cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The recovery of parsing configurations for LR(1) parsers

For parsing context-free languages, a pushdown stack is needed to store information, the content of this stack called a parsing configuration. Some error correction techniques need a backward move (from right to left) to find a place to the left of the error detection point to start correcting input symbols. A problem associated with parser backup is that the compiler must keep and reprocess the parsed input in order to recover previous parsing configurations. In this paper the recovery of previous parsing configurations for LR(1) parsers without reprocessing the parsed input is discussed.
Inferring probabilities from rates: Extension to multiple decrement

Abstract Life table probabilities are developed for the multiple decrement table, a model in which each cause of death acts in the presence of other causes or is ‘dependent’, and for the associated single decrement table, which shows the operation of each cause as though it acted alone or ‘independently’. The decrement for the ith cause, , in the multiple decrement table is the number of deaths due to the ith cause out of l 0 births; our method is provided by (12). The ‘independent’ decrement for the ith cause is calculated as though no other cause were operating, from the beginning of the table, with arbitrary radix ; Equation (21) shows its close relation to deaths in the single decrement table for all causes together (4). The modification needed is to increase the r in the program for an ordinary life table by an amount that allows for the loss of exposure to the ith cause because of operation of other causes.
TITRATION AND SCORING IN DISPUTED PARENTAGE.

The importance of thorough familiarity with the methods of testing for unusual variants of the Rh-Hr subgroups is demonstrated. Deductions based on serological findings, especially in Negroes in whom the variants are relatively common, must only be made after intensive investigation of all of the known possibilities. Specific antiserums of known characteristics are important in these studies. Titration and scoring technics can frequently be of help. Such sophisticated testing material can be intelligently and profitably used to resolve some complicated problems of genetics, heredity and parentage.
Self-Propelled Swimming Simulations of Self-Assembling Smart Boxes

This paper presents self-propelled swimming simulations of a smart foldable structure capable of swimming and self-assembly for rescue or rapid construction missions, e.g., making temporary bridges. The open configuration of the robot is like a wide cross, which undulates like an eel to swim to a given location. Micro Fiber Composites (MFCs) attached to the surface of the foldable robot actuate the surfaces for swimming purpose. Once the robot arrives at the desired locations shape memory alloys will be activated to fold the robot to a box. To optimize the kinematics of the robot to achieve either highest speed or maximize efficiency during locomotion. self-propelled swimming simulations of the robot was carried out by varying two kinematic parameters: the body motion wavelength and the amplitude. The simulations shows that to achieve higher speed, higher wavelengths are more desirable, e.g., wavelength of 0.95L achieved 15% higher swimming speed relative to 0.65L (L is the swimmer’s length). In contrast, to achieve higher efficiency, lower wavelengths (0.65L) and higher undulation amplitude (0.15L) was 14% more efficient than the other swimmer with wavelength 0.95L and amplitude 0.1L.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The BiBa one-time signature and broadcast authentication protocol

We introduce the BiBa signature scheme, a new signature construction that uses one-way functions without trapdoors. BiBa features a low verification overhead and a relatively small signature size. In comparison to other one-way function based signature schemes, BiBa has smaller signatures and is at least twice as fast to verify (which probably makes it one of the fastest signature scheme to date for verification). On the downside, the BiBa public key is large, and the signature generation overhead is higher than previous schemes based on one-way functions without trapdoors (although it can be trivially parallelized).One of the main challenges of securing broadcast communication is source authentication, which allows all receivers to verify the origin of the data. An ideal broadcast authentication protocol should be efficient for the sender and the receiver, have a small communication overhead, allow the receiver to authenticate each individual packet, provide perfect robustness to packet loss, scale to large numbers of receivers, and provide instant authentication (no buffering of data at the sender or receiver side). We are not aware of any previous protocol that satisfies all these properties. We present the BiBa broadcast authentication protocol, a new construction based on the BiBa signature, that achieves all our desired properties, with the tradeoff that it requires a moderate computation overhead for the sender to generate the authentication information, and that it requires loose time synchronization between the sender and receivers.
Small molecule modulators of copper-induced Aβ aggregation

Our design of bifunctional metal chelators as chemical probes and potential therapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is based on the incorporation of a metal binding moiety into structural frameworks of Aβ aggregate-imaging agents. Using this strategy, two compounds 2-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-8-ol (1) and N1,N1-dimethyl-N4-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)benzene-1,4-diamine (2) were prepared and characterized. The bifunctionality for metal chelation and Aβ interaction of 1 and 2 was verified by spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, the reactivity of 1 and 2 with CuII-associated Aβ aggregates was investigated. The modulation of CuII-triggered Aβ aggregation by 1 and 2 was found to be more effective than that by the known metal chelating agents CQ, EDTA, and phen. These studies suggest a new class of multifunctional molecules for the development of chemical tools to unravel metal-associated events in AD and potential therapeutic agents for metal-ion chelation therapy.
Racial Differences in Glycemic Markers: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Community-Based Data

In a major change to clinical guidelines, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has recently been recommended for use as a diagnostic test for diabetes in the United States (1). However, there is on-going debate about the interpretation of HbA1c values among black persons and the possible need for race-based HbA1c cut points (2–14). Black persons are well known to have higher HbA1c values than their white counterparts in both the presence and absence of diabetes (2, 4, 15–21) and even in the setting of a low fasting glucose measurement (13, 17). It is unclear whether this disparity stems from racial differences in pre- or postprandial glycemia (6, 13, 22), the tendency of hemoglobin to undergo glycation (5), erythrocyte turnover, or erythrocyte permeability to glucose. Serum glycemic markers, such as fructosamine, glycated albumin, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol offer ways to evaluate racial disparities in glycemia that are biologically independent of erythrocyte turnover and hemoglobin glycation. Hemoglobin A1c results from the glycation of hemoglobin in erythrocytes and represents long-term (2- to 3-month) glycemia. In contrast, fructosamine and glycated albumin reflect the modification of serum proteins (mainly albumin) by glucose and are markers of 2- to 4-week endogenous glucose exposure. 1,5-Anhydroglucitol is a marker of glycemia-induced glycosuria because reabsorption of filtered 1,5-anhydroglucitol in the proximal tubule is competitively inhibited by glucose (25, 26). Lower serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol reflects high circulating glucose and the occurrence of glycosuria over the previous 1 to 2 weeks (26–31). We compared nontraditional serum glycemic markers (glycated albumin, fructosamine, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol) with standard markers (HbA1c and fasting glucose) in participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study to determine if the documented higher values of HbA1c in black persons were also observed for serum measures of glycemia. We hypothesized that HbA1c, fructosamine, and glycated albumin values would be higher in black persons, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol would be lower in black persons, as compared with white persons before and after adjustment for fasting glucose concentration.
Phosphorus NMR in the paramagnetic state of U3P4

Abstract The phosphorus Knight shift has been measured as a function of temperature in the paramagnetic state of the actinide intermetallic compound U 3 P 4 . An interpretation of the Knight shift data yields information regarding the signs and magnitudes of the s-f exchange energy and the crystalline field interaction.
Stadiums and society in twenty‐first century Buenos Aires

Greater Buenos Aires (GBA) has 69 soccer stadiums, more than any other city. It is also home to ritualized, violent conflicts between soccer fans, and between fans and police. In a stark contrast to stadiums in Europe, Asia and North America, every soccer stadium in GBA has protective fences lining the fields, most topped with razor wire. The institutional structure of soccer in Argentina and the multitude of actors associated with the stadiums in GBA complicate the management and control of the urban environment as well as the stadiums themselves. By examining the roles of soccer clubs, fans, police, government and the media in the control and operation of soccer stadiums, this essay explores the connections between soccer, society, conflict and urban governance in Argentina’s largest city.
Materials synthesis by reduction-type combustion reactions: influence of gravity

For synthesis of alloys or pure metals, highly exothermic reduction-type combustion reactions may be used. The combustion of such systems typically involves formation of two liquids (oxide and metal alloy) followed by their phase separation, which controls product purity. It is generally believed that phase separation in such systems occurs solely due to buoyancy, owing to the large difference in densities of alloy and slag: the heavy (metallic phase) settles out while the light (slag) phase floats, so it is thus a gravity-driven process. In this case, both combustion wave behavior and microstructure of the synthesized products may be different in different gravity conditions. To check this hypothesis, combustion experiments were conducted in three systems (Co 3 O 4 -Al, MoO 3 -Al, and V 2 O 5 -Al; compare p v =6.1 g/cm 3 , p Co =8.92 g/cm 3 , p Mo =10.22 g/cm 3 , and p Al 2 O 3 =2.8 g/cm 3 ) under different gravity conditions (in the range 10 −5 G -1.7 G ). Based on the experimental results obtained, two important general conclusions were made. The first is related to variation in gravitational sensitivity of the combustion characteristics (velocity and temperature) for different thermite systems, that is, velocity of combustion front propagation in Co-based systems depends significantly on the gravity level, while it is essentially constant for Mo- and V-based systems under all investigated conditions. The second suggests an important role of non-gravity-driven mechanisms of phase separation in such systems. It was shown that for Co- and Mo-based systems, phase separation takes place in both 1G and microgravity conditions. Analysis reveals that a rapid surface tension-driven mechanism may be responsible for the observed phenomenon.
Relations concerning refracting surfaces, wavefronts, and phase errors

Abstract Using vector notation of differential geometry, general relationships connecting the incident wavefront, two refracting surfaces, and the refracted wavefront have been analyzed. Formulas have been derived for determining the equation of the fourth when the expressions of the other three surfaces are given. These formulas are useful for the determination of aperture phase errors in a defocused lens and for microwave lens design.
Heterogeneity of evoked dopamine overflow wihin the striatal and striatoamygdaloid regions

The heterogeneity of evoked dopamine overflow in vivo was examined and compared in striatal and striatoamygdaloid regions of the rat. The characteristics of appearance and disappearance rates and the maximum concentration elicited were determined from overflow curves measured by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. Overall, the characteristics of evoked dopamine overflow were quite variable in the striatum compared to the relative uniformity of overflow in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus. In addition, there was a significant decrease in the extracellular disappearance rate of evoked dopamine with depth in the striatum. This gradient did not alter with passage from the caudate-putamen to the nucleus accumbens and no change was observed for the appearance rate or maximum concentration. In contrast, differences in evoked dopamine overflow within the striatoamygdaloid region were sharply defined dorsoventrally and appeared to be region-specific. Dopamine terminal fields in the striatum are not clearly demarcated into the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens, but may exist as a continuum. The uptake of dopamine appears to be the distinguishing characteristic for the regulation of extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum and the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus.
The effect of operating conditions on the dispersion state of supported metal catalysts : A model study

As an important step in the preparation of supported metal catalysts, the drying of impregnated porous medium is studied by a mathematical model including catalyst-scale mass and heat balances and particle-scale population balance. Both the loading profile and the particle size distribution for the precursors are considered. Calculations show that the combined effect of two migration mechanisms, intrapellet diffusion in the centripetal direction and convection in the centrifugal direction, determine the catalyst structure. Both physical and operational parameters are studied: the former characterize the physical preference toward one migration mechanism, and the latter give rise to the driving forces. Four structure regions are found in the operational space. For some systems with strong preferences, certain regions cannot be accessed in practice. The particle size distributions and hence the surface area for each region are also studied. Studies show that a uniform loading profile could be obtained under very low and very high temperatures, but the particle size resulting from high temperatures is much smaller, implying higher activity and lower thermal stability. In the case of high Thiele numbers, use of egg-shell catalyst may reduce thermal deactivation by having less active material in the inner part of the catalyst pellet where the temperature is much higher. This improvement is compromised by smaller particles, which are always formed in the center during the preparation.
Roadmap for implementing network-centric capability for military aircrews

Capabilities required for network centric operation require significant changes in the Human System Interface (HSI) of existing aircraft. The current controls and displays do not provide the capability needed for network centric operations. Initially, the network centric concept was that the aircrew members would pull the information they needed from the network. Evaluation of existing controls and displays, aircraft data buses, communications including data links, and mission planning determined that not only did the existing hardware and software not provide the needed capability, the aircrew members would need time critical information from other nodes in the network pushed to their aircraft and “smart” displays.
Continuous Expression of the Transcription Factor E2-2 Maintains the Cell Fate of Mature Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

Summary The interferon-producing plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) share common progenitors with antigen-presenting classical dendritic cells (cDCs), yet they possess distinct morphology and molecular features resembling those of lymphocytes. It is unclear whether the unique cell fate of pDCs is actively maintained in the steady state. We report that the deletion of transcription factor E2-2 from mature peripheral pDCs caused their spontaneous differentiation into cells with cDC properties. This included the loss of pDC markers, increase in MHC class II expression and T cell priming capacity, acquisition of dendritic morphology, and induction of cDC signature genes. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed direct binding of E2-2 to key pDC-specific and lymphoid genes, as well as to certain genes enriched in cDCs. Thus, E2-2 actively maintains the cell fate of mature pDCs and opposes the "default" cDC fate, in part through direct regulation of lineage-specific gene expression programs.
Effects of gamma irradiation on radiation sensitivity in the diploid potato species Solanum chacoense

Abstract The effect of ancestral exposure to radiation on the radiation sensitivity of progeny was tested the diploid potato species Solanum chacoense f. gibberulosum (Juz. and Buk.) Corr. Approximately 83 per cent of seedlings of a parental population that received 0 and 3 kR of gamma radiation survived and grew normally while only 26 per cent of those receiving 6 and 9 kR survived and appeared to grow normally. The survival and vigor of seedlings derived from plants that had survived these doses were compared following exposure to the same doses. The results indicated that radiation damage measured in terms of survival and vigor was increased following irradiation among most of those plants whose ancestors had received doses of 6 and 9 kR of radiation. This increase was attributed to the hereditary transmission of radiation-induced genetic damage in the form of recessive lethals and detrimentals. Certain lots failed to show increased radiation sensitivity as measured by decreased survival. This result was interpreted as resulting either from chance failure of mutation in the parental plants involved, or to somatic elimination of radiation damage induced in young seedlings.
A synthetic peptide of the rab3a effector domain stimulates amylase release from permeabilized pancreatic acini.

Abstract In this study we have employed a synthetic peptide of the rab3a effector domain, rab3AL, to examine whether a rab-like low molecular weight GTP-binding protein is involved in protein release from the rat pancreatic acinar cell. The peptide was found to be a potent stimulator of amylase release from streptolysin-O-permeabilized pancreatic acini, with an EC50 of approximately 60 microM. Stimulation of amylase discharge by rab3AL did not occur using either intact acini or permeabilized acini depleted of ATP. In contrast, a different effector domain peptide of the rab2 protein, rab2AL, a peptide with distinct sequence homology to rab3AL, was unable to stimulate amylase release, suggesting the specificity of the rab3AL response to rab3-like proteins. rab3AL stimulated release at [Ca2+] that were nonstimulatory in the absence of the peptide (10 nM). rab3AL potentiated the effect of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate on amylase secretion and decreased the amount of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate required for maximal secretion, suggesting that these two agents interact to modulate a distal step(s) of secretion. The above results provide functional evidence for the role of a rab-like low molecular weight GTP-binding protein and its effector protein(s) in the control of protein release from pancreatic acini. Because the discharge response to rab3AL is near the maximal obtainable from permeabilized acini, our results would suggest that rab3-like proteins control an important step in regulated secretion of amylase.
ACUTE RENAL FAILURE FROM SPONTANEOUS ACUTE TUMOR LYSIS SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW

Acute tumor lysis syndrome (ATLS), a condition which results from a rapid destruction of tumor cells with massive release of cellular breakdown products, has been well described. However, only a few cases of spontaneous ATLS have been reported in the literature. Acute renal failure (ARF) from spontaneous ATLS has been reported only in three patients who were diagnosed to have Burkitt's lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. We report a similar case of a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, who developed ARF from spontaneous ATLS. ARF can complicate the clinical course of spontaneous ATLS. Since only one patient survived, patients who develop ARF from spontaneous ATLS have a poor outcome. This paper illustrates the need to anticipate the development of ARF, despite aggressive therapy, in a patient with spontaneous ATLS. Prospective studies on renal function prior to and during therapy are required in order to develop a clinical profile reliably detecting patients at risk for developing renal failure and subsequent complication.
Postnatal development of A-type and Kv1- and Kv2-mediated potassium channel currents in neocortical pyramidal neurons

Potassium channels regulate numerous aspects of neuronal excitability, and several voltage-gated K+ channel subunits have been identified in pyramidal neurons of rat neocortex. Previous studies have either considered the development of outward current as a whole or divided currents into transient, A-type and persistent, delayed rectifier components but did not differentiate between current components defined by α-subunit type. To facilitate comparisons of studies reporting K+ currents from animals of different ages and to understand the functional roles of specific current components, we characterized the postnatal development of identified Kv channel-mediated currents in pyramidal neurons from layers II/III from rat somatosensory cortex. Both the persistent/slowly inactivating and transient components of the total K+ current increased in density with postnatal age. We used specific pharmacological agents to test the relative contributions of putative Kv1- and Kv2-mediated currents (100 nM α-dendrotoxin and 600 nM stromatoxin, respectively). A combination of voltage protocol, pharmacology, and curve fitting was used to isolate the rapidly inactivating A-type current. We found that the density of all identified current components increased with postnatal age, approaching a plateau at 3–5 wk. We found no significant changes in the relative proportions or kinetics of any component between postnatal weeks 1 and 5, except that the activation time constant for A-type current was longer at 1 wk. The putative Kv2-mediated component was the largest at all ages. Immunocytochemistry indicated that protein expression for Kv4.2, Kv4.3, Kv1.4, and Kv2.1 increased between 1 wk and 4–5 wk of age.
Preservation of Acute pain and Efferent Functions Following Intrathecal Resiniferatoxin-Induced Analgesia in rats

Abstract Resiniferatoxin (RTX) is a potent agonist of TRPV1, which possesses unique properties that can be utilized to treat certain modalities of pain. In the present study, systemic intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of RTX resulted in a significant decrease in acute thermal pain sensitivity, whereas localized intrathecal (i.t.) administration had no effect on acute thermal pain sensitivity. Both i.p. and i.t. administration of RTX prevented TRPV1-induced nocifensive behavior and inflammatory thermal hypersensitivity. There were no alterations in mechanical sensitivity either by i.p. or i.t. administration of RTX. In spinal dorsal horn (L4-L6), TRPV1 and substance P immunoreactivity were abolished following i.p. and i.t. administration of RTX. In dorsal root ganglia (DRG), TRPV1 immunoreactivity was diminished following i.p. administration, but was unaffected following i.t. administration of RTX. Following i.p. administration, basal and evoked calcitonin gene-related peptide release were reduced both in the spinal cord and peripheral tissues. However, following i.t. administration, basal and evoked calcitonin gene-related peptide release were reduced in spinal cord (L4-L6), but were unaffected in peripheral tissues. Both i.p. and i.t. RTX administration lowered the body temperature acutely, but this effect reversed with time. Targeting TRPV1-expressing nerve terminals at the spinal cord can selectively abolish inflammatory thermal hypersensitivity without affecting acute thermal sensitivity and can preserve the efferent functions of DRG neurons at the peripheral nerve terminals. I.t. administration of RTX can be considered as a strategy for treating certain chronic and debilitating pain conditions. Perspective Localized administration of RTX in spinal cord could be a useful strategy to treat chronic debilitating pain arising from certain conditions such as cancer and at the same time could maintain normal physiological peripheral efferent functions mediated by TRPV1.
The right gastroepiploic artery in coronary artery bypass grafting

The right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) has been used as a conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting. Although some reports presenting good results justify its use in clinical settings, there is still much concern about using the RGEA in bypass surgery. The RGEA demonstrates different behaviors from the internal thoracic artery (ITA) in bypass surgery due to its histological characteristics and anatomical difference, which might contribute to the long-term outcome. Now that left ITA (LITA) to left anterior descending artery (LAD) is the gold standard, other grafts are expected to cover the rest of the coronary arteries. It should be elucidated how we can use other grafts and what we can expect from them. RGEA, as an arterial graft, can be used as an in situ graft or a free graft. The RGEA is mainly used to graft to the right coronary artery (RCA) because of its anatomical position, and its patency is not inferior to that of the saphenous vein (SVG). The RGEA can cover the lateral walls when its length is long enough or by making a composite graft with other grafts. However, when used to graft to the LAD, its mid-term patency is not favorable.
3-Monoiodothyronamine: the rationale for its action as an endogenous adrenergic-blocking neuromodulator.

Abstract The investigations reported here were designed to gain insights into the role of 3-monoiodothyronamine (T1AM) in the brain, where the amine was originally identified and characterized. Extensive deiodinase studies indicated that T1AM was derived from the T4 metabolite, reverse triiodothyronine (revT3), while functional studies provided well-confirmed evidence that T1AM has strong adrenergic-blocking effects. Because a state of adrenergic overactivity prevails when triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations become excessive, the possibility that T3's metabolic partner, revT3, might give rise to an antagonist of those T3 actions was thought to be reasonable. All T1AM studies thus far have required use of pharmacological doses. Therefore we considered that choosing a physiological site of action was a priority and focused on the locus coeruleus (LC), the major noradrenergic control center in the brain. Site-directed injections of T1AM into the LC elicited a significant, dose-dependent neuronal firing rate change in a subset of adrenergic neurons with an EC 50 = 2.7 μM, a dose well within the physiological range. Further evidence for its physiological actions came from autoradiographic images obtained following intravenous carrier-free 125 I-labeled T1AM injection. These showed that the amine bound with high affinity to the LC and to other selected brain nuclei, each of which is both an LC target and a known T3 binding site. This new evidence points to a physiological role for T1AM as an endogenous adrenergic-blocking neuromodulator in the central noradrenergic system.
ATP synthase: structure-function relationships

Abstract Recent work has focused on obtaining a better understanding of the three-dimensional structural relationships between the α and β subunits of the F 1 moiety and the location of nucleotide binding domains within these subunits. Four types of approach are currently being pursued: X-ray crystallographic, chemical, molecular biological and biochemical. Here we briefly review some of the major conclusions of these studies, and point out some of the problems that must be resolved before an adequate model that relates structure to function in the ATP synthase molecule can be formulated.
Association of Tea Consumption and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Laboratory and epidemiologic studies suggest a protective effect of tea consumption on risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We designed a case-control study to examine the association between putative protective exposures, including tea consumption, and SCC risk using a large health maintenance organization population. Cases (n=415) were defined as Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) members with a pathology-verified SCC in 2004 and controls (n=415) were age-, gender-, and race-matched members with no previous history of skin cancer. Tea consumption and SCC risk factors were ascertained by questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression to estimate the association of SCC with regular use, as well as dose and duration of tea consumption. Risk factor adjusted models included education, smoking, hair and eye color, skin type, family history of skin cancer, and history of freckling, sunburns, sun exposure, and tanning bed use. Adjusted analyses showed no reduction in SCC risk with regular consumption of tea (OR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.81-1.54). Examining duration, dose, and combined duration and dose exposure variables did not alter findings. We found no evidence that tea consumption was associated with cutaneous SCC risk.
Active Control Of Sound Radiation From A Semi-Infinite Elastic Beam With A Clamped Edge

Abstract Active control of sound radiation due to subsonic wave scattering from a clamped edge discontinuity on a thin semi-infinite beam is analytically studied. Active control is achieved by applying either control forces representative of shakers or paired control moments representative of a piezoelectric actuator bonded on the beam. For a single frequency, the flexural response of the beam subject to an incident subsonic flexural input wave and the control inputs is expressed in terms of waves of both propagating and near-field types. The optimal control input complex amplitudes are derived by minimizing the acoustic power radiated from one side of the baffled beam. For single frequencies, large attenuation in radiated acoustic power and pressure is found when one and two control forces or one pair of control moments are applied close to the discontinuity. The far-field radiated pressure directivity, the displacement of the vibrating beam, and the one-dimensional wavenumber spectrum of the beam velocity are extensively studied in order to further understand the control mechanisms. In general, large attenuation in radiated sound are shown to be associated with only very small changes in beam vibrational response near the discontinuity.
A comparison of pulser-based analog and digital spectrometers

We have begun a program of updates to the instruments used by the Radiation Measurements Laboratory at the Idaho National Laboratory. This laboratory supports the Advanced Test Reactor as well as many other programs throughout the INL. The first step in this upgrade is the updating of the gamma-ray spectrometry systems. Currently, these gamma-ray spectrometers use a standard spectroscopy amplifier and a pulser-based ADC. We have performed a series of tests to determine if a digital-signal processor-based system can replace these analog electronics, with little to no loss in performance.
Dominance Relations of Red and Grey Squirrels

The relationship between captive red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) was studied by comparing the behavior or mixed pairs and conspecific pairs in a large outdoor cage containing one primary nest box above ground and another exposed on the ground surface. While red squirrels always shared the nest box with conspecifics, grey squirrels never did so. When both species were present, the grey squirrels occupied the nest box, but shared it 37% of the time with the red squirrels. No fighting or wounds were observed. The much publicized aggressiveness of the red squirrel toward the grey may be a function of territorial behavior in certain parts of its range (conifer forest) rather than an inherent characteristic of the species. See full-text article at JSTOR
Thin windowed gas absorption apparatus for use with storage ring synchrotron radiation sources

Abstract A thin window gas absorption apparatus suitable for experiments with a storage ring synchrotron radiation source is described. The apparatus has been used with the grazing incidence monochromator on the 4° beam line at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory in experiments studying K-edge absorption in small molecules containing carbon and nitrogen.
Oxidation reactions of ethane over Ba–Ce–O based perovskites

Abstract Ethane oxidation reactions were studied over pure and Ca-, Mg-, Sr-, La-, Nd-, and Y-substituted BaCeO3 perovskites under oxygen limited conditions. Several of the materials, notably the Ca- and Y-substituted materials, show activity for complete oxidation of the hydrocarbon to CO2 at temperatures below 650°C. At higher temperatures, the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) to ethylene becomes significant. Conversions and ethylene yields are enhanced by the perovskites above the thermal reaction in our system in some cases. The perovskite structure is not retained in the high temperature reaction environment. Rather, a mixture of carbonates and oxides is formed. Loss of the perovskite structure correlates with a loss of activity and selectivity to ethylene.
Predicting Case Outcomes and Women’s Perceptions of the Legal System’s Response to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: Does Interaction Between Community Agencies Matter?:

The goals of the current study were to assess if domestic violence and sexual assault case outcomes and women's perceptions of legal system response can be predicted by the level of interaction between community agencies and the level of legal system response after communities receive STOP funding. A total 1,509 interviews were conducted with women living in 26 communities. Two samples were included: (a) a Help Seeker sample recruited from nonprofit victim service agencies and their legal system agency partners, and (b) a Community sample of women ages 18 to 35 recruited through random digit dialing of households. Results show that women's perceptions of whether community agencies were working together to assist her and her case significantly and positively related to arrests in domestic violence and sexual assault cases and to convictions in domestic violence cases. It also increases women's beliefs that law enforcement and prosecution are effective agencies.
Embolotherapy in the treatment of congenital arteriovenous malformations of the hand: A case report

This article describes the treatment of a painful ulcerating congenital arteriovenous malformation in the hand of a 39-year-old woman. Preoperative transcatheter embolotherapy was used to diminish vascularity and engorgement. Operative treatment consisted of a resection of angiomatous material and coverage with a pedicle flap. Preoperative transcatheter embolization of small feeder vessels may offer some advantage over the operative approach alone in treating congenital arteriovenous malformations of the hand.
The Terrorism Debate Over Mexican Drug Trafficking Violence

Violence in Mexico related to drug trafficking has expanded enormously, and observers have begun using terms like terrorism, nacro-terrorism, and criminal insurgency to label the violence. However, arguments that Mexico is the victim of growing terrorism are both exaggerated and unconvincing. While there have been many murders of innocent civilians, these killings do not seem to have been motivated by a political, ideological, or religious cause. This analysis seeks to understand the nature of the expanding violence in Mexico. It starts from the premise that the violence is a complex and multi-layered phenomenon with a variety of different rationales and motivations. From this perspective, a pyramidal approach to the violence can be identified. At the base of the pyramid is the notion of drug-related violence as the medium of rational strategic competition in a highly lucrative illicit market. A second layer in the pyramid emphasizes factionalism within the organizations as well as a process of contractin...
Endothelin receptor B polymorphism associated with lethal white foal syndrome in horses.

Overo lethal white syndrome (OLWS) is an inherited syndrome of foals born to American Paint Horse parents of the overo coat-pattern lineage. Affected foals are totally or almost totally white and die within days from complications due to intestinal aganglionosis. Related conditions occur in humans and rodents in which mutations in the endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) gene are responsible. EDNRB is known to be involved in the developmental regulation of neural crest cells that become enteric ganglia and melanocytes. In this report we identify a polymorphism in the equine EDNRB gene closely associated with OLWS. This Ile to Lys substitution at codon 118 is located within the first transmembrane domain of this seven-transmembrane domain Gprotein-coupled receptor protein. All 22 OLWS-affected foals examined were homozygous for the Lys118 EDNRB allele, while all available parents of affected foals were heterozygous. All but one of the parents also had an overo white body-spot phenotype. Solidcolored control horses of other breeds were homozygous for the Ile 118 EDNRB allele. Molecular definition of the basis for OLWS in Paint Horses provides a genetic test for the presence of the Lys 118 EDNRB allele and adds to our understanding of the basis for coat color patterns in the horse.
Nonlinear Control Modeling for Arrays of Coupled Mechatronic Transducers

A typical mechatronic oscillator involving a tuned resistor-inductor-capacitor circuit driven by a voltage source and coupled to a mass-spring-damper mechanical subsystem is analyzed in order to develop a nonlinear control model. The analysis is approached using the Volterrra/Wiener framework of nonlinear systems combined with the Hilbert Transform. The former is needed since the coupling between the electrical and mechanical parts is lost, should standard linearization is adopted. The latter is needed since a very important characteristic of the system, due to the presence of the capacitance, is frequency selectivity. To use this very frequency selectivity in an application, involving more than one transducer units, modulation of the carrier signal, amplitude modulation in this case, must be implemented. Carrier modulation enables multiple units, structurally identical otherwise but for the capacitance value adjusting the tuning frequency setting, in the same application. Both a low-pass and a band-pass model are developed and subsequently simulation runs are performed. Since the modulation method employed is not of the suppressed-carrier type, the equilibrium point is of dynamic rather than static nature, corresponding to initial values for current and displacement. The model is enhanced by superimposing an external disturbance in form of a baseband force acting on the mass payload of the mechanical subsystem. Then, the response of the system to monochromatic and polychromatic excitations is investigated; making sure among others none of the constraints is violated. The transducer configuration investigated here can be employed as an energy harvesting device in cases where vibrational or oscillatory motion of a mass is involved, e.g. ocean wave energy concepts, Vortex-Induced Vibrations etc., especially if no physical contact between the driving process and the driven circuit is feasible or practical.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Cytology of hermaphroditism in Icerya purchasi (Coccidae)

1. The California race of Icerya purchasi comprises only protandric hermaphrodites and males. There exist no pure females. 2. There is never any trace of parthenogenetic development of the eggs. Each egg must be fertilized by a spermatozoon in order to initiate development. 3. The eggs are usually fertilized by spermatozoa from the hermaphrodite's own testes; that is, the hermaphrodites are self-fertilizing. 4. Self-fertilized hermaphrodites give rise to hermaphrodites only. 5. Cross-fertilized hermaphrodites, i. e., those that have copulated with males, may give rise to broods of hermaphrodites only, or to mixed broods containing a small proportion of males. 6. It is therefore suggested that only in the rare instances when a male-producing spermatozoon from a pure male succeeds in fertilizing an egg in competition with the hermaphroditically produced spermatozoa docs a pure male result. 7. The morphology and histology of the hermaphroditic gonad is described for each of the nymphal and adult instars. 8. The somatic and oogonial chromosome number in the hermaphrodites is four. The eggs undergo a normal maturation. Two tetrads are evolved and two polar bodies given off, thus reducing the chromosome number to two. No indication of the peculiar behaviour reported by Pierantoni in the maturing egg was found. 9. Many entire spermatozoa enter each egg, and evolve nuclei which show the haploid chromosome group. These nuclei develop no further unless union with the female pronuclcus takes place. Fusion of the female pronucleus with one of the male pronuclei may take place at any point between the periphery and the center of the egg. 10. In the eggs of self-fertilized hermaphrodites, i. e., those which had been isolated from males since birth, and in the eggs of cross-fertilized hermaphrodites which had copulated with males, the processes of oogenesis and fertilization arc exactly the same. There is no way to distinguish the spermatozoa of the hermaphrodite from those of the true male in fertilization. 11. Spermatogenesis is in every respect the same in the testes of male and of hermaphrodite. The somatic and spermatogonial chromosome number is four. Two tetrads are evolved and a normal reduction takes place. The cytoplasmic division is invariably suppressed during the second maturation division, and may also sometimes be absent during first division. Thus two kinds of spermatids are produced, binucleate and quadrinucleate, whose components separate upon reaching maturity. 12. Incidental observations confirm Pierantonis claim that the mycetocytes in Icerya arise from simple cleavage cells.
Novel laser atomic fluorescence spectrometer for environmental and biomedical analyses of heavy metals

We report on the development of a novel experimental set-up using laser atomic fluorescence for detection and concentration measurements of heavy metal atoms for environmental and biomedical analyses. This spectrometer is based on the application of tunable LiF:F2+** and LiF:F2- color center and alexandrite lasers with nonlinear converters for narrowband excitation of atomic fluorescence and the use of gated multichannel CCD detectors for fluorescence measurements. A standard graphite furnace module was used for sample atomization. The laser sources used provide narrowband selective laser excitation continuously tunable in the 200 - 400 nm range and are therefore suitable for resonant excitation of atomic transitions in practically all known heavy metal atoms. In the first experiments, water samples containing Cu, Pb and Fe impurities were studied and detection levels of less than 1 ppb were observed. Comparison of the results of atomic laser fluorescence analysis and traditional atomic absorption spectrometry showed good qualitative agreement between these two methods. It is projected that full optimization of our experimental set up will allow for improved detection levels of several orders of magnitude. Possible optimization and simplification of the spectrometer are discussed in the context of developing a portable instrument for field use.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Functionally important aromatic-aromatic and sulfur-π interactions in the D2 dopamine receptor.

The recently published crystal structure of the D3 dopamine receptor shows a tightly packed region of aromatic residues on helices 5 and 6 in the space bridging the binding site and what is thought to be the origin of intracellular helical motion. This highly conserved region also makes contacts with residues on helix 3, and here we use double mutant cycle analysis and unnatural amino acid mutagenesis to probe the functional role of several residues in this region of the closely related D2 dopamine receptor. Of the eight mutant pairs examined, all show significant functional coupling (Ω > 2), with the largest coupling coefficients observed between residues on different helices, C3.36/W6.48, T3.37/S5.46, and F5.47/F6.52. Additionally, three aromatic residues examined, F5.47, Y5.48, and F5.51, show consistent trends upon progressive fluorination of the aromatic side chain. These trends are indicative of a functionally important electrostatic interaction with the face of the aromatic residue examined, which is likely attributed to aromatic–aromatic interactions between residues in this microdomain. We also propose that the previously determined fluorination trend at W6.48 is likely due to a sulfur−π interaction with the side chain of C3.36. We conclude that these residues form a tightly packed structural microdomain that connects helices 3, 5, and 6, thus forming a barrier that prevents dopamine from binding further toward the intracellular surface. Upon activation, these residues likely do not change their relative conformation, but rather act to translate agonist binding at the extracellular surface into the large intracellular movements that characterize receptor activation.
Center/surround relationships of magnocellular, parvocellular, and koniocellular relay cells in primate lateral geniculate nucleus

As in other primates, the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the prosimian primate, bush baby (Galago crassicaudatus), contains three morphologically and physiologically distinct cell classes [magnocellular (M), parvocellular (P), and koniocellular (K)] (Norton & Casagrande, 1982; Casagrande & Norton, 1991). The present study examined quantitatively the center/surround relationships of cells in all three classes. Estimates of receptive-field center size (Rc) and sensitivity (Kc) and of surround size (Rs) and sensitivity (Ks) were obtained from 47 LGN relay cells by fitting a difference of Gaussians function to contrast-sensitivity data. For M and P cells, center size (Rc) increases with eccentricity but is about two times larger for M than for P cells at a given eccentricity. Surround size (Rs) increases with eccentricity for P but not for M or K cells. The center sensitivity (Kc) is inversely related to center size (Rc) and surround sensitivity (Ks) is inversely related to surround size (Rs) for cells in all classes, a result consistent with the sensitivity regulation that is produced by light adaptation. High spatial-frequency cutoff (acuity) is inversely related to center size (Rc). However, the peak contrast sensitivity is relatively independent of Rc. The ratio of the integrated strength (volume) of the surround to the volume of the center remains relatively constant (median, 0.87) across all three cell classes. This ratio is an excellent predictor of a cell’s rolloff in contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies: cells with a low surround/center ratio have less low-frequency rolloff. Although M, P, and K cells generally display similar center/surround relationships, differences in center size and the other parameters between the classes distinguish most M, P, and K cells. These findings demonstrate that both similarities and differences in the visual-response properties of primate LGN cells in these three parallel afferent pathways can be explained by basic center/surround relationships.