cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Positive Force of Vocational Education: Transition Outcomes for Youth with Learning Disabilities

Successful transitions to postsecondary settings are associated with such adult outcomes as continuing education, independent living, and employment. The purpose of this article is to present research that supports the use of vocational education programs to improve the adult outcomes of students with learning disabilities as they transition to employment. The literature review focuses on four major topics: (a) data from follow-up and follow-along studies illustrating the relationship between vocational-technical education and adult outcomes; (b) recent program trends in vocational education; (c) current practices in vocational education regarding placement and access, instructional and setting demands, and teacher attitudes and preparation; and (d) speculations about the effects of school reform and pending legislation.
The Assay of 1‐Ammonium‐3,5‐Dinitro‐1,2,4‐Triazole and its determination in mixtures with ammonium nitrate

Ammonium dinitrotriazole has been assayed by nonaqueous titration as an acid in dimethylsulfoxide versus tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. It can also be assayed by nonaqueous titration as a base in glacial acetic acid versus perchloric acid in glacial acetic acid. In mixtures with ammonium nitrate, ammonium dinitrotriazole can be determined by potentiometric titration in aqueous solution versus cetylpyridinium chloride.
Synthesis of a highly reactive heterocyclic reactant and its unusual photochemistry; mechanistic and exploratory organic photochemistry.

A unique new set of reactions has been observed in heterocyclic photochemistry. 2-Methyl-4,4-diphenyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-one has been synthesized and its photochemistry investigated. This compound has been found to lead to a rearranged, dimeric product arising from a unique bond-scission process.
The low energy high current particle accelerator at the Colorado School of Mines

The General Ionex model 1545 particle accelerator recently acquired by the Colorado School of Mines Physics Department is described. Operating conditions such as beam energy, currents, ionic species, energy resolution, and vacuum are described. Measurements of radiative capture reactions of protons on D, 6Li, 7Li, and 11B between bombarding energies of 10 and 180 keV are reported. Application of these measurements to the diagnostics of advanced fuel controlled fusion reactors is suggested.
16 PF Scores and Machine Operators' Performance

Summary.-Broad factor scores from Cattell's 16 PF were correlated with measures of performance (N = 38) and turnover (N = 44) for machine operators. Significant correlations were found for three factors and for a measure of congruence. A recent review (3) showed modest but significant correlations between personahty inventory scores and job performance. More gcnerally, Holland (2) stated the principle of congruence, that persons who resemble coworkers WLU tend to perform well, be satisfied, and stay on the job. This article provides data consistent with the ~rinci~le and to some extent with the review. Cottell's 16 PF, Form A (I), administered to 100 candidates (women ages 21 to 48 years) for machine-operator jobs at a smd manufacturing company, yields five personality factors Extraverslon, Anxiety, Practicality, Independence, and Self-control. The operational definition of congruence is the inverted sum of the squared difference on each personality variable between each mdividual's score and the average for all job incumbents. Six to twelve months after testing, two criterion measures were av:ulable, turnover (whether on the job or not, for whatever reason) and performance (combined of rat~ngs on Neatness, Safety, Operations, Procedures, and Team Work). Turnover was coded so remalnulg on the job had the higher value. M and SD of scores for Extraversion, Anxiety, Practicality, Independence, and Self-control were, respectively, 4.9 (1.9), 4.8 (1.5), 6.4 (1.4), 4.4 (1.7), and 6.8 (1.2). Rarson rs of the five personality scores with
From 'reactive C2 units' to acetyl coenzyme A: a long trail with an acetyl phosphate detour.

Discovery of CoA and acetyl CoA diminished interest in acetyl phosphate, but it has a role in many bacterial fermentations. It is formed from acetate and ATP by the action of acetate kinase (EC 2.7.2.1) and by three other enzymatic reactions. Acetate kinase, when named systematically, is ATP:acetate phosphotransferase – hence, in the direction of ATP synthesis this enzyme uses acetyl phosphate in Lipmann’s second splitting mode16xDevelopment of the acetylation problem, a personal account. Lipmann, F. Science. 1954; 120: 855–865Crossref | PubMedSee all References, 17xSee all References as a phosphate donor. This transfer is a major route for ATP formation in some bacteria.Acetate kinase, together with adenosine kinase and adenylate kinase, has been used in an ingenious, large-scale synthesis of ATP from ADP with acetyl phosphate as phosphate donor28xLarge-scale enzyme-catalysed synthesis of ATP from adenosine and acetyl phosphate. Regeneration of ATP from ADP. Baughn, R.L. et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1978; 100: 304–306CrossrefSee all References28. The sum of three separate reactions is as follows: adenosine + 3 acetyl phosphate = ATP + 3 acetate. The acetyl phosphate, required in large amounts, was obtained (as diammonium salt) by the keten reaction19xA new synthesis of acetyl dihydrogen phosphate. Bentley, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1948; 70: 2183–2185Crossref | PubMedSee all References19.After the discoveries of CoA and acetyl CoA, progress was rapid. Acetyl CoA was found to play a crucial role in the tricarboxylic acid cycle by reaction with oxaloacetate to form citrate. Another carrier for acyl groups, acyl carrier protein (ACP) was discovered; it contains the same pantetheine moiety as CoA. Both CoA and ACP activate a variety of acids, for example, in fatty acid anabolism. In this process, it was established that the extending C2 units derive from malonyl CoA; this further CoA derivative was formed from acetyl CoA by the biotin-dependent acetyl CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.2). The trail from ‘activated acetate’ to acetyl CoA provided a truly bountiful harvest of information. Moreover, four Nobel Prizes had involved work with CoA in one way or another!
Acute injection of adrenal steroids reduces cornea-evoked expression of c-fos within the spinal trigeminal nucleus of adrenalectomized rats

The influence of transient increases in adrenal steroid hormones on the number of Fos-positive neurons after nociceptor activation was assessed in adrenalectomized rats. Fos protein, the product of the immediate early gene, c-fos, was detected immunocytochemically within the spinal trigeminal nucleus 2 h after noxious thermal stimulation of the cornea. Adrenalectomized rats displayed an enhanced number of Fos-positive neurons within the caudal-most portions of trigeminal subnucleus caudalis compared to that seen in adrenal-intact animals, an effect reversed by a single acute injection of corticosterone (1 mg/kg, i.p.) given 5 min prior to stimulation. Acute injection of the selective mineralocorticoid receptor agonist, aldosterone, or the selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, RU28362, also reduced the number of Fos-positive neurons. Aldosterone and RU28362 had an additive effect on Fos when given concurrently. In contrast, adrenal status or acute injections of adrenal steroid receptor agonists had no effect on the number of Fos-positive neurons after corneal stimulation located within the ventrolateral pole of the spinal trigeminal nucleus at the level of the subnucleus interpolaris/caudalis junction. Acute administration of adrenal steroids to adrenalectomized rats greatly attenuated the number of Fos-positive neurons seen after corneal stimulation within select portions of trigeminal subnucleus caudalis. The contribution of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptor subtypes in reducing Fos suggested a central site of action rather than an anti-inflammatory effect on peripheral tissue. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that transient increases in adrenal steroids, such as occur after injury, are sufficient to modify the production of Fos protein in central neurons that process nociceptive information.
Constant Spacing Strategies for Platooning in Automated Highway Systems

This paper focuses on the spacing of vehicles in a traffic platoon. The authors first describe a framework for establishing conditions for string stability. A metric for analyzing the performance of a platoon is then developed. In the remainder of the paper, the authors outline and analyze different constant spacing vehicle follower algorithms.
CEO tenure, boards of directors, and acquisition performance

Abstract We explore the impact of CEO tenure on returns to shareholders arising from acquisition announcements. Further, we consider the value added for shareholders when the board of directors is composed in such a way as to enhance vigilance. In the absence of a vigilant board, CEO tenure is positively associated with performance at low to moderate levels of tenure, and negatively associated with performance when tenure further rises to substantial levels. In the presence of a vigilant board, however, shareholder interests can be advanced even at high levels of CEO tenure.
Two illustrations of rapid crack growth in a pre-stressed compressible neo-Hookean material

Abstract An unbounded isotropic compressible neo-Hookean solid is initially in equilibrium under uniform tensile (possibly large) pre-stress. In one case, plane strain conditions generate slit crack growth at a constant sub-critical rate; in the other, axial symmetry produces penny-shaped crack growth. The procedure of superposing infinitesimal deformations upon those that are large is carried out in terms of tractable exact full-field solutions. These solutions are examined apart from a specific fracture mechanics model, nevertheless, they show that pre-stress induces, in addition to the expected anisotropy, a critical value above which a negative Poisson effect occurs. It is also found that dilatational, rotational and Rayleigh wave speeds decrease, and that the decrease is greater for the plane strain state associated with slit crack growth than for the axially symmetric state of the penny-shaped crack. Dynamic stress intensity factors are also extracted, and found to fall below those for a linear isotropic solid at the same pre-stress and crack growth rate. Moreover, the range of growth rates for sub-critical crack propagation is also decreased.
Ethical Issues in Biological Psychiatric Research with Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective This article reviews, discusses, and elaborates considerations and recommendations summarized by the biological research working group at the May 1993 NIMH conference on ethical issues in mental health research on children and adolescents. Method Notes from the conference were summarized and supplemented by a computer search of relevant literature. Drafts were circulated for comment to national and international experts, some of whom joined as coauthors. Results Issues addressed include possible overprotection by policy makers and institutional review boards arising out of the recognition of children's special vulnerability without equal recognition of their need for research; the definition of minimal risk, which has often been equated with no risk in the case of children; assessment of the risk benefit ratio; procedures for minimization of risk, such as improved technology, “piggybacking” onto clinical tests, and age-appropriate preparation; the difficulty of justifying risk for normal controls; age-graded consent; special considerations about neuroimaging; “coercive” inducement, both material and psychological; disposition of unexpected or unwanted knowledge about individuals, including the subject's right not to know arid parent's right not to tell; and socioeconomic status and cultural/ethnic equity. Conclusions The working group adopted a position of advocacy for children's right to research access while recognizing that this advocacy must be tempered by thoughtful protections for child and adolescent subjects. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1995, 34, 7:929–939.
Blossoming with cancellation

Abstract The blossoming axioms for polynomials are extended to include additional parameters along with a cancellation axiom, further unifying the theories of the multiaffine and multirational blossoms. Several parallel identities are derived that exhibit this close connection between these two distinct forms of the blossom. Divided differences are shown to be intimately related to blossoming, and formulas are presented that express the divided differences of polynomials in terms of the multiaffine blossom.
Formation of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) self-assembled monolayers on amorphous alumina

Abstract The kinetics and thermodynamics of octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on vapor deposited alumina were quantified. Ozone cleaning serves to create well-defined hydrophilic surfaces for OTS attachment, and the use of heptane as a solvent enables the formation of high quality SAMs under ambient conditions. The kinetics was characterized as a function of OTS concentration using contact angle goniometry, ellipsometry and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The kinetics of SAM formation and the saturation contact angle (∼100) on alumina are comparable to what has been observed for OTS on silicon. The free energy of adsorption with ΔGads values ranged from −7.5 to −5.4 kcal/mol, and the SAMs were stable up to 230 C. The critical surface tension of the OTS monolayer was found to be 21.4 dyne/cm.
Sequence-specific Interactions in the RNA-binding Domain of Escherichia coli Transcription Termination Factor Rho *

Rho factor is an essential protein that causes termination of transcription in a wide variety of bacteria by an RNA-dependent helicase activity. Rho is activated by transcripts that contain a high proportion of cytidine residues. The interaction between Rho and two adjacent cytidine residues within the bound RNA has been identified by previous crystallographic studies (Skordalakes, E., and Berger, J. M. (2003) Cell 114, 135-146). In this study, NMR methods were used to investigate the sequence dependence of the binding of oligonucleotides to the RNA-binding domain of Rho protein (rho130). A comparison of the NMR spectra obtained for rho130 bound to single-stranded oligonucleotides ACTTCCA or ATTTCCA showed that the 5'-cytidine residue interacts with Rho at a site that is distinct from the CC binding site identified by crystallographic studies. Two amino acid residues within this new cytidine binding site, Arg(88) and Phe(89), were altered to Glu and Ser, respectively. These mutant forms of Rho were defective in transcriptional termination, suggesting that those residues play an important role in the activation of Rho by bound RNA.
Complement activation during systemic lupus erythematosus: C3A and C5a anaphylatoxins circulate during exacerbations of disease

To determine whether activated complement components appear in the circulation of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we measured C5a and C3a by radioimmunoassay. Mean C5a concentration in the plasma of acutely ill SLE patients was 46.0 ng/ml, compared with 17.1 ng/ml in normal controls (P less than 0.01). Mean C3a concentration in patients with severe disease was 526 ng/ml, compared with 134 ng/ml in controls (P less than 0.01). In patients with moderately active SLE, the mean C3a concentration, but not the mean C5a concentration, was also elevated. In addition, C3a was elevated in 15 or 21 patients with active SLE, whereas low levels of C3 or C4 were noted in only 7 of these 21 patients. We conclude that the measurement of complement-derived anaphylatoxins may be useful in the management of patients with SLE. In addition, we suggest that these circulating mediators may contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular injury in patients with the disease.
ELECTRODIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF FECAL INCONTINENCE

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of electrodiagnostic testing (EDT) for the evaluation of fecal incontinence (FI). Over a 5-year period, 225 patients (174 females) with FI were prospectively studied with anal manometry, anal ultrasonography, anal electromyography (AEMG), and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) assessment. The mean age was 60 (range 12-94) years. Causes of FI identified by clinical evaluation were obstetric injuries (45), rectal prolapse (43), iatrogenic or other trauma (42), neurologic disease (23), and idiopathic (72). EDT revealed abnormalities in 76% of patients. The incidence of pudendal neuropathy (PN) was 36% (bilateral 21%, unilateral 15%). Patients with PN were older than were those with normal PNTML (mean 71 vs. 63 years; P < 0.002). No relationship between squeeze pressure and PN could be demonstrated (P = 0.9). Reduced motor unit potential (MUP) recruitment on AEMG was present in 60% and was associated with decreased squeeze pressure (P < 0.001) and increased MUP polyphasia (P < 0.001). Concurrence of AEMG and anal ultrasonographic findings was observed in 35 of 41 patients (84%). Defects were overlooked in one study but identified by the other on three occasions, each. Moreover, 8 of 22 patients with demonstrated sphincter defects had unsuspected PN or extensive sphincter injury on AEMG that precluded sphincter repair. In conclusion, EDT proved to be a valuable tool in the evaluation and subsequent treatment of patients with FI.
Genomic island TnSmu2 of Streptococcus mutans harbors a nonribosomal peptide synthetase-polyketide synthase gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of pigments involved in oxygen and H2O2 tolerance

The oral biofilm community consists of >800 microbial species, among which Streptococcus mutans is considered a primary pathogen for dental caries. The genomic island TnSmu2 of S. mutans comprises >2% of the genome. In this study, we demonstrate that TnSmu2 harbors a gene cluster encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), polyketide synthases (PKS), and accessory proteins and regulators involved in nonribosomal peptide (NRP) and polyketide (PK) biosynthesis. Interestingly, the sequences of these genes and their genomic organizations and locations are highly divergent among different S. mutans strains, yet each TnSmu2 region encodes NRPS/PKS and accessory proteins. Mutagenesis of the structural genes and putative regulatory genes in strains UA159, UA140, and MT4653 resulted in colonies that were devoid of their yellow pigmentation (for strains UA140 and MT4653). In addition, these mutant strains also displayed retarded growth under aerobic conditions and in the presence of H2O2. High-performance liquid chromatography profiling of cell surface extracts identified unique peaks that were missing in the mutant strains, and partial characterization of the purified product from UA159 demonstrated that it is indeed a hybrid NRP/PK, as predicted. A genomic survey of 94 clinical S. mutans isolates suggests that the TnSmu2 gene cluster may be more prevalent than previously recognized.
The anti-microbial activity of titania-nickel ferrite composite nanoparticles

A novel approach to synthesize a new generation of composite nanoparticles consisting of a photocatalytic shell of anatase-titania and a magnetic core of nickel ferrite has been adopted combining reverse micelle and chemical hydrolysis techniques. Titania is an effective anti-microbial agent that can be directly sprayed on infected areas of the human body or environment. Unfortunately, titania is an electrical insulator and is difficult to extract from the sprayed surface after treatment. The titania photocatalytic shell provides good antimicrobial capability that renders the bacteria inactive and removes the organic pollutants, while the nickel ferrite magnetic core enables controlled delivery of composite nanoparticles through the application of a small magnetic field, encouraging their application as removable anti-microbial photocatalyst nanoparticles.
Classical and operant procedures in the treatment of a case of food aversion in a young child

A six‐year‐old child's aversion to table foods, which had resulted in a highly restricted diet, was successfully treated with a gradual shaping program which manipulated the respondent components of the eating response. Operant procedures alone were not sufficient to modify the maladaptive eating pattern. In addition, a variation of desensitization was used to eliminate strong avoidance behaviors to swallowing the food which were producing adverse physiological responses. The entire treatment program was conducted in the home with progressively decreasing assistance from the therapist. At the time of a six month follow‐up assessment, the child had gained substantial weight and was eating three complete meals of table food with no appearance of gagging or vomiting.
Holter recordings predict implantable cardioverter defibrillator firing in arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia

nificant risk stratifiers in predicting HF, whereas QTD was not. The increased QTD was significant risk stratifiers in predicting VT (P 0.001), whereas TEI and EF were not. Conclusions: TEI was more useful in predicting HF, and QTD was more useful in predicting VT in patients with previous myocardial infarction and moderately impaired left ventricular function. It may be important to select the echocardiographic or electrocardiographic risk stratifier based on the kind of predicting cardiac events such as HF or VT.
Effect of Breakout Angle on Tripod Injection Hole Geometries on Flat Plate Film Cooling

In this study, effect of breakout angle of side holes from the main hole in a tripod hole design on film cooling performance is evaluated on a flat plate surface with steady-state IR (infrared thermography) technique. The designs are compared a cylindrical hole design inclined at 30° from the surface with pitch-to-diameter ratio of 3.0 and a shaped hole design, which is identical to the cylindrical hole design with the addition of adding a 10° flare and laydown to the exit on the mainstream surface. The two tripod hole designs are one where the two side holes, also of the same diameter, branch from the root at a 15° angle while maintaining the same 30° inclination as the cylindrical and shaped designs witha pitch-to-diameter ratio between the main holes for this design is 6.0. The other tripod hole design is a modified tripod hole design that increases the branch angle to 30°, which has the added effect of increasing the pitch-to-diameter ratio between the main holes to 7.5. Two secondary fluids — air and carbon-dioxide — were used to study the effects of coolant-to-mainstream density ratio (DR = 0.95 and 1.45) on film cooling effectiveness. Several blowing ratios in the range 0.5–4.0 were investigated independently at the two density ratios. Results show that the tripod hole design provides similar film cooling effectiveness as the shaped hole case with overall reduced coolant usage. Increasing the breakout angle from 15° to 30° reduces overall cooling effectiveness but increases jet-to-jet interactions.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Achieving high job execution reliability using underutilized resources in a computational economy

In distributed shared resource environments, such as grids or recent clouds, one of the major challenges is how to meet users' QoS requirements and rationally distribute resources at the same time. Computational economy has long been studied as an effective solution to address such resource-allocation problems. However, price alone has limitations in controlling supply-and-demand in computational markets. In particular, even though less reliable desktop PCs are the dominant resource in computation grids, they are often underutilized, regardless of their price, because they do not exhibit qualities required by typical scientific and business applications. To address this problem, we propose Highly Available Job Execution Service (HA-JES) that fosters the balanced resource consumption by dynamically virtualizing resources to meet QoS requirements from users. In particular, in HA-JES, jobs are replicated in a market-driven efficient way; underutilized and therefore cheap resources are exploited to build a virtualized high quality resource and hence facilitate balanced resource usage. Our evaluation results show that HA-JES benefits all actors in the market in terms of resource utilization, market capacity, and market stability.
Seismic velocity variations on the San Andreas fault caused by the 2004 M6 Parkfield Earthquake and their implications

Repeated earthquakes and explosions recorded at the San Andreas fault (SAF) near Parkfield before and after the 2004 M6 Parkfield earthquake show large seismic velocity variations within an approximately 200- m-wide zone along the fault to depths of approximately 6 km. The seismic arrays were co-sited in the two experiments and located in the middle of a high-slip part of the surface rupture. Waveform cross-correlations of microearthquakes recorded in 2002 and subsequent repeated events recorded a week after the 2004 M6 mainshock show a peak of an approximately 2.5% decrease in seismic velocity at stations within the fault zone, most likely due to the co-seismic damage of fault-zone rocks during dynamic rupture of this earthquake. The damage zone is not symmetric; instead, it extends farther on the southwest side of the main fault trace. Seismic velocities within the fault zone measured for later repeated aftershocks in the following 3–4 months show an approximate 1.2% increase at seismogenic depths, indicating that the rock damaged in the mainshock recovers rigidity—or heals—through time. The healing rate was not constant but was largest in the earliest post-mainshock stage. The magnitude of fault damage and healing varies across and along the rupture zone, indicating that the greater damage was inflicted and thus greater healing is observed in regions with larger slip in the mainshock. Observations of rock damage during the mainshock and healing soon thereafter are consistent with our interpretation of the low-velocity waveguide on the SAF being at least partially softened in the 2004 M6 mainshock, with additional cumulative effects due to recurrent rupture.
Covalent Modification of the Nucleotide Binding Domains of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

The cytosolic nucleotide binding domains of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (NBD1 and NBD2) mediate ATP-dependent opening and closing of the Cl− channel pore. To learn more about NBD structure and function, we introduced a cysteine residue into the Walker A motif or the LSGGQ motif of each NBD and examined modification byN-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Covalent modification of either Walker A motif partially inhibited cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channel activity, decreasing the open state probability by prolonging the long closed duration. An increase in cytosolic ATP concentration slowed the rate of modification. The data suggest that both NBDs interact with ATP to influence channel opening and that inhibition by NEM modification was in part due to decreased ATP binding. When cysteine was placed in the NBD2 Walker A motif, it was modified more rapidly than when it was placed in NBD1, suggesting that the NBDs are not structurally or functionally identical. Modification of a cysteine inserted in the LSGGQ motif of either NBD1 or NBD2 also inhibited channel activity. The rate of modification was comparable with that of a thiol in free solution, suggesting that the LSGGQ motif resides in a surface-exposed position in both NBDs.
Processing, structure, and properties of fibers from polyester/carbon nanofiber composites

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) resin has been compounded with carbon nanofibers. The amount of carbon nanofibers utilized in each case was 5 wt.%. Compounding methods included ball-milling, high shear mixing in the melt, as well as extrusion using a twin-screw extruder. PET/CNF composite resins were melt-spun into fibers using the conventional PET fiber spinning conditions. Morphology and mechanical properties of these composite fibers have been studied. The results show that CNFs can be incorporated into PET matrix with good dispersion. Compressive strength and torsional moduli of PET/CNF composite fibers were considerably higher than that for the control PET fiber.
Merkel cell carcinoma in a renal transplant patient: Increased incidence?

The identification of malignancies associated with transplantation has led to enhanced vigilance and care in these patients, as well as insight into the pathogenesis of select malignancies. We report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma, an uncommon cutaneous malignancy of neuroendocrine origin, diagnosed in a 65-year-old Caucasian man 6 years after renal transplantation. While it is well known that transplant patients are at increased risk for squamous cell carcinomas of the skin, other types may also have an increased frequency. We suggest that Merkel cell carcinoma could have an increased incidence in the transplant population.
Financial interdependence between Hong Kong and the US: A band spectrum approach

Abstract In this paper, we study causal relationship between Hong Kong and US financial markets, using band spectrum regression techniques that allow us to examine the dynamic properties of the interactions between capital markets. By decomposing the variations of financial markets into different frequency movements, we determine that before the Asian financial crisis there is a feedback relationship between the two markets which is driven by long cycles (with low frequencies). For the post-crisis and post-911 periods, there is a one-way causality from the US market to the Hong Kong market. Moreover, short cycles (with high frequencies) are responsible for this dynamic relationship.
On-chip Sparse Learning with Resistive Cross-point Array Architecture

Unsupervised learning with sparse coding is widely adopted in applications of feature extraction, pattern classification, and compressive sensing. However, even with the state-of-the-art hardware platform of CPUs/GPUs, solving a sparse coding problem is still expensive in computation. In this paper, the resistive cross-point array architecture (CPA) is proposed to achieve on-chip acceleration of sparse coding, especially the matrix/vector operations that are intensively used in the algorithm. Learning and recognition experiments are conducted with the MNIST handwriting dataset. By co-optimizing the algorithm, architecture, circuit, and resistive synaptic devices, SPICE simulation at 65nm demonstrates that the CPA is able to accelerate sparse coding computation by more than 3800X, compared to software running on an 8-core CPU. Furthermore, this work investigates the technological limitations of a realistic resistive CPA, including reduced ON/OFF range of synaptic devices, nonlinearity in programming, spatial and temporal variations, and interconnect parasitics. The results illustrate both enormous opportunities and practical barriers of resistive CPA in real-time learning on a chip.
Long-lived charge traps in functionalized pentacene and anthradithiophene studied by time-resolved electric force microscopy

Charge trapping in functionalized pentacene and anthradithiophene transistors was studied by time-resolved electric force microscopy (EFM). The spatial distribution of long-lived trapped charge was examined, in TIPS pentacene, for transistors prepared by four different solution deposition techniques. The distribution is markedly different in the four samples, establishing that charge trapping in this material is at least as sensitive to morphology as mobility is. The rate of trap formation in TIPS pentacene depends strongly on the initial free hole concentration, consistent with the view that charge traps in this material should not be viewed as static defect states but as states that are slowly created by reactions of free holes at a localized defect. In one TIPS pentacene sample, the rate of formation and steady-state concentration of trapped charge was found to be independent of the initial free hole concentration, allowing us to estimate the concentration of the impurity giving rise to the trapped charge. Transistors of functionalized anthradithiophene, prepared by spin casting and solvent annealing, showed evidence of grain boundary trapping. In both materials, regions can be found that exhibit essentially no long-lived traps, indicating that the cations of the two materials are not inherently prone to trapping and degradation in an unilluminated film. We find that electrons can be injected from untreated gold electrodes into both materials, and in both materials we observe a finite electron mobility.
O6-alkylguanine alkyl acceptor protein activity in hepatocytes of C3H and C57BL mice during dimethylnitrosamine exposure.

Lorsque des souches de souris ayant une forte (C3H) et une faible (C57BL) incidence de carcinome hepatocellulaire spontane sont comparees aucune difference dans l'activite de l'O 6 AGAAP n'a pu etre mise en evidence dans les hepatocytes des souris de controle et des souris exposees a la dimethylnitrosamine. Donc l'activite de la O 6 AGAAP n'est pas un facteur dans le developpement des carcinomes spontanes hepatocellulaires de la souris
CSF beta-amyloid, cognition, and APOE genotype in Alzheimer’s disease

Objectives: We examined the relationship between CSF amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) concentration and AD severity in 31 probable AD patients and explored whether APOE genotype modifies this relationship. Background: Aβ deposition in AD brains has been correlated with disease severity and with APOE-e4 allele frequency. Few studies have examined the effects of APOE genotype on the relationship between CSF Aβ and disease severity in an antemortem sample. Methods: Patients carried the clinical diagnosis of probable AD and did not have serious medical illness, current or past diagnosis of mood disorder, schizophrenia or alcoholism, or current psychotic features. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered to the patient within 3 months of CSF collection. CSF was analyzed for Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 by sandwich ELISAs, and APOE genotype was determined by PCR run from blood. Correlations were performed between MMSE score and Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 concentrations while controlling for potential confounding variables. Results: CSF measures of Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 concentrations were correlated with each other ( r = 0.56, df = 28, p r = 0.46, df = 28, p = 0.01; Aβ1-42 and MMSE score: r = 0.35, df = 28, p = 0.05). Among the APOE-e3/3 homozygotes there was a significant positive correlation only between Aβ1-42 and MMSE score (Aβ1-42, r = 0.94, p = 0.02; Aβ1-40, r = 0.79, p = 0.11). Conclusions: We hypothesize that an increased deposition of Aβ in plaques results in decreased CSF Aβ concentration. The stronger relationship between MMSE score and CSF Aβ, specifically in APOE-e3/3 homozygotes, suggests that patients with APOE-e3/3 genotype may have different pathogenic mechanisms than the other genotypes for Aβ deposition or clearance.
Serum and Dietary Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Elderly Men: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background and aim Recent research suggests that low vitamin D may be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods and results We prospectively evaluated the association of dietary plus supplemental vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH) vitamin D with CVD incidence in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study. Vitamin D intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire and self-reported supplemental intake in 3094 men (mean age 76.4 years). From a subset of this population, we measured 25(OH) vitamin D in 813 men. Median 25(OH) vitamin D was 25.3 ng/mL. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years, there were 472 CVD cases, including 371 from coronary heart disease (CHD) and 101 from cerebrovascular attack (CVA). In the 25(OH) vitamin D sub-cohort, there were 140 cases of CVD including 115 from CHD and 25 from CVA. We used a Cox proportional hazards regression to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for CVD by vitamin D quartile. After adjusting for age, season, and standard CVD risk factors, the lowest quartile of 25(OH) vitamin D (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.69–2.03) and vitamin D intake (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.56–1.04) were not significantly associated with CVD incidence, compared to the highest vitamin D quartiles. When 25(OH) vitamin D was further analyzed by sufficiency (≥30 ng/mL), insufficiency (≥15–29.9 ng/mL), and deficiency ( Conclusion Vitamin D intake and serum 25(OH) vitamin D were not associated with CVD risk.
Segmental testicular infarction in a young man simulating a testicular tumor.

A 19-year-old boy presented with a 48-hour history of acute onset severe right scrotal pain with minimal scrotal swelling. High-frequency US including color Doppler demonstrated a wedge-shaped, heterogeneous, avascular testicular mass diagnosed preoperatively as a segmental testicular infarction (STI). This was proved at surgery and subsequent histology. The preoperative diagnosis of STI was suggested based on the young man’s presentation of severe pain and the sonographic appearance of the mass. Entertaining the preoperative diagnosis of STI from a testicular tumor is important for testis-sparing surgery even though STI in the pediatric age group is extremely rare.
Direct observations of the surface diffusion of atoms and clusters

Abstract Diffusion of metal atoms on highly perfect planes was one of the first surface phenomena to be examined on the atomic level. This was made possible through the unique capability of the field ion microscope to routinely reveal individual adatoms. Despite subsequent advances in observational techniques, such as the development of high-resolution electron microscopes and the scanning tunneling microscope, current understanding of the diffusion behavior of metal atoms is still based primarily upon field ion microscopic studies. The results of this overall effort are briefly surveyed, with special emphasis upon factors important in crystal growth: structural specificities in diffusion, mobility during deposition, the mechanisms of atomic jumps, and the motion of clusters. From the data now available it appears that surface diffusion is a more complicated and interesting process than anticipated.
Suspended sediment transport in the surf zone: Response to incident wave and longshore current interaction

Abstract This paper reports the results of a field experiment carried out in the inner surf zone of a dissipative beach at San Marine, Oregon, in 1984. Observations were made at a location 70 m seaward of the mean high water line (mean depth 1.3 m) during a period when significant offshore wave heights were 3–5 m and the surf zone was 500 m wide. Instruments were deployed in a closely spaced array and measurements included cross-shore and longshore velocity, sea surface fluctuations, and sediment concentration profiles. The results reported in this paper are from a particular 44-min data run characterized by high waves and strong longshore currents. In the first section of this paper the field measurements are summarized to provide insight into the resuspension process and observed sediment concentrations and fluxes on time scales including incident and infragravity bands, and mean values for the entire data set. In the second section a numerical model is presented that incorporates the nonlinear interaction of waves and currents and calculates velocity profiles, boundary shear stress, suspended sediment profiles, and longshore and cross-shore particle flux over 0.5 s intervals throughout the time series. Finally, model calculations of mean suspended load and net longshore and cross-shore flux of sediment are compared to observations. The results show that the model calculates mean suspended load and net longshore and cross-shore flux of sediment within a factor of two of the observations. The model suggests that, for this data set, incident waves and longshore currents contribute equally to the suspended load. For the longshore particle flux, the current contribution is approximately 1.7 times the wave contribution (63% vs 37%), primarily because currents carry suspended sediment higher in the water column where it is advected by stronger longshore currents. Additionally, model results suggest that wave/current interactions enhance suspended sediment load and longshore sand transport by approximately 50–60% over the transport forced by waves alone.
E-cadherin mediates aggregation-dependent survival of prostate and mammary epithelial cells through the retinoblastoma cell cycle control pathway.

E-cadherin and the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (Rb) are traditionally associated with diverse regulatory aspects of cell growth and differentiation. However, we have discovered new evidence, which suggests that these proteins are functionally linked in a physiologic pathway required for cell survival and programmed cell death. Pharmacological activation of protein kinase C (PKC) or inducible overexpression and activation of the α isozyme of PKC (PKCα) resulted in approximately 60% apoptosis of mammary and prostate epithelial cells. Interestingly, the surviving cells had undergone dramatic aggregation concurrent with increased E-cadherin expression. When aggregation was inhibited by the addition of an E-cadherin-blocking antibody, apoptosis increased synergistically. We hypothesized that survival of the aggregated population was associated with contact-inhibited growth and that apoptosis might result from aberrant growth regulatory signals in non-aggregated, cycling cells. This hypothesis was confirmed by experiments that demonstrated that E-cadherin-dependent aggregation resulted in Rb-mediated G1 arrest and survival. Immunoblot analysis and flow cytometry revealed that hypophosphorylated Rb was present in non-aggregated, S phase cultures concurrent with synergistic cell death. We have also determined that the loss of membrane E-cadherin and subsequent hypophosphorylation of Rb in luminal epithelial cells preceded apoptosis induced by castration. These findings provide compelling evidence that suggests that E-cadherin-mediated aggregation results in Rb activation and G1 arrest that is critical for survival of prostate and mammary epithelial cells. These data also indicate that Rb can initiate a fatal growth signal conflict in non-aggregated, cycling cells when the protein is hypophosphorylated as these epithelial cells enter S phase.
JAK inhibition with tofacitinib suppresses arthritic joint structural damage through decreased RANKL production

Objective The mechanistic link between Janus kinase (JAK) signaling and structural damage to arthritic joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to investigate how selective inhibition of JAK with tofacitinib (CP-690,550) affects osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model, as well as human T lymphocyte RANKL production and human osteoclast differentiation and function. Methods Hind paw edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in rat AIA were assessed using plethysmography, histopathologic analysis, and immunohistochemistry; plasma and hind paw tissue levels of cytokines and chemokines (including RANKL) were also assessed. In vitro RANKL production by activated human T lymphocytes was evaluated by immunoassay, while human osteoclast differentiation and function were assessed via quantitative tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and degradation of human bone collagen, respectively. Results Edema, inflammation, and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in rats with AIA were dramatically reduced after 7 days of treatment with the JAK inhibitor, which correlated with reduced numbers of CD68/ED-1+, CD3+, and RANKL+ cells in the paws; interleukin-6 (transcript and protein) levels were rapidly reduced in paw tissue within 4 hours of the first dose, whereas it took 4–7 days of therapy for RANKL levels to decrease. Tofacitinib did not impact human osteoclast differentiation or function, but did decrease human T lymphocyte RANKL production in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion These results suggest that the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib suppresses osteoclast-mediated structural damage to arthritic joints, and this effect is secondary to decreased RANKL production.
Theoretical analysis of capillary-driven nanoparticulate slurry flow during a micromold filling process

The microcasting technique for the fabrication of microstructures mainly involves two consecutive steps, namely, the capillary-driven flow of nanoparticulate slurry in micromolds and sintering of the resulting preform. During the mold-filling step, particle settling leads to a spatial particle distribution in the preform, which affects the subsequent sintering kinetics, and in turn, and causes a shape distortion in the final sintered product. This paper presents a comprehensive theoretical model which is adopted to account for the capillary-driven flow and simultaneous particle settling behavior during the filling step. Numerical simulations are performed over a wide range of parameters to illustrate the effects of four nondimensional groups on the fill time and particle distribution, and to develop design windows, which may serve as guidelines in the design of particle properties, slurry composition, and mold dimensions to maintain a desired level of homogeneity in particle distribution.
New Experimental Evidence for the Existence of a Neutrino

A new method is used for determining the energy of recoil of the nucleus in the individual beta-disintegration process. A gaseous compound of radiochlorine is placed in a cloud chamber. The clearing field is removed long enough before the expansion to allow the ions to spread out so that the resulting droplets can be seen individually. A cluster of droplets appears at the beginning of the track, and this is believed to be produced by the recoil nucleus. From the number of droplets an estimate is made of the kinetic energy of the nucleus, and this is compared with that calculated from the observed curvature of the beta-ray track. It is found that the laws of momentum as well as those of energy indicate that a third particle participates in the disintegration.
Dichlorvos as an Inhibitor of Aflatoxin Production on Wheat, Corn, Rice, and Peanuts

Wheat, corn, rice, and peanuts were treated with various amounts of dichlorvos either before or after inoculations with Aspergillus flavus Link. Dichlorvos at an intended deposit of 20 ppm on wheat before inoculation prevented aflatoxin production. Aflatoxin production was greater when the dosage of dichlorvos was reduced below 20 ppm, the treatment followed inoculation rather than before inoculation or when the substrate was either corn, rice, or peanuts instead of wheat.
Cosmic-Ray Energy Spectra and Time Variations in the Local Interstellar Medium: Constraints and Uncertainties

The spectra of galactic cosmic rays that are observed inside the heliosphere result from the interaction of the spectra present in the local interstellar medium with the structured but turbulent magnetic field carried by the solar wind. Observational tests of solar modulation theory depend on comparisons between spectra inside and outside the heliosphere. Our knowledge of the local interstellar spectra are indirect, using extrapolations of interplanetary spectra measured at high energies where solar modulation effects are minimal and modeling of the physical processes that occur during particle acceleration and transport in the interstellar medium. The resulting estimates of the interstellar spectra can also be checked against observations of the effects that cosmic rays have on the chemistry of the interstellar medium and on the production of the diffuse galactic gamma-ray background. I review the present understanding of the local galactic cosmic-ray spectra, emphasizing the constraints set by observations and the uncertainties that remain.