cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monoclonal antibodies specific for equine IgG sub-isotypes including an antibody which recognizes B lymphocytes

Abstract Equine immunoglobulin G is currently classified as consisting of five sub-isotypes: IgGa, b, and c, IgG(T), and IgG(B). The study of the role of these immunoglobulins in antigen-specific responses, and the examination of their functional properties would be greatly facilitated by the availability of monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) that distinguish between them. The production and characterization of two Mabs that recognize an IgG sub-isotype with the characteristics of IgG(ab) is described. The immunoglobulin identified by these Mabs had a heavy chain weight of 53 kDa, was of rapid cathodal electrophoretic mobility in immuno-electrophoretic analysis, and reacted only with anti-sera to IgG, and not with anti-sera to IgG(T), IgA, or IgM in radia-immunodiffusion analysis. In addition, one of these two Mabs (CVS1) also recognized the majority of peripheral blood B lymphocytes in indirect immunofluorescent staining analysis, suggesting either that equine IgD may share a common antigenic epitope with an IgG sub-isotype, or that a large proportion of equine B lymphocytes may express an IgG sub-isotype on their surface.
Probing the structural dependency of photoinduced properties of colloidal quantum dots using metal-oxide photo-active substrates

We used photoactive substrates consisting of about 1 nm coating of a metal oxide on glass substrates to investigate the impact of the structures of colloidal quantum dots on their photophysical and photochemical properties. We showed during irradiation these substrates can interact uniquely with such quantum dots, inducing distinct forms of photo-induced processes when they have different cores, shells, or ligands. In particular, our results showed that for certain types of core-shell quantum dot structures an ultrathin layer of a metal oxide can reduce suppression of quantum efficiency of the quantum dots happening when they undergo extensive photo-oxidation. This suggests the possibility of shrinking the sizes of quantum dots without significant enhancement of their non-radiative decay rates. We show that such quantum dots are not influenced significantly by Coulomb blockade or photoionization, while those without a shell can undergo a large amount of photo-induced fluorescence enhancement via such blockade when they are in touch with the metal oxide.
Ligand Binding and Activation in a Prokaryotic Cyclic Nucleotide-modulated Channel

Abstract We designed a technique that directly determines binding of cyclic nucleotides to the prokaryotic cyclic nucleotide modulated ion channel MloK1. The ability to purify large quantities of MloK1 facilitated equilibrium binding assays, which avoided the inherent problem of relatively low affinity binding which hindered the use of eukaryotic channels. We found that MloK1 specifically binds cAMP and cGMP with affinity values in the range of those observed for activity assays for eukaryotic channels. Notably, the concentration of ligand that elicited 50% of maximum response in 86Rb flux assays (K1/2), also referred to as ligand sensitivity, was smaller than the corresponding value obtained from binding assays (Kd) potentially indicating significant channel activity in partially liganded states. To gain further insight into the mechanism of binding and activation of these channels, we mutated several amino acids in the ligand-binding pocket of MloK1, known from electrophysiological studies of homologous eukaryotic channels to affect ligand selectivity and binding efficacy. The S308V MloK1 mutant (a mutation which decreases cGMP selectivity in eukaryotic channels) decreased both the observed cGMP binding affinity and the sensitivity to cGMP relative to the wild-type (WT) channel, leaving those for cAMP unchanged. Conversely, the A352D MloK1 mutant (a mutation which increases cGMP selectivity in eukaryotic channels) increased both the affinity and the sensitivity for cGMP relative to the WT channel, again leaving those for cAMP unchanged. Mutations at R307 in MloK1, the most conserved residue in the binding pocket of cyclic nucleotide-binding proteins, were not tolerated as these mutants do not form functional channels. Furthermore, for each mutation, changes in binding affinities were mirrored by equivalent changes in ligand sensitivity. These data, together with the evidence that partially liganded channels open significantly, suggested strong coupling between cyclic nucleotide binding and MloK1 channel opening.
Growth and survival of Procambarus acutus acutus (Girard, 1852) and P. clarkii (Girard, 1852) in competitive settings.

Third-instar young-of-the-year (YOY) and juvenile Procambarus acutus acutus and P. clarkii stocked in aquaria, rice forage microcosms and a culture pond were evaluated in intraspecific- and interspecific-competitive settings. Procambarus acutus acutus YOY, which were larger than P. clarkii YOY at stocking, grew and survived at significantly greater rates over fall-, winter- and spring-temperature courses in aquaria. Juvenile P. a. acutus starting an aquarium experiment with a mean total length (TL) size advantage survived at a significantly greater rate than P. clarkii juveniles. Growth rate of similar-sized stocked P. a. acutus juvenile was significantly faster than that of P. clarkii juveniles in the same microcosms. Survival of juvenile P. clarkii in the microcosms with P. a. acutus was significantly less than when stocked alone. Estimated survival of 2200 P. a. acutus and 2200 P. clarkii YOY in a culture pond over a 174-day grow-out period was 84% and 57% respectively. Growth rate of these YOY P. a. acutus and P. clarkii was 0.48 and 0.40 mm TL day−1. The body-size advantage at hatching and through the faster growth of P. a. acutus was important in defining competitive interaction with P. clarkii.
Model-free and model-fitting approaches to kinetic analysis of isothermal and nonisothermal data

The model-free and model-fitting kinetic approaches have been applied to data for nonisothermal and isothermal thermal decompositions of HMX and ammonium dinitramide. The popular model-fitting approach gives excellent fits for both isothermal and nonisothermal data but yields highly uncertain values of the Arrhenius parameters when applied to nonisothermal data. These values cannot be meaningfully compared with the values derived from isothermal measurements, nor they can be used to reasonably predict the isothermal kinetics. On the other hand, the model-free approach represented by the isoconversional method yields similar dependencies of the activation energy on the extent of conversion for isothermal and nonisothermal experiments. The dependence derived from nonisothermal data permits reliable predictions of the isothermal kinetics. The use of the model-free approach is recommended as a trustworthy way of obtaining reliable and consistent kinetic information from both nonisothermal and isothermal data.
The Pfaffian line bundle

We analyze the holomorphic Pfaffian line bundle defined over an infinite dimensional isotropic Grassmannian manifold. Using the infinite dimensional relative Pfaffian, we produce a Fock space structure on the space of holomorphic sections of the dual of this bundle. On this Fock space, an explicit and rigorous construction of the spin representations of the loop groupsLOn is given. We also discuss and prove some facts about the connection between the Pfaffian line bundle over the Grassmannian and the Pfaffian line bundle of a Dirac operator.
The in vitro effect of boar semen on the contractility of rat uteri

Abstract Contradictory reports in the literature provoked the investigation of a possible oxytocic effect of boar semen on in vitro rat uterus preparations. When fresh boar seminal plasma (SP), dialyzed seminal plasma (DSP) or a filtrate of acetone-extracted seminal plasma (AE) were added to uterine preparations, both the frequency and force of spontaneous contractile activity tended to be depressed. When the uterine preparations were primed with oxytocin (1.6 USP units/100 ml bathing solution), treatment with SP and AE resulted in an increased frequency of contraction but no increase in force. DSP increased neither the frequency nor force of contractions. A solution of salts and organic compounds that approximated the small molecular or dialyzable components of boar semen (“synthetic boar seminal plasma” or BS) affected contractility in a manner similar to SP and AE. When the rat uterus was bathed in a low calcium physiological salt solution, none of the seminal treatments (SP, DSP, AE, or BS) were capable of initiating a contraction. Further, the force of carbachol-induced contractions in these uterine preparations was markedly depressed by these seminal treatments. In contrast, treatment with oxytocin nearly doubled the contractile force. The depressant effect of SP, DSP and AE on both spontaneous and carbachol-induced contractions appeared to be irreversible. Mineral analysis of SP, DSP, AE, BS and the low calcium salt solution showed the SP, AE and BS contained amounts of Ca2+ and Mg2+ which could have altered the uterine contractility. In addition, a non-dial-yzable factor in SP appeared to have a similar effect.
SU-E-T-572: A Plan Quality Metric for Evaluating Knowledge-Based Treatment Plans.

Purpose: In prostate IMRTtreatment planning, the variation in patient anatomy makes it difficult to estimate a priori the potentially achievable extent of dose reduction possible to the rectum and bladder. We developed a mutual information‐based framework to estimate the achievable plan quality for a new patient, prior to any treatment planning or optimization. Methods: The knowledge‐base consists of 250 retrospective prostate IMRT plans. Using these prior plans, twenty query cases were each matched with five cases from the database. We propose a simple DVH plan quality metric (PQ) based on the weighted‐sum of the areas under the curve (AUC) of the PTV, rectum and bladder. We evaluate the plan quality of knowledge‐based generated plans, and established a correlation between the plan quality and case similarity. Results: The introduced plan quality metric correlates well (r2 = 0.8) with the mutual similarity between cases. A matched case with high anatomical similarity can be used to produce a new high quality plan. Not surprisingly, a poorly matched case with low degree of anatomical similarity tends to produce a low quality plan, since the adapted fluences from a dissimilar case cannot be modified sufficiently to yield acceptable PTV coverage. Conclusions: The plan quality metric is well‐correlated to the degree of anatomical similarity between a new query case and matched cases. Further work will investigate how to apply this metric to further stratify and select cases for knowledge‐based planning.
Asymmetric ring/disk nanocavities on conducting substrates for strong Fano-interference

We introduce a Fano resonant asymmetric ring/disk cavity system employing a conducting layer underneath. Our system shows stronger electromagnetic fields that are highly accessible to surrounding medium and sharper spectral features that result in more reliable and sensitive biodetection platforms.
Philosophical Themes in Schleiermacher’s Christology

Philosophical foundations of Friedrich Schleiermacher’s christology are found in his rejection of the likeness theology found in many medieval theologians and in German rationalist philosophers of the 17th and 18th centuries such as Leibniz and Kant. Instead, Schleiermacher offers a theology of divine otherness, as an interpretation of religious consciousness as awareness of oneself as “absolutely” (i.e., totally and unconditionally) dependent. On this basis all that we can characterize of that on which we are absolutely dependent (God) is its causality. Hence, Schleiermacher argues, Christian theology must not speak of a “nature” of God, but only of a causality of God, as present in Christ in a special way. It is argued that he identifies this divine causality as love (that is, as a causality tending toward human redemption), and as identical with Christ’s human love, on the basis of a teleology known in Christian experience of redemption.
Anger, Irony, and Protest: Confronting the Issue of Efficacy, Again

Street protests have long been performative expressions of anger. Recent anti-globalization and anti-war protest movements have used carnivalesque tactics to transform anger into humor, irony, and celebratory glee. Although carnivalesque protest has the potential and power to attract media attention, educate the public on targeted issues, and build community among activists, it is less successful in directly effecting changes in governmental and social policy. In this essay, I reconsider the relationship between anger and efficacy in the context of reported failures of specific carnivalesque protests.
Feedbacks in economic and demographic transition.

It is necessary to agree on the nature and size of the interaction between population and economic phenomena at stages of national development before it can be decided what is effective and appropriate under the circumstances. The neo-Malthusian world model claims that development is impeded when the rate of population growth is high as a result of mortality reductions caused by western technology. The humane version of the model would slowly reduce mortality commensurate with reduced fertility and raise the formation of capital. The assumption is that high levels of productivity could be achieved if consumption mortality and fertility are at intermediate levels. An alternative model assumes that improvements in the standard of living and decreases in mortality and fertility rates are linked in a concurrent circular and cumulative process. A reduction in mortality may make people want smaller families. High fertility has been an accomodation to high mortality. The alternative model emphasizes improvements in health productivity and longevity. The neo-Malthusian model assumes that levels of mortality are independent of levels of living; it ignores dependence of fertility trends on mortality trends. The alternative model assumes that reduced mortality will increase the need and desire for family planning. Successful development results in and from a balance between mortality and fertility at the lowest mortality rate attainable with the available resources.
Modeling Semantic Containment and Exclusion in Natural Language Inference

We propose an approach to natural language inference based on a model of natural logic, which identifies valid inferences by their lexical and syntactic features, without full semantic interpretation. We greatly extend past work in natural logic, which has focused solely on semantic containment and monotonicity, to incorporate both semantic exclusion and implicativity. Our system decomposes an inference problem into a sequence of atomic edits linking premise to hypothesis; predicts a lexical entailment relation for each edit using a statistical classifier; propagates these relations upward through a syntax tree according to semantic properties of intermediate nodes; and composes the resulting entailment relations across the edit sequence. We evaluate our system on the FraCaS test suite, and achieve a 27% reduction in error from previous work. We also show that hybridizing an existing RTE system with our natural logic system yields significant gains on the RTE3 test suite.
A Catalytic Route to Grafted Silicones

Twelve new linear polysiloxanes were prepared in high yields by catalytic (RhCl(PPh3)3) alcoholysis of poly(methylhydrosiloxane). The reaction conditions preserve the backbone and are tolerant of a variety of functional groups.
The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of bicyclo[2.1.0]pentanes: A comparative study

Abstract The detailed, computer analyzed NMR spectra of the isomeric 2.3-diphenylbicyclo[2.1.0] pentanes ( 1–3 ) are presented. It is noted that in the absence of special substituent effects, the endo protons on both the three- and four- membered rings are shielded relative to the exo hydrogens although comparison of chemical shifts for 1–3 with those of bicyclo[2.1.0]pentane itself reveals general deshielding of all protons by phenyl substituents. Restrictions imposed on the free rotation of the phenyl groups in the cis, syn isomer 2 are suggested to be responsible for the reversal in chemical shift order observed in this isomer. Vicinal coupling constants in both the three- and four-membered rings are consistently greater for protons in a cis rather than trans arrangement. Significant long range coupling ( 4 J > 1 Hz) in isomers 1–3 is observed even for protons which are not in a “ W ” arrangement indicating that caution should be used in assigning stereochemistry solely on the basis of the presence (or absence) of long range coupling. The availability of multiple paths and the special properties of the cyclopropane ring may account for the long range “non- W ” coupling observed.
Propagation of measurement errors for the validation of predictions obtained by principal component regression and partial least squares

Multivariate calibration aims to model the relation between a dependent variable, e.g. analyte concentration, and the measured independent variables, e.g. spectra, for complex mixtures. The model parameters are obtained in the form of a regression vector from calibration data by regression methods such as principal component regression (PCR) or partial least squares (PLS). Subsequently, this regression vector is used to predict the dependent variable for unknown mixtures. The validation of the obtained predictions is a crucial part of the procedure, i.e. together with the point estimate an interval estimate is desired. The associated prediction intervals can be constructed from the covariance matrix of the estimated regression vector. However, currently known expressions for PCR and PLS are derived within the classical regression framework, i.e. they only take the uncertainty in the dependent variable into account. This severely limits their capability for establishing realistic prediction intervals in practical situations. In this paper, expressions are derived using the method of error propagation that also account for the measurement errors in the independent variables. An exact linear relation is assumed between the dependent and independent variables. The obtained expressions are therefore valid for the classical errors-in-variables (EIV) model. In order to make the presentation reasonably self-contained, relevant expressions are reviewed for the classical regression model as well as the classical EIV model, especially for ordinary least squares (OLS). The consequences for the limit of detection, wavelength selection, sample selection and local modeling are discussed. Diagnostics are proposed to determine the adequacy of the approximations used in the derivations. Finally, PCR and PLS are so-called biased regression methods. Compared with OLS, they yield small variance at the expense of increased bias. It follows that bias may be an important ingredient of the obtained predictions. Therefore considerable attention is paid to the quantification of bias and new stopping rules for model selection in PCR and PLS are proposed. The theoretical ideas are illustrated by the analysis of real data taken from the literature (classical regression model) as well as simulated data (classical EIV model). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PEANUT-FORTIFIED FOOD BLENDS

Defatted and partially defatted peanut flours were tested in fortified food blends utilized in food aid programs. Peanut flours were compared with soy flours as components of blends containing partially or fully gelatinized corn meal, nonfat dry milk, soybean oil, vitamins and minerals. Changes in flavor, peroxides, free fatty acids, available and added L-lysine HCI after storage for 2, 6 and 12 months were evaluated and found satisfactory. Protein efficiency ratios (PER) were about 0.7 units lower in blends containing peanut rather than soy protein. Increased PER values were obtained by the addition of 0.3–0.57% L-lysine HCI or by combining peanut with soy proteins. No further improvement in PER values was effected in peanut formulations by the addition of DL-methionine in combination with L-lyine HCI.
The phenomenology of Alfred Schutz

Alfred Schutz was the outstanding representative of the phenomenological approach to the philosophy and methodology of the social sciences. An attempt is made here to explore one fundamental feature of Schutz's work: his theory of typification. That theory is found to be a development of Husserl's doctrine of the intentionality of consciousness and is shown to be concerned with the structure of pre‐predicative experience as well as the process of abstraction and ideation as constitutive of the ‘natural standpoint’ of daily life.
Applications of theoretical optical parameters from a transport model to the quantification and qualification of aerosol populations of a lidar in space data retrieval

The Lidar In space Technology Experiment (LITE) provided for the first time highly detailed vertical profiles of aerosol and clouds from the Earth’s surface to the middle stratosphere. Validated theoretical results from a Model of Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) can help quantify and qualify the aerosol population as well as identify some consistent patterns of aerosol components for a certain region. The goal of this work is to estimate the degree of confidence on MATCH’s theoretical results, comparing them to the data set retrieved by LITE, in order to improve the lidar aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratio retrieval algorithm to be applied to the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), NASA’s next mission that will be orbiting a Lidar around the Earth.
Semiquantitative and statistical analysis of bioturbate textures, sequatchie formation (upper ordovician), Georgia and Tennessee, USA

Semiquantitative and statistical analyses of bioturbate textures from the Upper Ordovician Sequatchie Formation of Georgia and Tennessee utilized: (1) bioturbate‐texture categories as indicators of a nearshore‐offshore gradient in bioturbation; (2) bioturbate‐texture intervals as a measure of variation of original bioturbation in differing paleoenvironments; and (3) transitions among bioturbate‐texture categories as a general guide to depositional rates. Lithofacies define riverine‐estuary and offshore‐shelf facies. Un‐bioturbated and very slightly bioturbated intervals predominate in facies of the upper reaches of the estuarine system, whereas intensely bioturbated intervals are more common in facies of the lower reaches and offshore shelf. Mean thicknesses and variances of unbioturbated intervals decrease from the upper reaches to offshore facies, which correspond with an offshore increase in bioturbation. High probabilities of transitions from unbioturbated to very slightly bioturbated intervals in fac...
Software for counting cells and estimating structural volumes with the optical disector and fractionator.

We describe MS-DOS software for the optical volume fractionator (OVF), a stereological method combining the principles of the optical disector (Gundersen et al.: Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Immunol. Scand., 96:857–881, 1988) and fractionator (Gundersen: J. Microsc., 143:3–45, 1986). The OVF program estimates the volume of a fixed and embedded structure, the numerical density of cells, and the total number of cells in a structure. The hardware requirements include a PC computer (386 or 486 with VGA graphics) and a conventional light microscope fitted with a rotating stage, extension tube, and length gauge. The software includes an introduction, tutorial, simulator, laboratory toolkit, and report generator. The toolkit improves the efficiency of gathering stereological data with light microscopy and offers a convenient link between the data of light and electron microscopy. A novel algorithm, based on fractionator sampling, gives the volume of a fixed and embedded structure from the same set of sections used for cell counting. A laboratory example illustrates the operation of the software. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Encephalization, Emergent Properties, and Psychiatry: A Minicolumnar Perspective:

The focus of the authors' attention is the consequence of brain growth understood in terms of the development of networks of cortical cell minicolumns, the elemental information-processing units of the brain. The authors view cortical growth, encephalization, and the emergence of higher cognitive functions in humans as the consequence of an increase in the number of minicolumns and their connections. Encephalization has proceeded via weak linkages of canonical circuits, which facilitate the emergence of novel cortical functions. In addition to reframing the evolution of mind, this perspective provides a conceptual framework for a better understanding of the origin and maladaptive nature of certain psychiatric conditions.
Geomorphic control of persistent mine impacts in a Yellowstone Park stream and implications for the recovery of fluvial systems

A half-century after mine closure, metal contamination from sulfide ore mining in the headwaters continues to impair riparian vegetation and aquatic macroinvertebrates along Soda Butte Creek, Yellowstone National Park. A tailings dam failure in 1950 emplaced metal-rich sediment at high flood-plain levels, above 50 yr to 100 yr flood stages in 1996 and 1997. These large natural floods removed only a small part of the contaminated sediment through bank erosion; they also failed to lower in-channel Cu concentrations, because increased erosion of mine waste during high flows balances increased inputs of uncontaminated sediments, generating no net change in concentrations. Geomorphic processes controlling movement of contaminated sediments indicate that mine impacts will persist for centuries in Soda Butte Creek and imply long-lasting impacts in similarly affected streams worldwide.
Some explicit formulas for the matrix exponential

Formulas are derived for the exponential of an arbitrary 2*2 matrix in terms of either its eigenvalues or entries. These results are then applied to the second-order mechanical vibration equation with weak or strong damping. Some formulas for the exponential of n*n matrices are given for matrices that satisfy an arbitrary quadratic polynomial. Besides the above-mentioned 2*2 matrices, these results encompass involutory, rank 1, and idempotent matrices. Consideration is then given to n*n matrices that satisfy a special cubic polynomial. These results are applied to the case of a 3*3 skew symmetric matrix whose exponential represents the constant rotation of a rigid body about a fixed axis. >
Deciding to learn: Modulation of learning flights in honeybees, Apis mellifera

Upon discovering new sources of food, honeybees and other insects perform learning flights to memorize visual landmarks that can guide their return. Learning flights are longest following initial visits to the food and subsequently decline in duration, which suggests that the investment in learning results from an active decision modulated by a bee's accumulating experience. We document various factors that influence this decision: (1) learning flights reappear when experienced bees encounter a delay in finding food at a familiar place and the durations of such "reorientation flights" increase with the length of the delay; (2) the decay in learning flight duration over visits following such reorientation flights is more rapid than following initial discovery of the food; (3) learning flight duration increases with the visual complexity of the scene surrounding the food, and when spatial relationships among landmarks are unstable; and (4) durations of learning flights at a new feeding place are influenced by the sucrose concentration in the food. Taken together, these experiments suggest that bees can adjust their learning efforts in response to changing needs for visual information and that both sources of spatial uncertainty and the quality of the food influence the value of such information.
Robust Structure and Reactivity of Aqueous Arsenous Acid–Platinum(II) Anticancer Complexes

The first molecular adducts of platinum and arsenic based anticancer drugs - arsenoplatins - show unanticipated structure, substitution chemistry, and cellular cytotoxicity. The PtII-AsIII bonds in these complexes are stable in aqueous solution and strongly influence the lability of the trans ligand.
Computer-Controlled System for Calibrating High-Voltage Revenue Metering Equipment Under Actual Operating Conditions

The development of a computer-controlled current-comparator-based test system for calibrating high-voltage revenue metering equipment under actual operating conditions of high voltage/high current with sinusoidal or nonsinusoidal voltage and current waveforms is described. Measurements can be made at any power factor from zero lead or lag through unity, at line-to-ground voltages up to 100 kV and currents up to 2000 A. The magnitude and phase uncertainties (k = 2) of the new calibration system are estimated to be not more than 100 μW/VA and 100 μrad, and 200 μW/VA and 200 μrad for sinusoidal and nonsinusoidal conditions, respectively. The calibration system can be used in the laboratory or on-site in high-voltage substations.
Mitigation of Pedestrian-Vehicle Conflicts at Stop-Controlled T-Intersections

Because urban areas house 80% of the population and account for almost two-thirds of all pedestrian fatalities, making safe accommodation of pedestrians is a key priority in those locations. Crosswalks at T-intersections are a prime example of an intersection geometry in such areas that is challenging for drivers and pedestrians alike. Previous research has validated the advantages of advance yield markings over other, more common, unsignalized, midblock crosswalk treatments. Such markings could also prove effective at unsignalized T-intersection crosswalks, especially in multiple-threat situations where the driver's view of critical information is obscured by other yielding vehicles. For this study, a simulator was used to compare the effectiveness of advanced yield markings and standard crosswalk markings on drivers' behaviors at unsignalized T-intersections. Measures of scanning behaviors were gathered with an eye tracker, and measures of stopping or yielding behaviors were gathered from simulator data...
Prompt bunch by bunch synchrotron oscillation detection via a fast phase measurement

An electronic system which detects synchrotron oscillations of individual bunches with 4-ns separation is presented. The system design and performance are motivated by the requirements of the proposed B factory facility at SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center). Laboratory results show that the prototype is capable of measuring individual bunch phases with better than 0.5 degree resolution at the 476-MHz RF frequency. >
The "girl next door" in virtual play space: victim, or vixen, or invisible?

This paper begins a comprehensive analysis of gender and virtual gaming, and the ethics and legality surrounding this dyad. The first part of the paper introduces the ideas of gaming as an act of representational politics - what is taking place with female images, girls and women as characters and as players, and consequently, how can we assess the ethical significance of these in a broad social realm? While various sociologists, psychologists, educators and others debate the direct and causal impact of video and computer gaming on children and young adults in terms of violence, this paper avoids that hotly contested link (especially within the current climate of school shootings and children-on-children violence). Instead, the legalistic concept of "dangerous information" is invoked and explored. We argue that such forms of expression as music, games, film, television, etc., do not in and of themselves incite or promote violence, bias, bigotry or sexism. A large amount of case law is presented and discussed to support this premise. Instead, these forms of "entertainment" contribute to forms of social discourse and maintain a rigid politics of gender in which women and girls are relegated to the unethical social realm where they exist only as victims or vixens, or do not exist at all.
Ethanol exposure decreases glutamate uptake in the nucleus accumbens.

Background: An increased level of extracellular glutamate is a key neurochemical feature associated with ethanol exposure and withdrawal. Methods: In the current study, extracellular levels of glutamate and glutamate transport in the nucleus accumbens were assayed 24 hr after repeated ethanol exposure (1 g/kg ip daily for 7 days) with use of in vivo no-net-flux microdialysis and in vitro 3Hglutamate uptake, respectively. Results: Microdialysis revealed higher extracellular glutamate concentrations in the nucleus accumbens of rats that were given ethanol. The increase in basal extracellular glutamate levels was accounted for in part by a decrease in the in vivo probe recovery of glutamate. Moreover, an in vitro accumbens slice preparation measuring 3Hglutamate uptake revealed that Na+-dependent 3Hglutamate uptake was significantly reduced 24 hr after 7 days of repeated ethanol exposure. The ethanol-induced deficit in glutamate uptake was not associated with decreased total tissue levels of the transporters GLAST or GLT1. The in vivo and in vitro ethanol-induced changes in glutamate levels and uptake returned to control levels 14 days after discontinuing 7 days of repeated ethanol exposure. Conclusions: These results suggest that the previously reported increases in extracellular glutamate induced by ethanol exposure may be due in part to deficits in glutamate transport.
Dynamic marketing mix allocation for long -term profitability

To optimally allocate its marketing mix across customers, a firm needs to consider the evolution of its customers over time. Changes in the marketing environment, as well as intrinsic changes in preferences or needs, may discretely shift customers into different buying-behavior states. The ability to identify the dynamics in customer behavior and its drivers presents an opportunity for the firm to influence the movement of customers to more favorable states of buying behavior. Accordingly, we address the following managerial questions in this research: (1) how can the firm dynamically segment its customer base? (2) what are the short- and long-term effects of marketing activities? and (3) how should the firm allocate and target its marketing resources to maximize long-term profitability? To address these questions we propose a non-homogeneous hidden Markov model that accounts for dynamics in customer behavior, the long-term impact of marketing actions, and customer heterogeneity. We capture dynamics in customer behavior by allowing customers to transition over time among a set of latent states of buying behavior. We develop a unique and flexible approach to capture the enduring effect of marketing actions by incorporating a non-stationary transition matrix that is dynamically affected by these actions. To optimally allocate marketing activities, we formulate a dynamic programming approach which takes into account the evolution of customers' behavior. We apply the model in the context of direct-to-physicians marketing in a major pharmaceutical company. The results suggest that physicians transition among three behavioral states over time, showing a high degree of dynamics. Furthermore, the direct-to-physician marketing activities have varying degrees of short- and long-term effects that depend on the physician's prescription-behavior state. Specifically, we find that (i) both detailing and sampling have mostly long-term effects; (ii) detailing and sampling have a total duration impact of approximately 10 and 5 months, respectively; (iii) detailing is most effective as an acquisition marketing tool, whereas sampling is most effective as a retention tool. Using a counterfactual analysis, the optimization results show that by applying our dynamic marketing allocation approach, the firm could increase the number of prescriptions and its profits by as much as 51% and 80%, respectively. Moreover, our analysis suggests that the pharmaceutical firm should decrease its current detailing and sampling efforts by 30% and 20%, respectively. The integrative framework we propose provides important marketing implications for managing customers and maximizing long-run profitability.
Network Coding for the Internet and Wireless Networks

In today's practical communication networks such as the Internet, information delivery is performed by routing. A promising generalization of routing is network coding. The potential advantages of network coding over routing include resource (e.g., bandwidth and power) efficiency, computational efficiency, and robustness to network dynamics. This tutorial article provides an overview of the theory, practice, and applications of network coding.
THE POSTMORTEM RIGOR OF THE MAMMALIAN HEART AND THE INFLUENCE OF AN ANTEMORTEM STIMULATION OF THE PNEUMOGASTRIC NERVES UPON ITS DEVELOPMENT

IN NORMAL ANIMALS (DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS) WHICH WERE KILLED BY EXSANGUINATION, THE BEGINNING OF RIGOR IN PRACTICALLY ALL CASES WAS SEPARATED FROM RESPIRATORY DEATH BY TWO WELL CHARACTERIZED PERIODS: (1) a period of pulsation during which each ventricle still exhibited some spontaneous contractions, and (2) a period of relaxation during which the ventricles, while showing neither spontaneous contractions nor rigor, are more relaxed than in normal diastole, and during which the ventricles gradually lose their irritability. (The cardiac rigor or tonic contraction which was observed by recent investigators to set in immediately after death is an artificial phenomenon produced by filling the heart with saline and connecting it with a manometer.) In the right ventricle both periods are longer than in the left ventricle, i. e., rigor sets in later. Moreover the development of rigor from onset to maximum is also longer in the right ventricle than in the left, although here the difference is less striking. The stopping of spontaneous beating, the disappearance of irritability, and the development of rigor, manifest in both ventricles a topographical progress from the base toward the apex, i. e., the stoppage of beating, the disappearance of irritability and the setting in of rigor occur first at the uppermost part of the ventricle and last at the lowest point of the ventricle. It often occurred that rigor was already present in the basal part of a ventricle while the apex was still beating. It is probable also that the loss of vital activity and irritability and the development of rigor progress topographically from the endocardial to the epicardial surfaces. Prolonged etherization retards the onset, but hastens the development of rigor; atropinization hastens both onset and development. Repeated prolonged stoppages of the heart caused by antemortem (and postmortem) stimulations of the pneumogastric nerves hasten the onset as well as the development of rigor of the heart. All three periods are affected by the inhibitory influence of the stimulation, the period of relaxation, however, seems to be the one which is shortened most. The most probable interpretation of this phenomenon is the assumption that it is caused by an asphyxiation of the cardiac tissues. The stimulations of the pneumogastric nerves seem to hasten also the onset of the general rigor-probably this, too, is the result of some premature asphyxiation of the skeletal muscles.
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in A 46,XY Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Patient on Hormone Therapy

Abstract Background The hormonal management of patients with androgen insensitivity can be challenging. Case An illustrative case is presented of a newborn with ambiguous genitalia who was raised female. She was diagnosed as 46,XY Disorder of Sexual Development with partial androgen insensitivity. To induce puberty, conjugated equine estrogens were administered beginning at age 12. At age 13, she instead began taking combined oral contraceptives for maternal concerns about height and continued taking them for social reasons. Invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed at age 27, and the patient was treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bilateral mastectomies, and endocrine therapy. Summary and Conclusion The current literature is reviewed, and hormonal management and other risks for breast cancer are discussed.
Simpsonomics: Teaching Economics Using Episodes of The Simpsons

Undergraduate students are often interested in applications of economic principles. Although popular television shows and movies are not real-world examples, drawing from these sources can motivate disinterested students and provide a pedagogical tool that enhances instruction. In this article, the authors discuss several basic introductory economic principles that are illustrated by the television show The Simpsons. Topics include economic reasoning, opportunity cost, incentives, comparative advantage, declining marginal benefit, elasticity, externalities, free-riding, and game theory. The authors provide discussion questions and student worksheets that instructors can use in their own classes.
The serum bactericidal test.

Test utilise pour suivre le traitement de l'endocardite infectieuse, de l'osteomyelite et autres infections serieuses telles que l'arthrite suppurante. Facteurs influencant les resultats du test. Tests in vitro pour le choix d'un traitement antimicrobien associe. Avantages du test. Necessites pour sa normalisation
The Adaptation of Ex-Communist Parties to Post-Communist East Central Europe: a Comparative Study of the East German and Hungarian Ex-Communist Parties

Abstract The “Ex-communist party” label has often been used to describe the political ideas and political behavior of the former ruling communist parties operating in post-communist political systems. Yet, the former ruling communist parties have not only followed diverse paths of organizational transformation, but also have developed very different strategic visions of their role in the politics of post-communism. By comparing the political environments faced by the former ruling organizations of East Germany and Hungary and then utilizing content analysis to identify the strategic visions of each of the two organizations, this article demonstrates how different post-communist national political settings have resulted in divergent strategic visions for successor parties in Germany and Hungary.
Age, stratigraphy, and deposition of near-K/T siliciclastic deposits in Mexico: Relation to bolide impact?

Examination of 10 K/T boundary sections in northeastern and east-central Mexico, and new data presented from 7 sections, permit the following conclusions. (1) The globally recognized K/T boundary and mass extinction in planktic foraminifera is stratigraphically above, and separated by a thin marl layer of Maastrichtian age, from the siliciclastic deposit that is commonly interpreted as a short-term (hours to days) K/T-impact–generated tsunami deposit. A similar relationship between the K/T boundary and siliciclastic or breccia deposits is observed at Brazos River in Texas, Beloc in Haiti, and Poty Quarry in Brazil. (2) Stratigraphic control indicates that deposition of the siliciclastic member occurred sometime during the last 150 k.y. of the Maastrichtian, and ended at least several thousand years prior to the K/T boundary. (3) At least four discrete horizons of bioturbation have been observed within the siliciclastic deposit that indicate episodic colonization by invertebrates over an extended time period. (4) The glass- and spherule-rich unit, which has been linked to the Haiti spherule layer and the Chicxulub structure, is at the base of the siliciclastic deposit and thus significantly predates the K/T boundary event. The stratigraphic separation of the K/T boundary and siliciclastic deposits and the evidence of long-term deposition between them, suggests the presence of two events: (1) a globally recognized K/T boundary (impact) event marked by Ir anomaly and the mass extinction, and (2) a Caribbean event (impact or volcanic and probably linked to the Chicxulub structure) that predates the K/T boundary and is marked by glass and siliciclastic or breccia deposits.
Novel Sample Preparation Method for Safe and Rapid Detection of Bacillus anthracis Spores in Environmental Powders and Nasal Swabs

Bacillus anthracis spores have been used as a biological weapon in the United States. We wanted to develop a safe, rapid method of sample preparation that provided safe DNA for the detection of spores in environmental and clinical specimens. Our method reproducibly detects B. anthracis in samples containing <10 spores.
Collective Guilt: International Perspectives

Collective Guilt: International Perspectives. Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje, eds. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. 339 pp.
Inexpensive Implementations Of Set-Associativity

The traditional approach to implementing wide set- associativity is expensive, requiring a wide tag memory (directory) and many comparators. Here we examine alternative implementations of associativity that use hardware similar to that used to implement a direct-mapped cache. One approach scans tags serially from most-recently used to least-recently used. Another uses a partial compare of a few bits from each tag to reduce the number of tags that must be examined serially. The drawback of both approaches is that they increase cache access time by a factor of two or more over the traditional implementation of set- associativity, making them inappropriate for cache designs in which a fast access time is crucial (e.g. level one caches, caches directly servicing processor requests). These schemes are useful, however, if (1) the low miss ratio of wide set-associative caches is desired, (2) the low cost of a direct-mapped implementation is preferred, and (3) the slower access time of these approaches can be tolerated. We expect these conditions to be true for caches in multiprocessors designed to reduce memory interconnection traffic, caches implemented with large, narrow memory chips, and level two (or higher) caches in a cache hierarchy.
Phylogenetic Effects, the Loss of Complex Characters, and the Evolution of Development in Calyptraeid Gastropods

Despite considerable theoretical and empirical work on the population genetic effects of mode of development in benthic marine invertebrates, it is unclear what factors generate and maintain interspecific variation in mode of development and few studies have examined such variation in a phylogenetic context. Here I combine data on mode of development with a molecular phylogeny of 72 calyptraeid species to test the following hypotheses about the evolution of mode of development: (1) Is the loss of feeding larvae irreversible? (2) Is there a phylogenetic effect on the evolution of mode of development? (3) Do embryos of direct-developing species lose the structures necessary for larval feeding and swimming and, if so, is the degree of embryonic modification correlated with the genetic distance between species? The results of these analyses suggest that mode of development evolves rapidly and with little phylogenetic inertia. There are three cases of the possible regain of feeding larvae, in all cases from direct development with nurse eggs. It appears that species with planktotrophic, lecithotrophic, or direct development with nurse eggs all have equal evolutionary potential and retain the possibility of subsequent evolution of a different mode of development. However, species with direct development from large yolky eggs appear to be subject to phylogenetic constraints and may not be able to subsequently evolve a different mode of development. Finally, species that have more recently evolved direct development have less highly modified embryos than older direct-developing species. Since species with nurse eggs generally have fewer embryonic modifications than those from large yolky eggs, this embryological difference may be the underlying cause of the difference in evolutionary potential.