cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-7 supports survival of T-cell receptor-β-expressing CD4− CD8− double-negative thymocytes

Summary Among the milestones that occur during T-cell development in the thymus is the expression of T-cell receptor-β (TCR-β) and the formation of the pre-TCR complex. Signals emanating from the pre-TCR trigger survival, proliferation and differentiation of T-cell precursors. Although the pre-TCR is essential for these cell outcomes, other receptors, such as Notch and CXCR4, also contribute. Whether interleukin-7 (IL-7) participates in promoting the survival or proliferation of pre-TCR-expressing cells is controversial. We used in vitro and in vivo models of T-cell development to examine the function of IL-7 in TCR-β-expressing thymocytes. Culturing TCR-β-expressing CD4− CD8− double-negative thymocytes in an in vitro model of T-cell development revealed that IL-7 reduced the frequency of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive thymocytes at the time of harvest. The mechanism for this change in the percentage of double-positive cells was that IL-7 promoted the survival of thymocytes that had not yet differentiated. By preserving the double-negative population, IL-7 reduced the frequency of double-positive thymocytes. Interleukin-7 was not required for proliferation in the in vitro system. To follow this observation, we examined mice lacking CD127 (IL-7Rα). In addition to the known effect of CD127 deficiency on T-cell development before TCR-β expression, CD127 deficiency also impaired the development of TCR-β-expressing double-negative thymocytes. Specifically, we found that Bcl-2 expression and cell cycle progression were reduced in TCR-β-expressing double-negative thymocytes in mice lacking CD127. We conclude that IL-7 continues to function after TCR-β is expressed by promoting the survival of TCR-β-expressing double-negative thymocytes.
A Therapy for Liver Failure Found in the JNK Yard

In the liver, the hepatocyte mass is kept stable through a tight balance between hepatocyte death and proliferation that is frequently lost upon acute or chronic liver injury. Wuestefeld et al. (2013) now identify a potentially druggable target that enhances hepatocyte proliferation and promotes liver regeneration, thereby preventing liver failure.
Interval estimation of scale parameters following a pre-test for two exponential distributions

Abstract If two censored samples come from the exponential distributions with identical scale parameters, it is advantageous to pool the two samples to construct a confidence interval for the scale parameter. In practice, when it is uncertain whether these two samples come from the distributions with identical scale parameters, a preliminary test may be used to partially resolve the uncertainty. A confidence interval for the scale parameter following a preliminary test concerning the equality of scale parameters is investigated. This interval is referred to as a pre-test confidence interval. The expected length of the pre-test confidence interval is shorter than that of the usual confidence interval. The coverage probability of the pre-test confidence interval is less than the nominal level. However, at some selected levels of significance, the coverage probability of the pre-test confidence interval is only slightly less than the nominal level but the maximum reduction in expected length is substantial.
Monoclinic tridymite in clast-rich impact melt rock from the Chesapeake Bay impact structure

X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirm a rare terrestrial occurrence of monoclinic tridymite in clast-rich impact melt rock from the Eyreville B drill core in the Chesapeake Bay impact structure. The monoclinic tridymite occurs with quartz paramorphs after tridymite and K-feldspar in a microcrystalline groundmass of devitrified glass and Fe-rich smectite. Electron-microprobe analyses revealed that the tridymite and quartz paramorphs after tridymite contain different amounts of chemical impurities. Inspection by SEM showed that the tridymite crystal surfaces are smooth, whereas the quartz paramorphs contain irregular tabular voids. These voids may represent microporosity formed by volume decrease in the presence of fluid during transformation from tridymite to quartz, or skeletal growth in the original tridymite. Cristobalite locally rims spherulites within the same drill core interval. The occurrences of tridymite and cristobalite appear to be restricted to the thickest clast-rich impact melt body in the core at 1402.02–1407.49 m depth. Their formation and preservation in an alkali-rich, high-silica melt rock suggest initially high temperatures followed by rapid cooling.
Task Representation in Foreign Language Reading‐to‐Write

: A factor that affects both the process of reading-to-write and the quality of the papers the students produce is task representation - the manner in which students interpret an assigned task, and therefore, the type of paper they write. In this study, the author explored how third-year-level university students of Spanish represented an assigned reading-to-write task, as indicated by the type of papers they produced, and the relationship between the linguistic quality of those papers and the type of task representation. The findings suggest that the ability to interpret a reading-to-write task appropriately is dependent upon complex cognitive factors that need to be further explored. In particular; the results indicate that (1)given the same reading-to-write assignment, FL students interpret the task in dijJerent ways, and therefore, produce different types of papers; (2)the ability to write syntactically complex sentences does not lead to cognitively sophisticated composing; (3)the ability to write with grammatical accuracy is not an indicator of the students' ability to express elaborated ideas; and (4)the ability to write with grammatical accuracy may lead to the students' ability to write more syntactically complex sentences. These findings lead to valuable implications for teaching writing in the foreign language classroom.
Simulations of sulfate aerosol dynamics—I: Model description

Abstract A previously reported two-moment, bimodal aerosol model is extended with new parameterizations developed from a sectional model. The two moment model follows the evolution of the aerosol mass and number concentration in two modes, where each mode is characterized by a variable mass mean diameter. Sulfuric acid vapor concentration is also treated as an independent variable. The aerosol population is assumed to undergo condensational growth, coagulation, nucleation, and deposition. Parameterizations were developed for the nucleation process and to represent the transfer of mass and number from mode 1 to mode 2 as a result of condensational growth. The importance of properly simulating intermodal mass transfer is demonstrated. Comparisons of model predictions with those from sectional models of variable resolution are discussed in Part II.
James O. Davis: 1916–2010

James Othello Davis, MD, PhD, an outstanding scientist who made many exceptional contributions to the advancement of biomedical research in his lifetime, was born July 12, 1916 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and died September 28, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr Davis earned his undergraduate degree from Northeastern State Teacher's College in his home town, followed by receipt of a master's degree in zoology from the University of Missouri (MU) in Columbia in 1939. He continued his studies in what was becoming one of the most distinguished zoology departments in the country and was awarded his PhD in zoology in 1942. While pursuing his doctoral studies, he met and married Florilla Sides, who was also pursuing an advanced degree in zoology at the University of Missouri. She was his active, life-long partner until her death in 2006, and will be remembered by all who knew her as a highly intelligent, energetic, charming, and independent person whose life was inextricably intertwined with that of her husband. After completing his doctoral training, Dr Davis remained at the University of Missouri to finish a BS degree in medicine and then completed his MD degree at Washington University in St. Louis in 1945. Since the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had its early roots with Washington University, it is not surprising that Dr Davis began his independent research career with the NIH in Baltimore. He advanced quickly within an organization that has always been home …
The intron boundaries and flanking rRNA coding sequences of Calliphora erythrocephala rDNA

We have sequenced the available cloned examples of the intron-coding sequence junctions for the rDNA of the higher Dipteran, Calliphora erythrocephala. The introns interrupt the rDNA at the same position as the type 1 intron family detected in Drosophila melanogaster and D. virilis (10,11). A duplication of 14 base pairs of the 28S rRNA coding sequence surrounds a short version of the major genomic length class of introns. This same duplication is associated with boundaries of the type 1 introns in D. virilis and D. melanogaster (10, 13,14). We have detected considerable homology between the 3' intron sequences of C. erythrocephala and D. virilis. The rRNA coding sequences flanking the introns are extremely homologous in C. erythrocephala, D. melanogaster and D. virilis, with only one small region of significant divergence. This corresponds to a variable stem region previously identified in eukaryotic 28S rRNA at a site analogous to the L1 ribosomal protein binding site of prokaryotic 23S rRNA (27).
Synthesis and Stabilization of Supported Metal Catalysts by Atomic Layer Deposition

Supported metal nanoparticles are among the most important cata-lysts for many practical reactions, including petroleum refining, automobile exhaust treatment, and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. The catalytic performance strongly depends on the size, composition, and structure of the metal nanoparticles, as well as the underlying support. Scientists have used conventional synthesis methods including impregnation, ion exchange, and deposition–precipitation to control and tune these factors, to establish structure–performance relationships, and to develop better catalysts. Meanwhile, chemists have improved the stability of metal nanoparticles against sintering by the application of protective layers, such as polymers and oxides that encapsulate the metal particle. This often leads to decreased catalytic activity due to a lack of precise control over the thickness of the protective layer.A promising method of catalyst synthesis is atomic layer deposition (ALD). ALD is a variation on chemical vapor deposition in ...
Latency and duration of estrogen induction of maternal behavior in hysterectomized-ovariectomized virgin rats: effects of pup stimulation.

Abstract The latency for the onset of maternal behavior was measured in virgin rats which received either 100 μg/kg estradiol benzoate (EB) or Oil immediately following ovariectomy and hysterectomy. Different groups of EB and Oil-treated females were presented with 3–8 day old test pups at 0, 24, and 48 hr after their injections. Only the females given EB exhibited short-latency maternal behavior; latencies as short as 24 hr were observed in 46% of the animals which were presented with pups at 0 hr and within 48 hr, 92% of the group were maternal. The effects of EB on maternal responsiveness could be detected between 48 to 72 hr after injection: these effects were equal to those occurring over the first and second 24-hr periods.
Abstract 5187: Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and integrin α5β1 regulate plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity in medulloblastoma cells

The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system is a dynamic extracellular protease system that regulates both proteolytic and non-proteolytic events associated with cancer progression. In earlier studies, we have demonstrated that radiation-induced cell adhesion was associated with uPAR expression and downregulation of uPAR effectively inhibited radiation-induced cell adhesion of medulloblastoma cells. Herein, we further investigated the impact of uPAR downregulation on plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), a key regulator component of the uPA system, and its role in cell adhesion. With radiation treatment, the levels of uPAR and PAI-1 increased in D283 and UW228 cells. Surprisingly, knockdown of uPAR elevated the levels of PAI-1. The increase in PAI-1 levels in uPAR-knocked down cells was regulated by activation of cJUN/CREB signaling molecules. Moreover, studies show that the reduced interaction between uPAR and integrin α5β1 plays a critical role in PAI-1 release into the extracellular matrix, thereby enhancing the cell detachment process. Incubation of medulloblastoma cells with Tiplaxtinin-PAI-039, a potent PAI-1 activity inhibitor, increased the association of uPAR with integrin α5β1 and cell adhesion. Interestingly, prolonged inhibition of PAI-1 activity adversely affected cell viability; we were able to revert this effect by exogenously supplementing cells with recombinant PAI-1. Moreover r-PAI-1 showed no significant effect on cell adhesion whereas it increased the association of uPAR with integrin α5β1. Expression of full-length (FL) uPAR elevated uPA and PAI-1 levels both at the transcriptional and the translational levels. These increased PAI-1 levels play a pivotal role in regulating uPA activity by binding and translocating integrin α5β1 towards the uPA/uPAR complex. Taken together, the results of the present study lead us to conclude that levels of uPAR and integrin α5β1, and their association on the cell surface dictate the function of PAI-1 to maintain extracellular homeostasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5187. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5187
Murine B-Cell mitogenic properties of corn proteins

Abstract Extracts of corn have been found to induce mitosis in human peripheral blood and mouse splenic lymphocytes. The present investigation was initiated to characterize the mitogenic components of corn. Various classes of proteins such as albumins, globulins, zeins, and glutelins were isolated from defatted corn meal. With the exception of corn zeins, all classes of corn proteins possessed mitogenic activity for murine spleen cells. Because of the extreme insolubility of corn glutelins the present investigation was carried out only with corn albumins and globulins. These two classes of proteins stimulated spleen lymphocytes from C3H/HeN, C3H/HeJ, and athymic nu/nu mice as well as nylon-wool fractionated mouse B lymphocytes. Both corn albumins and globulins consist of a complex mixture of proteins. By gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 a low-molecular-weight protein (MW 12,000), which possessed maximum mitogenic activity, has been isolated from corn albumins.
Integrated volume compression and visualization

Volumetric data sets require enormous storage capacity even at moderate resolution levels. The excessive storage demands not only stress the capacity of the underlying storage and communications systems, but also seriously limit the speed of volume rendering due to data movement and manipulation. A novel volumetric data visualization scheme is proposed and implemented in this work that renders 2D images directly from compressed 3D data sets. The novelty of this algorithm is that rendering is performed on the compressed representation of the volumetric data without pre-decompression. As a result, the overheads associated with both data movement and rendering processing are significantly reduced. The proposed algorithm generalizes previously proposed whole-volume frequency-domain rendering schemes by first dividing the 3D data set into subcubes, transforming each subcube to a frequency-domain representation, and applying the Fourier projection theorem to produce the projected 2D images according to given viewing angles. Compared to the whole-volume approach, the subcube-based scheme not only achieves higher compression efficiency by exploiting local coherency, but also improves the quality of resultant rendering images because it approximates the occlusion effect on a subcube by subcube basis.
Mechanisms of transfer between environment and cell

Un essai de choix entre plusieurs mecanismes theoriques du transport actif dans les cellules, dans des conditions d'equilibre de flux, n'apparait pas satisfaisant a la lumiere de cette etude. Des analyses cinetiques capables de constituer les separations desirees entre ces mecanismes sont presentees.
Selective preservation of burrows in deep-sea carbonates

Abstract Burrow preservation is a function of the rates of burrow production and burrow destruction and the rate of burial. These rates are related to water depth and therefore burrow preservation can be a depth indicator in deep-sea sediments. Box cores from fourteen localities in the eastern equatorial Pacific, taken from water depths of 3500–4850 m, showed a three-layer stratigraphy: a mixed layer with intense bioturbation (upper 5–7 cm), a transition layer (extending down to 20–35 cm), and a historical layer below. To be preserved, a burrow must reach below the mixed layer and into the transition layer. Abundance of vertical burrows is inversely proportional to water depth down to 4500 m, where vertical burrows disappear completely due to sediment shear and/or lack of burrow production. Within box cores the various burrow assemblages display an array of colors. Cross-cutting relationships of differently colored burrows help to establish a bioturbation chronology: burrow color fades with age. Two possible models for the observed burrow stratigraphy are presented: a steady-state model and a historical model. The steady-state model focuses on the activity of record-making burrowers versus the destruction of burrows by homogenizing burrowers, redox diagenesis and sediment flow. The historical model focuses on the effects of the early Holocene dissolution pulse on the observed burrow stratigraphy.
Ethnicity and Economic Opportunity

In this analysis, data from the 1970 Census of Population are used to determine whether ethnic discrimination has been an important factor contributing to differential economic performance among immigrant groups. The measures of economic performance employed in this investigation are mean family income and the extent of poverty among cohorts of immigrants. Stepwise multiple regression analysis is used to select among possible influences on these measures of economic performance. Dummy variables are defined in a manner that allows the impact of discrimination on economic performance to be measured directly. The results of this analysis support the hypothesis that discrimination against particular groups has been a major contributing factor to differential economic performance among groups. As a consequence, we are led to reject the competing explanation of differential economic performance advanced by some analysts that differentials in economic performance merely reflect skill differentials among groups.
Surface attachment induces Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infects every type of host that has been examined by deploying multiple virulence factors. Previous studies of virulence regulation have largely focused on chemical cues, but P. aeruginosa may also respond to mechanical cues. Using a rapid imaging-based virulence assay, we demonstrate that P. aeruginosa activates virulence in response to attachment to a range of chemically distinct surfaces, suggesting that this bacterial species responds to mechanical properties of its substrates. Surface-activated virulence requires quorum sensing, but activating quorum sensing does not induce virulence without surface attachment. The activation of virulence by surfaces also requires the surface-exposed protein PilY1, which has a domain homologous to a eukaryotic mechanosensor. Specific mutation of the putative PilY1 mechanosensory domain is sufficient to induce virulence in non-surface-attached cells, suggesting that PilY1 mediates surface mechanotransduction. Triggering virulence only when cells are both at high density and attached to a surface—two host-nonspecific cues—explains how P. aeruginosa precisely regulates virulence while maintaining broad host specificity.
Nature of kidney-bound antibody in the renal disease of bacterial endocarditis

It is thought that the renal disease which sometimes accompanies bacterial endocarditis is due to antigen-antibody complex mechanisms because of the demonstration of immunoglobulin and complement in histologic specimens; however, the specificity of the antibody is not known. We have attempted to further define the pathogenetic mechanism by elution of kidney-bound protein and investigation of its properties. A patient with no previous renal disease who died of bacterial endocarditis and renal failure was studied. He presented with bacterial endocarditis accompanied by elevations of serum immunoglobulins and ultimately developed a monoclonal IgM. Light microscope examination of the kidney revealed segmental nephritis; fluorescent staining showed deposits of the 3 major classes of immunoglobulins and complement along the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in a “lumpy-bumpy” distribution. Protein was eluted from the post-mortem kidney and radiolabeled with I125. Radioautographic studies showed the presence of IgG and IgA. The eluted antibody was shown to selectively combine with bacteria (formalin fixed) cultured from the patient ante-mortem. There was also evidence for anti-GBM antibody activity of the eluate. The eluted antibody was not anti-antibody (i.e. did not selectively combine with IgG coated human red blood cells). The demonstration in the kidney eluate of antibacterial antibody specific for the organism cultured from the patient strongly supports the concept of antigen-antibody complex disease in the patho-genesis of the nephritis which accompanies SBE.
Forest vegetation change in southeast Ohio: Do older forests serve as useful models for predicting the successional trajectory of future forests?

Abstract We compared stand structure and stand dynamics between forests that had originated during three distinct periods of human influence: a pre-European settlement period of native American influence, a post-European settlement period of heavy agricultural use and subsequent land abandonment, and a modern period of forest regrowth and management as part of the Wayne National Forest. Pre-European settlement old-growth forests were reconstructed from 1804 survey records, post-European settlement forests were mature second-growth forests (84–129 years old), and post-1930 origin forests were younger forests (24–64 years old). The 1930 date was selected to separate the effects of more modern management practices, particularly fire exclusion, from older management practices. The overstory composition and structure of the older pre-European and post-European settlement forests were fairly similar: both the forest types were dominated by oaks ( Quercus spp.). In contrast, the younger post-1930 origin forests were very different. Maples ( Acer spp.), early successional pioneer species, and a few scattered oaks comprised the overstories of these stands. The older forests did not serve as an accurate model for predicting the composition and structure of the younger forests. Moreover, the regeneration layers of both the older and younger forests are dominated by maples. If present conditions persist, both these forest types will likely converge into similar, later successional maple-dominated forests. Vegetation modelers and land managers need to use caution when using current older forests as templates to predict the composition of future forests on similar sites.
Bioanalytical high-throughput selected reaction monitoring-LC/MS determination of selected estrogen receptor modulators in human plasma: 2000 samples/day.

The high-throughput determination of small molecules in biological matrixes has become an important part of drug discovery. This work shows that increased throughput LC/MS/MS techniques can be used for the analysis of selected estrogen receptor modulators in human plasma where more than 2000 samples may be analyzed in a 24-h period. The compounds used to demonstrate the high-throughput methodology include tamoxifen, raloxifene, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, nafoxidine, and idoxifene. Tamoxifen and raloxifene are used in both breast cancer therapy and osteoporosis and have shown prophylactic potential for the reduction of the risk of breast cancer. The described strategy provides LC/MS/MS separation and quantitation for each of the five test articles in control human plasma. The method includes sample preparation employing liquid−liquid extraction in the 96-well format, an LC separation of the five compounds in less than 30 s, and selected reaction monitoring detection from low nano- to microgram per milliter levels...
Comparative immunochemical characterization of products of plasmin and leukocyte protease cleavage of human fibrinogen.

Abstract Plasmin-dependent as well as a plasmin-independent alternative pathways for fibrinolysis have been recognized, but means of discriminating between the products of these two pathways have not been established. To this end, a major product of the cleavage of human fibrinogen by neutral leukocyte proteases, a 270,000 MW derivative designated Fragment I, has been immunochemically compared with the D:E complex produced by plasmic cleavage. Both classes of cleavage fragments exhibited absolute antigenic deficiency relative to native fibrinogen. Differences in the expression of residual native fibrinogen determinants were distinctive and localized to both the D and the E domains of the molecule; quantitative differences were predominantly localized to the D domain, whereas differences in competitive inhibition slopes were restricted to the E domain. The cleavage-associated neoantigens, fg-D neo and fg-E neo , were expressed differently by the two types of cleavage products. In contrast to the complete expression of fg-E neo by the plasmic D:E complex, this neoantigen was minimally expressed by Fragment I but somewhat comparable to that of plasmic fragment X. Fragment I was clearly distinguishable from the plasmic cleavage products with respect to the expression of fg-D neo . The competitive inhibition slopes differed, and Fragment I was antigenically incomplete for fg-D neo . It is concluded that the cleavage products of fibrinogen generated by neutral leukocyte proteases and by plasmin are immunochemically distinguishable; and assays for fg-D neo may provide a means for discrimination of the pathways of fibrinolysis mediated by these enzymes.
UTERINE BLOOD FLOW AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN THE UNRESTRAINED PREGNANT EWE

The rates (ml./kg/min) of uterine blood-flow and of oxygen consumption have been estimated in pregnant ewes at known stages in gestation; the ewes were unrestrained and the circumstances were known to be compatible with fetal survival and growth. The two rates appear to vary independently and predictably during the course of gestation. Prior to the 66th day of gestation (full term 145–147 days) the mean rate of blood flow was 513·2 ml./kg/min and of the oxygen consumption of the uterus and its tissue contents 5·0 ml./kg/min; the corresponding values for the period 90 days to full term were 248·1 and 10·4 ml./kg/min respectively.
Sex Control and Society: A Critical Assessment of Sociological Speculations

Medical scientists have predicted that parents will soon be able to pre-select the sex of their children (sex control). Social scientists have in turn projected some its potential social consequences in terms of the sex ratio, the birth rate, the proportion of first-born males, and family relationships. This paper will critically assess some of those projections.
Physical and Social Functioning After Stroke Comparison of the Stroke Impact Scale and Short Form-36

Background and Purpose— This study evaluated assessments of physical functioning and social functioning using the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) to characterize health-related quality of life for patients after stroke. Methods— The SIS and SF-36 were administered to 278 stroke subjects ≈90 days after stroke. The SIS-16 and SF-36 Physical Functioning (PF) domain characterize physical function, whereas the SIS Participation and SF-36 Social Functioning (SF) domains characterize social function. Descriptive statistics and an analysis of variance were used to characterize physical and social functioning after stroke across levels of the modified Rankin Scale (MRS). Rasch analysis was used to compare the hierarchies and ranges of item difficulties in the SIS-16 and the SF-36 PF domains, as well as in the SIS Participation and the SF-36 SF domains. Results— Item hierarchies for the SIS-16 and SF-36 PF domain demonstrate that the SIS-16 contains less difficult items that could differentiate ...
Combining Orthogonal Monolingual and Multilingual Sources of Evidence for All Words WSD

Word Sense Disambiguation remains one of the most complex problems facing computational linguists to date. In this paper we present a system that combines evidence from a monolingual WSD system together with that from a multilingual WSD system to yield state of the art performance on standard All-Words data sets. The monolingual system is based on a modification of the graph based state of the art algorithm In-Degree. The multilingual system is an improvement over an All-Words unsupervised approach, SALAAM. SALAAM exploits multilingual evidence as a means of disambiguation. In this paper, we present modifications to both of the original approaches and then their combination. We finally report the highest results obtained to date on the SENSEVAL 2 standard data set using an unsupervised method, we achieve an overall F measure of 64.58 using a voting scheme.
Development and self-regulatory structures of the mind

From their early roots in embryology, parallels are drawn between the major psychological and biological foci of organismic theories. Neural plasticity and concepts of causality in developmental systems are discussed. Because the nature of the developmental process necessitates addressing the nonlinear dynamics of complex systems, it is theorized that causal explanations in neural development, just as is the case with psychological processes, should emphasize the individual's active strivings for self-organization as the major determinant of ontogenesis. Whether or not they cohere to form an integrated self, it is hypothesized that the homeostatic, self-regulatory structures of the mind are the major stabilities in the chaotic dynamics of psychological and neural development.
Local and Global Optimization of MapReduce Program Model

MapReduce, which was introduced by Google, provides two functional interfaces, Map and Reduce, for a user to write the user-specific code to process the large amount of data. It has been widely deployed in cloud computing systems. The parallel tasks, data partition, and data transit are automatically managed by its runtime system. This paper proposes a solution to optimize the MapReduce program model and demonstrate it with X10. We develop an adaptive load distribution scheme to balance the load on each node and consequently reduce across-node communication cost occurring in the Reduce function. In addition, we exploit shared-memory in each node to further reduce the communication cost with multi-core programming.
Level of commitment, mutuality of commitment, and couple well‐being

theory identifies level of dependence and mutuality of dependence as two key properties of interdependent relationships. In ongoing relationships, these structural properties are subjectively experienced in terms of commitment-dependence level is experienced as greater or lesser commitment level, and mutuality of dependence is experienced as greater or lesser perceived mutuality in partners' commitment levels. We examined the associations of these variables with couple well-being using data from two three-wave longitudinal studies. One study examined partners in dating relationships and the second study examined partners in marital relationships. Consistent with predictions, both level of commitment and perceived mutuality of commitment accounted for unique variance in couple well-being: Couples exhibited greater adjustment to the degree that the partners were highly committed to their relationship and to the degree that their commitment levels were mutual. Mediation analyses revealed that the association of mutuality of commitment with couple well-being is partially mediated by negative affect (e.g.. anxiety, guilt) and partiaiy to wholly mediated by trust level; perceived mutuality of power is not a reliable mediator of this association. Then in the marriage union, the independence of the husband and wife will be equal, their dependence mutual, and their obligations reciprocal.
Argumentation Across the Curriculum

This study explores how different kinds of arguments are situated in academic contexts and provides an analysis of undergraduate writing assignments. Assignments were collected from the schools of ...
Stability of Benzodiazepines in Formaldehyde Solutions

Benzodiazepine-type drugs are used in the treatment of a number of pathologic disorders, but they may be implicated in forensic toxicology cases because of their abuse potential. Occasionally, it becomes necessary to measure drug levels following exposure to formaldehyde (postembalming or after tissue storage) if drug involvement was not previously suspected. Virtually no information exists on the decomposition of benzodiazepines in the presence of formaldehyde (the active ingredient in many embalming fluids), yet formaldehyde is known to be highly reactive, particularly with nitrogen-containing compounds. In order to evaluate the effects of formaldehyde on benzodiazepines, 10 benzodiazepine drugs were exposed to various concentrations of formaldehyde and various pH conditions (to simulate potential postembalming conditions), and the decomposition of each drug was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography over a 30-day period. The decomposition rates of all but one of the benzodiazepines were accelerated (to differing degrees) by formaldehyde as compared to controls, and this decomposition was in several cases both pH and formaldehyde concentration dependent. Thus, forensic examiners must be particularly cautious when attempting to determine benzodiazepine concentrations postembalming because the compound may have reacted with formaldehyde to form other products not inherently obvious analytically. Determination of these reaction products will serve to provide alternate analytes, allowing for establishment of accurate conclusions during forensic analyses.
Analysis of single side axial flux brushless DC motor with different number of stator electromagnetic poles

Computer simulation for three different axial flux single side three phase direct current brushless motor models are discussed. Each motor has 32 permanent magnets in their rotor and stators consist of six, twelve and twenty four electromagnetic poles. ANSOFT Maxwell 3D finite element analysis software is used to create 3D motor geometries and process motor models. Three phase winding of wye connection with six solid stated operating switches is considered as a switching circuit and ANSOFT Circuit Editor is used to create required switching circuits for each motor models. Finite element analysis is conducted under transient solution type with mechanical motion, in such way that the applied load torque is non-linearly increased with speed. Motor Characteristics; speed, torque, phase current and flux linkage for each model are observed and plotted with time. According to the results, increment of stator population decrease distortions on above mentioned motor characteristics.
Technology trends toward a system-in-a-module in power electronics

Currently, assemblies of power semiconductor switches and their associated drive circuitry are available in modules. From a few 100 watts downward, one finds silicon monolithic technology as the integration vehicle, while upward into the multi-kilowatt range, mixed mode module construction is used. This incorporates monolithic, hybrid, surface mount and wirebond technology. However, a close examination of the applications in motor drives and power supplies indicates that there has been no dramatic volume reduction of the subsystem. The power semiconductor modules have shrunk the power switching part of the converter, but the bulk of the subsystem volume still comprises the associated control, sensing, electromagnetic power passives and interconnect structures. The paper addresses the improvement of power processing technology through advanced integration of power electronics. The goal of a subsystem in a module necessitates this advanced integration. The central philosophy of this technology development research is to advance the state of the art by providing the concept of integrated power electronics modules (IPEMs). The technology underpinning such an IPEM approach is discussed. The fundamental functions in electronic power processing, the materials, processes and integration approaches and future concepts are explained.
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act's impact on residency applicant behavior and recommendations: a pilot study.

Abstract Background: The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) provides residency applicants the right to view letters of recommendation. Applicants must indicate whether they waive this right. Objectives: We determined how frequently applicants to an emergency medicine residency program waived the right to view letters of recommendation and whether such decisions impacted the letters' contents. Methods: A retrospective, observational review of all letters of recommendation submitted to an emergency medicine residency program in 2005–2006 determined applicants' FERPA declaration, use of the Standardized Letter of Recommendation (SLOR), and the SLOR Global Assessment ranking. The percentage of applicants waiving FERPA rights was determined. Chi-squared tests of independence assessed whether applicants' decisions influenced the SLOR Global Assessment. All statistical analysis used a 5% level of significance. Results: There were 367 applications received; 1120 letters of recommendation accompanied 264 US medical school applications, 449 (40%) using the SLOR format. Of the SLORs, only 6% stated that the applicant did not waive his FERPA right; 426 SLORs included a Global Assessment. Of those waiving FERPA rights, 30% were ranked "Outstanding," 50% "Excellent," 17% "Very Good," and 3% "Good." For those not waiving FERPA rights, 35% were ranked as "Outstanding," 46% "Excellent," 15% "Very Good," and 4% "Good." There was no statistical difference in Global Assessment ranking between applicants who waived FERPA rights and those who did not ( p = 0.934). Conclusions: In this pilot study, the vast majority of applicants waived FERPA rights to view letters of recommendation. The applicants' decisions did not influence their SLOR Global Assessment ranking.
Diagnosing multiple failures using knowledge of component states

A prototype, called the generic model-based diagnostic system (GMODS), has been implemented to detect and diagnose failures in launch system hardware at the Kennedy Space Center. GMODS diagnoses both single and multiple failures from a model of the structure and function of a physical system. The diagnostic algorithm extends the strategy proposed by J. de Kleer and B. Williams (1987) for efficiently diagnosing multiple failures. GMODS departs from previous work by using knowledge of component states to diagnose failures in components that operate in one of several states. The resulting approach also prunes suspects by using knowledge of the failed-state behavior of components. >
Two-dimensional array transducers using thick film connection technology

A connection technique for two-dimensional array ultrasound transducers developed by combining a conductive lambda /4 mismatching layer with a multi-layer ceramic (MLC) connector using thick-film microelectronic technology is described. The connector consists of 20 thick films of alumina and screen printed metallization with customized interconnections between the layers called vias. Ten ground layers are interleaved between ten signal layers to reduce elecrical crosstalk. A lambda /4 mismatching layer of conductive epoxy is bonded between each PZT element and the silver metal pad of the MLC connector to provide an effective low impedance backing. In the current configuration, a 16*16 transducer array, 0.6 mm element spacing, is expanded to a 16*16 grid of connector pins at a standard spacing of 2.5 mm. Vector impedance, sensitivity, bandwidth, interelement uniformity, and crosstalk are all in good agreement with arrays of conventional fabrication. However, an array with MLC connector can be fabricated more quickly independent of the number of elements. >
Dynamics of structures with wideband autoparametric vibration absorbers: experiment

The dynamics of a resonantly excited thin cantilever with an active controller are investigated experimentally. The controller mimics a passive wideband absorber discussed in the accompanying theory paper. Lead-zirconate-titanate patches are bonded to both sides of the beam to actuate it, while an electromagnetic shaker drives the beam near resonance. An active controller consisting of an array of coupled controllers is developed, such that the governing equations for the controller are quadratically coupled to the resonating system. The control signal, in terms of the motion of the controllers, is quadratically nonlinear. It is shown that the slow time-scale equations of this physical system are identical in form to those for the passive wideband vibration absorber. The controller is implemented using modelling software and a controller hardware board. Two sets of experiments are performed: one with a constant excitation frequency and the other with a linearly varying excitation frequency at a slow sweep rate (non-stationary excitation). The experimental results verify the analysis presented for the passive wideband autoparametric vibration absorber. The experiments also demonstrate the effectiveness of the absorber in reducing the response amplitude of structures, and its robustness to frequency mistuning.
Arms Races and War Initiation Some Alternatives to the Intriligator-Brito Model

Intriligator and Brito argue that certain arms races can lead to peace and certain disarming races can lead to war. They support this position with a formal model of the relationship between weapons levels and war initiation. This article evaluates and criticizes the Intriligator-Brito model. The results of their model are shown to depend upon questionable assumptions both about the conditions under which nuclear attack might be initiated or deterred and about the nature of nuclear war itself. Two sets of alternatives to the Intriligator-Brito (I-B) model are developed. In contrast to the Intriligator-Brito analysis, most of the topologies generated by the alternative models suggest that arms races are unlikely to yield stable peace. The issue of disarmament is more complicated. If security is identified with the ability to inflict painful retribution on the enemy, then situations of near complete disarmament are necessarily hazardous. However, the main implication of the alternative models is that mutual...
Interaction of Radiation and Fast Electrons with Clusters of Dielectrics: A Multiple Scattering Approach

A fast, accurate, and general technique for solving Maxwell{close_quote}s equations in arbitrarily disposed clusters of dielectric objects is presented, based upon multiple scattering of electromagnetic multipole fields. Examples of application to the simulation of electron energy loss, radiation emission induced by fast electrons, and light scattering are offered. Large rates of Smith-Purcell radiation are predicted in the interaction of fast electrons with strings of Al and SiO{sub 2} spheres, suggesting its possible application in tunable soft UV light generation. Mutual electromagnetic interaction among objects in the different clusters under consideration is shown to be of primary importance. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
On the helicity in 3D-periodic Navier–Stokes equations I: the non-statistical case

We study the asymptotic behavior of the statistical solutions to the Navier–Stokes equations using the normalization map [9]. It is then applied to the study of mean energy, mean dissipation rate of energy, and mean helicity of the spatial periodic flows driven by potential body forces. The statistical distribution of the asymptotic Beltrami flows are also investigated. We connect our mathematical analysis with the empirical theory of decaying turbulence. With appropriate mathematically defined ensemble averages, the Kolmogorov universal features are shown to be transient in time. We provide an estimate for the time interval in which those features may still be present. Our collaborator and friend Basil Nicolaenko passed away in September of 2007, after this work was completed. Honoring his contribution and friendship, we dedicate this article to him.
The Effect of Ion Delivery on Polypyrrole Strain and Strain Rate under Elevated Temperature

Conducting polymers can act as actuators when an electrochemical stimulus causes the materials to undergo volumetric changes. Ion flux into the polymer causes volumetric expansion and ion outflow causes contraction. Polypyrrole is an attractive actuator material due to its ability to generate up to 30 MPa active stress and 10% to 26% maximum strain with voltage supply lower than 2 V. The polymer’s mechanical performance depends upon the solvent used and the dominating ion species. In this study, we used 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF6) to characterize the effect of temperature increase on ion flow and how it contributes to strain and maximum strain rate of polypyrrole. In this solvent, the cation BMIM+ diffuses in and out of the polymer under applied voltage to cause strain changes. For approximately each increment of 10°C from 27°C to 83°C, isotonic tests were done with +/-0.8 V square pulses, using a custom built device that is capable of performing temperature controlled dynamic mechanical analyses and electrochemistry simultaneously. Results showed that, independent of voltage polarity, from 27 to 83°C the strain increased from 0.4% to 2.0%. Both the maximum charge and strain rate rates increased with temperature, and were higher at positive voltage than at negative voltage throughout the same temperature range. Positive voltage caused the maximum strain rate to increase exponentially from 0.1 %/s to 0.67 %/s, while negative voltage caused it to increase more linearly from 0.06 %/s to 0.23 %/s. The results suggest that the increase in strain resulted from the charge delivered to the polymer in higher quantities at higher temperature. Furthermore, BMIM+ ions are expelled faster than those being attracted in to the polymer, perhaps due to the ions preferentially remaining in the bulk solution. As the temperature increased, the ionic mobility increased and as a result, BMIM+ ions are expelled back into the solvent even faster.