cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shock tube study of methanol, methyl formate pyrolysis: CH3OH and CO time-history measurements

Abstract Methanol and methyl formate pyrolysis were studied by measuring CH3OH and CO concentration time-histories behind reflected shock waves. In the study of methanol pyrolysis, experimental conditions covered temperatures of 1266–1707 K, pressures of 1.1–2.5 atm, and initial fuel concentrations of 1% and 0.2% with argon as the bath gas. Detailed comparisons of CH3OH and CO concentration profiles with the predictions of the detailed kinetic mechanism of Li et al. (2007) [8] were made. Such comparisons combined with sensitivity analysis identified the need to include an additional methanol decomposition channel, CH3OH ↔ CH2(S) + H2O, into the mechanism. Pathway and sensitivity analyses for methanol decomposition were performed, leading to rate constant recommendations both for CH3OH unimolecular decomposition and H-abstraction reactions with improved model performance. In the study of methyl formate pyrolysis, methanol concentration time-histories were measured at temperatures over the range of 1261–1524 K, pressures near 1.5 atm, and initial fuel concentrations of 1% with argon as the bath gas. Our current work, and CO time-histories from previous work, indicates that the Dooley et al. (2010) [3] model is able to accurately simulate most species concentrations in shock tube experiments at early times. However, model improvement is still needed to match the CH3OH and CO time-histories at later times. Incorporation of the modified rate constants in the methanol sub-mechanism leads to good predictions of the full methanol time-histories at all temperatures. The kinetic implications of some aspects of the CO time-histories and suggestions for further improving the predictive capabilities of these mechanisms are discussed. The current results are the first quantitative measurements of CH3OH time-histories in shock tube experiments, and hence are a critical step toward understanding of the chemical kinetics of oxygenates.
Individual Roles of N-Linked Oligosaccharide Chains in Intracellular Transport of the Paramyxovirus SV5 Fusion Protein

The role of N-linked glycosylation in the assembly, intracellular transport, and fusion activity of the paramyxovirus SV5 fusion (F) protein was examined. Each of the six potential glycosylation sites in the F protein was individually removed by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis on a cDNA clone encoding the SV5 F protein. When the mutant F proteins were expressed in eukaryotic cells using the vaccinia virus-T7 transient expression system they all had a significant change in gel mobility, indicating that all six sites in the F protein are used for the addition of N-linked oligosaccharides. All of the mutant F proteins could form a homooligomer. Removal of individual carbohydrate chains from the F2 subunit had little effect on the surface expression of the F protein. However, removal of individual carbohydrate chains from the F1 subunit had deleterious effects, which ranged from a partial delay in intracellular transport and decreased stability of the protein to severe transport delays and acute instability of the F protein.
A randomized controlled trial of computerized pharmacokinetic theophylline dosing versus empiric physician dosing

This study was undertaken to determine if a computerized pharmacokinetic program for adjusting theophylline infusion rates could attain a goal serum theophylline level more accurately than physician-derived adjustments and what clinical impact this would have. Thirty-five patients with diagnoses of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were randomized to a control group (empiric) or experimental group (kinetic) after initial theophylline levels were drawn from each group. After second levels were drawn, patients in the kinetic group had their infusion rates adjusted by the computerized pharmacokinetic program to achieve a level of 15 mg/L, whereas patients in the empiric group had their infusions adjusted empirically by the primary care physicians to achieve a serum theophylline level of 15 mg/L. A final theophylline level was obtained just before the infusion was discontinued. The kinetic group was closer to the goal level of 15 mg/L than the empiric group, but this was not statistically significant (14.8 ± 4.4 versus 12.6 ± 4.1; p > 0.05). The total number of days that patients were receiving intravenous theophylline was slightly longer for the kinetic group (4.1 ± 3.3 versus 3.2 ± 1.5; p > 0.05) as was the total number of hospital days, but neither of these were statistically significant (11.4 ± 21.6 versus 8.8 ± 15.4 days; p > 0.05). There were no differences between the two groups in the number of subtherapeutic or toxic levels, and there were no significant differences in arterial blood gas measurements. We were unable to show in this study any clinical advantage to adjusting the dosage of a theophylline infusion by a computerized pharmacokinetic program compared with adjustments made empirically by a physician. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1993) 53, 684–690; doi:10.1038/clpt.1993.90
Dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase in substantia nigra and corpus striatum of rat brain.

Abstract A dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase has been identified in substantia nigra of the rat brain. Low concentrations of dopamine markedly increased the accumulation of cyclic AMP while l-norepinephrine and isoproterenol had little effect at concentrations up to 100 μM. The phenothiazine, trifluoperazine, is a potent inhibitor of the s. nigral adenylate cyclase (I.C. 50 of 0.1 μM), while the adrenergic receptor blocking agents propranolol and phentolamine are ineffective. Basal activity of striatal adenylate cyclase and cAMP phosphodiesterase is approximately 3-fold higher than that found in substantia nigra.
In situ chemical cleavage of proteins immobilized to glass-fiber and polyvinylidenedifluoride membranes: Cleavage at tryptophan residues with 2-(2′-nitrophenylsulfenyl)-3-methyl-3′-bromoindolenine to obtain internal amino acid sequence

Proteins immobilized to glass-fiber supports and polyvinylidenedifluoride membranes are cleaved in situ with a tryptophan residue-specific reagent, 2-(2′-nitrophenylsulfenyl)-3-methyl-3′-bromoindolenine. Protein fragments can be eluted from polyvinylidenedifluoride membranes after in situ digestion and electrophoresed and electroblotted to new polyvinylidenedifluoride membranes for subsequent sequence determination of selected bands. Five proteins (bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, β-casein, β-lactoglobulin, and myoglobin) of known sequence containing one to three tryptophan residues each were used as model substrates to evaluate the specificity and extent of cleavage. Under the conditions used, the reaction is rapid and exhibits a high degree of specificity for tryptophan residues since N-terminal sequence analysis of the digested, immobilized samples yields the expected, newly generated N-termini. No detectable cleavage occurred at nontryptophan residues nor at acid labile aspartic acid-proline peptide bonds. Solution cleavage reactions were also performed and the resulting digest was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. We found a positive correlation between the solution and in situ cleavage reactions, in that, proteins which show cleavage in the solution reaction also yield internal sequence data after in situ digestion. Since tryptophan occurs with low frequency in proteins, this cleavage reaction has the potential to generate a small number of fragments and in favorable circumstances allow sequence analysis of the unfractionated reaction mixture. In addition, the sequence obtainable after, but not before, in situ digestion can be used as an indication that the N-terminus of the protein is blocked.
Memristors and the Future of Cyber Security Hardware

The chapter covers three approaches to emulate a memristor-based computer using artificial neural networks, and we describe how a memristor computer could be used to solve Cyber security problems. The memristor emulation neural network approach was divided into three basic deployment methods: (1) deployment of neural networks on the traditional Von Neumann CPU architecture (2) software based algorithms deployed on the Von Neumann architecture utilizing a Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and (3) a hardware architecture deployed onto a field-programmable gate array.
Landscape context outweighs local habitat quality in its effects on herbivore dispersal and distribution

Past studies with spatially structured herbivore populations have emphasized the primacy of intrinsic factors (e.g., patch quality), patch geometry (e.g., patch size and isolation), and more recently landscape context (e.g., matrix composition) in affecting local population abundance and dispersal rate. However, few studies have examined the relative importance of each factor, or how they might interact to affect herbivore abundance or dispersal. Here, we performed a factorial field experiment to examine the independent and interactive effects of patch quality (plant biomass, leaf protein, leaf phenolics) and matrix composition [mudflat or non-host grass (Bromus inermis)] on planthopper (Prokelisia crocea) emigration from host-plant patches (prairie cordgrass, Spartina pectinata). In addition, a field survey was conducted to examine the relative importance of patch quality, geography, and matrix composition on planthopper occupancy and density. In the experiment, we found that rates of emigration from low and intermediate quality patches were, on average, 21% percent higher for patches embedded in brome than mudflat. In contrast, the emigration rate was unaffected by matrix composition in nutrient-rich patches. Within matrix types, plant quality had little effect on emigration. In the survey, planthopper density and the patch occupancy rate of planthoppers increased nonadditively with increasing patch size and the percentage of the surrounding matrix composed of mudflat. This study suggests that landscape-level factors, such as the matrix, may be more important than factors intrinsic to the patches.
Differential strain and velocity generation along the right ventricular free wall in pulmonary hypertension

Background In contrast to the homogeneously distributed deformation properties within the left ventricle, the right ventricular (RV) free wall (RVFW) shows a more inhomogeneous distribution. It has been demonstrated that pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in significant RVFW mechanical delay. Objective To assess the effect of the degree of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure on the RVFW strain gradient and on myocardial velocity generation. Methods Peak longitudinal strain and velocity data were collected from three different segments (basal, mid- and apical) of the RVFW in 17 normal individuals and 31 PH patients. Results A total of 144 RV wall segments were analyzed. RVFW strain values in individuals without PH were higher in the mid and apical segments than in the basal segment. In contrast, RVFW strain in PH patients was higher in basal segments and diminished toward the apex. In terms of RVFW velocities, both groups showed decremental values from basal to apical segments. Basal and mid-RVFW velocities were significantly lower in PH patients than in individuals without PH. Conclusions PH results in significant alterations of strain and velocity generation that occurs along the RVFW. Of these abnormalities, the reduction in strain from the mid and apical RVFW segments was most predictive of PH. It is important to be aware of these differences in strain generation when studying the effect of PH on the right ventricle. Additional studies are required to determine whether these differences are due to RV remodelling.
Liquid scintillators at high temperatures

Abstract Effects of temperature above ambient (300–550°K) on liquid scintillators are presented. Under excitation by high energy or light usually a reduction in fluorescence with high temperatures is found. However, when excimers are present, a rise may be found. The energy transfer as a function of temperature is studied by means of a theoretical formula, and is found to be greatly temperature dependent. Its dependence is found to be directly associated with variation in fluorescence properties of the solvent by itself.
Generation of a 650 nm–2000 nm laser frequency comb based on an erbium fiber laser

We present an Er:fiber based laser frequency comb spanning 650 nm–2000 nm that employs amplification in Yb:fiber followed by continuum generation. Comb coherence is verified with f-2f interferometry and comparison to frequency stabilized lasers.
Uranium Metal Dissolution in the Presence of Fluoride and Boron

H-Area Operations is planning to process plutonium-contaminated (Pu-contaminated) uranium metal scrap in its efforts to de-inventory excess nuclear materials. Experimental work was performed with a piece of uranium sheet. The study had four primary objectives. First, gather reaction rate data at a range of processing conditions to compare against reaction rate data reported in earlier studies and recommend a flowsheet for H-Canyon and/or for HB-Line. Second, develop new data for calculating hydrogen and total generation rates during uranium metal dissolution. Third, the tests intend to provide data to help demonstrate that the proposed flowsheet does not pose a criticality hazard. Last, use the data to recommend a process flowsheet.
Facies and Architectural Asymmetry in a Conglomerate-Rich Submarine Channel Fill, Cerro Toro Formation, Sierra Del Toro, Magallanes Basin, Chile

Abstract Cross-sectional asymmetry is characteristic of sinuous channels in both fluvial and submarine settings. Less well documented are the facies distributions of asymmetric channels, particularly in submarine settings. Exposures of the axial submarine channel-belt in the Magallanes retro-arc foreland basin on Sierra del Toro represent the fill of a 3.5 km wide, 300 m thick channel complex, here termed the “Wildcat,” that displays an asymmetric cross section and facies distribution. Measured sections and mapping demonstrate that facies proportion, degree of amalgamation, and margin architecture vary laterally from east to west across the Wildcat channel complex. The eastern side is characterized by thick-bedded, amalgamated sandstone and clast- and matrix-supported conglomerate that onlap a steep, simple margin adjacent to sandy overbank deposits. The western side contains thin-bedded, sandy and muddy strata that onlap a shallow composite margin adjacent to mud-rich out-of-channel strata. The observed asymmetry is likely due to centrifugal flow forces and was caused by a low-sinuosity right-hand meander bend of the Cerro Toro axial channel-belt. The facies and architecture of the opposing margins indicate that the eastern and western sides constitute the outer and inner bends of the Wildcat channel complex, respectively. The modest cross-sectional asymmetry of the Wildcat complex is likely a product of the low channel-belt sinuosity. The absence of lateral accretion surfaces and deposits suggests that the channel did not migrate during filling. Flows depositing the uppermost channel fill were only weakly confined, resulting in flow divergence and overbank deposition. A depositional model that incorporates the asymmetric facies distributions and the contrasting outer-bend and inner-bend architecture of the Wildcat channel complex is also presented. Similar facies distributions exist in other low-sinuosity submarine channels, and even more extreme facies and cross-sectional asymmetry probably characterize more highly sinuous channels. Data on facies distributions presented here represents a useful resource for constraining numerical and experimental models of the evolution of sinuous submarine channels as well as reservoir models of sinuous submarine channels.
Mannitol Production by Pyrenochaeta terrestris

Pyrenochaeta terrestris (Hansen) Gorenz, J. C. Walker and Larson produces D-mannitol in the mycelium but not in the cutture filtrates when grown in a sucrose salts liquid medium. In the present study, P. terrestris was grown in stilt culture on a synthetic salts medium containing 30 g of sucrose per liter. After inoculation with a myceliat suspension, the mycelial mats were harvested and the dry weight and the amount of mannitol were determined. Maximum mycelial mat production occurred at 15 days after inoculation while the amount of mannitol was greatest at about 7 days after inoculation. The percentage of mannitot on a dry weight basis was maximal (20–25 per cent) within a few days after inoculation and decreased rapidly to 3–4 per cent at the time mycelial mat production was greatest. The same percentage of mannitot was produced when the fungus was grown in shake culture or when the sucrose was replaced by equivalent amounts of D-fructose, D-glucose, D-mannose, maltose, trehalose, and raffinose. Increasing the amount of sucrose or decreasing the amount of sodium nitrate increased the amount of mycelium produced but the percentage of mannitol in the mycelium remained about the same. Mannitot was reutilized when mycelial mats were transferred to a mineral medium without a carbon source. It was concluded that mannitot probably serves as a reserve carbohydrate in P. terrestris.
Effects of acute and repeated administration of salvinorin A on dopamine function in the rat dorsal striatum

Acute systemic administration of salvinorin A, a naturally occurring κ-opioid receptor (KOPr) agonist, decreases locomotion and striatal dopamine (DA) overflow. Conventional and quantitative microdialysis techniques were used to determine whether salvinorin A infusion into the dorsal striatum (DSTR) decreases DA overflow by altering DA uptake or release. The influence of repeated salvinorin A administration on basal DA dynamics and cocaine-evoked alterations in DA overflow and locomotion was also assessed. Salvinorin A was administered via the dialysis probe (0; 20–200 nM) or via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (1.0 or 3.2 mg/kg per day × 5 days). The effects of a challenge dose of cocaine were examined 48 h after repeated salvinorin treatment. Retrodialysis of salvinorin A produced a dose-related, KOPr antagonist reversible, decrease in DA levels. Extracellular DA levels were decreased whereas DA extraction fraction, which provides an estimate of DA uptake, was unaltered. In contrast to its acute administration, repeated salvinorin A administration did not modify dialysate DA levels. Similarly, neither basal extracellular DA levels nor DA uptake was altered. Unlike synthetic KOPr agonists, prior repeated administration of salvinorin A did not attenuate the locomotor activating effects of an acute cocaine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) challenge. However, cocaine-evoked DA overflow was enhanced. These data demonstrate that acute, but not repeated, salvinorin A administration decreases mesostriatal neurotransmission and that activation of DSTR KOPr is sufficient for this effect. Differences in the interaction of salvinorin and synthetic KOPr agonists with cocaine suggest that the pharmacology of these agents may differ.
Asymptotic Expansion for the Null Distribution of the F -statistic in One-way ANOVA under Non-normality

In this paper we derive the asymptotic expansion of the null distribution of the F-statistic in one-way ANOVA under non-normality. The asymptotic framework is when the number of treatments is moderate but sample size per treatment (replication size) is small. This kind of asymptotics will be relevant, for example, to agricultural screening trials where large number of cultivars are compared with few replications per cultivar. There is also a huge potential for the application of this kind of asymptotics in microarray experiments. Based on the asymptotic expansion we will devise a transformation that speeds up the convergence to the limiting distribution. The results indicate that the approximation based on limiting distribution are unsatisfactory unless number of treatments is very large. Our numerical investigations reveal that our asymptotic expansion performs better than other methods in the literature when there is skewness in the data or even when the data comes from a symmetric distribution with heavy tails.
Leveraging label-independent features for classification in sparsely labeled networks: an empirical study

We address the problem of within-network classification in sparsely labeled networks. Recent work has demonstrated success with statistical relational learning (SRL) and semi-supervised learning (SSL) on such problems. However, both approaches rely on the availability of labeled nodes to infer the values of missing labels. When few labels are available, the performance of these approaches can degrade. In addition, many such approaches are sensitive to the specific set of nodes labeled. So, although average performance may be acceptable, the performance on a specific task may not. We explore a complimentary approach to within-network classification, based on the use of label-independent (LI) features - i.e., features calculated without using the values of class labels. While previous work has made some use of LI features, the effects of these features on classification performance have not been extensively studied. Here, we present an empirical study in order to better understand these effects. Through experiments on several real-world data sets, we show that the use of LI features produces classifiers that are less sensitive to specific label assignments and can lead to performance improvements of over 40% for both SRL- and SSL-based classifiers. We also examine the relative utility of individual LI features; and show that, in many cases, it is a combination of a few diverse network-based structural characteristics that is most informative.
Recommendations of IEC technical committee no. 24 on electric and magnetic magnitudes and units

A MEETING of Technical Committee (TC) 24 on Electric and Magnetic Magnitudes and Units (EMMU) was held at Philadelphia, Pa., on September 10 and 11, 1954, during the Golden Jubilee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It should be understood that the recommendations made by this committee, and given in the following, have been referred to the national committees of the various countries for an official vote under the 6 months' rule. Thus they are not as yet official decisions. However, since each recommendation was approved by a large majority of the delegates present from the various countries, it seems reasonable to expect that they will be approved by the national committees.
Temperature dependence of the speciation of water in rhyolitic melts and glasses

The concentrations of molecular water and hydroxyl groups in rhyolitic glasses and melts depend on temperature as well as total water content. Increasing temperature results in an increase in the proportion of water dissolved as hydroxyl groups at a constant total water content. The temperature dependence of water speciation has been determined experimentally and can be described in thermodynamic terms by using a regular-solution formulation for the interactions between water molecules, hydroxyl groups, and oxygens in the rhyolitic glass or melt. This formulation is also consistent with calorimetric data on hydrous haplogranitic glasses. The temperature dependence of water speciation in rhyolitic glasses can be used as the basis of a geothermometer for hydrous volcanic glasses. Obsidians from pyroclastic deposits from the ca. 1340 A.D. eruption of the Mono Craters, California, yield temperatures of about 600 oC. These chips may represent samples of the cool glassy margins and roofs of feeder dikes for this eruption. Glass inclusions in quartz phenocrysts from the Plinian deposit of the Bishop Tuff yield temperatures of ~300-600 oC; inclusions in quartz phenocrysts from the Mono Lobe ash-flow deposit of the Bishop Tuff yielded temperatures of ~200-300 oC. These temperatures are interpreted as closure temperatures and suggest that the initially hotter ash-flow deposit cooled more slowly than the Plinian deposit.
A counterimmunoelectrophoresis inhibition test for the detection of hepatitis-associated antigen.

SummaryA new technique, CIEPI, is described for the rapid detection of HAA. CIEPI is not susceptible to prozones due to antigen excess, and it is more sensitive than CIEP for the detection of HAA.
Progestogen Hypersensitivity in 24 Cases: Diagnosis, Management, and Proposed Renaming and Classification

Background Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a poorly recognized syndrome associated with a hypersensitivity to progestogens. Symptoms present heterogeneously, which may complicate diagnosis. Management has generally centered on symptomatic control with medication. Recently, an increasing number of cases have been reported with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Desensitization to progestogens is suggested as an approach to tolerate fertility treatments and provide symptom control. Objectives To describe the diagnosis and management of progestogen hypersensitivity (PH) and to detail the use of desensitization. We also propose a new terminology of progestogen hypersensitivity instead of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis, and a classification system based on exogenous and endogenous progestogen triggers to facilitate diagnosis and management. Methods Twenty-four cases of PH were evaluated retrospectively. Symptom presentation, diagnostic modalities, desensitization protocols, and outcomes were analyzed. Results Symptom onset was classified as a reaction to either endogenous progesterone (42%) or exogenous progestogens (58%). Symptoms were heterogeneous and included cyclical dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema, asthma, and anaphylaxis. Triggers were also heterogenous and included progesterone as well as progestins. Eleven patients underwent intramuscular (27%) or oral (73%) desensitization. Desensitization resulted in symptom control in 8 patients, IVF medication tolerance in 3 patients, and 2 pregnancies. Conclusions This is the largest case series of patients with PH with successful treatment outcomes. The new terminology progestogen hypersensitivity more accurately represents the diversity of presentations to endogenous or exogenous progestogens. We demonstrate that progestogen desensitization is successful in multiple patients and can result in symptom control and fertility. Women with cyclical allergic symptoms, including those undergoing IVF, should be evaluated for PH.
Parallel sections: scaling system-level data-structures

As systems continue to increase the number of cores within cache coherency domains, traditional techniques for enabling parallel computation on data-structures are increasingly strained. A single contended cache-line bouncing between different caches can prohibit continued performance gains with additional cores. New abstractions and mechanisms are required to reassess how data-structure consistency can be provided, while maintaining stable per-core access latencies. This paper presents the Parallel Sections (ParSec) abstraction for mediating access to shared data-structures. Fundamental to the approach is a new form of scalable memory reclamation that leverages fast local access to real-time to globally order system events. This approach attempts to minimize coherency-traffic, while harnessing the benefit of shared read-mostly cache-lines. We show that the co-management of scalable memory reclamation, memory allocation, locking, and namespace management enables scalable system service implementation. We apply ParSec to both memcached, and virtual memory management in a microkernel, and find order-of magnitude performance increases on a four socket, 40 core machine, and 30x lower 99th percentile latencies for virtual memory management.
Synthesis of Dithieno[2,3-b:3‘,2‘-d]thiophenesBuilding Blocks for Cross-Conjugated β-Oligothiophenes

Syntheses of annelated and functionalized β-trithiophenes (dithieno[2,3-b:3‘,2‘-d]thiophenes), building blocks for the helically annelated, cross-conjugated β-oligothiophenes, are reported. UV−vis spectra reveal that the effect of octyl substituents on the onset of electronic absorption in annelated β-trithiophenes is negligible compared to the effect of helical distortion in the higher β-oligothiophenes.
Animal Models for Alcoholism

The final chapter in this section focuses on attempts to develop animal models of human alcohol abuse. A number of other topics could have been chosen for this, the fourth case example. Why alcoholism?
Exploring the unintended negative impact of an ethical climate in competitive environments

To attain short-term performance, sales managers must motivate their salesforce to close deals (often through use of intra-firm competition). At the same time, to maintain long-term relationships, they must promote a highly ethical selling environment (which may be incongruent with use of intra-firm competition). The present study examines the interactive relationship between competitive psychological climate and ethical psychological climate in predicting salespeople’s ethical intentions and behaviors toward customers. A unique dyadic data set is used to predict salesperson ethical intentions and actual salesperson ethical behaviors reported by customers. For ethical intentions, an “executive control” perspective predicts improved ethical intentions toward customers. However, a “depletion” perspective predicts reduced ethical behavior during actual customer interactions. This result is provocative as fostering an ethical climate in conjunction with a competitive climate is found to reduce ethical behaviors in the eyes of customers, a finding clearly counter to what managers intend.
Do Limits on Institutional Investment Increase Opportunities For Ratings Shopping at the Margin of Investment and Speculative Grade

Rating agencies are expected to be concerned about their long-term reputation because if they lose the trust of investors their ratings would lose credibility and value. We expect that there is less effective monitoring and hence more opportunities for ratings shopping within speculative grades because pensions and other similar institutions known for effective monitoring are limited by regulatory and/or contractual constraints from purchasing those instruments. Utilizing annual data on US firms rated by Standard and Poor’s, we find systematically better ratings outcomes in speculative than investment grades firms at the margin of investment and speculative grades, ceteris paribus, consistent with opportunistic behavior.
The Probability Space

This chapter provides an overview on the probability space. A model for random phenomena must account for the statistical regularity that these phenomena exhibit. This is done by assigning to each event a number, called its probability. In an experiment concerning a simple or compound event A and repeat it m times. If it is assumed that A occurs in h of the m trials, then, clearly 0 ≤ h ≤ m . Probability cannot be defined as a point function, but must be defined as a set function if the outcome space is noncountable, whereas one can assign probabilities to all subsets of a countable outcome space. It is not possible to assign probabilities to all subsets of a general noncountable outcome space. Finite or denumerable outcome spaces are often suitable in model building; however, there are experiments whose outcomes do not form a finite or a denumerable set.
CNS IMMUNOLOGICAL MODULATION OF NEURAL GRAFT REJECTION AND SURVIVAL

Neural transplantation therapy as a possible alternative treatment for neurological movement disorders, such as in Parkinson's disease (PD), has accentuated research interest on the immune status of the central nervous system (CNS). Most animal studies concerned with neural transplantation for the treatment of PD have utilized dopamine (DA) neurons from tissues of the embryonic ventral mesencephalon. Rat embryonic DA neurons, grafted either as solid blocks or dissociated into a cell suspension and stereotaxically injected intraparenchymally into a rat lesion model of PD, have been shown to survive and form connections with the host brain, and ameliorate the behavioral deficits of PD. Similarly, studies on nonhuman primate models of PD provide considerable support for neural transplantation of DA neurons as an experimental clinical procedure for the treatment of PD. To this end, experimental clinical trials have been centered upon transplantation of the embryonic ventral mesencephalic cells for PD patients. Although not conclusive, the findings from clinical studies have provided some evidence that most patients with marked increases in fluorodopa uptake (indicating graft survival) have been immunosuppressed. Furthermore, immune reactions have been observed in rats xenografted with human embryonic tissue. Of note, embryonic ventral mesencephalic tissues compared to adult tissues produce better morphological and long-lasting behavioral amelioration of the neurobehavioral deficits of PD, thus advocating the use of grafts from young donors (embryo) to circumvent the CNS immune rejection. The possible graft rejection due to CNS immune reactions, coupled with the social and ethical problems surrounding the use of embryonic neural tissue, and the logistical problems concerning tissue availability have prompted the development of alternative sources of DA-secreting cells. To circumvent these obstacles, several methods have been suggested including the use of immunosuppressants such as Cyclosporine-A, transplantation of autografts, polymer-encapsulated DA-secreting cells, co-culturing and co-transplantation of DA-secreting cells with microcarrier beads, with Sertoli cells, or with fragments of a monoclonal antibody that can mask the MHC class I antigens, and genetically modifying cells that can withstand CNS immune reactions. Some of these techniques allow transplantation of allograft (same species transplantation), or even xenograft (cross species transplantation) without immunosuppression of the recipient. We discuss recent CNS immunosuppression techniques that pose some promise for enhanced survival of neural grafts. When possible, advantages and disadvantages of each method are presented. Hopefully, such critical analysis of different immunosuppression techniques will produce innovated ideas that will lead to a better understanding of CNS immune response and its modulatory function on graft rejection and survival.
Literacy and body fatness are associated with underreporting of energy intake in US low-income women using the multiple-pass 24-hour recall: a doubly labeled water study.

Abstract Objective The accuracy of the multiple-pass 24-hour recall method for estimating energy intake in low-income women in the United States was ascertained by comparing the method with measurements of total energy expenditure. The multiple-pass 24-hour recall is designed to provide respondents with multiple cues and opportunities to report their food intake. It consists of 3 distinct passes: the quick list, detailed description, and review. Predictors of energy intake misreporting (energy intake – total energy expenditure) in the sample were determined. Design Four multiple-pass 24-hour recalls (2 in person, 2 by telephone) were obtained over a 14-day period to estimate energy intake. Total energy expenditure was measured over the same 14-day period using the doubly labeled water method. Body composition was measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and literacy was measured by the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) for reading and spelling. Subjects/settings Thirty-five low-income women between the ages of 19 and 46 years were tested at the General Clinical Research Center at the University of Vermont, Burlington. Low income was defined as a household income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Statistical analysis Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, t tests, paired t tests, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were used to test the relationships among study variables. Results Mean energy intake was significantly lower than mean total energy expenditure (2,197±607 vs 2,644±503 kcal, P =.001) and the correlation between the 2 measures was poor ( r =.22, P =.20). Percentage body fat and the combined age-adjusted reading and spelling WRAT scores were the best predictors of misreporting of energy intake ( R =.52, P =.006). Conclusions The multiple-pass 24-hour recall did not generate a group measure of energy intake that was accurate or unbiased in this sample. Underreporting was strongly associated with increased body fatness. The ability to read and spell as measured by the WRAT improved the accuracy of the women's recall of their food intake. Applications Dietetics professionals should take into consideration the problem of underreporting whenever conclusions are made about associations between diet and health and/or when evaluating the impact of food assistance programs on dietary intake. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:1136–1140 .
Neurology of pregnancy

Pregnancy creates alterations in maternal physiology which predispose to unique neurologic disorders. Pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, certain types of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and thunderclap headache all appear to share a common origin from vascular endothelial dysfunction, with overlapping clinical presentations. Multiple sclerosis often improves during pregnancy. Compression mononeuropathies may occur in the extremities. Myasthenia gravis may affect second stage labor. Various inflammatory peripheral neuropathies, dystrophies, myopathies may occur during pregnancy. The safety of specific immune suppressants is reviewed. Epilepsy does not have a significant effect upon the course of pregnancy, albeit there is a modest increase in the need for cesarean section. Certain antiepileptic drugs may produce fetal malformations, most notably valproic acid. Brain tumors are rare during pregnancy, but may increase in size due to activation of hormonal receptors on tumor cells surfaces, water retention, and engorged blood vessels.
Oxytocin augmentation of dysfunctional labor. V. An alternative oxytocin regimen.

Abstract A regimen is described in which the time from the start of a large dose of oxytocin to a myometrial response was used for selection of a maintenance dose. The method is based on our experience that continuous intravenous doses of oxytocin in the therapeutic range for the augmentation of labor require about 40 minutes of intravenous infusion to achieve a steady-state plasma concentration of oxytocin. The method effectively identified the proper maintenance dose on the first attempt in 43 of 59 patients 73%) and on the second in 58 of 59. The doses selected effected cervical dilatation in 55 of 59 cases (93%). Comparison of the timed dose method with an arithmetic progression regimen revealed the former method to select the minimum effective dose more rapidly, but that method had no advantage in shortening the time from the start of oxytocin to complete cervical dilatation. Examination of the plasma concentration of oxytocin by radioimmunoassay demonstrates that the maintenance dose selected by the duration of the interval from the start of infusion to a myometrial response sustains the plasma oxytocin concentration obtained by the initial dose. These data lend additional evidence that any particular dose of oxytocin in the therapeutic range requires approximately 40 minutes to achieve a steady-state plasma concentration.
Flexibility of the Sec13/31 cage is influenced by the Sec31 C-terminal disordered domain.

Abstract In COPII mediated vesicle formation, Sec13/Sec31 heterotetramers play a role in organizing the membranes into a spherical vesicle. There they oligomerize into a cage that interacts with the other COPII proteins to direct vesicle formation and concentrate cargo into a bud. In this role they must be flexible to accommodate different sizes and shapes of cargo, but also have elements that provide rigidity to help deform the membrane. Here we characterize the influence the C-terminal disordered region of Sec31 has on cage flexibility and rigidity. After deleting this region (residues 820–1220), we characterized Sec13/Sec31ΔC heterotetramers biophysically and structurally through cryo-EM. Our results show that Sec13/31ΔC self-assembles into canonical cuboctahedral cages in vitro at buffer conditions similar to wild type. The distribution of cage sizes indicated that unlike the wild type, Sec13/31ΔC cages have a more homogeneous geometry. However, the structure of cuboctahedrons exhibited more conformational heterogeneity than wild type. Through localized reconstruction of cage vertices and molecular dynamics flexible fitting we found a new hinge for the flexing of Sec31 β-propeller domain and more flexibility of the previously known hinge. Together, these results show that the C-terminal region of Sec31 regulates the flexing of other domains such that flexibility and rigidity are not compromised during transport of large and/or asymmetric cargo.
The Interview as an Interactional Event

The interview is a very common and popular data collection tool in the social sciences. However, interviews are also important tools to collect information in many other non-academic practices, such as asylum seekers’ procedures. Researchers and practitioners working with interviews (particularly in the area of narrative, which is the one that has the most bearing on the case of asylum seekers) tend to regard the interview merely as a container for meanings that are basically constructed and expressed by the interviewee. Therefore, they focus their analyses of interview data exclusively on the interviewee, without considering the role of the interviewer in eliciting/negotiating those data or the patterns of interaction occurring between the participants.
When a “One Size” Model Doesn't Fit All: The Building Healthy Schools Program

Although research suggests various effective interventions to curb obesity, there remains a gap between current evidence and sustainable practice in schools and communities. School settings present...
Effects of a brain-enhanced chemical delivery system for estradiol on body weight and food intake in intact and ovariectomized rats.

Studies were undertaken to determine the effects on body weight of a brain-enhanced chemical delivery system for estradiol. This estradiol-chemical delivery system (E2-CDS) has a long half-life in the brain, where it slowly releases estradiol but is quickly cleared from peripheral tissues. We administered, by a single iv injection, E2-CDS (0.2, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/kg), equimolar doses of another 17-hydroxy-substituted estrogen, estradiol valerate (E2-VAL), or the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) vehicle to female rats. Daily food intake and body weight was determined for 24 days thereafter. E2-CDS caused an initial dose-dependent suppression in body weight for up to 8 days and a suppression in food intake for up to 4 days. In response to E2-VAL, the initial declines in body weight and food intake were lower in magnitude, were shorter in duration, and showed no dose dependency. Following this period of weight loss, E2-CDS-treated rats gained weight at a rate greater than that of the DMSO controls, and at the 0.2- and 1.0-mg/kg doses, body weights achieved were greater than control levels. To determine the role of the ovaries on this biphasic response to E2-CDS, long-term ovariectomized rats were treated with E2-CDS (1.0 mg/kg) or the vehicle and parameters of body weight regulation were determined for 25 days. Ovariectomized rats responded to E2-CDS with a prompt and sustained decrease in body weight which did not recover over the 25-day course of the study. The body-weight loss in ovariectomized rats was associated with a marked reduction in food intake for 8 days. Finally, when intact female rats were administered the E2-CDS on the day of diestrus I, rats exhibited cornified vaginal epithelial lavages for 3.5 days, during which weight loss was observed, followed by a 7.8-day period of pseudopregnancy during which animals rapidly gained weight. Collectively, these data indicate that delivery of E2 to the brain with E2-CDS causes a marked decline in body weight and food intake in female rats. The phase of increased body weight which follows this drug-induced weight loss appears to be ovarian dependent, since in ovariectomized rats this phase of response to the drug is not observed.
POSE.R: Prediction-based Opportunistic Sensing for Resilient and Efficient Sensor Networks

The article presents a distributed algorithm, called Prediction-based Opportunistic Sensing for Resilient and Efficient Sensor Networks (POSE.R), where the sensor nodes utilize predictions of the targets' positions to probabilistically control their multi-modal operating states to track the targets. There are two desired features of the algorithm: energy efficiency and resilience. If the target is traveling through a high-node-density area, then an optimal sensor selection approach is employed that maximizes a joint cost function of remaining energy and geometric diversity around the target’s position. This provides energy efficiency and increases the network lifetime while preventing redundant nodes from tracking the target. However, if the target is traveling through a low-node-density area or in a coverage gap (e.g., formed by node failures or non-uniform node deployment), then a potential game is played amongst the surrounding nodes to optimally expand their sensing ranges via minimizing energy consumption and maximizing target coverage. This provides resilience, that is, the self-healing capability to track the target in the presence of low node densities and coverage gaps. The algorithm is comparatively evaluated against existing approaches through Monte Carlo simulations that demonstrate its superiority in terms of tracking performance, network-resilience, and network-lifetime.
Finding a path to anti-racism: Pivotal childhood experiences of White helping professionals:

In a time of heightened bigotry and racialized violence, it is critical for social workers to engage in anti-racism practice. What leads White individuals to embrace this framework is less explored...
Counseling Competencies for the English-Speaking Caribbean:

The present study utilized the Delphi method to develop a list of competency areas for counseling professionals practicing with residents of the English-Speaking Caribbean. Thirty-seven counseling ...
Viajes reales e imaginarios de Hernán Cortés en la corte del emperador Moctezuma II

The voyage of Hernan Cortes to the Mexica court of Emperor Moctezuma II, although historically real, varies every time it is re-told. Three versions of this voyage are analyzed in this study: the first one is the one narrated in the History of the Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards (Madrid, 1684), a panegyric written by Antonio Solis y Rivadeneira; the second is the one sung in the dramma per musica of Antonio Vivaldi called Montezuma (Venice, 1733), a ‘comedy’; the third one, also based on Solis’ History, is the one represented in the tragedia per musica named Montezuma (Berlin, 1755), composed by Carl Heinrich Graun and Friedrich II (der Groβe) of the House of Hohenzollern. Hence, we have three radically different but acceptable visions of Cortes’ voyage in the Americas: an encomiastic one, a tragic one, and a consolatory one.
Thermal Upscattering Acceleration Schemes for Parallel Transport Sweeps

This work is motivated by the need to solve realistic problems with complex energy, space, and angle dependence, which requires parallel multigroup transport sweeps combined with efficient accelera...