cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The viscoelastic response of highly-stretches rubber specimens to superposed torsional deformation

This paper describes and discusses the anomalous mechanical response of tubular specimens of natural rubber which have been highly stretched in their axial direction and to which a small torsional twist is applied while stress relaxation is taking place. It has been found that whereas the response conforms to the theory of large elastic deformations for stretch ratios up to 3.5, i.e. the torsional modulus is directly proportional to the axial force, for stretch ratios greater than this the response becomes anomalous, and at stretch ratios in excess of about 4.0 the torsional modulus increases as the stress relaxes. This is attributed to the crystallization of the rubber which is known to take place in this range of stretch ratio. The results of recent experiments both of torsional oscillations where the rubber specimen provides the restoring couple and of the response of stretched rubber tubes to small step twists are described, and the theoretical representation of this type of response is outlined. The effects of different ambient temperatures on the response are also described.
Audience response techniques for 21st century radiology education.

Introduction Audience response system (ARS) provides an excellent tool for improving interactive learning in radiology residents. However, it is not the technology but the pedagogy that matters the most. It is long past time to upgrade our ARS teaching techniques to match our ARS technology. Discussion In this article, several problems with current usage of ARS are discussed and several prescriptions for improving this are presented. Simplifying the ease of use of ARS will get this useful technology into more hands. Using ARS in a bidirectional manner will give us an even better idea of how and what our students are learning. Asking questions on the fly will obviate the usual tedium of multiple-choice questions and allow us to quiz our students in a much more natural manner. It is time to move on to more innovative ARS techniques that are well adapted to radiology and its different styles of learning.
The Heresthetics of Coup Making

Heresthetics is a term coined by Riker to refer to the stratagems used by politicians to manipulate the structure of a decision-making situation. The object of such manipulation is to force one's opponents into a choice of alternatives such that, whichever alternative is chosen, the opponents will lose. The main argument of this article is that military coups and regimes are largely the outcomes of successful heresthetical maneuvers. In this article my argument is applied to the emergence of the Brazilian military regime of 1964. But the argument should apply more widely. At the very least, this preliminary exercise should stimulate more research on the strategic maneuvers that engender military regimes and other forms of political change. By investigating the relationship between heresthetics and regime change this article also shows how social choice theory and game theory can be used to complement and enrich current explanations of political change.
Anaerobic capacity of amphibians

Abstract 1. 1. Anaerobic capacity and the removal of lactate following exhaustive activity was examined in a variety of amphibians acclimatized to 15°C and a photoperiod of LD 12:12. 2. 2. Terrestrial forms generally fit the model of Bennett & Licht (1974): sluggish animals have lower anaerobic capacities than forms which rely on frantic struggle to excape predation. 3. 3. Aquatic forms did not fit the model and relied extensively on anaerobiosis for energy production during activity. 4. 4. The ability to remove lactate generated during activity was not correlated with the amount of energy generated from lactate during activity.
IMPAIRED SPLENIC RETICULOENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH CANCER

The reticuloendothelial (RE) phagocytic function of the spleen is a major mechanism of defense against invasive infections due to S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae, two organisms which often affect children with cancer. Little information is available about the effects of malignancy and of cytotoxic agents on phagocytic function. Therefore, we studied splenic RE function in children with cancer receiving diverse forms of chemotherapy by quantitation of pitted or pocked erythrocytes (pit counts). The pit count (PC) is the percentage of erythrocytes containing one or more membrane-bound vesicles as determined by interference phase microscopy. The mean PC in 77 normal children and adults was 0.53% (range 0-2.0%), with only 2.6% of normal subjects having values over 1.5%. Mean PC in 28 splenectomized subjects was 37% (range 3.2-81%). Among 158 children with cancer (361 specimens), the mean PC was 1.10% (range 0-12.6%). Forty-six patients (30%) had one or more values above 1.5%, and 16 children (11%) had PC measurements above 3.0%, a level previously suggested to have clinical significance. Elevated PC (> 1.5%) occurred in over 1/3 of children with Wilms' tumor and ALL and appeared to be related to chemotherapy rather than to the malignancy itself. Mild splenic RE hypofunction occurs in many children with cancer, probably results from chemotherapy, and may contribute to the risk of serious infection during treatment with cytotoxic agents.
The availability of lysine from Torula yeast.

Abstract The availability of lysine from Torula yeast has been measured with chicks and rats on the basis of growth response, feed or protein efficiency, nitrogen retention (chicks), and lysine absorption (rats). Consistently greater growth responses were obtained on lysine-deficient diets supplemented with 15–20% Torula yeast than could be accounted for on the basis of the lysine so provided. Measurements involving weight gains, therefore, did not prove to be adequate criteria for evaluating lysine availability. On the other hand, nitrogen retention data disclosed that yeast lysine was about 75% as available to the chick as the synthetic substance. With rats, yeast lysine was about 90% as efficiently absorbed as the synthetic amino acid.
Motivating the public to take advantage of skin cancer screening

In recognition of continuing increases in the incidence of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, the American Academy of Dermatology has encouraged dermatologic communities nationwide to offer free skin cancer screening to the public. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center took part in one such effort last spring. This article summarizes the results of a survey of that center's participants. The data revealed that more than 90% of their attendees learned of the screening through the mass media. Most participants came in response to concern over a specific lesion. A significant association was found to exist between prescreening reports of high-risk perceptions and the subsequent discovery by physicians of malignant or premalignant conditions. These and other findings are discussed, with suggestions being made for future screenings.
Regional Pleural Filtration and Absorption Measured by Fluorescent Tracers in Rabbits

In prone anesthetized rabbits, we used Evans blue-dyed albumin (EBA) to study regional pleural filtration and FITC dextran to study regional pleural absorption. Evans blue was injected intravenously, and the animals were ventilated for 6 h at either of two levels of ventilation. Postmortem the right rib cage was frozen and thawed before study. EBA fluorescence emitted from the rib cage surface was measured along the cranial-caudal axis near the mid chest with fluorescence videomicroscopy. Fluorescent light intensity increased from the third to the eighth rib in a cyclic fashion, with peaks at the ribs and troughs at the intercostal spaces. This increase was greater at the higher ventilation. Fluorescent images of cross sections of a frozen rib cage verified a cranial-caudal gradient in filtration. Fluorescent images of FITC dextran absorbed from the pleural space into the rib cage surface indicated major areas of absorption at the ventral, caudal, and cranial regions adjacent to the lung margins and areas of absorption scattered in the intercostal spaces. Simultaneous measurements of EBA filtration and FITC absorption showed sites of maximal filtration that were different from sites of maximal absorption. Pleural uptake of fluorescent microspheres (2-μm diameter) located lymphatic stomata distributed randomly within clusters in the intercostal spaces and channels of lymphatic lacunae parallel to blood vessels. Diaphragmatic uptake of microspheres was confined mainly to the ventral surface of the central tendon. Visceral pleural absorption was minimal.
William Barton Rogers and the idea of MIT, by A.J. Angulo

Baltimore, MD, The John Hopkins University Press, 2009, 240 pp., US$55, ISBN 978‐0‐8018‐9033‐8 William Barton Rogers (1804–1882), the subject of A.J. Angulo’s new biography, belonged to one of nine...
Limits to “Jewish power”: how Slovak Jewish leaders negotiated restitution of property after the Second World War

This article examines how Jewish leaders in post-war Slovakia negotiated the restitution of property with the legislative and executive powers in Bratislava and Prague. The Jewish leaders were affiliated with two Slovak Jewish organisations founded in 1945: the Central Union of Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia (Ustredný svaz židovských naboženských obci na Slovensku, USŽNO) and the Organisation of Victims of Racial Persecution at the Hands of the Fascist Regime in Bratislava (Sdruženie fasistickým režimom rasovo prenasledovaných v Bratislave, SRP). The Secretary General of the SRP, Dr Vojtech Winterstein, was the main voice negotiating and promoting the interests of the post-war Jewish community. His invaluable collection of documents – the Winterstein collection – provides the source base for this article.
Long-term stability of UV multifilter rotating shadowband radiometers: part 2. Lamp calibrations versus the Langley method

This is the second continuation of work begun by Dave Bigelow and James Slusser in their study of the same name published in 2000 in J. Geophys. Res., 105, 4833-4840, which studied only a few instruments over a limited in-service time span. Part 1 expanded the Langley stability analysis by using 42 instruments over 5 years of field service. This part 2 expands stability as expressed with repeated laboratory lamp calibrations of the instruments, and compares these to the prior Langley analysis. 115 cases representing 44 instruments covering seven years of deployment are studied. Complicating this analysis are the four versions of the UV-MFRSR instrument that span the analysis time frame, and the results are presented as such. These results show the mean annual drift in sensitivity for the seven nominal wavelengths of the UV-MFRSR instrument are: pre-Rev.M: 300nm -8.8%, 305nm -8.1%, 311nm -7.4%, 317nm -8.3%, 325nm -7.3%, 332nm -7.6%, 368nm -7.2%; Rev.M: 300nm -7.5%, 305nm -7.1%, 311nm -6.5%, 317nm -5.6%, 325nm -5.8%, 332nm -5.3%, 368nm -5.1%; Rev.N and P; 300nm -10.1%, 305nm -7.2%, 311nm -8.3%, 317nm -4.3%, 325nm -3.6%, 332nm -3.7%, 368nm -3.5%; and Rev.Q: 300nm -5.6%, 305nm -5.8%, 311nm -3.8%, 317nm -4.4%, 325nm -4.8%, 332nm -4.6%, 368nm -3.5%.
BLOAT IN CATTLE. IX. EFFECT OF POLOXALENE, USED TO PREVENT LEGUME BLOAT, ON MILK PRODUCTION, FEED INTAKE, HEALTH, REPRODUCTION, AND RUMEN FERMENTATION.

Abstract The efficacy of a nonionic surfactant in controlling alfalfa pasture bloat was demonstrated previously. In this study, six dairy cows were fed varying levels of the surfactant (10, 20, or 40g per cow per day) for 12 wk, and six cows served as controls. The surfactant had no deleterious effect on milk production, milk fat test, body weight, feed consumption, conception rate, or animal health. Two sets of fistulated identical twin animals were used to determine the surfactant's effect on rumen fermentation. A reversal design of feeding was used. Ten grams of surfactant daily seemed not to affect rumen ammonia concentration, rumen pH, or rumen lactic and volatile fatty acid concentration. Inocula from surfactant-fed and control animals digested similar quantities of cellulose in vitro. The results appear to justify the conclusion that feeding the bloat-preventive agent in quantities up to 40g per day does not deleteriously affect dairy animals.
Alkenyl tricarbonyl derivatives of α-amino acids as trielectrophiles. Formation of heterocyclic-substituted products

Abstract Alkenyl tricarbonyl esters have been prepared by reaction of mono aldehydes of dibasic amino acids with tricarbonyl esters. These systems undergo reaction with diamines and other dinucleophiles by a combination of Michael addition and nucleophilic attack at the electrophilic central carbonyl to form pyrrole derivatives. These monoaldehydes may also be used to incorporate imidazole and furan residues into the amino acid starting materials.
Tractional force generation by human müller cells: growth factor responsiveness and integrin receptor involvement.

PURPOSE To assess the ability of human Muller cells to generate tractional forces and to determine the role of growth factors and collagen binding integrins in this process. METHODS Muller cells were isolated from papain-DNase-digested human retina. Cell identity and changes in cell phenotype were confirmed by immunodetection of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP), vimentin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA). Generation of tractional force was assessed with a tissue culture assay involving incubation of cells on three-dimensional collagen gels. The effects of contraction-promoting growth factors were examined by adding these directly to the culture medium. Muller cell expression and the involvement of specific integrin receptors were assessed by immunodetection, RT-PCR, and subunit-specific blocking antibodies. RESULTS During maintenance in culture, human Muller cells adopted a fibroblast-like phenotype capable of generating tractional forces. Matrix contraction was stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion by insulin-like growth factor I and platelet-derived growth factor. Modest responses were observed with high concentrations of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and -beta2. Muller cells express all four integrin subunits that comprise the collagen-binding receptors including alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, and beta1. Blocking antibodies against receptor subunits alpha2 and beta1 significantly reduced the overall rate of matrix contraction. Antibodies against the alpha1 subunit were modestly inhibitory, whereas anti-alpha3 was without effect. CONCLUSIONS Human Muller cells acquire the capacity to generate tractional forces in vitro and the contraction-promoting growth factors insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are potent stimuli. Generation of tractional force by Muller cells primarily involves integrin receptors containing alpha2 and beta1 subunits.
Learning-related behaviors, cognitive skills, and ability grouping when schooling begins

Abstract We use ECLS-K data from a national sample of students to estimate the determinants and consequences of reading ability group placement in kindergarten and first grade. We find that prior test score performance is the strongest determinant of such placement, followed in magnitude by the teacher’s judgment of the student’s learning-related classroom behavior. These variables explain most of the race, gender, and social class differentials when students are placed into ability groups for the first time. Within kindergarten and first grade classes where grouping is used, placement into a higher group exerts a positive effect on student learning-related behavior and reading achievement. Ability group placement and the teacher’s assessment of student behavior both have significant effects on student’s growth in reading achievement, even net of their prior reading achievement scores. Such grouping takes individual and group-level performance differences that emerge during the preschool period and causes them to widen more than would otherwise be the case during the first 2 years of formal schooling.
Measurements of and Relation Between the Adhesion and Friction of Two Surfaces Separated by Molecularly Thin Liquid Films

A new technique is described for sliding (shearing) two molecularly smooth surfaces laterally past each other in liquids while monitoring their exact contact area, the normal and transverse forces, and the surface separation. First, we show that the elastic deformations of two initially curved surfaces in adhesive contact are the same under static and dynamic (i.e., sliding) conditions. Detailed results are then presented of how the shear properties of thin films of water and a simple nonpolar liquid are “quantized” with the number of layers. Results with water as the intervening liquid, as well as the effects of humidity on sliding in air, reveal that more complex mechanisms are operating than with simple liquids which appear to be related to the complex “hydration” forces between two surfaces in water or in aqueous salt solutions. The results suggest a close correlation between the static forces and shear properties of very thin liquid films, and the molecular structure of the liquids confined within such films.
The synthesis of (±)-thalphenine, thaliglucine and thaliglucinone

Abstract Photolysis of the phenolic tetrahydrobenzylisoquinoline 11 in basic solution yielded (±)-de-N-methylthalphenine (14). Quaternization with methyl iodide then afforded thalphenine iodide (rac. 1) which upon Hofmann elimination supplied thaliglucine (2). Thaliglucinone (3) is obtained by oxidation of thaliglucine (2).
Initial validation of non-authoritative data for road assessment

This research proposes a methodology that leverages non-authoritative data to augment flood extent mapping and the evaluation of transportation infrastructure. The novelty of this approach is the application of freely available, non-authoritative data and its integration with established data and methods. Crowdsourced photos and volunteered geographic data are fused together using a geostatistical interpolation to create an estimation of flood damage in New York City following Hurricane Sandy. This damage assessment is utilized to augment an authoritative storm surge map as well as to create a road damage map for the affected region.
Self-Assembly of Hexagonal Rod Arrays Based on Capillary Forces

A series of well-ordered, extended mesostructures has been generated from hexagonal polyurethane rods (15x3.2 mm) by self-assembly using capillary forces. The surface of one or more sides of the rods was rendered hydrophilic by exposure to an oxygen plasma. This modification determined the pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic faces; the hydrophobic sides were coated with a thin film of a hydrophobic lubricant. Agitation of the rods in an approximately isodense aqueous environment resulted in their self-assembly, in a process reflecting the action of capillary forces, into an array whose structure depends on the pattern of hydrophobic sides; capillarity also aligned the ends of the rods. We also carried out experiments in reaction chambers that restricted the motion of the rods; this restriction served to increase the size and regularity of the assemblies. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
Coupling Brand and Organizational Identities Through Partnering

IN JOINT VENTURES, MERGERS, and other relationships, businesses must determine the optimum way to blend their respective brands and identities. Based on an analysis of the purpose behind a partnership and the categorization of identity elements into properties, products, presentations, and publications, Bernd Schmitt and Alex Simonson present a conceptualization for establishing priorities in the branding/identity redesign effort that is needed to support business combinations.
Effects of Drying Conditions, Phase Transformations, and Carbonation Reactions on Measurements of Sorption Isotherms of Building Materials

The sorption isotherm is one of the basic material properties used in hygrothermal modeling of building envelope performance. Measurement of this property is deceptively simple. Specimens are first dried and then exposed to a series of higher relative humidities to develop a curve of moisture content versus relative humidity at constant temperature. This paper discusses some confounding effects that we have observed while performing measurements on a number of common building materials. Materials studied included gypsum products, wood and wood products, and cementitious materials.
The Free-Market Innovation Machine: Analyzing the Growth Miracle of Capitalism . By William J. Baumol. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2002. Pp. xiv, 318. $35.00.

This book, crammed with characteristically Baumolian insights, encompasses three main parts: one explaining how oligopolists' virtuous rent seeking has been the engine propelling long-term economic growth in free-market economies; one showing how the tools of microeconomics can be applied to analyze technological innovation; and one proposing a macroeconomic endogenous growth model with richer innovation-dependent features than those found in the models pioneered by Paul Romer (Journal of Political Economy, October 1990) and others.
Gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome: an evaluation of current practices

To determine attitudes and practices associated with gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), we surveyed the chiefs of gastroenterology at 196 medical centers in the United States. The response rate was 61% overall and 100% from New York and San Francisco. Our results revealed a broad spectrum of perceived risk and precautions. Seventy-three percent of respondents believed that endoscopy places personnel at risk for contracting AIDS. At 35% of institutions endoscopic procedures are exclusively or frequently performed at the bedside of the patient with AIDS. At 46% of institutions procedures on patients with AIDS are performed with instruments used only in these patients. Endoscopic equipment used in patients with AIDS is gas sterilized at 85% of institutions. One third of respondents noted reluctance of personnel to participate in endoscopy for patients with AIDS. Reluctance was related to the respondent's perception of risk and did not differ among nurses, fellows, attendings, and gastrointestinal assistants. These data indicate that concern regarding transmission of the AIDS virus during endoscopy has resulted in costly and inefficient endoscopic practices.
Cancer vaccines targeting carcinoembryonic antigen: state-of-the-art and future promise.

Concurrent with the US FDA’s approval of the first therapeutic cancer vaccine, and supported by mounting clinical evidence indicating that targeting carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can safely overcome pre-existing tolerance, a multitude of novel CEA cancer vaccines are now in various stages of development. Since cancer-driven immune suppression often limits the efficacy of vaccines, numerous strategies are being examined in both preclinical and clinical settings to overcome immunosuppressive elements, including the combined use of vaccines with certain chemotherapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors, small-molecule targeted therapies and radiation. This review discusses the current state and future direction of therapeutic cancer vaccines targeting CEA, based on advances achieved over the last 5 years.
Poor instruments lead to poor inferences: Comment on Roberts, Glymour, and Koenen (2013).

Roberts, Glymour, and Koenen (2013) reported results of an empirical study concerning the nature of the association between childhood sexual abuse and adult homosexuality. Sexual contact with adults (including childhood sexual abuse) is especially common among young people who will become homosexual adults; the association is robust and worthy ofempirical attention. A number of hypotheses, some of which posit that childhood sexual abuse causes adult homosexuality and some of which do not, are consistent with the correlation. The study by Roberts et al. attempted to test the hypothesis that childhood sexual abuse is a cause of adult homosexuality. The study had an admirably large and representative sample, and it employed the sophisticated statistical methodology of instrumental variables regression, which can under some circumstances provide good evidence for causation using correlational data. Indeed, Robertsetal. concludedfromtheiranalyses that‘‘childhoodmaltreatment,’’including sexual abuse, causes adult homosexuality, with the effect of sexual abuse being especially strong for males. Unfortunately, Roberts et al. haveapplied instrumental variables regression inappropriately, and their analysis cannot plausiblyprovidegoodevidence thatchildhoodsexualabusecauses adult homosexuality. The primary defect of their analysis concerns their choice of instruments: presence of a stepparent, poverty, parental alcohol abuse, and parental mental illness. Roberts et al. claimed that these instruments are equivalent to ‘‘natural experiments’’and assert that they may be used in instrumental variables analyses because they are‘‘not known to be influenced by or to directly influence nascent sexual orientation’’(p.162). Belief in the reasonablenessof thisequation—of presence of a stepparent, poverty, parental alcohol abuse, and parental mental illness with‘‘natural experiments’’—is certainly a prerequisite for having any faith in the analyses provided by Roberts et al. But it is not a reasonable equation. The gist of the critique that we elaborate herein is that thinking of variables, suchaspresenceofastepparent,poverty,parentalalcoholabuse, and parental mental illness as comprising natural experiments violates the common understanding of‘‘natural experiment,’’is inconsistent with some facts already known about sexual orientation, and contrasts sharply and unfortunatelywith the most admired and widely accepted applications of the instrumental variables approach. Not only do Roberts et al.’s results fail to provide support for the idea that childhood maltreatment causes adult homosexuality, the pattern of differences between males and females is opposite what should be expected based on better evidence, including evidence that relies on what are much more plausibly considered‘‘natural experiments.’’
Any-MAC: Extending any asynchronous MAC with anycast to improve delay in WSN

Delay in a duty-cycled network occurs when the sender waits for its receiver to be awake. Exploiting multiple receivers instead of a single receiver at each hop allows the sender to use the node that wakes up the soonest and so reduce delay. However, current MAC-layer anycast protocols either suffer from high signaling or synchronization overhead and are only appropriate for low duty cycle, low traffic scenarios. In this paper, we propose Any-MAC — a generic, low overhead extension that can be applied to any existing asynchronous MAC protocol to enable MAC-layer anycast. The extensive research in duty-cycle protocols provides us many MAC protocols, each appropriate for a particular network and application scenario. Thus, to construct an anycast solution to reduce delay for a specific network scenario, Any-MAC simply needs to extend the appropriate MAC protocol designed for that scenario. By applying anycast to existing protocols, X-MAC and NPM, we show that Any-MAC uses only simple modification to the base protocols and improves the performance significantly. Our evaluations in ns-2 show that with Any-MAC, both protocols can achieve 30% improvements in delay by exploiting the inherent route level redundancy in the network.
Searching for Inflation in Simple String Theory Models: An Astrophysical Perspective

Attempts to connect string theory with astrophysical observation are hampered by a jargon barrier, where an intimidating profusion of orientifolds, K\"ahler potentials, etc. dissuades cosmologists from attempting to work out the astrophysical observables of specific string theory solutions from the recent literature. We attempt to help bridge this gap by giving a pedagogical exposition with detailed examples, aimed at astrophysicists and high energy theorists alike, of how to compute predictions for familiar cosmological parameters when starting with a 10-dimensional string theory action. This is done by investigating inflation in string theory, since inflation is the dominant paradigm for how early universe physics determines cosmological parameters. We analyze three explicit string models from the recent literature, each containing an infinite number of vacuum solutions. Our numerical investigation of some natural candidate inflatons, the so-called ``moduli fields,'' fails to find inflation. We also find in the simplest models that, after suitable field redefinitions, vast numbers of these vacua differ only in an overall constant multiplying the effective inflaton potential, a difference which affects neither the potential's shape nor its ability to support slow-roll inflation. This illustrates that even having an infinite number of vacua does not guarantee having inflating ones. This may be an artifact of the simplicity of the models that we study. Instead, more complicated string theory models appear to be required, suggesting that identifying the inflating subset of the string landscape will be challenging.
Direct feature extraction from compressed images

This paper examines the issue of direct extraction of low level features from compressed images. Specifically, we consider the detection of areas of interest and edges in images compressed using the discrete cosine transform (DCT). For interest areas, we show how a measure based on certain DCT coefficients of a block can provide an indication of underlying activity. For edges, we show using an ideal edge model how the relative values of different DCT coefficients of a block can be used to estimate the strength and orientation of an edge. Our experimental results indicate that coarse edge information from compressed images can be extracted up to 20 times faster than conventional edge detectors.
On unequal error protection of finite-length LDPC codes over BECs: A scaling approach

In this paper, we explore a novel approach to evaluate the inherent UEP (unequal error protection) properties of irregular LDPC (low-density parity-check) codes over BECs (binary erasure channels). Exploiting the finite-length scaling methodology, suggested by Amraoui et. al., we introduce a scaling approach to approximate the bit erasure rates of variable nodes with different degrees in the waterfall region of the peeling decoder. Comparing the bit erasure rates obtained from Monte Carlo simulation with the proposed scaling approximations, we demonstrate that the scaling approach provides a close approximation for a wide range of code lengths (between 1000 and 8000). In view of the complexity associated with the numerical evaluation of the scaling approximation, we also derive simpler upper and lower bounds.
Assessing the Performance of a Computer-Based Policy Model of HIV and AIDS

Background: Model-based analyses, conducted within a decision analytic framework, provide a systematic way to combine information about the natural history of disease and effectiveness of clinical management strategies with demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the population. Among the challenges with disease-specific modeling include the need to identify influential assumptions and to assess the face validity and internal consistency of the model. Methods and Findings: We describe a series of exercises involved in adapting a computer-based simulation model of HIV disease to the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) cohort and assess model performance as we re-parameterized the model to address policy questions in the U.S. relevant to HIV-infected women using data from the WIHS. Empiric calibration targets included 24-month survival curves stratified by treatment status and CD4 cell count. The most influential assumptions in untreated women included chronic HIV-associated mortality following an opportunistic infection, and in treated women, the ‘clinical effectiveness’ of HAART and the ability of HAART to prevent HIV complications independent of virologic suppression. Good-fitting parameter sets required reductions in the clinical effectiveness of 1 st and 2 nd line HAART and improvements in 3 rd and 4 th line regimens. Projected rates of treatment regimen switching using the calibrated cohortspecific model closely approximated independent analyses published using data from the WIHS. Conclusions: The model demonstrated good internal consistency and face validity, and supported cohort heterogeneities that have been reported in the literature. Iterative assessment of model performance can provide information about the relative influence of uncertain assumptions and provide insight into heterogeneities within and between cohorts. Description of calibration exercises can enhance the transparency of disease-specific models.
Temperature measurements of a high-power microwave feedhorn window

Temperature measurements of a high-power microwave feedhorn window during transmitter operation at 365 kW CW and 8.5 GHz made using an imaging infrared radiometer are discussed. The window under investigation was constructed of HTP-6, a high-thermal-performance material developed to shield the Shuttle Orbiter from the heat of reentry. The measurement technique is described and experimental results are presented. The window performed adequately at 365 kW CW with a center temperature of 475 degrees C. The tests verify that HTP-6 can be used as a window material or a support structure in high-power waveguide at power densities of 1.47 kW/cm/sup 2/ for extended periods of time, with no change in its mechanical characteristics. >
The Optimal Timing of Evaluation of Genebank Accessions and the Effects of Biotechnology

The lack of ex ante evaluation of germplasm in genebanks has been the single most prevalent and long-standing complaint of plant breeders about the management of genebanks. Advances in biotechnology offer the possibility of faster, cheaper and more efficient evaluation methodologies. Will these new technologies favor ex post evaluation, as some expect, or will they lead to more ex ante evaluation? Will they also lead to earlier development of varieties with specific traits in anticipation of demand for them? Will the prospect of further advances in biotechnology favor delay of evaluation and development? This paper addresses these questions in the case of evaluation of germplasm for resistance to a disease. Copyright 2000, Oxford University Press.
Backlash From the Bedroom: Stigma Mediates Gender Differences in Acceptance of Casual Sex Offers

Harsher judgments toward women (relative to men) for engaging in similar heterosexual sexual activity have been termed the sexual double standard. Within heterosexual casual sex scenarios, we exami...
Bayesian quantile inference

The paper proposes a Bayesian interpretation of quantile regression that is shown to be equivalent to scale mixtures of normals leading to a skewed Laplace distribution. This representation of the model facilitates Bayesian analysis by means of Gibbs sampling with data augmentation, and nests regression in the L1 norm as a special case. The new methods are applied to an analysis of the patents - R&D relationship for U.S. firms and unit root inference for the dollar-deutschemark exchange rate.
Baryon matrix elements of the parity-violating weak Hamiltonian

Expressions are derived for baryon matrix elements of the parity-violating weak Hamiltonian away from the limit of SU(3) invariance. Their magnitudes are compared with those of the parity-conserving weak Hamiltonian and the impact of these new contributions on calculations of various weak nonleptonic reactions is estimated.
Interaction of neutrons with alpha particles: A tribute to Heinz Barschall

As a tribute to our teacher and mentor on the occasion of his centennial celebration, we provide a brief historical overview and a summary of sustained interest in the topic of interaction of neutrons with alpha particles.
A Small Molecule Disruptor of Rb/Raf-1 Interaction Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Angiogenesis, and Growth of Human Tumor Xenografts in Nude Mice

Although it is well established that cyclin-dependent kinases phosphorylate and inactivate Rb, the Raf-1 kinase physically interacts with Rb and initiates the phosphorylation cascade early in the cell cycle. We have identified an orally active small molecule, Rb/Raf-1 disruptor 251 (RRD-251), that potently and selectively disrupts the Rb/Raf-1 but not Rb/E2F, Rb/prohibitin, Rb/cyclin E, and Rb/HDAC binding. The selective inhibition of Rb/Raf-1 binding suppressed the ability of Rb to recruit Raf-1 to proliferative promoters and inhibited E2F1-dependent transcriptional activity. RRD-251 inhibited anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of human cancer cells and knockdown of Rb with short hairpin RNA or forced expression of E2F1 rescued cells from RRD-251-mediated growth arrest. P.o. treatment of mice resulted in significant tumor growth suppression only in tumors with functional Rb, and this was accompanied by inhibition of angiogenesis, inhibition of proliferation, decreased phosphorylated Rb levels, and inhibition of Rb/Raf-1 but not Rb/E2F1 binding in vivo. Thus, selective targeting of Rb/Raf-1 interaction seems to be a promising approach for developing novel chemotherapeutic agents.
MLH1 deficiency enhances radiosensitization with 5-fluorodeoxyuridine by increasing DNA mismatches.

The antitumor drug 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (FdUrd) also sensitizes tumor cells to ionizing radiation in vitro and in vivo. Although radiosensitization with FdUrd requires dTTP depletion and S-phase arrest, the exact mechanism by which these events produce radiosensitization remains unknown. We hypothesized that the depletion of dTTP produces DNA mismatches that, if not repaired before irradiation, would result in radiosensitization. We evaluated this hypothesis in mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient HCT116 0-1 cells that lack the expression of the required MMR protein MLH1 (inactive MLH1), and in MMR-proficient (wild-type MLH1) HCT116 1-2 cells. Although HCT116 0-1 cells were less sensitive to FdUrd (IC50 = 3.5 μM) versus HCT116 1-2 cells (IC50 = 0.75 μM), when irradiation followed FdUrd (IC50) the MLH1-inactivated cells exhibited greater radiosensitization compared with MMR-wild-type cells [radiation enhancement ratio (RER) = 1.8 ± 0.28 versus 1.1 ± 0.1, respectively] and an increase (≥8-fold) in nucleotide misincorporations. In SW620 cells and HCT116 1-2 MLH1-wild-type cells, FdUrd (IC50) did not produce radiosensitization nor did it increase the mutation frequency, but after short hairpin RNA-directed suppression of MLH1 this concentration produced excellent radiosensitization (RER = 1.6 ± 0.10 and 1.5 ± 0.06, respectively) and an increase in nucleotide misincorporations (8-fold and 6-fold, respectively). Incubation with higher concentrations of FdUrd (IC90) after suppression of MLH1 produced a further increase in ionizing radiation sensitivity in both SW620 and HCT116 1-2 cells (RER = 1.8 ± 0.03 and 1.7 ± 0.13, respectively) and nucleotide misincorporations (>10-fold in both cell lines). These results demonstrate an important role for MLH1 and implicate mismatches in radiosensitization by FdUrd.
Effects of CHO-expressed recombinant lactoferrins on mouse dendritic cell presentation and function.

Lactoferrin (LF), a natural iron-binding protein, has previously demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) tuberculosis vaccine. This report investigates immune modulatory effects of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell-expressed recombinant mouse and human LFs on mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), comparing homologous and heterologous functions. BCG-infected BMDCs were cultured with LF, and examined for class II presentation molecule expression. Culturing of BCG-infected BMDCs with either LF decreased the class II molecule-expressing population. Mouse LF significantly increased the production of IL-12p40, IL-1β and IL-10, while human LF-treated BMDCs increased only IL-1β and IL-10. Overlaying naive CD4 T-cells onto BCG-infected BMDCs cultured with mouse LF increased IFN-γ, whereas the human LF-exposed group increased IFN-γ and IL-17 from CD4 T cells. Overlay of naive CD8 T cells onto BCG-infected BMDCs treated with mouse LF increased the production of IFN-γ and IL-17, while similar experiments using human LF only increased IL-17. This report is the first to examine mouse and human recombinant LFs in parallel experiments to assess murine DC function. These results detail the efficacy of the human LF counterpart used in a heterologous system to understand LF-mediated events that confer BCG efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge.
Sea-level Highstand Recorded in Holocene Shoreline Deposits on Oahu, Hawaii

ABSTRACT Unconsolidated carbonate sands and cobbles on Kapapa Island, windward Oahu, are 1.4-2.8 (± 0.25) m above present mean sea level (msl). Agreeing with Stearns (1935), we interpret the deposit to be a fossil beach or shoreline representing a highstand of relative sea level during middle to late Holocene time. Calibrated radiocarbon dates of coral and mollusc samples, and a consideration of the effect of wave energy setup, indicate that paleo-msl was at least 1.6 (± 0.45) m above present msl prior to 3889-3665 cal. yr B.P, possibly as early as 5532-5294 cal. yr B.P., and lasted until at least 2239-1940 cal. yr B.P. Hence, the main phase of deposition on Kapapa Island lasted a minimum of c. 1400 yr and possibly as long as c. 3400 yr. No modern samples have been recovered from the fossil beach on Kapapa Island, and samples from potential source sites offshore of the island show modern ages, indicating that sediments on the island are not deposited by modern-era storm and tsunami overwash. Because antecedent sediments are uncommon offshore but common on the island, deposition must have been time-transgressive rather than related to a single event. Radiocarbon ages of coral and mollusc clasts from a breccia lining an emerged (1.4 ± 0.25 m msl) intertidal notch, cut into emerged coralline-algal carbonate of presumed last interglacial age, on south Mokulua Island (15 km to the southeast of Kapapa Island) correlate to the history recorded on Kapapa Island. Calibrated ages range from 2755-2671 to 3757-3580 cal. yr B.P. (averaging c. 3100 cal. yr B.P.) suggesting that a higher than present sea level formed the notch prior to 3757-3580 cal. yr B.P. A storm or tsunami origin for the features on Kapapa and south Mokulua islands is highly unlikely. Their age and elevation indicate, instead, a history of higher relative sea level (and subsequent fall) on windward Oahu during the middle to late Holocene. This history is consistent with geophysical models of postglacial geoid subsidence over the equatorial ocean first predicted by Walcott (1972) and later refined by Clark et al. (1978) and Mitrovica and Peltier (1991).
STRESS CRACKING AND BREAKAGE SUSCEPTIBILITY AS AFFECTED BY MOISTURE CONTENT AT HARVEST FOR FOUR YELLOW DENT CORN HYBRIDS

ABSTRACT Four hybrids of yellow dent com were harvested at three levels of moisture content. After drying, samples were analyzed for stress cracking and susceptibility to breakage in Wisconsin (WBT) and Stein (SBT) breakage testers. Significant differences in stress cracking and breakage susceptibility as determined with the WBT and the SBT were observed among the four hybrids. Breakage susceptibility as measured with the WBT and SBT significantly increased as the harvest moisture increased. Stress cracks increased significantly as harvest moisture increased within the drying air temperatures of 49, 71, and 93° C. WBT breakage susceptibility significantly increased as drying air temperature increased. Stress cracking was more highly correlated with WBT breakage than with SBT breakage.
Adjustment Speed of Automatic-Volume-Control Systems

The behavior of an a.v.c. amplifier, following a sudden change of input level, is analyzed on the basis of the following assumptions, which are justified in the case of many practical a.v.c. amplifiers: (1) the open-circuit voltage developed by the rectifier is a linear function of the decibel output level of the amplifier; (2) the decibel gain reduction in the controlled stages is a linear function of the gain-control voltage; (3) only one resistance-capacitance filter section is important in delaying delivery of the rectifier output voltage to the gain-control points. It is shown that the last condition is desirable from the standpoint of stability. The analysis shows that, following a sudden change of input level, the fraction (1-1/e) of the decibel gain change required to reach a new equilibrium occurs in (RC)/M seconds. RC is the time constant of the filter section specified in assumption (3), while M, a dimensionless "flatness factor," is defined as the decibel change of input level required to produce a 1-db change of output level, under equilibrium conditions. Further, M = 1 + K 1 K 2 , where K 1 is the rectifier voltage increase per db increase of amplifier output, and K 2 is the db gain reduction per volt of control. If the change of input level is sufficient in magnitude to cause amplifier overload (or "underload"-stoppage of rectifier action), the control voltage changes with the time constant RC until the overload disappears. Overload may greatly increase the time required for gain readjustment.
Does mammalian prey abundance explain forest-edge use by snakes?

ABSTRACT Snakes are important predators of birds' nests, but the ecological factors that bring snakes and birds into contact are poorly known. One hypothesis is that snakes choose habitats based on abundance of alternative prey such as small mammals, with avian nest predation in those habitats arising coincidentally. At a study site in southern Illinois, we used radio telemetry to test the hypothesis that ratsnakes (Elaphe obsoleta) and racers (Coluber constrictor) preferentially use forest edges because small mammals are more abundant in edges. Diet analysis confirmed that both snake species preyed on birds and mammals. Although overall habitat use differed, both snake species preferentially used forest edges. Conversely, species of small mammals on which the snakes preyed were not more abundant (determined by live trapping) in edges, and seasonal variation in habitat use by snakes and mammalian prey abundance were not correlated. These results suggest that alternative hypotheses (e.g., abundance of nest...
The tabanid fauna (Diptera: Tabanidae) of the Chirpan Eminences (Bulgaria)

Η μeλέτη της πανίδας των eιδών της οικογένeιας Tabanidae στην πeριοχή Chirpan Eminences της Βουλγαρίας μeλeτήθηκe μe μη τακτικές δeιγματοληψίeς το 2008 και μe τακτικές μηνιαίeς δeιγματοληψίeς το 2010 – 2011 από δύο πeριοχές, κατά την eποχή δραστηριότητάς τους. Συλλέχθηκαν 1202 άτομα, 1124 θηλυκά και 78 αρσeνικά. Μeταξύ αυτών αναγνωρίστηκαν 24 eίδη και υποeίδη από 8 γένη: Chrysops (2 eίδη), Atylotus (1 eίδος), Therioplectes (1 eίδος and 1 υποeίδος), Hybomitra (3 eίδη), Tabanus (12 eίδη and 1 υποeίδος), Haematopota (1 eίδος), Dasyrhamphis (1 eίδος) and Philipomyia (1 eίδος). Μe βάση τα δeδομένα της μeλέτης και από τα αναφeρόμeνα στη σχeτική βιβλιογραφία μπορeί να eκτιμηθeί ότι στην πeριοχή αυτή υπάρχουν 28 eίδη. Δeκατρία από τα οποία αναφέρονται για πρώτη φορά. Πeραιτέρω ανάλυση έδeιξe ότι το 64,29% των eιδών της πeριοχής ανήκουν σe eίδη που συναντώνται στη Μeσογeιακή ζώνη