cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histological study of an unusual cat muscle spindle deficient in motor innervation

An unusual muscle spindle innervated by only one somatic motor axon and one primary sensory axon was encountered in a cat tenuissimus muscle cut in serial transverse sections and examined by light and electron microscopes. The motor axon branched to supply the distal poles of the nuclear bag2 and nuclear chain intrafusal muscle fibers through motor terminals of several types. The proximal poles of the bag2 and chain fibers and both poles of the nuclear bag1 fiber were devoid of motor endings. In spite of the limited motor nerve supply the bag1, bag2 and chain fibers exhibited the usual morphologic characteristics in terms of the appearance of the equatorial region, relative fiber lengths and diameters, and the number of associated elastic fibers. It appears that motor axons may play only a limited role, if any, in the differentiation and maintenance of the three types of intrafusal muscle fiber in the cat.
A Characterization of the Exponential Series

(1966). A Characterization of the Exponential Series. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 73, No. 4P2, pp. 121-123.
Statistical Independence and Model Choice: An Example

Osvaldo Marrero studied mathematics at the University of Miami, and biometry and statistics at Yale University. His work experience includes positions in academia and in industry. He is currently a Professor at Villanova University. His main mathematical interests are in combinatorics and statistics. Outside mathematics he is particularly interested in languages: he is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and is trying to increase his knowledge of Dutch and German.
THE DETERMINATION OF COPPER AND ZINC IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGIC HUMAN THYROID TISSUE

The literature has been well documented with quantitative studies on the metallic constituents occurring in trace amounts in plant and animal tissues. Many different techniques including chemical, physical and microbiologic, have been utilized in the analyses of these tissues. In many instances the minimal daily requirements for these elements have been established for certain plants and animals. The effects of sub minimal and excessive intake levels of these elements in some plants and animals have also been studied. Because of the lack of adequate quantitative data on the subject of trace elements in human tissues, a study of as many of these elements as possible was begun in our laboratories. At present, qualitative and quantitative analyses of human tissues, both normal and pathologic, are being made. When different techniques were available for the quantitative determination of a single trace element, aliquots of each sample were analyzed by the various methods and the results compared.
The Elusive Gold Standard: Future perspectives for HIV adherence assessment and intervention.

There is no "gold standard" for the assessment of adherence to HIV/AIDS medications. Similarly, there is no single optimal tool that enhances adherence to HIV/AIDS treatment regimens. This article presents a model that provides a heuristic for selecting adherence assessment approaches and intervention strategies based on the purpose for which each is to be used. First, a broad distinction is made between research and clinical settings. Second, with each of these settings, the selection of assessments and interventions is based on the extent to which the focus is on HIV/AIDS in general or on adherence in particular. Examples applying the model are provided. Finally, new dimensions are discussed for expanding the model, with particular attention to applying the model to the resource-limited settings that are so important in efforts to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the global threat of HIV/AIDS.
Plasmid Maintenance Renders Bacteria More Susceptible to Heat Stress

The presence of shuttle plasmid pTS749 in the oral bacterium Streptococcus mutans resulted in growth inhibition under heat stress conditions. This effect was dependent upon the growth stage of the inoculum used to initiate growth. Likewise, the introduction of plasmids containing distinct ori sequences into Escherichia coli also resulted in growth inhibition at elevated temperatures and could be correlated with the plasmid levels within the cells. These results suggest that these plasmids in bacteria render the cells to be more susceptible to heat stress conditions.
The process of transformation: In search of Nirvana

Abstract Models of corporate transformation typically distinguish a sequence of three stages: Restructuring, Revitalization, and Renewal. The last one comes closest to corporate Nirvana. However, there are very few examples of firms that have progressed successfully through all three stages. What is important is that the path to corporate Nirvana includes from the start the nurturing of all the organizational behaviors essential to a firm's renewal and revitalization even during the restructuring stage of its transformation. Bala Chakravarthy illustrates from an example of the decade-long transformation of the large European telecommunications equipment manufacturer, Alcatel Standard Electrica SA (ASESA) under the leadership of its new CEO - Miguel Canalejo. Canalejo's approach to managing transformation was different and distinct in three ways: he moderated discipline with fairness, he empathized ‘sweet-and-sour’ (pleasure and pain) together rather than sequentially, and he involved all the firm's key stakeholders in the transformation process. The ASESA story offers several useful lessons on how corporate transformations can be managed more successfully, including a focus on process, the importance of early vision, modified budgetary control systems, and a balanced approach to leadership.
Varieties of Religious Naturalism

This article opens with two generic definitions of religious naturalism in general one by Jerome Stone and one by Rem Edwards used by Charley Hardwick. Two boundary issues, humanism and process theology, are discussed. A brief sketch of my own minimalist and pluralist version of religious naturalism follows. Finally, several issues that are, or should be, faced by religious naturalists are explored.
Coherent Synthesis of Pulsed Waveforms and Energies Using Fiber-Array Combining and Pulse Stacking Techniques

Coherent signal synthesis using spatial and spectral combining of multiple laser beams and time-domain pulse stacking enables overcoming fiber amplifier pulse duration and energy limitations and could lead to kHz repetition rate TW-peak power systems.
Stuttering in School-Age Children: A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment

Purpose This letter, prepared through a close collaboration between the authors and more than 100 colleagues, responds to a paper by the editor of Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools that highlighted the need for research on treatment for stuttering in school-age children. Method Our response addresses 3 themes: First, we offer agreement with the editor’s call for research because more evidence about treatment for children who stutter is certainly needed. Second, we provide an overview of recent literature, demonstrating that the majority of current treatments include strategies for helping children improve speech fluency in addition to helping them increase acceptance of their stuttering and diminish the negative consequences of the disorder. Third, we present several strategies designed to help clinicians respond to the individual needs of children who stutter in a data-based, comprehensive manner that focuses on minimizing the adverse impact of stuttering on children’s educational endeavo...
Modeling an air pollution episode in northwestern United States: Identifying the effect of nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emission changes on air pollutants formation using direct sensitivity analysis

Air quality impacts of volatile organic compound (VOC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from major sources over the northwestern United States are simulated. The comprehensive nested modeling system comprises three models: Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ), Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF), and Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions (SMOKE). In addition, the decoupled direct method in three dimensions (DDM-3D) is used to determine the sensitivities of pollutant concentrations to changes in precursor emissions during a severe smog episode in July of 2006. The average simulated 8-hr daily maximum O3 concentration is 48.9 ppb, with 1-hr O3 maxima up to 106 ppb (40 km southeast of Seattle). The average simulated PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm) concentration at the measurement sites is 9.06 μg m−3, which is in good agreement with the observed concentration (8.06 μg m−3). In urban areas (i.e., Seattle, Vancouver, etc.), the model predicts that, on average, a reduct...
Electrochemical modeling of intercalation processes with phase field models

Abstract In this paper, we apply phase field models to move beyond Fick’s law in describing Li diffusion in secondary battery electrodes. Phase field models are potentially more accurate and allow simpler tracking of phase boundaries than Fick’s equation. The phase field models are implemented using the highly accurate but fast Chebyshev-spectral method. Using the phase field we investigate to what extent non-Fickian behavior can affect results from experimental techniques for measuring diffusion coefficients, such as Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT) and Potentiostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (PITT). We show that GITT and PITT can still accurately measure the diffusion coefficient in systems described by phase field models even when significant gradient energy terms are present.
Symptom burden and integrative medicine in cancer survivorship

The purpose of the study was to learn about the level of experience with, interest in, and desire for knowledge about integrative medicine (IM) among cancer survivors. Cancer survivors attending the 2014 National Cancer Survivors Day in Rochester, MN, were recruited to participate in a one-page survey about their ongoing health concerns and symptoms, as well as their experience with, interest in, and desire for knowledge about IM. Two-sided t test was used for univariate analyses of impact of sex, time since diagnosis, and age. Among the 260 cancer survivors, 171 persons (female, 74 %; male, 26 %) completed the survey (mean age, 64.6 years). Symptoms most commonly somewhat or more bothersome were fear of recurrence (52 %), stress (43 %), fatigue (43 %), difficulty sleeping (33 %), and weight gain (31 %). The most used IM resources were exercise (75 %), improved nutrition and diet (66 %), stress management (42 %), dietary supplementation (33 %), meditation (25 %), and massage (22 %). Older patients (age, ≥65 years) were less experienced with, interested in, and desiring of knowledge about IM techniques. Sex and time since diagnosis were not strongly predictive of most survey response categories. Cancer survivors have adverse effects for years into survivorship. They use and express interest in various IM techniques to help manage symptoms. It is critical that oncology providers help survivors address ongoing health concerns. Education about and access to evidence-based IM techniques may have important roles in comprehensive cancer survivorship programs.
Application of the point stress criterion to the failure of composite pinned joints

Abstract An analysis was performed to evaluate the bearing strength of pin-loaded composite joints using a two parameter characteristic curve model. This model involves determination of characteristic dimensions in tension and compression and based on this model, a two-dimensional stress analysis was used to determine the stress distribution around the fastener hole. In this analysis, characteristic dimensions in tension and compression were evaluated using the point stress failure criterion and joint bearing failure evaluated using the Yamada–Sun failure criterion. Results were compared with available experimental data for joints made from AS4/3501-6 graphite epoxy composite laminates and good correlation observed when evaluated as function of edge distance to hole diameter. However, the analysis yields conservative results when joint strength is evaluated as a function of plate width to hole diameter.
Finding Homes for Their Dreams: Strategies Founders and Program Initiators Use to Position and Sustain Faith-Based Programs

This grounded theory study of 15 faith-based programs in four urban cities examines how initiators and founders find homes for their visions of addressing unmet community needs, especially those of children and their families. Founders can be congregations, individuals, or groups with diverse characteristics. This study suggests that they place their visions in viable contexts through developing new organizations in which to place their programs, temporarily incubating them until a new organization can be formed, tethering them to congregations, or birthing them in well-established faith-related agencies with deep historical roots in the community. These programs have the potential to become legends, influencing the identity of their organizational homes and the larger community’s images of those homes.
Learning to ignore: psychophysics and computational modeling of fast learning of direction in noisy motion stimuli

Abstract The effects of practice on the discrimination of direction of motion in briefly presented noisy dynamic random dot patterns are investigated in several forced-choice psychophysical tasks. We found that the percentage of correct responses on any specific task increases linearly with repetition of trials within roughly 200 trials from about chance to a performance of 90% or better. The level of performance remained constant or improved over several days, and in most instances it did not transfer when stimulus parameters changed. We used a modified Radial Basis Function (RBF) representation to model the psychophysical tasks. The performance of the model is functionally similar to the psychophysical results. We propose a Hebbian learning algorithm which deactivates the inputs from neurons responding to motion noise in the stimulus. Our computational model suggests that to solve this task in biological systems, neurons (perhaps in MT) improve their performance by ‘learning to ignore’ noise in the image.
Nearest-Neighbor Non-Iterative Error Correcting Optical Associative Memory Processor

The Hopfield neural network model has recently been proposed as a method for optically determining the nearest-neighbor of a binary bipolar test vector from a set of binary bipolar reference vectors. We illustrate several drawbacks of this approach and introduce a new technique called direct storage nearest-neighbor ( DSNN ) algorithm to accomplish the same task. We provide a comparison of the two approaches and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed DSNN algorithm.
M-atrial natriuretic peptide: a novel antihypertensive protein therapy

The natriuretic peptides, specifically atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), are increasingly recognized to play a fundamental role in blood pressure (BP) regulation. This role in BP regulation reflects the pluripotent cardiorenal actions of ANP, which include diuresis, enhancement of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate, systemic vasodilatation, suppression of aldosterone, and inhibition of the sympathetic nervous system. These actions of ANP, in addition to recent human studies demonstrating an association of higher plasma ANP with lower risk of hypertension, support the development of an ANP-based therapy for hypertension. M-ANP is a novel ANP-based peptide that is resistant to proteolytic degradation and possesses greater BP-lowering, renal function–enhancing, and aldosterone-suppressing properties than native ANP. In an animal model of hypertension, M-ANP lowers BP via multiple mechanisms, including vasodilatation, diuresis, and inhibition of aldosterone. Importantly, M-ANP enhances both glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow despite reductions in BP. The pluripotent BP-lowering actions and concomitant enhancement of renal function associated with M-ANP are highly attractive characteristics for an antihypertensive agent and underscore the therapeutic potential of M-ANP. M-ANP currently is heading into clinical testing, which may advance this novel strategy for human hypertension.
Abnormal sex-steroid milieu in young adults with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Five of 7 patients in the age group 20–30 years treated for hepatic cell carcinoma during the past 15 years had an endogenous or exogenous disturbance of gonadal function. The 2 men were taking methyltestosterone. Two of 5 women had taken long courses of oral contraceptives; a third had Stein-Leventhal syndrome; one woman was infertile for 18 months. Fibrolamellar-variant carcinomas were present in 4 women and a trabecular-variant carcinoma in one. Stopping methyltestosterone or oral contraceptives and performing a major hepatectomy apparently cured 3 patients. Although the data are consistent with a role for sex steroids in some cases of hepatic carcinogenesis, a casecontrol study would be necessary to eliminate chance concurrence of fibrolamellar-variant cancer in the age group most likely to be taking oral contraceptives or to be concerned about infertility.
Islam's Popularity: The Case of Indonesia

In the parts of the world where it is dominant, Islam is not seen as a peripheral, let alone dying, institution. In Indonesia, where my data is from, it is claimed that "Islam as a religion is in the ascendant." Many mosques are being built, religious radio programs have a large audience, and Islam is penetrating public schools and government (Awanohara, 1985). The power and popularity of the Muslim faith is ' difficult for Westerners to understand because of the intellectual dominance of the modernization-secularization thesis. According to this perspective, as countries become more modern, religion becomes less important. This simplistic view is, of course, being challenged even in the West, yet for most of this century it was the dominant framework for the scientific study of religion in the modern world. The popularity of Islam is not only fascinating in its own right, but also a challenge to the seculari- zation thesis. Is this perspective to be discarded? What ideas must enlarge, or replace, this orientation to explain the reality of Islam? These questions are the focus of this paper.
Effect of trace metals on ethanol production from synthesis gas by the ethanologenic acetogen, Clostridium ragsdalei

The effect of trace metal ions (Co²+, Cu²+, Fe²+, Mn²+, Mo⁶+, Ni²+, Zn²+, SeO₄⁻ and WO₄⁻) on growth and ethanol production by an ethanologenic acetogen, Clostridium ragsdalei was investigated in CO:CO₂-grown cells. A standard acetogen medium (ATCC medium no. 1754) was manipulated by varying the concentrations of trace metals in the media. Increasing the individual concentrations of Ni²+, Zn²+, SeO₄⁻ and WO₄⁻ from 0.84, 6.96, 1.06, and 0.68 μM in the standard trace metals solution to 8.4, 34.8, 5.3, and 6.8 μM, respectively, increased ethanol production from 35.73 mM under standard metals concentration to 176.5, 187.8, 54.4, and 72.3 mM, respectively. Nickel was necessary for growth of C. ragsdalei. Growth rate (μ) of C. ragsdalei improved from 0.34 to 0.49 (day⁻¹), and carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) and hydrogenase (H₂ase)-specific activities improved from 38.45 and 0.35 to 48.5 and 1.66 U/mg protein, respectively, at optimum concentration of Ni²+. At optimum concentrations of WO₄⁻ and SeO₄⁻, formate dehydrogenase (FDH) activity improved from 32.3 to 42.6 and 45.4 U/mg protein, respectively. Ethanol production and the activity of FDH reduced from 35 mM and 32.3 U/mg protein to 1.14 mM and 8.79 U/mg protein, respectively, upon elimination of WO₄⁻ from the medium. Although increased concentration of Zn²+ enhanced growth and ethanol production, the activities of CODH, FDH, H₂ase and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) were not affected by varying the Zn²+ concentration. Omitting Fe²+ from the medium decreased ethanol production from 35.7 to 6.30 mM and decreased activities of CODH, FDH, H₂ase and ADH from 38.5, 32.3, 0.35, and 0.68 U/mg protein to 9.07, 7.01, 0.10, and 0.24 U/mg protein, respectively. Ethanol production improved from 35 to 54 mM when Cu²+ was removed from the medium. The optimization of trace metals concentration in the fermentation medium improved enzyme activities (CODH, FDH, and H₂ase), growth and ethanol production by C. ragsdalei.
A change-of-process theory for contextual effects and preference reversals in risky decision making

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to investigate contextual effects and response mode effects (e.g., preference reversals) in risky decision making. Judgments of the worth of binary gambles were examined using two different contexts (positively and negatively skewed distributions of expected values) and two different response modes (attractiveness ratings and buying prices). Changes in the response mode affected the preference order of gambles, and changes in the context due to variations in skewing influenced the metric properties of the judgments but had a minimal effect on preference orders. Data were inconsistent with contingent weighting theory (Tversky, Sattath, & Slovic, 1988) and expression theory (Goldstein & Einhorn, 1987) . Results could be described by a change-of-process theory which assumes that the method of elicitation influences the manner in which people combine information and arrive at judgments. Under certain conditions, attractiveness ratings could be described by an additive combination of subjective probability and utility (s and u), whereas pricing judgments were accounted for by a multiplicative function, with the same scales of s and u in both tasks. When the range of outcomes included zero and negative values, preference orders for attractiveness ratings of gambles changed. This change in rank order was consistent with the hypothesis that inclusion of these levels caused more subjects to use a multiplicative rule for combining u and s when rating the attractiveness of gambles. Thus, preference reversals can be explained by the theory that the combination rule changes, while utilities and subjective probabilities remain constant.
Raman spectral studies of nucleic acids and related molecules—I Ribonucleic acid derivatives

Abstract Raman spectra of the commonly occurring purine and pyrimidine derivatives of ribonucleic acid are reported. The free bases, nucleosides, 5′-mononucleotides, and related alkyl derivatives have been examined in aqueous solutions over wide pH and pD ranges as well as in the solid state. Infrared spectra of the solids, some not previously reported, are also included. The spectra are discussed in terms of the changes in molecular structure produced by changes in pH, pD and state of aggregation. This discussion is intended to serve as a basis for further investigation of intermolecular interactions of nucleic acid derivatives in aqueous solution. The Raman effect appears to offer much promise for this kind of study.
Traumatic spinal cord injury in rats causes increases in tissue thromboxane but not peptidoleukotrienes.

Spinal cord samples from rats subjected to three different levels of impact trauma (25, 50, 100 g-cm) were examined for immunoreactive thromboxane B2 and 6-sulfidopeptide-containing leukotrienes, using specific radioimmunoassays. Trauma resulted in pronounced increases in thromboxane levels as early as 5 min after injury, with maximum values at 1 hr. Although thromboxane values then slowly declined, they remained significantly above control values for up to 7 days. Significantly smaller thromboxane values were found in rats subjected to mild injury (25 g-cm) than in those that received more severe, irreversible impact injury (50 and 100 g-cm). No statistically significant changes were observed in leukotriene levels in any of the experimental groups. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism may contribute to secondary injudy after spinal cord trauma and provides the rationale for the use of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in the treatment of such injury.
Clonal propagation of Eucalyptus by tissue culture

Abstract Multiple adventitious buds were induced on cotyledons, shoot tips and nodal stem segments of Eucalyptus species cultured on a defined nutrient medium supplemented with the cytokinin zeatin and the auxin indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The adventitious buds could be recycled on cytokinin medium to produce more buds, thus providing the possibility of producing large clones from selected genotypes. The adventitious shoots were rooted in auxin medium and some of the resulting propagules were outplanted in the field. These techniques have the potential for use in the genetic improvement of Eucalyptus .
The contractile vacuole and its membrane dynamics

The contractile vacuole (CV) is an osmoregulatory organelle whose mechanisms of function are poorly understood. Immunological studies in the last decade have demonstrated abundant proton-translocating V-type ATPases (V-ATPases) in its membrane that could provide the energy, from proton electrochemical gradients, for moving ions into the CV to be followed by water. This review emphasizes recent work on the contractile vacuole complex (CVC) of Paramecium including (1) CV expulsion, (2) a role for V-ATPases in sequestering fluid, (3) identifying ions in the cytosol and in the CV, (4) in situ electrophysiological parameters of the CVC membrane, and (5) a better understanding of the membrane dynamics of this organelle.
Newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders.

Newborn screening is a public health programme aimed at identifying treatable conditions in pre-symptomatic newborns to avoid premature mortality, morbidity and disabilities. With the advent of successful treatment options for an increasing number of lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), such as enzyme replacement or bone marrow transplantation, inclusion of these disorders into newborn screening programmes seems reasonable. However, the success of these programmes depends on the availability of testing methods that are suitable for population screening, have high sensitivity and a low false-positive rate. In recent years, two methods have been proposed for newborn screening of LSDs, which enable assessment of more than one LSD from a single blood spot sample. One applies tandem mass spectrometry, the other microbead array technology. Now, prospective studies are needed to determine the most effective approach to newborn screening that will identify those patients who require treatment. Conclusion: With the advent of high-throughput assays for the detection of LSDs, newborn screening for these disorders may soon become a reality. However, careful prospective studies are required to optimize this process before it is used on a larger scale.
BDNF overexpression increases dendrite complexity in hippocampal dentate gyrus.

There is increasing evidence that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulates synaptic and morphological plasticity in the developing and mature nervous system. Plasticity may be modulated partially by BDNF's effects on dendritic structure. Utilizing transgenic mice where BDNF overexpression was controlled by the beta-actin promoter, we evaluated the effects of long-term overexpression of BDNF on the dendritic structure of granule cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. BDNF transgenic mice provided the opportunity to investigate the effects of modestly increased BDNF levels on dendrite structure in the complex in vivo environment. While the elevated BDNF levels were insufficient to change levels of TrkB receptor isoforms or downstream TrkB signaling, they did increase dendrite complexity of dentate granule cells. These cells showed an increased number of first order dendrites, of total dendritic length and of total number of branch points. These results suggest that dendrite structure of granule cells is tightly regulated and is sensitive to modest increases in levels of BDNF. This is the first study to evaluate the effects of BDNF overexpression on dendrite morphology in the intact hippocampus and extends previous in vitro observations that BDNF influences synaptic plasticity by increasing complexity of dendritic arbors.
Engineering Workstations in the National Laboratory

A great deal has been said of how computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools, and particularly engineering workstations as vehicles for those tools, can benefit the engineering workplace. In attempting to characterize the activities of the "typical" engineer, as with time-and-motion studies, one questions how much of this benefit is conjecture and how much can be realized. Hewltt-Packard, a leading supplier to the engineering community, has been citing a figure of 20%/80% as the ratio of time that engineers spend performing what is thought of as engineering activities (analysis, simulation, synthesis, and design) vs. the time an engineer spends on communication functions of various kinds, including writing reports, attending meetings, corresponding with coworkers.
The Effect of Thermal Barrier Coating Roughness Magnitude on Heat Transfer With and Without Flowpath Surface Steps

An experimental study has been performed to investigate the convective heat transfer coefficients resulting from differing magnitudes of surface roughness for ceramic thermal barrier coatings (TBC) of the type used to protect gas turbine hot section components. A flat plate wind tunnel test is employed with zero freestream pressure gradient, and levels of freestream turbulence from 4.5 to 6.5%. The TBC applied in these tests is an air plasma sprayed, yttriastabalized zirconia-oxide. Average test surface Reynolds numbers are varied from 400,000 to 2,200,000. Average roughness values (RA) for the TBC surfaces are varied by degrees of polishing from 10 μm to 1 μm, resulting in roughness Reynolds numbers of up to 70. Baseline comparison tests use smooth metal surfaces. The changing physical and heat transfer character of the TBC surfaces with polishing is demonstrated. Results show a significant effect of polishing degree on the surface heat transfer coefficients. Such surfaces were also tested with varying magnitudes of forward facing flowpath steps to model the potential interruptions seen at component interfaces. Flowpath steps are shown to produce quite elevated levels of heat transfer for the smooth surfaces, with little or no further additional enhancement due to increased TBC roughness levels.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Mitigating Biases in Time-to-Contact Judgments with Cockpit Displays of Traffic Information

A flight simulation experiment was conducted to assess cockpit automation for mitigating the effects of a distance bias in time-to-contact judgments on converging intruders. Six formats of a prototype cockpit display of traffic information were tested, including all combinations of intruder icon (perceptual cue) format (baseline/conventional, colored, blinking) and a data tag with velocity information (present, absent). Results revealed displays with colored or blinking cues produced greater accuracy in pilot selection of intruders posing the greatest risk and lower response times than for conventional displays not presenting such cues. The addition of the velocity data tag to icons had no effect on intruder selection accuracy but was associated with lower response times. It was concluded that both the perceptual cue format and velocity data tags support superior performance in time-to-contact judgments as compared with conventional displays.
Indigenous Peoples' Politics in Latin America

Political science research on indigenous peoples' politics in Latin America is methodologically diverse and interdisciplinary. It has produced significant insights about citizenship, reform of the state, and the causes and consequences of the emergence and success of identity-based social movements and political parties. In order to expand and deepen our knowledge, future research should pursue three goals. First, scholars should explore a wider selection of cases, including countries where indigenous populations are small and where dramatic events have not occurred, in order to better explain more common types of indigenous political mobilization in the region. Second, they should better connect the study of indigenous politics to that of Afro-descendent movements and gender and, thus, expand our understanding of racial and gender politics. Third, they should be more critical of the democratic performance of indigenous organizations and politicians, especially when they hold public office.
Gonadal Development and Differentiation in Cultured Juvenile Winter Flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus

Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, is currently being evaluated as a stock enhancement candidate in New Hampshire, USA; however, little is known about the gonadal development or the sex ratio of cultured juveniles. To determine the size at gonadal differentiation, 327 cultured fish ranging from 40 mm TL were analyzed for sex ratio. In 2003, 67 females and 164 males were identified, yielding a sex ratio that was significantly skewed toward male (χ2= 40.7, df = 1, P < 0.001). This trend held true when cultured fish were sorted by age and length, with the exception of those fish 61–70 mm TL. This aberration probably was because of a small sample size in this length category. However, in both the 2004 and the 2005 cultured populations, flounder sex did not deviate from a 1:1 ratio (2004 χ2= 0.12, df = 1, P= 0.724 and 2005 χ2= 0.02, df = 1, P= 0.881). The 2003 data suggest that environmental or genetic factors may affect winter flounder sex determination; rearing manipulation studies in the hatchery are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Real-time foveation techniques for low bit rate video coding

Lossy video compression methods often rely on modeling the abilities and limitations of the intended receiver, the human visual system (HVS), to achieve the highest possible compression with as little effect on perceived quality as possible. Foveation, which is non-uniform resolution perception of the visual stimulus by the HVS due to the non-uniform density of photoreceptor cells in the eye, has been demonstrated to be useful for reducing bit rates beyond the abilities of uniform resolution video coders. In this work, we present real-time foveation techniques for low bit rate video coding. First, we develop an approximate model for foveation. Then, we demonstrate that foveation, as described by this model, can be incorporated into standard motion compensation and discrete cosine transform (DCT)-based video coding techniques for low bit rate video coding, such as the H.263 or MPEG-4 video coding standards, without incurring prohibitive complexity overhead. We demonstrate that foveation in the DCT domain can actually result in computational speed-ups. The techniques presented can be implemented using the baseline modes in the video coding standards and do not require any modification to, or post-processing at, the decoder.
Cellular localization of angiotensinogen gene expression in brown adipose tissue and mesentery: quantification of messenger ribonucleic acid abundance using hybridization in situ.

The cellular localization of angiotensinogen messenger RNA (mRNA) in rat atria, aorta, and mesentery was studied using hybridization in situ. Angiotensinogen mRNA was identified in periatrial and periaortic brown adipocytes and in fibroblast-like cells of periaortic connective tissue and mesentery. Angiotensinogen gene expression in brown adipose tissue was confirmed by both Northern blot analysis and cell-free translation of RNA extracted from brown adipose tissue. For control rats, the level of angiotensinogen mRNA of brown adipose tissue, quantitated by Northern blot analysis, was 5% of the level in liver and showed a 12-fold increase in response to treatment with the combination of dexamethasone, ethynylestradiol, and T3. Comparison of the relative amounts of angiotensinogen mRNA detected by hybridization in situ in liver and brown adipose tissue, with the amounts determined by Northern blot analysis, revealed that hybridization in situ detected mRNA in brown adipose tissue with higher efficiency than...
Some prediction problems for stationary random fields with quarter-plane past

Abstract We study several nonstandard prediction problems where a number of observations are added to the quarter-plane past of a stationary random field. The goal is to provide informative and explicit prediction error variance formulas in terms of either the autoregressive or moving average parameters of the random fields. However, unlike the time series situation, the prediction error variances for random fields seem to be expressible only in terms of the moving average parameters, and attempts to express them formally in terms of the autoregressive parameters lead to a new and mysterious projection operator which captures the nature of the “edge-effects” encountered in the estimation of the spectral density function of stationary random fields. The approach leads to a number of technical issues and open problems.
Ketoprofen Suppository Dosage Forms: In Vitro Release and in Vivo Absorption Studies in Rabbits

In vitro release of ketoprofen from suppository bases and in vivo absorption in rabbits were studied. Suppositories containing 50 mg of ketoprofen were prepared using theobroma oil, esterified (c10-c18) fatty acids, and polyethylene glycol 1000 bases. The displacement values of the drug were determined and found to be of the order of theobroma oil > esterified (c10-c18) fatty acids and polyethylene glycol 1000 bases. The suppository hardness data revealed that the theobroma oil base produced relatively brittle suppositories. Using the USP dissolution method, the release of ketoprofen was observed to be greatest from polyethylene glycol 1000 suppositories. With the dialysis technique, the maximum release of drug was obtained from theobroma oil suppository containing polysorbate 40 at a 6% level. Selected suppository formulations were evaluated for rectal absorption studies in rabbits. The in vivo data showed that the optimum drug absorption took place from the polyethylene glycol 1000 base and theobroma oil formulation containing 6% polysorbate 40.
Painted with the Same National Brush? International Differences in Categorization and Spillovers

Leveraging social categorization theory and findings from social psychology, this paper predicts that the characteristics of audience members affect the way that they cognitively group objects into...
Variability of Earth-Emitted Radiation from One Year of Nimbus-6 ERB Data

Outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) measurements from the Nimbus-6 ERB wide field-of-view instrument are used to study daytime and nighttime radiation variability on a 15 deg regional, zonal, and global scale. An analysis of components of variance is used to determine how much of the total variability is due to between-region and within-region variance. Most of the analysis is on July and January data from one year of Nimbus-6 ERB. Different geographical scales are considered: regions within latitude zones and latitude zones within hemispheres. Results show that much of the variability is spatial, peaks in the tropics and subtropics, and is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. Daytime variability is generally larger than nighttime variability for July but not for January. Variance in OLR in the tropics and subtropics is largely a function of cloud variability.
CHARACTER DISPLACEMENT AND ECOMORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF TWO LONG-EARED MYOTIS (M. AURICULUS AND M. EVOTIS)

Ecomorphological analysis was used to evaluate ecological relationships between 2 species of bats, Myotis auriculus and M. evotis. We imaged jaws and skulls of 242 specimens from 20 localities within the range of both taxa, emphasizing their southwestern regional area of sympatry. Using traditional morphometric and geometric morphometric methods, values for characters taken from dentaries of both species were analyzed in detail. Both methods detected character displacement and allowed us to detect differences in jaw size and shape within both species. The morphological difference in jaw shape is more emphasized within sympatric populations of M. evotis than in M. auriculus. This may indicate that competitive selection acts more on M. evotis. At sympatric localities, M. evotis displayed a shift to a more specialized trophic state with a trophic architecture (more highly placed articular process and robust molars) likely better at capturing beetles, whereas M. auriculus may have a greater advantage for capturing soft-bodied prey such as moths. On the other hand, the articular process is located lower relative to the toothrow of the dentary in M. auriculus. Also the shape of the jaw in this species suggests a weaker bite, more shearing force, and wider gape. All shape differences in jaw morphology are emphasized in sympatry, confirming active competitive interactions between these 2 species.
Paracrine signals from mesenchymal cell populations govern the expansion and differentiation of human hepatic stem cells to adult liver fates

The differentiation of embryonic or determined stem cell populations into adult liver fates under known conditions yields cells with some adult-specific genes but not others, aberrant regulation of one or more genes, and variations in the results from experiment to experiment. We tested the hypothesis that sets of signals produced by freshly isolated, lineage-dependent mesenchymal cell populations would yield greater efficiency and reproducibility in driving the differentiation of human hepatic stem cells (hHpSCs) into adult liver fates. The subpopulations of liver-derived mesenchymal cells, purified by immunoselection technologies, included (1) angioblasts, (2) mature endothelia, (3) hepatic stellate cell precursors, (4) mature stellate cells (pericytes), and (5) myofibroblasts. Freshly immunoselected cells of each of these subpopulations were established in primary cultures under wholly defined (serum-free) conditions that we developed for short-term cultures and were used as feeders with hHpSCs. Feeders of angioblasts yielded self-replication, stellate cell precursors caused lineage restriction to hepatoblasts, mature endothelia produced differentiation into hepatocytes, and mature stellate cells and/or myofibroblasts resulted in differentiation into cholangiocytes. Paracrine signals produced by the different feeders were identified by biochemical, immunohistochemical, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses, and then those signals were used to replace the feeders in monolayer and three-dimensional cultures to elicit the desired biological responses from hHpSCs. The defined paracrine signals were proved to be able to yield reproducible responses from hHpSCs and to permit differentiation into fully mature and functional parenchymal cells. Conclusion: Paracrine signals from defined mesenchymal cell populations are important for the regulation of stem cell populations into specific adult fates; this finding is important for basic and clinical research as well as industrial investigations. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;)
Stress-Regulated Targeting of the NKG2D Ligand Mult1 by a Membrane-Associated RING-CH Family E3 Ligase

NKG2D is a stimulatory receptor expressed by NK cells and some T cell subsets. Expression of the self-encoded ligands for NKG2D is presumably tightly regulated to prevent autoimmune disorders while allowing detection of infected cells and developing tumors. The NKG2D ligand Mult1 is regulated at multiple levels, with a final layer of regulation controlling protein stability. In this article, we report that Mult1 cell-surface expression was prevented by two closely related E3 ubiquitin ligases membrane-associated RING-CH (MARCH)4 and MARCH9, members of an E3 family that regulates other immunologically active proteins. Lysines within the cytoplasmic domain of Mult1 were essential for this repression by MARCH4 or MARCH9. Downregulation of Mult1 by MARCH9 was reversed by heat-shock treatment, which resulted in the dissociation of the two proteins and increased the amount of Mult1 at the cell surface. These results identify Mult1 as a target for the MARCH family of E3 ligases and show that induction of Mult1 in response to heat shock is due to regulated association with its E3 ligases.
Dare we de-centre Birmingham? Troubling the 'origin' and trajectories of cultural studies

This article challenges the widely held assumptions that cultural studies originated in Britain and that the CCCS at Birmingham was the first site of organized cultural studies. Drawing on the very characteristics ascribed to early cultural studies work, the article illustrates that various moments at various other locations, from the Folk Schools of Denmark in the 1920s to Highlander School in North America's Appalachia in the 1930s to the Kamiriithu project in Kenya in the 1970s could and should be identified as 'other' origins of cultural studies. The aim in generating a multiplicity of origins is not to suggest that the Birmingham origin is 'false' but to underscore the point that cultural studies has multiple origins rather than a singular origin; to provide concrete examples of those other origins that are too seldom suggested and almost never pinpointed; and, most importantly, to contribute to the evolution of a more international cultural studies as well as to keeping cultural studies in progressi...
Genetic variation for phenotypically invariant traits detected in teosinte: implications for the evolution of novel forms.

How new discrete states of morphological traits evolve is poorly understood. One possibility is that single-gene changes underlie the evolution of new discrete character states and that evolution is dependent on the occurrence of new single-gene mutations. Another possibility is that multiple-gene changes are required to elevate an individual or population above a threshold required to produce the new character state. A prediction of the latter model is that genetic variation for the traits should exist in natural populations in the absence of phenotypic variation. To test this idea, we studied traits that are phenotypically invariant within teosinte and for which teosinte is discretely different from its near relative, maize. By employing a QTL mapping strategy to analyze the progeny of a testcross between an F 1 of two teosintes and a maize inbred line, we identified cryptic genetic variation in teosinte for traits that are invariant in teosinte. We argue that such cryptic genetic variation can contribute to the evolution of novelty when reconfigured to exceed the threshold necessary for phenotypic expression or by acting to modify or stabilize the effects of major mutations.
Laser-Induced Coherent Decay of Photons for Plasma Heating

The problem of the non-linear beating of two monochromatic waves in a plasma seems of interest to an understanding of the light reflection problem found in laser fusion related experiments [1],as well as for the heating of a confined plasma by the beating of two lasers [2]. With regard to our title, the electromagnetic radiation from one laser can be seen as a beam of photons. From this point of view, the induced processes by another laser can be called“induced coherent decay of photons.”