cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The isotopic composition of silver and lead in two iron meteorites: Cape York and Grant

Silver in the metal phases of Cape York (IIIA) and Grant (IIIB) has been determined after an extensive surface cleaning process. The ^(107)Ag/^(109)Ag was found to be enriched over that found in terrestrial Ag by ~7%. to 19%., demonstrating the presence of excess ^(107)Ag (^(107)Ag^∗) in this class of meteorites. An effort was made to find schreibersite with a distinctive ^(108)Pd/^(109)Ag ratio in order to establish a three-point isochron, but the results are not markedly different from those obtained for the bulk metal. The Ag isotopic ratio of sulfides from the same meteorites were nearly normal in composition. These results demonstrate correlations of ^(107)Ag/^(109)Ag with ^(108)Pd/^(109)Ag between coexisting phases of two iron meteorites that are associated with planetary differentiation processes. The ratios ^(107)Ag^*/^(109)Pd were found to be 1.7 × 10^(−5) and 1.2 × 10^(−5) for Cape York and Grant, respectively. These observations are in support of the widespread presence of ^(107)Pd in the early solar system. The difference in isotopic composition between metal and sulfide phases demonstrates that silver diffusion was small (over 6.5 × 10^6 y) indicating a cooling rate much greater than 150°C/my for meteorites which have been attributed to small planetary cores. Uranium determinations were carried out on the metal phases and concentrations of ~ 1 × 10 ^(12) g U/g and 2 × 10^(−10)g U/g were found for Cape York and Grant, respectively. The Pb in these meteorites was determined using the improved cleaning procedures and chemical separations with low blank levels. The results confirm the presence of variable proportions of radiogenic Pb in both the metal and sulfide phases of iron meteorites. No simple explanation for the presence of radiogenic lead is apparent; while terrestrial contamination may appear to be the obvious explanation, it is possible that this effect could result from relatively recent metamorphism in the meteorite parent body.
Utilization of channel properties for channel access in ad hoc networks with heterogeneous channels

We consider an ad hoc network consisting of frequency-agile radios that have the ability to change their carrier frequency and transmission rate over a wide range of possibilities. The radios in this type of network are permitted to utilize multiple nonoverlapping channels, and each channel differs significantly in its characteristics, such as achievable data rate, communication range, and traffic load. We introduce a new channel-access protocol for this type of network such that the selection of a traffic channel for a data packet transmission considers characteristics of the channels such as data rate, range, and load. We show that by accounting for these channel characteristics, our protocol is able to maintain high network-layer performance in a wide range of scenarios compared to a channel-access protocol that assumes homogeneous channels (when in fact the channels are heterogeneous), and channel-access protocols that only consider the data rate associated with a particular traffic channel.
Dynamic Culture Improves Mechanical Functionality of MSC-Laden Tissue Engineered Constructs in a Depth-Dependent Manner

Limitations associated with the use of autologous chondrocytes (CH) for cartilage tissue engineering beget the need for alternative cell sources. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are clinically attractive due to their ability to undergo chondrogenesis in three-dimensional culture [1,2]; however, when compared to CH, MSC fail to develop functional equivalence [2,3]. We have previously shown a marked depth-dependence in local equilibrium modulus of MSC-laden gels, with the superficial zones (where maximal media exchange occurs) considerably stiffer than regions removed from nutrient supply (center and bottom of construct); less dramatic depth-dependence was observed in CH-laden gels [4]. Similarly, other studies have shown depth-dependent properties in CH-laden gels with the construct edge generally stiffer than the center [5]. Given this apparent influence of nutrient supply, the objective of the current study was to assess the impact of dynamic culture (via orbital shaking) on the development of depth-dependent mechanical properties in both MSC and CH-laden hydrogels. Furthermore, we assessed cell viability and matrix content throughout the construct depth to determine the mechanism by which this depth-dependency arises. We hypothesized that improved nutrient transport would reduce construct inhomogeneity (particularly for MSC-laden constructs) and improve bulk mechanical properties.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Individual Skill Predictors of the School- and Career-Related Adjustment of Adolescents With Disabilities:

In this investigation, the authors examine the relationship between individual skills (i.e., career locus of control [LOC], social skills [SOC], and social problem–solving skills [SPSS]) and the school- and perceived career–related adjustment of 211 students with disabilities. Data pertaining to individual skills were gathered from student reports, and data pertaining to adjustment were gathered from student and teacher perceptions. Results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that together LOC, SOC, and SPSS accounted for a significant amount of variance in student- and teacher-rated school- and career-related adjustment after controlling for disability type. Evaluation of individual predictors indicated that the strength of these associations varied according to data source and the specific predictor under study.
Hemodynamic evaluation of a chronically implanted, electrically powered left ventricular assist system: responses to acute circulatory stress.

Abstract Hemodynamic stress testing was performed in four calves with a chronically implanted left ventricular assist device consisting of a double-valved pump interposed between the left ventricular apex and the descending thoracic aorta. The device was powered either pneumatically (n = 1) or with a transcutaneous energy transmission system (n = 3). Hemodynamic evaluation (cardiac output and right and left ventricular and pulmonary and carotid artery pressures) was carried out at baseline and during all hemodynamically stressed states. Atrial pacing and ventricular pacing to a heart rate of 140 beats/min resulted in no significant change in right or left heart filling pressures or cardiac output. Preload reduction with nitro-prusside or transient inferior vena cava balloon occlusion resulted in a marked decrease in left ventricular pressure with preservation of mean arterial pressure. Phenylephrine administration resulted in a marked rise in mean arterial pressure with no change in cardiac output or filling pressure. Induction of ventricular fibrillation resulted in a decrease of mean left ventricular pressure to 11 ± 8 mm Hg, but mean arterial pressure was maintained at ≥50 mm Hg. It is concluded that a multicomponent, implantable, electrically powered assist system is capable of maintaining a normal cardiac output under a wide range of loading conditions and chronotropic states. Although this device is clearly preload dependent it is capable of maintaining normal systemic pressures during conditions of severe left ventricular dysfunction and circulatory collapse.
SUITABLE EXTENDER MODELS II: BEYOND ω-HUGE

We investigate large cardinal axioms beyond the level of ω-huge in context of the universality of the suitable extender models of [Suitable Extender Models I, J. Math. Log.10 (2010) 101–339]. We show that there is an analog of ADℝ at the level of ω-huge, more precisely the construction of the minimum model of ADℝ generalizes to the level of Vλ+1. This allows us to formulate the indicated generalization of ADℝ and then to prove that if the axiom holds in V at a proper class of λ then in every suitable extender model, the axiom holds at a proper class of λ (provided the relevant ω-huge embeddings can be chosen to preserve the suitable extender model).
Increasing consistency of disease biomarker prediction across datasets.

Microarray studies with human subjects often have limited sample sizes which hampers the ability to detect reliable biomarkers associated with disease and motivates the need to aggregate data across studies. However, human gene expression measurements may be influenced by many non-random factors such as genetics, sample preparations, and tissue heterogeneity. These factors can contribute to a lack of agreement among related studies, limiting the utility of their aggregation. We show that it is feasible to carry out an automatic correction of individual datasets to reduce the effect of such ‘latent variables’ (without prior knowledge of the variables) in such a way that datasets addressing the same condition show better agreement once each is corrected. We build our approach on the method of surrogate variable analysis but we demonstrate that the original algorithm is unsuitable for the analysis of human tissue samples that are mixtures of different cell types. We propose a modification to SVA that is crucial to obtaining the improvement in agreement that we observe. We develop our method on a compendium of multiple sclerosis data and verify it on an independent compendium of Parkinson's disease datasets. In both cases, we show that our method is able to improve agreement across varying study designs, platforms, and tissues. This approach has the potential for wide applicability to any field where lack of inter-study agreement has been a concern.
Coopetition Spectrum Trading in Cognitive Radio Networks

Spectrum trading is a promising method to improve spectrum usage efficiency. Several issues must be addressed, however, to enable spectrum trading that goes beyond conservative trading idle bands and achieve cooperation between primary and secondary users. In this paper, we argue that spectrum holes should be explicitly endogenous and negotiated by spectrum trading participants. To this end, we proposed an a Vickery auction based, coopetive framework to foster cooperation, while allowing competition for spectrum sharing. Incentive schemes and penalty for revocable spectrum are proposed to increase the spectrum access opportunities for SUs while protecting PUs spectrum value. A simultation study shows that the proposed framework outperforms conservative trading approaches, in a variety of scenarios with different levels of cooperation and bidding strategies.
Growth hormone and growth factors during perinatal life.

Pituitary growth hormone (GH) is present in early pregnancy in the fetal circulation. The concentrations are higher than ever found during life, due to an unrestrained, basal secretion. GH receptors d
Effect of orbiting resonance on the elastic differential cross sections

The effects of orbiting resonances on elastic differential cross sections are investigated for the Lennard-Jones (12, 6) model potential. The elastic differential cross section consists of three terms: a resonance term, a potential scattering term and an interference term. The interference term has a significant effect only at small angles of the differential cross section. The importance of the potential scattering term depends proportionally upon the orbiting resonance energy. For the low lying orbiting resonance states, the resonance term is the dominant term, but at higher energy it appears only in the backward differential cross sections. Generally, by fitting the large angle differential cross sections, the resonance orbital angular momentum can be estimated.
Mouth gape angle has little effect on the transmitted signals of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus)

Bats perform high-resolution echolocation by comparing temporal and spectral features of their transmitted pulses to the received echoes. In complex environments with moving prey, dynamically adapting the transmitted pulses can increase the probability of successful target representation and interception. This study further investigates the adaptive vocal-motor strategies of big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). During stationary target detection experiments, echolocation sounds were simultaneously recorded with high-speed, infrared video to examine the relationship of mouth position and movement to pulse characteristics among bats. All three bats produced strobe groups, but the proportion and frequency characteristics of the strobe group pulses differed for individual bats. Additionally, mouth gape angle had little effect on the emitted pulse characteristics, which suggests that laryngeal mechanisms drive changes in emitted pulses.
The asymptotic diffusion limit of a linear discontinuous discretization of a two-dimensional linear transport equation

Abstract Consider a linear transport problem, and let the mean free path and the absorption cross section be of size ϵ. It is well known that one obtains a diffusion problem as ϵ tends to zero. We discretize the transport problem on a fixed mesh, independent of ϵ, consider again the limit ϵ → 0 and ask whether one obtains an accurate discretization of the continuous diffusion problem. The answer is known to be affirmative for the linear discontinuous Galerkin finite element discretization in one space dimension. In this paper, we ask whether the same result holds in two space dimensions. We consider a linear discontinuous discretization based on rectangular meshes. Our main result is that the asymptotic limit of this discrete problem is not a discretization of the asymptotic limit of the continuous problem and thus that the discretization will be inaccurate in the asymptotic regime under consideration. We also propose a modified scheme which has the correct asymptotic behavior for spatially periodic problems, although not always for problems with boundaries. We present numerical results confirming our formal asymptotic analysis.
Gene therapy-mediated delivery of targeted cytotoxins for glioma therapeutics

Restricting the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents by targeting receptors exclusively expressed on tumor cells is critical when treating infiltrative brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBMs express an IL-13 receptor (IL13Rα2) that differs from the physiological IL4R/IL13R receptor. We developed a regulatable adenoviral vector (Ad.mhIL-4.TRE.mhIL-13-PE) encoding a mutated human IL-13 fused to Pseudomonas exotoxin (mhIL-13-PE) that specifically binds to IL13Rα2 to provide sustained expression, effective anti-GBM cytotoxicity, and minimal neurotoxicity. The therapeutic Ad also encodes mutated human IL-4 that binds to the physiological IL4R/IL13R without interacting with IL13Rα2, thus inhibiting potential binding of mhIL-13-PE to normal brain cells. Using intracranial GBM xenografts and syngeneic mouse models, we tested the Ad.mhIL-4.TRE.mhIL-13-PE and two protein formulations, hIL-13-PE used in clinical trials (Cintredekin Besudotox) and a second-generation mhIL-13-PE. Cintredekin Besudotox doubled median survival without eliciting long-term survival and caused severe neurotoxicity; mhIL-13-PE led to ∼40% long-term survival, eliciting severe neurological toxicity at the high dose tested. In contrast, Ad-mediated delivery of mhIL-13-PE led to tumor regression and long-term survival in over 70% of the animals, without causing apparent neurotoxicity. Although Cintredekin Besudotox was originally developed to target GBM, when tested in a phase III trial it failed to achieve clinical endpoints and revealed neurotoxicity. Limitations of Cintredekin Besudotox include its short half-life, which demanded frequent or continued administration, and binding to IL4R/IL13R, present in normal brain cells. These shortcomings were overcome by our therapeutic Ad, thus representing a significant advance in the development of targeted therapeutics for GBM.
Fluoro-gold: a new fluorescent retrograde axonal tracer with numerous unique properties

A new fluorescent dye, Fluoro-Gold, has been demonstrated to undergo retrograde axonal transport. Its properties include intense fluorescence, extensive filling of dendrites, high resistance to fading, no uptake by intact undamaged fibers of passage, no diffusion from labeled cells, consistent and pure commercial source, wide latitude of survival times and compatibility with all other tested neuro-histochemical techniques.
Vibration-induced size separation in granular media: The convection connection.

We have investigated the rise of a single large glass bead through a vibrated cylindrical column of smaller particles and found that vibration-induced size separation in this geometry arises from convective processes rather than from local rearrangements as had been proposed previously. A convection cycle, rising in the middle and dropping in a thin stream along the walls of the cell, is responsible for all particle movement. Particles larger than the width of the thin downward convection zone are carried to the top of the column and then trapped, resulting in size segregation. For a variety of accelerations the position of the rising particle can be scaled onto a single curve.
Unifying keywords and visual contents in image retrieval

We're interested in using keywords and visual content together in image retrieval. We used a seamless joint querying and relevance feedback scheme based on keywords and lowlevel visual content, incorporating keyword similarities. We developed an algorithm for a learned word similarity matrix and conducted experiments that validated our approach.
Introducing “stickiness” as a versatile metric of engineering persistence

A new metric, “stickiness,” is proposed, tracking longitudinally all students who have contact with a discipline to determine the likelihood those students will “stick” to that discipline and graduate in it. This metric has the versatility to be relevant for students making contact with engineering through a variety of pathways. Stickiness exhibits significant disciplinary differentiation. Whereas earlier work has shown that Industrial Engineering is the most successful at attracting and retaining students, the disciplinary distribution of stickiness shows that Industrial Engineering is exceptional. Disaggregating by race/ethnicity and gender, much larger variations in stickiness are observed (as much as 48 percent), and positive and negative outcomes are identified where students in particular subpopulations are more or less likely to stick than expected. Aggregated by race/ethnicity and gender, the stickiness of transfer students ranks the disciplines in the same order as the stickiness of first-time-in-college students, but transfer stickiness exhibits less disciplinary variation and transfer students in all disciplines exhibit higher stickiness than first-time-in-college students.
Environmental distribution of Zoogloea strains

Abstract Enrichment culture techniques were employed to examine the environmental distribution of fingered zoogloea (FZ)-forming bacteria. FZ were detected in surface films of cultures started with various wastewaters, polluted pond and stream waters, duck feces, garbage disposal wastes and fish aquarium waters, but were not observed in cultures started with food scraps or soils. According to most probable number estimates of FZ-forming bacteria and total populations formed in enrichment cultures. less than 0.01% of the viable bacterial population in domestic wastewater and aerobic mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) contained the specific zoogloea-forming bacteria. However, FZ-forming bacteria were present in 10-fold greater concentrations in MLSS than in the raw wastewater solids. An isolation procedure, employing an inoculum of concentrated and sonically treated washed FZ yielded 70 strains of zoogloea-producing bacteria, 61 of which formed typical finger-like zoogloeae in pure culture. Isolates were removed also by direct streaking of enrichment culture films. The bacteria were isolated from enrichment cultures started with raw wastewaters, polluted pond waters, greenhouse drainage, fish aquarium water and duck feces. The zoogloea-producing strains were gram negative, motile rods possessing catalase and oxidase and the ability to denitrify, hydrolyze gelatin in plates and meta cleave m-toluic acid. Certain biochemical activities were located among isolates in relation to the various habitats from which they originated. The bacteria were considered to be strains of Zoogloea ramigera.
Transforming Growth Factor-β1-mediated Inhibition of the flk-1/KDR Gene Is Mediated by a 5′-Untranslated Region Palindromic GATA Site

The angiogenic effects of vascular endothelial growth factor are mediated predominantly by the FLK-1/KDR receptor. An understanding of the transcriptional control mechanisms underlying flk-1/KDR expression should provide insight into the molecular basis of angiogenesis. In this study, we show that transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) down-regulates expression of the endogenous flk-1/KDR gene in endothelial cells. In transient transfection assays, this effect was mapped to a palindromic GATA site in the 5'-untranslated region. In electrophoretic mobility shift assays, the palindromic GATA site was shown to bind to two molecules of GATA protein. Moreover, DNA-GATA interactions were inhibited by TGF-beta(1). Finally, in cotransfection assays, transactivation of the flk-1/KDR promoter by GATA-1 or GATA-2 was attenuated in TGF-beta(1)-treated cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the TGF-beta-1-mediated inhibition of the flk-1/KDR gene is mediated by a 5'-untranslated region palindromic GATA site.
Selection and isolation of bacteria capable of degrading dinoseb (2-sec-buty-4,6-dinitrophenol)

Dinoseb (2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol) has been a widely used herbicide that persists in some contaminated soils, and has been found in groundwaters, causing health and environmental hazards. Persistence in some soils may stem from a lack of dinoseb-degrading organisms. We established a chemostat environment that was strongly selective for aerobic (liquid phase) and anaerobic (sediment phase) bacteria able to degrade dinoseb. The chemostat yielded five taxonomically diverse aerobic isolates that could transform dinoseb to reduced products under microaerophilic or denitrifying conditions, but these organisms were unable to degrade the entire dinoseb molecule, and the transformed products formed multimeric material. The chemostat also yielded an anaerobic consortium of bacteria that could completely degrade dinoseb to acetate and CO2 when the Eh of the medium was less than-200 mV. The consortium contained at least three morphologically different bacterial species. HPLC analysis indicated that dinoseb was degraded sequentially via several as yet unidentified products. Degradation of these intermediates was inhibited by addition of bromoethane sulfonic acid. GC-MS analysis of metabolites in culture medium suggested that regiospecific attacks occurred non-sequentially on both the nitro groups and the side-chain of dinoseb. The consortium was also able to degrade 4,6-dinitro-o-cresol, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene via a similar series of intermediate products. The consortium was not able to degrade 2,4-dinitrophenol. To our knowledge, this is the first report of strictly anaerobic biodegradation of an aromatic compound containing a multicarbon, saturated hydrocarbon side chain.
Acute seasonal drought does not permanently alter mass loss and nitrogen dynamics during decomposition of red maple (Acer rubrum L.) litter

Litter decomposition is a major component of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems and is known to be sensitive to both temperature and moisture. A drought during periods of the year when moisture is normally abundant may impact decomposition more than moisture limitation during seasons that are routinely dry. We excluded precipitation for a 3-month period during each of four seasons and measured mass loss and nitrogen (N) dynamics in Acer rubrum leaf litter by using a litterbag approach. We hypothesized that rainfall exclusion would retard mass loss during the exclusion period, with the maximum effect occurring during the spring and summer months when moisture was normally adequate and temperatures optimum for decomposition, and that exclusion during these two periods would have the greatest impact on subsequent timing of decomposition events, particularly N mineralization. Mass loss in litterbags was initially reduced by precipitation exclusion in the spring treatment only. For each season, a set of bags exposed to drying in the same way and allowed to remain in the field under ambient conditions for an additional 9 months no longer showed a difference in mass loss relative to control bags. Nitrogen accumulation was immediately and significantly reduced in the exclusion treatments in all seasons; however, like mass loss, there was no difference 9 months later. We conclude that short-term effects of drought do occur, especially with regard to N accumulation, and that these effects do not persist and are unlikely to have any substantial effect on nutrient cycling.
Initial Results With Atherectomy for Non-reconstructable Limb Threatening Peripheral Vascular Disease

Background Removal of the atherosclerotic plaque by atherectomy rather than compression by balloon angioplasty has held the interest of vascular surgeons since the introduction of remote loop endarterectomy instruments in the 1950s. Methods We have reviewed our experience with a directional atherotome (SilverHawk; eV3, Plymouth, MN, USA) for patients who had advanced, TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus Stages III and IV (Rutherford categories 4, 5, and 6) occlusive disease. The patients were not candidates for bypass operations or had failed bypass and/or stenting. From August 2007 through April 2009, we used the SilverHawk device in 16 men, aged 48 through 81, median age 66 years (standard deviation = 8.75). Risk factors include diabetes (9) and history of smoking (12). The indications for the procedure were nonhealing wounds in six, tissue necrosis in four, and ischemic rest pain in six patients. Results Eleven patients had atherectomy of occluded popliteal or tibial arteries. There were no intraoperative complications, specifically embolization or arterial wall perforation. One patient developed a common femoral pseudoaneurysm at the arteriotomy site. In each patient, completion arteriograms showed target lesion revascularization. Follow-up was from 8 to 54 months with a median of 26.5 months. Below-knee amputations on the site of the intervention were required in two patients at 1 month and 9 months. Transmetatarsal amputations were done in two patients following the vascular intervention, one of which was planned preoperatively. Both transmetatarsal amputation sites healed. In five of six patients, relief of rest pain was obtained, and healing of wounds occurred in the remaining six patients. Conclusion Under the special circumstances of advanced limb ischemia, atherectomy may provide limb salvage in patients who no longer have the option of a bypass operation.
Mother-Infant Interaction and Behavioral Development in Southern Right Whales, Eubalaena Australis

A quantitative study of infant behavioral development and mother-infant interaction in individually identifiable southern right whale pairs was conducted from August to December 1979 at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina. A period of rapid travel soon after birth is hypothesized to develop calf swimming competence, to enhance the ability of the thin, nonbuoyant calf to rise to the surface to breath, and to hinder detection by predators. Subsequent slowing of travel at 3-4 weeks of age leads to an increase in resting by the mother and an increase in play by the calf. Calf play is centered around the mother and may function to develop motor skills in behaviors useful in social, reproductive, and other contexts as an adult, though in play, calves exaggerated behaviors and combined them in ways different from adult behavior. Days before departing from the nursery area, rapid travel again predominated, presumably functioning to prepare mother and calf for the subsequent migratory period. Nursing comprised about 5% of calves' diurnal behavior throughout the season but the length of individual bouts increased with calf age. The mothers' needs to conserve bodily reserves during their 4 month fast at this time may conflict, in terms of individual reproductive strategies, with the calves' needs to develop motor abilities through energy consumptive play. Commencement of migration appears independent of calf age or size and is probably spurred by seasonal factors. Some yearlings and their mothers return to Peninsula Valdes and separate from each other there.
Plasma free insulin concentrations: Keystone toeffective management of diabetes mellitus in children

In patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, the therapeutic effect of prescribed insulin is routlinely judged by the response of the blood glucose concentration. Measurement of both free and bound circulating insulin indicates that neither total nor free insulin concentrations correlate with the prescribed insulin dose. Errors of insulin administration may account for this discrepancy. Free insulin rather than total insulin values determine the plasma glucose concentration and the degree of long-term glycemic control as reflected by levels of hemoglobin A 1 C. Diabetic ketosis and ketoacidosis are strongly associated with absence of free-circulating insulin. Knowledge of plasma-free insulin values is useful in the management of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Discussion of “Contracts valuation assessment noise and cross-border listing of equities on U.S. and U.K. stock markets”

The work of Nduzibu and Wallace (2002) is an ambitious attempt to provide evidence on whether cultural, institutional, economic, and contracting differences affect investors' evaluation of accounting numbers. Policy makers often assume that the quality of financial reports is determined by the quality of the accounting standards to which they conform. For example, one of SEC's criteria for acceptance of IAS was whether IAS's application resulted in transparency, full disclosure, and comparability. As Pownall and Schipper (1999, p. 262) point out, these are qualities of accounting reports rather than of standards themselves, and the SEC's wording presumes a causal link between the standards and accounting reports prepared under those standards. Taken to the extreme, the SEC's perspective implies that requiring foreign firms to present U.S. GAAP numbers is all that is needed to enable U.S. investors to assess foreign firms' financials on an equal footing with those of U.S. firms.
Altered susceptibility of 2f1-f2 acoustic-distortion products to the effects of repeated noise exposure in rabbits.

Hearing sensitivity and the generation of acoustic-distortion products at 2f1-f2 were examined systematically in behaviorally trained rabbits, before, during, and following regular exposure to a 95-dB SPL octave band of noise, centered at 1 kHz. During the exposure period, the octave-band noise was interrupted once every 24 h in order to monitor the progressive loss in auditory function using tests of behavioral threshold and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). When low-frequency DPOAEs from 1-4 kHz diminished to noise-floor levels, i.e., when their amplitudes were reduced by about 20-30 dB, the exposure was terminated. Subsequent recovery of behavioral thresholds and DPOAE amplitudes and detection 'thresholds' was evaluated at regular intervals over a 3-week post-exposure period. Following the recovery period, the rabbits again received the identical exposure/recovery treatment until a permanent 10 dB or greater loss in DPOAE amplitudes was achieved for any point of measurement between 2-10 kHz. The primary result was that the number of days of overstimulation required for rabbits to reach the criterion loss in DPOAE amplitudes increased for each successive exposure session. In addition, DPOAEs accurately tracked the frequency pattern described by the behavioral threshold shifts during both the development and recovery stages of exposure.
A comparison of different alignment approaches for the segmented grazing incidence mirrors on Constellation-X

Each of the four Spectroscopy X-ray Telescopes (SXT) on Constellation-X contain a mirror assembly comprised of 2600 primary and secondary mirror segments. Critical to the performance of the mirror assemblies is the alignment of secondary to primary, and alignment of mirror pairs to one another. Focus errors must be corrected in order to meet imaging error budgets. The use of segmented mirrors enables unique alignment strategies not feasible with mirror shells of a full revolution. We discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of two Con-X alignment strategies to minimize focus errors between shells. In the first approach, the mirrors are bent azimuthally to adjust the focal length of the mirror pair. In the second approach, coma is used to compensate for the transverse focus error. We examine the limits of applicability of the two approaches, and also discuss alignment error budgets.
Education for a culture of peace: the culture of peace news network as a case study

The Culture of Peace News Network, an internet news service, is analyzed in the framework of a general approach to education for a culture of peace. Its format reflects the eight program areas for a culture of peace as adopted by the UN General Assembly. Among its other operating principles are universality of news with all cultures and regions of the world given equal priority, requirement that reflection be accompanied by action and that news should be positive and open to debate, that ‘slow news’ is as important as ‘fast news,’ and that readers should participate by writing as well as reading. The Network has yet to achieve its goal of forcing commercial media to consider actions for a culture of peace as newsworthy, but it is suggested that this will depend on the growth of the global movement for a culture of peace which remains rather small at the present time.
Contextual control of negative transfer produced by prior CS-US pairings

Abstract When a conditioned stimulus (CS) is repeatedly paired with a weak unconditioned stimulus (US) prior to being paired with a stronger US in a second conditioning phase, interference, or negative transfer, is often observed during Phase 2. Two conditioned suppression experiments with rat subjects examined the effect of a context switch between phases in this “Hall-Pearce negative transfer paradigm.” In Experiment 1, negative transfer was obtained when the context remained the same for both phases, but there was no evidence of negative transfer when the context was switched between phases. Experiment 2 was designed to control for familiarity with the Phase 2 context, and showed that a context switch between phases again attenuated negative transfer. The effect of context on negative transfer was also similar to its effect on latent inhibition produced under comparable conditions. The results are not consistent with a model proposed by J. M. Pearce and G. Hall ( Psychological Review , 87 , 532–555, 1980) , which ascribes no major role to the context in this situation, but are consistent with A. R. Wagner's (In S. H. Hulse, H. Fowler, & W. K. Honig, Eds., Cognitive Processes in Animal Behavior , pp. 177–209. Hillsdale NJ: Erlbaum, 1978) short-term memory model of conditioning, or with the view that contexts may signal specific CS-US relations. The results extend previous research on other interference paradigms, like latent inhibition and extinction, where context may play a similar role.
Antibodies to interleukin-1 inhibit cytokine-induced proliferation of neonatal rat Schwann cells in vitro

Abstract Unfractionated cytokines have been shown to induce in vitro proliferation of neonatal rat Schwann cells but the nature of the mitogen(s) is not known. A mixture of rabbit antibodies specific for recombinant interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) inhibited Schwann cell proliferation induced by unfractionated human cytokines whereas antibodies to interleukin-2 (IL-2) and control IgG did not. However, purified human IL-1 and recombinant human IL-1α or β did not induce Schwann cell proliferation on their own.
Dynamic phase-based tuning for embedded systems using phase distance mapping

Phase-based tuning specializes a system's tunable parameters to the varying runtime requirements of an application's different phases of execution to meet optimization goals. Since the design space for tunable systems can be very large, one of the major challenges in phase-based tuning is determining the best configuration for each phase without incurring significant tuning overhead (e.g., energy and/or performance) during design space exploration. In this paper, we propose phase distance mapping, which directly determines the best configuration for a phase, thereby eliminating design space exploration. Phase distance mapping applies the correlation between a known phase's characteristics and best configuration to determine a new phase's best configuration based on the new phase's characteristics. Experimental results verify that our phase distance mapping approach determines configurations within 3% of the optimal configurations on average and yields an energy delay product savings of 26% on average.
Depositing copper patterns on Teflon

Printed circuit boards composed of patterned cooper features on poly(tetrafluorethylene), better known by the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company trade name Teflon, are currently used for high-frequency applications. The choice of these materials is based on the high conductivity of copper and the facts that Teflon has One of the lowest reported dielectric constants ({approximately}2.0). Low dissipation factors. High thermal stability. High chemical resistance. This paper reports that the high conductivity of copper, coupled with the low dielectric constant of Teflon, allows high-frequency operation and/or extensive miniaturization. However, one of Teflon's most important properties is chemical and physical inertness. While this property is extremely attractive in numerous applications involving hostile environments, it presents major problems in metallization for electronic applications. To address this condition, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico have developed a three-step, additive method for the patterned deposition of copper on Teflon. Still, while the example of deposition work examined in this article is recent, it is nonetheless supported by considerable prior work on the patterned etching of Teflon and copper chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
A survey of geriatric psychiatrists in the US regarding research

A questionnaire survey was conducted to elicit responses regarding research-related experiences and attitudes among the members of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry. Nineteen per cent of the 1200 members to whom the questionnaire was sent responded. An analysis revealed that, while an overwhelming majority (85%) of the respondents felt that geriatric research was important, most encountered enormous barriers. These barriers ranged from funding and time constraints to a lack of training programs and institutional support, to the methodological issues in doing research on an elderly population. A majority of the respondents suggested that more funding be made available for research, and for research training (fellowship and residency programs), start-up projects for private practice research, and improvement of methodology and protocols. Another frequent recommendation was for increasing collaboration among investigators, including setting up centers for cooperative studies and training.
Equilibrium configuration of coaxial prismatic dislocation loops and related size-dependent plasticity

The equilibrium configurations and positions of coaxial prismatic dislocation loops are derived using a new algorithm based on minimizing system configurational energy. Solutions in an explicit form are derived for two limiting cases, and the corresponding validity conditions presented. A natural material length scale is found which sets the scale for size-dependent plasticity phenomena. A size-sensitivity diagram is derived from the analysis which serves as a guideline in the study of size-dependent plasticity.
Characteristics of Photoreceptor PDE (PDE6): similarities and differences to PDE5

Phosphodiesterase 6 (PDE6) is highly concentrated in the retina. It is most abundant in the internal membranes of retinal photoreceptors, where it reduces cytoplasmic levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in rod and cone outer segments in response to light. The rod PDE6 holoenzyme comprises alpha and beta catalytic subunits and two identical inhibitory gamma subunits. Each catalytic subunit contains three distinct globular domains corresponding to the catalytic domain and two GAF domains (responsible for allosteric cGMP binding). The PDE6 catalytic subunits resemble PDE5 in amino-acid sequence as well as in three-dimensional structure of the catalytic dimer; preference for cGMP over cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as a substrate; and the ability to bind cGMP at the regulatory GAF domains. Most PDE5 inhibitors inhibit PDE6 with similar potency, and electroretinogram studies show modest effects of PDE5 inhibitors on visual function-an observation potentially important in designing PDE5-specific therapeutic agents.
Determination of GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t. equivalent-circuit parameters from I/V and 1 MHz measurements

A measurement technique is described for determining the equivalent-circuit parameters of microwave GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t.s from d.c, 1 MHz capacitance and 1 MHz voltage-gain measurements. The equivalent-circuit parameters of a commercially available 1 μm-gate-length GaAs m.e.s.f.e.t. determined with this technique are compared with parameters derived from scattering-parameter measurements made at 2 to 4 GHz.
Postnatal development of opioid systems in rat brain.

Abstract Immunocytochemical and receptor autoradiographic techniques have been utilized to examine the postnatal development of opioid peptides and receptors. The pattern of met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity was very similar at birth to the adult, increasing only in intensity throughout postnatal development. In contrast, β-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BLI) in neonate was strikingly different from that of adult. In particular, cells and fibers were observed in germinal zones, structures present only in the neonate. The distribution of dynorphin-B-like immunoreactivity at birth was intermediate in its similarity to that of adult. Certain terminal fields were present, others developed postnatally, and others disappeared with age. In parallel studies, autoradiographic maps of μ, δ and ϰ opioid receptor subtypes were generated to determine whether any correspondences existed between the developmental distribution of opioids and their receptors. Although significant overlap existed, no simple one-to-one relationship was observed. The differential localization of peptides and receptors in neonatal and adult brain suggests that opioids may subserve distinct functions in the neonate. In particular, the presence of BLI in the germinal zones, where postnatal neurogenesis occurs, implicates opioid systems in regulation of neuronal cell division.
Tracks of Charged Particles in High Polymers

Heavily ionizing particles create trails of damage as they move through materials. In both addition and condensation polymers these trails can be selectively dissolved so that the sites and the directions taken by the moving particles are revealed. These materials thus serve as simple detectors of heavily charged particles.
CONSTRUCTION OF FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTIC MODULAR DECKS FOR HIGHWAY BRIDGES

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials have shown great potential as alternative bridge construction materials to conventional materials such as steel and concrete. This is especially valid in the field of repair and rehabilitation of existing bridges as well as in new bridge construction. The acceptance of composites in the highway bridge industry is mainly due to their superior properties such as high strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and fatigue resistance. Moreover, FRPs are well suited for mass production of structural shapes because of their high strength-to-weight ratios, which has resulted in the rapid installation of FRP modular decks on highway bridges. Details related to the construction of FRP modular decks as replacements on existing highway bridge superstructures are provided. In addition, details on shipping, handling, erection, assembly, deck-to-deck connections, deck-to-stringer connections, joints, and wearing surfaces are discussed.
Life-Course Typology of Adults Who Experienced Sexual Violence

Two qualitative methodologies were used to develop a life-course typology of individuals who had been exposed to sexual violence. Interview narratives of 121 adult women and men who participated in qualitative study of women's and men's responses to sexual violence provided the data. The authors combined a narrative approach (holistic-content and holistic-form analysis) to describe the life courses of the participants and a qualitative person-oriented approach (cross-case analysis) to identify meaningful subgroups within the total sample. The six groups are as follows: (a) life of turmoil, (b) life of struggles, (c) diminished life, (d) taking control of life, (e), finding peace in life, and (f) getting life back to normal. This work exemplifies a promising strategy for identifying subgroups of violence-exposed individuals within a heterogeneous sample. Such a typology could aid the development of treatment approaches that consider both the substance and the structure of an individual's life course, rather than target one specific type of violence.
Purification and crystallization of a non-GluR2 AMPA-receptor ligand-binding domain: a case of cryo-incompatibility addressed by room-temperature data collection.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Among the cognate ionotropic glutamate receptors, the subfamily selective for AMPA (α-­amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) is responsible for most fast excitatory synaptic signaling and plays key roles in synaptic plasticity. AMPA receptors (AMPA-Rs) have also been implicated in a number of neurological disorders. To investigate subunit-specific differences in the ligand binding and activation of AMPA-Rs, the GluR4 AMPA-R ligand-binding domain (LBD) was crystallized in complex with full and partial agonists. This is the first non-GluR2 AMPA-R LBD available for structural analysis. Standard cryo­protection protocols yielded high-resolution diffraction from flash-cooled crystals of the complex with the full agonist glutamate. However, for cocrystals with the partial agonist kainate, systematic screening and optimization of cryoprotection conditions yielded at best mosaic, weak diffraction at 100 K. In contrast, room-temperature data collection from capillary-mounted kainate cocrystals exhibited reproducible diffraction to better than 3 A resolution. Together, these crystals lay the foundation for a structural comparison of LBD–agonist interactions in distinct AMPA-R subunits.
Enantioselective bromocycloetherification by Lewis base/chiral Brønsted acid cooperative catalysis.

A binary catalyst system for the enantioselective bromocycloetherification of 5-arylpentenols is described. The combination of an achiral Lewis base and a chiral Bronsted acid affords good enantioselectivities for the cyclization of Z configured 5-arylpentenols to form bromomethyltetrahydrofurans. The constitutional site selectivity is highly dependent upon the aromatic substituent and the configuration of the double bond.