cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High‐pressure processing of pea protein–starch mixed systems: Effect of starch on structure formation

This work explores the structural effects of high‐pressure processing (HPP) on starch in mixed pea protein–starch systems of varying concentrations. Reconstituted pea protein concentrate containing 9, 12, and 15% (w/w) protein, without added starch or in combination with 4 or 8% (w/w) pea starch, respectively, were subjected to HPP at 600 MPa for 4 min, at 5°C. Structural changes were investigated using dynamic rheology, scanning electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The addition of starch enabled the formation of weak gels, at protein concentrations below the minimum required for gelation. Above the minimum protein concentration for gelation, starch addition resulted in stronger gels. Starch acted mainly as a filler in the pressure‐induced protein gel matrix, and starch granules remained intact after HPP. DSC analyses confirmed that starch remained ungelatinized after HPP, likely due to the limited availability of water in the mixed systems during HPP. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The structure of pressure‐induced protein gels can be enhanced by adding starch. Besides being a low‐cost ingredient, starch remains ungelatinized after high‐pressure treatment, and thus can act like a fiber. Therefore, pressure‐treated protein–starch mixtures may lead to the development of low‐glycemic index, high‐protein products.
Identifying the Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence in Scientific Text.

We describe a strategy for identifying the universe of research publications relevant to the application and development of artificial intelligence. The approach leverages the arXiv corpus of scientific preprints, in which authors choose subject tags for their papers from a set defined by editors. We compose a functional definition of AI relevance by learning these subjects from paper metadata, and then inferring the arXiv-subject labels of papers in larger corpora: Clarivate Web of Science, Digital Science Dimensions, and Microsoft Academic Graph. This yields predictive classification $F_1$ scores between .75 and .86 for Natural Language Processing (cs.CL), Computer Vision (cs.CV), and Robotics (cs.RO). For a single model that learns these and four other AI-relevant subjects (cs.AI, cs.LG, stat.ML, and cs.MA), we see precision of .83 and recall of .85. We evaluate the out-of-domain performance of our classifiers against other sources of topic information and predictions from alternative methods. We find that a supervised solution can generalize to identify publications that belong to the high-level fields of study represented on arXiv. This offers a method for identifying AI-relevant publications that updates at the pace of research output, without reliance on subject-matter experts for query development or labeling.
Blazing Fast OT for Three-Round UC OT Extension

Oblivious Transfer (OT) is an important building block for multi-party computation (MPC). Since OT requires expensive public-key operations, efficiency-conscious MPC protocols use an OT extension (OTE) mechanism [Beaver 96, Ishai et al. 03] to provide the functionality of many independent OT instances with the same sender and receiver, using only symmetric-key operations plus few instances of some base OT protocol. Consequently there is significant interest in constructing OTE friendly protocols, namely protocols that, when used as base-OT for OTE, result in extended OT that are both round-efficient and cost-efficient. We present the most efficient OTE-friendly protocol to date. Specifically: Our base protocol incurs only 3 exponentiations per instance. Our base protocol results in a 3 round extended OT protocol. The extended protocol is UC secure in the Observable Random Oracle Model (ROM) under the CDH assumption.
Backbone assignments and conformational dynamics in the S. typhimurium tryptophan synthase α-subunit from solution-state NMR

Backbone assignments for the isolated α-subunit of Salmonella typhimurium tryptophan synthase (TS) are reported based on triple resonance solution-state NMR experiments on a uniformly 2H,13C,15N-labeled sample. From the backbone chemical shifts, secondary structure and random coil index order parameters (RCI-S2) are predicted. Titration with the 3-indole-D-glycerol 3'-phosphate analog, N-(4'-trifluoromethoxybenzenesulfonyl)-2-aminoethyl phosphate (F9), leads to chemical shift perturbations indicative of conformational changes from which an estimate of the dissociation constant is obtained. Comparisons of the backbone chemical-shifts, RCI-S2 values, and site-specific relaxation times with and without F9 reveal allosteric changes including modulation in secondary structures and loop rigidity induced upon ligand binding. A comparison is made to the X-ray crystal structure of the α-subunit in the full TS αββα bi-enzyme complex and to two new X-ray crystal structures of the isolated TS α-subunit reported in this work.
Extensive Pneumorrhachis Associated with Vaping-Induced Lung Injury.

Background Pneumorrhachis refers to air within the spinal canal and is most commonly associated with traumatic spinal injuries or spine surgery. A link between pneumorrhachis and certain pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, has also been demonstrated in the literature; however, there are no previous reports of pneumorrhachis secondary to vaping-induced lung injury. Case Description A 15-year-old boy with vaping-induced lung injury experienced acute respiratory decompensation after straining. Computed tomography of the chest revealed bilateral pneumothoraces, extensive pneumomediastinum, and pneumorrhachis. Extensive air was seen in the spinal canal from the cervical spine down to the level of the T8 vertebrae. Conclusions The emerging condition of vaping-induced lung injury may place patients at risk for serious complications of extrapulmonary air including pneumorrhachis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pneumorrhachis secondary to vaping-induced lung injury.
Hot-Water Bathing Improves Symptoms in Patients with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Is Modulated by Chronic Cannabis Use.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a chronic functional GI disorder; a characteristic compulsive “hot-water bathing” pattern is reported to alleviate symptoms during an acute episode. There is limited data on this bathing pattern: proposed mechanisms include core temperature increase via effects on cannabinoid type 1 receptors in the brain, skin transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor stimulation, and blood flow shift from viscera to skin. We thus sought to characterize the hot-water bathing pattern in patients with CVS and identify differences between heavy cannabis users in comparison to occasional and non-users. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 111 patients with CVS at a single tertiary referral center. Questionnaires regarding clinical characteristics, hot-water bathing, and cannabis use were administered. Patients were classified based on cannabis usage into regular cannabis users (≥ 4 times/week), and occasional + non-users ( 80%) noted a marked improvement in nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and symptoms associated with panic. Regular cannabis users were more likely to use “very-hot” water (50% vs. 16%, p = 0.01) and time to relief of symptoms was longer (> 10 min) in this group, compared to the rest of the cohort. Hot-water bathing relieves both GI and symptoms related to panic in most patients which appear to be modulated by chronic cannabis use. These findings can help inform future physiologic studies in CVS pathogenesis.
Broadband acoustic silencer with ventilation based on slit-type Helmholtz resonators

Recently, sound attenuation with ventilation is highly needed in many practical applications. In this study, we report on a subwavelength acoustic silencer, named double-layer acoustic silencer (DAS), based on compactly assembled slit-type Helmholtz resonators (SHRs) for low-frequency broadband sound insulation while preserving ventilation. A simple yet insightful theoretical model is first established to characterize the sound insulation performance in terms of transmission loss (TL) and used for microstructure designs of the DAS. The fluctuating TL of the DAS, inevitably produced by the SHR resonances, is then mitigated and optimized via the introduction of viscosity and proper SHR frequency detuning. The overall TL is numerically investigated and experimentally observed to reach beyond 30 dB over the target working band of 0.48–0.95 kHz, with a maximum exceeding 50 dB. In addition, the proposed design also provides perfect ventilation when deployed in a duct environment, due to the straight and conserved airflow cross section. We believe that the proposed acoustic silencer design and its associated theoretical model pave the way for designing and optimizing highly efficient low-frequency subwavelength acoustic liners and silencers.
Chief stores officer and retailer performance

Abstract This research investigates the performance implications for retailers of having a chief stores officer (CSO) in the top management team (TMT). Using a matched sample consisting of 120 public retailers, we find that CSO presence is positively associated with 3 different performance metrics, namely, comparable store sales, profit per store, and Tobin's q. We also identify a partial mediating mechanism and find that CSO presence improves retailer performance through enhanced inventory turnover. Our results are robust to controlling for a series of TMT characteristics (such as chief marketing officer presence, chief operating officer presence, and TMT diversity), time-invariant unobservables at the retailer level, different measures of key variables, and alternate model specifications. As the first study that explores the phenomenon of CSO presence, our findings have important implications for public retailers on how to leverage marketing expertise in the TMT to improve performance.
Utilization of electronic health records for the assessment of adiponectin receptor autoantibodies during the progression of cardio-metabolic comorbidities.

Background Diabetes is a complex, multi-symptomatic disease whose complications drives increases in healthcare costs as the diabetes prevalence grows rapidly world-wide. Real-world electronic health records (EHRs) coupled with patient biospecimens, biological understanding, and technologies can characterize emerging diagnostic autoimmune markers resulting from proteomic discoveries. Methods Circulating autoantibodies for C-terminal fragments of adiponectin receptor 1 (IgG-CTF) were measured by immunoassay to establish the reference range using midpoint samples from 1862 participants in a 20-year observational study of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular arterial disease (CVAD) conducted by the Fairbanks Institute. The White Blood Cell elastase activity in these patients was assessed using immunoassays for Bikunin and Uristatin. Participants were assigned to four cohorts (healthy, T2D, CV, CV+T2D) based on analysis of their EHRs and the diagnostic biomarkers values and patient status were assessed ten-years post-sample. Results The IgG-CTF reference range was determined to be 75-821 ng/mL and IgG-CTF out-of-range values did not predict cohort or comorbidity as determined from the EHRs at 10 years after sample collection nor did IgG-CTF demonstrate a significant risk for comorbidity or death. Many patients at sample collection time had other conditions (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, or other risk factors) of which only hypertension, Uristatin and Bikunin values correlated with increased risk of developing additional comorbidities (odds ratio 2.58-13.11, P Conclusions This study confirms that retrospective analysis of biorepositories coupled with EHRs can establish reference ranges for novel autoimmune diagnostic markers and provide insights into prediction of specific health outcomes and correlations to other markers.
Ct characteristics of COVID-19 associated with adverse outcomes

Rationale: The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has overwhelmed global healthcare systems. It would be beneficial to identify clinical signs that predict adverse outcomes to anticipate clinical deterioration and optimize management. COVID-19 has presented with a variety of patterns on computed tomography (CT) and these findings may assist in disease stratification. This study aims to identify potential CT characteristics that may portend adverse outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 559 symptomatic patients infected with COVID-19 admitted from March 2020 to May 2020 at Temple University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA) who received thorax CT scans on admission. These scans were independently reviewed by a chest radiologist and evaluated for the presence of ground glass opacities, consolidations, interlobular septal thickening, enlarged pulmonary artery (PA) diameter, centrilobular nodules, and crazy paving pattern. Common CT findings were then associated with a combined adverse inpatient outcome (requiring high-flow oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and/or death) through univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of the 559 patients, 182 (32.6%) required high-flow oxygen, mechanical ventilation, and/or died. The cohort with adverse outcomes were older (mean age 65.0 years vs 56.7 years, p<0.0001), but had statistically similar gender, BMI and duration of symptoms compared to the cohort without adverse outcomes. The adverse outcome cohort had more COPD (18.7% vs 8.2%) but had statistically similar proportions of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. On multivariate logistic regression, a PA diameter greater than 30mm (OR 1.056 [95% CI 1.015-1.097], p=0.0064), segmental consolidations (OR 2.359 [95% CI 1.446-3.848], p=0.0009), and non-segmental consolidations (OR 2.441, [95% CI 1.440-4.140], p=0.0009) were found to be significant predictors of adverse inpatient outcomes of either requiring high-flow nasal cannula, mechanical ventilation, or death. Conclusion: In symptomatic COVID-19 patients, enlarged PA diameter and consolidations on chest CT were associated with worse outcomes. These findings are likely representative of advanced pulmonary involvement and may be predictors of patients who require more aggressive upfront therapy. Multicenter analysis would be beneficial to confirm these findings.
Self-supervised Detransformation Autoencoder for Representation Learning in Open Set Recognition.

The objective of Open set recognition (OSR) is to learn a classifier that can reject the unknown samples while classifying the known classes accurately. In this paper, we propose a self-supervision method, Detransformation Autoencoder (DTAE), for the OSR problem. This proposed method engages in learning representations that are invariant to the transformations of the input data. Experiments on several standard image datasets indicate that the pre-training process significantly improves the model performance in the OSR tasks. Meanwhile, our proposed self-supervision method achieves significant gains in detecting the unknown class and classifying the known classes. Moreover, our analysis indicates that DTAE can yield representations that contain more target class information and less transformation information than RotNet.
Transplantation of iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells promotes clinical recovery and repair in response to murine coronavirus-induced neurologic disease

Abstract Intracranial inoculation of susceptible strains of mice with the neuroadapted JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (JHMV, a member of the Coronaviridae family of viruses) results in an acute encephalomyelitis characterized by widespread growth of virus in astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes with relative sparing of neurons. Virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells infiltrate into the central nervous system in response to infection and control viral replication through secretion of interferon gamma as well as cytolytic activity. Nonetheless, virus persists in white matter tracts, and animals develop an immune-mediated demyelinating disease in which both T cells and macrophages amplify white matter damage. For the past decade, we have explored the therapeutic potential of human neural progenitor cells derived from pluripotent stem cells in promoting clinical recovery associated with remyelination of demyelinated axons following intraspinal transplantation. This chapter highlights recent studies from our laboratories demonstrating that tissue repair is associated with the emergence of regulatory T cells in response to transplantation of NPCs.
Structural and Control Optimization

In this paper we have examined the integrated approach to the simultaneous optimization of the structure and control system. The approach is illustrated for a linear quadratic regulator control applied to a flexible structure. Analytical sensitivity expressions are used. An illustrative example is solved with constraints on the closed-loop eigenvalues and the spectral radius which defines the robustness characteristics of the control design.
Sequence-Level Analysis of the Major European Huntington Disease Haplotype

Huntington disease (HD) reflects the dominant consequences of a CAG-repeat expansion in HTT. Analysis of common SNP-based haplotypes has revealed that most European HD subjects have distinguishable HTT haplotypes on their normal and disease chromosomes and that ∼50% of the latter share the same major HD haplotype. We reasoned that sequence-level investigation of this founder haplotype could provide significant insights into the history of HD and valuable information for gene-targeting approaches. Consequently, we performed whole-genome sequencing of HD and control subjects from four independent families in whom the major European HD haplotype segregates with the disease. Analysis of the full-sequence-based HTT haplotype indicated that these four families share a common ancestor sufficiently distant to have permitted the accumulation of family-specific variants. Confirmation of new CAG-expansion mutations on this haplotype suggests that unlike most founders of human disease, the common ancestor of HD-affected families with the major haplotype most likely did not have HD. Further, availability of the full sequence data validated the use of SNP imputation to predict the optimal variants for capturing heterozygosity in personalized allele-specific gene-silencing approaches. As few as ten SNPs are capable of revealing heterozygosity in more than 97% of European HD subjects. Extension of allele-specific silencing strategies to the few remaining homozygous individuals is likely to be achievable through additional known SNPs and discovery of private variants by complete sequencing of HTT. These data suggest that the current development of gene-based targeting for HD could be extended to personalized allele-specific approaches in essentially all HD individuals of European ancestry.
Observations of Transition Region Plasma

Recent space missions have changed our view of the solar transition region. In particular the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and NASA’s TRACE satellite have provided a unique opportunity to explore the solar atmosphere in detail. The combination of high spatial, spectral and temporal observations has made it possible to derive three dimensional images of the emission and velocity structures of solar features. Active region loop structures at transition region temperatures appear to be extremely time variable and dynamic, a result with profound implications for our understanding and modeling of the upper solar atmosphere. Large Dopplershifts have also been observed in these structures. A 3-minute transition region oscillation has been observed above sunspots suggesting upward-propagating acoustic waves. Clear evidence of velocity oscillations in the internetwork regions has also been observed in both the chromosphere and the transition region. The longstanding and puzzling problem of the apparent net red shift of emission lines from the transition region has been revisited. The extensive wavelength coverage of the SOHO spectrometers has made it possible to extend the measurements to much higher temperatures compared to previous instruments. The combination of magnetograms, EUV spectral imaging and the high resolution broad-band images from TRACE has also given us new insight concerning the structure of the transition region and its relation with the photospheric magnetic field.
Pruning Redundant Association Rules Using Maximum Entropy Principle

Data mining algorithms produce huge sets of rules, practically impossible to analyze manually. It is thus important to develop methods for removing redundant rules from those sets. We present a solution to the problem using the Maximum Entropy approach. The problem of efficiency of Maximum Entropy computations is addressed by using closed form solutions for the most frequent cases. Analytical and experimental evaluation of the proposed technique indicates that it efficiently produces small sets of interesting association rules.
Transgenic Expression of IL-10 in T Cells Facilitates Development of Experimental Myasthenia Gravis

Ab to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) cause experimental myasthenia gravis (EMG). Th1 cytokines facilitate EMG, whereas Th2 cytokines might be protective. IL-10 inhibits Th1 responses but facilitates B cell proliferation and Ig production. We examined the role of IL-10 in EMG by using wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and transgenic (TG) C57BL/6 mice that express IL-10 under control of the IL-2 promoter. We immunized the mice with doses of AChR that cause EMG in WT mice or with low doses ineffective at causing EMG in WT mice. After low-dose AChR immunization, WT mice did not develop EMG and had very little anti-AChR serum Ab, which were mainly IgG1, whereas TG mice developed EMG and had higher levels of anti-AChR serum Ab, which were mainly IgG2, in addition to IgG1. At the higher doses, TG mice developed EMG earlier and more frequently than WT mice and had more serum anti-AChR Ab. Both strains had similar relative serum concentrations of anti-AChR IgG subclasses and IgG and complement at the muscle synapses. CD8(+)-depleted splenocytes from all AChR-immunized mice proliferated in the presence of AChR and recognized a similar epitope repertoire. CD8(+)-depleted splenocytes from AChR-immunized TG mice stimulated in vitro with AChR secreted significantly more IL-10, but less of the prototypic Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma, than those from WT mice. They secreted comparable amounts of IL-4 and slightly but not significantly reduced amounts of IL-2. This suggests that TG mice had reduced activation of anti-Torpedo AChR Th1 cells, but increased anti-AChR Ab synthesis, that likely resulted from IL-10-mediated stimulation of anti-AChR B cells. Thus, EMG development is not strictly dependent on Th1 cell activity.
Galvanische Zellen mit festen Elektrolyten mit gemischter Stromleitung

Zum Aufbau galvanischer Zellen mit festen Elektrolyten mit gemischter Stromleitung konnen 1. reversible Elektroden mit definiertem chemischem Potential einer der beiden Komponenten des gemischten Leiters, 2. Ionenleiter mit gleichem Kation oder Anion wie im gemischten Leiter, oder 3. inerte Elektronenleiter als Elektroden benutzt werden. Die Eignung der einzelnen Typen von galvanischen Zellen mit verschiedenen Elektroden zur Bestimmung der Anteile von Ionen- und Elektronenleitung in gemischten Leitern wird systematisch diskutiert. Die klassische Methode zur Bestimmung der relativen Anteile von Ionen- und Elektronenleitung beruht auf der Bestimmung des Stoffumsatzes bei Stromflus durch einen gemischten Leiter zwischen reversiblen Elektroden. Um kleine Anteile von Ionen-oder Elektronenleitung noch erfassen zu konnen, empfiehlt sich vor allem die Aufnahme von Stromdichte-Spannungs-Kurven von Zellen, in denen entweder die Elektronenleitung oder die Ionenleitung durch geeignete Wahl der Elektroden unterdruckt ist.
Comment on ‘Causal inference, probability theory, and graphical insights’ by Stuart G. Baker.

Forthcoming, Statistics in Medicine, Volume 32, Number 25, November 2013. TECHNICAL REPORT R-412 June 2013 Comment on “Causal inference, probability theory, and graphical insights” by Stuart G. Baker Judea Pearl University of California, Los Angeles Computer Science Department Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1596, USA judea@cs.ucla.edu Modern causal inference owes much of its progress to a strict and crisp distinction between probabilistic and causal information. This distinction recognizes that prob- ability theory is insufficient for posing causal questions, let alone answering them, and dictates that every exercise in causal inference must commence with some extra knowledge that cannot be expressed in probability alone. 1 The paper by Baker at- tempts to overturn this distinction and argues that “probability theory is a desirable and sufficient basis for many topics in causal inference.” My comments will disprove Baker’s claim, in the hope of convincing readers of the importance of keeping the boundaries between probabilistic and causal concepts crisp and visible. Baker’s argument begins with: “...besides explaining such causal graph topics as M -bias (adjusting for a collider) and bias amplification and attenuation (when adjusting for instrumental variable), probability theory is also the foundation of the paired availability design for historical control” (abstract). While I am not versed in the intricacies of “paired availability design” (Google Scholar lists only a handful of entries in this category), I doubt it can be based solely on probabilities. Indeed, Baker himself resorts to counterfactuals and other non-probabilistic notions 2 in explaining the research questions a “paired availability design” attempts to answer. I am quite familiar however with the concepts of “M -bias,” “bias,” “Simpson’s paradox,” and “instrumental variable” which I will show to have no interpretation in probability theory alone. I will start with the concept of “instrumental variable” which should be familiar to most readers, and which is often mistaken to have probabilistic definition (see [2, pp. Cartwright [1] summarized this limitation in a well-known slogan: “no causes in, no causes out.” By “non-probabilistic notions” I mean relations or parameters that cannot be defined in terms of joint distributions of observed variables. The restriction to observed variable is important for, otherwise, everything would become probabilistic, including Cinderella’s age, horoscopic predictions, counterfactuals, latent variables, the answers to our research questions, and so on; we need merely hypothesize a distribution over such variables and turn every problem probabilistic. The distinction between causal in probability information would then lose its meaning and usefulness.
Parts and Wholes: Goffman and Cooley

This essay begins with an outline of the part-whole method, a way of relating particular instances to general concepts or propositions. This method is illustrated by seven propositions extracted from Cooley's work that seem to be illustrated by concrete examples from Goffman's writing. This method weds qualitative study with theory in a preliminary way, and ultimately, qualitative and quantitative methods. Since Goffman's examples breathe life into our enterprise, it may be fruitful to use every one of them, connecting them not only with Cooley 's theses, but generating others as well.
Electromechanical Systems with Transient High Power Response Operating from a Resonant AC Link

The combination of an inherently robust asynchronous (induction) electrical machine with the rapid control of energy provided by a high frequency resonant AC link enables the efficient management of higher power levels with greater versatility. This could have a variety of applications from launch vehicles to all-electric automobiles. These types of systems utilize a machine which is operated by independent control of both the voltage and frequency. This is made possible by using an indirect field-oriented control method which allows instantaneous torque control in all four operating quadrants. Incorporating the AC link allows the converter in these systems to switch at the zero crossing of every half cycle of the AC waveform. This zero loss switching of the link allows rapid energy variations to be achieved without the usual frequency proportional switching loss. Several field-oriented control systems were developed by LeRC and General Dynamics Space Systems Division under contract to NASA. A description of a single motor, electromechanical actuation system is presented. Then, focus is on a conceptual design for an AC electric vehicle. This design incorporates an induction motor/generator together with a flywheel for peak energy storage. System operation and implications along with the associated circuitry are addressed. Such a system would greatly improve all-electric vehicle ranges over the Federal Urban Driving Cycle (FUD).
Direct calculation of time-periodic states of continuum models of radio-frequency plasmas

Abstract Time-periodic solutions of the partial differential equation set for a one-dimensional model of a radio-frequency plasma are computed directly by finite-difference discretization of the equations and by Newton's method for computing the time-periodic states of periodically forced ordinary differential equations. The monodromy matrix is computed by integration of the sensitivity equations for one period of the oscillation, and is used to calculate the Jacobian matrix needed for the Newton iteration. An improvement by more than two orders of magnitude in the execution speed of the calculation is achieved by the Newton iteration compared to time integration to a periodic state. The Newton iteration is coupled with continuation methods for tracking solutions in parameter space and with linear stability analysis based on the eigenvalues of the monodromy matrix. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by calculations for an argon plasma and the ignition—extinction characteristics of the plasma are explained in terms of bifurcation and limit points in the solution families.
THE CONTRACTILE VACUOLE AS AN ENDOCYTIC ORGANELLE OF THE CHLAMYDOMONAD FLAGELLATE GLOEOMONAS KUPFFERI (VOLVOCALES, CHLOROPHYTA)1

The endomembrane system of the chlamydomonad flagellate, Gloeomonas kupfferi Skuja, consists of a complex network of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, and various vacuoles. One of the more distinct vacuolar components is the contractile vacuole (CV) complex, which consists of two anterior contractile vacuoles that expand/contract approximately every 30 s. In this study, experimental cytochemical labeling was performed to help elucidate possible endocytic/membrane recycling mechanisms in Gloeomonas and the possible role of the contractile vacuole in this process. When incubated with 0.5 mg · mL−1 cationic ferritin for short periods of time (2–60 min), labeling follows this route: inner membrane of CV, globular deposits in the CV and associated vesicles, and ultimately the terminal trans face cisternae of the Golgi apparatus (GA). Similar incubations with Lucifer yellow and concanavalin A—gold conjugates support distinct uptake of exogenous ligands by the CV and associated vesicles. Our results suggest that the contractile vacuole may be a site of endocytosis and that the trans GA loci may be a key site of membrane recycling.
The Importance of Practice in the Development of Statistics

The article shows how application and consideration of the scientific context in which statistics is used can initiate important advances such as least squares, ratio estimators, correlation, contingency tables, studentization, experimental design, the analysis of variance, randomization, fractional replication, variance component analysis, bioassay, limits for a ratio, quality control, sampling inspection, nonparametric tests, transformation theory, ARIMA time series models, sequential tests, cumulative sum charts, data analysis plotting techniques, and a resolution of the Bayes-frequentist controversy. It appears that advances of this kind are frequently made because practical context reveals a novel formulation that eliminates an unnecessarily limiting framework.
Building a cascade detector and its applications in automatic target detection

A hierarchical classifier (cascade) is proposed for target detection. In building an optimal cascade we considered three heuristics: (1) use of a frontier-following approximation, (2) controlling error rates, and (3) weighting. Simulations of synthetic data with various underlying distributions were carried out. We found that a weighting heuristic is optimal in terms of both computational complexity and error rates. We initiate a systematic comparison of several potential heuristics that can be utilized in building a hierarchical model. A range of discussions regarding the implications and the promises of cascade architecture as well as of techniques that can be integrated into this framework is provided. The optimum heuristic--weighting algorithms--was applied to an IR data set. It was found that these algorithms outperform some state-of-the-art approaches that utilize the same type of simple classifier.
Through a lens sharply

The blue fin tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ) is a wide ranging pelagic predator and vastly overexploited food resource with enviable visual mechanisms. As can be seen on the cover, the blue fin tuna provides succulent sashimi, but the animal is extraordinary in several other aspects as well. Most fish are poikilothermic, and as a result, maintain the temperature of the sea around them. The lower body temperature may penalise such fish because sluggishness and neurological lethargy will accompany lower body temperatures. A poikilothermic predator, then, risks temperature induced languor, as well as poorer optical function during the hunt. To solve this problem, some piscine predators have evolved ingenious thermal mechanisms. The blue fin tuna, nearly at the apex of the food chain, has solved this problem in a curious manner. Blue fin tuna are not poikilothermic, but endothermic, at least partially. The predatory tuna species will sustain body core temperatures that average 23–26°C; a core temperature which is sometimes as much as 21°C above ambient temperatures. These are not mammalian levels, to be sure, but they are sufficient to ensure that these predators will be spry in colder waters, …
Time to consensus

Abstract The dynamics of a two-state decision-making model (DMM) with a tunable control parameter K is described. On all-to-all (ATA) networks, the system undergoes a phase transition at a critical value of K c = 1 . Scale-free networks were also found to undergo phase transitions, but the value of K c increases as the scale-free exponent increases. Time to consensus is defined as a first passage time to a specified threshold of the global mean field, which represents a level of majority for the network. At criticality, the time to consensus for sparse networks with broad degree distributions (e.g., scale-free networks) approaches that of the ATA networks, although somewhat more cooperation (higher K c ) is required.
Access to String Instruction in American Public Schools

This study is an examination of string access in American public schools; the researcher sought to determine the actual number of school districts in each state that offered string instruction and at which grade levels. Specific questions posed were (a) What is the current relationship between access to string instruction and school-district location, size, and socioeconomic level? (b) How does access vary by school type—elementary, middle, high school? (c) How does access vary in different regions of the country? Data were obtained for each of the 14,183 school districts listed in the 1994-1995 Market Data Retrieval School Directories. A total of 2,268 districts (15.99%) were identified that offered string instruction. Of these, it was found that 71.42% (N = 1,620) offered string instruction at the elementary school level, 78.52% (N = 1,781) at the middle school level, and 80.15%) (N = 1,818) at the high school level. The findings also indicated that string instruction was offered most often in average-s...
Theory of host sensitized luminescence of rare earth doped materials. I. Parity considerations

The theory of host sensitized luminescence based on the electrostatic model of interaction is extended beyond the free ionic system approximation and improved by the contributions that break the limitations of the single configuration approximation. The approach is based on double perturbation theory and defined in the terms of tensor operators. The parity requirements and consequent selection rules are discussed in the case of various contributions to the energy transfer probability defined up to the third order of perturbation expansion.
Play therapy experiences as described by child participants.

r-pHERAPISTS have their intentions i in therapy clearly defined in their own minds. They have their theories and goals and methods of evaluating the outcomes of therapeutic experiences. In all likelihood there wpuld be general agreement among all therapists that a "successful" therapeutic experience for a child would bring about marked and noticeable changes in the child's behavior—physically as well as psychologically. For example, reports from parents at the conclusion of "successful" therapy for the child include observations that the child is more relaxed, eats better, sleeps better, shows improvement in his coordination, no longer manifests overt behavior symptoms of tension or anxiety such as nail-biting, bed wetting, hair-pulling, or any of the other possible symptoms that he may have had prior to the therapeutic experiences. Usually the child is reported as being more cooperative, happier, more spontaneous in all of his behavior. In other words, the descriptions given of the child at home and at school indicate that the child has achieved adequate adjustability so that he functions with ease and enjoyment both, individually and in groups. He has become a happy child in harmony with his world. From such observational evaluation, the therapist draws up a picture of what has happened to the child during the period of his therapeutic experience. There are differences of opinion as to the dynamics that are in operation which facilitate these observable changes. Theories and explanations of process are varied. The perceptions of different therapists are often at variance. The question that is raised frequently is one that is a challenging and provocative one: What element or elements in all successful therapeutic approaches are the essentials that bring about these changes? Are the changes that are observed immediately after the termination of therapy lasting changes? Speculation alone does not provide the answers, but research, followup studies, and investigations from various angles into the process might throw additional light in this direction.
Enabling high-bandwidth vehicular content distribution

We present VCD, a novel system for enabling high-bandwidth content distribution in vehicular networks. In VCD, a vehicle opportunistically communicates with nearby access points (APs) to download the content of interest. To fully take advantage of such transient contact with APs, we proactively push content to the APs that the vehicles will likely visit in the near future. In this way, vehicles can enjoy the full wireless capacity instead of being bottle-necked by the Internet connectivity, which is either slow or even unavailable. We develop a new algorithm for predicting the APs that will soon be visited by the vehicles. We then develop a replication scheme that leverages the synergy among (i) Internet connectivity (which is persistent but has limited coverage and low bandwidth), (ii) local wireless connectivity (which has high bandwidth but transient duration), (iii) vehicular relay connectivity (which has high bandwidth but high delay), and (iv) mesh connectivity among APs (which has high bandwidth but low coverage). We demonstrate the effectiveness of VCD system using trace-driven simulation and Emulab emulation based on real taxi traces. We further deploy VCD in two vehicular networks: one using 802.11b and the other using 802.11n, to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Nonuniqueness conditions for the solutions of the Dirichlet problem in a unit disk in terms of the coefficients of differential equation

We consider the Dirichlet problem in a unit disk for the main-type partial differential equations with constant complex-valued coefficients whose symbols are forms of any even order. We establish the nonuniqueness conditions for the solution in terms of the coefficients of equation for the case where the angles of inclination of the complex characteristics exist. We construct some examples of equations for which the Dirichlet problem in a disk has nontrivial solutions and is not Noetherian.
Parallel state estimation using multiprocessors

Abstract Static state estimation for large-scale systems is parallelized using sparse vector techniques. The proposed parallel algorithm assumes a MIMD (multiple instruction, multiple data) type parallel processing capability. Some simulation results based on the runs made on a serial computer are given.
Effect of loading rate on dynamic fracture initiation toughness of brittle materials

Numerical simulation is carried out to investigate the effect of loading rate on dynamic fracture initiation toughness including the crack-tip constraint. Finite element analyses are performed for a single edge cracked plate whose crack surface is subjected to uniform pressure with various loading rate. The first three terms in the Williams’ asymptotic series solution is utilized to characterize the crack-tip stress field under dynamic loads. The coefficient of the third term in Williams’ solution, A 3, was utilized as a crack tip constraint parameter. Numerical results demonstrate that (a) the dynamic crack tip opening stress field is well represented by the three term solution at various loading rate, (b) the loading rate can be reflected by the constraint, and (c) the constraint A 3 decreases with increasing loading rate. To predict the dynamic fracture initiation toughness, a failure criterion based on the attainment of a critical opening stress at a critical distance ahead of the crack tip is assumed. Using this failure criterion with the constraint parameter, A 3, fracture initiation toughness is determined and in agreement with available experimental data for Homalite-100 material at various loading rate.
Market Exchange and Wealth Distribution: A Classroom Simulation

The author offers an activity in which students are endowed with different colored (valued) M&M candies that they then trade to achieve combinations that have greater value than their individual pieces. The exercise is designed to show the role of diverse skills and aptitudes, effort, creativity, initial resource endowments, and market exchange in determining patterns of wealth.
Proteomic Analysis of Protein Complexes

While it sometimes does not generate the publicity that biomarker discovery does, the identification of protein complexes may be the most popular use of proteomic technology. The partners a protein interacts with is a key component that describes the function of any protein. Basic research has long appreciated the importance of identifying protein interactions through techniques such as Western blotting and colocalization studies using immunofluorescence microscopy. This appreciation has carried over into the field of proteomics and brought with it the development of tools that increase the capabilities to characterize protein complexes to a far greater scale. While advances in technology have had a huge impact, sample preparation issues related to the isolation of protein complexes remains a critical factor in determining the success of these types of studies.
Dual estradiol action in diencephalon and the regulation of sociosexual behavior in female golden hamsters

Previously, we found that single implants of estradiol (E2) placed in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) but not the anterior hypothalamus (AH) facilitated precopulatory, i.e. vaginal scent marking, and copulatory, i.e. lordosis, behavior following progesterone administration. However, the duration of lordosis was markedly attenuated in comparison to the duration shown by intact cycling females. This study was designed to examine whether dual implantation of E2 in the diencephalon would facilitate patterns of precopulatory and copulatory behaviors similar to those shown by intact cycling females. One E2 implant was placed in either the medial preoptic area (MPO) or AH and a second E2 implant was placed in the VMH. Control females were tested following E2 application at only the MPO or AH region in conjunction with a cholesterol implant in the VMH. An additional control group was tested with females implanted with cholesterol at both MPO-AH regions and the VMH. During a 2-day postimplantation test period, vaginal marking scores were elevated for both single and dual E2 implanted females and agonistic response patterns toward males declined significantly. In addition, a significant inverse relationship was found between the number of vaginal marks and bites exhibited by females with single E2 implants in the MPO, whereas these two response patterns were positively correlated in females with E2 stimulation occurring only in the AH region. No significant relationship was found between vaginal marking and biting attack for females receiving dual E2 stimulation. Systemic progesterone administration on the third postimplantation day facilitated sexual receptivity in the majority of females with dual E2 implants (>90%). These receptive females displayed lordotic responsiveness that closely matches the full display of sexual receptivity shown by intact cycling females. In contrast, only one female with a single E2 implant in the AH region showed sexual responsiveness. The results demonstrate that: (1) precopulatory vaginal marking and biting attack are mediated by E2 action in the MPO and AH but in a different manner; (2) additional action of E2 in the VMH diminishes the distinctive precopulatory behavioral effects of E2 in the MPO and AH suggesting an influential role of the VMH in regulating sociosexual activities; and (3) E2 action in either the MPO or AH region in conjunction with E2 action in the VMH may be necessary in order to facilitate the species-typical display of lordotic responsiveness.