cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heterosexual interactions in laboratory-housed stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides): observations during the menstrual cycle and after ovariectomy.

Abstract Heterosexual interactions of pairs of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides) were studied in relation to the female menstrual cycle and after ovariectomy. Five intact male and 10 tubal-ligated female macaques were observed in laboratory pair tests of 20-mins duration, and data were obtained on various male and female behaviors. Each male was tested with the same two females during four 40-day observation periods. Males were tested daily and females were tested every other day. After two 40-day testing periods, one female partner of each male was ovariectomized and the other was sham-operated. Blood was collected regularly from the females during the course of observation and serum levels of estradiol and progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. The midcycle peak of estradiol was observed to occur approximately 18 days prior to menses. A distinct secondary peak in estradiol was observed to occur during the luteal phase of all cycles examined. Of 28 different male and female behaviors studied only female presentation to male sexual contact showed a significant midcycle peak related to the endogenous estradiol surge. After ovariectomy a significant decrease in the frequency of several male copulatory behaviors was observed, but most males continued to copulate regularly with their spayed partners throughout the period of this study. Thus, the pattern of copulatory behavior observed in stumptail macaques over the cycle of the female partner and subsequent to ovariectomy differs from that observed in other macaque species studied in the laboratory. It is concluded that cyclical fluctuations in the level of ovarian hormones are not significantly related to measures of sexual interactions in laboratory tests of this species, although the maintenance of copulation and associated behaviors at high levels depends to some degree upon the ovary.
The Nature and Origin of Feeling Feminine

Two thousand, six hundred and fifty middle-class college and university women rated themselves on a semantic differential. Of these, 1892 rated themselves ‘very feminine’ on the ‘feminine/masculine’ item, and were identified as the ‘Feminine’ group; 210 rated themselves ‘slightly feminine’ or ‘masculine’ and were identified as the ‘Masculine’ group. The nature of feeling ‘feminine’ was examined by comparing average self-descriptions of the ‘feminine’ women with those of the ‘masculine’ women on twenty-five word-pairs. The possible origins of these feelings were examined by comparing the two groups on per cent nominations of parent most important in nineteen parent-child relationships. The ‘Feminine’ women rated themselves more Narcissistic, Confident and Comfortable. The ‘Masculine’ women rated themselves more Forceful, Intelligent and Responsive. Recollections of an emotionally satisfying mother and a successful father characterized the ‘Feminine’ woman. Recollections of an emotionally satisfying father, but a frustrating, unsympathetic mother characterized the ‘Masculine’ woman.
Reinforcement Learning for Routing Strategy Considering the State of Network Link

This paper presents reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm for routing strategy considering the state of network link, which can be deemed as a dynamic programming problem with stochastic needs. Through modeling those four elements and experiments, we draw the conclusion that upon the state of network link, RL is an efficient algorithm for routing strategy; the data can be efficient forwarded to the destination.
Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of Lung Tumors

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was employed in the management of 66 patients with suspected pulmonary neoplasms. The most frequent indication for FNAB in this series occurred in 35 (53.0%) patients in whom the results of lesser procedures had been normal. Coexisting pulmonary disease, bilateral pulmonary lesions, distant metastases, and refusal to undergo surgical procedures accounted for the remaining patients. The results indicated a sensitivity (true-positive rate) of 95% and a specificity (true-negative rate) of 100%. Pneumothoraces followed aspiration biopsy in 8 patients (13.6% of the entire group), and a thoracostomy tube was required in 7 patients (10.6% of the entire group). The use of FNAB in patients suspected of harboring lung tumors furnished prompt and accurate results without serious complications. Increased experience by thoracic surgeons with this simple diagnostic tool is recommended.
Extra-amniotic saline, laminaria, or prostaglandin E2 gel for labor induction with unfavorable cervix: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: To determine which of three methods of cervical ripening resulted in the lowest cesarean rate in women with unfavorable cervices and indications for labor induction. Methods: Consenting women with singleton gestations, vertex presentations, and unfavorable cervices (dilatation under 2 cm and effacement under 75%) were randomly assigned to laminaria and standard intravenous oxytocin, serial doses of intracervical prostoglandin (PG) E2 gel (Prepidil, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI) 0.5 μg every 6 hours for two doses followed by oxytocin if indicated, or extra-amniotic saline infusion and oxytocin. Results: An interim analysis after recruitment of 321 subjects, 67% of the planned sample, found similar cesarean rates for the three groups (laminaria 36%; PGE2 gel 33%; saline infusion 29%; P = .59); however, the mean randomization-to-delivery interval was significantly longer in the PGE2 group. Stochastic curtailment, as part of the interim analysis, indicated a low likelihood of achieving a statistically significant difference in cesarean rates between PGE2 gel and the other two groups. Therefore, we completed the study with saline infusion and laminaria. The saline infusion and laminaria groups had similar preinduction characteristics. The cesarean rates were similar (saline infusion 25.4% versus laminaria 30.3%; P = .32), but the mean interval from randomization to delivery was shorter in the saline infusion group (18.0 versus 21.5 hours, P = .002). There were no significant differences in selected maternal and neonatal morbidities. Conclusion: Cervical ripening with extra-amniotic saline infusion, PGE2, or laminaria resulted in comparable cesarean rates in women with an unfavorable cervix and indications for labor induction. Extra-amniotic saline infusion had the shortest randomization-to-delivery interval without increasing maternal or neonatal morbidity.
A High Throughput Screen for RGS Proteins Using Steady State Monitoring of Free Phosphate Formation

G-protein coupled receptors are a diverse group that are the target of over 50% of marketed drugs. Activation of these receptors results in the exchange of bound GDP for GTP in the Gα subunit of the heterotrimeric G-protein. The Gα subunit dissociates from the β/γ subunits and both proceed to affect downstream signaling targets. The signal terminates by the hydrolysis of GTP to GDP and is temporally regulated by Regulators of G-protein Signaling (RGS) proteins that act as GTPase Activating Proteins (GAPs). This makes RGS proteins potentially desirable targets for “tuning” the effects of current therapies as well as developing novel pharmacotherapies. Current methods for evaluating RGS activity depend on laborious and/or expensive techniques. In this study we developed a simple and inexpensive assay for the steady state analysis of RGS protein GAP activity, using RGS4, RGS8 and RGS17 as models. Additionally, we report the use of RGS4 as a model for high throughput assay development. After initial setup, this assay can be conducted in a highly parallel fashion with a read time of less than 8 minutes for a 1536-well plate. The assay exhibited a robust Z-factor of 0.6 in a 1536-well plate. We conducted a pilot screen for inhibitors using a small, 2320 compound library. From this screen, 13 compounds were identified as compounds for further analysis. The successful development of this assay for high-throughput screening provides a low cost, high speed, simple method for assessing RGS protein activity.
Assessment on pile effective lengths and their effects on design—II. Practical applications

Abstract Effective pile lengths are determined using the methods described in Part I of the paper. Determinations of the axial and flexural strengths for steel H piles are discussed in detail. Parametric studies including the LRFD method and proposed method are conducted to study the effects of effective pile lengths on pile strengths and design. Effects of pile lateral movement on pile strengths are also discussed. Design equations, tables and charts, and practical recommendations are proposed to assist engineers to design the piles.
Cuticular wax composition of Salix varieties in relation to biomass productivity

The leaf cuticular waxes of six Salix clones (one Salix miyabeana, one Salix dasyclados, one Salix eriocephala, two Salix purpurea, and one interspecific hybrid of Salix eriocephala x interior) with different biomass productivities were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total wax content ranged from 6.3 to 16.8 microg cm(-2), and two distinct patterns of wax were measured. The wax from leaves of S. dasyclados 'SV1' differed from all other clones and was dominated by fatty acids (42%), high concentrations of n-alkanes (25%) and n-alcohols (28%), with low n-aldehyde content (4%). All other clones produced cuticular wax dominated by n-alcohols (32-51%), particularly 1-hexacosanol, with fatty acids (14-37%) and n-aldehydes (19-26%) present in lower abundances. Clones of Salix grown under identical environmental conditions produce noticeably different amounts of cuticular wax. In contrast to previous studies of Salix, total wax content was independent of biomass productivity, measured as basal area, suggesting that wax production is not directly linked with woody biomass production by shrub willows under these site conditions.
Use of narrow-band imaging with magnification to predict depth of invasion of early esophageal squamous cell cancer and to guide endoscopic therapy.

A 77-year-old man undergoing EGD for Barrett’s surveillance was noted to have an area of discolored mucosa with mild nodularity in the upper esophagus. A biopsy sample taken from the lesion showed high-grade squamous dysplasia. Repeat endoscopy using narrow-band imaging (NBI) with magnification (GIF-HQ190 with integrated dual-focus magnification, Olympus Optical, Tokyo, Japan) showed a well-demarcated area with intraepithelial papillary capillary loop (IPCL) dilatation, elongation, and mild irregularity along with background color change (A). No neovascularization or avascular areas were noted. Lugol chromoendoscopy of this lesion did not stain. Based on the IPCL changes, we classified the lesion as type V2 per Inoue’s classification and type 3 per Arima’s classification. According to published data from Japan, both classes predict the cancer to be either
Formation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in brain.

— Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is a neuroactive compound which has been found to be a normal constituent of mammalian brain. The present report characterized enzymatic activity in brain forming gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) from succinic semialdehyde (SSA). When NADPH served as cofactor, whole brain homogenate was capable of forming nearly 300 nmol GHB/min/g brain when enzyme activity was measured at 37°C. GHB production was significantly less (50%) when NADH was the cofactor. A regional localization of these activities indicated that the cerebellum and septal area contained the highest capacity to form GHB in the presence of NADPH; intermediate to high activity was found in the cortex, medulla, superior colliculus and corpus striatum; low activity was present in the inferior colliculus, thalamus, pons, hippocampus, substantia nigra and hypothalamus. Activity in the presence of NADH was rather evenly distributed with the exceptions of the cerebellum and inferior colliculus, which contained high and low activity respectively. Both NADPH- and NADH-dependent activities were found primarily in the cytosol. Pentobarbital inhibited enzyme activity and enzyme activity was differentiated from lactic dehydrogenase and alcohol dehydrogenase by use of specific inhibitors. In addition, mixed substrate experiments and kinetic analysis provided evidence for the presence of two reversible NADPH-dependent enzymes capable of producing GHB from SSA.
Routine metabolism of juvenile spot, Leiostomus xanthums (Lacépède), as a function of temperature, salinity and weight

Routine oxygen consumption rates of juvenile spot, Leiostomus xanthums, were measured over a range of temperatures, salinities and fish weights. As predicted, QO2 increased with temperature and decreased with body weight. However, QO2 decreased with decreasing salinity and did not show the expected minimum at isosmotic concentrations. The data are best described by the relationship: log10QO2 (mg O2 g−1 h−1) = 0.129 loglo salinity (%0) + 1.604 log10 temperature (°C)-0.1401og10(g)-2.767.
A thermodynamic approach for predicting fretting fatigue life

This paper extends the application of the theory of continuum damage mechanics (CDM) to predict the occurrence of fretting fatigue failure. It is concerned with the application of thermodynamic theory of CDM for predicting crack formation in fretting. This is done by calculating subsurface shear stress distribution due to fretting loading conditions and obtaining corresponding principal plane location. For given fretting conditions such as the load, the coefficient of friction and the bulk material properties, the present model predicts the number of cycles to failure. The results are validated with published experimental data.
Comparative Kinetics of Cofactor Association and Dissociation for the Human and Trypanosomal S-Adenosylhomocysteine Hydrolases. 1. Basic Features of the Association and Dissociation Processes†

The S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine (AdoHcy) hydrolases catalyze the reversible conversion of AdoHcy to adenosine and homocysteine, making use of a catalytic cycle in which a tightly bound NAD+ oxidizes the 3-hydroxyl group of the substrate at the beginning of the cycle, activating the 4-CH bond for elimination of homocysteine, followed by Michael addition of water to the resulting intermediate and a final reduction by the tightly bound NADH to give adenosine. The equilibrium and kinetic properties of the association and dissociation of the cofactor NAD+ from the enzymes of Homo sapiens (Hs-SAHH) and Trypanosoma cruzi (Tc-SAHH) are qualitatively similar but quantitatively distinct. Both enzymes bind NAD+ in a complex scheme. The four active sites of the homotetrameric apoenzyme appear to divide into two numerically equal classes of active sites. One class of sites binds cofactor weakly and generates full activity very rapidly (in less than 1 min). The other class binds cofactor more strongly but generates activity only slowly (>30 min). In the case of Tc-SAHH, the final affinity for NAD+ is roughly micromolar and this affinity persists as the equilibrium affinity. In the case of Hs-SAHH, the slow-binding phase terminates in micromolar affinity also, but over a period of hours, the dissociation rate constant decreases until the final equilibrium affinity is in the nanomolar range. The slow binding of NAD+ by both enzymes exhibits saturation kinetics with respect to the cofactor concentration; however, binding to Hs-SAHH has a maximum rate constant around 0.06 s-1, while the rate constant for binding to Tc-SAHH levels out at 0.006 s-1. In contrast to the complex kinetics of association, both enzymes undergo dissociation of NAD+ from all four sites in a single first-order reaction. The equilibrium affinities of both Hs-SAHH and Tc-SAHH for NADH are in the nanomolar range. The dissociation rate constants and the slow-binding association rate constants for NAD+ show a complex temperature dependence with both enzymes; however, the cofactor always dissociates more rapidly from Tc-SAHH than from Hs-SAHH, the ratio being around 80-fold at 37 degrees C, and the cofactor binds more rapidly to Hs-SAHH than to Tc-SAHH above approximately 16 degrees C. These features present an opening for selective inhibition of Tc-SAHH over Hs-SAHH, demonstrated with the thioamide analogues of NAD+ and NADH. Both analogues bind to Hs-SAHH with approximately 40 nM affinities but much more weakly to Tc-SAHH (0.6-15 microM). Nevertheless, both analogues inactivated Tc-SAHH 60% (NAD+ analogue) or 100% (NADH analogue) within 30 min, while the degree of inhibition of Hs-SAHH approached 30% only after 12 h. The rate of loss of activity is equal to the rate of dissociation of the cofactor and thus 80-fold faster at 37 degrees C for Tc-SAHH.
Effect of Weight Gain on Pulmonary Function after Smoking Cessation in the Lung Health Study

The objective of this study was to determine if the weight gain that accompanies smoking cessation is independently associated with reductions in FEV1 and FVC, using a multicenter randomized intervention trial of smoking cessation in 10 communities in the United States and Canada. Enrollees were currently smoking women and men 35 to 60 yr of age with mild-to-moderate airway obstruction. Participants were randomized to one of three study groups: an intensive smoking cessation program with an inhaled bronchodilator (or a placebo), and usual care. Changes in absolute and percent predicted FEV1 and FVC between baseline and fifth annual follow-up visit were monitored in relation to changes in body weight during the interval. At the baseline examination, percent predicted FEV1 was maximal at 90 to 100% ideal body weight (IBW) and was lower as body weight deviated from this range. The FVC decreased linearly when IBW exceeded 100%. Weight gain was greatest during the first 12 mo after smoking cessation. Weight ga...
Demographic Variability in Monkeys: Implications for Theory and Conservation

Demographic parameters of nonhuman primates, like those of all other organisms, vary over time and space. However, many contemporary models comparing multiple species treat these parameters as if they were static. Population density, group size, age-sex composition, natality, and juvenile recruitment all vary considerably within populations that researchers have studied for many years. It is important to describe and to understand the variance not only for the development of more realistic models but also to clarify the status and trends of the populations in order to develop effective conservation management plans. A critical issue is to distinguish real demographic trends from the natural demographic variation that occurs both between sites and within specific sites over time. With few exceptions, demographic data for most nonhuman primates are not amenable to life-table analyses because observation conditions typically prevent collection of the data required and generation time is long. Instead, one must evaluate demographic indices that serve as surrogates for more detailed and accurate data, such as that derived from life-time observations of recognizable individuals of known parentage. Long-term monitoring is essential to understand the extent of and trends in demographic variation. These points are exemplified with case studies from vervets, red howlers, and red colobus as they relate to the likely causal factors of habitat quality, disease, predator-prey imbalance, population compression, and intragroup competition for food.
A Refined Two-Channel Microwave Radiometer Liquid Water Path Retrieval for Cold Regions by Using Multiple-Sensor Measurements

Traditional two-channel microwave radiometers (MWRs) are widely used to measure cloud liquid water path (LWP); however, the retrieved LWPs are subject to relatively large uncertainties, particularly for low LWP clouds. By reformulating the statistical retrieval method with clear-sky measurements as a reference, a simple method is presented to significantly reduce uncertainties in the LWP retrieval due to errors in MWR calibration, uncertainties in the absorption coefficients of atmospheric gases, and variations in the vertical profiles of temperature and pressure. The improvement is illustrated by comparing the statistics of the erroneous clear-sky LWP for the Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Climate Research Facility observations at the North Slope of Alaska site and by comparing LWP retrieved with a multiple-sensor algorithm and LWP retrieved based mainly on MWR measurements. This letter also demonstrates the importance of using correct water cloud temperature and temperature-dependent water absorption coefficients for MWR LWP retrieval over cold regions. This approach can be easily implemented for combined MWR, ceilometer, and surface meteorological measurements.
Higher-order wave interactions in a periodic medium

A singular perturbation analysis of the interaction of the fundamental plane wave progressing in the direction of the sinusoidally varying permittivity of an unbounded medium with the first four space harmonics progressing in the reverse direction is carried out. The periodic inhomogeneity introduces self and mutual interaction phenomena. The self interaction, in general, produces a phase shift and causes the mutual interaction to occur for frequencies higher than those predicted by the Bragg condition. The mutual interaction introduces a complex change in the wavenumber resulting in the interacting waves becoming evanescent. Analytical expressions for the frequency shift and the other wave characteristics in the interaction region are deduced. With the increase in the order of the interaction, the frequency shift becomes a more dominant effect than the wave evanescence.
The properties of microwave discharge in the Goubau line

The paper deals with a waveguide-coaxial microwave-frequency module capable of exciting a torch microwave discharge in air at the end of single-wire Goubau line. The properties of this discharge are described, as well as its possible uses for applying fine-structure films of refractory materials to substrates. The surface pattern of propagation of microwave energy along the single-wire line in the form of plasmon-polaritons is experimentally supported.
Chemical and Physical Characterization of a TiO2-Coated Fiber Optic Cable Reactor

Practical application of metal oxide photocatalysts for the remediation of contaminated wastestreams often requires immobilization of the photocatalyst in a fixed-bed reactor configuration that allows the continu ous use of the photocatalyst by eliminating the need for post-process filtration. A novel optical fiber cable reactor (OFR) is used to transmit UV light to solid-supported TiO2 in order to investigate the photocatalytic degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP), 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), dichloroacetate (DCA), and oxalate (OX). The distribution of light as a function of fiber diameter and the quantum efficiencies as a function of incident light intensity are investigated. Light propagation down individual fibers is found to increase with increasing fiber diameter. An increased linear transmission of light results in increased quantum efficiencies, while a 2-order of magnitude reduction in incident light intensity results in a 4-fold increase (φ = 0.010−0.042) in quantum efficiency for the degradation o...
Collapsing layers on Schwarzschild-Lemaitre geodesics

We discuss Israel layers collapsing inward from rest at infinity along Schwarzschild-Lemaitre geodesics. The dynamics of the collapsing layer and its equation of state are developed. There is a general equation of state which is approximately polytropic in the limit of very low pressure. The equation of state establishes a new limit on the stress-density ratio.
G Protein-Activated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium Channel (GIRK1/KGA) mRNA in Adult Rat Heart and Brain by in Situ Hybridization Histochemistry

GIRK1/KGA (referred to as GIRK1) is a member of the inwardly rectifying K+ channel family and is activated by G protein-linked receptors. The activation of this channel leads to hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane and is fundamental to the control of atrial and neuronal excitability. RNA blotting studies have shown that GIRK1 is expressed in the atrium of the heart and in the brain. We have used in situ hybridization histochemistry to characterize the pattern of expression of GIRK1 mRNA in adult rat heart and brain. In heart, expression of GIRK1 mRNA is homogeneous throughout the atria. There is no significant ventricular expression, although the conduction bundles were not specifically identified. GIRK1 mRNA expression in the brain is widespread with highest levels in the cortex, septum, hippocampus, thalamus, amygdala, cerebellum, and many nuclei of the midbrain and hindbrain, including red nucleus, inferior colliculus, pontine nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, and multiple cranial nerve nuclei (motor and sensory components). This detailed map of GIRK1 mRNA expression provides a basis for further study of this important new family of K+ channels.
Collective bargaining: A critique of the Oxford school

THERE is a curious consensus among many social scientists that collective bargaining marked an important change in the area of industrial relations. The emphasis on collective bargaining as the key to understanding many important issues in industrial relations may be traced back to around the turn of the century, to the Webbs’ “ scientific analysis of trade unionism ” in their ZndustriaE Democracy. The theory of collective bargaining was developed subsequently by the Oxford School of industrial relations and their view of it has been so influential that we can see it as a “ paradi m ”
SLC25A23 augments mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, interacts with MCU, and induces oxidative stress–mediated cell death

Emerging findings suggest that two lineages of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake participate during active and resting states: 1) the major eukaryotic membrane potential–dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter and 2) the evolutionarily conserved exchangers and solute carriers, which are also involved in ion transport. Although the influx of Ca2+ across the inner mitochondrial membrane maintains metabolic functions and cell death signal transduction, the mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation are unclear. Solute carriers—solute carrier 25A23 (SLC25A23), SLC25A24, and SLC25A25—represent a family of EF-hand–containing mitochondrial proteins that transport Mg-ATP/Pi across the inner membrane. RNA interference–mediated knockdown of SLC25A23 but not SLC25A24 and SLC25A25 decreases mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and reduces cytosolic Ca2+ clearance after histamine stimulation. Ectopic expression of SLC25A23 EF-hand–domain mutants exhibits a dominant-negative phenotype of reduced mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. In addition, SLC25A23 interacts with mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (MCU; CCDC109A) and MICU1 (CBARA1) while also increasing IMCU. In addition, SLC25A23 knockdown lowers basal mROS accumulation, attenuates oxidant-induced ATP decline, and reduces cell death. Further, reconstitution with short hairpin RNA–insensitive SLC25A23 cDNA restores mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and superoxide production. These findings indicate that SLC25A23 plays an important role in mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ influx.
The synthesis of deuterium‐labelled cocaine, cocaethylene and metabolites

We describe the syntheses of benzoylecgonine (1,1,1- 2 H 3 )methyl ester [( 2 H 3 ) cocaine], ( 2 H 5 )benzoylecgonine, ( 2 H 5 )benzoylecgonine methyl ester [( 2 H 5 )cocaine], benzoylecgonine (2,2,2- 2 H 3 )ethyl ester [( 2 H 3 )cocaethylene], ( 2 H 5 )benzoylecgonine ethyl ester [( 2 H 5 )cocaethylene], ( 2 H 5 )benzoylecgonine (2,2,2- 2 H 3 )ethyl ester [( 2 H 8 )cocaethylene], ecgonine (1,1,1- 2 H 3 )methyl ester, ecgonine (2,2,2- 2 H 3 )ethyl ester, ecgonine (1,1,2,2,2- 2 H 5 )ethyl ester and anhydroecgonine (1,1,1- 2 H 3 )methyl ester. ( 2 H 5 )Cocaine and ( 2 H 3 )cocaethylene have been administered to human subjects to study the interactions of cocaine and ethanol. The other eight compounds were utilized as analytical standards or internal standards for GC-MS quantitation of cocaine and its metabolites in biological fluids.
A Note on Confidence Intervals for a Linear Function of Poisson Rates

We consider three interval estimators for linear functions of Poisson rates: a Wald interval, a t interval with Satterthwaite's degrees of freedom, and a Bayes interval using noninformative priors. The differences in these intervals are illustrated using data from the Crash Records Bureau of the Texas Department of Public Safety. We then investigate the relative performance of these intervals via a simulation study. This study demonstrates that the Wald interval performs poorly when expected counts are less than 5, while the interval based on the noninformative prior performs best. It also shows that the Bayes interval and the interval based on the t distribution perform comparably well for more moderate expected counts.
Binomial Models in Finance

(2006). Binomial Models in Finance. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 101, No. 476, pp. 1731-1731.
Clay mineralogy, alteration history, and economic geology of the Whitemud Formation, southern Saskatchewan, Canada

The Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Whitemud Formation is a potentially commercial kaolin deposit located in southern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta. The Whitemud Formation contains a lower kaolinitic sandstone, a middle lignite and carbonaceous shale, and an upper interbedded siltstone and claystone. The sediments that comprise the rocks of the Whitemud Formation were deposited on alluvial or upper deltaic plains located along the northwest flank of the Williston Basin. Mineralogy and textures were determined by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. Kaolinite abundance increases upward from the underlying rocks of the Eastend Formation through the Whitemud Formation, and the abundance of smectite, micas, and feldspars decreases from the Eastend Formation into the Whitemud Formation. Vermiform kaolinite crystals are in close spatial association with feldspar and mica grains. Near the top of the Whitemud Formation, etched quartz and feldspar grains, and gibbsite suggest the presence of a strong chemical leaching environment. Mineral distributions, presence of root remains, pedologie mottles, grain coatings composed of clay, and soil horizons indicate the Whitemud Formation sediments were modified by intense weathering in a paleosol environment. Kaolin concentrated from selected kaolinitic sandstone deposits, and beneficiated by oxidation, leaching, and high-intensity wet-magnetic separation has a product brightness up to filler quality. Recovery of lowabrasion kaolin is low and viscosity of a fine-particle kaolin fraction is high. Economics of producing a wet-processed filler-grade kaolin is marginal.
Cross-linking of DNA with trimethylpsoralen is a probe for chromatin structure.

Abstract Me 3 -psoralen (4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen) undergoes a photochemical reaction with DNA, resulting in the formation of covalent monoadducts and interstrand cross-links. DNA was photoreacted with 3 H-me 3 -psoralen inside mouse liver nuclei to the extent of one covalently bound me 3 -psoralen molecule per 114 or per 246 base pairs (bp) on the average. The photoreacted nuclei were digested with micrococcal nuclease, which is known to degrade the DNA preferentially between nucleosomes (subunits of chromatin containing approximately 200 bp of DNA). The digestion of nuclei with micrococcal nuclease produced DNA fragments of the same molecular weights whether or not the nuclei had been reacted with me 3 -psoralen. The rate of acid solubilization of covalently bound 3 H-me 3 -psoralen was much greater than that of the bulk DNA when the digestion was performed in nuclei, even though me 3 -psoralen-containing regions of DNA were digested more slowly in control experiments with deproteinized DNA. At the digestion limit, when 45% of the DNA had been degraded to acid solubility, 92% of the 3 H-me 3 -psoralen had been released from chromatin by micrococcal nuclease. Throughout the nuclease digestion, the me 3 -psoralen was found to be covalently bound to DNA fragments with the molecular weights previously characterized for micrococcal nuclease digestion products. We conclude that the major site of me 3 -psoralen reaction in nuclei is with the DNA most susceptible to micrococcal nuclease—that is, with the DNA between nucleosomes. Because me 3 -psoralen cross-links can be located in DNA by electron microscopy, this probe provides a possible method for determining the in vivo location of chromosomal proteins along high molecular weight DNA, such as a transcription unit.
Electrets as a cascade impactor substrate

Abstract A theoretical investigation has shown that electret fiber substrates can be used to reduce particle bounce and blow-off by increasing the force of attraction of particles to the substrate. Uncharged particles are attracted to the fibers by induced dipole and van der Waals forces while charged particles experience an additional Coulombic force. The magnitudes of these forces are dependent on the particle size, electret surface charge density, the dimensions of the electret fibers, and the particle's net charge. These attractive forces dominate over different particle size ranges. In a strong electric field gradient, such as exists with an electret fiber, the induced dipole force is predicted to be the strongest force on large particles ( d p > 1–2 μ m) and van der Waals attraction will be the dominant force on small particles ( d p μ m).
Self-Sorting of White Blood Cells in a Lattice

When a drop of human blood containing red and white blood cells is forced to move via hydrodynamic forces in a lattice of channels designed to mimic the capillary channels, the white cells self-fractionate into the different types of white cells. The pattern of white cells that forms is due to a combination of stretch-activated adhesion of cells with the walls, stochastic sticking probabilities, and heteroavoidance between granulocytes and lymphocytes.
Prolonging Density Gradient Stability

For bottom-up particle fabrication, separation of complex particle assemblies from their precursor colloidal building blocks is critical to producing useable quantities of materials. The separations are often done using a density gradient sedimentation due to its simplicity and scalability. When loading density gradients at volume fractions greater than 0.001, however, an inherent convective instability arises. By translating the Rayleigh-Benard instability from the heat-transfer literature into an analogous mass-transfer problem, the variables affecting the critical stability limit were effectively catalogued and examined. Experiments using submicrometer particles loaded onto sucrose and Ficoll density gradients matched theoretical trends and led to a series of useful heuristics for prolonging density gradient stability. Higher particle loading heights, lower volume fractions, and smaller gradient material diffusion coefficients were found to improve stability. Centrifugation was useful at short times, as particles were removed from top of the gradient where the stable density profile degrades to unstable, and the resulting density inversion arises as the sucrose diffuses upward.
Finite Element Analysis of a Slab Tank

The objective of this paper is to verify design of a slab tank. The slab tank is to store various criticality liquids used in today’s industry. The initial over all dimensions of the slab tank are determined from the capacity of the stored liquids. The design function is performed using the flat plate theory. The slab tank design is broken up into (a) two long side members, (b) two short side members, (c) top head, and (d) bottom head. It is supported from the bottom at a height by a rectangular plate enclosure. It is anchored at the rectangular plate enclosure. The deflection of the linear space is a critical requirement. Stresses are usually acceptable because the requirement is on the deflection. For vacuum condition the long side plates will deflect inwards. Flat plate equations are used to determine deflection and stress. For internal pressure condition the design pressure consists of working internal pressure plus static head pressure. For this the long side plates will deflect outwards. The heads are designed for internal pressure at the bottom where the pressure is the maximum. The designed dimensions are used to recalculate the stresses for the slab tank. The dimensioned slab tank is modeled using STAAD III finite element software. The stresses from the finite element software are compared to the stresses obtained from recalculated stresses obtained using flat plate theory. The difference in the stress values is explained. This paper’s main objective is to compare the flat plate theory to the finite element analysis. The design is found to be safe for the specific configuration considered.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A cavity QED system coupling nitrogen vacancy centers in a diamond nanopillar to a silica microsphere

A composite cavity QED system, which couples nitrogen vacancy centers in a diamond nanopillar to whispering gallery modes in a silica microsphere and overcomes limitations of earlier diamond nanocrystal based systems, is demonstrated.
The speech production and spoken language of the deaf.

The distinction was made between speech production and spoken language in analysing the oral output of those with hearing impairment. A brief review of studies in both areas was undertaken, includi...
Large-Scale Hexagonal-Patterned Growth of Aligned ZnO Nanorods for Nano-optoelectronics and Nanosensor Arrays

An effective approach is demonstrated for growing large-area, hexagonally patterned, aligned ZnO nanorods. The synthesis uses a catalyst template produced by a self-assembled monolayer of submicron spheres and guided vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth on a single crystal alumina substrate. The ZnO nanorods have uniform shape and length, align vertically on the substrate, and are distributed according to the pattern defined by the catalyst template. The nanorods grow along [0001] with side surfaces defined by {2110}. This approach opens the possibility of creating patterned one-dimensional nanostructures for applications as sensor arrays, piezoelectric antenna arrays, optoelectronic devices, and interconnects.
NSF: WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW: Dialytic Therapies to Prevent NSF Following Gadolinium Exposure in High-Risk Patients: DIALYSIS TO PREVENT NSF

Prolonged exposure to gadolinium-based contrast (GBC) appears to be the core pathophysiologic factor in the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). As the GBC is renally excreted, this condition is predominantly seen only following exposure in patients with severe reductions in renal function. Fortunately, GBC is easily hemodialyzed with 95% of an administered dose removed after two hemodialysis sessions. Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, is not an efficient means of GBC removal. This has led to recommendations to hemodialyze a high-risk patient immediately following GBC administration and to repeat the treatment the following day. Although this approach seems logical and is more aggressive than the usual thrice-weekly hemodialysis schedule that most patients were receiving when they developed this devastating condition, there are no data to support the supposition that this approach will reduce the risk of NSF. Therefore, although an aggressive hemodialysis strategy postexposure is not unreasonable, it is probably best at this point to try to avoid GBC administration altogether in these high-risk patients.
Adaptive channel equalization for TDMA digital cellular communications using antenna arrays

Mobile radio channels can be generally characterized as a fading multipath channel with multipath spread delay that ranges from a few microseconds (/spl mu/s) up to as much as 15 /spl mu/s. Such large delays result in intersymbol interference which raises the need for equalization. A semi-blind maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) with an antenna array is studied as an adaptive equalization method for time division multiple access (TDMA) digital cellular systems. The MLSE is implemented using a Viterbi algorithm (VA). An antenna array is used to utilize both temporal and spatial structure in the received signal to provide the VA with the estimate of the channel impulse response necessary for it to perform MLSE. >
Are Schools Safe? Analysis of 409 Student Accidents in Elementary Schools

A study of 409 school accidents from elementary schools showed that boys have more accidents than girls, nonwhites more than whites, and second graders more than children in other grades from kindergarten through grade six. More accidents happened during the lunch hour and recesses than at other times during the day. Sixty-four per cent were head injuries. It is recommended that schools report and analyze school accidents and organize a safety committee.
Defining probability of saturation with indicator kriging on hard and soft data

In humid, well-vegetated areas, such as in the northeastern US, runoff is most commonly generated from relatively small portions of the landscape becoming completely saturated, however, little is known about the spatial and temporal behavior of these saturated regions. Indicator kriging provides a way to use traditional water table data to quantify probability of saturation to evaluate predicted spatial distributions of runoff generation risk, especially for the new generation of water quality models incorporating saturation excess runoff theory. When spatial measurements of a variable are transformed to binary indicators (i.e., 1 if above a given threshold value and 0 if below) and the resulting indicator semivariogram is modeled, indicator kriging produces the probability of the measured variable to exceed the threshold value. Indicator kriging gives quantified probability of saturation or, consistent with saturation excess runoff theory, runoff generation risk with depth to water table as the variable and the threshold set near the soil surface. The probability of saturation for a 120 m · 180 m hillslope based upon 43 measurements of depth to water table is investigated with indicator semivariograms for six storm events. The indicator semivariograms show high spatial structure in saturated regions with large antecedent rainfall conditions. The temporal structure of the data is used to generate interpolated (soft) data to supplement measured (hard) data. This improved the spatial structure of the indicator semivariograms for lower antecedent rainfall conditions. Probability of saturation was evaluated through indicator kriging incorporating soft data showing, based on this preliminary study, highly connected regions of saturation as expected for the wet season (April through May) in the Catskill Mountain region of New York State. Supplementation of hard data with soft data incorporates physical hydrology of the hillslope to capture significant patterns not available when using hard data alone for indicator kriging. With the need for water quality models incorporating appropriate runoff generation risk estimates on the rise, this manner of data will lay the groundwork for future model evaluation and development. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The use of uniform semantic constraints in defining model-based editing operations

Problems arising from editing specifications at the level of desired behaviors (model-based editing) are addressed. Such editing operations can be designed on the basis of frequent patterns of desired behavior changes, and formalized semantic constraints can be utilized to guide the modifications to specifications. Consequently, the editing can be partially automated, and the changes can more likely be consistent and relatively complete. For a model-based editing system to have wide coverage and rich modification extent, it is crucial for each model-based editing operation to have uniform semantic constraints. Such constraints can often be based on a straightforward mapping back to the original behaviors. A framework is presented for describing model-based editing operations by the use of such constraints. >
A Functional Role for the GCC185 Golgin in Mannose 6-Phosphate Receptor Recycling

Mannose 6-phosphate receptors (MPRs) deliver newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes to endosomes and then recycle to the Golgi. MPR recycling requires Rab9 GTPase; Rab9 recruits the cytosolic adaptor TIP47 and enhances its ability to bind to MPR cytoplasmic domains during transport vesicle formation. Rab9-bearing vesicles then fuse with the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in living cells, but nothing is known about how these vesicles identify and dock with their target. We show here that GCC185, a member of the Golgin family of putative tethering proteins, is a Rab9 effector that is required for MPR recycling from endosomes to the TGN in living cells, and in vitro. GCC185 does not rely on Rab9 for its TGN localization; depletion of GCC185 slightly alters the Golgi ribbon but does not interfere with Golgi function. Loss of GCC185 triggers enhanced degradation of mannose 6-phosphate receptors and enhanced secretion of hexosaminidase. These data assign a specific pathway to an interesting, TGN-localized protein and suggest that GCC185 may participate in the docking of late endosome-derived, Rab9-bearing transport vesicles at the TGN.
Engaging Urban Youth through Technology: The Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative

Processes designed to capture youth perspectives and engage young people in community development decisions can improve planning outcomes, support the development of sustainable and family-friendly urban areas, and foster civic-minded future leaders. This article reflects on the Youth Neighborhood Mapping Initiative, a university-community partnership that sought to foster civic engagement among urban teens and help them voice their perspectives while providing training and exposure to careers in city planning and geographic information systems. Participants identified assets and liabilities in their neighborhoods and learned to use technology to tell their stories through maps, photography, and blogs.
Lamellar body membrane turnover is stimulated by secretagogues

Lamellar bodies are specialized cellular organelles used for storage of surfactant by alveolar type II cells of the lung. We utilized monoclonal antibody (MAb) 3C9, which recognizes an integral lam...
Sequencing of plasmids from a multi-antimicrobial resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin strain

Abstract Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin (S. Dublin) is a host-adapted serotype whose primary host is cattle, which can serve as a potential reservoir for human infections. S. Dublin remains one of the leading causes of severe invasive infections and deaths associated with salmonellosis. Because of their propensity to cause severe infection, antimicrobial therapy is often required, thus antimicrobial resistance is an important concern. Plasmids play a key role in facilitating drug resistance in these pathogens. This study reports the results of DNA sequencing and sequence analysis of plasmids from a highly multidrug resistant strain (resistant to 11/15 drugs tested) of S. Dublin that originated from cattle. The strain was found to contain four plasmids of approximately 8, 77, 89, and 174 kb. The 174 kb plasmid is an incompatibility group (Inc) A/C plasmid containing genes associated with resistance to at least 9 different antimicrobials, as well as disinfectants and metals. The 88.5 kb plasmid is an IncFIB plasmid containing genes associated with resistance to at least 3 antimicrobial agents and mercurial compounds. The 77 kb plasmid is a S. Dublin virulence plasmid containing multiple virulence-associated genes and the 7.9 kb plasmid encodes mobilization and replication genes. Overall, sequencing identified multiple plasmids containing antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes. The resistance genes identified correlated to the observed resistance phenotype, further indicating the importance of plasmids in antimicrobial resistance in many Salmonella.