cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Cations on α-Synuclein Misfolding: Single Molecule AFM Force Spectroscopy Study

Misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein are important properties of this intrinsically disordered protein. There is plenty of evidence suggesting that environmental conditions such as metal cations are involved in α-synuclein misfolding and the disease development. Previously, we have applied AFM dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) to show that at low pH the interaction between α-synucleins increases dramatically and the dimers formed by misfolded α-synuclein have enormously high stability. In this study, we applied the same approach to evaluate the effects of ionic strength and metal cations on α-synuclein misfolding. α-Synuclein was covalently attached to the substrate and probe through C-terminal cysteine. The interaction between α-synucleins was measured in the multiple approach-retraction steps at various locations over the surface. We studied the effect of ionic strength (from 10 mM to 250 mM) on the acidic pH induced α-synuclein misfolding. The DFS study revealed a weak effect of ionic strengths on the majority of DFS parameters. Importantly, the lifetime of the dimers only slightly increases then decreases dependent on ionic strengths and remains in second scale in the ionic strength range. These findings suggest that electrostatic interactions don't play major roles in the α-synuclein misfolding and dimerization. We also studied the effect of metal cations capable of promoting α-synuclein aggregation. We showed that at conditions without significant misfolding of α-synuclein (pH 7.0), the addition of zinc or aluminum cations leads to a dramatic increase of the misfolding events: the probability of events is 7.0% for aluminum and 3.9% for zinc vs. 0.7% in their absence in pH 7.0. Thus, aluminum and zinc cations increase the probability of α-synuclein misfolding explains the role of these cations on the α-synuclein aggregation.Supported by grants from Nebraska Research Initiative (NRI) and DOE (DE-FG02-08ER64579)
On the Validity of the Narrow Band Approximation

Abstract The accuracy of the narrow band approximation is estimated. It is shown that, in order to assess the accuracy of the approximation, not only the form of the source function but also the form of the integrand is required. The accuracy is improved when the integrand is symmetric.
Design of a new coaxial water-cooled photon shutter

A new ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) compatible coaxial water cooling structure has been designed for the Advanced Photon Source high-power bending-magnet front-end photon shutters. Laser- beam thermal-simulation test results show that this new cooling structure can provide more than 1.56 kW total power cooling capacity with 12.3 W/mm2 maximum surface heat flux. The maximum surface temperature is lower than 116 degree(s)C.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Does Profiling Make Us More Secure

&#x0093;Profiling&#x0094; means making predictions about likely user behavior based on collected characteristics and activities. Shari Lawrence Pfleeger and Marc Rogers brought together a group of researchers from a variety of disciplines to discuss whether profiling and prediction actually make us secure.
Detonation waves in PBX 9501

For a planar detonation wave propagating in the plastic-bonded explosive PBX 9501, measurements of the reaction zone display a classical ZND profile. Moreover, the reaction-zone width is substantially less than the average size of an explosive grain. We show that the reaction zone is compatible with realistic constitutive properties and an Arrhenius reaction rate based on the bulk temperature. Thus, contrary to conventional wisdom, hot spots are not needed to propagate a detonation wave. Conventional wisdom is based, in part, on shock desensitization experiments; the observation that precompressing a PBX with a weak shock – which eliminates voids as nucleation sites for hot spots – can quench a propagating detonation wave. By analysing the temperature behind two shocks compared to a single shock and the corresponding change of the induction time, we show that a detonation wave sustained by the bulk reaction rate from shock heating is compatible with shock desensitization. Shock desensitization depends on ...
Cost-minimization analysis of alternative diagnostic approaches in a modeled patient with non-small cell lung cancer and subcarinal lymphadenopathy.

Objective To evaluate the costs of alternative diagnostic evaluations of enlarged subcarinal lymph nodes (SLNs) in modeled patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A cost-minimization model was used to compare 5 diagnostic approaches in the evaluation of enlarged SLNs in modeled patients with NSCLC. Values for the test performance characteristics and prevalence of malignancy in patients with SLN were obtained from the medical literature. The target population was adult patients known or suspected to have NSCLC with SLNs with a short axis length of at least 10 mm on thoracic computed tomography (CT). Results The lowest-cost diagnostic work-up was by initial evaluation with endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS FNA) biopsy ($11,490 per patient) compared with mediastinoscopy (with biopsy) ($13,658), transbronchial FNA biopsy ($11,963), CT- guided FNA biopsy ($13,027), and positron emission tomography ($12,887). The results were sensitive to rate of SLN metastases and EUS FNA sensitivity. The EUS FNA biopsy remained least costly if the probability of SLN metastases exceeded 24% or EUS FNA sensitivity was higher than 76%. Primary mediastinoscopy was the most economical if not. Conclusions Which testing strategy is least costly for SLN evaluation in a modeled patient with NSCLC may be determined by the pretest probability of nodal metastases. Use of EUS FNA biopsy minimizes the cost of diagnostic evaluation in most cases.
Water Vapor Distribution in the Stratosphere and High Troposphere

Abstract Fifty-one soundings with balloon-borne frost-point hygrometers provided measurements to a height of 94,000 ft of the vertical distribution of water vapor over Trinidad, West Indies, Washington, D.C., and Thule, Greenland, during 1964 and 1965, the International Years of the Quiet Sun. The stratospheric measurements were obtained during the balloon descent with sample collection ahead of the instrument train to avoid extraneous moisture from the flight system. The observed mixing ratios of the lower stratosphere to a height of 73,000 ft are for nearly all cases within the range of 1.2 × 10−6 – 3.3 × 10−6. Above 73,000 ft the range broadens to include higher mixing ratios, but the majority of cases fall within the same narrow range as for the lower stratosphere. The vertical distribution of mixing ratios for most purposes is better represented by the medians of the distributions by level than by the arithmetic means. The median vertical distribution of stratospheric mixing ratio to a height of 94,0...
Calcified catheter "cast" masquerading as a retained catheter fragment after removal of an implanted venous access device.

Calcified catheter “cast” found on radiologic studies after central venous catheter removal is a rare complication that has been reported twice. Both cases were associated with thrombus. In this case report, we present a 15-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who demonstrated on CT scan a radiopacity in his left brachiocephalic vein after removal of an implanted venous access device. This was initially thought to be a retained catheter fragment. Diagnostic studies, including venogram, excluded the presence of a retained catheter fragment. Additional procedures to retrieve a nonexistent catheter fragment were thus avoided. Therefore, a catheter “cast” should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when calcification is found on an imaging study after removal of an implantable venous access device to prevent an unwarranted surgical exploration.
Total Lagrangian formulation for the large displacement analysis of rectangular plates

In this paper, a method for the non-linear dynamic analysis of rectangular plates that undergo large rigid body motions and small elastic deformations is presented. The large rigid body displacement of the plate is defined by the translation and rotation of a selected plate reference. The small elastic deformation of the midplane is defined in the plate co-ordinate system using the assumptions of the classical theories of plates. Non-linear terms that represent the dynamic coupling between the rigid body displacement and the elastic deformation are presented in a closed form in terms of a set of time-invariant scalars and matrices that depend on the assumed displacement field of the plate. In this paper, the case of simple two-parameter screw displacement, where the rigid body translation and rotation of the plate reference are, respectively, along and about an axis fixed in space, is first considered. The non-linear dynamic equations that govern the most general and arbitrary motion of the plate are also presented and both lumped and consistent mass formulations are discussed. The non-linear dynamic formulation presented in this paper can be used to develop a total Lagrangian finite element formulation for plates in multibody systems consisting of interconnected structural elements.
Phorbol esters inhibit agonist-induced [3H] inositol-1-phosphate accumulation in rat hippocampal slices

In rat hippocampal slices, carbachol and norepinephrine induce an accumulation of [3H]-inositol-1-phosphate which is markedly amplified in the presence of lithium. The tumor-promoting agents phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDB) and 4β phorbol, 12β-myristate, 13 α-acetate (PMA) have no effect on [3H] inositol-1-phophate accumulation alone, but when preincubated with hippocampal slices significantly inhibit the accumulation of [3H]-inositol-1-phosphate induced by carbachol and norepinephrine. The IC50 values for PDB and PMA are 0.2μM and 25μM respectively. In contrast, the weak tumor promoting agents 4-O-methylphorbol 12 myristate 13 acetate (MPMA) and phorbol 13,20-diacetate (P 13,20 DA) only slightly attenuate the agonist-induced response at concentrations ≤100μM, whereas 4α-phorbol (4α-PHR), a biologically inactive phorbol, has no effect. These data suggest that phorbol ester receptor-mediated events may be negatively coupled to agonist-induced phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis.
Toward Privacy Preserving and Collusion Resistance in a Location Proof Updating System

Today's location-sensitive service relies on user's mobile device to determine the current location. This allows malicious users to access a restricted resource or provide bogus alibis by cheating on their locations. To address this issue, we propose A Privacy-Preserving LocAtion proof Updating System (APPLAUS) in which colocated Bluetooth enabled mobile devices mutually generate location proofs and send updates to a location proof server. Periodically changed pseudonyms are used by the mobile devices to protect source location privacy from each other, and from the untrusted location proof server. We also develop user-centric location privacy model in which individual users evaluate their location privacy levels and decide whether and when to accept the location proof requests. In order to defend against colluding attacks, we also present betweenness ranking-based and correlation clustering-based approaches for outlier detection. APPLAUS can be implemented with existing network infrastructure, and can be easily deployed in Bluetooth enabled mobile devices with little computation or power cost. Extensive experimental results show that APPLAUS can effectively provide location proofs, significantly preserve the source location privacy, and effectively detect colluding attacks.
A New Method and Equipment to Manufacture the Composite Powder Materials by Vacuum Co-Deposition of Double Sources

In the process of manufacturing the composite materials, some of the chemical components are difficult to combine with each other. Aiming at this problem, a new method and supporting equipment of manufacturing the composite powder materials is reported which can make any two (or more) kinds of components mixing in nano-scale. This method is derived from the vacuum co-depositing technology by two (or more) vaporization sources for vacuum film coating, and some of the structures in vacuum film coil coating machine are used for reference. The principle, structure, process and characteristics of this method are introduced in detail. The models for depositing rate calculation are built respectively for both the electric resistance evaporation sources and the magnetron sputtering targets. The mixing component uniformity in the depositing powder material is analyzed by calculation.
Transannular carbene reactions: An intermediate organic laboratory experiment

The experiment described in this article has been used to integrate physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry and stresses the use of research techniques in understanding the relationship between ...
Modeling Soil and Biomass Carbon Responses to Declining Water Table in a Wetland-Rich Landscape

Peatlands and forested wetlands can cover a large fraction of the land area and contain a majority of the regional carbon pool in wet northern temperate landscapes. We used the LANDIS-II forest landscape succession model coupled with a model of plant community and soil carbon responses to water table changes to explore the impacts of declining water table on regional carbon pools in a peatland- and wetland-rich landscape in northern Wisconsin, USA. Simulations indicated that both biomass accumulation and soil decomposition would increase as a consequence of drying. In peatlands, simulated water table declines of 100 cm led to large increases in biomass as well as short-term increases in soil carbon, whereas declines of 40 cm led to continuous declines in soil carbon and smaller increases in biomass, with the net result being a loss of total carbon. In non-peat wetlands, biomass accumulation outweighed soil carbon loss for both scenarios. Long-term carbon cycle responses were not significantly affected by the time scale of water table decline. In general, peatland carbon storage over the first 50–150 years following drainage was neutral or increasing due to increased plant growth, whereas carbon storage over longer time scales decreased due to soil carbon loss. Although the simplicity of the model limits quantitative interpretation, the results show that plant community responses are essential to understanding the full impact of hydrological change on carbon storage in peatland-rich landscapes, and that measurements over long time scales are necessary to adequately constrain landscape carbon pool responses to declining water table.
Synchronization of Motor Proteins Coupled Through a Shared Load

Kinesin-1 is a processive molecular motor that converts the energy from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis and thermal fluctuations into motion along microtubules. This motion can be interpreted as a result of ATP-fueled nonlinear nonsmooth oscillations of coupled motor domains which interact with a microtubule to transport a cargo. This class of nano-scale motors transport cargoes for distances of several micrometers in cells. This transport can also be achieved in vitro, opening the possibility of developing robust and extremely versatile nano-scale actuators or sensors based on the machinery used by biological systems. These devices could be used in a range of nano-scale applications such as drug delivery and lab-on-a-chip. However, to design such systems, a quantitative, in-depth understanding of molecular motors is essential. Single-molecule techniques have allowed the experimental characterization of kinesin-1 in vitro at a range of loads and ATP concentrations. Existing models of kinesin movement are stochastic in nature and are not well suited to describing transient dynamics. However, kinesin-1 is expected to undergo transient dynamics when external perturbations (e.g. interaction with other kinesin molecules) cause the load to vary in time. It is thought that in the cell, several kinesin motors work cooperatively to transport a common load. Thus, a transient description is integral to capturing kinesin behavior. This paper presents a mechanistic model that describes, deterministically, the average motion of kinesin-1. The structure of the kinesin-1 molecule is approximated with a simplified geometry, explicitly describing the coupling between its two heads. The diffusion is modeled using a novel approach based on the mean first-passage time, where the potential in which the free head diffuses is time varying and updated at each instant during the motion. The mechanistic model is able to predict existing force-velocity data over a wide range of ATP concentrations (including the interval 1μM to 10 mM). More importantly, the model provides a transient description, allowing predictions of kinesin-1 pulling time-varying loads and coordinated transport involving several kinesin-1 molecules. The deterministic approach is validated by comparing results to experiments and Monte Carlo simulations of the stochastic dynamics. Furthermore, using this model, the synchronization of several kinesin-1 molecules transporting a common load is investigated. Novel methods to characterize synchronization, tailored to the particularities of these nonsmooth systems, are presented.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Measurements of the Electric Dipole Moment of the Neutrona

The origin of the CP violation discovered in the K0 system 25 years ago, remains uncertain.1,2 Assuming that CPT is conserved (where T is time reversal symmetry), a CP violating force can create a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) on elementary particles such as the quarks and leptons, as well as on nondegenerate collections of particles such as the neutron, an atomic nucleus, or even atoms.3 Progressively decreasing experimental upper limits on the EDM of the bare neutron have helped narrow the range of models that attempt to explain CP violation (see ref. 4 for a recent review of the theory). In the standard model, the neutron EDM arises in second order of the weak interaction and is expected to be very small, of order 10−32e. cm. Most extensions to the standard model, however, allow the neutron EDM to be generated in first order of the weak interaction, making the expected value near 10−26 cm, close to the present experimental limit, or even larger.
7144 “the bone in my throat belongs to me” : pharnygeal dysphagia from anterior cervical osteophytes.

69 yo male with a long-standing history of gastroesophageal reflux disease presented with a pressure sensation in his posterior pharynx. Dysphagia associated with this sensation resulted in a 20 lb weight loss and the inability to swallow his medications. Evaluation with a video endoscope revealed several large osteophytes in the midline of the posterior pharynx with an osteophyte from C-5 covering the proximal part of the upper esophageal sphincter. The obstruction of the upper esophageal sphincter was confirmed by a barium swallow and a MRI documented the location and benign nature of these phenomenally large anterior osteophytes. Anterior cervical osteophytectomy by our neurosurgeon (CFE) resulted in prompt, complete resolution of the globus sensation, the feeling of a bone in the posterior pharynx and the dysphagia. Conclusion: Anterior cervical osteophytes can cause pharyngeal dysphagia by physical obstruction of the proximal upper esophageal sphincter. Endoscopy, lateral neck films, barium swallow and MRI demonstrated the pathology which was readily reversed by surgery.
Transcription and regulatory signals at the mating type locus in yeast

The mating type locus with two alleles (MATa and MAT alpha) determines cell type in yeast by activating and repressing sets of cell-type-specific genes. The two genes at MAT alpha, alpha 1 and alpha 2, are transcribed divergently from a central promoter region. Deletions in this intergenic region have been used to map DNA sequences involved in the transcription and regulation of the MAT alpha genes. A single promoter region, essential for transcription of both alpha 1 and alpha 2, is found in the region between alpha 1 and alpha 2. Deletions removing the alpha 1 or alpha 2 TATA box are still transcribed but the transcripts fail to initiate properly. A separate regulatory region is also found between alpha 1 and alpha 2. Deletions of this region lead to the constitutive expression of these genes. These regulatory mutants synthesize alpha 1 mRNA in diploids, but this is not sufficient to activate the alpha-specific genes.
Conceptual Dimensions of Crowding Reconsidered

A recent and noteworthy facet of crowding research has been the exploration of the perception of high density/crowding experiences. A review of the methods and results of these investigations reveals considerable variation across studies on the dimensions of stimulus domain and selection, attention to intersubject differences, and approaches to interpreting results. The outputs of these studies do not appear as clearcut as has been suggested. It is hoped that the raising of these issues will result in more careful and fruitful research in this area. The links between conceptual crowding, situational variables, intrapersonal variables, and behavioral responses to high density/crowding are discussed.
Whole Blood Gene Expression of Multiorgan Dysfunction (MOD) after LVAD Implantation

Purpose Early recognition of MOD has important implications in diagnosis and treatment of patients with advanced heart failure (AdHF) undergoing implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices (MCSD). We hypothesized that whole blood (WB) mRNA gene expression can be linked to systemic inflammatory response as evaluated by SOFA score. Methods and Materials We collected WB from 29 AdHF patients undergoing MCSD implantation between 3/2010 and 5/2011 and 8 age matched controls. MOD was defined by SOFA score, with patients divided into low (≤ 4) (n=8), intermediate (5-11) (n=13), and high (≥12) (n=8) risk groups at median 8 days (IQR 7 - 14) postoperatively. After globin reduction, total mRNA was purified, amplified and hybridized on Illumina Whole Genome Expression Chips. Expression data was extracted and analyzed using GeneSpring GX 12 (Agilent). Results Mean age was 57±15 years. After normalization with Kruskal-Wallis testing, 440 transcripts were differentially expressed ( Figure B ) (Benjamini-Hochberg correction, FDR 0.05, fold change 1.5). Hierarchical clustering (A, C) (Pearson absolute distance) organized samples in ascending SOFA risk groups. Gene ontology and pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of genes representing regulation of immune response including pathways of innate and adaptive immunity. Comparison with PBMC showed >75% overlapping genes (D). Conclusions WB transcriptome analysis can be used to evaluate the inflammatory response after MCSD. The use of WB without need for PBMC extraction provides a rapid tool that may eventually be performed close to bedside for early prediction of MOD.
Mechanisms of Glucocorticoid-receptor-mediated Repression of Gene Expression

It is hoped that this review will give the reader a taste of some of the mechanisms used by the glucocorticoid receptor to repress gene function. These mechanisms include direct binding to DNA, antagonism of other transcription factor families and sequestration of necessary cofactors. Each of these mechanisms, and others, are discussed.
Methylmercury production in estuarine sediments: role of organic matter.

Methylmercury (MeHg) affects wildlife and human health mainly through marine fish consumption. In marine systems, MeHg is formed from inorganic mercury (Hg II ) species primarily in sediments, then accumulates and biomagnifies in the food web. Most of the fish consumed in the United States are from estuarine and marine systems, highlighting the importance of understanding MeHg formation in these productive regions. Sediment organic matter has been shown to limit mercury methylation in estuarine ecosystems, as a result it is often described as the primary control over MeHg production. In this paper, we explore the role of organic matter by looking at the effects of its changing sediment concentrations on the methylation rates across multiple estuaries. We measured sedimentary MeHg production at eleven estuarine sites that were selected for their contrasting biogeochemical characteristics, mercury (Hg) content, and location in the Northeastern U.S. (ME, NH, CT, NY, and NJ). Sedimentary total Hg concentrations ranged across 5 orders of magnitude, increasing in concentration from the pristine, sandy sediments of Wells (ME), to industrially contaminated areas such as Portsmouth (NH) and Hackensack (NJ). We find that methylation rates are the highest at locations with high Hg content (relative to carbon), and that organic matter does not hinder mercury methylation in estuaries.
A Probabilistic Study on Combinatorial Expanders and Hashing

This paper gives a new way of showing that certain constant degree graphs are graph expanders. This is done by giving new proofs of expansion for three permutations of the Gabber-Galil expander. Our results give an expansion factor of $\frac{3}{16}$ for subgraphs of these three-regular graphs with $(p-1)^2$ inputs for $p$ prime. The proofs are not based on eigenvalue methods or higher algebra. The same methods show the expected number of probes for unsuccessful search in double hashing is bounded by $\frac{1}{1-\alpha}$, where a is the load factor. This assumes a double hashing scheme in which two hash functions are randomly and independently chosen from a specified uniform distribution. The result is valid regardless of the distribution of the inputs. This is analogous to Carter and Wegman’s result for hashing with chaining. This paper concludes by elaborating on how any sufficiently sized subset of inputs in any distribution expands in the subgraph of the Gabber-Galil graph expander of focus. This is related to any key distribution having expected $\frac{1}{1 - \alpha}$ probes for unsuccessful search for double hashing given the initial random, independent, and uniform choice of two universal hash functions.
Dynamics of value co-creation in complex IT service engagements

The hallmark of service--value co-creation--is not easy to achieve in B2B IT service engagements. Typically, client and provider are both complicated organizational entities with multiple agendas and diverse stakeholders, and engagements often extend over years. We analyzed a number of IT service engagements to better understand their complex dynamics, with the ultimate goal of improving their outcomes. This paper reports on our study of how value co-creation unfolds over time, and identifies basic dynamics central to the modeling of service systems--actualization of service and realization of value--that are reflected in the proposed framework.
Deconfinement Signature, Mass Dependence of Transverse Flow and Time Evolution in Antiproton-Proton Collisions at √s = 1.8 TeV

The yields and the transverse momentum distributions of pions, kaons, and antiprotons produced in the central region of pp collisions at √s = 1.8 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron collider have been measured up to a charged particle pseudo-rapidity density of approximately 20. The average transverse momentum pt as a function of dNc/dη for all three types of particles is presented. We find that transverse flow does not explain the pt separation. The most plausible interpretation is that the pt vs. Nc spectra represent in isobar in the two phase region.
Mössbauer velocity calibration via interferometry

Abstract Velocity calibration in Mossbauer spectrometers operated in the constant acceleration mode is achieved by laser interferometry. The fringe rate measures absolute velocity. The preferred mode of operation multiplexes the Mossbauer spectrum, velocity, and timing signals onto a single record. A computer program for handling the data is described.
DNA sequence modulates the conformation of the food mutagen 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline in the recognition sequence of the NarI restriction enzyme.

The conformations of C8-dG adducts of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) positioned in the C-X1-G, G-X2-C, and C-X3-C contexts in the C-G1-G2-C-G3-C-C recognition sequence of the NarI restriction enzyme were compared, using the oligodeoxynucleotides 5‘-d(CTCXGCGCCATC)-3‘·5‘-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3‘, 5‘-d(CTCGXCGCCATC)-3‘·5‘-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3‘, and 5‘-d(CTCGGCXCCATC)-3‘·5‘-d(GATGGCGCCGAG)-3‘ (X is the C8-dG adduct of IQ). These were the NarIIQ1, NarIIQ2, and NarIIQ3 duplexes, respectively. In each instance, the glycosyl torsion angle χ for the IQ-modified dG was in the syn conformation. The orientations of the IQ moieties were dependent upon the conformations of torsion angles α‘ [N9−C8−N(IQ)−C2(IQ)] and β‘ [C8−N(IQ)−C2(IQ)−N3(IQ)], which were monitored by the patterns of 1H NOEs between the IQ moieties and the DNA in the three sequence contexts. The conformational states of IQ torsion angles α‘ and β‘ were predicted from the refined structures of the three adducts obtained from restrained molecular dy...
International capital market equilibrium with investment barriers

Abstract This paper outlines models of capital market equilibrium when there are explicit barriers to international investment in the form of a tax on holdings of assets in one country by residents of another country. There is a corresponding subsidy on short positions in foreign assets. Asset prices deviate from the predictions of the world capital asset pricing model. Investors do not hold a mixture of national market portfolios, but the mix of risky assets is the same for every investor in a country. Optimal portfolios tend to be heavy in domestic assets, and light in foreign assets. Tax free investors, however, tend to hold assets anywhere in the world that are taxed heavily. Estimates of the magnitude of the average tax (or the magnitude of effective barriers to international investment) can be made by comparing the average return on the minimum variance zero β portfolio, z, with the average across countries and time of the short-term interest rate. When barriers are ineffective, the expected return on portfolio z will be the average short-term interest rate, and the world capital asset pricing model will hold.
Videodisc instruction in science and mathematics: Implications for media research and instructional design

This article summarizes research conducted over the last seven years on videodisc instruction in science and mathematics. Research findings, as well as the instructional design principles used to create programs, have direct implications for the general debate over media and its effects on learning. The array of studies conducted with the videodisc programs indicates that the medium is very cost effective. High quality instruction can be presented reliably and with much less human effort than traditional methods of instruction. By using videodiscs, developers are also able to exploit the strong graphic features of the medium, thus allowing carefully-designed visual images to play a key role in the instruction. Empirical support for non-text presentations along with examples of the graphics used in the science and mathematics programs are discussed.
Thermal stability of indium tin oxide/n-gaas heterostructures with and without sulfur passivation

Thermally evaporated ITO/n-GaAs contacts with and without sulfur passivation are studied. It is determined that passivation improves the thermal stability (up to 700 °C annealing temperature) of contacts. This improvement is due to formation of thermally stable S-S, S-As, and S-Ga bonds at GaAs surface layer.
Sca-1+ stem cell survival and engraftment in the infarcted heart: dual role for preconditioning-induced connexin-43.

Background— We report that elevated connexin-43 (Cx-43) in stem cells preconditioned with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is cytoprotective and reprograms the cells for cardiomyogenic differentiation. Methods and Results— Sca-1+ cells were preconditioned with 100 nmol/L IGF-1 for 30 minutes followed by 8 hours of oxygen glucose deprivation to assess the cytoprotective effects of preconditioning. LDH release assay, cytochrome c release, and mitochondrial membrane potential assay showed improved survival of preconditioned Sca-1+ cells under oxygen glucose deprivation compared with nonpreconditioned Sca-1+ cells via PI3K/Akt-dependent caspase-3 downregulation. We observed PI3K/Akt-dependent upregulation of cardiac-specific markers including MEF-2c (2.5-fold), GATA4 (3.1-fold), and Cx-43 (3.5-fold). Cx-43 inhibition with specific RNA interference reduced cell survival under oxygen glucose deprivation and after transplantation. In vivo studies were performed in a female rat model of acute myocardial infar...
Automatically synthesizing a planning and control subsystem for the DARPA urban challenge

To incorporate robots into society, they must be able to perform complex tasks while interacting with the world around them in a safe and dependable manner. The recent DARPA 2007 Urban Challenge made a step towards that goal by testing how well robotic vehicles can interact in an urban environment while dealing with static and dynamic obstacles and other cars. This paper uses the Urban challenge to demonstrates a general approach for automatically synthesizing correct hybrid controllers from high level descriptions. Here we create a planning and control subsystem for the vehicle that, if the information gathered by the sensor is correct, satisfies the requirements of the challenge for different dynamic environments. This approach automatically produces a system that is guaranteed to behave according to the traffic laws while interacting with other vehicles. Furthermore, it allows systems to be changed rapidly and easily thus reducing design time and eliminating human error.
A change detection model based on neighborhood correlation image analysis and decision tree classification

Abstract This study introduces a change detection model based on Neighborhood Correlation Image (NCI) logic. It is based on the fact that the same geographic area (e.g., a 3 × 3 pixel window) on two dates of imagery will tend to be highly correlated if little change has occurred, and uncorrelated when change occurs. Computing the piecewise correlation between two data sets provides valuable information regarding the location and numeric change value derived using contextual information within the specified neighborhood. Various neighborhood configurations (i.e., multi-level NCIs) were explored in the study using high spatial resolution multispectral imagery: smaller neighborhood sizes provided some detailed change information (such as a new patios added to an existing building) at the cost of introducing some noise (such as changes in shadows). Larger neighborhood sizes were useful for removing this noise but introduced some inaccurate change information (such as removing some linear feature changes). When combined with image classification using a machine learning decision tree (C5.0), classifications based on multi-level NCIs yielded superior results (e.g., using a 3-pixel circular radius neighborhood had a Kappa of 0.94), compared to the classification that did not incorporate NCIs (Kappa = 0.86).
Tone-on-tone binaural masking with an antiphasic masker

One pure tone (500 Hz) was used to mask another pure tone of the same frequency and duration. The signal and masker were presented in three binaural stimulus configurations, Mo-So, Mo-Sπ, and Mπ -So. The Mo-So condition is a diotic condition; the Mo-Sβ condition is a dichotic condition in which the masker is homophasic and the signal is antiphasic; and the Mπ-So condition is a dichotic condition in which the masker is antiphasic and the signal homophasic. The signal-to-masker ratio required for detection was measured in each condition as a function of the signal-plus-masker phase angle, α. The data showed that the difference in detection between the Mo-Sπ and Mπ-So conditions varied between 0 dB when α=0 deg and 11 dB when α=90 deg. The difference in detection between the Mo-Sπ and Mπ-So conditions is due to the Os’ sensitivities to the interaural phase difference present in the Mo-Sπ and Mπ-So conditions. The results are similar to those obtained in investigations involving lateralization. The difference between detection in either the Mo-Sπ or Mπ-So condition and that in the Mo-So condition (the MLD) was variable due to differences in the Os’ sensitivities in the Mo-So condition.
Output errors of atomic force microscopy in heterogeneous materials

We have used multiple scale approach to obtain a complete close form solution for scanning system of an atomic force microscopy (AFM) and uncover unexpected errors in the AFM system. We find out that the change in the modulus of elasticity of a sample will lead to a phase shift and jump phenomenon in the frequency response. The readout of the AFM probe amplitude will also be affected accordingly. These results indicate that AFM could produce significant errors in the interface regions of heterogeneous materials. In such a case, AFM may mistakenly consider the change in mechanical properties as the change in topography of the surface. The error associated with this condition must be compensated by a post-processing of collected data.
The Toyota production system and cochlear implants: methodology for improved patient safety and cost containment.

The reliability of the device implantation has greatly improved since 1994, when the device was officially approved as a medical device. We compared audiological data for the two groups of patients; one group has used the device for more than 10 years and the other for less than 10 years. There were no marked differences in any of the parameters examined. In both groups, a hearing level improvement of 36 dB was obtained 3 months postoperatively and at the most recent examination the improvement decreased to 21 dB. However, the device affords socially adequate hearing. In none of the patient deterioration was bone conduction caused by use of the device noted.
SOLUBILIZATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENT-PROTEIN COMPLEXES

Studies utilizing fractionation of photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes from the chloroplast thylakoid membrane often employ dodecylsulfate at a concentration of 10 mg mL−1 to disrupt membrane structure prior to electrophoretic fractionation of the complexes. We investigated the effect of varying dodecylsulfate concentration on the solution/air interfacial surface tension in the absence and presence of the same concentrations of thylakoid membranes used by four different fractionation systems that have been commonly employed to fractionate photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes. Concentrations of dodecylsulfate in the range5–10 mg mL−1, normally utilized to treat thylakoids prior to fractionation, were effective in reducing the interfacial surface tension to levels equivalent to control solutions without added thylakoid membranes. However, thylakoid membranes treated with these concentrations of dodecylsulfate are not resolved into discrete pigment-protein complexes when subjected to electrophoresis on an agarose gel, and do not produce significant amounts of pigment-containing complexes with a molecular size < 100 000 as measured by filtration with size-exclusion membranes. We conclude that many surfactant systems empirically developed to fractionate photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes may not fully solubilize the complexes prior to the electrophoretic step.
Heterogeneity in the relationship between popularity and aggression: individual, group, and classroom influences.

This chapter focuses on the relationship between popularity and aggression. Subgroups of prosocial-popular, aggressive-popular, and aggressive-unpopular boys are examined in terms of their behavioral and social-ecological correlates.
Nature of the glass transition.

We propose a picture whereby the kinetic glass transition observed in the laboratory is controlled by an underlying phase transition with unusual properties. We assume that the line of metastable liquid states below the freezing temperature ends in a fixed point, and show that this picture is in accord with a number of experimental observations, including the vanishing of the excess configurational entropy of the liquid and the Vogel-Fulcher law. Differences between this scenario and current theories of systems whose Hamiltonian possesses quenched disorder are discussed.
Randomized trial evaluating ranibizumab plus prompt or deferred laser or triamcinolone plus prompt laser for diabetic macular edema

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab combined with prompt or deferred laser or intravitreal triamcinolone combined with prompt laser compared to laser alone for diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods 691 study participants (854 eyes) with center-involved DME and visual acuity 20/32 to 20/320 were enrolled in a multi-center randomized clinical trial. Eyes were randomized to Group A: sham injection+prompt laser (n = 293), Group B: 0.5-mg intravitreal ranibizumab+prompt laser (n = 187), Group C: 0.5-mg intravitreal ranibizumab+deferred laser (n = 188), or Group D: 4-mg intravitreal triamcinolone+prompt laser (n = 186). Results The 1-year mean change in the visual acuity letter score from baseline was significantly greater in Group B (+9, P<0.001) and Group C (+9, P<0.001) but not in Group D (+4, P = 0.31) compared with Group A (+3). Reduction in mean central subfield thickness in Group D was similar to Groups B&C and greater than Group A.. Traction retinal detachment (0.3%) and endophthalmitis (0.8%) occurred infrequently in Groups B&C, while cataract and elevated IOP occurred more often in Group D. Conclusion At 1 year intravitreal ranibizumab with prompt or deferred laser is more effective compared with prompt laser alone for the treatment of center involved DME. Intravitreal triamciolone+ laser did not result in superior visual acuity outcomes compared with laser alone. Ranibizumab as applied in this study, although uncommonly associated with endophthalmitis, should be considered for patients with DME and characteristics similar to those in this clinical trial. Supported through a cooperative agreement from the NEI and the NIDDK, National
Ontogeny of cation-Cl- cotransporter expression in rat neocortex.

Neuronal precursors and immature cortical neurons actively accumulate Cl- and as a consequence depolarize in response to GABAA receptor activation. With maturity, intracellular Cl- decreases resulting in a shift towards GABAA inhibition. These observations suggest that changes in expression of cation-Cl- cotransporters may have a significant role in the ontogeny of neuronal Cl- homeostasis. Using ribonuclease protection analysis and in situ hybridization we examined the developmental expression of all presently known members of the cation-Cl- cotransporter gene family in rat brain. Of the inwardly directed cotransporters, NKCC-1, NKCC-2, and NCC-1, only NKCC-1 was detected at significant levels in brain. NKCC-1 was expressed in neurons, appearing first in cortical plate but not in ventricular or subventricular zone. Expression levels peaked by the third postnatal week and were maintained into adulthood. The outwardly directed cotransporters, KCC-1 and KCC-2, demonstrated significantly different levels and time courses of expression. KCC-1 was expressed prenatally at very low levels which increased little over the course of development. In contrast, KCC-2 expression appeared perinatally and increased dramatically after the first week of postnatal life. Differential changes in expression of this gene family occurred during periods of critical shifts in chloride homeostasis and GABA response suggestive of a role in these processes. Furthermore the absence of expression of known inwardly directed cotransporters in Cl- accumulating neuroepithelia and lack of evidence for glial expression suggests that as yet unidentified members of this gene family may be involved in chloride homeostasis in immature neuronal precursors and neuroglia.
Developmental Regulation of Presenilin-1 Processing in the Brain Suggests a Role in Neuronal Differentiation

Most cases of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease are caused by mutations in the presenilin genes. Presenilin-1 (PS1) is subject to proteolytic cleavage resulting in the accumulation of N- and C-terminal fragments. In this report, we show that the proteolytic cleavage of PS1 is developmentally regulated in the brain. Low levels of full-length PS1 and higher levels of 30-kDa N-terminal and 20-kDa C-terminal fragments are identified at all developmental stages in the rat brain. However, in the adult brain, additional 36-kDa N-terminal and 14-kDa C-terminal fragments appear and become major PS1 species. Alternative N-terminal PS1 fragments also appear in the adult human brain, but are more heterogenous than in the rat brain. The alternative PS1 fragments are not detected at significant levels in rat or human peripheral tissues that express PS1. The alternative cleavage of PS1 is also detected in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons, but not in astrocytes, and is induced by neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, alternative PS1 cleavage is detected in rat PC12 cells and human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells following induction of neuronal differentiation. These results suggest that an alternative pathway of PS1 proteolytic processing is induced in the brain by neuronal differentiation. PS1 may therefore play an important role in brain development and neuronal function, which may relate to the brain-specific pathological effects of PS1 mutations.
Structured prediction via output space search

We consider a framework for structured prediction based on search in the space of complete structured outputs. Given a structured input, an output is produced by running a time-bounded search procedure guided by a learned cost function, and then returning the least cost output uncovered during the search. This framework can be instantiated for a wide range of search spaces and search procedures, and easily incorporates arbitrary structured-prediction loss functions. In this paper, we make two main technical contributions. First, we describe a novel approach to automatically defining an effective search space over structured outputs, which is able to leverage the availability of powerful classification learning algorithms. In particular, we define the limited-discrepancy search space and relate the quality of that space to the quality of learned classifiers. We also define a sparse version of the search space to improve the effciency of our overall approach. Second, we give a generic cost function learning approach that is applicable to a wide range of search procedures. The key idea is to learn a cost function that attempts to mimic the behavior of conducting searches guided by the true loss function. Our experiments on six benchmark domains show that a small amount of search in limited discrepancy search space is often sufficient for significantly improving on state-of-the-art structured-prediction performance. We also demonstrate significant speed improvements for our approach using sparse search spaces with little or no loss in accuracy.