cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Framework for Designing and Evaluating Distributed Real-Time Applications

Distributed Real-Time (DRT) systems are among the most complex software systems in the field of Computer Science. The contradictory nature of distributed computing and real-time requirements forces prioritization that is dependent on domain-specific knowledge. This combination of distributed and real-time system requirements generates a new set of properties, and requires a new conceptual framework. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for developing DRT systems. We divide our framework in 3 phases: example applications, design properties, and evaluation. We demonstrate our framework properties with our own Distributed Virtual Environment architecture and other 2 examples: Google's Cluster Architecture and collision avoidance systems. Finally we discuss evaluation of DRT systems through the lens of our own architecture, and conclude with general lessons to apply to other DRT systems. Our conceptual framework enables developers of DRT systems to foresee and address issues early in the design. Additionally, we expose general lessons and good practices of evaluation for other DRT systems.
Multiple visuospatial working memory buffers: Evidence from spatiotemporal patterns of brain activity

Numerous studies have shown that the visual system involves different cortical pathways in the perception of object (ventral visual pathway) and spatial (dorsal visual pathway) information. The present study was concerned with whether human visuospatial working memory divides along similar lines. We used event-related brain potentials (ERPs) recorded from scalp of normal humans to show the existence of different buffering systems for the retention of object and spatial visual information. Subjects were presented with object or spatial stimuli to be retained for a 3.6-sec interval. The ERPs isolated brain activity associated with retention from earlier storage and later retrieval processes. The ERP scalp topographies indicated that the underlying patterns of brain activation were different during retention of object and spatial information.
Synthesis and evaluation of human serum albumin-modified exendin-4 conjugate via heterobifunctional polyethylene glycol linkage with protracted hypoglycemic efficacy.

Albumin conjugation is considered to be one of the most effective means of protracting the short in vivo lifespans of peptides and proteins. Here, we present a new long-acting antidiabetic exendin-4 conjugate linked with human serum albumin (HSA) via polyethylene glycol (PEG). As a first step toward synthesizing this conjugate, three artificial sulfhydryl groups were introduced in HSA using 2-iminothiolane at pH 8.0. This thiolated HSA was further reacted with the monomer fraction of exendin-4 (6 equiv) conjugated with maleimide-PEG5k-N- hydroxysuccinimide (MAL-PEG5k-NHS) for 3 h. Because of the presence of PEG molecules, the resulting conjugate (HSA−PEG−Ex4) was found to have a greater apparent molecular weight and a larger particle size (ca. 195 kDa and 9.48 ± 0.74 nm) than those of HSA-exendin-4 without the PEG linker (HSA−Ex4, ca. 84.3 kDa and 7.77 ± 0.98 nm). Although the receptor binding affinity of HSA−PEG−Ex4 on RIN-m5F cells was significantly lower than that of Ex4, its antihyperglycemic efficacy...
An interdisciplinary graduate program for Mexican-American researchers-evaluators.

A model for preparing Mexican-American mental health research-evaluation specialists at two degree levels is described. The program prepares evaluators for community mental health centers with largely Mexican-American populations. Applications to other settings and other minority groups are discussed.
Shortened duration of drug-induced behavioral excitation in rats with septal lesions

En las ratas, la reaccion elevada de la respuesta evasiva, despues de darles iproniazida y tetrabenazina aparentemente esta relacionada con el suelto acrecentado de acetylcholina en al parte frontal del cerebro. Cuando las ratas con lesiones septales recibieron estas dos drogas, sus periodos resultantes de excitacion de conducta eran significantamente mas cortos que los de los controles. Como las lesiones septales producen disminucion en los niveles de la acetylcholina en el cerebro, estos datos implicaron mas el sistema cholinergica en la excitacion producida por la iproniziada-tetrabenazina.
Ethane production by Methanosarcina barkeri during growth in ethanol supplemented medium

Methanosarcina barkeri strain 227 produced ethane during growth on H2/CO2 when ethanol was added to the medium in concentrations of 89–974 mM; ethane production varied from 14 to 38 nmoles per tube (20 ml gas phase, 5.7 ml liquid) with increasing ethanol concentrations. Cells grown to mid-logarithmic phase (A600 ∼0.46, protein = 64 μg/ml) on H2/CO2, thoroughly flushed with H2/CO2, then exposed to ethanol, produced maximal ethane levels (at 585 and 974 mM ethanol) of about 215 nmoles per tube, with an ethane/methane ratio of 1×10-3. Mid-logarithmic-phase cultures of Methanosarcina barkeri strain Fusaro also produced ethane (up to 20 nmoles per tube) when exposed to ethanol. Cultures of strain 227 growing on methanol in the absence of H2 produced ≦6 nmoles per tube of ethane when supplemented with ethanol whereas those lacking ethanol but containing H2 and/or methanol produced ≦1.6 nmoles per tube. Cultures of Methanococcus deltae strains ΔLH and ΔRC, Methanospirillum hungatei or Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum produced ≦5 nmoles ethane per tube when grown in medium containing ethanol. Ethanol concentrations of 177–886 mM were inhibitory to growth of all methanogens examined. Production of ethane by Methanosarcina was inhibited by >62 mM methanol, and both methanogenic inhibitors tested, CCl4 and Br−CH2−CH2−SO inf3 sup- , inhibited ethane and methane production concurrently. The data suggest that ethanol is converted to ethane by Methanosarcina species using the terminal portion of the methanol-to-methane pathway.
Indian oil company joins efforts to reduce methane emissions

The Oil and Natural Gas Corp, Ltd. (ONGC), headquartered in Dehradun, India, has joined seven U.S. and Canadian oil and natural gas companies as a partner in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA's Natural Gas STAR International Program aims to reduce methane emissions from the oil and natural gas sector while delivering more gas to markets around the world. With this partnership, ONGC agrees to implement emissions reduction practices and to submit annual reports on progress achieved; EPA agrees to assist ONGC with training technicians in new cost-effective technologies that will help achieve target emissions. The Natural Gas STAR International Program is administered under the Methane to Markets Partnership, a group of 20 countries and 600 companies across the globe that since 2004 has volunteered to cut methane emissions. More information on EPA's agreement with ONGC can be found at http://www.epa.gov/gasstar/index.htm; information about the Methane to Markets Partnership can be found at http://www.methanetomarkets.org.
The information and communication technology competencies of students enrolled in school library media certification programs

Abstract As information and communication technologies (ICTs) become increasingly prevalent in modern society, improving students' competency with these technologies has become a key focus of 21st century education. Given the interdisciplinary and information rich nature of ICTs, many advocate for school librarians to actively promote their integrative use across the K-12 curriculum. This article asks, “Are school library media professionals adequately prepared for the task of integrating technology and skills into instruction?” It explores the perceived ICT competencies of students enrolled in school library certification programs and the use of ICTs in their school library education programs. Factors identified for discussion include the age of students enrolled in school library certification programs, the evolutionary process of ICT curricular integration, and perceived preparedness to integrate ICTs into instruction despite self-reported low competency levels with many of emerging technologies. Concluding comments encourage design of authentic and meaningful learning experiences that incorporate and promote the integrative use of ICTs in school library certification programs.
Nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation-rate measurements in YBa2Cu3O7.

Experimental details are given for NMR and NQR measurements of nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation rates for the planar copper and oxygen sites in YBa[sub 2]Cu[sub 3]O[sub 7]. Enrichment of samples with [sup 17]O, alignment of powder samples, elimination of artifacts in relaxation-rate measurements, and the unusual aspects of weak magnetic-field experiments used to overcome an observed magnetic-field dependence in the rates are described. The role of fluxoids in the magnetic-field dependence of the relaxation rates is discussed. The relaxation rate data are shown to be inconsistent with a spin-singlet, orbital [ital s]-wave pairing state with an isotropic energy gap.
Fundamental Kinetic Modeling of Catalytic Reforming

A fundamental kinetic model for the catalytic reforming process has been developed. The complex network of elementary steps and molecular reactions occurring in catalytic reforming was generated through a computer algorithm characterizing the various species by means of vectors and Boolean relation matrices. The algorithm is based on the fundamental chemistry occurring on both acid and metal sites of a Pt−Sn/Al2O3 catalyst. The number of rate coefficients for the transformations occurring on the metal sites was reduced by relating them to the nature of the involved carbon atoms. The single event concept was applied in the development of rate expressions for the elementary steps on the acid sites. This approach allows obtaining rate coefficients that are independent of the feedstock, owing to their fundamental chemical nature. The Levenberg−Marquardt algorithm was used to estimate the rate coefficients. The estimation was based on data reported from a previous naphtha reforming study in a fixed bed reactor...
Partially overlapping distribution of epsin1 and HIP1 at the synapse: analysis by immunoelectron microscopy.

Synapses of neurons use clathrin-mediated endocytic pathways for recycling of synaptic vesicles and trafficking of neurotransmitter receptors. Epsin 1 and huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) are endocytic accessory proteins. Both proteins interact with clathrin and the AP2 adaptor complex and also bind to the phosphoinositide-containing plasma membrane via an epsin/AP180 N-terminal homology (ENTH/ANTH) domain. Epsin1 and HIP1 are found in neurons; however, their precise roles in synapses remain largely unknown. Using immunogold electron microscopy, we examine and compare the synaptic distribution of epsin1 and HIP1 in rat CA1 hippocampal synapse. We find that epsin1 is located across both sides of the synapse, whereas HIP1 displays a preference for the postsynaptic compartment. Within the synaptic compartments, espin1 is distributed similarly throughout, whereas postsynaptic HIP1 is concentrated near the plasma membrane. Our results suggest a dual role for epsin1 and HIP1 in the synapse: as broadly required factors for promoting clathrin assembly and as adaptors for specific endocytic pathways. J. Comp. Neurol. 494:368–379, 2006. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Influence of DNA replication inhibition on expression of cell growth and tissue-specific genes in osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells

Interrelationships between proliferation and expression of cell growth as well as bone cell-related genes were examined from two standpoints. First, the consequence of downregulating proliferation by DNA synthesis inhibition on expression of a cell cycle-regulated histone gene and genes associated with development of the bone cell phenotype (type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) was investigated. Second, the requirement for stringent growth control to support functional relationships between expression of proliferation and differentiation-related genes was explored. Parameters of cell growth and osteoblast-related gene expression in primary cultures of normal diploid osteoblasts, that initially express proliferation-dependent genes and subsequently postproliferative genes associated with mature bone cell phenotypic properties, were compared to those operative in ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells that concomitantly express cell growth and mature osteoblast phenotypic genes. Our findings indicate that in both normal diploid osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells, expression of the cell cycle regulated histone genes is tightly coupled with DNA synthesis and controlled predominantly at a posttranscriptional level. Inhibition of proliferation by blocking DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea upregulates a subset of developmentally expressed genes that postproliferatively support progressive establishment of mature osteoblast phenotypic properties (e.g., alkaline phosphatase, type 1 collagen, and osteopontin). However, the osteocalcin gene, which is expressed during the final stage of osteoblast differentiation when extracellular matrix mineralization occurs, is not upregulated. Variations in the extent to which inhibition of proliferation in normal diploid osteoblasts and in ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells selectively affects transcription and cellular levels of mRNA transcripts from bone cell-related genes (e.g., osteocalcin) may reflect modifications in proliferation/differentiation interrelationships when stringent growth control is abrogated.
Predictive Model for Optimized Design Parameters in Flip-Chip Packages and Assemblies

An analytical model is developed to predict the out-of- plane deformation and thermal stresses in multilayered thin stacks subjected to temperature. Coefficient of thermal expansion mismatches among the components (chip, substrate, underfill, flip-chip interconnect or C4s) are the driving force for both first and second levels interconnect reliability concerns. Die cracking and underfill delamination are the concerns for the first level interconnects while the ball grid array solder failure is the primary concern for the second level interconnects. Inadvertently, many researchers use the so-called rule of mixture in its effective moduli for the flip chip solder (C4)/underfill layer. In this study, a proper formula for effective moduli of solder (C4)/underfill layer, is presented. The classical lamination theory is used to predict the out-of-plane displacement of the chip substrate structure under temperature variation (DeltaT). The warpage and stresses resulting from the analytical formulation are compared with the 3-D finite element analysis. The study helps to design more reliable components or assemblies with the design parameters being optimized in the early stage of the development using closed form analytical solutions.
Metal-silicate equilibrium in a homogeneously accreting earth: new results for Re

The accretion and early differentiation of the Earth is the starting point of earth history. The abundances of metal-seeking (siderophile) elements in the mantle are a powerful probe of those events. It has long been known that siderophile element abundances in the Earth's mantle are too high to have resulted from metal-silicate equilibrium at near surface conditions. This mismatch provided support for the idea that the Earth accreted heterogeneously. We report new experimental results for the highly siderophile element Re and show that metal-silicate partition coefficients decrease with increasing temperature (at fixed pressure and relative oxygen fugacity). Calculations using these and previously published experimental results indicate that the abundances of the moderately siderophile elements Fe, Ni, Co, Mo, W, P and, most importantly, the highly siderophile element Re, in Earth's upper mantle are consistent with early equilibration between metal and silicate liquid at the base of a deep (800–1000 km) magma ocean. Reconciliation of mantle abundances of moderately and highly siderophile elements with high temperature and pressure metal-silicate equilibrium would obviate the need for heterogeneous accretion. These new results indicate that the Earth accreted homogeneously, rather than heterogeneously, or that evidence for heterogeneous accretion was erased by early high temperature and pressure melting events.
Effect of Temporal Perspective on Subjective Confidence

Four studies examined whether people tend to lose confidence in their prospects for success the closer they are to the "moment of truth." Study 1 found that students think they will do better on their midterm exams when asked on the 1st day of class than when asked on the day of the exam. Studies 2 and 4 replicated this finding under controlled conditions. Study 3 demonstrated that the same effect holds retrospectively: People are more confident that they would have performed well at a task long after the time to perform has passed. Data are presented indicating that these results stem from a tendency for people to feel more "accountable" for their assessments, and thus focus less on the causes of success and more on the causes of failure, as the time to perform approaches. Implications for the experience of regret are discussed.
Multiple Meson Production in Nucleon-Nucleon Interactions at Energies of1012ev

A nuclear interaction of type $0+20p$ observed in nuclear emulsion was analyzed by measuring the energies and angles of the secondary particles. The primary energy, as determined from the angular distribution of the tracks, is 2.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ ev. This value is in agreement with an independent estimate obtained from the total energy dissipated. A secondary collision of type $0+20n$ was also analyzed in the same way. Its energy is 1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{12}$ ev, which is comparable to the primary energy. The inelasticity of the primary event is ${0.54}_{\ensuremath{-}0.19}^{+0.16}$.The energy and angular distributions of the shower particles in the center-of-mass system (c.m. system) are given for both events. The shower particles show a correlation in the sense that those with the highest energies are emitted in the c.m. system under small angles with the shower axis.The energy distribution of the mesons in the c.m. system is peaked toward low energies and shows a remarkably long tail at high energies extending up to 10 Bev. One of these particles is a ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ meson, which carries off about 23% of the total energy.The average value of the transverse momentum of the shower particles is 0.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 Bev/c.
Building information assurance education partnerships with minority institutions

This paper describes our successful leveraging of the National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance program and Auburn University's highly successful partnership with three (Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU)) universities through the National Science Foundation's Scholarship for Service Program. This paper will describe this ongoing and highly successful program that has been publicly praised by the National Science Foundation as "a model for innovative collaboration and community building. It demonstrates how majority institutions and minority serving institutions can effectively build mutually beneficial partnerships which will increase diversity in the information assurance community."
Transforming range queries to equivalent box queries to optimize page access

Range queries based on L1 distance are a common type of queries in multimedia databases containing feature vectors. We propose a novel approach that transforms the feature space into a new feature space such that range queries in the original space are mapped into equivalent box queries in the transformed space. Since box queries are axes aligned, there are several implementational advantages that can be exploited to speed up the retrieval of query results. For two dimensional data the transformation is precise. For greater than two dimensions we propose a space transformation scheme based on disjoint planer rotation, and along with pruning query box the results are precise. Experimental results with large synthetic databases and some real databases show the effectiveness of the proposed transformation scheme. These experimental results have been corroborated with appropriate mathematical models.
Genomic screening as a starting point for studies of ion channel structure-function

Cardiac repolarization is a highly labile process and a target for drug therapy. One goal of studies in PAT is to identify DNA variants in key genes determining cardiac repolarization and to determine their functional consequences. Screening of the potassium channel gene KCNA5 in a large anonymized population identified the non-synonymous cSNP P532L, in the C-terminus of the channel (distant from the putative drug binding site in on the intracellular aspect of S6). While P532L-mediated potassium current was indistinguishable from wild-type, it was strikingly resistant to drug block (quinidine IC50 133 μM vs 8.4 for wild-type). Further studies support the idea that P532L channels generate an α-helix, absent in wild-type channels. This finding supports a model in which access of drug to its binding site is constrained by a pathway, formed in part by this region of the C-terminus. Similarly, screening candidate genes in patients with drug-induced arrhythmia identified R583C in the C-terminus of a different K+ channel, KCNQ1, as an associated variant. This finding was used as a starting point of studies that identified a structural feature in the channel's distal C-terminus critical for cell surface expression. Our data support the approach of using genomic studies across large populations to inform basic biophysical mechanisms underlying normal and abnormal protein function. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P7–P7; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.030
CHEMICAL MECHANISMS OF CHEMI- AND BIOLUMINESCENCE. REACTIONS OF HIGH ENERGY CONTENT ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Abstract : The chemistry of high energy content molecules was investigated. In particular, the mechanisms by which these compounds rearrange to generate electronically excited states was probed. A new mechanism for chemiexcitation involving chemically initiated electron transfer was discovered. It was shown that this mechanism is applicable to many chemi- and bioluminescent processes. (Author)
ANGIOSARCOMA ARISING IN A TESTICULAR TERATOMA

Sarcomatous change in a primary germ cell tumor is rare but may develop as a result of malignant transformation within teratomatous foci and may lead to the erroneous diagnosis of embryonal carcinoma. We report a case of epithelioid angiosarcoma arising in a background of mature teratoma. To our knowledge only 2 other such cases have been described previously. 1, 2
Effects of prostaglandin B2 on vascular tone and reactivity.

Abstract Superfused helical strips of canine anterior mesenteric arteries and veins and canine dorsal metatarsal veins contract in response to prostaglandin B 2 (PGB 2 ). Reserpine pretreatment and phentolamine reduce the constrictor response to PGB 2 . PGB 2 enhances the contractile responses of these preparations to potassium, barium and norepinephrine. PGB 2 also produced a shift to the left in the duration of the barium response curve. The data presented demonstrate that PGB 2 is not an inactive metabolite of PGA 2 metabolism but possesses potent constrictor activity probably dependent on release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerves. Furthermore, PGB 2 enhances the responses of vascular smooth muscle to vasoactive stimuli.
Effectiveness of catheter hub sanitation prior to dialysis

Purpose: Contamination of catheter hub connectors is known to cause catheter-related blood stream infections in patients undergoing hemodialysis via central venous catheters (CVC). The effectiveness of cleansing the hub with an antimicrobial agent was assessed by culturing the surface of the hub following sanitation. Methods: The CVC hub connectors of 24 patients were sanitized using the standard hospital protocol of aseptically swabbing the connectors with a solution of bleach or Betadine, and then bathing the hub in sterile gauze soaked with the antimicrobial solution for 5 minutes. The exterior surface of the hub was then cultured for a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Patients were monitored for exit site infection, tunnel infection, and septicemia. In the laboratory, sterile hubs were inoculated with E. coli, staph. aureus neg., and yeast. Hubs were then immersed in Betadine for 5, 10, or 30 min. and cultures were taken. Results: Positive cultures were obtained from the hubs of 17 of the 24 patients. Seven (7) of the patients with positive results developed bacteremia from the cultured organism within 7 weeks. Positive cultures were obtained from 50% of inoculated lab samples after 5 min, 10% after 15 min, and 0% after 30 min. of immersion sanitation. Conclusions: The techniques for cleansing CVC hubs should be revisited.
Observation of order in craze fibrils of isotactic polystyrene by electron diffraction

L'etirage a froid d'un polystyrene isotactique jusqu'a 4 fois la longueur initiale a la temperature ordinaire transforme le materiau amorphe en une structure semi-cristalline a fibres orientees
Effects of Phosphor Application Geometry on White Light-Emitting Diodes

We fabricated white light-emitting diode lamps with three types of commercial yellow-emitting phosphors and studied the effects of phosphor application geometry. Two advantages were confirmed when low-concentration phosphor/silicone mixtures were employed: a 20% increase in output luminous flux and a reduced shift in the chromaticity coordinates upon change in diode current. We propose a simple model to describe these experimental results. According to the model, the results were attributed to reduced phosphor self-absorption (in the yellow spectral range) and reduced absorption saturation (in the blue spectral range), respectively, of the low-concentration mixture. The mathematical expression of the model will be effective for designing white light-emitting diodes based on the phosphor down-conversion technique.
Excitation mechanism of hydrogen Balmer lines in a fast plasma-mixing device

The emission of hydrogen Balmer series and the laser oscillation of ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\beta}}}$ at 486.12 nm and H\ensuremath{\gamma} at 434.06 nm in hydrogen-neon discharge operated in a pulsed mode have been reported by Dezenber and Willett [IEEE J. Quantum Electron. QE-7, 491 (1971)]. In their work, a ``two step'' excitation of molecular hydrogen to molecular ionic states, followed by dissociation of hydrogen to excited atomic species, was proposed as the main excitation mechanism. The present work was conducted to study the excitation mechanism of the hydrogen ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$ line at 656.28 nm in a flowing, afterglow plasma, by using a crossed-beam plasma-mixing device. It was found that the excitation of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}}$ line in this device is due to a direct dissociative energy transfer from neon metastables to molecular hydrogen.
Early Development of the Gut Microbiome and Immune-Mediated Childhood Disorders

The human gastrointestinal tract inhabits a complex microbial ecosystem that plays a vital role in host health through its contributions to nutrient synthesis and digestion, protection from pathogens, and promoting maturation of host innate and adapt immune systems. The development of gut microbiota primarily occurs during infancy and is influenced by multiple factors, including prenatal exposure; gestational age; mode of delivery; feeding type; pre-, pro-, and antibiotic use; and host genetics. In genetically susceptible individuals, changes in the gut microbiota induced by environmental factors may contribute to the development of immune-related disorders in childhood, including atopic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Pre- and probiotics may be useful in the prevention and treatment of some immune-related diseases by modulating gut microbiota and regulating host mucosal immune function. The review will discuss recent findings on the environmental factors that influence development of gut microbiota during infancy and its potential impact on some immune-related diseases in childhood. The use of pre- and probiotics for prevention and intervention of several important diseases in early life will also be reviewed.
Investigation of morphology of an enneadic particle system confined onto a spherical surface through Monte Carlo simulation.

The morphology of an enneadic particle system confined to a spherical surface is investigated through Monte Carlo simulation. The model assumes nine hard spheres adsorbed onto a spherical surface of the same diameter. In addition to hard core repulsion, these nine particles interact through Coulomb repulsion or Lennard-Jones potential. At a low enough temperature, the ordered structure of the enneadic particle system exhibits a symmetric arrangement corresponding to the D3h point group and is similar to hexagonal close packing. The nine particles can be divided into three groups, and each group occupies an equilateral triangle along with the same principle axis. The top and bottom triangles form the mirror image and the middle triangle of a different size rotates 60° from the other two triangles. This symmetry is independent of interaction potentials but the two interaction potentials deform the ordered structure in a slightly different way. From the analysis of monomers of inertia, we notice that Coulomb...
Controlling the Agenda with Special Rules: A House-Senate Comparison of Legislation in the Postreform Congress

One of the central questions in legislative politics is whether rules are used to achieve non-median policy outcomes (Dion and Huber 1996: Krehbiel 1991; Sinclair 1999). This study does not measure outcomes directly. Rather, the analysis assesses expectations from theories of legislative organization regarding both congressional process and behavior. Restrictive procedures are associated with policies that tend to have important collective consequences for the political parties. The analysis also demonstrates that voting on amendments allowed under the rules disproportionately favor the majority party. Finally, a comparison of voting behavior on final passage of legislation highlights House and Senate differences in leadership powers to control the agenda. The findings are consistent with a partisan rationale and reflect the significance of House special rules in limiting minority influence on the legislative agenda.
Passive stabilization of photorefractive two-beam coupling with laser diodes using achromatic grating techniques

Abstract We show that two-beam coupling in BaTiO3, using a laser diode as the source, can be passively stabilized against mode hops and multi-longitudinal mode operation using achromatic grating techniques.
The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor on Human Peripheral Blood Monocytes and Lymphocytes: Visualization by Ligand Blotting and Immunoblotting Techniques

Western blotting and immunoprecipitation techniques were used to study low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors from cultured human monocytes, lymphocytes, and fibroblasts. After incubation in lipoprotein-deficient media to allow induction, receptors were solubilized, subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, transferred to nitrocellulose paper, and detected by incubation with apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins followed by radiolabeled antiapolipoprotein B antibody. LDL receptors of identical apparent mol wt were demonstrated in monocyte and lymphocyte cell extracts; the receptors bound LDL as well as human postprandial lipoprotein (density, <1.0063) on Western blots, but did not bind acetyl-LDL. LDL receptors in mononuclear cells could also be detected by immunoblotting using immunoglobulin G-C7, a monoclonal antibody raised against the bovine LDL receptor. When cell extracts were blotted, the mononuclear cell receptors had a lower mol wt than the fibroblast receptor in...
Enhancing Higher Education Science & Technology Learning through Exploration

The development and successful implementation of hands-on, student-based learning experiences and projects has become more and more critical in the U.S. as part of current efforts and initiatives to address not only the formal education of the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists, but also in the practical training of these future professionals to enter the workforce and contribute to the scientific, technical, and economic strength of the country. These projects serve to integrate classroom education with real-life science and engineering research topics. There are several past and on-going examples of approaches and initiatives in this area, and this paper will review and discuss lessons learned, how they are currently applied, and results from such activities. In particular, the NASA LaRC RASC-Academic Linkage (RASC-AL) Program (established in 2003) will be examined as an example initiative implemented to engage and inspire students and faculty in the NASA Vision for Space Exploration – based on application of ‘best practices’ and lessons in higher education and outreach. Previous programs such as the NASA Advanced Design Program (ADP), the NASA Student Explorer Demonstration Initiative (STEDI), the NASA Human Exploration and Development of Space – University Program (HEDS-UP) have all contributed to current knowledge and practice in this area, and the RASC-AL Program represents a summation of these experiences.
Changes in Perceived Color with Intermittent Illumination

Using 24 observers with normal color vision, perceived shifts in hue were determined for a yellow-red, green, and blue-green at intermittencies of 5, 10, and 20 cps. The hue shift for yellow-red was consistent with the hue shift exhibited by a deuteranomalous observer while the hue shift for green and blue-green was consistent with that exhibited by a protanomalous observer.
Protecting practical FFT implementations that share common processing elements

Functional faults are discussed. Before any reconfiguration can be done, the error must first be detected and, then, the malfunctioning unit must be identified. Fault detection is considered. The authors assume there is at most one malfunctioning in the processing array at a time. They describe a general method of detecting any fault occurrence, either permanent or transient, in a practical radix-2 N-point discrete Fourier transform system independent of the technology base and for any reasonable interconnection scheme among these PEs. An algorithm-based fault tolerant (ABFT) concurrent error detection (CED) scheme is derived by scheduling all the PEs with certain characteristics. Two fault detection techniques with these attributes are demonstrated. The general use of gain spaces for ABFT CED scheduling is examined. >
Incorporating Participant Reputation in Community-Driven Question Answering Systems

Community-driven Question Answering services are gaining increasing attention with tens of millions of users and hundreds of millions of posts in recent years. Due to its size, there is a need for users to be able to search these large question answer archives and retrieve high quality content. Research work shows that user reputation modeling makes a contribution when incorporated with relevance models. However, the effectiveness of different link analysis approaches and how to embed topical information---as a user may have different expertise in various areas---are still open questions. In this work, we address these two research questions by first reviewing different link analysis schemes---especially discussing the use of PageRank-based methods since they are less commonly utilized in user reputation modeling. We also introduce Topical PageRank analysis for modeling user reputation on different topics. Comparative experimental results on data from Yahoo! Answers show that PageRank-based approaches are more effective than HITS-like schemes and other heuristics, and that topical link analysis can improve performance.
Subband video coding with temporally adaptive motion interpolation

We present a new subband video coding algorithm with temporally adaptive motion interpolation. In the approach proposed, the reference frames for motion estimation are adaptively selected using temporal segmentation in the lowest spatial subband. Variable target bit allocation for each picture type in a group of pictures is used to allow variable number of reference frames with the constraint of constant output bit rate. Block-wise DPCM, PCM, and run-length coding combined with truncated Huffman coding are used to encode the quantized data in the subbands. Simulation results of the adaptive scheme compare favorably with those of a non-adaptive scheme. >
Paraneoplastic signs and symptoms of renal cell carcinoma: implications for prognosis.

Purpose: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can present with a wide range of signs and symptoms. To our knowledge we report the first study to describe the frequency of paraneoplastic findings in a modern RCC series and assess the prognostic significance of each finding. Materials and Methods: Using the kidney cancer database at our institution 1,046 patients undergoing nephrectomy for RCC between 1989 and 2001 were assessed. The prognostic significance of symptoms present at diagnosis and findings on preoperative laboratory evaluation were examined in a univariate analysis as well as on multivariate analysis controlling for TNM stage, Fuhrman grade and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS). Results: Mean followup to date of death or last contact for all patients was 40.3 months. Median time to death was 19.3 months. Most paraneoplastic signs and symptoms correlated with poor survival, although on multivariate analysis hypoalbuminemia, weight loss, anorexia and malaise predicted shorter survival. The frequency of each of these findings was 19.9%, 22.9%, 10.6% and 19.1%, respectively. Cachexia, defined as the presence of at least 1 of these findings, was noted in 35.3% of patients. Cachexia did not predict a higher recurrence rate in patients with localized disease and only malaise correlated with a decreased likelihood of responding to immunotherapy. Conclusions: Cachexia, defined as hypoalbuminemia, weight loss, anorexia or malaise, predicts worse survival after controlling for well established indicators of prognosis (TNM stage, Fuhrman grade and ECOG-PS). Consideration should be given to expanding the ECOG-PS to include measures for cachexia when applied to patients with RCC.
Parent-absent begging in the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater): the role of short-term need and nestmate size

Although it is well-established that nestlings of many altricial species beg when parents are away from the nest, we have a poor understanding of parent-absent begging in brood parasites, including the proximate factors that may influence begging frequency and intensity. In this study, I examined how parent-absent begging was influenced by competitive asymmetries between host and Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) nestlings under disparate levels of short-term need. Food-deprived cowbird nestlings begged more frequently and for a greater proportion of parent-absent period than when food-supplemented, with similar patterns observed in hosts of different sizes. In contrast, three metrics of cowbird begging intensity varied relative to host size but not due to differences in short-term need. Cowbirds consistently begged more frequently and intensively than host nestlings for a given level of short-term need, providing evidence that cowbird begging displays are more frequent and intense than non-parasitic nestlings during both feeding visits and parent-absent periods. In sum, the frequency of begging by cowbirds was only influenced by short-term need, whereas begging intensity during parent-absent events was only influenced by the host against which cowbirds competed. This study demonstrates that host size and short-term need had differing influences on the frequency and intensity of parent-absent begging in cowbirds, although both factors are likely important in limiting the evolution of parent-absent begging in cowbirds. Because it appears to provide no immediate benefits yet may decrease fitness, parent-absent begging should be included in future theoretical models investigating the evolution of begging displays in nestling birds.
Predictors of nursing home admission among Alzheimer's disease patients with psychosis and/or agitation.

Background: The purpose of this study is to identify factors that predict nursing home placement among community-dwelling Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with psychosis and/or agitation in a randomized clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00015548).Methods: 418 participants with AD enrolled in the Clinical Antipsychotic Trial of Intervention Effectiveness – AD (CATIE-AD) trial of anti-psychotic medications and having no evidence of nursing home use at baseline were followed at 9 months post-random assignment using data provided by caregiver proxy. χ2 tests, t-tests and Cox proportional hazard modeling were used to examine the baseline correlates of nursing home use.Results: Of outpatients with no prior nursing home use, 15% were placed in a nursing home in the 9 months following baseline, with the average time to placement being 122 days. Bivariate analyses indicate that those with prior outpatient mental health use at study entry were more likely to be admitted; so too were those with worse physical functioning – i.e. lower scores on the AD Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADCS-ADL), lower utility scores on the Health Utility Index (HUI)-III, and worse cognition on the Mini-mental State Examination. Controlling for other factors, non-Hispanic white race (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.16) and prior mental health use (HR = 1.87) increased the likelihood of admission. Those with higher ADCS-ADL scores were less likely to be placed (HR = 0.97).Conclusions: Factors leading to nursing home entry among psychotic/agitated AD patients are similar to the general population, though high incidence of nursing home entry highlights the importance of accounting for such utilization in health economic studies of AD outcomes. It also highlights the importance of using information on ADLs and other characteristics to develop profiles identifying those at greater or lesser risk of nursing home entry and, in so doing, inform population planning associated with AD and identification of those patients and caregivers who might benefit most from interventions to prevent eventual placement.
Evidence for basolateral uptake of cadmium in the kidneys of rats.

In three separate sets of studies, the effects of ureteral ligation and coadministration of cadmium with cysteine or glutathione (GSH) (in either a 4:1 or 2:1 ratio of thiol to cadmium) on the renal disposition of cadmium were assessed in rats 1 h after the administration of cadmium. In all experiments, co-administration of cadmium with either cysteine or GSH caused the renal accumulation of cadmium to increase significantly (by approximately 60–70%) 1 h after injection. Moreover, in all experiments in which both ureters had been ligated in a rat prior to the administration of cadmium, the net total renal accumulation of cadmium was only about 20% less than that in control animals that had not undergone bilateral ureteral ligation when cadmium was administered as cadmium chloride. Furthermore, in animals in which only one ureter had been ligated, the net accumulation of cadmium in the kidney whose ureter had been ligated was between 25 and 30% less than that in the contralateral kidney. Coadministration of cadmium with cysteine or GSH also caused the net accumulation of cadmium to be increased in rats whose ureter(s) had been ligated. Overall, the present findings indicate that there is a significant basolateral component in the acute, in vivo, renal tubular uptake of cadmium. Moreover, the findings indicate that the basolateral uptake of cadmium is enhanced when cadmium is coadministered with cysteine or GSH.
Role of TGF-beta in immune-evasion of cancer.

One of the major obstacles in tumor-immunology is the outgrowth of malignant tumors despite their immunogenicity and recognition by the immune-system. Multiple mechanisms for this phenomenon have been proposed. We review the possible involvement of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in this context. TGF-beta is a cytokine with pleiotropic functions, involved in multiple physiologic processes including immunoregulation. Immune elimination of most cancers ultimately depends on cytolytic T cells (CTL). We propose a mechanism of specific suppression of cytolytic T cell (CTL)-responses mediated through immunoglobulin-bound TGF-beta (IgG-TGF-beta), secreted by activated B cells, and a cell of myeloid origin. This mononuclear "Veto" cell presumably binds IgG-TGF-beta through Fc-receptors and activates latent TGF-beta. The suggestion that B cell responses can inhibit tumor rejection is supported by observations in B cell-deficient mice. Ways for enhancing effective cancer immunity by interfering with the network of interactions involving IgG-TGF-beta are discussed.
RADIOACTIVE IODINE AS AN INDICATOR OF THE METABOLISM OF IODINE IV. THE DISTRIBUTION OF LABELED THYROXINE AND DIIODOTYROSINE IN LIVER, MUSCLE AND SMALL INTESTINE1

BY THE USE OF radioiodine it has been shown that circulating iodide rapidly appears in the thyroid gland as organic compounds that can be separated into diiodotyrosine′like and thyroxine′like fractions (1, 2). A larger portion of the gland's radioiodine was always present as diiodotyrosine than as thyroxine. In the plasma these labeled organic iodine compounds were present as early as two hours after the introduction of radioiodine. At this early interval the level of organicallybound radioiodine was low in plasma, and the diiodotyrosine fraction predominates. At later intervals the amount of organically′bound radioiodine increased, and the thyroxine′like fraction in the plasma then far exceeded the diiodotyrosine′like fraction, even though the major fraction of the gland's labeled iodine was still present as diiodotyrosine. The gland made hyperactive by the injection of thyrotropic hormone was characterized by a greater uptake of circulating radioiodine than the normal gland(2).
A Novel Tunable Planar Isolator with Serrated Microstrip Structure

A novel type of tunable isolator was presented, which was based on a polycrystalline yttrium iron garnet (YIG) slab loaded on a planar periodic serrated microstrip transmission line that generated circular rotating magnetic field. The direction of circular polarization inside the YIG slab with a DC magnetic bias perpendicular to the transmission line was proved to be opposite, RHCP for forward and LHCP for backward transmission. The non-reciprocal ferromagnetic resonance absorption leads to over 19 dB isolation and <; 3.5 dB insertion loss at 13.5 GHz with 4 kOe bias magnetic field applied perpendicular to the feed line. Furthermore, the tunable resonant frequency of 4 ~ 13.5 GHz was obtained for the isolator with the tuning magnetic bias field 0.8 kOe ~ 4 kOe. The proposed serrated microstrip isolator prototype should have many applications in RF front and other microwave circuits.