cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Religion Under Bureaucracy: The u.s. Case

This article outlines a shift in u.s. law about religion from constitutionally enforced separation to bureaucratic management of a naturalized religion. Administration of the chaplaincy of the Veterans Administration is used to illustrate this shift. Chaplains hired for government jobs such as those at the va are generally required to have three credentials: the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from an accredited institution, a prescribed number of cpe (Clinical Pastoral Education) credits, and an ecclesiastical endorsement. Each of these credentials originated within mostly Protestant institutions but all have adapted over the last half century or so to function in a bureaucratic “multi-faith context.” The new “spiritual governance” exercised through the web of public-private partnerships that administer pastoral care is built on a human anthropology that assumes that humans are naturally spiritual, a governance that might be understood as a new form of religious “establishment.”
Resolution of La and Lb bands in methyl indoles by two-photon spectroscopy

Polarized two-photon fluorescence excitation spectra were obtained for indole, 5-methylindole, 3-methylindole and 2,3-dimeth-ylindole in cyclohexane and butanol solutions. The polarization ratios clearly indicate the onset of La absorption and directly verify established models regarding the relative response of La and Lb state energies to substitution and solvent perturbations (prior to excited-state relaxations). The two-photon properties are successfully modeled by INDO/S CI computation.
GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING HORMONE (GNRH) NEURONS OF THE DEVELOPING TECTUM OF THE MOUSE

Using a modified immunocytochemistry protocol with enhanced sensitivity, we were able to visualize a population of neurons in the tectum of the developing mouse that contained GnRH-like immunoreactivity. In microscopic studies conducted using 100 microns sections cut in sagittal or horizontal planes, 10-20 lightly-stained neurons were first detected in the tectum at E13.75 (morning of plug = E0.5). The number of immunostained cells increased exponentially reaching a peak at E15.75 before decreasing in number. No positive neurons were seen in the tectum at PN20 or later. The GnRH cells were located medially along the dorso-ventral axis of the tectum in a region of the brain distinct from that containing GnRH neurons that migrate into the CNS from the olfactory placode. To determine the nature of the immunoreactivity, two approaches were used. Analysis of tissue from an hpg mutant strongly supports the hypothesis that these cells make mammalian GnRH. Immunocytochemical data suggest that although the precursor protein is synthesized, the cleaved and amidated decapeptide may be absent or be present at an undetectable level. Our results demonstrate that in addition to the GnRH neurons from the placade, a population of GnRH neurons exists in the mouse tectum. This population is developmentally regulated, appearing only during embryonic and early postnatal ages but not in the adult.
Counting curves on elliptic ruled surface

In this paper, we present some calculation of the Gromov–Witten invariants of S2 × T 2. Since the symplectic Gromov–Witten invariants in fact only depend on the deformation class of symplectic forms and we have shown in [10] that there is a unique deformation class on S2 ×T 2, we merely need to compute the Gromov–Witten invariants for some specific symplectic structure. We will actually pick some Kahler structures in the computation. Let (M,ω) be a symplectic S2 × T 2 and [S2] and [T 2] be the homology classes represented by S2 × pt and pt × T 2, respectively, and pair positively with the symplectic form ω. Denote the homology class l[S2]+d[T 2] by Al,d and we simply write A1,d as Ad . Our first result is about the embedded genus one curves of the sequence of classes Al,1. More precisely, let us define N1(Al,1) as the number of embedded genus 1 curves in the class A1,d and passing through 2l points.
Effects of vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol) and cycloheximide on IL-2, 4, 5 and 6 secretion and mRNA levels in murine CD4+ cells.

The effects of continuous in vitro exposure to the trichothecene, vomitoxin (VT) or another protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), on interleukin (IL) secretion and mRNA levels were evaluated in murine splenic CD4+ cells. Significant increases were seen in supernatant IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 obtained from 7 day Concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated CD4+ cultures containing VT concentrations of 250, 100 and 100 ng/ml, respectively, compared with controls run in the absence of VT. The effect of VT on CD4+ cell proliferation was also assessed after culturing for 3, 5 and 7 days with Con A. Although total cell numbers were not affected at day 3, cultures at day 5 with 50 or more ng VT/ml and at day 7 with 100 or more ng VT/ml had significantly lower cell numbers than controls. In addition, viable cell number was unaffected at day 3, but was significantly decreased at day 5 by VT concentrations of 12.5 ng or more ml and at day 7 by 100 or more ng VT/ml. Elevations in IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 were also observed in 7-day Con A-stimulated CD4+ cell cultures containing CHX at 50–100, 50 and 10 ng/ml, respectively. When CD4+ cells were stimulated with Con A in the absence of inhibitors and then subjected to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction coupled with Southern analysis, maximal IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 mRNA levels were induced at 48 hr whereas peak IL-5 mRNA was observed at 72 hr. Superinduction of IL-2 mRNAs was observed in the presence of VT at 50–100 ng/ml and CHX at 50–250 ng/ml. IL-4 and IL-5 mRNAs were superinduced by VT at 100 ng/ml and CHX at 50 ng/ml. The results suggest that VT and CHX could superinduce both interleukin secretion and mRNA transcript levels in CD4+ cell cultures and that, for VT, these effects occurred concurrently with inhibition of cell proliferation.
Development of a Laboratory Environment to Test Modelsof Supernova Remnant Formation

Increasingly sophisticated computational models are being used to interpret the increasingly detailed data gathered by modern observatories. This Letter reports the development of a means to verify and validate such models, with particular attention to the context of supernova remnants (SNRs). By using the Nova laser (or other high-energy density facilities), one can produce supersonic plasma ejecta in the laboratory and study their interaction with an ambient, lower density medium. The laboratory system is scaled from the local conditions within young SNRs by keeping constant the quantity velocity × time/spatial dimension. The radiation-hydrodynamic simulations used to establish and optimize the design are reported. A specific experimental implementation is described in which ejecta at ~100 km s-1 are generated, driving a Mach ~50 forward shock through a uniform medium. The evolution of the forward and reverse shocks is observed.
A guided tour through a maze: Computer aided sector design

Abstract This paper describes an interactive system that assists a police planner in developing an equitable sector configuration. The system aids in balancing any one of four performance measures: (1) workload, (2) sector travel time, (3) atom travel time, (4) preventive patrol coverage. In addition the user can tradeoff between these performance measures as well as consider precinct-wide average travel time. The system operates in two modes: (1) automatic: the user chooses one of the four goals and the system iteratively modifies an existing configuration until that goal is reached; and, (2) user-directed: the user chooses a goal and the system iteratively suggests several alternative ways of approaching that goal with the user iteratively selecting one of the alternatives.
Pan-Africanism Versus Pan-African Nationalism: An Afrocentric Analysis

It is the contention of this writer that the historical struggle of African peoples has heretofore been analyzed within a Eurocentric, dysfunctional, ahistorical, and divisive context, thus culminating in the use of the concept of Pan-Africanism. This article suggests that in analyzing the struggle of African peoples from its proper historical, unifying, and holistic perspective, we must speak in terms of Pan-African Nationalism and not Pan-Africanism. This is the Afrocentric approach.
Treatment-recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps is associated with altered epithelial cell expression of interleukin-33.

BackgroundAbnormalities in host mucosal immunity exist in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs), but it is unclear whether this is a cause or an effect of the eosinophilic inflammation...
Viscous Remanent Magnetization in Oceanic Basalts

THE magnetic properties of the basalts which form layer 2 of the oceanic lithosphere are important because of their relevance to the hypothesis1 of seafloor spreading. Most studies of these magnetic properties have been carried out on basalts obtained from dredge hauls taken predominantly from ocean ridge systems and fracture zones. These constitute special areas of the oceanic crust where the sediment cover is negligible. It is of interest to compare the magnetic properties of the dredged basalts with samples recovered from holes drilled through the overlying sediments into the basaltic layer at places distant from ridge axes. Samples obtained from the abandoned Mohole project and, more recently, from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) possessed magnetic properties similar to those of dredged basalts2,3. Here I describe highly unstable magnetic characteristics found in basalts from DSDP hole 57.
Inhibitive Effect of Seawater on the Corrosion of Particulate-Reinforced Aluminum-Matrix Composites and Monolithic Aluminum Alloy

The corrosion rates of particulate 6092-T6 Al metal-matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 20 vol % B 4 C, SiC, and Al 2 O 3 as well as monolithic 6061-T6 Al immersed in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and real seawaters were lower than those immersed in 3.15 wt % NaCl or 0.5 M Na 2 SO 4 solutions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that precipitates consisting of agglomerated whiskers formed on the surfaces of the MMCs and the monolithic 6061-T6 Al after prolonged immersion in seawater environments. The precipitates were tentatively identified to be Al-Mg hydrotalcite-like compounds based on energy-dispersive X-ray analyses and X-ray diffraction experiments. The MMCs immersed in ASTM seawater exhibited localized corrosion, however, the scanning ion-selective electrode technique revealed smaller pH fluctuations near the localized corrosion regions compared to the MMCs immersed in NaCl and Na 2 SO 4 solutions. It was postulated that the corrosion of the Al-based materials is inhibited both by the precipitates and by the buffering effect of seawater.
Morphine reduces social cohesion in rats

The effect of low (1 mg/kg) doses of morphine on maintenance of physical proximity were evaluated in paired rats observed in a 4 square foot test arena. Morphine reliably reduced proximity maintenance time, and this was apparently not due to sedation, since the effect was unmodified by doses of amphetamine which substantially increased motor activity. The effects of naloxone were inconsistent on this measure of social motivation. In general, the results are consistent with the theoretical proposition that a brain neurochemical change which might lead to social attraction is the activation of endogenous opioid systems. When opiate activity is exogenously sustained, animals exhibit a subnormal tendency to be gregarious.
Adverse effects of hydrosalpinx on pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer.

Abstract Objective: To determine the effect of hydrosalpinx on the establishment of pregnancy after IVF-ET. Design: Metaanalysis. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s) and Intervention(s): All published reports ( n = 13) and abstracts ( n = 10) in English that examined the relation between hydrosalpinx and IVF-ET were included in the analysis. The metaanalysis was performed by first calculating the odds ratios for each trial and then combining them to obtain a pooled estimate of the odds ratio and a 95% confidence interval. Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical pregnancy. Result(s): A total of 5,569 cycles was reviewed in the group without hydrosalpinx, and a total of 1,144 was reviewed in the group with hydrosalpinx. The clinical pregnancy rate was approximately 50% lower in patients who had hydrosalpinx. Similarly, the implantation rate was decreased by 50%. These effects were observed also in thawed ET cycles. The abortion rate was more than twofold higher in patients who had hydrosalpinx. Conclusion(s): This metaanalysis suggests that hydrosalpinx is associated with a reduced chance of implantation and an increased risk of pregnancy loss.
Grazing Incidence X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy:

Grazing Incidence X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (GIXPS) is a method that offers promise as a nondestructive technique to measure the thickness and chemistry of ultrathin gate dielectric films. It combines aspects of x-ray reflectivity and conventional x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Collimated x-rays are incident on the sample at a grazing angle. A series of photoemission spectra are obtained over a range of incidence angles in the vicinity of the critical angle for total external reflection. The advantage of this method is the incorporation of the optical constants of the layers, as well as the photoemission cross sections of the elements and the inelastic attenuation lengths of the escaping photoelectrons, to fit the nonlinear variation of the photoemission spectra as a function of angle. The x-ray field variation with angle within individual layers provides additional constraints beyond standard angle-resolved XPS for interpreting the densities and thicknesses of multiple layers. The application of this method to the analysis of oxide on Si is described.
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of a case of oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma

We report on the results of fine-needle aspiration cytology of a case of oncocytic adrenocortical carcinoma in a 39-yr-old man. The tumor invaded the inferior vena cava and extended up to the right atrium. Aspirate smears were very cellular and showed a monomorphic population of large polyhedral cells with abundant granular cytoplasm, predominantly distributed singly. Mitotic activity was inconspicuous, and there was no necrosis. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for vimentin, cytokeratin, and p53, and negative for synaptophysin, chromogranin, inhibin, and S-100. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of the tumor cells was packed with mitochondria. The patient underwent left radical nephrectomy as well as a combined cardiopulmonary bypass, with atriotomy and resection of the tumor from the right atrium and inferior vena cava. Three months of postoperative follow-up were uneventful.
The Role of Betamethasone in the Treatment of Acute Exudative Pharyngitis

Objective To compare betamethasone with placebo as an adjuvant to antibiotic therapy in the treatment of acute exudative pharyngitis. Methods The study was a randomized, doubled-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center, parallel, outpatient clinical trial. After consent was obtained, each patient was asked to rate his or her pain on a 10-cm numbered visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10). All of the patients received injectable benzathine penicillin. If allergic to penicillin, they were started on a 10-day course of polyenteric-coated erythromycin (PCE). Each patient was randomized to receive either i.m. betamethasone or i.m. placebo. All patients were contacted by telephone at 24 and 48 hours by one of the study investigators and asked to rate their pain based on another VAS. If their pain was not resolved by 48 hours, they were called again daily between the third and seventh days after the initial visit to determine the time of pain resolution. Results A total of 92 patients were enrolled in the study, with 46 randomized to receive placebo and 46 to receive betamethasone. Eight patients were excluded from the statistical analysis because of inability to obtain follow-up. Demographic comparison showed that gender distributions, ages, mean initial pain scores, mean times to the first and second follow-up calls, and treatment regimens were similar in the 2 groups. There were significantly better pain scores for the betamethasone group at first follow-up (p = 0.0005), at second follow-up (p = 0.004), and in number of hours until relief of pain (p = 0.004). When only those patients with a positive culture for a streptococcus species were analyzed, there also were significant reductions in pain score at the first (p = 0.006) and second (p = 0.02) follow-up visits. Conclusion Pain relief was greater and more rapid in patients treated with betamethasone as an adjuvant therapy in acute exudative pharyngitis.
Could We Have Forecast “The Day the Solar Wind Died”?

In 1999 May an interval of unusually slow (<300 km s−1) and rarefied (<1 cm−3) solar wind was observed upstream of Earth by the ACE spacecraft. The event has been dubbed "The Day the Solar Wind Died." We apply our solar wind forecast model to the interval in question, to ask whether we could have predicted the phenomenon. The model fails, but by the manner in which it fails, we support the conclusion that the rarefaction was caused by a suppression of coronal outflow from a region that earlier provided fast wind flow, possibly caused by a rapid restructuring of solar magnetic fields.
A note on efficient density estimators of convolutions

Abstract It is already known that the convolution of a bounded density with itself can be estimated at the root- n rate using the two asymptotically equivalent kernel estimators: (i) Frees estimator ( Frees, 1994 ) and (ii) Saavedra and Cao estimator ( Saavedra and Cao, 2000 ). In this work, we investigate the efficiency of these estimators of the convolution of a bounded density. The efficiency criterion used in this work is that of a least dispersed regular estimator described in Begun et al. (1983) . This concept is based on the Hajek–Le Cam convolution theorem for locally asymptotically normal (LAN) families.
Gravitational attraction of solids of revolution. Part 1: Vertical circular cylinder with radial variation of density

Integral expressions are derived for the vertical component of gravitational attraction arising from vertical circular cylinders and horizontal circular disks with radial variation of density. The expressions contain a single elliptic integral of either the first or second kind and are evaluated easily by numerical integration. Various closed-form solutions are obtained for special cases. For constant density, the expressions reduce to well-known solutions as well as approximations that are based on the solid angle and line element, thus providing a unified theme for the derivations of those solutions and approximations. Numerical implementation is discussed in terms of practical application.
Immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization approaches to the optimization of brain slice preparations.

Abstract Methods are described for determining the expression of specific mRNAs and proteins in brain slices, in order to elucidate changes in gene expression during preparation of vibratome slices from hippocampus of adult rats. In situ hybridization with 35S-labeled oligonucleotides was used to evaluate the level and distribution of c-fos and hsp72 mRNAs in 15-μm frozen sections prepared from these slices. Commercially available antibodies were used to examine the distribution of induced Fos and Jun proto-oncogenes as well as expression of the neuronal cytoskeletal protein, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), in 50-μm vibratome sections from immersion-fixed slices. These studies confirm the induction of c-fos and hsp72 mRNAs during routine incubation, as previously observed in hippocampal slices obtained with a tissue chopper and incubated under somewhat different conditions, indicating that such responses are likely to be common features of many slice preparations. Accumulation of Fos and Jun immunoreactivities in neurons and glia was generally consistent with the distribution of c-fos mRNA induction observed in slices, and the neuronal component of this response was comparable to the expression of these proteins observed after transient ischemia in vivo. MAP2 immunoreactivity detected in the dendritic processes of neurons tended to show an increase in staining intensity during slice incubation, although loss of dendritic staining in specific regions was occasionally observed in association with the absence of Fos and Jun expression and histological evidence of neuron damage. These results support the use of MAP2 immunoreactivity as a sensitive indicator of neuronal integrity in slices. Conversely, expression of Fos, Jun and other induced proteins demonstrates the activation of signal transduction pathways that may influence diverse aspects of cell function, and that must be considered in relating in vitro results to those obtained in the intact brain.
Reply to Comment on “Gradient Theory for Structural Forces in Thin Fluid Films”

Abstract The results presented in our earlier paper (Ref. 1) are absolutely and completely correct. We disagree with the comments made as they are based on lack of understanding the calculus of derivatives.
Some factors affecting analysis in the atom probe

Abstract Preferential evaporation and retention of elements during pulsed field evaporation of a specimen is known to affect the results of a chemical analysis in the atom probe field ion microscope. Field evaporation produced by increasing the standing voltage on the specimen alters the surface chemistry because the more easily field evaporated elements will be removed preferentially. This change in surface chemistry will result in incorrect compositions being measured for small precipitates, boundaries or surfaces. The use of pulsed field evaporation should be adopted in these cases to avoid this problem. The shape of the specimen was found to change between DC and pulsed field evaporated conditions.
Cardiac xenotransplantation: recent preclinical progress with 3-month median survival.

Objectives Transplantation is limited by a lack of human organ donors. Organs derived from animals, most likely the pig, represent a potential solution to this problem. For the heart, 90-day median graft survival of life-supporting pig hearts transplanted to nonhuman primates has been considered a reasonable standard for entry into the clinical arena. Overcoming the immune barrier to successful cardiac xenotransplantation is most appropriately first explored with the non–life-supporting heterotopic model. Methods We performed a series of 7 heterotopic heart transplantations from CD46 transgenic pigs to baboons using a combination of therapeutic agents largely targeted at controlling the synthesis of anti-pig antibodies. Rituximab (anti-CD20) and Thymoglobulin (rabbit antithymocyte globulin [ATG]; SangStat Medical Corp, Fremont, Calif) were used as induction therapy. Baseline immunosuppression consisted of splenectomy, tacrolimus, sirolimus, steroids, and TPC (an anti-Gal antibody therapeutic). Rejection events were not treated. Results By using Kaplan-Meier analysis, median graft survival was 96 days (range, 15–137 days; 95% confidence interval, 38–99 days). Only 2 grafts were lost as a result of rejection, as defined by cessation of graft palpation. There was no evidence of a consumptive coagulopathy, infectious complications were treatable, and no posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders occurred. No cellular infiltration was observed. Conclusions This study reports the longest median survival to date (96 days) of pig hearts transplanted heterotopically into baboons. Duplication of these results in the orthotopic life-supporting position could bring cardiac xenotransplantation to the threshold of clinical application.
Effects of postlingual deafness on speech production: Implications for the role of auditory feedback

This study investigated some effects of postlingual deafness on speech by exploring selected properties of consonants, vowels, and suprasegmentals in the speech of seven totally, postlingually deafened individuals. The observed speech properties included parameters that function as phonological contrasts in English, as well as parameters that constitute primarily phonetic distinctions. The results demonstrated that postlingual deafness affects the production of all classes of speech sounds, suggesting that auditory feedback is implicated in regulating the phonetic precision of consonants, vowels, and suprasegmentals over the long term. In addition, the results are discussed in relation to factors that may influence the degree of impairment, such as age at onset of deafness.
An Ecological Understanding of the Risk Factors Associated With Stalking Behavior Implications for Social Work Practice

In this article, we review the literature on the risk factors that are associated with stalking victimization and perpetration using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory. More specifically, w...
Autonomous ship classification using synthetic and real color images

This work classifies color images of ships attained using cameras mounted on ships and in harbors. Our data-sets contain 9 different types of ship with 18 different perspectives for our training set, development set and testing set. The training data-set contains modeled synthetic images; development and testing data-sets contain real images. The database of real images was gathered from the internet, and 3D models for synthetic images were imported from Google 3D Warehouse. A key goal in this work is to use synthetic images to increase overall classification accuracy. We present a novel approach for autonomous segmentation and feature extraction for this problem. Support vector machine is used for multi-class classification. This work reports three experimental results for multi-class ship classification problem. First experiment trains on a synthetic image data-set and tests on a real image data-set, and obtained accuracy is 87.8%. Second experiment trains on a real image data-set and tests on a separate real image data-set, and obtained accuracy is 87.8%. Last experiment trains on real + synthetic image data-sets (combined data-set) and tests on a separate real image data-set, and obtained accuracy is 93.3%.
Histochemical Localization of Uridine Diphosphoglucose Dehydrogenase in Cartilage

THIS communication presents a method for the histochemical demonstration of uridine diphospho-glucose dehydrogenase in cartilage. This enzyme system is active in the pathway of synthesis of glucuronic acid1,2.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress mediates γ-tocotrienol-induced apoptosis in mammary tumor cells

γ-Tocotrienol, a member of the vitamin E family of compounds, induces apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell types. However, previous studies have clearly demonstrated that γ-tocotrienol-induced apoptosis in neoplastic mouse +SA mammary epithelial cells is not mediated through mitochondrial stress or death receptor apoptotic signaling. Therefore, studies were conducted to determine the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in mediating γ-tocotrienol-induced apoptosis in +SA mammary tumor cells. Treatment with 15–40 μM γ-tocotrienol induced +SA cell death in a dose-responsive manner, and these effects were associated with a corresponding increase in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-cleavage and activation of protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/eukaryotic translational initiation factor/activating transcription factor 4 (PERK/eIF2α/ATF-4) pathway, a marker of ER stress response. These treatments also caused a large increase in C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) levels, a key component of ER stress mediated apoptosis that increases expression of tribbles 3 (TRB3). Knockdown of CHOP by specific siRNAs attenuated γ-tocotrienol-induced PARP-cleavage, CHOP and TRB3 expression. γ-Tocotrienol treatment also reduced full-length caspase-12 levels, an indication of caspase-12 cleavage and activation. Intracellular levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase, an ER-transmembrane enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of mevalonate, decreased following γ-tocotrienol treatment, but combined treatment with mevalonate did not reverse γ-tocotrienol-induced apoptosis, suggesting that a decrease in HMGCoA reductase activity is not required for γ-tocotrienol induced apoptosis. These results demonstrate that ER stress apoptotic signaling is associated with γ-tocotrienol-induced apoptosis in +SA mammary tumor cells.
Matching and bargaining models of markets: approximating small markets by large markets

Summary. We show that the equilibrium of a matching and bargaining model of a market in which there is a finite number of agents at each date need not be near the equilibrium of a market with a continuum of agents, although matching probabilities are the same in both markets. Holding the matching process fixed, as the finite market becomes large its equilibrium approaches the equilibrium of its continuum limit.
Unifying PLDA and polynomial kernel SVMS

Probabilistic linear discriminant analysis (PLDA) is a generative model to explain between and within class variations. When the underlying latent variables are modelled by standard Gaussian distributions, the PLDA recognition scores can be evaluated as a dot product between a high dimensional PLDA feature vector and a weight vector. A key contribution of this paper is showing that the high dimensional PLDA feature vectors can be equivalently (in a non-strict sense) represented as the second-degree polynomial kernel induced features of the vectors formed by concatenating the two input vectors constituting a trial. This equivalence relationship paves the way for the speaker recognition problem to be viewed as a two-class support vector machine (SVM) training problem where higher degree polynomial kernels can give better discriminative power. To alleviate the large scale SVM training problem, we propose a kernel evaluation trick that greatly simplifies the kernel evaluation operations. In our experiments, a combination of multiple second degree polynomial kernel SVMs performed comparably to a state-of-the-art PLDA system. For the analysed test case, SVMs trained with third degree polynomial kernel reduced the EERs on average by 10% relative to that of the SVMs trained with second degree polynomial kernel.
DMA helix stability. I. Differential stabilization by counter cations

Abstract The stability of salmon sperm and lambda phage DNAs to thermal denaturation was found to vary with species of counter-cation in the order Sr 2+ , Ba 2+ , Mg 2+ > Ca 2+ > guanidinium + > Li + > NH 4 + > Cs + > Na + , K + at ionic strength 0.01, pH 7–8. At temperatures below the melting temperature, all of the divalent cations studied were found to stabilize A-T-rich regions in DNA preferentially. No significant differences were observed among these cations in the DNA helix → coil transition width for a given DNA except that the transition of Ca 2+ -salmon sperm DNA salt was significantly narrower and that of Ca 2+ -λDNA significantly broader. Salmon sperm protamine-salmon sperm DNA complexes were prepared by a dialysis procedure. Those protamine-DNA complexes with melting temperatures comparable to those of inorganic cation salts gave very broad transitions and several of those complexes prepared at higher protamine concentrations showed incomplete transitions at the highest temperature used. It is probable that the reported cation stabilization series applies to all noncircular duplex DNAs at ionic strength 0.001–0.5 and pH 6.4–8. The cation stabilization series is inconsistent with the concept that the sole function of counter-cations in DNA is to neutralize interstrand phosphodiester repulsion. However, there is a direct correlation of counter-cation Stokes radius with the melting temperatures of the corresponding salt of DNA. The cation stabilization series is interpretable, at least in part, in terms of differential effects of the mono-, di-, and polyvalent cations affecting solvent interactions adjacent to the DNA helix.
Phospholipid Degradation Is Induced by Heat in α-Tocopherol-Enriched Eggs

Abstract A comparative study was undertaken to determine the effect of an α-tocopherol- and iodine-enriched laying diet on the phospholipid profile of egg yolk. In addition to the comparative study between the experimental and control eggs, experiments were conducted to determine the effects of heating on the phospholipid profile and the comparative molar ratios of cholesterol and total phospholipid. The phospholipid composition determined for frozen egg yolk samples showed no differences for the major components of phosphatidyl-choline and phosphatidylethanolamine between the control and experimental diet group. In control eggs, exposure to boiling water produced time-related elevations in the concentration of lyso-phosphatidylcholine. A similar heat-related elevation in lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine was observed in both groups after 10 min. A time shift was observed in the heat susceptibilities of the experimental diet group. The control egg yolks hardened more quickly when exposed to heat. The results suggest protection against oxidative degradation of phospholipids and possible inhibition of phospholipases A2 and C, which may result from the elevated level of α-tocopherol in the experimental egg yolks.
RICKETS AND PARATHYROIDS

It is now ten years since Erdheim (1) pointed out the probability of a relation between rickets and parathyroid function. He developed the thesis from the observation that a marked enlargement of the parathyroids frequently occurs during spontaneous rickets. He interpreted this enlargement as the consequence, not the cause, of the rachitis. The correctness of this interpretation will be discussed during the analysis to be given in this paper. Both rickets (2) and parathyroid deficiency (3) produce retardation of ossification of the bones of young and growing animals. Because of the presence of this common symptom in the two disturbances, there has been a tendency to consider parathyroid deficiency as an etiological factor in the distortion of bone growth in rickets, in the sense that the dietary defect acts to retard ossification through intermediation of the parathyroids. Such a contention is untenable in the light of recent investigations.
The Historiography of a Construct: “Feudalism” and the Medieval Historian

Between 1974 and 1994, two influential critiques of feudalism were published, an article in 1974 by Elizabeth A. R. Brown and a book by Susan Reynolds in 1994, that crystallized doubts about the construct of feudalism harbored by many historians of the Middle Ages. Over the last few years textbooks have begun to reflect the new consensus. Medieval historians responsible for chapters on the Middle Ages in Western Civilization and World Civilization textbooks now shy away from the term ‘feudalism’. This reticence is less evident in civilization textbooks lacking a medievalist among the collaborators. In several of these we still find the ‘feudal Middle Ages’ presented without apology, as well as comparisons drawn between Japanese, Chinese, and medieval Western feudalisms. Whether or not the assigned textbook mentions ‘feudalism’, most Western civilization instructors probably continue to use the term because it is familiar to them and to their students. This article presents an overview of the historiography of one of the key concepts for the study of the Middle Ages, and an assessment of where the state of the question now stands. The author concludes that, although the critique of feudalism is powerful and necessary, the pendulum is threatening to swing too far in the other direction, away from the vertical ties and power relations that once dominated discussions of medieval politics and society, and toward a new paradigm of horizontal bonds, consensus making, and community.
Values, Inter-Attitudinal Structure, and Attitude Change Value Accessibility Can Increase a Related Attitude’s Resistance to Change

Accessibility is one of the most basic structural properties of an attitude and an important factor to consider in attitude strength. Despite its importance, relatively little work has examined the role of attitude accessibility in an inter-attitudinal context, particularly as it relates to the strength of related attitudes in the network. The present research examines accessibility as a property of one attitude (toward an abstract goal or end-state, that is, a value) that might influence the strength of a different but related attitude (toward a social policy conceptually related to the value). In Study 1, a highly accessible evaluative component of a value increased resistance to change of attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a social policy related to that value. Similarly, a manipulation of value accessibility (Studies 2 and 3) led to increased resistance of attitudes and behavioral intentions toward a social policy related to that value. Implications for the role of accessibility in inter-attitudinal strength are discussed.
Building Reliable MD PnP Systems

We address two necessary issues needed for developing safe and reliable MD PnP systems: robust wireless networking and automated checking for component interoperability and reliability. First, the robustness of a wireless network can be improved by the use of DSSS-CDMA, which tradeoff throughput to achieve higher reliability and persistence of connections as needed. Second, automated checking of components interoperability and reliability can be partially addressed by the use of the integrated framework for assumptions and dependencies (IFAD) by specifying a machine-checkable encoding of component information, checking interface assumptions, and finding how various environmental changes can impact the system.
Plasma melatonin rhythms in euthermic marmots (Marmota flaviventris).

Plasma melatonin concentrations were measured in marmots (Marmota flaviventris) maintained under three short-day (4L:20D; 8L:1OD; 1OL:14D) and one long-day (14L:1OD) photoperiod(s). Each animal had a daily rhythm of plasma melatonin with elevated plasma melatonin levels occurring during the dark period of the lighting cycle. There were no significant differences between any peak values during the night. The mean duration of elevated night melatonin concentrations was significantly different between long-day (16L:8D) and SL:16D or 4L:20D animals (P<0.01). Daytime plasma melatonin levels were not significantly different among the photoperiods. These results characterize plasma melatonin rhythms in a sciurid rodent and demonstrate that this rhythm is modified by photoperiod. Therefore, the plasma meiatonin profile could convey information about day length to the animal or, alternatively, the rhythm may be acting as a time-keeping mechanism for other physiological functions.
A Study of Individual‐Level Social Capital and Health Outcomes: Testing for Variance between Rural and Urban Respondents

This study examines associations between social capital and health outcomes with data from the 2010 Brazos Valley Health Survey (Texas) (N = 3,176). Multivariate adjusted logistic regression analysis demonstrated that poor and fair health status was inversely predicted by both high trust (adjusted OR = .67 [CI = .50–.92]) and high informal social ties (adjusted OR = .68 [CI = .49–.94]), as well as being predicted by the interaction of urban-rural and community participation (adjusted OR = 1.20 [CI = 1.02–1.40]). Mental distress was inversely predicted by high trust (adjusted OR = .51 [CI = .29–.89]) and the interaction of urban/rural and informal social ties (adjusted OR = .77 [CI = .61–.97]). Thus, whereas social capital poses general benefits in regard to improving health status and mental distress, the former benefits are greater for rural respondents, while the latter benefits are greater for urban respondents.
EFFECTS OF EXFLORATION ON PLANT METABOLISM.

The practical importance of the proper balance between the vegetative and reproductive processes in fruit crops has stimulated many horticultural investigations seeking to improve our practical control of these functions. Owing to the slow growth, large stature, and perennial habit of fruit trees as well as their delayed response to experimental manipulation, it has been difficult to secure comprehensive data directly. Consequently considerable work has been done on short-lived annuals, like tomatoes, the development of which is known to be comparable to that of fruit trees.
Dislocation Confinement and Ultimate Strength in Nanoscale Metallic Multilayers

In nanostructured metallic multilayers, hardness and strength are greatly enhanced compared to their microstructured counterparts. As layer thickness is decreased, three different regions are frequently observed: the first region shows Hall-Petch behavior; the second region shows an even greater dependence on layer thickness; and the third region exhibits a plateau or softening of hardness and strength. The second and third regions are studied using our discrete dislocation simulation method. This method includes the effects of stress due to lattice mismatch, misfit dislocation substructure, and applied stress on multilayer strength. To do so, we study the propagation of existing threading and interfacial dislocations as the applied stress is increased to the macroyield point. Our results show that in region 2, dislocation propagation is confined to individual layers initially. This "confined layer slip" builds up interfacial content and redistributes stress so that ultimately, the structure can no longer confine slip. The associated macroyield stress in this region depends strongly on layer thickness. In region 3, layers are so thin that confined layer slip is not possible and the macroyield stress reaches a plateau that is independent of layer thickness.
Optimum transmitter/receiver design for a narrowband overlay in noncoordinated subscriber lines

Transmitter/receiver optimization for a generic narrowband overlay communication scenario is addressed. The overlay and existing legacy systems are assumed to occupy the same frequency bands for spectral efficiency, thus introducing cochannel interference; however, the new and legacy systems are assumed to be noncooperative, as is appropriate for some pragmatic scenarios. A composite figure of merit is used consisting of a weighted sum of the mean-squared error (MSE) of the (new) overlay system plus the excess MSE in the legacy system caused by the introduction of the overlay system. Necessary conditions on the transmitter and receiver that jointly optimize the above metric are derived. The effects of varying key parameters such as the loop length (range) and transmitter power are investigated via computational examples.
Twitter vs. printed English: An information-theoretic comparison

The popular social networking and microblogging service Twitter contains language that is very different from what is considered proper. This paper quantifies those linguistic differences between printed English and Tweetspeak using information-theoretic concepts. Letter-based n-gram entropies are calculated and compared to analagous data from two corpora of printed English to demonstrate that 1) Twitter's entropy is overall higher than that of printed English, and 2) individual users' entropies are on average higher the less conventional their language use is. The implications for digitally-mediated communication in general are also discussed.
Molecular Evolution Allows Bypass of the Requirement for Activation Loop Phosphorylation of the Cdc28 Cyclin-Dependent Kinase

Many protein kinases are regulated by phosphorylation in the activation loop, which is required for enzymatic activity. Glutamic acid can substitute for phosphothreonine in some proteins activated by phosphorylation, but this substitution (T169E) at the site of activation loop phosphorylation in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) Cdc28p blocks biological function and protein kinase activity. Using cycles of error-prone DNA amplification followed by selection for successively higher levels of function, we identified mutant versions of Cdc28p-T169E with high biological activity. The enzymatic and biological activity of the mutant Cdc28p was essentially normally regulated by cyclin, and the mutants supported normal cell cycle progression and regulation. Therefore, it is not a requirement for control of the yeast cell cycle that Cdc28p be cyclically phosphorylated and dephosphorylated. These CDC28 mutants allow viability in the absence of Cak1p, the essential kinase that phosphorylates Cdc28p-T169, demonstrating that T169 phosphorylation is the only essential function of Cak1p. Some growth defects remain in suppressed cak1 cdc28 strains carrying the mutant CDC28 genes, consistent with additional nonessential roles for CAK1.
Modeling Injury Severity of Young Drivers Using Highway Crash Data from Kansas

Young drivers have higher motor vehicle crash rates compared to other drivers, and understanding the reasons for this would help to improve safety. This study, therefore, investigated characteristics and contributory causes of young-driver crashes and developed multinomial logit models to identify severity affecting factors. It was found that teen drivers were more likely to be involved in crashes due to failure to give time and attention and falling asleep. Among other factors, alcohol involvement, not wearing a seat belt, driving without a valid license, having restrictions on driver’s license, and involvement in off-roadway crashes were factors that increased young-driver injury severity. Based on identified factors, countermeasure ideas for improving safety have also been suggested.
SURVIVAL PROBABILITY ESTIMATES FOR LARGE JUVENILE AND ADULT GREEN TURTLES (CHELONIA MYDAS) EXPOSED TO AN ARTISANAL MARINE TURTLE FISHERY IN THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN

The largest remaining green turtle (Chelonia mydas) population in the Atlantic is potentially threatened by the resurgence of a commercial artisanal green turtle fishery in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is the site of the principal feeding ground for adults from the Tortuguero, Costa Rica, rookery. Little is known about the life history parameters of this population away from the nesting beach. To better understand the potential impact of harvesting in Nicaragua on the Tortuguero population, we estimated survival rates of adult females tagged on the nesting beach at Tortuguero, and a mixed group of large juveniles and adults tagged at turtle fishing sites in Nicaragua. Based on band recovery analysis, large juvenile and adult green turtles tagged at Nicaragua turtle fishing sites have a very low annual survival probability, 0.55. Adult females tagged on the nesting beach, which may forage at a broad range of Caribbean feeding grounds, had an annual survival probability of 0.82. These survival rate estimates are li...
Phytochrome Controlled 14C-Sucrose Uptake into Etiolated Pea Buds: Effects of Gibberellic Acid and Other Substances

The previously reported red light enhancement of (14)C-sucrose uptake into etiolated pea buds is inhibited by gibberellic acid applied no later than 2 hours after the light. Auxins, cytokinins and inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis are without effect, either alone or in the presence of gibberellic acid.