cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prior for the variance in hierarchical models

The choice of prior distributions for the variances can be important and quite difficult in Bayesian hierarchical and variance component models. For situations where little prior information is available, a ‘nonin-formative’ type prior is usually chosen. ‘Noninformative’ priors have been discussed by many authors and used in many contexts. However, care must be taken using these prior distributions as many are improper and thus, can lead to improper posterior distributions. Additionally, in small samples, these priors can be ‘informative’. In this paper, we investigate a proper ‘vague’ prior, the uniform shrinkage prior (Strawder-man 1971; Christiansen & Morris 1997). We discuss its properties and show how posterior distributions for common hierarchical models using this prior lead to proper posterior distributions. We also illustrate the attractive frequentist properties of this prior for a normal hierarchical model including testing and estimation. To conclude, we generalize this prior to the multivariate situation of a covariance matrix. Le choix d'une loi a priori pour les variances peut s'averer a la fois difficile et important dans le cadre d'une analyse bayesienne hierarchique ou d'un modele des composantes de la variance. En l'absence totale ou quasi-totale d'information a priori, l'emploi d'une loi ‘non informative’ est de mise. Plusieurs lois de ce type ont ete proposees dans differents contextes, mais leur utilisation est delicate, puisque certaines d'entre elles sont impropres et peuvent conduire a des lois a posteriori non integrables. Dans de petits echantillons, ces lois peuvent aussi se reveler ‘informatives’. Cet article est consacre a l'etude d'une loi a priori a la fois vague et integrable, la loi a priori a retrecissement uniforme (Strawderman 1971; Christiansen & Morris, 1997). Certaines de ses proprietes sont evoquees, notamment le fait que les lois a posteriori auxquelles elle conduit dans certains modeles hierarchiques classiques sont bel et bien integrables. Ses proprietes frequentistes sont egalement mises en valeur dans des situations d'estimation et de test au sein du modele hierarchique gaussien. On montre en outre comment elle peut ětre generalisee au cas multivarie d'une matrice de covariance.
Facile approach to graphene oxide and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) electro-patterned films

A facile approach of making scalable nanocomposite and electro-patterned films using graphene oxide (GO) and poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) is reported. The method involves the layering of polystyrene colloidal templates, electrodeposition of the composite film on template array, and finally removal of the sacrificial templates to reveal the patterned GO-PVK arrays.
R-function method in boundary-value problems of magnetic hydrodynamics with a small parameter at higher derivatives

Using the R -function method, we construct mathematical and computer models of magnetohydrodynamic flows for different types of boundary conditions in an electromagnetic pump. Numerical experiments are performed. The representation of the geometric information and physical constants in the form of literal parameters enables us to perform multivariant computations and investigate their influence on the field pattern.
Estrogen Stimulation of Prolactin Production by Rat Adenohypophysis in Vitro

Explants from anterior pituitaries of mature female rats were cultured by a watch glass technique for 6 or 7 days in synthetic medium “199.” The medium was assayed for prolactin activity by the sensitive intradermal pigeon crop method. It was demonstrated that the pituitary explants were capable of synthesizing and releasing almost as much prolactin each day as they contained at the beginning of culture. An average of 0.8 Reece-Turner prolactin units (approximately 0.1 iu) was produced per pituitary each day in cultures maintained in 95% O2-5% CO2 atmosphere. Medium incubated without any tissue had no prolactin activity. Considerable prolactin activity was still detected in the medium at the end of a 3-week culture, showing that the explants continued to produce prolactin for the entire period. Histological examination of the pituitary explants at the end of the culture period revealed that the cells were in a viable state. In 10 trials, addition of 0.5 μg estradiol per cc of medium significantly increase...
Effect of Hepes on the fibroblast cerebroside sulfate loading test

The intact fibroblast cerebroside sulfate loading test is useful because sulfatide hydrolysis can be demonstrated in late onset MLD cell types with 1% or less of normal arylsulfatase A. In such cells, hydrolysis of sulfatide was inhibited when the loading test was carried out in growth media containing the organic ampholyte Hepes. Since Hepes did not affect uptake of sulfatide nor intracellular levels of arylsulfatase A, it was concluded that Hepes inhibited sulfatide hydrolysis by increasing lysosomal pH. The cerebroside sulfate loading test in the presence of Hepes should be useful as a probe for arylsulfatase A dysfunction in atypical MLD fibroblasts.
Long-term potentiation of glycinergic synapses triggered by interleukin 1β

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a persistent increase in synaptic strength required for many behavioral adaptations, including learning and memory, visual and somatosensory system functional development, and drug addiction. Recent work has suggested a role for LTP-like phenomena in the processing of nociceptive information in the dorsal horn and in the generation of central sensitization during chronic pain states. Whereas LTP of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses has been characterized throughout the central nervous system, to our knowledge there have been no reports of LTP at mammalian glycinergic synapses. Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are structurally related to GABAA receptors and have a similar inhibitory role. Here we report that in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, glycinergic synapses on inhibitory GABAergic neurons exhibit LTP, occurring rapidly after exposure to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta. This form of LTP (GlyR LTP) results from an increase in the number and/or change in biophysical properties of postsynaptic glycine receptors. Notably, formalin-induced peripheral inflammation in vivo potentiates glycinergic synapses on dorsal horn neurons, suggesting that GlyR LTP is triggered during inflammatory peripheral injury. Our results define a previously unidentified mechanism that could disinhibit neurons transmitting nociceptive information and may represent a useful therapeutic target for the treatment of pain.
Model for the correction of motion‐induced phase errors in multishot diffusion‐weighted‐MRI of the head: Are cardiac‐motion‐induced phase errors reproducible from beat‐to‐beat?

In diffusion-weighted imaging, multishot acquisitions are problematic due to intershot inconsistencies of the phase caused by motion during the diffusion-encoding gradients. A model for the motion-induced phase errors in diffusion-weighted-MRI of the brain is presented, in which rigid-body and nonrigid-body motion are separated. In the model, it is assumed that nonrigid-body motion is due to cardiac pulsation, and that the motion patterns are repeatable from beat-to-beat. To test the validity of this assumption, the repeatability of nonrigid-body motion-induced phase errors is quantified in three healthy volunteers. Nonrigid-body motion-induced phase was found to significantly correlate (P < 0.05) with pulse-oximeter waveforms in ~83% of the pixels tested across all slices and subjects.
Analytical solutions for the coefficient of variation of the volume-averaged solute concentration in heterogeneous aquifers

Under the assumption that local solute dispersion is negligible, a new general formula (in the form of a convolution integral) is found for the arbitrary k-point ensemble moment of the local concentration of a solute convected in arbitrary m spatial dimensions with general sure initial conditions. From this general formula new closed-form solutions in m=2 spatial dimensions are derived for 2-point ensemble moments of the local solute concentration for the impulse (Dirac delta) and Gaussian initial conditions. When integrated over an averaging window, these solutions lead to new closed-form expressions for the first two ensemble moments of thevolume-averaged solute concentration and to the corresponding concentration coefficients of variation (CV). Also, for the impulse (Dirac delta) solute concentration initial condition, the second ensemble moment of thesolute point concentration in two spatial dimensions and the corresponding CV are demonstrated to be unbound. For impulse initial conditions the CVs for volume-averaged concentrations axe compared with each other for a tracer from the Borden aquifer experiment. The point-concentration CV is unacceptably large in the whole domain, implying that the ensemble mean concentration is inappropriate for predicting the actual concentration values. The volume-averaged concentration CV decreases significantly with an increasing averaging volume. Since local dispersion is neglected, the new solutions should be interpreted as upper limits for the yet to be derived solutions that account for local dispersion; and so should the presented CVs for Borden tracers. The new analytical solutions may be used to test the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations or other numerical algorithms that deal with the stochastic solute transport. They may also be used to determine the size of the averaging volume needed to make a quasi-sure statement about the solute mass contained in it.
Preparation and Electrochemical Characterization of Carbon Paper Modified with a Layer of Boron-Doped Nanocrystalline Diamond

Carbon paper (CP) was modified with a layer of boron-doped nanocrystalline diamond (BND) in order to improve the material's chemical resistance and microstructural stability during exposure to aggressive electrochemical environments. In the procedure, carbon fibers in the CP were coated up to a depth of about 50 μm with a thin layer (ca. 1 μm) of electrically conducting diamond. The diamond layer was deposited by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition using an argon-rich CH 4 /H 2 /Ar/B 2 H 6 source gas mixture. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a crystalline diamond overlayer. The electrodeposition of Pt electrocatalyst particles was used to probe the electrochemical activity of the diamond-coated electrode. The metal phase was formed using pulsed galvanostatic deposition (cathodic) at 1.25 mA/cm 2 (geom.) and evaluated in terms of (i) the particle size and distribution, (ii) the stability during anodic polarization, and (iii) the electrochemical activity for the reduction of dissolved oxygen. Pt particles with a diameter of 100-300 nm and a particle density of 10 8 -10 9 cm -2 were formed on all regions of the BND electrode. Importantly, the diamond-modified electrode exhibited superior morphological and microstructural stability during anodic polarization (1.4 V vs Ag/AgCl) as compared to CP, both in the presence and absence of Pt. The results demonstrate that surface modification with electrically conducting diamond is a means to improve the dimensional stability of sp 2 carbon materials, particularly those used in fuel cells.
EFFECT OF FRONTAL LESIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF SEQUENTIAL TASKS BY MONKEYS.

Abstract Sequential behavior was studied in monkeys with frontal and inferotemporal lesions. An automated discrimination apparatus was used for training. Postoperative retention was assessed in two types of test; one, which required the subject to so order his response that without repetitions he had to push all of several cued panels (internally ordered sequence test) and another, in which the exact order of pushing a series of panels was determined by cues displayed on the panels (externally ordered sequence test). In some animals original learning of this last test was studied postoperatively. The prediction was that the monkeys with frontal lesions would fail internally ordered sequence task but would be able to follow a sequence where external cues can guide the behavior sequence. Those with inferotemporal lesions would show a deficit in the latter test due to their known handicap in visual discrimination problems. The results obtained on those with frontal lesions on the non-cued task confirmed our hypothesis. The subjects with inferotemporal lesions showed no deficit on this task. On the cued task, monkeys with frontal lesions had good postoperative retention; the other group varied a great deal on their performance. The pattern of errors of subjects with frontal lesions on the internally ordered sequence revealed a failure in the completion of a task rather than a tendency towards perseveration. Interpretation of the results in those with frontal lesions, suggests a lack of internal representation in order to anticipate the next step of a sequence; this is not compatible with a simple explanation in terms of a defective recent memory.
“Shopping While Black”: Examining Racial Discrimination in a Retail Setting

To investigate racial discrimination in the marketplace, we conducted a field experiment to examine both overt and subtle forms of retail discrimination. “Customers” browsing in high-end retail stores asked a salesperson if they would remove a security sensor from a pair of sunglasses prior to trying them on in front of a mirror. Although the request to remove the sensor was granted in all conditions, the salespersons showed greater levels of suspicion (i.e., staring, following) in the Black conditions, especially in the male-group condition. These findings are consistent with current field research examining subtle biases toward other stigmatized groups.
Boundary controllability problems for the equation of oscillation of an inhomogeneous string on a semiaxis

We consider a wave equation on a semiaxis, namely, w t t (x,t) = w xx (x,t) - q(x)w(x,t), x>0. The equation is controlled by one of the following two boundary conditions w(0,t)=u 0(t) and w x (0,t)=u 1(t), t ∈ (0,T) where u 0 and u 1 are controls. In both cases, the potential q satisfies the condition q ∈ C[0,∞) the controls belong to the class L ∞; and the time T > 0 is fixed. These control systems are considered in Sobolev spaces. Using the operators adjoint to the transformation operators for the Sturm–Liouville problem, we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the null-controllability and approximate null-controllability of these systems. The controls that solve these problems are found in explicit form.
Managing university business educational quality: ISO or AACSB?

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into quality management for business education. The paper provides business schools and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) with information about two different quality standards and suggests how the AACSB accreditation process might be strengthened – thereby improving the quality of the education process and product.Design/methodology/approach – The authors compare two prevalent but different approaches to quality management: the AACSB accreditation standards and ISO 9001, a set of quality requirements developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). For this comparison, the authors review the literature in the field, including published quality standards, organization examples documenting implementation of AACSB or ISO 9001 standards, and existing empirical research results on the two approaches.Findings – Both quality approaches have their merits and followers. It seems feasible that AACSB might be...
Testing and Operation of Ball Bearings Submerged in Liquefied Gases

In the design of rotating machinery for operation at very low temperatures, the engineer faces a number of unique problems. Solution of these problems involves selection of materials, seals, and bearings.
Strengthening of RC beams with epoxy-bonded fibre-composite materials

Strengthening of concrete beams with externally bonded fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials appears to be a feasible way of increasing the load-carrying capacity and stiffness characteristics of existing structures. FRP-strengthened concrete beams can fail in several ways when loaded in bending. The following collapse mechanisms are identified and analysed in this study: steel yield-FRP rupture, steel yield-concrete crushing, compressive failure, and debonding. Here we obtain equations describing each failure mechanism using the strain compatibility method, concepts of fracture mechanics and a simple model for the FRP peeling-off debonding mechanism due to the development of shear cracks. We then produce diagrams showing the beam designs for which each failure mechanism is dominant, examine the effect of FRP sheets on the ductility and stiffness of strengthened components, and give results of four-point bending tests confirming our analysis. The analytical results obtained can be used in establishing an FRP selection procedure for external strengthening of reinforced concrete members with lightweight and durable materials.
The Effect of Heterogeneous Displays, Awareness Tools and Audio-Chat Communication on Team Collaboration

Advances in technology and connectivity have led to the development of sophisticated portable devices incorporating functional versatility and reduced sizes. Such devices add another level of complexity in systems which are designed to support communication and collaborative work. This study researched potential problems that arise when map-reading tasks were assigned to teams of two using various modalities of communication coupled with different display sizes and interface tools. Ninety-six participants, 6 pairs in 8 conditions, performed the experiment. Results indicate that large-large screen participants were more accurate than large-small screen size and took less time than small-small screen size in the audio condition. Chat participants took longer than audio participants in the large-small screen condition. The highlighter was most frequently used in the large-large screen condition and the pointer was most frequently used in the large-small screen condition.
NAFTA Revisited: The Role of Business Educators

Abstract The initiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by Canada, Mexico, and the United States in January 1994 represented an unparalleled opportunity for U.S. marketers. Since the inception of NAFTA, trade between the United States and Mexico, in particular, has grown significantly. Presented are (a) a brief review of the current status and projected future of NAFTA, (b) an examination of some important characteristics of Mexico's business culture and economy that are very similar to those of other Latin American countries but often overlooked in international business courses, (c) recommendations for changes and additions to programs that prepare students and/or executives for doing business in Mexico and in other Latin American countries, and (d) a description of an example of a developing NAFTA business center.
Estimation of entropy of vaporization: Effect of chain length

Abstract The entropy of vaporization of organic non-hydrogen bonding compounds can be estimated by using the following modifications of Trouton's rule: (1) for rigid molecules, ΔS v = 20cal/deg·mole; (2) for long chain derivatives of such molecules, ΔS v = 20 + 0.16(n−5)cal/deg·mole, where n is the number of flexible links in the chain, and n> 5. These simple rules provide a good estimation for the entropy of vaporization which is sufficiently accurate to obtain reasonable estimations of vapor pressure.
Expression of a functional 78,000 dalton mammalian flavoprotein, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase, in Escherichia coli☆

A cDNA containing the complete coding nucleotide sequence for rat liver NADPH-cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase was constructed from two overlapping cDNA clones. This full-length cDNA was inserted into the plasmid expression vector pCQV2, transfected into Escherichia coli, and expressed reductase was identified in cell lysates by electrophoresis followed by electrophoretic transfer to nitrocellulose and immunodetection. Various strains were screened for maximal expression and minimal intracellular degradation of the expressed protein, and strain C-1A was selected for preparation of the expressed enzyme. Induced cells from 12-liter cultures were pelleted, lysed in a French press, and the 50,000g supernate was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose and 2'5'-ADP agarose chromatography. Thirty-five grams of packed cells yielded approximately 2 mg of affinity-purified protein that was essentially free of E. coli proteins. The final preparation exhibited considerable proteolytic degradation and only an estimated 5-10% of the immunoreactive protein was undegraded. Four principal forms could be distinguished upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with molecular weights of 65,000, 66,000, 74,000, and 78,000, the latter being equivalent to that of intact reductase. High-performance liquid chromatography with a Spherogel-DEAE column resolved these forms but resulted in the loss of the 78-kDa form; three peaks eluted with molecular weights of 65,000. Several of the HPLC fractions exhibited cytochrome c reductase activity, indicating correct incorporation of both flavin prosthetic groups, with the 66-kDa form showing the highest specific activity (44 mumol of cytochrome c reduced/mg reductase/min at 22 degrees C). HPLC assay of flavin content demonstrated equimolar FMN and FAD concentrations, and spectrophotometric analysis of the 66-kDa form revealed a spectrum essentially identical to that of reductase purified from rat liver. When the affinity-purified preparation was reconstituted with cytochrome P-450c, rates of benzo[a]pyrene metabolism approaching rates observed with liver reductase were obtained, indicating that the undegraded component in the affinity-purified preparation was able to interact with cytochrome P-450 and catalyze electron transfer from NADPH.
Semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells

We demonstrate semitransparent, small molecular weight organic solar cells employing a thin silver/indium tin oxide compound cathode with a maximum transmission of (60±6)% averaged over the visible spectral range and with a power conversion efficiency, ηp=(0.28±0.03)% under simulated, AM1.5G, 1 sun illumination. By increasing the Ag thickness, an average transmission of (26±3)% is achieved with ηp=(0.62±0.06)%, a value approximately half of that obtained for the same structure employing a conventional, reflective, and thick Ag cathode. A semitransparent tandem organic solar cell with ηp=(0.48±0.02)% and an average transmission of (44±4)% is also demonstrated. Semitransparent organic photovoltaic cells have potential uses as tinted and power-generating thin-film coatings on architectural surfaces, such as windows and walls. The use of a transparent top electrode also significantly simplifies the design of tandem cells, relaxing requirements for the placement of different absorbing materials at the maxima o...
The erythromycin breath test as a predictor of cyclosporine blood levels

The daily dose of cyclosporine required to attain a desired blood level can vary greatly among patients. Because elimination of cyclosporine depends on its metabolism in the liver by an enzyme (cytochrome P-450IIIA) that also demethylates erythromycin, we reasoned that the ability of patients to demethylate a test dose of erythromycin might be useful in estimating their appropriate daily doses of cyclosporine. Accordingly, the [14C-N-methyl] erythromycin breath test was administered to 32 patients before they received 3.0, 5.0, or 7.5 mg/kg/day cyclosporine to treat psoriasis. We found that a simple mathematical equation incorporating just the 14CO2 production, the age of the patient, and the daily dose of cyclosporine accounted for almost 80% (R2 = 0.78) of the interpatient variability in cyclosporine blood levels we observed. Our data indicate that P-450IIIA activity largely accounts for the relationship between dose of cyclosporine and blood levels for an individual patient. We conclude that the erythromycin breath test may be a convenient guide for cyclosporine dosing.
Molecular basis of the time-dependent inhibition of cyclooxygenases by indomethacin.

Cyclooxygenases (COXs) are the therapeutic targets of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Indomethacin (INDO) was one of the first nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to be characterized as a time-dependent, functionally irreversible inhibitor, but the molecular basis of this phenomenon is uncertain. In the crystal structure of INDO bound to COX-2, a small hydrophobic pocket was identified that surrounds the 2‘-methyl group of INDO. The pocket is formed by the residues Ala-527, Val-349, Ser-530, and Leu-531. The contribution of this pocket to inhibition was evaluated by altering its volume by mutagenesis of Val-349. The V349A mutation expanded the pocket and increased the potency of INDO, whereas the V349L mutation reduced the size of the pocket and decreased the potency of INDO. Particularly striking was the reversibility of INDO inhibition of the V349L mutant. The 2‘-des-methyl analogue of INDO (DM-INDO) was synthesized and tested against wild-type COX-1 and COX-2, as well as the Val-349 mutants. DM-IN...
Chaotic asymmetric convection in the Bridgman-Stockbarger technique

Convection was observed in naphthalene in a vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger arrangement. Differing from the assumptions of the theorists, the flow was neither steady nor axi-symmetric because of the heating and cooling conditions employed. It is suggested that such irregular convection may be common and cause compositional striations and azimuthal composition variations.
Investigation of energetic proton penetration in Titan's atmosphere using the Cassini INCA instrument

Abstract Saturn's largest moon, Titan, provides an interesting opportunity to study how dense atmospheres interact with the surrounding plasma environment. Without an intrinsic magnetic field, this satellite's nitrogen-rich atmosphere is relatively unprotected from plasma interactions. Therefore, the energy-deposition rate is important for understanding chemistry and dynamics in Titan's atmosphere. Since the plasma environment can vary significantly we focus here on the T18 Titan encounter using in-situ data from instruments on board the Cassini spacecraft. These instruments cannot provide in-situ information below the spacecraft closest approach altitude (∼>960 km) so we use the Cassini magnetospheric imaging instrument (MIMI) ion-neutral camera (INCA) to remotely image energetic hydrogen particle fluxes (20–80 keV) at altitudes below Titan closest approach. We also use the MIMI low-energy magnetosphere measurements system (LEMMS) to measure the incident ion fluxes as the spacecraft approaches Titan and combine these data sets with an atmospheric model to first reproduce INCA images. We then use this model to calculate the energy-deposition profiles for the observed incident proton flux. Our model is able to reproduce the INCA observations and give the energy density deposited vs. altitude in Titan's atmosphere; however, we find that the incident fluxes and energy-deposition profiles vary significantly during the encounter.
“Formed with Curious Skill”: Blessington’s negotiation of the “poetess” in Flowers of Loveliness

This essay demonstrates how Marguerite, Countess of Blessington, relied upon but also diverged from poetess poetics as a way of forging her own poetic voice without sacrificing the economic success enjoyed by anyone willing to write poetry in the style and manner of the annuals. As a close-reading of both content and context of Blessington’s satiric poem “The Stock in Trade of the Modern Poetess” reveals, Blessington capitalizes on her Byronic disdain for the annuals, thus simultaneously spurning poetess poetry and making a bid for financial success, the success typically enjoyed by writers willing to truck in poetess “stock.” In order to achieve both financial success and poetic merit, Blessington plays to the crowd who expects beautiful images of the nation in poetess poetry, but not by using the same "stock" as does poetess poetry: instead of setting up national heroines to be worshipped, Blessington recasts typical symbols used by the poetess for romantic and domestic relationships as ties that bind one person to another in the nation. Blessington’s oeuvre illustrates one dramatic instance of participation in the poetess tradition, showing us that women writers didn’t simply succumb to poetess conventions but rather manipulated the “stock in trade” of the poetess in order to achieve literary without sacrificing financial success.
The Millstone Radar in Satellite and Missile Tracking

Abstract The tracking radar facility at the Millstone Radar Station of M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory was designed as a research tool in the study of high-power radar techniques. With the addition of a complex of digital data processing equipment, including the solid state computer CG 24, the Station has found extensive application to the detection and tracking of earth satellites, missiles and space probes. The nature and the performance of both the radar system and the data processing equipment are described in this report and an outline of the data processing programs currently in use in CG 24 is given. The nature and results of several specific operations are discussed.
PHOTOREACTIVATION OF DNA-CONTAINING CAULIFLOWER MOSAIC VIRUS AND TOBACCO MOSAIC VIRUS RNA ON DATURA

—Datura stramonium L. is a local lesion host for TMV-RNA and DNA-containing cauliflower mosaic virus (CAMV). Datura can photorepair UV-damaged TMV-RNA and CAMV, giving photoreac-tivation sectors of 0.40 and 0.33, respectively. Dose response curves for photoreactivation of TMV-RNA and CAMV show that 4540 min of cool white light (15 W.m-2) is required for maximum photoreactivation. Blue light and near UV are equally effective in photoreactivating UV-irradiated TMV-RNA, whereas near UV is initially more effective than blue light for the photorepair of UV-inactivated CAMV. Higher doses of near UV apparently inactivate the CAMV photorepair system. In the case of CAMV, photoreactivating light must be applied immediately after inoculation with the virus. Two to three hours of incubation in the dark after inoculation results in complete loss of response to photoreactivating irradiation. In contrast, limited photoreactivation of TMV-RNA occurs even after 4 h of dark incubation after inoculation, although photoreactivating irradiation is most effective when applied immediately after inoculation. Light is required for the maintenance of photoreactivation for both TMV-RNA and CAMV. Daturas placed in the dark for six days lose their ability to photoreacti-vate. Recovery of the TMV-RNA photorepair system is rapid; complete recovery attained with 90 or more min of white light (15 W m-'). Recovery of CAMV photorepair system is slow; 90% recovery attained after only 20 h of light. However, full recovery can be induced by as little as 6h of light when CAMV is inoculated 24 h after the onset of illumination. These results suggest two photorepair systems are present in Datura.
Pythium thalassium sp.nov. infecting the egg-mass of the pea-crab, Pinnotheres pisum

A marine Pythium, P. thalassium sp.nov., has been found parasitic and saprophytic in the eggs of the pea-crab, Pinnotheres pisum , and of other Crustacea. The sporangia are filamentous, the method of asexual reproduction is that characteristic of the genus Pythium : proliferation occurs. Some variation in the behaviour of the contents of the sporangium was noted. Asexual bodies, similar to those described in certain other species of Pythium , are borne extramatrically at the apex of hyphae. Various stages in the germination of spores were seen. Sexual organs were not present in the material examined. The affinities of P. thalassium are discussed.
Central pontine myelinolysis following rapid correction of hyponatremia

Central pontine and extrapontine myelinolysis was experimentally produced in dogs by the rapid correction of severe, sustained, vasopressin-induced hyponatremia. Hyponatremia alone or slowly corrected hyponatremia did not produce the disease. Affected dogs showed rigid quadriparesis. The central pons, lateral aspects of the thalamus and adjacent internal capsules, deep layers of cerebral cortex and subjacent white matter, cerebellum, and other regions were symmetrically involved. Myelin and oligodendroglia were affected out of proportion to axons and neurons. Thus, the clinical features, the distribution of the lesions, and their histological features closely resemble the human disease. These experiments document an electrolyte manipulation that can cause permanent neuropathological lesions. Taken with the available clinical data on human patients, the experimental results indicate that human myelinolysis may be due to a rapid increase in serum sodium from previously low levels, and that rapid normalization of severe, sustained hyponatremia should therefore be avoided.
Stochastic memory: Memory enhancement due to noise

There are certain classes of resistors, capacitors, and inductors that, when subject to a periodic input of appropriate frequency, develop hysteresis loops in their characteristic response. Here we show that the hysteresis of such memory elements can also be induced by white noise of appropriate intensity even at very low frequencies of the external driving field. We illustrate this phenomenon using a physical model of memory resistor realized by ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$ thin films sandwiched between metallic electrodes and discuss under which conditions this effect can be observed experimentally. We also discuss its implications on existing memory systems described in the literature and the role of colored noise.
Evolutionary history, immigration history, and the extent of diversification in community assembly.

During community assembly, species accumulate by both immigration and in situ diversification. Diversification has intrigued biologists because its extent varies even among closely related lineages under similar ecological conditions. Recent research has suggested that some of this puzzling variation may be caused by stochastic differences in the history of immigration (relative timing and order of immigration by founding populations), indicating that immigration and diversification may affect community assembly interactively. However, it remains unclear under what conditions immigration history affects diversification. Here we propose the hypothesis that whether or not immigration history influences the extent of diversification depends on the founding populations’ prior evolutionary history, using evidence from a bacterial experiment. To create genotypes with different evolutionary histories, replicate populations of Pseudomonas fluorescens were allowed to adapt to a novel environment for a short or long period of time (approximately 10 or 100 bacterial generations) with or without exploiters (viral parasites). Each evolved genotype was then introduced to a new habitat either before or after a standard competitor genotype. Most genotypes diversified to a greater extent when introduced before, rather than after, the competitor. However, introduction order did not affect the extent of diversification when the evolved genotype had previously adapted to the environment for a long period of time without exploiters. Diversification of these populations was low regardless of introduction order. These results suggest that the importance of immigration history in diversification can be predicted by the immigrants’ evolutionary past. The hypothesis proposed here may be generally applicable in both micro- and macro-organisms.
Immunological similarity of epoxide hydrolase activity in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions of mouse liver

The light and heavy mitochondrial fractions of mouse liver have relatively high levels of epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity when monitored with trans-stilbene oxide as substrate. Using double diffusion analysis and immunoprecipitation experiments it was shown that EH activity in the mitochondrial fractions is immunologically similar to cytosolic EH, but immunologically dissimilar from microsomal EH. The EHs in the mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions also have a similar pI.
Comparison of the phase compositions in Alloy 718 measured by atom probe tomography and predicted by thermodynamic calculations

Abstract A comparison has been made of the phase compositions predicted by thermodynamic calculations and measured by atom probe tomography in a commercial Alloy 718 nickel based superalloy. The results indicate that caution should be taken in the application of the NiFe database/Thermocalc™ to superalloys because some of the predicted phases may not correspond to actual microstructure of commercial alloys. When microstructural information is taken into account and absent phases are suppressed in the calculations, reasonable agreement between the atom probe data and the thermodynamic predictions may be achieved.
Damping Effect on Waves Propagating Past a Submerged Horizontal Plate and a Vertical Porous Wall

A set of analytical solutions for waves propagating past a combined submerged horizontal plate and vertical porous wall breakwater system is presented. The wave damping effect caused by the horizontal plate induced flow constriction is considered in the analysis. The velocity potentials in each fluid domain are derived based on the linear wave theory and the unknown coefficients are determined from the matching conditions using three sets of orthogonal eigenfunctions. Reflection and transmission coefficients are presented to evaluate the performance of the breakwater system. The analytical solutions in terms of the reflection and transmission coefficients as well as the hydrodynamic force on the vertical porous wall are found in good agreement with published laboratory measurements. In comparison with the solutions without taking into account the wave damping effect, the present analytical solutions significantly improve the accuracy of the wave predictions, especially for the reflected waves.
Trichinella spiralis: Activation of complement by infective larvae, adults, and newborn larvae

Abstract The ability of Trichinella spiralis to activate complement (C) has been addressed by several investigators. However, these investigators employed methods in which either detection of C fragments on the parasite surface or the adherence of leukocytes to the parasite was considered an indication of C activation. The present studies were undertaken to examine: (a) whether activation of C occurs via the classical and/or alternative pathway, (b) at which stage(s) of the parasite C activating capacity is acquired, and (c) what molecular entities of the epicuticle and/or cuticle are responsible for initiating C activation. Our studies indicate that T. spiralis activates C primarily via the alternative pathway (and weakly via the classical pathway) since incubation of parasites obtained from infected mice with either normal human serum (NHS) or Mg. EGTA-NHS, followed by incubation (1 hr, 37 °C) with antibody-sensitized sheep erythrocytes or rabbit erythrocytes, respectively, showed a time-and parasite number-dependent depletion of C. Although the three stages of T. spiralis , i.e., infective larvae, adults and newborn larvae, are capable of activating C, the newborn appears to be the most potent activator, especially when parasite number and size are taken into consideration. Further evidence of C activation is obtained from SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis in which homogenates of parasites preincubated with NHS showed the presence of C3, C9, and Clq, whereas controls without serum were negative. Since isolated Clq was also capable of directly binding to the surface of adults and infective larvae, it is postulated that their cuticle and/or epicuticle may possess surface structures which serve as binding sites for Clq. Activation of C appears to occur in the absence of a specific antibody; it is therefore assumed that the parasite surface expressed structures that may directly bind to and activate C. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the surface of all three stages of T. spiralis possess a molecule(s) that can recognize and trigger C activation.
2TAC: Distributed Access Control Architecture for "Bring Your Own Device" Security

Mobile devices, specifically smartphones, have become ubiquitous. For this reason, businesses are starting to develop "Bring Your Own Device" policies to allow their employees to use their devices in the workplace. However, due to emerging attacks and limitations in device resources, it is difficult to trust these devices with access to critical proprietary information. To mitigate this problem we propose a novel architecture called 2-Tier Access Control (2TAC), which uses double layer access control along with device security profiles, anti-virus/malware scanners, and social networking.
New Insights and Observations in Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Visualization of Ventricular Septal Defects Experimental and Clinical Studies

Background—The positions, sizes, and shapes of ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can be difficult to assess by 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). Volume-rendered 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) can provide unique views of VSDs from the left ventricular (LV) side, allowing complete assessment of their circumference and spatial orientations to other anatomic structures. Methods and Results—Seventeen experimentally created defects of various locations, sizes, and shapes were imaged and reconstructed in 9 explanted porcine hearts. From an en face projection, major and minor axis diameters of the defects were measured, and these data were compared with direct anatomic measurements. Optimal reconstructions of the VSDs were obtained in all heart specimens, accurately depicting their positions and shapes. The correlations between 3DE and anatomy for the VSD major and minor axis diameters were y=1.0x+0.3 (r=0.88, P<0.001) and y=1.0x−1.4 (r =0.89, P<0.001), respectively. Good agreement between the 2 methods...
The genetic theory of adaptation: a brief history

Theoretical studies of adaptation have exploded over the past decade. This work has been inspired by recent, surprising findings in the experimental study of adaptation. For example, morphological evolution sometimes involves a modest number of genetic changes, with some individual changes having a large effect on the phenotype or fitness. Here I survey the history of adaptation theory, focusing on the rise and fall of various views over the past century and the reasons for the slow development of a mature theory of adaptation. I also discuss the challenges that face contemporary theories of adaptation.
Interfacial Shear Strength of Thin Polymeric Coatings on Glass

The interfacial adhesive shear strengths of epoxy and acrylate coatings on glass substrates were measured by the indentation and lap shear tests. The lap shear strengths were about an order of magnitude less and exhibited considerably more variability than those measured by indentation. It is believed that the lap shear strength is controlled by large processing flaws (pores in this study); whereas, the indentation test measures the “intrinsic” strength of the coating.
Autocorrelation-Based Spectrum Sensing Algorithms for Cognitive Radios

Cognitive radio is an enabling technology for opportunistic spectrum access. Spectrum sensing is a key feature of a cognitive radio whereby a secondary user can identify and utilize the spectrum that remains unused by the licensed (primary) users. Among the recently proposed algorithms the covariance-based method of [1] is a constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector with a fairly low computational complexity. The low computational complexity reduces the detection time and improves the radio agility. In this paper, we present a framework to analyze the performance of this covariance-based method. We also propose a new spectrum sensing technique based on the sample autocorrelation of the received signal. The performance of this algorithm is also evaluated through analysis and simulation. The results obtained from simulation and analysis are very close and verify the accuracy of the approximation assumptions in our analysis. Furthermore, our results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms the algorithm in [1].
Metal coatings on SiC nanowires by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Coating of nanowires is being investigated to broaden potential uses for future applications. Coatings of Ni and Pt nanoparticles have been synthesized on silicon carbide nanowires by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Coatings with high particle densities with average particle diameters of 2.76 and 3.28 nm for Pt and Ni, respectively, were formed with narrow size distributions. Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition appears to be an efficient method for production of metal coatings on nanowires.
Long-Term Coffee Consumption and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease A Systematic Review and a Dose–Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Background—Considerable controversy exists on the association between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the dose–response relationshi...
Estimation of Carboxylic Acid Ester Hydrolysis Rate Constants

SPARC chemical reactivity models were extended to calculate hydrolysis rate constants for carboxylic acid esters from molecular structure. The energy differences between the initial state and the transition state for a molecule of interest are factored into internal and external mechanistic perturbation components. The internal perturbations quantify the interactions of the appended perturber (P) with the reaction center (C). These internal perturbations are factored into SPARC's mechanistic components of electrostatic and resonance effects. External perturbations quantify the solute-solvent interactions and are factored into H-bonding, field stabilization and steric effects. These models have been tested using 1471 measured hydrolysis rate constants in water and mixed-solvent systems at different temperatures. The aggregate RMS deviation of the calculated versus observed values was 0.374 M - 1 s - 1 ; close to the intralaboratory experimental error.
Automated Mars drilling for “Icebreaker”

In order to look for organics and signs of past or extant life on Mars, it will be necessary to delve below and through the ice layers that stymied the Phoenix scoop. Automated drilling from a Phoenix-derived lander can retrieve specimens down to 1m depth, which can be transferred to on-deck instruments. This paper discusses the requirements, design concepts and some tradeoffs regarding the drill and drilling operations for the proposed NASA “Icebreaker” mission.