cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conditional Deletion of Cytoplasmic Dynein Heavy Chain in Postnatal Photoreceptors.

Purpose Cytoplasmic dynein-1 (henceforth dynein) moves cargo in conjunction with dynactin toward the minus end of microtubules. The dynein heavy chain, DYNC1H1, comprises the backbone of dynein, a retrograde motor. Deletion of Dync1h1 abrogates dynein function. The purpose of this communication is to demonstrate effects of photoreceptor dynein inactivation during late postnatal development and in adult retina. Methods We mated Dync1h1F/F mice with iCre75 and Prom1-CreERT2 mice to generate conditional rod and tamoxifen-induced knockout in rods and cones, respectively. We documented retina degeneration with confocal microscopy at postnatal day (P) 10 to P30 for the iCre75 line and 1 to 4 weeks post tamoxifen induction (wPTI) for the Prom1-CreERT2 line. We performed scotopic and photopic electroretinography (ERG) at P16 to P30 in the iCre75 line and at 1-week increments in the Prom1-CreERT2 line. Results were evaluated statistically using Student's t-test, two-factor ANOVA, and Welch's ANOVA. Results Cre-induced homologous recombination of Dync1h1F/F mice truncated DYNC1H1 after exon 23. rodDync1h1-/- photoreceptors degenerated after P14, reducing outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and combined inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) length significantly by P18. Scotopic ERG a-wave amplitudes decreased by P16 and were extinguished at P30. Cones were stable under rod-knockout conditions until P21 but inactive at P30. In tamDync1h1-/- photoreceptors, the IS/OS began shortening by 3wPTI and were nearly eliminated by 4wPTI. The ONL shrank significantly over this interval, indicating rapid photoreceptor degeneration following the loss of dynein. Conclusions Our results demonstrate dynein is essential for the secretory pathway, formation of outer segments, and photoreceptor maintenance.
Cytochemical studies with the electron microscope. III. Sulfhydryl groups of rat spermatozoa.

1. Low molecular weight sulfhydryl inhibitors, N -ethyl maleimide and p -chloromercuribenzoate, have been employed in the localization of sulfhydryl groups in frozen-dried rat sperm. 2. Reactive substances have been detected in the intercellular epididymal fluid, in the sheath which encapsulates the nucleus, and the helical sheath which surrounds the midpiece and tail. 3. The matrix of the flagellum contains diffusely reactive material. The nine outer longitudinal fibers react very strongly as indicated by the increase in electron opacity. 4. The ubiquity and density of the sulfhydryl groups suggest the presence of many possible sites of attack involved in the physiological responses of living cells to sulfhydryl poisons.
Contribution of psychiatric illness and substance abuse to 30‐day readmission risk

BACKGROUND Little is known about the contribution of psychiatric illness to medical 30-day readmission risk. OBJECTIVE To determine the independent contribution of psychiatric illness and substance abuse to all-cause and potentially avoidable 30-day readmissions in medical patients. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Patients discharged from the medicine services at a large teaching hospital from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010. MEASUREMENTS The main outcome of interest was 30-day all-cause and potentially avoidable readmissions; the latter determined by a validated algorithm (SQLape) in both bivariate and multivariate analysis. Readmissions were captured at 3 hospitals where the majority of these patients are readmitted. RESULTS Of 6987 discharged patients, 1260 were readmitted within 30 days (18.0%); 388 readmissions were potentially avoidable (5.6%). In multivariate analysis, 2 or more prescribed outpatient psychiatric medications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.20) or any prescription of anxiolytics (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00–1.35) were associated with increased all-cause readmissions, whereas discharge diagnoses of anxiety (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68-0.99) or substance abuse (OR: 0.80, 96% CI: 0.65-0.99) were associated with fewer all-cause readmissions. These findings were not replicated as predictors of potentially avoidable readmissions; rather, patients with discharge diagnoses of depression (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.09-2.04) and schizophrenia (OR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.13-6.13) were at highest risk. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that patients treated during a hospitalization for depression and for schizophrenia are at higher risk for potentially avoidable 30-day readmissions, whereas those prescribed more psychiatric medications as outpatients are at increased risk for all-cause readmissions. These populations may represent fruitful targets for interventions to reduce readmission risk. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:450–455. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Performance and carcass quality of steers fed different sources of dietary fat

The hypothesis of this experiment was that increasing dietary fat through the use of whole oilseeds and altering the dietary ratio of PUFA:saturated fatty acids would alter carcass composition of finishing steers. Seventy-two steers (443.6 +/- 1.0 kg) were fed for 76 d one of four dietary treatments: a corn/ soybean meal-based diet (NOFAT); two diets containing 16% (DM basis) whole raw soybeans; and a corn/soybean meal-based diet containing choice white grease (CWG) equal to the fat addition supplied by the soybeans. Soybeans used in the diets were either a standard variety (NORM-SB) or a variety high in oleic acid content (HO-SB). The fatty acid profile of diets differed (P < 0.05) in the degree of saturation and content of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. There were no differences in ADG (1.73 kg/d), hot carcass weight (347 kg), longissimus muscle area (79.4 cm2), yield grade (3.31), or percentage of boneless retail cuts (48.8%). Contrasts revealed differences (P < 0.05) in G:F and marbling score with the addition of fat (0.126 vs. 0.137 and 4.66 vs. 4.91, respectively, for NOFAT vs. fat). The addition of fat tended (P < 0.10) to increase backfat, and feeding NORM-SB increased (P < 0.01) dressing percent compared with the HO-SB treatment. Loin samples taken from steers fed NOFAT, NORM-SB, and HO-SB did not differ in alpha-tocopherol content. Loins from the CWG treatment tended (P < 0.10) to have lower alpha-tocopherol content than did the soybean treatments (0.79 vs. 0.99 ppm, respectively). From main-effects analysis, HO-SB loin samples had the highest (F3,8 = 32.91; P < 0.01) concentration of gamma-tocopherol (0.33 ppm); this resulted in differences (P < 0.05) in gamma-tocopherol when comparing all contrasts. When comparing loin samples from NORM-SB-fed steers with those from HO-SB-fed steers, NORM-SB samples had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage oflinoleic acid and PUFA and a lower (P < 0.05) percentage of oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, loin samples from soybean-fed steers tended (P < 0.10) to have a greater concentration of conjugated linoleic acid than samples from CWG-fed steers. These data suggest that the source of added dietary fat may affect overall carcass composition. Furthermore, dietary addition of soybeans or CWG can improve feed efficiency and marbling, whereas the addition of whole raw soybeans compared with CWG may increase unsaturation and total vitamin E content of beef.
Pharmacology of novel GABA receptors found on rod horizontal cells of the white perch retina

A novel type of GABA receptor is present on rod-driven (H4) horizontal cells of the white perch retina (Qian and Dowling, 1993a). These receptors have been tentatively termed GA-BAC receptors. In this study, the pharmacological properties of these receptors were further investigated by applying several conformationally restricted GABAA receptor agonists, GABAA antagonists, and a GABAB agonist to the H4 horizontal cells. GABA analogs locked in a partially folded conformation had a variety of effects. Isonipecotic acid had no effect on these receptors, whereas isoguvacine activated them but with low potency (EC50 = 137 microM). THIP (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3-ol) acted as a competitive antagonist on these receptors with an inhibition constant of 82.5 microM. P4S (piperidine-4-sulfonic acid) activated the receptors at high concentrations (> 1 mM), but at lower concentrations it was a competitive antagonist with an inhibition constant of 80.9 microM. 14AA (imidazole-4-acetic acid), a GABA analog with an extended conformation, potently inhibited the GABA responses on H4 horizontal cells with an inhibition constant of 1.67 microM. Muscimol, which can assume both partially folded and extended conformations, acted as a mixed agonist-antagonist. The GABA responses on H4 horizontal cells were resistant to several competitive GABAA receptor antagonists including bicuculline, hydrastine, and SR-95531, but they were very sensitive to picrotoxin (IC50 = 237 nM). The inhibition by picrotoxin was both competitive and noncompetitive in nature. On the other hand, TBPS (tert-butyl-bicyclophosphorothionate), another GABAA receptor channel blocker, had minimal effects on these receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Training data selection for support vector machines

In recent years, support vector machines (SVMs) have become a popular tool for pattern recognition and machine learning. Training a SVM involves solving a constrained quadratic programming problem, which requires large memory and enormous amounts of training time for large-scale problems. In contrast, the SVM decision function is fully determined by a small subset of the training data, called support vectors. Therefore, it is desirable to remove from the training set the data that is irrelevant to the final decision function. In this paper we propose two new methods that select a subset of data for SVM training. Using real-world datasets, we compare the effectiveness of the proposed data selection strategies in terms of their ability to reduce the training set size while maintaining the generalization performance of the resulting SVM classifiers. Our experimental results show that a significant amount of training data can be removed by our proposed methods without degrading the performance of the resulting SVM classifiers.
Purification and properties of nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli K12.

Abstract The membrane-bound enzyme nitrate reductase from Escherichia coli has been solubilized and purified 112-fold. The purified enzyme appeared homogeneous by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in the analytical ultracentrifuge. The molecular weight of the enzyme, as measured on an agarose column, was 720,000 and, as measured in the ultracentrifuge, was 773,600. The s0 value was determined by sedimentation analysis to be 23.0 S. Electron micrographs showed the enzyme to be spherical which was in agreement with the intrinsic viscosity as measured in the magnetic visco-densimeter. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the enzyme is composed of two different subunits with molecular weights of 142,000 and 58,000 and that these are present in roughly equal amounts. As determined by activation analysis, the enzyme contained 3.2 ± 0.5 moles of molybdenum per mole of enzyme. These data are consistent with a structure composed of four large polypeptides, four small polypeptides, and four molecules of molybdenum per molecule of enzyme.
Social networking and second language acquisition: Exploiting Skype(TM) Chat for the purpose of investigating interaction in L2 English learning

This thesis examines interaction in a second language (L2) and its effectiveness in pushing the learner’s interlanguage, or maturing language system, toward the target language, or L2; specifically, it seeks to determine whether those interactions considered to be most helpful in L2 development are more readily incited between two nonnative speakers (NNS-NNS) or between a nonnative speaker and a native speaker (NS-NNS) of the particular L2. Interactions between four NNS-NNS pairs and five NS-NNS pairs, where English was the L2, took place across three sessions and were structured using communicative tasks. Rather than conversing face-to-face, participants conversed through the medium of synchronous computer-mediated communication, using SkypeTM Chat. The participants’ attitudes toward the technology used for interaction and their attitudes toward their interlocutors’ native languages were addressed in addition to the central question regarding the type of pairing most effective for L2 interaction. The findings sustain previous conclusions of L2 acquisition theorists and researchers; NNS-NNS pairings were found to be more effective in stimulating the kinds of interactions deemed fruitful for L2 growth. The findings also offer pedagogical suggestions for L2 instructors, weighing the distinct but comparable benefits of L2 interaction that uses both pairings for different purposes in language learning classrooms.
Birth order and preference for dangerous sports among males.

Abstract It was the purpose of this study to investigate the concept of birth order and its relationship to preference for 3 conditions of dangerous sports. First-born (N = 67) and later-born male college students were compared, using discriminant analysis, on their preference for participation in such sports as judo, football, lacrosse, sky diving, ski jumping, and motorcycle racing. The results indicated that in general, first borns were more likely to avoid dangerous sports than later borns. The greatest discrimination was found in those sports in which the severity of physical injury is perceived to be high and the opportunity to attain a measure of security and peer support under stress, low.
Development of a moderate rate lithium/thionyl-chloride 'D' cell

The authors designed a lithium/thionyl chloride D cell for efficient performance at the moderate rate of approximately 500 mA (6.25 Omega load). The SNL-MR-D cell has 345 cm/sup 2/ of active electrode area, 1.0 M LiAlCl/sub 4/ electrolyte that may have SO/sub 2/ additive, and a cathode blended of Shawinigan Acetylene Black, Cabot Black Pearls 2000, and Teflon binder. The average performance of cells built in-house and discharged at 25 degrees C and 6.25 Omega has been 14.9 Ah (50 Wh). The authors aged the cells at 30 degrees C and 50 degrees C, and measured complex impedance and microcalorimetry during the aging period. The cells have been discharged after the aging period at 25 degrees C and 0 degrees C. This preliminary study established an initial cell design and estimated the rate of capacity loss in storage or in long-term usage. >
Direction Cosines and Vector Geometry

The orientations of structural elements are most readily obtained analytically by 3-D vector geometry. A line is represented by a vector of unit length and a plane by its pole vector or its dip vector. The direction cosines of a line describe the orientation of the unit vector parallel to the line. Structural information such as bearing and plunge is converted into direction cosine form, the necessary operations performed, and then the values converted back to standard geological format. This chapter gives the basic relationships and outlines some of the ways vector geometry can be applied to structural problems involving lines and planes.
RSVP: We are pleased to accept your invitation

From time to time, articles are published in EP that evoke comments from readers.In Responseis reserved for this dialogue. Contributions should be to the point, concise, and easy for readers to tra...
Sequential ultrastructural study of mucosal innervation following parietal cell vagotomy and antrectomy

Rats having undergone parietal cell vagotomy (PCV) or PCV with antrectomy were sacrificed and gastric mucosal samples studies by electron microscopy. Degeneration of axons was followed by the appearance of small, neurotubule-rich axons which increased in size and number with increasing postoperative interval. The source of these regenerating fibers is unknown but may have come from the fundus.
THEORY AND RESEARCH IN SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING: AN EMERGING PARADIGM 1

The answers we give to the questions we ask are limited by the methods we use The argument of this paper is that theory and research in second language learning are leading us to ask questions for which we need a new research paradigm–one that focuses on the interaction of person and situational factors. This paradigm has been used in some areas of research in education and psychology, although only recently has the application of regression analysis allowed adequate testing of the model. Advantages and problems in the use of the interaction research paradigm are discussed and implications are drawn for research on second language learning.
Three different genes in S. cerevisiae encode the catalytic subunits of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase

We have isolated three genes (TPK1, TPK2, and TPK3) from the yeast S. cerevisiae that encode the catalytic subunits of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Gene disruption experiments demonstrated that no two of the three genes are essential by themselves but at least one TPK gene is required for a cell to grow normally. Comparison of the predicted amino acid sequences of the TPK genes indicates conserved and variable domains. The carboxy-terminal 320 amino acid residues have more than 75% homology to each other and more than 50% homology to the bovine catalytic subunit. The amino-terminal regions show no homology to each other and are heterogeneous in length. The TPK1 gene carried on a multicopy plasmid can suppress both a temperature-sensitive ras2 gene and adenylate cyclase gene.
Social heterosis and the maintenance of genetic diversity.

Genetic diversity in species is often high in spite of directional selection or strong genetic drift. One resolution to this paradox may be through fitness benefits arising from interactions of genetically diverse individuals. Advantageous phenotypes that are impossible in single individuals (e.g. being simultaneously bold and shy) can be expressed by groups composed of genetically different individuals. Genetic diversity, therefore, can produce mutualistic benefits shared by all group members. We define this effect as ‘social heterosis’, and mathematically demonstrate maintenance of allelic diversity when diverse groups or neighbourhoods are more reproductively successful than homogenous ones. Through social heterosis, genetic diversity persists without: frequency dependence within groups, migration, balancing selection, genetic linkages, overdominance, antagonistic pleiotropy or nonrandom allele assortment. Social heterosis may also offer an alternative evolutionary pathway to cooperation that does not require clustering of related individuals, nepotistic favouritism towards kin, or overt reciprocity.
Micromechanical simulations for fatigue damage incubation mechanisms of LENSTM processed steel

Abstract A Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENSTM) processed AISI 316L-grade stainless steel possesses unique microstructural features that affect its fatigue damage incubation mechanisms and fatigue life. As observed experimentally, fatigue damage was incubated almost exclusively at a relatively large pore located at or near the specimen surface, or at an incompletely melted powder particle on the surface in some rare cases. Micromechanical simulations were conducted on a series of representative volume elements to probe the micromechanism of fatigue damage incubation. A non-local plastic shear strain range-based fatigue manage parameter was introduced to represent the micronotch plasticity accumulation state under a large deformation gradient region. This microplasticity parameter was found to correlate to the fatigue endurance limit and transition between high cycle and low cycle fatigue regimes quite well. In the high strain amplitude regime ( > 0.3 % ) , the spatial distribution extends no or little effect on fatigue damage incubation. The scatter in fatigue life is primarily dominated by small crack growth. In the low strain amplitude regime, the void on the edge of the specimen induced two times higher microplasticity compared to void inside the specimen. Due to the high population of the voids inside the alloy, the fatigue strength is limited by the voids on the surface. The microplasticity threshold is approximately 0.15% which corresponds to the fatigue endurance limit of 30.8 MPa. Micromechanical simulation demonstrated that the microplasticity induced by the unmelted powder particle is significantly lower than that generated by the void in the microplasticity threshold regime. Therefore, there must be an interactive effect between unmelted powder particles and the surround porosity in the alloy that incubated the fatigue damage.
The interactive effects of processing preference and motivation on information processing: Causal uncertainty and the MBTI in a persuasion context

Abstract Causal uncertainty is thought to lead to accuracy motivation, which has been postulated previously to lead to increases in effortful information processing. It was hypothesized that this would depend on the extent to which a person typically prefers to process with conscious effort. Processing preference was assessed using the Judgment/Perception index of the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator. People high in causal uncertainty and Judgment (i.e., preference for conscious effort) listed more thoughts after reading a persuasive essay and recalled more of the essay than did other participants. Also, the attitudes of people high in both causal uncertainty and Judgment towards the topic were affected by their assessment of the quality of the arguments.
DTPA as an extractant of available soil iron

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate DTPA as an extractant of available soil Fe and to establish interpretive guides. A critical level of 6 ppm DTPA‐extractable soil Fe correctly predicted Fe deficiency of field grown plants at 11 of 13 locations. In a greenhouse experiment increased yields of sorghum from treatments that increased soil Fe availability were correctly predicted on 13 of 14 soils by a critical level of 5 ppm.
Sequence analysis of two novel HLA-DMA alleles.

Several novel genes have been mapped recently in the HLA class II region between DQ and DP. Two of these genes, DMA and DMB, are predicted to encode a protein which has a structure similar to that of the DR, DQ, and DP molecules. The function of the DM molecule, however, is unlikely to mimic precisely that of the other class II molecules, since they share a low level of similarity and both DMA and DMB have limited polymorphism. Based on sequences from the third exon, four alleles of DMB and two alleles of DMA were previously characterized. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) patterns of amplified DMA exon 3 products indicated the existence of two additional DMA alleles, which were subsequently sequenced and are now reported here. 4 refs., 2 figs.
Some new properties of 254Es and 255Es

Abstract Alpha decay of the 39.3 h 254m Es isomer was observed and further studies showed that this decay populates a 2 − excited state in 250 Bk, but decay to the 2 − ground state is highly hindered. The partial alpha half-life of 254m Es is 1.52±0.1 y. A lower limit to the spontaneous fission half-life of 254 Es was set at 2.5 × 10 7 y. The total decay and partial spontaneous fission half-lives of 254 Fm were redetermined as 194.4±0.1 min and 228±1 d, respectively. The pile neutron cross sections of 253 Es to produce the two isomers of 254 Es were measured as σ c = 13 b ( 254 Es ), σ c = 338 b ( 254 m Es ) . The partial alpha half-life of 255 Es has been measured as 1.38±0.08 y and the partial spontaneous fission half-life as 2440±140 y. The rotational band structure observed in the alpha decay of 255 Es is consistent with a 7 2 + spin.
A computational model to calculate the flow-induced pressure fluctuations on buildings

Abstract A computational model to predict the flow-induced pressure fluctuation on bluff bodies is presented. Unlike direct and large-eddy simulation, the present model employs a stochastic model to generate plausible velocity fluctuations (synthetic turbulence) that satisfy the mean turbulent quantities such as turbulent kinetic energy (k) and dissipation energy rate (e). This model has three main components: (1) prediction of mean flow quantities by solving the 3D Navier–Stokes equations using the standard k – e model with Kato and Launder modifications; (2) generating a synthetic turbulent velocity field using a stochastic model and finally (3) solving the Poisson equation that governs the pressure fluctuations field. Flow around the low–rise building at Texas Tech was analyzed using the developed model. Two different wind angles of attack are considered for the analysis. Results obtained using the developed model are compared with wind tunnel and field measurements. The computed rms values for pressure fluctuations show good agreement with the experimental results.
Solubility of oxygen in aqueous lithium bromide using electrochemical technique

Abstract The solubility of oxygen in aqueous Lithium Bromide for concentrations from 0 to 60 percent by weight was measured using a commercially available electrochemical device. Henry's law constant was also estimated theoretically. When the experimental results were corrected for the activity of oxygen assuming the activity was similar to that for water, the theoretical results agreed with the corrected experimental results.
Structure of Isolated Biomolecules by Electron Diffraction−Laser Desorption: Uracil and Guanine

We report the structure of isolated biomolecules, uracil and guanine, demonstrating the capability of a newly developed electron diffraction apparatus augmented with surface-assisted IR laser desorption. This UED-4 apparatus provides a pulsed, dense molecular beam, which is stable for many hours and possibly days. From the diffraction patterns, it is evident that the plume composition is chemically pure, without detectable background from ions, fragmentation products, or molecular aggregates. The vibrational temperature deduced is indeed lower than the translational temperature of the plume indicating that the molecules are intact on such short time scales. The structures of uracil and guanine were refined at the deduced internal temperatures, and we compare the results with those predicted by density functional theory. Such experimental capability opens the door for many other studies of the structure (and dynamics) of biomolecules.
Genetic diversity of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in four West African and USA breeding programs as determined by AFLP analysis

Cowpea is an important grain legume and hay crop of many tropical and subtropical regions, especially in the dry savanna region of West Africa. The cowpea gene pool may be narrow because of a genetic bottleneck during domestication. Genetic variation within specific breeding programs may be further restricted due to breeding methods, ‘founder effects’ and limited exchange of germplasm between breeding programs. Genetic relationships among 60 advanced breeding lines from six breeding programs in West Africa and USA, and 27 landrace accessions from Africa, Asia, and South America were examined using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers with six near infrared fluorescence labeled EcoRI + 3/1bases/MseI + 3/1bases primer sets. A total of 382 bands were scored among the accessions with 207 polymorphic bands (54.2%). Despite a diverse origin, the 87 cowpea accessions shared a minimum 86% genetic similarity. Principal coordinates analysis showed clustering of breeding lines by program origin, indicating lack of genetic diversity compared to potential diversity. Accessions from Asia and the Americas overlapped and were distinct from West African breeding lines, indicating that germplasm from Asia and the Americas have common origins outside West Africa. US and Asian breeding programs could increase genetic variability in their programs substantially by incorporating germplasm from West Africa, while national programs in West Africa should consider introgression of Asian germplasm and germplasm from other parts of Africa into their programs to ensure long-term gains from selection.
Contemporary imaging for thyroid cancer.

Thyroid nodules are extremely common in the adult population of the United States, and the incidence of thyroid cancer continues to increase. Preoperative ultrasonography is a crucial component of the work up of thyroid nodules. Recent studies evaluating 18 F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron-emission-tomography, with or without simultaneous computed tomography imaging, are encouraging for its potential utility in thyroid cancer in patients who have an elevated serum thyroglobulin level and a negative 131 I scan.
Repetitive DNA transcripts in frog embryo cytoplasm.

Abstract RNA preparations from a 12 000 × g centrifugal supernatant and the ribosomal pellet of stage 25 Rana pipiens larvae were labeled in vitro with [3H]dimethylsulfate and hybridized to denatured frog DNA on nitrocellulose filters. Saturation experiments showed the RNA in each of these larval cytoplasmic fractions annealed to at least 4% of the frog DNA.
Post‐literacy and the library

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the notion of “post‐literacy,” a presumption that posits reading will be transformed by electronic devices into an experience rather different than printed text readers encounter, and that, perhaps, a level of post‐literacy has already been reached given the plethora of e‐reading devices currently available.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses a literature review and commentary on this topic that has been addressed by writers and researchers.Findings – Librarians would agree that there is increasing evidence of a digital shift in the reading habits of their patrons, thus supporting the premise of a post‐literate environment. In order to meet the challenge within this change environment, libraries will need to plan their collections and services expeditiously and measure their expenditures differently each year to serve a public keen on an interest in digital reading materials.Originality/value – The value in addressing this issue is to consider som...
Advance price announcements and antitrust policy

Abstract This paper analyzes the competitive significance of advance price announcements. In the model, advance price announcements are used by firms to communicate private information on demand or cost. By so sharing the information, the firms are able to set their prices at more profitable levels. When the advance price announcements resolve demand uncertainty, profits rise and consumer surplus falls. Interestingly, when the advance price announcements resolve cost uncertainty, both profits and consumer welfare rise. Finally, we examine U.S. antitrust policy regarding price announcements.
The auto-generation of analysis models from product definition data

This paper describes a feature-based methodology for generating computer models for analysis from product definition data. Given the product definition data, the development of analysis models of the product suitable for performance analysis is a time-consuming task that requires a considerable level of expertise and tedious feature modifications. A feature-based geometric reasoning technique is developed that can be used to reduce the lead time of analysis of models generated from product definition data and subsequently to shorten the process time of CAE (computer aided engineering) analysis.
A novel interface for the telementoring of robotic surgery.

Objective To prospectively evaluate the feasibility and safety of a novel, second-generation telementoring interface (Connect™; Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for the da Vinci robot. Materials and Methods Robotic surgery trainees were mentored during portions of robot-assisted prostatectomy and renal surgery cases. Cases were assigned as traditional in-room mentoring or remote mentoring using Connect. While viewing two-dimensional, real-time video of the surgical field, remote mentors delivered verbal and visual counsel, using two-way audio and telestration (drawing) capabilities. Perioperative and technical data were recorded. Trainee robotic performance was rated using a validated assessment tool by both mentors and trainees. The mentoring interface was rated using a multi-factorial Likert-based survey. The Mann–Whitney and t-tests were used to determine statistical differences. Results We enrolled 55 mentored surgical cases (29 in-room, 26 remote). Perioperative variables of operative time and blood loss were similar between in-room and remote mentored cases. Robotic skills assessment showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Mentors preferred remote over in-room telestration (P = 0.05); otherwise no significant difference existed in evaluation of the interfaces. Remote cases using wired (vs wireless) connections had lower latency and better data transfer (P = 0.005). Three of 18 (17%) wireless sessions were disrupted; one was converted to wired, one continued after restarting Connect, and the third was aborted. A bipolar injury to the colon occurred during one (3%) in-room mentored case; no intraoperative injuries were reported during remote sessions. Conclusion In a tightly controlled environment, the Connect interface allows trainee robotic surgeons to be telementored in a safe and effective manner while performing basic surgical techniques. Significant steps remain prior to widespread use of this technology.
Use of a DNA microfluorometric assay to measure proliferative response of mink lung cells to purified TGFβ and to TGFβ activity found in prostate cell conditioned medium

The proliferative response of Mv1Lu cells to purified TGFβ1, or TGFβ-like activity released by various cells into medium conditioned over a 24-h period was quantitated by adapting a rapid DNA fluorometric assay. Acid activation of the conditioned medium allowed the amount of biologically latent versus active TGFβ to be quantitated. A neutralizing antibody specific for TGFβ1, 1.2, and 2.0 completely blocked the growth inhibition observed treating Mv1Lu cells with either purified TGFβ1 or medium containcing secreted TGFβ-like activity conditioned by DU145 prostate cells. In contrast to other assays commonly used to measure TGFβ activity, the proliferative response is related directly to DNA content rather than as a reflection of enzymatic activity or incorporation of3H-thymidine. The necessity for radioactive isotope usage has been eliminated, and the biological response can be quantitated over a period of days.
Amygdala-cingulate intrinsic connectivity is associated with degree of social inhibition

The tendency to approach or avoid novel people is a fundamental human behavior and is a core dimension of social anxiety. Resting state fMRI was used to test for an association between social inhibition and intrinsic connectivity in 40 young adults ranging from low to high in social inhibition. Higher levels of social inhibition were associated with specific patterns of reduced amygdala-cingulate cortex connectivity. Connectivity was reduced between the superficial amygdala and the rostral cingulate cortex and between the centromedial amygdala and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Social inhibition also modulated connectivity in several well-established intrinsic networks; higher social inhibition correlated with reduced connectivity with default mode and dorsal attention networks and enhanced connectivity in salience and executive control networks. These findings provide important preliminary evidence that social inhibition reflects differences in the underlying intrinsic connectivity of the brain in the absence of social stimuli or stressors.
A computable general equilibrium analysis of forest concessions in Brazil

Abstract The management of natural forests in Brazil is concentrated in the states of the Legal Amazon with almost all legal timber extraction occurring on private land. While the government has historically promoted the development of forest plantations through economic incentives, state involvement with natural forests has focused on regulation. Over 1 million km² in the Legal Amazon have been identified as suitable for the production of forest goods and services and other resource-based activities ( Verissimo et al., 2000 , p. 6). Only recently, however, has the state taken action to harness the potential this vast public resource holds for promoting sustainable development. In March 2006, the Public Forest Management Law was passed by the government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. A key feature of this law is a framework for creating forest concessions on public lands. With the goal of establishing up to 13 million ha of forest concessions by the end of the decade, such an initiative for the development of the forest sector is unprecedented in Brazilian history, marking the state's recognition of the Amazon's vocation as one of forest-based development. A static computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is developed to evaluate the short-run socio-economic and environmental implications of implementing forest concessions in the Brazilian Amazon. Results indicate that household income and private consumption increase with the implementation of forest concessions. With the expansion of natural forest management in the north, forest plantations contract significantly in all regions and to a lesser degree, natural forest management in the north east and center west. As forest plantations demand less agricultural land for production, the price of agricultural land decreases and the excess supply is taken up by the agricultural sector which pays less for the land and consequently produces more of a less expensive product. The implementation of forest concessions results in a 3.8% increase in legal deforestation with the largest increase in the north, followed by the north east and center west.
THE MARKET FOR UNCERTAINTY BEARING IN ROMAN EGYPT

This paper (re)calls attention to an unusual, much discussed Roman era Egyptian contract between Tetoueis and Venaphrios for the future delivery of grain. It is argued that the contractual provisions cannot be adequately explained within the framework of strictly credit or strictly commodity purchase instruments. It is shown, however, that sale in advance transactions for grain (and also for wine) can be understood by placing uncertainty in the foreground and viewing them as option contracts. Thus, this paper develops and refines an idea that has lain dormant since being put forward by Packman in 1975. Although this is quite possible, the point of the discussion is not that many Roman economic actors made their living by writing option contracts but only that such contracts were written and might be purchased even by unexpected individuals such as the illiterate Tetoueis.
Control of Cylindrical Shell Panels With Input Shaping and Phase Shift of Shape Memory Ring Segments

The purpose of this study is to investigate the control effect from shape memory alloy (SMA) ring segments placed at the desired positions along the length of a cylindrical shell panel. Equations of motion for an elastic cylindrical shell panel are defined first and then used with the assumed mode shape functions for the appropriate boundary conditions in a free vibration analysis. The results from this are used with the generic shell sensing equation to determine the spatial strain distribution. From this, optimal placement of ring segments for each given mnth mode is determined. Through use of the modal expansion method, the open-loop control force induced by the SMA ring segments applied to a cylindrical shell panel is determined next. This evaluation shows that only the odd modes in the circumferential direction can be controlled. Longitudinal modes are controlled via placing a varying number, depending on the mode, of ring segments along the length of the cylindrical shell panel. To predict control effects of the SMA ring segments, the modal participation factor response is determined for an external harmonic excitation applied to the shell along with SMA control force induced to eliminate the unwanted effects. The results show that with proper choice of waveform function for the applied temperature to the SMA ring segments and minor modifications to frequency and phase, the SMA ring segments can control unwanted external vibration.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
HD+ in a short strong laser pulse : Practical consideration of the observability of carrier-envelope phase effects

We summarize the results of numerical calculations of ${\mathrm{HD}}^{+}$ in a $7.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{fs}$ (intensity full width at half maximum) $790\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ laser pulse. The molecule is assumed to be aligned with the linearly polarized laser field and includes two electronic and one nuclear degrees of freedom. We report total dissociation and ionization probabilities from the lowest 10 vibrational states for a range of intensities from ${10}^{13}$ to $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{14}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The conditions for the observability of carrier-envelope phase (CEP) effects for a mixed initial state and for intensity averaging over the laser focal volume are discussed in detail.
PROSTACYCLIN PRODUCTION AND VITAMIN E IN THE HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME

Preliminary reports suggest that Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) plasma is unable to stimulate endothelial cells to produce normal amounts of prostacyclin (PGI2), a substance known to inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis. Some children with HUS have been reported to have low levels of Vitamin E. Neonatal plasma reportedly is unable to stimulate normal PGI2 production. This can be corrected by the in vitro addition of Vitamin E. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that HUS sera have an impaired ability to stimulate PGI2 production and that this abnormality is associated with Vitamin E deficiency. HUS (n=19) and normal children sera (n=22) were incubated with cultured endothelial cells, and PGI2 generation was determined by radioimmunoassay of its stable metabolite, 6-keto PGF1α. Vitamin E and total lipids were also measured in HUS (n=15) and normal sera (n=19). The following results (mean ± SD) were obtained: Sera from children with HUS residing in the Intermountain Region have a significantly (p<0.001) decreased ability to stimulate PGI2 production by cultured endothelial cells. However, the lack of significant difference in the Vitamin E and Vitamin E/Total Lipids ratios fails to support a role for Vitamin E in the pathogenesis of HUS.
Quantification of melanin in hepatic and cardiac lipofuscin.

Melanin pigment in liver and heart tissue, obtained at autopsy from patients, was isolated and quantified. The quantity of melanin extracted was directly proportional to lipofuscin granule counts. Infrared and electron spin resonance spectrographs of the isolated pigments from liver and heart showed absorption characteristics identical to those of known melanins. The pigment was absent in fetal and neonatal life, increased in brown atrophy of the heart and liver, and diminished in livers with fatty metamorphosis.
Progressive failure analysis of a composite shell

Abstract The objective of this research is to determine the physical response including material failure of a thin, curved composite panel designed to resist transverse loading. The cause of the material failure, in the form of fiber, matrix and/or delamination failure, will be determined through failure criterion based on nonlinear movement using a finite element analysis technique. The finite element analysis technique known as the simplified large displacement/rotation (SLR) theory allows for large displacements but assumes small to moderate rotations (A.N. Palazotto, S.T. Dennis, Nonlinear Analysis of Shell Structures, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., Washington, DC, 1992). Third-order shell kinematics, defined relative to the shell mid-surface, allow for the characterization of in-plane and transverse shear effects, while neglecting the direct transverse effects. Data generated using the SLR theory both with and without the addition of progressive failure criteria, will be compared with previously published experimental data, noting where the SLR theory diverges from the experimental results. The inclusion of the Hashin failure criterion will provide a more realistic representation of the total physical response of the shell (Z. Hashin, J. Appl. Mech. 47 (1980) 329–334). The criterion will investigate the shell, from initial loading, to further progressive composite failures. As the composite shell fails, the constitutive relations, or shell stiffness will be reduced. Results of the analytic comparison with the experimental data indicate that the SLR theory overpredicts the stiffness of the shell whether considering or not considering failure criteria. Results generated for the case incorporating a progressive failure criterion are closer to the experimental data because of the reduced stiffness due to failure as the deflection increases.
Changes in poly(A) + RNA concentrations during germination of spores of the fern,Onoclea sensibilis

The temporal and spatial changes in the steady-state population of poly(A)-containing RNA [poly(A) + RNA] during germination of spores of the fern,Onoclea sensibilis have been followed by affinity chromatography on oligo-deoxythymidine cellulose column and byin situ hybridization with3H-polyuridylic acid [3H-poly(U)], respectively. It was found that the dry spore contains poly(A) + RNA and that its concentration decreases during germination.In situ hybridization experiments showed that poly(A) + RNA was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the dry spore. During germination, there was a progressive decline in cytoplasmic3H-poly(U) binding sites which mostly disappeared from the spore poised to divide. In the germinated spore,3H-poly(U) binding sites were present in the newly formed rhizoid and protonema. These results suggest that poly(A) + RNA present in the dry spore is processed as mRNA to code for the first proteins of germination. The fact that the rhizoid and protonema acquire3H-poly (U) binding sites indicates that the synthesis of new poly(A) + RNA also occurs during germination of the spore. The implications of these observations are discussed in relationship to the function of stored and newly synthesized poly(A) + RNA in the germination of spores ofO. sensibilis.
UT-Vocal Effort II: Analysis and constrained-lexicon recognition of whispered speech

This study focuses on acoustic variations in speech introduced by whispering, and proposes several strategies to improve robustness of automatic speech recognition of whispered speech with neutral-trained acoustic models. In the analysis part, differences in neutral and whispered speech captured in the UT-Vocal Effort II corpus are studied in terms of energy, spectral slope, and formant center frequency and bandwidth distributions in silence, voiced, and unvoiced speech signal segments. In the part dedicated to speech recognition, several strategies involving front-end filter bank redistribution, cepstral dimensionality reduction, and lexicon expansion for alternative pronunciations are proposed. The proposed neutral-trained system employing redistributed filter bank and reduced features provides a 7.7% absolute WER reduction over the baseline system trained on neutral speech, and a 1.3% reduction over a baseline system with whisper-adapted acoustic models.