cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Desired Compensation Adaptive Robust Control

A desired compensation adaptive robust control (DCARC) framework is presented for nonlinear systems having both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities. The paper first considers a class of higher order nonlinear systems transformable to a normal form with matched model uncertainties. For this class of uncertain systems, the desired values of all states for tracking a known desired trajectory can be predetermined and the usual desired compensation concept can be used to synthesize DCARC laws. The paper then focuses on systems with unmatched model uncertainties, in which the desired values of the intermediate state variables for perfect output tracking of a known desired trajectory cannot be predetermined. A novel way of formulating desired compensation concept is proposed and a DCARC backstepping design is developed to overcome the design difficulties associated with unmatched model uncertainties. The proposed DCARC framework has the unique feature that the adaptive model compensation and the regressor depend on the reference output trajectory and on-line parameter estimates only. Such a structure has several implementation advantages. First, the adaptive model compensation is always bounded when projection type adaption law is used, and thus does not affect the closed-loop system stability. As a result, the interaction between the parameter adaptation and the robust control law is reduced, which may facilitate the controller gain tuning process considerably. Second, the effect of measurement noise on the adaptive model compensation and on the parameter adaptation law is minimized. Consequently, a faster adaptation rate can be chosen in implementation to speed up the transient response and to improve overall tracking performance. These claims have been verified in the comparative experimental studies of several applications.
Ion mass effects on bombardment-induced disordering of γ'-Ni3Si

Abstract The kinetics of disordering of the ordered compound γ'-Ni3Si during ion bombardment were investigated at a temperature of 270°C. The disordering followed first order kinetics and the rate constant was measured as a function of incident ion flux, ion energy, and ion mass. The rate constant varied approximately in direct proportion with the ion flux during bombardment with 1 MeV 84Kr+-ions: from ~ 0.28 min −1 at ~ 70 nA/cm2 to ~ 50 min −1 at ~ 4.4 μA/cm 2. During bombardment with a flux of ~ 1 μA cm 2 of 132Xe+-ions, the rate constant was directly proportional to the calculated near-surface damage ra te. It varied from ~ 50 min −1 for 200 KeV ions with calculated damage rates of ~ 2.3 × 10−1 dpa to ~ 1.8 min −1 for 3 MeV ions with damage rates of 2 × 10−3dpa/s. The disordering rate was also observed to be directly proportional to the near surface damage rate for heavier mass ions (40Ar+, 84Kr+ and 132Xe+); the ratio of disordering rate to damage rate was ~ 17. This ratio dropped to ~ 3 for 20Ne+-ion bombardment, and to ~ 0.4 for bombardment with 4He+-ions. The decrease in the ratio with decreasing mass is discussed in terms of cascade size, replacement-to-displacement ratio, and random recombination.
SU-E-J-237: Image Feature Based DRR and Portal Image Registration

Purpose: Two-dimensional (2D) matching of the kV X-ray and digitally reconstructed radiography (DRR) images is an important setup technique for image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). In our clinics, mutual information based methods are used for this purpose on commercial linear accelerators, but with often needs for manual corrections. This work proved the feasibility that feature based image transform can be used to register kV and DRR images. Methods: The scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) method was implemented to detect the matching image details (or key points) between the kV and DRR images. These key points represent high image intensity gradients, and thus the scale invariant features. Due to the poor image contrast from our kV image, direct application of the SIFT method yielded many detection errors. To assist the finding of key points, the center coordinates of the kV and DRR images were read from the DICOM header, and the two groups of key points with similar relative positions to their corresponding centers were paired up. Using these points, a rigid transform (with scaling, horizontal and vertical shifts) was estimated. We also artificially introduced vertical and horizontal shifts to test the accuracy of our registration method on anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral pelvicmore » images. Results: The results provided a satisfactory overlay of the transformed kV onto the DRR image. The introduced vs. detected shifts were fit into a linear regression. In the AP image experiments, linear regression analysis showed a slope of 1.15 and 0.98 with an R2 of 0.89 and 0.99 for the horizontal and vertical shifts, respectively. The results are 1.2 and 1.3 with R2 of 0.72 and 0.82 for the lateral image shifts. Conclusion: This work provided an alternative technique for kV to DRR alignment. Further improvements in the estimation accuracy and image contrast tolerance are underway.« less
Temperature sensitivity of active and resting metabolism in a polychaetous annelid.

Abstract 1. 1. Temperature coefficients have been computed for oxygen consumption rates measured during active and resting periods of the rhytmic activity cycle of a polychaetous annelid. 2. 2. Neither active nor resting metabolism of acclimated worms shows perfect thermal compensation. Instead, Q10 values for active and resting metabolism are similar to one another, and also to values from previous reports in which the distinction is not made.
Effect of Glucocorticoids on Bone Resorption in Tissue Culture

Cortisol at 10-6M significantly inhibited the stimulation of bone resorption produced by vitamin A, prostaglandin E1 and dibutyryl cyclic 3’,5’-adenosine monophosphate in continuous culture but was less effective in inhibiting the response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (HCC). However, in induction experiments when cortisol (10-5 - 10-6M) was given before and during a brief application of PTH or 25-HCC, the subsequent resorptive response was blocked. This effect was specific for steroids with glucocorticoid activity. When cortisol at 10-6 to 10-8M was added after induction by PTH or 25-HCC, it was ineffective in inhibiting resorption by itself but could enhance the inhibitory effects of salmon calcitonin (SCT). SCT alone produced a transient inhibition of resorption in bones previously induced with PTH, followed by escape. When cortisol and SCT were given together the inhibition of resorption was greater than with SCT alone and escape was prevented. (Endocrinology 90: 961, 1972)
Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding for descending thoracic aorta endovascular repair.

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), developed by the American Medical Association, is the coding process used to describe surgical and diagnostic procedures and other medical services and for reporting those activities to insurance carriers for reimbursement. Within the resource-based relative value scale system, each CPT code is assigned a relative value unit for physician work, practice expense, and professional liability insurance. Payment for the work is calculated by adding the relative value units (adjusted for geographic differences) and multiplying that sum by a conversion factor expressed in dollars that is calculated each year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). There is significant physician input in both the editorial process of developing new CPT codes and in the process of evaluating the associated work. The CPT process undergoes constant refinement: new codes are added as the medical community adopts new technologies and procedures. Endovascular repair of thoracic aortic aneurysms provides an excellent example of this process.
An analysis of students' clinical experiences in an integrated primary care clerkship.

ABSTRACTPurposeCombining complementary clinical content into an integrated clerkship curriculum should enhance students' abilities to develop skills relevant to multiple disciplines, but how educational opportunities in primary care ambulatory settings complement each other is unknown. The authors c
The Chk2 protein kinase

Checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) is a multifunctional enzyme whose functions are central to the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by DNA damage. Insight into Chk2 has derived from multiple approaches. Biochemical studies have addressed Chk2 structure, domain organization and regulation by phosphorylation. Extensive work has been done to identify factors that recognize and respond to DNA damage in order to activate Chk2. In turn a number of substrates and targets of Chk2 have been identified that play roles in the checkpoint response. The roles and regulation of Chk2 have been elucidated by studies in model genetic systems extending from worms and flies to mice and humans. The relationship of Chk2 to human cancer studies is developing rapidly with increasing evidence that Chk2 plays a role in tumor suppression.
Einstein's Photoelectric Equation and Contact Electromotive Force

Einstein's photoelectric equation for the maximum energy of emission of a negative electron under the influence of ultra-violet light, namely, 1/2mv^2 = Ve = hv - p cannot in my judgment be looked upon at present as resting upon any sort of a satisfactory theoretical foundation.
What factors account for referral delays for patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common, costly, and disabling disease. Early referral and treatment reduce long-term joint damage and improve functional outcomes. Despite efforts to improve referral, half of patients with RA are not referred in a timely manner. Our objective was to explore the factors influencing the decision of a primary care physician (PCP) to refer or not refer a patient with suspected RA, and to identify modifiable factors influencing timely referral. Methods Using qualitative methods and in-depth, face-to-face interviews, we asked Connecticut PCPs to describe the last patient encounter where they suspected RA and the factors influencing referral and nonreferral. Participants represented a range of clinical experience, access to rheumatologists, and practice settings. Sample size was determined by thematic saturation. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis. Results We interviewed 19 PCPs, 9 of whom were women. Our analysis identified clinical characteristics, patient preferences, access issues, clinical and administrative leadership, physician confidence and expectations, and interpersonal relationships as important domains influencing the referral decision. These domains interacted to impact timely referral and quality of care. Previously underappreciated factors, such as the magnitude of the effect of physician rapport, appeared to be critical in determining whether or not patients are promptly referred. Conclusion Issues such as physician rapport, as well as clinical and system issues, influence referral for suspected RA. To improve referral for RA, clinical guidelines, medical education, and quality improvement efforts should address all domains influencing the referral decision.
Expressions for some hypergeometric functions of matrix argument with applications

Abstract Reasonably simple expressions are given for some hypergeometric functions when the size of the argument matrix or matrices is two. Applications of these expressions in connection with the distributions of the latent roots of a 2 × 2 Wishart matrix are also given.
JUST EAT PEAS AND DANCE: FIELD PEAS (VIGNA UNGUICULATA) AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE OZARK HIGHLANDS, U.S.

Abstract Field peas (Vigna unguiculata L. [Walp]) are recognized as an important agricultural crop throughout Africa and Asia for myriad reasons, ranging from their remarkably high nutrient content to their adaptability to marginal lands. In the early twentieth century, agricultural research stations investigated and advocated V. unguiculata for sustainable farming in the United States of America (U.S.) but such interest has all but disappeared in commercial agronomy. U.S.-focused agronomists perceive field peas as relatively incompatible with contemporary non-integrated agricultural systems, climate, and fast-food culinary habits; however, the species remains integral to the traditional cuisine of the southern U.S. With almost 18 million U.S. households experiencing food insecurity in 2011, a marked increase over the last decade, fresh strategies and time-tested species deserve research attention. This paper explores the role of field peas in hunger mitigation in the recent past in the Ozark Highlands, a...
SystemT: An Algebraic Approach to Declarative Information Extraction

As information extraction (IE) becomes more central to enterprise applications, rule-based IE engines have become increasingly important. In this paper, we describe SystemT, a rule-based IE system whose basic design removes the expressivity and performance limitations of current systems based on cascading grammars. SystemT uses a declarative rule language, AQL, and an optimizer that generates high-performance algebraic execution plans for AQL rules. We compare SystemT's approach against cascading grammars, both theoretically and with a thorough experimental evaluation. Our results show that SystemT can deliver result quality comparable to the state-of-the-art and an order of magnitude higher annotation throughput.
Point of Care Testing

Point of care testing (POCT) is laboratory diagnostic testing performed at or near the site where clinical care is delivered. Delivery of testing outside of the well-controlled environment of the traditional, core laboratory presents several organizational, operational, and technical challenges. POCT is more than just a convenience, because POCT results can be affected by environmental and operator factors requiring consideration of training, competency, method validation, and ongoing comparison with core laboratory results. Sites must be licensed and inspected regularly, and staff must conduct POCT under a physician order and report and bill results so that different testing methods (POCT versus central laboratory) can be distinguished and an appropriate record trail is maintained (linking operator and his/her training/competency with device validation/maintenance/quality control). Managing POCT requires dedicated resources, policies, and multidisciplinary commitment and cooperation to ensure the highest quality diagnostic services.
Infra-Red and Raman Spectra of Single Crystals of Ice

In this paper a brief account is given of one of the main results of an investigation on the infra-red and Raman spectra of single crystals of ice carried out recently a the University of Michigan. The first aim was to see whether infra-red analyse could be used to discriminate between various proposals which have been pu forward for the positions of the hydrogen atoms in the hexagonal crystal lattic formed by the oxygen atoms. The second objective was to obtain a complete interpretation of the vibration spectrum of ice between 50 and 10000 cm-. Nothing will be said about the latter problem, since it is too complex to be discussed satisfactorily in a short paper. The infra-red spectrum of water vapour stretches from 0·7 cm-1 to well beyond 17000 cm-1 and it has been interpreted in great detail. The general explanation is shown in table 6. In the same table, the main features of the infra-red spectrum c ice are described. As might be expected, the very extended pure rotation line spectrum of the vapour is replaced by a relatively small number of bands, which arise from the hindered rotation and translation of the water molecules in ice (intermolecular vibrations). That the water molecule preserves its individuality i seen from the fact that the values of the intra-molecular fundamentals are ged only slightly in value in going from the vapour to the solid state, i. e. v 2 1595 to 1640 cm-1 and v 3 from 3755 to 3250 cm-1. The third fundamental ( v 1) ry weak in absorption but strong in the Raman spectrum, examination of h shows that it has changed from 3651 cm-1 in the vapour to 3143 cm-1 in the state. Such changes are characteristic of molecules which become hydrogen-ded in the condensed phase, viz. a lowering of the stretching frequencies ( v 1 v 3) bout 10% and a similar increase in the deformation frequency ( v 2). In this the increase in the deformation frequency appears to be very small (2·5%), this may well be due to changes in certain anharmonic and interaction con-ts in going from the vapour to the solid state.
Dynamically reconfigurable hybrid optical / electrical networks for high-bandwidth data centers

Bandwidth intensive applications including scientific computing and real-time video processing are expected to strain data center networking infrastructure. Traditional solutions to increase capacity (high performance electrical components, dense WDM, high speed optical switching, over provisioning) are currently too costly. We are exploring a data center with a hybrid optical/electrical networking architecture that provides slowly reconfigurable high bandwidth connections [1,2,3]. We believe that such an architecture is widely applicable to emerging applications which often have relatively static communication patterns that change on human rather than packet time-scales. This architecture consists of traditional electronic components plus a relatively smaller number of higher bandwidth optical components (Figure 1). A new software layer between the application and the hardware will reconfigure the network automatically based on communication requirements provided by the application and the reconfigurable hardware components.
Graphical model and algorithm for detecting DNA structural variation

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the detection of structural variation in genome. Among NGS strategies, reading depth is widely used and paramorphism information contained inside is generally ignored. We develop an algorithm that can fully exploit both reading depth and paramorphism information. We embed mutation procedure in our system model for estimating prior likelihood of single nucleotide base. Hidden Markov model is used to connect single base into segments and belief propagation algorithm is performed for the optimal solution of the HMM model. Simulations show promising results in detecting important types of structural variation. We have applied the algorithm on the maize B73 and MO17 genome data and compared the results with those obtained from arrayCGH method based micro-array data. Inconsistency between the two sets of data is discussed.
A comparative study of the performance of high resolution advection schemes in the context of data assimilation

High resolution advection schemes have been developed and studied to model propagation of flows involving sharp fronts and shocks. So far the impact of these schemes in the framework of inverse problem solution has been studied only in the context of linear models. A detailed study of the impact of various slope limiters and the piecewise parabolic method (PPM) on data assimilation is the subject of this work, using the nonlinear viscous Burgers equation in 1−D. Also provided are results obtained in 2−D using a global shallow water equations model. The results obtained in this work may point out to suitability of these advection schemes for data assimilation in more complex higher dimensional models. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis in Cuscuta reflexa , a Parasitic Plant Lacking Neoxanthin

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a plant hormone found in all higher plants; it plays an important role in seed dormancy, embryo development, and adaptation to environmental stresses, most notably drought. The regulatory step in ABA synthesis is the cleavage reaction of a 9-cis-epoxy-carotenoid catalyzed by the 9-cis-epoxy-carotenoid dioxygenases (NCEDs). The parasitic angiosperm Cuscuta reflexa lacks neoxanthin, one of the common precursors of ABA in all higher plants. Thus, is C. reflexa capable of synthesizing ABA, or does it acquire ABA from its host plants? Stem tips of C. reflexa were cultured in vitro and found to accumulate ABA in the absence of host plants. This demonstrates that this parasitic plant is capable of synthesizing ABA. Dehydration of detached stem tips caused a big rise in ABA content. During dehydration, 18O was incorporated into ABA from 18O2, indicating that ABA was synthesized de novo in C. reflexa. Two NCED genes, CrNCED1 and CrNCED2, were cloned from C. reflexa. Expression of CrNCEDs was up-regulated significantly by dehydration. In vitro enzyme assays with recombinant CrNCED1 protein showed that the protein is able to cleave both 9-cis-violaxanthin and 9′-cis-neoxanthin to give xanthoxin. Thus, despite the absence of neoxanthin in C. reflexa, the biochemical activity of CrNCED1 is similar to that of NCEDs from other higher plants. These results provide evidence for conservation of the ABA biosynthesis pathway among members of the plant kingdom.
IT AIN'T ABOUT RACE: Some Lingering (Linguistic) Consequences of the African Slave Trade and Their Relevance to Your Personal Historical Hardship Index

While most Americans agree that government officials failed to act promptly to provide food, water, shelter, and other relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, they disagree about the racial relevance of this negligence. Nevertheless, the unavoidable images of the storm's disproportionately high number of African American victims among those unable to flee a foretold disaster brought into view the specter of racial inequality. While most theorists and commentators have used race and poverty as the primary lenses through which to view Katrina's human toll, this paper utilizes linguistic rubrics and relative immigration status to address inequities globally suffered by people of African descent. In the case of American Blacks, our emphasis is on Blacks with ancestral ties to enslaved Africans, since those who suffered most in the wake of Katrina were not merely Black, but also direct descendants of American slaves of African origin. Framing the discussion in terms of linguistic ancestry, its relationship to slavery, and instances of (c)overt social and educational apartheid born of statutory racial segregation, I develop a Historical Hardship Index as an alternative way to advance equality in the period after the end of African slave trade. The proposed Historical Hardship Index can be applied—with slight regional modifications—to anyone, anywhere, without reference to race.
Metastatic Female Adnexal Tumor of Probable Wolffian Origin

Abstract Female adnexal tumor of probable wolffian origin is a rare neoplasm that can present diagnostic difficulties. We report herein a case of a 60-year-old woman with female adnexal tumor of probable wolffian origin arising within the leaves of a broad ligament and, 5 years later, presenting with metastasis to the liver. The morphologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and DNA ploidy findings of the original and metastatic tumor, differential diagnoses, and the results of the English-language literature review are presented.
Effects of differential selection in the sexes on cytonuclear polymorphism and disequilibria

We develop a series of models that examine the effects of differential selection between the sexes on cytonuclear polymorphism and disequilibria. A detailed analysis is provided for populations under constant fertility or viability selection censused at life stages without frequency differences in the sexes. We show analytically that cytonuclear disequilibria can be generated de novo if the cytoplasmic and nuclear loci each affect female fitness and there is no nonmultiplicative fitness interaction between them. While computer simulations demonstrate that the majority of disequilibria produced by random selection are transient and small in magnitude, measurable permanent disequilibria can result from selective differences both within and between the two sexes. We derive analytic conditions for a protected cytonuclear polymorphism and use numerical simulations to quantitate the likelihood of obtaining permanent nuclear, cytoplasmic, and cytonuclear variation under various patterns of selection. The numerical analysis identifies special selection regimes more likely to generate disequilibria and maintain cytonuclear polymorphism and reveals a direct correlation to the strength of selection. As a byproduct, our models also provide the first decomposition of the different parental contributions to cytonuclear dynamics and the analytic conditions under which selection can cause cytoplasmic frequency changes or a cytonuclear hitchhiking effect.
Effects of Environmental and Social Conditions on Homosexual Pairing in the Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica Newman)

Homosexual pairing between males occurs under natural conditions in a wide variety of taxa, including many insect species, but few studies have investigated how environmental and social conditions affect same-sex pairing in insects. We investigated factors affecting homosexual pairing in male Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) in the field and in the laboratory. Specifically, we investigated how time of day, sex ratio, beetle density, and temperature affected the likelihood of homosexual pairing. In the field, male–male pairs constituted 1–6% of the pairs we collected. Homosexual pairs were more common in the afternoon than in the morning and the evening. Sex ratio, density, and temperature were all related to the likelihood of finding a homosexual pair, but the relationships were not linear. In the laboratory, higher male densities and relatively male-biased sex ratios were associated with an increase in the frequency of homosexual pairs. Homosexual pairs were more frequent at relatively low and relatively high temperatures. Males that mounted other males tended to be smaller than the males that they mounted. In addition, compared to males that were not homosexually paired, there was some indication that the mounting males were smaller, and the mounted males larger, than the unpaired males. Our data suggest that homosexual pairs are a result of males mistaking other males for females, and we hypothesize that the environmental and social factors cause changes in homosexual pairing through their effects on the frequency of pair formation and pair duration.
Effect of Blanch Temperature on Kinetics of Thermal Softening of Carrots and Green Beans

Cut green beans and diced carrots were blanched at 100°C and 74°C then canned and processed for 5 min to 300 min at 100°C. In every case the rate of thermal softening was consistent with the two substrate first-order kinetic theory of thermal softening of vegetable tissue. The low temperature blanch caused some changes in the apparent firstorder rate constants for both substrates, but the major difference was a much higher intercept of the extrapolated substrate SS line on the firmness axis. We define SS at zero process time as the “thermal firmness value” because it is a good indicator of what the firmness of the vegetable will be after canning.
Meiotic Recombination between Duplicated Genetic Elements in SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

We have studied the meiotic recombination behavior of strains carrying two types of duplications of an 18.6-kilobase HIS4 BamHI fragment. The first type is a direct duplication of the HIS4 BamHI fragment in which the repeated sequences are separated by Escherichia coli plasmid sequences. The second type, a tandem duplication, has no sequences intervening between the repeated yeast DNA. The HIS4 genes in each region were marked genetically so that recombination events between the duplicated segments could be identified. Meiotic progeny of the strains carrying the duplication were analyzed genetically and biochemically to determine the types of recombination events that had occurred. Analysis of the direct vs. tandem duplication suggests that the E. coli plasmid sequences are recombinogenic in yeast when homozygous. In both types of duplications recombination between the duplicated HIS4 regions occurs at high frequency and involves predominantly interchromosomal reciprocal exchanges (equal and unequal crossovers). The striking observation is that intrachromosomal reciprocal recombination is very rare in comparison with interchromosomal reciprocal recombination. However, intrachromosomal gene conversion occurs at about the same frequency as interchromosomal gene conversion. Reciprocal recombination events between regions on the same chromatid are the most infrequent exchanges. These data suggest that intrachromosomal reciprocal exchanges are suppressed.
Analog Cochlear Model for Multiresolution Speech Analysis

This paper discusses the parameterization of speech by an analog cochlear model. The tradeoff between time and frequency resolution is viewed as the fundamental difference between conventional spectrographic analysis and cochlear signal processing for broadband, rapid-changing signals. The model's response exhibits a wavelet-like analysis in the scale domain that preserves good temporal resolution; the frequency of each spectral component in a broadband signal can be accurately determined from the interpeak intervals in the instantaneous firing rates of auditory fibers. Such properties of the cochlear model are demonstrated with natural speech and synthetic complex signals.
Juvenile leaves of Rhus glabra have higher photosynthetic thermal tolerance than mature leaves

We have previously shown that juvenile leaves of Rhus glabra L. growing in a field setting were consistently 2–3 °C warmer than mature leaves during periods of high irradiance. An experiment was done to test the hypothesis that these differences in leaf temperature lead to increased photosynthetic temperature tolerance in juvenile leaves when compared with cooler, mature leaves. Significant differences were found between the leaf stages with detached juvenile leaves having a slightly higher T15 (the temperature causing a 15% drop in maximum photochemical efficiency) than mature leaves (43.5 vs. 41.1 °C). Additionally, measurement of the effect of temperature on actual quantum yield (ΦPSII) showed maximum activity at 35 °C for mature leaves, whereas juvenile leaves exhibited a broader temperature response with similar activities between 30 and 40 °C. The 2 °C difference in T15 roughly coincided with observed average differences between juvenile and mature leaf temperature we observed in the field, indicati...
Riding Other People’s Coattails: Individuals With Low Self-Control Value Self-Control in Other People

Two laboratory experiments and one dyadic study of ongoing relationships of romantic partners examined how temporary and chronic deficits in self-control affect individuals' evaluations of other people. We suggest that when individuals lack self-control resources, they value such resources in other people. Our results support this hypothesis: We found that individuals low (but not high) in self-control use information about other people's self-control abilities when judging them, evaluating other people with high self-control more positively than those with low self-control. In Study 1, participants whose self-control was depleted preferred people with higher self-control, whereas nondepleted participants did not show this preference. In Study 2, we conceptually replicated this effect while using a behavioral measure of trait self-control. In Study 3, individuals with low (but not high) self-control reported greater dependence on dating partners with high self-control than on those with low self-control. We theorize that individuals with low self-control may use interpersonal relationships to compensate for their lack of personal self-control resources.
Methyl vinyl ketone induces apoptosis in murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons through glutathione depletion and the generation of reactive oxygen species

alpha,beta-Unsaturated carbonyl compounds have been implicated in a number of environmentally-related diseases. Often, the presence of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl functionality as part of either an aliphatic or cyclic structure is considered a structural alert for cytotoxicity. We examined the cytotoxicity of methyl vinyl ketone (MVK), an aliphatic, straight-chain alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compound, in murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons. In addition to its widespread environmental occurrence, MVK was selected due to its extensive use in the chemical industry. Also, MVK is a close structural analog of hydroxymethylvinyl ketone that, in part, mediates the cytotoxic effects of 1,3-butadiene in vivo. It was found that MVK at low micromolar concentrations induced extensive cell death that retained key features of apoptosis such as chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. The MVK-induced apoptosis was associated with depletion of glutathione, disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Supplementation of neuronal cells with Trolox offered partial, but significant, protection against the MVK-induced cytotoxicity, presumably due to scavenging of ROS in situ. The suggested sequence of events in the MVK-induced apoptosis in neuronal cells involves the depletion of cellular glutathione followed by an increased generation of ROS and finally the loss of mitochondrial function.
Stereopsis for fixating systems

The implications of gaze control and vergence for stereopsis in binocular vision are examined for humans and robots. Vergence control allows the observer to distribute the total scene disparity as desired. The author develops equations for depth and for isodisparity surfaces for verging systems, and uses the latter to show that the useful range of stereopsis in humans is extremely limited. Disparity filtering, a technique that verging systems can use to selectively suppress image features at large disparities, is described. The author examines the relationship between stereopsis with vergence and kinetic depth under fixation. The two modalities give rise to nearly identical equations and are complementary, each being most accurate when the other is least reliable. >
Improving Routing Security Using a Decentralized Public Key Distribution Algorithm

Today's society has developed a reliance on networking infrastructures. Health, financial, and many other institutions deploy mission critical and even life critical applications on local networks and the global Internet. The security of this infrastructure has been called into question over the last decade. In particular, the protocols directing traffic through the network have been found to be vulnerable. One such protocol is the open shortest path first (OSPF) protocol. This paper proposes a security extension to OSPF containing a decentralized certificate authentication scheme (DecentCA) that eliminates the single point of failure/attack present in current OSPF security extensions. An analysis of the security of the DecentCA is performed.
Experimental demonstration of multiple pulse nonlinear optoacoustic signal generation and control

Generating underwater acoustic signals from a remote, aerial location by use of a high-energy pulsed infrared laser has been demonstrated. The laser beam is directed from the air and focused onto the water surface, where the optical energy was converted into a propagating acoustic wave. Sound pressure levels of 185 dB re microPa (decibel re microPa) were consistently recorded under freshwater laboratory conditions at laser-pulse repetition rates of up to 1000 pulses/s. The nonlinear optoacoustic transmission concept is outlined, and the experimental results from investigation of the time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of the generated underwater sound are provided. A high repetition rate, high-energy per pulse laser was used in this test under freshwater laboratory conditions. A means of deterministically controlling the spectrum of the underwater acoustic signal was investigated and demonstrated by varying the laser-pulse repetition rate.
Human RAP1 inhibits non‐homologous end joining at telomeres

Telomeres, the nucleoprotein structures at the ends of linear chromosomes, promote genome stability by distinguishing chromosome termini from DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Cells possess two principal pathways for DSB repair: homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Several studies have implicated TRF2 in the protection of telomeres from NHEJ, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we show that TRF2 inhibits NHEJ, in part, by recruiting human RAP1 to telomeres. Heterologous targeting of hRAP1 to telomeric DNA was sufficient to bypass the need for TRF2 in protecting telomeric DNA from NHEJ in vitro. On expanding these studies in cells, we find that recruitment of hRAP1 to telomeres prevents chromosome fusions caused by the loss of TRF2/hRAP1 from chromosome ends despite activation of a DNA damage response. These results provide the first evidence that hRAP1 inhibits NHEJ at mammalian telomeres and identify hRAP1 as a mediator of genome stability.
Writing Differences in Teacher Performance Assessments: An Investigation of African American Language and Edited American English

Differential performance results occur when a specific population subgroup achieves a passing rate which is significantly lower than that of the normative reference group. African Americans do less well, in general, on all types of assessments, including constructed-response tests. The present study examined the writing styles of African American test takers in a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) portfolio entry from the Middle Childhood/Generalist Certificate, as compared with the writing styles of European American test takers. The use of features other than Edited American English was examined as a possible source of construct-irrelevant variance in assessors’ scoring judgments. Thirty-two written commentaries, 18 from African American candidates and 14 from European American candidates, were coded for grammatical, lexical, and discourse features. The coding frame identified features of African American Language (AAL) and Speech Code Errors (SCE). Instances of AAL were fewer than instances of SCE and clustered according to potential users of AAL.
Estimating detection probability of interconnect opens using stuck-at tests

An interconnect break is a break that occurs in the interconnect wiring, which results in logic gate inputs being disconnected from the drivers and causes the wire to float. Interconnect breaks are the most common types of breaks in modern $CMOS$ integrated circuits, so testing and detecting these breaks has become very important. This paper proposes a model by which standard tests for stuck-at-faults can be used to detect interconnect breaks in a circuit. We do a worst-case analysis of the detection of these breaks and calculate the minimum number of test vectors required to detect breaks with a specified confidence level, using n-detection principles. To enhance the understanding of the breaks in the circuit, we present a statistical model based on the length distribution of the wires surrounding the floating wire where the break occurs. From the model we compute the detection probabilities of such breaks and show that the worst case of detection is when the bias voltage is the same as the logic threshold voltage.
Acute, chronic, and interactive effects of type I and II corticosteroid receptor stimulation on feeding and weight gain.

Abstract Type I (aldosterone) and/or type II (dexamethasone or RU28362) corticosterone receptor agonists were continuously infused in adrenalectomized Sprague-Dawley rats for 28 days at doses of 3.4, 17.2, or 86.2 nmol/day. Additional groups received combined agonist infusions, blank infusions, or sham operations. The type I agonist stimulated body weight gain, and the type II agonists were both suppressive, differing mainly in degree. Although there were a few early effects of these hormones (usually a stage of exaggerated activity), once passed, chronic stimulation was marked by steady or slightly increasing steroid influence on body weight. Throughout the chronic phase of this study there was no departure from a simple opponent model of type I and II ligand actions, and their combination approximated an arithmetic summation of the two separate agonists. This was generally true of feeding as well, although steroid effects on intake were always less pronounced. In contrast to chronic administration, acute combinations of these agonists were highly interactive, producing slight losses then large gains for the aldosterone and RU28362 combinations, but a large gain then small loss for the aldosterone and dexamethasone combination. These results imply that RU28362 and dexamethasone differ in more respects than potency. Because normal endogenous type II stimulation is acute and occurs against a background of type I receptor occupation, mixed agonist interactions are probably the rule for everyday physiological activity, not the exception.
The value of the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need in the assessment of subjective orthodontic treatment need.

SUMMARY Previous studies carried out using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) have reported that the Aesthetic Component (AC) has limited use in schoolchildren. The purpose of this study was to estimate whether dental concern expressed by the grade of the AC chosen by subjects is reliable and whether it may be predictive for potential co-operation. Such a correlation would indicate if the AC of the IOTN may help to identify individuals interested in orthodontic treatment who would co-operate well, and consequently who might derive the greatest benefits. The investigation was carried out in north-west Poland among 84 schoolchildren (42 girls and 42 boys) aged 12 years and was based on a questionnaire and clinical examination. The questionnaire contained items relating to the subjective assessment of dental appearance, demand for orthodontic treatment, the influence of the dentition on the general appearance, and any functional disorders (speech, mastication, muscular pain, etc.). Clinical examination was carried out at the schools each time by the same dentist. For statistical analysis chi-square (Yates corrected) and McNemar tests were used. A probability at the 5 per cent level or less (P ￻ 0.05) was considered statistically significant. The outcome shows that the AC of the IOTN moderately reflects the subjective perception of dental aesthetics and demand for orthodontic treatment. The results indicate that using professional rating the AC scale does not seem to be more precise or reliable than self-evaluation. The correlation between dental concern and the AC would be higher if the ‘no treatment need’ category was split into two parts (e.g. 1‐2 ‘no need’, 3‐4 ‘slight need’) or the ‘borderline need’ category was moved two grades lower. The AC would then help to identify patients interested in treatment who would potentially be co-operative.
Demands Along The Supply Chain

This paper describes how the monthly demands vary at the locations along the supply chain, coming from the customers to a dealer onto a distribution center and finally to a supplier. The mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation are measured for each of the locations. The results indicate when the demands tend to be normally distributed and when non-normal.
Hepatic Amyloidosis (AL): The Natural History in 80 Patients

We followed 80 patients with liver biopsy-proven primary amyloidosis (AL) to study its natural history. Liver biopsy does not carry a major risk of bleeding or rupture. Although the liver dominated the clinical presentation, most patients had evidence of systemic involvement. Overall, 77 percent had an associated nephrotic syndrome, congestive heart failure, or neuropathy. The history and physical examination was not helpful in differentiating hepatic amyloidosis from other forms of liver disease. Laboratory studies that suggested the diagnosis were proteinuria (88 percent) and either a monoclonal band or hypogammaglobulinemia on serum protein electrophoresis (64 percent) or hyposplenism on the peripheral blood smear (51 percent). The value of protein electrophoresis was enhanced by immuno-electrophoresis of the serum and urine. When this was done, a monoclonal protein was detected in 76 percent. Kappa light chains were not associated with giant hepatomegaly. Hepatomegaly occurred in the absence of abnormal liver function tests (32 percent). Although the alkaline phospha-tase at diagnosis had no impact on survival, a two-fold elevation in SGOT or bilirubin predicted a median survival of four months. Myeloma was diagnosed in 12 but had no effect on the clinical course. The commonest coagulation abnormality was prolongation of the thrombin time. No coagulation parameter predicted bleeding risk. The median survival was nine months with projected five-and ten-year survivals of 13 percent and 1 percent. Five patients had indolent disease surviving 60+ months. These survivors had no distinguishing features that permitted their recognition prospec-tively. There was no impact of treatment on the course of the disease.
Breeding Behavior of Elegant Trogons in Southeastern Arizona

AI•STRACr.--We studied the behavior and phenology of nesting Elegant Trogons (Trogon elegans) in the Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita mountains in southeastern Arizona in 1993 and 1994. We found 34 nests and 11 cavities that were investigated by trogons but never occupied. Adults reared young successfully in 24 nests, but abandoned 5 nests after egg laying; 5 nests had unknown fates. Incubation lasted an average of 19 days; feeding of young lasted 15 days. Nesting phenology was extremely variable: six nests were started in May and contained nestlings or had fledged young by late June; eight nests were started in June and finished by late July; six nests were started in July and had fledged young by late August. Rates and durations of incubation, brooding, and feeding of nestlings were equal between adult male and female trogons except in two cases. Rates between years were different in six cases. Males called significantly more often than females. Elegant Trogons nesting in Arizona have different behaviors from other Neotropical members of the Trogonidae, especially with regards to their durations of incubation and feeding. Also, they feed nestlings insects rather than fruit. Received 24 February 1995, accepted 27 April 1995.
Multi-layered mesh generation and user subroutine development based on an Eulerian–Eulerian approach for soot filtration visualization in a three-dimensional particulate filter model

A three-dimensional model is developed for computational fluid dynamics analysis of soot filtration processes in a wall flow–type particulate filter based on an Eulerian–Eulerian numerical approach...
Formation and Thermal Stability of Platinum Oxides on Size-Selected Platinum Nanoparticles: Support Effects

This article presents a systematic study of the formation and thermal stability of Pt oxide species on size-selected Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on SiO2, ZrO2, and TiO2 thin films. The studies were carried out in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) by temperature-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements and ex situ transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The NPs were synthesized by inverse micelle encapsulation and oxidized in UHV at room temperature by an oxygen plasma treatment. For a given particle size distribution, the role played by the NP support on the stability of Pt oxides was analyzed. PtO2 species are formed on all supports investigated after O2-plasma exposure. A two-step thermal decomposition (PtO2 → PtO → Pt) is observed from 300 to 600 K upon annealing in UHV. The stability of oxidized Pt species was found to be enhanced on ZrO2 under annealing treatments in O2. Strong NP/support interactions and the formation of Pt−Ti−O alloys are detected for Pt/TiO2 up...