cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Costal diaphragm blood flow heterogeneity at rest and during exercise

To gain insight into diaphragm functional heterogeneity, blood flow (expressed as ml.min-1 x 100 g-1) was measured using radiolabeled microspheres in the ventral, medial, and dorsal regions of the costal diaphragm and in the crural diaphragm of sedentary control (S) and exercise trained (ET) female Wistar-Kyoto rats at rest and during treadmill exercise. ET animals had performed moderate intensity exercise training on a motorized treadmill (22 m/min, 10% grade, 60 min/d) for 12 months, while S were cage-confined. The efficacy of exercise training was demonstrated by a 12% increase (P < 0.05) in ventricular weight-to-body weight ratio and increases (P < 0.05) in citrate synthase activity in hindlimb skeletal muscles of ET. At rest, blood flow in the ventral costal diaphragm (16 +/- 1) averaged approximately 61% of that in the medial (26 +/- 3) and dorsal (25 +/- 2) costal regions (P = 0.035), and crural diaphragm flow was 23 +/- 3. During treadmill exercise (5 min at 22 m/min, 10% incline), blood flow increased an average of 5-fold (P < 0.001) throughout the diaphragm, but the heterogeneous flow pattern persisted; i.e., blood flow remained lower (P = 0.003) in the ventral region (77 +/- 7) than either the medial (135 +/- 15) or dorsal (127 +/- 11) costal regions. Flow in the crural diaphragm during exercise was intermediate (105 +/- 9). Exercise training did not alter either the magnitude of blood flows or the flow distribution pattern within the diaphragm. Citrate synthase activity was two-fold that of the plantaris muscle and was uniform across the ventral, medial, and dorsal costal and the crural diaphragm of a second group of age-matched rats (P = 0.57). These data demonstrate that, although oxidative capacity is uniform throughout the diaphragm, there is a significant regional heterogeneity of blood flow within the rat diaphragm both at rest and during locomotory exercise. The greater flow in the medial and dorsal regions of the costal diaphragm suggests that these regions sustain a greater portion of the inspiratory work load at rest and during exercise compared to the ventral region.
PVT properties of dodecane/polystyrene systems

The PVT properties of crosslinked polystyrene samples containing various amounts of dodecane were measured. The Tait equation was used to describe the PVT behavior of each system in both the glassy and rubbery regions. The glass transition temperature was determined from the abrupt change of the thermal expansion coefficient. Increase in the dodecane content in the samples resulted in a significant decrease of the difference between the expansion coefficients in the glassy and rubbery regions. Addition of dodecane lowered the glass transition temperature linearly. However, the dependence of the glass transition temperature on pressure was not affected by the presence of dodecane in the polymer samples. Above the glass transition temperature, the volume of the swollen polymer, Vm, could be determined by simple addition of the volumes of the pure components at the appropriate temperature and pressure; the volume change of mixing, δVm, was independent of temperature and pressure. Below the glass transition temperature, volume additivity of the two components was also applicable after appropriate adjustment of the glass transition temperature of the polymer to that of the dodecane/polymer samples. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Self-similar solution of the spherical detonation problem☆

Abstract Under polytropic equation of state and strong shock assumptions, group-theoretic methods are used to obtain a class of self-similar solutions to a one-dimensional problem in reactive shock hydrodynamics with spherical symmetry and to characterize the class of all state-dependent chemical reaction rates under which such solutions exist. In the special case that the reaction rate is proportional to the internal energy, the system of ordinary differential equations describing the self-similar solution can be reduced to a single, first-order differential equation for which a phase-plane analysis yields the nature of the solution near the equation's critical points. Further, a modeling parameter which characterizes the flow is identified.
Use of anticoagulants in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients; a focus on low-molecular-weight heparin.

Introduction Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the treatment of choice for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but given logistics, many patients are still managed with thrombolytics. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is recommended for routine use in STEMI patients treated with thrombolytics. However, other anticoagulants have been evaluated for use in STEMI patients treated with thrombolysis, including the low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs, enoxaparin, dalteparin, and reviparin), fondaparinux and bivalirudin.
Coarctation of the aorta with obstructive anomalies of the mitral valve and left ventricle.

Coarctation of the aorta in association with parachute mitral valve, supervalvular ring of the left artrium, and subaortic stenosis is a rare developmental complex. This report describes the clinical, hemodynamic, surgical, and pathologic findings in 4 patients with such a complex. Successful surgical relief of the mitral valve obstruction was achieved in one patient by the insertion of a prosthetic valve.
Graphite/epoxy foam sandwich panels under quasi-static indentation

Abstract This study investigates the force–indentation response of sandwich panels subjected to a rigid spherical indentor. The sandwich panels are made of graphite/epoxy face sheets with a polymethacrylimide foam core. A three-dimensional analytical solution method is developed to determine the complete stress and displacement fields in a sandwich panel, as well as the contact pressure arising from static indentation by a rigid sphere. Unlike the usual assumption of a Hertzian-type contact pressure distribution, the sphere’s unknown contact area and pressure distribution due to indentation are obtained as part of the solution by utilizing an iterative solution method leading to the contact force–indentation relation. Analytical predictions are validated by performing quasi-static indentation experiments.
Complexity as a Contract Design Factor: A Human‐to‐Human Experimental Study

Despite being theoretically suboptimal, simpler contracts (such as price-only contracts and quantity discount contracts with limited number of price blocks) are commonly preferred in practice. Thus, exploring the tension between theory and practice regarding complexity and performance in contract design is especially relevant. Using human subject experiments, Kalkanci et al. (2011) showed that such simpler contracts perform effectively for a supplier interacting with a computerized buyer under asymmetric demand information. We use a similar set of experiments with the modification that a human supplier interacts with a human buyer. We show that human interactions strengthen the supplier's preference for simpler contracts. We find that suppliers have fairness concerns even when they interact with computerized buyers. These fairness concerns tend to be even stronger when suppliers interact with human buyers, particularly when the complexity of the contract is low. We also find that suppliers are more prone to random decision errors (i.e., bounded rationality) when interacting with human buyers. In the absence of social preferences, Kalkanci et al. identified reinforcement and bounded rationality as key biases that impact suppliers' decisions. In human-to-human experiments, we find evidence for social preference effects. However, these effects may be secondary to bounded rationality.
Soft X-Ray Streak Cameras

This paper is a discussion of the development and of the current state of the art in picosecond soft x-ray streak camera technology. Accomplishments from a number of institutions will be discussed. X-ray streak cameras vary from standard visible streak camera designs in the use of an x-ray transmitting window and an x-ray sensitive photocathode. The spectral sensitivity range of these instruments includes portions of the near UV and extends from the subkilovolt x-ray region to several tens of kilovolts. Attendant challenges encountered in the design and use of x-ray streak cameras include the accommodation of high-voltage and vacuum requirements, as well as manipulation of a photocathode structure which is often fragile. The x-ray transmitting window is generally too fragile to withstand atmospheric pressure, necessitating active vacuum pumping and a vacuum line of sight to the x-ray signal source. Because of the difficulty of manipulating x-ray beams with conventional optics, as is done with visible light, the size of the photocathode sensing area, access to the front of the tube, the ability to insert the streak tube into a vacuum chamber and the capability to trigger the sweep with very short internal delay times are issues uniquely relevant to x-ray streak camera use. The physics of electron imaging may place more stringent limitations on the temporal and spatial resolution obtainable with x-ray photocathodes than with the visible counterpart. Other issues which are common to the entire streak camera community also concern the x-ray streak camera users and manufacturers. Optimized spatial and temporal resolution, enhanced dynamic range, and the understanding of shot noise statistics are topics which are being worked on at this time.
Coordination between host nucleic acid metabolism and citrus exocortis viroid turnover

Abstract Citrus exocortis viroid (CEV) replication is sustained in tomato cell suspension cultures. Incorporation of 32 P by pulse-labelling or continuous feeding of CEV-containing cells demonstrated the viroid to be a persistent and well-regulated component of the host nucleic acid profile. As the suspension cells approached stationary phase and senescence in the growth cycle, the relative proportion of CEV molecules to host RNA increased. Cells were grown in the presence of specific inhibitors to further examine the coordination between host nucleic acid and CEV synthesis. Actinomycin D in low concentrations (1 μg/ml) inhibited about 80% of host rRNA synthesis, but did not affect CEV replication. No differential inhibition could be observed between CEV synthesis and cellular nucleic acid synthesis when CEV-containing suspension cells were exposed to a series of concentrations (10 −4 −10 2 μg/ml) of α-amanitin. Throughout the cell growth cycle, the proportion of synthesis of circular and linear forms of CEV was constant. Both circular and linear forms of CEV were infectious. Modified pulse-chase experiments with [ 3 H]uridine demonstrated a closely-coordinated equilibrium between the two accumulated forms of viroid molecules and an unexpectedly stable population of linear molecules.
Transfected neu oncogene induces human prostate cancer metastasis.

c-erb B2/neu has been demonstrated to be a transforming oncogene in both rodent and human prostatic epithelial cells. To understand the potential role of neu in human prostatic cancer progression, we used a gene transfer procedure to determine whether neu amplification/overexpression leads to increased tumor growth and metastasis. We chose an androgen-independent human prostatic epithelial cell line, PC-3, as the target for gene transfer. PC-3 cells were cotransfected with pSVneu-T (a point-mutated rat neu oncogene construct) and pSV2neo, and single-cell cloned. Fifty cell clones were isolated and characterized, of which two neu-transfected clones (N17 and N35) and a neo control clone (C32) were studied extensively with respect to neu gene integration, levels of neu mRNA and protein expression, anchorage-independent growth, and tumorigenic and metastatic potential. Results showed that: 1) Clone N35 contained 70 copies of the neu oncogene and a high level of neu mRNA transcripts. It acquired increased anchorage-independent growth potential in vitro and increased tumorigenicity in vivo. 2) Clone N17 contained 10 copies of the neu oncogene and a low level of neu mRNA transcripts. It did not acquire additional capability for anchorage-independent growth and tumorigenic potential as compared to the controls. 3) Despite an increased level of neu mRNA transcripts present in clone N35, there was no corresponding increase of the steady-state levels of neu protein in this particular clone. 4) When administered subcutaneously, none of the cell clones tested, including the control neomycin-resistant clone, acquired metastatic potential. However, clone N35 exhibited marked metastatic potential when administered orthotopically; this cell clone was found to disseminate widely to the lymph nodes, kidney, skeletal muscle, lung, liver, and bone. 5) When neu-transfected cell subclones from N35-induced primary and metastatic lymph node, kidney, and bone tumors were analyzed for cytoskeletal, extracellular matrix, and cell adhesion protein expression, the bone metastatic subclone exhibited increased levels of vimentin and collagen IV and decreased levels of cytokeratin and ICAM-1. These results, taken together, suggest that neu transfection induces secondary changes, which, rather than neu protein per se, are responsible for the acquisition of tumorigenic and metastatic potential of prostate cancer cells when an appropriate host microenvironment is present. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Teaching a Large Lecture Course in Psychology: Turning Defeat into Victory

(1982). Teaching a Large Lecture Course in Psychology: Turning Defeat into Victory. Teaching of Psychology: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 150-155.
Checking the pulse: Midwestern reporters' opinions on their ability to report health care news.

Objectives. Newspapers play a key role in disseminating information and shaping perceptions about health, research, and policies. Inadequate or misleading reporting constitutes a public health threat that can jeopardize individual health and lead to harmful health policies. Methods. Surveys were mailed to 165 reporters at 122 newspapers in 5 Midwest states. The association of training, newspaper size, and experience with reporter's self-perceived reporting ability was assessed. Results. The response rate was 69.6% (115/165). Between 66% and 85% of the reporters assessed 4 tasks vital to sound health reporting as “sometimes difficult” to “nearly always difficult.” No significant differences in perceived ability were found by training or newspaper size. Respondents with less experience reported higher perceived ability. Conclusions. These findings show that reporters may have difficulty understanding complex health issues and interpreting statistics because they are inadequately trained.
Biomass and estimated productivity of the benthic macrofauna in the New York Bight: a stressed coastal area

Abstract Waste disposal in the apex of the New York Bight has resulted in the contamination of sediments by toxic chemicals and some alteration to the community composition of the benthic macrofauna. The significance of these alterations to other communities in the area, e.g. its fishery resources, has not been clearly demonstrated. This paper presents data on an extensive survey of the macrofauna biomass, that many fish and lobster feed on, in the waste disposal impacted areas of the apex, using samples from both 1973 and 1980–1982. Variable mean production to biomass (P:B) ratios were used to estimate secondary production from the biomass of each major taxon. The macrofaunal biomass (wet wt.) of most of the apex area impacted by waste disposal was relatively high, with a mean biomass of 127 g m −2 for 1973 and 344 g m −2 for 1980–1982. Estimated secondary production was also high, being 201 Kcal m −2 year −1 in 1973 and 383 Kcal m −2 year −1 in 1980–1982. These values suggest there has been no inhibition of at least biomass, as the values were similar to or greater than values found in other areas of the Bight with similar bathymetric characteristics.
Measurement of isospin mixing between the 1+ doublet in 12C using pion inelastic scattering☆

Abstract Pion inelastic scattering has been used to extract the off-diagonal charge dependent matrix element, H01, between the Jπ = 1+ doublet of states at 12.71 (T = 0) and 15.11 (T = 1) MeV in 12 C . The reported measurements yield a value, H01 = 148 ±29 keV, in good agreement with recent electromagnetic measurements.
Creep-fatigue behavior in high strength copper alloys

Copper alloys are found to experience a stress relaxation during holds at maximum tension and maximum compression during cyclic loading patterns. This stress relaxation response has an effect on fatigue life by reducing the numbers of cycles to failure, particularly in the high cycle fatigue, long life regime. The stress relaxation behavior is found even for room temperature loading conditions, well below the temperature regime normally associated with creep and stress relaxation. It is suggested that the creep and stress relaxation deformation modes during hold periods is predominantly through primary creep process.
Self-Attributed Mastery and Other-Attributed Mastery in the Alleviation of Learned Helplessness

Summary The study was designed to provide a general test of the efficacy of mastery, defined as repeated exposure to response-reinforcement dependence, in eliminating the performance deficits associated with learned helplessness, and to provide a specific test of the role of attribution in that process. Helplessness was induced in 60 undergraduates of both sexes by exposure to an inescapable aversive tone in the context of instructions that escape was possible. The resulting helpless Ss were then assigned to one of three groups: an irrelevant-task group receiving no mastery alleviation experience; a self-attribution group in which success on an escape task was attributed to self; or an other-attribution group in which success on the same task was attributed to the E. Performance deficits associated with helplessness were alleviated as a consequence of mastery; predicted superiority of self- over other-attributed mastery was not supported.
Single cell suspension of human bladder mucosa. Possible use in quantitating ABO(H) isoantigens in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.

Abstract A simple technique of obtaining a high yield of viable solitary human bladder epithelial cells from biopsy specimens is described. The ABO(H) surface isoantigens are preserved in this procedure. Thus quantitative analysis of ABO(H) surface isoantigens in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is possible.
A macroregenerative nodule containing multiple foci of hepatocellular carcinoma in a noncirrhotic liver

We report an incidental small hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis C infection without cirrhosis. The existence of portal triads and the Meyenburg complexes within the lesion and atypical subnodules suggests that the carcinoma has arisen in the context of a macroregenerative nodule rather than the whole nodule being an early, spreading carcinoma. A growing body of evidence supports macroregenerative nodules as being precursor lesions in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although they are generally thought of as being large cirrhotic nodules, this case suggests that they may be lesions that develop in the context of chronic liver disease, parallel to, but independently of, cirrhosis. Moreover, the development of carcinoma within the nodule suggests that macroregenerative nodules may play a role in carcinogenesis in noncirrhotic livers. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;17:993–996.)
Variations in angiotensin-II release from the rat brain during the estrous cycle.

To investigate the hypothesis that the release of angiotensin-II (AII) in the rat brain increases on the day of proestrus, samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and interstitial fluid from the general region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis pars ventralis in the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area were monitored for AII-immunoreactive material (AII-ir) using push-pull cannulas. Samples of CSF were obtained on the day of proestrus and diestrus day 1 at 30-min intervals from 1200-1600 h. Samples of interstitial fluid were obtained at 25-min intervals from 0930-1600 h. The rate of release of AII-ir into CSF was significantly greater on proestrus compared to diestrus day 1, and in the early afternoon of proestrus compared to the late afternoon. In five of seven rats and in the overall comparison of AII-ir release from the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area, significantly more AII-ir was released on the day of proestrus vs. diestrus day 1. These observations are consistent with previous studies sugge...
Effect of electron-electron interaction on transport in two-dimensional systems: Silicon inversion layers

It is shown that the temperature dependence of the conductivity in the activated regime of inversion layers can be explained by many-body interactions in the absence of disorder over a wide range of carrier concentrations.
A cognitive approach to human communication: An action assembly theory

An essential characteristic of human communicative behavior is that it is at once novel and creative yet patterned and repetitive. This observation suggests processes of selection of memory elements and subsequent construction of novel behaviors. In an effort to explicate these processes a general theoretical framework is developed. Further, a specific theory, consistent with the general framework, is also advanced. The theory is comprised of five axioms and seventeen propositions which serve to specify the nature of the relevant structures and processes.
Pollen grains: Why so many?

My objective is the examination of selective forces that affect pollen number. Relationships among other floral traits of animalpollinated plants, including pollen size, stigma area and depth, and the pollen-bearing area of the pollinator may affect pollen number and also provide a model to examine how change in one trait may elicit change in other traits. The model provides a conceptual framework for appreciating intra- and inter-specific differences in these traits. An equivalent model is presented for wind-pollinated plants. For these plants the distance between putative mates may be the most important factor affecting pollen number. I briefly consider how many pollen grains must reach a stigma to assure fruit set. I use pollen-ovule ratios (P/Os) to examine how breeding system, sexual system, pollen vector, and dispersal unit influence pollen grain number. I also compare the P/Os of plants with primary and secondary pollen presentation and those that provide only pollen as a reward with those that provide nectar as part or all of the reward. There is a substantial decrease in P/O from xenogamy to facultative xenogamy to autogamy. Relative to homoecious species the P/Os of species with most other sexual systems are higher. This suggests that there is a cost associated with changes in sexual system. The P/Os of wind-pollinated plants are substantially higher than those of animal-pollinated plants, and the available data suggest there is little difference in the pollination efficiency of the various animal vectors. The P/Os of plants whose pollen is dispersed in tetrads, polyads, or pollinia are substantially lower than those of species whose pollen is dispersed as monads. There was no difference in the P/Os of plants with primary and secondary pollen presentation. The P/Os of plants that provide only pollen as a reward were higher than those that provide nectar as a reward. All of these conclusions merit additional testing as they are based on samples that are relatively small and/or systematically biased.
Acquired disorders of elastic tissue: part I. increased elastic tissue and solar elastotic syndromes ☆

Abstract Elastic fibers in the extracellular matrix are an integral component of dermal connective tissue. The resilience and elasticity required for normal structure and function of the skin may be attributed to the network of elastic tissue. Advances in our understanding of elastic tissue physiology provide a foundation for studying the pathogenesis of elastic tissue disorders. Many acquired disorders are nevertheless poorly understood due to the paucity of reported cases. Several acquired disorders in which accumulation or elastotic degeneration of dermal elastic fibers produces prominent clinical and histopathologic features have recently been described. They include elastoderma, linear focal elastosis, and late-onset focal dermal elastosis and must be differentiated from better-known disorders, among them acquired pseudoxanthoma elasticum, elastosis perforans serpiginosa, and Favre-Racouchot syndrome. Learning objective At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should understand the similarities and differences between acquired disorders of elastic tissue that are characterized by an increase in elastic tissue, as well as the spectrum of solar elastotic dermatoses.
NEW TAXONOMIC CRITERIA IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF CHLOROCOCCUM SPECIES. III. ISOZYME ANALYSIS1,2

SUMMARY Proteins of whole cell extracts from 16 Chlorococcum species and 3 Tetracystis species (formerly Chlorococcum) were analyzed for isozymes of nonspecific α-esterases, leucine aminopeptidase, and malate dehydrogenase using starch gel electrophoresis. Each species could be identified by the banding patterns. Chlorococcum species are heterogenous regarding the presence, number, electrophoretic mobility, concentration, and distribution of isozymes. The data are discussed in relation to current knowledge of each species. Taxonomic applications of algal isozymes are considered.
Influence of Mismatch of Env Sequences on Vaccine Protection by Live Attenuated Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

Vaccine/challenge experiments that utilize live attenuated strains of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in monkeys may be useful for elucidating what is needed from a vaccine in order to achieve protective immunity. Derivatives of SIVmac239 and SIVmac239Δnef were constructed in which env sequences were replaced with those of the heterologous strain E543; these were then used in vaccine/challenge experiments. When challenge occurred at 22 weeks, 10 of 12 monkeys exhibited apparent sterilizing immunity despite a mismatch of Env sequences, compared to 12 of 12 monkeys with apparent sterilizing immunity when challenge virus was matched in its Env sequence. However, when challenge occurred at 6 weeks, 6 of 6 SIV239Δnef-immunized monkeys became superinfected by challenge virus mismatched in its Env sequence (SIV239/EnvE543). These results contrast markedly not only with the results of the week 22 challenge but also with the sterilizing immunity observed in 5 of 5 SIV239Δnef-immunized rhesus monkeys challenged at 5 weeks with SIV239, i.e., with no mismatch of Env sequences. We conclude from these studies that a mismatch of Env sequences in the challenge virus can have a dramatic effect on the extent of apparent sterilizing immunity when challenge occurs relatively early, 5 to 6 weeks after the nef-deleted SIV administration. However, by 22 weeks, mismatch of Env sequences has little or no influence on the degree of protection against challenge virus. Our findings suggest that anti-Env immune responses are a key component of the protective immunity elicited by live attenuated, nef-deleted SIV.
Uncertainty, spillovers, and cooperative R&D

Abstract This paper extends the literature on cooperative R&D in an oligopoly with spillovers. The model has three new features. It introduces uncertainty, focuses on spillover of innovation instead of effort spillover, and offers a new definition of the research joint venture (RJV). The RJV is an arrangement to coordinate R&D efforts and also to share the innovation. Firms form an RJV only if the innovation raises flow industry profit, but independently of the speed of spillovers and the degree of uncertainty. The model is robust when we allow for licensing, the single lab, endogenous spillovers and R&D effort spillovers.
Design and performance of a custom ASIC digitizer for wire chamber readout in 65 nm CMOS technology

We present the design and performance of a prototype ASIC digitizer for integrated wire chamber readout, implemented in 65 nm commercial CMOS technology. Each channel of the 4-channel prototype is composed of two 16-bit Time-to-Digital Converters (TDCs), one 8-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), a front-end preamplifier and shaper, plus digital and analog buffers that support a variety of digitization chains. The prototype has a multiplexed digital backend that executes a state machine, distributes control and timing signals, and buffers data for serial output. Laboratory bench tests measure the absolute TDC resolution between 74 ps and 480 ps, growing with the absolute delay, and a relative time resolution of 19 ps. Resolution outliers due to cross-talk between clock signals and supply or reference voltages are seen. After calibration, the ADC displays good linearity and noise performance, with an effective number of bits of 6.9. Under normal operating conditions the circuit consumes 32 mW per channel. Potential design improvements to address the resolution drift and tails are discussed.
Image recognition in the presence of non-Gaussian noise with unknown statistics.

We design receivers to detect a known pattern or a reference signal in the presence of very general and non-Gaussian types of noise. Three sources of input-noise degradation are considered: additive, multiplicative, and disjoint background. The detection process involves two steps: (1) estimation of the relevant noise parameters within the framework of hypothesis testing and (2) maximizing a certain metric that measures the likelihood of the target being at a given location. The parameter estimation portion is carried out by moment-matching techniques. Because of the number of unknown parameters and the fact that various types of input-noise processes are non-Gaussian, the methods that are used to estimate these parameters differ from the standard methods of maximizing the likelihood function. To verify the existence of the target at a certain location, we use lp-norm metric for p⩾0 to measure the likelihood of the target being present at the location of interest. Computer simulations are used to show that for the images tested here, the receivers designed herein perform better than some existing receivers.
Wear of electrical contacts due to small-amplitude motion

The "IBM wear model," which has previously been used to describe the wear of electrical contacts as a result of gross sliding motion, is used to describe contact wear in the case of small-amplitude sliding motion. This model was applied to a particular contact configuration on which a series of wear tests was performed. The empirical results of the tests are compared to the theoretical expressions and good agreement is found, thus indicating that the wear mechanism is essentially the same for both large- and small-amplitude sliding contact.
Pentachlorophenol toxicity to amphipods and fathead minnows at different test pH values

Juvenile amphipods (Gammarus pseudolimnaeus and Crangonyx pseudogracilis) and fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to pentachlorophenol (PCP) at pH values of 6.5, 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5 for 96 h, and early life stages of fathead minnows were exposed for 32 d at the same pH values to determine the relationship between test pH and the acute and chronic toxicity of PCP. Residue analyses were performed on fathead minnows after 32 d to determine the relationship between test pH and PCP bioaccumulation. Technical-grade PCP (88% active ingredient; Dowicide EC7) was used as the toxicant source. Acute exposures with all three species showed that PCP toxicity was decreased with increased test pH. The slopes of this relationship were similar for the amphipods, but were different from that observed for fathead minnows. Early life stage exposures of fathead minnows showed that chronic PCP toxicity and bioaccumulation were similarly decreased when pH values were increased. The decrease in chronic PCP toxicity appeared to be due to the reduction in PCP accumulation as a direct result of the increased ionization of PCP at higher pH values, indicating that the ionized form was less toxic per unit concentration than was the un-ionized form. However, these studies suggest that chronic as well as acute toxicity may be caused by both forms of PCP when significant concentrations are present in solution.
Generalized hidden Markov models. II. Application to handwritten word recognition

For part I see ibid. vol.8, no. 1 (2000). This paper presents an application of the generalized hidden Markov models to handwritten word recognition. The system represents a word image as an ordered list of observation vectors by encoding features computed from each column in the given word image. Word models are formed by concatenating the state chains of the constituent character hidden Markov models. The novel work presented includes the preprocessing, feature extraction, and the application of the generalized hidden Markov models to handwritten word recognition. Methods for training the classical and generalized (fuzzy) models are described. Experiments were performed on a standard data set of handwritten word images obtained from the US Post Office mail stream, which contains real-word samples of different styles and qualities.
Decoding 3-D Reach and Grasp Kinematics From High-Frequency Local Field Potentials in Primate Primary Motor Cortex

Intracortical microelectrode array recordings generate a variety of neural signals with potential application as control signals in neural interface systems. Previous studies have focused on single and multiunit activity (MUA), as well as low-frequency local field potentials (LFPs), but have not explored higher frequency (>200 Hz) LFPs. In addition, the potential to decode 3-D reach and grasp kinematics based on LFPs has not been demonstrated. Here, we use mutual information and decoding analyses to probe the information content about 3-D reaching and grasping of seven different LFP frequency bands in the range of 0.3-400 Hz. LFPs were recorded via 96-microelectrode arrays in primary motor cortex (M1) of two monkeys performing free reaching to grasp moving objects. Mutual information analyses revealed that higher frequency bands (e.g., 100-200 and 200-400 Hz) carried the most information about the examined kinematics. Furthermore, Kalman filter decoding revealed that broad-band high frequency LFPs, likely reflecting MUA, provided the best decoding performance as well as substantial accuracy in reconstructing reach kinematics, grasp aperture, and aperture velocity. These results indicate that LFPs, especially high frequency bands, could be useful signals for neural interfaces controlling 3-D reach and grasp kinematics.
Discriminative-stimulus effects of modafinil in cocaine-trained humans

Abstract Modafinil is a novel stimulant that is effective in the treatment of narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness. In vitro and in vivo neuropharmacological data suggest that the mechanism of action of modafinil is distinct from that of prototypical abused stimulants like cocaine and d -amphetamine. In the present experiment, six human volunteers with recent histories of cocaine use learned to discriminate 150 mg oral cocaine HCL. After acquiring the discrimination (i.e. ≥80% correct responding on 4 consecutive days), a range of doses of oral cocaine (50, 100, and 150 mg), modafinil (200, 400, and 600 mg), and placebo were tested to determine if they shared discriminative-stimulus and self-reported effects with 150 mg cocaine. Methylphenidate (60 mg) and triazolam (0.5 mg) were included as positive and negative controls, respectively. Cocaine and methylphenidate, but neither modafinil nor triazolam, produced cocaine-like discriminative-stimulus, subject-rated, and cardiovascular effects. The results of the present experiment suggest that cocaine discrimination in humans is pharmacologically specific within and across drug classes.
Oxidative degradation of oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated monolayers

The observation that oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG)-terminated monolayers remained highly protein-resistant for a month at 37 °C in PBS buffer while they degraded faster in air can be rationalized by a proposed mechanism formulated from a model study using the first internal hydroperoxide of OEG.
Endothelial Cell Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor γ Reduces Endotoxemic Pulmonary Inflammation and Injury

Bacterial endotoxin (LPS)-mediated sepsis involves severe, dysregulated inflammation that injures the lungs and other organs, often fatally. Vascular endothelial cells are both key mediators and targets of LPS-induced inflammatory responses. The nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) exerts anti-inflammatory actions in various cells, but it is unknown whether it modulates inflammation through actions within endothelial cells. To determine whether PPARγ acts within endothelial cells to diminish endotoxemic lung inflammation and injury, we measured inflammatory responses and mediators in mice with endothelial-targeted deletion of PPARγ. Endothelial cell PPARγ (ePPARγ) knockout exacerbated LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation and injury as shown by several measures, including infiltration of inflammatory cells, edema, and production of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines, along with upregulation of the LPS receptor TLR4 in lung tissue and increased activation of its downstream signaling pathways. In isolated LPS-stimulated endothelial cells in vitro, absence of PPARγ enhanced the production of numerous inflammatory markers. We hypothesized that the observed in vivo activity of the ligand-activated ePPARγ may arise, in part, from nitrated fatty acids (NFAs), a novel class of endogenous PPARγ ligands. Supporting this idea, we found that treating isolated endothelial cells with physiologically relevant concentrations of the endogenous NFA 10-nitro-oleate reduced LPS-induced expression of a wide range of inflammatory markers in the presence of PPARγ, but not in its absence, and also inhibited neutrophil mobility in a PPARγ-dependent manner. Our results demonstrate a key protective role of ePPARγ against endotoxemic injury and a potential ePPARγ-mediated anti-inflammatory role for NFAs.
Human Capital Availability, Competitive Intensity and Manufacturing Priorities in a Sub-Saharan African Economy

Several studies have been done on the relationships between human resources management (HRM) practices and manufacturing activities. However, most of these studies have been confined to well-developed economies where the focus of HRM practices is mostly on the investment in human capital to facilitate the use of advanced manufacturing technology. In less developed economies, the primary HRM concern is attracting and retaining skilled, knowledgeable and experienced labor. In this study, we examine the relationships between human capital availability, competitive intensity and their interactive effects on manufacturing priorities in a Sub-Saharan African economy — Ghana. We found that competitive intensity is an important determinant of the emphasis firms plan to place on manufacturing priorities (low-cost, quality, flexibility, and delivery). However, human capital availability affects the emphasis firms plan to place on low-cost and delivery. Furthermore, competitive intensity moderates the relationship between human capital availability and the emphasis that firms plan to place on the manufacturing priorities of low-cost and quality.
Legislators' Personality Traits and Congressional Support for Free Trade

The determinants of congressional voting behavior on trade matters from 1991 to 1996 are investigated. Three personal characteristics of members of Congress—level of distrust toward others, perception of their control over their environment, and level of cognitive complexity—are examined for effect on voting patterns on proposals to lower barriers to international trade. These personality factors are included in a comprehensive model of congressional voting behavior. Results show that these variables had significant effects on specific trade votes, controlling for the impact of members' party, ideology, support for the presidency, and the nature of their district's workforce. These findings show that the personality attributes of legislators may have an important influence on their voting behavior, particularly on matters involving international cooperation.
High‐Temperature Isothermal Oxidation of Ultra‐High Temperature Ceramics Using Thermal Gravimetric Analysis

Oxidation of ZrB2 + SiC composites is investigated using isothermal measurements to study the effects of temperature, time, and gas flow on oxidation behavior and microstructural evolution. A test method called dynamic nonequilibrium thermal gravimetric analysis (DNE-TGA), which eliminates oxidation during the heating ramp, has been developed to monitor mass change from the onset of an isothermal hold period (15 min) as a function temperature (1000°C–1600°C) and gas flow (50 and 200 mL/min). In comparing isothermal to nonisothermal TGA measurements, the scale thicknesses from isothermal tests are up to 4 times greater, indicating that oxidation kinetics are faster for isothermal testing, where the oxide scale thickness is 110 μm after 15 min at 1600°C in air. Isothermal oxidation followed parabolic kinetics with a mass gain that is temperature dependent from 1000°C–1600°C. The mass gain increased from ~5 to 45 g/m2 and parabolic rate constants increased from 0.037 to 2.2 g2/m4·s over this temperature range. The effect of flow velocity on oxidation is not significant under the given laminar flow environment where the gas boundary layer is calculated to be 4 mm. These values are consistent with diffusion of oxygen through the glass-ceramic surface layer as rate limiting.
Neurobiology of the stoloniferan octocoral Clavularia sp.

Electrical impulses representing a colonial conducting system were recorded from polyp oral disks of Clavularia sp. with extracellular suction electrodes. The colonial system is through-conducting and initiates colony-wide polyp contraction and withdrawal. Activation of polyp musculature is dependent upon stimulus (colonial impulse) number and frequency. A synaptic nerve net is present throughout the ectoderm of the colony and polyps and presumably represents the colonial system from which impulses were recorded. Each polyp can bend, feed, and withdraw independently, and this activity does not spread to neighboring polyps. Application of beef liver extract to polyp tentacles induces oral-directed flexions of the stimulated tentacles (feeding responses). A burst of electrical impulses, recorded from polyp oral disks, accompanies the feeding responses. Putative tentacular sensory structures, examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, consist of ciliary cone-nematocyte complexes. Each complex has a central nematocyte, bearing an apical cilium, and several surrounding cells, providing microvilli to the cone.
A reference architecture for application marketplace service based on SaaS

Constructing application marketplace to supply application services is a new trend of service industry. However, traditional techniques used to build a marketplace may not be easy to cooperate and integrate. The construction process also wastes huge cost and time. Therefore, the valuable reference architecture for easy building the application marketplace becomes more important. This research proposed the reference architecture for a new marketplace service construction and integration. The proposed system is named AMaaS (Application Marketplace as a Service), which redesigned the original architecture of online application marketplace according to the concept of Software as a Service (SaaS). Besides, this work preserves the feasible features to conjunct with other optional functionalities, like payment service and certification service, etc. Our proposed system is the state-of-the-art towards to develop the internet integrated service for mobile devices and applications.
Experimental study of internal waves over a slope

Internal waves of the fundamental mode propagating into a shoaling region have been studied experimentally in a continuously stratified fluid. The waves divide into three classes depending upon the ratio of the bottom slope γ to the wave-characteristic slope c. For γ/c 1, the waves are inhomogeneous and have complex spatial dependence.
The role of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in inhibiting axonal regeneration in the central nervous system

The Rho/Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (Rho/ROCK) pathway is a major signaling pathway in the central nervous system, transducing inhibitory signals to block regeneration. After central nervous system damage, the main cause of impaired regeneration is the presence of factors that strongly inhibit regeneration in the surrounding microenvironment. These factors signal through the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway to inhibit regeneration. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is crucial for advancing studies on regeneration and repair of the injured central nervous system.
On the Differential Security of the HFEv- Signature Primitive

Multivariate Public Key Cryptography MPKC is one of the most attractive post-quantum options for digital signatures in a wide array of applications. The history of multivariate signature schemes is tumultuous, however, and solid security arguments are required to inspire faith in the schemes and to verify their security against yet undiscovered attacks. The effectiveness of "differential attacks" on various field-based systems has prompted the investigation of the resistance of schemes against differential adversaries. Due to its prominence in the area and the recent optimization of its parameters, we prove the security of $$HFEv^-$$ against differential adversaries. We investigate the newly suggested parameters and conclude that the proposed scheme is secure against all known attacks and against any differential adversary.
Intracellular processing and toxicity of the truncated androgen receptor: nuclear congophilia-associated cell death.

The pathogenesis of the selective motor neuron death in spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is not fully understood. Similar to observations with other mutant polyglutamine (poly Q) expanded proteins, truncated androgen receptor (AR) with expanded poly Q tract cause intracellular aggregates; however, the precise relationship between aggregates and disease pathogenesis is unresolved. In order to have a better understanding of the cellular processing and toxicity of the mutant AR, we focused on a short N-terminal portion of AR containing normal or expanded poly Q repeats, and have carried out biochemical, immunocytochemical, cytochemical and ultrastructural studies of BHK cells at different intervals after transfection. In cells expressing mutant truncated AR, using an anti-AR N-terminal antibody, we observed no immune staining in the nucleus and identified immune negative aggregates surrounded by immunopositive material in the cytoplasm. Congo red staining identified a component of aggregates with a β-pleated secondary structure in both cytosol and nucleus, while electron microscopy revealed a fibrillary-granular material as the ultrastructural correlate. In addition, acid phosphatase staining and ubiquitin immunocytochemistry demonstrated that in transfected cells, both lysosomal and nonlysosomal degradation systems are actively involved in handling the mutant truncated AR. The temporal relationship of nuclear congophilia to a subsequent massive cell death suggests that entry of proteolytic cleavage products into the nucleus, perhaps the expanded poly Q stretch itself, may play an important role in cell toxicity.