cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-Term temporal features for conversational speech recognition

The automatic transcription of conversational speech, both from telephone and in-person interactions, is still an extremely challenging task. Our efforts to recognize speech from meetings is likely to benefit from any advances we achieve with conversational telephone speech, a topic of considerable focus for our research. Towards both of these ends, we have developed, in collaboration with our colleagues at SRI and IDIAP, techniques to incorporate long-term (~500 ms) temporal information using multi-layered perceptrons (MLPs). Much of this work is based on prior achievements in recent years at the former lab of Hynek Hermansky at the Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI), where the TempoRAl Pattern (TRAP) approach was developed. The contribution here is to present experiments showing: 1) that simply widening acoustic context by using more frames of full band speech energies as input to the MLP is suboptimal compared to a more constrained two-stage approach that first focuses on long-term temporal patterns in each critical band separately and then combines them, 2) that the best two-stage approach studied utilizes hidden activation values of MLPs trained on the log critical band energies (LCBEs) of 51 consecutive frames, and 3) that combining the best two-stage approach with conventional short-term features significantly reduces word error rates on the 2001 NIST Hub-5 conversational telephone speech (CTS) evaluation set with models trained using the Switchboard Corpus.
A scientific methodology for MIS case studies

A methodology for conducting the case study of a management information system (MIS) is presented. Suitable for the study of a single case, the methodology also satisfies the standard of the natural science model of scientific research.This article provides an overview of the methodological problems involved in the study of a single case, describes scientific method, presents an elucidation of how a previously published MIS case study captures the major features of scientific method, responds to the problems involved in the study of a single case, and summarizes what a scientific methodology for MIS case studies does, and does not, involve.The article also has ramifications that go beyond matters of MIS case studies alone. For MIS researchers, the article might prove interesting for addressing such fundamental issues as whether MIS research must be mathematical, statistical, or quantitative in order to be called "scientific". For MIS practitioners, the article's view of scientific method might prove interesting for empowering them to identify, for themselves, the pint at which scientific rigor is achieved in an MIS research effort, and beyond which further rigor can be called into question, especially if pursued at the expense of professional relevance.
A Series of Cre-ERT2 Drivers for Manipulation of the Skeletal Muscle Lineage

We report the generation of five mouse strains with the tamoxifen-inducible Cre (Cre-ER(T) (2) ; CE) gene cassette knocked into the endogenous loci of Pax3, Myod1, Myog, Myf6, and Myl1, collectively as a resource for the skeletal muscle research community. We characterized these CE strains using the Cre reporter mice, R26R(L) (acZ) , during embryogenesis and show that they direct tightly controlled tamoxifen-inducible reporter expression within the expected cell lineage determined by each myogenic gene. We also examined a few selected adult skeletal muscle groups for tamoxifen-inducible reporter expression. None of these new CE alleles direct reporter expression in the cardiac muscle. All these alleles follow the same knock-in strategy by replacing the first exon of each gene with the CE cassette, rendering them null alleles of the endogenous gene. Advantages and disadvantages of this design are discussed. Although we describe potential immediate use of these strains, their utility likely extends beyond foreseeable questions in skeletal muscle biology.
Relationship of the War-Time Navy Physical Fitness Test to Age, Height, and Weight

(1952). Relationship of the War-Time Navy Physical Fitness Test to Age, Height, and Weight. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 347-355.
Mispricing and Optimal Time on the Market

This study is an empirical examination of the relationship between pricing and optimal time on the market (TOM). First, estimates of optimal TOMs for our data set are generated using a linear progr...
Small RNAs in Neurological Disorders

Small RNAs (ribonucleic acids) are a group of noncoding RNA molecules with modulation functions that span a broad range, from RNA modification to protein synthesis regulation. The expression of small RNAs is found to be widespread in all eukaryotes, and more than a third of protein-coding genes in the human genome are regulated by small RNAs. Mounting evidence suggests that the appropriate spatiotemporal expression of small RNAs, in particular microRNAs (miRNAs), is required for both brain morphogenesis and nervous system development. Moreover, dysregulation of specific miRNAs is possibly correlated with the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding the potential roles of small regulatory RNAs in neural development and various human neurological disorders could reveal therapeutic applications that involve restoring or inhibiting the function of small RNAs. Key Concepts: Small RNAs have been found in all major groups of eukaryotes. Small RNAs are divided into four classes: microRNAs, small interacting RNAs, Piwi-interacting RNAs and small nucleolar RNAs. In humans, microRNAs play important functional roles, interacting with at least 30% of all mRNAs. MicroRNAs are highly involved not only in normal brain function, but also in many developmental disorders. Known to act on mRNAs, microRNAs will degrade, translationally inhibit or even upregulate mRNA expression. One microRNA can affect the course of several neurodevelopmental disorders. A full understanding of microRNA function will yield possible medicinal treatments. Keywords: microRNAs; Alzheimer disease; Parkinson disease; Huntington disease; fragile X syndrome; Rett syndrome; DiGeorge syndrome; Down syndrome; multiple sclerosis; spina bifida
Honor, Prestige, and the Academy: A Portrait of Political Science Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty in Ph.D.-Granting Institutions (2012-2013)

This paper submits the political science discipline to a Bourdieuian analysis. We focus on the placement of faculty at Ph.D.-granting institutions by Ph.D. alma mater. We find that as one’s prestige rank decreases, their ability to place diminishes. We find that the Ivy League enjoys a tremendous prestige benefit for placement that goes beyond their program ranking that other university conferences do not. We argue that placement and placement efficiency is a more appropriate tool for ranking Ph.D. programs. Finally, we discuss the negative implications of prestige-chasing in Ph.D. programs, which includes: legal risk, academic rebellion, and programmatic irrelevance.
Terrorism involving cyanide: the prospect of improving preparedness in the prehospital setting.

The potential for domestic or international terrorism involving cyanide has not diminished and in fact may have increased in recent years. This paper discusses cyanide as a terrorist weapon and the current state of readiness for a cyanide attack in the United States. Many of the factors that render cyanide appealing to terrorists are difficult to modify sufficiently to decrease the probability of a cyanide attack. For example, the relative ease with which cyanide can be used as a weapon without special training, its versatile means of delivery to intended victims, and to a large degree, its ready availability cannot be significantly modified through preparedness efforts. On the other hand, the impact of an attack can be mitigated through preparedness measures designed to minimize the physical, psychological, and social consequences of cyanide exposure. Although the nation remains ill-equipped to manage a cyanide disaster, significant progress is being realized in some aspects of preparedness. Hydroxocobalamin-a cyanide antidote that may be appropriate for use in the prehospital setting for presumptive cases of cyanide poisoning-currently is under development for potential introduction in the US. If it becomes available in the US, hydroxocobalamin could enhance the role of the prehospital emergency responder in providing care to victims of a cyanide disaster. Additional progress is required in the areas of ensuring local and regional availability of antidotal treatment and supportive interventions, educating emergency healthcare providers about cyanide poisoning and its management, and raising public awareness of the potential for a cyanide attack and how to respond. Language: en
Rapid detection and assessment of sparse microbial populations.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the rapid detection and assessment of sparse microbial populations. The chapter explains that immediate or rapid detection or specific identification of a sparse microbial population is much more difficult and requires the use of specially developed methods. If a sparse population of microbes is to be detected and determined within a few minutes it might be possible initially to increase the microbial concentration in a sample by centrifugation or membrane filtration, but augmentation of the population by growth must be excluded. Moreover, problems associated with rapid specific identification methods depending on immunological principles differ from those with broad spectrum methods. The microbial components detected are usually unique to a particular species and extraneous biological material in samples will not specifically react with the reagent. Furthermore, considerable effort is being expended on automating microbial detection methods— for example, for use in aerosol detection or space research and several working detectors are now in existence.
A Practical Approach for Handling Soft Errors in Iterative Applications

With reducing feature sizes, there is a growing need for soft errors to be handled at the software level. This paper focuses on iterative scientific applications, particularly, solvers of PDEs. After empirically studying the impact of bit flips on convergence and correctness of these applications as well as analyzing the underlying numerical algorithm, we propose the following method for improving accuracy of these applications in the presence of silent data corruptions. We show that changes in value of the residue can serve as the signature that detect the soft errors that can have the most negative impact on the applications. Our analysis also shows that for iterative solvers, bit flips in the later part of the computation are a lot more likely to impact final results. For such cases, we propose partial replication to help improve accuracy without very large overheads. After applying our approach on five scientific applications, we find that our signature based method removes all infinite loops because of bit flips, reduces the error in the final results by up to 99%, and has less than 6% overhead (with an additional 24% overhead for checkpointing and restart). The reduction in error can be as high as 99.9% while using partial replication together with our signature analysis for two of the applications.
Inner-belt Van Allen radiation

A survey of the present state of knowledge about the inner radiation zone is presented. This includes a historical review of empirical data and theoretical considerations concerning electrons, protons, and heavier particles. Included are results obtained from the various high-altitude nuclear tests. Recent experimental results are presented and some newer theoretical ideas, such as pitch-angle scattering and radial diffusion, are discussed as applied to the data. Comparisons of the measured fluxes, spectra, and time variations with the theoretical calculations are made where possible. Some conclusions are drawn pertaining to the sources and loss processes for the trapped particles, and some comments are made regarding future measurements in the inner zone.
New records of Brazilian cicadas including the description of a new species (Hemiptera: Cicadoidea, Cicadidae)

A new species of Proarna Stal is described from southern Brazil. Proarna gianucai sp. nov. is distinguished by its coloration and genitalia. The species inhabits coastal dune environments and is associated with the perennial grass Panicum racemosum (P. Beauv.) Spreng. Adults are active from December to March. The first records of Carineta durantoni Boulard, Carineta gemella Boulard, Carineta pilifera Walker, Fidicina christinae Boulard & Martinelli, Fidicina torresi Boulard & Martinellli, Fidicinoides determinata (Walker), Fidicinoides distanti (Goding), Fidicinoides glauca (Goding), Majeorona truncata Goding, and Zammara columbia Distant for Brazil are provided. The new species and new records bring the total cicada diversity of Brazil to 146 species.
TOXICITY OF CADMIUM IN SEDIMENTS: THE ROLE OF ACID VOLATILE SULFIDE

The toxicity of chemicals in sediments is influenced by the extent that chemicals bind to the sediment. It is shown that acid volatile sulfide (AVS) is the sediment phase that determines the LC50 for cadmium in the marine sediments tested. Although it is well known that metals can form insoluble sulfides, it apparently has not been recognized that AVS is a reactive pool of solid phase sulfide that is available to bind with metals. Amphipod sediment toxicity tests were conducted in the laboratory and the observed amphipod LC50s on a normalized cadmium concentration basis, [Cd]/[AVS], is the same for sediments with over an order of magnitude difference in dry weight normalized cadmium LC50s. Because other toxic metals also form insoluble sulfides, it is likely that AVS is important in determining their toxicity in sediments as well. Most freshwater and marine sediments contain sufficient acid volatile sulfide for this phase to be the predominant determinant of toxicity. The other sorption phases are expected to be important only for low AVS sediments, for example, fully oxidized sediments. From the point of view of sediment quality criteria the other sorption phases would be important for metals with large partition coefficients and large chronic water quality criteria.
Mercury speciation in open ocean waters

Vital to our understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of Hg and the origin of the enhanced monomethylmercury (MMHg) concentrations in biota is knowledge of the sources, behavior and fate of methylated Hg species in natural waters. Methylated Hg species, dissolved gaseous and reactive mercury were measured in the equatorial Pacific Ocean in early 1990. Both dimethylmercury (DMHg) and MMHg were found in the subthermocline waters of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Maxima in alkylmercury species in the O2 minimum region coincided with a decrease in reactive mercury. A significant inverse correlation between DMHg, and MMHg, concentration and O2 content was observed. A maximum in reactive mercury was observed in the region of the thermocline, with similar concentrations in the surface and deeper waters. Atmospheric deposition is not a significant source of MMHg to this region. The data suggest formation of alkylmercury species in the low oxygen zone, with Hg(II) being the most likely substrate. A model for the cycling of Hg species in the equatorial Pacific Ocean is presented. These results are the first direct evidence of a significant open ocean source of methylated Hg species and suggest a pathway for mercury accumulation in pelagic fish.
An architecturally-integrated, systems-based hazard analysis for medical applications

Medical devices are increasingly being developed not as standalone units but as network-aware machines that can be integrated via high-assurance middleware and coordinated with software into clinically useful applications for Medical Application Platforms (MAP apps). While this concept is still emerging, both regulators and vendors recognize that these apps can be as powerful as purpose-built medical devices, and they are struggling to understand the appropriate techniques to support risk assessment and safety claims. Before being approved for market, the reliability of medical devices is typically ascertained by performing one of a number of hardware-centric, reliability-focused analyses. However, these techniques are not a good fit for the combined hardware and software systems that are defined by MAP apps, nor is their emphasis on reliability appropriate when the end goal is safety. In this work, we tailor a modern, systems-based hazard analysis technique (STAMP / STPA) to the domain of MAP apps by leveraging our prior work in safety-critical systems engineering for medical software. We also build on our previously developed AADL-based language and tooling for the semi-formal modeling of MAP app architectures to provide a proof-of-concept tool that aids the transition between design and analysis. This tool takes as input an architectural model annotated with both new and re-purposed constructs from AADL (as well as its error modeling annex) and produces as output a report in our proposed format. We ground our approach by using a clinically-sourced scenario that serves as a motivating example: we provide an annotated architectural model and hazard analysis report that serve as exemplars of our technique and tooling.
The destructive nature of power without status.

Abstract The current research explores how roles that possess power but lack status influence behavior toward others. Past research has primarily examined the isolated effects of having either power or status, but we propose that power and status interact to affect interpersonal behavior. Based on the notions that a) low-status is threatening and aversive and b) power frees people to act on their internal states and feelings, we hypothesized that power without status fosters demeaning behaviors toward others. To test this idea, we orthogonally manipulated both power and status and gave participants the chance to select activities for their partners to perform. As predicted, individuals in high-power/low-status roles chose more demeaning activities for their partners (e.g., bark like a dog, say “I am filthy”) than did those in any other combination of power and status roles. We discuss how these results clarify, challenge, and advance the existing power and status literatures.
SNOW SAMPLING RESULTS FROM THREE SAMPLERS

Abstract In an effort to make snow sampling an easier task in deep snowpack, two sets of experimental snow tubes were tested. Design of these tubes differed from the Standard Federal Snow Tubes. Results indicated greater variation between the standard snow tubes and the experimental tubes than expected due to sampling variation. Reasons for this variation and recommendation for use of these experimental tubes are given by the authors.
Understand users’ comprehension and preferences for composing information visualizations

We are developing an automated visualization system that helps users combine two or more existing information graphics to form an integrated view. To establish empirical foundations for building such a system, we designed and conducted two studies on Amazon Mechanical Turk to understand users’ comprehension and preferences of composite visualization under different conditions (e.g., data and tasks). In Study 1, we collected more than 1,500 textual descriptions capturing about 500 participants’ insights of given information graphics, which resulted in a task-oriented taxonomy of visual insights. In Study 2, we asked 240 participants to rank composite visualizations by their suitability for acquiring a given visual insight identified in Study 1, which resulted in ranked user preferences of visual compositions for acquiring each type of insight. In this article, we report the details of our two studies and discuss the broader implications of our crowdsourced research methodology and results to HCI-driven visualization research.
Clustering of Au on the faulted half of the Si(111)- 7 × 7 unit cell

We present a structure for Au deposited on the Si(111)-$7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7$ surface at very low coverage obtained by x-ray diffraction. We have found Au adsorbed exclusively on the faulted side of the Si(111)-$7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7$ unit cell. The Au atoms are found to reside in sites which lie above the Si and do not cause significant rearrangement of the covalent bonding network of the substrate, suggesting they are weakly bound. The sites have considerable disorder and can be modeled by a strongly anisotropic Debye-Waller factor. From this we extract the potential for interaction of Au with Si(111) $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7$, which is in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions for Si and other species on Si(111) $7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7$.
LIPOPROTEIN (A) : A RISK FACTOR FOR PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE

Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a serum protein that has been reported to be predictive of complications from coronary and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease. This study was designed to compare plasma levels of Lp(a) in 100 white male patients with and without peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and to determine the role of Lp(a) as a risk factor for PVD independent of known risk factors such as cigarette smoking (CIG), diabetes mellitus (DM), and coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with PVD (mean age =67.6 years, n=50) had a statistically significant (p=0.04) elevation of Lp(a) (29.8±3.9 mg/dl) as compared to patients without PVD (20.0±2.9 mg/dl (mean age =68.3 years, n=50). Further analysis revealed that patients with PVD had a significantly higher incidence of CIG (86% vs. 68%,p=0.03), DM (34% vs. 14%,p=0.02), and CAD (52% vs. 30%,p=0.02) than those without PVD. However, there was no statistically significant difference in Lp(a) levels in patients with CIG or CAD compared to those without. Patients with DM had significantly (p=0.04) lower levels of Lp(a) (17.8±3.5 mg/dl) than those without DM (27.1±3.0 mg/dl). Stepwise regression analysis of these various risk factors for PVD revealed that Lp(a) was the strongest significant individual predictor for the presence of PVD (R2=0.07) as compared to DM (R2=0.05) and CIG (R2=0.04). We conclude that there is a significant correlation of Lp(a) levels and the incidence of PVD, which is independent of other major risk factors for PVD.
A new balanced 4-moduli set {2k, 2n - 1, 2n + 1, 2n+1-1} and its reverse converter design for efficient fir filter implementation

This paper presents a new four moduli residue number system of the form {2k, 2n-1, 2n+1-1}, n d k d 2n, which is an enhancement of the popular four-moduli set {2n,2n-1,2n,2n+1-1} (for even n). Our k-mod4 moduli set achieves a higher dynamic range and a better balancing of the binary channels. Using the proposed k-mod4 moduli set helps in reducing the hardware complexity of arithmetic circuits compared with other four-moduli sets for the same performance. Additionally, we provide a reverse converter design, whose hardware complexity and performance are shown to be better than the existing reverse converters for the same dynamic range. Experimental results comparing RNS multiply and accumulate units implemented using the proposed four-moduli set with the state-of-the-art balanced four-moduli sets, show large improvements in area (46%) and power (43%) reduction for various dynamic ranges. This makes our k-mod4 moduli set ideal for digital filters implementation.
Kinetics of Aluminum in Rats. II: Dose-Dependent Urinary and Biliary Excretion

Abstract Previous iv studies from our laboratories have shown that the disappearance half-life of blood aluminum increased with dose. Experiments were initiated to determine if saturation of biliary and/or urinary excretion could be responsible for this dose-dependent behavior. Biliary aluminum excretion (0-12 h) accounted for
Prospective risk of fetal death with gastroschisis.

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the ongoing risk of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in fetuses with gastroschisis compared to non-anomalous fetuses.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all births in the United States in 2005–2006, as recorded in the National Center for Health Statistics natality database. Risk of IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was compared to non-anomalous fetuses, utilizing total at-risk fetuses as the denominator.Results: Risk of IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was 4.5%, compared to 0.6% in non-anomalous fetuses (p < 0.001). When controlling for gestational age and other confounders, the adjusted odds ratio for IUFD in fetuses with gastroschisis was 7.06 (95% CI: 3.33–14.96). After 32 weeks, risk of IUFD/ongoing pregnancy was greater at each week of gestation in fetuses with gastroschisis.Conclusions: Risk of IUFD for fetuses with gastroschisis is greater than in non-anomalous fetuses. This risk increases significantly after 32 weeks’ gestation. Demographic variables...
Induction of the BRCA2 Promoter by Nuclear Factor-κB

BRCA2 is a tumor suppressor gene that has been implicated in response to DNA damage, cell cycle control, and transcription. BRCA2 has been found to be overexpressed in many breast tumors, suggesting that altered expression of the BRCA2 gene may contribute to breast tumorigenesis. To determine how BRCA2 is overexpressed in tumors, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of the BRCA2 promoter. Deletion mapping of the BRCA2 promoter identified three regions associated with 3-fold activation or repression and one upstream stimulatory factor binding site associated with 20-fold activation. Gel shift and cotransfection studies verified the role of USF in regulation of BRCA2 transcription. Analysis of the −144 to −59 region associated with 3-fold activation identified a putative NFκB binding site. Cotransfection of the p65 and p50 subunits of NFκB up-regulated the BRCA2 promoter 16-fold in a luciferase reporter assay, whereas mutations in the binding site ablated the effect. Gel shift and supershift assays with anti-p65 and -p50 antibodies demonstrated that NFκB binds specifically to the NFκB site. In addition, ectopic expression of NFκB resulted in increased levels of endogeneous BRCA2 expression. Thus, NFκB and USF regulate BRCA2 expression through the BRCA2 promoter.
Pool resolution is NP-hard to recognize

A pool resolution proof is a dag-like resolution proof which admits a depth-first traversal tree in which no variable is used as a resolution variable twice on any branch. The problem of determining whether a given dag-like resolution proof is a valid pool resolution proof is shown to be NP-complete.
Selecting custom torque prescriptions for the straight-wire appliance

Selecting custom torque prescriptions based on the treatment needs of each patient can reduce the amount of routine archwire torque adjustment needed and speed torque correction, thus reducing the total treatment time. Using the appropriate torque prescription prevents iatrogenic torque problems and allows most torque corrections to be done earlier with more resilient nickel-titanium and beta-titanium wires. As a result, fewer time-consuming final torque adjustments are needed with stainless steel finishing wires, resulting in shorter treatment time.
H ∞ controller design for laser cavity squeezing in optomechanical sensors

In this paper, a controller is designed for robust stabilization of a quantum optics system subject to critical uncertainties and technical limitations such as laser noise and detector imprecision. This problem is formulated in the framework of robust H ∞ control design. A Coherent feedback quantum control is developed by incorporating both shot noise and back- action noise. The output noise level is subsequently attenuated well below the shot noise level. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in squeezing the cavity output beam is demonstrated by simulation.
Relationship of Lactose to Nitrogen Metabolism of Artificially Reared Beef Calves

Abstract The purpose was to study the relationship of lactose to nitrogen metabolism of artificially-reared beef calves. Calves from 35 market heifers were fed whole milk at 12% of body weight daily to 14 days and then at 8% of body weight to 28 days. An 18.3% crude protein dry diet was fed for ad libitum consumption on days 1 to 28. For days 29 to 84, nine calves were assigned to each of three treatments: A) 60:40 grain:hay dry diet, B) 60:40 grain diet with liquid lactose fed separately, and C) 60:40 dry diet containing dried lactose. During days 1 to 28, body weights were not reduced. Calves compensated for reduction of whole milk intake by increasing their intakes of dry diet. γ-Glutamyl transferase and urea nitrogen in blood serum were reduced when milk intake was decreased. Beef calves can be adapted to early weaning and artificial rearing if started soon after birth. Lactose treatments decreased dry matter intakes and vitamin E in blood, but body weights were not different. Feed conversion was improved; nitrogen balance and urinary nitrogen excretion were decreased by liquid lactose. Urea nitrogen in blood was related to nitrogen balance. Liquid lactose increased serum alkaline phosphatase and serum glucose. The role of liquid lactose was to supply adequate energy for improved utilization of retained nitrogen.
Soil and tissue nitrate tests compared for predicting soil nitrogen availability to corn

Soil NO 3 concentration and soil N-supplying capability (NSC) at soil NO 3 levels below the critical level were not correlated well enough (r 2 =0.34) to use the predicted NSC for adjusting N-fertilizer recommendations. As a result, the best use of this test in Pennsylvania appears to be in identification of nonresponsive sites rather than predicting N-fertilizer rates. Use of this test by farmers in Pennsylvania will help minimize the practice of applying «insurance» N when N contributions from manure and legumes in rotations are uncertain
TRADING-VOLUME SHOCKS AND STOCK RETURNS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

We examine high-volume premiums based on weekly risk-adjusted returns. Significant average weekly abnormal high-volume premiums up to 0.50% per week are documented for 1962–2005. Most premiums are generated in the first two weeks and monotonically decline as holding periods are extended. Evidence of reversal is found as the holding periods are extended. Premiums depend on realized turnover in the holding period. The last finding supports the theories of Miller and Merton. Finally, we test whether premiums are compensation for taking additional risk. Negative skewness, idiosyncratic risk, and liquidity risk do not explain the high-volume premiums.
Feed-forward activation in a theoretical first-order biochemical pathway which contains an anticipatory model

This paper explores the consequences of the theoretical forward activation enzymatic pathway A0 → A1 → A2 → A3 where E1 convents A0 to A1, E2 converts A1 to A2 and E3 converts A2 to A3. A0, which is environmentally determined, also serves to activate (or modulate) the activity of E3 in such a way as to keep the concentration of A2 ([A2]) constant at a particular set-point value. For mathematical simplicity, first order rate kinetics are used where k1, k2 and k3 are the rate constants for E1, E2, and E3 respectively. It is shown that if k3 is modulated appropriately so as keep [A2] at the setpoint value with a changing upstream [A0], then the modulation of k3 must be anticipatory of the dynamics of the biochemical pathway. In other words, the rate of change of k3, will be a function of [A0], k1, k2, k3, and the set-point value of [A2]. If the modulation of k3 does not perfectly model (anticipate) the reaction pathway of which it is a part, then the actual [A2] will deviate from the set-point value. This type of anticipatory feed-forward activation may represent an important aspect of biological organization.
Nonlinear feature extraction and classification of multivariate data in kernel feature space

Abstract Batch processes have played an essential role in the production of high value-added product of chemical, pharmaceutical, food, bio-chemical, and semi-conductor industries. For productivity and quality improvement, several multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA) have been developed to solve a fault diagnosis problem of batch processes. Fisher discriminant analysis, as a traditional statistical technique for feature extraction and classification, has been shown to be a good linear technique for fault diagnosis and outperform PCA based diagnosis methods. This paper proposes a more efficient nonlinear diagnosis method for batch processes using a kernel version of Fisher discriminant analysis (KFDA). A case study on two batch processes has been conducted. In addition, the diagnosis performance of the proposed method was compared with that of an existing diagnosis method based on linear FDA. The diagnosis results showed that the proposed KFDA based diagnosis method outperforms the linear FDA based method.
Improved high resolution image processing of bright field electron micrographs: I. Theory

Abstract Two new improved methods of computer image reconstruction are presented. The well known MAP method of image reconstruction is generalized to include reconstruction of a single (higher resolution) image from multiple observations of the object with different imaging conditions. The resolution of the input images is assumed to be determined by the aberrations of the optical system. The first method involves an approximate form of partial coherence that allows the use of fast Fourier transforms (FFT's) to reduce the required computer time. The second method uses the more rigorous transmission cross-coefficient description of partial coherence. Although both methods have applications in both electron and light optical imaging, the discussion presented here is directed towards the reconstruction of the phase and amplitude of the specimen transmission function from a defocus series of high resolution bright field conventional transmission electron micrographs of radiation-damage-resistant specimens. This is the first of a two-part report. The theory is presented in this part and the experimental results of applying these methods to actual 500 keV micrographs will be presented in the second part of this report.
A Study of Harmonic Distortion Limit Changes During the Reconfiguration Process of the Smart Grid

It is of interest to determine if the applicable harmonic distortion limits of customer installations will change after the smart grid reconfigures the power system. There is wide acceptance that the smart grid will improve the power system by making it more efficient, reliable, and secure. However, there may be appreciable changes to the applicable harmonic distortion limits of the customer installations when the smart grid reconfigures the power system bus connections. This phenomenon may be an issue of concern in implementing smart grid technologies. A 30-bus power system will be used as the test system to determine if the customer's harmonic distortion limits will vary based on how the power system is connected. The variations in the harmonic distortion limit for various customers will be collected, analyzed and presented. It will be shown that the smart grid reconfiguration process will change the harmonic distortion limits of some of the customer installations. Future standardization will need to account for this phenomenon so that the power system will continue to operate in an efficient, reliable, and secure manner.
In situ monitoring of ocean chlorophyll via laser-induced fluorescence backscattering through an optical fiber

The first seagoing test of a prototype laser/fiber-optic system for in situ detection of ocean chlorophyll fluorescence is described. Radiation at 488 nm originating from a shipboard argon laser was transmitted through 20 of 200-μm core optical fiber to the distal tip mounted on the microstructure profiler, the Rapid Sampling Vertical Profiler. The backscattered fluorescence emission signal was collected through the same fiber and processed on board ship. A series of measurements indicated that (1) successful isolation of ship-induced vibrations could be achieved using our optical bench framework to maintain optical alignments; (2) ambient chlorophyll concentrations could be detected in situ; (3) a Raman scattering signal from water could also be detected and should provide an internal standard against which chlorophyll fluorescence may be calibrated.
Engineering the aveC gene to enhance the ratio of doramectin to its CHC-B2 analogue produced in Streptomyces avermitilis.

Avermectin and its analogues are produced by the actinomycete Streptomyces avermitilis and are major commercial products for parasite control in the fields of animal health, agriculture, and human infections. Historically, the avermectin analogue doramectin (CHC-B1), which is sold commercially as Dectomax is co-produced during fermentation with the undesired analogue CHC-B2 at a CHC-B2:CHC-B1 ratio of 1.6:1. Although the identification of the avermectin gene cluster has allowed for characterization of most of the biosynthetic pathway, the mechanism for determining the avermectin B2:B1 ratio remains unclear. The aveC gene, which has an essential role in avermectin biosynthesis, was inactivated by insertional inactivation and mutated by site-specific mutagenesis and error-prone PCR. Several unrelated mutations were identified that resulted in improved ratios of the desirable avermectin analogue CHC-B1, produced relative to the undesired CHC-B2 fermentation component. High-throughput (HTP) screening of cultures grown on solid-phase fermentation plates and analysis using electrospray mass spectrometry was implemented to significantly increase screening capability. An aveC gene with mutations that result in a 4-fold improvement in the ratio of doramectin to CHC-B2 was identified. Subsequent integration of the enhanced aveC gene into the chromosome of the S. avermitilis production strain demonstrates the successful engineering of a specific biosynthetic pathway gene to significantly improve fermentation productivity of a commercially important product.
A linear charge-coupled device detector system for spectroscopy

The spectroscopically important performance capabilities of a linear charge-coupled device detector system, along with the methods used to evaluate the detector performance, are described. The linearity, read noise, full-well capacity, charge transfer efficiency, and ultraviolet to near-infrared quantum efficiency of the detector are presented along with the methods required to operate the detector in unconventional modes allowing low noise and antiblooming operation. With the antiblooming mode of operation, the detector performance is shown to be unaffected by light overloads hundreds of times over the saturation level. The performance of the detector for high-resolution diagnostic studies of hollow cathode lamps as well as for molecular fluorescence is presented.
The lifestyle modification project: limiting pregnancy weight gain in obese women.

Objective: To assess the impact of a group lifestyle intervention on gestational weight gain in a cohort of obese pregnant women.Methods: A cohort study comparing 60 pregnant women enrolled in an e...
Synthesis of hydroxymethyl-functionalized diazacrowns and cryptands

Synthetic routes are established for the preparation of hydroxymethyl-substituted diazacrowns and cryptands with systematically varied cavity sizes.
Astrocytes and epilepsy

Recent advances in the understanding of the physiology of astrocytes have identified unexpected potential roles for glia in epilepsy. Reactive astrocytosis, as seen in epilepsy, leads to reduced adenosine- and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-dependent inhibition. Because astrocytes express cell-type specific proteins, the new findings raise the potential of new targets for drug development. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Liver lesions in children and adolescents: Cytopathologic analysis and clinical correlates in 44 cases

The role of fine needle aspiration (FNA) as a first-line diagnostic modality is well-established for neoplastic and nonneoplastic liver masses in adults. However, cytopathologic analysis of such lesions in children and adolescents has not been well studied. An 18-year retrospective review of the cytopathology archives at The Johns Hopkins Hospital identified 44 cases of hepatic FNA in children and adolescents (i.e., 21 years and younger). The cytopathologic material was reviewed and correlated with subsequent surgical pathology diagnoses and/or clinical follow-up. Among the 44 FNAs studied, 40 (90.9%) were deemed diagnostic for evaluation and 4 (9.1%) were nondiagnostic. Twenty four (60%) of the diagnostic FNAs were neoplasms, 10 (25%) were nonneoplastic lesions, and 6 (15%) were "atypical" or "suspicious." There were 21 (87.5%) malignant and 3 (12.5%) benign tumors. Among the malignant cases, metastases/secondary tumors accounted for 12 (54.5%) followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)--7 (38.1%). The types of metastatic/secondary neoplasms were Wilms tumor (2), germ cell tumor (2), acute leukemias (2), and miscellaneous others (6). Among the nonneoplastic lesions focal nodular hyperplasia was most common--4 (40%). Among the "atypical" cases, 4 (66.6%) turned out to be benign on follow-up, 2 were HCC, and 1 was Hodgkin lymphoma. Immunoperoxidase (IPOX) studies were done in 20 (45.5%) cases to confirm the cytopathologic diagnoses. Overall, FNA showed a sensitivity of 95.2% and a specificity of 100% for a malignant diagnosis.
Colonoscopic screening for colon cancer

Colonoscopic screening for colon cancer was suggested in 1988 [17], but it has only recently received significant acceptance. It is a topic of much current discussion among both health care providers and the general public, especially since the nationally broadcasted colonoscopy of a well-known television anchor person [8]. This brief discussion presents the role of colonoscopy in colon cancer screening. It sets forth the rationale for endoscopic screening, evaluates it using World Health Organization guidelines, and briefly considers the timing and termination of screening. By screening is meant the testing of asymptomatic individuals in a large population. This is to be distinguished from surveillance, which involves ongoing follow-up testing of individuals at known risk. The former is the subject of this discussion.
Did bacterial sensing of host environments evolve from sensing within microbial communities

Summary Bacteria sense and respond to their environment, enabling adaptation to diverse niches, including multicellular eukaryotes. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe , Torres et al. describe how the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus responds to heme as a molecular marker of the mammalian host environment. It is likely that mechanisms for sensing such markers evolved from systems that recognized cues present in microbial communities before the emergence of eukaryotes.
Dehydration and rehydration selectively and reversibly alter glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in the rat supraoptic nucleus and subjacent glial limitans

Ultrastructural studies of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus suggest that an active retraction and extension of astrocytic processes (structural plasticity) from between magnocellular neuroendocrine neurons plays a role in the release of oxytocin, vasopressin, or both peptides that accompanies parturition, lactation, and dehydration. In support of this, Salm et al. (1985) previously demonstrated a lactation-associated reduction in immunoreactive glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocyte-specific cytoskeletal constituent. To determine if similar changes occur in response to dehydration, and if they are reversible, the present study examined GFAP-immunoreactivity (IR) in the SON under various hydration states. Rats were dehydrated for 7 days by substitution of drinking water with 2% saline (n = 3), or dehydrated for 7 days followed by 7 days of rehydration (n = 3). A control group (n = 3) with free access to tap water was used for comparisons. The optical density of GFAP-IR was obtained from the SON, globus pallidus, and lateral hypothalamic regions. The areas of the ventral glial limitans subjacent to the SON (SON-VGL) and of linearly equivalent segments of glial limitans more distant from the SON were also determined. Dehydration resulted in a significant reduction in GFAP-IR in the SON compared to control and rehydrated levels. We also found that the area of the SON-VGL was significantly larger than that of linearly equivalent segments of glial limitans elsewhere and that it was significantly reduced in dehydrated rats, returning to control levels with rehydration. GFAP-IR and glial limitans thickness in regions unrelated to body fluid homeostasis lateral to the SON, overlying to dorsal cortex, and subjacent to the optic chiasm were not significantly changed by hydration state. These results are similar to the changes of GFAP-IR reported for lactating rats and provide further evidence for a role of structural plasticity of astrocytes in events surrounding the selective functional activation of local neurons.
New or little‐known species of exotic Tipulidae (Diptera). XIV

Synopsis Descriptions are given of eight new species, belonging to the tribe Pediciini, and all from Assam. Three new species of Malaisemyia are described, one being subapterous and representing the first such instance in the genus. The remaining novelties include one species of Nipponomyia, and two each of Pedicia (Tricyphona) and Dicranota.
Adaptation of RCC-M Design and Construction Rules to the Evolution of Projects Needs, Regulatory Evolutions and International Exchanges

The design and construction rules for mechanical components of LWR nuclear islands (RCC-M) constantly evolve to reflect the needs of the industry with the objective to fulfill the regulatory demands. Each year, an addendum is thus prepared by Afcen. The December 2008 addendum includes in particular new grades for products procurement, evolutions on destructive and non destructive examination provisions, consideration of new editions of standards, improvements of text for an easier application. For a better consistency with regulatory demands, technical code requirements have been updated (pressure test, overpressure protection, examination requirements or material properties), and in certain cases, provisions have been shifted in non-mandatory appendices established for various regulatory contexts for a better adaptation to applications abroad. In parallel, the conditions for consistency with the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) and the French Nuclear Pressure Equipment regulation (ESPN Order dated December 12, 2005) have been deepened and a comparison work was done in the context of the MDEP (Multinational Design Evaluation Procedure initiative of OECD) with equivalent ASME code provisions. The paper will present the content of the 2008 addendum of RCC-M, and the present status of these two studies on regulatory conformance and international comparisons, as well as some orientations for further evolutions.Copyright © 2009 by ASME