cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brief paper: Sliding-mode observers for systems with unknown inputs: A high-gain approach

Sliding-mode observers can be constructed for systems with unknown inputs if the so-called observer matching condition is satisfied. However, most systems do not satisfy this condition. To construct sliding-mode observers for systems that do not satisfy the observer matching condition, auxiliary outputs are generated using high-gain approximate differentiators and then employed in the design of sliding-mode observers. The state estimation error of the proposed high-gain approximate differentiator based sliding-mode observer is shown to be uniformly ultimately bounded with respect to a ball whose radius is a function of design parameters. Finally, the unknown input reconstruction using the proposed observer is analyzed and then illustrated with a numerical example.
Vitamin C-induced loss of redox-dependent viability in lung microvascular endothelial cells.

Recent clinical trials have shown that vitamin C, at pharmacological concentrations (milligram to approximately gram), upon infusion into circulation, modulates vasodilation and vascular tone in hu...
Consequences of a fundamental length in very-high-energy scattering

We show that a fundamental length provides the mechanism in quantum field theory to produce the effects noticed in very-high-energy scattering. In the very-high-energy large momentum-transfer (s, |t|≫λ−2, λ≡fundamental length) approximation already semi-quantitative agreement with the following features is obtained. 1) Detailed shape of the elastic scattering curves, including: very sharp forward (and sometimes backward) « diffraction » peaks with universal exponential tails int (oru), the « flattening » and huge experimental « shrinking of the diffraction peak » with energy of the p-p curves, the weak « flattening » and absence of « shrinking » of the π-p curves. 2) Asymptotic constancy of total cross-sections, asymptotic equality of σe1(π−-p) and σe1(π+-p), the rough relation σe1(π-p)≈1/2 σe1(p-p). One characteristic of λ≠0 is the rapid vanishing of higher-order corrections at high energies and of radiative corrections at large momentum transfers. With λ=0, this is not so, the sharp peaking and exponential tails disappear, and the « shrinking » of the p-p peak is far too small. An essential « dynamical » assumption is that a neutral vector meson may be exchanged. These experiments indicate λ ≈10−14cm; the vector meson mass is not yet clear. The fundamental-length field theory used (5–7) requires an explicit dependence of theS-operator on themeasuring frame (frame in which the experiment is performed); it is believed that any relativistically invariant, etc. fundamental-length theory requires this generalization of field theory. This « kinematical » fundamental-length-theoretic and the « dynamical » Regge pole explanations of very-high-energy scattering are compared point by point; they are clearly distinguishable at ultrahigh momentum transfers. A λ≠0 implies changed asymptotic properties of analytic amplitudes (essential singularities at infinity), thus changes in the physical conclusions derived from dispersion relations.
Infrared evidence for the folded-chain model of trans-1,4-polybutadiene

Abstract The influence of the first-order crystalline transformation at about 60°C on the infrared bands of trans-1,4-polybutadiene yields microscopic information that supports the two-component microcrystalline model of a folded chain having loose and tight end loops at the lamellar surfaces. The temperature dependence of the band parameters of the 908-cm−1 vinyl band indicates that 1,2-(side vinyl) units are not easily taken into the crystalline component, thus forming long loops at the crystal surface that account for the micro-Brownian motion detected in the low-temperature phase. The results argue that infrared band parameters are excellent probes for details of the thermodynamics and morphology of polymers.
Editing Personal Relationships.

This issue is the last my editorial team will produce. Lorne Campbell and his associate editors have been receiving new submissions since June 1, 2008, and the next issue will be filled with manuscripts they have processed since that time. Soon after I first began receiving new submissions on June 1, 2005, Distinguished Scholar Harry Reis (Personal Relationships, Vol. 14, Issue 1, March 2007) responded to an email from me by asking a question provoked by the title under my signature, “Editor of Personal Relationships.” “What does that mean?” he wrote. He, of course, was joking and wanted to know how I edited them. At the time I responded by subsequently italicizing the name of the journal in my email signature. In this preface, however, the two editorial assistants who worked with me over the course of my term and I try to answer his question seriously. To do so, we describe what it meant to us to edit the journal, Personal Relationships, and how we and the rest of our editorial team interpreted our job.
A Social-Justice-Based Resident Assistant (RA) Training Program on a Midsized Rural Community College Campus.

Social justice education within the community college setting has not been an academic focus to date; yet, community colleges remain an environment for a diverse student population due to their low cost, open access, and variety of course delivery methods. Rural community colleges, however, may pose an interesting challenge to those wishing to implement social justice initiatives within coursework and existing programs. This article provides an example of a social justice training program that was developed for resident assistants on a midsized, rural community college in the Midwest, with a booming residential student population, and the challenges encountered during the phases of the project. Results of pre- and postassessments with the participants of the training suggest that a quality training program can equip students with the tools needed to feel more confident in their abilities to perform their job well.
A Privacy Enhancing Approach for Identity Inference Protection in Location-Based Services

Recent advances in mobile handheld devices have facilitated the ubiquitous availability of location based services. Systems which provide location based services have always been vulnerable to numerous privacy threats. The more we aim at safe usage of location based services, the more we feel the necessity of a secure location privacy system. Most of the existing systems adopt the mechanism of satisfying k-anonymity which means that the exact user remains indistinguishable among k-1 other users. These systems usually propose the usage of a location anonymizer (LA) to achieve k-anonymity. In this paper we show that satisfying k-anonymity is not enough in preserving location privacy violation. Especially in an environment where a group of colluded service providers collaborate with each other, a user’s privacy can be compromised. We present a detailed analysis of such attack on privacy and propose a novel and powerful privacy definition called s-proximity. In addition to building a formal definition for s-proximity, we show that it is practical and it can be incorporated efficiently into existing systems to make them secure.
A Comparison of Techniques for Recovering Bacillus subtilis Spores from Inoculated Meat Substrates

Blender maceration, insonation, rotary shaker washing, and stomacher processing were initially evaluated as mechanical methods for bacterial spore recovery from inoculated beef substrates. Ionic dispersants (Daxads) and wetting agents were also evaluated for augmentation of spore recovery when used as sample diluents and processing vehicles. Spore recovery rates were shown to be affected by, the spore inoculum titer, mechanical processing method, and diluent type (p=0.001). These experimental factors also demonstrated significant interactions affecting spore recovery. The best initial combination tested (blender-Daxad) only produced a recovery rate of 66%, with large variances in sample means when tested over a wide range of inoculum levels. This result prompted a posteriori test using a tissue homogenizer, which produced higher recovery rates than the blender, with stable variance over a wide range of inoculum levels.
An electrostatic, on/off microvalve designed for gas fuel delivery for the MIT microengine

The MIT micro-gas turbine engine requires an integrated fuel-metering device in order to implement on-board engine control. Graded fuel control can be achieved with an array of on/off valves. Each valve in the array must withstand an annealing temperature of 1100/spl deg/C during fabrication and open against 1 MPa of supply pressure at 400/spl deg/C operating temperature. This paper presents the design, fabrication and testing of an electrostatic, on/off silicon prototype valve. Tested with nitrogen at room temperature, the valve opened against a differential pressure of 0.9 MPa with 136 V and delivered a mass flow rate of 45 sccm (3.38 g/h). At 0.1y MPa upstream pressure, the helium leak-rate was measured to be 6/spl times/10/sup -3/ sccm. The valve showed no sign of failure after being continuously actuated for more than 10/sup 5/ cycles. The prototype valve will serve as the base-line design for the engine fuel valve array.
Side of onset of motor symptoms influences cognition in Parkinson's disease

Studies attempting to relate cognitive impairment to asymmetry of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) have found contradictory results. We examined 88 patients with unilateral onset of idiopathic PD who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, including language, visuospatial abilities, abstraction and reasoning, attention and mental tracking, set shifting, and memory. Patients whose motor signs began on the left side of the body consistently performed more poorly on the battery of cognitive measures than did patients with right-side onset. Significant differences were found on immediate and delayed verbal recall, word retrieval, semantic verbal fluency, visuospatial analysis, abstract reasoning, attention span, and mental tracking. These differences could not be attributed to differences in the overall severity of motor symptoms at the time of cognitive assessment, or the current pattern of motor asymmetry. This finding suggests that damage to right-hemisphere dopamine systems plays a disproportionately greater role in PD-related cognitive decline than a presumably comparable left-hemisphere dopamine depletion.
On the use of fully specified initial states for testing of synchronous sequential circuits

Full scan design renders every combinationally irredundant fault in a synchronous sequential circuit testable. In this paper, we derive a similar result applicable to design-for-testability techniques that only controls the initial state of the circuit in order to improve its testability. Examples of such techniques are parallel load, reset, and scan when it is used only to set the state of the circuit. We show that if the initial state can be set arbitrarily, a test sequence can be generated for every irredundant fault, i.e., for every fault that is not sequentially or combinationally redundant. Thus, the ability to control the state of the circuit is sufficient for detecting every irredundant fault and observability of the circuit state is not necessary for this purpose. When considering scan, this result implies that scan-out can be used to control the test length and test generation time, but it is not necessary for detecting irredundant faults. We also show that, of all the states of the circuit, it is sufficient to consider as possible initial states (or controllable states) only the states extracted from a complete combinational test set. We demonstrate the use of these observations by presenting experimental results of two applications. In the first application, initial states are selected out of a combinational test set to facilitate deterministic test generation for irredundant faults. In the second application, the ability to set the initial state is used to increase the effectiveness of built-in self-test.
Extraction and recovery of lead species from soil

The remediation of lead contaminated soil at Superfund sites and urban soil is a serious concern, given the grave effects of lead exposure and the pervasive nature of the threat. The lead species of interest are elemental lead, lead sulfate, basic carbonate of lead and lead dioxide. This paper describes work done to solubilize these species and recover the contaminants as salable lead sulfate. Proof of concept was done using the pure chemicals. After this, bench scale experiments were done using a soil that was dosed with varying amounts of the contaminants (total lead from 1,000 to 10,000 ppm) and better than 80% of the contaminants was recovered as lead sulfate. The treated soil passed the TCLP test with 3.0 ppm lead, showing that it could be be redeposited on site. A pilot-plant scale-up is being explored. 7 refs., 1 fig., 7 tabs.
National accreditation and its role in early education: An analysis of Florida’s Gold Seal Quality Child-Care program and licensing standards

This article reports on the first Florida statewide assessment of the Gold Seal Quality Care program, accreditation, and the relationship with licensing violations. This study analyzed the differen...
Dipole, Quadripole, and Octapole Measurements in Isolated Beating Heart Preparations

An experimental technique is described for measuring the equivalent multipole model for isolated beating hearts. The dipole, quadripole, and octapole moments are measured from weighted sums of 20 electrode potentials on the surface of a 6.35-cm diameter sphere. An iterative procedure is used to eliminate the effects of source eccentricity for dipolar data.
PD-1, gender, and autoimmunity

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligands (PD-L1 and PD-L2) are responsible for inhibitory T cell signaling that helps mediate the mechanisms of tolerance and immune homeostasis. The PD-1:PD-L signaling pathway has been shown to play an important role in a variety of diseases, including autoimmune conditions, chronic infection, and cancer. Recently, investigators have explored the role of sex hormones in modulating the pathway in autoimmune conditions. Exploring the effects of sex hormones on the PD-1:PD-L pathway could shed light on the gender biased nature of many autoimmune conditions as well as aide in the development of therapeutics targeting the immune system.
REQSPERT: automated test planning from requirements

The development of an automated tool to assist in test planning is described. The tool, REQSPERT, has required the collaboration of several areas of information technology to provide automated assistance in deriving a test plan from the software requirements definition. REQSPERT implements and enhances CASE features by providing assistance for classifying the software requirements and by identifying potential problems. Research on software testing and software metrics is incorporated into the knowledge bases. The work of the US Army on software quality metrics is used in identifying metrics for nonfunctional requirements. An object-oriented development environment has been employed to provide flexibility and extensibility as more is learned about the tool's potential capabilities. The knowledge base uses production rules and facets in a quasi-blackboard architecture. Principles of direct manipulation interface design are being applied to provide an effective environment for the test analyst who develops the test plan. Knowledge elicitation techniques are being explored to gather the expertise of software testers. The architecture, supporting knowledge bases, and interface design of the tool are presented. >
An evaluation of MOS interface-trap charge pump as an ultralow constant-current generator

Explores the MOS interface-trap charge-pump as an ultralow constant-current generator for analog CMOS applications. Charge pumping techniques in general are more suitable than conventional continuous-time techniques for ultralow current generation because the linear controllability of current by frequency is maintained regardless of the level of current. An interface-trap pump has the same property but the minimum charge it puts out per cycle is at least two orders of magnitude smaller than that of a switched-capacitor charge pump. This helps generate the same current more accurately at a much higher frequency with a much smaller filter capacitance. The paper presents a simplified model of the terminal characteristics of the interface-trap pump and an evaluation of its performance as a stand-alone current generator. Cascoding and complementary pumping are introduced as measures of performance improvement. Temperature sensitivity, pulse feedthrough, controllability, matching, reliability, and trimming issues are addressed. Transconductor circuits built with the charge pump are presented and experimentally evaluated.
Differential roles of myocardial Ca2+ channels and Na+/Ca2+ exchange in myocardial reperfusion injury in open chest dogs: relative roles during ischemia and reperfusion

Objective : Compare the roles of Ca2+ channels and Na+/Ca2+ exchange in reperfusion injury (reperfusion ventricular fibrillation and myocardial stunning). Methods : Open chest dogs undergoing 15 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and 3 hours of reperfusion were randomized to controls or intracoronary infusions of the respective antagonists, nifedipine (50 μg/min) or amiloride (5 mg/min), according to five protocols: (A) 40 minutes before occlusion to 30 minutes after reperfusion; (B) 2 minutes before to 5 minutes after reperfusion; (C) 10 minutes before to 10 minutes after reperfusion (two step infusion for nifedipine only 5 μg/min during occlusion and 50 μg/min after reperfusion); and (D) 0 to 30 minutes after reperfusion. The role of Ca2+ channels was further investigated by infusing the agonist, Bay K 8644 (50 μg/min), alone or simultaneously with any protocol B, C, or D infusions altering both reperfusion ventricular fibrillation and myocardial stunning. Results : Effects of the agents on injury did not result from hemodynamic effects or alterations in blood flow. Amiloride had no effect on ventricular fibrillation. Only protocol A infusion of amiloride prevented myocardial stunning. In contrast, protocol A and B infusions of nifedipine prevented both myocardial stunning ( p = ns vs. baseline, p <0.01 vs. control) and ventricular fibrillation (0%, p <0.01). Protocol C prevented reperfusion ventricular fibrillation, but not stunning ( p = ns vs. control). Protocol D did not alter injury. Bay K 8644 co-treatment reversed the effects of Protocol B infusion of nifedipine. Ventricular fibrillation was common and postischemic function worst in dogs treated with Bay K 8644 alone (protocol B). Conclusion : Myocardial Ca2+ channels contribute to both reperfusion ventricular fibrillation and stunning, whereas Na+/Ca2+ exchange contributes only to stunning. Inhibitors of myocardial Ca2+ channels are protective when infused in high doses just before reperfusion, whereas the efficacy of Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitors is dependent on pretreatment.
Rearrangement of a polymethylsiloxane by hydrogen chloride

Linear decamethyltetrasiloxane (MD2M) was treated with hydrogen chloride in the presence of various amount of water or methanol at room temperature. In the presence of water, the rate and extent of cleavage and rearrangement increased with the concentration of hydrogen chloride and the volume of the aqueous phase. In a slow stream of hydrogen chloride gas, significant proportions of the MD2M were lost as chlorosilane vapors. Until an aqueous phase appears, M2D2 is fairly stable to dry hydrogen chloride. It is also stable to dilute aqueous hydrogen chloride, but, with an equal volume of saturated aqueous hydrogen chloride, 10–20% of the MD2M may react in an hour. Rearrangement and cleavage are accelerated by methanol and by tetrahydrofuran. The significance of these results is discussed.
Gender Images in State Tourism Brochures: An Overlooked Area in Socially Responsible Tourism Marketing

The purpose of this article is to examine photographs (pictorial displays) presented in state tourism promotional materials for gender depictions within Goffman’s framework. Specifically, the study investigated latent (i.e., facial expressions, gestures) and manifested (i.e., roles, activities) characteristics delineating relationships between men and women and the roles and meanings associated with these depictions. The results suggest that women are depicted in “traditional stereotypical” poses (i.e., subordinate, submissive, dependent) disproportionately more often than men. These findings suggest that tourism advertisers and destination promoters need to be aware of both the subtle and more blatant visual cues that depict the relationship between men and women in tourism advertisements.
Production and characterization of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the zeta (ξ) opioid receptor

The opioid growth factor, [Met5]-enkephalin, is an inhibitory agent of cell proliferation and maturation that interacts with the zeta (ξ) opioid receptor to modulate growth. In order to learn more about this receptor, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised against binding subunits identified on two-dimensional gels by ligand blotting. Using Western blotting, the polyclonal antibodies and some of the monoclonal antibodies recognized all 4 binding polypeptides (32, 30, 17, and 16 kDA) in developing rat cerebellum; no reaction was recorded in adult cerebellum. In addition, other monoclonals were able to distinguish only certain subunits (e.g. 17 kDa). The monoclonal antibodies and their F(ab′)2 fragments, as well as the polyclonal antibodies, blocked the binding of [3H][Met5]-enkephalin to preparations of developing cerebellum. Both the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies immunoprecipitated ξ opioid binding polypeptides from 6-day-old cerebellar homogenates solubilized by the zwitterionic detergent, CHAPS. Immunocytochemistry performed with polyclonal antibodies showed immunoreactivity associated with proliferating and differentiating cerebellar cells, but no specific staining was detected in the adult cerebellum. These results have identified and characterized antibodies to the ξ opioid receptor, and the antibodies were used to localize this receptor; these antibodies will be valuable to further cellular and molecular studies.
An FFT-based method for modeling protein folding and binding under crowding: benchmarking on ellipsoidal and all-atom crowders.

It is now well recognized that macromolecular crowding can exert significant effects on protein folding and binding stability. In order to calculate such effects in direct simulations of proteins mixed with bystander macromolecules, the latter (referred to as crowders) are usually modeled as spheres and the proteins represented at a coarse-grained level. Our recently developed postprocessing approach allows the proteins to be represented at the all-atom level but, for computational efficiency, has only been implemented for spherical crowders. Modeling crowder molecules in cellular environments and in vitro experiments as spheres may distort their effects on protein stability. Here, we present a new method that is capable for treating aspherical crowders. The idea, borrowed from protein–protein docking, is to calculate the excess chemical potential of the proteins in crowded solution by fast Fourier transform (FFT). As the first application, we studied the effects of ellipsoidal crowders on the folding and...
Direct control strategies based on sensing inductance in switched reluctance motors

The stator winding current commutation timing is the central subject of switched reluctance motor control. The direct use of coil inductance information for current commutation is introduced in this paper. The drawbacks of position-based commutation, in the presence of drifting electrical parameters, are overcome by using the instantaneous coil inductance information. Algorithms to optimize torque using this approach are also presented in this paper.
A Comparison of CEO and Director Perceptions of Board Involvement in Strategy

The assessment of board involvement in the strategic management process relies on data from CEOs and board members, and empirical studies assess board activity by either combining the ratings of CEOs and directors or by sampling one group of respondents only. This research note reports on discrepancies found between CEO and director perceptions of board involvement in the strategic management of credit unions. Consensus scores measure the dispersion of opinion, and the scores are compared to outcome measures using stepwise TOBIT analysis, which is rarely used in management research but is appropriate for studies with clustering of dependent variables. Findings reveal that the level of agreement about the board's involvement in mission statement development is associated with board member satisfaction. However, increases in the level of agreement about the board's involvement in monitoring strategy implementation are found in organizations that have less favorable financial soundness ratings.
Exploring Hypermedia Information Services for Disseminating Software Engineering Information

Abstract : This report describes the accomplishments of a pilot hypermedia information service embodying the conceptual definition of a pilot information base developed by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) in support of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) Software and Intelligent Systems Technology Office (SISTO). This pilot effort was conducted in support of the Technology Cost-Benefit Analysis tasks within TO&P 2-151, Software Engineering Technology Transition for Director, Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) and ARPA. This report also describes the intended uses and user populations of the proposed information base, design issues that influenced the structure and contents of the information base, a proposed information model consisting of information content and linkages, the pilot information base including the technology selected for the initial pilot effort and the pilot capability, lessons learned from the pilot effort, and future plans relating to the information base efforts. Information service, Hypermedia, World-Wide Web(WWW), NCSA Mosaic, Software engineering technology transition.
Effect of the preovulatory LH surge on bovine follicular progesterone receptor mRNA expression

A growing body of evidence indicates that intrafollicular progesterone receptor signaling pathways are obligatory for follicle rupture. However, the intrafollicular localization and regulation of progesterone receptor expression during the periovulatory period in cattle are not known. In this study, we determined the effect of the preovulatory gonadotropin surge on localization and expression of progesterone receptor mRNA in bovine periovulatory follicular and luteal tissue. Ovaries containing preovulatory follicles or new corpora lutea (CL) were collected at approximately 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 (preovulatory follicles) and 48 h (CL) after a GnRH-induced LH surge (n=5-8 per timepoint). Expression of progesterone receptor mRNA was detected in periovulatory follicular and luteal tissue at all timepoints examined. Relative levels of progesterone receptor mRNA were dramatically upregulated within 6h after the LH surge compared to all other time points (P<0.0001). In situ hybridization analysis revealed that the significant increase in progesterone receptor mRNA expression was localized to the granulosal layer of preovulatory follicles. Our results indicate that progesterone receptor mRNA expression is upregulated specifically in the granulosal layer of bovine preovulatory follicles following the LH surge. Progesterone receptor signaling pathways may help mediate the effects of the preovulatory LH surge on follicle rupture in cattle.
DMQR: A spatial routing protocol to enable VoIP over high-mobility wireless multihop networks

We develop a space-centric routing protocol to enable the delivery of mobile VoIP over high-mobility multi-hop wireless networks. The novel aspect of this protocol is the attribution of network and MAC layer congestion to space, which provides delay guarantees over much longer durations than can be achieved by node-centric routing protocols. The presented protocol constructs a spatial map of network congestion and utilizes this map to reactively find routes over space (cells) rather than individual nodes. The amount of congestion in each cell is tracked proactively by measurements of experienced local delay and is quickly disseminated among the nodes. Through QualNet simulations, we demonstrate substantial improvements in comparison with AODV and LAR over a realistic terrain with obstacles, for a wide range of node densities and velocities.
Steer performance and pasture productivity of a tall fescue-bermudagrass system compared with yellow bluestem and Coastal panicgrass1

Year-round grazing in animal production systems has potential in the mid-Atlantic United States. Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S. J. Darbysh.] is generally the cool-season perennial and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is the warm-season perennial in these systems. This study evaluated yellow bluestem (Bothriochloa ischemum L.; YBS) and Coastal panicgrass (Panicum amarum var. amarulum; CPG) for their quality and productivity with a tall fescue-bermudagrass system (BGS) as a control. Steer ADG (kg/d) was less (P = 0.05) in the BGS (0.66) than the mean of 0.77 from YBS (0.68) and CPG (0.86), which differed (P = 0.02). Steer ADG (kg/d) in spring (0.95) was greater (P < 0.01) than summer (0.53), but pasture species interacted with season (P = 0.02). The ADG of CPG was stable across season (from 0.97 to 0.76 kg/d), whereas BGS or YBS declined from 0.97 and 0.92, respectively, to 0.37 and 0.49 kg/d. Dietary in vitro true OM disappearance was similar among species (P = 0.29) and seasons (P = 0.62), averaging 803 g/kg; however, DMI (kg/d per 100 kg of BW) was least (P = 0.05) from the BGS (2.64) compared with YBS (2.97) and CPG (3.40) (P = 0.09). The BGS was stocked greater (P < 0.01) at 12.3 compared with 6.2 and 4.9 steers/ha for YBS and CPG, respectively. Adjusting for days tall fescue was grazed (23%) still favored the BGS. No difference in steer gain (P = 0.95) and effective feed units (P = 0.54) occurred between YBS and CPG (473 and 2,754 kg/ha).
Melanoplus foxi Hebard, 1923 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae): Rediscovered After Almost 60 Years Using Historical Field Notes Connected to Curated Specimens

ABSTRACT Melanoplus foxi Hebard, 1923 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae) is a flightless and morphologicallydistinct member of the Puer Group of grasshoppers that is endemic to sandhills in the state of Georgia, U.S.A. This species had not been collected in almost 60 years despite our combined eight years of independently searching for it in and around all known localities. Thus, the species was thought to possibly be extinct until our rediscovery of a combined total of 33 specimens of M. foxi in May of 2015 in three locations: Seminole State Park and Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lodge, which are protected areas, and along the road just outside of the latter. The discovery of a large number of specimens of M. foxi among the unidentified grasshoppers in the collection of the University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology's Insect Division and the subsequent examination of the collectors' digitized field notes (linked to the specimens via a code system) led directly to the discovery of these extant populat...
Company-Sponsored Welfare Plans in the Anthracite Industry before 1900

A recent survey by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce reported that so-called “fringe benefits” are now taking 16.4 per cent of the payrolls of American industry as a whole. Probably the best-known of these welfare programs is the United Mine Workers Welfare and Retirement Fund, which was started in May, 1946, by agreement between the union and the Department of the Interior, then operating the mines, and which was accepted by the operators when the industry returned to private hands. The Fund is financed by a royalty on every ton of coal produced. The royalty was originally 5 cents a ton, but it has risen every year until it is now 50 cents a ton. The revenues of the Fund up to June 30, 1952, were $476,000,000; its expenditures in the same period were $387,000,000. These disbursements went to finance several different types of benefits—pensions for retired miners, hospital and medical care, rehabilitation of the disabled, maintenance of men who were permanently and totally disabled, and death benefits and maintenance aid for miners' families. The Fund is administered by three trustees: one named by the United Mine Workers, one by the operators, and one designated jointly.
Abstract LB-239: The Rho GEF, GEF-H1, is regulated by and activates Rho in response to 3-D collagen matrix density in breast epithelial cells

Cell interactions with the extracellular matrix (ECM) have a profound influence on carcinoma progression, invasion, and metastasis. We and others have established that breast epithelial cells sense and respond to the stiffness of their ECM environment using the small GTPase Rho, however the exact signaling mechanism has not been identified. In addition to Rho, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been linked to mechanosensing, and studies from our lab have revealed FAK as a key mediator of breast tumor progression. We have found that mammary specific deletion of FAK results in tumors that are neither locally invasive nor metastatic. Expression analysis from FAK−/− tumors demonstrated that a number of Rho regulatory molecules were regulated by FAK. Of particular interest, mRNA for the Rho GEF, GEF-H1, was significantly decreased in FAK−/− mammary tumors. While relatively little is known about GEF-H1, it has been implicated in the crosstalk between microtubules and the actin cytoskeleton, positioning it as a potential regulator of Rho-mediated contractility. While it is established that Rho activity is regulated by matrix stiffness, Rho regulatory molecules that modulate signaling in 3D matrices, and specifically in response to changes in matrix stiffness, have yet to be identified. Here we demonstrate that the Rho specific exchange factor, GEF-H1, is activated by and in turn regulates Rho activation as well as Rho-mediated contractility in breast epithelial cells in response to 3D matrix density. Because we have demonstrated that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is activated in response to increased 3D collagen matrix density, and others have shown that ERK signaling modulates GEF-H1 exchange activity for RhoA, we are investigating whether ERK mediates mechanosignaling to GEF-H1. Additional studies are underway to determine the role of GEF-H1 in 3D breast cell invasion. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-239.
Lipogenesis in Buck Fawn White-Tailed Deer: Photoperiod Effects

Experiments on buck fawn white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) in Michigan's upper peninsula revealed that an artificially extended photoperiod (16L:8D) in autumn had antilipogenic/antigonadotropic effects. Short-day fawns (controls) accumulated 47% more abdominal fat by 21 November compared to long-day fawns. Fat reserves were similar between test groups necropsied 3 weeks later, indicating rapid accretion among long-day specimens when exposed to reduced natural daylight. Polished antler “buttons” suggested that all five short-day buck fawns had achieved sexual maturity by 12 December but only one of the five long-day specimens did so; lower food intake typical of bucks in rut was exhibited by the short-day specimens.
Custom Modeling and Application of Hydro-turbine Regulating System

In order to further improve the stability analysis of a power system,a model for the turbine governing system is developed with the realistic governor model and the prime mover model is expressed as a higher order nonlinear transfer function.Three kinds of prime mover model identifying methods are built,namely,the improved least squares(LS) algorithm,genetic algorithm(GA) and particle swarm optimization(PSO) algorithm.Compared with the measured dynamic process,the simulation results of the custom model is more realistic than the model provided by BPA4.0 and capable of meeting the demand for power system stability analysis.
Some notes on the Erdos-Szekeres theorem

Abstract In the spirit of the Erdos-Szekeres theorem of 1935 we prove some canonical Ramsey Theorems in the plane. In Theorem 1 we are concerned with the number of points in the interior of a convex n -gon. In Theorem 2 we consider a set of points in general position along with a function from the set of points into the plane and prove the existence of a certain canonical configuration. A one-dimensional analog of Theorem 2 is a reformulation of a known theorem concerning intervals on the real line.
SERUM ENZYMES AND DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION.

The diagnostic usefulness of repeated colorimetric assays of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) activity is compared with the other currently used methods of diagnosing acute myocardial infarction. Such repeated assays have been found to be valuable adjuncts in the diagnosis of infarction. The desirability of prompt and frequent, if not daily, assays of LDH and GOT activity after a suspected insult is emphasized.
Evaluation of warm‐season grasses nutritive value as alternatives to cool‐season grasses under limited irrigation

The production of cool-season grasses is limited by their photosynthetic inefficiency during the hot summer months. Therefore, a study was conducted during 2006 and 2007 at a Logan, UT, USA field site to determine the potential of various warm-season grasses as alternatives to cool-season grasses during summer under limited irrigation. The study included 20 environments, which corresponded to combinations of the 2 years, two harvest dates (June and July) and five irrigation levels. There were differences among the 27 varieties (21 warm-season and six cool-season) for crude protein (CP), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and biomass (BM) across the 20 environments. However, the overall variety effects were ameliorated by the presence of genotype by environment interaction for CP, WSC, BM, and to a lesser extent IVTD. The cool-season grasses generally possessed higher trait values in each environment, yet there were several warm-season grasses, such as big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) variety ‘Bison’ and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) variety ‘Trailblazer’ that possessed higher values for the nutritive value traits. Additionally, these warm-season grass varieties possessed substantially higher BM than any cool-season grass varieties. Thus, there are warm-season grass varieties that combine high BM and higher nutritive value in the summer months under limited irrigation. These may prove to be viable forage alternatives to the cool-season grasses during the summer slump period.
Utopian and Dystopian Futures for Learning Technologies

This paper details how learning technologies and media continue to change and augment the way we learn. The paper begins with accepted definitions and a brief history of technological utopianism, ultimately leading to learning technologies and utopian and dystopian views for the future.
The role of occupational therapy in pain management

Abstract Occupation is central to human behaviour. Occupational therapy is based on the premise that there is an intrinsic relationship between occupations, health and wellbeing. Chronic pain restricts the performance of activities that individuals need to, want to and are expected to perform. As activity performance is central to an individual's identity, these restrictions can further impact the person's psychological health and wellbeing. Occupation is not performed in isolation and the inability to fulfil valued family and social roles has a further impact on the person's social environment. The focus of occupational therapists working in pain management is therefore to enable individuals with chronic pain to participate in the activities that have value and meaning to them, despite their pain. The occupational therapy intervention will include the use of strategies such as activity management, activity adaptation, the development of coping strategies and vocational rehabilitation and may involve working with patients at home, school or workplace in addition to clinical settings. The aim of this article is to explain the role and value of occupational therapy within the pain management team.
Low-temperature tolerance and CO2 uptake for platyopuntias—a laboratory assessment

Fourteen accessions of Opuntia ficus-indica, O. fusicaulis, O. hyptiacantha, O. megacantha, O. rastrera, O. stricta, and O. streptacantha, whose low-temperature damage in the field in south Texas had previously been determined, were examined for low-temperature tolerance in the laboratory. Those platyopuntia accessions exhibiting the least low-temperature damage in the field had the greatest low-temperature tolerance in the laboratory, assayed using uptake of a vital stain (neutral red) by the chlorenchyma cells. All 14 accessions exhibited low-temperature acclimation as the day/night air temperatures for growth were reduced from 35°C/25°C to 25°C/15°C to 15°C/5°C, the greatest low-temperature tolerance being associated with the greatest acclimation ability. To screen for possible differences in CO2 uptake ability among the six accessions exhibiting the greatest low-temperature tolerance, the nocturnal increases in tissue acidity and osmotic pressure were determined in the laboratory for these Crassulacean acid metabolism plants. Both measures of CO2 uptake were maximal at the intermediate growth temperature, 25°C/15°C. Moreover, the two variables were highly correlated (r2 = 0·87, p
Immune Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy: A Cause of Isolated Myopathy of Neck Extensor Muscle

Immune mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) is a unique form of myositis that is characterized by distinct muscle biopsy features including abundant myofiber necrosis, degeneration, and regeneration with only minimal, if any, inflammation on muscle biopsy. IMNM is clinically similar to idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM); hence, muscle biopsy is essential to diagnose IMNM. Herein we describe a case of neck extensor weakness due to necrotizing myopathy. Isolated weakness of the neck extensor muscles is uncommon in IIM and IMNM. This case describes the diagnostic work-up, treatments utilized, and 2 year follow-up course without involvement of other muscle groups and without progression of neck extensor muscle weakness. Advanced imaging using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilitated the diagnosis by identifying the affected muscles and site for muscle biopsy.
MoodLens: towards improving nonverbal emotional expression with an in-lens fiber optic display

Using an outward-facing display mounted on eyeglasses, MoodLens seeks to help individuals express emotion who have lost the ability to speak or use facial muscles. MoodLens looks like normal eyeglasses when not in use and allows the wearer to experience eye contact normally. We collected data from non-disabled participants (i.e., potential conversation partners for the wearer) who viewed smiling, neutral and frowning emoticons on MoodLens accompanied by computerized speech. The emoticons were recognizable at conversational distances and altered the perceived emotional content of the speech significantly.
A partially coherent microwave emission model for polar ice sheets with density fluctuations and multilayer rough interfaces from 0.5 to 2 GHZ

A partially coherent low frequency microwave emission model for polar ice sheet is developed to operate from 0.5GHz to 2.0GHz predicting brightness temperatures. The emission from polar ice sheet over the wide frequency band is shown to be correlated with its temperature profile and affected by its density fluctuations. The density fluctuations creating weakly reflective internal interfaces cause the decay of wave coherence so that the ice sheet can be divided into blocks. The coherent wave interaction are accounted for within the block by full wave simulations while inter-block wave interaction are taken incoherently by cascading boundary conditions in radiative transfer. The layer thickness / correlation length of the density fluctuation cause distinct frequency spectrum of the brightness temperature. The air/ snow interface and intermediate snow layer interfaces are rough causing angular coupling and polarization coupling in microwave emissions, and affect the angular patterns of the brightness temperature.. We apply the small perturbation method to study the roughness effects of multiple interfaces. Results of vertical and horizontal emissivities are illustrated as a function of observation angles
The effects of soil compactness on the burrowing performance of sympatric eastern and hairy-tailed moles

Burrowing is an energetically costly form of locomotion that has evolved multiple times in mammals. Burrowing performance is associated with varying degrees of morphological specialization and is also affected by the characteristics of the substrate that animals burrow in. Moles (Talpidae) are well known for their specialized forelimbs and extreme dedication to life underground. In this study, we investigated how soil compactness affects burrowing performance in two sympatric mole species, eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) and hairy-tailed moles (Parascalops breweri). We measured burrowing speed, the amount of soil moved, rate of soil transport, tunnel length, activity level and the tendency to burrow over long distances, and tested how these variables changed in response to loose, intermediate and compact soils. We found that increasing soil compactness impedes tunneling performance as evidenced by reduced burrowing speed, increased soil transport, shorter tunnels, shorter activity time and less time spent burrowing continuously. Eastern moles built longer tunnels than hairy-tailed moles as soil compactness increased. This difference is linked to burrowing for longer times and distances, not higher burrowing speeds or rates of soil transport. Differences in performance between the two species may be associated with differences in the structure and extent of their burrow systems or the morphology of their forelimbs. They may also reflect preferences for loose (hairy-tailed moles) or compact soils (eastern moles).
Using Stationary Image based Data Collection Method for Evaluation of Traffic Sign Condition

Abstract Transportation asset management helps monitor the transportation systems and optimize the construction, operation, and maintenance of assets. Many state Department of Transportations (DOTs) have already established asset management systems for high cost and low quantity assets, e.g., bridge and tunnel assets. However, due to the sheer number of traffic signs deployed by DOTs, statewide sign inventory and condition information are not well developed. Currently, using handheld devices is the most selected method by agencies to measure signs. To address safety challenge and high cost of data collection, an innovative stationary image based method has recently been proposed. This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of such image based method over using handheld devices in terms of the accuracy, possibility and consistency of data, speed, safety, maintenance, and cost. At its completion, this study provides suggestions to tackle the issues associated with image based method.