cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cognitive and neural predictors of speech comprehension in noisy backgrounds in older adults

Older adults often experience difficulties comprehending speech in noisy backgrounds, which hearing loss does not fully explain. It remains unknown how cognitive abilities, brain networks, and age-related hearing loss may uniquely contribute to speech in noise comprehension at the sentence level. In 31 older adults, using cognitive measures and resting-state fMRI, we investigated the cognitive and neural predictors of speech comprehension with energetic (broadband noise) and informational masking (multi-speakers) effects. Better hearing thresholds and greater working memory abilities were associated with better speech comprehension with energetic masking. Conversely, faster processing speed and stronger functional connectivity between frontoparietal and language networks were associated with better speech comprehension with informational masking. Our findings highlight the importance of the frontoparietal network in older adults' ability to comprehend speech in multi-speaker backgrounds, and that hearing loss and working memory in older adults contributes to speech comprehension abilities related to energetic, but not informational masking.
Balancing Carbohydrates for High Producing Cows

With increasing milk production and emphasis on milk protein, meeting the nutrient needs of dairy cows is becoming a greater challenge. A balanced ration provides the correct amounts of nutrient for maximal microbial growth and end product yield (volatile fatty acids and microbial protein) plus undegraded nutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) meeting the cow's productive needs (milk, growth, reproduction, and maintenance). Carbohydrates make up 70 percent of the ration and serve as the primary source of energy for lactating cows. This paper will discuss structural, non-structural, and functional carbohydrate components of the dairy ration (Table 1).
A true test: do IMF programs hurt the poor?

This article analyses the effect of IMF programs on poverty with data from 82 countries during 1985–2000. Two indicators of poverty, infant mortality rates and the human development index (HDI), are utilized, and the effects of the IMF's concessionary and nonconcessionary programs are investigated, as well as economic and institutional factors. The results show that the IMF's programs have no significant direct impact on poverty. Growth and good institutions, however, both have significant impacts, lowering infant mortality and increasing the HDI. The Fund's concessionary programs increase the impact of growth on lowering infant mortality, while the nonconcessionary programs lower the impact of growth on the HDI. “Where a great proportion of the people are suffered to languish in helpless misery, that country must be ill policed, and wretchedly governed; a decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilization.” –Samuel Johnson, 1791 “… once a country was in crisis, IMF funds and programs not onl...
Effects of Climate Change on Invasive Species

Mean surface temperatures have increased globally by ~0.7 °C per century since 1900 and 0.16 °C per decade since 1970 (Levinson and Fettig 2014). Most of this warming is believed to result from increases in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human activity. Temperature increases have been greater in winter than in summer, and there is a tendency for these increases to be manifested mainly by changes in minimum (nighttime low) temperatures (Kukla and Karl 1993). Changes in precipitation patterns have also been observed, but are more variable than those of temperature. Even under conservative emission scenarios, future climatic changes are likely to include further increases in temperature with significant drying (drought) in some regions and increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events (IPCC 2007). For example, multimodel means of annual temperature from climate projections predict an increase of 3–9 °C in the United States over the next century combined with reductions in summer precipitation in certain areas (Walsh et al. 2014). These changes will affect invasive species in several ways. Furthermore, climate change may challenge the way we perceive and consider nonnative invasive species, as impacts to some will change and others will remain unaffected; other nonnative species are likely to become invasive; and native species are likely to shift their geographic ranges into novel habitats.
Colloidal Semiconductor Quantum Dot Conjugates in Biosensing

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the progress made in bio-related applications of luminescent colloidal quantum dots (QDs). The material reviewed represents only the prologue of an unfolding story, as quantum dots are a relatively recent discovery and their biological applications are newer still. Nonetheless, a significant body of research literature exists pointing the way toward future advances. We begin with a basic introduction to quantum dots, including their synthesis and some characteristic physical properties, followed by a review of bio-related work involving semiconductor nanocrystals published to date. Work involving the preparation and use of QD-protein conjugates in cellular imaging, quantitative immunoassays, and in early-stage energy transfer applications is reviewed, in addition to the uses of QD-DNA conjugates as nanoscale building blocks. A listing of early patents in this area is also included for those who contemplate utilizing these materials in the commercial arena. Advantages and limitations in bio-related applications are discussed based on the current state-of-the-art in QD technology.
The Effects of Intravascular Coagulation and Microthrombosis on Cerebral Perfusion After Brain Trauma

Derangements in coagulation occur frequently after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are associated with an increased risk of mortality or poor outcome. The coagulopathy after TBI is likely a variant of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), composed of both hypocoagulable and hypercoagulable states with resultant hemorrhagic and thrombotic phenotypes. Much attention has been paid to the hemorrhagic phenotype of intravascular coagulation (IC) due to its association with progression of hemorrhagic injury. However, the coagulopathy after TBI also results in thrombosis, which may be responsible for compromised cerebral perfusion and thromboembolic phenomena as well as progression of injury. This chapter reviews the literature on intravascular coagulation after TBI, examines the effects of intravascular coagulation on microthrombosis, cerebral blood flow (CBF), and progression of injury, and reviews putative pathogenetic mechanisms.
Endoscopic transgastric lymphangiography in the canine stomach: A preliminary report of a new technique

Indirect lymphangiography by endoscopically guided injection of contrast material into the upper gastrointestinal walls of dogs was undertaken to demonstrate the feasibility of opacifying visceral lymph nodes. Further investigation may lead to the application of this poten-tially valuable technique in patients.
3-D mechanical impedances distributed at the fingers and palm of the hand

The driving-point biodynamic responses distributed at the fingers and palm of the hand in three orthogonal directions were examined. Seven healthy male subjects participated in the study and the experiment was carried out on a novel 3-D vibration test system. In the study, each subject was instructed to maintain grip and push forces at 30∓5 N and 50∓8 N, respectively, with his dominant right hand with elbow angle between 90° and 120° and shoulder abduction between 0° and 30°. Despite the considerable inter-subject variability, the responses measured along each axis consistently exhibit two magnitude peaks in the frequency range considered, which can be approximately considered as dominant resonance frequencies of the hand-arm system. The percent power absorbed in the fingers increases with the increase in frequency as the vibration becomes more concentrated in the hand and finger response becomes more independent to the remaining parts of the system.
p53 mutation is associated with progression in follicular lymphomas

The majority of low-grade follicular lymphomas will eventually transform to an aggressive intermediate, or high-grade lymphoma. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this transformation have not been determined. We studied serial biopsies from 34 patients with follicular lymphomas that underwent histologic transformation, for abnormalities of the p53 tumor suppressor gene by a combination of immunohistochemistry, single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP), and sequencing. We found overexpression of p53 in 10 of the 34 transformed aggressive lymphomas, 9 of which contained mutations identified by SSCP analysis and subsequent sequencing. Matched pretransformation low-grade follicular lymphoma biopsies were available for 7 of the 10 cases. None of six studied by immunohistochemistry showed overexpression of p53 and only 1 of 4 studied by SSCP/sequencing showed the presence of mutation in the pretransformation biopsy. Interestingly, an eighth p53 positive transformed lymphoma recurred with a clonally related, p53 negative low-grade lymphoma 5 years after the patient had achieved a complete remission. Immunohistochemistry also showed that several pretransformation biopsies from p53 positive transformed cases showed rare p53 positive cells and in one case we could document an increase in their number over time. Twenty-five additional low-grade follicular lymphoma biopsies were also examined. Three patients had lymphomas positive for p53 mutation. One of the three subsequently transformed within a year of the biopsy studied; the second patient had an earlier (unavailable) biopsy at a different site that showed transformed histology. The third patient was treated with ProMACE-MOPP combination chemotherapy and attained a complete remission. We conclude that (1) mutations of p53 are associated with histologic transformation in approximately 25% to 30% of follicular lymphomas and (2) p53 positive cells can be detected before histologic transformation, but do not comprise a significant percentage of the neoplastic cell population (identifiable by SSCP) until late in the disease, just before or after histologic progression. Finally, the data also suggest that p53 positive low-grade lymphomas are at risk for progression and that in this subset, aggressive therapy may be warranted.
Determination of picomole quantities of eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA with bacterial elongation factor Tu: The extent of in vivo acylation of tRNA

Abstract The formation of a ternary complex between elongation factor Tu (EF Tu) from Escherichia coli, eukaryotic aminoacyl-tRNA, and [3H]GTP has been investigated by means of a nitrocellulose filter assay. Under optimal assay conditions the quantitative determination of pmole amounts of either labeled or unlabeled aminoacyl-tRNA by the formation of the ternary complex is demonstrated. The EF Tu-binding assay has been used to determine the proportion of avian liver tRNA acylated to amino acids in vivo. The results from 1-day, 10-day, adult and estrogen-stimulated animals are identical; 35 % of the tRNA is acylated in all cases. The effectiveness of several published tRNA deacylation methods has been assessed by the EF Tu-binding assay. For maximum deacylation a two-step procedure using a base-catalyzed step followed by a Cu2+-catalyzed step is described.
Output-only observer/Kalman filter identification (O3KID)

Summary This paper presents output-only observer/Kalman filter identification (O3KID), an effective method for the identification of the dynamic model of a structure and its underlying modal parameters using only output time histories measured on the field. The method is suitable for structural health monitoring based on modal parameters, in particular, for those civil infrastructures whose excitation is random in nature and in the way that it is applied to the structure (e.g., wind and traffic) and therefore is difficult to measure. O3KID is based on a linear-time-invariant state-space model and is derived from an established and successful approach for input–output system identification, known as observer/Kalman filter identification. The paper rigorously proves the applicability of the approach to the output-only case, presents the resulting new algorithms, and demonstrates them via examples on both numerical and experimental data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondhand smoke and atrial fibrillation: Data from the Health eHeart Study.

Background Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but whether secondhand smoke (SHS) impacts the risk of AF remains unknown. Objective To determine if SHS exposure is associated with an increased risk of AF. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from participants enrolled in the Health eHeart Study, an internet-based, longitudinal cardiovascular cohort study, who completed baseline SHS exposure and medical conditions questionnaires. SHS was assessed through a validated 22-question survey, and prevalent AF was assessed by self-report, with validation of a subset (n = 42) by review of electronic medical records. Results Of 4976 participants, 593 (11.9%) reported having AF. In unadjusted analyses, patients with AF were more likely to have been exposed to SHS in utero, as a child, as an adult, at home, and at work. After multivariable adjustment for potential confounders, having had a smoking parent during gestational development (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08–1.73, P = .009) and residing with a smoker during childhood (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.10–1.79, P = .007) were each significantly associated with AF. Both positive associations were more pronounced among patients without risk factors for AF ( P values for interaction Conclusions SHS exposure during gestational development and during childhood was associated with having AF later in life. This association was even stronger in the absence of established risk factors for AF. Our findings indicate that SHS in early life may be an important, potentially modifiable risk factor for the development of AF.
Race, Social Class, Jury Participation: New Dimensions for Evaluating Discrimination in Jury Service and Jury Selection

The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the racial background of prospective jurors as an important dimension for evaluating jury participation. Recent Supreme Court decisions, however, have downplayed the importance of other relevant achieved status considerations, such as income and occupational standing, and the Court has yet to give social class "cognizable" status in evaluating the fairness of the jury selection system. The main thrust of this article is to examine whether jurors' social class status is equally as important as jurors' racial and ethnic characteristics in explaining disproportionate representation on jury panels. The research site is Orange County, California. Probit modelings are the analytic methods used. The analysis reveals that jurors' social class backgrounds are important determinants of jury participation, perhaps even more than racial and ethnic considerations of unrepresentative juries. The findings suggest that the analysis of jury representation based on a single criterion, such as race, does not delineate the true extent of discrimination in jury selection. For example, when jurors' social class backgrounds were incorporated into the analysis of jury participation, jurors' social class positions, measured by their occupational prestige, annual income, and managerial authority at the work place, exerted greater influence than race in explaining disproportionate jury representation. Similarly, when both the race and social class of jurors were simultaneously analyzed, African American and Hispanic prospective jurors with higher incomes and jobs of greater prestige were systematically overrepresented on jury panels. Since jurors' race and social class positions together provide a more comprehensive view of disproportionate jury representation by various segments of community populations, future Supreme Court decisions need to take both race and social class factors into consideration in order to evaluate unrepresentative juries and to assess the extent of systematic discrimination in jury selection.
Plasma production in a Cs vapor by a weak CW laser beam at 6010 Å

Abstract When a dye laser beam at 6010.5 A (which excites the Cs 6 2 P 1 2 →8D 3 2 transition), of power 0.1 W, is focused into a Cs vapor of density ≳ 10 17 cm -3 , we observe a bright localized white glow near the laser focus. Our experiments indicate that this glow is due to the production of a Cs plasma, which exhibits many characteristics of a discharge plasma, like emission of numerous atomic lines and of recombination continua, plasma-broadening of atomic lines, and hysterisis. This laser-produced plasma is in Saha equilibrium with a typical electron density of 3 × 10 14 cm -3 , and a typical electron temperature of 0.2 eV.
Lipid Oxidation and Myosin Denaturation in Dark Chicken Meat

Hand-deboned samples of dark ground meat from 6-week-old broilers were treated with varying combinations of FeSO 4 , ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol. Mixtures were incubated at 37 °C for 0, 50, 100, and 200 min. Lipid oxidation was determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Myosin was isolated from incubated samples, and denaturation was determined by measuring intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, 1-anilino-8-naphthalenesulfonate binding, and Ca 2+ -ATPase activity. Myosin denaturation during heating was positively correlated with lipid oxidation. Exogeneously added α-tocopherol reduced lipid oxidation and decreased myosin denaturation during heating.
Cultivation of pathogenic treponema in tissue cultures of SflEp cells

Recently, the successful in vitro cultivation of the Nichols strain ofTreponema pallidum was achieved. Afterward, attempts were made to cultivate three other strains ofT. pallidum and two strains ofT. pertenue. The cultivation of the KKJ, Mexico A, and Bosnia A strains ofT. pallidum was somewhat successful; the average increases were 10.8, 9.1, and 7.5-fold, respectively. The range of growth for each of these strains varied dramatically from experiment to experiment. The KKJ strain varied from 14.4 to 8.0-fold; the Mexico A strain from 12.8 to 5.4-fold; and the Bosnia A strain from 11.3 to 3.6-fold. However, the attempts to cultivate the Gauthier and the FB strains ofT. pertenue were unsuccessful. The average increases were 1.7 and 1.9-fold, respectively. Although the maximum growth observed was about threefold with either of these strains ofT. pertenue, over 50% of the treponemes remained motile for 10 d. These results suggest that although each of these strains ofT. pallidum andT. pertenue has been shown to be genetically identical, they are very diverse biologically even among strains of the same species.
A potassium lonophore inhibits lymphocyte capping: the role of cations in the modulation of membrane receptors.

Abstract Valinomycin inhibited cap formation induced by antibodies to Ig-molecules in human lymphocytes. At the concentration of valinomycin used in this study the inhibitory effects: (1) could not be explained by impaired cell viability, (2) were reversed by washing the drug from the medium and (3) were prevented by increasing the concentration of K + in the external medium. These results suggest that valinomycin may act, in part, by altering the electrical properties of the cell membrane and suggest a role for membrane potential and cation permeability and flux in the modulation of membrane receptors.
Loss of Mitofusin 2 Promotes Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

The outer mitochondrial membrane GTPase mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) is known to regulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) shape in addition to its mitochondrial fusion effects. However, its role in ER stress is unknown. We report here that induction of ER stress with either thapsigargin or tunicamycin in mouse embryonic fibroblasts leads to up-regulation of Mfn2 mRNA and protein levels with no change in the expression of the mitochondrial shaping factors Mfn1, Opa1, Drp1, and Fis1. Genetic deletion of Mfn2 but not Mfn1 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts or cardiac myocytes in mice led to an increase in the expression of the ER chaperone proteins. Genetic ablation of Mfn2 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts amplified ER stress and exacerbated ER stress-induced apoptosis. Deletion of Mfn2 delayed translational recovery through prolonged eIF2α phosphorylation associated with decreased GADD34 and p58IPK expression and elevated C/EBP homologous protein induction at late time points. These changes in the unfolded protein response were coupled to increased cell death reflected by augmented caspase 3/7 activity, lactate dehydrogenase release from cells, and an increase in propidium iodide-positive nuclei in response to thapsigargin or tunicamycin treatment. In contrast, genetic deletion of Mfn1 did not affect ER stress-mediated increase in ER chaperone synthesis or eIF2α phosphorylation. Additionally, ER stress-induced C/EBP homologous protein, GADD34, and p58IPK induction and cell death were not affected by loss of Mfn1. We conclude that Mfn2 but not Mfn1 is an ER stress-inducible protein that is required for the proper temporal sequence of the ER stress response.
Effect of Controlled Low Levels of SO2 on Grasshopper Densities on a Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie

A northern mixed-grass prairie was exposed to monthly median SO/sub 2/ concentrations of 73, 134, and 228 ..mu..g/m/sup 3/. Total grasshopper density and the density of Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.) were significantly (P < 0.01) reduced by SO/sub 2/ treatment on late-growing-season dates within each year of SO/sub 2/ exposure. Grasshopper density tended to decrease with increasing SO/sub 2/ concentration. Sulfur dioxide did not alter the relative proportions of M. sanguinipes in the total population. 14 references, 1 figure.
Noncardiogenic Pulmonary Edema Following Laser Therapy of a Tracheal Neoplasm

Nd-YAG laser phototherapy has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of airways obstruction caused by tracheal tumors. Pulmonary edema has been reported as a complication following acute relief of an upper airway obstruction. We describe a case where laser photoresection of an endotracheal malignancy resulted in acute pulmonary edema. It is important to recognize this potential cause of respiratory deterioration following successful phototherapy to obstructing lesions of the upper airways.
Anisoplanatic imaging through turbulent media: image recovery by local information fusion from a set of short-exposure images.

A wide-field-of-view white-light imaging experiment with artificially generated turbulence layers located between the extended object and the imaging system is described. Relocation of the turbulence sources along the imaging path allowed the creation of controllable anisoplanatic effects. We demonstrate that the recently proposed synthetic imaging technique [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A16, 1623 (1999)] may result in substantial improvement in image quality for highly anisoplanatic conditions. It is shown that for multisource objects located at different distances the processing of turbulence-degraded short-exposure images may lead to a synthetic image that has an image quality superior to that of the undistorted image obtained in the absence of turbulence (turbulence-induced image quality enhancement).
Applying Family Planning in Rural Communities

In most parts of the world, family planning services for the rural communities remain a neglected subject; many problems and shortcomings are encountered especially in the developing countries. Some of these problems may have simple remedies; others need much more complex solutions. With a good overall family planning programme, changes at both local and central level can be made within a country to encourage birth spacing and birth limitation methods, and to make them more easily accessible to the great majority of the rural populations.
Far ultraviolet spectrophotometry of BD +28 4211

The results are reported of a November 1989 rocket flight which recorded a flux-calibrated spectrum of BD +28 4211 from 912 to 1150 A with 1A resolution. BD +28 4211, an SdO-type star, is commonly used as an ultraviolet calibration source in the IUE wavelength band. The present work extends the useful range of this standard shortward of Lyman-alpha. Since previous experiments show marked disparity, this study can be useful in determining a standard in the 912 to 1216 A band.
Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease as a risk factor for diabetes mellitus following renal transplantation

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease as a risk factor for diabetes mellitus following renal transplantation. Background.Posttransplant diabetes mellitus is an important complication of renal transplantation that is associated with a significant impact on quality of life and an increase in long-term morbidity and mortality. Autosomal-dominant polycystic kid- ney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary disease that commonly leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in adulthood. The asso- ciation between ADPKD and posttransplant diabetes mellitus has not been previously studied in a large cohort of patients. Methods. To address this question, we studied a cohort of 135 patients with ADPKD who received a first renal-only transplant between January 1985 and December 1999. An age, race, and date of transplant-matched cohort of 135 non-ADPKD subjects were used as the control population. Results. The cohorts were similar at baseline for gender dis- tribution, body mass index (BMI), proportion of obese subjects (BMI greater than 30 kg/m 2 ), family history of diabetes melli- tus, and type of donor (deceased or living). At 12 months, the incidence of posttransplant diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in patients with ADPKD when compared to the controls (17% vs. 7.4%) (P = 0.016), despite no significant differences in the BMI, percent increase in BMI, number of acute rejections, prednisone dose at 3 and 6 months, use of diuretics or beta blockers, delayed graft function, or serum creatinine levels. The proportion of subjects requiring insulin was significantly higher in the ADPKD group (11.1% vs. 3%) (P = 0.009). Variables significantly associated with posttransplant dia- betes mellitus at 1 year by bivariate analyses were the diagnosis of ADPKD (P = 0.02), BMI at transplant (P = 0.04), obesity at 12 months (P = 0.01), and delayed graft function (P = 0.02). Gender of recipient (P = 0.9), family history of diabetes (P = 0.3), prednisone dose at 3 months (P = 0.9) and 6 months (P = 0.7), acute rejection (P = 0.9), use of beta blockers or tacrolimus (P = 0.8), deceased donor transplant (P = 0.2), and serum crea- tinine at 1 year (P = 0.5) were not associated with posttransplant diabetes mellitus. A trend toward increased incidence of post- transplant diabetes mellitus was found with the use of diuretics post transplant (P = 0.054). By multivariable analyses, in pa- Ke yw ords: autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney, diabetes mellitus, transplantation.
A response to the opioid overdose epidemic: naloxone nasal spray

Opioid overdose morbidity and mortality is recognized to have epidemic proportions. Medical and public health agencies are adopting opioid harm reduction strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with overdose. One strategy developed by emergency medical services and public health agencies is to deliver the opioid antidote naloxone injection intranasally to reverse the effects of opioids. Paramedics have used this route to quickly administer naloxone in a needle-free system and avoiding needlestick injuries and contracting a blood-born pathogen disease such as hepatitis or human immunodeficiency virus. Public health officials advocate broader lay person access since civilians are likely witnesses or first responders to an opioid overdose in a time-acute setting. The barrier to greater use of naloxone is that a suitable and optimized needle-free drug delivery system is unavailable. The scientific basis for design and study of an intranasal naloxone product is described. Lessons from nasal delivery of opioid analgesics are applied to the consideration of naloxone nasal spray.
Solvent-dependent conformational transitions in proteins

Abstract The values of the partition functions proposed in the Shindo model describing solvent-dependent protein denaturation have been evaluated using conformational potential energy functions. The denaturation curves of four proteins, lysozyme, ribonuclease-S, myoglobin, and α-chymotrypsin, were determined for different binary solvent mixtures composed of methanol, ethanol, water, formic acid, and acetic acid. The results suggest denaturation curves indicative of a cooperative process are possible only when the polar and nonpolar adsorbate concentrations differ by a constant. A comparison of some experimental transition free energies associated with polypeptides and those computed from the comformational potential energy functions indicates the calculations presented in this paper are realistic.
Passive antibody and the immune response. Factors which determine enhancement and suppression.

The isoimmune response of fowl inoculated with RBC coated with antibody was investigated. Anti-B antiserum from a single animal was used to coat different donor type RBC. With each donor type RBC the immune response to the coated determinants is suppressed. Enhancement of the immune response to noncoated determinants occurs when they are products of an allelic gene or belong to a different blood group system. Coating some B antigen determinants suppresses the response to noncoated determinants of the same antigen, i.e., determinants which are products of the same B gene. Varying the quantity of passive antibody revealed that the degree of suppression and the degree of enhancement are negatively correlated. These findings support the concept that antibody-coated determinants function as carrier for noncoated determinants, provided a certain physical association exists between them. A further interpretation of these studies is that in certain situations an antibody to one antigen may interfere with events which lead to an immune response to a different antigen. The possibility, that the protection afforded by ABO incompatibility against Rh isoimmunization is because of a similar phenomenon, is discussed. A hypothesis is presented which states that where the immune response to certain antigens behaves as a dominantly inherited trait, and is associated with histocompatibility type, the nonresponder animals possess an antibody (perhaps cell bound) which interferes with the response to determinants for which it does not have specificity. Responders are assumed to lack this antibody because it has specificity for their major histocompatibility antigens.
Evolution of the Japanese System of Employer-Employee Relations, 1868–1945

In analyzing the evolution of the modern Japanese system of industrial labor relations, Professor Evans argues that Japan's culture and history played dominant roles in the formation of employer-employee relations, and that convergence with western practices was Largely absent.
Protein kinase C beta from Friend erythroleukemia cells is associated with chromatin and DNA.

Certain protein kinase C (PKC) isotypes are localized to the nucleus during cellular proliferation in murine erythroid cells, as well as in human promyelocytic leukemia and erythroleukemia cells. Because the structure of these PKC isotypes contains a conserved cysteine-rich region that contains the zinc finger DNA binding motif, we tested the hypothesis that selected PKC isotypes found in Friend erythroleukemia cells can bind to DNA. Cell lysates from murine Friend erythroleukemia cells, which express α, βI, and βII PKC, expressed greater amounts of the β isoforms than the α isoform of PKC in their nuclei, and PKC βI was found in the chromatin of these cells. Lysates of these cells were tested for their ability to bind to a DNA-cellulose columm. Bound proteins were eluted with a step gradient of increasing KCl concentrations, and eluant fractions were then subjected to immunoblot analysis using isotype-specific antibodies to the α and βI isotypes of PKC. DNA binding was detected for the PKC βI isotype, which is present in the nucleus, but not for the more abundant PKC α isotype, which resides primarily in the cytoplasm. These results demonstrate that PKC can associate with DNA, and that this association is isotype specific in Friend erythroleukemia cells. (Mol Cell Biochem151: 107–111, 1995)
Low temperature sensitization of type 304 stainless steel pipe weld heat affected zone

Large-diameter Type 304 stainless steel pipe weld heat-affected zone (HAZ) was investigated to determine the rate at which low temperature sensitization (LTS) can occur in weld HAZ at nuclear reactor operating temperatures and to determine the effects of LTS on the initiation and propagation of intergranular stress corrosion cracks (IGSCC). The level of sensitization was determined with the electrochemical potentiokinetic reactivation (EPR) test, and IGSCC susceptibility was determined with constant extension rate tests (CERT) and actively loaded compact tension (CT) tests. Substructural changes and carbide compositions were analyzed by electron microscopy. Weld HAZ was found to be susceptible to IGSCC in the as-welded condition for tests conducted in 8-ppm-oxygen, high-purity water at 288 °C. For low oxygen environments (i.e., 288 °C/0.2 ppm O2 or 180 °C/1.0 ppm O2), IGSCC susceptibility was detected only in weld HAZ that had been sensitized at temperatures from 385 °C to 500 °C. Lower temperature heat treatments did not produce IGSCC. The microscopy studies indicate that the lack of IGSCC susceptibility from LTS heat treatments below 385 °C is a result of the low chromium-to-iron ratio in the carbide particles formed at grain boundaries. Without chromium enrichment of carbides, no chromium depleted zone is produced to enhance IGSCC susceptibility.
Comparison of two structured interviews on a psychiatrically hospitalized population of children.

Two structured interviews, the present episode version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for children (K-SADS-P) and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA), were administered to 30 8− to 12-year-old children and their parents on admission to an inpatient psychiatric facility. DSM-III axis I interview diagnoses were compared with best estimate diagnoses made from chart review and all available information after the child was discharged. Kappa scores were modest because the initial structured interview tended to make diagnoses that were not subsequently verified. Reasons for this include: (1) the fact that interviews were done at a time when stress levels were highest, leading to symptom overreporting, in contrast to the longitudinal observations available for best estimate diagnoses: and (2) the phenomenological distinctions between such disorders studied in children in inpatient settings (conduct disorder, attention deficit disorder and oppositional disorder are blurred.
A note on issues of over-conservatism in robust optimization with cost uncertainty

We identify and discuss issues of hidden over-conservatism in robust linear optimization, when the uncertainty set is polyhedral with a budget of uncertainty constraint. The decision-maker selects the budget of uncertainty to reflect his degree of risk aversion, i.e. the maximum number of uncertain parameters that can take their worst-case value. In the first setting, the cost coefficients of the linear programming problem are uncertain, as is the case in portfolio management with random stock returns. We provide an example where, for moderate values of the budget, the optimal solution becomes independent of the nominal values of the parameters, i.e. is completely disconnected from its nominal counterpart, and discuss why this happens. The second setting focusses on linear optimization with uncertain upper bounds on the decision variables, which has applications in revenue management with uncertain demand and can be rewritten as a piecewise linear problem with cost uncertainty. We show in an example that ...
A three-dimensional supersonic turbulent boundary layer generated by an isentropic compression

Presented are the results of a combined experimental and theoretical study of a three-dimensional supersonic turbulent boundary layer. The three-dimensionality is introduced by an isentmpic 20 degree compression in contrast to the more usual shock-generated compression, as in sharp fm interactions. Experimental data taken thus far include the surface pressure field, surface flow visualization, and, for selected locations, yaw angle, Pitot pressure, and static pressure. Comparisons with computational results show encouraging agreement.
On increasing structural complexity of finite state speech models

Some methods of modeling speech spectral features and duration within the framework of finite-state models are discussed. On observation modeling, the use of cepstral-time matrices, instead of cepstral vectors, as the observation unit is investigated. On duration modeling, a new HMM is introduced in which state transition and duration probabilities are combined to form duration-dependent transition probabilities. The duration dependent transitions are derived from the cumulative density function (CDF) of state duration. >
A Lower Bound for the Correlation of Exponentiated Bivariate Normal Pairs

Abstract The correlation of the pair of lognormal random variables obtained by exponentiating a pair of bivariate normal variables provides a simple example of an asymmetrically bounded correlation coefficient for continuous variates. The example illustrates certain hazards in employing correlation coefficients as measures of association.
Maximum matchings in sparse random graphs: Karp-Sipser revisited

We study the average performance of a simple greedy algorithm for finding a matching in a sparse random graph Gn, c/n, where c>0 is constant. The algorithm was first proposed by Karp and Sipser [Proceedings of the Twenty-Second Annual IEEE Symposium on Foundations of Computing, 1981, pp. 364–375]. We give significantly improved estimates of the errors made by the algorithm. For the subcritical case where c e then with high probability the algorithm produces a matching which is within n1/5+o(1) of maximum size. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 12, 111–177, 1998
Finite temperature effects in Na3+ and Na3: A path integral Monte Carlo study

Path integral Monte Carlo techniques are used to study Na3+ and Na3 at finite temperatures. In accord with previous classical trajectory calculations, we find that vibrational motion significantly distorts the clusters from the previously predicted zero temperature geometries, due to the flat Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surface. More importantly, these distorted clusters show significant localized electronic bonding, in contrast to the delocalized bonding found in previous studies of the zero temperature structures.
Feasibility of angle independent Doppler color imaging for in vivo application: Preliminary study on carotid arteries

An experimental system has been used to acquire Doppler color images using a linear transducer from an ultrasound scanner to reconstruct angle independent Doppler color (AIDC) images in normal carotid arteries in 21 volunteers. Images were first taken from relatively straight segments in the common carotid artery, and comparisons were made in a small area at the center stream. At peak systole, the correlation coefficient of the velocity amplitudes between AIDC imaging (AIDCI) and duplex scanning was 0.94; the correlation coefficient between the flow angles measured from AIDCI and the angles of the vessel wall was 0.99. Periodic variations of the flow angle over the cardiac cycle were always observed by AIDCI, whereas the changes in the geometric angle of the vessel itself were insignificant. This observation suggests that the AIDCI technique is sensitive to alterations of flow direction. On the other hand, the deviation of the flow angle from a fixed correction angle in duplex scanning may cause a certain degree of error in velocity determination. AIDC images were also obtained at the carotid bifurcation. The results show that the AIDCI technique is able to depict major flow features, such as velocity skewing, flow separation, flow reversal and vortical flow, in a complex flow field.
Comparison of (111)- and (001)-grown GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs quantum wells by magnetoreflectance.

Magnetoreflectance studies on GaAs/${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As quantum wells grown on (111) and (001) substrates have been performed in magnetic fields from 0 to 9 at 4.2K. Excitonic transitions of 1s, 2s, 3s, . . . states are observed and identified for the transitions from the first heavy-hole subband to the first electron subband and from the first light-hole subband to the first electron subband in the well. From the diamagnetic shifts, we have determined the reduced effective masses, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$, and the binding energies for excitons in the well using several different methods. A comparison of the reduced masses of the excitons in the (111) and (001) samples determined experimentally gives a ratio of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{111\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}}_{001\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$=0.92. We have also attempted to deduce the heavy-hole and light-hole effective masses perpendicular and parallel to the (111) axis, and the band parameters.
Effect of Projectile Caliber and Speed on Bacterial Distribution in a Leg Surrogate

This paper examines the relationship between ballistic factors and bacterial distribution along a surrogate wound channel using ballistic gelatin cylinders with dimensions representative of the calf region of an average human leg. The ballistics factors considered were projectile caliber and speed, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) was used as the representative bacteria. In order to reduce the possibility of contamination by outside bacteria, the E. coli first underwent a transformation protocol to express Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and become resistant to the antibiotic ampicillin. A set volume of bacteria was pipetted onto a small piece of filter paper which was placed on the surface of a ballistic gelatin cylinder and a projectile was shot through the bacteria saturated filter paper. The ‘wound track’ was divided into slices, and the area surrounding the permanent cavity was removed with a biopsy punch, liquefied, and grown on selective LB media containing ampicillin. Examination of the bacterial colony count along the permanent cavity segments allowed comparison of how variations in projectile caliber and speed affected contamination distribution along the ‘wound track’. Initial results indicate that larger calibers may result in higher contamination distribution at the projectile entrance and exit regions and higher speeds compress the distribution and result in a drop in contamination level near the exit.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Two-equation thermodynamical model for turbulent buoyant flows. Part II: Numerical experiments

Abstract A two-equation turbulence model that is consistent with the second law of thermodynamics was derived in Part I of this paper. In the present paper the application of the model equations to solve three boundary value problems is described. The predicted results are compared with the available experimental data to demonstrate the suitability of the new model. The three problems examined are (1) a two-dimensional channel flow, (2) a recirculating flow through a rectangular reservoir, and (3) a planar buoyant jet. An explicit in time finite difference method was applied to integrate the model equations. The nonlinear convection terms were modelled by the second upwind scheme or, when necessary, by a transportive upwind scheme that has negligible false diffusion. All other terms were modelled with second-order central differences. The numerical predictions for the three cases examined showed good agreement with the experimental data.
Accounting for decay of linkage disequilibrium in haplotype inference and missing-data imputation

Although many algorithms exist for estimating haplotypes from genotype data, none of them take full account of both the decay of linkage disequilibrium (LD) with distance and the order and spacing of genotyped markers. Here, we describe an algorithm that does take these factors into account, using a flexible model for the decay of LD with distance that can handle both “blocklike” and “nonblocklike” patterns of LD. We compare the accuracy of this approach with a range of other available algorithms in three ways: for reconstruction of randomly paired, molecularly determined male X chromosome haplotypes; for reconstruction of haplotypes obtained from trios in an autosomal region; and for estimation of missing genotypes in 50 autosomal genes that have been completely resequenced in 24 African Americans and 23 individuals of European descent. For the autosomal data sets, our new approach clearly outperforms the best available methods, whereas its accuracy in inferring the X chromosome haplotypes is only slightly superior. For estimation of missing genotypes, our method performed slightly better when the two subsamples were combined than when they were analyzed separately, which illustrates its robustness to population stratification. Our method is implemented in the software package PHASE (v2.1.1), available from the Stephens Lab Web site.
Data Dome: full k-space sampling data for high-frequency radar research

Visual-D is a 2004 DARPA/IXO seedling effort that would develop a capability for reliable high confidence ID from standoff ranges. Being able to form optical-quality SAR images (exploiting full polarization, wide angle, etc) would key evidence that such a capability is achievable. The seedling team produced a public release data set and associated challenge problems to support community research in this area. The premise of this paper is to describe the full data set and 3 associated challenge problems that are defined over interesting subsets of the full data set.
Concentration profile for the dissolution of drug tablets undergoing simultaneous degradation

An empirical approach to the concentration-time history of a dissolving drug has resulted in a cube-root equation in which the characteristic constant of the equation embodies the important physical variables of the system. This expression has been used to study the dissolution of a drug that degrades simultaneously in the test solution. An alternative representation of the dissolution process is first-order kinetics. These two approaches are compared by fitting the experimental data of the dissolution of digoxin and melphalan tablets in various media, and a new method for the proper analysis of data for the dissolution of tablets that simultaneously degrade in the test solution is presented.
Surface defects created by 20 keV Xe ion irradiation of Ge(1 1 1)

Abstract Surface defects created by 20 keV Xe ion irradiation of Ge(1 1 1) are investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). One bilayer deep vacancy islands and surface craters with a depth of more than two bilayers are observed. The creation of the surface craters, which is caused by thermal spike of 20 keV Xe ions, is an unusual event with a yield of ∼0.1%. The areal density of surface craters increases linearly with increasing ion fluence at 215 °C and increases sublinearly with increasing ion fluence at 275 °C.