cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlling reactive behavior with consistent world modeling and reasoning

Based on the philosophical view of reflexive behaviors and cognitive modules working in a complementary fashion, this paper proposes a hybrid decomposition of the control architecture for an intelligent, fully autonomous mobile robot. This architecture follows a parallel distributed decomposition and supports a hierarchy of control with lower-level reflexive type behaviors working in parallel with higher-level planning and map building modules. The behavior-based component of the system provides the basic instinctive competences for the robot while the cognitive part performs higher machine intelligence functions such as planning. The interface between the two components utilizes motivated behaviors implemented as part of the behavior-based system. A motivated behavior is one whose response is dictated mainly by the internal state (or the motivation state) of the robot. Thus, the cognitive planning activity can execute its plans by merely setting the motivation state of the robot and letting the behavior-based subsystem worry about the details of plan execution. The goal of such a hybrid architecture is to gain the real-time performance of a behavior-based system without losing the effectiveness of a general purpose world model and planner. We view world models as essential to intelligent interaction with the environment, providing a `bigger picture' for the robot when reactive behaviors encounter difficulty. We describe a live experimental run of our robot under hybrid control in an unknown and unstructured lab environment. This experiment demonstrated the validity of the proposed hybrid control architecture and the sensory knowledge integrator (the underlying model for the map-builder module) for the task of mapping the environment. Results of the emergent robot behavior and different map representations of the environment are presented and discussed.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Competing pathways in the 248 nm photodissociation of propionyl chloride and the barrier to dissociation of the propionyl radical

Photofragment translational spectroscopy was used to study the photodissociation of propionyl chloride at 248 nm. The crossed laser-molecular beam experiment with VUV photoionization showed two primary dissociation channels, C−Cl bond fission and HCl elimination. Following cleavage of the C−Cl bond, unimolecular dissociation of the propionyl radical produced CH3CH2 and CO. The energy barrier to the CH3CH2CO → CH3CH2 + CO reaction was estimated to be in the range of 16.3 ± 1.5 kcal/mol by determining the internal energy distribution of surviving propionyl radicals. No other secondary dissociation channels were observed for the propionyl radical. The HCl elimination channel, previously reported only for the condensed phase of propionyl chloride, was observed as the minor primary dissociation channel in the gas phase. The cofragment to the HCl elimination, CH3CHCO or CH2CH2CO, underwent secondary dissociation to produce CO and CH2CH2 with a significant amount of energy partitioned into translational motion.
Optimizing Safe Yield Policy Implementation

The presented method enhances groundwater-mandated safe yield management. It is useful for settings that prevent sustained yield or integrated management. To protect hydraulically connected surface water rights, the Utah government’s Cache Valley groundwater management plan proposes that total pumping increase not exceed 84,431 m3/day. To determine how best to spatially distribute additional allowable pumping, stakeholders quantified limits defining acceptable impacts on selected water resource indicators. A new simulation–optimization (S–O) algorithm used these limits while computing optimal spatially distributed perennial yield or safe yield groundwater pumping extraction strategies. The limits prevent unacceptable decreases in: head and net flow between aquifer and surface waters (rivers, surface/subsurface drains, springs, lakes). The optimization objective function maximizes weighted pumping to provide water for 18 growing municipalities. For 16 perennial yield scenarios, computed optimal pumping increases differ in protectiveness toward senior water rights, and range from 16% to 103% of the state plan-proposed increase. Implementing a protective strategy would achieve 90% of the storage changes needed to reach equilibrium within 23 years. Indicator potentiometric heads would reach equilibrium within 10–40 years. At equilibrium, an optimal Cache Valley perennial yield strategy acceptably minimizes net annual non-pumping discharges. By comparison, multi-period 20-year transient groundwater mining optimizations allow more pumping in early years. Pumping then must decline to satisfy seepage and head constraints through year 20. Adverse seepage impact would increase for years thereafter. For situations governed by safe or perennial yield policy, equilibrium-based (steady-state) optimization is very useful. It effectively develops optimal perennial yield strategies.
Proletarian or Promethean?: Impacts of Automation and Program Integration on Social Service Workers and Their Clients

This article addresses a controversy regarding the extent to which an information technology system may marginalize social service workers and their clients. The Indiana Client Eligibility System (ICES) software was designed to maintain, distribute, and streamline that state’s Aid for Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamp, and Medicaid programs while also setting the stage for a welfare-to-workfare policy transition. One Indiana county’s welfare staff and clients are analyzed after adoption of ICES. Observation, interviews, and a perspective informed by Giddens’s 1979 notions of structuration and DeSanctis and Poole’s 1994 Adaptive Structuration Theory reveal ICES’s structural features and “spirit,” its dependence and impact on organizational structure, and its effects on the perceived roles and relationships of caseworkers (i.e., “disenchanted” and “distanced”), supervisors (i.e., “disempowered”), clients (i.e., “disenfranchised”), and clerks (i.e., “disbursing” and “distinctive”).
A review of management practices for the control of anthrax in animals: the 2005 anthrax epizootic in North Dakota--case study.

Summary Outbreaks of anthrax have diverse consequences on society. Establishing the appropriate control strategies is very important and crucial in reducing the socio-economic impact of the disease. Control measures are aimed at breaking the cycle of infection, and their implementation must be adhered to rigorously. The objectives of this paper were: (i) to review the control strategies currently used in management of anthrax in animals and (ii) to describe management strategies used by producers in North Dakota during the 2005 anthrax outbreak in livestock. Anthrax control strategies were divided in to strategies that apply before, during, and after an anthrax outbreak. This paper also highlights the problems or constraints faced by North Dakota producers in controlling anthrax during the outbreak of 2005.
Effects of medazepam on voltage-gated ion currents of cultured chick sensory neurons.

The effects of the benzodiazepine, medazepam, were investigated in current and voltage-clamped cultured chick dorsal root ganglion neurons. Under current clamp, micromolar concentrations initially elevated the action potential threshold and blocked both the sodium and calcium components of the spike. In voltage clamp, low (I(Ca.T)) and high (I(CA.N/L)) threshold calcium, sodium (I(Na)) and the delayed rectifier potassium (I(K)) currents were isolated by the use of appropriate solutions and voltage command protocols. Medazepam depressed both subtypes of I(Ca) equally well with calculated half-maximal depression at 77 microM. At a fixed concentration of 200 microM, medazepam depressed I(Na) (70 +/- 9%) and I(K) (73 +/- 6%) to a degree comparable to I(Ca) (75 +/- 3%). The results show that benzodiazepines can modulate the activity of several voltage-gated ion currents in chick dorsal root ganglion neurons.
A trilaminar skin coverage technique for treatment of severe degloving injuries of the extremities and torso.

A 60 percent degloving injury involving the torso and lower extremities of an 8-year-old boy is described. Successful management employed the use of a new trilaminar skin coverage technique. With the avulsed flap still attached to its bed, a 0.14-inch split-thickness graft of epithelium and superficial dermis is raised with a power-driven dermatome. From the same harvest site, one level deeper, a second layer consisting of split-thickness dermis (0.14 inch) is taken. Both the first and second layers are meshed and expanded. The remaining degloved flap is excised and, on a sterile bench, defatted to produce a third layer of deep dermis. In our case, this third layer was ultimately lost, but it functioned well as a temporary biologic dressing. Depending on donor-site morbidity, other potential applications of this method (i.e., major burn injuries) may be feasible.
Describing Maltreatment: Do Child Protective Service Reports and Research Definitions Agree?.

Abstract Objective: The National Research Council identified inadequate research definitions for abuse and neglect as barriers to research in child maltreatment. We examine the concordance between child protective services (CPS) classifications of maltreatment type with the determinations of type from two research coding systems. We contrast the two coding systems and the CPS classification, in their ability to predict subsequent difficulties in the psychological functioning of maltreated children at age 8. Method: The sample included 545 children who were enrolled in Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) with a report of child maltreatment, had data collected at approximately 4 and 8 years of age, and had a lifetime review of CPS records to age 8. CPS Maltreatment reports were coded using LONGSCAN's modification of the Maltreatment Classification System (MMCS) and the Second National Incidence Study maltreatment coding system (NIS-2). The first analyses used reports as the unit of analysis to examine agreement between CPS and research determinations of allegation type. Validation analyses examined outcomes for each type of maltreatment experienced after age 4 under each coding system using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Trauma Symptom Checklist-Alternative form, and the Vineland Screener as the measures of outcome. Control variables were the CBCL and Battelle Developmental Screener, measured at age 4. Results: There were a total of 1980 reports of maltreatment for 545 study children although only 1593 CPS reports specified at least one type of maltreatment. There were differences between the type of maltreatment recorded in child protective service records and the conclusions reached by either research classification system. CPS classifications were most discordant with the research systems for emotional abuse and neglect. Nearly 10% of physical and sexual abuse reports, as determined by the MMCS, were classified as neglect by the child protective service agencies. The NIS-2 system and the MMCS had very high Kappa statistics for agreement for physical and sexual abuse. The validity of the research definitions for physical and sexual abuse was demonstrated in models predicting children's functioning at age 8. Prediction of child functioning was significantly but modestly improved in several domains compared to the CPS classifications. Conclusion: Both research classification systems moderately improved on the prediction of the adverse effects of maltreatment compared to the characterization of a maltreatment exposure as recorded by CPS.
Some data for applying the bowl phenomenon to large production line systems

The bowl phenomenon provides a way of increasing the throughput of some production line systems with variable processing times by purposely unbalancing the line in a certain manner. However, previously available numerical results for applying the bowl phenomenon have been quite limited. We extend these numerical results here by obtaining the optimal allocation of work for somewhat larger cases than previously considered. We also develop some guidelines and data for extrapolating these results to estimate the optimal allocation of work for even larger production lines that are beyond the reach of exact solution methods. The results cover a broad cross-section of values of both buffer capacities and the coefficient of variation of processing times.
Zebrafish chemical screening reveals the impairment of dopaminergic neuronal survival by cardiac glycosides.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the prominent degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons among other cell types. Here we report a first chemical screen of over 5,000 compounds in zebrafish, aimed at identifying small molecule modulators of DA neuron development or survival. We find that Neriifolin, a member of the cardiac glycoside family of compounds, impairs survival but not differentiation of both zebrafish and mammalian DA neurons. Cardiac glycosides are inhibitors of Na+/K+ ATPase activity and widely used for treating heart disorders. Our data suggest that Neriifolin impairs DA neuronal survival by targeting the neuronal enriched Na+/K+ ATPase α3 subunit (ATP1A3). Modulation of ionic homeostasis, knockdown of p53, or treatment with antioxidants protects DA neurons from Neriifolin-induced death. These results reveal a previously unknown effect of cardiac glycosides on DA neuronal survival and suggest that it is mediated through ATP1A3 inhibition, oxidative stress, and p53. They also elucidate potential approaches for counteracting the neurotoxicity of this valuable class of medications.
Marine sediments: dating by the racemization of amino acids.

Isoleucine has been found to undergo a slow racemization reaction in a 5-meter sediment core taken from the Atlantis fracture zone (water depth, 4014 meters; actual location, 30°15.79N, 43°18.99W). The amount of racemization increases with increasing depth below the sediment-seawater interface. This isoleucine racemization reaction was used to calculate an age of 1.23 million years for the bottom of the core.
MO‐D‐BRB‐06: Deconvolution Approach to Robust Fluence in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Purpose: To develop a deconvolution algorithm to obtain the robust fluence for external beam radiation treatment under geometrical uncertainties and to demonstrate the feasibility of this deconvolution approach for clinical robust IMRT planning. Method and Materials: Usually, the geometrical uncertainty is incorporated in the doseoptimization process for inverse treatment planning to determine the fluence which is robust to the geometrical uncertainty. Most of these approaches rely on the dose‐convolution which is subject to the error caused by patient surface curvature and internal inhomogeneity. In this work, based on a 1D deconvolution algorithm developed by Ulmer and Kaissl, a fluence‐deconvolution approach was developed to obtain the robust fluence through the deconvolution of the nominal static one given by any treatment planning system. It incorporates the geometrical uncertainty outside the doseoptimization procedure. Results: Robust fluences were calculated for a 4×4 cm flat field, a prostate IMRT and a head & neck IMRT plan in a commercial treatment planning system. The corresponding doses were simulated for 30 fractions with random Gaussian distribution of the iso‐centers showing good agreement with the nominal static doses.Conclusion: The clinical applicable robust IMRT fluence can be obtained through this deconvolution approach. Because it is separated from the doseoptimization procedure, the advantages of this approach are 1) the error of dose‐convolution is avoid; 2) it is more flexible and easier to be integrated into different existing treatment planning systems to obtain robust fluence.
Phenomenology of a nonstandard top quark Yukawa coupling

There are theoretical speculations that the top quark may have different properties from that predicted by the standard model. We use an effective Lagrangian technique to model such a nonstandard top quark scenario. We parametrize the CP-violating interactions of the top quark with the bubble wall in terms of an effective top quark Yukawa coupling, then study its effects on electroweak baryogenesis. We also discuss the phenomenology of such an effective Yukawa coupling in low and high energy regions.
Prevention of caffeine-induced cleft palate by L-glutamic acid.

Abstract l -Glutamic acid produced a significant reduction in caffeine-induced congenital cleft palate when it was used as a dietary supplement in gestating Swiss ICR:Ha albino mice. The mechanism of the protective action of l -glutamic acid is unknown but may be a reflection of the increased availability and utilization of amino acids, i.e., via transamination, or the result of the synthesis of intermediary metabolites, e.g., glutathione, that require l -glutamic acid. The antiteratogenic activity observed in this study was consistent with previous experiments which demonstrated that l -glutamic acid significantly reduced the incidence of cortisone-induced cleft palate and trypan blue-induced exencephaly and otocephaly.
Behavioral categories of intercultural communication competence: Everyday communicators' perceptions

Abstract This paper reports the development of a behaviorally-based inventory of social skills related to impressions of communicative competence, grounded in the perceptions of everyday communicators. The study examined two variables: (a) the cultural context (inter vs. intra) and (b) the locus of the communication (speaker vs. other). Six hundred and two respondents were asked to imagine they had just completed a dyadic interaction, in one of four cultural contexts: with (a) another American, (b) an international student; nationality not specified, (c) a Japanese student, or (d) a German student. They were then asked to describe (a) what they would do and (b) what the other interactant would do in order to create a favorable impression and to be perceived as a competent communicator. Their responses were analyzed using standard content analysis procedures and four general dimensions emerged: one communicative function dimension and three specific behavioral dimensions (nonverbal, content/topic, and conversational management). Respondents identified 20–30 “behaviors” in each of these four dimensions that were fairly consistent for both loci (speaker, other). Most significant was the conceptual distinction made between the function dimension which comprised general statements of impressions (e.g., be friendly, be polite, show interest) and the other dimensions which comprised specific behaviors (smile, talk about topics of mutual interest, ask questions, etc.). Results also indicated that an additional set of competencies appears to be required for intercultural interactions, dealing with language difficulties and topic differences. The findings are examined in relation to previous research and their application to future research and training.
Definition and evaluation of access rules in data management systems

A data structuring scheme for authorization purposes is presented, that:i) provides a powerful and flexible way of defining access control rules;ii) allows convenient evaluation of access.Algorithms for definition and evaluation of access are given, and possible applications are discussed.
A limited role for mediodorsal thalamus in devaluation tasks

Six experiments were performed to determine the role of mediodorsal thalamus (MD) in the devaluation task, varying the type of contingencies (Pavlovian or operant), the number of reinforcers (one vs. two), and the order of experiments (in naive or experimentally experienced rats). MD-lesioned rats were impaired in devaluation performance when switched between Pavlovian and operant devaluation tasks, but not when switched from one Pavlovian devaluation task to another Pavlovian devaluation task. MD lesions caused no devaluation impairment in a multiple-reinforcer Pavlovian devaluation task. These results suggest that MD lesions impair performance in devaluation tasks as a result of an inability to switch the form of associations made from one type of outcome-encoding association to another. This is in accord with previous literature suggesting that MD is needed for strategy set shifting. The results further suggest that MD is a necessary part of devaluation circuits only in cases in which previous associations need to be suppressed in order for new associations to be learned and control behavior, and otherwise the devaluation circuit does not require MD.
Proteolysis of decellularized extracellular matrices results in loss of fibronectin and cell binding activity.

Abstract Excessive inflammation in the chronic wound bed is believed to result in increased fibronectin (FN) proteolysis and poor tissue repair. However, FN fragments can prime the immune response and result in higher protease levels. The reciprocity between FN proteolysis and inflammation makes it challenging to determine the specific contribution of FN proteolysis in the extracellular matrix (ECM) on tissue responses. We studied the impact of proteolysis of decellularized extracellular matrices (dECMs) obtained from NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts on FN level and activity. The dECMs were treated with α chymotrypsin and proteolysis was stopped at different time points. The protease solution was obtained, the remaining dECM was scrapped and examined by immunoblotting and Bicinchoninic Acid assays. Fibronectin was 9.4 ± 1.8% of the total protein content in the dECM but was more susceptible to proteolysis. After 15 min of protease treatment there was a 67.6% and 11.1% decrease in FN and total protein, respectively, in the dECMs. Fibronectin fragments were present both in the proteolysis solution and in the dECM. Cell adhesion, spreading and actin extensions on dECMs decreased with increasing proteolysis time. Interestingly, the solutions obtained after proteolysis of the dECMs supported cell adhesion and spreading in a time dependent manner, thus demonstrating the presence of FN cell binding activity in the protease solution of dECMs. This study demonstrates the susceptibility of FN in the ECM to proteolysis and the resulting loss of cell adhesion due to the decrease of FN activity and places weight on bioengineering strategies to stabilize FN against proteolysis.
First-year growth of planted Douglas-fir and white fir seedling under different shelterwood regimes in California

Abstract A 17-ha area in the central California Sierra was harvested in 1979 to provide three shelterwoods with residual basal areas of 10, 15 and 20 m 2 /ha. An adjacent uncut stand of 75 m 2 /ha was used as a control. During the summer of 1980, seedling performance was assessed along with five microenvironmental characteristics. Maximum air temperature was similar among shelterwoods; minimum air temperature varied by about 3°C. Daily potential evaporation in all shelterwoods was similar and doubledfrom June to July and remained constant through September. Evaporation in the control was half of the shelterwoods. Subsurface soil temperature reached a maximum in August of 24°C in the least-dense shelterwood and 16°C in the control. Subsurface soil moisture was 35% for all treatments in May, but in September was 18% in the least-dense shelterwood and 12% in the control. Daily incident light in June ranged from 76% to 54% of maximum in the least-dense and most-dense shelterwood respectively, and 12% of maximum in the control. Survival of Douglas-fir was greater than 93% in all treatments. However, survival of white fir ranged from 63% to 85% as the overstory density increased; these differences were not significant. The period of rapid white fir mortality occurred later in the summer with increasing canopy cover. Height growth of both species was about 2.3 cm in the control to 3.1 cm under the least-dense shelterwood; however, treatment differences were significant only for white fir, Stem diameter growth of about 1.3 mm in treatments 10 and 15 was significantly greater than the growth of 0.3 mm in treatments 20 and the control. In Douglas-fir shoot: root ratios and biomass tended to increase with decreasing shelterwood. In white fir, the reverse trend was observed for shoot:root ratio but biomass production was similar in each shelterwood. Seedling sshowed the least overall growth in the uncut stand where plant moisture stress reached -19 bar (-1.9 MPa) in Douglas-fir and -22 bar (-2.2 MPa) in white fir. Results indicate that a 10 m 2 /ha shelterwood provides conditions for successful 1st-year survival and growth of container-grown Douglas-fir, but a 15 m 2 /ha density is preferable for bare-root white fir. Shoot growth initiation does not seem to be delayed under shelterwoods of up to 20 m 2 /ha.
NEW TARGETS FOR NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG CANCER THERAPY

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of malignancy-related deaths in the USA, regardless of advances in therapeutic agents. Non-small-cell lung cancer demonstrates great molecular heterogeneity in which several pathways are simultaneously active leading to tumorigenesis. Novel agents targeting specific pathways associated with apoptosis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis and other mechanisms have emerged as a separate and unique therapeutic class delivering promising results in a vast number of malignancies. This innovative class of agents has been studied in advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer and, although some agents have demonstrated a clinical benefit, the overall course of the disease remains relatively unchanged, still holding a poor overall prognosis. Most of these agents have been shown to be ‘cytostatic’, inducing more stable disease rather than objective responses. Thus, the entrance of these novel agents into our drug armamentarium seems to be more attractive in combination with conventi...
Branching patterns of the renal artery of the pig.

Background The pig kidney is similar in structure and function to the human kidney, thus making it a useful model in understanding the human kidney in health and disease. However, little is known about the branching pattern of the pig renal artery as compared with the human and other animals. Methods The right and left kidneys from 11 juvenile pigs were injected with either Mercox compound to form a vascular cast or contrast media to obtain a renal arteriogram. Branching patterns of the renal artery were then examined to the level of the interlobar arteries. Results Examination of all 22 kidneys showed the main stem renal artery branching into two predictable patterns, designated I and II. The renal artery in pattern I (17 of 22 kidneys) divides into upper and lower polar arteries that then form anterior and posterior segmental arteries. Pattern I has two variations. Pattern II (5 of 22 kidneys) has a variable blood flow to the upper pole. Not only do anterior and posterior segmental arteries pess to the upper pole, but additional vessels arising from the lower polar artery also supply the upper pole. Conclusions The most common branching pattern of the main stem renal artery is pattern I, which divides the blood flow of the entire kidney into two distinct regions. Pattern II is less frequently seen and shows more variability in number and location of branches. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Green intentions: creating a green value stream to compete and win

Brett Wills, New York, CRC Press, 2009, 296 pp., £25.99 (paperback), ISBN 978-1-42008-961-5 Overall, this is a good general treatment of the subject and it is especially great to see an emphasis on...
Patternable polymer bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells on plastic by rotogravure printing

Abstract We study the fabrication of poly(3-hexylthiophene)—P3HT and [6,6]-phenyl-C61 butyric acid methyl ester—PCBM based polymer bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells using rotogravure printing. By studying the dependencies of device performance on material and process parameters including contact angles, ink concentrations, ink viscosities, solvent characteristics, and gravure printing parameters, optimized hole transport layers [poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)—PEDOT:PSS] and active layers (P3HT:PCBM) are printed, resulting in devices with power conversion efficiencies as high as 1.68% under AM 1.5 G and a spectrally matched intensity of 100 mW/cm2.
Identifying the dimensions of service quality in a park context

Previous invetigations of service quality in several private-sector services have suggested that it consists of five dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. This study was concerned with whether or not these dimensions described service quality in the context of parks, and if so which dimensions were most important. The results indicated that service quality in parks was described by four dimensions: tangibles, reliability, responsiveness and assurance. There were differences in perceived service quality between users of different parks. the most important dimension was tangibles, and the relative importance of each dimension varied according to the specific park which was visited.
A new hypergeometric identity linking coefficients of a certain class of homogeneous polynomials motivated from magnetohydrodynamics

Considerations of a particular limit of the magnetohydrodynamic equations, appropriate for the generation of magnetic field in planetary interiors, lead to a set of constraints involving a certain class of homogeneous polynomials. This set is significantly degenerate owing to an identity satisfied by the polynomial coefficients, which involves linear combinations of simple F12 Gauss hypergeometric functions. A generalised version of this new identity is proved by appealing to Wilf-Zeilberger theory.
Asymptotically distribution-free joint confidence intervals for generalized Lorenz curves based on complete data☆

Abstract Asymptotically distribution-free joint confidence intervals are provided for generalized Lorenz ordinates estimated from complete data. The joint confidence intervals are especially useful in making an overall comparison of generalized Lorenz curves. Based on the confidence intervals a multiple-comparisons-type test is proposed for testing a dominance of generalized Lorenz curves. More generally, the proposed test can be applied to test for second degree stochastic dominance of two income distributions. The results are illustrated with US house-hold income data for 1969 and 1979.
Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of Jurassic dinosaur habitats of the Vega Formation, Asturias, Spain

Jurassic-aged strata of Asturias, Spain, contain trace fossils including sauropod, theropod, and ornithopod dinosaur footprints, but their paleoenvironmental context has been relatively unstudied. A coastally exposed continuous section at Playa de Vega shows a clear transition from the marine Middle Jurassic Rodiles Formation to the terrestrial Upper Jurassic Vega Formation. Within the >100 m of Vega Formation stratigraphy that was logged there, four distinct types of paleosols were identified: (1) Entisols, (2) Inceptisols, (3) Vertisols, and (4) composite or cumulative paleosols. The paleosol types and their features indicate a floodplain depositional setting with short stature, shrubby vegetation. Theropod and ornithopod tracks have been identified at the base of the section, indicating that a dinosaurian fauna was present at Playa de Vega during the Jurassic. Results from well-characterized climofunctions based on modern soils and paleosol B horizon chemical composition of the Inceptisols and Vertisols yield mean annual precipitation estimates of 400–980 mm yr −1 and mean annual temperature estimates of 8–15 °C. The presence of Vertisols, with both evidence for shrink-and-swell behavior and dispersed pedogenic carbonate, is consistent with a strongly seasonal precipitation regime. The δ 13 C analyses of pedogenic carbonates yield values that range from −7.09‰ to −8.88‰ (relative to Vienna Peedee belemnite [VPDB]) and indicate carbon dioxide levels about six times pre-industrial levels, consistent with previous results. The Asturian vertebrate track assemblage is remarkably similar to that of the Morrison Formation (western United States), but it has greater overall richness. The pattern is reversed for body fossils. The reconstructed paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic conditions indicate similar depositional settings in both places, but with a cooler, wetter, more seasonal environment in Asturias. The greater seasonality indicated by the Vega Formation relative to the Morrison Formation may explain the observed differences in richness.
Creativity research in music education: A review (1980-2005)

This article lays a foundational groundwork of what is currently known regarding creativity and music education to encourage future research. It explores principal research avenues within various scholarly journals related to creativity and music education, including definitions of creativity, empirical measures of creativity, and effects of music instruction on general creativity scores. Definitions (and, consequently, assessments) of creativity fall into three general categories: product based, process based, and performance based. These definitions have generated a number of new theories and tests designed to assess the creativity of products and individuals.
Informing the symptom profile of complicated grief

Complicated grief (CG) is a recently described syndrome currently being considered for inclusion in the DSM5. Criteria have been proposed [1] based upon data primarily from elderly white widows, and analysis of additional data sets is needed. Developers of DSM5 consider their highest priority goal that of usefulness to clinicians diagnosing and treating patients. This paper provides additional empirical evidence through analyses of CG symptoms in a large clinical data set consisting of bereaved individuals with CG, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and healthy controls. Study participants received clinician administered structured diagnostic assessments in three clinical research institutions. All participants completed the Inventory of Complicated Grief [ICG: 2], one of the most widely used assessment instruments in this field [e.g. 3; 4–7]. While a statistical methodology cannot, by itself, determine criteria for diagnosing CG, we believe that exploring the dimensional structure of the ICG, particularly in samples that include CG cases, is useful because 1) examination in a diverse bereaved sample with and without bereavement related symptoms can provide evidence that CG is a single construct (consistent with prior work: [1; 8], and 2) as a second level step, examination within the subgroup of CG cases can identify clusters of symptoms that are more likely to co-occur within the construct of CG. Such symptom clusters can be used as meaningful ways of combining symptoms in order to develop parsimonious, coherent diagnostic criteria. We hypothesized that 1) CG would be identified as a single construct in a diverse, variably symptomatic bereaved sample and 2) individuals with clinically confirmed CG could be differentiated from non-CG cases based on ICG symptom clusters with improved sensitivity and specificity once optimal clustering was identified within CG cases through factor analyses. This paper describes our study samples, analytic methods and results. We present our proposed criteria and a discussion of the literature about CG as a potential new diagnosis in a companion paper.
The Sex Difference in Depression Across 29 Countries

The sex difference in depression is well documented in westernized, developed societies, although there has been little quantitative cross-cultural research on the topic. In this study, we use multilevel logit models to examine sex differences in depression across 29 countries using data from the World Values Survey. We ﬁ nd that in no country are males more likely to be depressed than females. We also ﬁ nd that while levels of depression are higher in low gender equity countries, the gender gap in depression is larger in high gender equity countries.
MAP kinase kinase kinase-2 (MEKK2) regulates hypertrophic remodeling of the right ventricle in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in pressure overload of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart, initiating pathological RV remodeling and ultimately leading to right heart failure. Substantial research indicates that signaling through the MAPK superfamily mediates pathological cardiac remodeling. These considerations led us to test the hypothesis that the regulatory protein MAPKKK-2 (MEKK2) contributes to RV hypertrophy in hypoxia-induced PH. Transgenic mice with global knockout of MEKK2 (MEKK2−/− mice) and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to chronic hypobaric hypoxia (10% O2, 6 wk) and compared with animals under normoxia. Exposure to chronic hypoxia induced PH in WT and MEKK2−/− mice. In response to PH, WT mice showed RV hypertrophy, demonstrated as increased ratio of RV weight to body weight, increased RV wall thickness at diastole, and increased cardiac myocyte size compared with normoxic control animals. In contrast, each of these measures of RV hypertrophy seen in WT mice after chronic hypoxia was attenuated in MEKK2−/− mice. Furthermore, chronic hypoxia elicited altered programs of hypertrophic and inflammatory gene expression consistent with pathological RV remodeling in WT mice; MEKK2 deletion selectively inhibited inflammatory gene expression compared with WT mice. The actions of MEKK2 were mediated in part through regulation of the abundance and phosphorylation of its effector, ERK5. In conclusion, signaling by MEKK2 contributes to RV hypertrophy and altered myocardial inflammatory gene expression in response to hypoxia-induced PH. Therapies targeting MEKK2 may protect the myocardium from hypertrophy and pathological remodeling in human PH.
Optical instrument design for interrogation of dermally-implanted luminescent microparticle sensors

Luminescence-based sensors have been developed in microparticle formats for biochemical targets such as glucose, enabling use of dermal implants for on-demand monitoring. For these to be deployed and interrogated in vivo, a matched optoelectronic system for delivery of excitation, collection and analysis of luminescence response is needed. In this work, simulations based on Monte Carlo ray-tracing were performed for models of luminescent microparticle materials embedded in skin. The spectral and spatial distribution of luminescence escaping the skin was determined for different concentrations, implantation depths, and input beam sizes. Results indicate that the implant environment does not significantly alter the measured spectral intensity ratios. The escaping emission light possesses measurable power and spectral information for quantitative analysis. Using these findings, an optical system has been designed specifically for sensor interrogation and response acquisition, and is currently implemented in hardware. Following benchtop validation and signal-to-noise maximization with tissue phantoms, the instrument will be used for measurement on sensors in rat subjects.
High-speed GaAs frequency dividers using a self-aligned dual-level double lift-off substitution gate MESFET process

A new self-aligned substitution gate process, which uses a dual-level resist (photoresist/polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)) and a double lift-off technique has been successfully developed for the fabrication of MESFET circuits on 3-in GaAs wafers. Good device uniformity (20-mV standard deviation of threshold voltage) and excellent device characteristics ( g_{m} = 280 mS/mm) were obtained. Single-clocked divide-by-four frequency dividers with direct-coupled FET logic (DCFL) and five-gate delay design were fabricated by the above process. The maximum input frequency measured was 4.4 GHz. The minimum power dissipation was a 0.55-mW/gate with a speed-power product of 39 fJ.
Guidelines for the Clinical Use of Electronic Mail with Patients

Guidelines regarding patient - provider electronic mail are presented. The intent is to provide guidance concerning computer-based communications between clinicians and patients within a contractual relationship in which the health-care provider has taken on an explicit measure of responsibility for the client's care. The guidelines address two interrelated aspects: effective interaction between the clinician and patient, and observance of medicolegal prudence. Recommendations for site-specific policy formulation are included. n JAMIA. 1998;5:104 - 111.
Development of shear bands in annular shear granular flows

Using hard-disk simulations of relatively dense packs of mono-sized system in an annular Couette geometry the formation of dilute regions inside the granular media, namely shear bands, are investigated. The results represent the influence of entire system characteristics such as solid area fraction and shear rate on the development of shear bands as well as the local properties of grains that cause them to participate in the formation of a shear band. Moreover, simulations have been performed for binary-sized system, which revealed that the formation of such diluted shear bands is unlikely.
Linear programming for optimum hazard elimination in asynchronous circuits

It is shown that hazards can be optimally eliminated from circuits synthesized starting with a signal transition graph (STG) specification. The proposed approach is based on a linear programming (or integer linear programming) formulation, and as such it can be solved efficiently and optimally for a variety of cost functions. Suggested cost functions optimize either the total padded delay, an estimate of the increase in area, or the maximum cycle time of the complete system. It is also shown that delay padding on all fanouts of STG signals is a necessary and sufficient condition for hazard elimination if the structure and delay of each combinational logic block cannot be changed. Experimental results indicate that the improvements obtained are well worth the added complexity of linear program solution. >
The effectiveness of web search engines for retrieving relevant ecommerce links

Ecommerce is developing into a fast-growing channel for new business, so a strong presence in this domain could prove essential to the success of numerous commercial organizations. However, there is little research examining ecommerce at the individual customer level, particularly on the success of everyday ecommerce searches. This is critical for the continued success of online commerce. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of search engines in the retrieval of relevant ecommerce links. The study examines the effectiveness of five different types of search engines in response to ecommerce queries by comparing the engines' quality of ecommerce links using topical relevancy ratings. This research employs 100 ecommerce queries, five major search engines, and more than 3540 Web links. The findings indicate that links retrieved using an ecommerce search engine are significantly better than those obtained from most other engines types but do not significantly differ from links obtained from a Web directory service. We discuss the implications for Web system design and ecommerce marketing campaigns.
Proteotoxic stress increases nuclear localization of ataxin-3

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)/Machado Joseph disease results from expansion of the polyglutamine domain in ataxin-3 (Atx3). Atx3 is a transcriptional co-repressor, as well as a deubiquitinating enzyme that appears to function in cellular pathways involved in protein homeostasis. In this study, we show that interactions of Atx3 with valosin-containing protein and hHR23B are dynamic and modulated by proteotoxic stresses. Heat shock, a general proteotoxic stress, also induced wild-type and pathogenic Atx3 to accumulate in the nucleus. Mapping studies showed that two regions of Atx3, the Josephin domain and the C-terminus, regulated heat shock-induced nuclear localization. Heat shock-induced nuclear localization of Atx3 was not affected by a casein kinase-2 inhibitor or by mutating a predicted nuclear localization signal. However, serine-111 of Atx3 was required for nuclear localization of the Josephin domain and regulated nuclear localization of full-length Atx3. Atx3 null cells were more sensitive to toxic effects of heat shock suggesting that Atx3 had a protective function in the cellular response to heat shock. Importantly, we found that oxidative stress also induced nuclear localization of Atx3; both wild-type and pathogenic Atx3 accumulated in the nucleus of SCA3 patient fibroblasts following oxidative stress. Heat shock and oxidative stress are the first processes identified that increase nuclear localization of Atx3. Observations in this study provide new and important insights for understanding SCA3 pathology as the nucleus is likely a key site for early pathogenesis.
Detection of lipid hydroperoxides by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with post-column reaction

Abstract Increasing concern over the possible relationships between lipid peroxidation and human diseases and ageing, coupled with continuing interest in the role of lipid peroxidation in food spoilage, has prompted the study of techniques for the determination of hydroperoxides formed during lipid oxidation. A significant advance in these investigations has been the development of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method to separate the hydroperoxides, followed by post-column chemiluminescence or iodometric detection. The techniques measure hydroperoxides directly and offer improved specificity and sensitivity over other available methods.
Electrical characterization and material evaluation of zirconium oxynitride gate dielectric in TaN-gated NMOSFETs with high-temperature forming gas annealing

The electrical, material, and reliability characteristics of zirconium oxynitride (Zr-oxynitride) gate dielectrics were evaluated. The nitrogen (/spl sim/1.7%) in Zr-oxynitride was primarily located at the Zr-oxynitride/Si interface and helped to preserve the composition of the nitrogen-doped Zr-silicate interfacial layer (IL) during annealing as compared to the ZrO/sub 2/ IL - resulting in improved thermal stability of the Zr-oxynitride. In addition, the Zr-oxynitride demonstrated a higher crystallization temperature (/spl sim/600/spl deg/C) as compared to ZrO/sub 2/ (/spl sim/400/spl deg/C). Reliability characterization was performed after TaN-gated nMOSFET fabrication of Zr-oxynitride and ZrO/sub 2/ devices with equivalent oxide thickness (EOTs) of 10.3 /spl Aring/ and 13.8 /spl Aring/, respectively. Time-zero dielectric breakdown and time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) characteristics revealed higher dielectric strength and effective breakdown field for the Zr-oxynitride. High-temperature forming gas (HTFG) annealing on TaN/Zr-oxynitride nMOSFETs with an EOT of 11.6 /spl Aring/ demonstrated reduced D/sub it/, which resulted in reduced swing (69 mV/decade), reduced off-state leakage current, higher transconductance, and higher mobility. The peak mobility was increased by almost fourfold from 97 cm/sup 2//V/spl middot/s to 383 cm/sup 2//V/spl middot/s after 600/spl deg/C HTFG annealing.