cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex-valued Gaussian signal processing: Optimality of MSE, incorporation of full statistics, and a unified view

In this paper, we study the performance of mean square error (MSE) and Gaussian entropy criteria for linear and widely linear complex filtering. The MSE criterion cannot exploit the full second-order statistics of the error signal. To this end, we propose a new Gaussian entropy criterion to exploit the full second-order statistics of the error signal, and compare the performance of the two criteria in linear and widely linear filters. We show that the minimum Gaussian entropy estimator is also the best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE).
Postnatal maturation of subcortical projections from the prefrontal cortex in the rhesus monkey.

Orbital and dorsolateral prefrontal lesions were performed on a series of rhesus monkeys at 2, 6, or 24 months of age. The consequent degeneration in the efferent pathways from these cortical regions to the caudate nucleus, the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus and adjacent structures was studied at 5- and 15-day survival times by a modification of the Nauta-Gygax method for tracing degenerating fibers. Following dorsolateral lesions, considerable numbers of black-impregnated degenerating fibers were found in the parvocellular division of the dorsomedial nucleus and in the fiber bundles of the internal capsule and the subcallosal fasciculus at all ages. In contrast, the degree of Nauta-Gygax degeneration in the anterodorsal sector of the head of the caudate nucleus was age-dependent: degenerating fibers were found in increasing numbers from two months of age, when virtually none could be detected, to 24 months of age, when they appeared in relatively dense concentration. Similar results were obtained following orbital prefrontal lesions at the same three ages: degeneration in the magnocellular division of the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus and in the internal capsule were not related to age, but anterograde degeneration in the ventral and lateral capsular region of the caudate increased substantially with advancing age. Negative results with the Nauta-Gygax technique in very young animals may not signify an actual absence of the connection in question, but our findings, together with those of other studies employing silver degeneration methods, at least suggest that in the primate, certain cortical efferents undergo maturational changes during postnatal life, a fact which may be related to the differential behavioral consequences of cortical injuries at different stages of development.
Hexose oxidation by rat heart homogenate; properties of a multienzyme system.

Abstract The multienzyme system in homogenates of rat heart catalyzing the oxidation of hexoses has been studied. Glucose, fructose, and mannose were oxidized at equal rates, galactose less rapidly. No pentose studied was oxidized. The oxidation of glucose was found to be highly dependent on the cations present in the reaction medium. Sodium ions were inhibitory. Potassium and magnesium ions singly or together activated the system. The nature of the activation of glucose oxidation by ions has been discussed and other properties of the enzyme system described.
The Personality of Young Artists: An Empirical and Theoretical Exploration

Despite venerable stereotypes and even some recent empirical observations regarding the personality of artists, the following questions remain unanswered in any objective way: (1) Do personality factors differentiate art students from other students of the same age and sex? (2) Is there a relationship between the personality of art students and the values they hold? (3) Are there differences in the personality factors of art students in the several fields of specialization, e.g. commercial art v. fine art? (4) Is there a relationship between the personality factors of art students and their performance in art school? (5) Finally, what is the relationship between the personality factors of successful young artists and eminent scientists, both groups presumably engaged in creative endeavour? The present investigation of a sample of 205 advanced art students applied Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire supplemented by the Allport–Vernon–Lindzey Study of Values in an attempt to answer these questions. The findings are placed in a tentative theoretical framework regarding the personality of artists and the expectations of their professional role.
Effects of atractyloside on the incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA in isolated rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract Atractyloside (20 μ m ) has been found to decrease the incorporation of dATP- 3 H into DNA by 90% in intact mitochondria (at a level of 3 mg of protein) but to have no such effect on sonic extracts of mitochondria nor on the DNA polymerase from Escherichia coli . Inhibition of dATP- 3 H incorporation by atractyloside can be overcome by increasing the level of ATP present. The incorporation of TTP- 3 H is not similarly inhibited by atractyloside. TTP- 3 H incorporation, which is stimulated by added ATP, is inhibited by atractyloside to the extent of 40% in the absence of and 13% in the presence of ATP (2 m m ). Atractyloside can be used with labeled dATP to ascertain that DNA synthesis is occurring intramitochondrially in intact organelles, in vitro , rather than externally as a result of contaminating nuclear DNA polymerase.
Switched control of uncertain nonlinear process systems subject to control and communication constraints

This paper presents a switched control strategy for the robust stabilization of uncertain nonlinear process systems with both control and measurement sampling constraints. A model-based constrained Lyapunov-based controller is initially designed for each control actuator configuration. Next, the constrained stability regions and the terminal sets of all the configurations are characterized, in terms of the size of the control constraints, the sampling period and the plant-model mismatch, and analyzed. The analysis shows that the configuration with the largest stability region does not necessarily have the smallest terminal set, which leads to a conflict with the desired control objective of steering the process from a large initial state to a small terminal neighborhood of the equilibrium point. To resolve this conflict and attain the desired control objective, a switching strategy that executes a sequence of transitions between the available actuator configurations is developed. The key idea of the switching logic is to keep a configuration active until its terminal set is reached and then to switch to another stabilizing configuration with a smaller terminal set. The proposed robust hybrid control method is illustrated using a chemical process example.
Correction of stray light in spectrographs: implications for remote sensing

ABSTRACT Spectrographs are used in a variety of ap plications in the field of remote sensing for radiometric measurements due to the benefits of measurement speed, sensitivity, and portability. However, spectrographs are single grating instruments that are susceptible to systematic errors arising from stray radiation within the instrument. In the application of measurements of ocean color, stray light of the spectrographs has led to significan t measurement errors. In this work, a simple method to correct stray-light erro rs in a spectrograph is described. By measuring a set of monochromatic laser sources that cover the instrume nts spectral range, the instruments stray-light property is characterized and a stray-light correction matrix is derived. The matrix is then used to co rrect the stray-light error in me asured raw signals by a simple matrix multiplication, which is fast enough to be implemented in the spectrographs firmware or software to perform real-time corrections: an important feature for remote sensing applications. The results of corrections on real instruments demonstrated that the stray-light errors were reduced by one to two orders of magnitude, to a level of approximately 10
Downregulation of Endocardial Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Nitric Oxide Production in Atrial Fibrillation Potential Mechanisms for Atrial Thrombosis and Stroke

Background— In the arterial endothelium, laminar flow and cyclical stretch induce expression of NO synthase (NOS). We hypothesized that atrial fibrillation (AF) causes a downregulation of atrial endocardial NOS expression and NO·production. Because NO·has antithrombotic properties, this may contribute to thromboembolism in AF. Methods and Results— In pigs, AF was produced with rapid atrial pacing at 600 bpm for 1 week, whereas controls had atrial pacing at 100 bpm. All animals had catheter ablation of the AV junction and ventricular pacing at 100 bpm. NO·production from freshly isolated tissue was measured by a NO·-specific microelectrode. Left atrial basal and stimulated NO·production was decreased in AF by 73% and 71% (P<0.01). Endocardial NOS expression, determined by Western analysis, was also significantly decreased by 46%. Expression of the prothombotic protein plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) is known to be regulated by NO·and was increased in the left atrium by 1.8-fold in AF (P<0.05). NO...
Evaluating Expert Systems in a Financial Domain: A Study Demonstrating Issues in Case Selection, Validation Standards and Evaluator Bias

This article describes and generalizes a validation study of four commercially available personal financial planning expert systems and the rationale for the research methodology used. Our evaluation of these systems adds to the understanding of verification and validation issues related to case selection, validation standards and evaluator bias. The article describes the systems, their domain and the empirical method-field tests using hypothetical cases-and relates that method to the literature. Comparing same-task systems combines multiple system perspectives and multiple models. Our methodology did efficiently and effectively identify conflicting terminology, omissions and system weaknesses but was inadequate for comparing the complex plan recommendations. The results re-emphasize the importance of continual knowledge base updating, formal system testing and the need for external evaluation. The results also show the value of comparing multiple, same-task systems.
Berlo's Communication Process Model as Applied to the Behavioral Theories of Maslow, Herzberg, and McGregor

The article discusses Berlo's model of communication and applies it to behavioral theories of Maslow, Herzberg, and McGregor. Berlo's model of communication is outlined into six stages: the communi...
Electrochemical remediation of metal-bearing wastewaters. Part I : Copper removal from simulated mine drainage waters

A bench-scale electrochemical cell for plating heavy metals, such as copper from dilute wastewaters, was designed and tested. Optimization tests were performed on simulated mine-drainage water (pH 2.6, 0.1 M Na2SO4, 0.02 Ω−1 cm−1, 150 mg L−1 Cu2+) using a vertically oriented, flow-through cell containing a carbon felt cathode. Results obtained for optimized conditions of applied potential and volume flow rate demonstrated greater than 99.9% recovery of copper metal from feed solutions at an ohmic corrected potential of −0.70 V vs Ag/AgCl and flow rates approaching the design maximum of about 0.30 mL s−1. The effluent concentration of copper under conditions of optimum potential and flow rate could be routinely reduced to a target level of 50 μg L−1.
Effects of Rating Procedure and Temporal Delay on the Magnitude of Contrast Effects in Performance Ratings

Abstract This study examined the effects of performance appraisal rating procedure and temporal delay between the viewing and rating of performance on contrast effects in performance ratings. College students (N = 183) viewed two videotapes depicting poor (anchor stimulus) and average (target stimulus) performance. There was no support for the hypothesized interaction between delay and procedure. However, lower contrast effects characterized the ratings of participants who rated both videotaped performances simultaneously relative to the ratings of those who rated the performances sequentially. In addition, contrast effects were smaller when a delay occurred between the observation and rating of performances. These findings suggest that the most common rating procedures used in laboratory investigations of contrast effects are likely to overstate the impact of this rating error in actual appraisal situations, in which delayed and simultaneous rating procedures are more widely used.
Impact of intensive PBSC mobilization therapy on outcomes following auto-SCT for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

The best method to mobilize PBSCs in patients with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) is uncertain. We hypothesized that PBSC mobilization using an intensive chemotherapy regimen would improve outcomes after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in NHL patients at high risk for relapse. Fifty NHL patients were prospectively allocated to intense mobilization with high-dose etoposide plus either high-dose cytarabine or CY if they were 'high risk' for relapse, whereas 30 patients were allocated to nonintense mobilization with CY if they were 'standard risk' (all patients, +/-rituximab). All intensely mobilized patients were hospitalized compared with one-third of nonintensely mobilized patients. The EFS after ASCT was the same between the two groups, but overall survival (OS) was better for intensely mobilized patients (<0.01), including the diffuse large B-cell subgroup (P<0.04). We conclude that the intense mobilization of PBSCs in patients with NHL is more efficient than nonintense mobilization, but with greater toxicity. The equalization of EFS and superiority of OS in patients intensely mobilized to those nonintensely mobilized suggests that a treatment strategy using intensive chemotherapy for mobilization may be improving NHL outcomes after ASCT.
Dynamic dielectric analysis for nondestructive cure monitoring and process control

Dynamic dielectric analysis (DDA) is an instrumental means for quantitative material evaluation and closed loop “smart” cure cycle control. DDA is particularly important to process control because it is one of only a few experimental techniques for conveniently studying the cure process continuously, that is, to examine the cure chemistry throughout the process of going from a monomeric liquid of varying viscosity to a crosslinked, insoluble, high temperature solid [1–3]. The key for achieving this goal is to relate the chemistry of the cure process to the dielectric properties of the polymer system by correlating time, temperature and frequency dependent dielectric measurements with other chemical characterization methods.
Insecticides for control of potato tuberworm and green peach aphid on potatoes in California

Six insecticides were evaluated in a replicated field experiment at Gonzales, California, for control of the potato tuberworm,Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), and the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Azodrin®, methomyl, Stauffer N 4543 (O-isobutyl ethylphosphonodithioate S-ester with N-(mercaptomethyl) phthalimide) and azinphosmethyl were applied as foliage sprays by ground sprayer at 2-week intervals. The systemic insecticides, aldicarb (Temik®) and carbofuran (Furadan®) formulated as 10% granules, were applied to the soil as side dress treatments on the same day that the spray treatments were begun. Aldicarb granules were also applied topically so that the granules fell on the young plants and on the soil surface.
Effect of pro-inflammatory mediators on membrane-associated mucins expressed by human ocular surface epithelial cells

Membrane-associated mucins are altered on the ocular surface in non-Sjogren's dry eye. This study sought to determine if inflammatory mediators, present in tears of dry eye patients, regulate membrane-associated mucins MUC1 and -16 at the level of gene expression, protein biosynthesis and/or ectodomain release. A human corneal limbal epithelial cell line (HCLE), which produces membrane-associated mucins, was used. Cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-6, -8, or -17, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or a combination of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, or IFN-gamma and IL-17, for 1, 6, 24, or 48 h. Presence of receptors for these mediators was verified by RT-PCR. Effects of the cytokines on expression levels of MUC1 and -16 were determined by real-time PCR, and on mucin protein biosynthesis and ectodomain release in cell lysates and culture media, respectively, by immunoblot analysis. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma each significantly induced MUC1 expression, cellular protein content and ectodomain release over time. Combined treatment with the two cytokines was not additive. By comparison, one of the inflammatory mediators, IFN-gamma, affected all three parameters-gene expression, cellular protein, and ectodomain release-for MUC16. Combined treatment with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma showed effects similar to IFN-gamma alone, except that ectodomain release followed that of TNF-alpha, which induced MUC16 ectodomain release. In conclusion, inflammatory mediators present in tears of dry eye patients can affect MUC1 and -16 on corneal epithelial cells and may be responsible for alterations of surface mucins in dry eye.
Synthesis of a functionalized hexasaccharide precursor of a glycoconjugate vaccine against cholera

Abstract A hexasaccharide fragment of the O-polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotype Inaba was constructed from mono and disaccharides carrying azido groups. After the azido→amino group conversion, the requisite N-acylation was achieved using as the reagent 4-O-benzyl- l -glycero-tetronic acid, prepared from the corresponding derivative of l -homoserine by deamination.
Comprehensive next-generation sequence analyses of the entire mitochondrial genome reveal new insights into the molecular diagnosis of mitochondrial DNA disorders

The application of massively parallel sequencing technology to the analysis of the mitochondrial genome has demonstrated great improvement in the molecular diagnosis of mitochondrial DNA–related disorders. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance characteristics and to gain new insights into the analysis of the mitochondrial genome. The entire mitochondrial genome was analyzed as a single amplicon using a long-range PCR–based enrichment approach coupled with massively parallel sequencing. The interference of the nuclear mitochondrial DNA homologs was distinguished from the actual mitochondrial DNA sequences by comparison with the results obtained from conventional PCR–based Sanger sequencing using multiple pairs of primers. Our results demonstrated the uniform coverage of the entire mitochondrial genome. Massively parallel sequencing of the single amplicon revealed the presence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and nuclear homologs of mtDNA sequences that cause the erroneous and inaccurate variant calls when PCR/Sanger sequencing approach was used. This single amplicon massively parallel sequencing strategy provides an accurate quantification of mutation heteroplasmy as well as the detection and mapping of mitochondrial DNA deletions. The ability to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate every single base of the entire mitochondrial genome is indispensible to the accurate molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling of mitochondrial DNA–related disorders. This new approach may be considered as first-line testing for comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial genome. Genet Med 2013:15(5):388–394
''Avoid that pornographic playground'': Teaching pornographic abstinence in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

In recent years, many studies have examined conservative Christian responses to shifting societal attitudes about sexuality. In this article we examine official discourse from the LDS Church found in General Conference talks and the official adult magazine of the Church, Ensign, to better understand how leaders of the religion have taught the members to abstain from the use of pornography. Using a grounded-theory approach, we noted a pattern to the lessons that included four elements: (1) avoiding dangerous associations, (2) taking personal responsibility, (3) maintaining inner purity, and (4) seeking spiritual treatment. This study extends previous research by examining how Mormon leaders taught their followers to interpret and protect themselves from pornography. As such, our analysis demonstrates the elaboration of religious teachings that may facilitate the negative reactions to pornography researchers have observed in survey and outcome-based research on members of conservative religions.
Far-Field RF-Powered Variable Duty Cycle Wireless Sensor Platform

This brief discusses a low-power wireless sensor based on commercial components for sensing and data transmission. The sensor is wirelessly powered from the far field through an integrated single or dual-polarization antenna, rectifier, and power management module. Since the unit is intended for mobile use, the variable available power is monitored, and the duty cycle for wireless data transmission adaptively adjusted through the use of a low-power microcontroller and a custom power management circuit. In sleep mode, the circuit consumes 1 μA at 2.5 V.
A Multiple Perspectives Analysis of a Japanese FLES Program

This paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of the first year of a three-year pilot project to teach Japanese to all students in grades K through 5 at a Pittsburgh elementary school. Curriculum development followed ACTFL recommendations for proficiency-based instruction. End-of-year information was collected from learners, parents, the Japanese teacher, and other school teachers. Results of student oral interviews indicated the development of a range of proficiency along the novice continuum. Data from prochievement interviews, teacher, and independent observer ratings indicated that an earlier start may result in more uniform gains for the majority of learners. In addition, a strong positive correlation was found between children's awareness of parental encouragement for language study and their Japanese attainment. All parents sampled cited specific examples of what their children had learned and a majority expressed strong positive feelings about the class. Within this positive context, we noted nonetheless an indication by the teacher of perceived program marginalization within the larger framework of the school's offerings. This and other factors associated with program implementation and the children's attainment are topics for continuing investigation and documentation.
Maternal and perinatal outcome in women with a history of stroke

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine recurrence risk and pregnancy outcome in 23 women with a history of stroke. Study design We conducted a descriptive study of 23 women (35 pregnancies) with a history of stroke. Charts were reviewed from 1990 through 2002. The data were analyzed for the antenatal treatment strategies, recurrence risk for stroke, and pregnancy outcome. Results There were 23 study patients with 35 subsequent pregnancies. Associated risk factors of the stroke were thrombophilia (5 women), sickle cell disease (3 women), maternal cardiac malformations (3 women), hypertension (3 women), oral contraceptive use (2 women), cerebral arteriovenous malformations (2 women), head trauma (1 woman), meningitis (1 woman), endocarditis (1 woman), and idiopathic reason (2 women). Four women with 9 subsequent pregnancies had a stroke that was associated with a previous pregnancy or postpartum incident. Two of these 9 pregnancies received anticoagulation (heparin, 1 pregnancy; heparin plus aspirin, 1 pregnancy). Nineteen women with 26 subsequent pregnancies had a stroke before pregnancy. Nine of these 26 pregnancies received anticoagulation (heparin, 5 pregnancies; aspirin, 3 pregnancies; heparin plus aspirin, 1 pregnancy). The remaining pregnancies did not receive prophylactic anticoagulation. Overall, there were 21 term deliveries, 8 preterm deliveries, 5 miscarriages, and 1 fetal death. Three of 34 pregnancies (9%) were small for gestational age infants. There were no recurrent thrombotic episodes during pregnancy or after delivery. Maternal complications included admission to the intensive care unit for uncontrolled hypertension in 1 patient. Conclusion Women with a history of stroke have a low risk of recurrent stroke (0%). This information is useful for the prepregnancy counseling of such individuals. The need for prophylactic anticoagulation in patients with a previous stroke cannot be answered by this study.
Making war & lots of money: the political economy of protracted conflict in Angola

The civil war in Angola has mutated into a major criminal enterprise. Once regarded as a conflict caused primarily by ethnic and class divisions exacerbated by Cold War ideological rivalries, Angola's protracted conflict is now a convenient cover used by the elites commanding the principal antagonists ‐ the governing Movimento Popular de Libertacao de Angola (MPLA) and the rebel Uniao Nacional para Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) movement ‐ to enrich themselves. The consequences for the country and its people have been devastating. Angola is being reduced to ashes: destruction, death and incessant suffering consume the daily lives of all but a few of its citizens. This article examines the internal and external dimensions of this war for Angola's oil and diamond wealth.
The poetics of computers: Composing relationships with technology

Abstract This article describes a course with three primary goals: (1) to help students reflect on the complex relationship between humans and technology (developed within the cultural and historical context of the twentieth century) as portrayed in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and films that focuses on technology topics; (2) to reflect—broadly, deeply, and from humanistic perspectives—on their own responsibility for shaping this relationship in contemporary contexts; and (3) to provide opportunities within which to practice composing this relationship in personal terms—expressing a personal understanding of humans and computers in language and images, poetry and prose, print and new-media contexts. In such an instructional context—while acquiring facility in making meaning within digital communication environment—students from different academic majors developed a critical perspective on the tools they used and became increasingly conscious about their power, as social agents, to shape the relationship between humans and computers.
Amyloid β-Peptide Inhibits Neuronal Glucose Uptake by Preventing Exocytosis

Amyloid β peptide (Aβ) is suspected as a contributing factor for decreased glucose utilization in the brain of Alzheimer's patients; however, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of neuronal glucose uptake and how Aβ affects such a mechanism. We report that membrane depolarization by 40 mM KCl increases both neuronal glucose uptake and immunolabeling of the exofacial epitope of glucose transporter isoform GLUT3, suggesting that fusion of GLUT3 vesicles with the plasma membrane increases glucose uptake. Aβ25-35 decreased neuronal glucose uptake and this decrease was prevented by exocytosis-enhancing compounds (40 mM KCl, 50 μM ruthenium red). Aβ25-35 also inhibited exocytosis of the fluorescent membrane dye FM1-43 at neuronal cell bodies; however, 40 mM KCl was effective in overcoming this Aβ inhibition. Furthermore, GLUT3 colocalized with SNARE (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attached protein receptor) complex proteins (SNAP-25 and Syntaxin 1), and cleavage of the v-SNARE, VAMP, reduced glucose uptake. Our findings suggest that neuronal glucose uptake is regulated by SNARE complex-dependent docking and fusion of GLUT3 vesicles with the plasma membrane and that Aβ decreases glucose uptake by inhibiting fusion of these vesicles.
The Impact of the Euro on Information Systems

The European Economic Union (EEU) adopted a single currency, the “euro” on January 1, 1999. Such a development has far‐reaching implications for development of information systems, the engines that will have to run and control the new monetary order. For example, euro‐compliant systems will need to accommodate: (1) six decimal places, a major change for those companies in countries that did not require decimal places (e.g., Belgium and Italy), or even those that require only two, (2) “triangulation” between currencies rather than classic inversion, (3) multiple currencies for each transaction, and (4) differences between invoice amounts and amounts actually paid, since there can be rounding differences on conversions with triangulation. These changes are just the surface requirements for the euro currency change. Because the euro problem is very new, few companies have begun, let alone completed making, their euro systems changes. As a result, limited research is available regarding the euro. The purpose ...
PonD: dynamic creation of HTC pool on demand using a decentralized resource discovery system

High Throughput Computing (HTC) platforms aggregate heterogeneous resources to provide vast amounts of computing power over a long period of time. Typical HTC systems, such as Condor and BOINC, rely on central managers for resource discovery and scheduling. While this approach simplifies deployment, it requires careful system configuration and management to ensure high availability and scalability. In this paper, we present a novel approach that integrates a self-organizing P2P overlay for scalable and timely discovery of resources with unmodified client/server job scheduling middleware in order to create HTC virtual resource Pools on Demand (PonD). This approach decouples resource discovery and scheduling from job execution/monitoring - a job submission dynamically generates an HTC platform based upon resources discovered through match-making from a large "sea" of resources in the P2P overlay and forms a "PonD" capable of leveraging unmodified HTC middleware for job execution and monitoring. We show that job scheduling time of our approach scales with O(log N), where N is the number of resources in a pool, through first-order analytical models and large-scale simulation results. To verify the practicality of PonD, we have implemented a prototype using Condor (called C-PonD), a structured P2P overlay, and a PonD creation module. Experimental results with the prototype in two WAN environments (PlanetLab and the FutureGrid cloud computing testbed) demonstrates the utility of C-PonD as a HTC approach without relying on a central repository for maintaining all resource information. Though the prototype is based on Condor, the decoupled nature of the system components - decentralized resource discovery, PonD creation, job execution/monitoring - is generally applicable to other grid computing middleware systems.
Burn-induced alterations in toll-like receptor-mediated responses by bronchoalveolar lavage cells.

Abstract Burn is associated with profound inflammation and activation of the innate immune system in multiple organ beds, including the lung. Similarly, toll-like receptors (TLR) are associated with innate immune activation. Nonetheless, it is unclear what impact burn has on TLR-induced inflammatory responses in the lung. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to burn (3rd degree, 25% TBSA) or sham procedure and 1, 3 or 7 days thereafter, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected and cells were isolated and cultured in vitro with specific TLR agonists as follows: Zymosan (TLR-2), LPS (TLR-4) and CpG-ODN (TLR-9). Supernatants were collected 48 h later and assayed for inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, KC, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and RANTES) by Bioplex. Results BAL fluid from sham and burn mice did not contain detectable cytokine levels. BAL cells, irrespective of injury, were responsive to TLR-2 and TLR-4 activation. Seven days after burn, TLR-2 and TLR-4 mediated responses by BAL cells were enhanced as evidenced by increased production of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, MCP-1, MIP-1β and RANTES. Conclusions Burn-induced changes in TLR-2 and TLR-4 reactivity may contribute to the development of post-burn complications, such as acute lung injury (ALI) and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
The release of interferon: an active process inhibited by p-hydroxymercuribenzoate.

Abstract The rate of release of interferon in rabbit cell cultures increased with its intra-cellular concentration until the level of about 103 units per dish culture was reached, after which the rate leveled off. Exposure of induced cultures to emetine for 15 min stopped protein and interferon synthesis, but it did not appreciably affect the release of interferon from the cell into the extracellular phase. The release of interferon following such treatment with emetine was inhibited by cyanide but not by cycloheximide. A dose range of p-hydroxymercuribenzoate was found which inhibited the release of interferon without affecting the total amount of interferon measurable. Its effect was reversed by dithioerythritol, suggesting that the inhibition was specific and that the release of interferon required proteins or enzymes containing biologically active SH groups.
DOXYCYCLINE SUPPRESSION OF ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION-INDUCED HEPATIC INJURY

Leukocytes, in particular polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), are believed to play a central role in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced tissue injury. Changes in endothelial cells occurring during ischemia promote PMN binding to these cells during reperfusion, which primers PMN synthesis of oxygen radicals and release of cytotoxic proteins. These events lead to vascular damage and subsequent tissue injury. Recently we have shown that doxycycline (Dc), a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics, inhibits PMN superoxide (O2) synthesis and degranulation in vitro. It also suppresses PMN-mediated RBC, fibroblast, and endothelial cytotoxicity, properties of the drug that may make it of use to protect tissues from I/R-induced injury. In this study we demonstrate that Dc administration either prior to clamping of the portal circulation, or 1 h after the reperfusion, significantly suppressed liver damage as assessed by serum levels of a marker of hepatic injury, alanine aminotransferase (s-ALT). The reduction in s-ALT was not a result of reduced reflow in the Dc-treated rats as indicated by Evans' blue perfusion data. The findings suggest that Dc and possibly other tetracyclines may be of value in protecting tissues and organs from I/R-mediated damage even if the drug is given after the ischemic event has occurred.
Does the Gender Gap in Political Attitudes and Behavior Vary Across Racial Groups

Past research on the gender gap in political attitudes and behavior has paid very little attention to the experiences of nonwhites. Particularly lacking are empirical studies involving Asians. How significant is the role of gender among Asians? How does gender gap in the extent of voting participation and direction of political opinions vary across racial groups? In this preliminary examination on the confluence of race and gender, this author tries to answer the research questions using a census survey and a national poll of multiracial opinions. Logistic regression results show that the significance of gender does vary across racial groups, but it also changes according to the behavior domain investigated. In the election of 1992, small but significant gender gaps in voting registration existed among whites and blacks, but not among Latinos and Asians. Gender was not useful to predict turnout among those registered for any race. When race intersects with gender to predict political orientation and publi...
Multi-faceted quantitative proteomics analysis of histone H2B isoforms and their modifications

Histone isoforms and their post-translational modifications (PTMs) play an important role in the control of many chromatin-related processes including transcription and DNA damage. Variants of histones H2A and H3 have been studied in depth and have been found to have distinct functions. Although 13 somatic histone H2B isoforms have been identified by various biochemical and mass spectrometric (MS) approaches, the distinct roles of these isoforms within human cells are as yet unknown. Here, we have developed quantitative MS techniques to characterize isoform-specific H2B expression across the cell cycle, in differentiated myogenic cells, and in different cancer cell lines to illuminate potential functional roles. Using the MS strategies that we developed, we identified differences in H2B isoform levels between different cancer cell types, suggesting cancer or tissue-specific H2B isoform regulation. In particular, we found large variations in the levels of isoforms H2B1B and H2B1M across the panel of cell lines. We also found that, while individual H2B isoforms do not differ in their acetylation levels, trends in the acetylation on all H2B isoforms correlated with acetylation on other histone family members in the cancer cell line panel. We also used the MS strategies to study H2B protein expression across the cell cycle and determined that H2B isoforms that are alternatively spliced to carry a polyadenylation signal rather than the standard histone downstream element are expressed independently of the cell cycle. However, the level of protein produced from the polyadenylated transcripts does not contribute significantly to the total pool of H2B isoforms translated across the cell cycle or in non-cycling myogenic cells. Our results show that H2B isoforms are expressed at varying levels in different cells, suggesting isoform-specific, and possibly cell-type-specific, H2B gene regulation. The bottom-up mass spectrometry technique we developed for H2B quantification is compatible with the current standard histone H3 and H4 bottom-up ‘one-pot’ analysis platform so that H2B isoforms and their modifications can be studied in future experiments at the same time as histone H3 and H4 modifications. Therefore, we have expanded the histone landscape that can be interrogated in future experiments.
On Exit Times of a Multivariate Random Walk and Its Embedding in a Quasi Poisson Process

Abstract We introduce and analyze a delayed renewal process  = {τ0,τ1,…} marked by a multivariate random walk (,) and its behavior about fixed levels to be crossed by one of the components of (,). We derive the joint distribution of first passage time τρ, pre-exit time τρ−1 (i.e., the instant one phase prior to the first passage time), and the respective values of (,) at τρ and τρ−1 in a closed form. The results obtained are then applied to a multivariate quasi Poisson process Π, forming a random walk ((Π),) embedded in Π over . Processes like these can model various phenomena including stock market and option trading. One of the central issues in the investigation of ((Π),) is to obtain the information about Π at any moment of time in random vicinities of τρ and τρ−1 previously available only upon . The results offer, again, closed form functionals. Numerous examples throughout the paper illustrate introduced constructions and connect the results with real-world applications, most prominentl...
Development of Fresh Ground Water Near Salt Water in West Virginiaa

Salt-water migration into relatively shallow rocks in the western half of West Virginia is already rather far advanced. Because of the wide distribution of salty ground water and connate brine at various depths, it is difficult to determine how much of the contamination is natural and how much is the result of subsurface industrial activities. Although some local salt-water problems are the result of oil and gas operations, much of the regional near-surface salt water is a natural condition unrelated to deep drilling or other industrial activities. Ground water is usually more abundant from consolidated aquifers beneath the valleys than from beneath the ridges. However, the presence of shallow salt water beneath the valleys imposes limitations on the availability of fresh water from a single well. Because most well fields must be located along the populated valleys, the problem of interception of salt water is the most important factor limiting development of consolidated bedrock aquifers. By utilizing the history of development and operation of well fields, an estimate of the availability of fresh water can be made, and test drilling and new well field construction guided accordingly. During 1971 to 1974, more than a dozen small communities in Logan and Boone Counties started development of public-water supplies from wells. Existing water-supply problems in these areas are being solved by using the cumulative experience of other communities in the area. Ground water is currently being developed in valley areas of Logan County such as Man to Lorado, Essie to Big Creek, and Huff Creek to Mallory. Adequate well fields have recently been successfully constructed just above shallow salt water in bedrock aquifers at Hattie in Calhoun County, near Madison in Boone County, near Southside in Mason County, and at Prichard in Wayne County. In all of these areas of successful construction, the essential information for initial test drilling was obtained by detailed hydrogeologic work at the prospective sites. Most important was the determination of the maximum depth of fresh water, well spacing and pumping rates.
Comparison of Three Equations for the Spacing of Nuclear Levels

The equations of Bethe, Weisskopf and of Lang and Le Couteur for the spacing of nuclear levels have been compared using the experimental data for 40 nuclei. The average errors obtained by the three equations are not very different. Bethe’s equation has been found to give the best results. Odd-even effects on the pre-exponential constants in the three equations have been discussed.
Robot soccer as a culminating design project for undergraduates

For the past four years, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at BYU has sponsored a one-on-one robot soccer competition as one of several electives within the senior capstone design project. Teams of four students design and build autonomous robots that must fit within a seven inch cube. The soccer field is roughly the size of a ping-pong table and a golf ball is used as the soccer ball. An overhead camera provides sensory input for the robots. Much of the project involves the creation and debugging of software, ranging from image processing code to multi-level control software to allow precise movement and intelligent play. Using a custom simulator of the game environment, software is developed and tested in parallel with the creation of the robot hardware. This paper describes the complete program and explains how it has been tailored to become an exceptional capstone project for senior electrical and computer engineering students.
Phase dipoles: Superconducting analogue of residual resistivity dipoles

Current flow in superconductors requires carriers to transmit past a scattering obstacle without developing any applied voltage. Instead, a difference in the macroscopic phase of the superconducting order parameter develops self-consistently as a consequence of the incident carrier flux. The spatial distribution of the order parameter phase has the form of a dipole field. The lack of any voltage difference across the barrier arises from an unusual type of scattering state, where the superfluid flow closes the usual normal reflection channel, allowing only Andreev reflections. We use this scattering state to show that the electromigration force on a scattering defect inside a current carrying superconductor is nearly zero. To complete the picture of the zero voltage, current carrying state in dirty bulk superconductors, we also show that processes which randomize the phase of the individual electronic wavefunctions do not reduce the phase coherence of the superconducting order parameter. The order parameter magnitude is reduced to zero and the superconductivity is lost when the quasiparticle phase-breaking length becomes smaller than the size of a Cooper pair.
Calcium aluminum silicon deposits in neurons lead to paired helical filaments identical to those of AD and down's patients

Abstract Recent evidence shows that calcium aluminum silicate deposits in neurons lead to the early appearance of neurofibrillary tangles in Western Pacific foci of high incidence ALS/PD. Moreover, the N-terminal sequence of the paired helical filament (PHF) in Guamanian PD appears identical to that of the PHF, amyloid plaque core and vascular amyloid of AD and Down's syndrome, reported by others. Finally, cDNA clones for the precursor protein of the amyloid demonstrates that the gene lies on chromosome 21.
Design of photonic crystal waveguides for evanescent coupling to optical fiber tapers and integration with high-Q cavities

We describe a novel scheme based on evanescent guided-wave coupling for optically interfacing between conventional fiber-optic and planar photonic crystal devices such as waveguides and resonant cavities. By considering the band structure of bulk photonic crystal slabs, we analyze the k space properties of a linear defect waveguide and establish a set of design rules to ensure efficient evanescent coupling with optical fiber tapers. These rules are used to design a waveguide in a square-lattice photonic crystal. The coupling efficiency is calculated with a coupled-mode theory incorporating the finite-difference time-domain-calculated uncoupled modes of the fiber taper and photonic crystal waveguide. On the basis of this coupled-mode theory, 95% power transfer from the fiber taper to the photonic crystal waveguide is possible over a coupling length of 80 lattice periods and with a bandwidth of 1.5% of the center wavelength. The integration of this waveguide with a photonic crystal defect resonant cavity is also presented, thus showing the usefulness of the combined fiber taper and photonic crystal waveguide system for efficient, optical fiber-based probing of optical elements based on planar photonic crystal technologies.
An fMRI study of caring vs self-focus during induced compassion and pride

This study examined neural activation during the experience of compassion, an emotion that orients people toward vulnerable others and prompts caregiving, and pride, a self-focused emotion that signals individual strength and heightened status. Functional magnetic resonance images (fMRI) were acquired as participants viewed 55 s continuous sequences of slides to induce either compassion or pride, presented in alternation with sequences of neutral slides. Emotion self-report data were collected after each slide condition within the fMRI scanner. Compassion induction was associated with activation in the