cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robustness of a Derivative-Free Adaptive Control Law

Although adaptive control theory offers mathematical tools to achieve required system performance without excessive dependence on modeling, its application to safety-critical systems can be limited by the presence of unmodeled dynamics. This paper examines the robustness to unmodeled dynamics of a recently developed derivative-free adaptive control law. In contrast to derivative-based adaptive laws, it is shown, using a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, that robustness to unmodeled dynamics is improved by increasing the adaptation gain. This is accomplished by including a bias term in the set of basis functions employed by the adaptive control law. It is shown that derivative-based adaptive laws do not offer the same advantage. Examples are presented that compare these two forms of adaptation in the context of sensitivity to unmodeled dynamics.
Discrete likelihood ratio test for intelligent signal recognition in software defined radio

Only very few computational complexity reduced automatic modulation recognition methods have been invented to satisfy the seamless demodulation requirement arising from software defined radio (SDR). Among them, a discrete likelihood ratio test (DLRT) based rapid estimation approach was introduced recently in our prior work and capable of identifying most of M-ary linear digital modulation schemes blindly in real-time. This paper intends to present its comprehensive performance evaluation results with a variety of classification cases.
Influence of pre-existing plate-margin structures on foredeep filling: Insights from the Taconian (Blountian) clastic wedge, Southeastern USA

Break up of continents gives rise to conjugate margins with irregular shapes, and with thermal histories and sedimentary records that differ along strike. These elements need to be considered in the integrated study of a foreland-basin/orogenic-belt pair that formed during subsequent contractional events. This paper relates the promontory and embayment configuration of southeastern Laurentia (North American craton) to: (1) along-strike variations in width of the initial depositional profile of the Middle to Upper Ordovician Taconian (Blountian) foredeep; (2) northeastward (toward the embayment) along-strike thickening and migration of siliciclastic depocenters in the foredeep, that favored the resumption of carbonate-ramp deposition on the promontory during the Late Ordovician; and (3) variation in intensity of deformation of intrabasinal structures as recorded by reactivation of across-strike structures located on the transition zone between the promontory and embayment. Geometry and composition of the Blountian foreland strata indicate that the foredeep slope was narrower and steeper on the Alabama promontory than on the southwestern flank of the Tennessee embayment. Differential slope geometries were accommodated by reactivation of transverse basement faults, which controlled local conglomerate deposition in deep-water settings on the transition zone between the promontory and embayment. In contrast, conglomerate beds at the top of coarsening-upward successions on the southwestern flank of the Tennessee embayment record the cratonward progradation of deltaic depositional systems. The results presented here may have relevance to other peripheral foreland basins formed over rifted continental margins or retro-arc foreland basins formed adjacent to inverted intracratonic rifts.
Optimization of amplitude-modulated inverse filter

The amplitude-modulated inverse filter is optimized for improved pattern recognition. Both correlation performance and output signal-to-noise ratio for this optimized filter are found to be enhanced within the theoretically identified range of the filter parameters.
Effect of Sample Weight and Orientation in the Shear Press Testing of Canadian Style Bacon

Shear press experiments were performed on rectangular slices of Canadian style bacon with sample weights of 5 and 10g. Maximum peak force and area under the curve (then converted to energy) were obtained from the Instron force-deformation curves. General linear modeling was performed on these results to see if, at these sample weights, the peak force and shear energy were affected by either sample weight or by the manner in which the sample was arranged within the shear test cell. Results showed that for the magnitude of sample weights tested, the peak force and shear energy were affected by sample weight and the sample orientation within the shear cell attachment. Factors tested included the direction in which the meat fibers were aligned (with respect to the blades in the cell), sample thickness and sample weight.
Narrow SAR in odorant sensing Orco receptor agonists.

Abstract The systematic exploration of a series of triazole-based agonists of the cation channel insect odorant receptor is reported. The structure–activity relationships of independent sections of the molecules are examined. Very small changes to the compound structure were found to exert a large impact on compound activity. Optimal substitutions were combined using a ‘mix-and-match’ strategy to produce best-in-class compounds that are capable of potently agonizing odorant receptor activity and may form the basis for the identification of a new mode of insect behavior modification.
Properties of the reverse transcription of synthetic and hamster retroviral RNA by avian and hamster viral polymerases

Abstract Reverse transcription of poly(rA)·oligo(dT) and of the viral RNA present in purified virions of a hamster retrovirus by hamster and avian reverse transcriptase has been examined under various reaction conditions. The results demonstrate that the hamster virus polymerase transcribes by a processive mechanaism and that the size of the poly(dT) transcripts is not influenced by dTTP or enzyme concentrations. These and previous results show that initiation is the rate-limiting step. Both polymerases were markedly more active with Mn 2+ than Mg 2+ when tested on the hamster viral RNA template and produced the same “strong stop” cDNA with either metal ion. Evidence is presented which suggests that the metal ions affect the template activity of the polyribonucleic acids rather than the activity of the enzyme.
A nested case-control study of the effectiveness of screening for prostate cancer: Research design

Although prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination (DRE) are commonly used to screen for prostate cancer, available data do not confirm that either test improves survival. This report describes the methodological aspects of a nested case-control study addressing the question of whether PSA screening, with or without DRE, is effective in increasing survival. Potential sources of bias are discussed, as well as corresponding strategies used to avoid them. Results are expected in the year 2002.
Role of food type in yohimbine- and pellet-priming-induced reinstatement of food seeking

We have recently adapted a reinstatement model, commonly used to study relapse to drugs of abuse, to study the role of stress and anxiety in relapse to palatable food seeking [20]. We found that the anxiogenic drug yohimbine, as well as pellet-priming, reinstate food seeking in food restricted rats previously trained to lever press for palatable food pellets (25% fat, 48% carbohydrate). Here, we studied the generality of the effect of yohimbine and pellet-priming on reinstatement of food seeking by using three distinct pellet types: non-sucrose carbohydrate (NSC) (5.5% fat, 60% carbohydrate, 4.5% fiber), fiber (0% fat, 0% carbohydrate, 91% fiber) and sucrose (0% fat, 91% carbohydrate, 4% fiber). Rats were placed on a restricted diet (75–80% of daily standard food) and for 9–12 intermittent training days (9 h/d, every other day) lever-pressed for the food pellets under a fixed-ratio 1 (20-sec timeout) reinforcement schedule. Subsequently, the rats were given 9–10 daily extinction sessions during which lever-presses were not reinforced, and were then injected with yohimbine (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or given a single food pellet to induce reinstatement of food seeking. Yohimbine reinstated food seeking previously reinforced by NSC and sucrose pellets, but had a minimal effect on food-seeking in rats previously trained to lever press for fiber pellets. Pellet-priming produced a greater degree of reinstatement of lever pressing in rats previously trained on NSC pellets than in rats trained on fiber or sucrose pellets. Results suggest that the magnitude of the effect of yohimbine and pellet-priming on reinstatement of food seeking depends in part on the composition of the food pellets used during training.
Comparison of mandibular motion in horses chewing hay and pellets.

Summary Reasons for performing study: Previous studies have suggested that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) kinematics depend on the type of food being masticated, but accurate measurements of TMJ motion in horses chewing different feeds have not been published. Hypothesis: The temporomandibular joint has a larger range of motion when horses chew hay compared to pellets. Methods: An optical motion capture system was used to track skin markers on the skull and mandible of 7 horses as they chewed hay and pellets. A virtual marker was created on the midline between the mandibles at the level of the 4th premolar teeth to represent the overall motion of the mandible relative to the skull during the chewing cycle. Results: Frequency of the chewing cycles was lower for hay than for pellets. Excursions of the virtual mandibular marker were significantly larger in all 3 directions when chewing hay compared to pellets. The mean velocity of the virtual mandibular marker during the chewing cycle was the same when chewing the 2 feeds. Conclusions: The range of mediolateral displacement of the mandible was sufficient to give full occlusal contact of the upper and lower dental arcades when chewing hay but not when chewing pellets. Potential relevance: These findings support the suggestion that horses receiving a diet high in concentrate feeds may require more frequent dental prophylactic examinations and treatments to avoid the development of dental irregularities associated with smaller mandibular excursions during chewing.
Electrical flow metering of blood for point-of-care diagnostics

We have developed a microfabricated chip that creates a purified white blood cell (WBC) population from whole blood samples and then electrically analyzes the WBCs at the same time as measuring sample volume flown. The flow metering is based on the measurement of the electrical admittance between microelectrodes inside a microfluidic channel. We found that the admittance related to the flow rate linearly. WBC counts which correlated with the flow rate shows how this technique is a viable method in metering and analyzing blood and other biological samples in a point-of-care environment.
Microcephalin Is a DNA Damage Response Protein Involved in Regulation of CHK1 and BRCA1

Microcephalin (MCPH1) is the first gene identified among at least six loci that contribute to the autosomal recessive disease, primary microcephaly. MCPH1, like NFBD1/MDC1, 53BP1, and BRCA1, encodes a protein with twin carboxyl-terminal BRCT domains (PTCB). Here, we report that Mcph1 forms ionizing radiation-induced foci. Down-regulation of Mcph1, like other PTCBs, by siRNA, impairs ionizing radiation-induced intra-S-phase and G(2)/M checkpoints. Inhibition of the expression of Mcph1 decreases both protein and transcript levels of endogenous Brca1 but not exogenous Brca1. Mcph1 inhibition also decreases both endogenous and heterologous Chk1 transcripts and protein. We conclude that Mcph1 is involved in DNA damage-induced cellular responses, and we propose that regulation of Brca1 and/or Chk1 by Mcph1 may contribute to these cellular responses.
The evolution of the electronic campus: from a communication system to an educational delivery system

In 1987, Northwest Missouri State University implemented the first comprehensive networked campus in the nation at a public university in an effort to prepare its faculty, staff and more than 6,000 students for the emerging information-driven society. Northwest's Electronic Campus Program, which was heralded by the Washington Post[1] and USA Today[2] as innovative and exigent, provided networked computing stations in every residence hall room, faculty office and administrative office. In 1997, Northwest also began issuing a personal notebook computer to all of its faculty members and added electronic classrooms with audio and video projection systems. Since its inception 16 years ago, Northwest's Electronic Campus has evolved from an academic system with high capacity communication structures to a complex educational delivery system that has truly become an integral part of the university's daily living and learning experience. Moreover, that evolution has been filled with all the joys and headaches associated with the growing pains of nurturing and watching an infant develop into a rambunctious teenager. Northwest's Information Systems has had the responsibility of parenting this digital entity to help it cope with new and increasingly greater information and technology demands. These demands include, but are not limited to, the support for online degrees and courses in cooperation with the Center for Information Technology in Education. In this paper, the authors will discuss that development-its past, present and future-along with the costs of rearing such an entity, and how Information Systems is helping Northwest's Electronic Campus master the many technological challenges of the twenty-first century.
Application of the principle of the minimum maximum modulus to generalized moment problems and some remarks on quantum field theory

Abstract We develop a method for separating into the component parts functions which are the difference of two series of Stieltjes, and with other related but more complex structures which occur in certain physical problems. Our approach differs from the classical one in that we also can construct a convergent sequence of values to the function value throughout the cut complex plane.
In vivo processing and antibiotic activity of microcin B17 analogs with varying ring content and altered bisheterocyclic sites

Abstract Background: The Escherichia coli peptide antibiotic microcin B17 (MccB17)contains four oxazole and four thiazole rings, and inhibits DNA gyrase. The role of individual and tandem pairs of heterocycles in bioactivity has not been determined previously. Results: The two tandem 4,2-bisheterocycles in MccB17 were varied by expression of MccB17 or mutants containing altered sequences at Gly39-Ser40-Cys41 or Gly54-Cys55-Ser56. A mixture of five-nine-ring MccB17 isoforms were separated and quantitated for antibiotic potency. Mutagenesis of the thiazole-oxazole pair significantly affected antibiotic activity compared with the upstream oxazole-thiazole, which might stabilize partially cyclized intermediates against proteolysis. Conclusions: Enzymatic heterocyclization in native MccB17 occurs distributively. Antibiotic activity correlates with the number of rings and is differentially sensitive to both the location and the identity of the 4,2-tandem heterocycle pairs in MccB17. Such tandem heterocycles might be useful pharmacophores in combinatorial libraries.
Modeling of demand response contracts with operational reliability indices in distribution management system

Utility Industry is evolving to a new distribution operation paradigm where demand response activity is becoming an integral part. One of the methodologies for measuring distribution operation design correctness has been to analyze how well utility has kept up with reliability performance indices, such as SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) and SAIFI (System Average Interruption Frequency Index). With the advent of wide variety of demand response (DR) programs, the utility industry needs to re-define the existing approach and practices in distribution grid operation. This paper presents a novel methodology for establishing and evaluating distribution operation goals and execution respectively. The methodology discussion is extended with design models for implementing demand response contracts in real-time distribution operation. In addition, the paper presents critical comments on various differences in modeling approaches for integrated distribution operation together with demand response.
The structure, properties, and dynamics of oxygen vacancies in amorphous SiO/sub 2/

Analysis of a random population of oxygen vacancies in several amorphous SiO/sub 2/ structures, using first-principles calculations, shows that a distribution of defect states exists due to different local structure. The results also reveal a new structure of an E(/spl gamma//sup 5/)', a five-fold coordinated puckered Si atom, which assists in explaining reverse-bias switching behavior, and the subsequent reduction of E/sub /spl gamma//' defects. The distribution of energy levels in the amorphous SiO/sub 2/ energy gap is consistent with experimental data on both shallow and deep hole traps. The relative frequency of the occurrence for the different hole traps is determined by examining the local geometries of all the possible oxygen vacancy sites in the amorphous structures. Most oxygen vacancies in amorphous SiO/sub 2/ are found to form dimer defects upon hole capture, with the remainder almost evenly divided between "puckered" defects that allow dipole formation upon electron capture (E(/spl gamma//sup 4/)') and those that do not (E(/spl gamma//sup 5/)').
The effects of probabilistic key management on secure routing in sensor networks

Secure data dissemination in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks has recently received a great deal of attention. A variety of protocols have been proposed in order to ensure secure data delivery across these systems; however, the majority of these schemes assume the presence of public or pre-established symmetric keys. Accordingly, the cost of key management has not been incorporated into secure routing mechanisms in this setting. This paper considers the expenses incurred by sensor networks implementing secure routing schemes on top of probabilistic symmetric key management schemes. Specifically, we examine the overhead observed from proactive and reactive key establishment mechanisms for networks using a balanced method of key management. Through extensive simulation, we quantify more realistic costs for the application of secure hop-by-hop routing in sensor networks
The Reactivity of Thin Titanium Films Towards Aluminum and the N-O-N Insulator Stack, and its Effects on the Composition and Properties of Voltage Programmable Links

A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) voltage programmable link (VPL) has been fabricated that relies on the breakdown of a thin nitride - oxide - nitride (N-O-N) plasma deposited insulator stack. The metal electrodes were prepared by depositing a titanium layer (400 A) on top (or bottom) of 7500 A Al ( 1% Si). The resulting metallization resists hillock formation during thermal anneal steps and thus preserves the integrity of the thin link dielectric. The breakdown voltage is typically 10 volts for a 100 A −150 A -100 A NON stack. Sintering at temperatures up to 425 °C results in a negligible increase in breakdown voltage. After sinter at 455°C, the breakdown voltage drops to 6 volts and continues to decrease with further sintering. Auger depth profiles of the as-deposited sample indicate the N-O-N stack is intact and the titanium has also not reacted with the aluminum film. After sinter at 455 °C no distinct interfaces are observed in the auger depth profile. Angle-resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS) of the nitride film after deposition and sinter indicate that the nitride film reacts with the titanium to form titanium nitride or titanium silicide. Angle resolved measurements indicate the titanium concentration has increased by a factor of 5 throughout the film as compared to the as-deposited sample. These results explain the observed drop in breakdown voltage since the insulator is being consumed and being converted into conducting titanium nitride or titanium silicide.
A Prototype Model for Self-Healing and Self-Reproduction In Swarm Robotics System

A swarm robotics system is a special type of wide-area and large-scale distributed system, which focuses on a group of robots cooperating to achieve the same goal using swarm intelligence. To treat the swarm robotics system with the self-healing and self-reproduction functions, this paper studied a prototype model based on the virtual neurons, autonomous self-diagnosis, consequence-oriented prescription, autonomous self-curing, and self-reproduction. This prototype system with self-healing has been implemented in the Trusted Electronics and Grid Obfuscation (TEGO) research center. Several practical cases were studied to show the effectiveness and efficiency of the model. The results demonstrate that the self-healing mechanism makes the system more reliable and the performance much improved, not only against failures, but also against failure propagations
A multilevel analysis of income inequality and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Recent research has suggested that inequality in the distribution of income is associated with increased mortality, even after accounting for average income levels. Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we investigated whether inequality in the distribution of income within US states is related to the prevalence of four cardiovascular disease risk factors (body mass index (BMI), history of hypertension, sedentarism, and smoking). Multilevel models (including both state-level and individual-level variables) were used to examine associations of state inequality with risk factor levels before and after adjustment for individual-level income. For three of the four risk factors investigated (BMI, hypertension, and sedentarism), state inequality was associated with increased risk factor levels, particularly at low income levels (annual household incomes <$25,000), with associations persisting after adjustment for individual-level income. Inequality was also positively associated with smoking, but associations were either stronger or only present at higher income levels. Associations of inequality with the outcomes were statistically significant in women but not in men. Although not conclusive, findings for three of the four risk factors are suggestive of a contextual eAect of income inequality, particularly among persons with lower incomes. # 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Role of Perceived Control and the Desirability of Control Among Abusive and Nonabusive Husbands

Abstract The present study was designed to examine the relationship between husbands' violence and desired and perceived control. Seventy-two married men completed questionnaires assessing self-esteem, desirability of control, and perceived personal and interpersonal control. Logistic regression analyses revealed a significant three-way interaction among desirability of control, perceived personal control, and self-esteem. Further examination indicated two subgroups of men at high risk for engaging in domestic violence: 1) men low on self-esteem, low on desirability of control, and low on perceived personal control; and 2) men high on self-esteem, high on desirability of control, but low on perceived personal control. Treatment implications of the type of abusers are discussed.
NBTI resilient circuits using adaptive body biasing

Reliability has become a practical concern in today's VLSI design with advanced technologies. In-situ sensors have been proposed for reliability monitoring to provide advance warnings before system errors occur. This paper presents a reliability monitor design for NBTI (Negative Bias Temperature Instability). NBTI is recognized as very critical as it leads to short device lifetime. The proposed reliability monitor not only tracks the NBTI effect but also mitigates the degradation by forward biasing the PMOS. A worst case scenario static stress experiment demonstrates two orders of magnitude improvement in system lifetime using PTM 65nm technology. A ring oscillator example shows how frequency degradation can be compensated. Deployment of the proposed NBTI monitor is also discussed and two compatible strategies are provided to incorporate these monitors efficiently: the first focuses on low area overhead while the second features low power.
Discovery of Aryl Aminoquinazoline Pyridones as Potent, Selective, and Orally Efficacious Inhibitors of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase c-Kit†

Inhibition of c-Kit has the potential to treat mast cell associated fibrotic diseases. We report the discovery of several aminoquinazoline pyridones that are potent inhibitors of c-Kit with greater than 200-fold selectivity against KDR, p38, Lck, and Src. In vivo efficacy of pyridone 16 by dose-dependent inhibition of histamine release was demonstrated in a rodent pharmacodynamic model of mast cell activation.
Models for measuring and accounting for cost of conformance quality

We build a model to measure and account for the cost of quality. We incorporate the impact of quality on lead time variance and on service reliability and demand. Quality costs are a joint and nonlinear function of various parameters of the manufacturing process. Our model shows that it may not be optimal for quality improvement efforts to target products that have the highest defective levels, largest direct costs or consume the maximum capital resources. A stochastic dynamic programming model is developed to evaluate the optimal trade-offs across prevention and appraisal costs, and the costs of failure.
The impact of debye relaxation spectrum on the propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves in low loss printed circuit materials

The design of broadband and high frequency circuits requires accurate information on the complex dielectric permittivity of low loss printed circuit board materials. The assumption that the relative permittivity is purely real and frequency-independent leads to physically-inconsistent simulation results and a poor prediction of actual system performance. The relative permittivity is obtained from measurements on two different-length microstrip lines [1]. The effective permittivity is then converted to relative permittivity. Genetic algorithm optimization is used to determine the relaxations and relative weights of the relaxation frequencies of a multi-term Debye model in order to achieve a good match with the measured results. A close look at the Debye model coefficients leads one to consider ways to reduce the terms in the model in order to simplify the model and decrease overall simulation time. This paper investigates how the number of terms used in a multi-term Debye material model impact the accuracy of the computed complex propagation constant in low loss printed circuit boards.
Low-threshold voltage multipliers based on floating-gate charge-pumps

The paper presents a low-threshold voltage multiplier circuit that can be used for harvesting energy from ambient radio-frequency (RF) signals. At the core of the circuit is a charge-pump based on CMOS floating-gate transistor diodes (FGTD) whose threshold voltage can be adjusted using indirect programming. We show that the diodes can achieve threshold voltages less than 50 mV, which is typically less than the conventional Schottky diodes fabricated in an equivalent process. A prototype of a 5-stage charge-pump is fabricated in a standard 0.5-mum CMOS process (Vth = 0.7 V and -0.9 V for nMOS and pMOS transistors respectively). Measurement results validate the functionality of the prototype for multiplying and regulating sub-threshold input signals. Using a 5-stage charge-pump we demonstrate operation at less than 300 mV input signal range with an operating frequency ranging from 1-4 MHz.
An H 2 -matrix-based direct integral-equation solver of linear complexity for solving electrodynamic problems

In recent years, fast multiple based methods, fast low-rank compression methods, and FFT-based methods have been developed that dramatically reduce the memory requirement of the iterative integral-equation (IE) solvers to O(N), and the CPU time to O(NlogN) for electrodynamic problems, with N being the number of unknowns. Compared to iterative solvers, direct solvers have advantages when the number of iterations is large or the number of right hand sides is large. In this work, an H2 matrix [1] was constructed to represent the dense system matrix resulting from integral-equation-based analysis of electrodynamic problems. The H- and H2-matrix framework is a general mathematical framework that enables a highly compact representation and efficient numerical computation of dense matrices. It was shown that the storage requirements and matrix-vector products of H2 matrices are of complexity O(N) [1-3]. However, the complexity of H2-matrix-based inverse has not been clearly established in the literature. In this work, based on the H2-matrix representation, a direct inverse of O(N) operation count and O(N) memory complexity was developed to solve the dense system matrix arising from electromagnetics-based analysis. Both complexity and accuracy were demonstrated. The method is kernel independent, and hence is suitable for any integral-equation-based formulation. In addition, it is applicable to arbitrary structures.
Building and Merging, not Checking: The Nonexistence of (Aux)-S-V-O Languages

Standard views about the factors that determine verb position and subject position predict that there should be Subject-Verb-Object languages in which tense and aspect are indicated by a particle or auxiliary that comes before the subject. Julien's (2000) large-scale survey of the languages of the world, however, indicates that this word order is never found. This striking gap suggests that the theory of how verbs are related to tense needs to be rethought. I suggest that the gap can be explained by abandoning Chomsky's (1993, 1995) checking theory, in which the relationship between the T node and the inflected verb can be established abstractly. The correct word order typology follows if the computational system of human language can combine tense and verb only by overt head movement (Baker 1988, Pollock 1989) or by the PF merger of morphemes under adjacency (Marantz 1988, Bobaljik 1994).
Stable isotopes in early Eocene mammals as indicators of forest canopy structure and resource partitioning

Abstract The three dimensional structure of vegetation is an important component of ecosystems, yet it is difficult to reconstruct from the fossil record. Forests or woodlands prevailed at mid-latitudes in North America during the early Eocene but tree spacing and canopy structure are uncertain. Here we use stable carbon isotope values (δ13C ) in early Eocene mammalian faunas to infer canopy structure. We compare δ13C values in two diverse fossil assemblages from the central Bighorn Basin to values predicted for mammals in a variety of open and closed habitats, based on modern floras and faunas. We conclude that these early Eocene faunas occupied an open canopy forest. We also use carbon and oxygen isotopes to infer diet and microhabitat. Three higher level taxa have significantly different mean δ13C values, and values are negatively correlated with body mass. The pattern suggests diets high in leaves for larger mammals, and fruit or other non-foliar plant organs for small ones. A preference in the larger...
Methods of Genetic Transformation: Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The soil phytopathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens induces tumors, known as crown galls, mainly on dicotyledonous plants. Such tumors are generated by a complex, multi-step transformation process. Agrobacterium has been routinely utilized for the transfer of genes to dicotyledonous plants, and monocotyledonous plants, including important cereals, were thought until recently to be outside the range of this technology since they are generally not considered within the host range of crown gall. Various attempts to infect monocotyledons with Agrobacterium were made in the 1970’s and 1980’s, but conclusive evidence of integrative transformation was not obtained until recently. This delay occurred in part because many methods for the transformation of dicotyledons depend heavily on the cell divisions that are induced by wounding. Similar approaches in monocotyledons failed, because they do not exhibit active responses to wounding. Wounding is necessary for formation of a crown gall and the main roles of wounding are to produce compounds that activate the virulence genes of Agrobacterium and to induce DNA synthesis in host cells. Efficient protocols for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation have recently been developed for rice, maize, barley and wheat. A key point in these protocols is the use of tissues that consist of actively dividing, embryonic cells, such as immature embryos and calli induced from scutella, which are co-cultivated with Agrobacterium in the presence of acetosyringone, which is a potent inducer of the virulence genes. The advantages of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation include the transfer of pieces of DNA with defined ends with minimal rearrangement, the transfer of relatively large segments of DNA, the integration of small numbers of copies of genes into plant chromosomes, and the high quality and fertility of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous transgenic plants. Stable inheritance and expression of transgenes in the progeny has also been demonstrated. It is now clear that Agrobacterium is capable of transferring DNA to monocotyledons if tissues that contain ‘competent’ cells are infected. The success with cereals highlights the critical importance of numerous experimental factors, which include the genotype of the plants, the type and age of the tissue that is inoculated, the vector, the strain of Agrobacterium, the selectable marker genes and selection agents, and the various conditions of tissue culture.
Facilitating Reading Habits and Creating Peer Culture in Shared Book Reading: An Exploratory Case Study in a Toddler Classroom

Fifteen toddlers (2- to 3-years old, nine boys and six girls) in a university preschool classroom were observed for 7 months while spending time with books during transition time, between story time and lunch. This qualitative case study investigated the ways that teachers can facilitate toddlers’ reading habits by providing literacy opportunities in unstructured learning environments and explored the contexts in which toddlers engage in independent reading activities. The findings of this study show that (1) toddlers can develop literacy through participating in meaning-making activities with peers while reading books together in unstructured environments and (2) toddlers want to read and choose to read in order to satisfy their curiosity, involvement, and social interchange, just as older children do.
Carcinoma of the Colon with Undifferentiated, Carcinoid, and Squamous Cell Features

An undifferentiated small cell tumor of the colon that was found by light- and electron-microscopic study to possess features of a malignant carcinoid merged into keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma. Single cells contained both dense-core secretory granules and tonofilaments. The implications of this combination in relation to theories of tumor origin and differentiation are briefly discussed.
Notes on Cretaceous amber Braconidae (Hymenoptera), with descriptions of two new genera

A new genus and species of basal cyclostome Braconidae is described and figured from a male preserved in mid-Cretaceous amber from northern Myanmar. Rhetinorhyssalus morticinus Engel, new genus and species, is interesting for its combination of primitive features such as a minute apical costal cell and anal stubs in the forewing, while lacking 2Cu in the hind wing, a putatively derived trait. As such, the genus may represent a lineage diverging from the braconid stem subsequent to many protorhyssalines, while remaining basal relative to generalized cyclostome groups such as Rhyssalinae. In addition, the Late Cretaceous Diospilus allani Brues, in Campanian Canadian amber, is transferred to Diorhyssalus Engel, new genus, and its similarity to Rhetinorhyssalus is discussed. This transfer results in the new combination, Diorhyssalus allani (Brues). Both genera are tentatively considered as subfamily incertae sedis.
Spectral feature variations in x-ray diffraction imaging systems

Materials with different atomic or molecular structures give rise to unique scatter spectra when measured by X-ray diffraction. The details of these spectra, though, can vary based on both intrinsic (e.g., degree of crystallinity or doping) and extrinsic (e.g., pressure or temperature) conditions. While this sensitivity is useful for detailed characterizations of the material properties, these dependences make it difficult to perform more general classification tasks, such as explosives threat detection in aviation security. A number of challenges, therefore, currently exist for reliable substance detection including the similarity in spectral features among some categories of materials combined with spectral feature variations from materials processing and environmental factors. These factors complicate the creation of a material dictionary and the implementation of conventional classification and detection algorithms. Herein, we report on two prominent factors that lead to variations in spectral features: crystalline texture and temperature variations. Spectral feature comparisons between materials categories will be described for solid metallic sheet, aqueous liquids, polymer sheet, and metallic, organic, and inorganic powder specimens. While liquids are largely immune to texture effects, they are susceptible to temperature changes that can modify their density or produce phase changes. We will describe in situ temperature-dependent measurement of aqueous-based commercial goods in the temperature range of -20°C to 35°C.
MR IMAGING OF THE ADRENAL GLANDS

MR imaging provides an excellent morphologic depiction of normal and abnormal adrenal glands. Although CT scanning remains the primary imaging technique for detecting adrenal lesions, MR imaging is being used increasingly for characterization of adrenal masses. Chemical shift imaging is the most recent MR technique to be evaluated for distinguishing benign from malignant masses, and it appears to be the most reliable; however, further validation of this technique is necessary. In most clinical situations, adrenal lesions thought to be malignant on the basis of MR criteria should still be biopsied. MR imaging is also a useful problem-solving technique after equivocal CT scanning or sonography.
Comparison of true unenhanced and virtual unenhanced (VUE) attenuation values in abdominopelvic single-source rapid kilovoltage-switching spectral CT

To assess the agreement between the true non-contrast (TNC) attenuation values of intra-abdominal structures and attenuation values obtained on virtual-unenhanced (VUE) images based on rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT. The effects of contrast phase and patient characteristics (e.g., BMI, hematocrit, hemoglobin content) on VUE values were also investigated. Ninety four patients who underwent triphasic abdominal CT (liver mass protocol, n = 47; pancreas mass protocol, n = 47) between August 2014 and May 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Unenhanced series was performed using conventional single-energy mode at 120 kVp. Late arterial and venous phase post-contrast series were obtained utilizing rapid kVp-switching dual-energy CT technique. VUE images were processed off of arterial (VUE-art) and venous (VUE-ven) phase series. Attenuation values of liver, pancreas, kidneys, adrenal glands, muscle, subcutaneous fat, aorta, IVC, and main portal vein were recorded on TNC and VUE sets of images. Attenuation values were compared using univariate linear regression and Student two-tailed paired t test. There was excellent correlation between TNC, VUE-art, and VUE-ven attenuation values across all organs (p 10 HU difference between VUE and TNC for an individual was calculated which ranged between 13% (right kidney) and 42% (right adrenal gland). Although the correlation between VUE and TNC attenuation values was excellent and mean difference between TNC and VUE attenuation values was negligible (ranging between −5.94 HU for paraspinal muscles to 6.2 HU in aorta), intra-patient analysis showed a considerable number of cases which had >10 HU difference between VUE and TNC. VUE-ven generally offered a better approximation of TNC values. Further optimization of post-processing algorithms might be necessary before complete replacement of TNC with VUE images.
Present and Future Trends in Enzyme Technology and its Application

To the casual observer, the bulk enzyme industry does not appear to be a particularly significant factor in the U.S. and world economy. Since its initial flourishings in the early part of this century it has not been subject to the spectacular growth which has projected other science-based industries, such as electronics and petrochemicals, into their present roles of major economic importance. The reasons for this relatively mediocre performance are complex, but several can be suggested here. Among these is the fact that for practically its entire history the industry has suffered from a lack of basic scientific understanding of its complex biological products and production processes. Only over the last decade or so have significant amounts of this knowledge become available, thus providing the opportunity for a rational rather than an empirical development of enzyme production and applications.
Social Conceptions of Moral Agency in Hegel and Sellars

AbstractThis essay contributes to our understanding of the relation between the philosophies of Hegel and Sellars. While most treatments of this relation have focused on metaphysics or epistemology, I focus on ethics, and in particular on the formulation of moral agency. I argue that Hegel and Sellars arrive at a similar metaphilosophical rejection of individual moral agency in favor of conceptions of moral agency as the outcome of social mediation. To demonstrate this, I trace how Hegel and Sellars offer parallel resolutions of the ‘Kantian paradox’: the apparent problem that, in Kantian ethics, moral agents must both freely self-legislate the moral law unto themselves and stand in a dutiful relation to the moral law as a necessary function of practical reason. Drawing Hegel and Sellars together in this way casts new light on Sellars’s understudied ethical theory and further evidences the contemporary relevance of Hegel’s moral philosophy.
The Histone Methyltransferase MLL1 Directs Macrophage-Mediated Inflammation in Wound Healing and Is Altered in a Murine Model of Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Macrophages are critical for the initiation and resolution of the inflammatory phase of wound repair. In diabetes, macrophages display a prolonged inflammatory phenotype in late wound healing. Mixed-lineage leukemia-1 (MLL1) has been shown to direct gene expression by regulating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)–mediated inflammatory gene transcription. Thus, we hypothesized that MLL1 influences macrophage-mediated inflammation in wound repair. We used a myeloid-specific Mll1 knockout (Mll1f/fLyz2Cre+) to determine the function of MLL1 in wound healing. Mll1f/fLyz2Cre+ mice display delayed wound healing and decreased wound macrophage inflammatory cytokine production compared with control animals. Furthermore, wound macrophages from Mll1f/fLyz2Cre+ mice demonstrated decreased histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) (activation mark) at NF-κB binding sites on inflammatory gene promoters. Of note, early wound macrophages from prediabetic mice displayed similarly decreased MLL1, H3K4me3 at inflammatory gene promoters, and inflammatory cytokines compared with controls. Late wound macrophages from prediabetic mice demonstrated an increase in MLL1, H3K4me3 at inflammatory gene promoters, and inflammatory cytokines. Prediabetic macrophages treated with an MLL1 inhibitor demonstrated reduced inflammation. Finally, monocytes from patients with type 2 diabetes had increased Mll1 compared with control subjects without diabetes. These results define an important role for MLL1 in regulating macrophage-mediated inflammation in wound repair and identify a potential target for the treatment of chronic inflammation in diabetic wounds.
Layer- and cell type-selective co-transmission by a basal forebrain cholinergic projection to the olfactory bulb

Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain project heavily to the main olfactory bulb, the first processing station in the olfactory pathway. The projections innervate multiple layers of the main olfactory bulb and strongly influence odor discrimination, detection, and learning. The precise underlying circuitry of this cholinergic input to the main olfactory bulb remains unclear, however. Here, we identify a specific basal forebrain cholinergic projection that innervates select neurons concentrated in the internal plexiform layer of the main olfactory bulb. Optogenetic activation of this projection elicits monosynaptic nicotinic and GABAergic currents in glomerular layer-projecting interneurons. Additionally, we show that the projection co-expresses markers for GABAergic neurotransmission. The data thus implicate neurotransmitter co-transmission in the basal forebrain regulation of this inhibitory olfactory microcircuit.Cholinergic neurons innervate multiple layers in the main olfactory bulb but the precise circuitry of this input is not known. Here the authors show that VGLUT3+ cholinergic neurons selectively innervate deep short axon cells in specific layers and elicit robust monosynaptic GABAergic and nicotinic postsynaptic currents.
Increases in Cigarette Consumption and Decreases in Smoking Intensity When Nondaily Smokers Are Provided With Free Cigarettes.

Introduction Studies testing novel tobacco products often provide participants with free product and assess consumption. Some, but not all, studies find that providing free cigarettes increases smoking. We tested changes in smoking when free cigarettes were provided to nondaily, intermittent smokers, who constitute one-third of US adult smokers. Methods Cigarette consumption was assessed by Time-Line Follow-Back in 235 intermittent smokers for two 2-week periods: when providing their own cigarettes and when provided own-brand cigarettes for free. Smoking topography and carbon monoxide boost were assessed for one cigarette at the end of each period. Results Cigarette consumption increased significantly, by 66% (from 1.98 to 3.28 cigarettes per day), when cigarettes were available for free; both the number of days the subjects smoked and the number of cigarettes on those days increased. The increases were significantly greater among African Americans, those Fagerstrom Tobacco Nicotine Dependence scores >0, those with incomes less than US $25,000 per year, those who engaged in greater conscious restraint of smoking, and for smokers of menthol cigarettes, or "longs." Smoking intensity (smoke volume, by topography) and carbon monoxide boost decreased significantly when cigarettes were provided for free. Conclusions Providing intermittent smokers with free cigarettes substantially increased their smoking while decreasing smoking intensity. The increases in smoking varied according to multiple individual and cigarette-type differences. These phenomena may complicate interpretation of studies that compare consumption of a free test product with cigarette consumption or constituent exposure when smokers are providing their own cigarettes. They also suggest that cigarette cost and variations in low-level dependence and in smoking restraint are factors in nondaily smoking. Implications The study shows that providing nondaily smokers with free cigarettes increases cigarette consumption, but does differentially for different subgroups and cigarette types, while also decreasing smoking intensity. This suggests the value of using free-cigarette baseline data in studies where interventions provide free cigarettes.