cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal dynamics of quarks and mesons $ \mathcal{N} = {2^*} $ Yang-Mills theory

We study the dynamics of quenched fundamental matter in $ \mathcal{N} = {2^*} $ supersymmetric large N c SU(N c ) Yang-Mills theory, extending our earlier work to finite temperature. We use probe D7-branes in the holographically dual thermalized generalization of the $ \mathcal{N} = {2^*} $ Pilch-Warner gravitational background found by Buchel and Liu. Such a system provides an opportunity to study how key features of the dynamics are affected by being in a non-conformal setting where there is an intrinsic scale, set here by the mass, m H , of a hypermultiplet. Such studies are motivated by connections to experimental studies of the quark-gluon plasma at RHIC and LHC, where the microscopic theory of the constituents, QCD, has a scale, ΛQCD. We show that the binding energy of mesons in the $ \mathcal{N} = {2^*} $ theory is increased in the presence of the scale m H , and that subsequently the meson-melting temperature is higher than for the conformal case.
Solubilities and diffusion coefficients of inert gases in inorganic glasses. Comparison based on percolation theorie

Comparing several predictions from percolation theory with experimental solubilities and diffusivities, it has been found that fused SiO2 probably contains extended defects which dominate these properties, and that the network structure is thus distinctly nonrandom. It appears that the approach pursued here can effectively complement various other physical measurements in characterizing glass network structures, especially if data of much higher precision will be available in the future. Durch Vergleich einiger Vorhersagen der Perkolationstheorie mit experimentellen Werten von Loslichkeits- und Diffusionskoeffizienten, wird gefunden, das Quarzglas wahrscheinlich ausgedehnte Defekte enthalt, die diese Eigenschaften bestimmen, und das die Netzwerkstruktur deshalb deutlich nicht-statistisch ist. Es scheint, das die hier vorgeschlagene Behandlung verschiedene andere physikalische Messungen bei der Charakterisierung von Glas-Netzwerkstrukturen wirkungsvoll erganzen kann, insbesondere, wenn in Zukunft viel genauere Daten vorliegen werden.
SIGNIFICANCE OF FORMATION FACTOR IN SAND STRUCTURE CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract The formation factor F, obtained by electrical conductivity measurements of saturated sand samples, has been recently correlated with the liquefaction behavior of sands (2). The significance of F as a parameter obtained by nondestructive technique is discussed here, showing its capability to characterize the structure of anisotropic sand aggregates.
A Semiparametric Bayesian Model for Circular-Linear Regression

Circular data are observations that are represented as points on a unit circle. Times of day and directions of wind are two such examples. In this work, we present a Bayesian approach to regress a circular variable on a linear predictor. The regression coefficients are assumed to have a nonparametric distribution with a Dirichlet process prior. The semiparametric Bayesian approach gives added flexibility to the model and is useful especially when the likelihood surface is ill behaved. Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques are used to fit the proposed model and to generate predictions. The method is illustrated using an environmental data set.
Resistance to teratogenesis by F1 and F2 embryos of PAH-adapted Fundulus heteroclitus is strongly inherited despite reduced recalcitrance of the AHR pathway

Atlantic killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) inhabiting the Atlantic Wood Superfund site on the Elizabeth River (Portsmouth, VA, USA) are exposed to a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from former creosote operations, but are resistant to the acute toxicity and cardiac teratogenesis caused by PAHs. The resistance is associated with a dramatic recalcitrance to induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP1) metabolism enzymes following exposure to aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonists, along with an elevated antioxidant response and increased expression of several other xenobiotic metabolism and excretion enzymes. However, the heritability of the resistance in the absence of chemical stressors has been inconsistently demonstrated. Understanding the heritability of this resistance will help clarify the nature of population-level responses to chronic exposure to PAH mixtures and aid in identifying the important mechanistic components of resistance to aryl hydrocarbons. We compared the response of Atlantic Wood F1 and F2 embryos to benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126), and a mixture of BkF and fluoranthene (Fl) to that of F1 embryos of reference site killifish. Resistance to cardiac teratogenesis and induction of CYP mRNA expression and CYP activity was determined. We found that both Atlantic Wood F1 and F2 embryos were highly resistance to cardiac teratogenesis. However, the resistance by Atlantic Wood F2 embryos to induction of CYP mRNA expression and enzyme activity was intermediate between that of Atlantic Wood F1 embryos and reference embryos. These results suggest that resistance to cardiac teratogenesis in Atlantic Wood fish is conferred by multiple factors, not all of which appear to be fully genetically heritable.
Laser-interstitial thermal therapy for refractory cerebral edema from post-radiosurgery metastasis.

Background Stereotactic radiosurgery is often an effective tool for the treatment of brain metastases. A complication of radiosurgical treatment for brain metastasis can be persistent cerebral edema. Treatments of this refractory cerebral edema include observation, corticosteroids, and surgical resection of the edema-inducing mass. Laser-interstitial thermal therapy is a minimally invasive technique for ablating intracranial lesions. It may provide a treatment option for metastases after radiosurgery causing refractory cerebral edema. Case Description We report the case of a 64-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma presenting to our department with left hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed an 18-mm enhancing lesion in the right external capsule with significant surrounding edema. The lesion was treated by radiosurgery. There was persistent edema after radiosurgery. The patient required continued corticosteroid therapy to maintain his ability to ambulate. He developed refractory hyperglycemia, weight gain, and bilateral proximal muscle weakness secondary to this therapy. Fourteen weeks after radiosurgery, he underwent laser-interstitial thermal therapy for lesion ablation. He was weaned off corticosteroids during 2 weeks and maintained his strength during the following month. Conclusions Laser-interstitial thermal therapy may be a treatment option for refractory cerebral edema after stereotactic radiosurgery to a metastasis. This therapy may be of particular use in deep-seated lesions refractory to corticosteroid therapy.
Reverse-bias safe operation area of large area MCT and IGBT

Abstract A comprehensive investigation of the reverse-bias safe operation area (RBSOA) of large area MOS controlled thyristor (MCT) and insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) was performed and results are reported in this paper. Multi-cell devices turn-off failure due to non-uniform gate delay was first investigated. Fundamental device characteristic difference between MCT and IGBT was discussed. It is found that, under isothermal and homogeneity condition, the RBSOAs of both devices are determined by the sustain-mode dynamic avalanche limitation and the maximum controllable current density limitation. If device inhomogeneity exists, the turn-off failure will occur at power densities that are much lower than the RBSOA decided by these two limitations. A new parameter, called dynamic avalanche conductance (gdynamic), was defined to describe the characteristic of dynamic avalanche of the two devices. Finally, the RBSOAs of large area MCT and IGBT are summarized and compared.
Protein kinase inhibitors that inhibit induction of lytic program and replication of Epstein-Barr Virus

Signaling pathways mediating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation by Ag-bound B-cell receptor (BCR) were analyzed using a panel of 80 protein kinase inhibitors. Broad range protein kinase inhibitors Staurosporine, K252A, and PKC-412 significantly reduced the EBV genome copy numbers measured 48 h after reactivation perhaps due to their higher toxicity. In addition, selected inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathways, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), platelet-derived growth factor receptor-associated tyrosine kinase (PDGFRK), and epidermal growth factor receptor-associated tyrosine kinase (EGFRK) significantly reduced the EBV genome copy numbers. Of those, only U0126 and Erbstatin analog, which inhibit MAPK pathway and EGFRK, respectively, did not inhibit viral reactivation assessed by expression of the EBV early protein, EA-D. None of the tested compounds, except for K252A, affected the activity of the EBV-encoded protein kinase in vitro. These results show that EBV reactivation induced by BCR signaling is mainly mediated through PI3K and PKC, whereas MAPK might be involved in later stages of viral replication.
Hypocarnitinaemia Induced by Sodium Pivalate in the Rat is Associated with Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Impaired Energy Metabolism

Carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that is essential in energy metabolism of the mammalian heart. In addition to its essential role in facilitating s-oxidation, carnitine eliminates excess toxic acyl residues and regulates the mitochondrial acetyl coenzyme A (CoA)/CoA ratio. Thus, it is not surprising that patients with carnitine deficiency syndromes exhibit defects in energy metabolism and in some cases demonstrate left ventricular dysfunction. Pivalic acid is commonly used to create prodrugs, such as pivampicillin and pivmecillinam, to facilitate enteral absorption and increase oral bioavailability. Pivalic acid released from the drug following absorption readily forms an ester with carnitine, which is then excreted as pivaloylcarnitine. Sustained loss of carnitine in the form of this ester induces a state of carnitine deficiency, exemplified by low plasma and tissue carnitine content. This review examines the effects in the rat of short- and long-term sodium pivalate treatment on: (1) cardiac carnitine content; (2) in vitro mechanical function; (3) markers of glycolytic and fatty acid metabolism; and (4) energy substrate metabolism. Treatment with sodium pivalate induces a gradual loss of cardiac carnitine content for up to 12 weeks. Doubling the duration of treatment is not associated with any further decrease in cardiac carnitine content. While heart function following short-term treatment (2 weeks) is normal under aerobic conditions, impaired recovery of function following ischaemia is seen. In contrast, long-term treatment (11–28 weeks) is associated with impaired heart function, which is dependent on workload and substrate availability. Impaired heart function is also associated with reductions in activity of 3-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase and rates of fatty acid oxidation. However, to maintain adenosine triphosphate production, glucose metabolism, expressed as hexokinase activity and glucose oxidation, is increased in carnitine-deficient hearts. Hearts from sodium pivalate-treated animals demonstrate a cardiomyopathy that is dependent on duration of treatment, workload and substrate supply. This model of hypocarnitinaemia may thus be useful to study the metabolic and cardiac consequences of carnitine-deficiency syndromes.
Band alignment of metal-oxide-semiconductor structure by internal photoemission spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry

In this paper, we will provide an overview of the internal photoemission (IPE) and the significance of this technique when combined with spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) to investigate the interfacial electronic properties of heterostructures. In particular, the main interest is focused on the electron transport mechanism and properties at and near the interface of the technologically important metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices. Not until recently, IPE and SE have become important metrology tools in band offset characterization for the MOS materials. The most common and straightforward application of IPE and SE is to determine how the Fermi level of the metal, and the conduction and valence bands of the semiconductor align with those of the oxide of the MOS structure. For demonstration, we will present the results recently obtained on a set of MOS devices consisting of metal gate / high-k dielectric stack / Si and III-V high mobility substrate. The examples include [TaN/TaSiN] metal gate / [HfO 2 /SiO 2 ] dielectric stack / Si substrate and Al metal gate / Al 2 O 3 dielectric / In x Ga 1 ―x As substrate.
Fusion-based approach for long-range night-time facial recognition

Long range identification using facial recognition is being pursued as a valuable surveillance tool. The capability to perform this task covertly and in total darkness greatly enhances the operators’ ability to maintain a large distance between themselves and a possible hostile target. An active-SWIR video imaging system has been developed to produce high-quality long-range night/day facial imagery for this purpose. Most facial recognition techniques match a single input probe image against a gallery of possible match candidates. When resolution, wavelength, and uncontrolled conditions reduce the accuracy of single-image matching, multiple probe images of the same subject can be matched to the watch-list and the results fused to increase accuracy. If multiple probe images are acquired from video over a short period of time, the high correlation between the images tends to produce similar matching results, which should reduce the benefit of the fusion. In contrast, fusing matching results from multiple images acquired over a longer period of time, where the images show more variability, should produce a more accurate result. In general, image variables could include pose angle, field-of-view, lighting condition, facial expression, target to sensor distance, contrast, and image background. Long-range short wave infrared (SWIR) video was used to generate probe image datasets containing different levels of variability. Face matching results for each image in each dataset were fused, and the results compared.
Scattering of Phonons by Vacancies

The scattering of phonons by vacancies is estimated by a perturbation technique in terms of the missing mass and the missing linkages. An argument is given why distortion effects can be disregarded. The resonance frequency of the defect is sufficiently high so that resonance effects can be disregarded for phonons in the important frequency range for thermal conduction. The theory is applied to the thermal resistance by vacancies in cases where the vacancy concentration is known: potassium chloride with divalent cations, nonstoichiometric zirconium carbide, and tin telluride.
“Executive functions” cannot be distinguished from general intelligence: two variations on a single theme within a symphony of latent variance

The empirical foundation of executive control function (ECF) remains controversial. We have employed structural equation models (SEM) to explicitly distinguish domain-specific variance in ECF performance from memory (MEM) and shared cognitive performance variance, i.e., Spearman’s “g”. ECF does not survive adjustment for both MEM and g in a well fitting model of data obtained from non-demented older persons (N = 193). Instead, the variance in putative ECF measures is attributable only to g, and related to functional status only through a fraction of that construct (i.e., dECF). dECF is a homolog of the latent variable δ, which we have previously associated specifically with the Default Mode Network (DMN). These findings undermine the validity of ECF and its putative association with the frontal lobe. ECF may have no existence independent of general intelligence, and no functionally salient association with the frontal lobe outside of that structure’s contribution to the DMN.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in patients receiving lithium carbonate

Lithium carbonate is a commonly used psychiatric medication with a number of toxic renal effects, which include nephrotic-range proteinuria. A review of the literature concerning lithium-induced proteinuria is presented and three cases of nephrotic-range proteinuria are described in association with lithium therapy. The pathology in these three cases was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a finding not previously described.
Adaptive-loop method for non-deterministic design optimization

In the last two decades, significant attention has been paid to developing nondeterministic design optimization methodologies: reliability-based design optimization (RBDO), possibility-based design optimization (PBDO), and evidence-based design optimization (EBDO). As a result, numerous methods for non-deterministic design optimization have been proposed. They are categorized as: parallel-loop method, serial-loop method, and single-loop method. It has been reported that each method has its own strong and weak points. The current paper attempts to understand better the various methods, and proposes to develop an integrated framework for non-deterministic design optimization. In short, the integrated design framework adaptively involves different loop methods (deterministic design optimization, parallel-loop method, single-loop method) to maximize numerical efficiency and stability without losing numerical accuracy in the non-deterministic design optimization process. While deterministic design optimization...
Children's temperament: How can teachers and classrooms be more responsive?

For years, teachers have been well aware of the individual differences or temperaments of young children in their classrooms. Likewise, researchers have identified several styles and categories that reflect innate differences within children. What is less well known is how children's temperament relates to their successes and difficulties in school. Knowledge of temperamental differences can assist classroom teachers in being more responsive to the various needs of children and in providing developmentally appropriate classrooms. Teachers can begin by adapting their classrooms so that the environments are suitable to many styles of interaction and learning.
Probing Protein Diffusion and Dissociation Mechanisms on DNA Using Fluorescence-Force Spectroscopy

Single-stranded (ss)DNA binding (SSB) proteins tightly bind to ssDNA and protect it from degradation during DNA replication, recombination and repair. For subsequent DNA processing, SSB proteins need to be displaced from ssDNA and replaced by other proteins. The recently discovered activity that E. coli SSB can diffuse on ssDNA [1] may facilitate these processes, but little is known about the diffusion mechanism. Here we use single-molecule fluorescence-force spectroscopy [2] to study DNA-protein interactions and show that ssDNA can be progressively unraveled from the surface of a single E. coli SSB tetramer with increasing force between 1-6 pN, followed by SSB dissociation at about 9 pN. Our data also indicate that SSB diffuses on ssDNA primarily via a reptation rather than a rolling mechanism. These approaches provide unique insights into the mechanical regulation of DNA-SSB interactions and are generally applicable to many other protein-nucleic acid systems.[1] R. Roy, Kozlov, A. G., Lohman, T. M. and T. Ha. SSB protein diffusion on single-stranded DNA stimulates RecA filament formation. Nature (2009, in press)[2] S. Hohng, R. Zhou, M. K. Nahas, J. Yu, K. Schulten, D. M. J. Lilley and T. Ha. Fluorescence-force spectroscopy maps two-dimensional reaction landscape of the Holliday junction. Science 318, 279-283 (2007).
On a theorem of Tate

We study applications of divisibility properties of recurrence sequences to Tate’s theory of abelian varieties over finite fields.
Differential dihydroflavonol reductase transcription and anthocyanin pigmentation in the juvenile and mature phases of ivy ( Hedera helix L.)

Juvenile-phase English ivy (Hedera helix L.) accumulates anthocyanin pigment in the hypodermis of stems and petioles, whereas mature-phase ivy does not. Lamina tissue of both phases of ivy accumulate flavonols, another class of the flavonoids, in response to sucrose and light treatment in vitro. However, juvenile- but not mature-phase lamina tissue accumulates anthocyanin in response to sucrose and light. The lack of anthocyanin accumulation in mature phase tissue is due to a lack of dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR) activity, which catalyzes a reaction late in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway. The objective of this work was to determine the level of regulation of gene expression that limits DFR activity in mature phase tissue. There was an induction of DFR transcription and accumulation of DFR mRNA in juvenile-phase lamina tissue treated with sucrose and light. In contrast, transcription and mRNA accumulation of DFR was not detectable in treated mature-phase lamina tissue. The induction of DFR transcription in juvenile tissue required the combination of sucrose and light. There was an induction of transcription of chalcone synthase, which catalyzes the first committed reaction of flavonoid biosynthesis, in both juvenile- and maturephase lamina tissue, indicating that mature-phase tissue is responsive to sucrose and light treatment.
FACILITATION OF INFECTION OF MOUSE L-CELLS WITH RIBONUCLEIC ACID FROM ENCEPHALOMYOCARDITIS VIRUS.

Abstract Infectious ribonucleic acid (RNA) was first extracted from tobacco mosaic virus by Gierer and Schramm (1956) by treatment of the virus with cold phenol. Subsequently, a number of viruses have been found to yield infectious RNA; however, the efficiency with which extracted RNA is capable of entering the cell is very low as compared with mature virus. Hypertonic sodium chloride treatment of enterovirus RNA to augment its infectivity for hypertonically treated human cells was reported by Sprunt et al (1959) . Dubes and Klingler (1961) reported that the infection of primary monkey kidney cells with poliovirus RNA was greatly increased by adding any one of several comparatively water-insoluble substances (which they called facilitators) to the RNA inoculum and depleting the cells of calcium. Encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus is one of a number of animal viruses known as the Col-SK group. In experiments reported by Huppert and Sanders (1958) phenol extraction at 4°C of ascites tumor cells infected with mouse-grown EMC yielded ‘ribonucleic acid extracts’ from extracellular fluid following ultracentrifugation, although the latter was not extracted from the sedimented virus by similar treatment. In studies reported herein the facilitation method of Dubes and Klingler (1961) was employed to infect L-cells with RNA from a large plaque mutant of EMC virus. Moreover, this system was used to test infectivity of extracted supernatant and pellet following ultracentrifugation of tissue culture fluid to determine source of infectious RNA.
Incorporating spectral characteristics of Pc5 waves into three-dimensional radiation belt modeling and the diffusion of relativistic electrons

[1] The influence of ultralow frequency (ULF) waves in the Pc5 frequency range on radiation belt electrons in a compressed dipole magnetic field is examined. This is the first analysis in three dimensions utilizing model ULF wave electric and magnetic fields on the guiding center trajectories of relativistic electrons. A model is developed, describing magnetic and electric fields associated with poloidal mode Pc5 ULF waves. The frequency and L dependence of the ULF wave power are included in this model by incorporating published ground-based magnetometer data. It is demonstrated here that realistic spectral characteristics play a significant role in the rate of diffusion of relativistic electrons via drift resonance with poloidal mode ULF waves. Radial diffusion rates including bounce motion show a weak pitch angle dependence for αeq ≥ 50° (λ ≤ 20°) for a power spectral density which is L-independent. The data-based model for greater power at higher L values yields stronger diffusion at αeq = 90°. The L6 dependence of the diffusion coefficient which is obtained for a power spectral density which is L-independent is amplified by power spectral density which increases with L. During geomagnetic storms when ULF wave power is increased, ULF waves are a significant driver of increased fluxes of relativistic electrons inside geosynchronous orbit. Diffusion timescales obtained here, when frequency and L dependence comparable to observations of ULF wave power are included, support this conclusion.
The association between peripheral artery and lumbar spine disease: a single-center study.

Abstract Background While intermittent claudication is the hallmark of symptomatic peripheral artery disease, most patients with peripheral artery disease have atypical symptoms. The presence of lumbosacral spine disease, a common cause of nonvascular lower extremity pain, may confound the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease. The goal of this study was to quantify the prevalence of severe lumbar spine degenerative disease in patients referred for lower extremity arterial studies. Methods All patients over age 18 years referred for segmental limb pressures and pulse volume recordings at rest and following treadmill exercise testing at a tertiary medical center accredited vascular diagnostic laboratory, who also underwent magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the lumbar spine within 6 months of the arterial studies, were included in the analysis. Frequencies of peripheral artery disease and lumbar spine degenerative disease were determined, and medical records were reviewed for cardiovascular risk factors and prior vascular and spinal interventions. Results One hundred seven subjects (63 men) with a mean age of 70 years (range 35-88 years) were included in the analysis. Lumbar spine disease was present in 81 (75.7%) of the patients referred for vascular testing. The percentage of lumbar spine disease was equivalent in both patients with exercise-induced deterioration in arterial pressure and in those with a physiologic response to exercise. Compared with patients with a normal response to exercise, patients with exercise-induced peripheral artery disease had a lower resting ankle-brachial index (mean 0.79 vs 1.09, P Conclusions Severe lumbar spine degenerative disease is widely prevalent in patients referred for lower extremity arterial studies. Our findings may help explain the high prevalence of atypical limb symptoms among peripheral artery disease patients.
The impact of the social security act on the relief problem

While the social security act has solved some problems, it has created others, since it affects only part of the realm of dependency.
Development of a culture carrier for anchorage-dependent animal cells using calcium phosphate ceramic sinters

Abstract Effects of the chemical and physical structure of bioactive ceramic sinters made by synthesized hydroxyapatite (HAP) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) on cell growth were studied to develop new carrier materials for cultivation of anchorage-dependent animal cells. A sophisticated analytic method using animal cells was used to characterize the affinity between the cells and ceramic sinters. In this method, cells were treated with trypsin for three minutes before culturing on ceramic plates. The initial anchoring cell ratio and the specific growth rate on the sintered plate were measured to compare the bioaffinity of ceramic materials. Using sintered mixtures of HAP and TCP as culture carriers, the initial anchoring ratios on the plates were reduced compared to a polystyrene culture dish (LUX) and a glass dish which were used as control test samples. The growth rate of cells was slightly accelerated on some of ceramic plates, however. The highest value of the specific growth rate, 0.049 (1/h), which was about 11% higher than the rate on the LUX plate, was obtained on the sinter which consists of a 4:1 mixture of HAP and TCP.
Conceiving Sexuality: Approaches to Sex Research in a Postmodern World

Conceiving Sexuality: Approaches to Sex Research in. Postmodern World. RICHARD PARKER and JOHN GAGNON. eds. New York: Routledge, 1995. viii. 307 pp., notes, references, contributors.
Microstructural Evolution during Superplastic Deformation of Titanium Aluminides

Microstructural studies have been performed on two superplastically deformed Ti3Al-based alloys, regular α2 and super α2. Dynamic grain growth, formation of phase stringers, and changes in the apparent volume fraction of the phases occurred in both alloys. The lath-like α2 phase in the super α2 alloy broke up during deformation. All these features are examined from the viewpoint of cooperative grain boundary sliding (CGBS). Cooperative grain boundary migration (CGBM), which is coupled with CGBS, is proposed to be the mechanism for strain induced grain growth and changes in the phase volume fraction.
Human eyelid conditioning: The interaction of reinforcement schedule and CS-US interval length

A tendency for the customary inferiority of partial reinforcement relative to continuous reinforcement performance to be greater with a long than with a short interstimulus interval was observed. Further, it was found that the drop in performance upon shifting from continuous to partial reinforcement was greater with a short than with a long ISI. The results were discussed in terms of a negative set which develops during nonreinforcement.
Structures of disordered alkali chlorides in normal and compressed states: An isothermal-isobaric molecular-dynamics study.

Isothermal-isobaric molecular-dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the glassy and liquid structures of two alkali chloride systems [mixture (LiCl${)}_{0.50}$(KCl${)}_{0.40}$(CsCl${)}_{0.10}$ and pure LiCl]. With the use of an ionic interaction model, the basic thermodynamic properties of the crystalline, liquid, and glassy states are successfully reproduced in the simulations. At normal pressure (101.3 MPa), it is found that the predominant short-range order in both systems is the ${\mathrm{LiCl}}_{4}$ tetrahedral units, each pair of which is mutually connected by sharing not only the vertices but also the edges of the tetrahedra. In the glassy and liquid states of LiCl-KCl-CsCl, the network structure is formed by polytetrahedral medium-range order (${\mathrm{LiLi}}_{4}$) consisting of five connected ${\mathrm{LiCl}}_{4}$ tetrahedra. Some portions of this network are truncated by the ${\mathrm{K}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{+}$ ions adjacent to the vertex ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ions. On the other hand, liquid and glassy LiCl has a disordered structure approximately analogous to zinc-blende structure, also including the wurtzitelike ionic arrangement. For LiCl in the amorphous and crystalline states, we performed isothermal-compression simulations up to 30 GPa. As in the experimental findings, no structural transformation occurs for the rocksalt LiCl crystal. The compression causes the crystallization of amorphous LiCl into rocksalt structure at more than 3--10 GPa with continuous structural change. This structural transformation is analogous to the pressure-induced polymorphic transition (zinc blende\ensuremath{\rightarrow}rocksalt) that occurs in the crystals of more covalent compounds such as CdS.
Future of biomarkers in acute coronary syndromes: moving toward a multimarker strategy

Clinicians have become increasingly sophisticated in their application of cardiac biomarkers in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). In the 1950s, clinical investigators first reported that proteins released from necrotic cardiac myocytes could be detected in the serum and could aid in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.1 The ensuing 40 years witnessed progressive improvement in the cardiac tissue-specificity of biomarkers of myocardial necrosis and a corresponding enhancement in the clinical sensitivity and specificity of their use for establishing the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Over the past decade, the emergence of convincing evidence for the value of cardiac troponin in guiding therapy has dramatically accelerated the integration of cardiac biomarkers into clinical decision-making for patients with ACS.2 Concurrently, advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis and consequences of acute coronary atherothrombosis have stimulated the development of new biomarkers and created the opportunity for an expanded role of multiple biomarkers, some old and others new, in the classification and individualization of treatment for ACS.3,4 The report by James et al5 in the present issue of Circulation adds substantially to the accumulating evidence that a multimarker strategy, employing a pathobiologically diverse set of biomarkers,3 is likely to add importantly to cardiac-specific troponin alone in the risk assessment of patients with ACS. See p 275 ACS is a complex syndrome with multiple causes, analogous to anemia or hypertension.6 As such, treatment is likely to be most effective when directed at the underlying cause of the disease. Five principal causes of ACS have been described; these include (1) plaque rupture with acute thrombosis, (2) progressive mechanical obstruction, (3) inflammation, (4) secondary unstable angina, and (5) dynamic obstruction (coronary vasoconstriction).7 It is rare that any of these contributors exists in isolation. However, patients with ACS may …
Factors Predicting Post-High School Employment for Young Adults with Visual Impairments.

Although low levels of employment among transition-age youth with visual impairments (VI) have long been a concern, empirical research in this area is very limited. The purpose of this study was to...
Multicast capacity of wireless ad hoc networks

Assume that n wireless nodes are uniformly randomly deployed in a square region with side-length a and all nodes have the uniform transmission range r and uniform interference range R > r. We further assume that each wireless node can transmit (or receive) at W bits/second over a common wireless channel. For each node vi , we randomly and independently pick k-1 points pi,j (1 les j les k-1) from the square, and then multicast data to the nearest node for each pi,j. We derive matching asymptotic upper bounds and lower bounds on multicast capacity of random wireless networks. Under protocol interference model, when a 2/r 2=O(n/log(n)), we show that the total multicast capacity is Theta(radic{n/log n}middot(W/radick)) when k=O(n/log n); the total multicast capacity is Theta(W) when k=Omega(n/log n). We also study the capacity of group-multicast for wireless networks where for each source node, we randomly select k-1 groups of nodes as receivers and the nodes in each group are within a constant hops from the group leader. The same asymptotic upper bounds and lower bounds still hold. We also extend our capacity bounds to d -dimensional networks.
Wave-steering one-hot encoded FSMs

In this paper we address the problem of pipelining FSMs by extending wave-steering scheme from combinational to sequential realm. A unified approach employs direct mapping of State Transition Graph into a circuit realization. Experimental result on MCNC benchmarks show performance improvement of 2 to 4 times at the cost of an average area increase of 2.9 times.
Investigation of Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) on Waste Tires and Chemical Analysis Including Light Hydrocarbons, Substituted Aromatics, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)

This investigation has been initiated to characterize the thermal decomposition of waste tires with Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) in various atmospheres ranging in oxygen content; 100% N2 , 7%, 21% (air) and 30% O2 . Chemical analysis focusing on light hydrocarbons, substituted aromatics, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon has been done qualitatively and quantitatively to understand the mechanism of thermal degradation of scrap tires and hazardous air pollutants such as PAH. The release of chemicals from scrap tires has been determined experimentally using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) coupled to TGA unit. The identities and absolute concentrations of over 50 major and minor species have been established. Significant volatile organic carbons (VOC) including substituted aromatics and PAH were observed between 300°C and 500°C. In addition, significant black carbon residual was observed in most environments except air and oxygen enhanced atmospheres and suggested not only the potential recovery of black carbon out of feedstock, but also the possibility of combined thermal treatment between combustion and gasification. These measurements supply information on the identities and levels of hazardous air pollutants, and provide useful new data for the development and validation of detailed reaction mechanisms describing their origin and fate. Finally, while high contents of VOC show significant potential to be utilized as an unconventional solid fuel, they also tend to generate hazardous pollutants.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
With Respect to Emotion in the Dominion of Rationality: Managing Conflict Through Respectful Dialogue

This article addresses the problems associated with conflict dialogue and presents a conceptualization of respect to help understand how emotion can be addressed to help validate others through individualized interaction. Literature from a broad range of fields is integrated to provide cross-disciplinary connections that relate to the production of more effective discourse. The article starts from the recognition that conflict inherently involves emotion and argues that individuals engaged in intractable conflicts would be better served by working to manage their conflict through dialogue rather than attempting to put their emotions aside and reach some sort of decision that strives in vain to resolve the conflict.
Aggregating Information by Voting: The Wisdom of the Experts versus the Wisdom of the Masses

This article analyzes participation and information aggregation in a common-value election with continuous private signals. In equilibrium, some citizens ignore their private information and abstain from voting, in deference to those with higher-quality signals. Even as the number of highly informed peers grows large, however, citizens with only moderate expertise continue voting, so that voter participation remains at realistic levels (e.g. 50 to 60 percent, for simple examples). The precise level of voter turnout, along with the margin of victory, are determined by the distribution of expertise. Improving a voter's information makes her more willing to vote, consistent with a growing body of empirical evidence, but makes her peers more willing to abstain, providing a new explanation for various empirical patterns of voting. Equilibrium participation is optimal, even though the marginal voter may have very little (e.g. below-average) expertise, and even though nonvoters' information is not utilized. Copyright , Oxford University Press.
Digital Signal Processing for the Liberal Arts Student

Many of today's most popular consumer electronics products rely, to some extent, on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms and chips. The development of this course had the primary goal of educating students outside electrical engineering about some basic signal processing concepts and applications. For this reason, the focus of the course is on the breadth of applications and includes some hands-on experiments to emphasize important concepts. A secondary goal of the course, through the presentation of many different applications, is to allow students to think about new applications in their fields of study. By completing a project at the end of the course, students have an opportunity to explore in more depth an existing/novel application of signal processing.
A Phylogenetic Classification of the Angiospermae

The synopsis of my classification of the Angiospermae that was published in Aliso (Thorne, 1968) has been much modified in recent years. Increased knowledge about many of the families has resulted in a realignment of some of them and reorganization or deletion of some of the higher categories. I have published elsewhere some explanation of my classificatory modus operandi (Thorne, 1958, 1963, 1974c) and some elucidation of certain of my major groupings, such as the Araliaceae, Annoniflorae, Urti-cales, Juglandineae, Hamamelidales, Sapindineae, and Pittosporales (Thorne 1973, 1974a,b,c, 1975). I have other manuscripts near completion and have been preparing an illustrated book with full exposition of my classification of the angiosperms. Nonetheless, it seems desirable at this time to present an updated version of my synopsis of the Angiospermae with at least a brief review of my philosophy of classification, my interpretation of the probable origins of the angiosperms and their most primitive characteristics, and some elucidation of realignments that deviate considerably from other recent classifications.
In the Shadow of the Past: The Impact of Historical Price Information on Dynamic Selling Strategies for a Single Asset Whose Value is Not Perfectly Known

Cheap information technology has increased the availability of historical price information to strategic consumers in many environments. This information may impact the consumer's purchasing behavior. We study how a seller should react in such a scenario. We focus on a seller of a single asset whose value is not perfectly known to either the seller or the potential buyers. Revealing the history of prices at which the asset has not been sold may cause future strategic potential buyers to revise downward their willingness to pay for the asset. Hence, it is not clear that the seller will want to reveal such historical price information. Nevertheless, we find that the seller may be worse off when concealing this information. The reason is that when concealing the historical information, strategic potential buyers may revise their willingness to pay much more steeply downward upon observing a price reduction. This provides an incentive to the seller to maintain a too-high price for too long. It may be that the costs of this incentive outweigh the revenue decrease resulting from the reduction in willingness to pay when revealing historical price information.
Hyper or hypo-masculine? Re-conceptualizing ‘hyper-masculinity’ through Seattle’s gay, leather community

AbstractThis article offers a critique of the concept of hyper-masculinity and a more nuanced, place contingent, critical way to think about masculinity. I use the concept of hyper-masculinity to highlight a conceptual problem between essentialist and de-essentialized notions of gender. Constructionist notions of masculinity (and gender) do not escape the essentialist problem; however, by critiquing and offering a placed conceptualization of hyper-masculinity based on Seattle’s gay leather community, I push the boundaries of masculinity and gender to arrive at a more nuanced, embodied, place-based and contingent understanding of hyper-masculinity thereby side-stepping debates that essentialist/constructionist. Through participant-observations and ethnographic interviews with men who practice hyper-masculinity within the gay leather community in Seattle, USA, I interrogate hyper-masculinity within the community to demonstrate how it reinforces and subverts heterosexual gender roles and homonormativity.
Impact of nucleic acid testing for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus on Blood product availability, outdating, and patient safety: Results of the 2001 AABB/CAP Viral Marker C Survey

○ Context.-Limited data are available about the impact of nucleic acid testing for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus in donated blood as part of a nationwide investigational study that affected greater than 90% of the blood supply. Objective.-To assess the impact of nucleic acid testing on supply, outdating, and patient safety. Design.-Participants in the College of American Pathologists 2001 American Association of Blood Banks/College of American Pathologists Viral Marker C survey were asked questions about supply, outdating, and implementation of a full quarantine of blood pending nucleic acid testing results. The number of respondents for each question ranged from 197 to 219 for blood centers and from 462 to 504 for hospitals. Results.-Shortages were more common for platelets (29% and 23% of blood centers and hospitals, respectively) than for red blood cells (13%, 11%). Similarly, outdating of platelets (13%, 11%) was more common than outdating of red blood cells; outdating of red blood cells was negligible for both blood centers and hospitals. Forty-two percent of blood centers did not meet the mid 2000 target date for quarantining red blood cells, and 18% were not quarantining as of September 2001. The hospital figures were 66% not quarantining in mid 2000 and 39% not quarantining as of September 2001. Higher proportions of centers and hospitals were not quarantining platelets at these 2 dates. Conclusions.-Unfavorable trends in both blood shortages and outdating were attributed to nucleic acid testing. Greater effects may have been masked by delayed implementation of full quarantine nationwide. This delay meant continued patient risk, and lack of full benefit, in a trial that was in effect a national standard. In the future, added systems will be needed for similar new endeavors to ensure uniformity of care and to avoid shortages.
Human Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures prepared from biopsies of cryptorchid testes performed during orchidopexy.

Abstract A procedure is described for the preparation and maintenance of human Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures using biopsies of normal and undescended testis. The evaluation of cell viability and differentiation potential of cultured spermatogenic cell was monitored by [3H]thymidine labeling combined with light microscopic autoradiography. Spermatogenic cells of the same progeny, connected by intercellular bridges, display synchronous DNA synthesis when labeled at the preleptotene stage of meiotic prophase. The pattern of [35S]methionine-labeled secretory proteins was determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis and autoradiography during testicular development and compared with these observed in human Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures prepared from same specimens. Both testicular tissue and cocultured Sertoli and spermatogenic cells displayed comparable patterns of secretory proteins. A discrete group of acidic polypeptides of Sertoli cell origin enhanced their radiolabeling intensity during testicular development. Results of this paper indicate that human Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures could be valuable for assessing the proliferation and differentiation potential of spermatogenic cells in children with cryptorchid testis.
Anaerobic digestion of tannery solid waste for biogas production: the case of Modjo tannery, Modjo; Ethiopia.

The present study characterized the physical property, total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS) and Carbon to Nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) of tannery solid waste (TSW). Five different combinations with or without cow dung (CD) were assessed for their biogas production suitability in triplicate batch digesters (D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, and D-5) with a total volume of 2.8L. The results showed that TS, VS and C/N ratio of wastes were 56.37%, 76.34% and 29.05%, respectively. The results also suggested that the highest volume of biogas (4,756 ml) with a methane content of 60.37% was produced by the digester containing 75% TSW and 25% CD and the lowest biogas (2,539 ml) with quality of 68.06% was produced by digester containing 100% CD. The average methane contents of different digesters were D-1 (100% TSW) 53.23%, D-2 (75% TSW: 25% CD) 60.37%, D-3 (50% TSW: 50% CD) 58.78%, D-4 (25% TSW: 75% CD) 57.66% and D-5 (100% CD) 67.31%. Total and volatile solid removal efficiency of all digesters was in the range of 42.27-76.34% and 47.16-79.23%. The study concluded that TSW is a good feedstock for biogas production by utilizing agro-industrial based organic solid waste for bioenergy production.