cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural network based machinability evaluation

This paper reports on the progress of an ongoing research project to investigate the feasibility of using artificial neural networks to shorten the time required for machinability testing. A neural network model is used to predict the cutting tool life for a given material. A short term test has been developed whose responses provide the input to the neural net. The results of the long-term tests, ISO 3685, are used together with the short-term test data for supervised training of the neural networks developed in this research.
Gastrointestinal Parasites of Ecuadorian Mantled Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata aequatorialis) Based on Fecal Analysis

Abstract: An analysis of gastrointestinal parasites of Ecuadorian mantled howler monkeys, Alouatta palliata aequatorialis, was conducted based on examination of fecal smears, flotations, and sedimentations. At least 1 type of parasite was detected in 97% of the 96 fecal samples screened across 19 howler monkey groups using these techniques. Samples averaged 3.6 parasite species per individual (±1.4 SD). Parasites included species representing genera of 2 apicomplexans: Cyclospora sp. (18% of individual samples) and Isospora sp. (3%); 6 other protozoa: Balantidium sp. (9%), Blastocystis sp. (60%), Chilomastix sp. (4%), Dientamoeba sp. (3%), Entamoeba species (56%), Iodamoeba sp. (5%); 4 nematodes: Enterobius sp. (3%), Capillaria sp. (78%), Strongyloides spp. (88%) which included 2 morphotypes, Trypanoxyuris sp. (12%); and the platyhelminth Controrchis sp. (15%). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between group size and each of 3 different estimators of parasite species richness adj...
The Role of the Foreman in Modern Industry I. The Development of a Measure of Management Identification

Summary Drastic changes in the role of the foreman during the last few decades are traced to scientific management trends and the growth of industrial unions. Many companies have taken steps to further modify that role, but have necessarily done so with minimum empirical evidence. The research reported here is the first phase of a study designed to throw some light on the effect of a foreman's identification with management on two aspects of his supervisory effectiveness–work group productivity and employee attitude toward the foreman. A measure of management identification was developed for use in studying these effects of the foreman's role in management. Because of the ego-involved nature of management identification, the measure was based on an indirect method, the Error-Choice or Direction of Perception technique of attitude measurement. Questions were written on a rational basis to measure management identification and an a priori scoring key was derived. A sample of 212 first line foremen from seven manufacturing plants in Illinois and Michigan completed the experimental questionnaire. The management identification questions were item analyzed for internal consistency and 30 items were selected; none of the Error-Choice questions had its a priori scoring direction reversed by the item analysis. The reliability estimate of these items was .65 for this group. A sample of 45 corporation executives also completed the questionnaire. This group scored significantly higher on the 30 items than did the 212 foremen, thus providing evidence for the validity of the measuring instrument. The second article in this series will report the relationships found between this measure of foreman identification with management, work group productivity, and employee attitude toward the foreman. The third and final article will present and discuss some secondary correlates of foreman identification with management.
Theoretical determination of anisotropic thermal conductivity for initially defect-free and defective TATB single crystals

The anisotropic thermal conductivity was determined for initially defect-free and defective crystals of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), a material that exhibits a graphitic-like packing structure with stacked single-molecule-thick layers, using the reverse non-equilibrium molecular dynamics method and an established TATB molecular dynamics force field. Thermal conduction in TATB is predicted to be substantially higher and more anisotropic than in other related organic molecular explosives, with conduction along directions nominally in the plane of the molecular layers at least 68% greater than conduction along the direction exactly perpendicular to the layers. Finite-size effects along the conduction directions were assessed. The conductivity along directions nominally in the plane of the molecular layers was found to be insensitive to the supercell length along the conduction direction—a result commensurate with the estimated phonon mean free path, ∼6 A. A small decrease in the conductivity normal to the layers was found for longer supercells and is likely due to increased phonon scattering as a result of dynamic structural transitions in the crystal. The thermal conductivity of TATB crystals containing vacancy defects was also determined and the variation of conductivity with crystal density was found to be both linear and anisotropic, with the introduction of vacancy defects leading to a greater percentage reduction in conduction for the direction perpendicular to the molecular layers.
Nothing but Christ: Rufus Anderson and the Ideology of Protestant Foreign Missions

Introduction 1. Indian Missions and the Puritan Legacy 2. Self-Denial and Civilization 3. Educational Ends and Means 4. Hard Times 5. The Abolitionist Attack 6. The Powers that Be 7. To Ordain Paster Over Them 8. The Deputation to India 9. Into History
The Blood Brain Barrier in Neurodegenerative Disease: A Rhetorical Perspective

Recent studies suggest that the function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is not static under normal physiologic conditions and is likely altered in neurodegenerative disease. Prevailing thinking about CNS function, and neurodegenerative disease in particular, is neurocentric excluding the impact of factors outside the CNS. This review challenges this perspective and discusses recent reports suggesting the involvement of peripheral factors including toxins and elements of adaptive immunity that may not only play a role in pathogenesis, but also progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Central to this view is neuroinflammation. Several studies indicate that the neuroinflammatory changes that accompany neurodegeneration affect the BBB or its function by altering transport systems, enhancing immune cell entry, or influencing the BBB's role as a signaling interface. Such changes impair the BBB's normal homeostatic function and affect neural activity. Moreover, recent studies reveal that alterations in BBB and its transporters affect the entry of drugs used to treat neurodegenerative diseases. Incorporating BBB compromise and dysfunction into our view of neurodegenerative disease leads to the inclusion of peripheral mediators in its pathogenesis and progression. In addition, this changing view of the BBB raises interesting new therapeutic possibilities for drug delivery as well as treatment strategies designed to reinstate normal barrier function.
An investigation of boundary-forcing sensitivities in a regional climate model

The sensitivity of a regional climate model to lateral, upper, and lower dynamical forcing is evaluated for a pan-Arctic domain. The experiments focus on a month-long case study of May 1990, but the results are shown to be extendable to January and July 1990. Although the control simulation is found to adequately represent major tropospheric circulation features, a large negative geopotential height bias of up to 700m is found at the upper levels of the model. Experiments find these biases are remedied through the replacement of a reflective rigid lid upper boundary condition with a local wave-absorbing layer. Geopotential height biases are reduced to a maximum underestimation of only 50m at the upper boundary. Substantial improvement is also found in the simulated temperature and zonal wind profiles, transient heat and momentum fluxes, and stationary eddies as seen through the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence. With this wave-absorbing upper boundary condition in place, additional improvement is found using a gravity wave drag parameterization appropriate for this domain's 100km horizontal resolution. Additional sensitivity to lateral forcing is examined, and the relative role of the upper boundary condition to skillful simulations within the Arctic basin domain is discussed.
Effects of Ca2+ channel blockers on Ca2+ loading induced by metabolic inhibition and hyperkalemia in cardiomyocytes

The effects of the L-type (nifedipine and verapamil) and the T-type (mibefradil) Ca2+ channel blockers on the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by NaCN metabolic inhibition and hyperkalemia were examined in chicken cardiomyocytes using fluorescence imaging with Fura-2. NaCN induced a slow and sustained rise in [Ca2+]i, which was not affected by pretreating the cells for 5 min with nifedipine, verapamil, or mibefradil at 100 nM or 10 microM. Pretreatment of the cells with 10 microM nifedipine, verapamil, or mibefradil for 5 min remarkably inhibited the K+-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. These inhibitory effects diminished after 48-h pretreatment with nifedipine or verapamil but not with mibefradil. Ryanodine also induces an increase in [Ca2+]i, and this effect was enhanced by 48-h pretreatment of the cells with 10 microM verapamil but not with 10 microM mibefradil. We conclude that the NaCN-induced increase in [Ca2+]i is independent of the Ca2+ influx though the L-type or T-type Ca2+ channels. Chronic inhibition of the L-type Ca2+ channels but not T-type channels may enhance the ryanodine receptor-mediated Ca2+ release, which may be responsible for the development of tolerance to their inhibitory effects on K+-induced increase in [Ca2+]i.
Toward a More Equitable Society: Moving Forward in the Struggle for Affirmative Action

The execution of California State Propositions 1 and 2 was initiated by theUniversity of California Board of Regents in 1995, officially dismantlingaffirmative action in California’s public higher education systems. Whilestatements (and claims) were made that assured the representation of di-versity on higher education campuses, such was not the case. Rather, theresult was a significant reduction in minorities enrolled in highly selectiveinstitutions. In June of 2003 the Supreme Court handed down two deci-sions in
Optimizing ecosystem function by manipulating pasture community composition

Abstract The ability to design plant communities to optimize particular ecosystem functions and thus more effectively provide ecosystem services would improve all types of ecosystem management, including agriculture. We propose a novel quantitative multi-step method for selecting mixtures of plant species to meet ecosystem objectives: collecting trait data; identifying suites of traits related to relevant community processes; relating those processes to the ecosystem functions of interest; optimizing the planted mixture; and evaluating trade-offs. This approach was tested using planted mixtures of 14 grassland species common in managed pastures of the northeastern United States. Ordination of trait data from greenhouse and small plot studies was used to relate species traits to community processes, followed by generalized additive modeling to relate community-weighted mean process scores to field estimates of biomass production and resistance to invasion. Multi-criteria optimization identified seed mixtures that maximized or minimized selected ecosystem functions, facilitating quantification of trade-offs in processual ability within species and between ecosystem functions at the community level. In this study, predicted seasonal and annual biomass values were within expected ranges, but the optimal mixtures differed from forage mixtures traditionally planted in the northeastern United States. Perennial ryegrass was the most commonly-selected grass. Legumes were represented less than expected, possibly due to attributes such as longevity and forage quality that are important in pastures but were not directly included in the optimization. Ecosystem function was not linearly related to species richness. While further research on quantitatively relating species traits and community processes is needed, multi-criteria optimization offers a new path for linking ecosystem function to ecosystem management.
High Preexisting Serological Antibody Levels Correlate with Diversification of the Influenza Vaccine Response

ABSTRACT Reactivation of memory B cells allows for a rapid and robust immune response upon challenge with the same antigen. Variant influenza virus strains generated through antigenic shift or drift are encountered multiple times over the lifetime of an individual. One might predict, then, that upon vaccination with the trivalent influenza vaccine across multiple years, the antibody response would become more and more dominant toward strains consistently present in the vaccine at the expense of more divergent strains. However, when we analyzed the vaccine-induced plasmablast, memory, and serological responses to the trivalent influenza vaccine between 2006 and 2013, we found that the B cell response was most robust against more divergent strains. Overall, the antibody response was highest when one or more strains contained in the vaccine varied from year to year. This suggests that in the broader immunological context of viral antigen exposure, the B cell response to variant influenza virus strains is not dictated by the composition of the memory B cell precursor pool. The outcome is instead a diversified B cell response. IMPORTANCE Vaccine strategies are being designed to boost broadly reactive B cells present in the memory repertoire to provide universal protection to the influenza virus. It is important to understand how past exposure to influenza virus strains affects the response to subsequent immunizations. The viral epitopes targeted by B cells responding to the vaccine may be a direct reflection of the B cell memory specificities abundant in the preexisting immune repertoire, or other factors may influence the vaccine response. Here, we demonstrate that high preexisting serological antibody levels to a given influenza virus strain correlate with low production of antibody-secreting cells and memory B cells recognizing that strain upon revaccination. In contrast, introduction of antigenically novel strains generates a robust B cell response. Thus, both the preexisting memory B cell repertoire and serological antibody levels must be taken into consideration in predicting the quality of the B cell response to new prime-boost vaccine strategies.
Knowledge acquisition, knowledge loss, and satisfaction in high technology alliances

Abstract Drawing on the organizational learning and transaction cost economics (TCE) literature, this study examines how learning intent, opportunities to learn, and a firm's ability to learn facilitate or hinder three alliance outcomes: knowledge acquisition by the focal firm, knowledge loss to the partner, and alliance satisfaction. The research model proposes that firms attempt to influence learning opportunities based on a partner's intent and ability to learn as well as on the trust the firm has in the partner. A partner's learning intent and ability are positively associated with the extent to which a firm protects its own firm-specific knowledge, but they only have significant effects on one alliance outcome, knowledge loss. With more trusted partners, firms are less protective of knowledge and tend to acquire more knowledge, lose less knowledge, and be more satisfied. Equity alliances are associated with lower levels of knowledge loss and higher levels of satisfaction.
1I-5 Key Factors that Affect Sonoporation Efficiency in In Vitro Settings

Ultrasound induced intracellular drug delivery, sonoporation, is an appealing and promising technique for next generation drug delivery system. Many types of molecules, such as plasmid DNAs, siRNAs and peptides, have been demonstrated to be delivered into the cell by ultrasound with the aid of microbubbles both in vitro and in vivo. Although there are many reports on in vitro sonoporation, the efficiencies of successful sonoporation and the viabilities of cells after the procedure documented in each report varies in a wide range, and the reasons for these differences are not fully understood. In this study, we have investigated how different experimental settings would affect sonoporation efficiencies and cell viabilities after the procedure
Effects of Inbreeding on Rainbow Trout Populations

Abstract An approach for measuring inbreeding depression on the basis of differences between inbred and outbred half-sib family groups is described. Using this method, estimates of inbreeding depression in populations of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) following one generation of brother-sister mating was calculated for three production traits–percent egg hatchability, percent fry survival from swim-up to 150 days, and weight at 150 days. The inbreeding depression estimates obtained from male and female half-sib families were 1.7 and 4.4% for percent egg hatchability, 22.2 and 16.1% for percent fry survival, and 12.0 and 9.8% for weight at 150 days, respectively. Estimates for fry survival and weight at 150 days were significant at P < 0.01 while egg hatchability estimates were nonsignificant. Following one generation of full-sib mating, the calculated effect of inbreeding on the number of live fish and total weight of fish at 150 days of age showed a reduction of 16.1 and 24.4% in female families and 22....
In vivo enhancer analysis of human conserved non-coding sequences

Identifying the sequences that direct the spatial and temporal expression of genes and defining their function in vivo remains a significant challenge in the annotation of vertebrate genomes. One major obstacle is the lack of experimentally validated training sets. In this study, we made use of extreme evolutionary sequence conservation as a filter to identify putative gene regulatory elements, and characterized the in vivo enhancer activity of a large group of non-coding elements in the human genome that are conserved in human-pufferfish, Takifugu (Fugu) rubripes, or ultraconserved in human-mouse-rat. We tested 167 of these extremely conserved sequences in a transgenic mouse enhancer assay. Here we report that 45% of these sequences functioned reproducibly as tissue-specific enhancers of gene expression at embryonic day 11.5. While directing expression in a broad range of anatomical structures in the embryo, the majority of the 75 enhancers directed expression to various regions of the developing nervous system. We identified sequence signatures enriched in a subset of these elements that targeted forebrain expression, and used these features to rank all approximately 3,100 non-coding elements in the human genome that are conserved between human and Fugu. The testing of the top predictions in transgenic mice resulted in a threefold enrichment for sequences with forebrain enhancer activity. These data dramatically expand the catalogue of human gene enhancers that have been characterized in vivo, and illustrate the utility of such training sets for a variety of biological applications, including decoding the regulatory vocabulary of the human genome.
Mapping studies of a gastropod brain.

Abstract Giant neurons in the brain of the land snailHelix aspersa were identified and mapped in three-dimensional reconstructions of the subesophageal mass, and the activity patterns of several recognizable cells were studied electrophysiologically. Certain morphologically symmetrical neurons were found to be part of a functional network of cells which receive simultaneous input from at least one unidentified source, either directly or through a series of interneurons. The symmetrical neurons also share similar firing patterns of endogenous rhythmic burst activity. The characteristics of the burst pattern and its similarity to impulse patterns produced by neurons in the brains of other gastropods is discussed.
A Study of Factors Affecting Rate of Intake of Heifers Fed Silage

Summary Dairy heifers were used to study factors that influence the rate of consumption of alfalfa silage. Consumption was linearly and positively related to dry matter content of the silage. However, this was shown to be a secondary relationship, since changing the dry matter content of silage or hay at time of feeding did not alter rate of consumption. It was concluded that the dry matter content of he forage when ensiled, and the resulting fermentation process, are very important factors in determining the rate of consumption of the resulting silage. In trials of a preliminary nature, adding limestone or other minerals, ammonium salts, molasses, commercial flavor preparations, concentrates, potassium orotate plus methionine, and an aureomycin-containing feed additive to silage had no effect on rate of silage consumption, whereas glucosamine, large amounts of lactic plus other silage acids, thyroprotein, and thiouracil had a depressing effect. The depressing effect of silage on intake is probably a metabolic effect on appetite and not a direct effect through palatability. Intake of silage and hay was reduced when the effluent liquid from a silo, aqueous extract of silage, residue after ether extraction of the effluent liquid, large quantities of lactic acid or lactic plus other silage acids, a mineral mixture, glucosamine, urea, or other ammonium salts were placed directly into the rumen. Similarly, hydrolyzed casein, tyramine, sucrose, water, acidic or basic ether soluble fractions of the silo effluent, or low levels of the silage acids had no such effect on intake. The desirability of further investigations is indicated.
The effect of pictorial distance and the viewer's sociability on ad liking

In two experiments we explored how the perceptual distance portrayed in ad pictures affected consumers' ad liking. The findings of Experiment 1 reveal that ads in which pictures depict distant scenes are preferred to those in which pictures provide a close-up perspective, and that this effect is moderated by sociability such that the advantage of a distant perspective is greater for solitary than for social individuals. The results of Experiment 2 suggest that a distant perspective is preferred because it facilitates thoughtful processing and, thereby, allows both solitary and social individuals to engage in elaboration that reflects their inherent interests. By contrast, a close-up perspective evokes a more visceral response, which appears to inhibit performing the ad evaluation task.
A new criteria for selecting the optimum lags in Johansen's cointegration technique

Several test statistics like Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) or Schwarz Bayesian Criterion (SBC) are used to select the order of Vector Autoregressive Models (VAR) in Johansen's cointegration technique, but not the appropriate cointegrating vector in case of multiple vectors. In this note goodness of fit is introduced as a criterion to select the lag length as well as the appropriate vector simultaneously.
Medical Waste Treatment and Disposal Methods Used by Hospitals in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho

This study investigated medical waste practices used by hospitals in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, which includes the majority of hospitals in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 10. During the fall of 1993, 225 hospitals were surveyed with a response rate of 72.5%. The results reported here focus on infectious waste segregation practices, medical waste treatment and disposal practices, and the operating status of hospital incinerators in these three states. Hospitals were provided a definition of medical waste in the survey, but were queried about how they define infectious waste. The results implied that there was no consensus about which agency or organization's definition of infectious waste should be used in their waste management programs. Confusion around the definition of infectious waste may also have contributed to the finding that almost half of the hospitals are not segregating infectious waste from other medical waste. The most frequently used practice of treating and disposing of medical waste was the use of private haulers that transport medical waste to treatment facilities (61.5%). The next most frequently reported techniques were pouring into municipal sewage (46.6%), depositing in landfills (41.6%), and autoclaving (32.3%). Other methods adopted by hospitals included Electro-Thermal-Deactivation (ETD), hydropulping, microwaving, and grinding before pouring into the municipal sewer. Hospitals were asked to identify all methods they used in the treatment and disposal of medical waste. Percentages, therefore, add up to greater than 100% because the majority chose more than one method. Hospitals in Oregon and Washington used microwaving and ETD methods to treat medical waste, while those in Idaho did not. No hospitals in any of the states reported using irradiation as a treatment technique. Most hospitals in Oregon and Washington no longer operate their incinerators due to more stringent regulations regarding air pollution emissions. Hospitals in Idaho, however, were still operating incinerators in the absence of state regulations specific to these types of facilities.
Manned Flight at the Borders of Space - The Human Factor of Manned Rocket Flight

A funct ional border between atmosphere and space is defined as a level at which the atmosphere fails as a supporting m e d i u m , and space-equivalent condit ions begin. Depending upon a particular kind of funct ion the corresponding l imit is located at a certain alt i tude. The major funct ions of the atmosphere for m a n and craft are the following: Contributing to respiration, preventing boil ing of body fluids, susta ining combust ion of fuel, absorbing heavy primaries of cosmic radiation, absorbing solar UVradiation, supplying aerodynamic lift, supplying diffuse daylight, absorbing meteors , interacting thermally with the craft, and interfering by air drag over long periods of t ime (permanence of satell ite orbits). Depending upon the nature of a particular funct ion, the functional borders so defined are more or less extended regions. The various functional borders of space lie in the region between 10 and 120 mi les of a l t i tude. The significance of the above m e n tioned factors for m a n n e d rocket flight is discussed wi th special emphasis upon problems of aero-medical and space-medical nature . The use of the term "aeropause" for the border region between atmosphere and space is proposed .
The Undergraduate Experience: Commonalities and Differences among Colleges.

Item and scale responses of students in 42 colleges to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire were examined to determine the frequency with which students had engaged in a wide variety of college activities. Results suggested that students most commonly attended and carried out activities related to studying and classwork, but typically did not engage in a great many intellectual and extracurricular activities. Students in selective and general liberal arts colleges were more active and involved in their colleges' lives than students in doctoral universities or comprehensive colleges and universities. Community college students were just as active as other students in academic areas, but were far less involved in out-of-class activities.
The meaning of p16(ink4a) expression in tumors: functional significance, clinical associations and future developments.

The CDKN2A gene is a tumor suppressor that encodes the CDK4/6 inhibitor p16ink4a. Loss of this tumor suppressor contributes to the bypass of critical senescent signals and is associated with progression to malignant disease. However, the high-level expression of p16ink4a in tumors is associated with aggressive subtypes of disease, and in certain clinical settings elevated p16ink4a expression is an important determinant for disease prognosis and therapeutic response. These seemingly contradictory facets of p16ink4a expression have lead to confusion related to the meaning of this tumor suppression in tumor pathobiology. As reviewed here, the alternative expression of p16ink4a represents an ideal marker for considering RB-pathway function, tumor heterogeneity and novel means for directing therapy.
Optimal strong parity edge-coloring of complete graphs

A parity walk in an edge-coloring of a graph is a walk along which each color is used an even number of times. Let p(G) be the least number of colors in an edge-coloring of G having no parity path (a parity edge-coloring). Let $$ \hat p $$(G) be the least number of colors in an edge-coloring of G having no open parity walk (a strong parity edge-coloring). Always $$ \hat p $$(G) ≥ p(G) ≥ χ′(G). We prove that $$ \hat p $$(K n ) = 2⌈lgn⌉ − 1 for all n. The optimal strong parity edge-coloring of K n is unique when n is a power of 2, and the optimal colorings are completely described for all n.
SELF-REPORT MEASURES OF BEHAVIORAL ATTRIBUTIONS RELATED TO INTERPERSONAL FLIRTATION SITUATIONS

The objective of this exploratory research was to quantify the attributional responses of a number of demographic groups of college students with respect to their perception of diverse flirting situations. 93 undergraduates were classified along 7 demographic variables including marital status, sex, age, college class, grade-point average, ethnic origin, and religious affiliation. A 32-item questionnaire pertaining to interpersonal flirting was constructed to represent a wide range of situations. The questionnaire was administered to students in classroom situations. A Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks applied to individual items across different demographic groups offered support for certain widely held beliefs such as the findings that men show more interest in returning a flirtation, and married people are less likely to want to follow up a flirtation. Other results were quite unexpected, such as women and single people being less optimistic about the number of people they could “sed...
Locating animals from their sounds and tomography of the atmosphere: Experimental demonstration

Calling animals are located using widely distributed receivers, and the sounds from the animals are used to map the sound speed and wind fields by means of tomography. In particular, two Red-Winged Blackbirds Agelaius phoeniceus are correctly located within a meter using recordings from five receivers spread over a 20 by 30 m region. The demonstration hinges on two new developments. First, a new algorithm for blindly estimating the impulse response of the channel is shown capable of estimating the differences in the time of first arrivals at two receivers. Since it is known that the first arrivals travel along nearly straight paths, the difference in time constrains the animal’s location to a hyperboloid, and the animal is located by intersecting hyperboloids from many pairs of receivers. Second, in order to accurately find the intersection point and map the sound speed and wind fields using tomography, a nonlinear equation is solved. The new algorithm for blindly estimating the impulse response of a channel offers a new way for locating sounds and making tomographic maps of the environment without any requirement for a model for the propagation of sound such as is needed for focalization and matched field processing.
THE NATURAL GOD: A GOD EVEN AN ATHEIST CAN BELIEVE IN

Abstract. In this paper, I attempt to dissolve the theism/atheism boundary. In the first part, I consider last things, according to mainstream science. In the second part, I define the Natural God as the Force of Nature—evolving, unifying, maximizing—and consider Its relation to last things. Finally, I discuss our knowledge of the Natural God and Its relevance to our personal lives. I argue that we can know the Natural God through scientific reason combined with global intuition, and that this knowledge, from the perspective of last things, may help us achieve universal love, ethical action, and personal salvation.
Effect of unconditioned stimulus linked subconvulsive current in chicks

An experiment was done to see if amnesia of one-trial passive-avoidance training could be induced in chicks by readministering the unconditioned stimulus 20 h after training and then giving immediate subconvulsive current. A similar experiment by Schneider and Sherman using rats had given positive results—results that could not be explained by the “consolidation-interruption” hypothesis used as the basis for much memory work. A significant amount of such amnesia was not found in chicks despite the use of a large number of animals. An upper limit of 20% was established for the magnitude of the effect. These results reconfirm the “consolidation-interruption” hypothesis in the case of chicks.
Studies of the kinetics of the precipitation of uniform silica particles through the hydrolysis and condensation of silicon alkoxides

Abstract Reactions leading to the formation of uniform silica particles are investigated. Rates of silicon alkoxide reactions are reported and linked to particle growth rates. Seeded growth experiments indicate that reactions between soluble species occur at rates that are independent of the size or number density of seed particles. In addition, these experiments show that particles do not grow by a diffusion limited mechanism. Estimates of hydrolyzed alkoxide concentrations based on solution conductivities suggest that the soluble silica concentration is above that required for nucleation to occur until late in the precipitation reaction. These results are consistent with a particle growth mechanism involving reactions occurring in solution that proceed independently of the presence of particles and result in the formation of silica nuclei which aggregate to form particles. Uniformity in final particle size is produced through size dependent aggregation rates. This hypothesis is further checked by carrying out precipitations at different electrolyte concentrations. While rates of hydrolysis and condensation are not substantially affected by NaCl concentrations up to 10 −2 M , final particle diameters increase dramatically.
Radiofrequency hyperthermia-enhanced chemotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma: towards intrabiliary magnetic resonance guided/radiofrequency enhanced local chemotherapy

Purpose Limited treatment options exist for patients with malignant biliary obstruction caused by pancreaticobiliary cancer. The aim of this study was to validate the feasibility of using intrabiliary radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFH) to enhance local chemotherapy administration to cholangiocarcinoma. Materials and Methods GFP/lentivirus-transduced human cholangiocarcinoma cells (Mz-ChA-1) were treated with various concentrations of gemcitabine and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was determined. For in vitro evaluation, Mz-ChA-1 cells were cultured in four-chamber slides and treated by using (a) 20-min RFH at approximately 42 degrees celsius plus 500-mM gemcitabine; (b) 20-min RFH-only; (c) 500-mM gemcitabine-only; and (d) no treatment to serve as a control. Cell viabilities were assayed using trypan blue exclusion. Each experiment was repeated six times. For in vivo evaluation, cells were subcutaneously implanted into the flanks of 24 nu/nu nude mice. When the tumor size reached approximately 5mm in diameter, 25mg/kg of gemcitabine was injected into the tumor followed by RFH at approximately 42°C for 20 min. Whole body fluorescent optical imaging and 14T MRI, including T2WI and diffusion-weighted imaging were used to follow up therapeutic effects at 1, 7, and 14 days after treatment. HE staining and confocal microscopy were performed to establish image/histology correlation. Results The IC50 of gemcitabine for Mz-ChA-1 cells at 96hrs is 500 μM. The in vitro experiments demonstrate that RFH-enhanced chemotherapy can significantly inhibit tumor cells growth, compared with chemotherapy only and the RFH only group (0.58±0.10 vs 0.72±0.8 and 0.58±0.10 vs 0.65±0.11, p Conclusion RFH can enhance the killing effect of chemotherapy on cholangiocarcinomas, which may open new avenues to effectively manage pancreatobiliary malignancies.
Detection of early response to temozolomide treatment in brain tumors using hyperpolarized 13C MR metabolic imaging

The general course of treatment for patients with brain tumors consists of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy with the goal of stopping tumor growth by inhibiting cell proliferation or inducing cell death. Temozolomide (TMZ) is one of the most frequently used chemotherapeutic drugs for treating brain tumors, especially high-grade gliomas. It is an alkylating agent and works by damaging DNA and thus triggering the death of tumor cells. The current standard for monitoring brain tumor response to therapy is a combination of clinical symptoms and Macdonald criteria, which are based on the change in contrast enhancement from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans (1). Advanced MR techniques such as 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), perfusion MRI, and diffusion-weighted MRI have also been used for monitoring brain tumor response to therapy (2–7), but may take several weeks to detect response to therapy. Early detection of brain tumor response to treatment would be valuable in defining criteria for continuing or modifying treatment strategies. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging modality that has been widely used in the clinic for predicting treatment effects. Although the ability to detect altered 18F-fluoro-dexoyglucose (FDG) uptake in cancerous tissue has made this technique useful in some areas of oncology (8), its use in neuro-oncology presents unique challenges due to the high background signal from normal gray matter (9). Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and the recent development of a dissolution process that retains polarization in liquid state have allowed for the acquisition of 13C MRS data with more than 10,000-fold increase in sensitivity (10). Preclinical 13C MRS of hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate has been applied to the investigation of in vivo metabolism in subcutaneous lymphoma (11), prostate cancer (12,13), cardiac ischemia (14), and liver cancer (15). A recent study has demonstrated that this technique can be used for differentiating brain tumors from normal tissue in an animal model of brain cancer (16). The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using DNP-hyperpolarized [1-13C]-pyruvate to measure response to chemotherapy using TMZ in an orthotopic human glioblastoma xenograft model. Our emphasis was to establish the time frame of changes in 13C imaging parameters and to compare the results with alterations in tumor volume over time.
Comparative metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene by liver microscomes from brown bullhead and carp

Abstract We examined the metabolism of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene [BP] by hepatic microsomes from untreated brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus) and mirror garp (Cyprinus carpio), two bottom-dwelling fish species. The rate of metabolism of BP by carp liver microsomes (455.1 ± 141.5 pmol/min per mg protein) was considerably higher than that obtained with bullhead liver microsomes (38.1 ± 12.3 pmol/min per mg protein). The major BP metabolites formed by liver microsomes from both species were qualitatively similar and included BP-7,8-diol, BP-9,10-diol, 3-hydroxy-BP, 9-hydroxy-BP, BP-1,6-quinone, BP-3,6-quinone, and BP-6,12-quinone. However, the patterns of BP metabolites generated by the liver microsomes of the two species were considerably different from each other. The carp liver microscomes converted a much greater proportion of BP to benzo-ring dihydrodiols than did the bullhead liver microsomes. Compared to carp liver microsomes, bullhead liver microsomes formed a considerably higher percentage of BP-pheols and BP-quinones as a fraction of the total metabolites. The predominant enantiomer of BP-7,8-diol formed by liver microsomes of both species had an (−)R,R absolute stereochemistry, suggesting a similar stereoselectively in the metabolism of BP to BP-7,8-diol by both carp and bullhead liver microsomes.
Anti-lymphocyte antibodies in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome

Human lymphotropic retroviruses lymphadenopathy-associated virus/human T lymphoma virus III have been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The mechanisms leading to the complex immune deregulations of this disease, however, are still largely unknown. To investigate the possible presence of anti-lymphocyte antibodies, lymphocytes from a normal donor were incubated with serum samples from patients with AIDS. Substantial increases of up to 75 percent in the number of surface immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes resulted from incubation with serum of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex but not with serum of patients with non-AIDS-related diseases or of normal control subjects. Monoclonal antibodies to OKT11, OKT4, and OKT8 in conjunction with a double-labeling technique were then used to identify the type of surface immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes. These experiments showed that binding of immunoglobulins to lymphocytes did not occur at random but was directed against OKT4- or OKT11-positive cells whereas OKT8-positive cells showed no detectable reactivity. The results of these studies indicate that patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex have circulating antibodies capable of reacting selectively with a population of T cells that is predominantly composed of helper cells and does not include suppressor cells. The augmentation of surface immunoglobulin-positive lymphocytes in the patients studied consistently paralleled the marked decreases of the helper/suppressor cell ratios and the presence of circulating anti-human T lymphoma virus III antibodies. Binding of antibodies to the surface of helper T cells may be a determining event in the pathogenesis of this disease.
A Study on the Effect of False Vocal Folds Gap Size on the Self-Sustained Oscillation of True Vocal Folds

Recent studies have shown that the supraglottic structures could alter the aeroacoustics output of the larynx [1–2]. The fist supraglottic tissue above the true vocal folds (TVF) is the false vocal folds (FVF) or ventricular folds. This non-oscillatory part of the human larynx shows a wide range of adductions during the normal phonation. Most previous studies, however, have focused on the effect of normal configuration of the FVFs based on mean values reported for this laryngeal structure. Therefore, the effect of different levels of FVF adduction on oscillation of the TVFs remained uninvestigated.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Periodic and Chaotic Programs of Optimal Intertemporal Allocation in an Aggregative Model with Wealth Effects

We examine a discrete-time aggregative model of discounted dynamic optimization where the felicity function depends on both consumption and capital stock. The need for studying such models has been stressed in the theory of optimal growth and also in the economics of natural resources. We identify conditions under which the optimal program is monotone. In our framework, the optimal program can exhibit cyclic behavior for all discount factors close to one. We also present an example to show that our model can exhibit optimal behavior which is chaotic in both topological and ergodic senses.
A pho regulon promoter induced under sporulation conditions

Abstract Sporulation-induced alkaline phosphatases (APases) of Bacillus subtilis require the products of the sporulation stage-O genes and certain stage-II genes, including the spollA operon, for induction. Mutations in either sapA or sapB bypass this requirement [Piggot and Taylor, J. Gen. Microbiol. 10 (1977) 69–80], resulting in APase production in a spoIIAsapA or spoIIA sapB strain, under sporulation conditions. B. subtilis has multiple structural genes encoding APases, which are induced either by phosphate starvation or during sporulation, or under both conditions. We report studies designed to determine which APase(s) were being expressed in the sap mutants, and from which promoters, phoB (formerly phoAIII), one of the structural genes encoding an APase in B. subtilis, is expressed under both sporulation and phosphate starvation conditions, but from separate promoters [Chesnut et al., Mol. Microbiol. 5 (1991) 2181–2190]. The spoIIA sapA and spoIIA sapB strains express phoB under sporulation conditions. Interestingly, the expression of phoB during sporulation was from Pv, the phosphate starvation-inducible promoter of phoB, rather than from Ps, the sporulation-specific promoter. Since the induction of phosphate starvation-inducible promoters during phosphate limitation requires the phoPR operon [Miki et al., Genetics 52 (1965) 1093–1100], we asked if the phoPR products were involved in regulating Pv expression under sporulation conditions. The phoPR genes are transcribed under sporulation conditions, regulated by sapA and sapB under sporulation conditions, and required for expression from Pv under sporulation conditions.
Exchange-rate adjustments in small market and centrally planned economies

Abstract In a centrally planned economy (CPE) that has eliminated detailed central planning of output and foreign trade and introduced some domestic price flexibility and organic linkages to world-market prices, the exchange rate can take on more than an accounting function. This paper contrasts the effects of exchange-rate adjustment in such a “modified” CPE (or MCPE) with those in a market economy. There are a number of reasons why MCPE authorities might eschew devaluation as a policy instrument, despite the possibility that it would be more effective in some cases in improving the trade balance than in a market economy.
Competing claims of victimhood? Foreign and domestic victims of trafficking in the United States

This article considers how, in the United States, a rhetorical and policy shift that focuses on domestic youth in prostitution affects the broader effort to fight trafficking of foreign nationals in industries other than sex work. Common sense suggests that with resources directed toward finding domestic youth in forced prostitution, fewer efforts will be made to reach foreign workers exploited in work sites outside of the sex industry. The author contends that the low numbers of individuals found thus far in forced (nonsexual) labor nationwide have been, in part, a consequence of not looking. This article also examines a number of factors that prevent migrant workers who have experienced a range of exploitation from coming forward about these abuses. In an environment of undocumented migrants’ increasing distrust of law enforcement, there are many challenges to finding individuals who are subject to forced labor.
Further Evidence on the Auditor's Going‐Concern Report: The Influence of Management Plans

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a study examining whether auditors' going‐concern reports are associated with management plans as directed in SAS No. 59. Proxies for management plan information are taken from management's discussion and analysis (MD&A), the 10‐K, or the annual report. The paper extends work by Mutchler (1985) and Chen and Church (1992) by modeling and testing the association between the auditors' going‐concern report and three types of management plan disclosures. After controlling for financial condition, size, default status, and the propensity to voluntarily disclose information, the results of the study indicate that auditors' going‐concern reporting decisions are strongly linked to publicly available mitigating information relating to certain management plans. In particular, plans to issue equity and to borrow additional funds exerted the strongest association with the issuance of an unqualified opinion.