cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple glycoproteins localize to a particulate form of extracellular matrix in regions of the embryonic heart where endothelial cells transform into mesenchyme

Cells derived from an epithelial-mesenchymal transformation within the atrioventricular canal and outflow tract are involved in the partitioning of the early embryonic heart into a four-chambered organ. This transformation process has been shown to proceed from an inductive interaction between the myocardium and competent, target endothelial cells within these regions of the heart. Interestingly, immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of fibronectinpositive particulates within the matrix of mesenchyme-forming regions (Mjaatvedt et al., 1987). This particulate matrix is extractable by EDTA and can elicit the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in culture (Mjaatvedt and Markwald, 1989). Analysis of EDTA extracts of embryonic heart tissue revealed the presence of fibronectin and about 40 unidentified proteins, 6 of which appeared to be enriched in the biologically active 100,000g pellet fraction (Mjaatvedt and Markwald, 1989). Based on these and other data we have proposed that the particulate matrix is composed of a multicomponent complex of fibronectin and one or more of the low-molecular-weight proteins in this pellet. The purpose of the present study was to begin a biochemical characterization of the nonfibronectin proteins thought to be present in the matrix particulates. Given that many matrix constituents are glycoproteins, lectins were used to initially characterize the particulate constituents. Of the lectins tested, soybean agglutinin (SBA) was found to be specific only for matrix particulates. Histochemical analyses showed that SBA and antibodies against fibronectin colocalized regionally and temporally to the same matrix particulates in embryonic heart tissue. SBA-agarose affinity chromatography resulted in the isolation of two major (56 and 69 kDa) and six minor (28, 46, 50, 53, 126, 220 kDa) proteins from EDTA extractable heart matrix. Temporal lectin histochemical studies indicate that SBA-positive particulates are present in the matrix prior to mesenchyme formation, but are absent shortly after the transformation event. These observations support our hypothesis that one or more of these SBA-positive glycoproteins participate in the endothelial-mesenchymal transformation of cardiac endothelium.
Conscientiousness as a mediator of the association between masculinized finger‐length ratios and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Conscientiousness as a mediator of the association between masculinized finger-length ratios and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
ABISS—an inexpensive computer-based sound spectrograph

A practical tool for assisting deaf children to learn to speak is discussed. The first portion of this project which has been completed is presented in detail. On-going further development leading to the final system is also discussed.
Severe leucocytoclastic vasculitis induced by repaglinide in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

Repaglinide is a recently introduced drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.[1] We report a 62-year-old female with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis C (hepatitis C virus [HCV]) who developed severe ulcerating leucocytoclastic vasculitis secondary to treatment with repaglinide. The main dermatological disorders in HCV infection include vasculitis (mainly cryoglobulinassociated vasculitis, the cause of which is HCV in most cases, and possibly some cases of polyarteritis nodosa); sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda; cutaneous and/or mucosal lichen planus; and salivary gland lesions, characterised by lymphocytic capillaritis, sometimes associated with lymphocytic sialadenitis resembling that of Sjogren’s syndrome.[2-4] In our case, drug-induced vasculitis was the most likely cause.
Probicyclophosphates: monocyclophosphates as potential prodrugs for bicyclophosphate GABA antagonists

4-Alkylbicyclophosphates, R1C(CH2O)3P(O), with suitable R1 substituents (e.g., t-butyl, isopropyl, or cyclohexyl) are highly toxic compounds [mouse intraperitoneal (ip) LD50 values 0.036-0.52 mg/kg] and are potent noncompetitive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonists. 4-Alkylmonocyclophosphates of the type R1(HOCH2)C(CH2O)2P(O)R2 (where R2 is O-p-nitrophenyl, O-phenyl, S-ethyl, or S-n-propyl) are potential prodrugs by virtue of their cyclization to bicyclophosphates; thus, they may be considered as probicyclophosphates. Both the O-aryl and S-alkyl compounds cyclize via intramolecular transesterification in aqueous medium at pH 7.4 and the S-alkyl derivatives also on oxidation with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in chloroform and possibly with microsomal oxidases. For the isomeric O-nitrophenyl, 4-isopropyl compounds, one is equitoxic with the corresponding bicyclophosphate on ip administration to mice while the other is of very low toxicity, a result paralleled by their relative cyclization rates [k(min-1) 4 X 10(-2) and less than 4 X 10(-5), respectively]. The S-alkyl compounds are of intermediate toxicity and the O-phenyl compound is of low toxicity to mice, apparently due to less efficient conversion to the bicyclophosphates. The probable mode of action of these monocyclophosphates as potential prodrugs for bicyclophosphate GABA antagonists is further supported by receptor inhibition studies and identification of the bicyclophosphate products in enzyme systems and in the urine of treated rats.
Dimensions of Mental Illness Stigma: What About Mental Illness Causes Social Rejection?

Abstract The stigma of mental illness can be as harmful as the symptoms, leading to family discord, job discrimination, and social rejection. The existence of mental illness stigma has been well established, but stigma theory must go beyond demonstrations and mere descriptions. This article addresses which characteristics across mental disorders lead to stigmatization and social rejection. Participants (N = 270) read case histories depicting individuals with 40 mental disorders, rated those individuals on 17 dimensions (e.g., dangerousness to others, treatability, social disruptiveness), and indicated how willing they were to reject these individuals on a social distance scale. This yielded a ranking of mental disorders by degree of stigmatization; most importantly it reveals the structure of mental illness stigmatization. Only three dimensions were essential in accounting for rejection: personal responsibility for the illness, dangerousness, and rarity of the illness. These dimensions provide an efficien...
Induced Paramagnetism in Uranium Alloys: A Boron NMR Study of Alloys Formed between UB 4 and YB 4

An experimental 11 B nuclear magnetic resonance study was performed in U x Y 1- x B 4 alloys. These alloys are known to be ferromagnetic below ∼14 K for \(0.1{\lesssim}x{\lesssim}0.6\). The nmr studies were performed in the paramagnetic temperature region 75– 292 K to investigate the mode of development of 5 f magnetic moments on the U atoms. The second moments of the nmr signals were analyzed to provide a measure of the distribution of magnetic fields within the alloys. The results are in qualitative agreement with a previously proposed theory suggesting that only those U atoms with four or less U nearest neighbors become magnetic. Quantitative agreement is provided if a reasonable assumption is made regarding the strength of the U magnetic moments.
Regulation of α-subunit mRNA transcripts by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in pituitary cell cultures and α T3-1 cells

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) increases glycoprotein hormone α-subunit mRNA levels suggesting a role for PACAP in maintaining the high levels of α-subunit protein characteristic of the pituitary. The present study used primary pituitary cell cultures and the α T3-1 pituitary cell line to investigate how PACAP affects α-subunit mRNA transcripts. Stimulation of cultured pituitary cells with 10 nM PACAP38, 10 nM GnRH, or the combination, for 24 h increased α-subunit mRNA levels 1.5-fold, whereas GnRH more effectively (P < 0.01) stimulated α-subunit protein release than did PACAP38 (3.2- vs. 2.0-fold). α-Subunit mRNA levels in α T3-1 cells were also increased by PACAP38 and by GnRH to maximum values at 12 h (P < 0.05), and α-subunit protein secretion rose proportionately and in parallel with α-subunit MRNA levels. PACAP38 was a 100-fold more potent stimulator of α-subunit mRNA than was VIP, and a VIP-antagonist failed to block the stimulatory effect of PACAP38, suggesting an effect via type PACAP 1 receptors. Type I receptor mRNA transcripts were identified by Northern analysis in α T3-1 cells. Depletion of PKC activity by PMA failed to block the stimulatory effect of PACAP38, but prevented GnRH from increasing α-subunit mRNA levels and α-subunit secretion. PACAP38, like 8Br-cAMP and forskolin, stimulated (P < 0.05) luciferase (LUC) activity in α T3-1 cells transfected with a plasmid containing the first 846 or 180 base pairs of the 5′-flanking region of the human α-subunit gene linked upstream to a LUC reporter gene. Finally, experiments using the transcription inhibitor DRB reveal that PACAP does not appreciably change α-subunit mRNA half-life. These findings are consistent with the proposal that PACAP contributes to the high levels of α-subunit protein characteristic of the pituitary by activating Type I receptors and stimulating α-subunit gene transcription in part by the cAMP/PKA pathway.
TapSense: enhancing finger interaction on touch surfaces

We present TapSense, an enhancement to touch interaction that allows conventional surfaces to identify the type of object being used for input. This is achieved by segmenting and classifying sounds resulting from an object's impact. For example, the diverse anatomy of a human finger allows different parts to be recognized including the tip, pad, nail and knuckle - without having to instrument the user. This opens several new and powerful interaction opportunities for touch input, especially in mobile devices, where input is extremely constrained. Our system can also identify different sets of passive tools. We conclude with a comprehensive investigation of classification accuracy and training implications. Results show our proof-of-concept system can support sets with four input types at around 95% accuracy. Small, but useful input sets of two (e.g., pen and finger discrimination) can operate in excess of 99% accuracy.
Essentials of Basic Writing Pedagogy for Librarians.

There is an ongoing paradigm shift in librarianship that prompts the application of pedagogy throughout our professional practice. In light of the special attention to basic writing development in community college curricula, this article provides an overview of basic writing pedagogy. It discusses the overall college-level writing and research processes, the academic developmental stages of community college students, and the library's role in basic writing development. It concludes with a postulation of basic writing pedagogy within our practice.
Characterization of quasi-plastic deformation of WC-Co composite using Hertzian indentation technique

Abstract Using the Hertzian indentation technique, the evolution of the WC–Co composite from plastic deformation to final fracture was studied. Loaded with a spherical indenter, the material underwent initial elastic, elastic–plastic, and fully plastic deformations, finally ended with macrocracks, namely cone cracks and radial cracks. The behaviors of both WC grains and cobalt binder phase during each step of the deformation process was studied including the slip of WC grains, the formation of microcracks, the apparent strain hardening of the WC–Co composite, and the evolution from quasi-plastic deformation to the formation of macro-rings cracks and radial cracks. The correlation between microcracks and the quasi-plastic deformation, apparent strain hardening, and macrocracks are examined.
EVIDENCE FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PUTATIVE TRH METABOLITE, DEAMIDO-TRH, IN HUMAN URINE

Using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for deamido TRH (TRH-OH), TRH-OH immunoreactivity (IR) was detected in the urine of 54 percent of a group of normal subjects and patients with thyroid disease. Human urine TRH-OH IR eluted in the position of synthetic TRH-OH on Sephadex G-10 gel filtration (GF). In contrast, urine TRH IR, as determined by a specific TRH RIA, did not elute with synthetic TRH. HU-TRH was prepared for studies on its crossreactivity in the TRH-OH RIA. HU-TRH is the term given to a previously described substance(s) which is obtained from human urine by immunoabsorption to anti-TRH antiserum, is reactive in the TRH RIA, and shows non-identity with synthetic TRH on GF. HU-TRH was not reactive in the TRH-OH RIA. These studies suggest that the putative TRH metabolite, deamido TRH, is present in human urine and that HU-TRH is neither TRH-OH or as closely related structurally to TRH-OH as it is to TRH.
Divergent Selection Drives Genetic Differentiation in an R2R3-MYB Transcription Factor That Contributes to Incipient Speciation in Mimulus aurantiacus

Identifying the molecular genetic basis of traits contributing to speciation is of crucial importance for understanding the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that generate biodiversity. Despite several examples describing putative “speciation genes,” it is often uncertain to what extent these genetic changes have contributed to gene flow reductions in nature. Therefore, considerable interest lies in characterizing the molecular basis of traits that actively confer reproductive isolation during the early stages of speciation, as these loci can be attributed directly to the process of divergence. In Southern California, two ecotypes of Mimulus aurantiacus are parapatric and differ primarily in flower color, with an anthocyanic, red-flowered morph in the west and an anthocyanin-lacking, yellow-flowered morph in the east. Evidence suggests that the genetic changes responsible for this shift in flower color have been essential for divergence and have become fixed in natural populations of each ecotype due to almost complete differences in pollinator preference. In this study, we demonstrate that a cis-regulatory mutation in an R2R3-MYB transcription factor results in differential regulation of enzymes in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway and is the major contributor to differences in floral pigmentation. In addition, molecular population genetic data show that, despite gene flow at neutral loci, divergent selection has driven the fixation of alternate alleles at this gene between ecotypes. Therefore, by identifying the genetic basis underlying ecologically based divergent selection in flower color between these ecotypes, we have revealed the ecological and functional mechanisms involved in the evolution of pre-mating isolation at the early stages of incipient speciation.
Applying Software Product Line Technology to Simulation Modeling of Emergency Response Facility

This paper proposes an effective, reusable solution for modeling and simulation. The approach is to develop a Software Product Line (SPL) architecture that explicitly captures the commonality and variability in a family of similar simulation systems. First responders and incident management personnel need better training resources to prepare for possible catastrophic events, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Live exercises are often very expensive to organize and conduct. With modeling and simulation technology, simulation-based exercise and training models could be developed. The SPL technology enables the simulation system to easily adapt to multiple contexts and allows the simulation system to reconfigure quickly. SPL models can be developed at different levels of scope and depth to suit the emergency responder's needs. By reusing the system requirement analysis, software architectures, and design, the development time is shorter, the development cost is lower, and the quality is easil...
Small G Protein Signaling in Neuronal Plasticity and Memory Formation: The Specific Role of Ras Family Proteins

Small G proteins are an extensive family of proteins that bind and hydrolyze GTP. They are ubiquitous inside cells, regulating a wide range of cellular processes. Recently, many studies have examined the role of small G proteins, particularly the Ras family of G proteins, in memory formation. Once thought to be primarily involved in the transduction of a variety of extracellular signals during development, it is now clear that Ras family proteins also play critical roles in molecular processing underlying neuronal and behavioral plasticity. We here review a number of recent studies that explore how the signaling of Ras family proteins contributes to memory formation. Understanding these signaling processes is of fundamental importance both from a basic scientific perspective, with the goal of providing mechanistic insights into a critical aspect of cognitive behavior, and from a clinical perspective, with the goal of providing effective therapies for a range of disorders involving cognitive impairments.
Aneurysmal (“Angiomatoid”) fibrous histiocytoma of the skin

Seventeen cases are reported of a variety of cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma, which we have designated as aneurysmal ("angiomatoid") fibrous histiocytoma. These lesions differ from the classical cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma in both their clinical presentation and pathologic features. Clinically, they may be larger than the usual cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma, are blue, black, or dark red, and have a cystic consistency. They are most commonly located on the extremities and may be associated with symptoms of pain and rapid growth. The clinical diagnosis of fibrous histiocytoma is seldom considered in the differential diagnosis, which may include malignant melanoma, hemangioma, neurofibroma, and nonspecific cyst. Histologically, the lesions are characterized by the presence of large, blood-filled tissue spaces, which, at times, account for up to one half their size. These spaces lack an endothelial lining, being surrounded and lined by histiocytes, many of which contain hemosiderin pigment, fibroblasts, and foam cells. The solid portions of the tumor have the usual features of a cutaneous fibrous histiocytoma. This "angiomatoid" lesion is closely allied to what has been termed "hemosiderin histiocytoma," which appears to be a precursor stage in its formation. The presence of extravasated erythrocytes in combination with a spindle-cell stroma may lead to an erroneous diagnosis of Kaposi's sarcoma. This cutaneous tumor has architectural and cytologic similarities to its malignant soft tissue counterpart recently described as angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma. However, unlike the latter, the cutaneous lesion is benign and lacks the prominent inflammatory infiltrate, pleomorphic appearance, and systemic manifestations of its soft tissue counterpart. The distinctive clinical and pathologic features of the cutaneous lesion serve to separate it as a specific variant of the cutaneous fibrous histiocytomas.
Computational fracture mechanics: Research and application

Abstract This paper focuses on the impact of computational methodology on furthering the understanding of fundamental fracture phenomena. The current numerical approaches to the solution of fracture mechanics problems, e.g. finite element (FE) methods, finite difference methods and boundary element methods, are reviewed. The application of FE methods to the problems of linear elastic fracture problems is discussed. Particular emphases are placed on the stress intensity factors, energy release rate in mixed mode fracture and dynamic crack propagation. Numerical solutions of ductile fracture problems are surveyed. A special focus is placed on stable crack growth problems. The need for further research in this area is emphasized. The importance of large strain phenomena and accurate modeling of non-linearities is highlighted. An expanded version of fracture mechanics methodology is given by Liebowitz [Advances in Fracture Research 3. Pergamon Press, Oxford (1989)]; additional treatment is given in this paper to numerical results incorporating error estimates and algorithms for mesh design into the FE code. The adaptive method involves various stages which includes FE analysis, error estimation/indication, mesh refinement and fracture/failure analysis iteratively. Reference is made to integrate expert knowledge and a hierarchical, rule-based, decision process to fracture mechanics for the purpose of designing practical fracture-proof engineering products. Some further areas of research in adaptive finite element analysis are discussed.
Open-loop performance of a MEMS reflective wavefront sensor

Sandia National Laboratory has constructed several segmented MEMS deformable mirrors that are under investigation for their suitability in experimental Adaptive Optics systems for the Naval Research Laboratory. These mirrors are fabricated in a hexagonal array and can been constructed with flat surfaces, or with optical power allowing each mirror to bring its subaperture of light to a focus similar to a Shack-Hartman array. Each mirror can use the tip, tilt and piston function to move the focused spots to the desired reference location, and the measurement of the applied voltage can be used directly to power a similar flat MEMS deformable mirror. Unlike the Shack-Hartman array, this wavefront sensor can detect large magnitude aberrations up to and beyond where the focused spots overlap, due to the ability to dither each focused spot. This paper reports on experiments and analysis of the open-loop performance, including repeatability measurements.
The dynamics of ions in glasses: importance of ion–ion interactions

Abstract We present frequency dispersion of two oxide glasses with widely different ion concentrations to show that ion–ion interaction and correlation plays an important role in determining the dc conductivity and the low frequency cooperative part of the dispersion. The origin of the near constant loss, which always appears at higher frequencies/lower temperatures, is traced to few and infrequent independent jumps of the ions out of their cages without the effect of ion–ion correlation. The coupling model gives quantitative support to this interpretation of the entire dispersion. The largest effect of the mixed alkali effect in glasses occurs in the dilute foreign-alkali region, where one foreign alkali immobilizes a large number of host ions. Results show that this feature of the mixed alkali effect can only be explained if ion–ion interaction/correlation is included in the description of the ion dynamics.
Dynamical intramolecular metal-to-metal ligand exchange of phosphine and thioether ligands in derivatives PtRu5(CO)16(μ6-C)

The complexes PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(PMe(2)Ph)(mu(6)-C) (2), PtRu(5)(CO)(14)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)(mu(6)-C) (3), PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(PMe(3))(mu(6)-C) (4), PtRu(5)(CO)(14)(PMe(3))(2)(mu(6)-C) (5), and PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(Me(2)S)(mu(6)-C) (6) were obtained from the reactions of PtRu(5)(CO)(16)(mu(6)-C) (1) with the appropriate ligand. As determined by NMR spectroscopy, all the new complexes exist in solution as a mixture of isomers. Compounds 2, 3, and 6 were characterized crystallographically. In all three compounds, the six metal atoms are arranged in an octahedral geometry, with a carbido carbon atom in the center. The PMe(2)Ph and Me(2)S ligands are coordinated to the Pt atom in 2 and 6, respectively. In 3, the two PMe(2)Ph ligands are coordinated to Ru atoms. In solution, all the new compounds undergo dynamical intramolecular isomerization by shifting the PMe(2)Ph or Me(2)S ligand back and forth between the Pt and Ru atoms. For compound 2, DeltaH++ = 15.1(3) kcal/mol, DeltaS++ = -7.7(9) cal/(mol.K), and DeltaG(298) = 17.4(6) kcal/mol for the transformation of the major isomer to the minor isomer; for compound 4, DeltaH++ = 14.0(1) kcal/mol, DeltaS++ = -10.7(4) cal/(mol.K), and DeltaG(298) = 17.2(2) kcal/mol for the transformation of the major isomer to the minor isomer; for compound 6, DeltaH++ = 18(1) kcal/mol, DeltaS++ = 21(5) cal/(mol.K) and DeltaG(298) = 12(2) kcal/mol. The shifts of the Me(2)S ligand in 6 are significantly more facile than the shifts for the phosphine ligand in compounds 2-5. This is attributed to a more stable ligand-bridged intermediate for the isomerizations of 6 than that for compounds 2-5. The intermediate for the isomerization of 6 involves a bridging Me(2)S ligand that can use two lone pairs of electrons for coordination to the metal atoms, whereas a tertiary phosphine ligand can use only one lone pair of electrons for bridging coordination.
A critical examination of the export-base theory of urban-regional growth

In an early discussion with North on the merits of the export-base theory, Tiebout stated: The idea that essentially the export base is the necessary and sufficient condition for regional economic growth may be, by definition, a true statement...Put another way, it is possible to define the necessary condition for regional economic growth as the creation of an export base... Again, formally speaking, it is the ability to develop an export base which determines regional growth. Yet in terms of causation, the nature of the residentiary industries will be a key factor in any possible development.
Optical absorption and ionization of silicate glasses

Intrinsic, extrinsic (transition metals and hydroxyl), and induced (color centers) absorption of multicomponent silicate glasses in UV, visible and near IR spectral regions are described. Parasitic effects influencing absorption measurements are discussed. Excitation to the intrinsic absorption band results in intrinsic luminescence and ionization followed by color center generation and phosphorescence. The thresholds of electron and hole mobility in glass network are found in the far UV region. The hole-centers generation as a criterion of substance ionization is proposed. A number of nonlinear mechanisms of glass ionization are discussed. Two-photon ionization was detected in alkaline-silicate glasses exposed to high-power laser radiation in nano- and picosecond regimes. Three- photon ionization was detected in lead-silicate glasses. No reliable data on multiphoton ionization (with number of photons more than 3) of glasses are found. Two- and three- photon cooperative self-multiplication of color centers was found in CuCl-doped glasses. Glass matrix ionization by spectral broadening of femtosecond IR pulses is described. Thermal and surface ionization of glass under intense irradiation by pulsed lasers is described.
Multiscale modeling of TiO2 nanoparticle production in flame reactors: Effect of chemical mechanism

For titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles manufactured in flame reactors, the precursor is injected into a pre-existing flame, exposing it to a high-temperature gas phase, leading to nucleation and particle growth. Predictive modeling of this chemical process requires simultaneous development of detailed chemical mechanisms describing gas-phase combustion and particle evolution, as well as advanced computational tools for describing the turbulent flow field and its interactions with the chemical processes. Here, a multiscale computational tool for flame-based TiO2 nanoparticle synthesis is developed and a flamelet model representing detailed chemistry for particle nucleation is proposed. The effect of different chemical mechanisms (i.e., one-step, detailed, flamelet) on the prediction of nanoparticle nucleation is investigated using a plug-flow reactor and a partially stirred tank reactor to model the flow field. These simulations demonstrate that particle nucleation occurs much later in the flame with de...
On the validity of the assumed probability density function method for modeling binary mixing/reaction of evaporated vapor in gas/liquid-droplet turbulent shear flow

An investigation of the statistical description of binary mixing and/or reaction between a carrier gas and an evaporated vapor species in two-phase gas-liquid turbulent flows is performed through both theoretical analysis and comparisons with results from direct numerical simulations (DNS) of a two-phase mixing layer. In particular, the validity and added complications of extending single-point assumed probabolity density function (PDF) methods to two-phase flows involving evaporating droplets as sources of vapor are addressed. Noting that Favre density-weighted averaging is the most convenient form for moment transport equations for these flows, algebraic relationships are derived for the ratios of the Favre and nonweighted scalar means and variances. Comparisons with the DNS results indicate that the mixing layer centerline where the root mean square (rms) density fluctuation is >12% of the mean density. It is therefore considered appropriate to use Favre moments for the nonweighted PDF closure. A transport equation for effects. The DNS results indicate that one of these terms due to scalar-source correlations is predominantly responsible for scalar variance production, whereas the remaining three terms are of negligible magnitude. Finally, the β PDF, which is known to represent well the DNS generated mixture fraction statistics for single-phase mixing, is shown to be a poor representation for mixing of vapor resulting from droplet evaporation.
The Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS): noise performance

The NASA New Millennium Program (NMP) Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) instrument was designed to demonstrate new and emerging technologies and provide immense improvements in satellite based remote sensing of the atmosphere from a geostationary orbit [1]. Combining a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) and Large Area Focal Plane Arrays, GIFTS measures incident infrared radiance with an extraordinary combination of spectral, temporal, and spatial resolution and coverage. Thermal vacuum testing of the GIFTS Engineering Development Unit (EDU) was performed at the Space Dynamics Laboratory and completed in May 2006 [2,3]. The GIFTS noise performance measured during EDU thermal vacuum testing indicates that threshold performance has been realized, and that goal performance (or better) has been achieved over much of both the Longwave Infrared (LWIR) and Short/Midwave Infrared (SMWIR) detector bands. An organizational structure for the division of the noise sources and effects for the GIFTS instrument is presented. To comprehensively characterize and predict the effects of measurement noise on expected instrument performance, the noise sources are categorically divided and a method of combining the independent effects is defined. Within this architecture, the total noise is principally decomposed into spectrally correlated noise and random (spectrally uncorrelated) noise. The characterization of the spectrally correlated noise sources specified within the structure is presented in detail.
Whole word discriminative point process models

This paper introduces a discriminative extension to whole-word point process modeling techniques. Meant to circumvent the strong independence assumptions of their generative predecessors, discriminative point process models (DPPM) are trained to distinguish the composite temporal patterns of phonetic events produced for a given word from those of its impostors. Using correct and incorrect word hypotheses extracted from large vocabulary recognizer lattices, we train whole-word DPPMs to provide an alternative set of acoustic model scores. Using solely the timing of sparse phonetic events, DPPM scores exhibit comparable discriminative power to those produced by a state-of-the-art acoustic model built using the IBM Attila Speech Recognition Toolkit. In addition, the inherent complementarity of frame-based and event-based models permits significant improvements from score combination.
The Role of Corporate Governance in Initial Public Offerings: Evidence from Real Estate Investment Trusts

This study analyzes the impact of corporate governance structures at the initial public offering date. We test hypotheses that firms with more shareholder-oriented governance structures receive higher valuations at the IPO stage, attract more institutional ownership, and have better long-term performance. Our IPO sample is restricted to a set of 107 real estate investment trusts (REITs) over the 1991 to 1998 time period. Using a single industry and REITs in particular reduces potentially confounding effects due to differences in risk, transparency, and growth potential. We believe this - combined with our use of IPOs - mitigates the endogeneity problem present in studies of the impact of governance on seasoned firms' valuation. Our analysis indicates that firms with stronger governance structures not only have higher initial IPO valuations, but also have better long-term operating performance than their peers.
Time as the Ultimate Source of Utility

In this informal essay I take an extreme position on the importance of time. I argue that the only ultimate source of utility is the disposition of time. (Even the Becker (1965) and Linder (1970) analyses treat time primarily as a constraint rather than as the primary commodity whose allocation is to be optimized.) Our ob
Cadena: an integrated development, analysis, and verification environment for component-based systems

The use of component models such as Enterprise Java Beans and the CORBA Component Model (CCM) in application development is expanding rapidly. Even in real-time safety/mission-critical domains, component-based development is beginning to take hold as a mechanism for incorporating non-functional aspects such as real-time, quality-of-service, and distribution. To form an effective basis for development of such systems, we believe that support for reasoning about correctness properties of component-based designs is essential.In this paper, we present Cadena -- an integrated environment for building and modeling CCM systems. Cadena provides facilities for defining component types using CCM IDL, specifying dependency information and transition system semantics for these types, assembling systems from CCM components, visualizing various dependence relationships between components, specifying and verifying correctness properties of models of CCM systems derived from CCM IDL, component assembly information, and Cadena specifications, and producing CORBA stubs and skeletons implemented in Java. We are applying Cadena to avionics applications built using Boeing 's Bold Stroke framework.
Azimuthal instability of divergent flows

We investigate a new mechanism for instability (named divergent instability ), characterized by the formation of azimuthal cells, and find it to be a generic feature of three-dimensional steady axisymmetric flows of viscous incompressible fluid with radially diverging streamlines near a planar or conical surface. Four such flows are considered here: (i) Squire–Wang flow in a half-space driven by surface stresses; (ii) recirculation of fluid inside a conical meniscus; (iii) two-cell regime of free convection above a rigid cone; and (iv) Marangoni convection in a half-space induced by a point source of heat (or surfactant) placed at the liquid surface. For all these cases, bifurcation of the secondary steady solutions occurs: for each azimuthal wavenumber m = 2, 3,…, a critical Reynolds number ( Re * ) exists. The intent to compare with experiments led us to investigate case (iv) in more detail. The results show a non-trivial influence of the Prandtl number ( Pr ): instability does not occur in the range 0.05 Pr Re * ( m ) exists and has bounded limits as Pr tends to either zero or infinity. A nonlinear analysis shows that the primary bifurcations are supercritical and produce new stable regimes. We find that the neutral curves intersect and subcritical secondary bifurcation takes place; these suggest the presence of complex unsteady dynamics in some ranges of Re and Pr . These features agree with the experimental data of Pshenichnikov & Yatsenko ( Pr = 10 3 ).
Development and Validation of a Risk Calculator for Predicting Postoperative Pneumonia

Abstract Objective To identify preoperative factors associated with an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia and subsequently develop and validate a risk calculator. Patients and Methods The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, a multicenter, prospective data set (2007-2008) was used. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. The 2007 data set (N=211,410) served as the training set, and the 2008 data set (N=257,385) served as the validation set. Results In the training set, 3825 patients (1.8%) experienced postoperative pneumonia. Patients who experienced postoperative pneumonia had a significantly higher 30-day mortality (17.0% vs 1.5%; P Conclusion Preoperative variables associated with an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia include age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dependent functional status, preoperative sepsis, smoking before operation, and type of operation. The validated risk calculator provides a risk estimate for postoperative pneumonia and is anticipated to aid in surgical decision making and informed patient consent.
ARINC 659 scheduling: problem definition

Honeywell is completing integration of the new Boeing 777 integrated Airplane Information Management System (AIMS). AIMS functions range from hard real-time to non-real-time, include flight-critical and non-essential functions, and must all reside on the same distributed multiprocessor system. This system, based on Aeronautical Radio Inc's ARINC 659 specification, allows for high resource utilization while providing strict partitioning and provable performance via pre-scheduling of processing and communication resources. Such scheduling presents significant theoretical and practical problems. This paper describes these scheduling requirements with the intent of providing the research community with practical bounds for problem definition. >
Speech recognition and frequency selectivity for hearing impaired listeners

The correlation between frequency selectivity and speech-syllable recognition in noise for hearing-impaired subjects was examined in four groups of subjects. Auditory filters were used as a measure of the subjects' frequency selectivities. Naturally spoken consonant-vowel pairs were used as tokens for the speech-syllable recognition task. Speech recognition scores in the various levels of noise were found to be weakly correlated with the sharpness of the auditory filters. Simulation results from an auditory periphery model, utilizing subject auditory filters as the first stage, are examined. Spectral information from the model is analyzed for possible speech cues. In general, a subject's speech recognition ability cannot be accounted for in the simulated output of the subject's auditory periphery. >
A Sub-Picosecond Resolution 0.5-1.5GHz Digital-to-Phase Converter

A digital-to-phase converter operating from 0.5-1.5GHz employs oversampling, noise shaping and DLL phase filtering to achieve sub-ps resolution independent of the operating frequency. Test chip fabricated in a 0.13mum CMOS process achieves a DNL below plusmn100fs and plusmn12ps INL and consumes 15mW while operating at 1GHz
Future of Hepatic Encephalopathy

One of the major trends we predict for the future is a totally different focus for hepatic encephalopathy (HE) treatment. Formerly, all trials of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of HE were performed in patients with overt HE. Since most of these patients had advanced liver disease and at times multiple precipitating events for episodes of HE, it was not possible to perform randomized controlled clinical trials in these patients. This may explain why no new drug was approved for the treatment of HE in the past 30 years. These days minimal or covert HE can be reliably detected and quantified. It is generally seen earlier in the course of liver disease when precipitating factors are relatively rare. Accordingly, new therapeutic agents will be tested for efficacy in this population of HE patients.
Angiopoietin-2 plays an important role in retinal angiogenesis

Angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) expression in the retina is increased during physiologic and pathologic neovascularization suggesting that it may be involved. In this study, we used Ang2-deficient mice to test that hypothesis. Mice deficient in Ang2 showed delayed and incomplete development of the superficial vascular bed of the retina, which develops primarily by vasculogenesis, and complete absence of the intermediate and deep vascular beds which develop by angiogenesis. In addition to incomplete retinal vascular development, Ang2-deficient mice showed lack of regression of the hyaloid vasculature, resulting in a phenotype that mimics infants with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV), a relatively common congenital abnormality. Exposure to high levels of oxygen resulted in partial regression of the retinal vessels, indicating that oxygen-induced regression of retinal vessels does not require Ang2. When these oxygen-exposed mice with few retinal vessels were moved to room air, there was no ischemia-induced retinal neovascularization. These data support the hypothesis that Ang2 plays a critical role in physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis, and physiologic, but not oxygen-induced vascular regression. The data also suggest that infants with PFV should be examined for genetic modifications that would be expected to cause perturbations in Tie2 signaling.
Cultural Pastiches: Intertextualities in the Moncrabeau Liars' Festival Narratives

Modernity enters into a cyclical process of change, where all the forms of the past (archaic, folkloric, rustic, traditional) are dredged up, drained of their substance, but idealized as signs in a code where tradition and neo, ancient and moder, become equivalent and function as alternates. Modernity no longer has the value of rupture at all: it nourishes itself on the vestiges of all cultures in the same way that it does from its technical gadgets or from the ambiguity of all values. -Jean Baudrillard, "Modernity"
Isolation and characterization of CRF-related diuretic hormones from the whitelined sphinx moth Hyles lineata.

Abstract We have isolated and characterized two diuretic hormones (DH), Hylli-DH41 and Hylli-DH30, from extracts of whole heads of the lepidopteran Hyles lineata. We monitored the isolation by measuring the ability of fractions to affect levels of cyclic AMP production by Malpighian tubules of Manduca sexta maintained in vitro. These DH are related to a family of vertebrate neuropeptides which includes sauvagine, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and urotensin I. Both Hylli-DH41 (RMPSLSIDLPMSVLRQKLSLEKERKVQALRAAANRNFLNDI-NH2) and Hylli-DH30 (SFSVNPAVEILQHRYMEKVAQNNRNFLNRV-NH2) show extremely high similarity with two DH from the tobacco hornworm M. sexta. This is not surprising because both H. lineata and M. sexta are sphingid moths. The discovery of these DH provides a third example of two CRF-related DH occurring in one insect species.
Effects of Plane of Nutrition on Organ Size and Fasting Heat Production in Pigs

Twenty-seven 12-week-old barrows with average initial weight of 27 kg were randomly assigned to three treatments. The first group (HL) was fed to gain 19 kg body weight during the first 35 days (period 1) and to lose 5 kg during the second 35 days (period 2). The second group (MM) was fed to gain 7 kg during both periods 1 and 2. The third group (LH) was fed to lose 5 kg during period 1 and to gain 19 kg during period 2. At the end of the 70-day period, 7 pigs from each treatment were fasted for 30 hours and fasting heat production (FHP) was measured by indirect cal- orimetry. The animals were slaughtered and weights of stomach, small and large in testine, liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and heart were measured. Although all animals had the same final body weight, animals on the higher plane of nutrition during period 2 had significantly higher FHP and higher weights for stomach, small and large intestine, pancreas, liver and kidneys. FHP and the weights of small intestine, pancreas and liver from animals receiving the higher plane of nutrition during period 2 (LH) were 50% heavier than that from animals on low plane (HL). Positive correlations exist between FHP and weights of stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, liver and kidneys. These results indicate that prior nutritional history significantly influences FHP, which is highly correlated to weights of metabolically active organs. J. Nutr. 112: 1638-
Compensatory Conscientiousness and Health in Older Couples

The present study tested the effect of conscientiousness and neuroticism on health and physical limitations in a representative sample of older couples (N= 2,203) drawn from the Health and Retirement Study. As in past research, conscientiousness predicted better health and physical functioning, whereas neuroticism predicted worse health and physical functioning. Unique to this study was the finding that conscientiousness demonstrated a compensatory effect, such that husbands' conscientiousness predicted wives' health outcomes above and beyond wives' own personality. The same pattern held true for wives' conscientiousness as a predictor of husbands' health outcomes. Furthermore, conscientiousness and neuroticism acted synergistically, such that people who scored high for both traits were healthier than others. Finally, we found that the combination of high conscientiousness and high neuroticism was also compensatory, such that the wives of men with this combination of personality traits reported better health than other women.
Old Lady Avignon: Petrarch’s Rerum Vulgarium Fragmenta 136 and the Topos of Vituperium in Vetulam

Scholars have traditionally acknowledged Francis Petrarch’s indebtedness to the amorous poetic schools; however, they have overlooked the influence of comic-realistic verse on him. Yet sonnet 136 of Rerum vulgarium fragmenta demonstrates its impact. Rvf 136 is the first of three sonnets decrying the corruption of Avignon. In it, Petrarch depicts Avignon as if a disgusting woman, illustrating the impact of vituperium in vetulam, a sub-genre of comic poetry that inveighs against a stereotyped old woman.
Improving User Satisfaction in a Ubiquitous Computing Application

The Smart Party is a ubiquitous computing application based on the Panoply middleware. The Smart Party allows attendees at a party to transparently participate in the selection of music played at the party. The methods used to select music, based on the preferences of the party goers, has a substantial impact on how satisfied these party goers will be. This paper examines different algorithms for selecting music in a Smart Party, and discusses lessons from the research that are applicable to other socially-based ubicomp applications.
Joint blind timing synchronization and channel estimation for OFDM using receiver diversity

Joint blind timing synchronization and channel estimation using receiver diversity are investigated in this paper. If the channel length is smaller than the cyclic prefix length, the diversity based timing synchronization can achieve perfect timing estimator at high SNR. At low SNR, multiple blocks can be used to improve the performance. The proposed algorithm is able to identify channel length, therefore it can facilitate blind channel estimation algorithms that require the knowledge of channel length.
Neutrino angular momentum loss in rotating stars

We consider how an axisymmetric, uniformly and slowly rotating homogeneous star might be affected by the loss of energy and angular momentum via neutrino emission. For example, these losses can cause a collapsing, rotating star to flatten either faster or slower than would be the case if these losses were not taken fully into account, depending on the efficiency of the angular momentum loss mechanism.