cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Auction Design With Quantized Bids for Target Tracking via Crowdsensing

This paper considers the design of an auction mechanism for target tracking via crowdsensing. We consider that the crowdsourcing framework consists of a set of sensors, which are embedded in devices belonging to crowd participants, and a fusion center (FC) that uses the quantized measurements from the sensors to track a target. The auction mechanism we develop addresses participatory concerns of the sensors that arise due to energy consumption associated with sensor participation while maximizing the utility of the FC to achieve desired sensing objectives and preventing market manipulations. Moreover, since a crowdsensing environment is typically resource-constrained, in our auction model, we consider that the sensors in the network quantize their private value estimates regarding their energy costs prior to communicating them to the FC. Furthermore, the paper also proposes the concept of selecting a subset of sensors (bidders) to bid (from a set of available sensors) to satisfy resource constraints during the bidding process. Extensive numerical results are provided to gain insights into the proposed mechanism.
Pressure and the ability to randomize decision-making: The case of the pickoff play in Major League Baseball

In mixed strategy games, the ability to randomize decisions is a critical strategic necessity, yet studies show that such rational behavior is sometimes elusive. This paper examines mixed strategy play in a natural setting, by looking at a pitcher’s decision to throw the ball to home plate or to throw it to first base in a pickoff play. In the absence of significant pressure, we find that pitchers can effectively randomize their sequence of choices to remain unpredictable, as mixed strategy Nash equilibriums require. However, in the face of pressure, some pitchers are less able to randomize their choices. Our paper is the first empirical study in the English language literature to find that decision makers are unable to randomize their strategic decisions when they face an increased cognitive load due to pressure.
The anatomy of the baroreceptor reflex.

Soohong et al. (2019) reveal a class of vagal afferents—defined by Piezo2 expression—that innervate the aorta and function to sense blood pressure fluctuations. Their study describes the morphologies and role of these neurons in vascular regulation.
Does the U.S.-China Tariff War Benefit or Hurt the U.S. Textiles and Apparel Industry?

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the potential impact of the U.S.-China tariff war on the U.S. textile and apparel (T&A) industry, including manufacturing and trade activities. The findings of the study confirm that the U.S. T&A industry is a critical stakeholder of the U.S.-China tariff war and question U.S. T&A industry’s overall support for Trump Administration’s tariff war with China.
The Evolving Landscape of HER2-Directed Breast Cancer Therapy

The management of patients with HER2+ breast cancer has evolved significantly over the preceding decades. HER2 targeting strategies have advanced beyond focusing on the receptor alone to encompass a range of approaches. Current standard of care practices in these patients relies upon dual HER2 blockade with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in the adjuvant and metastatic settings. T-DM1 has proven particularly efficacious in patients with residual disease status post neoadjuvant therapy, with additional therapies approved in the subsequent lines to address recurrent and resistant disease. Advances continue to be made in HER2+ breast cancer with multiple novel agents on the horizon, employing diverse mechanisms of action that are described in this review.
Force Probing to Access Potential Energy

Perhaps the two most common forms of potential energy are those associated with gravitational and elastic forces. In an experimental setting, if we can measure the force required to maintain equilibrium, then the extraction of potential energy is relatively straightforward, since the force is the negative vector gradient of the potential. In this paper we apply this approach to a small mass that is placed on various shapes under the action of gravity.
Acoustic frequency-based differentiation of photoacoustic signals from surgical biomarkers

Spectral unmixing techniques for photoacoustic images are often used to isolate signal origins (e.g., blood, contrast agents, lipids). However, these techniques tend to exploit the optical properties of different biological chromophores and do not typically consider acoustic properties. Analysis of the acoustic frequency response of photoacoustic signals has the potential to provide additional discrimination of photoacoustic responses from different materials, with the added benefit of potentially requiring few optical wavelength emissions. This study presents our initial results testing this hypothesis in a phantom experiment, given the task of differentiating between photoacoustic signals from deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) and methylene blue (MB). Coherence-based beamforming, principal component analysis, and nearest neighbor classification were employed to determine ground-truth labels, perform feature extraction, and classify image contents, respectively. The mean ± one standard deviation of classification accuracy was increased from .67\pm 0.05$ to .81 \pm 0.11$ when increasing the number of wavelength emissions from one to two, respectively. When using an optimal laser wavelength pair of 690 and 870 nm, the sensitivity and specificity of detecting MB over Hb were 1.00 and 1.00, respectively. Results are highly promising for the differentiation of photoacoustic-sensitive materials with comparable performance to that achieved with a more conventional multispectral laser wavelength approach.
Lack of Catch-Up Growth with Growth Hormone Treatment in a Child Born Small for Gestational Age Leading to a Diagnosis of Noonan Syndrome with a Pathogenic PTPN11 Variant.

Background Growth hormone (GH) treatment increases the adult height of short children born small for gestational age (SGA). Catch-up growth is associated with a younger age, shorter height, and prepubertal status at the onset of GH treatment. We report a 12 11/12-year-old girl born SGA who received GH for 5 years without catch-up growth and was diagnosed with Noonan Syndrome (NS). Results A 5-year-and-9-month-old 46, XX girl born SGA was started on GH treatment at a dose of 0.32 mg/kg/week. Her midparental target height is 158.6 cm. Endocrine work up showed an IGF-1 level 69 ng/ml (Normal (N): 55-238 ng/ml), IGFBP3 2.6 mg/L (N: 1.9-5.2 mg/L), TSH 3.2 mIU/L (N: 0.35-5.5 mIU/L), and a normal skeletal survey. Height was 96 cm (0.1%; Ht SDS -2.9), weight 14 kgs (1%; Wt SDS -2.3), and Tanner 1 breast and pubic hair were observed. Due to the poor catch-up growth on GH treatment, she was referred to Genetics to elucidate genetic or syndromic causes of short stature. She was noted to have posteriorly rotated ears and slight down slanting of the palpebral fissures. Genetic findings showed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in PTPN11 (c.922A > G (p.Asn308Asp)) diagnostic for NS. This finding is de novo given negative parental testing. She was noted to have a heterozygous missense variant of unknown significance (VUS) in FGFR3: c.746C > A (p.Ser249Tyr). FGFR3 is associated with multiple skeletal dysplasias including thanatophoric dysplasia, achondroplasia, and Crouzon syndrome and hypochondroplasia. Clinical correlation is poor for these syndromes. Conclusion Diminished catch-up growth and response to GH treatment in a child born SGA led to the diagnosis of NS. The concomitant diagnosis of SGA and NS may have affected the responsiveness of this child to the growth promoting effect of GH treatment.
An Employee Home Office Expense Deduction for the New Normal

Congress has continually struggled with allowing employees a deduction for unreimbursed home office expenses. Perceptions about the legitimacy and necessity of such a deduction have resulted in what many may now view as arbitrary and inequitable tax policy. As millions of employees have been required to work from home during the pandemic, there has been a tangible shifting of office space costs from the employer to the employee. Although work life will certainly return to some form of new normal, it is important that Congress realign tax policy to recognize the increased burden being shifted from employers to employees as many employees continue to work from home. This could be done by allowing employees a limited above-the-line deduction for unreimbursed home office expenses.
Fracture of Pre-stressed Woven Glass Fiber Composite Exposed to Shock Loading

Fracture study of an orthogonally woven glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composite under shock loading was performed. A shock tube apparatus was utilized to produce dynamic loading, applied to pre-stressed composite specimens. The displacement and strain fields present in the material were observed using the 3D digital image correlation technique. Displacement components obtained from the DIC were analyzed with the use of an over deterministic numerical approach to determine the stress intensity factor present in the composite specimens. The effect of the orientation of the reinforcing fiber with respect to the crack faces was observed via the use of several specimen types, having various angles of fiber orientation. The effect of the value of prestress is also examined with the use of two distinct magnitudes of prestress. Results indicate that the value of applied pre-stress might significantly influence the velocity of propagating crack, as well as the out-of-plane displacement component, while the stress intensity factor present in the specimen at the time of fracture will not undergo a considerable change with varying the magnitude of the applied pre-stress.
A decomposition-based learning approach to hysteresis-dynamics system control: Piezoelectric actuator example

In this paper, a decomposition-based learning approach is developed to the control of smart actuators/sensors with both hysteresis and dynamics effects compensated for. The proposed approach integrates off-line learning and online decomposition-synthesis together. Particularly, the off-line learning exploits advantages of iterative learning control in achieving precision tracking while maintaining good robustness, and the online decomposition-synthesis explores the benefits of uniform B-splines in decomposing arbitrary trajectory with few elements, and an inverse-Preisach-based superimposition approach to extend superimposition to nonlinear hysteresis operator. The proposed approach extends the decomposition based control scheme recently developed for linear time invariant (LTI) system to hysteresis compensation. A Hammerstein model is employed to decouple the hysteresis and the dynamics effect. It is shown that arbitrary tracking precision can be achieved by having enough number of elements in the decomposition, and the compensation factors are optimized to maximize the hysteresis compensation through the mapping of the input-output elements. Experiments conducted on the control of a piezoelectric actuator are presented to illustrate the approach.
Jesuit Missionaries Building a Global Network Eighteenth-Century Exploration of the World in the Name of God A Story of Disjointed Memory

One of the most successful missionary organization, the Jesuits, also operated in northern Mexico in the area today identified as the Sonoran Desert, comprising the Mexican state of Sonora and the US state of Arizona. By the early eighteenth century increasingly German-speaking missionaries arrived and worked hard in the wide network of missions originally established by the pioneer Padre Eusebio Kino (d. 1711) to spread God's words. They also worked intensively on studying that territory and produced numerous written records about their experiences, their research, and the conditions of that world. They were expelled in 1767 and banned globally in 1783, but until then they achieved greatest success with the native population. Their missionary accounts prove to be highly exiting historical, anthropological, religious, and scientific documents most important for missionary history.
Liquefaction of dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) followed by hydroprocessing to produce liquid hydrocarbons

Abstract Dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) is a byproduct of corn ethanol production in distillery industries. Presently the main use of DDGS is as livestock feed due to its high protein content. The demands for production of transportation fuel ethanol are increasing due to the increased Renewable Fuels Standard 2 (RFS2) mandate for higher ethanol production. Simultaneously DDGS supply as a co-product is also necessarily markedly increasing. There is a potential for DDGS supply to outgrow the demand for livestock feed or the increased supply has the potential to drive prices down. Therefore, it is highly desirable to find alternative uses of DDGS as a renewable source in the production of fuels or value-added chemicals. The objective of this study was to produce transportation fuel range hydrocarbons from DDGS feedstock. In this study, DDGS was liquefied followed by hydroprocessing of the liquefied DDGS product to produce a hydrocarbon mixture. In the first step, liquefaction of DDGS was performed in a liquid media in the presence of a base catalyst at a temperature in the range of 400 °C. In the second step, the liquefied DDGS product was hydroprocessed in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst at a temperature of 425 °C under pressurized hydrogen at 1500 psig. The physical and chemical properties of the liquefied DDGS product and the hydrocarbon mixture were measured by using American Society of Testing Methods. The hydrocarbons produced were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy, detailed hydrocarbon analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, simulated distillation analysis and elemental analysis.
Fluoranthene-induced histological alterations in oysters, Crassostrea virginica: Seasonal field and laboratory studies

Abstract Stress-related histological parameters (digestive epithelial thickness, gonadal area, incidences of helminth parasites and hemocytic infiltration, and parasite intensity) were monitored seasonally in the visceral mass of oysters, Crassostrea virginica, collected from an undeveloped site (Clambank Creek, North Inlet estuary, SC) and two urbanized, fluoranthene-contaminated sites (Parsonage Creek and Marina pipe, Murrells Inlet estuary, South Carolina). Reduced mean epithelial thickness and an elevated incidence of hemocytic infiltration was occasionally observed in the Murrells Inlet oysters. Correlation analysis revealed that the seasonal profile of mean epithelial thickness in the Parsonage Creek oysters was related to that of their body burdens of fluoranthene and six other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Oysters exposed to fluoranthene in the laboratory also exhibited a reduction in their mean digestive epithelial thickness, and this response was dependent upon the interaction between fluoranthene body burden and exposure time. These results suggest that thinning of the digestive epithelium is a useful histological indicator of fluoranthene-induced stress, and demonstrate the utility of seasonally monitoring several stress-related histological parameters in conjunction with contaminant body burdens.
A fast but unstable orthogonal triangularization technique for Toeplitz matrices

Abstract D. Sweet's clever QR decomposition algorithm for Toeplitz matrices is considered. It requires only O ( n 2 ) flops to factor an n × n matrix. We analyze the algorithm to point out its deficiencies, and compare it against two other Toeplitz solvers.
Gender earnings differentials in the engineering profession in Greece

Engineers in Greece undergo a heavy schooling investment—five years of university study instead of the usual four. Greece is atypical in that women make up a relatively large portion of the engineering work force. Working women earn substantially less than do men and there is evidence of labor market discrimination. In this paper a recent survey (1987) of employed engineers is used to examine earnings differentials between men and women and to compare the results with an examination of the results of an earlier survey (1977). Results indicate that most of the difference in earnings between male and female engineers in Greece is not accounted for by differences in productive characteristics such as education and experience and, therefore, most of the difference may be due to discrimination. Moreover, the proportion of the earnings differential not explained by productivity has increased over time.
Oligopoly Capitalism, Labor Organization, and Wages of Workers in American Manufacturing Industries

This article investigates the interaction between oligopoly power, labor unionization, and worker wages. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics for workers in manufacturing industries little evidence is found that workers are exploited by oligopolistic employers, but rather wages for production workers increase with both unionization and employer's market power. There is evidence, however, that unionization reduces variation in wages due to increased oligopoly power.
Greedy Institutions, Overwork, and Work-Life Balance†

Teresa Sullivan, President of the University of Virginia, offered her thoughts on “Greedy Institutions” and the work-life balance in her AKD Distinguished Lecture at the August 2013 meeting of the American Sociological Association in New York City. We appreciate Dr. Sullivan's willingness to revise her address for publication in Sociological Inquiry. In the age of smart phones and 24/7 accountability, her thoughts on these issues—particularly at American universities—are timely and instructive.
Microstructural effects in WO3 gas-sensing films

The microstructure of 50 nm thick WO3 films used in surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas sensors was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and conductivity measurements. The films were deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering onto piezoelectric yz-cut LiNbO3 substrates at 200 °C and then subjected to annealing treatments in air. As-deposited films are amorphous, have an r.m.s. roughness of 0.6 nm and are easily eroded with the AFM tip. Annealing above 315 °C causes the films to crystallize into a distorted rhenium oxide structure. This crystallization is accompanied by a decrease in film conductivity and a surface roughening due to polycrystalline grain growth. The crystalline films are more sensitive for H2S gas detection and have faster response characteristics than the amorphous films.
The Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) program: Background, rationale and field implementation

Abstract Long-term ocean observations are needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of natural habitat variability as well as global environmental change that might arise from human activities. In 1988, a multidisciplinary deep-water oceanographic station was established at a site north of Oahu, Hawaii, with the intent of establishing a long-term ( > 20 years) data base on oceanic variability. The primary objective of the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) program is to obtain high-quality time-series measurements of selected oceanographic properties, including: water mass structure, dynamic height, currents, dissolved and particulate chemical constituents, biological processes and particulate matter fluxes. These data will be used, in part, to help achieve the goals of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) research programs. More importantly, these data sets will be used to improve our description and understanding of ocean circulation and ocean climatology, to elucidate further the processes that govern the fluxes of carbon into and from the oceans, and to generate novel hypotheses. These are necessary prerequisites for developing a predictive capability for global environmental change.
The Role of Calcium and Phosphorylation of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 in Regulating Arachidonic Acid Release in Macrophages

Arachidonic acid release is induced in macrophages with diverse agonists including calcium ionophores, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), okadaic acid, and the phagocytic particle, zymosan, and correlates with activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). The role of calcium and phosphorylation of cPLA2 in regulating arachidonic acid release was investigated. Zymosan induced a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i. This in itself is not sufficient to induce arachidonic acid release since ATP and platelet activating factor (PAF), agonists that induce transient calcium mobilization in macrophages, induced little arachidonic acid release. Unlike zymosan, which is a strong activator of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), ATP and PAF were weak MAPK activators and induced only a partial and transient increase in cPLA2 phosphorylation (gel shift). However, ATP or PAF together with colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) synergistically stimulated arachidonic acid release. CSF-1 is a strong MAPK activator that induces a rapid and complete cPLA2 gel shift but not calcium mobilization or arachidonic acid release. Arachidonic acid release was more rapid in response to CSF-1 plus ATP or PAF than zymosan and correlated with the time course of the cPLA2gel shift. Although low concentrations of ionomycin induced a lower magnitude of calcium mobilization than ATP, the response was more sustained resulting in arachidonic acid release. A23187 and ionomycin induced weak MAPK activation, and a partial and transient cPLA2 gel shift. The MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD 98059 suppressed A23187-induced MAPK activation and cPLA2 gel shift but had little effect on arachidonic acid release. These results indicate that in macrophages a transient increase in [Ca2+]i and sustained phosphorylation of cPLA2 can act together to promote arachidonic acid release but neither alone is sufficient. A sustained increase in calcium is sufficient for inducing arachidonic acid release. However, PMA and okadaic acid induce arachidonic acid release without increasing [Ca2+]i, although resting levels of calcium are required, suggesting alternative mechanisms of regulation.
Evidence for a role of bradykinin in experimental pain models.

Pretreatment with captopril, a kininase II inhibitor, at 10 mg/kg i.p. or s.c., significantly increased the writhing response induced by a minimum effective dose (0.75 mg/kg i.p.) of phenylbenzoquinone (PBQ), by 91–148%. 1,10-Phenanthroline, a carboxypeptidase B inhibitor (2 mg/kg i.p.), in combination with captopril enhanced the algesic effect of PBQ by 309–360%. Captopril also doubled the number of writhes induced by a minimum effective dose of BK (5 μg/kg i.p.) in PGE2-pretreated mice. The writhing responses induced by higher doses of PBQ or BK were not affected by these inhibitors. The hyperalgesic effect of BK (1 μg) injected into the hindpaw of rats was significantly increased and prolonged by coinjection of captopril (30 μg) and 1,10-phenanthroline (30 μg) and was prevented by carboxypeptidase B (1 mg). These data indicate that BK plays a role in pain in these models, a role which appears of greatest relevance at threshold algesic stimulation.
Thoracoscopic vs Open Lobectomy in Infants and Young Children with Congenital Lung Malformations

Background Although thoracoscopic lobectomy is a widely accepted surgical procedure in adult thoracic surgery, its role in small children remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate perioperative outcomes after thoracoscopic and open lobectomy in infants and young children with congenital lung malformations at a single academic referral center. Study Design A cohort study of 62 consecutive children who underwent elective pulmonary lobectomy for a congenital lung lesion between 2001 and 2013 was performed. Patient demographics and perioperative outcomes were evaluated in univariate and logistic regression analyses. Results Forty-nine patients underwent thoracoscopy and 13 had a thoracotomy. Six children undergoing thoracoscopy required conversion to thoracotomy (conversion 12.2%). Perioperative outcomes, including median blood loss (2.0 vs 1.1 mL/kg; p = 0.34), chest tube duration (3 vs 3 days; p = 0.33), hospital length of stay (3 vs 3 days; p = 0.42), and morbidity as defined by the Accordion Grading Scale (30.6% vs 30.8%; p = 0.73), were similar between thoracoscopy and thoracotomy, respectively. Although thoracoscopy was associated with increased operative duration compared with thoracotomy (239.9 vs 181.2 minutes, respectively; p = 0.03), thoracoscopy operative times decreased with increasing institutional experience (p = 0.048). Thoracoscopic lobectomy infants younger than 5 months of age had a 2.5-fold higher rate of perioperative adverse outcomes compared with older children (p = 0.048). Conclusions In small children undergoing pulmonary lobectomy, both thoracoscopy and thoracotomy are associated with similar perioperative outcomes. The cosmetic and musculoskeletal benefits of the thoracoscopic approach must be balanced against institutional expertise and a potentially higher risk for complications in younger patients.
Putting the Americas on the map (geography and the colonization of space)

(1992). Putting the Americas on the map (geography and the colonization of space) Colonial Latin American Review: Vol. 1, No. 1-2, pp. 25-63.
Theory of coupling of electronic systems: Experimental structures using advanced lithographic techniques☆

Abstract This paper focuses on the physics of disorder-induced localization and the important role of advanced material microfabrication technology for realizing novel microstructures as physical models. Present and future microfabrication capabilities for tailoring materials in the submicron and ultrasubmicron range offer the opportunity to fabricate controllable physical models, approaching atomic scale, for the fundamental study of coupling of electronic systems and the effect of dimensionality on transport properties. These physical models will require the ingenious exploitation of advanced lithographic/patterning techniques for controlling lateral dimensions, particularly if this is combined with advanced vapor or molecular beam deposition technique for controlling vertical dimensions. The type of studies discussed here have great significance in understanding and designing highly-dense very large-scale/ultra large-scale integrated (VLSI/ULSI) circuits and interconnecting-lines-dominated neural network IC systems, as well as in the studies of the scaling theories of localization. It is expected that these studies will lead to the design of novel device concepts.
The precision and accuracy of the standard volume weight method of estimating dry weight losses in wheat, grain sorghum and maize, and a comparison with the thousand grain mass method in wheat containing fine material

Abstract The accuracy and precision of the Standard Volume Weight (SVW) method of estimating dry weight loss of grain with and without a special grain cleaning procedure were tested using wheat, grain sorghum, and maize. The baseline relationship between bulk density and moisture content was adequately described by a straight line between 10.0 and 16.0% moisture content, but a curvilinear model was significantly less variable in all wheat lots tested and in four of the seven lots of maize. The precision of the SVW method was greater when used with wheat than when used with the other grains but did not directly predict observed loss except in cleaned wheat. Conversion factors were employed to convert SVW estimates to observed loss. The SVW method of loss estimation was found to be less variable than the Thousand Grain Mass (TGM) method on six lots of wheat with and without fine material. Both SVW and TGM were reduced by the addition of fine material, but TGM was affected more than SVW.
The complex health profile of long-term cancer survivors: prevalence and predictors of comorbid conditions

Adult cancer survivors have complex medical profiles that may include chronic conditions beyond cancer. Few studies have examined the prevalence of comorbidities before and after a cancer diagnosis. Cancer cases were sampled from two California cancer registries to examine medical conditions (ever experienced and developed after cancer) among 1,527 long-term breast, prostate, colorectal, and gynecological cancer survivors by socio-demographic, cancer-related, and health behavior variables. On average, survivors reported five medical conditions ever diagnosed (95 % CI, 4.8, 5.1) and 1.9 conditions (95 % CI, 1.8, 2.0) diagnosed after cancer. Breast cancer survivors reported the highest (5.8 ever, 2.9 post-cancer) and prostate survivors the lowest (4.0 ever, 1.0 post-cancer) comorbidity burden. Higher comorbidity burden was associated with older age, being a breast cancer survivor, divorced, widowed or separated, non-Hispanic White, overweight or obese, and not receiving chemotherapy. Breast and endometrial cancer survivors, as well as those more than 10 years post-diagnosis, obese, or physically inactive were more likely to report that these comorbidities occurred after cancer. Cancer treatment type, smoking, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, and education were not significant predictors of comorbidities acquired post-cancer. Cancer survivors report a large number of medical conditions, many identified after a cancer diagnosis. Findings suggest that time since cancer diagnosis, body mass index, and activity level are important contextual variables when managing survivor’s post-treatment follow-up care. Survivors may benefit when health professionals recommend specific strategies to achieve a healthy weight and regular physical activity for better long-term health outcomes after cancer.
Anxiogenic treatments do not increase fear-potentiated startle in mice.

Background In rodents, the fear-potentiated startle paradigm (FPS; exaggerated startle as a measure of the conditioned fear response to cues associated with footshock) has demonstrated predictive validity for anxiolytic drugs. The predictive validity of the model for anxiogenic drugs, however, remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the bi-directionality of the FPS model for anxiety-modulating compounds in mice. Methods The clinical anxiogenics FG-7142 (1–20 mg/kg), yohimbine (.1–10 mg/kg), and m-Chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP; .3–3 mg/kg), and the putative anxiogenics atipamezole (.3–3 mg/kg) and corticotropin-releasing factor (h/r-CRF; .03–1 μg) were tested in DBA/1J mice trained for FPS. Results Contrary to predictions, FG-7142 (10 and 20 mg/kg) and yohimbine (10 mg/kg) reduced FPS in mice without affecting baseline startle. Atipamezole (3 mg/kg), mCPP (3 mg/kg), and h/r-CRF (.3, 1 μg) did not affect FPS, but increased startle independently from the presence of the cue. FG-7142 and h/r-CRF had similar effects in 129SvEv mice. Conclusions Murine FPS is not bi-directionally predictive for anxiety-modulating compounds, although murine baseline startle may have some utility as a bi-directional model of anxiety. These data corroborate the recent hypothesis that systems mediating FPS are independent from systems mediating increased startle from unconditioned and putatively anxiogenic stimuli.
Community-based group aquatic programme for individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of providing a community-based aquatic exercise programme and to examine the effects of a group aquatic exercise programme in individuals with multiple sclerosis. This study illustrates the implementation of a multidisciplinary community-based programme in a university community wellness centre coordinated with a local advocacy group.Method. Eleven subjects with multiple sclerosis participated in a 5-week community-based aquatic exercise programme. Aquatic exercises were held twice weekly for 60 minutes and included aerobic exercises, strength training, flexibility exercises, balance training and walking activities. The 10-Metre Walk test, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the ‘Timed Up and Go’ (TUG) test, grip strength and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale were used to assess motor function.Results. Analysis of the scores demonstrated improved gait speed, BBS, TUG test and grip strength. The average attendance of the training sessions was go...
Monomolecular condensation of λ‐DNA induced by cobalt hexammine

Measurements of static and dynamic light scattering have been used to distinguish between monomolecular DNA condensation and aggregation of condensed molecules. In low salt, using Co3+(NH3)6 as the condensing agent, and at λ-DNA concentrations below 0.2 μg/mL, the transition curves for monomolecular condensation and aggregation are well separated for times of 16 h. In these conditions, the intensity of scattered light (90°) and also the diffusion coefficient of the condensed DNA show reasonable values for monomolecular condensation that are independent of DNA concentration and also of Na+ Co3+(NH3)6 concentrations for which monomolecular condensation is complete. At higher Co3+(NH3)6 concentrations, which produce aggregation (as judged by the intensity of scattered light), the diffusion coefficient decreases sharply. The transition curve for monomolecular condensation is independent of DNA concentration but shows a hysteresis loop. The kinetics of condensation are slow in the forward direction and fast in the reverse direction, indicating that the actual transition curve is measured closely by reversal experiments. Aggregation is blocked kinetically in both the forward and reverse directions when Co3+(NH3)6 is the condensing agent at low Na+ concentrations. When spermine or spermidine is the condensing agent and observations are made at 16 h, it is not possible to separate the transition curves for monomolecular condensation and for aggregation in conditions that are successful with Co3+(NH3)6. Some interesting properties of monomolecular condensation are noted. (1) The transition is not a two-state reaction, as judged by measurements of the diffusion coefficient through the transition zone. (2) The transition for monomolecular condensation is diffuse. (3) The dimensions of the monomolecular condensates have been calculated from the translational diffusion coefficient for an assumed toroidal shape by the formula derived by Allison and coworkers [(1981) Biopolymers20, 469–488]. These dimensions are in reasonable agreement with ones deduced from electron microscopy by Chattoraj and coworkers [(1978) J. Mol. Biol.121, 327–337]. (4) The phase diagram relating the Na+ to the Co3+(NH3)6 concentrations needed for condensation has a slope of 0.6 in a log–log plot. According to numerical solutions of Manning's theory for the atmospheric binding of competing cations to DNA, this means that condensation occurs at a late stage in the replacement of Na+ by Co3+(NH3)6 around the DNA. The fraction of DNA phosphate charge neutralized at condensation is computed to be in the neighborhood of 0.9, as found by Wilson and Bloomfield [(1979) Biochemistry18, 2192–2196], but to vary with the Na+ concentration.
THE ROUTE TO QUALITY VIA PEOPLE

John Ward, director of the IBM Havant Plant in the UK outlines a brief history of the Plant's progression in quality improvement since 1981. Critical to this development has been the role of people within IBM audits suppliers. Their involvement and initiative for change has resulted in a highly successful rolling quality improvement programme.
PH3 Effects on the Electrochemical Degradation of SOFC Anode

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell anode is readily degraded by trace amount of Phosphine (PH3 ) contaminant that is found in coal-derived syngas. PH3 interacts with the anode material and affects its electrochemical performance by forming secondary phases. In this paper, the influence of the ppm level of PH3 with moisture is investigated on the formation of secondary phases and hence on anode electrochemical performance degradation. Nickel yttria-stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) anode shows immediate and severe electrochemical degradation due to PH3 in moist hydrogen condition attributed to the nickel-phosphate secondary phase formation. Whereas in dry hydrogen condition, nickel-phosphide is preferred to form on the anode surface that shows less deleterious effects on SOFC performance as compared to nickel-phosphate.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Justice at Home: Okin's Justice, Gender, and the Family

In 1898, Charlotte Perkins Gilman published a book entitled Women and Economics: A Study of the Economic Relation Between Men and Women as a Factor in Social Evolution,' in which she argued that the subordination of women in marriage was intertwined with and even caused by their absence from the work force. Gilman's understanding of women's subordination was an ironic blend of socialist and bourgeois thinking. As a socialist, she linked women's freedom with economic autonomy; as a member of the bourgeoisie, she proposed that all housekeeping and child care of "professional" women be done by "trained experts" drawn from the working classes, leaving unclear whether these "experts" (of a lower "professional" stature) would have sufficient salaries to pay others to do their housework.2 Yet her central insight, that women's subordination in the home was linked to their (relative) absence from the wage-earning force, has persisted throughout the 20th century's various intellectual, economic, and
The Performance of Girls and Women on the Grove Modification of the Kent-Shakow Formboard Series

(1948). The Performance of Girls and Women on the Grove Modification of the Kent-Shakow Formboard Series. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 99-103.
The Empirical Derivation of Equations for Predicting Subjective Textual Information.

Parameters pertaining to information processing by human beings have, in the past, been determined by learning and memory experiments with nonsense syllables, number sequences, etc. However, in the real world we are concerned with the processing of “meaningful information”, not senselles texts. Therefore, the determination of subjective information directly from meaningful material becomes extremely important in the instruction-learning process.
Nonstationarity and nonlinearity in inflation rate: Some further evidence

Abstract In this study, we investigate the time series properties of the inflation rate in all countries in Africa. In order to gauge whether the inflation rate is nonstationary or stationary, we employ: (i) two linear unit root tests based on different null hypotheses and (ii) nonlinear ESTAR-type unit root tests based on symmetric and asymmetric adjustments toward PPP. In addition, we use two methods to search for common stochastic trends between each African country's inflation rate and the inflation rate of the United States or the United Kingdom. The results provide vast evidence of nonstationarity and cointegration.
Difference threshold for stimulus length under simultaneous and nonsimultaneous viewing conditions

The present study was concerned with Weber’s Law as it is related to the discriminability of the lengths of lines. Experiments were conducted to investigate three questions: (I) Is Weber’s Law equally applicable to simultaneous and nonsimultaneous viewing conditions? (2) Is the relationship between the stimulus sizes and the values ofDLs described more adequately by the function proposed by Weber or a generalized Weber’s Law stated by Miller? and (3) Is Weber’s Law better approximated by proximal or distal size? It was demonstrated that the discriminability of the lengths of lines follows Weber’s Law under the nonsimultaneous viewing condition, but not under the simultaneous viewing condition. Under the nonsimultaneous viewing condition, it was noted that the generalized Weber’s Law as stated by Miller described the relationship between the DL and stimulus size significantly better than the function proposed by Weber. From the results pertaining to the third question, it was not possible to determine whether the proximal or the distal size follows Weber’s Law more closely.
Nickel-copper interrelationship in the rat (39893).

SummaryWeanling rats were fed a basal low Cu diet (0.95 ppm Cu, 0.1 ppm Ni) or the basal diet supplemented with 20 ppm Ni or 15 ppm Cu or with both. The responses to supplementing the basal diet with Cu were increases in weight gain, hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, ceruloplas-min, and Cu content of liver, heart, and kidney. Supplementation of the basal diet with Ni increased weight gains and hemato-crits to the same extent as did Cu. Responses to Cu were not modified by simultaneous Ni supplementation but responses to Ni were seen only in low Cu diets.The authors wish to thank Sherry Schussler for her assistance in taking care of the animals and in the collection of samples. This work was supported by Moorman Manufacturing Co. and Hatch-15-20-342.
BEARALERTS: A successful flare prediction system

We describe our BEARALERT program of predicting solar flares or rapid development of activity in certain sunspot groups. The purpose of the program is to test our understanding of the flare process by making public predictions via electronic mail. Neither the exact timing of the flare nor the possibility of emergence of new active regions can be predicted. But high-resolution observations of the magnetic configuration, Ha brightness and structure and other properties of a region enabled us to announce the onset of 15 of 23 major active regions over a two-year period, and 15 of 32 BEARALERTS were followed by this activity. We used high-resolution real-time data available at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO). The criteria for prediction are given and discussed, along with those for filament eruption. The success fo the BEARALERT is evaluated by counting the M- and X-class flares in six days following the alert and comparing these results with those of a number of other predictive schemes. We find the single regions chosen had about 30% more flares than the whole disk on random days, or several times more than individual regions chosen at random. There was a gain of 1.5 to 2.0 times in flare frequency compared to regions selected by spot size or complexity. We also find an improvement of 20–40% over large or complex regions that have had some flares already. The ratio of improvement has increased with time as we gained experience. In the 24-hr period following each alert, one or more M-class or greater flares occurred 72% of the time. We also checked the possibility of prediction by the 152-day interval which some workers have claimed, but found those results slightly worse than random and considerably inferior to the BEARALERTS. All of the particularly active regions that were missed either occurred during bad weather at BBSO or were missed because we only issued alerts for one region at a time.
siRNA Knock-Down of RANK Signaling to Control Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Resorption

Purpose To demonstrate the ability of small interfering (si)RNA targeting the cell receptor, RANK, to control osteoclast function in cultures of both primary and secondary osteoclasts and their precursor cells.
(α-Perfluoroheptyl-β,β-dicyanovinyl)aminostyrenes: A novel class of perfluorocarbon-soluble dyes [1]

Abstract Several examples of (α-perfluoroheptyl-β,β-dicyanovinyl)aminostyrenes ( 3 ), a novel class of perfluorocarbon-soluble dyes, were prepared by the reaction of 2-chloro-1,1-dicyano-2- (perfluoroheptyl)ethylene ( 2 ) with aromatic amines. The ethylene 2 was prepared from methyl perfluorooctanoate, malononitrile, and phosphorus pentachloride. The λ max for perfluorohexane solutions of the dyes ranges from 419 nm for the dye prepared from N -phenylmorpholine to 490 nm for the dye prepared from julolidine.
Reconstitution of Bacillus subtilis trp attenuation in vitro with TRAP, the trp RNA-binding attenuation protein.

Abstract We have reconstituted Bacillus subtilis trp attenuation in vitro. Purification of the mtrB gene product (TRAP) to near homogeneity allowed us to demonstrate that addition of this protein plus L-tryptophan to template, RNA polymerase, and nucleoside triphosphates caused transcription termination in the trpEDCFBA leader region. TRAP acts by binding to the nascent transcript and preventing formation of an RNA antiterminator structure, thereby allowing terminator formation and transcription termination. Oligonucleotides complementary to segments of the antiterminator were used to demonstrate that formation of this RNA hairpin was responsible for transcription read-through. TRAP was found to be a 60-kDa multimeric protein composed of identical 6- to 8-kDa subunits, and its elution profile on a chromatographic column did not change in the presence of tryptophan.
Temporal resolutions of time-reversal and passive-phase conjugation for underwater acoustic communications

In this paper, we study the temporal resolution of a time-reversal or passive-phase conjugation process as applied to underwater acoustic communications. Specifically, we address 1) the time resolution or the pulse width of a back-propagated time-compressed pulse as compared with the original transmitted pulse; 2) the effectiveness of temporal focusing as measured by the peak-to-sidelobe ratio of the back-propagated or phase-conjugated pulse (both pulse elongation and sidelobe leakages are causes of intersymbol interference and bit errors for communications); 3) the duration of temporal focusing or the temporal coherence time of the underwater acoustic channel; and 4) the stability of temporal focusing as measured by the phase fluctuations of successive pulses (symbols). Binary phase-shift keying signals collected at sea from a fixed source to a fixed receiver are used to extract the above four parameters and are compared with simulated results. Mid-frequency (3-4-kHz) data were collected in a dynamic shallow-water environment, exhibiting high temporal fluctuations over a scale of minutes. Despite this, the channel is found to be highly coherent over a length of 17 s. As a result, only one probe signal is used for 17 s of data. The bit error rate and variance of the symbol phase fluctuations are measured as a function of the number of receivers. They are of the same order as that calculated from the simulated data. The agreement suggests that these two quantities could be modeled for a communication channel with high coherence time. The phase variance can be used to determine the maximum data rate for a phase-shift keying signal for a given signal bandwidth and a given number of receivers.
Personality variables related to compulsive eating in college women.

Investigated personality variables related to compulsive eating (episodic bouts of uncontrolled, excessive eating) in college women. Based on scores on the Compulsive Eating Scale, two groups were selected from a large sample of college women (mean age = 19) and classified high (N = 23) or low (N = 23) with regard to compulsive eating. Participants were administered the Sixteen Personality Factor Test, Social Desirability Scale, Locus of Control Scale, and Bem Sex Role Inventory. Results showed a number of significant differences between high and low groups. On the 16PF, high Ss showed higher inner tension, greater suspiciousness, and less emotional stability (ps <0.001). High Ss were more external in locus of control (p <0.02) and showed a greater need for approval (p <0.025). Sex role data showed a higher Masculine self-ideal (p <0.001) for the high group. There appear to be meaningful differences in personality variables that are related to compulsive eating, Results are discussed in terms of current theories of compulsive eating.