cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MeNa: A memory navigator for modern hardware in a scale-out environment

Scale-out infrastructure such as Cloud is built upon a large network of multi-core processors. Performance, power consumption, and capital cost of such infrastructure depend on the overall system configuration including number of processing cores, core frequency, memory hierarchy and capacity, number of memory channels, and memory data rate. Among these parameters, memory subsystem is known to be one of the performance bottlenecks, contributing significantly to the overall capital and operational cost of the server. Also, given the rise of Big Data and analytics applications, this could potentially pose an even bigger challenge to the performance of cloud applications and cost of cloud infrastructure. Hence it is important to understand the role of memory subsystem in cloud infrastructure and in particular for this emerging class of applications. Despite the increasing interest in recent years, little work has been done in understanding memory requirements trends and developing accurate and effective models to predict performance and cost of memory subsystem. Currently there is no well-defined methodology for selecting a memory configuration that reduces execution time and power consumption by considering the capital and operational cost of cloud. In this paper, through a comprehensive real-system empirical analysis of performance, we address these challenges by first characterizing diverse types of scale-out applications across a wide range of memory configuration parameters. The characterization helps to accurately capture applications' behavior and derive a model to predict their performance. Based on the developed predictive model, we propose MeNa, which is a methodology to maximize the performance/cost ratio of scale-out applications running in cloud environment. MeNa navigates memory and processor parameters to find the system configuration for a given application and a given budget, to maximum performance. Compared to brute force method, MeNa achieves more than 90% accuracy for identifying the right configuration parameters to maximize performance/cost ratio. Moreover, we show how MeNa can be effectively leveraged for server designers to find architectural insights or subscribers to allocate just enough budget to maximize performance of their applications in cloud
Behavioral Responses of Pityophthorus juglandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to Volatiles of Black Walnut and Geosmithia morbida (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Bionectriaceae), the Causal Agent of Thousand Cankers Disease.

Thousand cankers disease (TCD) is a pest complex formed by the association of the walnut twig beetle (WTB), Pityophthorus juglandis Blackman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), with the fungal pathogen Geosmithia morbida Kolařik, Freeland, Utley and Tisserat (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Bionectriaceae). Current monitoring and detection efforts for WTB rely on a pheromone lure that is effective over a limited distance while plant- and fungal-derived volatiles that may facilitate host location remain poorly understood. In this study, we test the hypothesis that adult beetles are attracted to volatiles of black walnut, Juglans nigra L. (Juglandaceae), and the pathogen, G. morbida. We measured the response of beetles to head-space volatiles collected from leaves and stems of 12 genotypes of black walnut and found genotypic variation in the attractiveness of host trees to adult WTB. Volatile profiles of the most attractive genotypes contained more α-pinene and β-pinene, and adult beetles were attracted to both of these compounds in olfactometer bioassays. In bioassays, we also demonstrated that adult WTB are attracted to volatiles of G. morbida. These findings suggest that, in addition to the aggregation pheromone, dispersing WTB potentially use host plant and fungal volatiles to locate suitable larval hosts. Finally, we conducted a field experiment to determine the extent to which ethanol, a common attractant for bark beetles, and limonene, a known bark beetle repellent, influence the behavior of adult WTB to pheromone-baited traps. Although ethanol did not increase trap capture, WTB were repelled by limonene, suggesting that this compound could be used to manipulate and manage WTB populations.
A threshold-regression model for track geometry degradation:

Track-related failures are a major factor contributing to train derailments in the United States. Therefore, determining the failure time is critical for safety purposes. Traditionally, failure tim...
Asynchronous Circuit Design: Motivation, Background, & Methods

The purpose of this book is to present a current view of the state of the art for the field of asynchronous circuit design and analysis which was the topic of a workshop in Banff in the fall of 1993. Asynchronous circuits have been studied in one form or another since the early 1950’s [64] when the focus was primarily on mechanical relay circuits and when the differences between the asynchronous and clocked circuit design styles were somewhat indistinct. A number of theoretical issues were studied in detail by Muller and Bartky as early as 1956 [92]. Since then, the field of asynchronous circuits has gone through a number of high-interest cycles. In the last 5 years there has been an unprecedented level of interest in both academic and industrial settings [56]. This historical trend continues today with the majority of the current research effort focused more on theory than on practice. Nonetheless, the advance of practical asynchronous circuit design techniques also has an unusual level of interest. The work presented at the Banff workshop was concerned more with practice than theory and provided a reasonable coverage of the current approaches to asynchronous circuit design. Similarly this chapter will primarily focus on practical design issues. Prior to introducing the four chapters which follow, we present an introduction to the basic concepts and motivations behind asynchronous circuit design. This will hopefully enable those not already familiar with asynchronous circuit design to better understand the subsequent chapters.
Impact of Sharing O Heart With Non-O Recipients: Simulation in the United Network for Organ Sharing Registry.

Background Blood type O heart transplant recipients wait longer than non-O recipients and frequently require bridging left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). However, rarely has the effect of this disparity been shown in a large registry. This study used Markov simulation to clarify the outcome difference between O and non-O candidates and how allocation change could affect survival. Methods We reviewed the United Network for Organ Sharing registry for adults listed for heart transplantation from 2008 to 2015. Cumulative incidences of death or transplant and survival after listing were compared between O and non-O using propensity matching. A four-state Markov model—waiting without LVAD, waiting with LVAD, transplantation, and death—was created to simulate survival after listing. Sensitivity analysis was performed to see how the percentage of O hearts in non-O recipients would affect survivals. Results A total of 8,187 O and non-O candidates were included after matching. The cumulative incidence of transplantation was lower in O (p Conclusions Under the current strategy, there are death and transplant rate differences between O and non-O candidates. Our simulation-based allocation strategy might aid in mitigating this discrepancy across blood types.
An Improved Grade Point Average, With Applications to CS Undergraduate Education Analytics

We present a methodological improvement for calculating Grade Point Averages (GPAs). Heterogeneity in grading between courses systematically biases observed GPAs for individual students: the GPA observed depends on course selection. We show how a logistic model can account for course selection by simulating how every student in a sample would perform if they took all available courses, giving a new “modeled GPA.” We then use 10 years of grade data from a large university to demonstrate that this modeled GPA is a more accurate predictor of student performance in individual courses than the observed GPA. Using Computer Science (CS) as an example learning analytics application, it is found that required CS courses give significantly lower grades than average courses. This depresses the recorded GPAs of CS majors: modeled GPAs are 0.25 points higher than those that are observed. The modeled GPA also correlates much more closely with standardized test scores than the observed GPA: the correlation with Math ACT is 0.37 for the modeled GPA and is 0.20 for the observed GPA. This implies that standardized test scores are much better predictors of student performance than might otherwise be assumed.
Anchoring and Adjustment in Uncertain Spatial Trajectory Prediction

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the impact of prior information on spatial prediction and understanding of variability.Background:In uncertain spatial prediction tasks, such as hurri...
Extracting Information from Molecular Pathway Diagrams

Health and life sciences’ research fields like personalized medicine, drug discovery, pharmacovigilance and systems biology make an intensive use of graphical information to represent knowledge in the form of domain-specific diagrams, such as molecular pathway‘s. The aim is to provide added value to written text in scientific literature and related documents. Enabling access to all the existing literature for further research requires enabling access to the information contained in these diagrams. Molecular pathways are very different from more conventional diagrams (e.g. flowcharts), and therefore interpretation of molecular pathway diagrams requires domain-specific knowledge to remove ambiguity. In this paper, we propose a method that automatically extracts information from molecular pathways using computer vision techniques. To the best of our knowledge this is the first attempt to retrieve information from images depicting molecular pathway diagrams. The lack of a significant, publicly available dataset with annotated ground truth has led to experimental evaluation on synthetic data. Results show high precision and recall values for the detection of entities and relations. We compare and describe the substantial differences between the proposed method and prior art on the closest diagram type using CLEF-IP flowchart summarization task.
Communication that Develops: Clarity of Process on Transformational Leadership through Study of Effective Communication of Emotional Intelligence:

Transformational leadership was once thought of as a trait-based approach to leadership rather than something that could be taught and learned, and that the process itself somehow lacked clarity. T...
With a little help from my friends: Development and validation of the positive peer influence inventory

Despite its negative reputation, peer pressure might not always be adverse. Recent research has explored the potential for positive peer influence, in which adolescents encourage and support one an...
Growth and Neurogenesis in Adult Goldfish Retina

Growth continues in adult goldfish. Cell counts and3 H—thymidine radioautography indicate that the brain and retina increase in size in part by the addition of new neurons. The retina of a large, 4-year-old fish (20 cm in length) has about 20,000,000 neurons, whereas in a small (5 cm) fish there are only about 3,000,000 retinal neurons. New cells are produced at the margins of the retina and are added appositionally at rates of up to 20,000 cells/day. Growth-related changes also occur in the older, more central regions of the retina: the eyeball expands, stretching the retina and decreasing the density of its cells. The rods alone maintain a constant density with growth, so that the proportion of rods relative to other retinal neurons increases as the fish grows. Since new rods are added only at the periphery, a shift in the position of rods with respect to their postsynaptic partners is implied. This suggests that synaptic connections may be continually broken and reformed in the functioning adult goldfish retina.
A case of juvenile dermatomyositis with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

1例主诉为"皮疹5个月，双眼视力丧失3 d"的7岁患儿就诊于安徽省儿童医院神经内科，经磁共振成像、肌电图、血清肌酶谱、特发性炎性肌病相关自身抗体等检测，临床诊断为幼年型皮肌炎合并视神经脊髓炎谱系病。免疫性疾病合并视神经脊髓炎谱系病临床罕见。
9 – Imperfect Competition

Publisher Summary Product differentiation occurs when a firm creates a real or perceived difference between its product and those of its competitors. Once this difference is established, the firm can exercise limited monopoly power—it is the sole producer of the different good. Price discrimination occurs when similar or identical goods are sold to different buyers at different prices. Selling for different prices instead of one market-clearing price allows a firm to increase total revenues without necessarily increasing costs. Price discrimination is common in many markets, but also has limits. Discriminating firms must be able to divide the market into groups of buyers with different demand characteristics and then prevent resale of the item between groups. A cartel is an organization of producers that is designed to limit competition and exercise monopoly power over a market. Cartels can be profitable, but are not stable because of the individual gains to be had from cheating and exceeding the production specified by the cartel. Oligopoly is competition among a few large producers that dominate a market. Oligopolies can be competitive or behave like cartels, depending on individual market situations. Firms can sometimes increase profits by using government regulations to affect price controls, erect barriers to entry, or to affect substitute and complement markets.
Indications for Patellofemoral Arthroplasty in Isolated Patellofemoral Arthritis

The patellofemoral (PF) joint is a common source of disabling anterior knee pain, and PF arthritis is seen radiographically in up to 36% of the population [1]. Middle-aged, female, and high-BMI patients in particular tend to be more often affected by PF arthritis resulting in pain [2]. These findings are supported by biomechanical studies demonstrating that significant loads, up to seven times body weight, cross the PF joint, especially with prolonged sitting, rising from a seated position, and going up and down stairs [3]. While acute instability events or discrete cartilage injuries can be treated with ligament reconstruction or cartilage restoration procedures, more diffuse degeneration isolated to the PF joint in patients that have failed conservative therapy presents a challenging clinical scenario.
Survey on HIV drug resistance transmission in Dehong of Yunnan province in 2009

抗反转录治疗(ART)在降低HIV-1感染者并发症和艾滋病患者死亡率的同时,也促进了HIV-1耐药株的发生.耐药株有可能传播到新感染人群,从而使尚未开始治疗的HIV感染者携带HIV耐药株,导致以后的抗病毒治疗产生困难.本研究于2009年在云南省德宏州开展了HIV-1耐药警戒线调查.
Raymond L. Erikson, PhD: In Memoriam (1936–2020)

![][1] > I hoed and trenched and weeded, And took the flowers to fair. > > The Shropshire Lad by A. E. Houseman In 2016, Ray started a personal reflection on his career in science titled “Four Decades of Protein Phosphorylation and Cancer Research.” Nothing more aptly fit his
Open source all-iron battery 2.0

Abstract In this work we present significant improvements to the open-source all-iron battery. We show higher power density and simpler fabrication. We also show a more reproducible procedure for preparing the electrolytes. The results are a highly rechargeable electrochemical cell based on iron, chloride, sulfate, and potassium ions in water at near-neutral pH. The cell is stable for thousands of cycles. It displays modest energy density consistent with the previous all-iron battery. The current is improved by a factor of 10 to a practical level of 500 mA/L and is able to deliver a maximal power of 250 mW/L. While this is modest performance compared to commercial rechargeable batteries, its low cost, simple synthesis, and safe manufacturing may make it suitable for storing renewable energy.
Effective Treatment Strategies for Children with Autism in Grades K-6

The incidence of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) continues to rise in our elementary schools. With this increase, more and more children with ASD are present and requiring services in public school classrooms. As teachers and parents we need to know how to provide classroom interventions in order to optimize learning with this group of children, and be able to successfully integrate these students within our classrooms and schools. In order to accomplish this, we need to explore effective strategies to produce positive learning and behavior outcomes. The literature selected and researched for the purpose of this proposal supports using effective teaching strategies with measureable results for our students on the autism spectrum. The sampling groups chosen for the research are the professionals who are currently using effective treatment methods with autistic children in the classroom setting. Results indicate a wide variety of treatment strategies that address social and communicative, behavioral, and academic needs for students on the Autistic Spectrum. Although there are several promising practices occurring within classrooms, this proposal focuses primarily on evidence based practices that demonstrate successful outcomes for students within an inclusive setting.
Structure of H-2 Major Histocompatibility Complex Products

The immune response is a reaction to a foreign or nonself substance. Intricately involved in this highly specific and tightly regulated protective-reaction mechanism are the gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (Klein, 1975; Snell et al., 1976; Paul and Benacerraf, 1977; Gotze, 1977; Snell, 1978). This genetic system was referred to as the H-2 locus when it was initially recognized as a determinant of transplantation acceptance or rejection nearly 45 years ago by P.A. Gorer (1936). The serological and genetic features were gradually unraveled over the ensuing years. The complexity, both in terms of number of genes and in terms of polymorphism, led to the use of the term H-2 major histocompatibility complex to refer to this chromosomal region in the mouse. Similar MHC complexes have been found in other species (Gotze, 1977).
Rosette formation with mouse erythrocytes. V. Relationship of mouse erythrocyte rosette-forming cells to cells with surface immunoglobulin and receptors of C3 and IgC Fc in patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders.

Abstract Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 24 patients with a variety of primary immunodeficiencies and 1 patient with congenital rubella with hypogammaglobulinemia were examined, using a battery of surface markers for B cells, T cells, and “third-population” cells. Mouse erythrocyte rosette-forming cells, a marker for subset of B cell, were present in comparable proportions to the lymphocytes with surface IgM. Mouse erythrocyte rosette-forming cells along with cells with surface immunoglobulin were regularly absent in patients with Bruton type agammaglobulinemia and immunodeficiency and thymoma syndrome; however, these patients had normal proportions of cells with Fc and C 3 receptors. In few cases dissociation among mouse erythrocyte rosette-forming cells and cells with surface IgM was observed. Mouse erythrocyte rosette-forming cells represent a subset of B lymphocytes, generally bearing surface IgM. Mouse erythrocytes appear to bind the B cells through a surface receptor that is independent of surface immunoglobulins, and receptors for IgG, Fc, and C 3 . The receptor(s) for mouse erythrocytes may represent a marker for a certain stage, probably early, in the development of B cells.
Alterations in Frequency Coding and Activity Dependence of Excitability in Cultured Neurons of Drosophila Memory Mutants

Mutants of the Drosophila dunce ( dnc ) and rutabaga ( rut ) genes, which encode a cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase and a calcium/calmodulin-responsive adenylyl cyclase, respectively, are deficient in short-term memory. Altered synaptic plasticity has been demonstrated at neuromuscular junctions in these mutants, but little is known about how their central neurons are affected. We examined this problem by using the “giant” neuron culture, which offers a unique opportunity to analyze mutational effects on neuronal activity and the underlying ionic currents in Drosophila . On the basis of instantaneous frequency and first latency of spikes evoked by current steps, four categories of firing patterns (tonic, adaptive, delayed, and interrupted) were identified in wild-type neurons, revealing interesting parallels to those commonly observed in vertebrate CNS neurons. The distinct firing patterns were correlated with expression of different ratios of 4-aminopyridine- and tetraethylammonium-sensitive K+currents. Subsets of dnc and rut neurons displayed abnormal spontaneous spikes and altered firing patterns. Altered frequency coding in mutant neurons was demonstrated further by using stimulation protocols involving conditioning with previous activity. Abnormal spike activity and reduced K+ current remained in double-mutant neurons, suggesting that the opposite effects on cAMP metabolism by dnc and rut do not counterbalance the mutual functional defects. The aberrant spontaneous activity and altered frequency coding in different stimulus paradigms may present problems in the stability and reliability of neural circuits for information processing during certain behavioral tasks, raising the possibility of modulation in neuronal excitability as a cellular mechanism underlying learning and memory.
Cultural Issues in Globally Distributed Information Systems Development: A Survey and Analysis.

Global information technology offshore outsourcing and globally distributed information systems development have become increasingly prevalent and diversified, thus demand great academic efforts to address a wide variety of issues. Although some studies have begun to synthesize relevant theoretical and empirical research of the complex phenomena, there is a lack of synthesized efforts to provide an in-depth discourse of cultural issues in globally distributed information systems development. This research provides a preliminary review and analysis on how culture is conceptualized and how cultural issues are investigated in the published literature on offshore outsourcing and globally distributed information systems development. Our findings show that national level of cultural influences is the dominant level being studied, although the socio-cultural context of globally distributed information systems development is complex and multi-leveled in nature. While some common cultural dimensional models are still widely used, several studies adopt the emergent and dynamic view of culture to investigate the cross-cultural information systems development work.
Explaining the effects of perceived person-supervisor fit and person-organization fit on organizational commitment in the U.S. and Japan ☆

Abstract The majority of research simultaneously examining multiple person–environment fit dimensions employs additive rather than interactive fit models. Although additive models allow researchers to compare the relative salience of fit dimensions, such models fail to capture the complex interdependencies of fit. Using employee samples from the U.S. and Japan, this study examines interdependence between perceived person-supervisor (P-S) fit and person-organization (P-O) fit and their associations with affective organizational commitment. Perceived P-S fit and affective organizational commitment are found to be related both directly and indirectly (through perceived P-O fit) in Japan but only indirectly in the U.S. In both countries, perceived P-O fit positively translates into affective organizational commitment through collectivistic values. The association between perceived P-S fit and affective organizational commitment was stronger in Japan than in the U.S., whereas the strength of the link between perceived P-O fit and affective organizational commitment did not differ across the two countries.
Revising knowledge: a hierarchical approach

A tradition in economics seeks to explain behavior by identifying the underlying preferences which (in a given environment) generate that behavior. This approach was extended in the work of Savage [1954] to decision making under uncertainty. "Belief", and thus "knowledge", are interpreted as properties of individuals' preferences (and thus, in principle, observable choices).
Purification and preliminary characterization of the Escherichia coli K-12 recF protein.

Abstract The recF gene of Escherichia coli is known to encode an Mr-40,000 protein that is involved in DNA recombinationa nd postreplication DNA repair. To characterize the role of the recF gene product in these processes, the recF gene was cloned downstream of a tac promoter to facilitate overproduction of the recF gene product. The RecF protein was overproduced and purified to apparent homogeneity. N-terminal protein sequence analysis demonstrated that the purified protein had the sequence that was predicted from the DNA sequence of the recF gene, except that the predicted N-terminal Met was not present. The RecF protein bound to single-stranded oligonucleotides in filter binding and gel filtration assays. Maximal binding required 2 to 3 min of incubation at 37 degrees C; the binding reaction had a pH optimum of 7.0, did not require divalent cations, and was inhibited by NaCl concentrations of greater than 250 mM. The Kd of RecF protein binding to a 59-base single-stranded oligonucleotide was on the order of 1.3 X 10(-7) M, and the reaction did not show cooperativity. Experiments measuring the binding to various DNA substrates and competition binding experiments with different DNA molecules demonstrated that RecF protein binds preferentially to single-stranded, linear DNA molecules.
Life history strategy and the HEXACO personality dimensions

Although several studies have linked Life History Strategy (LHS) variation with variation in the Five Factor Model personality dimensions, no published research has explored the relationship of LHS to the HEXACO personality dimensions. The theoretically expected relationship of the HEXACO Emotionality factor to LHS is unclear. The results of two studies (N = 641) demonstrated that LHS indicators form part of a factor along with HEXACO Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and (marginally) Honesty-Humility. People higher on these dimensions pursue a slower LHS. Neither Openness nor Emotionality was associated with this factor. Holding LHS constant, social involvement with kin was consistently predicted by higher Emotionality and was not consistently predicted by any other HEXACO factor. These results support a view of Emotionality as part of an LHS-independent personality dimension that influences the provision and receipt of kin altruism.
Superhard Boride–Carbide Particulate Composites

Particulate composites composed of boride and carbide ceramics were found to have remarkably high hardness values. Two different compositions were produced by hot-pressing commercially available ZrB 2 , SiC, and B 4 C powders. Using a Vickers' indentation load of 9.8 N, measured hardness was ~ 20 GPa for a ceramic containing 70 vol% ZrB 2 ,15 vol% SiC, and 15 vol% B 4 C, but increased to ~ 29 GPa for a ceramic containing equal volume fractions of the three constituents. Hardness values also increased as indentation load decreased due to the indentation size effect. At an indentation load of 0.49 N, the hardness of the ceramic containing equal volume fractions of the three constituents was ~ 43 GPa, which was higher than the hardness values reported for so-called "superhard" ceramics at comparable indentation loads.
The Glutamate Receptor Subunit δ1 Is Highly Expressed in Hair Cells of the Auditory and Vestibular Systems

In the inner ear, fast excitatory synaptic transmission is mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors, including AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptors. The recently identified delta1 and delta2 glutamate receptors share low homology with the other three types, and no clear response or ligand binding has been obtained from cells transfected with delta alone or in combination with other ionotropic receptors. Studies of mice lacking expression of delta2 show that this subunit plays a crucial role in plasticity of cerebellar glutamatergic synapses. In addition, these mice show a deficit in vestibular compensation. These findings and the nature of glutamatergic synapses between vestibulocochlear hair cells and primary afferent dendrites suggest that delta receptors may be functionally important in the inner ear and prompted us to investigate the expression of delta receptors in the cochlea and peripheral vestibular system. Reverse transcription and DNA amplification by PCR combined with immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization were used. Our results show that the expression of delta1 in the organ of Corti is intense and restricted to the inner hair cells, whereas delta1 is expressed in all spiral ganglion neurons as well as in their satellite glial cells. In the vestibular end organ, delta1 was highly expressed in both hair cell types and also was expressed in the vestibular ganglion neurons. The prominent expression of delta1 in inner hair cells and in type I and type II vestibular hair cells suggests a functional role in hair cell neurotransmission.
Seize the Dance! BaAka Musical Life and the Ethnography of Performance

Seize the Dance! BaAka Musical Life and the Ethnography of Performance. Michelle Kisliuk. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. 241 pp.
Gene transfer by electroporation

Electroporation of cells in the presence of DNA is widely used for the introduction of transgenes either stably or transiently into bacterial, fungal, animal, and plant cells. A review of the literature shows that electroporation parameters are often reported in an incomplete or incorrect manner, forcing researchers to rely too much on a purely empirical trial and error approach. The goal of this article is to provide the reader with an understanding of electrical circuits used in electroporation experiments as well as physical and biological aspects of the electroporation process itself. Further, a simple paradigm is provided which unites all electroporation parameters. This article should be particularly useful to those new to the technique.
Superconductivity, intergrain, and intragrain critical current densities of materials

Bulk sintered and powdered samples of the high-temperature superconductive compounds ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{1+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (Tl-2:2:2:3) and ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ca}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (Tl-2:1:2:2) have been synthesized with phase purity of approximately 90%. The materials were characterized by x-ray-diffraction, metallographic, and electron microprobe analyses. The electronic and superconductive properties were investigated through measurement of the electrical resistivity and the critical current density ${J}_{c}$ using transport methods and by extensive magnetization measurements. Primary results and conclusions are that (1) the intragrain ${J}_{c}$ values were large, much larger than the transport values; (2) both sintered and powdered materials exhibited large flux creep; (3) and the ${J}_{c}$ decreased exponentially with temperature. These features are qualitatively very similar to those found in the corresponding ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{z}}$ (with z\ensuremath{\approxeq}7) series of compounds.
Friction and Wear Performance of Surface Coatings in Brake Applications

To improve the wear performance of contacting components, novel surface coatings have been developed over the past decade. In the present investigation, extended duration pin-on-disk experiments were carried out to determine the relative performance of tungsten disulphide, electroless nickel (MP6 and LP9) and hard chromium coatings for use in a commercial brake valve assembly. In the experiments, 100 μm thick coatings were applied to the disk surface and tests were conducted in both lubricated (transmission fluid with 5% weight boric acid additive) and unlubricated conditions. To establish the overall performance of the coatings, the friction coefficient and disk wear rate values were recorded over a sliding distance of 6280 m. Based on the experiments, it was observed that both the electroless nickel and the chromium coatings had moderate friction and insignificant wear over the sliding distance examined. Self lubricating tungsten disulphide, in contrast, exhibited very low friction, but completed degraded over time making it unsuitable for the application of interest.© 2005 ASME
Female pigeons, Columba livia, respond to multisensory audio/video playbacks of male courtship behaviour

Multiple signals from different sensory channels can enhance, diminish, or have no effect on one another when they are combined into a multisensory signal. Simultaneous auditory and visual signals are known to be important in avian courtship behaviour, but less is known about how the signal components from the two sensory channels interact and which channel is relied upon more. Here we use audio and video playback methods to test the significance of multisensory signals in the pigeon. We used audio- and videotaped male pigeon courtship behaviour as stimuli to assess behavioural reactions of conspecific females to silent video, to audio alone, to the combination of video and audio stimuli, and to a control video of an empty cage. Females responded to the test presentations by watching, circling, tail spreading and cooing. Considered alone, the audio channel elicited higher female response than did the video channel alone, particularly for female cooing responses. Together, however, the multisensory audio/video signal was more effective than either component alone at eliciting typical female courtship responses of circling and tail spreading. Courtship behaviour of these male pigeons is therefore considered an example of multisensory enhancement, in which the combination of signal channels functions to increase the impact of the communication signal.
Roles of FGFR3 During Morphogenesis of Meckel's Cartilage and Mandibular Bones

To address the functions of FGFR2 and FGFR3 signaling during mandibular skeletogenesis, we over-expressed in the developing chick mandible, replication-competent retroviruses carrying truncated FGFR2c or FGFR3c that function as dominant negative receptors (RCAS-dnFGFR2 and RCAS-dnFGFR3). Injection of RCAS-dnFGFR3 between HH15 and 20 led to reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and decreased differentiation of chondroblasts in Meckel's cartilage. These changes resulted in the formation of a hypoplastic mandibular process and truncated Meckel's cartilage. This treatment also affected the proliferation and survival of osteoprogenitor cells in osteogenic condensations, leading to the absence of five mandibular bones on the injected side. Injection of RCAS-dnFGFR2 between HH15 and 20 or RCAS-dnFGFR3 at HH26 did not affect the morphogenesis of Meckel's cartilage but resulted in truncations of the mandibular bones. RCAS-dnFGFR3 affected the proliferation and survival of the cells within the periosteum and osteoblasts. Together these results demonstrate that FGFR3 signaling is required for the elongation of Meckel's cartilage and FGFR2 and FGFR3 have roles during intramembranous ossification of mandibular bones.
Ontogeny of B-lymphocytes in the human fetus

Abstract Cells bearing membrane-bound immunoglobulins, a marker for B-lymphocytes, have been sought in hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues of 11 human fetuses, aged 9.5–23 weeks. B-lymphocytes with membrane-bound IgM and IgG were found in liver from one of two fetuses aged 9.5 weeks; only IgM-positive cells were found in the other. IgA-positive cells were first detected at 11.5 weeks. By 14.5 weeks, the percentage of cells in spleen and peripheral blood staining for each class of immunoglobulin was within the range found in blood from 10 term infants and 36 normal children and adults. A different fluorescent antibody-staining technique was used to detect immunoglobulin-secreting cells in selected fetuses. No cells with cytoplasmic immunoglobulin were found at 14.5 weeks, a time when B-lymphocytes had reached normal adult proportions in spleen and blood. With one exception, a single IgM-positive cell in an 11-week fetus, such cells were not seen before 15.5 weeks and were rare thereafter. It is concluded that B-lymphocyte development begins at about the same time as T-lymphocyte development. The order of appearance of cells bearing different immunoglobulin classes is probably IgM, IgG, and IgA. The temporal consistency of appearance of these cells suggests that their development is an event of normal differentiation rather than one dependent upon random antigenic stimulation.
Non-Heme-Binding Domains and Segments of the Staphylococcus aureus IsdB Protein Critically Contribute to the Kinetics and Equilibrium of Heme Acquisition from Methemoglobin

The hemoglobin receptor IsdB rapidly acquires heme from methemoglobin (metHb) in the heme acquisition pathway of Staphylococcus aureus. IsdB consists of N-terminal segment (NS), NEAT1 (N1), middle (MD), and heme binding NEAT2 (N2) domains, and C-terminal segment (CS). This study aims to elucidate the roles of these domains or segments in the metHb/IsdB reaction. Deletion of CS does not alter the kinetics and equilibrium of the reaction. Sequential deletions of NS and N1 in NS-N1-MD-N2 progressively reduce heme transfer rates and change the kinetic pattern from one to two phases, but have no effect on the equilibrium of the heme transfer reaction, whereas further deletion of MD reduces the percentage of transferred metHb heme. MD-N2 has higher affinity for heme than N2. MD in trans reduces rates of heme dissociation from holo-N2 and increases the percentage of metHb heme captured by N2 by 4.5 fold. NS-N1-MD and N2, but not NS-N1, MD, and N2, reconstitute the rapid metHb/IsdB reaction. NS-N1-MD-NIsdC, a fusion protein of NS-N1-MD and the NEAT domain of IsdC, slowly acquires heme from metHb by itself but together with N2 results in rapid heme loss from metHb. Thus, NS-N1 and MD domains specifically and critically contribute to the kinetics and equilibrium of the metHb/IsdB reaction, respectively. These findings support a mechanism of direct heme acquisition by IsdB in which MD enhances the affinity of N2 for heme to thermodynamically drive heme transfer from metHb to IsdB and in which NS is required for the rapid and single phase kinetics of the metHb/IsdB reaction.
Connexin36 Forms Synapses Essential for Night Vision

Rod signals reach ganglion cells via at least five pathways. A new study in this issue of Neuron shows that all pathways from rods to ON-type ganglion cells require connexin36. This is the first physiological demonstration in mammals that a well-defined neural circuit requires a gap junction as an obligatory transmission step.
Repeat Purchase amid Rapid Quality Improvement: Structural Estimation of Demand for Personal Computers

This paper estimates a structural model of demand for the personal computer (PC) by repeat purchasers. Taking advantage of a large data set on household-level PC purchases, the econometric model uses variation in PC holdings among PC owners to identify households' marginal values of quality improvements. The analysis only requires data on a cross-section of households along with observed PC offerings over time, and accounts for stock effects, forward-looking behavior, and large amounts of household heterogeneity. The estimates allow us to measure sensitivity to long-term and short-term price and technology changes, as well as consumer welfare changes from technological improvements. The results show a large variation in marginal values for PC quality across households, and that failing to account for forward-looking behavior results in biased estimates and a poorer fit to the data. Incorporating stock effects proves especially important because, for the data used here, the model's parameters are not only biased but also virtually impossible to pin down without them. The results also show that price elasticity is approximately 25% higher in the short term compared to the long term, and technology elasticity is approximately 35% higher in the short term compared to the long term. Furthermore, welfare measurements are significantly underestimated when using a model that does not account for forward-looking behavior. Finally, the model is extended to include first-time purchasers. The results show similar patterns, but should be interpreted with much caution owing to the likely presence of significant unobserved heterogeneity between new purchasers and repeat purchasers.
“The Liberty of the Press” as an Issue in English Politics, 1792–1793

(1961). “The Liberty of the Press” as an Issue in English Politics, 1792‐1793. The Historian: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 26-43.
V1718 AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT APPROACH TO RETROGRADE ABLATION OF POSTERIOR URETHRAL VALVES

performed in a running fashion incorporating ureteric adventitia to the closure in order to prevent ureteral migration. Foley catheter is left at the end of the procedure. No drain is left. RESULTS: Mean age was 5.5 years. All cases except one were completed robotically. This one case required emergent conversion to open surgery due to inadvertent iliac vein injury during while manipulating a robotic arm by the surgical assistant leading to acute blood loss. Bleeding was controlled and the procedure was completed in the open fashion. No other perioperative complications were encountered. of patients were discharged on POD#1 and Twelve pts (75%) have completed at least 3 months follow up with VCUG. Overall resolution of VUR was 91.7% (11/12). CONCLUSIONS: RALUR is a procedure in evolution. Our preliminary results validate the technique as a feasible and reasonable alternative to its open counterpart. Further follow up is necessary to establish if the results are durable in the long-term and the perioperative outcomes improved compared to the open approach.
Gab1 mediates hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated mitogenicity and morphogenesis in multipotent myeloid cells

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-stimulated mitogenesis, motogenesis and morphogenesis in various cell types begins with activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase and the recruitment of intracellular adaptors and kinase substrates. The adapter protein Gab1 is a critical effector and substrate of activated Met, mediating morphogenesis, among other activities, in epithelial cells. To define its role downstream of Met in hematopoietic cells, Gab1 was expressed in the HGF-responsive, Gab1-negative murine myeloid cell line 32D. Interestingly, the adhesion and motility of Gab1-expressing cells were significantly greater than parental cells, independent of growth factor treatment. Downstream of activated Met, Gab1 expression was specifically associated with rapid Shp-2 recruitment and activation, increased mitogenic potency, suppression of GATA-1 expression and concomitant upregulation of GATA-2 transcription. In addition to enhanced proliferation, continuous culture of Gab1-expressing 32D cells in HGF resulted in cell attachment, filopodia extension and phenotypic changes suggestive of monocytic differentiation. Our results suggest that in myeloid cells, Gab1 is likely to enhance HGF mitogenicity by coupling Met to Shp-2 and GATA-2 expression, thereby potentially contributing to normal myeloid differentiation as well as oncogenic transformation. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 310–321, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The three-component accelerometer

The second group of accelerations largely determines the riding qualities of transportation equipment. The design of an accelerometer for each group of accelerations requires special treatment. For accelerations due to increasing or reducing speed or to airplane maneuvers an accelerometer of low natural frequency is desirable. For accelerations found in transportation equipment which affects riding comfort of passengers an instrument of higher natural frequency is required. An instrument for measuring accelerations for either low or high frequencies should be adequately damped especially when occasional accelerations are encountered whose frequencies are in the resonant range of the instrument. The problem of proper damping of the instrument offers the greater difficulty in the design of an accelerometer for either of these groups of accelerations.
Geometric characterization of nanoporous metals

Abstract Nanoporous metals made by dealloying possess significant geometric complexity—they are random, bicontinuous structures that also possess bubbles within ligaments, regions of very high negative, positive, and saddlepoint curvature, and significant polyfaceting. Here we introduce methods to geometrically quantify the structure of nanoporous metals employing simulated model nanoporous metals generated via large-scale kinetic Monte Carlo simulations as the basis of discussion. A method is introduced to transform these simulated structures into smooth triangulated meshes using new mesh-smoothing algorithms that hybridize mean curvature flow and signal processing approaches to mesh fairing. The technique is assessed by comparing the exact genus of high-genus meshes with the genus calculated via the Gauss–Bonnet formula, and works well to find the local curvature at all points of simulated surfaces of high topological genus. Specific geometric quantification of nanoporous metals is discussed for two quantities: (i) the relative surface area fraction of different crystal facets, which is important for catalysis; and (ii) the curvature distribution on the surface of porous metals, important for applications in which high curvature features are active (e.g. optical sensing).
Context is everything for dependence receptors in colorectal cancer

Cancer is a consequence of the accumulation of mutations and epigenetic alterations in oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing methods and methylation array technology has led to genome-wide analyses of gene alterations in a wide variety of cancers, including colorectal cancer (1). These studies have revealed that there are hundreds to thousands of DNA alterations in the average colorectal cancer genome, and that there are roughly 80–100 genes that are commonly altered by nonsynonymous mutations and roughly 15 mutations in candidate “driver” genes per genome. (“Driver genes” are those genes that induce the formation of cancer.) These studies have also revealed considerable heterogeneity between colorectal cancers and that the majority of gene mutations are likely passenger events, which are bystanders in cancer formation. Thus, one of the major challenges facing cancer biologists now is how to identify the mutated genes that are functionally relevant in the tumorigenesis process. The traditional approach to deciphering which genes are functionally relevant assumes mutations in genes will lead to constitutive tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressing biological effects. Thus, mutations in genes for the tyrosine kinases (e.g., EGFR, BRAF, and so forth) have typically been classified as oncogenic because they often induce a constant state of inappropriate proliferation, whereas other genes, such as BRCA2, are most often classified as tumor-suppressor genes because these mutations impair DNA fidelity.