cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in Cardiac Pulse Frequencies Modulates vSMC Phenotype Switching During Vascular Remodeling

In vitro perfusion systems have exposed vascular constructs to mechanical conditions that emulate physiological pulse pressure and found significant improvements in graft development. However, current models maintain constant, or set pulse/shear mechanics that do not account for the natural temporal variation in frequency. With an aim to develop clinically relevant small diameter vascular grafts, these investigations detail a perfusion culture model that incorporates temporal pulse pressure variation. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that short-term variation in heart rate, such as changes in respiratory activity, plays a significant role in vascular remodeling and graft development. The pulse rate of a healthy volunteer was logged to model the effect of daily activities on heart rate. Vascular bioreactors were used to deliver perfusion conditions based on modeled frequencies of temporal pulse variability, termed Physiologically Modeled Pulse Dynamics (PMPD). Acellular scaffolds derived from the human umbilical vein were seeded with human vascular smooth muscle cells and perfused under defined pulsatile conditions. vSMC exposed to constant pulse frequencies expressed a contractile phenotype, while exposure to PMPD drove cells to a synthetic state with continued cell proliferation, increased tensile strength and stiffness as well as diminished vasoactivity. Results show the temporal variation associated with normal heart physiology to have a profound effect on vascular remodeling and vasoactive function. While these models are representative of vascular regeneration further investigation is required to understanding these and other key regulators in vSMC phenotype switching in non-pathological or wound healing states. This understanding has important clinical implications that may lead to improved treatments that enhance vessel regeneration.
Individual and Contextual Factors for Bullying and Peer Victimization: Implications for Prevention

The Division of Violence Prevention (DVP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is committed to preventing youth violence. For the past decade, DVP has supported research on risk and protective factors associated with youth interpersonal violence and the development and evaluation of prevention programs. This commentary addresses the findings, relevant themes, and implications of the five empirical articles included within this special issue that come from several CDC-funded Academic Centers for Excellence (ACEs) on Youth Violence Prevention. This commentary also focuses on the social context of bullying and peer victimization with particular emphasis on the influence of contextual and school-level indicators. Finally, it summarizes how the findings presented are consistent with, and can advance, DVP's research and prevention priorities in youth violence.
TOWARD A NEW CREATION OF BEING

. The author traces the path from split brains to basic beliefs by linking the deautomatized pattern of spiritual masters, as reorted in Rorschach protocols, with subsymbolic, parallel, distriguted processing, The older brain structures constitute humanity's common heritage, while the new brain constitutes particular cultural heritages. Expanding levels of complexity move from the limbic system throuh conitive left-mind vigilance and right-mind responsiveness to %Pelie patterns of proclamation and manifestation to the world-integrating mysticism of limbic input and the world-fulfilling action of the new brain. Whole brain activity combines emotional meaning and propositional explanation. Analogically seaking, the brain provides clues to understanding God. A ialectical theology parallels the reciprocal integration of brain processes. Whole brain belief originates in the old brain's evolutionary adaptation to our genetic inheritance and in the new brain's conscious intention to fulfill the will of God through our cultural inheritances.
Learning: The Relationship Between a Seemingly Mundane Concept and Classroom Practices

Abstract Learning is a concept that is routinely used in various educational settings, and the enhancement of learning is the primary goal of many, if not all, educators and administrators. People involved in education, however, may not necessarily have extensively explored this commonly cited notion, and some may not have subsequently realized the conceptual depth and variations that learning entails in developing classroom materials and practices. For example, learning may be domain specific, and may involve a wide variety of processes and expressions. Additionally, it is linked to an array of factors, including individual differences, such as temperament, and culturally relative dimensions, such as value priorities. This article discusses implications for classroom practices to facilitate educators’ application of this complex concept.
Age-related differences in the effect of chronic administration of naloxone on opiate binding in rat brain

Infant and adult rats were injected chronically with either naloxone or saline for 21 consecutive days. At various intervals after cessation of the pretreatment with naloxone, animals were sacrificed and assessed for specific binding of [3H]naloxone in different regions of the CNS. Infants displayed an increase in opiate binding in the spinal cord, hypothalamus, striatum and cortex one day after cessation of the pretreatment with naloxone, but the increase in opiate binding was dissipated within one week after cessation of the pretreatment. The increase in opiate binding in infants was accompanied by an increase in the antinociceptive efficacy of morphine. In contrast to infants, adults failed to display any alteration in opiate binding following the chronic pretreatment with naloxone. Infants may be especially susceptible to naloxone-induced receptor supersensitivity because infants excrete naloxone more slowly than adults, and thus their opiate receptors may be blocked for a longer duration following an injection of naloxone.
Delayed respiratory arrest after epidural hydromorphone.

Summary A case is reported where hydromorphone 1 mg injected into the epidural space produced apnoea 4.5 hours later. No other narcotics had been given in the previous 10 hours.
Addition of the phenoxathiin cation radical to alkenes and nonconjugated dienes. Formation of (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes and (E)- and (Z)-(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)dienes on basic alumina.

Addition of phenoxathiin cation radical (PO•+) to acyclic alkenes in acetonitrile (MeCN) solution occurred stereospecifically to form bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkane adducts. Stereospecific trans addition is ascribed to the intermediacy of an episulfonium cation radical. The alkenes used were cis- and trans-2-butene, cis- and trans-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-methyl-2-pentene, cis- and trans-4-octene, trans-3-hexene, trans-3-octene, trans-5-decene, cis-2-hexene, and cis-2-heptene. The erythro bisadducts (compounds 6) were obtained with trans-alkenes, while threo bisadducts (compounds 7) were obtained with cis-alkenes. The assigned structures of 6 and 7 were consistent with their NMR spectra and, in one case, 6c (the adduct of trans-4-methyl-2-pentene) was confirmed with X-ray crystallography. Additions of PO•+ to 1,4-hexa-, 1,5-hexa-, 1,6-hepta-, and 1,7-octadiene gave bis(10-phenoxathiiniumyl)alkenes (compounds 8), the assigned structures of which were consistent with their NMR spectra. Each of these add...
Toward rational control of metal stoichiometry in heterobimetallic coordination complexes: synthesis and characterization of Pb(Hsal)2(Cu(salen*))2, [Pb(NO3)(Cu(salen*))2](NO3), Pb(OAc)2(Cu(salen*)), and [Pb(OAc)(Ni(salen*))2](OAc).

The ability of the transition metal complex M(salen)* (M = Ni, Cu) to form Lewis acid−base adducts with lead(II) salts has been explored. The new complexes Pb(Hsal)2(Cu(salen*))2 (1), {Pb(NO3)(Cu(salen*))2}(NO3) (2), Pb(OAc)2(Cu(salen*)) (3), and {Pb(OAc)(Ni(salen*)2}(OAc) (4) (Hsal = O2CC6H4-2-OH, salen* = bis(3-methoxy)salicylideneimine) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination environment of the lead in the heterobimetallic complex is sensitive both to the initial lead salt and to the transition metal salen complex that is employed in the synthesis. As a result, we have been able to access both 2:1 and 1:1 adducts by varying either the lead salt or the transition metal in the heterobimetallic coordination complex. In all cases, the salen* complex is associated with the lead center via dative interactions of the phenolic oxygen atoms. The relationship between the coordination requirements of the lead and the chemical nature of th...
Radiation therapy after prostatectomy: now or later?

Patients with pathological stage T3 or T4 prostate cancers who have undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) have a substantial risk of recurrence. The first sign of recurrence is a rising PSA level which precedes clinical evidence of failure by months to years. Adjuvant radiation therapy can significantly reduce the risk of failure in these patients. Patients with rising PSA levels after RRP can be salvaged with radiation therapy. Larger series report that between 30% and 54% of carefully staged patients can be salvaged with radiation therapy alone. It is possible that more patients may be salvaged in the future with the use of combined radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. Although one cannot be certain which approach-adjuvant or salvage radiation therapyis better, studies are being performed that will help clarify this clinical dilemma.
Reoperation for Stenotic Saphenous Vein Bypass Grafts Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Recurrent myocardial ischemia on the basis of proximal stenosis of saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts is being seen with increasing frequency. To decrease the risk of morbidity and mortality attendant on reoperation for this condition, a new technique has been used that avoids extensive dissection and cardiopulmonary bypass. This report describes successful application of the technique in 3 patients.
The Efficacy of an Integrated Risk Reduction Intervention for HIV-Positive Women With Child Sexual Abuse Histories

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with HIV risk behaviors [Bensley, L., Van Eenwyk, J., and Simmons, K. W., 2003.] and more prevalent among women living with HIV than in the general population [Koenig, L. J., and Clark, H., 2004]. This randomized Phase~I clinical trial tested the impact of a culturally congruent psychoeducational intervention designed to reduce sexual risks and increase HIV medication adherence for HIV-positive women with CSA histories. An ethnically diverse sample of 147 women were randomized to two conditions: an 11-session Enhanced Sexual Health Intervention (ESHI) or an attention control. Results based on "intent to treat'' analyses of pre-post changes are reported here. Additional analyses explored whether the observed effects might depend on "intervention dose,'' i.e., number of sessions attended. Women in the ESHI condition reported greater sexual risk reduction than women in the control condition. Although there were no differences between women in the ESHI and control groups on medication adherence, women in the ESHI condition who attended 8 or more sessions reported greater medication adherence at posttest than control women. The findings provide initial support for this culturally and gender-congruent psychoeducational intervention for HIV-positive women with CSA, and highlight the importance of addressing the effects of CSA on sexual risk reduction and medication adherence in preventive interventions for women.
The photoassisted MOVPE growth of ZnSSe using tertiary-butylmercaptan

We have conducted a study of the compositional control of epitaxial ZnSySe1-y grown by photoassisted metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) (250 torr, 340°C, UV=14 mW/cm2) on GaAs (100) substrates. We have achieved lattice matched ZnSSe films on GaAs substrates using photoassisted growth using dimethylzinc (DMZn), dimethylselenide (DMSe), and tertiary-butylmercaptan (t-BuSH) as precursors. In addition, we have obtained sulfur compositions (y), ranging from 0.023 to unity (ZnS). The growth rate of the ZnS was 1 µm/h, which was previously unattainable by our group using diethylsulfur. The closely lattice matched sample (y=0.07 as determined by high resolution x-ray diffraction) showed a near band edge peak intensity (NBE) to deep level emission intensity (DLE) ratio of 77 to 1, as determined by room temperature photoluminescence measurements. We have examined the sulfur incorporation as a function of source mole fractions, UV intensity, and growth temperature and found that optimized growth conditions (optimized for range of compositions possible, and NBE/DLE ratio) are XDMZn=1.5 × 10−4, XDMSe=3×10−4, UV=14 mW/cm2, growth temperature=340°C. XDMZn and XDMSe are the mole fractions of DMZn and DMSe, respectively. We have found the growth rate to be 1 µm/h for y=0.023 to 0.24 for these optimized conditions. It was found that to achieve sulfur compositions of less than 0.9, the t-BuSH mole fractions had to be kept low. Higher UV intensities increased the incorporation of selenium, while also lowering the material quality (NBE/DLE ratios). We have shown that the optical material qualities of ZnSSe films grown with t-BuSH are much better than ZnSSe films grown with DES.
Nucleation with Simultaneous Chemical Reaction

Abstract There are numerous phase transitions that occur as a result of chemical reaction. We present a theory to describe the rate of nucleation when the arrival rate of condensing molecules and rate of chemical reaction are of similar magnitude. This theory shows that the rate of surface reaction can significantly increase the rate of nucleation even when the gas-phase reaction can be assumed infinitely fast. Results of sample calculations for the condensation of silica are presented.
Color and monochrome lensless on-chip imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans over a wide field-of-view.

We demonstrate color and monochrome on-chip imaging of Caenorhabditis elegans samples over a wide field-of-view using incoherent lensless in-line holography. Digital reconstruction of the recorded lensless holograms rapidly creates the C. elegans images within 24 mm2. By digitally combining the reconstructed images at three different wavelengths (red, green and blue), color images of dyed samples are also acquired. This wide field-of-view and compact on-chip imaging modality also permits straightforward integration with microfluidic systems.
Line-width temperature dependence of selected R-branch transitions in the ν3 fundamental of 14N216O between 135 and 295 K

Tunable diode laser spectroscopy has been used to measure the temperature dependence of N2 foreign gas broadening coefficients for eight R-branch transitions in the nu-3 fundamental of (N-14)2O-16 at 135, 176, 210, and 295 K. The exponent n of the relation for quadrupole-quadrupole collisional interactions is found to range from 0.66 to 0.71, in approximate agreement with the theoretically predicted value of 0.75.
Chemotherapy-induced dyspareunia: a case study of vaginal mucositis and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin injection in advanced stage ovarian carcinoma

Abstract Background . Chemotherapy can cause vaginal irritation and mucositis, although rarely reported. Case . A 62-year-old patient with ovarian cancer reported vaginal burning associated with dyspareunia, which emerged 3–5 days after her initial chemotherapy and persisted throughout her treatment. Her discomfort persisted until she was evaluated by our sexual health service and interventions were implemented. On examination, her vaginal vault was erythematous, with mild signs of vaginal atrophy. Her management schema consisted of the following: avoidance of intercourse 3–5 days after chemotherapy, intravaginal vitamin E suppositories three times per week, intravaginal estrogen tablets (initial course of 14 days followed by twice weekly usage), use of lubricants (Astroglide®) during coitus, and counseling. Once interventions were introduced, she subsequently resumed sexual intercourse during the remainder of her chemotherapy treatments. Conclusion . Patients with sexual complaints during or following cancer treatment can be treated by their community gynecologists or gynecology oncologists or can be treated through a comprehensive sexual health program with restoration of sexual function.
Determination of beach sand parameters using remotely sensed aircraft reflectance data

Abstract An algorithm was developed which determines the mineralogy, moisture, and grain size of beach sands based on the hemispherical reflectance in 17 discrete spectral bands. The bands chosen range between 0.40 and 2.5 μm, a wavelength range practical for existing multispectral remote sensing technology. The sand spectra on which the mineralogy, moisture, and grain-size algorithm (MOGS) is based were obtained from laboratory spectrophotometric measurements. Selected spectral bands are used in a vector-length-decision framework to determine the mineralogical class of the input sand. Multiple linear regressions are then used, within a given mineralogical class, to determine the moisture and grain size of the sand. The predictive results of the MOGS algorithm are very encouraging. When tested on 70 of the sand reflectance spectra from which it was derived, the correlation of actual to predicted moisture and grain size was 96% and 88%, respectively. The MOGS algorithm has been successfully tested using aircraft multispectral scanner data collected over the Lake Michigan shoreline. The algorithm correctly identified gross mineralogy and predicted grain size to within 0.09 mm of measured values. Some difficulties were encountered in predicting high beach-sand moistures, probably due to the increasing non-Lambertian nature of sand as the moisture content of the sand increased.
Transform-domain digital filtering with number theoretic transforms and limited word lengths

While the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is defined in the field of complex numbers, number theoretic transforms (NTT's) operate in finite rings and fields. Some of these NTT's have a fast-transform structure similar to that of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) and can be used for fast digital signal processing. Both the computational effort and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) performance of transform-domain signal processing with NTT's are investigated in this paper. In particular, the effect of limited word lengths, i.e., b \leq 16 , and long transform lengths on the SNR of NTT filtering is analyzed. For small word lengths and/or moderate to large transform lengths, NTT filtering is shown to achieve a better SNR than FFT filtering with fixed-point arithmetic. Finally, new NTT's with a single- or mixed-radix fast-transform structure are presented. While these NTT's require efficient implementations of modulo arithmetic operations, their transform length is optimum for any given work length b in the range 8 \leq b \leq 16 .
CHLOROPHYLL‐PROTEINS AND REACTION CENTER PREPARATIONS FROM PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA, ALGAE AND HIGHER PLANTS*,‡

— The use of sodium dodecyl sulfate to dissociate photosynthetic membranes followed by standard fractionation techniques yields chlorophyll-proteins and reaction center complexes with molecular weights of 500,000 or less. Much about the structure and function of photo-synthetic units in vivo can be deduced from the properties of the isolated complexes. The Bchl-protein from green bacteria is approximated by an incompletely filled sphere ˜ 80 Â in diameter consisting of four identical subunits. The five Bchl molecules in each subunit are 14 to 20Â apart. The related Chl a-proteins from a blue-green alga and various eukaryotic plants may have similar structural characteristics. The Chl a-protein from a blue-green alga contains one molecule of P700 per 60–90 Chl a molecules. The quantum requirement for P700 oxidation is 2.6 or less. The midpoint potential in various preparations ranges from 0.38 V to 0.42 V. Green algae and higher plants yield a Chl a-protein similar to that from the blue-green alga; in addition they yield another Chl-protein (mol. wt. = 2–3×104) which contains an equal amount of Chl a and Chl b. These two Chl-proteins account for most of the chlorophyll in these organisms. Two photosynthetic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas viridis and Chromatium) yield protein complexes containing Bchl, carotenoid, and bound cytochromes. The reaction center complex from R. viridis contains P960 (Em, 8= 0.39 to 0.42 V), cytochrome 558 (Em,8= 0.33 V) and cytochrome 553 (Em,7=— 0.02 V). Quantum requirements for P960 and C558 oxidation are ˜2.2 and 3.0, respectively. Complex A from Chromatium contains Bchl 890, P883, cytochrome 556 (Em,8= 0.34 V) and cytochrome 552 (Em,7=˜0.04 V). The quantum requirement for C556 oxidation is about 15. Both high- and low-potential cytochromes can donate electrons to the reaction center chlorophyll present in either complex. This fact supports the idea that only one kind of photochemical reaction center functions in photosynthetic bacteria. An hypothesis about the nature of the photosynthetic unit in purple bacteria is outlined.
Speculating in crisis: the intrametropolitan geography of investing in foreclosed homes in Atlanta

Investors in single-family residential properties have played a crucial role in the United States foreclosure crisis. In this paper, we analyze investor behavior in the diverse urban housing market of Fulton County, Georgia. We examine the composition of buyers of lender-owned properties at two different stages of the foreclosure crisis, and analyze the intrametropolitan geography of investment. Results indicate that large-scale investors are most active in low-value housing submarkets with high poverty and vacancy rates.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces renal cyclooxygenase-2 expression in response to hypercalcemia

The effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in the renal outer medulla (OM) was determined in a model of dihydrotachysterol (DHT)-induced hypercalcemia. Increases in serum calcium and water intake were observed during ingestion of a DHT-containing diet in both wild type (WT) and TNF deficient mice (TNF−/−). Polyuria and a decrease in body weight were observed in response to DHT treatment in WT and TNF−/− mice. A transient elevation in urinary TNF was observed in WT mice treated with DHT. Moreover, increased urinary levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and a corresponding increase in COX-2 expression in the OM were observed in WT mice fed DHT. Increased COX-2 expression was not observed in TNF−/− mice fed DHT, and the characteristics of PGE2 synthesis were distinct from those in WT mice. This study demonstrates that COX-2 expression in the OM, secondary to hypercalemia, is TNF-dependent.
Accelerated crucible rotation: Hydrodynamics and stirring effect

Abstract The kinetics of fluid flow and of material and heat transport are discussed. While processes occurring in stationary and uniformly rotating containers are included, the emphasis is on forced convection phenomena due to accelerated or decelerated rotation. These processes lead to appreciably greater fluid velocities which may also be adjusted within wide limits. The success of the accelerated crucible rotation technique in crystal growth is doubtlessly connected with the beneficial effect of these specific fluid-flow processes.
Technologies for IMA Systems

Richard (Rich) A. Eisenhart is Vice President of Government Systems Engineering for Rockwell Collins. Eisenhart provides leadership for an engineering organization of over 2,800 employees responsible for the design and development of communications and aviation electronic solutions for government customers. He was named to the position in October 2004.
Severity of medication administration errors detected by a bar-code medication administration system

Purpose. The severity of medication administration errors detected by a bar-code medication administration (BCMA) system was studied. Methods. A panel of six health care providers reviewed medication administration error scenarios created from BCMA error logs at six community hospitals. Each scenario was rated on the potential to cause patient harm, taking into account the severity of the potential outcome and the probability that the patient would be harmed. A severity score for each error was determined by averaging the individual reviewers’ scores. Results. The majority of the medication administration errors identified by the BCMA system were judged to be benign; 1% of the errors reviewed were rated as having the potential to result in a severe or life-threatening adverse event, 8% were judged to have the potential to produce moderate adverse effects, and 91% were expected to produce minimal, if any, clinical effects. Medication errors due to a dose being administered when there was no corresponding order in the computer system were significantly more likely to produce moderate or severe outcomes than other types of medication errors. Errors that involved medications designated as high-alert drugs were also more likely to produce moderate or severe adverse events than non-high-alert drugs. Conclusion. The majority of medication administration errors detected by a BCMA system were judged to be benign and pose minimal safety risks; however, the numbers and severity of medication administration errors that occur despite the use of a BCMA system suggest that there are opportunities to improve these systems and how the information they generate is used.
Neurocontrol of an aircraft: Application to windshear

In this report, we consider the part of our work which concerns the design of neuroidentifiers and neurocontrollers which attenuate the effects of disturbances. Examples for linear-systems identification and disturbance rejection, as well as nonlinear control of an aircraft encountering wind shear on take-off are briefly discussed, and the following three problems are addressed. 1.1. System identification via dynamic neural networks. 2.2. Disturbance attenuation via memory neurons. 3.3. Aircraft control in the presence of wind shear after takeoff.
The development of vernier acuity in infants

Vernier and grating acuity were measured in infants up to 6 months of age using a two-alternative forced-choice preferential looking technique. Vernier resolution was measured using a horizontal vernier grating. The grating was presented on half of the screen while the other half contained horizontal lines which were continuous with the vernier grating. Movement artifacts were eliminated by making both halves of the display move as the offsets were introduced in half of the display field. Vernier acuity, like grating acuity, improved about 3 octaves over the first 6 months of life. Moreover, the vernier resolution of infants, as of adults, was better than grating resolution.
Medicaid and national health care reform.

Medicaid has once again become central to the U.S. health policy debate, this time figuring as a key to national health care reform. Sara Rosenbaum examines Medicaid under the House and Senate health care reform proposals.
The Momentum Budget and Temporal Evolution of a Mesoscale Convective System

Abstract The momentum budget and temporal evolution of a convective mesosystem, originally investigated by Sanders and Paine (1975), are examined. It is found that 1) alternative analyses of the data do not substantially change the conclusions reached in the previous paper, 2) stresses due to cumulus-scale eddies produce forces which are as large as the horizontal pressure-gradient force, in the direction normal to the storm line, and 3) liquid water aloft must be taken into account in the hydrostatic computation of the pressure field. The mesoscale circulation increases substantially during the 4 h observation period, suggesting a time evolution which may be characteristic of this type of convective system.
Locomotor advantages of Neandertal skeletal morphology at the knee and ankle

We quantified Neandertal knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor moments to determine whether differences between Neandertal and recent human skeletal morphology represent important functional differences. Neandertal skeletal differences in the patella, tibial tuberosity, and calcaneus were used to modify a computer model of recent humans to calculate the moment arms and moments of Neandertal knee extensor and ankle plantarflexor muscles. We also conducted sensitivity studies on the effect of musculotendon parameters on the Neandertal moments. As expected, we found that Neandertal moment arms were greater than recent humans at the ankle (122-141%); however, the magnitude of the increase was not well-predicted from measurements of size differences between Neandertal and recent human skeletons. At the knee, Neandertal moment arms were greater than those of recent humans in the locomotor range (108%) but less so at more flexed knee angles (102%). Not all Neandertal skeletal adaptations at the knee contributed to increased moment arm. Knee extensor moments were enhanced in the Neandertal models in the locomotor range (111%), regardless of musculotendon parameters. At the ankle, however, Neandertal plantarflexor moment was greater than that of recent humans (149-200%) at all joint angles only if muscle fiber length increased proportionately with moment arm. Our results demonstrate that Neandertal skeletal morphology, compared to that of recent humans, generated greater moments at both the knee and ankle in the locomotor range but not at higher angles of knee flexion or ankle plantarflexion.
TOWARD 3-D GESTURE RECOGNITION

This paper presents a glove-free method for tracking hand movements using a set of 3-D models. In this approach, the hand is represented by five cylindrical models which are fit to the third phalangeal segments of the fingers. Six 3-D motion parameters for each model are calculated that correspond to the movement of the fingertips in the image plane. Trajectories of the moving models are then established to show the 3-D nature of the hand motion.
A comparison of techniques for preserving farmland and forestland

Techniques for preserving farmland and forestland may be classified as restrictions on alternative uses, measures to reduce the cost structure of agriculture and forestry, measures to enhance income from agriculture and forestry, and systematic programs to preserve infrastructure critical to agriculture and forestry. This paper compares measures in each of these categories and demonstrates that no government whose voters have directed it to protect agriculture and forestry can afford to ignore techniques available under any of these categories. Restrictions on alternative land uses include zoning, conservation easements, and urban growth boundaries. Measures to reduce the cost structure of agriculture and forestry include preferential tax treatment and cost–share for adoption of conserving production practices. Measures to enhance income include direct income support, supply restrictions, and a wide variety of marketing and business assistance. Systematic programs include a variety of agricultural district programs and planning measures. In this paper selected measures are compared in terms of the strengths and weaknesses of each. The discussion, in this paper, illustrates that successful programs to preserve farmland and forestland include a variety of techniques. Use of a variety of techniques allows the strengths of one technique to offset the weaknesses of another technique. Use of a combination of techniques allows for flexible programs that make agriculture and forestry profitable. Profitability is essential to providing the incentives to private landowners that are necessary to maintain land in agricultural and forest uses. As markets for agricultural and forest products become increasingly global and competitive, finding a mix of techniques that allow landowners to respond to these pressures is one of the greatest challenges facing programs designed to preserve farmland and forestland.
Alternative opportunities and migration: evidence from Korea.

The paper emphasizes the relevance of alternative opportunities in migration research and suggests a method for representing such opportunities in empirical studies. The suggested approach aggregates the different alternatives using weights which are distance-dependent such that the weights decline with larger distances. This method is applied to Korean migration data from which a migration-allocation model is estimated. The results support both the alternative opportunities hypothesis and the particular way for incorporating their influence as suggested in this paper.
Access to Space: A Strategy for the Twenty-First Century

The United States (US) launch infrastructure is at a crisis point. Human access to space embodied in the Space Shuttle is due to be phased out by 2010. Currently, there are no heavy lift, 100 ton class launchers to support the US national vision for space exploration. Medium and large expendable launch providers, Boeing's Delta IV, and Lockheed-Martin's Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles are so expensive that the Delta no longer carries commercial payloads and the Atlas is unlikely to show significant growth without equally significant cost reductions and commercial traffic growth. This set of circumstances questions US dependence on these launch vehicles for national security purposes. High cost growth also exists with small launch vehicles, such as Pegasus, and the promising new field of small and microsatellites is little developed in the US, while foreign efforts, particularly European, are expanding largely on the availability of low-cost Russian boosters. One bright point is the emerging pri...
Epoxy hydrogels as sensors and actuators

Most hydrogel actuators and sensors are made via acrylate polymerizations. Because these chain reactions are inhibited by oxygen, it is difficult to prepare thin films or dots with good control. Epoxy curing chemistry is much less sensitive to experimental conditions. We have previously shown that hydrogels formed from reaction between water-soluble amines and epoxides can be readily printed. If the gel is filled with conducting carbon at a level close to the percolation threshold, the resistance changes as water is taken up or removed from the gel. In particular, a pH decrease results in ionization of amine groups and drives swelling of the gel. By incorporating an enzyme, such as glucose oxidase, that releases hydrogen ions when its substrate is present, a resistance change can be used to measure substrate concentrations. These gels also respond to stress with a change in resistance. By making the gel the anode or cathode of an electrolytic cell, they can also be formed as actuators that expand or contract as the pH changes locally. Epoxy chemistry has been little explored for gels. It is very versatile and could be used to make a wide range of gel composites with one or more phases, varying water contents, varying functional groups and a range of electrical conductivity.
A Multi-Objective Optimization Model for Matching Ventures and Venture Capitalists

In order to find appropriate ventures for venture capitalists, this paper researches the match problem between ventures and venture capitalists through an intermediary. This paper gives six indexes for evaluating the satisfaction degree of venture capitalists and three indexes for evaluating the satisfaction degree of ventures. Then, according to the satisfaction degree of ventures and venture capitalists and the commission of an intermediary, it proposes a mufti-objective optimization model and gives the corresponding solution to the model. Finally, a numerical example is given to show the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed model.
Dissecting Colony Development of Neurospora crassa Using mRNA Profiling and Comparative Genomics Approaches

Colony development, which includes hyphal extension, branching, anastomosis, and asexual sporulation, is a fundamental aspect of the life cycle of filamentous fungi; genetic mechanisms underlying these phenomena are poorly understood. We conducted transcriptional profiling during colony development of the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, using 70-mer oligonucleotide microarrays. Relative mRNA expression levels were determined for six sections of defined age excised from a 27-h-old N. crassa colony. Functional category analysis showed that the expression of genes involved in cell membrane biosynthesis, polar growth, and cellular signaling was enriched at the periphery of the colony. The relative expression of genes involved in protein synthesis and energy production was enriched in the middle section of the colony, while sections of the colony undergoing asexual development (conidiogenesis) were enriched in expression of genes involved in protein/peptide degradation and unclassified proteins. A cross-examination of the N. crassa data set with a published data set of Aspergillus niger revealed shared patterns in the spatiotemporal regulation of gene orthologs during colony development. At present, less than 50% of genes in N. crassa have functional annotation, which imposes the chief limitation on data analysis. Using an evolutionary approach, we observed that the expression of phylogenetically conserved groups of genes was enriched in the middle section of an N. crassa colony whereas expression of genes unique to euascomycete species and of N. crassa orphan genes was enriched at the colony periphery and in the older, conidiating sections of a fungal colony.
Continent Urinary Diversions in the Exstrophy Complex: Why do they Fail?

ABSTRACTPurpose: Urinary continence is one of the primary goals in the surgical treatment of the patient with exstrophy. Children with inadequate bladder capacity, noncompliant or neuropathic bladder, or failed bladder neck reconstruction may require creation of a continent urinary reservoir to achieve continence. While initial success rates are excellent, some patients suffer persistent urinary incontinence, severely affecting their quality of life. The reasons for such failure and subsequent management were evaluated.Materials and Methods: A retrospective database review was performed in 748 patients with the exstrophy complex. Patients with a history of failed continent urinary diversion with incontinence from the stoma or urethra were identified. Initial diagnosis, number of previous operations, reason for and time interval after surgery when failure occurred, and management strategies were evaluated.Results: Of 92 patients undergoing continent diversion procedures 19 (21%) had failure initially (15 w...
Diversity Product Properties of Lu–Kumar's Space-Time Codes

In this paper, we show that the diversity products of the full transmit diversity space-time block codes proposed by Lu-Kumar (we call them Lu-Kumar's codes) with quadratic-amplitude modulation (QAM) constellations are lower bounded by 4. We present a sufficient condition on the minimum Hamming weight of the linear binary full-rank space-time code such that this lower bound is met. We show that the special Lu-Kumar codes does satisfy the sufficient condition, and therefore, the diversity products of the special Lu-Kumar codes are 4, where ldquospecialrdquo means that the linear binary full-rank space-time codes are not general but specially constructed by Lu-Kumar.
Further development with heavy ion sources at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Tandem van de Graaff Facility

The Ion Source Test and Development Group at Brookhaven National Laboratory's Tandem Van de Graaff Facility has been evaluating the Peabody Scientific PSX-120 negative ion caesium sputter source for use as the source of pulsed negative ion beams for injection in the Brookhaven synchrotrons. The decrease in emittance due to the use of a spherical ionizer, as recently reported, may lead to improved brightness of the beam injected into the MP Tandem resulting in improved beam output. Emittance measurements with the PSX-120 are presented for dc beams and some of the first pulsed beam results are also discussed. >
A survey on diagnostics methods for automotive engines

Faults affecting the automotive engines can potentially lead to increased emissions, increased fuel consumption or engine damage. These negative impacts may be prevented, or at least alleviated, if faults can be detected and isolated in a timely manner. The US Federal and State regulations dictate that automotive engines operate with an On-Board Diagnosis (OBD) system to enable the detection of faults resulting in increased emissions. In this paper, we survey and discuss the different aspects of fault detection and diagnosis in automotive engine systems. The paper aims to describe some of the efforts made in the academia and industry on the fault detection and isolation for a variety of component faults, actuator faults, and sensor faults in automotive engines using various data-driven and model-based methods.
Random sampling with a reservoir

We introduce fast algorithms for selecting a random sample of n records without replacement from a pool of N records, where the value of N is unknown beforehand. The main result of the paper is the design and analysis of Algorithm Z; it does the sampling in one pass using constant space and in O(n(1 + log(N/n))) expected time, which is optimum, up to a constant factor. Several optimizations are studied that collectively improve the speed of the naive version of the algorithm by an order of magnitude. We give an efficient Pascal-like implementation that incorporates these modifications and that is suitable for general use. Theoretical and empirical results indicate that Algorithm Z outperforms current methods by a significant margin.
ATM regulates NF-κB-dependent immediate-early genes via RelA Ser 276 phosphorylation coupled to CDK9 promoter recruitment

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase-like kinase family, is a master regulator of the double strand DNA break-repair pathway after genotoxic stress. Here, we found ATM serves as an essential regulator of TNF-induced NF-kB pathway. We observed that TNF exposure of cells rapidly induced DNA double strand breaks and activates ATM. TNF-induced ROS promote nuclear IKKγ association with ubiquitin and its complex formation with ATM for nuclear export. Activated cytoplasmic ATM is involved in the selective recruitment of the E3-ubiquitin ligase β-TrCP to phospho-IκBα proteosomal degradation. Importantly, ATM binds and activates the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc), ribosmal S6 kinase that controls RelA Ser 276 phosphorylation. In ATM knockdown cells, TNF-induced RelA Ser 276 phosphorylation is significantly decreased. We further observed decreased binding and recruitment of the transcriptional elongation complex containing cyclin dependent kinase-9 (CDK9; a kinase necessary for triggering transcriptional elongation) to promoters of NF-κB-dependent immediate-early cytokine genes, in ATM knockdown cells. We conclude that ATM is a nuclear damage-response signal modulator of TNF-induced NF-κB activation that plays a key scaffolding role in IκBα degradation and RelA Ser 276 phosphorylation. Our study provides a mechanistic explanation of decreased innate immune response associated with A-T mutation.
Bullying and Victimization Rates among Gifted and High-Achieving Students.

Bullying and victimization rates among 90 gifted and nongifted, high-achieving (HA) high school students were assessed by using the Reynolds Bully Victimization Scale (BVS; W. M. Reynolds, 2003). The mean scores indicate that gifted and HA high school students bully others and are victimized by others generally at unelevated rates based on BVS scores. Rates of bullying and victimization found among gifted and HA high school students were not significantly different from each other either. Bullying and victimization rates for male and female participants were also compared, and no significant differences were found between males and females for either bullying or victimization. Results from this study do not provide support for social interventions for gifted students as a group but suggest that gifted programs continue to focus on promoting primarily advanced intellectual endeavors (N. Colangelo, S. Assouline, & M. U. M. Gross, 2004). However, individual gifted students may need targeted interventions foc...
Premalignant and malignant squamous lesions of the vulva

Abstract Vulvar premalignant squamous lesions include low- and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias. High-grade lesions include usual (classic) and differentiated (simplex) vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN). Usual VIN (uVIN), the most common, is related to human papilloma virus (HPV), occurs in younger patients, and is frequently multifocal. Differentiated VIN (dVIN), less common, is related to lichen sclerosus and other chronic vulvar dermatoses, occurs in older women, and is usually unifocal. Terminology schemes for premalignant lesions are reviewed. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma also occurs in two distinct clinicopathologic settings. Most conventional keratinizing squamous cell carcinomas arise from a background of dVIN and comprise the majority of invasive squamous tumours. Warty and basaloid invasive squamous cell carcinomas likely develop from uVIN and comprise a minority of invasive tumours. Clinical features, microscopic findings, differential diagnoses, immunoprofiles, prognosis and treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions are addressed.
Climatic and biotic velocities for woody taxa distributions over the last 16 000 years in eastern North America

We estimated the latitudinal velocity (km/decade) of northern and southern boundaries of core distributions for 30 woody taxa over the last 16 000 years (biotic velocities) using networks of fossil pollen records, and compared these with climate velocities estimated from CCSM3 simulations. Biotic velocities were faster during periods of rapid temperature change (i.e. 16 to 7 ka) than times of relative stability (i.e. 7 to 1 ka), with a consistent northward movement of northern and southern boundaries. For most taxa, biotic velocities were faster for northern than for southern boundaries between 12 and 7 ka, resulting in expanding distributions. For individual time periods, biotic velocities were as fast or faster than climate velocities calculated using multivariate approaches. These results indicate that climate change paced the rate of distribution shifts in both northern and southern populations while suggesting that northern populations were more sensitive. A similar sensitivity and pacing is expected under 21st century climate change.
On server allocation in multiple center manufacturing systems

We study the problem of allocating a given number of identical servers among the work centers of a manufacturing system. The problem is formulated as a nonlinear integer program of allocating servers in a closed queueing network to maximize throughput. We show that the throughput of the closed queueing network has a monotonicity property, such that any optimal allocation must give more servers to stations with a higher workload. The number of allocations that satisfy this property is much smaller than the total number of feasible allocations. This property and a bounding technique for the throughput of the closed queueing network are combined to develop a search algorithm to obtain an optimal allocation of servers. A greedy heuristic is also developed, and its optimality proven in the special case of a two-center system in the general case, its optimality remains a conjecture.
A junior course in electrical engineering practice to prepare students for the senior design experience

To better prepare students for their senior design project the electrical engineering department at the University of Hartford has created a course to introduce students to data acquisition, data reporting, and project preparation. The course includes lectures on sensors, acquisition, signal conditioning, calibration, measurement practices, data reporting and presentation. Concurrently the students perform experiments in data acquisition, signal conditioning, and measurements.