cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quick recognition of circular objects in a black-white picture

Abstract A method of circular objects recognition is presented that depends on converting input picture into binary image, next on tracing perpendicular chords along the object determining its maximum extension, and then on separation and analysis of a rectangular frame determined by the chords. The process can be performed under the assumption that neighboring objects are sufficiently distant from each other. Brightness, are and gravity center of its original gray-scale contents are calculated inside that rectangular frame. These parameters are used for specification of each separated object. Values of these parameters are used to mark arcs connected to a node into which the object is transformed. The third step of data processing is to compare the identity (automorphism) or similarity (isomorphism) of a graph obtained as the result of a recognition process with a set of reference (template) graphs stored in a memory. The nodes of the recognized image that have greatest weights are taken into account in the first place in the identification (matching) process.
HIMAC: High Throughput MAC Layer Multicasting in Wireless Networks

Efficient, scalable and robust multicasting support from the MAC layer is needed for meeting the demands of multicast based applications over WiFi and mesh networks. However, the IEEE 802.11 protocol has no specific mechanism for multicasting. It implements multicasting using broadcasting at the base transmission rate. We identify two fundamental reasons for performance limitations of this approach: (a) Channel-state Indifference: irrespective of the current quality of the channel to the receivers, the transmission always uses the base transmission rate; (b) Demand Ignorance: packets are transmitted by a node even if children in the multicast tree have received those packets by virtue of overhearing. We propose a solution for MAC layer multicasting called HIMAC that uses the following two mechanisms: Unary Channel Feedback (UCF) and Unary Negative Feedback (UNF) to respectively address the shortcomings of 802.11. Our study is supported by measurements in a testbed, and simulations. We observe that the end-to-end throughput of multicast sessions using MAODV can be increased by up to 74% while reducing the end-to-end latency by up to a factor of 56.
A comparative study of soluble calcium-dependent proteolytic activity in brain.

Recent studies have shown that soluble calcium activated proteases (calpains) in brain degrade proteins associated with the cytoskeleton and vary markedly in activity across regions and as a function of development. It was suggested that the observed differences in calpain activity reflect differences in the turnover rate of structural elements. The present study extends this analysis by measuring the properties and activity of calpain in representatives of the five classes of vertebrates with particular emphasis on the mammals. No evidence for proteolysis was found in soluble fractions of fish brains at neutral pH in the presence or absence of added calcium. A substantial calcium-independent proteolytic activity was found in amphibian brains—the effects of a variety of protease inhibitors indicated that it is also a neurtral thiol (cysteine) protease. Reptilian brains exhibited both calcium-independent and calcium-dependent proteolytic activity. Virtually all proteolytic activity in birds (5 species) and mammals (9 species) measured at neutral pH was calcium-dependent. The endogenous substrates for the calcium activated proteases were very similar in several species of birds and mammals as were the effects of a variety of protease inhibitors. However, the activity of the enzyme, expressed per mg of soluble protein, was highly and negatively correlated with brain size in the mammals. The allometric expression for this relationship was similar to that found for the density of neurons in cerebral cortex as a function of absolute brain size. These results indicate that soluble proteolytic enzymes in brain are differentially expressed among classes of vertebrates and suggest that the turnover of cytoskeletal elements in birds and mammals differs in important ways from that found in fish and amphibians. The results obtained for mammals raise the possibility of a relationship between brain size and the rate at which structural elements are broken down and replaced in this vertebrate class.
A Tutorial Assessment of Atmospheric Height Uncertainties for High-Precision Satellite Altimeter Missions to Monitor Ocean Currents

A large body of information from a number of sources is brought together and an error budget is deduced giving the projected overall height uncertainty correction for a suggested next generation high-precision radar altimeter. Uncertainties introduced by the wet and dry troposphere, clouds, and the ionosphere are reviewed. A suggested next-generation precision altimeter is assumed to be dual frequency (13.5 and 6 GHz) designed to correct out the ionospheric error. The altimeter-carrying satellite will include a nadir pointing near coincidentbeam dual-frequency microwave radiometer for mitigating the wet tropospheric uncertainty. Although there are a number of caveats, the combined uncertainty in the height correction due to the atmosphere for the suggested system should be nominally 3 cm rms compared to at least 6 cm associated with the Seasat-A mission. Improvements in height resolution of the kind referred to here are vital for future satellite missions designed to monitor ocean currents (e.g., TOPEX).
Histamine Induces Egr-1 Expression in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells via the H1 Receptor-mediated Protein Kinase Cδ-dependent ERK Activation Pathway

Histamine, a potent inflammatory mediator, has multiple effects on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study investigates the effect of histamine on the expression of early growth response factor 1 (Egr-1), a master transcription factor that regulates the expression of an array of atherogenic genes in atherosclerotic lesions. Histamine markedly and rapidly induces Egr-1 mRNA and protein expression in primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Histamine-induced Egr-1 expression is dependent on the activation of the H1 receptor. Histamine also rapidly and transiently activates protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38 kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) prior to Egr-1 induction. Using specific pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering RNA technology, we determined that PKCδ and ERK, but not p38 and JNK, mediate histamine-induced Egr-1 expression. Our data provide the first evidence that histamine regulates expression of Egr-1 in mammalian cells and demonstrate a novel role of PKCδ in up-regulation of Egr-1 expression. The present study reveals the following regulatory mechanism: histamine up-regulates Egr-1 expression in primary HAECs via the H1 receptor and the PKCδ-dependent ERK activation pathway. Our data also imply that CREB, a downstream component of the ERK pathway, regulates Egr-1 expression in HAECs. Importantly, these results suggest a central role of Egr-1 in histamine-induced gene expression and in histamine-induced vascular disease.
Mild carbon monoxide exposure diminishes selectively the integrity of the cochlea of the developing rat

Rat pups were chronically exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations (12 or 25 ppm) in air starting at day 8, through 22 days of age, to examine the changes in the peripheral auditory system. Gastrostomy-reared rat pups, with or without CO exposure, were used and compared with mother-reared pups. The organ of Corti and the neurons of the spiral ganglion were analyzed for their morphology by using immunochemical and histological techniques. The inner and outer hair cells in the organ of Corti of animals exposed to 12 and 25 ppm CO were not different from the controls. However, at 25 ppm CO exposure, the nerve terminals innervating the inner hair cells were swollen. The somata of neurons in the spiral ganglion showed mild changes in the cytoplasm, and signs of mild vacuolization were observed in myelin covering their central processes. Synaptophysin, a marker for synaptic vesicles, and choline acetyltransferase, a marker for cholinergic terminals, showed no difference in immunoreactivity in CO exposed animals at 12 and at 25 ppm when compared with their age-matched controls. Also, Na+K+ ATPase immunoreactivity patterns were normal compared with controls. Three enzymes were significantly reduced at the 25 ppm CO exposure: Cytochrome oxidase, NADH-TR, and calcium ATPase were decreased in both the organ of Corti and the neurons of the spiral ganglion, and decreased immunostaining for the neurofilament and myelin basic proteins was found. We conclude that components of the cochlea are selectively affected by mild chronic CO exposure during development. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Parameters Affecting Service Life of Carpeting

Current developments in the carpet industry which have an impact on carpet aesthetics, cost, and performance are presented. Essential criteria for appearance retention and wear resistance of carpets are discussed in relation to expected traffic loads in residential and commercial interiors. Parameters such as constructional variables, fiber and yarn type, pile density and weight, color, texture, and functional finishes are reviewed. These parameters essentially define appearance retention and are directly related to service life of carpeting. The importance of a maintenance program is emphasized.
Correlations between the dielectric properties and exterior morphology of cells revealed by dielectrophoretic field‐flow fractionation

Although dielectrophoresis (DEP) has great potential for addressing clinical cell isolation problems based on cell dielectric differences, a biological basis for predicting the DEP behavior of cells has been lacking. Here, the dielectric properties of the NCI-60 panel of tumor cell types have been measured by dielectrophoretic (DEP) field-flow fractionation, correlated with the exterior morphologies of the cells during growth, and compared with the dielectric and morphological characteristics of the subpopulations of peripheral blood. In agreement with earlier findings, cell total capacitance varied with both cell size and plasma membrane folding and the dielectric properties of the NCI-60 cell types in suspension reflected the plasma membrane area and volume of the cells at their growth sites. Therefore, the behavior of cells in DEP-based manipulations is largely determined by their exterior morphological characteristics prior to release into suspension. As a consequence, DEP is able to discriminate between cells of similar size having different morphological origins, offering a significant advantage over size-based filtering for isolating circulating tumor cells, for example. The findings provide a framework for anticipating cell dielectric behavior on the basis of structure-function relationships and suggest that DEP should be widely applicable as a surface marker-independent method for sorting cells.
Gale diagrams of convex polytopes and positive spanning sets of vectors

Abstract The Gale diagram construction assigns a finite set of vectors to a given convex polytope. The resulting correspondence between sets of vectors and convex polytopes is explored here from a new point of view, utilizing the concept of a positive k-spanning set of vectors and a new matrix construction for Gale diagrams.
Rab7 Regulates Late Endocytic Trafficking Downstream of Multivesicular Body Biogenesis and Cargo Sequestration

The small molecular weight G-protein RAB7 is localized to both early and late endosomes and has been shown to be critical for trafficking through the endocytic pathway. The role of RAB7 in the endocytic pathway has been controversial, with some groups reporting that it regulates trafficking from early to late endosomes and others ascribing its role to trafficking between late endosomes and lysosomes. In this study, we use RNA interference to identify the exact step RAB7 regulates in the movement of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) from the cell surface to the lysosome. In the absence of RAB7, trafficking of the EGF·EGFR complex through the early endosome to the late endosome/multivesicular body (LE/MVB) does not change, but exiting from the LE/MVB is blocked. Ultrastructural analysis reveals that RAB7 is not required for formation of intraluminal vesicles of the LE/MVB, since RAB7-deficient cells have an increased number of enlarged LE/MVBs densely packed with intraluminal vesicles. Biochemical data indicate that the EGFR complex is sequestered in these intraluminal vesicles. Together, these data provide evidence that RAB7 is required for the transfer of cargo from the LE/MVB to the lysosome and for endocytic organelle maintenance.
Electron-Magnon Bound States

Interactions between strongly correlated electrons (or holes) and spin waves are investigated with the aid of a simple physical model. The model is the large-interaction limit of the Hubbard model with an additional ferromagnetic Heisenberg interaction between nearest-neighbor singly occupied sites. We find that even though there is no obvious electron-magnon attraction in the model, electron-magnon bound states exist for some crystal structures.
Internal migration for recent immigrants to Canada.

This study examines the extent to which internal migration among recent immigrants to Canada is affected and constrained by characteristics related to admission. By examining measures of information and personal ties it may be possible to establish that migration behavior is rational regardless of economic incentives. It is suggested that "internal migration in the first year after arrival is strongly affected by characteristics such as admission status destination at arrival reason for immigration and area of origin. With increasing length of residence in Canada though the effect of these admission factors on internal migration behavior diminishes." This is a revised version of a paper originally presented at the 1992 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America. (EXCERPT)
Controls on the accumulation of coal and on the development of anastomosed fluvial systems in the Cretaceous Dakota Formation of southern Utah

Alluvial strata of the Cretaceous Dakota Formation of southern Utah are part of a transgressive systems tract associated with a foreland basin developed adjacent to the Sevier orogenic belt. These strata contain valley fill deposits, anastomosed channel systems and widespread coals. The coals constitute a relatively minor part of the Dakota Formation in terms of sediment volume, but may represent a substantial amount of the time represented by the formation. The coals are separated by clastic units up to 20 m thick. The stratigraphically lowest clastic unit of the Dakota Formation lies above an unconformity cut into Jurassic rocks. Incised valleys associated with the unconformity are up to 12 m deep. Two discrete episodes of valley fill sedimentation are recognized, including a lower sandstone unit with conglomerate layers, and an upper, discontinuous, coal-bearing unit. After the valleys filled, the area became one of low relief where extensive mires formed. Peat accumulation was interrupted at least three times by deposition of clastic sediment derived from the west. The clastic units consist of sandstone, mudstone or heterolithic ribbon bodies, stacked tabular sandstones, and laminated mudstones, and contain minor coal beds less than 0·35 m thick. Ribbon bodies are 1–9 m thick and 15–160 m wide, have pronounced basal scours, and are filled with both lateral and vertical accretion deposits. An anastomosed channel complex is suggested by the large number of coeval channels of varying dimensions, the variation in the structure and grain size of channel fills, and the presence of abundant tabular sandstones interpreted as crevasse splays. Although some sandstone bodies have well developed lateral accretion surfaces, the overall ribbon geometry indicates that mature meandering streams were not well developed. This is in contrast to modern anastomosed systems, which are commonly thought to be a transitional morphology caused by avulsion of a meander belt to a new position on its floodplain. Rather than being a transitional channel pattern related to river avulsion, the anastomosed channels of the Dakota Formation may have formed part of a large inland delta that episodically invaded widespread mires. The mires developed during periods when clastic influx was reduced either by high rates of subsidence close to the thrust belt or by deflection of rivers by emergent thrusts.
Influence of hemicholinium No. 3 on mammalian tissue levels of acetylcholine.

SummaryHemicholinium No. 3 (HC-3) was administered acutely to cats, either as a 1% solution topically to the eyes or an i.v. injection of 1 mg/kg, and tissue levels of acetylcholine (ACh) were determined. The effects of nerve stimulation on ACh levels were also studied in these tissues, which included auricles, intestines and gastrocnemius muscles. Levels of ACh were significantly greater in control resting irises and ciliary bodies than in those treated with HC-3. The content of the auricles were also greater in the controls but only if nerve stimulation had been previously applied. Otherwise there were no differences between tissues from HC-3 treated and control animals. Another group of cats received a more chronic treatment with HC-3, 1 mg/kg repeated i.m. every 6 hours for a 24-hour period. Analysis of the same tissues for resting ACh content revealed no differences between treated and control animals. The results were discussed with regard to HC-3 exerting a possible anti-release mechanism. The poss...
A high efficiency detector for neutron capture cross section measurements

Abstract A large liquid scintillator of modular construction has been developed for the purpose of measuring neutron capture cross sections for neutron bombarding energies ranging from 0.01 eV to 30 keV. The detector configuration consists of a central, 2 ft diameter, hollow Plexiglas cylinder surrounded by an array of forty-four 9 in. diameter, hollow Plexiglas cylinders (“logs”). These cylinders contain a total of 4000 liter of decahydronapthalene and appropriate wavelength shifters. The pulse height resolution of the detector for capture gamma-rays emitted from the 4.91 eV resonance in gold is 28%. With the discriminator bias set to accept pulses ⩾3.0 MeV, the detection efficiency, for typical capture resonances and neutron binding energies between 6 and 8 MeV, is (81±6)% and is essentially independent of gamma-ray cascade mode. Measurements made with the scintillator demonstrate that isotopic assignments can be made to resonances, using normal samples, when the neutron binding energies differ by 300 keV or more. Data also indicate that the detector can be used to measure alpha ( σ c σ f ) for fissionable isotopes, including the highly radioactive ones which are particularly difficult to measure with other detectors.
In vitro proliferation and terminal differentiation of quail neural crest cells in a defined culture medium

Abstract We report the formulation of a culture medium, medium MCDB202-21, that supports the in vitro proliferation of quail neural crest cells and their differentiation into melanocytes and adrenergic neuroblasts in the complete absence of serum and chick embryo extract. McKeehan & Ham's medium MCDB 202 [1] was supplemented with hormones, stimulators of metabolism, vitamins, trophic factors, transport molecules, and small molecular nutrients.
Method for identification of the core of structural transformations in atomistic computer models.

A method for identification of the irreducible cluster of atoms critically involved in inelastic structural alterations has been developed. The method is based on analysis of diagonal minors of the Hessian matrix for the transitory saddle-point configurations of atom clusters. The method provides a basis for handling large amounts of numerical data obtained in detailed atomic-level simulations and leads to a substantial reduction of complexity of involved structural information.
Jerry Springer and the wages of Fin-syn : The rise of deregulation and the decline of TV talk

L'A. montre comment aux Etats-Unis l'evolution de la reglementation publique sur l'audiovisuel a determine l'histoire des emissions televisees de type talk show. Il donne d'abord un apercu historique du developpement de ces emissions a partir des annees soixante-dix. Il decrit comment les contraintes supplementaires imposees par la Commission federale de la communication, notamment pour l'etablissement des programmes, a favorise la proliferation des talk shows et leur succes populaire. Il decrit ensuite les consequences de la deregulation inspiree par la politique liberale du President Reagan : course a l'audimat et degradation de la qualite des emissions ont contribue a la critique et a la desaffection publique. En conclusion, l'A. suggere que l'avenir des talk shows dependra essentiellement de l'evolution de la reglementation sur l'audiovisuel, le facteur le plus important qui, par le passe, a determine le succes et le declin de ces emissions.
Reflections on “The Gift of Tongues” by Margaret Schlauch*

Appreciation and discussion of various aspects of “The Gift of Tongues” by M. Schlauch, recommended as a “must” for all foreign language teachers.
Nematode acetylcholinesterases: Molecular forms and their potential role in nematode behavior

Nematode movement is reliant upon the somatic musculature that runs longitudinally along the body wall. Neuromuscular synapses occur in the ventral and dorsal cords and employ the excitatory neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh), for modulation of muscle activity. Acetylcholine activity is terminated by hydrolysis by acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Here, Charles Opperman and Stella Chang discuss the molecular forms and potential role of this enzyme.
Transient flow between parallel drains

Abstract The transient-flow problem of subsurface drainage between parallel drains has been solved by the method of Weighted-Residuals. The assumption of an initial profile is removed in this method. The governing nonlinear partial differential equation is reduced to ordinary differential equations which are easily solvable on the computer. The solution is presented in two nondimensional graphical forms for easy field application.
LPA-mediated Migration of Ovarian Cancer Cells Involves Translocalization of Gαi2 to Invadopodia and Association with Src and β-pix

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plays a critical role in the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. However, the downstream spatiotemporal signaling events involving specific G protein(s) underlying this process are largely unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that LPA signaling causes the translocation of Gαi2 into the invadopodia leading to its interaction with the tyrosine kinase Src and the Rac/CDC42-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, β-pix. Our results establish that Gαi2 activates Rac1 through a p130Cas-dependent pathway in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, our report reveals that knockdown of Gαi2 leads to loss of β-pix and active-Rac association in the invadopodia. We also show that knockdown of Gαi2 leads to the complete loss of translocation to p130Cas to focal adhesions. Finally, when Gαi2 is knocked down, this led to the total distribution of Src being shifted primarily from invadopodia and the leading edge of the cells to the perinuclear region, suggesting that Src is inactive in the absence of Gαi2. Overall, our report provides tantalizing evidence that Gαi2 is a critical signaling component of a large signaling complex in the invadopodia that if disrupted could serve as an excellent target for therapy in ovarian and potentially other cancers.
Antitumor necrosis factor treatment for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.

Infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab are monoclonal antibodies against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), a proinflammatory cytokine with an increased expression in the inflamed tissues of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Currently, infliximab is the only anti-TNF drug that has been approved for use in refractory pediatric Crohn's disease (CD). Nevertheless, adalimumab and certolizumab have been used off-label to treat refractory pediatric IBD. Over the past 10 years, anti-TNF treatment has been of great benefit to many pediatric IBD patients, but their use is not without risks (infections, autoimmune diseases, malignancies). Despite the growing experience with these drugs in children with IBD, optimal treatment strategies still need to be determined. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the use of anti-TNF drugs in pediatric IBD and to discuss the yet-unsolved issues. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)
Functional redundancy between the XLF and DNA-PKcs DNA repair factors in V(D)J recombination and nonhomologous DNA end joining

Classical nonhomologous end joining (C-NHEJ) is a major mammalian DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway that is required for assembly of antigen receptor variable region gene segments by V(D)J recombination. Recombination activating gene endonuclease initiates V(D)J recombination by generating DSBs between two V(D)J coding gene segments and flanking recombination signal sequences (RS), with the two coding ends and two RS ends joined by C-NHEJ to form coding joins and signal joins, respectively. During C-NHEJ, recombination activating gene factor generates two coding ends as covalently sealed hairpins and RS ends as blunt 5′-phosphorylated DSBs. Opening and processing of coding end hairpins before joining by C-NHEJ requires the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs). However, C-NHEJ of RS ends, which do not require processing, occurs relatively normally in the absence of DNA-PKcs. The XRCC4-like factor (XLF) is a C-NHEJ component that is not required for C-NHEJ of chromosomal signal joins or coding joins because of functional redundancy with ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase, a protein that also has some functional overlap with DNA-PKcs in this process. Here, we show that XLF has dramatic functional redundancy with DNA-PKcs in the V(D)J SJ joining process, which is nearly abrogated in their combined absence. Moreover, we show that XLF functionally overlaps with DNA-PKcs in normal mouse development, promotion of genomic stability in mouse fibroblasts, and in IgH class switch recombination in mature B cells. Our findings suggest that DNA-PKcs has fundamental roles in C-NHEJ processes beyond end processing that have been masked by functional overlaps with XLF.
ARID3B induces tumor necrosis factor alpha mediated apoptosis while a novel ARID3B splice form does not induce cell death.

Alternative splicing is a common occurrence in many cancers. Alternative splicing is linked with decreased apoptosis and chemoresistance in cancer cells. We previously demonstrated that ARID3B, a member of the AT-rich interactive domain (ARID) family of DNA binding proteins, is overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Therefore we wanted to assess the effect of ARID3B splice forms on cell viability. We identified a novel splice form of the ARID3B gene (designated as ARID3B Sh), which lacks the C-terminal exons 5–9 present in the full-length isoform (ARID3B Fl). ARID3B Fl is expressed in a variety of cancer cell lines. Expression of ARID3B Sh varied by cell type, but was highly expressed in most ovarian cancer lines. ARID3B is modestly transcriptionally activated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling through the PEA3 transcription factor. We further found that ARID3B Fl is predominantly nuclear but is also present at the plasma membrane and in the cytosol. Endogenous ARID3B Sh is present in nuclear fractions, yet, when overexpressed ARID3B Sh accumulates in the cytosol and membrane fractions. The differential localization of these isoforms suggests they have different functions. Importantly, ARID3B Fl overexpression results in upregulation of pro-apoptotic BIM and induces Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα) and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) induced cell death. The ARID3B Fl-induced genes include TNFα, TRAIL, TRADD, TNF-R2, Caspase 10 and Caspase 7. Interestingly, ARID3B Sh does not induce apoptosis or expression of these genes. ARID3B Fl induces death receptor mediated apoptosis while the novel splice form ARID3B Sh does not induce cell death. Therefore alternative splice forms of ARID3B may play different roles in ovarian cancer progression.
Two-stage stochastic programming supply chain model for biodiesel production via wastewater treatment

This paper presents a two-stage stochastic programming model used to design and manage biodiesel supply chains. This is a mixed-integer linear program and an extension of the classical two-stage stochastic location-transportation model. The proposed model optimizes not only costs but also emissions in the supply chain. The model captures the impact of biomass supply and technology uncertainty on supply chain-related decisions; the tradeoffs that exist between location and transportation decisions; and the tradeoffs between costs and emissions in the supply chain. The objective function and model constraints reflect the impact of different carbon regulatory policies, such as carbon cap, carbon tax, carbon cap-and-trade, and carbon offset mechanisms on supply chain decisions. We solve this problem using algorithms that combine Lagrangian relaxation and L-shaped solution methods, and we develop a case study using data from the state of Mississippi. The results from the computational analysis point to important observations about the impacts of carbon regulatory mechanisms as well as the uncertainties on the performance of biocrude supply chains.
Planting False Childhood Memories in Children: The Role of Event Plausibility

This experiment tested and supported the hypothesis that events will be suggestively planted in children's memory to the degree that the suggested event is plausible and script-relevant knowledge exists in memory. Nineteen 5- to 7-year-old children and 20 9- to 12-year-old children were read descriptions of two true events and two false events, reported to have occurred when they were 4 years old. One false event described the child lost in a mall while shopping (the plausible false event); the other false event described the child receiving a rectal enema (the implausible false event). The majority of the 39 children (54%) did not remember either false event. However, whereas 14 children recalled the plausible but not the implausible false event, only one child recalled the implausible but not the plausible false event; this difference was statistically significant. Three additional children (all in the younger age group) recalled both false events. Although this pattern of results was consistent for both age groups, the differences were significant for the younger children only. A framework is outlined specifying the cognitive processes underlying suggestively planting false events in memory.
The Effect of Visual and Verbal Modes of Presentation on Children's Retention of Images and Words.

This study tested the hypothesis that the use of two modes of presenting information to children has an additive memory effect for the retention of both images and words. Subjects were 22 first-grade and 22 fourth-grade children randomly assigned to visual and visual-verbal treatment groups. The visual-verbal group heard a description while observing an object; the visual group observed the same object but did not hear a description. Children were tested individually immediately after presentation of stimuli and two weeks later. They were asked to represent the information recalled through a drawing and an oral verbal description. In general, results supported the hypothesis and indicated, in addition, that children represent more information in iconic (pictorial) form than in symbolic (verbal) form. Strategies for using these results to enhance science learning at the elementary school level are discussed.
Mechanism of β-Hydrogen Elimination from Square Planar Iridium(I) Alkoxide Complexes with Labile Dative Ligands

Mechanistic studies were conducted on β-hydrogen elimination from complexes of the general formula [Ir(CO)(PPh3)2(OR)], which are square planar alkoxo complexes with labile ligands. The dependence of rate, isotope effect, and alkoxide racemization on phosphine concentration revealed unusually detailed information on the reaction pathway. The alkoxo complexes were remarkably stable, including those with a variety of electronically and sterically distinct groups at the β-carbon. These complexes were much more stable than the corresponding alkyl complexes. Thermolysis of these complexes in the presence of PPh3 yielded the iridium hydride [Ir(CO)(PPh3)3H] and the corresponding aldehyde or ketone with rate constants that were affected little by the groups at the β-carbon. The reactions were first order in iridium complexes. At low [PPh3], the reaction rate was nearly zero order in PPh3, but reactions at high [PPh3] revealed an inverse dependence of reaction rate on PPh3. The rate constants were similar in tolu...
Cross-functional teamwork in technology-based organizations

This paper examines how cross-functional teams can contribute to new product development (NPD). As market environments have become more dynamic and complex, technology-based organizations have needed to respond more quickly and proficiently to both opportunities and threats. Cross-functional teams (CFTs) are helping organizations meet these new challenges. Their success, however, is not automatic in organizations. This paper explores the importance of cross-functional teams in NPD; the challenges they encounter, their limits, and the impact they are having on organizational design and performance.
Airborne Laser Terrain Mapping for Expediting Highway Projects: Evaluation of Accuracy and Cost

A typical highway project generally takes 5 years or more from planning phase to construction stage, particularly in wooded and difficult terrain using traditional topographic terrain mapping methods. This paper presents an application of airborne laser terrain mapping technology for a 9 km (5.9 mi.) long highway project in a difficult densely wooded terrain with steep slopes and ravines. Elevation data accuracy, efficiency, and cost effectiveness were compared with the traditional aerial photogrammetry and ground based total station survey methods. The elevations of centerline and 15 different cross sections were compared with groundtruthing data from the total station survey. Using appropriate flight mission parameters, the airborne laser technology permits elevation accuracy of 0.13 m (5 in) . There are less operating constraints which adversely affect the productivity of traditional methods, such as cloud and vegetation cover, time of day, and intrusion into private properties. It is recommended to co...
A values framework for health system reform.

Prologue: In this election year, proposals for reforming the health care system are a key feature on the campaign trail. These proposals focus overwhelmingly on the problems of access, cost, and quality of care—problems that are not new but that have reached a critical point in light of a recessed economy, increasingly stringent insurance underwriting practices, and growing numbers of unemployed and uninsured Americans, As one observer of the system has stated, “There is no way to adjudicate disputes between the Holy Trinity of cost, quality, and access unless a court of values is available to dispense its wisdom,” In this paper, Reinhard Priester describes the values underlying our current health care system and presents a new framework of values to guide reform of that system. Stating our values structure explicitly, and comparing it with those of our peer nations, also helps to explain why the United States is the only Western nation without universal access to care, Americans have placed individual co...
Nutrient Intake, Dietary Practices, Nutrition Knowledge, and Exercise Patterns of Non-Institutionalized, Ambulatory Irish Senior Citizens

Abstract A sample of 50 non-institutionalized, ambulatory senior citizens in Dublin, Ireland were interviewed to determine dietary practices/exercise patterns. Nutrient intake was determined through 24-hour recall; nutrition knowledge was assessed by completion of the previously validated Nutrition Knowledge Test (NKT). Males (N=22) averaged 67 years of age, were married (65%), and typically did not cook (75%). Female (N=28) averaged 73 years of age, were widowed/single (65%), and did cook (85%). All 50 subjects were Caucasian; 65% had completed high school. Using the Hamwi formula, 58% of all subjects were within normal weight for height range, 35% were overweight, and 7% were underweight. However, 45% of the men and 68% of the women reported belief that their weight was healthy. Although subjects typically described their health as good, illnesses/conditions most frequently reported included arthritis (39%), high blood pressure (33%), or ulcers (30%). Caloric intake for men averaged 64% of the RDA for males >51 years of age and 96% of the RDA for females >51 years of age. Both genders consumed >100% of the RDA for protein, iron, Vitamins A and C. However, zinc intake for men averaged only 55% of the RDA and 70% for women; calcium intake averaged 85% of the RDA for men and 82% for women. Most subjects (85%) described their appetites as "good". Subjects averaged 79% correct on the NKT; no gender differences were observed. Questions on the NKT most often answered incorrectly included identification of dietary sources of protein and Vitamin A. More than 2/3 of the subjects did not own a car and walked 3-4 miles each day (to the butcher, bakery, produce market, or grocery). In addition, 72% of the subjects reported regular (⩾3X/week) participation in a physical fitness regimen (cycling or exercise class [stretching, aerobic activities, and strength training]). In conclusion, Irish seniors describe their health and appetite as good, although males may not be consuming adequate calories, zinc, or calcium and Irish females may not be consuming adequate zinc or calcium. Both males and females possess a generally good level of nutrition knowledge, although they may benefit from additional education to be able to identify protein/Vitamin A sources. Due to the fact that most Irish people walk rather than drive to their destinations, high exercise levels may contribute to the healthy weights and overall good health observed in this population.
Considerations for the Design of Asymmetrical Mach–Zehnder Interferometers Used as Polarization Beam Splitters on a Submicrometer Silicon-On-Insulator Platform

Asymmetrical Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) structures on a submicrometer silicon-on-insulator platform are designed and analyzed when used as a polarization beam splitter (PBS). The analysis shows that it is allowed to use 2×2 power splitter/combiner couplers with a balanced ratio (50:50) for only one polarization by selecting the output ports for TE and TM polarizations appropriately. This makes the design much easier and more flexible. Examples for the design of MZI-based PBSs using directional couplers as well as multimode interference couplers are given. Finally, compensating the positive or negative wavelength shifts due to fabrication errors is proposed by using a thermal-optical effect on the two MZI arms separately. The numerical calculation shows that a small temperature increase (e.g., 30°C) is enough to compensate the wavelength shift due to an arm-waveguide width deviation of 50 nm. The parameters of MZI arm waveguides are chosen appropriately in order to make the MZI wavelength shifts (due to the fabrication errors) almost polarization independent, so that the thermal compensation approach could push the central wavelengths for both polarizations back to the designed value.
WOLTERSTORFF, RIGHTS, WRONGS, AND THE BIBLE

According to Wolterstorff, an accurate genealogy of rights begins, not with the late Middle Ages and the Enlightenment, but with the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. The Gospel of Luke, Wolterstorff says, provides especially important witness, and he gives it considerable attention. Wolterstorff’s careful analysis of Luke is both lexical and narratological. This paper argues that the lexical data of the Gospel of Luke does indeed lend some support to Wolterstorff’s case. But the support is qualified since, in Luke, a critical word group—the dikaio-family—is used in a way that emphasizes relationship to God rather than obligations to neighbor. The most important narratives and teachings of the Gospel lend similarly qualified support to Wolterstorff’s genealogy. The paper concludes that while nothing in the Gospel of Luke is incompatible with the observation and defense of human rights, the program Luke sketches has another focus that a comprehensive reading of that Gospel must keep in view. NICHOLAS WOLTERSTORFF’S SPLENDID BOOK, Justice: Rights and Wrongs, makes a strong argument for inherent human rights. A large part of that argument treats the issue systematically and seeks to ground human rights in a consideration of the structure of the moral order. Another part of his argument recounts the ways in which moralists in the Western tradition came to think about human rights. This portion of his case contests other narratives about the genealogy of human rights that trace its lineage to the Enlightenment or to the nominalism of the late Middle Ages. No, argues Wolterstorff, the narrative begins with the biblical witness, both the Scriptures of ancient Israel and the writings of the early followers of Jesus, particularly the Gospel of Luke. Wolterstorff does not claim that that there is any explicit theory of human or natural rights in the Hebrew Bible or in the New Testament. Rather, he claims there is an ethical framework that assumes that something like such rights are in effect. After critical consideration of other possible ways of grounding human rights, Wolterstorff finally argues that the only solid foundation is a vision of human beings, who as creatures in the
A Closer Look at ‘Sophisticated Stoicism’: Reply to Stephens and Feezell

Stephens and Feezell argue, in ‘The Ideal of the Stoic Sportsman’ (2004), that ‘one need not be a scholar of ancient Greek philosophy to refer to “stoic” conduct or a “stoic” approach to certain matters, because the vocabulary related to this apparently antiquarian view of life has seeped into our common language’. Nonetheless, Stephens and Feezell go on to give a scholarly account of Stoicism as it relates to athletic participation. Their account, in part, takes the form of a distinction between ‘simple Stoicism’ and ‘sophisticated Stoicism’– the former being a common, contemporary grasp of Stoic moral psychology; the latter being a more sophisticated and historically accurate grasp of Stoic moral psychology. In fleshing out their more sophisticated account, they disclose a paradox. Given the Stoic sufficiency thesis – i.e., that the sole (Stoic) good is virtue – the Stoic sportsman must be indifferent to failure or winning. Yet the Stoic sportsman must be sufficiently attached to the athletic experience...
Socialization Values in West African, Negro and East Indian Cultures: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

Three groups (51 each) of lower-class maternity cases--West African, Negro, and East Indian--were given an interview schedule about their intentions for behavior toward their children and preferences for behavior by their children. The responses were divided into indexes considered to reflect socialization values in modelling or training children toward Social Breadth, Autonomy and Expressionism. Results showed the three groups to differ significantly from each other on each index with the exception of the West African and Negro samples on Autonomy. Means of cumulative individual scores indicated the Negro mothers to rank highest in Social Breadth, and the West African mothers to rank highest in Autonomy and Expressionism. The East Indian mothers were lowest in support of each index.
Calorie restriction and sirtuins revisited

Calorie or dietary restriction (CR) has attracted attention because it is the oldest and most robust way to extend rodent life span. The idea that the nutrient sensors, termed sirtuins, might mediate effects of CR was proposed 13 years ago and has been challenged in the intervening years. This review addresses these challenges and draws from a great body of new data in the sirtuin field that shows a systematic redirection of mammalian physiology in response to diet by sirtuins. The prospects for drugs that can deliver at least a subset of the benefits of CR seems very real.
Efficient Scan-Based BIST Using Multiple LFSRs and Dictionary Coding

An efficient LFSR reseeding based scan vector compression scheme is proposed in this paper. By using a two step scheme of multiple small LFSRs and dictionary encoding of the LFSR seeds, very high compression can be achieved on scan load patterns. The proposed scheme involves reseeding only the required LFSRs depending on the number of specified bits in a scan load pattern thereby improving the encoding efficiency. Experiment results show that very high encoding efficiency can be achieved using the proposed scheme. Multiple small LFSRs are advantageous to a dictionary based compression scheme of the LFSR seeds. An algorithm to choose seeds intelligently to achieve higher second level compression is described. The proposed scheme can be used in both full built-in self-test (BIST) environments and hybrid-BIST environments where the compressed data is stored on the external test equipment. Experiments show that the proposed scheme requires less tester memory as compared to previously published results
Control of intestinal microflora.

IN view of recent work which has directed attention to the importance of the intestinal microflora in nutrition, examinations of the faeces were made on a number of children receiving treatment with streptomycin.
Family Role in the Reintegration Process of Recovering Drug Addicts A Qualitative Review of Israeli Offenders

In an outcome evaluation of recovering addicts who participated in a prison-based therapeutic community, 39 clients, a nonrandomized subsample, are interviewed about their rehabilitation and reintegration experience. This study focuses on the family as the main source of support and as an agent of change for the recovering drug addict. Although many studies show marriage and family to be positively related to successful reintegration and rehabilitation, clients in this study report families as having a negative effect on the rehabilitation and reintegration process. This is especially true among those who reunite with their spouse. The findings are discussed in regard to role expectations and support mechanisms, and suggestions are made for further research.
Elevated mortality and prolonged intestinal cell death following combined radiation and burn in a mouse model

RESULTS: Endotoxemia results in increased hepatic antioxidant xpression as determined by PCR array. LPS-induced hepatic mitohondrial ROS both in vivo and in vitro. LPS also increased expresion of Nrf2. Addition of the NOS inhibitors L-NAME or 1400W ramatically reduced mitochondrial ROS production and comletely abrogated Nrf2 expression. This was associated with dereased expression of heme oxygenase-1 and superoxide dismutase-2. he addition of NO donor could rescue LPS-induced ROS producion and Nrf2 expression in the setting of NOS inhibition.