cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypothesis: the mitochondrial NO(*) signaling pathway, and the transduction of nitrosative to oxidative cell signals: an alternative function for cytochrome C oxidase.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO • ) signaling is diverse, and involves reaction with free radicals, metalloproteins, and specific protein amino acid residues. Prominent among these interactions are the heme protein soluble guanylate cyclase and cysteine residues within several proteins such as caspases, the executors of apoptosis. Another well characterized site of NO • binding is the terminal complex of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, cytochrome c oxidase, although the downstream signaling effects of this interaction remain unclear. Recently, it has been recognized that the intracellular formation of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) by controlled mechanisms contributes to what we term “redox tone,” and so controls the activity and activation thresholds of redox-sensitive signaling pathways. In this hypothesis paper, it is proposed that NO • -dependent modulation of the respiratory chain can control the mitochondrial generation of H 2 O 2 for cell signaling purposes without affecting ATP synthesis.
Russell on Hume’s Account of the Self

The History of Western Philosophy enhanced Russell’s broad reputation among members of the public and helped secure his finances. But the academic community was less enthusiastic about the text and tended to treat it with contempt. My paper is a critical investigation of one of the central chapters of Russell’s History : namely, Russell’s rendition of David Hume’s views on the self. My argument is that Russell’s concise treat­ment of le bon David’s provocative views on the self must be read with great care—otherwise a misunderstanding of Russell’s interpreta­tion is likely to be foisted on this popular and influential twentieth­-century text.
Atomic-Scale Interfacial Structure in Rock Salt and Tetradymite Chalcogenide Thermoelectric Materials

Interfaces play important roles in the performance of nanostructured thermoelectric materials. However, our understanding of the atomic-scale structure of these interfaces is only beginning to emerge. In this overview article, we highlight and review several examples illustrating aspects of interfacial structure in the rock salt and tetradymite classes of chalcogenide materials. The chalcogenide compounds encompass some of the most successful and well-understood thermoelectric materials employed in actual application and are also relevant more broadly in diverse fields including phase-change memory materials, infrared radiation detection, and topological insulators. The examples we consider here focus in three areas: the influence of weak interlayer bonding on grain boundary structure in Bi_(2)Te_3, crystallographic alignment and interfacial coherency in rock salt and related cubic chalcogenides, and the structure of interfaces at tetradymite precipitates in a rock salt chalcogenide matrix. The complex interfaces in these systems can be understood and generalized by considering the similarities between the rock salt, tetradymite, and related structures and by analyzing of the relevant interfacial defects.
Backstress, the Bauschinger Effect and Cyclic Deformation

Backstresses or long range internal stresses (LRIS) in the past have been suggested by many to exist in plastically deformed crystalline materials. Elevated stresses can be present in regions of elevated dislocation density or dislocation heterogeneities in the deformed microstructures. The heterogeneities include edge dislocation dipole bundles (veins) and the edge dipole walls of persistent slip bands (PSBs) in cyclically deformed materials and cell and subgrain walls in monotonically deformed materials. The existence of long range internal stress is especially important for the understanding of cyclic deformation and also monotonic deformation. X-ray microbeam diffraction experiments performed by the authors using synchrotron x-ray microbeams determined the elastic strains within the cell interiors. The studies were performed using, oriented, monotonically deformed Cu single crystals. The results demonstrate that small long-range internal stresses are present in cell interiors. These LRIS vary substantially from cell to cell as 0 % to 50 % of the applied stress. The results are related to the Bauschinger effect, often explained in terms of LRIS.
Parallel-alleys and distance-alleys on horopter plane in the dark.

On each of three frontoparallel planes at distances of about 98, 186, and 276 cm from the subject, two series of light points running horizontally in the dark, one above the other, were constructed by six subjects: a P-alley in which the two series appear as two straight lines that are parallel, and a D-alley in which each pair of points appear equally separated in the vertical direction. Luneburg's mapping functions between visual space and physical space have been used to obtain estimates of K (curvature) and σ (a constant related to depth perception). In addition, ratios of perceptual distances were assessed by four out of the six subjects with eleven triplets of points on the alleys and values of K were estimated (and the fits of theoretical equations were tested) without the use of the mapping functions. In contrast to experiments with P-alleys and D-alleys on the horizontal plane, K was not unequivocally negative in either of the two experiments.
Mestranol-induced hypertension: characterization of cytochrome P-450 dependent catechol estrogen formation in brain microsomes.

Abstract An animal model of estrogen-induced hypertension was used to study the effects of chronic administration of the synthetic estrogen mestranol on cytochrome P-450 content and catechol estrogen formation in brain microsomes. Cytochrome P-450 content of brain microsomes from untreated female rats in estrus was 0.034 nmole/mg protein and the dithionite-reduced carbon monoxide absorbance peak (γmax) was 452 nm. Catechol estrogen formation in brain microsomes was optimal in the presence of both NADPH and NADH cofactors with an apparent Km value of 71 μM for 17β-estradiol substrate. Brain microsomes from animals in estrus and diestrus were compared, and no significant differences were observed in cytochrome P-450 content, or in the apparent Km and Vmax values of catechol estrogen formation. Administration of mestranol, 15 μg biweekly, for 3–4 weeks resulted in a significant increase in systolic blood pressure in unanesthetized female rats. Mestranol treatment was not associated with a change in microsomal cytochrome P-450 content or the spectral γmax. At 10 μM substrate concentration, catechol estrogen formation in microsomes from mestranol-treated animals was increased 2- to 3-fold, with enzyme activity being expressed either per mg protein or per nmole cytochrome P-450. In contrast, no difference was observed between groups when enzyme activity was measured at 100 μM substrate concentration. These data suggest that chronic administration of a synthetic estrogen can regulate the enzyme system involved in formation of brain catechol estrogen metabolites, a mechanism which may alter the biological impact of the parent steroid.
Regulation of Adult Neurogenesis by Antidepressant Treatment

Demonstration of neurogenesis in adult brain represents a major advance in our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying neuronal remodeling and complex behavior. Recent studies from our laboratory and others demonstrate that chronic administration of an antidepressant, including either a 5-HT or norepinephrine selective reuptake inhibitor, up-regulates neurogenesis in adult rodent hippocampus. Up-regulation of neurogenesis could block or reverse the effects of stress on hippocampal neurons, which include down-regulation of neurogenesis, as well as atrophy. The possibility that the cAMP signal transduction cascade contributes to the regulation of neurogenesis by antidepressants is supported by previous studies and by recent work. Although additional studies must be conducted to determine the significance of adult neurogenesis in humans, these findings will stimulate new avenues of research to identify the cellular and molecular basis of stress-related mood disorders as well as the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
On Covariate Importance for Regression Models with Multivariate Response

We address the question of identifying the relative importance of covariates for model response, a form of sensitivity analysis. Relative importance is typically implemented as part of the model building procedure, e.g., forward variable selection or backward elimination. Here, we take a different perspective. We assume a model with multiple covariates and multivariate response has been selected and formulate criteria to assess covariate importance. Hence, with regard to covariates, our approach is joint, post model fitting, rather than conditional or sequential model creation. The noteworthy challenge we accommodate is the handling of multivariate response where individual regressions may give differing, perhaps conflicting, relative importances. In addition, we recognize that, according to the model specification, importance/sensitivity to covariates may be a global or a local issue. For models with multivariate response, we provide a criterion that (i) produces one sensitivity coefficient for each covariate, (ii) takes into account the model specification of uncertainty, and (iii) is based only on the model parameters but does not require a distribution on the covariates. However, with a prior on the covariates, in special cases, we show that comparison of covariates using this criterion gives the same results as comparison of marginal variances of the inverse predictive distributions of the covariates. We illustrate with an application examining sensitivity of tree abundance to climate. Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line.
Experimental performance analysis of sound source detection with SRP PHAT-β

Sound source detection with distributed microphone systems find applications in acoustic imaging, sound source tracking, and beamforming. Sound source location using the Steered Response Power (SRP) algorithm and the Phase Transform (PHAT) has been shown to have a robust performance in noisy and reverberant environments. Recent works based on a simulation study have reported on further improvements in detection performance with a partial whitening transformation, referred to as PHAT-β. This paper experimentally analyzes the performance of PHAT-β in conjunction with Steered Response Coherent Power (SRCP) algorithm for sound source detection. Experimental performance results are presented for an 8 microphone perimeter array in different room reverberation and SNR levels. Values for partial whitening parameter (β) that optimize detection performance under different noise conditions are determined using a Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results support conclusions of the simulation study that partial whitening outperforms total (PHAT) and no whitening over a range of signal types and room conditions.
Mercury and Organic Carbon Dynamics During Runoff Episodes from a Northeastern USA Watershed

Mercury and organic carbon concentrations vary dynamically in streamwater at the Sleepers River Research Watershed in Vermont, USA. Total mercury (THg) concentrations ranged from 0.53 to 93.8 ng/L during a 3-year period of study. The highest mercury (Hg) concentrations occurred slightly before peak flows and were associated with the highest organic carbon (OC) concentrations. Dissolved Hg (DHg) was the dominant form in the upland catchments; particulate Hg (PHg) dominated in the lowland catchments. The concentration of hydrophobic acid (HPOA), the major component of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), explained 41–98% of the variability of DHg concentration while DOC flux explained 68–85% of the variability in DHg flux, indicating both quality and quantity of the DOC substantially influenced the transport and fate of DHg. Particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations explained 50% of the PHg variability, indicating that POC is an important transport mechanism for PHg. Despite available sources of DHg and wetlands in the upland catchments, dissolved methylmercury (DmeHg) concentrations in streamwaters were below detection limit (0.04 ng/L). PHg and particulate methylmercury (PmeHg) had a strong positive correlation (r 2 = 0.84, p < 0.0001), suggesting a common source; likely in-stream or near-stream POC eroded or re-suspended during spring snowmelt and summer storms. Ratios of PmeHg to THg were low and fairly constant despite an apparent higher methylmercury (meHg) production potential in the summer. Methylmercury production in soils and stream sediments was below detection during snowmelt in April and highest in stream sediments (compared to forest and wetland soils) sampled in July. Using the watershed approach, the correlation of the percent of wetland cover to TmeHg concentrations in streamwater indicates that poorly drained wetland soils are a source of meHg and the relatively high concentrations found in stream surface sediments in July indicate these zones are a meHg sink.
Literacy, Second Language Learning, and the Development of Metalinguistic Awareness: A Study of Bilingual Children’s Perceptions of Focus on Form

Abstract The following study reports findings from an assessment of bilingual children’s editing and correction strategies as applied to writing samples produced in response to a structured composition task. A total sample of 479 attempts at editing/correction was recorded and analyzed for the purpose of describing what appear to be developmental tendencies across the elementary grades. The 45 subjects from a bilingual indigenous community in Central Mexico were also evaluated on a series of academic language and literacy tasks, as well as an assessment of metalinguistic awareness related to the two languages which they speak or understand (Spanish and Nahuatl). The article examines the relationship among factors related to bilingual proficiency, literacy learning, and the development of metalinguistic awareness.
Down-State Model of the KvAP Voltage-Sensing Domain

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels play a crucial role in the generation and propagation of electrical impulses in excitable cells by controlling the flow of K+ ions into the cell membrane in response to changes in transmembrane potential. The voltage-sensing domains (VSD) of these channels have at least two distinct conformations, the so-called up- and down-states, corresponding to the open and resting/closed states of the channel. To date, structures of three different Kv channels have revealed the up-state of the VSD; in the down-state, there is a great deal of functional data, but no crystal structures have been reported. We report here a model of the KvAP VSD in a down-state. The model was generated by molecular dynamics simulations (MD) of the VSD in a lipid bilayer in excess water using harmonic constraints to steer an equilibrated up-state sensor into a configuration that is consistent with the biotin-tethered avidin accessibility measurements of Ruta et al. (2005, Cell 123: 463). We have run a MD simulation of the system for 30 ns in the absence of constraints. The system is stable in the new configuration, and is consistent with newly reported avidin accessibility measurements (Banerjee and MacKinnon, 2008, JMB 381: 569) that were not used to generate the model. In addition, we have estimated the gating charge transfer between the up- and down-state configurations. Compared to the Kv1.2 model by Pathak et al. (2007, Neuron 56: 124), we see slightly larger transmembrane displacements for the S3 and S4 helices with significant differences in their orientation.
Determination of optimal product mix by marginal analysis

Abstract This paper presents an integrated model which simulates the interaction of demand, production cost factors and plant capacity, in order to determine an optimal profit product mix. Factual data from a manufacturing company are analysed, and the results obtained by the model are compared with the plan initially chosen by the company management. To demonstrate the application of the model, three products which are interchangeable with respect to plant capacity, and which have different profit ratios, cost structures, demand elasticities, and market growth potential are studied. A computer program which performs the numerous repetitive calculations is described, including a summary report
Recent advances in cellular senescence, cancer and aging

How much do we know about the biology of aging from cell culture studies? Most normal somatic cells have a finite potential to divide due to a process termed cellular or replicative senescence. A growing body of evidence suggests that senescence evolved to protect higher eukaryotes, particularly mammals, from developing cancer. We now know that telomere shortening, due to the biochemistry of DNA replication, induces replicative senescence in human cells. However, in rodent cells, replicative senescence occurs despite very long telomeres. Recent findings suggest that replicative senescence is just the tip of the iceberg of a more general process termed cellular senescence. It appears that cellular senescence is a response to potentially oncogenic insults, including oxidative damage. In young organisms, growth arrest by cell senescence suppresses tumor development, but later in life, due to the accumulation of senescent cells which secret factors that can disrupt tissues during aging, cellular senescence promotes tumorigenesis. Therefore, antagonistic pleiotropy may explain in part, if not in whole, the apparently paradoxical effects of cellular senescence, though this still remains an open question.
Factors affecting overall satisfaction with a river recreation experience

Visitor satisfaction has been a consistently stated goal of outdoor recreation management. Recreation resource managers provide opportunities for the visiting public with the anticipation of satisfying the needs of the visitors. Management efforts are often evaluated in terms of visitor satisfaction. In the recent decade, a multiple satisfactions approach has been the primary research paradigm guiding visitor satisfaction research. This paradigm has focused primarily upon behavioral-type dimensions such as crowding, goal attainment, and resource impacts resulting from behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the importance of a setting dimension relative to behavioral-type dimensions for explaining differences in visitor satisfaction. A sample of 895 river visitors were sent a questionnaire in the mail; 682 were returned for a 76.2% response rate. Regression analysis indicated the setting dimension was ranked as one of the most important dimensions for explaining differences in visitor satisfaction. Other dimensions considered included group behavior, perceived crowding, parking, past experience, encounters, use levels, and time waiting. Implications for management are discussed.
INFLUENCE OF LIGHT ENVIRONMENT ON THE GROWTH OF HAIR IN NORMAL RABBITS WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ACTION OF NEON LIGHT.

The influence of light environment on the growth and nutrition of normal rabbits was studied by comparing the weight curves of animals living under different environmental conditions for periods of 4 to 8 months and the effects of change from one environment to another. Prolonged exposure to neon light was compared with confinement in the dark and exposure to diffuse, filtered sunlight of varying intensity. The results of the experiments showed that growth and nutrition were greatly affected by the light environment in which the animals lived. The effects produced by a given environment varied with the color or breed of the animal and appeared to be out of proportion to the differences in the intensity of the light or the energy represented.
Review: A comparative study of deformable contour methods on medical image segmentation

A comparative study to review eight different deformable contour methods (DCMs) of snakes and level set methods applied to the medical image segmentation is presented. These DCMs are now applied extensively in industrial and medical image applications. The segmentation task that is required for biomedical applications is usually not simple. Critical issues for any practical application of DCMs include complex procedures, multiple parameter selection, and sensitive initial contour location. Guidance on the usage of these methods will be helpful for users, especially those unfamiliar with DCMs, to select suitable approaches in different conditions. This study is to provide such guidance by addressing the critical considerations on a common image test set. The test set of selected images offers different and typical difficult problems encountered in biomedical image segmentation. The studied DCMs are compared using both qualitative and quantitative measures and the comparative results highlight both the strengths and limitations of these methods. The lessons learned from this medical segmentation comparison can also be translated to other image segmentation domains.
Environmentalism and Science: Politics and the Pursuit of Knowledge

How has American environmentalism affected the U.S. scientific enterprise? After two decades of intense and often rancorous debate about environmental protection, has the environmental movement changed the pursuit of scientific knowledge in significant ways? This article examines the relationship between environmentalists and scientists on four dimensions: (a) the degree to which scientific research has become more applied; (b) the relative success or failure of efforts to integrate and coordinate research projects and programs; (c) the amount of synthesis of scientific information for policy purposes that has taken place; and (d) the level of professionalizing that has occurred in environmental science, economics, policy, and management. Results indicate that environmentalism has had little impact on science.
Admission International Normalized Ratio Levels, Early Treatment Strategies, and Major Bleeding Risk Among Non–ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients on Home Warfarin Therapy Insights From the National Cardiovascular Data Registry

Background—Non–ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients on home warfarin pose treatment concerns because of their potential increased risk of bleeding. Expert opinion from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines suggest holding anticoagulants and initiating antiplatelet therapy among therapeutically anticoagulated non–ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients. Yet, little is known about contemporary treatment patterns and bleeding risks in this population. Methods and Results—We stratified 5787 non–ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients on home warfarin therapy using data from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network Registry–Get With the Guidelines by admission international normalized ratio (INR) levels: subtherapeutic (INR 3). Multivariable logistic generalized estimating equations models were constructed to examine the as...
RaceTM: detecting data races using transactional memory

Widespread emergence of multicore processors will spur development of parallel applications, exposing programmers to more hardware concurrency. Dependable multithreaded software will have to rely on the ability to dynamically detect data races, which are non-deterministic and notoriously hard to reproduce symptoms of synchronization bugs. In this paper, we propose RaceTM, a novel approach that exploits transactional memory support to detect data races. We introduce the concept of lightweight debug transactions that exploit the conflict detection mechanisms of transactional memory systems to perform data race detection. Debug transactions differ from regular transactions in that they do not need to be rolled back, and therefore require no versioning or checkpointing support. Debug transactions do not overlap with a regular transaction, thus providing a transparent mechanism to leverage existing transactional memory support for data race detection.
Role of Postoperative Radiation (RT) Boost for Soft Tissue Sarcomas With Positive Margins Following Preoperative RT and Resection

was 35.2% for those with positive margin compared with 10.3% for those with tumor completely resected (p Z 0.011), and this was true for men versus women (20.2% vs 0%; p < 0.032). Large tumor size was significantly associated with poor OS. The 5-year OS rate of 67.7% for cases whose tumor were 5cm or less was inferior to that of 94.7% for cases whose tumor were larger than 5cm (p Z 0.041). Conclusions: Postoperative IMRT provides excellent local control for patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk. Positive margin is associated with higher LR rate. Author Disclosure: J. Wang: None. W. Shu-lian: None. S. Yong-wen: None. L. Xin-fan: None. J. Jing: None. W. Wei-hu: None. Y. Zi-hao: None. L. Yue-ping: None. L. Ye-xiong: None.
The interpretation of stable isotopes in deep-sea sediments: An error analysis case study

Abstract Stable oxygen isotope records are widely used in paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic studies. These records are subject to measurement and sampling errors as well as distortions from benthic mixing and nonlinear sedimentation. The magnitudes of these various errors are examined in this paper using an equatorial Pacific piston core record through Termination II. Measurement precision can be improved by increasing the sample size or by averaging the results from replicate analyses. Benthic mixing parameters and sedimentation rate history are important when a stratigraphic record is used to reconstruct original oceanographic and climatic signals. Obtaining an upper limit on the thickness of the benthic mixed layer is the most important concern in keeping processing noise small. Mixed layer thickness can be estimated in a variety of ways, including radiocarbon dating and the use of ash and tektite layer profiles. Sedimentation rate history can be determined in box cores by radiocarbon dating, but is difficult to constrain in older records. Uncertainties in the benthic mixing parameters and sedimentation rate history combine with measurement error to yield a large envelope of interpretive uncertainty around any measured isotope signal.
Compensation and Malingering in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Dose-Response Relationship?

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a dose-response relationship between potential monetary compensation and failure on psychological indicators of malingering in traumatic brain injury. 332 traumatic brain injury patients were divided into three groups based on incentive to perform poorly on neuropsychological testing: no incentive; limited incentive as provided by State law; high incentive as provided by Federal law. The rate of failure on five well-validated malingering indicators across these groups was examined. Cases handled under Federal workers compensation laws showed considerably higher rates of failure and diagnosable malingering than cases handled under State law. The findings indicate that monetary compensation associated with workers compensation claims is a major motive for exaggeration and malingering of problems attributed to work-related brain injuries. The clinician's index of suspicion regarding exaggeration and malingering of symptoms and deficits should be much hig...
Isotopic Study of NOxDecomposition over Cu- or Co-Exchanged ZSM-5 Zeolite Catalysts

Abstract The decomposition of NO x over Cu 2+ - and Co 2+ -exchanged ZSM-5 zeolites was investigated using isotope labeled 15 N 18 O and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) technique. We found that formation of NO 2 intermediates is responsible for enhancing the rate of NO x decomposition when the catalysts were treated in both 15 N 18 O and O 2 . Co-adsorption of 15 N 18 O and O 2 led to a dramatic increase in the amount of NO x and O 2 adsorbed. The surface NO x species decomposed or desorbed to form NO, O 2 , N 2 , and NO 2 during the TPD. This results in formation of equal amounts of 15 N 16 O and 15 N 18 O in NO products and 50% 15 N 16 O 18 O, 25% 15 N 16 O 2 , and 25% 15 N 18 O 2 in NO 2 products. In the absence of O 2 , formation of N 2 O was observed at 2 . For Cu–NaZSM-5, its N 2 O products are exclusively 15 N 2 18 O, suggesting that lattice oxygen is not involved in the formation of N 2 O (it is derived solely from 15 N 18 O) and the isotope exchange between 15 N 2 18 O with the zeolite lattice oxygen ( 16 O) is not significant. However, for Co–ZSM-5, formation of either N 2 O or NO 2 is negligible with 15 N 18 O treatment. Treatment in both 15 N 18 O and O 2 resulted in some formation of N 2 O, consisting of equal amounts of 15 N 2 16 O and 15 N 2 18 O, suggesting either isotopic exchange occurred between N 2 O and lattice oxygen, or between NO and lattice oxygen, or formation of N 2 O involved lattice oxygen. Except that the low-temperature activity for N 2 formation for Cu–NaZSM-5 treated in 15 N 18 O alone is due to formation of N 2 O, the majority of activity for N 2 formation is due to formation of NO 2 intermediates. The main difference between Cu–NaZSM-5 and Co–NaZSM-5 is that for Cu–NaZSM-5, in addition to the low-temperature activity shared by Co–NaZSM-5, it showed significant activity for nitric oxide decomposition at high temperatures (>360°C) while Co–NaZSM-5 showed little. A TOF of 2.88×10 −4 s −1 ·Cu −1 for Cu–NaZSM-5 at 122°C and at 0.1 vol.% 15 N 18 O and 0.4 vol.% O 2 is even higher than ∼2×10 −4 s −1 ·Cu −1 reported in the literature at >350°C, but at a much lower temperature. In terms of N 2 formation, Co–NaZSM-5 is about 2–3 times more active than Cu–NaZSM-5 at low temperatures ( 2 decomposition is approximately 4 times higher than that for NO at 320–370°C. Co–NaZSM-5 does not show any significant activity for NO decomposition but its activity for NO 2 decomposition is comparable to Cu–NaZSM-5.
Application of linear shallow shell theory of Reissner to frequency response of thin cylindrical panels with arbitrary lamination

Abstract A free vibration response of arbitrarily laminated – crafted with advanced fiber reinforced composite materials – thin and shallow cylindrical panels on rectangular planform with simply supported boundary conditions is analytically investigated. The thin shallow shell formulation of Reissner that follows the classical Kirchhoff–Love hypothesis of small displacements is considered to include arbitrarily laminated behaviors. The simply supported boundary condition having normal, tangential, and transverse displacements restrained at the edges is implemented. The solution functions in a form of mixed boundary continuous and discontinuous double Fourier series are assumed into the analytical solution formulation. The efficiency and accuracy of the solution methodology are determined by studying numerically the convergence behavior of frequencies for various parametric effects. The analytically obtained numerical results and mode shapes are compared with available finite element solutions, and the analytical results can be capitalized as base-line solutions for future comparisons.
The nature of Soviet mathematical psychology

Abstract This paper describes work done in the Soviet Union involving formal approaches to psychology. The work is taxonomized into cybernetic models, information theory and psychology, decision making, automata theory and psychology, and perception and psychophysics. Several projects are described in depth and many others are briefly mentioned. To facilitate the description of Soviet work, the history and current setting of Soviet mathematical psychology as well as appropriate ties to related Western work are described. Finally, some Soviet discussions of Western mathematical psychology are themselves discussed. On the whole, Soviet mathematical psychology is a young but growing field of study. Its main impetus has been cybernetics, and it has developed with little direct interaction with related Western work. While there are many similarities between Soviet and Western mathematical psychology, there are some interesting functional differences.
An ultrastructural study of early endosperm development and synergid changes in unfertilized cotton ovules.

Excised, unfertilized cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) ovules were cultured for 1–5 days postanthesis and embryo-sac development was studied with the electron microscope. In some ovules the two polar nuclei fuse and the diploid endosperm nucleus goes through a limited number of free nuclear divisions after 2–3 days in culture. Each nucleus has two nucleoli, in contrast to nuclei of fertilized triploid endosperm which have three nucleoli. Precocious cell walls form between the endosperm nuclei on the 3rd day in culture. The morphology of the plastids, mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), dictyosomes and microbodies, and the amount of starch and lipid in the diploid cellular endosperm are similar to those of the central cell. A few large helical polysomes appear close to plastids and mitochondria. After 2 days in culture, one of the two synergids in the unfertilized cultured ovules shows degenerative changes which in fertilized ovules are associated with the presence of the pollen tube, i.e., increase in electron density, collapse of vacuoles, irregular darkening and thickening of mitochondrial and plastid membranes, disappearance of the plasmalemma and the membranes of the plasmalemma and the membranes of the RER. The second synergid remains unchanged in appearance. The egg cell does not shrink or divide or show structural changes characteristic of the cotton zygote. Embryo-sac development is arrested on the 4th and 5th days in culture. The nucellus continues growth and at 14 days crushes the degenerate embryo sac.
An inquiry-based practicum model: What knowledge, practices, and relationships typify empowering teaching and learning experiences for student teachers, cooperating teachers and college supervisors?

Abstract The author examines an inquiry-based teaching/learning model involving diverse members of learning communities. A triad of cooperating teachers, student teachers, and a college supervisor engaged in ongoing and purposeful discourse to explore the teacher–learner (expert–novice) reciprocity, school culture and social relations. In their efforts to broaden and deepen their intellectual exchange, they interrogated their own and one another's beliefs, values, and perspectives about who owns knowledge and how knowledge is distributed/shared. This reflective and reflexive process helped to enhance their knowledge, practices, relationships, and practicum experience.
Effects of the serotonin agonist, quipazine, on luteinizing hormone and prolactin release: Evidence for serotonin-catecholamine interactions

Abstract The present study tested whether administration of the serotonin agonist, quipazine maleate, affects the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin (PRL) and concomitantly, the activity of central noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems. Quipazine (15 mg/kg, ip) significantly reduced LH and increased PRL when administered to ovariectomized rats. Associated with these changes, the depletion of dopamine seen after synthesis inhibition with α-methyl tyrosine was reduced by quipazine in the caudate nucleus and median eminence, suggesting a depression of dopaminergic activity. The depletion of norepinephrine in the median eminence was unaffected. In a second experiment, quipazine (1 μM) diminished the potassium-induced release of both norepinephrine and dopamine from fragments of medial basal hypothalamus, in vitro . Release from preoptic area was unaffected. These results suggest that central serotonergic systems may interact with noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems that regulate LH and PRL secretion, respectively.
The ClusNet algorithm and time series prediction.

This paper describes a novel neural network architecture named ClusNet. This network is designed to study the trade-offs between the simplicity of instance-based methods and the accuracy of the more computational intensive learning methods. The features that make this network different from existing learning algorithms are outlined. A simple proof of convergence of the ClusNet algorithm is given. Experimental results showing the convergence of the algorithm on a specific problem is also presented. In this paper, ClusNet is applied to predict the temporal continuation of the Mackey–Glass chaotic time series. A comparison between the results obtained with ClusNet and other neural network algorithms is made. For example, ClusNet requires one-tenth the computing resources of the instance-based local linear method for this application while achieving comparable accuracy in this task. The sensitivity of ClusNet prediction accuracies on specific clustering algorithms is examined for an application. The simplicity and fast convergence of ClusNet makes it ideal as a rapid prototyping tool for applications where on-line learning is required.
Responses of midbrain neurons to genital and somatosensory stimulation in estrous and anestrous cats.

Abstract The midbrain was explored in cats for single-unit responses to probing of the urogenital sinus and vagina. The animals had been ovariectomized, and half of them were behaviorally estrous due to previous estradiol injections. While under ether anesthesia the cats were fixed in the stereotaxic by a skull-mounted adapter. During recording the animals were maintained in a sedated condition by administration of urethane. Cells displaying distinct, short-latency responses to vaginal probing (genitally-sensitive neurons) were found to be widespread in the midbrain, occupying the regions known to receive afferents from the ventrolateral funiculi of the spinal cord, and also lying in the ventromedial tegmentum. The unit responses to vaginal probing tended to be less tightly time-locked and distinctive than those previously described for genitally-sensitive neurons in the pons and medulla. In some instances, the presence or pattern of a unit response to genital stimulation was related to the characteristics of the cortical EEG or the unit's spontaneous discharge pattern at the time the stimulus was applied. Nearly all of the genitally-sensitive neurons responded to extragenital somatic or visceral stimuli, particularly those of nociceptive intensity. In the estrous animals, more genitally-sensitive neurons were responsive to innocuous somatosensory stimuli, and their receptive fields included more regions of the body surface than did those of comparable genitally-sensitive neurons in anestrous animals.
Multifunctional polypropylene composites produced by incorporation of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets

Abstract The potential of using exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets, xGnPTM, as a reinforcement that can produce multifunctional polymer composites was explored. xGnP–polypropylene (PP) composites fabricated by melt mixing using a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding were investigated for their thermal, viscoelastic and barrier properties as a function of xGnP concentration and aspect ratio. These properties of the xGnP–PP composites were compared to the properties of composites made with PAN-based carbon fibers, VGCF, carbon black and nanoclay. Results indicate that when oriented properly, the xGnP will not only stiffen the composite but also reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion in two directions rather than in one as in the case of aligned fiber composites. Furthermore, the large aspect ratio of xGnP, even at low loadings, increases the oxygen barrier of PP at least as effectively as the commonly used nanoclays and finally, addition of xGnP significantly enhances the thermal conductivity of the polymer matrix.
The electrochemical reduction of the triphenylsulfonium ion

Summary A reaction scheme based on polarographic, controlled-potential electrolysis and cyclic voltammetric data has been proposed for the electrochemical reduction of the triphenylsulfonium ion in aqueous solution. Comparison of the reduction process with those of other analogus “onium” compounds of Group Va indicates that there are both similarities and interesting differences in their reaction paths. The role of adsorption appears to be an important one in the overall process.
Templated assembly of water-soluble nano-capsules: inter-phase sequestration, storage, and separation of hydrocarbon gases.

In aqueous solution, a deep-cavity cavitand was shown to self-assemble into dimeric nano-capsules via the sequestration of gaseous-phase hydrocarbons. The sequestration, assembly, and entrapment process was shown to be dependent on the hydrocarbon. Thus, by way of example, butane could be selectively sequestered from a propane−butane mixture.
The Subthreshold Potentials in a Crustacean Nerve Fibre

In a recent paper Katz (1937) has described a number of observations which are inconsistent with classical theories of excitation, but which may be explained by assuming that a subthreshold shock can elicit a small and localized action potential in the cathodic part of a nerve fibre. At first the assumption of a subthreshold response seems to be in conflict with the allor-nothing law, but there is in reality no contradiction, since the all-ornothing principle refers to the propagated disturbance, and does not exclude the possibility of graded reactions in the stimulated region. Indeed, the existence of some kind of subliminal action potential is to be expected from the local circuit theory of nervous transmission; for the current generated by the activity of a very short length of nerve would be too weak to excite surrounding regions, so that a shock which activated less than a certain length would fail to produce a self-propagating impulse and would leave behind only a small and localized response (cf. Rosenberg 1937, Rushton 1937).
Analysis of H-2 mutants: Evidence for multiple CML target specificities controlled by the H-2K b gene

C57BL/6 (H-2 b ) mice and two mutants derived from this strain, B6.C-H-2 ba (Hz1) andE6-H-2 bd (M505), were studied in a number of functional tests, in vitro and in vivo, that assay for differences at theH-2 complex. All three strains give rise to reciprocal mixed lymphocyte reactivity (MLR) and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) in vitro as well as graft-host reactivity (GVHR) and skin graft rejection in vivo. Analysis for cross-reactivity between these strains in CML revealed that the gained antigens in each mutant do not cross-react, and that Hz1 has lost an antigen shared by C57BL/6 and M505 strains. In addition, spleen cells from B10.A(4R) mice, which differ from theH-2 b haplotype only at theK end of theH-2 complex, recognize a common antigen shared by all three strains tested. Provided that the mutations occurred in theH-2K b gene, these data indicate that a) there are at least three antigenic specificities coded for by theH-2K b gene(s) that serve as targets for receptors on thymus-derived (T) cells in CML; b) since C57BL/6 strain mice and the mutants are serologically indistinguishable on a qualitative basis, the antigens recognized by the receptors on T cells and by humoral H-2 antibody are nonidentical; and c) mutation in theH-2K b locus itself can give rise to allogeneic recognition phenomena such as MLR and GVHR.
A mammalian somatic “cell cycle” mutant defective in G1

Variants or “mutants” temperature-sensitive (ts) for growth have been isolated by selection from a near-diploid mouse cell line. Thus far. 10 ts mutants which grow normally at 33° C, but not at 39° C, have been isolated. These ts mutants were then studied to determine if any manifested their defect at a unique point or stage in the cell cycle. This type of ts mutant is termed a “cell cycle” mutant. The first screen involves observing individual cells of an asynchronous culture for residual division after a shift from 33° C (permissive temperature) to 39° (nonpermissive temperature). A cell cycle mutant should show some fraction of the cells dividing only once at a normal rate after the shift. The ts variant B54 met this first criterion for a cell cycle mutant (i.e., 50% residual division) and was further analyzed. The second screening technique monitors (1) the rate of entry into S, (2) the length of G2, and (3) the rate and duration of cells entering mitosis after a shift of an asynchronous culture to 39°. This experiment with B54 revealed that cells in G1 at the time of the shift to 39° failed to enter S while cells already into S completed the cycle at 39°. These results suggest that B54 is defective in a G1 function which is required for entry into S, but which is no longer needed once cells have entered S. Other results are presented which also support this hypothesis. In addition the ts function of B54 is apparently required for recovery from a “high density” G1 arrest.
On the effects of nonlinear boundary conditions in diffusive logistic equations on bounded domains

Abstract We study a diffusive logistic equation with nonlinear boundary conditions. The equation arises as a model for a population that grows logistically inside a patch and crosses the patch boundary at a rate that depends on the population density. Specifically, the rate at which the population crosses the boundary is assumed to decrease as the density of the population increases. The model is motivated by empirical work on the Glanville fritillary butterfly. We derive local and global bifurcation results which show that the model can have multiple equilibria and in some parameter ranges can support Allee effects. The analysis leads to eigenvalue problems with nonstandard boundary conditions.
Comment on anomalous nuclear-acoustic-resonance line shapes in Ta with mobile hydrogen impurities

We have performed detailed numerical calculations for nuclear-acoustic-resonance line shapes appropriate for Ta where the spin relaxation is dominated by mobile hydrogen impurities. These calculations include intraspin cross relaxation due to defect-generated static electric field gradients. The calculated line shapes show a large amount of structure and are in almost complete quantitative agreement with recent experimental results.
Technology-driven forecasts, the Phillips curve, and monetary policy-making

Abstract The relationship between unemployment and the inflation rate is nonlinear and negative within the shorter-run timespan of business cycles, but positive in the longer run, the two-generation period in which techno-economic systems advance from innovation to market saturation. Monetary policymaking in the United States utilizes forecasts based upon the shorter term relationship, but these forecasts may be confounded by the countervailing long-wave relationship. This study presents a model that includes both the short- and long-term relationships and shows how inclusion of long-wave considerations changes preferred policy choices.