cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adenosine triphosphate-dependent retention of sodium ions by a sodium and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase preparation from erythrocyte membranes

Abstract An ATP-dependent retention of sodium ions by a preparation of human erythrocyte membrane fragments is reported. Several characteristics of this retention were correlated to the sodium and potassium-activated ATPase: nucleotide specificity, magnesium ion requirement, pH dependence curves, and species differences of man, rat, dog, and cat. The membrane preparation preferentially retained sodium ions as compared with potassium and rubidium ions. Low concentrations of potassium ions stimulated ATP-dependent sodium retention, and ouabain inhibited this activity by 60% in either the presence or the absence of K + .
An impulse model theory of π-4He scattering

Abstract An impulse model description of π - 4 He scattering into the channels a) π + + 4 He→ π + + 4 He b) π + + 4 He→all π + c) π + + 4 He→all π 0 has been made. Input data to the calculation consists of π -nucleon phase shifts, the r.m.s. nuclear radius of the α particle, and the absorption cross section for the reaction π + 4 He→4N. The elastic channel (a) has been compared with experimental data at 85 MeV/ c and is in excellent agreement with experiment.
Characterization of Printable Micro-Fluidic Channels for Organ Printing

Organ printing is a complex and challenging process in execution due to the lack of fundamental understanding of tissue and organ formation, and problems associated with giving the organ-conforming 3D shapes. One of the major challenges is the inclusion of blood vessel-like channels between layers to support cell viability in terms of nutrients and oxygen transport. Tissue scaffolds have been widely used in generation of replacement tissue by providing mechanical support and fluid nutrients, but complications with scaffold degradation and the corresponding adverse effects on extra cellular matrix still present major challenges. This paper introduces a new approach in tissue scaffolding for cellular assembly to minimize these problems.This research investigates the manufacturability of novel printable micro-fluidic channels, where the micro-fluidic channels support mechanical integrity as well as enable fluid transport in 3D. A pressure-assisted solid freeform fabrication platform is developed with co-axial needle dispenser unit to print hollow hydrogel filaments, which will later be used to support nutrients and oxygen transport through the printed cell assembly. The dispensing rheology is studied and the effect of material property on structural formation of hollow filaments is analyzed in this paper. Sample structures are printed through the computer-controlled system. In experiments with sodium alginate, 4% CaCI2-4% alginate solution combination results in the smallest core and filament diameter. In experiments with chitosan on the other hand, 3% chitosan-1% NaOH combination brings the smallest core and filament diameter.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Laparoscopic assisted percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis

Background: Percutaneous drainage of infected pancreatic fluid collections is often unsuccessful. Alternatively, open necrosectomy techniques are very morbid. We hypothesized that in selected cases, laparoscopic techniques could be used to facilitate percutaneous drainage of the residual particulate necrosectum and avoid a laparotomy. We report our experience with laparoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement as an adjunct to percutaneous drainage for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis. Methods: Case studies were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed the course of six patients undergoing laparoscopic assisted debridement of infected pancreatic necrosis after failure of percutaneous drainage. With the drains and computed tomography (CT) scan used as a guide, laparoscopic debridement of the necrosectum was performed. Results: Between November 1995 and December 1999, six patients were treated with this method. In four patients, laparoscopic assisted percutaneous drainage was successful. Two patients required open laparotomy. Complications included a self-limited enterocutaneous fistula and a small flank hernia. No deaths occurred. Conclusions: This early, limited experience has demonstrated the feasibility of laparoscopic assisted percutaneous drainage for infected pancreatic necrosis. With this technique, two-thirds of our patients avoided the morbidity of a laparotomy.
Cost-identification analysis of total laryngectomy: an itemized approach to hospital costs.

Objectives. To understand the contribution of intraoperative and postoperative hospital costs to total hospital costs, examine the costs associated with specific hospital services in the postoperative period, and recognize the impact of patient factors on hospital costs.Study Design. Case series with chart review.Setting. Large tertiary care teaching hospital system.Subjects and Methods. Using the Pittsburgh Head and Neck Organ-Specific Database, 119 patients were identified as having total laryngectomy with bilateral selective neck dissection and primary closure from 1999 to 2009. Cost data were obtained for 112 patients. Costs include fixed and variable costs, adjusted to 2010 US dollars using the Consumer Price Index.Results. Mean total hospital costs were $29 563 (range, $10 915 to $120 345). Operating room costs averaged 24% of total hospital costs, whereas room charges, respiratory therapy, laboratory, pharmacy, and radiology accounted for 38%, 14%, 8%, 7%, and 3%, respectively. Median length of sta...
Transition Noise Analysis of Recording Media With a Soft Underlayer (SUL) and an Antiferromagnetic Soft Underlayer (AF-SUL)

A perpendicular magnetic recording system has been modeled for the purpose of analyzing transition noise, particularly “jitter.” Conventional perpendicular media and “soft” exchange coupled composite (ECC) media with a conventional soft underlayer (SUL) and an antiferromagnetic soft underlayer (AF-SUL) have been investigated using micromagnetic simulation. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique and graphics processing unit (GPU)-based computing have been used to reduce the intensive computation time for magnetostatic interactions between the head, SUL, and recording layer. Interestingly, the jitter is always less dependent on reader offset from track center with the AF-SUL. Jitter for ECC media is also shown to depend less strongly on reader offset than for conventional media. The transition center deviation at the optimal anisotropy for both recording layers is lower with the AF-SUL at both linear densities considered. We further find that the track center moves alternately with direction of fringing field as expected from magnetostatic considerations.
Nanoparticle Detection in Water by Mode Splitting in An Optical Microresonator

We demonstrated detection of polystrene nanoparticles with radius of 50 nm in water using mode splitting in a microresonator in water. We observed different evolution of mode splitting spectra corresponding to different particle solution concentrations.
Dermatitis herpetiformis and partial IgA deficiency

Although the specific IgA autoantibody responsible for the pathogenesis of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is unknown, the presence of IgA is considered essential in the pathogenesis of DH. To date, no cases of IgA deficiency have been reported in DH. In contrast, IgA deficiency is found in 2% to 3% of patients with celiac disease, a rate 10 to 15 times higher than the normal population. We report 2 patients with DH who also have partial IgA deficiency. We evaluated the sera of these patients for the presence of IgA autoantibodies to endomysium, tissue transglutaminase, epidermal transglutaminase, and gliadin. Both patients were found to have IgA endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies, and serologic markers for DH. Corresponding IgG autoantibodies were not useful serologic markers of DH in the setting of IgA deficiency, as they often are in celiac disease. We then screened 98 DH sera for total IgA levels and identified 1 additional case with IgA deficiency. In conclusion, DH may develop in patients with partial IgA deficiency, indicating that pathogenically directed IgA antibodies are likely sufficient for cutaneous IgA deposition in this disease.
Thermal Decomposition of Energetic Materials. 47. A trigger linkage study of high-nitrogen content nitraminotetrazoles and nitramino-1,2,4-triazoles

The thermal decomposition of six related nitraminotctrazoles and nitramino-1, 2, 4-triazoles at slow (5°C/min, DSC) and fast (⪈ 70°C/s, FTIR/temperature profiling) heating rates is described. The nitramine protion of the molecule appears to initiate the degradation in all cases except 5-nitraminotetrazole (5-NATZ) where the tetrazole ring is the trigger linkage. The crystal structures of DNTP and 5-NATZ are described and help explain the decomposition process. DNTP contains one of the longest N-NO2 bonds known for a nitramine (1.49 A). 5-NATZ was found to be a nitrimine rather than a nitramine.
Molecular Genetic Analysis of the Virulence of Oral Bacterial Pathogens: An Historical Perspective

This review will focus on the impact of molecular genetic approaches on elucidating the bacterial etiology of oral diseases from an historical perspective. Relevant results from the pre- and post-recombinant DNA periods will be highlighted, including the roles of gene cloning, mutagenesis, and nucleotide sequencing in this area of research. Finally, the impact of whole-genome sequencing on deciphering the virulence mechanisms of oral pathogens, along with new approaches to control these organisms, will be discussed.
Biocultural Consequences of Spanish Contact in the Lambayeque Valley Region of Northern Peru: Internal Enamel Micro-defects as Indicators of Early Life Stress

The present study utilises dental histological methods to analyse enamel micro-defects as indicators of early life stress in indigenous Muchik individuals interred at two sites: La Capilla Santa Maria Magdalena de Eten (CSMME) (n = 15) and La Capilla del Nino Serranito (CNS) (n = 15), both located in the Lambayeque Valley region of northern Peru. Individuals interred at CNS date to the Early Colonial Period (AD 1533–1610), and individuals interred at CSMME date to the Middle/Late Colonial Period (AD 1625–1760), thus permitting comparison of childhood stress events between the Early and Middle/Late Colonial Periods. Results reveal a high prevalence of Wilson bands at both sites, although a lower prevalence at the CSMME was observed in comparison with the CNS. This indicates that, over time, Muchik individuals in this town may have been able to acclimate to life under Spanish oppression. Stress chronologies suggest that early life stress possibly resulted from inadequate and less than desirable food and/or water available for supplemental feeding during early infancy, especially around the ages of 4 and 5 months. Furthermore, results show that individuals with enamel defects in the form of Wilson bands at both the CNS and CSMME had an earlier mean age-at-death (9.6 and 4.05 years, respectively) in comparison with those without observed Wilson bands (19.75 and 8.8 years, respectively). These results underscore the importance of not only regional and temporal studies of the biological consequences of Spanish contact in the Americas but also of investigating the relationship between early life stress and adult health and longevity in archaeological populations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermochemical Ablation of Ceramic Heat Shields

Simplified thermochemical ablation models are developed for three ceramic heat-shield materials, potentially useful as high-performa nce re-entry nosetips. The models are based on phase equilibrium at the ablating surface and on the simplified film-coefficient approach for unity Lewis-Semenov number. Limited test data from the Avco Model 500 arc are compared with the predictions based on equilibrium thermochemistry, and discrepancies are discussed and explained. The thermochemical models are used to compare the ablative performance of these materials in a typical high-performance nosetip environment, and the most attractive materials, from this standpoint, are identified. Nomenclature cp = specific heat C = constant defined by Eq. (35) D = diameter of test specimen / — fraction of silicon vaporized AF/ = standard molal free energy of formation of specie / at surface temperature h = heat-transfer coefficient based on enthalpy driving force h0 = heat-transfer coefficient in the absence of mass transfer He = recovery enthalpy, BTU/lbm Hs = enthalpy of heat-shield material at surface temperature,
Sodium Acetate and Bifidobacteria Increase Shelf‐Life of Refrigerated Catfish Fillets

Microbiological and sensory evaluations of catfish fillets treated with sodium acetate (SA) and bifidobacteria were studied at 4 o C. Cultures of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, B. infantis, or B. longum (2.5% V/W) extended lag phase, but not generation time of aerobic bacteria. One-half percent (W/W) SA increased lag phase and generation time. SA and bifidobacteria reduced counts more than either alone, extending shelf-life by 3 days. Amount of culture (1.5-4.5%) or culture age (24-72 hr) had no effect on inhibition. Treated fillets odor and appearance resembled fresh fillets for up to 6 days, while untreated fillets were unacceptable after 3 days. SA, either alone or combined with bifidobacteria, extended refrigerated shelf-life of catfish fillets
Clathrate Hydrates for Production of Potable Water

Clathrate hydrates are crystalline inclusion compounds of water and a guest molecule that can form at temperatures above the freezing point of water. Such inclusion compounds exclude dissolved solutes, e.g., sodium chloride present in the aqueous phase, and thereby provide a basis for desalination. Clathrate hydrate formation experiments were performed using several guest molecules, including R141b (CFClH), a commercial refrigerant, and ethylene. Ethylene, a gaseous hydrate guest, readily formed hydrates with saline water at up to 5°C and 20 atm. of pressure. Hydrates of R141b, in the liquid state, were formed at temperatures from 2°C to 6°C and atmospheric pressure from deionized water and 2% - 7% NaCl solutions. Significant reductions in saline content were obtained with both forming agents in a batch reactor without additional separation equipment. Samples of the R141b hydrates were characterized by cold-stage x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy and determined to be structure II. Proof-of-concept experiments were performed to demonstrate a novel technique of desalination using R141b as the hydrate forming agent and an inert secondary fluid.
A comparison of charge transport in electron-beam and graphite-strip ZMR

Summary form only given. Transport characteristics for SOI produced by zone melt recrystallization (ZMR) methods have been measured and compared to those for separation by implantation of oxygen (SIMOX) and bulk Si. Many of the characteristics are similar to those reported for SIMOX material. Evidence of a deep acceptor level was found in graphite-stripe ZMR, and the low-temperature transport characteristics of e-beam ZMR were found to be degraded by mosaic spread. Thermal donor formation in ZMR SOI has also been examined and is discussed. >
The growth and aggressive behavior of human osteosarcoma is regulated by a CaMKII-controlled autocrine VEGF signaling mechanism

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a hyperproliferative malignant tumor that requires a high vascular density to maintain its large volume. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in angiogenesis and acts as a paracrine and autocrine agent affecting both endothelial and tumor cells. The alpha-Ca2+/Calmodulin kinase two (α-CaMKII) protein is an important regulator of OS growth. Here, we investigate the role of α-CaMKII-induced VEGF in the growth and tumorigenicity of OS. We show that the pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of α-CaMKII results in decreases in VEGF gene expression (50%) and protein secretion (55%), while α- CaMKII overexpression increases VEGF gene expression (250%) and protein secretion (1,200%). We show that aggressive OS cells (143B) express high levels of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and respond to exogenous VEGF (100nm) by increasing intracellular calcium (30%). This response is ameliorated by the VEGFR inhibitor CBO-P11, suggesting that secreted VEGF results in autocrine stimulated α-CaMKII activation. Furthermore, we show that VEGF and α-CaMKII inhibition decreases the transactivation of the HIF-1α and AP-1 reporter constructs. Additionally, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay shows significantly decreased binding of HIF-1α and AP-1 to their responsive elements in the VEGF promoter. These data suggest that α-CaMKII regulates VEGF transcription by controlling HIF-1α and AP-1 transcriptional activities. Finally, CBO-P11, KN-93 (CaMKII inhibitor) and combination therapy significantly reduced tumor burden in vivo. Our results suggest that VEGF-induced OS tumor growth is controlled by CaMKII and dual therapy by CaMKII and VEGF inhibitors could be a promising therapy against this devastating adolescent disease.
An adaptive, CMOS neural array for pattern association

The authors report on the design, simulation and training of a CMOS synthetic neural array for pattern association. The circuit architecture is functionally equivalent to theoretical neural network models, but limited interconnection between layers is used to reduce interconnection densities to VLSI-implementable levels. Simulations of the limited-interconnect architecture demonstrate its ability to replicate a small set of desired neuromorphic behaviors. An analog cell and chip architecture for a 512-element, feedforward neural IC are described. Schematics are presented which illustrate fundamental design considerations. >
Terpen-Biosynthese: Modularitätsregeln

Terpene bilden die umfangreichste Klasse niedermolekularer Naturstoffe auf der Erde. Hier werden neuere Entwicklungen bei der Aufklarung von Struktur und Funktion der an der Terpen-Biosynthese beteiligten Proteine zusammengefasst. Die Strukturen dieser Enzyme bestehen aus sechs Hauptbausteinen oder Modulen (α,β,γ,δ,e und ζ): die αα- und αδ-Kopf-Schwanz-trans-Prenyltransferasen, die trans-Isoprenoid-Diphosphate aus C5-Vorstufen synthetisieren; die e-Kopf-Kopf-Prenyltransferasen, die diese Diphosphate in die Tri- und Tetraterpen-Vorstufen von Sterolen, Hopanoiden und Carotinoiden umwandeln; die βγ-Di- und Triterpensynthasen; die ζ-Kopf-Schwanz-cis-Prenyltransferasen, welche die cis-Isoprenoid-Diphosphate fur die Biosynthese der bakteriellen Zellwand aufbauen; und schlieslich die α-, αβ- und αβγ-Terpensynthasen, die pflanzliche Terpene produzieren. Auserdem werden neue Erkenntnisse bezuglich Struktur und Funktion der beiden 4Fe-4S-Reduktasen vorgestellt, die bei der Bildung der C5-Diphosphate in vielen Bakterien mitwirken, wo wiederum hochmodulare Strukturen auftreten.
Synthesis and mass spectrometry of deuterium labelled melatonin

Melatonin containing three deuterium atoms in the 5-methoxy position has been synthesized by methylation of N-acetylserotonin with dideuterodiazomethane. The deuterated product was characterized by mass spectrometry and found to contain 90.8% of maximum possible deuterium incorporation. The major fragmentation patterns of melatonin under electron impact ionization are discussed with the aid of high resolution, deuterium labelling and metastable transition data.
Field Monitoring of Roller Vibration during Compaction of Subgrade Soil

A field investigation was carried out with an instrumented vibratory roller compactor to explore the relationship between vibration characteristics and underlying soil properties, namely soil stiffness. The roller was outfitted with instrumentation to monitor drum and frame acceleration, as well as eccentric excitation force. Multiple consecutive passes were performed over six test beds on an active earthwork construction site to capture changes in roller vibration during compaction. Using lumped parameter vibration theory, soil stiffness was extracted from the roller data drum and frame acceleration and drum phase lag. Both drum acceleration and drum phase lag were found to be very sensitive to changes in underlying soil stiffness. The drum-soil natural frequency of the coupled roller-soil system varied considerably and increased with compaction-induced soil stiffening. Phase lag always decreased with increasing soil stiffness, whereas drum acceleration trends depended on whether the excitation frequency was less than or greater than resonance. Roller-determined soil stiffness was found to be a function of the eccentric force, and heterogeneity in moisture, lift thickness, and underlying stiffness has a considerable affect on roller vibration behavior. When used as a proof roller, the instrumented roller identified soft areas in the embankment that were not identified by a static proof roll test.
Parent proxy-report of their children's health-related quality of life: an analysis of 13,878 parents' reliability and validity across age subgroups using the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales.

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurement has emerged as an important health outcome in clinical trials, clinical practice improvement strategies, and healthcare services research and evaluation. While pediatric patient self-report should be considered the standard for measuring perceived HRQOL, there are circumstances when children are too young, too cognitively impaired, too ill or fatigued to complete a HRQOL instrument, and reliable and valid parent proxy-report instruments are needed in such cases. Further, it is typically parents' perceptions of their children's HRQOL that influences healthcare utilization. Data from the PedsQL™ DatabaseSM were utilized to test the reliability and validity of parent proxy-report at the individual age subgroup level for ages 2–16 years as recommended by recent FDA guidelines. The sample analyzed represents parent proxy-report age data on 13,878 children ages 2 to 16 years from the PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales DatabaseSM. Parents were recruited from general pediatric clinics, subspecialty clinics, and hospitals in which their children were being seen for well-child checks, mild acute illness, or chronic illness care (n = 3,718, 26.8%), and from a State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in California (n = 10,160, 73.2%). The percentage of missing item responses for the parent proxy-report sample as a whole was 2.1%, supporting feasibility. The majority of the parent proxy-report scales across the age subgroups exceeded the minimum internal consistency reliability standard of 0.70 required for group comparisons, while the Total Scale Scores across the age subgroups approached or exceeded the reliability criterion of 0.90 recommended for analyzing individual patient scale scores. Construct validity was demonstrated utilizing the known groups approach. For each PedsQL™ scale and summary score, across age subgroups, healthy children demonstrated a statistically significant difference in HRQOL (better HRQOL) than children with a known chronic health condition, with most effect sizes in the medium to large effect size range. The results demonstrate the feasibility, reliability, and validity of parent proxy-report at the individual age subgroup for ages 2–16 years. These analyses are consistent with recent FDA guidelines which require instrument development and validation testing for children and adolescents within fairly narrow age groupings and which determine the lower age limit at which reliable and valid responses across age categories are achievable. Even as pediatric patient self-report is advocated, there remains a fundamental role for parent proxy-report in pediatric clinical trials and health services research.
Objective Evaluation of Short‐Crack Toughness Curves Using Indentation Flaws: Case Study on Alumina‐Based Ceramics

An objective methodology is developed for evaluating toughness curves (T-curves) of ceramics using indentation flaws. Two experimental routes are considered: (i) conventional measurement of inert strength as a function of indentation load; (ii) in situ measurement of crack size as a function of applied stress. Central to the procedure is a proper calibration of the indentation coefficients that determine the K-field of indentation cracks in combined residual-contact and applied-stress loading, using data on an appropriate base material with single-valued toughness. Tests on a fine-grain alumina serve to demonstrate the approach. A key constraint in the coefficient evaluation is an observed satisfaction of the classical indentation strength–(load)−1/3 relation for such materials, implying an essential geometrical similarity in the crack configurations at failure. T-curves for any alumina-based ceramic without single-valued toughness can then be generated objectively from inert-strength or in situ crack-size data. The methodology thereby circumvents the need for any preconceived model of toughening, or for any prescribed analytical representation of the T-curve function. Data on coarse-grained aluminas and alumina-matrix material with aluminum titanate second-phase particles are used in an illustrative case study.
Fast 2D Hand Tracking with Flocks of Features and Multi-Cue Integration

This paper introduces "Flocks of Features," a fast tracking method for non-rigid and highly articulated objects such as hands. It combines KLT features and a learned foreground color distribution to facilitate 2D position tracking from a monocular view. The tracker's benefits lie in its speed, its robustness against background noise, and its ability to track objects that undergo arbitrary rotations and vast and rapid deformations. We demonstrate tracker performance on hand tracking with a non-stationary camera in unconstrained indoor and outdoor environments. The tracker yields over threefold improvement over a CamShift tracker in terms of the number of frames tracked before the target was lost, and often more than one order of magnitude improvement in terms of the fractions of particular test sequences tracked successfully.
Narrowing the semantic gap - improved text-based web document retrieval using visual features

We present the results of our work that seek to negotiate the gap between low-level features and high-level concepts in the domain of web document retrieval. This work concerns a technique, called the latent semantic indexing (LSI), which has been used for textual information retrieval for many years. In this environment, LSI determines clusters of co-occurring keywords so that a query which uses a particular keyword can then retrieve documents perhaps not containing this keyword, but containing other keywords from the same cluster. In this paper, we examine the use of this technique for content-based web document retrieval, using both keywords and image features to represent the documents. Two different approaches to image feature representation, namely, color histograms and color anglograms, are adopted and evaluated. Experimental results show that LSI, together with both textual and visual features, is able to extract the underlying semantic structure of web documents, thus helping to improve the retrieval performance significantly, even when querying is done using only keywords.
Interface conditions and code-switching: Pronouns, lexical DPs, and checking theory

The ban on code-switching between a (subject) pronoun and a verb, but not between a lexical DP and a verb, is an enduring puzzle in research on bilingual code-switching. In this paper, we propose an account of these code-switching facts by positing that pronouns and lexical DPs take advantage of different checking strategies: While lexical DPs check features in [Spec, TP], pronouns undergo D-to-T movement. In the latter case, a mixed-language complex head results, a construction which crashes at PF, as predicted by the PF Disjunction Theorem.
Handwriting and pattern recognition

Handwriting can be characterized as a sequence of basic strokes connected according to rule. Handwriting so generated approximates that of humans very closely. Such a matching process can be used as the fundamental principle in a handwriting recognizer.
Where is the edge for cascading failure?: challenges and opportunities for quantifying blackout risk

In this paper, we review some emerging approaches to the challenging problem of cascading blackout risk. International data suggests an increased (but still rare) frequency of large blackouts that makes the risk of large blackouts substantial. We argue that the problem of avoiding blackouts should be posed as jointly mitigating the risk of blackouts of all sizes. There is evidence of a change in cascading blackout risk at a critical loading or stress that provides a reference point for power system design and operation with respect to cascading failure. There are a range of power system simulations and high-level models of cascading failure that could be used to develop risk analysis methods appropriate to cascading failure. One of the high-level models is a branching process that models cascading failure probabilistically as initial failures followed by propagation of these failures. The amount of propagation lambda can be quantified from data and is under investigation as a metric for cascading failure that can help predict overall blackout risk.
Complex Tenses, Agreement and Wh-extraction

0. Introduction In this paper we provide an analysis of the syntax of tense in Berber and investigate the interaction between complex tenses and the Anti-Agreement Effect (AAE), which was first discussed by Ouhalla (1993). Our analysis attempts to unify the tense system of Berber and make an accurate distinction between tense and aspect in this language. In our analysis of complex tenses we propose that complex tense clauses are bi-clausal, i.e. their structure consists of two Tense projections, and show how that is compatible with the defectiveness of T in embedded domains. Our analysis provides empirical evidence for cyclic valuation/checking of Case (Chomsky 2000, 2001). We also present certain similarities between AAE in Berber and auxiliary raising/T-to-C in English, regarding cases of local wh-movement of subjects vs. objects. This paper is organized as follows: section 1 provides some background and offers an analysis of the tense system in Berber, section 2 analyzes complex tenses in this language, section 3 compares complex tense constructions to Exceptional Case Marking (ECM) constructions, section 4 discusses subject extraction and offers an analysis of AAE, and section 5 highlights the asymmetry between AAE in Berber and Tto-C raising in English.
Molecular Genetic Abnormalities in Sporadic Hyperparathyroidism

The biochemical state of primary hyperparathyroidism is generally caused by hypercellular parathyroid glands categorized as multigland hyperplasia, benign adenoma or malignant carcinoma. Most, and probably all, adenomas and carcinomas are monoclonal in origin, and specific clonal genetic lesions have been identified in most of these tumors. Only two genes have been definitively proven to be important players in the pathogenesis of typical sporadic parathyroid tumors, an oncogene, cydin D1 and a tumor suppressor gene, MEN1. The cyclin D1 oncoprotein is overexpressed in 20–40% of parathyroid adenomas and the identification of clonal rearrangements which activate the cyclin D1 gene in a subset of tumors indicates that such activation is a primary genetic driver of parathyroid neoplasia. Cyclin D1 plays an important role in regulation of the cell cycle and may have non-cell cycle effects which contribute to tumorigenesis as well. The central role that cyclin D1 plays in parathyroid tumorigenesis has been confirmed in a mouse model where cyclin D1 is overexpressed specifically in the parathyroids and in which many features of human hyperparathyroidism are reproduced. Germline mutations of MEN1 cause multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1, a genetic syndrome in which patients develop tumors of multiple endocrine (and some nonendocrine) tissues including the parathyroid glands. Acquired (somatic) mutations in MEN1 have also been identified in 12–17% of sporadic parathyroid adenomas. The function of MEN1 remains elusive, but the discovery of proteins that interact with the MEN1 protein product, menin, and the development of a mouse model of MEN1 syndrome may help to shed light on menin’s function. The HRPT2 gene has recently been identified as a major contributor to the development of sporadic parathyroid carcinoma. Identification of acquired chromosomal aberrations in parathyroid adenomas and carcinomas using techniques such as molecular allelotyping and comparative genomic hybridization has highlighted several areas of the genome that may harbor other important parathyroid tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. The eventual identification of the full spectrum of genes involved in parathyroid tumorigenesis will be important for developing a complete understanding of the molecular basis of primary hyperparathyroidism.
Pattern of morphological variation of Salicornia in north Europe

Among the few available morphological traits in the genus Salicornia L. (Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae), most are extremely variable within species probably due to high levels of plasticity. In addition, identifying Salicornia taxa is further complicated by that these plants lose many of their diagnostic characters upon drying. Morphological studies of fresh (or liquid preserved) specimens is thus important in taxonomical studies. The objective of this study was a numerical morphological analyses of Salicornia populations in the Nordic countries and an adjacent Russian region with the aim to ascertain whether taxonomic division of this genus based on morphology is feasible. In all, 666 plants were collected for morphometric measurements from 31 localities and 52 populations or subpopulations of the North Sea coasts, Danish straits, Baltic Sea, the Norwegian Sea, Barents Sea, and the White Sea areas. For practical reasons, part of the samples was studied fresh, and part preserved in FAA pending measurements. Data were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis. The main taxonomical division was found between the diploid S. europaea s.l. and the tetraploid S. procumbens Sm., and was mainly based on fertile segment and flower morphology characteristics. Data also show ecological differences: diploids inhabit the upper part of salt marshes, whereas tetraploids grow in the hydrolittoral zone and are restricted to areas of regular tidal influence. It was not possible to make a morphological distinction between the two cryptic diploid species S. europaea s.s. and S. perennans Willd. in the present study. North Norwegian S. europaea clearly deviated from more southern populations, but taxonomical conclusions based only on morphology were avoided. In contrast, the division of S. procumbens into two geographical races/subspecies, the southern subsp. procumbens and the northern subsp. pojarkovae was supported.
Amorphous to Microcrystalline Transition in Thickness-graded Hot-Wire CVD Silicon Films

We study the amorphous to microcrystalline silicon phase transition in hot-wire chemical vapor deposition thin-film silicon by depositing a series of unique, thickness-graded, samples on a glass substrate at 200°C. By inserting or withdrawing a motor-driven shutter during growth, we make samples that vary from 200 to about 2000 A thick across each 5-cm along stripe. Each stripe is grown at a different dilution ratio of hydrogen to silane in the source gas. The phase composition at various locations was determined by Raman and ultraviolet-reflectivity measurements. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images of topology reveal that the surface changes from a rather smooth a-Si phase to more granular microcrystalline-Si (rms roughness increases from 10 to 47 A).
SPOTTING THE MYTHS ABOUT SPOTTED OWLS Claims of Causality, Burdens of Proof, and the 'Cause" of Rain in Seattle

Professor Carroll and his colleagues deserve two forms of thanks for their critique of our earlier article (Freudenburg, Wilson, and O'Leary 1998). First, as we note again in the closing pages of this response, they show it is possible to take a professional approach to the expression of their disagreement, even on an issue they care about deeply. Second, if even researchers as distinguished as these misunderstood a number of our key points, then other readers may have misunderstood the points as well. Although we tried to be as clear as possible in our initial article, we will attempt to be even clearer and more direct in this response. The critique by Carroll et al. has two main parts. The first involves questions of scientific and technical judgments; the second has to do with what is sometimes called the "moral exclusion" literature and with the perceptions of those who live * in the logging-dependent communities of the Pacific Northwest. Our response follows the same basic organization.
Microvoids in Polycrystalline Cvd Diamond

Small angle light scattering has been used to quantitatively study microvoids in polycrystalline CVD diamond. Guinier’s approximation was used to calculate the average radius of gyration of these defects for diamond films made by both DC arc-jet and microwave CVD assuming a spherical defect geometry. Values of the radius of gyration varied between approximately 1 and 5 μm and were found to correlate with the thickness, relative transmission and thermal conductivity measured for the films. Some inconsistencies were observed between microwave and DC arc-jet materials which may be related to fundamental differences in the growth processes. This represents the first quantitative analysis of such defects in polycrystalline films and holds great promise for improving our understanding of the diamond CVD processing and properties.
Attempting to Answer a Meaningful Question Enhances Subsequent Learning Even When Feedback Is Delayed

Attempting to retrieve information from memory enhances subsequent learning even if the retrieval attempt is unsuccessful. Recent evidence suggests that this benefit materializes only if subsequent study occurs immediately after the retrieval attempt. Previous studies have prompted retrieval using a cue (e.g., whale-???) that has no intrinsic answer. Experiment 1 replicated prior word pair studies, but in Experiment 2, when participants learned meaningful trivia questions, testing enhanced learning even when subsequent study was delayed. Even in Experiment 3, when subsequent study was delayed by up to 24 hr, tests enhanced learning on a final test another 24 hr later. These findings may give comfort to educators who worry that asking a question or giving a test, on which students inevitably make mistakes, impairs learning if feedback is not immediate. They also suggest that there is a consensus in the literature thus far: Questions with rich semantic content enhance subsequent learning even when feedback is delayed, but less meaningful questions without an intrinsic answer enhance learning only when feedback is immediate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).
Targeted sequencing of a complex locus within a polyploid genome using reduced representation libraries

Apospory is a form of gametophytic apomixis in which embryos develop from unreduced embryo sacs derived from aposporous initials formed from nucellar cells of ovules to produce offspring genetically identical to the female plant. Apospory in Pennisetum squamulatum (8X) and Cenchrus ciliaris (4X) is a dominant trait controlled by a physically large, hemizygous, heterochromatic chromosomal block called the apospory-specific genomic region (ASGR). Both apomictic species are polyploid, with genome sizes estimated at 2600 to 3000 Mbp for C. ciliaris and 9400 to 10,300 Mbp for P. squamulatum. A study was conducted to determine whether duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) normalization of DNA from apomictic and sexual genotypes would reduce repetitive sequences and allow bioinformatic analysis to predict sequence contigs derived from the ASGR. DSN libraries from four genotypes were sequenced using Illumina® HiSeq 2000 technology. 39 out of 44 tested sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers from in silico predicted ASGR-specific contigs were mapped to the ASGR in a Pennisetum F1 mapping population. Eighteen SCARs showed apomict-specific amplification in C. ciliaris. The successful mapping of ~90 % of the SCAR markers to the ASGR in the Pennisetum F1 mapping population shows that DSN normalization and Illumina sequencing can be used as an effective strategy for targeted mapping of a physically large locus rich in repetitive sequences, like that of the ASGR.
EVALUATION of THE PREDICTING METHOD OF TEMPRATURE FOR CONVENTIONAL CEMENTING

It is important for accurate prediction of bottom-hole circulating temperature (BHCT) to be got in drilling, completion and cement slurry design. In this paper, it was compared the downhole circulating temperature of API abroad with the actual testing data at home. The results show that the mean relative error exceeds 5 percentage of the conventional predicting temperature, the temperature can be evaluated with different empirical coefficients under arbitrary depth of well, and at any circulating time. Although the method is simple, it can not satisfy the requirement for the drilling and cementing construction. In order to obtain the exact temperature distribution, the researchers should be further to test the downhole circulating temperature, at the same time, to simulate the heat transfer process by computer.
Aqueous corrosion behaviour of plasma sprayed coatings

ABSTRACT The aqueous corrosion degradation of ceramic and metallic coatings plasma-sprayed onto steel substrate were assessed by measuring their bond strengths as a function of salt spray exposure time. The bond strength-corrosion time dependence of Cr 2 O 3 , AlO 3 .TiO 2 , Zr0 2 .MgO, NiCr and Cr 2 0 3 /NiCr coatings were measured. The severity of the aqueous corrosion attack depends more upon the difference in the electrochemical potentials between the coating and the substrate than in the amount of the open porosity. For large differences in the electrochemical potentials, as in the case of Cr 2 O 3 and Cr 2 0 3 /NiCr, a severe drop in bond strength is observed. For small differences in the electrochemical potential, the corrosion is less severe and a reduction in bond strength with corrosion time is only observed after longer period of corrosion or this reduction is more gradual.
Third Law of Thermodynamics

According to the third law of thermodynamics, the entropy of a system in internal equilibrium approaches a constant independent of phase as the absolute temperature tends to zero. This constant value is taken to be zero for a non-degenerate ground state, in accord with statistical mechanics. Independence of phase is illustrated by extrapolation due to Fermi of the entropy of gray and white tin as the temperature is reduced to absolute zero. The third law is based on the postulate of Nernst to explain empirical rules for equilibrium of chemical reactions as absolute zero is approached. As a consequence of the third law, the following quantities vanish at absolute zero: heat capacity, coefficient of thermal expansion, and ratio of thermal expansion to isothermal compressibility.
Shallow waves in density stratified shear currents

Abstract In this paper we examine the role of nonlinearity on the evolution of surface and internal layers in density stratified fluids with steady but different shear currents in each stratified layer. As we show, when the difference between the vorticities in each layer is sufficiently large and of different signs, large amplitude nonlinear phenomena, particularly along the internal layer, emerges. Dispersive shock wave and solitary wave phenomena appear in the parameter regimes examined in this work. Our results show that jumps in density and vorticity generate strong nonlinear responses, and therefore fluid models should account for these variations in order to improve their predictive capabilities.
Constructing a measure of information content for an ontological concept

Ontologies have become a focal point in the advancement of the Semantic Web especially in the biological and biomedical domains which have a wealth of ontologies such as those found in BioPortal. Computing the degree of semantic similarity between ontological concepts has been a significant function for their use in various applications. Semantic similarity measures that utilize the information content (IC) of an ontological concept have become more and more standard since they have been widely studied and evaluated. The meaning of information content and its calculation, however, have seen numerous interpretations and formulations. Just recently a method of calculating IC incorporates belief function and plausibility theory into the early corpus-based IC method. The argument is that humans intuitively use inductive inference, and, therefore, plausibility should be incorporated when calculating IC. Various approaches to determine IC measures and the role of the ontology structure has played in IC measures are reviewed. The recent inductive inference approach, which considers both the ontology structure and corpus frequency, is analyzed and compared to other existing IC measures. The analysis and comparison is motivated by the assumptions made in the construction of these IC measures and provides insights into factors to be considered in assessing the IC of an ontological concept.
Returns to school resources in the Jim Crow South

We estimate returns to school resources in the Jim Crow era, as measured by young males' 1940 wage earnings, occupational status, and cognitive aptitude scores. Results point to a 16 cent annual return on each $1 invested in public schools. To the question of whether some school inputs mattered more than others, we find comparable 25–32 cent returns per dollar invested in extended school years, teacher salaries, and smaller classes. School spending and inputs had much more bearing on labor market outcomes than aptitude scores. We document diminishing returns to school expenditures, which, in combination with segregated schools, resulted in higher returns to expenditures in black schools relative to white.
Threshold Sports, Llc

In June 2001, the owners of this small rapidly growing sports promotion firm are assessing the financing implications of their growth plans. Threshold Sports organizes professional cycling races, and holds major race franchises for several large U.S. cities. It seeks to expand quickly the number of events that it manages, eventually to build professional cycling in the United States to a level consistent with Europe. The growth outlook creates a financing need of $500,000. The case presents three financing alternatives: debt, common equity, and convertible preferred stock. The task for the student is to assess the alternatives and make a recommendation. The choice hinges importantly on the estimated value of the firm.
Gender Differences in the Trends of Hospitalizations for Acute Stroke Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in the United States: 2005 to 2014.

Female gender was included in stroke prediction algorithms in an attempt to improve anticoagulation rates in women with atrial fibrillation (AF). It is unclear if these efforts reduced stroke burden in women with AF. To bridge this literature gap, using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we assessed gender differences in the trends of hospitalizations for stroke among patients with AF in the United States in 2005 to 2014. International classification of diseases, 9th revision, clinical modification codes were used to abstract AF and stroke diagnoses. From 2005 to 2014, 18,413,291 hospitalizations of women with AF and 18,035,866 hospitalizations of men with AF were reported. Of these, 740,635 hospitalizations in women and 595,730 hospitalizations in men had stroke as the primary diagnosis. Age-adjusted stroke hospitalizations increased in women (443 per million in 2005 to 495 per million in 2014) as well as in men (351 per million in 2005 to 453 per million in 2014) (p trend