cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Euschoengastia radfordi Species Complex (Acarina: Trombiculidae) from Western North America, with Descriptions of Five New Species

Five new species, phenetically similar to Euschoengastia radfordi Brennan and Jones, are described: E. simulans n. sp. (type-locality, Indian Cove, Joshua Tree National Monument, San Bernardino Co., Calif., typehost Peromyscus eremicus); E. obscura n. sp. (typelocality, Long Canyon, Joshua Tree National Monument, San Bernardino Co., Calif., type-host Dipodomys merriami ); E. numerosa n. sp. (type-locality, 20.9 km W Gorman, Ventura Co., Calif., type-host Aphelocoma coerulescens ); E. heteromyicola n. sp. (type-locality, 3.2 km NE Hidden Valley Campground, Joshua Tree National Monument, Riverside Co., Calif., type-host Dipodomys merriami ) and; E. brennani n. sp. (typelocality, 5.6 km E Blue Lake, Humboldt Co., Calif., type-host Peromyscus maniculatus ). Euschoengastia radfordi Brennan and Jones, E. latchmani Brennan and Yunker and E. decipiens Gould are redescribed. Ecological information and a key to the larvae are included for all eight species.
Preliminary Study of Gas Turbine Generator Static Variable Frequency System Trial Test Methods and Its Startup Characteristics

Using Beijing Zhengchangzhuang thermal power project as an example,its trial test methods and procedures are briefly introduced.Problems in trial tests are also analyzed and summarized,providing reference for similar projects.
Opiate receptor binding: effects of enzymatic treatments.

A variety of enzymatic treatments have been examined with regard to their effect on stereospecific [3H]naloxone binding to rat brain homogenates. Opiate receptor binding is sensitive to very low concentrations of trypsin (EC [3.4.4.4][1]) and chymotrypsin (EC [3.4.4.5][1]). Trypsin appears to decrease the number of opiate receptor binding sites, while chymotrypsin primarily lowers their affinity for opiates. Receptor binding is drastically reduced by very low concentrations of phospholipase A (EC [3.1.1.4][1]), is decreased by higher concentrations of phospholipase C (EC [3.1.4.3][1]), and appears relatively insensitive to phospholipase D (EC [3.1.4.4][1]) and neuraminidase (EC [3.2.1.18][1]). Small amounts of RNase (EC [2.7.7.16][1]) and DNase (EC [3.1.4.5][1]) are without effect. Trypsin and chymotrypsin decrease receptor binding in a biphasic fashion, suggesting the presence of more than one population of sites sensitive to proteolysis. By contrast, the phospholipases degrade binding in a monophasic fashion. Thus the opiate receptor appears to be a membrane-bound complex whose stereospecific binding is dependent upon the integrity of both proteins and phospholipids. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors gratefully thank Drs. Pedro Cuatrecasas, Donald Coffey, Indu Parikh, and Steven March for their helpful discussions and suggestions, and Dr. Alan Goldberg for measuring choline levels. [1]: pending:yes
Venture Financing, Adverse Selection, and Risk and Return

A venture capital market is crowded with low-quality ventures, where the chance of success of each venture is overstated by the entrepreneur, leading to a problem of adverse selection, a type of market failure known as the market for “lemons.” An entrepreneur developing a new product knows more than the investor about the product and its shortcomings. She may have an incentive to present the best information to the investor about the product and may overstate the chance of its success to obtain venture financing. It is difficult for an investor to distinguish between good-quality and poor-quality ventures. The venture capital market that is crowded with poor-quality ventures is consistent with the high failure rate observed with new ventures. Typically, five out of ten venture investments fail. Three out of ten are so-called, living dead or sideways, situations in which the investor might recoup the principal or a part of it. Only two out of ten investments may succeed, and out of the two successes, only one may provide a high return to the investor.
Optical Studies on T4 Gene Product 32 Protein DNA Interaction

Bacteriophage T4 gene 32 coded protein (gp32) was isolated by Alberts and coworkers (1,2,3). It binds tightly, cooperatively and preferentially to single-stranded DNA. It facilitates both the denaturation and the renaturation of DNA. Genetic studies have demonstrated that this protein is essential for genetic recombination (4), DNA replication (5), repair of radiation damaged DNA (6), and protection of replicating T4 chromosome from degradative activities (7,8). In vitro, gp32 enhances the rate at which T4 DNA polymerase utilizes single-stranded DNA temperates by 5 to 10-fold (9). Gp32 is also one of the essential components of the reconstructed DNA replicating apparatus (11).
Mining and re-ranking for answering biographical queries on the web

The rapid growth of the Web has made itself a huge and valuable knowledge base. Among them, biographical information is of great interest to society. However, there has not been an efficient and complete approach to automated biography creation by querying the web. This paper describes an automatic web-based question answering system for biographical queries. Ad-hoc improvements on pattern learning approaches are proposed for mining biographical knowledge. Using bootstrapping, our approach learns surface text patterns from the web, and applies the learned patterns to extract relevant information. To reduce human labeling cost, we propose a new IDF-inspired reranking approach and compare it with pattern's precision-based re-ranking approach. A comparative study of the two re-ranking models is conducted. The tested system produces promising results for answering biographical queries.
The polish electronically integrated avionics systems for military aircraft

This paper presents modern, electronically integrated avionics systems, manufactured by the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and intended for Polish military airplanes and helicopters. These systems are designed to support pilot's operations and situational awareness in the scope of data management on board the aircraft and automation of control processes regarding particular aircraft systems during training flights and combat missions. The presented systems are the result of works conducted by the AFIT within the process of modernization of selected airplanes and helicopters currently operated by the Polish Air Force. In the first part, the paper presents the Integrated Avionics System for the W-3PL “Gluszec” helicopter and a proposal of such an integrated system for helicopters of the Mi-8/Mi-24 series. In the second part, the paper presents two integrated avionics system architectures designed for the modernization of PZL-130 “Orlik” and TS-11 “Iskra” aircraft to the glass cockpit version.
Abstinence in the Face of the Mutual Fund Debt Elixir: In Response to Professor John Morley

This piece responds to Professor John Morley’s article, “The Regulation of Mutual Fund Debt.” The article grapples — albeit from an academic point of view — with many of the issues that fund structurers encounter, on a more practical level, as we imagine, structure and develop innovative products for investors. As importantly, Professor Morley’s article represents a significant contribution to the discussion of mutual fund regulation, providing — in the professor’s own words—“the first general examination of mutual fund capital structure regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940.” More basically, Professor Morley succeeds in establishing a firm foundation for additional examination and discovery and highlights the importance of imagining what might be instead of settling for what already is. This short Response attempts to buttress the still nascent discussion surrounding mutual fund capital structure and encourages Professor Morley and the broader academic community to advance the examination of investment vehicles and their limitations in light of the evolving needs of today’s investing public. The seriousness and complexity of the subject matter, and its tangible ramifications for investors, necessitate a more thorough examination. This Response proceeds in three parts. Part I reintroduces the basic framework through which the article’s author analyzes the features unique to the mutual fund capital structure. This Part suggests that the strictures imposed on mutual fund capital structure represent a small part of the patchwork that forms the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“the Act”). The individual sections of the Act are not easily decoupled. Instead, the overall application of the entire Act exceeds the sum of its parts. Part II challenges the regime proposed by the article, arguing briefly that a regulatory accommodation allowing mutual funds to issue debt would not fulfill enough of an investor need to justify the change and, at the same time, might not be as harmless as the author suggests. Finally, Part III concludes the Response by cautioning that any change to the regulation of mutual funds requires further consideration and deliberation.
Collagen induces activation of DDR1 through lateral dimer association and phosphorylation between dimers

The collagen-binding receptor tyrosine kinase DDR1 (discoidin domain receptor 1) is a drug target for a wide range of human diseases, but the molecular mechanism of DDR1 activation is poorly defined. Here we co-expressed different types of signalling-incompetent DDR1 mutants ('receiver') with functional DDR1 ('donor') and demonstrate phosphorylation of receiver DDR1 by donor DDR1 in response to collagen. Making use of enforced covalent DDR1 dimerisation, which does not affect receptor function, we show that receiver dimers are phosphorylated in trans by the donor; this process requires the kinase activity of the donor but not that of the receiver. The receiver ectodomain is not required, but phosphorylation in trans is abolished by mutation of the transmembrane domain. Finally, we show that mutant DDR1 that cannot bind collagen is recruited into DDR1 signalling clusters. Our results support an activation mechanism whereby collagen induces lateral association of DDR1 dimers and phosphorylation between dimers.
Modeling and Classification of Human Plasma Cortisol Time Series

ABSTRACT We use the Karhunen-Loeve and Fourier series analyses to extract features from human time series of plasma cortisol levels, measured every 30 minutes over a 24-hour period. Discriminatory features are selected to classify the time series into normals and three subclasses of Cushing's syndrome. Selection of features is guided by the biological characteristics of the time series; their underlying periodic (period about 24 hrs or circadian) pattern is superimposed by short-lived, probably random, secretory bursts. The normal population can be easily separated from that of Cushing's patients by modeling them in terms of two discriminatory features consisting of the mean and the first Karhunen-Loeve coefficient derived from the original time series with its mean removed. The Karhunen-Loeve coefficients from the “residuals” (i.e. time series with mean and fundamental periodicity subtracted) along with the amplitude of the Fourier fundamental component are selected as discriminatory features to train the classifiers of the subgroups in the patients' class.
Hispanic Youth Visits to Food and Beverage Company Websites

Abstract Purpose: To measure disparities in exposure to food/beverage websites by Hispanic youth. Methods: Observational study using market research panel data compared frequency and time spent visiting food/beverage websites and the Internet overall for Hispanic and non-Hispanic children (6–11 years) and youth (6–17 years). Results: Hispanic children and youth, particularly Spanish-speaking youth, were less likely to visit the Internet overall, but more likely to visit food/beverages websites, compared with their non-Hispanic peers. Conclusions: Food and beverage company websites disproportionately appeal to Hispanic youth. Public health advocates and companies should take action to reduce Hispanic youth exposure to unhealthy food marketing online.
Energy Release Rates and Path Independent Integrals in Dynamic Fracture

The topics of energy-release rate to a crack-tip propagating under mixed-mode non-steady conditions with an arbitrary velocity, and path-independent integrals which may be used to calculate such energy-release rates, are critically examined, and certain new results obtained recently are summarized.
Estimates of the abortion demand of young and older teenagers

This study estimates the demand for abortion by younger (ages 15–17) and older (ages 18–19) teenagers. The empirical results show, for both age groups, abortion demand is price inelastic and a normal good with respect to income. Teenage abortion demand is also found to be positively related to labor force participation and state Medicaid funding and negatively related to religiosity and unemployment. State family planning programs, AFDC benefits, and parental involvement laws are found not to be significant determinants of teenage abortion demand.
Adaptive Multispectral Infrared Camouflage

With advancements in infrared detection technology, there is a need for fast, switchable infrared camouflage. Here, we report an adaptive infrared camouflage system that can be engineered to operat...
Signal Strength Reduction Effects in OCT Angiography.

Purpose To elucidate the relationship between vessel density (VD) measurements and signal strength in OCT angiography (OCTA). Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Healthy volunteers. Methods OCT angiography images obtained from healthy volunteers were analyzed to demonstrate the relationship between signal strength index (SSI) and VD. Experiments were performed to determine the effects of signal strength reduction on VD measurements on the Optovue/AngioVue (Optovue, Inc, Fremont, CA) and Cirrus/AngioPlex OCTA (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc, Dublin, CA) systems. Signal strength reduction was generated by either neutral density filters (NDFs) or defocus. Main Outcome Measures Regression analysis of signal strength effects on VD. Results Vessel density decreased linearly with signal strength with high statistical significance on both OCTA systems tested and for all analyzed sources of variation in signal strength. The slope of VD versus SSI was greatest when signal strength was adjusted by NDFs, followed by defocus, interscan difference, interindividual variation, and left–right eye difference. Multivariate analysis revealed that both SSI and age had a significant effect on the interindividual variation in VD. Conclusions Vessel density measurements using OCTA were affected significantly by OCT signal strengths on 2 OCTA platforms. Investigators should exercise caution when interpreting VD data from OCTA scans. Quantification algorithms for OCTA should ideally remove the signal strength bias.
The Future of Radio Regulation: The Need for a Level Playing Field

Congress and the FCC should free over the air broadcast radio from regulations that are not imposed on its competitors to allow it to compete with satellite radio and other media. Furthermore, the playing field is best leveled by deregulating down, rather than regulating up with new restrictions on satellite radio, local content included. While other unregulated competitors continue to steal away market share and advertising dollars, terrestrial radio broadcasting remains one of America's most heavily regulated media sectors. Volumes of FCC regulations apply to them that do not apply to any of the other new competitors or the numerous other multiple platform technologies which offer audio content. The two arguments supplied by the broadcast industry as reasons for regulatory intervention by Congress and the FCC however, are for the purpose of restricting the ability of satellite radio to offer local content, rather than comprehensive liberalization of the traditional terrestrial radio broadcast sector. Such arguments involve terrestrial radio's position as a carrier of last resort of local information, and regulatory disparity. Legitimate as those concerns may be, this is an opportunity for terrestrial radio to exploit its advantages in the local programming market over satellite radio operators, since it takes a significant investment in human infrastructure (reporters, producers, etc.) to provide a true local media presence. Regarding regulatory disparity, certainly as the lines continue to blur between formerly distinct media sectors and media technologies continue to converge, it will become increasingly difficult for policymakers to enforce the old regulatory regime. It is this marketplace scenario though by which the regulate up strategy will benefit neither terrestrial nor satellite radio providers, whereas the regulate down strategy would suit the level playing field argument of the broadcast industry even further.
Nonparametric estimation of the spatio‐temporal covariance structure

Spatio-temporal modeling is an active research problem with broad applications. In this problem, proper description and estimation of the data covariance structure plays an important role. In the literature, most available methods assume that the data covariance is stationary and follows a specific parametric form. In practice, however, such assumptions are hardly valid or difficult to verify. In this paper, we propose a new and flexible method for estimating the underlying covariance structure. Our proposed method does not require the covariance to be stationary or follow a parametric form. It can accommodate nonparametric space-time-varying mean structure of the observed data. Under some mild regularity conditions, it is shown that our estimated covariance structure converges to the true covariance structure. The proposed method is also justified numerically by a simulation study and an application to a hand, foot, and mouth disease data.
Blockchain in Context

Blockchain has been used primarily in cryptocurrency applications like Bitcoin and Ethereum. These use cases show the staying power of blockchain technology and suggest additional uses such as smart contracting. We suggest these use cases, while producing knowledge, do not forecast the future of blockchain. Learning-by-doing reveals the evolution of blockchain as a sociotechnical system, suggesting that there is more to learn. Predicting how sociotechnical systems will evolve is difficult, but historical and lexical analyses suggest two areas for blockchain growth. One is provenance, authentication through recording of ownership or other control state, applicable to jewels, real property, art works, food stuffs, designer items, and anything else where genuineness is valued. The other is chain-of-custody, proving that duty of care has been faithfully executed regarding living beings (children, people in legal custody, research subjects, research animals, pets), or that inanimate things (evidence, data, representations such as photographs) have not been tampered with.
NKV: A New Keynesian Model with Vulnerability

We present a New Keynesian model with endogenous risk. The conditional output gap volatility depends on the price of risk, giving rise to a vulnerability channel of monetary policy. Lower interest rates not only shift consumption intertemporally but also shift conditional output risk. The model fits estimates of the conditional output gap distribution 1 to 12 quarters ahead and suggests an intertemporal risk return trade-off for policymakers. Via the impact on risk taking, easy monetary policy lowers short-term downside risks to growth but increases medium-term risks. The framework can be used to jointly consider macroprudential and monetary policy.
Trust your gut: a case of persistent gastrointestinal disturbances

Abstract Arsenic is found ubiquitously throughout the environment and exists as inorganic (toxic) or organic (nontoxic) forms. Humans can be exposed to arsenic through various sources, including through the diet. Rice and rice-based foods are known to contain high concentrations of inorganic arsenic. We report a case of a 22-year-old female who was evaluated for severe gastrointestinal complaints, with unremarkable abdominal imaging and largely equivocal laboratory findings. However, urine heavy metal test results revealed elevated total arsenic concentrations. Upon arsenic speciation, it was determined that inorganic arsenic was the predominant species found in the patient’s urine. This elevated inorganic arsenic concentration was likely attributed to the rice-rich diet followed by the patient. Eliminating the source of arsenic exposure along with symptom-based treatment led to the overall improvement of the patient’s health. This case highlights the value of heavy metal screening in investigating differential diagnoses.
Disrupting Beliefs in Racial Progress: Reminders of Persistent Racism Alter Perceptions of Past, But Not Current, Racial Economic Equality:

Although there has been limited progress toward economic equality between Americans over the past half-century, many Americans are largely unaware of the persistence of economic racial disparities. One intervention for this widespread ignorance is to inform White Americans of the impact of racism on the outcomes of Black Americans. In two studies, we attempted to improve the accuracy of Whites' perceptions of racial progress and estimates of contemporary racial economic equality. Reminding White Americans about the persistence of racial disparities produced smaller overestimates of how much progress had been made toward racial economic equality between 1963 and 2016. Rather than modifying overestimates of contemporary racial economic equality, participants who read about disparities assessed the past as more equitable than participants who did not. We discuss implications of these findings for efforts to address Whites' misperceptions of racial economic equality and to challenge narratives of American racial progress.
The Histoplasma capsulatum DDR48 Gene Is Required For Survival Within Macrophages, Response To Oxidative Stress, And Resistance to Antifungal Drugs

Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc) is a systemic, dimorphic fungal pathogen that affects upwards of 500,000 individuals in the United States annually. Hc grows as a multicellular mold at environmental temperatures; whereas, upon inhalation into a human or other mammalian host, it transforms into a unicellular, pathogenic yeast. This manuscript is focused on characterizing the DNA damage-responsive gene HcDDR48. HcDDR48 was originally isolated via a subtractive DNA library enriched for transcripts enriched in the mold-phase of Hc growth. Upon further analysis we found that HcDDR48 is not just expressed in the mold morphotype, but both growth programs dependent upon the environment. We found that HcDDR48 is involved in oxidative stress response, antifungal drug resistance, and survival within resting and activated macrophages. Growth of ddr48Δ yeasts was severely decreased when exposed to the reactive oxygen species generator paraquat, as compared to wildtype controls. We also found that ddr48Δ yeasts were 2-times more sensitive to the antifungal drugs amphotericin b and ketoconazole. To test HcDDR48s involvement in vivo, we infected resting and activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages with Hc yeasts and measured yeast survival 24-hours post-infection. We observed a significant decrease in yeast recovery in the ddr48Δ strain compared to wildtype Hc levels. Herein, we demonstrate the importance of maintaining a functional copy of HcDDR48 in order for Hc yeasts to sense and respond to numerous environmental and host-associated stressors.
Electrical Breakdown Characteristics of Supercritical Trifluoroiodomethane-Carbon Dioxide (CF3I-CO2) Mixtures

Supercritical fluids (SCFs), as a new type of dielectric medium, combine highly desirable properties of gaseous and liquid dielectrics, most notably: low viscosity, high heat transfer capability, and high dielectric strength. This paper, for the first time, reports the results of breakdown experiments on the mixture of trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) under the supercritical conditions. Experiments were conducted in a 0.1 mm gap under a uniform electric field. The state of substance during experiments was obtained by the calculation from the equation of state (EoS), and by evaluating the optical appearance. The experiment result shows a dielectric strength of the supercritical CF 3 I-CO 2 mixture at an average of 278 kV/mm with a 10% CF 3 I mass fraction. Our experiments also suggest that the dielectric behavior of this supercritical CF 3 I-CO 2 mixture manifests a discontinuity of the dielectric strength near the critical point. This paper indicates the suitability of using supercritical CF 3 I-CO 2 mixture for high power density applications.
Forecasting Method based upon GRU-based Deep Learning Model

In this research, the world model has a modified RNN model carried out by a bi-directional gated recurrent unit (BGRU) as opposed to a traditional long short-term memory (LSTM) model. BGRU tends to use less memory while executing and training faster than an LSTM, as it uses fewer training parameters. However, the LSTM model provides greater accuracy with datasets using longer sequences. Based upon practical implementation, the BGRU model produced better performance results. In BGRU, the memory is combined with the network. There is no update gate and forget in the GRU. The forget and update gate are treated as one unit thus it is the primary reason of parameter reduction.
Industry-Funded Research and Bias in Food Science

Is industry-funded scientific research likely to be biased towards finding positive results? Is industry more likely to work on topics with likely positive outcomes? Using publication-level data and focusing on food groups that are typically considered healthy, I evaluate each article’s abstract using crowdsourcing tools. I find little evidence to support selection on topics with positive outcomes, but industry is less likely to work on topics classified as unrelated to health. Conditional on a topic, I find that industry-funded research is 3.2% more positive compared to non-industry funded research with grains that receive heavier funding responsible for most of the effect. Industry-funded research is also more likely to receive a mention in certain industry newsletters. Coupled with firm incentives to use science to further their marketing efforts, such increased trade press coverage might play a role in shaping consumers’ opinions on what is healthy.
A nature-based solution to a landfill-leachate contamination of a confined aquifer.

Remediation of groundwater from landfill contamination presents a serious challenge due to the complex mixture of contaminants discharged from landfills. Here, we show the significance of a nature-based solution to a landfill-contaminated aquifer in southeast Norway. Groundwater physicochemical parameters monitored for twenty-eight years were used as a proxy to infer natural remediation. Results show that concentrations of the major chemical variables decreased with time and distance until they tailed off. An exception to this was sulphate, which showed an increase, but apparently, exhibits a stationary phase. The water types were found to be most similar between samples from active landfill and post-closure stages, while samples from the stabilised stage showed a different water type. All the chemical parameters of samples from the stabilised stage were found to be within the Norwegian drinking water standards, except iron and manganese, which were only marginally above the limits, an indication of a possible recovery of this aquifer. The findings highlight the significance of natural attenuation processes in remediating contaminated aquifers and have significant consequences for future contamination management, where natural remediation can be viewed as an alternative worth exploring. This is promising in the wake of calls for sustainable remediation management strategies.
Evolving Requirements for Magnetic Tape Data Storage Systems

Magnetic tape data storage systems have evolved in an environment where the major applications have been back-up/restore, disaster recovery, and long term archive. Coincident with the rapidly improving price-performance of disk storage systems, the prime requirements for tape storage systems have remained: (1) low cost per MB, (2) a data rate balanced to the remaining system components. Little emphasis was given to configuring the technology components to optimize retrieval of the stored data. Emerging new applications such as network attached high speed memory (HSM), and digital libraries, place additional emphasis and requirements on the retrieval of the stored data. It is therefore desirable to consider the system to be defined both by STorage And Retrieval System (STARS) requirements. It is possible to provide comparative performance analysis of different STARS by incorporating parameters related to (1) device characteristics, and (2) application characteristics in combination with queuing theory analysis. Results of these analyses are presented here in the form of response time as a function of system configuration for two different types of devices and for a variety of applications.
Response to “ Vulnerability, Dependence, and Special Obligations to Domesticated Animals ” by Elijah Weber

This paper responds to Elijah Weber’s “Vulnerability, Dependence, and Special Obligations to Domesticated Animals: A Reply to Palmer”. Weber’s paper develops significant objections to the account of special obligations I developed in my book Animal Ethics in Context (Columbia University Press, New York, 2010), in particular concerning our obligations to companion animals. In this book, I made wide-ranging claims about how we may acquire special obligations to animals, including being a beneficiary of an institution that creates vulnerable and dependent animals, and sharing in attitudes that contribute to causing harms or to creating vulnerable animals. Weber finds these claims implausible, and offers an alternative, much narrower, voluntarist account, on which we only have special positive obligations if, in some way, we have agreed to them. In this paper, I defend, against Weber, a non-voluntarist account of at least some special obligations towards animals, and I respond to some of his more specific objections to my account.
Stucturing Pattern Generalization Through Evolutionary Techniques

The capabilities built into a processing network control the manner in which it generalizes from a training set and therefore how it groups environmental patterns. These capabilities are developed through learning, ultimately evolutionary learning, and therefore have an objective basis in so far as the grouping tendencies afford a selective advantage. But for this development to occur it is necessary that the processing network in fact be able to evolve grouping tendencies that reflect selective pressures. The extent to which this is possible depends on how wide a variety of grouping dynamics the processing network can support (its dynamic richness) and on whether its structure-function gradualism (evolutionary friendliness) is sufficient to provide access to these grouping responses through a variation-selection process. We describe a “softened” cellular automaton model that illustrates how different grouping responses can be evolved in cases simple enough to examine the entire test set.
Uncoupling of anergy from developmental arrest in anti-insulin B cells supports the development of autoimmune diabetes.

Loss of tolerance is considered to be an early event that is essential for the development of autoimmune disease. In contrast to this expectation, autoimmune (type 1) diabetes develops in NOD mice that harbor an anti-insulin Ig transgene (125Tg), even though anti-insulin B cells are tolerant. Tolerance is maintained in a similar manner in both normal C57BL/6 and autoimmune NOD mice, as evidenced by B cell anergy to stimulation through their Ag receptor (anti-IgM), TLR4 (LPS), and CD40 (anti-CD40). Unlike B cells in other models of tolerance, anergic 125Tg B cells are not arrested in development, and they enter mature subsets of follicular and marginal zone B cells. In addition, 125Tg B cells remain competent to increase CD86 expression in response to both T cell-dependent (anti-CD40) and T cell-independent (anti-IgM or LPS) signals. Thus, for anti-insulin B cells, tolerance is characterized by defective B cell proliferation uncoupled from signals that promote maturation and costimulator function. In diabetes-prone NOD mice, anti-insulin B cells in this novel state of tolerance provide the essential B cell contribution required for autoimmune β cell destruction. These findings suggest that the degree of functional impairment, rather than an overt breach of tolerance, is a critical feature that governs B cell contribution to T cell-mediated autoimmune disease.
Ride Sharing: Psychological Factors

The conventional automobile transportation system is plagued with increasing congestion, pollution, energy consumption, and costs. These problems diminish the automobile's prime advantage of providing personalized, flexible transportation. Ride sharing EM DASH carpooling, vanpooling EM DASH can deal directly and effectively with these problems at a minimum cost. However, ride sharing has not become widely accepted. A carpooling attitudinal survey indicates that the two most important deterrents to potential carpoolers are the extra time requirements and the loss of independence. Ongoing research involves the analysis of the commuter decision-making process with regard to their mode choice. Models of experimental psychology are being used to study factors underlying individual preferences. These studies relate carpooling as a mode choice preference to interpersonal factors (i. e. , composition of the carpool in terms of sex; prior acquaintanceship of potential riders) as important determinants of carpooling desirability.
Light emission from porous silicon

Crystalline bulk silicon is the main material for electronic devices. Due to its indirect bandgap it shows only very inefficent photo- and electroluminescence and can not be used for active optoelectronic devices although this would be highly desirable for an all-silicon integrated optoelectonics. Only recently it has been discovered that the optical properties of porous silicon, which has been known for more than 35 years, are drastically different from those of crystalline bulk silicon. Porous silicon shows an increased bandgap and efficient room-temperature photoluminescence in the visible. Both effects were originally interpreted in terms of quantum confinement effects due to the small dimensions of the silicon skeleton (“quantum sponge”) the porous silicon consists of. Later on, many alternative interpretations have been suggested. The present paper will give an overview of the present status of porous silicon research.
Literal Algebra for Satellite Dynamics

Analytical developments of a satellite perturbation theory can be accomplished quickly, accurately, and with generality by use of computer algebra. The basic principles of computer algebra, the required and desirable features of computer-algebra programs, and the applications of computer algebra to specific problems in perturbation analysis will be presented here. The emphasis of non numeric mathematics in computer science, its implications for satellite theory, and the relation of the tool (computer algebra) to the problem (perturbation analysis) will be discussed. The use of computer algebra changes one’s approach to perturbation theory, eliminating one class of problems (e.g., algebraic blunders) while introducing another (e.g., programing mistakes). Larger problems can be solved quickly; however, careful verification is still necessary. The development of computer science is oriented toward question solvability; uniqueness and large problems (efficiency) are not of interest. Conversely, perturbation theory benefits from the automated treatment of long series.
A frequency and time domain study of the horizontal and vertical vestibuloocular reflex in the pigeon.

1. The horizontal and vertical vestibuloocular reflex (HVOR and VVOR, respectively) was studied in four chronically instrumented pigeons. Eye movements were measured using the magnetic search-coil technique and were produced by rotation in the dark. During the rotation paradigms, the pigeons were either pharmacologically aroused (using amphetamine) or drug free (normal). The pigeon HVOR and VVOR were tested using step and sinusoidal rotational stimulation. The range of frequencies (0.03-6.0 Hz) and the magnitude of the sinusoidal stimuli were chosen to match those used in a previous study of the responses of semicircular canal primary afferents (SCPAs) in unanesthetized (i.e., normal) pigeons. 2. The gain of the HVOR and VVOR in both normal and aroused pigeons was independent of stimulus magnitude (6-30 degrees/s) over the frequency range tested. In aroused pigeons, the frequency independent gain (G) of the HVOR (G = 0.6) and VVOR (G = 0.9) was roughly twice that for normal pigeons. Pigeon VOR phase under all combinations of orientation and arousal level was independent of stimulus magnitude except at the lowest frequency tested (0.03 Hz). At this frequency, phase lead decreased as stimulus magnitude increased for the HVOR and VVOR in both normal and aroused pigeons. 3. The step and sinusoidal gains were greater for the VVOR than for the HVOR under the same level of arousal. Neither the gain nor the dominant time constant of the VOR (tau vor) differed for rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) for the HVOR or VVOR in normal or aroused pigeons. 4. The mean value of tau vor was 4.0 +/- 0.5 (SE) s as estimated from frequency response data and 4.3 +/- 0.4 s as estimated from step response data for the HVOR and VVOR in both normal and aroused pigeons. In comparison, the mean value of the dominant or cupular time constant (tau c) of normal pigeon SCPAs was approximately 10 s as estimated from frequency response data. These results indicate that tau vor is shorter than tau c in the pigeon. 5. At higher frequencies, the pigeon HVOR and VVOR exhibit an increasing phase lag unaccompanied by a gain change--characteristics produced by a pure time delay. The value of this time delay was about 7 ms for both the HVOR and VVOR in both normal and aroused pigeons. The HVOR and VVOR in normal and aroused pigeons lacked the higher frequency lead characteristics present in the frequency responses of most pigeon SCPAs.
Accurate, reproducible, and quantitative measurement of protein analyte concentration(s) in tissue slides

ED01-02 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) has been used as a tool for over a quarter of a century to assess protein concentration within the context of the spatial information that is the keystone of anatomic pathology. During that time period the chromogenic method itself has changed very little and as a result the output is still largely subjective and fraught with error as a function of uncontrolled variables. This has led to recent attempts at standardization (the 2007 ASCO/CAP guidelines for HER2 assessment) which are likely to be just the beginning of the changes that will be necessitated by the push toward evidence-based medicine and personalized medicine requiring companion diagnostics. Unfortunately, those guidelines resort to “proficiency testing” as a standard, rather than a National Institute of Standards (NIST) approved, absolute physical standard that could be based on molecular parameters and reproduced at all users’ sites. Toward the goal of generating such a standard that could be used as a future method for absolute standardization of IHC, we have invented the fluorescence-based AQUA method. This technology uses molecular co-localization to derive exact protein concentrations within subcellular compartments. It allows assessment of accuracy and reproducibility in a manner similar to an ELISA or RIA assay and has been shown to have CVs less than 5%. However, its use has revealed significant, inherent variability associated with the process of measuring protein concentrations using antibody-based methods on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue. Key examples include pre-analytic variables (like time to fixation), section oxidation, lot-to-lot antibody inconsistency and other variables. These variables can be detected and standardized with a series of extrinsic and intrinsic controls. Extrinsic controls are used to show the exact concentration of both HER2 and ER using standards that can be reproduced and tested, independent of site or personnel. Intrinsic controls are more challenging, and definitive methods are still in development. Ultimately, we believe that the measurement of a protein analyte in tissue on a slide will be as accurate, objective and reproducible as measurement of a serum sodium or a blood glucose.
Increased Sensitivity of a New Coagglutination Test for Rapid Identification of Haemophilus influenzae Type b

A newly developed rapid coagglutination test for identifying Haemophilus influenzae type b organisms isolated from clinical specimens correlated 100% with the slide agglutination test but was 100- to 200-fold more sensitive. Images
Novel Approaches for Retinal Drug and Gene Delivery

The ARVO 2014 minisymposium on “Novel Approaches for Retinal Drug and Gene Delivery” was held on May 6, 2014 in Orlando, FL. The main intent of the symposium was to review recent advances in retinal drug and gene delivery with specific emphasis on novel approaches that address current limitations and have the potential to translate into clinical practice. The symposium was sponsored by Translational Vision Science and Technology.
Glutathione-S-transferases are major cytosolic thyroid hormone binding proteins.

Abstract Thyroid hormone binding proteins of rat liver cytosol were characterized. Glutathione- S -transferases were identified among major cytosolic proteins adsorbed by thyroxine affinity matrices. The Y a and Y b subunits of the glutathione- S -transferases were also principal proteins of cytosol covalently labeled with 3,3′,5-triiodo- l -thyronine (T 3 ) or 3,3′,5,5′-tetraiodo- l -thyronine (T 4 ) by photoaffinity methods. T 3 and T 4 , but not l -thyronine or iodinated tyrosines, were bound with high affinity to purified glutathione- S -transferases and were potent inhibitors of their enzymatic activities. These results suggest that glutathione- S -transferases have the potential to function in the intracellular binding and transport of thyroid hormones. The proteins provide a means for regulating the action and metabolism of thyroid hormones by acting as high capacity binding components.
Nodulation of Soybean by a Transposon-Mutant of Rhizobium fredii USDA257 Is Subject to Competitive Nodulation Blocking by Other Rhizobia

Rhizobium fredii USDA257 fails to nodulate the improved soybean [Glycine max (L.)Merr.] cultivar McCall in plastic growth pouches. Mutant 257DH4, which was derived from USDA257 by transposon mutagenesis, forms nitrogen fixing nodules under these conditions. If USDA257 is present in inocula containing the mutant, most infections are arrested prior to organization of the nodule meristem, and nodule number is reduced by 95%. The improved cultivars Essex, Harosoy, Hodgson 78, and Vicoja, as well as a supernodulating mutant of Williams, respond like McCall to inoculation with such mixtures of bacteria. Nodulation blocking on McCall can be elicited by rhizobia other than USDA257, provided that they meet two criteria: Blocking strains must themselves be able to induce cortical cells of McCall to divide, and such divisions must proceed to the stage of nodule meristem formation. Nodulation by the mutant remains sensitive to a challenge inoculation with USDA257 for only the first 6 to 12 hours after inoculation. Nodulation blocking involving mutant 257DH4 thus appears to be a rapid, generalized process.
Newborn and Preschool Predictors of Second-Grade Reading Scores An Evaluation of Categorical and Continuous Scores

This study examined how the development of foundation skills in speech perception, language, short-term memory, and family demographics and activities in the home environment influence the development of reading skills. Data from 96 children participating in a longitudinal research project were used. It was hypothesized that measures of specific foundation skills in the preschool period and measures of family demographics and home environment could be used to identify children's reading abilities. As expected, most of the foundation skills were found to be related to and predictive of reading scores. Event-related potential (ERP) measures of speech perception, which have previously been found to be predictive of reading abilities, and measures of family and home activities and language measures were related to reading scores. Verbal short-term memory scores contributed little to the prediction of reading scores. These variables influenced the results whether they were used to discriminate reading groups or to predict a continuum of reading scores, but there were large differences in the amount of variance accounted for. More variance was accounted for in the group analyses than in the continuum analyses.
The Effect of Fragmentation and Second-Order Devolution on Efficacy of Local Public Welfare Policy

Following implementation of welfare reform in 1997, twenty states devolved public welfare functions to local governments. Yet, little consensus exists about how effective local public welfare expenditures are at reducing local poverty: local governments can offer policies more responsive to local needs, but may also face a welfare migration effect. I argue that the effectiveness of local public welfare policy at poverty reduction is a function of interjurisdictional and intergovernmental arrangements. Analyzing data from the 1997 to 2007 Census of Governments, I find that the magnitude of the marginal effect of local public welfare expenditures on poverty is smaller in jurisdictionally fragmented regions than in consolidated regions. In addition, the magnitude of the marginal effect of local public welfare spending is greater following implementation of welfare reform in states that devolved authority to the local level than in states that did not.
Symplectic Structures on Gauge Theory

We study certain natural differential forms \(\) and their \(\) equivariant extensions on the space of connections. These forms are defined using the family local index theorem. When the base manifold is symplectic, they define a family of symplectic forms on the space of connections. We will explain their relationships with the Einstein metric and the stability of vector bundles. These forms also determine primary and secondary characteristic forms (and their higher level generalizations).