cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Environmental Parameters on the Freezing and Fragmentation of Suspended Water Drops

Abstract The fragmentation of freezing water droplets in natural clouds has been postulated by several workers, and this phenomenon has been observed in numerous laboratory investigations. However, the profound effect that environmental conditions can have on fragmentation has not been fully appreciated. In the first part of this paper the factors that might affect the freezing behavior and fragmentation of a water drop are discussed, and, where possible, are analyzed in detail. In the second part of the paper results are presented of laboratory experiments on the freezing of suspended water drops 1 mm in diameter. Drops nucleated in air under equilibrium conditions were never observed to shatter and only one drop in ten ejected an ice splinter. The shattering and large splinter counts from suspended drops nucleated in air which have been reported by other workers are attributed to the contamination of the drops by carbon dioxide and nucleation under non-equilibrium conditions. Drops frozen in hydrogen sh...
Charting the Course for a Heart-Healthy and Stroke-Free America

hronic noncommunicable diseases caused an estimated 33.4 million deaths worldwide in 2002 and remain the leading global cause of death oday.1 Half of these chronic disease deaths were due to ardiovascular diseases (CVD), principally heart disease nd stroke, and they accounted for 29.2% of total lobal mortality in 2002.1 In the United States, heart isease and stroke are, respectively, the first and third eading causes of death and major causes of morbidity, remature mortality, reduced quality of life, and peristent health disparities.2,3 Charting a course for eliminating CVD as a national nd global epidemic requires a renewed commitment o science as the foundation of evidenced-based clinical nd public health interventions. It also requires inreased attention to epidemiologic data as a principal uide for health policy and program development. The ollection of articles in this supplement to the American ournal of Preventive Medicine addresses some major areas or charting this course and highlights the opportuniies and challenges involved in increasing years and uality of life, reducing CVD morbidity and mortality, nd eliminating disparities in cardiovascular health.
The effects of strategic counting instruction, with and without deliberate practice, on number combination skill among students with mathematics difficulties

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the effects of strategic counting instruction, with and without deliberate practice with those counting strategies, on number combination (NC) skill among students with mathematics difficulties (MD). Students (n = 150) were stratified on MD status (i.e., MD alone vs. MD with reading difficulty) and site (proximal vs. distal to the intervention developer) and then randomly assigned to control (no tutoring) or 1 of 2 variants of NC remediation. Both remediations were embedded in the same validated word-problem tutoring protocol (i.e., Pirate Math). In 1 variant, the focus on NCs was limited to a single lesson that taught strategic counting. In the other variant, 4-6 min of practice per session was added to the other variant. Tutoring occurred for 16 weeks, 3 sessions per week for 20-30 min per session. Strategic counting without deliberate practice produced superior NC fluency compared to control; however, strategic counting with deliberate practice effected superior NC fluency and transfer to procedural calculations compared with both competing conditions. Also, the efficacy of Pirate Math word-problem tutoring was replicated.
Identification of Chaulmoogric Acid as a Small Molecule Activator of Protein Phosphatase 5

Protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) is an important protein phosphatase that is abundantly expressed in the central nervous system. Recent studies showed that PP5 activity in the neocortex from patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is decreased significantly, suggesting that small molecule PP5 activator may have therapeutic potential for AD. We performed a biochemical screening for PP5 activators with the microsource compound library. Chaulmoogric acid was identified to be an effective activator with EC50 value of 134.5 μM. Importantly, results from circular dichroism (CD) and limited proteolysis study showed that chaulmoogric acid binds to a region of tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain of PP5 resulting in complete loss of helical contents. These results demonstrate a different mechanism of action from that of arachidonic acid, a known activator for PP5 dephosphorylation activity. Synergistic activation of PP5 enzymatic activity was also observed with combined application of both compounds at relatively low concentrations. Therefore, further structure activity relationship study of chaulmoogric acid may facilitate the discovery of small molecules that can synergize with endogenous arachidonic acid for PP5 activation.
A New Approach to the Monte Carlo Prediction of Interface Phenomena

A new method for more efficient Monte Carlo prediction of interface phenomena in highly shielded and/or complex geometries is described. It is based upon the internal generation of an interface source surrounding the relatively small portion of a problem where interface effects are most important. The method is verified by comparing with a more conventional Monte Carlo approach for a case where the latter can be efficiently employed. It is applied to the prediction of forward photoemission for both scattering and absorption dominated situations and to the prediction of energy deposition profiles near a gold/silicon interface that is both highly shielded and subject to significant backscatter. Although run times are quite high, primarily due to the large spread in weights of the contributing electrons, there may be no alternatives to this approach for complex geometries.
(Acetato-κ2O,O')dihydroxidoytterbium(III) hemihydrate.

The title compound, [Yb(C2H3O2)(OH)2]·0.5H2O, was ob­tained via hydro­thermal reaction of Yb(CH3COO)3·H2O with NaOH at 443 K. The compound forms two-dimensional layers with six crystallographically independent YbIII atoms. Four of these form YbO8 coordination polyhedra, while the coordination number of the remaining two YbIII atoms is 7. Five of these coordination polyhedra are inter­connected mainly via hy­droxide groups, as they build a narrow inner layer that extends infinitely within the ab plane. The sixth YbIII atom resides outside this inner layer and builds a terminal YbO8 coordination polyhedron on the layer surface. Its coordination environment comprises four carboxyl­ate O atoms belonging to three different acetate entities, three hydroxide groups and one water mol­ecule. Adjacent layers experience weak inter­actions via hydrogen bonds. The Yb—O distances lie in the range 2.232 (4)–2.613 (5) A.
BRANDING THE MAHATMA: The Untimely Provocation of Gandhian Publicity

This essay is an exploration of the relationship between Mahatma Gandhi as a contested figure in present-day Indian public culture and Gandhi as himself an innovative technician of mass publicity. I begin with an analysis of the scandal that erupted in early 2002 when one of the Mahatma's descendants appeared to have signed a deal with a U.S. corporation to license Gandhi's name and image for use in consumer goods advertising. I proceed to situate that controversy within the larger field of recent Gandhian reference in India, focusing on the complex connections between his iconization and his demonization. The second half of the essay turns the analysis around to inquire into what I call “Gandhian publicity.” I show that although Gandhi's thinking on communicative efficacy is nowadays often assimilated into a commercial brand logic, Gandhian publicity remains irreducible to such appropriation. Ultimately, I argue that the scandal of “branding Gandhi” has less to do with any violation of his supposed saintly otherwordliness than with the “untimely” provocation posed to consumerist publicity by his understanding of the intimate relationship between the management of corporeal energies and socially transformative mass communication.
Comparison of the NIST and NRC Josephson Voltage Standards (SIM.EM.BIPM-K10.b)

A comparison between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Research Council (NRC) Josephson voltage standards (JVS) was carried out at the NRC from 13 August to 17 August 2007. The comparison was made at the 10 V level. It was a two-way direct JVS comparison, which means that the NIST JVS provided a voltage at 10 V and was measured against the NRC JVS with NRC's measuring system (hardware and software). The comparison was repeated by using the NIST JVS measuring system to measure a voltage at 10 V provided by the NRC JVS. The results from the two comparisons were consistent. The difference between the NIST CJVS and the NRC JVS is ?0.28 nV with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 2.07 nV at 10 V or 2.07 parts in 1010. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).
Electrical and magnetic properties of holmium single crystals

Magnetic moment measurements have been made on holmium single crystals (hcp) over the range 1.3 to 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K in magnetic fields from 250 to 18 000 Oe with the field applied along the $c$ axis, the $a$ axis, and a $〈10\overline{1}0〉$ direction. The $〈10\overline{1}0〉$ direction is the direction of easy magnetization with an extrapolated effective moment per atom at saturation of 10.34 Bohr magnetons. Basal plane measurements showed antiferro-magnetism below the N\'eel temperature of 132\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with basal plane anisotropy occurring below 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Below the N\'eel point, an anomalous type of transition to ferromagnetic behavior upon application of sufficient field was observed. Magnetization curves for the $c$ axis are linear down to 60\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, while measurements below 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K show an initial magnetization of approximately 1.7 Bohr magnetons followed by nearly linear magnetization curves. Electrical resistivity measurements were made from 4.2 to 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. For the $a$ axis, the resistivity changes slope slightly at 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. A larger change in slope occurs at the N\'eel temperature of 132\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. For the $c$ axis, the resistivity changes slope slightly at 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, reaches a peak at 120\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, goes through a minimum at 132\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and remains constant until approximately 150\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, after which it increases linearly with increasing temperature.
Female Sexual Response and the Timing of Partner Orgasm

Abstract Although orgasm can be experienced in many ways with or without a partner, partner involvement continues to be a noted preference for many women. In order to examine the timing of partner orgasm in relationship to female sexual response, women who usually experience orgasm before, simultaneously, or after their male partner's first orgasm were examined in the context of their orgasmic behaviors, role of their partners in sexual interaction, and their level of sexual satisfaction. A survey research design, which utilized the responses of 709 adult women, indicated that those women who usually experienced orgasm after their male partners perceived less physiological and psychological sexual satisfaction. Furthermore, several other significant results were found regarding timing of partner orgasm. With the failure to reach orgasm through sexual intercourse being reported by women as a common sexual complaint, sex educators and therapists can use these findings to facilitate an increased awareness of...
An elastic network model based on the structure of the red blood cell membrane skeleton

A finite element network model has been developed to predict the macroscopic elastic shear modulus and the area expansion modulus of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane skeleton on the basis of its microstructure. The topological organization of connections between spectrin molecules is represented by the edges of a random Delaunay triangulation, and the elasticity of an individual spectrin molecule is represented by the spring constant, K, for a linear spring element. The model network is subjected to deformations by prescribing nodal displacements on the boundary. The positions of internal nodes are computed by the finite element program. The average response of the network is used to compute the shear modulus (mu) and area expansion modulus (kappa) for the corresponding effective continuum. For networks with a moderate degree of randomness, this model predicts mu/K = 0.45 and kappa/K = 0.90 in small deformations. These results are consistent with previous computational models and experimental estimates of the ratio mu/kappa. This model also predicts that the elastic moduli vary by 20% or more in networks with varying degrees of randomness. In large deformations, mu increases as a cubic function of the extension ratio lambda 1, with mu/K = 0.62 when lambda 1 = 1.5.
Declining antibody titers in children with congenital rubella

The results of serial antibody determinations (CF, SN, and HI) are reported for a selected group of 20 children with congenital rubella followed for 20 to 40 months. Eighteen children had a fourfold or greater decline in titer over the period. The remaining 2 children had no detectable antibody on repeated tests; rubella virus was isolated from both. By the end of the period of observation, 7 children had no detectable antibody.
Geology and Metallogeny of Copper Deposits

This book contains 39 papers (by 72 authors) that are based upon invited presentations given at the Symposium on Copper Deposits at the 27th International Geological Congress in Moscow. The symposium was jointly organized and sponsored by the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), the Society of Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA), and the International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits (IAGOD). All of the papers are in English. They were reviewed by the editors as well as by external referees and have been printed in a uniform typeface.
Turgor pressure of fungal mycelia

The osmotic water potential and turgor pressure of fungal mycelia were determined by thermocouple psychrometry. The water potential ( ψ ) of intact aerial mycelia was assumed to be the same as that of the growth substrate: the osmotic water potential ( ψ s ) of the mycelia was determined by psychrometric measurement of the water potential of disrupted samples of the mycelia. Turgor pressure ( ψ p ) of the mycelia was calculated by difference ( ψ p =ψ-ψ s ). The effect of decreasing substrate water potential on the turgor pressure, osmotic water potential and colony growth rate of Mucor hiemalis and Aspergillus wentii was evaluated, using sucrose and KCl to control substrate water potential. Mycelial turgor pressure ranged from 4 to 11 bar for M. hiemalis and 12 to 18 bar for A. wentii but showed no consistent relationship to growth rate or to substrate and osmotic water potential. The results indicate that solute-induced growth retardation of M. hiemalis probably involves an inhibitory influence of low internal osmotic water potential.
Effects of dietary lipids on growth and fatty acid composition of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Abstract No adverse effects resulted from the partial replacement of either soy oil or fish oil with animal fat in diets fed to rainbow trout held for 182 days at 11°C. The influence of fatty acid composition of dietary lipids on growth in rainbow trout appears to be secondary to other dietary factors, providing the diet contains the required amounts of essential fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of carcass lipids reflects that of dietary lipids.
Optimization of method for speciation of mercury(II), monomethylmercury cation, dimethylmercury and diethylmercury by hydride generation

This paper describes optimization details of an analytical method development of a hydride-generation procedure for speciation of mercury(II), monomethylmercury cation, dimethylmercury, and diethylmercury using a heated quartz furnace with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) as a detector. Typically a new analytical method is developed in steps such as the following: (1) determining analytes individually to confirm retention times and the lack of decomposition during the procedure; (2) comparing peak areas of all analytes as a function of quartz furnace temperature to optimize atomization for AAS detection; (3) conducting factorial experiments to determine which hydride-generation reaction conditions are important in maximizing peak areas and which conditions interact with each other; (4) using the simplex optimization method to give final optimization of reaction conditions. These steps result in conditions that maximize optimized peak areas for analytes while minimizing experimental error.
Antioxidative effects of encapsulated sodium tripolyphosphate and encapsulated sodium acid pyrophosphate in ground beef patties cooked immediately after antioxidant incorporation and stored

Abstract Ground beef with 1% NaCl was incorporated with 0.5% unencapsulated sodium tripolyphosphate (uSTP), 0.5% encapsulated sodium tripolyphosphate (eSTP), 0.5% unencapsulated sodium acid pyrophosphate (uSAPP), or 0.5% encapsulated sodium acid pyrophosphate (eSAPP) prior to being cooked and stored (0 or 6 d, 3 °C). The pH was higher (P
Survey of airborne mold flora in Panama.

A survey of the airborne fungi was carried out for one year. Petri plates containing Sabouraud's medium were exposed, eight times monthly, at each of six collection sites. A total of 3306 colonies were recovered.
Gender Identity, Ethnicity, Acculturation, and Drug Use: Exploring Differences among Adolescents in the Southwest.

This article presents the findings of a survey completed by 1351 predominantly Mexican American middle school students residing in a large urban center in the U.S. Southwest. The study explores possible associations between drug use attitudes and behaviors and gender (biological sex), gender identity, ethnicity, and acculturation status. Based on the concepts of "machismo" and "marianismo" that have been used to describe Mexican populations, four dimensions of gender identity were measured: aggressive masculinity, assertive masculinity, affective femininity, and submissive femininity. In explaining a variety of indicators of drug use behaviors and anti-drug norms, gender alone had limited explanatory power, while gender identity-often regardless of gender-was a better predictor. Aggressive masculinity was generally associated with higher risk of drug use, while the other three gender identity measures had selected protective effects. However, the impact of gender identity was strongly mediated by acculturation. Less acculturated Mexican American students reported lower aggressive masculinity scores than non-Latinos. Less acculturated Mexican American girls reported both the lowest aggressive masculinity scores and the highest submissive femininity scores. More acculturated Mexican American students, along with the less acculturated Mexican American boys, did not appear to be following a polarized approach to gender identity (machismo and marianismo) as was expected. The findings suggest that some aspects of culturally prescribed gender roles can have a protective effect against drug use behaviors and attitudes, possibly for both girls and boys.
Predicted Performance Of Heliostats For ERDA'S 10 MWe Power Plant

ERDA, through its Division of Solar Energy is directing and funding a competitive(preliminary design proposal for a 10 MWe pilot power plant of the solar thermal central receiver type. The plant is expected to be operational in 1980 and is to be located near Barstow, CA. Sandia Laboratories in its capacity as technical manager of the project has performed technical evaluations and comparisons of the several subsystem designs supplied by the competing contractors. Predicted performance parameters for the optical subsystems are presented. These data were obtained by the application of a Monte Carlo ray trace program prepared by the authors. A short description of the program is included.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A model of the effects of sedimentation rate on the stability of Mississippi Delta sediments

High sedimentation rates on the subaqueous delta of the Mississippi River create localized sediment instabilities that result in downslope movement through well-defined chutes or gullies. A simplified kinematic wave equation model that neglects second-order effects such as diffusion treats the failure mechanism as a sedimentation and slope oversteepening process and sediment motion as a propagating kinematic wave. The model allows estimation of sedimentation rates necessary to initiate slope failures for a range of observed depths of basal shear planes. Model results indicate that slope oversteepening is a viable failure mechanism and a thin surface sediment layer may be moving downslope in a slow, continuous motion.
Pilocarpine, an orally active muscarinic cholinergic agonist, induces REM sleep and reduces delta sleep in normal volunteers

The effect of oral pilocarpine, a direct-acting muscarinic, cholinergic agonist, on polygraphic sleep parameters was studied in 13 healthy male volunteers. Subjects received placebo and oral pilocarpine (25 mg) in a double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. Pilocarpine shortened the latency of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increased total REM time, REM%, and the duration of the first REM period. In addition, it reduced Stage 4 sleep and Delta sleep. Pulse rate was not significantly changed during the first hour of darkness after administration of pilocarpine. Subjective sleep experience and the subjects' condition in the morning were not altered. These results suggest that pilocarpine has central effects (i.e., induction of REM sleep) that are similar to those of other centrally acting muscarinic cholinomimetic agents.
Comparison of crop and animal simulation options for integration with the biorefinery

The biorefinery has been modeled for the production of fuel ethanol from cellulosic biomass, but it has not been integrated with cropping and animal systems. Incorporation of these systems will allow fully integrated environmental and economic analysis of biomass production, possible secondary protein products, fertilizer production and ethanol fuel production. A comparison is presented of the performance of several crop and animal simulation models, including: DAYCENT, Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM), and I-FARM. Using a grading system developed by the authors, a model is highlighted as suitable complement to existing biorefinery models for future investigation of alternative farm management strategies in conjunction with classical engineering process design.
Autonomous exploration of cliff faces using multiple information metrics

Recent evidence that water flowed down the faces of some Martian cliffs has created an interest in the scientific community to explore these cliffs more thoroughly, perhaps using robots. This paper presents a technique for autonomous exploration that considers multiple forms of information while exploring. The method is applied to the problem of autonomously exploring cliffs. The exploring robot seeks out unknown terrain and identifies any cliffs in the environment. When a cliff is found, the robot finds a way to the bottom to view the face of the cliff where signs of water runoff may be present. Results from experiments both in simulation and in the field are presented.
An assessment of surface‐mine reclamation based upon sheetwash erosion rates at the Glenrock coal company, Glenrock, Wyoming

Comparative erosion rates provide a rational basis for evaluating reclamation success because the work performed by erosion processes is a function of both forces and resistances operating on a surface. Sheetwash erosion data collected by the LEMI technique over several years at the Dave Johnston Mine in east-central Wyoming show that, based upon average values, there is generally little difference between the erosion rates of natural and reclaimed hillslopes at this locale. Therefore, it is permissible to infer that the reclamation programme has been successful from a geomorphic perspective. However, there is considerable variation in erosion rates about the average for individual hillslopes in both the natural and reclaimed groups. Examination of these data by hillslope element and segment show that, based upon average values, the concave elements of natural and reclaimed hillslopes experience the highest rate of sheetwash erosion. Again, however, there is considerable variation about the average and considerable erosion can occur in any element or segment of particular hillslopes. Lastly, there are seasonal oscillations of hillslope surface elevation with frost-heaving prevalent during the late autumn to early spring months and erosion prevalent during the late spring to early autumn months.
A New Music Criticism

By "criticism" I understand here the discussion of works of art in any and all ways that might be considered relevant to their understanding and appreciation. By "interpretation" I understand the discussion of works of art purporting to explicate their meaning. By "analysis" I understand the discussion of works of art that concentrates solely on their phenomeno logical, syntactic and formal properties. People have been writing about music, or things with at least strong family resemblances to what we recognize as music, for a very long time: since Plato, anyway. And at least some of this writing can, I think, be plausibly described as "criticism." But musical criticism in the modern mold?as an identifiable, more or less self-contained discipline?is of fairly recent vintage, its emergence closely associated with the rise and emancipa tion of instrumental music in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth cen turies. It is surprising neither that musical criticism gained its autonomy in lock step with the emerging autonomy of pure instrumental music, nor (which is also the case) that the philosophical problems we associate with it were defined in just that process. For while music remained predominantly vocal, and a text, therefore, all but omnipresent, musical criticism was never merely musical criticism, the problem of talking intelligibly and infor matively about music alone never clearly perceived or articulated. My subject is music criticism in its modern, emancipated form. And I shall be dealing exclusively with the discipline of writing about music that is "pure": that possesses, in other words, neither text nor title nor program nor any other extra-musical elements; what I like to call "music alone." Thus, whenever, from now on, I refer to musical criticism, or musical analysis, or musical interpretation, I should be taken, unless it is otherwise apparent, to be talking about the criticism or the analysis or the interpreta tion of pure instrumental music; of music alone.
Bond Indenture Consent Solicitations as a Debt Management Tool

Many companies in recent years are seeking new ways to manage their debt liabilities. Companies with outstanding debt securities can engage in a variety of transactions with bond holders. Choices will depend to some extent on whether or not the company has access to cash and is able to purchase in the open market or through cash tender offer, or if without cash, by making an exchange offer of new securities for existing securities. Often in either case, there is a bond indenture consent solicitation needed to waive or amend existing bond terms, the announcement of which signals management’s intent to the market. Given the increasing prevalence of this practice as a debt management tool, this study seeks to determine whether it is truly perceived to be value enhancing by stockholders. Using an event study of 50 companies announcing bond indenture consent solicitations, we find that shareholders do benefit, and companies appear well served by this practice.
Bayesian Model Averaging: Theoretical Developments and Practical Applications

Political science researchers typically conduct an idiosyncratic search of possible model configurations and then present a single specification to readers. This approach systematically understates the uncertainty of our results, generates fragile model specifications, and leads to the estimation of bloated models with too many control variables. Bayesian model averaging (BMA) offers a systematic method for analyzing specification uncertainty and checking the robustness of one’s results to alternative model specifications, but it has not come into wide usage within the discipline. In this paper, we introduce important recent developments in BMA and show how they enable a different approach to using the technique in applied social science research. We illustrate the methodology by reanalyzing data from three recent studies using BMA software we have modified to respect statistical conventions within political science.
Code probability distributions of A/D converters with random input noise

The specific architecture of an A/D converter influences the code probability distributions that result from random input noise. In particular, the output codes of successive approximation A/D converters have a spiked distribution, and its variance is half that of the corresponding input noise. In addition, the distribution has a small bias. These and other related results are derived, and are qualitatively supported by measurement data on a real 16-bit A/D converter.
Molecular Design of Stable Second Order Nonlinear Optical Polymers

The temporal and thermal stability of second order nonlinear optical properties of polymers is an important issue in the development of poly meric electro-optic devices. This has been addressed by introducing interchain crosslinking. A number of crosslinked systems developed by photochemical reactions have been presented.
A Neural Implementation of the Kalman Filter

Recent experimental evidence suggests that the brain is capable of approximating Bayesian inference in the face of noisy input stimuli. Despite this progress, the neural underpinnings of this computation are still poorly understood. In this paper we focus on the Bayesian filtering of stochastic time series and introduce a novel neural network, derived from a line attractor architecture, whose dynamics map directly onto those of the Kalman filter in the limit of small prediction error. When the prediction error is large we show that the network responds robustly to changepoints in a way that is qualitatively compatible with the optimal Bayesian model. The model suggests ways in which probability distributions are encoded in the brain and makes a number of testable experimental predictions.
Estimating Effective Hydraulic Parameters of Unsaturated Layered Sediments Using a Cantor Bar Composite Medium Model

SO®½ Sa®EA : Mc½a®Ý½ MOO®A¦ The esƟ maƟ on of eff ecƟ ve hydraulic parameters of variably saturated layered sediments has been extensively studied using determinisƟ c, stochasƟ c, and combined modeling approaches. Heterogeneity and scale dependence remain as major obstacles, however, for the predicƟ on of water fl ow and contaminant transport at many U.S. Department of Energy sites. We used a physically based Cantor bar model to describe scale dependence of the fracƟ ons of coarse and fi ne materials in layered sediments. The Cantor bar is determined by three fractal parameters: the subdivision factor, b, the fractal dimension, D, and the iteraƟ on level, i, which can be esƟ mated from observaƟ on (e.g., borehole logs). Because b and D are scale invariant, the model can be used to predict layering at scales other than the observaƟ on scale. Together with a composite medium approximaƟ on (COMA), the Cantor bar model can be used to predict eff ecƟ ve hydraulic properƟ es as a funcƟ on of scale. Numerical simulaƟ on results showed that COMA works well for steady-state unsaturated fl ow through a straƟ graphic sequence comprised of thin layers of fi ne material interbedded within a coarse material. Further work is necessary to validate the model predicƟ ons by performing measurements at diff erent scales, and to assess the applicability of this approach for transient fl ow.
Variational Shift Invariant Probabilistic PCA for Face Recognition

While PCA learns a subspace that captures the variations of the data, it assumes the collected data is well pre-processed (i.e., the pictures for faces are aligned by eye corners), this usually introduces a huge mount of manual labor for human. While people have been developing automatic eye alignment tools for such purpose, detecting eyes with robustness and accuracy is still an open problem for research. We propose to learn PCA while at the same time eliminating the mis-alignment in the data. We formulate the PCA model in a generative framework, and introduce the mis-alignment as a hidden variable in the model. A novel variational message passing (J. Winn and C. Bishop, 2004) update rules is then derived to learn the parameters. The experiments show that the performance of PCA based face recognition is significantly improved by our algorithm when misalignments exist
Equine Infectious Anemia Virus Envelope Evolution In Vivo during Persistent Infection Progressively Increases Resistance to In Vitro Serum Antibody Neutralization as a Dominant Phenotype

Equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) infection of horses is characterized by well-defined waves of viremia associated with the sequential evolution of distinct viral populations displaying extensive envelope gp90 variation; however, a correlation of in vivo envelope evolution with in vitro serum neutralization phenotype remains undefined. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to utilize a previously defined panel of natural variant EIAV envelope isolates from sequential febrile episodes to characterize the effects of envelope variation during persistent infection on viral neutralization phenotypes and to define the determinants of EIAV envelope neutralization specificity. To assess the neutralization phenotypes of the sequential EIAV envelope variants, we determined the sensitivity of five variant envelopes to neutralization by a longitudinal panel of immune serum from the source infected pony. The results indicated that the evolution of the EIAV envelope sequences observed during sequential febrile episodes produced an increasingly neutralization-resistant phenotype. To further define the envelope determinants of EIAV neutralization specificity, we examined the neutralization properties of a panel of chimeric envelope constructs derived from reciprocal envelope domain exchanges between selected neutralization-sensitive and neutralization-resistant envelope variants. These results indicated that the EIAV gp90 V3 and V4 domains individually conferred serum neutralization resistance while other envelope segments in addition to V3 and V4 were evidently required for conferring total serum neutralization sensitivity. These data clearly demonstrate for the first time the influence of sequential gp90 variation during persistent infection in increasing envelope neutralization resistance, identify the gp90 V3 and V4 domains as the principal determinants of antibody neutralization resistance, and indicate distinct complex cooperative envelope domain interactions in defining sensitivity to serum antibody neutralization.
Estrogen increases protective proteins following trauma and hemorrhage.

in an exquisitely complete series of experiments reported in this issue of American Journal of Physiology–Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology , Dr. Irshad Chaudry's group has brought us one step closer to understanding the mystery that is estrogen ([7][1]). It is not surprising to
PARTIAL COMPLEMENTATION BY MURINE T HAPLOTYPES : DEFICIT OF MALES AMONG T6/TW5 DOUBLE HETEROZYGOTES AND CORRELATION WITH TRANSMISSION-RATIO DISTORTION

To evaluate whether sex reversal contributes to sex-ratio imbalance among t6/tw5 double heterozygotes, the cross performed by K. B. Bechtol (Genetical Research 39, 1982, 79–84), T/t6 × T/tw5, was repeated. Significantly more normal-tailed (t6/tw5) females than males were recovered. By contrast, sex ratios were normal among tailless progeny resulting from this cross and among all classes produced by control crosses. Hybridization of a Y-specific DNA probe with genomic DNA from phenotypic females revealed no XY, sex-reversed males. On the genetic backgrounds that generated only moderate transmission distortion of tw5 (81–85%), the overall viability of the doubly heterozygous progeny was only 50% and the sex-ratio skew among this class was strong. However, on a genetic background that displayed extreme tw5 transmission (99%), embryonic viability was more than 80% and the sex-ratio imbalance was weak.
Tissue specific CTCF occupancy and boundary function at the human growth hormone locus

The robust and tissue-specific activation of the human growth hormone (hGH) gene cluster in the pituitary and placenta constitutes an informative model for analysis of gene regulation. The five-gene hGH cluster is regulated by two partially overlapping sets of DNase I hypersensitive sites (HSs) that constitute the pituitary (HSI, II, III and V) and placental (HSIII, IV, and V) locus control regions (LCRs). The single placenta-specific LCR component, HSIV, is located at -30 kb to the cluster. Here we generate a series of hGH/BAC transgenes specifically modified to identify structural features of the hGH locus required for its appropriate placental expression. We find that placental specificity is dependent on the overall multigene configuration of the cluster whereas the distance between the cluster and its LCR impacts the level of placental expression. We further observe that a major function of the placental hGH LCR is to insulate the transgene locus from site-of-integration effects. This insulation activity is linked to placenta-specific occupancy of the chromatin architectural protein, CTCF, at HSIV. These data reveal a remarkable combination of structural configurations and regulatory determinants that must work in concert to insure robust and tightly controlled expression from a complex multigene locus.
Masculinity in Nontraditional Occupations: Ecological Constructions:

The authors present Bronfenbrenner's ecological model as a conceptual framework to explore interlocking systemic and interpersonal influences on the development and perpetuation of men's gender role-related distress. To demonstrate the utility of this model, the authors present results from an exploratory qualitative study of men in nontraditional occupations. Using the constant comparison method, the authors' analysis of multiple interviews with elementary educators and medical support staff unearthed interwoven themes among the effects of cultural notions of masculinity on relationships, job tasks, and perceptions of themselves as men. Expectations about men (e.g., that men confront danger, remain calm in chaotic situations, and/or are predators) affected hiring decisions and interactions with colleagues, limited the scope of the men's work, and provided opportunities to reinforce traditional notions of masculinity and affirm the value of masculinity in their occupations. These different experiences all interacted to inform participants' senses of themselves as men.
Phenotypic characterization and bulk segregant analysis of anther culture response in two backcross families of diploid potato

Two diploid (2n=2x=24) backcross potato populations (PBCp, and CBC) were characterized for anther culture response (ACR). PBCp (Solanum phureja Juz. & Buk. genotype 1-3 × CP2) and CBC (CP2 × S. chacoense Bitt. genotype 80-1) resulted from a cross between CP2 (intermediate ACR) and its parents, S. chacoense 80-1(low ACR) and S. phureja 1-3 (high ACR). Three components of ACR were initially investigated: embryos per anther (EPA), embryo regeneration rate and percent monoploids (2n=1x=12) among regenerants. EPA was selected for further characterization because of its relative stability. In a series of studies of EPA on a total of 44 genotypes within CBC, nine high (mean EPA=2.5) and ten low (mean EPA=0.02) selections were made. In PBCp, ten high (mean EPA= 4.7) and ten low (mean EPA= 0.05) selections were made from 67 genotypes. High and low selections were used for bulk segregant analysis to screen 214 RAPD primers as candidate markers linked to EPA. Bands amplified by OPQ-10 and OPZ-4 were associated in coupling and repulsion, respectively, to ACR in PBCp. A band amplified by OPW-14 primer was associated in coupling to ACR in CBC. One-way ANOVAs using presence/absence of each candidate band to classify additional genotypes in each population verified association of the markers with EPA.
Foreshock probabilities in the western Great-Basin eastern Sierra Nevada

We quantify foreshock occurrence probabilities by applying the empirical technique of Jones (1985) to the western Nevada and eastern California earthquake catalog compiled by the University of Nevada, Reno, from 1934 through 1991. The foreshock occurrence rates depend heavily on the parameters used to remove aftershocks from the catalog. It is necessary to separate the Mammoth/Mono region from the rest of the catalog to determine the parameters that most effectively remove the aftershocks from the catalog. The probability that an M ≧ 3.0 earthquake will be followed by an earthquake of larger magnitude within 5 days and 10 km is 10% in the Mammoth/Mono region and 6% in the Nevada region, and seems to be independent of the magnitude of the proposed foreshock. The probability that an earthquake will be followed by another one at least one magnitude unit larger is 1 to 2% in each region. These probabilities imply that the occurrence of an earthquake M ≧ 4.0 increases the possibility of a damaging earthquake of M ≧ 5.0 by several orders of magnitude above the low background probability. Most mainshocks occur within a few hours after a possible foreshock, and the probability that a mainshock will still occur decreases logarithmically with time after the proposed foreshock. These foreshock properties are similar to those in southern California and in other parts of the world, with the exception that the Mammoth/Mono region, a volcanic area, exhibits more swarm-like behavior than does the southern California or Nevada region.
Late Miocene–Quaternary fault evolution and interaction in the southern California Inner Continental Borderland

Changing conditions along plate boundaries are thought to result in the reactivation of preexisting structures. The offshore southern California Borderland has undergone dramatic adjustments as conditions changed from subduction tectonics to transform tectonics, including major Miocene oblique extension, followed by transpressional fault reactivation. However, consensus is still lacking about stratigraphic age models, fault geometry, and slip history for the near-offshore area between southern Los Angeles and San Diego (California, USA). We interpret an extensive data set of seismic reflection, bathymetric, and stratigraphic data from that area to determine the three-dimensional geometry and kinematic evolution of the faults and folds and document how preexisting structures have changed their activity and type of slip through time. The resulting structural representation reveals a moderately landward-dipping San Mateo–Carlsbad fault that converges downward with the steeper, right-lateral Newport-Inglewood fault, forming a fault wedge affected by Quaternary contractional folding. This fault wedge deformed in transtension during late Miocene through Pliocene time. Subsequently, the San Mateo–Carlsbad fault underwent 0.6–1.0 km displacement, spatially varying between reverse right lateral and transtensional right lateral. In contrast, shallow parts of the previously identified gently dipping Oceanside detachment and the faults above it appear to have been inactive since the early Pliocene. These observations, together with new and revised geometric representations of additional steeper faults, and the evidence for a pervasive strike-slip component on these nearshore faults, suggest a need to revise the earthquake hazard estimates for the coastal region.
A Three-Component Regulatory System Regulates Biofilm Maturation and Type III Secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Biofilms are structured communities found associated with a wide range of surfaces. Here we report the identification of a three-component regulatory system required for biofilm maturation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PA14. A transposon mutation that altered biofilm formation in a 96-well dish assay originally defined this locus, which is comprised of genes for a putative sensor histidine kinase and two response regulators and has been designated sadARS. Nonpolar mutations in any of the sadARS genes result in biofilms with an altered mature structure but do not confer defects in growth or early biofilm formation, swimming, or twitching motility. After 2 days of growth under flowing conditions, biofilms formed by the mutants are indistinguishable from those formed by the wild-type (WT) strain. However, by 5 days, mutant biofilms appear to be more homogeneous than the WT in that they fail to form large and distinct macrocolonies and show a drastic reduction in water channels. We propose that the sadARS three-component system is required for later events in biofilm formation on an abiotic surface. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR analysis showed that there is no detectable change in expression of the sadARS genes when cells are grown in a planktonic culture versus a biofilm, indicating that this locus is not itself induced during or in response to biofilm formation. DNA microarray studies were used to identify downstream targets of the SadARS system. Among the genes regulated by the SadARS system are those required for type III secretion. Mutations in type III secretion genes result in strains with enhanced biofilm formation. We propose a possible mechanism for the role that the SadARS system plays in biofilm formation.
Effect of Chlorination of City Water on Virus of Poliomyelitis.

SummaryChlorine in a concentration of 0.5 ppm, which is an amount in excess of that usually employed in municipal practice, did not inactivate the virus of poliomyelitis in 11/2 hours.