiating a sequence and making a transition to lighter force levels after a stressed tap.
Sea ice and its effect on CO2 flux between the atmosphere and the Southern Ocean interior

[1] The advance and retreat of sea ice produces seasonal convection and stratification, dampens surface waves and creates a separation between the ocean and atmosphere. These are all phenomena that can affect the air-sea gas transfer velocity (k660), and therefore it is not straightforward to determine how sea ice cover modulates air-sea flux. In this study we use field estimates k660 to examine how sea ice affects the net gas flux between the ocean and atmosphere. An inventory of salinity, 3He, and CFC-11 in the mixed layer is used to infer k660 during the drift of Ice Station Weddell in 1992. The average of k660 is 0.11 m d−1 across nearly 100% ice cover. In comparison, the only prior field estimates of k660 are disproportionately larger, with average values of 2.4 m d−1 across 90% sea ice cover, and 3.2 m d−1 across approximately 70% sea ice cover. We use these values to formulate two scenarios for the modulation of k660 by the fraction of sea ice cover in a 1-D transport model for the Southern Ocean seasonal ice zone. Results show the net CO2 flux through sea ice cover represents 14–46% of the net annual air-sea flux, depending on the relationship between sea ice cover and k660. The model also indicates that as much as 68% of net annual CO2 flux in the sea ice zone occurs in the springtime marginal ice zone, which demonstrates the need for accurate parameterizations of gas flux and primary productivity under partially ice-covered conditions.
A Single-Sample Estimate of Shrinkage in Meteorological Forecasting

An estimator of shrinkage based on information contained in a single sample is presented and the results of a simulation study are reported. The effects of sample size, amount, and severity of nonrepresentative data in the population, inclusion of noninformative predictors, and least (sum of ) absolute deviations and least (sum of ) squared deviations regression models are examined on the estimator. A single-sample estimator of shrinkage based on drop-one cross-validation is shown to be highly accurate under a wide variety of research conditions.
Teaching Acceptance and Mindfulness to Improve the Lives of the Obese: A Preliminary Test of a Theoretical Model

Background Obesity is a growing epidemic. Weight control interventions can achieve weight loss, but most is regained over time. Stigma and low quality of life are significant problems that are rarely targeted. Purpose A new model aimed at reducing avoidant behavior and increasing psychological flexibility, has shown to be relevant in the treatment of other chronic health problems and is worth examining for improving the lives of obese persons. Methods Patients who had completed at least 6 months of a weight loss program (N=84) were randomly assigned to receive a 1-day, mindfulness and acceptance-based workshop targeting obesity-related stigma and psychological distress or be placed on a waiting list. Results At a 3-month follow-up, workshop participants showed greater improvements in obesity-related stigma, quality of life, psychological distress, and body mass, as well as improvements in distress tolerance, and both general and weight-specific acceptance and psychological flexibility. Effects on distress, stigma, and quality of life were above and beyond the effects due to improved weight control. Mediational analyses indicated that changes in weight-specific acceptance coping and psychological flexibility mediated changes in outcomes. Conclusion Results provide preliminary support for the role of acceptance and mindfulness in improving the quality of life of obese individuals while simultaneously augmenting their weight control efforts.
Arrhythmogenic consequences of myofibroblast–myocyte coupling

Aims Fibrosis is known to promote cardiac arrhythmias by disrupting myocardial structure. Given recent evidence that myofibroblasts form gap junctions with myocytes at least in co-cultures, we investigated whether myofibroblast–myocyte coupling can promote arrhythmia triggers, such as early afterdepolarizations (EADs), by directly influencing myocyte electrophysiology. Methods and results Using the dynamic voltage clamp technique, patch-clamped adult rabbit ventricular myocytes were electrotonically coupled to one or multiple virtual fibroblasts or myofibroblasts programmed with eight combinations of capacitance, membrane resistance, resting membrane potential, and gap junction coupling resistance, spanning physiologically realistic ranges. Myocytes were exposed to oxidative (1 mmol/L H2O2) or ionic (2.7 mmol/L hypokalaemia) stress to induce bradycardia-dependent EADs. In the absence of myofibroblast–myocyte coupling, EADs developed during slow pacing (6 s), but were completely suppressed by faster pacing (1 s). However, in the presence of myofibroblast–myocyte coupling, EADs could no longer be suppressed by rapid pacing, especially when myofibroblast resting membrane potential was depolarized (−25 mV). Analysis of the myofibroblast–myocyte virtual gap junction currents revealed two components: an early transient-outward Ito-like current and a late sustained current. Selective elimination of the Ito-like component prevented EADs, whereas selective elimination of the late component did not. Conclusion Coupling of myocytes to myofibroblasts promotes EAD formation as a result of a mismatch in early vs. late repolarization reserve caused by the Ito-like component of the gap junction current. These cellular and ionic mechanisms may contribute to the pro-arrhythmic risk in fibrotic hearts.
Z specifications meet Mathematica for exploratory prototyping

In order for formal methods to achieve widespread acceptance, associated tools must become more accessible to the average user. This work describes ZEM (Z Embedded in Mathematica), a new tool supporting the major phases of the requirements analysis life cycle. ZEM is best described as an animator for Z specifications with a theorem proving component. The overall goal in its design has been twofold: (1) to encourage the use of formal methods by a wider group of practitioners and (2) to provide an environment that facilitates exploratory prototyping.
Septic Shock Prediction for Patients with Missing Data

Sepsis and septic shock are common and potentially fatal conditions that often occur in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Early prediction of patients at risk for septic shock is therefore crucial to minimizing the effects of these complications. Potential indications for septic shock risk span a wide range of measurements, including physiological data gathered at different temporal resolutions and gene expression levels, leading to a nontrivial prediction problem. Previous works on septic shock prediction have used small, carefully curated datasets or clinical measurements that may not be available for many ICU patients. The recent availability of a large, rich ICU dataset called MIMIC-II has provided the opportunity for more extensive modeling of this problem. However, such a large clinical dataset inevitably contains a substantial amount of missing data. We investigate how different imputation selection criteria and methods can overcome the missing data problem. Our results show that imputation methods in conjunction with predictive modeling can lead to accurate septic shock prediction, even if the features are restricted primarily to noninvasive measurements. Our models provide a generalized approach for predicting septic shock in any ICU patient.
ACCRETION-DISK PRECESSION AND SUBSTELLAR SECONDARIES IN CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES

The mass-losing secondaries in cataclysmic binaries are progressively whittled away by the ongoing loss of angular momentum. The expected rate of evolution implies that the binaries should spend most of their lives at very short orbital period, with light secondaries (<0.08 M?). But compared to the nearby white dwarf and accretion disk, these secondaries are effectively dark, so it has been quite difficult to learn anything about them from observation. Here we show that for dwarf novae, the majority species, the mass ratios can be measured from simple photometric observations of ?superhumps,? using equipment commonly possessed by amateur astronomers. The technique basically involves measuring the apsidal precession rate of the accretion disk and, thus, has the merit of being purely dynamical, requiring no actual detection of light from the secondary. The results reaffirm what we have known for a long time?that most secondaries are near the main sequence?but also show that near the end of the main sequence at 0.08 M?, the secondaries are significantly larger. This bloating, possibly due to an extra angular momentum sink in the binary, sets the value of the minimum orbital period for H-rich binaries to be 76-80 minutes. Seven stars are found with secondaries in the mass range 0.014-0.06 M?.
n -step mingling inequalities: new facets for the mixed-integer knapsack set

The n-step mixed integer rounding (MIR) inequalities of Kianfar and Fathi (Math Program 120(2):313–346, 2009) are valid inequalities for the mixed-integer knapsack set that are derived by using periodic n-step MIR functions and define facets for group problems. The mingling and 2-step mingling inequalities of Atamturk and Gunluk (Math Program 123(2):315–338, 2010) are also derived based on MIR and they incorporate upper bounds on the integer variables. It has been shown that these inequalities are facet-defining for the mixed integer knapsack set under certain conditions and generalize several well-known valid inequalities. In this paper, we introduce new classes of valid inequalities for the mixed-integer knapsack set with bounded integer variables, which we call n-step mingling inequalities (for positive integer n). These inequalities incorporate upper bounds on integer variables into n-step MIR and, therefore, unify the concepts of n-step MIR and mingling in a single class of inequalities. Furthermore, we show that for each n, the n-step mingling inequality defines a facet for the mixed integer knapsack set under certain conditions. For n = 2, we extend the results of Atamturk and Gunluk on facet-defining properties of 2-step mingling inequalities. For n ≥ 3, we present new facets for the mixed integer knapsack set. As a special case we also derive conditions under which the n-step MIR inequalities define facets for the mixed integer knapsack set. In addition, we show that n-step mingling can be used to generate new valid inequalities and facets based on covers and packs defined for mixed integer knapsack sets.
THE IMPACT OF ENTERPRISE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION ON OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION

This paper presents the results of a natural experiment conducted at a U.S. high-tech manufacturer. The experiment had as its treatment the adoption, at a single point in time, of a comprehensive enterprise information system throughout the functional groups charged with customer order fulfillment. This information technology (it) adoption was not accompanied by substantial contemporaneous business process changes. Immediately after adoption, lead time and on-time delivery performance suffered, causing a “performance dip” similar to those observed after the introduction of capital equipment onto shop floors. Lead times and on-time delivery percentages then improved along a learning curve. After several months, performance in these areas improved significantly relative to preadoption levels. These observed performance patterns could not be well explained by rival causal factors such as order, production, and inventory volumes; head count; and new product introductions. Thus, this longitudinal research presents initial evidence of a causal link between IT adoption and subsequent improvement in operational performance measures, as well as evidence of the timescale over which these benefits appear.
New genus of diminutive microhylid frogs from Papua New Guinea

A new genus of diminutive (10.1–11.3 mm) microhylid frogs is described from New Guinea that is unique in its combination of having only seven presacral vertebrae, a reduced phalangeal formula that leaves the fi rst fi ngers and fitoes as vestigial nubs, and reduction of the prepollex and prehallux to single elements. Relationships to other genera are unknown, but overall similarity suggests some relationship to Cophixalus, although that genus also diff ers in some muscle characters and likely remains paraphyletic. Th e new genus contains two species, which are among the smallest known frogs in the world. Th eir miniaturization may be related to their inhabiting leaf litter, exploitation of which may select for small size. Th e new genus is currently known only from one mountaintop in the southeasternmost portion of New Guinea and another on a nearby island. Th is region is part of the East Papuan Composite Terrane and, should this lineage prove endemic to that region, it may suggest that it originated prior to that geological unit’s docking with mainland New Guinea at 23–29 MY.
Neuroimaging in developmental disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review considers the role of neuroimaging in developmental disorders by highlighting recent studies in two distinct, but overlapping, developmental disorders: autism and fragile X syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS: After a decade of conflicting results in neuroimaging studies of autism, recent studies have provided some convergent data. One well-replicated finding is that autistic subjects have larger brains. Further, this enlargement, present as early as 3 years of age, appears to represent accelerated growth in infancy and may be followed by slowed growth in late childhood. Other findings are discussed but considered preliminary in the absence of converging evidence or replication studies. Recent work in fragile X syndrome suggests aberrant fronto-striatal and fronto-parietal networks and relates these abnormalities "forward" to behavior and "backward" to decreased protein expression. SUMMARY: As the field of neuroimaging has matured, it has revealed its promise as a safe, reliable, in-vivo tool in the study of developmental disorders. By insisting on larger, more homogeneous patient groups and longitudinal rather than cross-sectional studies, the field is poised to fulfill its ultimate role of linking defects in molecular biology to aberrant behavior.
Recovering temporal integrity with Data Driven Time Synchronization

Data Driven Time Synchronization (DDTS) provides synchronization across sensors by using underlying characteristics of data collected by an embedded sensing system. We apply the concept of Data Driven Time Synchronization through a seismic deployment consisting of 100 seismic sensors to repair data that was not time synchronized correctly. This deployment used GPS for time synchronization, but due to system faults common to environmental sensing systems, data was collected with large time offsets. In seismic deployments, offset data is often never used, but we show that Data Driven Time Synchronization can recover the synchronization and make the data usable. To implement Data Driven Time Synchronization to repair the time offsets we use microseisms as the underlying characteristics. Microseisms are waves that travel through the earth's crust and are independent of the seismic events used for the study of the earth's structure. We have developed a model of microseism propagation through a linear seismic array and use the model to obtain time correction shifts. By simulating time offsets in real data which does not have offsets, we determined that this method is able to repair the offset to between 0.05 and 0.2 seconds. Our ongoing work will attempt to refine the model to correct the offsets to less than 0.05 seconds and evaluate how errors in the correction affect seismic results such as event location. Data Driven Time Synchronization may be applicable to other high data rate embedded sensing applications such as acoustic source localization.
Tailored Health Communication to Change Lifestyle Behaviors

Tailored health communication research represents a very promising line of inquiry that has the potential to produce major impacts on lifestyle behaviors. This study defines tailoring and discusses how tailored interventions operate, including comparing/ contrasting different tailoring channels. Next, the authors review the literature on tailored interventions to change lifestyle behaviors, with a focus on smoking cessation, dietary change, and physical activity, as well as interventions that address multiple lifestyle behaviors. Finally, future directions for tailoring research are discussed. To date, a large literature has amassed showing the promise of tailored programs delivered via print, Internet, local computer/kiosk, telephone, and interpersonal channels. Numerous studies demonstrate that these programs are capable of significant impacts on smoking cessation, dietary change, physical activity, and multiple behavior change. It is concluded that the potential of tailoring will be more fully realized...
A plasma compact source of low concentration of NOx

The simple and reliable plasma compact source of low concentration of NOx with range 2–200 ppm is described in this paper. The source consists of a pulsed high voltage generator and a spark plug with an air gas line or compressor. The plasma chemical reactions allow production of NOx. The electrical circuit for generating plasma is also presented. The results are evaluated against NOx concentration measurements taken with an FTIR. The applications of the compact source of low concentration NOx for test and calibration of NOx sensors are given.
Triglyceride alters lysosomal cholesterol ester metabolism in cholesteryl ester-laden macrophage foam cells.

In late-stage atherosclerosis, much of the cholesterol in macrophage foam cells resides within enlarged lysosomes. Similarly, human macrophages incubated in vitro with modified LDLs contain significant amounts of lysosomal free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester (CE), which disrupts lysosomal function similar to macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. The lysosomal cholesterol cannot be removed, even in the presence of strong efflux promoters. Thus, efflux of sterol is prevented. In the artery wall, foam cells interact with triglyceride-rich particles (TRPs) in addition to modified LDLs. Little is known about how TRP metabolism affects macrophage cholesterol. Therefore, we explored the effect of TRP on intracellular CE metabolism. Triglyceride (TG), delivered to lysosomes in TRP, reduced CE accumulation by 50%. Increased TG levels within the cell, particularly within lysosomes, correlated with reductions in CE content. The volume of cholesterol-engorged lysosomes decreased after TRP treatment, indicating cholesterol was cleared. Lysosomal TG also reduced the cholesterol-induced inhibition of lysosomal acidification allowing lysosomes to remain active. Enhanced degradation and clearance of CE may be explained by movement of cholesterol out of the lysosome to sites where it is effluxed. Thus, our results show that introduction of TG into CE-laden foam cells influences CE metabolism and, potentially, atherogenesis.—Ullery-Ricewick, J. C., B. E. Cox, E. E. Griffin, and W. G. Jerome. Triglyceride alters lysosomal cholesterol ester metabolism in cholesteryl ester-laden macrophage foam cells.
An ultra-wideband baseband front-end

A 900 MHz bandwidth front-end with a -100dB/decade roll-off for a baseband pulse-based BPSK ultra-wideband transceiver is designed and tested in 1.8 V 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS. Trade-offs in noise figure (NF) and voltage gain within broadband power-matched and un-matched (voltage-boosted) conditions of the front-end are discussed. The front-end achieves 38 dB of gain and 10.2 dB of average NF in the power-matched case, and 42 dB of gain and 7.9 dB of average NF in the un-matched case. Theory and measurements of the matching techniques and microwave design parameters upon NF and UWB signal to sinusoidal interferer ratios are also presented.
Implementation of Universal Postpartum Screening on a High‐Risk L&D Unit Specializing in Delivering Babies with Birth Defects

Poster Presentation Objective A postpartum mental health screening tool was implemented within a high‐risk obstetric unit to identify risks experienced among women giving birth to infants with confirmed fetal anomalies. Design A universal screening protocol was implemented into standard postpartum care. Any woman indicating clinical risk was referred to the psychologist for further assessment to determine appropriate treatment and intervention. A cross‐sectional design was used to measure the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress risk reported among this population and further analyses were used to determine demographic factors and/or fetal diagnoses that correlated with greater postpartum mental health risk. Setting The Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit (SDU) opened in 2008 as the first state‐of‐the‐art birthing facility located within a pediatric hospital. Each year approximately 300 to 400 pregnant women carrying fetuses with birth defects and/or complex medical and genetic conditions give birth in the SDU. Sample During the 6‐month study period, 164 women completed a postpartum screening tool on Day 1 postdelivery. Methods On postpartum Day 1, participants were asked to complete screening by their bedside nurses. Those women with clinically significant symptoms were referred to the clinical psychologist for additional triage and intervention prior to their SDU discharge. Results A total of 164 women completed screening tools during the 6‐month study period. The majority of infants in the sample had congenital heart defects (42.1%), neurological defects (19.5%), and gastrointestinal anomalies (9.8%); 32.3% of mothers had clinically significant risk for postpartum depression symptoms, and 5.5% had symptoms of traumatic stress risk in response to seeing their infants for the first time in the intensive care unit (ICU). Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice Findings demonstrated that standardized postpartum screening for women with fetuses with confirmed anomalies is paramount. The success of this screening tool is dependent on nurses’ commitment to presenting the tool in a standardized manner as part of routine postpartum care. The information received can assist rapid assessment and implementation of therapeutic interventions prior to a woman's SDU discharge. This could ultimately help promote effective coping skills to manage her emotional well‐being during the neonatal ICU hospitalization and mediate a possible exacerbation of psychological symptoms in the postpartum period.
Template to Perpetrate: An Update on Violence in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: For the past two decades, researchers have been using various approaches to investigate the relationship, if any, between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and violence. The need to clarify that relationship was reinforced by the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012 by an individual diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. The purpose of this article is (1) to provide an updated review of the literature on the association between ASD and violence, and (2) to examine implications for treating, and for preventing violence by, individuals with ASD. METHOD: A review of all published literature regarding ASD and violence from 1943 to 2014 was conducted using electronic and paper searches. RESULTS: Although some case reports have suggested an increased violence risk in individuals with ASD compared to the general population, prevalence studies have provided no conclusive evidence to support this suggestion. Among individuals with ASD, however, generative (e.g., comorbid psychopathology, social-cognition deficits, emotion-regulation problems) and associational (e.g., younger age, Asperger's syndrome diagnosis, repetitive behavior) risk factors have been identified or proposed for violent behavior. CONCLUSIONS: While no conclusive evidence indicates that individuals with ASD are more violent than those without ASD, specific generative and associational risk factors may increase violence risk among individuals with ASD. Further research would help to clarify or confirm these findings, suggest potential directions for evaluation, treatment, and prevention, and potentially provide compelling empirical support for forensic testimony regarding defendants with ASD charged with violent crimes. Language: en