cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sales Survey - 2010

This Article is a survey of the highlights of noteworthy sales cases from 2009 decided under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Particular Article 2 highlights include the warranty cases of Wade v. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc., Wilke v. Woodhouse Ford, Inc. and Nigro v. Lee and the Florists' Mutual Insurance Co. v. Lewis Taylor Farms, Inc. and the adequate assurances case of Validsa, Inc. v. PDVSA Services Inc.
Performance of slotted asynchronous DS/CDMA for personal access satellite system

In this paper a new approximation for the probability of packet success for an asynchronous direct sequence code division multiple access (DS/CDMA) system is developed. Then this approximation is used to investigate the throughput-delay performance of a slotted asynchronous DS/CDMA protocol for personal access satellite system. It is found that when sufficient amount of error control coding is employed, the maximum throughput of the slotted asynchronous DS/CDMA protocol exceeds that of narrow-band slotted ALOHA. Furthermore, at the maximum throughput the slotted asynchronous DS/CDMA protocol achieves shorter delay than narrow-band slotted ALOHA.
Motivation management in AGI systems

AGI systems should be able to manage its motivations or goals that are persistent, spontaneous, mutually restricting, and changing over time. A mechanism for handles this kind of goals is introduced and discussed.
Xbox Kinect Training to Improve Clinical Measures of Balance in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Falls are a leading cause of injury and death for old adults, with one risk factor for falls being balance deficits. The low cost (<400 USD), wide availability, and ability to incorporate multiple training paradigms make gaming systems appealing as possible balance intervention tools. To investigate the feasibility of using the Xbox Kinect for training to improve clinical measures of balance in old adults and retain improvements after a period of time. Thirteen healthy old adults (aged 70+ years) were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group completed Kinect training three times a week for 3 weeks while the control group continued with normal activities. Four clinical measures of balance were assessed before training, 1 week and 1 month after training: Berg balance scale (BBS), Fullerton advanced balance (FAB) scale, functional reach (FR), and timed up and go (TUG). The ability to implement the training program was successful. The experimental group significantly increased their BBS and FAB after training while the control group did not. There was no significant change for either groups with FR and TUG. A training program using the Kinect with commercially available games was feasible with old adults. Kinect training may be an inexpensive way for old adults to receive helpful feedback encouraging them to continue with balance training program in their home.
The influence of information presentation formats on complex task decision-making performance

Understanding the influence of information presentation formats on decision-making effectiveness is an important component of human-computer interaction user interface design. The pervasive nature and ease of use associated with information display formats in wideiy used personal productivity software suggests that decision-makers are likely to create and/or use documents with both text-based and more visually oriented information displays. Past research has investigated the role of these displays on simple decision tasks; however, empirical research has not extended to more complex tasks, more comparable to the types of tasks decision-makers face every day. Results from the empirical analysis suggest that the relationship between information presentation format and decision performance is moderated by the complexity of the task. More specifically, spatial formats result in superior decision accuracy for simple- and complex-spatial tasks and faster decision time for all tasks except the complex-symbolic task where graphs and tables result in equivalent decision time.
THE EFFECTS OF PROSTAGLAN DIN E2 (PGE2) AND MECLOFENAMATE (M) IN BREATHING MOVEMENTS IN FETAL SHEEP ARE NOT MEDIATED THROUGH PERIPHERAL CHEMORECEPTORS

PGE2 inhibits fetal breathing movements (FBM); the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, M, stimulates FBM. To determine if these effects are mediated through the peripheral chemoreceptors, we studied 13 chronically catheterized fetuses; 7 had bilateral sections of carotid sinus and vagus nerves; 6 had sham operations. FBM (by tracheal catheter) and electrocortical activity (ECoA) were recorded continuously. After a control (C) period (19.9±4.5h; mean±SD) we infused PGE2 (0.6±0.2 μg/kg/min) or M (0.4±0.2 mg/kg/h) for 20.0±2.1 h per infusion. Infusions were separated ≥ 48 h. The incidences and amplitudes of FBM were lower in the denervated group (Table). (values=mean±SD; °P<0.05 compared to C; ¶P<0.05 compared to Sham). However, the % change from C during infusions was similar in both groups as were the ECoA, arterial pH, PO2, PCO2 and pressures. We conclude that peripheral chemoreceptor denervation significantly affects FBM; however the effects of PGE2 and M on FBM are not mediated through the peripheral chemoreceptors. (USPHS HL-27356).
Amplitude universality and confluent corrections to scaling for Ising models

Using existing series for spin-$s$ Ising models and for continuous-spin Ising models, we have verified the universality of the ratio of the amplitudes associated with the leading confluent corrections to the susceptibility and to the correlation length. We have, thereby, tested the universality of the subcritical part of the correlation function, of which the universality of the amplitude ratio in question is a direct consequence.
Phenylpropanolamine decreases food intake in rats made hyperphagic by various stimuli.

Phenylpropanolamine (PPA, d,l-norephedrine), found in many over-the-counter appetite suppressants and nasal decongestants, induces anorexia by a yet unidentified mechanism. The present study evaluates the effects of PPA on different types of non-drug- and drug-induced hyperphagias (i.e., food deprivation, 2-deoxy glucose, ketocyclazocine and insulin). Phenylpropanolamine (15, 25 and 35 mg/kg IP) significantly reduced food intake in a dose-related fashion at the 1 hr and 3 hr time intervals in the food deprivation-, insulin- and 2-deoxy glucose-induced hyperphagic models. Phenylpropanolamine produced a non-dose-related 99% reduction of food intake in the ketocyclazocine-induced model at the 1 and 3 hr measurement, which was most likely due to a combination of the appetite suppressant activity of PPA and the sedation produced by ketocyclazocine in combination with PPA. We conclude that PPA is capable of suppressing appetite in rats made hyperphagic by various stimuli.
Local multi-valued logics in modular expert systems

Abstract Abstract. In this paper we describe an approach to the problem of dealing with uncertainty by means of finite multi-valued logics in modular expert systems, and the results obtained. The modularity of the systems allows us to address two main characteristics of human problem-solving: the adaptation of general knowledge to particular problems and the dependency of the management of uncertainty on the different subtasks being implemented in the modules of the system, i.e. different modules can have different local multiple-valued logics as part of their local deductive mechanisms. Although the results obtained are general, we use, throughout the paper, examples of a medical expert system that has been designed using a modular language called MILORD-II, that implements them showing the practical interest of the theoretical concepts involved.
Acetaminophen Toxicity in Mice Lacking NADPH Oxidase Activity: Role of Peroxynitrite Formation and Mitochondrial Oxidant Stress

Previous data have indicated that activated macrophages may play a role in the mediation of acetaminophen toxicity. In the present study, we examined the significance of superoxide produced by macrophages by comparing the toxicity of acetaminophen in wild-type mice to mice deficient in gp91phox, a critical subunit of NADPH oxidase that is the primary source of phagocytic superoxide. Both groups of mice were dosed with 300 mg/kg of acetaminophen or saline and sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 or 24 h. Glutathione in total liver and in mitochondria was depleted by approximately 90% at 1 h in wild-type and knock out mice. No significant differences in toxicity (serum transaminase levels or histopathology) were observed between wild-type and mice deficient in gp91phox. Mitochondrial glutathione disulfide, as a percent of total glutathione, was determined as a measure of oxidant stress produced by increased superoxide, leading to hydrogen peroxide and/or peroxynitrite. The percent mitochondrial glutathione disulfide increased to approximately 60% at 1 h and 70% at 2 h in both groups of mice. Immunohistochemical staining for nitrotyrosine was present in vascular endothelial cells at 1 h in both groups of mice. Acetaminophen protein adducts were present in hepatocytes at 1 h in both wild-type and knock out animals. These data indicate that superoxide from activated macrophages is not critical to the development of acetaminophen toxicity and provide further support for the role of mitochondrial oxidant stress in acetaminophen toxicity.
Perceived Emotional Maltreatment Factors of African Americans in the Workplace

Abstract Although progress is gradually being made in the fight against discrimination in the workplace, African Americans encounter emotional maltreatment from unique experiences in hostile work environments. Emotional maltreatment on the job is beginning to be recognized as a cause of psychological problems people experience such as increased stress, poor morale, and many precipitate personnel grievances and even lower productivity. This article reports on the perceptions of college students about the unfair treatment of African Americans in the workplace. The study found that they perceive that African Americans in the workplace are treated unfairly with less promotion and job advancement opportunities. Symptoms of depression and anxiety often are perceived as a result of workplace discriminatory acts. Results of this study show that African American college students believe that emotional maltreatment frequently occurs and further causes depression and anxiety.
Suspended-material transport in marsh tidal channels, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Abstract Suspended-material concentrations in a salt-marsh tidal channel on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, ranged from 6 to 50 mg/l in March, 1977, and from 10 to 200 mg/l in July–August, 1977. Higher summer than winter concentrations are related to more biologic activity and increased thundershower frequency. Maximum suspended-material concentrations for both periods occurred during spring tides when tidal prisms were greater and, consequently, current velocities were stronger, or during high winds or heavy rains. Monitoring of the flux of suspended material during fifteen tidal cycles in March, 1977, indicated there was an export of combustible (organic) matter and a balance of noncombustible (inorganic) matter for that period. During eight tidal cycles in July–August, 1977, there was a net export of both combustible and noncombustible matter. Export of suspended material is attributed to the time—velocity asymmetry of the tidal currents. Maximum current velocity for both flood and ebb tide occur near high slack water (time asymmetry). Peak ebb velocity is, on the average, 20–30% stronger than peak flood velocity (velocity asymmetry). Consequently, higher concentrations of suspended material are transported for longer periods of time on the ebb tide, resulting in a seaward movement of material.
Lymphatic complications in renal allografts - A new look

The pathophysiology of lymphatic complications was evaluated in 10 patients as to the possible source of lymphatic fluid. Both the recipient's peripheral lymphatics and the allograft's lymphatics were found to contribute to lymphatic complications. The prevention of lymphoceles and lymphatic fistulas may be accomplished by careful ligation of both the recipient's and the allograft's lymphatics.
Detection of space shift keying signaling in large MIMO systems

The detection problem of the space shift keying (SSK) signaling and its generalized form (namely, generalized SSK or GSSK) in the emerging large-scale multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems is discussed in this paper. First, we explicitly formulate the tree search and column search detection schemes achieving optimal maximum likelihood (ML) performance, and discuss their pros and cons in the context of large MIMO systems where the size of the GSSK modulation alphabet increases significantly. Secondly, we propose two useful suboptimal detection methods for large MIMO systems and large-alphabet GSSK signaling based on convex relaxation, which induce an approximately 2–4 dB performance penalty as shown through experimental results.
Erythrocyte membrane adenosine triphosphatase activities in patients with endogenous depression and healthy subjects

. Specific activities of erythrocyte membrane Na-K ATP-ase, Mg ATP-ase and Ca-Mg ATP-ase were measured in twenty-five patients with endogenous depression both during acute phase of the illness and in remission as well as in sixteen healthy subjects. The three ATP-ase activities were significantly lower during depressive phase than in remission period. The ATP-ase values of depressive patients in remission did not differ from those of healthy controls. No difference was found in respect to parameters studied between the group of patients with depression in the course of bipolar manic-depressive psychosis and patients with unipolar depression both in depression and remission. These data may suggest that the reduced activity of ATP-ases in depressed patients is not due to a primary genetic defect but is an episodic change associated with depression. In view of consistency of this phenomenon its diagnostic and research potential is worthy of further study.
Emergence phenology of plecoptera from sixmile creek, erie county, pennsylvania, USA

Abstract This is the second paper in a series on the emergence patterns of aquatic insects from a sandstone‐shale first‐order stream of northwestern Pennsylvania. Fifteen species, with 6,708 specimens, in six families were collected from the Sixmile Creek site over five years. Adults occurred from March through August in 1977–79, in January 1980 and September 1981. Peak months of emergence in terms of total collection were May, with Sweltsa onkos (Ricker) and Amphinemura nigritta (Provancher) predominant, and July with Leuctra tenuis (Pictet) predominant.
Effect of Thickness of the Intergranular Film on Fracture in Si3N4

Molecular dynamics computer simulations were used to study the fracture behavior of silica intergranular films (IGFs) between silicon nitride crystals as a function of film thickness. Results showed a significant increase in fracture stress with decreasing IGF thickness. IGFs that are 2 nm thick fracture similarly to bulk silica glass, while the 1 nm IGF fractured at a much higher value. The simulations show bond rupture and rearrangement of siloxane rings that coalescence to form larger rings, or “voids.” The delineating difference in the systems is the significantly larger concentration of six-membered rings in the 1 nm IGF in comparison to the 2 nm IGF or bulk silica glass. The Si–O bond is more stable in six-membered rings than other ring sizes. Rupture is more catastrophic in the 1 nm IGF than the other systems where stress decays more slowly with strain.
Digital optical computers at Boulder

The digital optical computing program within the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center for Optoelectronic Computing Systems has as its specific goal research on optical computing architectures suitable for use at the highest possible speeds. The program can be targeted toward exploiting the time domain because other programs in the Center are pursuing research on parallel optical systems, exploiting optical interconnection and optical devices and materials. Using a general purpose computing architecture as the focus, the authors are developing design techniques, tools, and architectures for operation at the speed of light limit. Experimental work is being done with the somewhat low speed components currently available but with architectures which will scale up in speed as faster devices are developed. The design algorithms and tools developed for a general purpose, stored program computer are being applied to other systems such as optically controlled optical communications networks.
The History of the Rorschach: Overcoming Bias in Multicultural Projective Assessment

Cet article presente une revue de la recherche sur l’evaluation multiculturelle. Cette recherche est organisee en termes de definitions des biais en accord avec la litterature psychometrique: validite, differences de moyennes, invariance des facteurs, validite predictive, et equivalence de mesures. Dans un deuxieme temps, nous presentons l’histoire du test des taches d’encre de Rorschach en insistant sur le Systeme Integre. Enfin, nous discutons de la facon dont le Rorschach, et tout particulierement le Systeme Integre, a tente de depasser les biais de l’evaluation projective. Est-il approprie d’utiliser des tests psychologiques developpes pour les groupes culturels majeurs aux Etats-Unis? C’est une question dont on debat depuis plusieurs decennies. La litterature psychometrique portant sur les biais des tests indique que les tests psychologiques traditionnels doivent etre remis en question dans leur utilisation avec des groupes ethniques, raciaux, linguistiques, et culturels diversifies. Bien qu’il y ait...
William Barton Rogers and the Southern Sieve: Revisiting Science, Slavery, and Higher Learning in the Old South

William Barton Rogers, conceptual founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pursued two interrelated careers in nineteenth-century America: one centered on his activities in science and the other on his higher educational reform efforts. His scientific peers knew him as a geologist and natural philosopher, director of the first geological survey of Virginia, author of over one hundred publications in science, and promoter of professionalization. His colleagues in higher education, meanwhile, thought of him as the reform-minded professor at the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia, who later left the South and established one of America's first technological institutes. Comparatively little has been written about either of these areas of Rogers's life and career. We know much more about the scientific and educational thought of such figures as Louis Agassiz at Harvard, Benjamin Silliman at Yale, Joseph Henry at Princeton, and Alexander Dallas Bache at the helm of the Coast Survey. The literature on Rogers, by comparison, has offered little insight into his life and even less about his relationship to broader developments in nineteenth-century science and higher learning.
Analytical and numerical studies of a singularly perturbed Boussinesq equation

We study the singularly perturbed (sixth-order) Boussinesq equation recently introduced by Daripa and Hua [Appl. Math. Comput. 101 (1999) 159]. Motivated by their work, we formally derive this equation from two-dimensional potential flow equations governing the small amplitude long capillary-gravity waves on the surface of shallow water for Bond number very close to but less than 1/3. On the basis of far-field analyses and heuristic arguments, we show that the traveling wave solutions of this equation are weakly non-local solitary waves characterized by small amplitude fast oscillations in the far-field. We review various analytical and numerical methods originally devised to obtain this type of weakly non-local solitary wave solutions of the singularly perturbed (fifth-order) KdV equation. Using these methods, we obtain weakly non-local solitary wave solutions of the singularly perturbed (sixth-order) Boussinesq equation and provide estimates of the amplitude of oscillations which persist in the far-field.
Passive Mechanical Analysis of Engineered Myotube Fibers

The loss of functional muscle as a product of genetic disease, traumatic injury, or surgical excisions results in a physiological deficiency that still remains without an effective clinical treatment [1]. Engineering of functional tissue in vitro for replacement in vivo might pose as a potential remedy for this clinical demand. By approaching tissue engineering from the bottom-up, geometrically directing myoblast growth provides a means for constructing tissue replacements cell-by-cell versus the traditional decellularized construct that remains limited by its size and ability to deliver cellular nutrients. Furthermore, geometrically controlling the growth of myoblasts allows for direct manipulation of the structural and mechanical properties inherent to muscular tissue.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Zinc does not inhibit the capacitation of human spermatozoa in vitro

The effects of zinc on human sperm motility, fertilizing capacity (as assessed by penetration of human spermatozoa into the zona pellucida-free hamster oocyte), and nuclear chromatin decondensation were investigated using spermatozoa from four fertile donors. Both sperm motility and the penetration of sperm into zona-free hamster ova were consistently impaired in media containing 1,000 μM zinc. Spermatozoa from one man were similarly affected at a concentration of 500 μM zinc, but no adverse effects were noted at this zinc concentration in experiments with other donors. Since decreased fertilizing capacity in response to zinc was always accompanied by a significant decline in both the percentage of motile cells and mean swimming speeds, it appears that all of these results reflect a general toxic effect on the cells. At lower concentrations (125–250 μM), zinc had no effect on human sperm motility nor their ability to undergo capacitation and penetrate zona-free hamster ova in vitro. For some donors, zinc (125–500 μM) stimulated both the attachment of spermatozoa to the hamster vitellus and the incorporation of spermatozoa into the hamster ooplasm. The decondensation of human sperm nuclear chromatin in sodium dodecyl sulfate was largely inhibited when zinc was added to the medium, but no significant changes in nuclear stability were apparent after capacitation in zinc-free medium. We conclude that zinc, when present in subtoxic concentrations, does not adversely affect the ability of human spermatozoa to undergo capacitation and penetrate zona-free hamster ova in vitro.
Mammary gland tumor formation in transgenic mice overexpressing stromelysin-1

An intact basement membrane (BM) is essential for the proper function, differentiation and morphology of many epithelial cells. The disruption or loss of this BM occurs during normal development as well as in the disease state. To examine the importance of BM during mammary gland development in vivo, we generated transgenic mice that inappropriately express autoactivating isoforms of the matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-1. The mammary glands from these mice are both functionally and morphologically altered throughout development. We have now documented a dramatic incidence of breast tumors in several independent lines of these mice. These data suggest that overexpression of stromelysin-1 and disruption of the BM may be a key step in the multi-step process of breast cancer.
Effects of trauma to the mandibular nerve on human perioral directional sensitivity.

Abstract The capacity of 4 patients who had previously experienced trauma to their mandibular nerves to distinguish opposing directions of tactile motion over the distribution of the mental nerve was compared to that of 8 neurologically normal adults. Brushing stimuli were delivered to the perioral region and were precisely controlled for their velocity, the length of skin traversed, the width of skin contacted, and the orientation and direction of motion. A temporal, 2-alternative, forced choice method was used to obtain estimates of directional sensitivity, d′. It was discovered that impairment in cutaneous directional sensitivity could be readily detected within areas of hypaesthesia. Although directional sensitivity was found to increase linearly with the length of skin traversed for both the patients and the neurologically normal adults, the slope and the x-intercept of the linear relationship differed between the two groups. The difference in the slope suggests that direction discrimination within the hypaesthetic areas is relatively insensitive to changes in the length of skin traversed. The difference in the x-intercept suggests that a greater length of skin must be traversed before any information about direction is made available at the hypaesthetic sites. The dependency of the capacity of neurologically normal and impaired individuals to process information about direction of tactile motion on the length of skin traversed and the velocity of stimulation suggests that a high degree of stimulus control is required for the detection and quantification of subtle neurosensory deficits.
Strategic trading when some investors receive information before others

Abstract This paper examines trading and price behavior when some investors receive information before others. It shows that early-informed investors trade more intensely on the information they share with late-informed investors at first to exploit it before the latter can do so. They reverse their trading strategy in the second round. The paper also shows that price and price moves are positively correlated with information. More interestingly, it discovers that under some conditions, subsequent price changes are positively correlated. Finally, it shows that early-informed investors may behave like contrarians.
Forecasting discount window borrowing

Abstract This paper compares the predictive performance of five recent models of banks' demand for borrowed reserves using post-sample simulation. The findings indicate that models which incorporate observed nonlinearity and switching in the borrowings-interest rate spread relationship outperform the linear nonswitching model. However, the best performance is obtained from the model in which switching and aggregation are considered in the theoretical derivation. Forecasting the level of borrowed reserves is critical to the FOMC reserve targeting procedure. Hence, a comparison of model robustness and stability using post-sample simulation provides useful information to the FOMC in its search for a reliable borrowed reserves demand model.
Primary production: Depression of oxygen evolution in algal cultures by organophosphorus insecticides

Photosynthesis of four estuarine phytoplankters was inhibited by Baytex and Abate (organophosphates), Baygon (carbamate) and DDT (chlorinated hydrocarbon). Responses varied with the algal species and with the insecticide. The order from most to least toxic insecticide was Baytex, Baygon, DDT, Abate and the order from least to most sensitive alga wasC. nana,P. cornutum=S. costatum,D. euchlora.
On the time-space tradeoff for sorting with linear queries

Extending a result of Borodin, et al., we show that any branching program using linear queries " $\sum_{i} {\lambda}_i {x_i}: c$ " to sort n numbers $x_1$,$x_2$,...,$x_n$ must satisfy the time-space tradeoff relation TS = $\Omega (n_2)$. The same relation is also shown to be true for branching programs that use queries " min R = ? " where R is any subset of {$x_1$,$x_2$,...,$x_n$}.
Supported Employment in New York State: A Comparison of Benefits and Costs:

The rapid growth of supported employment programs in the last five years has been accompanied by the strong belief that through such programs many people with severe disabilities would be more satisfied with their lives and receive higher earnings than in sheltered workshops, work activity centers, and adult day care. This paper presents data collected in New York State that test these propositions and compare the benefits with the costs of operating the supported employment program.
The Macrophage Cholesterol Exporter ABCA1 Functions as an Anti-inflammatory Receptor

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a cell membrane protein that exports excess cholesterol from cells to apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the major protein in high density lipoproteins. Genetic studies have shown that ABCA1 protects against cardiovascular disease. The interaction of apoA-I with ABCA1 promotes cholesterol removal and activates signaling molecules, such as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), that optimize the lipid export activity of ABCA1. Here we show that the ABCA1-mediated activation of JAK2 also activates STAT3, which is independent of the lipid transport function of ABCA1. ABCA1 contains two candidate STAT3 docking sites that are required for the apoA-I/ABCA1/JAK2 activation of STAT3. The interaction of apoA-I with ABCA1-expressing macrophages suppressed the ability of lysopolysaccaride to induce the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, which was reversed by silencing STAT3 or ABCA1. Thus, the apoA-I/ABCA1 pathway in macrophages functions as an anti-inflammatory receptor through activation of JAK2/STAT3. These findings implicate ABCA1 as a direct molecular link between the cardioprotective effects of cholesterol export from arterial macrophages and suppressed inflammation.
The phase diagram of plutonium

Abstract The pressure dependence of the phase transitions of plutonium, including melting, has been measured to 35 kbars. The phase transitions were detected by differential thermal analysis and by volume discontinuity. Three triple points were detected, the γ-δϵ, γ-ϵ-liquid, and s-γ-liquid. The technique was not sufficiently sensitive to detect the δ-δ′ transition, and thus the γ-δ-δ′ triple point was determined.
Initiation and propagation stages of β-amyloid are associated with distinctive apolipoprotein E, age, and gender profiles

Several recent studies have defined a relationship between apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype and the risk of various neurodegenerative disorders. However, few studies have examined the influence of apoE on quantitative measures of β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation in a large population of autopsy cases. Using a multi-level analysis model, the interrelationships among apoE genotype, gender, age, and Aβ accumulation were investigated. In the population of these cases, there was a strong relationship between the presence of an e4 allele and extent of Aβ in the frontal and entorhinal cortex. That is, when evaluating the presence or absence of significant Aβ (>1% Aβ load), subjects with one and two e4 alleles were 1.9 and 3.5 times more likely to have significant Aβ accumulation than those with no e4 alleles. These risks increased by a multiplicative factor of 1.014 for each year of age (at the time of death). In the subset of cases with significant Aβ (>1% Aβ load), the degree of Aβ load was best predicted by the presence of an e2 allele and gender; females with no e2 alleles had the highest Aβ loads (mean=12.3%), while males with one e2 allele had the lowest amount of Aβ accumulation (mean=8.6%). Our results suggest that the presence of an e4 allele predicts an earlier onset of Aβ deposition that is independent of gender. In contrast, once Aβ deposition has been initiated, the presence of an e2 allele is associated with slower rates of accumulation, with males benefiting from the protective effect more than females.
Uniqueness of solution for the Robin problem in high-frequency vibrations of elastic plates

The interior and exterior Robin boundary value problems are considered for the high-frequency harmonic oscillations of a plate with transverse shear deformation, and the uniqueness of their solutions is investigated in terms of eigenfrequencies and far-field radiation conditions.
The mechanical properties of nanostructured materials

In this paper, the state-of-the-art progress in research on novel mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials and carbon nanotubes is reviewed. There is evidence that the relation between the strength of nanocrystalline materials and grain size does not observe the classic Hall-Petch plot. Lowtemperature and high-strain rate superplasticity have been found in some nanocrystalline materials. Theoretical prediction and experimental data indicate that carbon nanotubes are materials with high stiffness, high strength, great toughness, and low density. There are already some application examples for novel mechanical properties of nanocrystalline materials and carbon nanotubes.
The Changing Structure of American Gambling in the Twentieth Century

The author examines some of the factors that altered the economics and control of policy and numbers gambling, bookmaking, and casino gambling from 1900 to 1950. The factors include the emergence of black ghettoes after World War I and the consequent rise of blacks to controlling positions in numbers and policy banks; the changing ownership and activities of the national race and sports information service; the increasing use of the telephone for making sports bets; and the sudden wealth of bootleggers in the 1920's along with their growing involvement in gambling enterprises. The author concludes that these factors exercised a diverse and interrelated influence on the history of American gambling.
Landscape Conservation Cooperatives: Building a Network to Help Fulfill Public Trust Obligations

The Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) network (Network), comprised of 22 conservation partnerships spanning North America and U.S. Islands, is uniquely positioned to assist government member...
TurSOM: A paradigm bridging Turing's unorganized machines and self-organizing maps demonstrating dual self-organization

Self-organization is a widely used technique in unsupervised learning and data analysis, largely exemplified by k-means clustering, self-organizing maps (SOM) and adaptive resonance theory. In this paper we present a new algorithm: TurSOM, inspired by Turing's unorganized machines and Kohonen's SOM. Turing's unorganized machines are an early model of neural networks characterized by self-organizing connections, as opposed to self-organizing neurons in SOM. TurSOM introduces three new mechanisms to facilitate both neuron and connection self-organization. These mechanisms are: a connection learning rate, connection reorganization, and a neuron responsibility radius. TurSOM is implemented in a 1-dimensional network (i.e. chain of neurons) to exemplify the theoretical implications of these features. In this paper we demonstrate that TurSOM is superior to the classical SOM algorithm in several ways: (1) speed until convergence; (2) independent clusters; and (3) tangle-free networks.
Biotin analogs activate guanylate cyclase

The sulfur atom in the vitamin biotin has previously been suggested to be essential in biotin's mechanism of action. In a series of investigations on structure-function relationships with biotin analogs not containing the sulfur atom, the biotin analogs, azabiotin, bisnorazabiotin, carbobiotin and isoazabiotin enhanced guanylate cyclase, an enzyme that has recently been demonstrated to be activated by biotin. These analogs increased guanylate cyclase activity two-fold in liver, cerebellum, heart, kidney and colon at 1 μM concentrations. The ED50 for stimulation of guanulate cyclase activity occurred at 0.1 μM for each of the biotin analogs. These data indicate that the sulfur atom is not essential in biotin's activation of guanylate cyclase since these analogs do not contain the sulfur atom. Studies on the ring structure of biotin revealed that even compounds with a single 5-membered ring (2-imidazolidone) could augment guanylate cyclase activity. The guanylate cyclase co-factor manganese was not essential for the enhancement of guanylate cyclase by these agents but a maximal activation of this enzyme by these analogs could not be obtained without manganese present.
Radioactive target and ion source test facilities at HRIBF

Abstract The test facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) devoted to testing radioactive ion beam targets and ion sources are described. Beginning in 1992 various capabilities have been developed to support the RIB research mission of HRIBF. These facilities provide direct measurements of release efficiency from target materials, yields (ions/sec and efficiency) and hold up times from target/ion source configurations. In addition, target/ion source configurations can be easily tested and retested after configuration changes to provide optimized operating parameters for new target materials and ion sources.
Examining functional components of cover: the relationship between concealment and visibility in shrub-steppe habitat

The term “cover” has been used broadly in ecology, with a wide range of meanings, from thermal cover to security cover, to escape cover. Some habitat features could provide both thermal and security cover, or both concealment and escape cover; but in other cases, habitat features such as vegetation could impose a tradeoff between opposing functions of cover. Cover that conceals an animal from a predator also could reduce the animal's visibility and thus, its ability to detect a predator early enough to escape capture. We quantified the opposing functional properties of cover (concealment and visibility) and evaluated the relationship between these properties using continuous measures in sagebrush-steppe and grassland habitats. We hypothesized that concealment and visibility would be inversely related and that the slope of this relationship would differ among sites with varying density and patchiness of shrub vegetation, imposing differing tradeoff scenarios. Concealment and visibility were inversely, but not perfectly related, implying that animals must make tradeoffs between the properties of cover, but they could achieve higher levels of one property while giving up relatively less of the other. In addition, we examined potential tradeoffs by pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) by comparing concealment and visibility at locations used by rabbits with measurements collected at random locations. At a small scale, pygmy rabbits traded off visibility for concealment in dense and sparse vegetation, but not in patchy vegetation. Although cover is an intuitively simple concept, it is functionally more complex, and this study provides insight into the opposing mechanisms of cover that might influence habitat use. Our work provides an initial step towards more fully understanding how cover functionally relates to predation risk.
Multi-node static logic implications for redundancy identification

This paper presents a method for redundancy identification (RID) using multi-node logic implications. The algorithm discovers a large number of direct and indirect implications by extending single node implications to multiple nodes. The large number of implications found by multi-node implication method introduces a new redundancy identification technique. Our approach uses an effective node-pair selection method which is O(n) in the number of nodes to reduce execution time, and it can be used as an efficient preprocessing phase for test generation. Application of these multi-node static logic implications uncovered more redundancies in ISCAS85 combinational circuits than previous single-node methods without excessive computational effort.
Aerial image degradation effects due to imperfect sidewall profiles of EAPSM mask for 130-nm device node: 3D EMF simulations and wafer printing results

As our chip producing industry gearing up for mass production of 130nm device technology node, use of EAPSM (Embedded Attenuated Phase Shift Mask) technology in the critical pattern levels became unavoidable because of the low k1 factor lithography involved. However, this 2-layer EAPSM material (attenuator material covered with Chrome) requires two distinctively separate lithography/etch processes needed to be carried out. These added complexities of processes are prone to degradation of the absorber material's (MoSi) sidewall leading to imperfect sidewall profiles (top corner rounding, off-normal sidewall angle, etching intrusion into quartz substrate, footing, . . . etc.). These imperfections of sidewall cause aerial image degradations thus reduce effectiveness of full benefits of PSM technology. In this paper, we discuss our findings of mask level aerial image degradation dependency on EAPSM material sidewall imperfections, which result from immature mask making processes, and assessments of its effects on pattern transfer onto wafer level using 3&2D EMF and subsequent lithography simulations. The results were then, compared to actual wafer results for the wafer level printing confirmation to the simulation results. We distinguish consequence of resulting aerial image differences between EMF simulations vs. Kirchhoff approximation (treatment of absorber to be infinitely thin layer; normally used in conventional lithography simulations) in the KrF EAPSM material (MoSi). Furthermore, we have carried out look-ahead assessments for ArF (193nm) lithography using ArF EAPSM material (MoSiON) and made association between the sidewall profile variations and CD uniformity performance of EAPSM. We will make case that 3D EMF capability consideration is important in the low k1 factor lithography simulations.
Differences in human α- and β-globin gene expression in mouse erythroleukemia cells: The role of intragenic sequences

Abstract Human β-globin genes introduced into mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells by DNA cotransformation are correctly regulated when erythroid cell differentiation is induced by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In contrast, cloned human β-globin genes are efficiently transcribed in MEL cells prior to induction, and no increase in the level of α-globin mRNA is observed when the cells differentiate. These observations suggest that the mechanisms by which α- and β-globin genes are activated during erythroid cell differentiation are fundamentally different. Analysis of the transcription of hybrid human α/β-globin genes in MEL cells revealed that the sequences responsible for differences in transcription of the intact α-and β-globin genes are located on the 3′ side of the mRNA capping site of the two genes, suggesting that cis -acting regulatory sequences are located within the structural genes.
Detecting the singularities of a function of Vp class by its integrated Fourier series

In the present paper, we pursue the general idea suggested in our previous work. Namely, we utilize the truncated Fourier series as a tool for the approximation of the points of discontinuities and the magnitudes of jumps of a 2π-periodic bounded function. Earlier, we used the derivative of the partial sums, while in this work we use integrals. First, we obtain new identities which determine the jumps of a 2π-periodic function of Vp, 1 ≤ p < 2, class, with a finite number of discontinuities, by means of the tails of its integrated Fourier series. Next, based on these identities we establish asymptotic expansions for the approximations of the location of the discontinuity and the magnitude of the jump of a 2π-periodic piecewise smooth function with one singularity. By an appropriate linear combination, obtained via integrals of different order, we significantly improve the accuracy of the initial approximations. Then, we apply Richardson's extrapolation method to enhance the approximation results. For a function with multiple discontinuities we use simple formulae which “eliminate” all discontinuities of the function but one. Then we treat the function as if it had one singularity. Finally, we give the description of a programmable algorithm for the approximation of the discontinuities, investigate the stability of the method, study its complexity, and present some numerical results.
The duration of ventricular fibrillation required to produce pulseless electrical activity.

Abstract The duration of untreated (no cardiopulmonary resuscitation) ventricular fibrillation (VF) needed to produce postdefibrillation pulseless electrical activity (PEA) was determined in 9 anesthetized swine ranging in weight from 20 to 30 kg. VF was induced electrically by a right ventricular catheter electrode, while arterial pressure and the electrocardiogram were recorded. VF was confirmed by the presence of VF waves in the electrocardiogram and a loss of pulsatile arterial pressure. VF was allowed to persist for 15-second increments (eg, 15, 30, 45, etc), after which defibrillation was achieved with transchest electrodes and the presence or absence of PEA was noted. If PEA was present, rhythmic chest compressions were applied to rescue the animal. Just after initiation of VF and just before defibrillation, VF wave frequency was measured. PEA was encountered in 100% of the trials after 180 seconds of VF. The threshold duration for PEA was 60 seconds. VF wave frequency decreased with the passage of time. At VF initiation, VF wave frequency ( f 0 ) ranged from 6 to 15 per second, with a mean of 10.1 ± 2.1 per second. At 180 seconds ( f 180 ), the mean frequency was 4.0 ± 0 per second. It was only possible to eliminate PEA and restore pumping in 1 animal when untreated VF lasted more than 180 seconds. There was no clear transition in the frequency of the VF waves with the passage of time that could predict the possibility of postdefibrillation PEA. Moreover, because of the different initial VF wave frequencies and the different rates of decrease with time, a measurement of VF wave frequency is unlikely to be informative on how long VF had been present. A consistent finding in this swine study of prolonged untreated VF was a rise in blood K + which increased from a normal prefibrillation value of about 4 mEq/L to 8 to 12 mEq/L at 180 seconds. The longer the duration of VF, the higher the K + .
Immunoregulatory cytokine networks: 60 years of learning from murine cytomegalovirus

Innate immunity defends against infection but also mediates immunoregulatory effects shaping innate and adaptive responses. Studies of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infections have helped elucidate the mechanisms inducing, as well as the elicited soluble and cellular networks contributing to, innate immunity. Specialized receptors are engaged by infection-induced structures to stimulate production of key innate cytokines. These then stimulate cytokine and cellular responses such as activation of natural killer (NK) cells to mediate elevated killing by type 1 interferon (IFN) and/or to produce the pro-inflammatory and antiviral cytokine IFN-γ by interleukin 12 (IL-12). An inter-systemic loop, with IL-6 inducing glucocorticoid release, negatively regulates these early cytokine responses. As infections advance into periods of overlapping innate and adaptive responses, however, the cells are intrinsically conditioned to modify the biological effects of exposure to individual cytokines. Some pathways are turned off to inhibit an existing, whereas others are broadened for acquisition of a new, response function. Remarkably, extended NK cell proliferation during MCMV infection is associated with epigenetic modifications shifting the state of the inhibitory cytokine IL-10 gene from closed to open and results in their becoming equipped to produce this cytokine. When induced, NK cell IL-10 negatively regulates the magnitude of adaptive responses to protect against immune pathology. Thus, innate immunoregulatory cytokine networks are integral to pro-inflammatory and defense functions, but responding cells have the flexibility to undergo cell intrinsic conditioning with changing network characteristics to result in a new negative immunoregulatory function, and consequently, both promote beneficial and limit detrimental immune responses.