cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Systemic Corruption at the Ministry of Finance and Planning in South Sudan: Mismanagement of Public Funds and Procurement Scandals

Effective public financial management and financial control systems have an important role in ensuring the accountability of use of public funds, and safeguarding limited public resources against corruption and other misuse as wells as other unlawful practices. South Sudan, the East African country that emerged in July 2011 as an independent country, is facing challenges and perceived weakness in its financial management, despite existence of laws and regulations. Studies and reports by international agencies revealed that financial corruption in South Sudan is deeply rooted, and is institutionalized (The Sentry , 2020). This paper intends to shed light on mismanagement of public funds in the public sector, particularly at the Ministry of Finance, which has experience ineffective internal control systems over the last years. This paper further discusses corruption scandals triggered by deficiencies and loopholes in the public procurement and awarding of government contracts. The paper concludes by suggesting the required reform at the regulatory and institutional level and the possible means.
Comparing the performance of a new digital communications receiver to the classical receiver using computer simulations

In this paper we study the performance of a wavelet-based receiver for the various digital communications modulation techniques, where the channel corrupts the transmitted signal by the addition of Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN). This receiver is similar to the well-known optimum receiver in that it uses a correlator (matched filter) and a maximum likelihood decision stage to decide which signal was transmitted. The key difference lies in the correlation part where the de-noised wavelet coefficients of the received signal are multiplied with M sets (M-ary system) of wavelet coefficients that correspond to M prototype signals. We derive the probability density function of the decision variable, for the simplest case, Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), and then arrive at an expression for the probability of error. We use simulations to compare the performance of this receiver to that of the classical optimal receiver. We do this for the four modulation techniques; M-ary Phase Shift Keying (MPSK), differential M-ary Phase Shift Keying (differential MPSK), coherent M-ary Frequency Shift Keying (coherent MFSK), and non-coherent M-ary Frequency Shift Keying (non-coherent MFSK). We show an improvement, in terms of probability of error versus signal to noise ratio (SNR), for all four cases. This improvement ranges between 1/2 dB in the case of frequency shift keying and 3/4 dB in the case of phase shift keying at high SNR values.
A lower bound on ‖ε’/ε‖

In the Kobayashi‐Maskawa (K‐M) model, a lower bound on the CP violating produce s2c2s3sδ follows from the imaginary part of the short‐distance K0−K0 mixing amplitude together with a conservative upper bound on the short‐distance contribution to KL→μμ. This leads to a lower bound on ‖e’/e‖ in terms of a matrix element of a single (V−A)×(V+A) type operator. Familiar current algebra and bag model estimates for this matrix element give ‖e’/e‖≳2×10−3. We also observe that the experimental upper bound on the brancing ratio for the b‐quark into u‐quarks fixes the sign of s2c2s3sδ and e’/e both to be positive. Allowances for QCD corrections and long distance efects are included throughout our analysis.
Patient Education as a Moderator of Psychological Distress

This article reviews the literature on psychological distress in cancer patients. Cancer patients experience psychological difficulties similar to those of patients with other chronic illnesses, but the sources of their distress may be different. The use of education and counseling interventions among patients with cancer and other chronic illnesses is examined. Finally, the author describes a case-management approach to patient education and counseling called the Outpatient Program for Comprehensive Cancer Rehabilitation, which is now being evaluated in an ongoing randomized clinical trial.
RESOLUTION OF SINGULARITIES OF CONVOLUTIONS WITH THE GAUSSIAN KERNEL

We present a complete classification of the zero set of a function which is a convolution with the Gaussian kernel. In the first part, we calculate the Taylor expansion of the convolution in a critical point. In the second part, we resolve the singularity with the help of the general Newton process which yields the Puiseux expansions for the solutions. Finally, we describe the resolved singularity in terms of Hermite polynomials.
Template generation for neural waveform analysis in extracellular recordings

A fully automated system for sorting the action potential waveforms of multiple neurons in extracellular recordings has to generate a template for each neuron by averaging waveforms produced by that neuron. This requires a multidimensional clustering approach that can also segment waveforms from the continual recording, and average them with appropriate alignment. The performance of the sorting process is dictated by the quality of the templates. Confusion errors between classes and misalignment errors within classes deteriorate the templates generated by available algorithms. An algorithm that the authors developed was evaluated with simulations and physiological data.
Childhood in world history

1. Introduction: Childhood in World History 2. Childhood in Agricultural Societies: The First Big Changes 3. Childhood in the Classical Civilizations 4. Childhood in Postclassical World History: The Impact of Religious Change 5. Debating Childhood in the Premodern West 6. Forces of Change and the Modern Model of Childhood Developments in the West, Eighteenth Century - 1914 7. Alongside the Modern Model: The Pressures of Colonialism 8. Modern Childhood in Asia: Japan Adapts the New Model 9. Childhood and Communist Revolutions 10. Childhood in the Affluent Societies, Twentieth - Twenty-First Centuries 11. The Dislocations in the Twentieth-Twenty-First Centuries: Children Face War and Violence 12. Globalization and Childhoods 13. Conclusion: Childhoods From Past Toward Future
Lipase and pepsin activity in the gastric mucosa of infants, children, and adults

The range of activity and the location of lipase and pepsin were determined in the stomach and duodenum of infants, children, and adults. The range of lipase activity in biopsy specimens from the gastric body, in 29 subjects aged from 3 months to 26 years, was 1.8-5.3 U/mg protein (1 U is 1 mumol [3H]oleic acid released from tri-[3H]olein per minute). There were no significant differences among age groups (5-19 months, 2-4 years, 6-10 years, 11-13 years, and 15-26 years). Lipase activity was low or undetectable in the gastric antrum of all subjects. Pepsin activity in specimens from the gastric body ranged from 180 to 780 pepsin units/mg protein (using hemoglobin as substrate). The antrum had significantly lower pepsin activity (P less than 0.001) than the gastric body. As with lipase activity, there were no statistically significant differences in pepsin activity among age groups. Lipase and pepsin activity was also quantified in pinch biopsy specimens from the duodenum and duodenal bulb in 13 subjects. Contrary to lipase activity, which was almost completely absent from the duodenum or duodenal bulb, these sites contained low pepsin activity (9-78 pepsin units/mg protein). The data show that in infants and children, as previously reported in adults, gastric lipase is localized primarily in the gastric body. Tissue pepsin levels and localization, reported here for the first time, are similar to those of lipase, although, contrary to lipase, the gastric antrum has considerable pepsin activity. The identical levels of lipase and pepsin activities in infants, children, and adults indicate that the gastric phase of nutrient digestion is well developed at birth.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Biotech Drugs

In recent years, biotechnologically derived peptide- and protein-based drugs have developed into mainstream therapeutic agents. Peptide and protein drugs, as well as oligonucleotides and DNA, now constitute a substantial portion of the compounds under preclinical and clinical development in the global pharmaceutical industry. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a biotech drug determine the relationship between administered dose, resulting systemic exposure, and subsequent pharmacologic response. Pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics are, therefore, frequently crucial determinants of a drug's efficacy and safety, and their evaluation is an important component during the preclinical and clinical development of a drug candidate. However, pharmacokinetic and exposure/response evaluations for peptides and protein therapeutics are frequently complicated by their similarity to endogenous peptides and proteins as well as protein nutrients. In addition, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) correlations for biotech drugs are frequently convoluted by their close interaction with endogenous substances and physiologic regulatory feedback mechanisms. Extensive use of pharmacokinetic and exposure/response concepts in all phases of drug development has, in the past, been identified as a crucial factor for the success of a scientifically driven, evidence-based, and hence accelerated drug development process. Thus, PK/PD concepts are likely to continue and expand their role as a fundamental factor in the successful development of biotechnologically derived drug products in the future. Keywords: Biotech Drug; Absorption; Distribution; Elimination; Excretion; Metabolism; Clearance (CL); Volume of Distribution (Vd ); Exposure /Response Correlation; PK/PD Model
Contributions of sickle hemoglobin polymer and sickle cell membranes to impaired filterability

Sickle cell anemia is a disease of abnormal rheology caused by acute and reversible, as well as chronic and irreversible, changes in the properties and deformability of sickle erythrocytes. Deformability is determined by several factors, including intracellular sickle hemoglobin polymerization, the abnormal membrane properties of sickle cells, and the abnormal rheological properties of the soluble concentrated hemoglobin solution within dense sickle red blood cells. In this study, we used a 5-microns pore nickel mesh filter to evaluate quantitatively the effects of these factors on the filterability of erythrocytes containing sickle hemoglobin. We used sickle trait and sickle/beta(+)-thalassemia cells, because they have minimal membrane abnormalities or density heterogeneity, to investigate the effects of polymer formation on rheological properties. We found that filterability of these cells is sensitive to small amounts of intracellular polymer and that impaired filtration is linearly related to oxygen-dependent polymer formation, up to a polymer fraction of 0.3. By increasing the proportion of dense cells in populations of normal cells or cells from individuals with sickle syndromes and equilibrating these cells with gas ligands, we estimate that polymerization, even at 95% saturation, contributes twice as much to impaired filterability of sickle erythrocytes as the abnormal membranes in homozygous sickle cell disease. At lower saturation values, the effects of polymer are even greater. The viscosity of the concentrated hemoglobin in dense cells had the smallest effect, over physiologically relevant saturation values. These results emphasize the importance of sickle hemoglobin polymerization in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease and should help define its pathophysiology and responses to therapy in quantitative terms.
Faculty Development Programs: The Frequency and Variety of Professional Development Programs Available to Online Instructors.

Online education is no longer a peripheral phenomenon in higher education: over one-third of faculty have taught or developed an online course. As institutions of higher education expand their online education offerings, administrators need to recognize that supporting faculty through the use of incentives and through effective faculty development programs for online instruction is important to the improvement of the quality of educational programs. This quantitative study used an online survey to investigate the types and frequency of faculty development programs for online instruction at institutions with an established teaching and learning development unit (TLDU). The average TLDU offered about fifteen different types of faculty development programs, the most common being websites, technical services, printed materials, and consultation with instructional design experts.
Improving the means for intergovernmental communications in crisis

(1984). Improving the means for intergovernmental communications in crisis. Survival: Vol. 26, No. 5, pp. 200-214.
Elasto-plastic and large deformation analysis of thin shells by the deformation theory of plasticity

Abstract This paper describes the results of the first phase of a study on the sheet metal response in a car structure subjected to impact loads produced during a crash. A mathematical model of thin elasto-plastic (material nonlinearity) shells with large deflection (geometrical nonlinearity) is used to model the sheet metal. In this part of the work, the stresses and deformations in a thin shell are determined under equivalent static loads so that the deformation theory of plasticity can be applied in the formulation. Based upon the nonlinear shell theory and the deformation theory of plasticity, the potential energy functional for a shell structure is derived in a curvilinear coordinate system. Using curved triangular elements, the potential energy functional is reduced to the potential energy function of the nodal displacements. The gradient search method is applied to find a set of nodal displacements such that the potential energy function is a minimum; thus this set is the solution to the shell structure. The most severe problem that one encounters when applying the energy search method to solve structural problems with both material and geometrical nonlinearities is slow convergence. To improve this slow convergence near the end of the search process, the intermediate solution from the search process obtained prior to the onset of slow convergence is used as an initial guess input to the “Alpha”-Constant Stiffness Method. Both solution accuracy and overall computer time are improved with this procedure. The combined method is applied to solve three sample problems for which solutions exist in the literature to demonstrate its accuracy and economy in computer time. In addition, the load-deflection curve is computed numerically for a cylindrical panel under a concentrated load at the center. These results were also checked with the force-deflection curve from an actual experimental test of the panel and excellent agreement was observed.
Risk monitoring of randomized trials in emergency medicine : experience of the brain resuscitation clinical trial II

Abstract Risk monitoring for the Brain Resuscitation Clinical Trial II, a multicenter, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the calcium-entry blocker lidoflazine in the amelioration of brain damage in comatose cardiac-arrest survivors, posed unexpected challenges. Concern arose when monitoring of adverse reactions showed an excess of dangerous cardiac arrhythmlas, including rearrest, in the lidoflazine group. To ascertain the cause of this problem and determine whether it was ethical for the trial to continue, an in-depth review of data was conducted, outside experts were consulted, and additional data were collected. These efforts suggested possible causes for the problem. Existing drug administration protocols for blood pressure control were reinforced, resulting in lower subsequent arrhythmia rates. Thus, through an efficient monitoring system, an important problem was uncovered and resolved, allowing the trial to be completed without major changes.
Human Herpesvirus‐8: A Useful Marker for Distinguishing Kaposi Sarcoma and Kaposi Sarcoma‐like Pyogenic Granuloma

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm associated with human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection. On occasion, KS may histologically mimic pyogenic granulomas (PG), a common benign vascular tumor of the skin. Using immunoperoxidase stains, we examined 28 PG and 4 PG-like KS for HHV-8 to determine the specificity of positive staining in this setting. All PG-like KS demonstrated nuclear staining for HHV-8. No staining was identified in any of the PG. Furthermore, histologic criteria often used to differentiate between these two entities were not helpful in difficult cases. The only distinguishing features were the presence/absence of HHV-8 staining and, in some cases, clinical history. The presence of HHV-8 nuclear staining appears to be a specific marker for KS when comparing PG and PG-like KS. Given the lack of distinguishing morphologic criteria, we suggest performing immunoperoxidase stains for HHV-8 on any PG occurring in a clinically atypical setting.
Housing Starts Forecast of Retail Sales through the 2007-2009 Recession

Abstract The expansion following the 2001 recession was in part stimulated by a boom in housing market investments. Many economists were concerned that a severe drop in residential investments would cause a recession throughout the economy because of residential investment's relationship to the gross domestic product and financial markets, and that a decline in housing prices would negatively impact consumer spending. A severe decline in the housing market and the illiquidity in the financial market were both evident by the third quarter of 2007. Some models based on historical data were showing the certainty of a recession in 2007. The best predictors of recessions are respectively interest rate spread, unemployment claims, and building permits. Building permits/new private housing units are a leading economic indicator whereas retail sales are a component of manufacturing and trade sales, which is a coincident economic indicator because it is highly correlated to GDP. This study attempts to use housing starts and past values of retail sales to forecast out-of-sample retail sales values through the period of January 1998 to August 2010, which is inclusive of the recent 2007-2009 recession. If housing Starts are found to be predictive of retail sales, then they are a predictor of a coincident indicator of recessions. This forecast is done in the framework of neural network modeling referenced to robust regression analysis. It was expected that the neural network models would produce better forecasts as ascertained by correlation, root mean square error, and Theil inequality coefficient performance metrics, but the overall result was mixed.
Life-Cycle Approach for Implementing RFID Technology in Construction: Learning from Academic and Industry Use Cases

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is an effective automated data collection technology that has been adopted by a number of industries. Researchers and practitioners in the construct...
Appetite Suppressants and Valvular Heart Disease

The association between valvular heart disease and diet pills was discovered several years ago in a small cohort of patients. Subsequent uncontrolled surveys and reports suggested a prevalence of cardiac abnormalities as high as 30%. These results led to widespread concern by millions of appetite suppressant users and the withdrawal of both fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine from the market. Through this review of the literature, it becomes apparent that we have better defined the association between valvular heart disease and appetite suppressants; nonetheless, many questions and controversies remain. Most large scale, multicenter, controlled studies have shown that a prevalence of significant valve regurgitation is between 2 and 12% and that the likelihood of disease increases with increasing dose and/or duration of appetite suppressant use, but several other issues, such as the mechanism of action, remain unanswered.
Correlations among properties of pair potentials for metals

Abstract Empirical relations have been used for many years to describe correlations that exist among properties of interatomic potentials for molecules. One such relation is applied here to properties of effective interatomic pair potentials for atoms in bulk metals. It is demonstrated, using three different sets of empirically-derived pair-potential data, that this relation has a form for the bulk-metal potentials that is quite similar to that for the molecular potentials.
Late Devonian benthic marine communities of the central Appalachian Allegheny Front

Four benthic marine communities occur in the clastic facies of the prograding Upper Frasnian-Lower Famennian (Upper Devonian) Foreknobs Formation in the Central Appalachians along the Allegheny Front in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Deep-water, rapidly prograding environments were inhabited by the Ambocoelia-Chonetes Community, dominated by an epifauna of unattached brachiopods. Offshore bar environments were inhabited by the Cyrtospirifer-Camarotoechia Community, exhibiting adaptations to shallow-water, high-energy conditions and probably lowered salinities. Shallow-water, sublittoral environments were inhabited by the Atrypa-Cypricardella Community, a community in which existed a variety of life habitats and a diverse epifaunal and infaunal association of brachiopods and bivalve molluscs. The Leptodesma-Tylothyris Community flourished in nearshore bar-protected environments in the southern region of the study area, whereas in the north the Cyrtospirifer-Camarotoechia Community inhabited nearshore environments in conjunction with the onshore development of a large fluviodeltaic system.
Non linear inversion of gravity gradients and the GGI gradiometer

All gradiometers currently operating for exploration in the field are based on Lockheed Martin’s GGI gradiometer. The working of this gradiometer is described and a method for robust non linear inversion of gravity gradients is presented. The inversion method involves obtaining the gradient response of a trial body consisting of vertical rectangular prisms. The inversion adjusts the depth to the tops or bases of the prisms. In the trial model all the prisms are not required to have the same area of cross section or the same density (which can also be allowed to vary with depth). The depth to the tops and bottoms of each prism can also be different. This response is compared with the observed values of gradient and through an iterative procedure, the difference is minimized in a least square sense to arrive at a best fitting model by varying the position of the tops or bottoms of the prisms. Each gradient can be individually inverted or one or more gradients can be jointly inverted. The method is extended to invert gravity values individually or jointly with gradient values. The use of Differential Curvature, a quantity which is directly obtained by current gradiometers in use and which is an invariant under a rotation in the horizontal plane, is emphasized. Synthetic examples as well as a field example of inversion are given.
The structure of trp pseudorepressor at 1.65A shows why indole propionate acts as a trp 'inducer'.

The trp repressor is a small dimeric regulatory protein which controls the expression of three operons in Escherichia coli1–3. The inactive aporepressor protein must bind two molecules of L-tryptophan to form the active repressor4. If desamino analogues of L-tryptophan such as indole propionate (IPA) are substituted for L-tryptophan, an inactive pseudorepressor is formed1,5,6. Because the desamino analogues thus cause derepression of operons under control of the trp repressor, they appear to be 'inducers'. We have determined the crystal structure of the pseudorepressor and refined it to 1.65 A. The molecular structure was compared to that of the nearly isomorphous orthorhombic form of the repressor. Surprisingly, the indole ring of IPA is in the same position as the indole ring of L-tryptophan in the repressor, but is 'flipped over'. As a result, the carboxyl group of IPA is oriented toward the DNA-binding surface of the protein and is in a position where it sterically and electrostatically repels the phosphate backbone of both operator and non-operator DNA. This explains why IPA acts as an apparent trp inducer.
Interpersonal sensitivity and reactivity to spousal conflict in healthy older women

Abstract This study investigated whether interpersonal sensitivity was associated with reactivity to spousal conflict beyond neuroticism. Interpersonal sensitivity is defined as an excessive sensitivity to the behavior and feelings of others. Participants were 49 healthy older women who were interviewed weekly for 12–20 consecutive weeks. Interpersonal sensitivity and neuroticism were measured in mailed questionnaires. Spousal conflict, positive affect, and negative affect were assessed weekly in phone interviews. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted predicting positive and negative affect from interpersonal sensitivity, spousal conflict, and the sensitivity×spousal conflict interaction. Neuroticism and age were used as control variables. The results indicated that women higher in interpersonal sensitivity had more negative affect and less positive affect in times of spousal conflict than women lower in interpersonal sensitivity. The findings suggest that interpersonal sensitivity may play a unique role in reactivity to interpersonal conflict.
Observations of upper atmospheric optical flashes recorded from an aircraft

Short-duration upper atmospheric optical flashes were recorded on the night of 8 July, 1993 (9 July UT) from the NASA DC-8 Airborne Laboratory flying over the American Midwest. All-sky video images from an intensified silicon intensified target (ISIT) camera revealed 19 upper atmospheric flashes occurring over a period of approximately 100 min. The flashes were similar in appearance to previously reported ground and shuttle-based video observations. Detailed analysis of 12 of the events yielded these parameters: (1) duration less than or equal to 17 ms; (2) brightness 10-50 kR, roughly that of bright aurorae; (3) terminal heights 30-100 km, with a mean of approximately 60 km; (4) horizontal extent 10-50 km; (5) emission volumes greater than 1000 cu km. The relative frequency of the optical flashes was (6) 1:200-1:400 compared to negative cloud-to-ground discharges and 1:20-1:40 compared to positive cloud-to-ground discharges.
Auditory-Nerve Rate Responses are Inconsistent with Common Hypotheses for the Neural Correlates of Loudness Recruitment

A number of perceptual phenomena related to normal and impaired level coding can be accounted for by the degree of compression in the basilar-membrane (BM) magnitude response. However, the narrow dynamic ranges of auditory-nerve (AN) fibers complicate these arguments. Because the AN serves as an information bottleneck, an improved understanding of the neural coding of level may clarify some of the limitations of current hearing aids. Here three hypotheses for the neural correlate of loudness recruitment were evaluated based on AN responses from normal-hearing cats and from cats with a noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Auditory-nerve fiber rate-level functions for tones were analyzed to test the following hypotheses: Loudness recruitment results from steeper AN rate functions after impairment. This hypothesis was not supported; AN rate functions were not steeper than normal following NIHL, despite steeper estimated BM responses based on the AN data. Loudness is based on the total AN discharge count, and recruitment results from an abnormally rapid spread of excitation after impairment. Whereas abnormal spread of excitation can be observed, steeper growth of total AN rate is not seen over the range of sound levels where recruitment is observed in human listeners. Loudness of a narrowband stimulus is based on AN responses in a narrow BF region, and recruitment results from compression of the AN-fiber threshold distribution after impairment. This hypothesis was not supported because there was no evidence that impaired AN threshold distributions were compressed and the growth of AN activity summed across BFs near the stimulus frequency was shallower than normal.Overall, these results suggest that loudness recruitment cannot be accounted for based on summed AN rate responses and may depend on neural mechanisms involved in the central representation of intensity.
Effect of target temperature on the reactive d.c.-sputtering of silicon and niobium oxides

Abstract We study the deposition of Si and Nb oxides by reactive d.c.-magnetron sputtering from high temperature metallic Si and Nb targets in Ar/O2 atmospheres. It is shown that the oxidess formed on Si targets above 1 500 K and on Nb above 2 310 K evaporate, leaving the target surface free of the solid oxide coatings which induce hysteresis, voltage instability and arc breakdown in conventional reactive sputtering. Also, the deposition rate can be much higher because the target surface is coating-free and because sublimed oxides, SiO(g) for Si targets and a mixture of NbO(g) and NbO2(g) for Nb, contribute significantly to the deposit: The deposition rate of SiO2 is three times higher than for a conventional process with the same power and for Nb2O5, it is seven times higher. Thermionic emission is shown to be an important process which can constitute more than half of the total discharge current in the hot target sputtering of Nb.
Defective guanyl nucleotide-binding protein beta gamma subunits in a forskolin-resistant mutant of the Y1 adrenocortical cell line.

Abstract Forskolin-resistant mutants derived from Y1 adrenocortical cells display decreased responsiveness both to receptor and postreceptor stimulators of adenylyl cyclase and decreased amounts of the alpha subunits of the GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) that mediate stimulation (Gs) and inhibition (Gi) of adenylyl cyclase--namely, Gs alpha and Gi alpha-2. This phenotype is suggestive of a mutation that affects the processing or plasma membrane incorporation of G protein alpha subunits. Since the membrane attachment of heterotrimeric G proteins has been ascribed in part to the beta gamma subunits, we examined the quantity and functional activity of beta gamma subunits in wild-type Y1 and forskolin-resistant Forsk-10r-9 and Forsk-10r-3 cells. We now show that two assays previously used to examine the activity of purified beta gamma subunits--namely, to support either rhodopsin-catalyzed guanyl nucleotide exchange on Gt alpha or pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gt alpha--can be used with detergent extracts of cells. In both assays the beta gamma activity in Forsk-10r-9 and Forsk-10r-3 extracts was decreased by 53-76% compared with wild-type Y1 extracts. When normalized for immunoreactive beta subunit, the beta gamma activity in the Forsk-10r-9 samples was decreased by 55-57% compared with the wild-type Y1 samples. These results suggest that a mutation of one of the G protein beta or gamma subunits may result in the multiple defects of adenylyl cyclase activity and apparent loss of G protein alpha subunits seen in the forskolin-resistant mutant cells. The frequency with which these spontaneous mutations arise in the Y1 cell line suggests that they may contribute more generally to genetic abnormalities in signal transduction.
Demonstration of master-slave type deskew function for optical virtual concatenation using OTU3 multiframe identification

Deskew function using OTU3 multiframe identification is demonstrated. Master-slave type deskew method with simple configuration is proposed to realign skewed parallel data. Skew is successfully compensated.
Circuit Modeling Of Planar Meshes With Discrete Loads

A technique for calculating the equivalent mesh impedances for a doubly periodic mesh which may contain small discrete loads is demonstrated. The mesh is modeled by a two port network. One port is shunted across a transmission line that carries the incoming and outgoing waves. The discrete load is placed across the second port. The equivalent port impedances are calculated without approximation using the method of moments. This technique allows predictions to be made of the performance of a mesh with arbitrary load since the port impedances are load independent. It also allows the design of variable meshes in which the lumped load is adjusted externally.
Search for optimum and scalable COSMOS

This present work reports the result of 3D simulations aimed at optimizing structural parameters for tuning symmetric operation of COSMOS, improving leakage and switching performance. In addition, we also investigate the scalability of COSMOS structure as a function of lateral and vertical device dimensions. Thus we will show how significant area gains can be obtained in static CMOS logic circuits, where the built-in orthogonality of the COSMOS should be most beneficial.
Changes in Regional Energetics over the North Pacific5 South China Sea and the Indonesian Seas during Winter

Abstract The energy equation was applied to specific limited to investigate the effect of barotropic and baroclinic processes upon area-averaged eddy kinetic energy during the northern winter. At 200 mb, area-averaged eddy kinetic energy was sometimes well above its 90-day winter mean over the extratropical North Pacific, tropical central North Pacific and South China Sea. Almost simultaneously, it was below its seasonal mean over the Timor Sea. Such occasions exhibited certain definite regional energetic characteristics. Upper zonal mean flows over the extratropical North Pacific were barotropically stable and received large amounts of energy from eddy motions via barotropic interactions. In the tropical central North Pacific, eddy motions at 200 and 300 mb were maintained almost equally by barotropic instability and lateral coupling. This region imported substantial amounts of energy across the northern boundary from the extratropical North Pacific. Over the South China Sea (Timor Sea), the conversion o...
Determination of peptide and protein ion charge states by Fourier transformation of isotope-resolved mass spectra.

We report an automated method for determining charge states from high-resolution mass spectra. Fourier transforms of isotope packets from high-resolution mass spectra are compared to Fourier transforms of modeled isotopic peak packets for a range of charge states. The charge state for the experimental ion packet is determined by the model isotope packet that yields the best match in the comparison of the Fourier transforms. This strategy is demonstrated for determining peptide ion charge states from “zoom scan” data from a linear quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer, enabling the subsequent automated identification of singly-through quadruply-charged peptide ions, while reducing the numbers of conflicting identifications from ambiguous charge state assignments. We also apply this technique to determine the charges of intact protein ions from LC-FTICR data, demonstrating that it is more sensitive under these experimental conditions than two existing algorithms. The strategy outlined in this paper should be generally applicable to mass spectra obtained from any instrument capable of isotopic resolution.
Clinical features of leiomyosarcoma of the urinary bladder: Analysis of 183 cases

Abstract Introduction Experience with management of urinary bladder leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is rare. Therefore, to better elucidate the disease characteristics of urinary bladder LMS, we utilized a large population-based cancer registry to examine the epidemiology, natural history, pathological characteristics, prognostic factors, and treatment outcomes. Material and methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973–2010) was used to identify cases by tumor site and histology codes. The association between clinical and demographic characteristics and long-term survival was examined. Results A total of 183 histologically confirmed cases were identified between 1973 and 2010. The annual age-adjusted incidence rate was 0.23 cases per 1,000,000 and did not significantly change over time. Median age of the patients was 65 years (interquartile range: 47–78 y). Of the patients with a known pathologic tumor stage (n = 164), 50% had a regional or distant disease. Overall, 63.2% of patients with known histologic grade (n = 106), had poorly differentiated or undifferentiated histology. Most patients (92.9%) received cancer-directed surgery (CDS), with 34.4% having radical or partial cystectomy. Only 7.7% of patients received radiation therapy in combination with surgery. The median disease-specific survival was 46 months. Five- and 10-year cancer-specific survival rates were 47%, and 35%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, a worse outcome was associated with an undifferentiated tumor grade, distant disease, and failure to undergo CDS. Conclusion This series represents the largest cohort of LMS of the urinary bladder studied to date. LMS commonly presented as high grade and advanced stage with a poor prognosis. Reduced disease-specific survival was associated with increasing age, undifferentiated tumor grade, distant disease, and failure to undergo CDS.
RESPONSES OF THE BEAN PLANT TO CALCIUM DEFICIENCY

Many studies have been made comparing the growth of various plants with and without calcium in the nutrient solution. In many cases, however, the solutions have been chosen arbitrarily without a thorough understanding of the effects produced by various combinations of salts. Experiments with various single salts, two-salt combinations, and various total concentrations of salts were deemed necessary in order to obtain the most favorable plusand minus-calcium solutions for the growth of the bean plant. The differences between the plants growing in these two solutions are believed to indicate more truly the morphological and chemical alterations that result from a deficiency of calcium in the nutrient solution.
THE MODERN LANGUAGE STUDENT vs. ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Author's summary.— Tests given to college freshmen reveal a direct relation between knowledge of (English) grammar and proficiency in foreign language. Modern language teachers must give more systematic instruction in grammatical terminology and theory in order to give their pupils a fair chance to learn the foreign language.
SNR analysis of conventional and optimal fiber optic low-coherence interferometer topologies

The most straightforward interferometer for optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a simple Michelson interferometer. A low-coherence source illuminates the interferometer. The light is split by a 50/50 beamsplitter into a sample and a reference path. Light retro reflected from the reference and the sample is recombined at the beamsplitter and half is collected by a photodetetor in the detection arm of the interferometer. Half of the light is returned towards the source, where it is lost. In addition, the reference arm light is typically attenuated by orders of magnitude in order to improve signal to noise ratio. Thus, using this typical configuration, virtually 75 percent of the optical power supplied by the source is not used for image formation. We present a family of novel interferometer designs incorporating optical circulators, unbalanced couplers, and/or balanced detection which are designed to optimize optical power efficiency and circulators, unbalanced couplers, and/or balance detection which are designed to optimize optical power efficiency and system signal to noise ratio. We evaluate the expected performance of the novel interferometers as compared with the standard Michelson interferometer. We review signal and noise sources important for the design of OCT interferometers, and specify the design equations for evaluation and optimization of signal to noise ratio. This analysis, based on sound, experimentally verified literature, predicts improved sensitivity for all of the new interferometer designs.
gamma-Aminobutyric acid responses in rat locus coeruleus neurones in vitro: a current-clamp and voltage-clamp study.

1. Intracellular recordings were made from locus coeruleus (LC) neurones in a totally submerged brain slice preparation from adult rats. The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on LC neurones was studied under current-clamp and voltage-clamp conditions. GABA caused inhibition of spontaneous firing and a large conductance increase in LC neurones. These effects could be accompanied by depolarization, hyperpolarization or little change in membrane potential depending on the presence or absence of Cl- in the recording microelectrode. 2. The reversal potential for GABA-induced changes in membrane potential (EGABA) was -71.3 +/- 1.1 mV (S.E.M., n = 21) in cells impaled with potassium acetate electrodes and -47.5 +/- 1.4 mV (S.E.M., n = 15) in cells impaled with KCl electrodes. When the external Cl- concentration was reduced EGABA was shifted in the depolarizing direction by 51.5 mV per tenfold change in external Cl- which is close to the shift predicted by the Nernst equation for a selective increase in CL- conductance. 3. GABA effects on LC neurones result from a direct action since they persist in low-Ca2+ and high-Mg2+ media which block synaptic transmission. 4. The effects of GABA were concentration dependent and antagonized by bicuculline (10 microM) and bicuculline methiodide (80-100 microM) indicating that they were mediated predominantly by an action on GABAA receptors. In the presence of bicuculline, EGABA was shifted towards the K+ equilibrium potential which indicated a residual bicuculline-resistant action at GABAB receptors. 5. GABA-induced responses were membrane potential dependent. GABA conductance was observed to decrease with membrane hyperpolarization in a linear manner. GABA-induced current showed outward rectification. In the voltage range studied (rest to -110 mV) the extent of this rectification was predicted by the Goldman-Hodgkin-Katz equation, suggesting that it was due to the unequal distribution of Cl- across the membrane. In addition, the time constant of decay of GABA current was decreased by membrane hyperpolarization; this could be due to a voltage-dependent change in receptor or channel kinetics. 6. These data suggest that the primary action of GABA on LC neurones is to increase Cl- conductance by activation of bicuculline-sensitive GABAA receptors. Due to the voltage dependence of GABA responses, GABA will exert a stronger inhibitory effect on LC neurones at depolarized than at hyperpolarized membrane potentials. This could serve as a negative feedback mechanism to control excitability of these neurones.
A 58 X 62 Pixel Si:Ga Array Camera For 5 - 14 µm Astronomical Imaging

A new infrared array camera system has been successfully applied to high background 5 - 14 μm astronomical imaging photometry observations, using a hybrid 58 x 62 pixel Si:Ga array detector manufactured by Hughes/Santa Barbara Research Center. The off-axis reflective optical design incorporating a parabolic camera mirror, circular variable filter wheel and cold aperture stop produces diffraction-limited images with negligible spatial distortion and minimum thermal background loading. The camera electronic system architecture is divided into three sub-systems: 1) high speed analog front end, including 2-channel preamp module, array address timing generator, bias power suppies, 2) two 16 bit, 3 microsec per conversion A/D converters interfaced to an arithmetic array processor, and 3) a LSI 11/73 camera control and data analysis computer. The background-limited observational noise performance of the camera at the NASA/IRTF telescope is NEFD (1a) = 0.05 jy pixe -1 min -1/2.
Government accounting for Colombia's customhouses during the nineteenth century

During the nineteenth century Colombia's economy relied heavily on foreign trade, and the country's major source of revenues was the tariffs collected by the government customhouses. Because of their importance, the government was compelled to establish proper accounting for these and other duties. In 1844, it mandated a formal accounting and reporting system for all state customhouses. This system, built in part upon the Spanish legacy of colonial government, recognized the realities of an unstable political environment and an emerging government bureaucracy.
A comparison and latent variable test of two fertile ideas.

Perhaps the two most important recent strands in the economics of fertility have been developed by Becker and Easterlin. Both suggest possible biases due to unobserved variables. Becker earlier emphasized changing shadow prices for child quantity and quality and, more recently, intergenerational serially-correlated endowments, all with given preferences. Easterlin has focused on intergenerational serially-correlated preferences. Some demographers have suggested that the Becker and Easterlin approaches are converging and may not be identified from each other.
Roles of protein kinase C and α-tocopherol in regulation of signal transduction for GATA-4 phosphorylation in HL-1 cardiac muscle cells

Abstract Our previous study demonstrated that endothelin-1 induced a phosphorylation of GATA-4 transcription factor, which plays important roles in cardiac hypertrophy and failure [1] . The goal of the present study was to determine whether protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the signaling pathway, and, if so, whether α-tocopherol inhibits the GATA-4 phosphorylation. Treatment of HL-1 adult mouse cardiac muscle cells with PMA, a known activator of PKC, induced a transient phosphorylation of GATA-4. PMA also phosphorylated MEK and ERK, and PMA-induced GATA-4 phosphorylation was blocked by an MEK inhibitor, PD98059, suggesting that PMA phosphorylates GATA-4 via the MEK-ERK pathway. Treatment of HL-1 cells with 1 μM PMA for 24 h resulted in a downregulation of PKC. In PKC-downregulated cells, PMA- or ET-1-induced GATA-4 phosphorylation was suppressed, suggesting the role of PKC in GATA-4 phosphorylation. However, α-tocopherol (5–100 μM) did not inhibit the phosphorylation of GATA-4 or ERK in HL-1 cells. In contrast, α-tocopherol potently inhibited the PMA-induced ERK activation in smooth muscle cells. Our studies in HL-1 cells showed that PKC inhibitors, such as calphostin C and chelerythrin, failed to inhibit the PMA signaling. Furthermore, HL-1 cells appear to possess a unique PKC-signaling mechanism as PKC is constitutively phosphorylated and PMA did not cause further phosphorylation. Thus, in HL-1 cardiac muscle cells, PMA activates the MEK-ERK-GATA-4 pathway, apparently via a PKC-independent mechanism.