cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unmasking “Alive”: Children's Appreciation of a Concept Linking All Living Things

Decades of research have documented in school-aged children a persistent difficulty apprehending an overarching biological concept that encompasses animate entities like humans and non-human animals, as well as plants. This has led many researchers to conclude that young children have yet to integrate plants and animate entities into a concept LIVING THING. However, virtually all investigations have used the word “alive” to probe children’s understanding, a term that technically describes all living things, but in practice is often aligned with animate entities only. We show that when “alive” is replaced with less ambiguous probes, children readily demonstrate knowledge of an overarching concept linking plants with humans and non-human animals. This work suggests that children have a burgeoning appreciation of this fundamental biological concept, and that the word “alive” paradoxically masks young children’s appreciation of the concept to which it is meant to refer.
Nonperturbative analysis of the effective potential in the O ( N ) model

The effective potential $V(|\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}|)$ of a general $\mathrm{O}(N)$-symmetric scalar field theory is discussed. It is shown that the first and second derivatives of $V(|\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}|)$ with respect to the magnitude $|\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}|$ of the classical field cannot be negative. These properties imply that if spontaneous symmetry breaking occurs in such a model, then $V(|\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}|)$ does not exist for a range of $|\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}|$, and that at most one nontrivial minimum is present in the theory. This analysis does not depend upon the spacetime dimensionality of the system or upon the particulars of any perturbation series. The results of a Monte Carlo calculation of the derivative of the effective potential in a lattice version of the theory are also presented.
Functional changes in bladder tissue from type III collagen-deficient mice

Objective: Collagen fibers impart tensile strength and transfer tension from bladder smooth muscle cells. We have previously shown that fibrotic bladders are characterized by an increased type III:type I collagen ratio. To determine the effect of decreased type III collagen on bladder function, type III collagen-deficient mice (COL3A1) were studied physiologically.Methods: Bladders from wild-type (+/+) and heterozygous (+/−) COL3A1 mice were biochemically characterized to determine total collagen (hydroxyproline analysis) and collagen subtype concentration (cyanogen bromide digestion and ELISA). Alterations in collagen fiber diameter were assessed by electron microscopy. Bladder muscle strips were used to assess physiologic function. Results: Hydroxyproline content decreased in heterozygous bladders, which had 50% less type III collagen. Wild-type bladders had a biphasic distribution of collagen fiber sizes, whereas heterozygous bladder collagen fibers spanned a broad range. Physiologically, there were no differences in contractile responses between wild-type and heterozygotes when stimulated with ATP, carbachol or KCl, indicating normal contraction via purinergic and muscarinic receptors, and in response to direct membrane depolarization. In contrast, tension generation in heterozygotes was decreased after field stimulation (FS), indicating decreased synaptic transmission. Length–tension studies showed that the heterozygote muscle strips generated less tension per unit length, indicating that they were more compliant than wild-type controls. Conclusions: Critical levels of type III collagen appear to be a requirement for normal bladder tension development and contraction. Our data show that a decrease in the type III:type I collagen ratio, and altered fiber size, results in a more compliant bladder with altered neurotransmitter function.
Nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)

Rhizobium strains CIAT 301, CIAT 79 and SLM 602 were tested and found effective in the nodulation and nitrogen fixation of cowpea cv. MI-35 (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) plants in growth chamber experiments. Fresh weight of nodules increased with plant age initially and stabilized in 20–30 days from planting, followed by a secondary flush of nodule growth after 30 days. Apparent nitrogen fixation per gram nodule fresh weight reached a maximum in 20–30 days after planting and then decreased, even though a flush of new nodules was produced.
Wound complications of the retroperitoneal approach to the aorta and iliac vessels.

Abstract Repeated complaints of postoperative wound pain prompted this review of 113 consecutive vascular operations involving a retroperitoneal approach to the aorta or iliac vessels or both. Flank muscle-splitting incisions ( n = 53) had been used to approach the terminal aorta or iliac arteries. Two types of muscle-dividing incisions had also been used: incisions through the eleventh intercostal space ( n = 41) to approach the infrarenal aorta; and incisions through the eighth, ninth, or tenth intercostal space with division of the diaphragm ( n = 19) to approach the suprarenal aorta. Data on incisional pain, lumbosacral neuritic pain, incisional hernia, and deforming abdominal bulge were culled from the records of follow-up examinations conducted on all patients during periods ranging from 2 to 48 months. Both types of muscle-dividing incisions used to expose the aorta were associated with a 23% (14/60) incidence of abdominal bulge, a 7% (4/60) incidence of incisional hernia, and, more important, a 37% (22/60) incidence of prolonged disabling pain. Thus, although retroperitoneal exposure may be the preferred or the safest approach to certain aortic lesions, its routine use via muscle-dividing incisions is not recommended when the proposed operation can be carried out equally well by the conventional midline transperitoneal approach. (J Vasc Surg 1992;15:28–34.)
1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3Inhibits Normal Human Keratinocyte Growth by Increasing Transforming Growth Factor β2 Release

Abstract 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3(1α,25(OH)2D3), alters the proliferation of keratinocytes in cell culture. To assess whether changes mediated by 1α,25(OH)2D3in keratinocyte growth are due to the release of transforming growth factors β (TGFs β), we measured TGF β1 and 2 in human keratinocytes treated with 1α,25(OH)2D3. We showed that the inhibition of keratinocyte growth by 1α,25(OH)2D3was associated with a time- and dose-dependent increase in the concentrations of TGF β2 but not TGF β1. There was a strong correlation between the inhibition of cell growth and the increase in TGF β2 concentrations. Antibodies directed against TGF β1, 2 and 3 partially blocked the inhibition of cellular growth mediated by 1α,25(OH)2D3. We conclude that 1α,25(OH)2D3inhibits human keratinocyte cell growth by a mechanism that involves, at least in part, an increase in the release of TGF β2.
The Development and History of Special Education in Tanzania

This article traces the historical development of special education in Tanzania and its future prospects. In addition, it will identify some factors that have helped shape the present state of special education in Tanzania, and present the major problems facing special education programs.
'Yes you're Tamil! but are you Tamil enough?': An Indian researcher interrogates 'shared social location' in feminist immigration research

AbstractThis paper is a reflexive analytic account interrogating my ‘shared social location’ as immigrant, Tamil halfie researching Tamil (an Indian regional group) immigrant women in Atlanta, Georgia. Drawing upon feminist interpretations of insider/outsider positions in research, I argue that shared social location is a performative, tenuous and contextual position continually constructed and contested by both my participants and I. It also destabilizes power hierarchies in the research context such that power is not statically experienced, but mutually reaffirmed and negated by Tamil women and myself. Finally, it generates myriad ethical dilemmas with the potential to undermine feminist research, requiring researchers like me to reflexively and continuously interrogate our methods of doing research and our personal biases in approaching the topic. Thus, far from being a panacea in research, shared social location is often a double-edged sword: facilitating successful research while simultaneously makin...
Marmosets as a preclinical model for testing "off-label" use of doxycycline to turn on Flt3L expression from high-capacity adenovirus vectors.

We developed a combined conditional cytotoxic, i.e., herpes simplex type 1-thymidine kinase (TK), plus immune-stimulatory, i.e., fms-like tyrosine kinase ligand-3–mediated gene therapy for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Therapeutic transgenes were encoded within high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HC-Ad); TK was expressed constitutively, while Flt3L was under the control of the TetOn regulatable promoter. We previously assessed efficacy and safety in intracranial GBM rodent models. But, since this approach involves expression of a cytokine within the brain, we chose the nonhuman primate, i.e., Callithrix jaccus (marmoset) as it has been established that its immune response shares similarities with man. We characterized the safety, cell-type specific expression, and doxycycline (DOX)-inducibility of HC-Ad-TetOn-Flt3L delivered within the striatum. We used allometrically scaled DOX doses delivered orally, twice daily for one month, mimicking the route and duration of DOX administration planned for the GBM trial. Flt3L was effectively expressed within astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. No evidence of brain or systemic toxicities due to the treatment was encountered. Our data indicate that DOX doses equivalent to those used in humans to treat infections can be safely used “off-label” to turn “on” therapeutic gene expression from HC-Ad-TetOn-Flt3L; providing evidence for the safety of this approach in the clinic.
Spectroscopic characterization of β-lactoglobulin-retinol complex

1. 1.|The absorption spectrum of retinol when bound to β-lactoglobulin is vibrationally resolved. The circular dichroism spectrum exhibits the same structure, as does the fluorescence excitation spectrum. 2. 2.|Two molecules of retinol are bound per protein dimer, with a binding constant (Kd) of 2 · 10−8 M. Also, by fluorescence titration it was found that the monomer binds one molecule of retinol with essentially the same Kd. 3. 3.|Energy transfer occurs from tryptophan (donor) to retinol (acceptor) with a rate constant, k, of 4.4 · 108 s−1. The distance between the centers of mass of the transition is 34 A, corresponding to the energy transfer efficiency of 44%. 4. 4.|The fluoresence lifetime of retinol increases dramatically on binding to β-lactoglobulin, from approx. 2 to approx. 10 ns, as does the fluorescence quantum yield. 5. 5.|The retinol binding to β-lactoglobulin does not show a pH dependence and the binding site is hydrophobic. 6. 6.|On the Sephadex G-100 column, retinol is chemically modified to a retro derivative which binds even more strongly to β-lactoglobulin than does retinol. 7. 7.|The β-lactoglobulin-retinol complex rotates anisotropically in solution with a fast (3 ns) and a slower (12 ns) component. This may be attributed to retinol being bound at a flexible region of the protein, where only segmental flexibility is observed, weighted by its proximity to one of the major axis rotational times.
Racial differences in cigarette brand recognition and impact on youth smoking

African Americans are disproportionately exposed to cigarette advertisements, particularly for menthol brands. Tobacco industry documents outline strategic efforts to promote menthol cigarettes to African Americans at the point of sale, and studies have observed more outdoor and retail menthol advertisements in neighborhoods with more African-American residents. Little research has been conducted to examine the effect of this target marketing on adolescents’ recognition of cigarette brand advertising and on smoking uptake. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine racial differences in brand recognition and to assess the prospective relationship between brand recognition and smoking uptake. School-based surveys assessing tobacco use and environmental and social influences to smoke were administered to 6th through 9th graders (ages 11 to 15) in an urban and racially diverse California school district. The primary outcome for the cross-sectional analysis (n = 2,589) was brand recognition, measured by students’ identification of masked tobacco advertisements from the point of sale. The primary outcome for the longitudinal analysis (n = 1,179) was progression from never to ever smoking within 12 months. At baseline, 52% of students recognized the Camel brand, 36% Marlboro, and 32% Newport. African-American students were three times more likely than others to recognize Newport (OR = 3.03, CI = 2.45, 3.74, p < 0.01) and less likely than others to recognize Marlboro (OR = 0.60, CI = 0.48, 0.73, p < 0.01). At follow-up, 17% of never smokers reported trying smoking. In this racially diverse sample, brand recognition of Camel and Marlboro did not predict smoking initiation. Regardless of race, students who recognized the Newport brand at baseline were more likely to initiate smoking at follow-up (OR = 1.49, CI = 1.04, 2.15, p < 0.05) after adjusting for shopping frequency and other risk factors. The study findings illustrate that African-American youth are better able to recognize Newport cigarette advertisements, even after adjustment for exposure to smoking by parents and peers. In addition, recognition of Newport cigarette advertising predicted smoking initiation, regardless of race. This longitudinal study contributes to a growing body of evidence that supports a ban on menthol flavored cigarettes in the US as well as stronger regulation of tobacco advertising at the point of sale.
DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF A FACULTY TIME ANALYSIS SYSTEM ‐AN AID TO ACCOUNTABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

ABSTRACT This article describes the development and utility of a time analysis system for higher education faculty members interested in self‐evaluation. Although many higher education institutions employ various student, peer, and administrative evaluations, an analysis of the types of services performed by faculty staff and the amounts of time allotted to these services can provide very useful information to a faculty person interested in self‐evaluation. A model is described herein and an example is provided.
Preventing birth injury among women in Africa: Case studies in northern Nigeria

Among the most serious maternal injuries from childbirth in Africa is vesicovaginal fistula (VVF). Case studies of 55 VVF patients in northern Nigeria showed them to be poor, underage village women without sufficient access to modern health facilities at the time of the injury. Suggestions for short-term and long-term preventive measures are presented and discussed.
The Role of Retinoic Acid in Tolerance and Immunity

Vitamin A elicits a broad array of immune responses through its metabolite, retinoic acid (RA). Recent evidence indicates that loss of RA leads to impaired immunity, whereas excess RA can potentially promote inflammatory disorders. In this review, we discuss recent advances showcasing the crucial contributions of RA to both immunological tolerance and the elicitation of adaptive immune responses. Further, we provide a comprehensive overview of the cell types and factors that control the production of RA and discuss how host perturbations may affect the ability of this metabolite to control tolerance and immunity or to instigate pathology.
Ring opening reactions of indeno[1,2‐c]isoxazolones

Nucleophilic attack of 8-substituted indeno[1, 2-c]isoxazol-7-ones (1) and 3-phenylindeno[1, 2-c]isoxazol-4-one (4) by dimethylsulfoxide or triphenylphosphine results in cleavage of the nitrogenoxygen bond of the isoxazole ring leading to the formation of sulfoximides (2 and 5) and phosphazenes (3 and 8).
Relationship of gastric emptying and volume changes after a solid meal in humans

Noninvasive imaging has been developed to measure gastric volumes. The relationship between gastric emptying and volume postprandially is unclear. The aims were to 1) develop a 3-dimensional (3D) s...
Predicting Time to Hospital Discharge for Extremely Preterm Infants

As extremely preterm infant mortality rates have decreased, concerns regarding resource utilization have intensified. Accurate models to predict time to hospital discharge could aid in resource planning, family counseling, and perhaps stimulate quality improvement initiatives. Objectives For infants <27 weeks estimated gestational age (EGA), to develop, validate and compare several models to predict time to hospital discharge based on time-dependent covariates, and based on the presence of 5 key risk factors as predictors.
Chromosome Segregation: Correcting Improperly Attached Chromosomes

Two new studies show that Aurora B kinase corrects improperly attached chromosomes by recruiting molecules necessary for eliminating the bad attachments and by regulating the turnover of the kinetochore fiber.
Studies on the effects of insulin and acetylcholine on activation of glycogen synthase and on glycogenesis in hepatocytes isolated from normal fed rats

Abstract The addition of insulin (4.0 × 10 −11 M) or acetylcholine (10 −6 M) to isolated hepatocytes stimulated glycogen accumulation and this stimulation was more pronounced when the medium glucose was raised from 50 to 300 mg percent. Studies with [ 14 C]-glucose showed a two-fold stimulation in glycogen synthesis by the addition of insulin (4.0 × 10 −11 M) or acetylcholine (10 −6 M). A sixteen percent increase in the activity of glycogen synthase was observed in cells incubated for 10 minutes with insulin (4.0 × 10 −11 M) or acetylcholine (10 −6 M), whereas at one hour incubation a 40 percent increase in activity was observed with the same concentration of insulin or acetylcholine. The effects of insulin and acetylcholine were not additive.
Physical characterization of native opiate receptors. Additional information from detailed binding analysis of a radiation-inactivated receptor

Target size analyses of the etorphine receptor were performed on frozen rat brain P2 homogenates using the radiation inactivation technique. Multi-point saturation curves at each radiation dose revealed that the apparent dissociation constant for the binding of this ligand to its receptor is a function of the dose. Analysis of the results shows clearly that the ligand-binding macromolecule is functionally coupled to at least one other macromolecule. When the coupling is destroyed the ligand dissociation constant becomes larger by over an order of magnitude. Thus, the variation of the dissociation constant with dose yields interesting new information on the nature of the native receptor which has implications with respect to the conformation of the binding site and to solubilization and cloning methods directed towards sequencing the ligand-binding component of opiate receptors.
Interface dynamics in porous media: A random-field description.

We report a variety of measurements on fluid interface motion through model porous media. The dynamics shares many features with other systems pinned by random fields. Over a range of pressures randomness pins the interface. In this range there are many metastable interface configurations and relaxation is extremely slow. The dc response outside the pinned region is markedly nonlinear. Oscillations in the pressure occur at constant velocity which reflect the pore geometry.
Heterocyclic Amines in Fresh and Processed Meat Products

Heterocyclic amines (HCAs), potent mutagens/carcinogens, are pyrolysis products formed during the cooking of meat and fish. Processed meats (bratwurst, fresh pork sausage, Italian sausage, and ligh...
Ego Identity, Ethnic Identity, and the Psychosocial Well-Being of Ethnic Minority and Majority College Students

Although empirical studies have linked a consolidated ego identity to positive psychosocial outcomes for White middle-class adolescents, there is little research documenting this relationship for ethnic minority youth. This study investigated the relationships among ego identity, ethnic identity, and psychosocial functioning, and compared these relationships for ethnic minority and majority college students. The findings revealed that students with an achieved ego identity status had a more positive sense of ethnic identity than did students with a diffused ego identity. Findings also revealed that ethnic minority students reported stronger ethnic identification than did White students and that a stronger sense of ethnic identity was associated with more positive psychosocial outcomes among ethnic minority students, but not among White students. Implications for future research are discussed.
Microstructural evolution in two-dimensional two-phase polycrystals

Abstract In two-dimensional polycrystals composed of α-phase and β-phase grains the stability of ααα, βββ, ααβ and αββ three-grain junctions and αβαβ four-grain junctions depends on the α−α, β−β and α−β interfacial energies. A computer simulation which generates thermodynamically consistent microstructures for arbitrary interfacial energies has been utilized to investigate microstructural evolution in such polycrystals when phase volume is not conserved. Since grain shapes, phase volume, and phase arrangements are dictated by interfacial energies, clustered-, alternating-, isolated-, and single-phase microstructures occur in different interfacial energy regimes. Despite great differences in microstructure, polycrystals which contain only three-grain junctions evolve with normal grain growth kinetics. In contrast, structures containing flexible four-grain junctions eventually stop evolving. We conclude that two-dimensional polycrystals continually evolve when grain junction angles are thermodynamically fixed, while grain growth ultimately ceases when grain junction angles may vary. Predictions concerning three-dimensional and phase-volume conserved systems are made.
Low-Stage Computed Tomography Chronic Rhinosinusitis: What is the Role of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Objective To measure the change in quality-of-life (QoL) after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with medically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and minimally affected computed tomography (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses.
Probabilities for new theories

Contrary to what has been widely supposed, Bayesian theory deals successfully with the introduction of new theories that have never previously been entertained. The theory enables us to say what sorts of method should be used to assign probabilities to these new theories, and it allows that the probabilities of existing theories may be modified as a result.
SCOTS: A Quantitative Slope Measuring Method for Optical Shop Use

SCOTS can rapidly measure highly aspherical shapes such as solar collectors, GMT primary. Implementation of SCOTS needs only a laptop computer. It illuminates surface with LCD screen and use reflected image to determine surface slopes.
A new model for grain boundary diffusion and nucleation in thin film reactions

Abstract We have used non-equilibrium thermodynamics to define the chemical potential, μ i I , for each species in the grain and interphase boundaries of a polycrystalline diffusion couple. The equation for μ i I thus derived leads to a characteristics decay length, L i , that describes the spatial variation of μ i I . From the values of μ i I , a time dependent “free energy curve of the interface”, G I , was calculated and used to define the effective driving force, δg eff , for product phase nucleation as a function of time. Using this approach, product nucleation in thin film reactions is seen to be similar to precipitation from a bulk homogeneous solid solution. However, the early values for δg eff were found to be considerably lower than if the interfaces were at local equilibrium resulting in the possibility of heterogeneous nucleation of even the first phase and a new approach to phase selection.
Modeling autoignition in non-premixed turbulent combustion using a stochastic flamelet approach

In this paper, a stochastic flamelet approach is used to model autoignition in an initially non-premixed medium in isotropic and decaying turbulence, using a one-step irreversible reaction. This configuration corresponds to the DNS data from Sreedhara and Lakshmisha [Proc. Combust. Inst. 29 (2002) 2069]. The system can be described by the flamelet equations for the temperature and fuel mass fraction, where the scalar dissipation rate appears as a stochastic parameter. In a turbulent flow, fluctuations of this scalar have a strong impact on autoignition. Assuming a log normal distribution, a stochastic differential equation (SDE) can be derived for the scalar dissipation rate. The decay rate of the mean dissipation rate is taken from the DNS. The DNS data suggest that the normalized variance is close to unity but depends upon the Reynolds number. The flamelet equations for the temperature and fuel mass fraction, and the stochastic differential equation are coupled and solved numerically. The effects of the turbulence are discussed, and the results are compared with the DNS database. The model reproduces the conditional mean temperature profiles and the ignition delay times with good accuracy.
In vivo coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering imaging of sciatic nerve tissue

We report in vivo nonlinear optical imaging of mouse sciatic nerve tissue by epidetected coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and second harmonic generation microscopy. Following a minimally invasive surgery to open the skin, coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering imaging of myelinated axons and second harmonic generation imaging of the surrounding collagen fibres were demonstrated with high signal-to-background ratio, three-dimensional spatial resolution, and no need for labelling. The underlying contrast mechanisms of in vivo coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering were explored by three-dimensional imaging of fat cells that surround the nerve. The epidetected coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering signals from the nerve tissues were found to arise from interfaces as well as back reflection of forward coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering.
Recent advances in laboratory assessment of emotion regulation

Over the past 15 years, the emotion regulation perspective has been widely integrated into theoretical and applied contexts in clinical psychology and beyond. Recent refinements to behavioral, subjective, psychophysiological and neuroimaging methods allow emotion regulation to be captured and assessed in the laboratory with greater precision. Technological advances enabling investigators to leverage information from multiple modalities are increasingly accessible, and as such, will further efforts to generate testable hypotheses about specific mechanisms implicated in emotion regulation and difficulties therein. In combination with theory-driven design, progressively sophisticated methods for laboratory assessment have potential to further emotion regulation as both a valid scientific construct and a useful paradigm for human emotion and behavior that has applicability to both clinical and non-clinical contexts.
Political culture, hegemony, and inequality before the law: law enforcement in Pakistan

Purpose – The paper seeks to document attitudes and patterns of behavior in Pakistan's criminal justice system over the past 30 years.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual discussion and approach are taken following extensive interviews, conducted in 1992‐1993, with members of the police, judges, civil service bureaucrats, torture victims, psychiatrists, political detainees, criminal lawyers and others.Findings – The patterns of behavior are longstanding and deeply rooted despite periodical changes in political leadership. Cynicism about law enforcement is widespread throughout the country and much crime goes unreported as a result. There is a lack of faith and support for police officials and legal safeguards for criminal suspects are often ignored.Originality/value – The conditions in Pakistan's criminal justice system are explained theoretically with reference to the concept of hegemony in Pakistan's prevailing political culture.
Nonlinear Effect of Sucrose on Lamellar-Hexagonal Phase Transition Kinetics

The topological nature of the lamellar-hexagonal phase transition in lipids makes it a useful tool in the study of pore formation. This phase transition in lipid-water systems is sensitive to the addition of various solutes such as sucrose. In our study of lipid SOPE (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine), we find that equilibrium lamellar-hexagonal phase transition temperature decreases linearly with sucrose concentration. However, we find that the phase transition kinetics vary in a strikingly nonlinear fashion. The speed of the transition greatly slows with even small concentrations of sucrose and then plateaus as the concentration increases.
Rotation- and scale-independent pattern recognition through optimization

This paper presents a two-dimensional pattern recognition paradigm, which is independent of rotation and scale. It uses a Hopfield neural network with a configuration similar to that employed for the traveling salesman problem (TSP). Enhancements to the original Hopfield design are included which are based on the eigenvalues of the connection matrix and on modifications suggested by simulations. The goal of the method is to determine the underlying linear transformation between a test image and an observed input pattern by minimizing the energy of a Hopfield network. This procedure is easy to implement and is well suited for sparse binary images, e.g. skeletalized representations or the output from vertex detection algorithms. In this work the effects of noise are studied both analytically and through Monte Carlo techniques yielding some useful performance guidelines and greatly increasing the utility of the method. Experiments show that this technique performs successfully on a variety of rotated and scaled images and is robust against additive noise.
Linking the TPR1, DPR1 and Arrow-Head Matrix Structures

Some recent polynomial root-finders rely on effective solution of the eigenproblem for special matrices such as DPR1 (that is, diagonal plus rank-one) and arrow-head matrices. We examine the correlation between these two classes and their links to the Frobenius companion matrix, and we show a Gauss similarity transform of a TPR1 (that is, triangular plus rank-one) matrix into DPR1 and arrow-head matrices. Theoretically, the known unitary similarity transforms of a general matrix into a block triangular matrix with TPR1 diagonal blocks enable the extension of the cited effective eigen-solvers from DPR1 and arrow-head matrices to general matrices. Practically, however, the numerical stability problems with these transforms may limit their value to some special classes of input matrices.
Simulating the (HE3/HE3/S):(PRP/ ∞ / ∞) queuing model for a maintenance problem

A new queuing model (HE3/HE3/S):(PRP/∞/∞), in which both the interarrival times and the service times follow the hyperexponential distributions with three branches, has been justified for a machine maintenance problem.Analysis of the problem is based on the data obtained from a large and complex manufacturing system. The GPSS model is constructed so that it collects desired queuing statistics under alternative conditions of a different number of servers. The essential purpose of this study is to model a priority queuing problem with multi-servers. The GPSS design can apply to waiting line problems where random variables of interest have large variations.
Staudinger Ligation of α-Azido Acids Retains Stereochemistry

The Staudinger ligation of peptides with a C-terminal phosphinothioester and N-terminal azide is an emerging method in protein chemistry. Here, the first Staudinger ligations of nonglycyl azides are reported and shown to proceed both in nearly quantitative yield and with no detectable effect on the stereochemistry at the α-carbon of the azide. These results demonstrate further the potential of the Staudinger ligation as a general method for the total synthesis of proteins from peptide fragments.
"If A Problem Cannot Be Solved, Enlarge It": An Ideological Critique of the "Other" in Pearl Harbor and September 11 New York Times Coverage

This study uses the theoretical approach of cultural materialism, suggesting that cultural artifacts such as newspaper articles offer useful documentary evidence of representations and misrepresentations of lived experience. It compares the rhetorical strategies in New York Times news articles, editorials, columns, and advertisements used to frame Japanese-Americans in the first four months following Pearl Harbor with those used to describe Muslim and Arab-Americans following September 11. This research suggests that strategies used to frame these groups as the "Other" encourage the emergence of a specific ideological vision in the news coverage which has cultivated a climate of fear in United States citizens.
Groups with a large number of large disjoint subgroups

It is known that if G is a group of order 4N2, and G contains N mutually disjoint subgroups of order 2N, then the nonidentity elements of these subgroups form a difference set in G. Gluck recently discovered a nonabelian example with N = 4 and showed it to be the only case with N = 4 and G not elementary abelian. We show here that the only examples with N > 4 are elementary abelian 2-groups.
First-principles theory of Ta up to 10 Mbar pressure: Structural and mechanical properties

Fundamental high-pressure structural and mechanical properties of Ta have been investigated theoretically over a wide pressure range, 0{minus}10 Mbar, by means of {ital ab initio} electronic-structure calculations. The calculations are fully relativistic and use a state-of-the-art treatment of gradient corrections to the exchange-correlation potential and energy within density-functional theory. The calculated zero-temperature equation of state for bcc Ta is in good agreement with diamond-anvil-cell measurements up to 750 kbar and with reduced shock data to 2.3 Mbar. The crystal-structure stability among bcc, fcc, hcp, and A15 phases has been studied as a function of compression and the observed ambient-pressure bcc phase is found to be thermodynamically stable throughout the entire 0{endash}10 Mbar range. At the upper end of this range, a metastable fcc phase develops with positive elastic moduli and a decreasing fcc{minus}bcc energy difference, suggesting that at even higher pressures above 10 Mbar, fcc Ta will become stable over the bcc phase. Elastic constants, the H- and N-point zone-boundary phonons, and the ideal shear strength have also been calculated for bcc Ta up to 10 Mbar pressure. The elastic moduli and phonons are in good agreement with experiment at ambient pressure and remain real and positive for all compressionsmore » studied, demonstrating that the bcc phase is mechanically stable in this regime. The calculated elastic constants validate the assumed pressure scaling of the shear modulus in the Steinberg-Guinan strength model of Ta, while the calculated values of ideal shear strength provide an upper bound to the high-pressure yield stress. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Correlates of positive health behaviors in cancer survivors: results from the 2010 LIVESTRONG survey.

Positive health-promoting behaviors, including lifestyle factors (e.g., physical activity) and appropriate health service utilization (e.g., screening for secondary cancers), can minimize the health risks and challenges facing cancer survivors. The goal of this article is to examine factors associated with positive health behaviors in 2,615 posttreatment cancer survivors who completed the 2010 LIVESTRONG survey. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model odds of reporting each of six positive health behaviors “as a result of your experience with cancer”: three “healthy lifestyle” behaviors and three “health care utilization” behaviors. In fully adjusted models, factors associated with greater likelihood of engaging in positive lifestyle behaviors (e.g., physical activity, changing diet) included sociodemographic factors, greater knowledge about how to reduce cancer risk; and reporting more psychological benefits due to cancer (ps <.01). Factors associated with greater likelihood of attending medic...
Applications of Linear Programming to the Time-Domain Design of Digital-Filter Equalizers

A time-domain technique is presented for the design of frequency-sampling and transversal digital filters for use in equalizing channels with known impulse responses. The technique uses a linearprogramming algorithm to specify filter multiplier coefficients that satisfy constraint equations based upon specified values and derivatives of the desired output signal. It is shown that the transversal equalizer design requires fewer multipliers and performs in a superior fashion in the presence of timing jitter. The effects of changing the number and type of constraints upon such parameters as equalizer complexity, transmitted energy, and residual distortion are presented.
Differential effects of brevetoxin and β-naphthoflavone on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes in striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

Abstract The goal of this study was to determine the effects of brevetoxin, a polyether marine biotoxin, on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and to identify potential biomarkers of exposure. Brevetoxin (PbTx) is responsible for the death of millions of fish during algals blooms or ‘red tides’. To this end, striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) were exposed to either brevetoxin; a positive control, β-naphthoflavone (BNF); or a negative control, the toxicant solvent, for five days. Hepatic microsomal and cytosolic fractions were prepared and assayed for ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), UDP glucuronosyl transferase, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, and four isozymes of glutathione S-transferase. BNF induced a 30 fold increase in EROD activity; PbTx caused a 3 fold increase in EROD activity as well as 35 and 50 percent increase in the activity of two GST isozymes. Although PbTx is not an aromatic molecule, the present findings validates previous work with another species fish, redfish ( Scaienops ocellatus ), that PbTx induces Cytochrome P450IA activity. As is characteristic for molecules with Michael acceptor groups, PbTx also induced the GST, in particular those isozymes sensitive to ethacrynic acid and trans -phenylbutenone (pi and mu forms in mammals). Brevetoxin's affect on GST isozymes make them potentially useful biomarkers.
Studies on the Effect of Ball Milling on Lignin Structure Using a Modified DFRC Method

The structures of milled wood lignin (MWL), cellulolytic enzyme lignin (CEL), and residual lignin (REL) from a loblolly pine were analyzed using a modified derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) method developed to allow the quantitative determination of three different structural monomeric products originating in lignin: phenolic β-O-4, α-O-4, and etherified β-O-4 structures. Results show that MWL and CEL are structurally identical, with an increased phenolic β-O-4 content compared to that of the original Wiley milled wood. These results indicate that the portion of lignin linked to carbohydrates and that not linked to carbohydrates are structurally the same. Modified DFRC analysis of the effect of ball milling on the structure of lignin in wood, MWL, CEL, and REL indicate that vibratory ball milling does not change the lignin structure provided certain precautions are taken. Specifically, dry vibratory ball milling under a nitrogen atmosphere causes substantial structural changes includin...
Multiple-soliton solutions for the Lax-Kadomtsev-Petviashvili (Lax-KP) equation

A new completely integrable dispersive equation is derived. The new equation is obtained by extending the Lax fifth-order equation using the sense of the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (KP) equation in extending the KdV equation. The newly derived Lax–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili (Lax–KP) equation is investigated by using the tanh–coth method and the Hirota bilinear method to derive single soliton solution and N-soliton solutions, respectively. The study highlights the multiple-soliton solutions of the derived completely integrable equation.
Neutron detection with water Cerenkov based detectors

Legitimate cross border trade involves the transport of an enormous number of cargo containers. Especially following the September 11 attacks, it has become an international priority to verify that these containers are not transporting Special Nuclear Material (SNM) without impeding legitimate trade. Fission events from SNM produce a number of neutrons and MeV-scale gammas correlated in time. The observation of consistent time correlations between neutrons and gammas emitted from a cargo container could, therefore, constitute a robust signature for SNM, since this time coincident signature stands out strongly against the higher rate of uncorrelated gamma-ray backgrounds from the local environment. We are developing a cost effective way to build very large neutron detectors for this purpose. We have recently completed the construction of two new water Cherenkov detectors, a 250 liter prototype and a new 4 ton detector. We present both the results from our prototype detector and an update on the newly commissioned large detector. We will also present pictures from the construction and outline our future detector development plans.
Spillover-Mediated Feedforward Inhibition Functionally Segregates Interneuron Activity

Neurotransmitter spillover represents a form of neural transmission not restricted to morphologically defined synaptic connections. Communication between climbing fibers (CFs) and molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) in the cerebellum is mediated exclusively by glutamate spillover. Here, we show how CF stimulation functionally segregates MLIs based on their location relative to glutamate release. Excitation of MLIs that reside within the domain of spillover diffusion coordinates inhibition of MLIs outside the diffusion limit. CF excitation of MLIs is dependent on extrasynaptic NMDA receptors that enhance the spatial and temporal spread of CF signaling. Activity mediated by functionally segregated MLIs converges onto neighboring Purkinje cells (PCs) to generate a long-lasting biphasic change in inhibition. These data demonstrate how glutamate release from single CFs modulates excitability of neighboring PCs, thus expanding the influence of CFs on cerebellar cortical activity in a manner not predicted by anatomical connectivity.
Modification of surface mechanical properties of high-chromium tool steel by carbon-implanted codeposited Fe-Ti films

Abstract An iron-titanium film 300 nm thick was deposited on a tool steel (1.55% C, 0.3% Si, 0.3% Mn, 12% Cr, 0.8% Mo, and 0.8% V) by co-evaporation of iron and titanium. Subsequently this surface film was implanted with carbon at energies of 55, 120, and 200 keV to a total fluence of 1.24×1018C+ cm-2. This treatment produced a surface hardness of 15 GPa. The effect of this coating on unlubricated wear and friction was tested in air at a relative humidity of 10% in a pin-on-disc tester using a 440C pin as a counterface. The sliding mechanism of the untreated substrate was found to be based on the transfer of pin material and subsequent growth of uneven oxide hillocks on the wear track. Oxide scales were observed also on a wear scar of the pin, presumably as a result of back-deposition. In contrast, the sliding mechanism on the coated sample was drastically different. A more uniform transfer film originating in the coating was found on the pin, resulting in sliding between identical materials. No wearthrough of the coating occured during the test of 5000 cycles at a hertizian pressure of 835 MPa, and the surface of the wear track showed extreme smoothness to the very end of the test. The friction coefficient was decreased from 0.7 for the uncoated to 0.2 for the coated surface. The wear track on the coated surface was also found to be slightly oxidized, as determined by a nuclear reaction (16O(d,p)17O). The reduction in friction was mainly attributed to the increased hardness of the counterfaces and an adequate but controlled oxidation.
Wavelet Projections for Radiosity

One important goal of image synthesis research is to accelerate the process of obtaining realistic images using the radiosity method. Two important concepts recently introduced are the general framework of projection methods and the hierarchical radiosity method. Wavelet theory, which explores the space of hierarchical basis functions, offers an elegant framework that unites these two concepts and allows us to more formally understand the hierarchical radiosity method. Wavelet expansions of the radiosity kernel have negligible entries in regions where high frequency/fine detail information is not needed. A sparse system remains if these entries are ignored. This is similar to applying a lossy compression scheme to the form factor matrix. The sparseness of the system allows for asymptotically faster radiosity algorithms by limiting the number of matrix terms that need to be computed. The application of these methods to 3D environments is described in4. Due to space limitations in that paper many of the subtleties of the construction could not be explored there. In this paper we discuss some of the mathematical details of wavelet projections and investigate the application of these methods to the radiosity kernel of a flatland environment, where many aspect are easier to visualize.
Alloying effects on fracture mechanisms in Nb-based intermetallic in-situ composites

The fracture mechanisms in Nb-based intermetallic in-situ composites are reviewed to assess the influence of alloy composition on fracture resistance. The beneficial effect of Ti addition in enhancing the fracture resistance of Nb-based in-situ composites is established and explained on the basis of a reduced Peierls–Nabarro barrier energy, whose reduction leads to increased dislocation mobility and plastic flow in the solid solution phase. Recent modeling efforts to increase the fracture resistance of intermetallic and in-situ composites using computational approaches to identify alloying effects are summarized. One approach that relies on computation methods to design the matrix compositions of the ductile phase for optimum fracture resistance and ductility is highlighted. Extension of this approach to NbCr2 and other intermetallics is discussed.
The Declining Domestic Leather Industry- Implications and Opportunities:

Recent changes in demographics of the leather industry have implications for clothing, textiles and merchandising. This paper provides the current status of the domestic industry and importinglexpo...
Making Better, Quicker, and Wiser Decisions with a Decision Facilitating and Advising System

In this paper a decision facilitating and advising system (D-FAS), devised to help decisionmakers make quality fire-control preparation decisions in a North Carolina state park, is presented. This domain-specific decision support system provides assistance to decisionmakers that are at different levels of expertise and in various supporting needs. More specifically, as a facilitator, D-FAS increases the decisionmakers' accessibility to sophisticated decision strategies by making them as easy to employ as those simpler but less accurate methods that decisionmakers currently use; as an advisor, D-FAS minimizes uncertainties associated with the availability of expertise by systematically capturing decisionmakers' expertise and making it available to the novice and/or naive decisionmakers. Constructed on the basis of three mathematical techniques—the fuzzy relation, the α-level-set, and fuzzy composition—these capabilities are made feasible by the use of a computerized geographic information system.