cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A BMP-FGF Morphogen Toggle Switch Drives the Ultrasensitive Expression of Multiple Genes in the Developing Forebrain

Borders are important as they demarcate developing tissue into distinct functional units. A key challenge is the discovery of mechanisms that can convert morphogen gradients into tissue borders. While mechanisms that produce ultrasensitive cellular responses provide a solution, how extracellular morphogens drive such mechanisms remains poorly understood. Here, we show how Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) pathways interact to generate ultrasensitivity and borders in the dorsal telencephalon. BMP and FGF signaling manipulations in explants produced border defects suggestive of cross inhibition within single cells, which was confirmed in dissociated cultures. Using mathematical modeling, we designed experiments that ruled out alternative cross inhibition mechanisms and identified a cross-inhibitory positive feedback (CIPF) mechanism, or “toggle switch”, which acts upstream of transcriptional targets in dorsal telencephalic cells. CIPF explained several cellular phenomena important for border formation such as threshold tuning, ultrasensitivity, and hysteresis. CIPF explicitly links graded morphogen signaling in the telencephalon to switch-like cellular responses and has the ability to form multiple borders and scale pattern to size. These benefits may apply to other developmental systems.
Therapeutic intent of proton pump inhibitor prescription among elderly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug users.

Summary Background Prescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has increased dramatically. Aim To assess therapeutic intent of PPI prescription among elderly veterans prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods Medical-record abstraction identified therapeutic intent of PPI prescription. An ‘appropriate therapeutic intent’ was defined as symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or endoscopic oesophagitis, Zollinger–Ellison disease, dyspepsia, upper gastrointestinal event, Helicobacter pylori infection or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastroprotection. Logistic regression predicted the outcome while adjusting for clinical characteristics. Results Of 1491 patients [mean 73 years (s.d. 5.6), 73% white and 99.8% men], among those charts which did document a therapeutic indication, 88.8% were appropriate. Prior gastroscopy was predictive of an appropriate therapeutic intent (OR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.9–3.7). Prescription to patients who used VA pharmacy services only, to in-patients, or by a cardiologist or an otolaryngologist were less likely to be appropriate. Gastroprotection was poorly recognized as an indication for PPI prescription, except by rheumatologists (OR 46.7; 95% CI: 15.9–136.9), or among highly co-morbid patients (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1–2.9). Among in-patients, 45% of PPI prescriptions were initiated for unknown or inappropriate reasons. Conclusions Type of provider predicts appropriate PPI use. In-patient prescription is associated with poor recognition of necessary gastroprotection and unknown therapeutic intent.
GENDER BIAS IN OBSERVERS' PERCEPTIONS OF INFANTS' SEX: IT'S A BOY MOST OF THE TIME!

This study was designed to investigate the extent to which observers are biased to assign a male gender to infants whose actual gender is unknown. Male and female college students were instructed t...
Donald Q. Kern Lecture Award Paper: Odyssey of the Enhanced Boiling Surface

We trace the evolution of enhanced boiling surfaces. Early work was highly empirical and done in industrial research. The 1968 Milton patent described the first porous coated surface, and the 1972 Webb patent described a structured tube surface geometry. The first fundamental understanding of the pore-and-tunnel geometry was published by Nakayama. Webb and Chien's flow visualization allowed observation of the evaporation in the subsurface tunnels. They also performed an experimental parametric study that defines the effect of pore diameter and pitch on the boiling performance. The progression of work on analytical boiling models is also reviewed
Simulated mobilization of metals from sediments in response to lake acidification

The regeneratable forms of pollutant metals in lake sediments were estimated using different chemical extractants and the effects of lake acidification on the mobilization of such metal fractions studied in laboratory microcosm. The release of each metal was found to increase exponentially below a threshold pH value, which was about 4.0 for Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Fe. The data suggest that a large percentage of pollutant metals are mobile as determined by chemical extraction techniques and long-term release experiments.
A Counterexample to A

The Direct Argument is an important argument for demonstrating that moral responsibility is incompatible with determinism because it makes no presuppositions about the nature of free will. One of the inference rules employed in the Direct Argument is rule A: If a proposition is broadly logically necessary, then it is true and no one is, nor ever has been, even partially morally responsible for the fact that the proposition is true. While inference rule A is assumed by all parties to the debate, I demonstrate that the rule is invalid.
Connections of striate cortex in the prosimian, galago senegalensis

Efferent and afferent connections of primary visual cortex, Area 17, were determined in a prosimian, Galago senegalensis, by autoradiographic methods after injections of 3H-proline or 3H-HRP. The cortical connections of Area 17 with Areas 18 and MT were homotopic and reciprocal. Projections from Area 17 terminated largely in layer IV and somewhat in layer III of both Areas 18 and MT. Most of the cells projecting to Area 17 were located in layer V of Area 18 and layer VI of MT. Subcortical projections included the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, where columns of label corresponding to injection sites were found in the caudal fourth of the nucleus. Projections to the lateral geniculate nucleus were along lines of isorepresentation and were in register with the cells projecting back to the injection site. The parvocellular layers were less densely labeled than other layers by the transport of 3H-proline, while concentrations of label were noted on the dorsal and ventral margins of the nucleus and in interlaminar regions between the internal parvocellular and magnocellular layers and between the two magnocellular layers. The pattern of terminations in the pulvinar complex suggested functional subdivisions. We have divided the inferior pulvinar into a large central nucleus, IPc, with topologically organized input from Area 17; a smaller medial nucleus, IPm, with a second pattern of input from Area 17; and a dorso-posterior nucleus, IPp, without input from striate cortex. The superior pulvinar likewise appears to have several subdivisions. One of these, a "central" nucleus of the superior pulvinar, SPc, receives topologically organized projections from Area 17. SPc is about the same size as IPc and is organized as a mirror image of IPc. Thus, both IPc and SPc represent the lower visual quadrant medially and the upper visual quadrant laterally; central vision is represented along the common border for both nuclei, while peripheral vision is represented dorsorostrally in SPc and ventrocaudally in IPc. Finally, the superficial grey of the superior colliculus receives topologically organized input from Area 17.
The enzymatic synthesis of wax esters by a microsomal preparation from the honeybee Apis mellifera L.

A microsomal preparation obtained from the abdomens of the honeybee Apis mellifera L. incorporated long chain primary alcohols, fatty acids, and the acyl group from acyl-CoA into cuticular wax monoesters. The incorporation of [1 -14C]-palmitate into monoester was stimulated by ATP, CoA, and MgCl2, and the addition of palmitoyl-CoA caused a five fold increase in monoester synthesis using [R-3H]-tetracosanol as the labelled substrate. This indicated that the mechanism of monoester synthesis involved the transfer of an acyl group from acyl-CoA to a primary alcohol. The addition of palmitoyl-CoA at concentrations up to 100 μM caused an increase in the rate of monoester synthesis, whereas at concentrations above 100 μM, palmitoyl-CoA markedly inhibited monoester formation. An apparent Km for tetracosanol was calculated from a double reciprocal plot to be 9 × 10−4M. Although the naturally occurring primary alcohols in the monoesters of the cuticular wax from the honeybee range in chain length from C24 to C32, labelled primary alcohols of 16, 18, 24 and 28 carbons were readily incorporated into monoester, with the C16 and C18 components incorporated at higher rates then the C24 and C28 homologues. A C27 secondary alcohol was not incorporated into wax esters.
The analog computer as a teaching aid in medical practice and research.

Abstract A large, general purpose analog computer has been used in conjunction with compartment and other mathematical models to help physicians involved in clinical practice and research to clarify their understanding of the clinical problem. Four problems are described in detail: free-fatty acid conversion to triglycerides in fasting human subjects, facilitation of ovulation in rats, monitoring of base-excess in dogs, regulation of digitalis dosage in humans. Computer-generated solutions of the model equations called attention to details of real data that had been overlooked or attributed to artefact or experimental error.
Number of water molecules coupled to the transport of sodium, potassium and hydrogen ions via gramicidin, nonactin or valinomycin

The number of water molecules (n) coupled to the transport of cations across lipid membranes was determined in two different wats: directly from the electro-osmotic volume flux per ion, and by the use of Onsager's relation, from the open circuit streaming potential produced by an osmotic pressure difference. The results of the two approaches were in general agreement. Monoolein membranes were formed on the ends of polyethylene or Teflon tubing connected to a microliter syringe and the volume change necessary to keep the membrane at a fixed position was measured. It was necessary to make corrections for unstirred layer effects. The results for gramicidin were: n approximately 12 for 0.15 M KCl and NaCl, n approximately 6 for 3.0 M KCl and NaCl, and n approximately 0 for 0.01 M HCl. For nonactin, n approximately 4 for both 0.15 and 3.0 M KCl and NaCl. Valinomycin (for 0.15 M KCl) behaved like nonactin. It is shown that for a channel mechanism, in general, n is less than or equal to the number of water molecules in a channel that does not contain any cations. Thus, the n of 12 for the 0.15 M salts implies that the gramicidin channel can hold at least 12 water molecules. This places an important constraint on models of the channel structure. The n of 0 for HCl is consistent with a process in which protons jump along a continuous row of water molecules. The decrease of n with the 3.0 M salts may indicate that the channel becomes multiply occupied at high salt concentrations. The n of 4 for nonactin and valinomycin means that at least four water molecules are associated with the carrier . cation complex, probably in the interstices between the complex and the disordered lipid.
A cryptographic protocol compiler for multiparty sessions

We present the design and implementation of a verifying compiler that, given high-level multiparty session descriptions, generates custom cryptographic protocols. Our sessions specify pre-arranged patterns of message exchanges and data accesses between distributed participants. They provide each participant with strong, abstract security guarantees for all their messages. Our compiler generates ML code for sending and receiving these messages, with cryptographic operations and checks, in order to enforce these guarantees against any adversary that may control both the network and some session participants. We verify that the generated code is secure by relying on a recent refinement type system for cryptography. Most of the proof is performed by mechanized typechecking and does not rely on the correctness of our compiler. We obtain the strongest session security guarantees to date in a model that captures the executable details of protocol code. We illustrate and evaluate our approach on a series of protocols inspired by web services.
Inheritance of resistance to Pyrenochaeta lycopersici in tomato

Tomato accessions (Lycopersicon sp.), along with commercial cultivars and breeding lines were grown in a field infested with the brown root rot (BRR) organism, Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and evaluated for resistance. Three L. esculentum Mill. accessions, P.I. 260397, P.I. 262906 and P.I. 203231, were resistant and were used as male parents in crosses designed to transfer resistance to tomatoes of fresh market type. Through analysis of parental generations and F1 and F2 progenies from three crosses the heritability of resistance in the broad sense was estimated to range from 25 to 43 percent. The minimum number of genes influencing resistance was estimated to be from 4 to 8.
Catalytic dehydration of alcohols by OH. (H3C)3CCH2OH: A limiting case

We describe a laser-photolysis/laser-induced-fluorescence kinetic study of the reaction between OH and neopentyl alcohol, (H3C)3CCH2OH, over the temperature range 293–764 K. The experiments test our model of catalytic dehydration of alcohols by OH, proving that s-site hydrogen atoms must exist in the alcohol if the conversion alcohol→H2O+alkene is to occur efficiently. We achieve separation of reactivity among the (H3C)3- and CH2OH-sites, and find that kCH2OH exhibits a surprising temperature dependence. A minor channel that reforms OH at long times exists, and we present a phenomenological characterization of its kinetics.
Targeted deletion of the mouse POU domain gene Brn-3a causes a selective loss of neurons in the brainstem and trigeminal ganglion, uncoordinated limb movement, and impaired suckling

The Brn-3 subfamily of POU domain genes are expressed in sensory neurons and in select brainstem nuclei. Earlier work has shown that targeted deletion of the Brn-3b and Brn-3c genes produce, respectively, defects in the retina and in the inner ear. We show herein that targeted deletion of the Brn-3a gene results in defective suckling and in uncoordinated limb and trunk movements, leading to early postnatal death. Brn-3a (-/-) mice show a loss of neurons in the trigeminal ganglia, the medial habenula, the red nucleus, and the caudal region of the inferior olivary nucleus but not in the retina and dorsal root ganglia. In the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia, but not in the retina, there is a marked decrease in the frequency of neurons expressing Brn-3b and Brn-3c, suggesting that Brn-3a positively regulates Brn-3b and Brn-3c expression in somatosensory neurons. Thus, Brn-3a exerts its major developmental effects in somatosensory neurons and in brainstem nuclei involved in motor control. The pheno-types of Brn-3a, Brn-3b, and Brn-3c mutant mice indicate that individual Brn-3 genes have evolved to control development in the auditory, visual, or somatosensory systems and that despite differences between these systems in transduction mechanisms, sensory organ structures, and central information processing, there may be fundamental homologies in the genetic regulatory events that control their development.
Nonidentifiability of lethality in the survival experiment with serial sacrifice

Abstract This paper refers to the methodology of the survival experiment with serial sacrifice. In a finite-state, continuous-time model of this experiment, transitions between “illness states” are nonidentifiable. Turnbull and Mitchell proposed a methodology based on the “approximating assumption” A1 that changes in illness state can only occur at discrete times. This assumption identified lethality, i.e. the conditional probability of death in an interval of time, given that the experimental animal is alive in a specified illness state at the beginning of this interval. However, the TM-BT method of evaluating lethalities can lead to conclusions deviating substantially from reality when an animal has a high enough probability of contracting an illness and dying in an interval of time.
In vitro stability of free and glucuronidated cannabinoids in urine following controlled smoked cannabis

Analyte stability is an important factor in urine test interpretation, yet cannabinoid stability data are limited. A comprehensive study of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH), cannabidiol, cannabinol, THC-glucuronide, and THCCOOH-glucuronide stabilities in authentic urine was completed. Urine samples after ad libitum cannabis smoking were pooled to prepare low and high pools for each study participant; baseline concentrations were measured within 24 h at room temperature (RT), 4 °C and -20 °C. Stability at RT, 4 °C and −20 °C was evaluated by Friedman tests for up to 1 year. THCCOOH, THC-glucuronide, and THCCOOH-glucuronide were quantified in baseline pools. RT THCCOOH baseline concentrations were significantly higher than −20 °C, but not 4 °C baseline concentrations. After 1 week at RT, THCCOOH increased, THCCOOH-glucuronide decreased, but THC-glucuronide was unchanged. In RT low pool, total THCCOOH (THCCOOH + THCCOOH-glucuronide) was significantly lower after 1 week. At 4 °C, THCCOOH was stable 2 weeks, THCCOOH-glucuronide 1 month and THC-glucuronide for at least 6 months. THCCOOH was stable frozen for 1 year, but 6 months high pool results were significantly higher than baseline; THC-glucuronide and THCCOOH-glucuronide were stable for 6 months. Total THCCOOH was stable 6 months at 4 °C, and frozen 6 months (low) and 1 year (high). THC, cannabidiol and cannabinol were never detected in urine; although not detected initially, 11-OH-THC was detected in 2 low and 3 high pools after 1 week at RT. Substantial THCCOOH-glucuronide deconjugation was observed at RT and 4 °C. Analysis should be conducted within 3 months if non-hydrolyzed THCCOOH or THCCOOH-glucuronide quantification is required.
Critical currents in superconducting HoBa2Cu3O7−α films

Superconducting thin films of HoBa2Cu3O7−α have been prepared by magnetron sputtering technique. The x-ray diffraction indicated that the 1-2-3 film is composed of well-oriented grains with c-axes normal to the ZrO2(Y) substrate. We have studied the temperature and field dependence of critical currents density of these films. The results can be treated within a mechanism controlled by flux creep.
Children's relationships with adults and peers: An examination of elementary and junior high school students

Abstract Social and affective processes connected to children's relationships inside and outside the school setting are important factors in children's successful adaptation to school. This study examines the relationships of 1,226 low-risk elementary and middle school children across a variety of relationship partners. Descriptive data on the profile of these school-aged children's patterns of relatedness with others are presented. Developmental trends are explored as well. There is a shift in the self-reported quality of children's relationships with adults (mothers and teachers) and peers (best friends and classmates) from elementary school to middle school. In middle school, children report more positive perceptions of their relationships with peers and less positive perceptions of their relationships with adults than do elementary school children. These findings are discussed in terms of the implications that children's interpersonal relationships have for facilitating readiness to learn and active engagement in school. Limitations of the present study and methodological issues connected to the assessment of relationships are discussed as well.
Depression of cytidine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in developing tissues of guinea pigs.

Abstract Changes in levels of the newly discovered cytidine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic CMP) phosphodiesterase in some representative tissues (cerebral cortex, kidney, intestine, liver, heart, and lung) of guinea pigs from various developmental stages (fetus, neonate, pup, and adult) were studied and compared with those of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases in the same tissues. It was observed that the tissue levels of cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase were invariably the lowest in every one of the fetal tissues examined, the highest in the corresponding tissues from the pups and adult, with intermediate levels seen in some neonatal tissues. The patterns of the ontogenetic changes in levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activities, however, were variable and tissue specific. These findings suggest that the depressed cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase activity (hence, the elevated cyclic CMP concentration) is perhaps a common factor in developing tissues undergoing rapid cell proliferation. The data also suggest that metabolism of cyclic CMP is perhaps more closely related to cell proliferation than the metabolism of cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP.
Instability of Supported Platinum Nanoparticles in Low-Temperature Fuel Cells

This paper discusses the mechanisms of surface area loss of supported platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts in low-temperature fuel cells. It is argued that submonolayer dissolution of Pt nanoparticles governs the surface area loss at high voltages by increasing the loss of Pt from carbon and coarsening of Pt nanoparticles on carbon.
Interaction of the Monsoon and Pacific Trade Wind System at Interannual Time Scales Part I: The Equatorial Zone

Abstract The time history of the Monsoon System over the Indian Ocean has been developed from ship observations and merged with the Wyrtki-Meyers Pacific Trade Wind field. The interaction of these two massive wind systems has been studied by a rather new empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis capable of detecting propagating features in the wind systems. The current study (Part I) was confined to variations within ±10° of the equator. Results show the two wind systems are strongly coupled at interannual time scales. The coupling is effected through cyclostationary pulsations and longitudinal shifts of the huge surface convergence over Indonesia. The interaction may also he thought of as the spatial expansion/contraction of the wind systems. These changes can be viewed as the transition of the Monsoon/Trade Winds between two preferred climate states. One sub-element of this apparent bimodality in the wind fields is the El Nino phenomenon. The zonal component of the combined wind fields seems to insti...
Multifrequency piezoelectric vibration absorber for variable frequency harmonic excitations

It has been shown that piezoelectric materials can be used as passive electromechanical vibration absorbers by shunting them with electrical networks. Semi-active piezoelectric absorbers have also been proposed for suppressing harmonic excitations with varying frequency. However, these semi- active devices have limitations that restrict their applications. In a previous study, the authors have developed a high performance active-passive alternative to the semi-active absorber that uses a combination of passive electrical circuit and active control actions. The active control consists of three parts: an adaptive inductor tuning action, a negative resistance action, and a coupling enhancement action. This new device has been shown, both analytically and experimentally, to be very effective for the suppression of harmonic disturbances with time-varying frequency. In the present paper, the adaptive active-passive piezoelectric absorber configuration is modified so that it can track and suppress multiple harmonic excitations. The effectiveness of this new multi-frequency absorber design is demonstrated by comparing its performance and control power requirement to a start-of-the-art adaptive feedforward control law.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Myosin and paramyosin of Caenorhabditis elegans embryos assemble into nascent structures distinct from thick filaments and multi-filament assemblages

The organization of myosin heavy chains (mhc) A and B and paramyosin (pm) which are the major proteins of thick filaments in adult wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans were studied during embryonic development. As a probe of myosin-paramyosin interaction, the unc-15 mutation e73 which produces a glu342lys charge change in pm and leads to the formation of large paracrystalline multi-filament assemblages was compared to wild type. These three proteins colocalized in wild-type embryos from 300 to 550 min of development after first cleavage at 20 degrees C on the basis of immunofluorescence microscopy using specific monoclonal antibodies. Linear structures which were diversely oriented around the muscle cell peripheries appeared at 360 min and became progressively more aligned parallel to the embryonic long axis until distinct myofibrils were formed at 550 min. In the mutant, mhc A and pm were colocalized in the linear structures, but became progressively separated until they showed no spatial overlap at the myofibril stage. These results indicate that the linear structures represent nascent assemblies containing myosin and pm in which the proteins interact differently than in wild-type thick filaments of myofibrils. In e73, these nascent structures were distinct from the multi-filament assemblages. The overlapping of actin and mhc A in the nascent linear structures suggests their possible structural and functional relationship to the "stress fiber-like structures" of cultured vertebrate muscle cells.
Use of and Satisfaction With Sources of Health Information Among Older Internet Users and Nonusers

663 Purpose: Older adults generally have an increased need for health care information. Whereas some use the Internet to look for this information, others use more traditional sources. This study gathered data from older adults to determine their health information needs, the perceived usefulness of sources of health information, and if there are differences in perceptions and use of health information between Internet users and nonusers. Design and Methods: We conducted 9 focus groups — 4 groups of Internet users ( n = 27) and 5 groups of non-Internet users ( n = 26) — to determine reasons for seeking health information, satisfaction with information, and use of the Internet to fulfi ll information needs. Data from focus groups were supplemented with questionnaire data. Results: Those who do not use the Internet were found to be just as satisfi ed with the health information they fi nd as those who search for information online. We also found that nonusers are more likely to make health care decisions based upon information found offl ine than Internet users who have access to more information. Implications: Nonusers may fi nd it quicker to look for information through traditional media sources and stay offl ine, thus limiting their information options. Strategies for encouraging Internet use and programs to teach effective searching skills are needed. Physicians could also direct older patients toward credible health information Web sites.
Normal Production of the Amyloid β-Protein and the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Progressive cerebral dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease and Down’s syndrome is accompanied by the formation of innumerable extracellular amyloid deposits in the form of senile plaques and microvascular amyloid. The amyloid fibrils are composed of the 39–43 residue amyloid (s-protein (As), a fragment of the integral membrane polypeptide, s-amyloid precursor protein (sAPP). Evidence from several laboratories has shown that amorphous, largely nonfilamentous deposits of As (“diffuse or ”preamyloid“ plaques) precede the development of fibrillary amyloid, dystrophic neuntes, neurofibrillary tangles, and other cytopathological changes in Down’s syndrome and, by inference, in Alzheimer’s disease. This finding suggests that s-amyloidosis, like certain other amyloidoses, does not occur secondary to local cellular pathology (e.g., dystrophic neurites) but rather precedes it. The clearest evidence that the processing of sAPP into As can actually cause Alzheimer’s disease has come from the identification by several laboratories of missense mutations in the sAPP gene within and flanking the As region in affected members of certain families having Alzheimer’s disease or hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis of the Dutch type.
ΔΗΛΟΣ ἘΚΙΝΉΘΗ: An ‘Imaginary Earthquake’ on Delos in Herodotus and Thucydides

Thucydides' and Herodotus' comments on a portentous (and unique) Delian earthquake contain the same phrase, but date the event almost 60 years apart and mutually rule out each other's datings. Two additional problems in these passages – geology demonstrates that Delos has never in fact had an earthquake of any significance and κινeῖν is not the word for an earthquake – point to an explanation for the historians' treatment. They are based on the Delphic oracle quoted by Herodotus which promised to ‘move unmoved Delos’, a paradox based on the island's mythical transition from floating to fixed (Pindar), but liable to confusion with its equally well-known aseismicity. Normally κινeῖν τὰ ἀκίνητα is used of interfering with religious sites; but the oracle's prediction was interpreted as an earthquake, that was assumed to have occurred in due course (although it had not). Both historians accepted the interpretation, but followed different datings since they invested it with different symbolism, Herodotus of the evils of the Persian and subsequent Greek wars, Thucydides of excited anticipation on the eve of the Peloponnesian War, since for him κίνησις meant ‘mobilization’ (1.1).
Dynamic versus static occupancy: How stable are habitat associations through a breeding season?

Most studies of habitat use by animals assume that there is little movement by individuals once they have settled. This assumption of static occupancy is especially true in studies of birds, even though many bird species are known to abandon failed nest sites in search of better habitat or to move up a habitat gradient as the season proceeds. If birds move into different habitats as the season progresses, studies assuming static use of habitat may provide misleading or incomplete inference into habitat use. We tested the hypothesis that birds use different habitats as the breeding season progresses by analyzing point counts conducted early and late in the breeding season within Tuskegee National Forest, AL. For 15 species of conservation concern, we compared models that assumed static occupancy with models that estimated apparent movement between early and late-season surveys. Models that estimated movement outcompeted static models for every species. Furthermore, patterns of movement provided inference t...
The EPS464-a function specific EPLD for the synthesis of complex waveforms and control applications

The EPS464 synchronous timing generator is an erasable programmable logic device (EPLD) with an architecture tailored for the synthesis of complex waveforms for control and synchronization applications. Using the Altera hardware description language (AHDL) together with the waveform design entry facility in the MAX+PLUS II development software, designers can quickly and economically develop custom controllers and state machines. >
Postpartum Screening for Diabetes among Medicaid-Eligible South Carolina Women with Gestational Diabetes

Purpose: To examine the rate of timely postpartum screening for diabetes among Medicaid-eligible women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: We examined a retrospective cohort of Medicaid women with a live birth between 2004 and 2007. Women with singleton live births at greater than 28 weeks gestation were included in the cohort and their screening receipt tracked. Only the first qualifying pregnancy within the observation period was assessed. Birth certificate records were linked with hospital discharge data, outpatient prenatal care claims to identify women with GDM (n ¼ 6,239). Medicaid postpartum claims for these women were examined to determine receipt of postpartum screening for diabetes within 5 to 13 weeks. Women with any indication of a dedicated plasma glucose test identified by CPT codes 82947, 82950, 82951, and 82952 during this time period were considered to meet the definition of screening. Results: Approximately 3.4% of women identified as having GDM were screened for diabetes postpartum. Adjusted analysis found women not attending the postpartum visit (odds ratio [OR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–0.91) and women receiving inadequate prenatal care (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34–0.95) were less likely to receive postpartum screening for diabetes. Conversely, women 20 to 34 years of age (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.21–2.66) and women who were obese (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.56–3.32) were more likely to be screened. Conclusions: Medicaid is a primary source of insurance for many women; however, for most coverage ends at 60 days postpartum, leaving a narrow window of opportunity for postpartum screening. Extended periods of coverage may be beneficial in ensuring the opportunity to receive adequate postpartum care, including screening for diabetes. Copyright 2012 by the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Bias in Jurors vs Bias in Juries: New Evidence from the SDS Perspective.

Prior research by Kaplan and Miller (1978) suggested that juries are generally influenced less by extralegal, biasing information than individual jurors are. A social decision scheme (SDS) analysis of this question by Kerr, MacCoun, and Kramer (1997) suggested (a) that Kaplan and Miller's conclusion should hold only for relatively extreme legal cases (i.e., cases where the probability of conviction, without biasing information, was either very high or very low) and (b) that the opposite pattern should hold for moderate cases (with moderate conviction rates)—i.e., juries should show even greater sensitivity to biasing information than should individual jurors. An experiment is reported that compared juror vs jury sensitivity to biasing information (viz., prejudicial pretrial publicity) for versions of a legal case with a moderate and an extreme conviction rate. Consistent with the SDS analysis, juries were more biased than jurors for the moderate-case version, but the reverse was true for the extreme-case version. The implications of these findings and the more general utility of the SDS model for studying group processes are discussed.
Diet, Helicobacter pylori Infection, Food Preservation and Gastric Cancer Risk: Are There New Roles for Preventative Factors?

Risks for gastric cancer in relation to diet and other environmental factors are receiving renewed attention. New developments include the emerging relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and an increased risk of gastric cancer, and positive results of chemoprevention trials in decreasing gastric cancer risk with the use of β-carotene and vitamin E supplements. Factors that may enhance risk include consumption of nitrites, nitrates, alcohol, and highly salted, pickled, fermented, or smoked foods. Other environmental factors which may promote cancer are H. pylori infection, inappropriate food storage, metal and cement dust exposure, and cigarette smoking. High intakes of fruits and vegetables or of antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin C may decrease risk.
Industry estimates of the elasticity of substitution and the rate of biased technological change between skilled and unskilled labor

We estimate the elasticity of substitution between skilled and unskilled labor and the pace of skill-biased technological change at the industry level. The data is compiled from the March extract of the Current Population Survey from 19682006. Industry information provided by the survey is used to group workers into 13 industry categories and education levels are used to dichotomize workers as skilled or unskilled. We construct measures of the ratio of skilled to unskilled employment and the ratio of skilled to unskilled wages in each industry. Using a relationship implied by pro…t maximizing behavior on the part of representative …rms, this data generates estimates of structural parameters. We …nd consider� �
Stochastic Analysis and Design Guidelines for CNFETs in Gigascale Integrated Systems

An integrated and compact model for probability of failure in carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) that includes 1) void CNFETs, 2) carbon nanotube (CNT) density variation, and 3) metallic CNTs is presented based on binomial probability distribution. Comparison with experimental data shows that the compact model successfully predicts the failure probability in CNFET devices. The model is used in a new design space to explore tradeoffs, key limitations, and opportunities for today's gigascale CNFET integrated systems. To achieve 1-part-per-billion failure rate in a gigascale system, it is shown that an asymmetrically correlated stack of 25 CNFETs, each containing 18 CNTs in the channel can be used when the probability of metallic CNT occurrence is reduced to 3%. However, if the density of metallic CNTs approaches zero, then a similar failure rate can be achieved with a single CNFET that contains 15 CNTs in the channel.
Indexing for topics in videos using foils

A long-standing goal of distance learning has been to provide a quality of learning comparable to the face-to-face environment of a traditional classroom for teaching or training. One of the fundamental problems in achieving this goal is providing effective ways of high-level semantic querying such as for the retrieval of relevant learning material relating to a topic of discussion. In this paper we present a method of identifying video segments relating to a topic of discussion by indexing videos using the image and text content of foils. Specifically, we present a novel method of locating and recognizing foil images in video using the color and spatial layout geometry of their regions. We then search the audio associated with video based on the text content of the foil to identify related video segments in which concepts represented on a foil are heard. Finally, we combine the results of foil image and text search of video exploiting their time co-occurrence. The resulting identification of topics is evaluated in the domain of classroom lectures and talks.
Interleukin-1β Regulation of the Human Brain Natriuretic Peptide Promoter Involves Ras-, Rac-, and p38 Kinase–Dependent Pathways in Cardiac Myocytes

Abstract —Because both the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) gene and the cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are induced in the infarcted myocardium, localized production of IL-1β may regulate the BNP gene. We tested whether (1) IL-1β regulates the human BNP promoter, (2) cis elements in the proximal promoter respond to IL-1β, and (3) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways [p42/44, c-jun (JNK) and p38 kinase] are involved. We transferred the hBNP promoter coupled to a luciferase reporter gene or constructs with mutations in the proximal promoter GATA and M-CAT elements into neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and treated the cells with IL-1β for 24 hours. IL-1β–stimulated hBNP luciferase activity was eliminated by pretreatment with the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Both the p38 kinase inhibitor SB205380 (SB) and cotransfection of a dominant-negative mutant of p38 kinase reduced IL-1β stimulation of the hBNP promoter. Dominant-negative mutants of Ras and Rac inhibited IL-1β–stimulated hBNP luciferase activity by 64% and 90%, respectively. Constitutively active forms of Rac and MKK6, the immediate upstream activator of p38, were stimulatory; however, only the effect of MKK6 was inhibited by SB. Neither the p42/44 nor the JNK pathway was involved in the action of IL-1β. Both IL-1β and MKK6 activation of the hBNP promoter were partially reduced when the promoter contained a mutated M-CAT element. In summary, (1) IL-1β is a transcriptional activator of the hBNP promoter; (2) IL-1β acts through a Ras-dependent pathway not coupled to activation of p42/44 MAPK or JNK; (3) IL-1β acts through a Rac-dependent pathway, but the downstream effector is not known; and (4) IL-1β activation of p38 kinase is partially involved in regulation of the hBNP promoter, targeting the proximal M-CAT element.
The Déjà Vu Illusion

The deja vu illusion occurs when a person has an inappropriate feeling of familiarity in a situation that is objectively unfamiliar or new. The amorphous nature of this experience has made identifying its etiology challenging, but recent advances in neurology and understanding of implicit memory and attention are helping to clarify this cognitive illusion. More specifically, deja vu may result from (a) a brief change in normal neural transmission speed causing a slightly longer separation between identical messages received from two separate pathways, (b) a brief split in a continuous perceptual experience that is caused by distractions (external or internal) and gives the impression of two separate perceptual events, and (c) the activation of implicit familiarity for some portion (or all) of the present experience without an accompanying conscious recollection of the prior encounter. Procedures that involve degraded or occluded stimulus presentation, divided attention, subliminal mere exposure, and hypno...
Dynamic simulation of brushless doubly-fed machines

Dynamic and steady-state models for the simulation of the performance of experimental brushless doubly-fed machines (BDFM) are presented. The dynamic simulation results are obtained using a two-axis representation which has been developed from a detailed machine design model. In turn, it is shown that several forms of steady-state equivalent circuit can be developed from the two-axis model for different specific modes of operation. Test data in dynamic conditions are compared with the predictions given by the two-axis model. It is concluded that these simplified models will provide adequate representation of full performance for control, stability, and scoping studies. >
An original modeling process and technology with intra-package crosstalk consideration for compact array antennas on the 4G communications packages

The effect of electromagnetic interference arising from different layers, structures, and properties of smart antenna array elements on 4G systems is presented. Novel modeling issues resulted from the analysis shows possibility to reduce package size, introduce new package architecture, and improve the performance of the package.
A stochastic drift counteraction optimal control approach to glider flight management

This paper formulates two stochastic optimal control problems to determine optimal glider flight management decisions that include a time-varying selection of glider ground speed and an amount of time to spend climbing in a randomly-encountered thermal. In the first problem, the objective is to maximize the expected glider range while maintaining glider altitude within given limits. In the second problem, the objective is to maximize the expected range in which the glider is able to follow a moving ground vehicle within a prescribed distance while maintaining glider altitude within given limits. Both problems are treated using stochastic drift counteraction optimal control. Simulation results are reported and discussed. The work has application to glider flight performance improvement, and to noiseless surveillance by unmanned air vehicles.
Improving data accuracy of commercial food outlet databases.

Abstract Purpose. Assessing food environments often requires using commercially available data. Disparate methods used for classifying food outlets in these databases call for creating a classification approach using common definitions. A systematic strategy for reclassifying food stores and restaurants, as they appear in commercial databases, into categories that differentiate the availability of healthy options is described here. Design and Setting. Commercially available data on food outlets including names, addresses, North American Industry Classification System codes, and associated characteristics was obtained for five New Jersey communities. Analysis. A reclassification methodology was developed using criteria and definitions from the literature to categorize food outlets based on availability of healthy options. Information in the database was supplemented by systematic Internet and key word searches, and from phone calls to food outlets. Results. The methodology resulted in 622 supermarket/groce...
Nuts and bolts of core and SoC verification

Digital design at Motorola is performed at design centers throughout the world, on projects with different design objectives, executed on different time scales, by different sized teams with different skill sets. This paper attempts to categorize these diverse efforts and identify common threads: what works, what the challenges are, and where we need to go.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the Organizational Diversity Inventory (ODI)

A newly developed 20-item Organizational Diversity Inventory (ODI) is described. A battery of 200 statements dealing with various aspects of diversity was evaluated as to the statements' relevancy by a diverse group of 40 middle managers. Thirty-five items were selected for further exploration. Four hundred and fifty managerial employees from 27 organizations completed this 35-item inventory. Relying on half of the sample, a factor analytic solution was generated that comprised 20 items and five factors. The second half of the sample was used to cross-validate these results. A structural equations confirmatory factor analysis (LISREL 8.03) also supported these five factors. The resulting factors were labeled (a) Existence of Discrimination, (b) Discrimination Against Specific Groups, (c) Managing Diversity, (d) Actions Regarding Minorities, and (e) Attitudes Toward Religion.
Text-independent open-set speaker identification for military missions using genetic rule-based system

We present a genetic classifier system approach to the text-independent open-set speaker identification problem. Classifier systems are widely used in symbolic problem for dynamically changing open-ended learning. Signal processing problems require processing of real-valued parameters that classifier systems are not designed for. On the other hand, the approaches based on common cepstral encoding with clustering algorithms handle the closed-set speaker identification quite well. This research solves the open-set problem by hybridizing these two approaches.