cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The specificity of receptors for IgA on human peripheral polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes

Abstract The specificity of the receptor for IgA (RFcα) on human peripheral blood monocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells was evaluated by the ability of various human IgA preparations to inhibit rosette formation between these cells and IgA-sensitized ox erythrocytes. RFcα on PMNS and monocytes were blocked by both monomer and dimer IgA preparations indicating that multivalent expression of Fc regions does not play a major role in receptor binding and that neither secretory component nor J chain significantly influences the binding of RFcα to IgA. Immunoglobulins of both the IgA1 and IgA2 subclasses inhibited IgA rosette formation and were in fact quite similar in their efficiency of blocking of RFcα. An IgA paraprotein without a Cα3 domain was an even better inhibitor of IgA rosette formation than the IgA1 or IgA2 immunoglobulins. This implicated the Cα2 domain as the site on IgA which interacts with RFcα. Furthermore, that this Cα3-deficient IgA, which exists as a half molecule, was very efficient at blocking RFcα also demonstrated that multivalent Fc expression is not important to binding of RFcα and moreover that the site on IgA which interacts with RFcα is not dependent on H-chain pairing. RFcα on both PMN cells and monocytes were susceptible to proteolysis by pronase at concentrations which did not affect the receptor for IgG on these cells. Within 18 hr after removal of RFcα these cells had resynthesized and displayed this receptor. Although it is unclear whether IgA alone can mediate the effector functions of PMNs and monocytes in mucosal areas, the present studies define more clearly the specificity and regenerative capacity of RFcα and provide a basis for understanding the role of receptors for IgA and the cells with which they are associated in immune defense especially on the mucosal surfaces.
Drift of macroinvertebrates in a channel carrying heated water from a power plant

Hourly drift samples were collected once each month over a 24 hour period for 10 months at the mouth of a channel returning heated coolant water from a steam electric generating station to a 330 ha reservoir. Most benthic macroinvertebrates existed at lower densities on the bottom of the channel than in the reservoir. No organisms were found in the channel during summer months when water temperatures reached 42.2°C. The most abundant organisms drifting from the channel were Chaoborus larvae which probably were drawn from the reservoir, through the condensors of the power plant, and down the effluent channel. The maixmum drift rate for Chaoborus larvae occured in August (8.91 × 104 mg/day) while the minimum rate occurred in December (3.92 × 102 mg/day). Chaoborus larvae exhibited a diurnal periodicity in drift corresponding to their nightly emergence from bottom sediments in the reservoir.
Troubling the ontological bubble: middle school students challenging gender stereotypes

In this paper, we discuss how a selection of eighth-grade students (13–14-year-olds) responded when they were asked to publicly challenge the gender binary for a critical media literacy school assignment in the USA. We describe the ways in which students negotiated the dual projects of complying with the assignment to create video ads that challenged gender stereotypes and maintaining their gendered sense of self. While the videos had virtually all students disrupting gender in some way, many did so even as they reinforced the notion of gender as a binary. We apply the idea of ontological bubble, as well as concepts from post-structural theories, to help us make sense of the different methods students used to maintain the gender binary.
The preferred orientation in the growth of ice from the melt

Abstract An experimental study has revealed the criteria for the orientations of two adjacent ice grains in order that one grain should wedge out the other as growth occurs from the melt by the extraction of heat in one dimension through the ice. Preferred growth occurs only when at least one of the grains can expose the low energy basal plane at the grain boundary. Under these conditions the balance of the surface tension forces produces an asymmetric profile at the grain boundary groove and subsequent growth from the melt leads to the wedging out of one grain. Grains that have their c -axis perpendicular to the growth direction are shown to be the preferred crystals.
Determinants of mammalian nucleolar architecture

The nucleolus is responsible for the production of ribosomes, essential machines which synthesize all proteins needed by the cell. The structure of human nucleoli is highly dynamic and is directly related to its functions in ribosome biogenesis. Despite the importance of this organelle, the intricate relationship between nucleolar structure and function remains largely unexplored. How do cells control nucleolar formation and function? What are the minimal requirements for making a functional nucleolus? Here we review what is currently known regarding mammalian nucleolar formation at nucleolar organizer regions (NORs), which can be studied by observing the dissolution and reformation of the nucleolus during each cell division. Additionally, the nucleolus can be examined by analyzing how alterations in nucleolar function manifest in differences in nucleolar architecture. Furthermore, changes in nucleolar structure and function are correlated with cancer, highlighting the importance of studying the determinants of nucleolar formation.
Co-morbidity and interstitial herniation in the adult: an hypothesis

Whereas interstitial hernias of infancy are a result of congenital abnormalities, those in adults have been blamed on anatomical banding. Many of the latter are associated with systemic, genetic, or acquired connective tissue disease, however. This results in attenuated aponeuroses, ruptured tendons, and atrophied fascia from collagen malformation and destruction. Muscle contractility is compromised by loss of connective tissue septae, reducing capillary density. The result is wasting and disaggregation, which explains interstitial defects filled with herniated extraperitoneal fat, which account for 1% of primary inguinal herniae. These were originally described in the transversus and internal oblique musculature by Hessert (Surg Gyn Obstet 16:566–568, 1913). Similar slits are seen with Spigelian herniae, all of which are interstitial. This hypothesis, if proven, would imply treatment of the pervasive co-morbidity with the protrusions.
Varieties and Vagaries of Historical Explanation

For the better part of the 20th century, expositions of issues regarding historical explanation followed a predictable format, one that took as given the nonequivalence of explanations in history and philosophical models of scientific explanation. Ironically, at the present time, the philosophical point of note concerns how the notion of science has itself changed. Debates about explanation in turn need to adapt to this. This prompts the question of whether anything now still makes plausible the thought that history must make some forced choice with regard to the type of science it is and an associated explanatory form. The discussion that follows sketches the alternative forms of explanation between which historians were to pick, and indicates why each proves unsatisfactory. Examination of these issues allows identification of a conception of historical explanation that does not require the metaphysical and epistemological assumptions that engender previous dichotomous characterizations.
Tait equation for inorganic solids with applications to the pressure dependence of melting temperature

The original version of the Tait equation is proposed to represent the compression of certain inorganic solids and has been applied to a derivation of the pressure dependence of melting temperature.
Measures of and tests for net improvement in clinical trials, PhD

For clinical trials in which the outcome variable is trichotomous (regression, no change, improvement), a measure of net improvement in health status is proposed. Test statistics are derived for the null hypothesis of zero net improvement in a single patient group and for the null hypothesis of no difference in net improvement between two groups. The methods are applied to a clinical trial that evaluated the effect of argon laser photocoagulation in patients with macular edema in branch vein occlusion.
Thermodynamic Stability of Superfluid Flow Through a Channel

The limit of metastable existence of parallel superflow through channels is found by examining the second variation of the free energy. The corresponding critical velocity ${V}_{c1}$ is calculated with the quasiparticle model and with the Ginzburg-Pitaevskii theory. ${V}_{c1}$ reduces to the Landau velocity for $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ and tends to zero for $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{T}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}$. The behavior of the system above ${V}_{c1}$ is discussed. There is qualitative agreement with experiments on hot ions drifting through He II.
New directions in the introductory computer science curriculum

Our goals are to review the evolution of curriculum developmen~ examine alternative curricular approaches, and explore new trends in the design of introductory computer science courses. We review the historical evolution of introductory computer science curricula, including Curriculum 68 and 78, the Liberrd Arts Model Curriculum of 1986, the Deming committee’s comprehensive (broad) approach in 1989, and the implementation of this approach in the recent report Computing Curricula 1991. Alternative approaches to introductory curriculum development are presented in terms of dichotomies such as depth versus breadth, single vemus multiple paradigm, conceptual versus pmctical, and active versus passive learning. The role of programming, mathematics, laboratories, and visualization in the curriculum is examined, We then focus more specifically on the goals and scope of specitlc approaches to the introductory courses, examining the role of introductory computer science within the technical and social context of the discipline as a whole.
γ-butyrolactone and γ-hydroxybutyric acid—II. The pharmacologically active form

Abstract Three lines of evidence are presented to establish γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) as the pharmacologically active form of γ-butyrolactone (GBL). A greater delay in the onset of blockade of transmission in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat was seen with GBL than with GHB, suggesting that the lactone must be converted to the acid before pharmacologie activity can be observed. Only GHB was active in depressing the rat by the intra-cisternal route of administration. When administered by micro-injection into the thalamus and hippocampus of unanesthetized monkeys, GHB produced slow-wave, high amplitude activity in the electroencephalogram, while GBL was without effect. GHB administered directly into the brain produced these effects almost immediately.
Women in Cybersecurity: A Study of Career Advancement

Although cybersec?rity is a critical IT area, women continue to be underrepresented among its ranks. This first study of female cybersecurity professionals examines the required skills, existing challenges, and key success factors for women in the field.As our results show, addressing the needs of women at the beginning of their careers-starting at educational institutions-is crucial to their successful entry and success in the field.Currently, the US government has responded to this issue by providing grants to attract and train women in cybersecurity at the university level.
Extremal memory of stochastic volatility with an application to tail shape inference

We characterize joint tails and tail dependence for a class of stochastic volatility processes. We derive the exact joint tail shape of multivariate stochastic volatility with innovations that have a regularly varying distribution tail. This is used to give four new characterizations of tail dependence. In three cases tail dependence is a non-trivial function of linear volatility memory parametrically represented by tail scales, while tail power indices do not provide any relevant dependence information. Although tail dependence is associated with linear volatility memory, tail dependence itself is nonlinear. In the fourth case a linear function of tail events and exceedances is linearly independent. Tail dependence falls in a class that implies the celebrated Hill (1975) tail index estimator is asymptotically normal, while linear independence of nonlinear tail arrays ensures the asymptotic variance is the same as the iid case. We illustrate the latter finding by simulation.
Optimizing Crop Insurance under Climate Variability

Abstract This paper studies the selection of optimal crop insurance under climate variability and fluctuating market prices. A model was designed to minimize farmers’ expected losses (including insurance costs) while using the conditional-value-at-risk measure to acquire the risk-aversion level. The application of the model was illustrated by studying a farm with two crops (cotton and peanut) in Jackson County, Florida. The climate variability was caused by ENSO phenomenon. Crop-insurance contracts with minimized losses were 75% actual production history (APH) during El Nino and neutral years and 65% APH during La Nina years for peanut and 75% APH in all ENSO phases for cotton. In addition, risk-averse farmers could select 75% APH for peanut during La Nina years as a means of attaining less expected loss.
EPR investigation of Cu2+-substituted photosynthetic bacterial reaction centers: evidence for histidine ligation at the surface metal site.

The coordination environments of two distinct metal sites on the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center (RC) protein were probed with pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. For these studies, Cu2+ was bound specifically to a surface site on native Fe2+-containing RCs from Rhodobacter sphaeroides R-26 and to the native non-heme Fe site in biochemically Fe-removed RCs. The cw and pulsed EPR results clearly indicate two spectroscopically different Cu2+ environments. In the dark, the RCs with Cu2+ bound to the surface site exhibit an axially symmetric EPR spectrum with g(parallel) = 2.24, A(parallel) = 160 G, g(perpendicular) = 2.06, whereas the values g(parallel) = 2.31, A(parallel) = 143 G, and g(perpendicular) = 2.07 were observed when Cu(2+) was substituted in the Fe site. Examination of the light-induced spectral changes indicate that the surface Cu2+ is at least 23 A removed from the primary donor (P+) and reduced quinone acceptor (QA-). Electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectra of these Cu-RC proteins have been obtained and provide the first direct solution structural information about the ligands in the surface metal site. From these pulsed EPR experiments, modulations were observed that are consistent with multiple weakly hyperfine coupled 14N nuclei in close proximity to Cu2+, indicating that two or more histidines ligate the Cu2+ at the surface site. Thus, metal and EPR analyses confirm that we have developed reliable methods for stoichiometrically and specifically binding Cu2+ to a surface site that is distinct from the well characterized Fe site and support the view that Cu2+ is bound at or near the Zn site that modulates electron transfer between the quinones QA and QB (QA-QB --> QAQB-) (Utschig, L. M., Ohigashi, Y., Thurnauer, M. C., and Tiede, D. M (1998) Biochemistry 37, 8278-8281) and proton uptake by QB- (Paddock, M. L., Graige, M. S., Feher, G., and Okamura, M. Y. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 96, 6183-6188). Detailed EPR spectroscopic characterization of these Cu2+-RCs will provide a means to investigate the role of local protein environments in modulating electron and proton transfer.
Navigating in Signal Space: A Crowd-Sourced Sensing Map Construction for Navigation

Indoor navigation is typically achieved by an operational localization system among a range of location-based services it provides. However, the construction of a localization map, which is prerequisite for binding sensed observation in sensing space to individual locations in geographic space, remains a challenging task to date. In this work, we propose an indoor navigation system that alleviates the need for constructing a localization map and instead provides navigation in signal space. The main idea behind our approach is to construct a sensing map consisting of signal observations (WiFi Clusters) and connecting dead-reckoning segments obtained through mobile sensing capabilities (traces of accelerometer and digital compass reading). To this end, we design a prototype to demonstrate effective construction of such sensing map with energy-efficient sensors and crowd-sourcing, and its ability to support accurate navigation.
Some observations on Gabriella Blum's "Fog of Victory"

Gabriella Blum's brilliant article wrestles with the central question of modern conflict: what does victory look like, and whatever it looks like, what does it mean - or, perhaps more accurately, what should it mean? This brief article seeks to address her work through the lens of the author's military experience. That perspective would define victory in Clausewitzean terms, that is, the point at which a belligerent is compelled to submit his will to his opponent. As Blum points out, that seeming clarity is obscured in many modern conflicts involving non-traditional actors and warfighting methodologies. While the Just War doctrine resonates in the armed forces, the decision to go to war is largely considered a political matter beyond the military's purview. Jus in bello, however, does lie in the military's realm as much depends on the perception of rightness in contemporary conflicts if "victory" is to be obtained. Yet Professor Blum's central thesis about the importance of clear goals in contemporary conflicts remains undisturbed. Her further observation that "the problem of the fog of victory extends not only to international relations but also to domestic civil-military relations" has obvious and enduring relevance.
An Inquiry into the Genesis of Migraine Headache

SYNOPSIS Headache is one symptom of migraine; nausea and vomiting, abdominal distress, vertigo and fever are others. Perceptual alterations are also associated with migraine: photophobia, phonophobia, heightened sensitivity to olfactory stimuli and increased general irritability are often noted. Headache, however, is most debilitating. A hypothesis is proposed describing one mechanism whereby genesis of migraine headache may occur. This mechanism is consistent with clinical and experimental observations taken from human and animal studies. Briefly, various agents or activities induce vasoconstriction of the cranial arteries in susceptible populations. Oxygenation of the brain is decreased with consequent decrease in the synthesis of serotonin, a neurotransmitter implicated in pain perception. Stimuli not normally painful, such as vasodilatation, thus become painful.
Sub-logarithmic distributed algorithms for metric facility location

The facility location problem consists of a set of facilities$${\mathcal {F}}$$F, a set of clients$${\mathcal {C}}$$C, an opening cost$$f_i$$fi associated with each facility $$x_i$$xi, and a connection cost$$D(x_i,y_j)$$D(xi,yj) between each facility $$x_i$$xi and client $$y_j$$yj. The goal is to find a subset of facilities to open, and to connect each client to an open facility, so as to minimize the total facility opening costs plus connection costs. We consider distributed versions of facility location in which the underlying network is either a clique, in which each node is both a client and a facility (and $${\mathcal {F}} = {\mathcal {C}}$$F=C), or a complete bipartite network, with $$({\mathcal {F}}, {\mathcal {C}})$$(F,C) forming the bipartition. This paper presents the first expected-sub-logarithmic-round distributed $$O(1)$$O(1)-approximation algorithms in the $${\mathcal {CONGEST}}$$CONGEST model for the metric facility location problem. We present our approach first for a clique network, and then extend it to a bipartite network. Our algorithms have expected running times of $$O((\log \log n)^c)$$O((loglogn)c) rounds, where $$n = |{\mathcal {F}}| + |{\mathcal {C}}|$$n=|F|+|C|, and where $$c = 1$$c=1 for a clique network and $$c = 3$$c=3 for a bipartite network (These results were first published in ICALP 2012 and DISC 2013). In order to obtain these results, our paper makes four main technical contributions. First, we show a new lower bound for metric facility location, extending the lower bound of Ba?doiu et al. (ICALP 2005) that applies only to the special case of uniform facility opening costs. Next, we demonstrate a reduction of the distributed metric facility location problem to the problem of computing an $$O(1)$$O(1)-ruling set of an appropriate spanning subgraph. Third, we provide an expected-sub-logarithmic-round algorithm for computing a $$2$$2-ruling set in a spanning subgraph of a clique. Finally, we present a new technique based on probabilistic hashing to solve a problem of information dissemination on bipartite networks.
Recent developments with muscle relaxants and their antagonists

The major advance from which we are beginning to reap the benefits is the development of analytical techniques to measure muscle relaxant or antagonist concentrations in blood and body tissues. We now can define the alterations that disease and physiological changes make in the rate at which the relaxant leaves the plasm (pharmacokinetics), and in the sensitivity of the neuromuscular junction to muscle relaxants (pharmacodynamics). This information will allow a more selective approach to relaxant dose and help us to avoid the wide variability previously described.4 The search for a short-acting non-depolarizing muscle relaxant is not yet over. In the antagonist area, 4-aminopyridine has advantages over neostigmine and pyridostigmine in that concomitant atropine administration is not required and antibiotic-induced neuromuscular blocks are more consistently antagonized. Because 4-aminopyridine may have potentially undesirable side-effects, smaller doses in combination with neostigmine may be advantageous. Lastly, several factors which may augment a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade and/ or interfere with antagonism are reviewed. If neostigmine 2.5 to 3.0 mg/70 kg, or pyridostigmine 10 to 15 mg/kg does not antagonize the block, those factors should be considered before additional antagonist is given.
Theory of optical refrigeration in p-doped semiconductors

We present a microscopic theory for luminescence of doped GaAs and its application to a study of optical refrigeration. We find that p-doping affects the temperature dependence of the cooling threshold in a complex way.
A Rigorous Approach to Uncovering Security Policy Violations in UML Designs

There is a need for rigorous analysis techniquesthat developers can use to uncover security policyviolations in their UML designs. There are a few UMLanalysis tools that can be used for this purpose, butthey either rely on theorem-proving mechanisms thatrequire sophisticated mathematical skill to useeffectively, or they are based on model-checkingtechniques that require a “closed-world” view of thesystem (i.e., a system in which there are no inputs fromexternal sources). In this paper we show how alightweight, scenario-based UML design analysisapproach we developed can be used to rigorouslyanalyze a UML design to uncover security policyviolations.In the method, a UML design class model, in whichsecurity policies and operation specifications areexpressed in the Object Constraint Language (OCL), isanalyzed against a set of scenarios describingbehaviors that adhere to and that violate securitypolicies. The method includes a technique forgenerating scenarios. We illustrate how the methodcan be applied through an example involvingrole-based access control policies.
Climate response of direct radiative forcing of anthropogenic black carbon

The equilibrium climate effect of direct radiative forcing of anthropogenic black carbon (BC) is examined by 100-year simulations in the Goddard Institute for Space Studies General Circulation Model II-prime coupled to a mixed-layer ocean model. Anthropogenic BC is predicted to raise globally and annually averaged equilibrium surface air temperature by 0.20 K if BC is assumed to be externally mixed. The predicted increase is significantly greater in the Northern Hemisphere (0.29 K) than in the Southern Hemisphere (0.11 K). If BC is assumed to be internally mixed with the present day level of sulfate aerosol, the predicted annual mean surface temperature increase rises to 0.37 K globally, 0.54 K for the Northern Hemisphere, and 0.20 K for the Southern Hemisphere. The climate sensitivity of BC direct radiative forcing is calculated to be 0.6 K W (sup -1) square meters, which is about 70% of that of CO2, independent of the assumption of BC mixing state. The largest surface temperature response occurs over the northern high latitudes during winter and early spring. In the tropics and midlatitudes, the largest temperature increase is predicted to occur in the upper troposphere. Direct radiative forcing of anthropogenic BC is also predicted to lead to a change of precipitation patterns in the tropics; precipitation is predicted to increase between 0 and 20 N and decrease between 0 and 20 S, shifting the intertropical convergence zone northward. If BC is assumed to be internally mixed with sulfate instead of externally mixed, the change in precipitation pattern is enhanced. The change in precipitation pattern is not predicted to alter the global burden of BC significantly because the change occurs predominantly in regions removed from BC sources.
Petrology of Holocene Sand, Peninsular Ranges, California and Baja Norte, Mexico: Implications for Provenance-Discrimination Models

ABSTRACT The Peninsular Ranges of southern California and Baja California Norte, Mexico, represent an uplifted and variably dissected Mesozoic magmatic arc. They are composed mostly of Cretaceous plutonic rocks and Mesozoic greenschist to amphibolite facies metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks. In order to evaluate the reliability of the diamond-shaped QnuQuQp provenance-discrimination diagram developed by Basu et al. (1975) and the QFL provenance-discrimination diagram developed by Dickinson et al. (1983), we collected 62 samples of Holocene sand from four drainage basins along the west side of the Peninsular Ranges. The QFL composition of each specimen was determined by the Gazzi-Dickinson point-counting method; the relative percentages of med um-grained fragments of Qnu, Qu, and Qp were determined by counting 100 grains in each specimen. The results of our study indicate that Holocene sands derived from the Peninsular Ranges have the following average petrological characteristics: 1) Sands derived mostly or exclusively from plutonic rocks are composed of 16-46 percent Q, 54-83 percent F, and 0.2-0.5 percent L. The medium-grained quartz population produced by erosion of mostly or exclusively plutonic rocks consists of 61-77 percent Qnu, 4-17 percent Qu, and 13-27 percent Qp. 2) Sands originating from the erosion of metasedimentary rocks are composed of 63 percent Q, 13 percent F, and 24 percent L. The medium-grained quartz population derived from a metasedimentary source is made up of 25 percent Qnu, 9 percent Qu, and 66 percent Qp. 3) Sands produced by the erosion of mostly or exclusively metavolcanic rocks are composed of 19 percent Q, 39-44 percent F, and 38-43 percent L. The medium-grained quartz population originating from a mostly or exclusively metavolcanic source consists of 48-74 percent Qnu, 6 percent Qu, and 20-46 percent Qp. Petrological data obtained during this study indicate that the QFL provenance-discrimination model generally yields a correct interpretation of tectonic setting when applied to Holocene sand from the Peninsular Ranges. Data, however, also show that local source areas produce sands that, when interpreted on the basis of their position on the QFL provenance-discrimination diagram, yield an erroneous interpretation of tectonic setting. Data obtained from counting varieties of medium-grained quartz show that detrital quartz populations produced by plutonic rocks are discriminated from those derived from metasedimentary rocks by the QnuQuQp provenance-discrimination diagram. In contrast, quartz populations originating from a mostly or exclusively metavolcanic source are difficult to interpret on the QnuQuQp diagram. Therefore, we recommend that the QFL provenance-discrimination model be used with caution when sand or sandstone samples are from a limited geographic area and that the QnuQuQp provenance-discrimination diagram be used with prudence when metavolcanics are suspected in the provenance.
Parents Versus Peers Exploring the Significance of Peer Mediation of Antisocial Television

Although research demonstrates that parents can protect their children from harmful media effects by engaging in parental mediation, parental influences may wane when children reach adolescence and face pressures from peers. The Sullivan-Piaget thesis suggests that peers become especially important and influential during adolescence. Surprisingly, very little mass communication research has considered the role of peers in shaping media effects on adolescents. This study took a first look at peer mediation of antisocial television and found that it occurs more frequently and is more potent than parental mediation. In addition, peer mediation promotes more positive orientations toward antisocial television, which in turn leads to greater aggression. Whereas parental mediation can inhibit negative media effects, peer mediation seems to facilitate harmful outcomes. It is suggested that future research follow up on this initial study of peer mediation so that this potentially important construct can be further...
Effects of induction versus prevention of hibernation on reproduction in captive male and female woodchucks (Marmota monax).

Reproductive performance and gonadal function were studied in two groups of woodchucks containing 16 females and 8-9 males each. The control group was maintained indoors under conditions that do not induce hibernation, including fluctuating temperature of 6-1 2 ‘C, ad libitwn feed, and exposure to natural and incandescent light. The hibernaculum-housed group was, in addition, provided conditions that do induce hibernation, including temperature reduced to 5.6 ± 1.7 ‘C, no food, and no light from 19 November to21 February. Hibernaculum housing caused 67% of males and 94% of females to hibernate with reduced body temperature for significant periods of times. Compared to control conditions, hibernaculum housing caused (p’rzO.OS) a delay in testis recrudescence, a reduction in mean peak testis size (1.8 vs. 3.0 cc) and its mean date of occurrence (14 March vs. 15 February), a reduction in mean testosterone concentrations in February, and a reduced incidence of fertile matings (22 vs. 88%). In females, hibernation resulted (p<O.O.5) in a greater loss in body weight and a reduced pregnancy rate (31 vs. 82%), which was related to post-hibernation body weights that, in turn, were related to prehibernation body weights. Among hibernacuiwn -housed females, the pregnancy rate was lower in smaller females (0%; 2.0 ± 0.1 kg) than in the larger ones (63%; 2.9 ± 0.1 kg). The results demonstrate that the experimental imposition of hibernation-inducing conditions for 3 mo prior to the expected breeding season can alter subsequent reproductive performance in laboratory-maintained woodchucks, whereas a reproductive rate of 88% can be obtained in animals prevented from hibernating during their firs: year in captivity.
Interwoven Lending, Uncertainty, and Liquidity Hoarding

This paper shows how uncertainties about funding in an interwoven system of intermediation can lead to excessive liquidity hoarding. In the model, funds are channeled through several nancial intermediaries (banks) until they are nally invested in real assets. In case of a funding shock, banks that are uncertain about their own loans being rolled over, fear bankruptcy and cannot commit to rolling over loans they made to others either. This fear can lead local funding uncertainties to prompt banks to liquidate ineciently large amounts of real assets without any defaults in equilibrium. The results hold even though the only source of risk aversion in the model is due to bankruptcy cost, banks are otherwise risk-neutral. The model suggests a novel explanation for the drop in lending during the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008.
Bubble masks for time-encoded imaging of fast neutrons

Time-encoded imaging is an approach to directional radiation detection that is being developed at SNL with a focus on fast neutron directional detection. In this technique, a time modulation of a detected neutron signal is induced—typically, a moving mask that attenuates neutrons with a time structure that depends on the source position. An important challenge in time-encoded imaging is to develop high-resolution two-dimensional imaging capabilities; building a mechanically moving high-resolution mask presents challenges both theoretical and technical. We have investigated an alternative to mechanical masks that replaces the solid mask with a liquid such as mineral oil. Instead of fixed blocks of solid material that move in predefined patterns, the oil is contained in tubing structures, and carefully introduced air gaps—bubbles—propagate through the tubing, generating moving patterns of oil mask elements and air apertures. Compared to current moving-mask techniques, the bubble mask is simple, since mechanical motion is replaced by gravity-driven bubble propagation; it is flexible, since arbitrary bubble patterns can be generated by a software-controlled valve actuator; and it is potentially high performance, since the tubing and bubble size can be tuned for high-resolution imaging requirements. We have built and tested various single-tube mask elements, and will present results on bubble introduction and propagation for different tube sizes and cross-sectional shapes; real-time bubble position tracking; neutron source imaging tests; and reconstruction techniques demonstrated on simple test data as well as a simulated full detector system.
Quantum chemistry based force field for simulations of poly(propylene oxide) and its oligomers

We present an atomistic force field for simulations of poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and its low molecular weight oligomers. The force field is parametrized to accurately reproduce the relative conformer energies and rotational energy barriers in 1,2-dimethoxypropane (DMP) and 3,6-dimethyl diglyme (DMD) as determined from high-level ab initio electronic structure calculations. Partial atomic charges have been determined to accurately reproduce the electrostatic potential and dipole moments of important conformers of DMP and DMD as determined from quantum chemistry while yielding a charge neutral repeat unit for use in PPO simulations. The ability of the force field to accurately reproduce conformational energies is examined by comparing gas-phase molecular dynamics simulations of DMP with gas-phase NMR vicinal coupling measurements. The populations for the O-C*-C-O bond from simulations are found to be in good agreement with values determined from the experiments. The accuracy of the nonbonded interactions is examined through comparison of PVT data for liquid DMP from molecular dynamics simulations with experiment and predictions of DMP-water interactions using a quantum chemistry based force field for ether-water interactions with high-level ab initio calculations. In both cases good agreement is found.
The Origin of HIMU in the SW Pacific: Evidence from Intraplate Volcanism in Southern New Zealand and Subantarctic Islands

Author Posting. © The Author, 2006. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Oxford University Press for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Petrology 27 (2006): 1673-1704, doi:10.1093/petrology/egl024.
Presurgical Trial of Metformin in Overweight and Obese Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer

Introduction: We conducted a presurgical trial to assess the tissue-related effects of metformin in overweight/obese breast cancer (BC) patients. Methods: Metformin 1,500 mg daily was administered to 35 nondiabetics with stage 0–III BC, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2. The primary endpoint was tumor proliferation change (i.e., ki-67). Tumor proliferation change was compared to untreated historical controls, matched by age, BMI, and stage. Results: There was no reduction in ln(ki-67) after metformin (p = .98) or compared to controls (p = .47). There was a significant reduction in BMI, cholesterol, and leptin. Conclusion: Despite no proliferation changes, we observed reductions in other relevant biomarkers.
Kinetics and Products of Molybdenum Disilicide Powder Oxidation

In this study, we investigated the kinetics and products of the oxidation of MoSi2 powder with an average particle size of 1.6 μm at 900°, 1000°, and 1100°C, using a small sample size of 0.5 g. Such a small sample size allowed us to minimize the effect of oxygen transportation through the powder volume, while maintaining a good relative weighing accuracy. X-ray diffraction of oxidized samples indicated the formation of Mo5Si3 and Mo metal. Analysis of the oxidation kinetics suggested that gaseous MoO3 formed initially and amorphous SiO2 film later. The oxidation kinetics and products observed in this study differ from those reported in an early study, in which a larger sample size was used.
A Fish Model of Renal Regeneration and Development

The fish kidney provides a unique model for investigating renal injury, repair, and development. Like mammalian kidneys, fish kidneys have the remarkable ability to repair injured nephrons, designated renal regeneration. This response is marked by a recovery from acute renal failure by replacing the injured cells with new epithelial cells, restoring tubule integrity. In addition, fish have the ability to respond to renal injury by de novo nephron neogenesis. This response occurs in multiple fish species including goldfish, zebrafish, catfish, trout, tilapia, and the aglomerular toadfish. New nephrons develop in the weeks after the initial injury. This nephrogenic response can be induced in adult fish, providing a more abundant source of developing renal tissue compared with fetal mammalian kidneys. Investigating the roles played by different parts of the nephron during development and repair can be facilitated using fish models with differing renal anatomy, such as aglomerular fish. The fish nephron neogenesis model may also help to identify novel genes involved in nephrogenesis, information that could eventually be used to develop alternative renal replacement therapies.
Immunization of mice with formalin-inactivated spores from avirulent Bacillus cereus strains provides significant protection from challenge with Bacillus anthracis Ames.

Bacillus anthracis spores are the infectious form of the organism for humans and animals. However, the approved human vaccine in the United States is derived from a vegetative culture filtrate of a toxigenic, nonencapsulated B. anthracis strain that primarily contains protective antigen (PA). Immunization of mice with purified spore proteins and formalin-inactivated spores (FIS) from a nonencapsulated, nontoxigenic B. anthracis strain confers protection against B. anthracis challenge when PA is also administered. To investigate the capacity of the spore particle to act as a vaccine without PA, we immunized mice subcutaneously with FIS from nontoxigenic, nonencapsulated B. cereus strain G9241 pBCXO1−/pBC210− (dcG9241), dcG9241 ΔbclA, or 569-UM20 or with exosporium isolated from dcG9241. FIS vaccination provided significant protection of mice from intraperitoneal or intranasal challenge with spores of the virulent B. anthracis Ames or Ames ΔbclA strain. Immunization with dcG9241 ΔbclA FIS, which are devoid of the immunodominant spore protein BclA, provided greater protection from challenge with either Ames strain than did immunization with FIS from BclA-producing strains. In addition, we used prechallenge immune antisera to probe a panel of recombinant B. anthracis Sterne spore proteins to identify novel immunogenic vaccine candidates. The antisera were variably reactive with BclA and with 10 other proteins, four of which were previously tested as vaccine candidates. Overall our data show that immunization with FIS from nontoxigenic, nonencapsulated B. cereus strains provides moderate to high levels of protection of mice from B. anthracis Ames challenge and that neither PA nor BclA is required for this protection.
Associative learning in random environments using neural networks

Associative learning is investigated using neural networks and concepts based on learning automata. The behavior of a single decision-maker containing a neural network is studied in a random environment using reinforcement learning. The objective is to determine the optimal action corresponding to a particular state. Since decisions have to be made throughout the context space based on a countable number of experiments, generalization is inevitable. Many different approaches can be followed to generate the desired discriminant function. Three different methods which use neural networks are discussed and compared. In the most general method, the output of the network determines the probability with which one of the actions is to be chosen. The weights of the network are updated on the basis of the actions and the response of the environment. The extension of similar concepts to decentralized decision-making in a context space is also introduced. Simulation results are included. Modifications in the implementations of the most general method to make it practically viable are also presented. All the methods suggested are feasible and the choice of a specific method depends on the accuracy desired as well as on the available computational power. >
Nitric oxide synthase inhibition activates L- and T-type Ca2+ channels in afferent and efferent arterioles

Previous studies have shown that L-type Ca2+ channel (LCC) blockers primarily dilate resting and ANG II-constricted afferent arterioles (AA), but do not influence either resting or ANG II-constrict...
Assimilatory uptake rather than nitrification and denitrification determines nitrogen removal patterns in streams of varying land use

Agricultural and urban land use increase nitrogen (N) concentrations in streams, which can saturate biotic demand by plants, algae, and bacteria via assimilative uptake, and by nitrification and denitrification. We studied six streams per year in each of three land-use categories (agricultural, urban, and forested) for 3 yr (n 5 18 streams), and we compared whole-stream N uptake and microbial N transformation rates during spring, summer, and autumn. We measured whole-stream removal of added ammonium (NH z ) and nitrate (NO { ) in the field and quantified sediment nitrification and denitrification rates in laboratory assays. Relative demand for NH z (as uptake velocity, Vf) was highest in spring and in streams with open canopies, implying a link with aquatic autotrophy. In agricultural and urban streams, whole-stream removal (as areal uptake, U )o f NH z and NO { , nitrification, and denitrification rates approached saturation at higher inorganic N concentrations. Nitrification and denitrification rates measured in redox-optimized laboratory assays were roughly equivalent, suggesting that in situ redox conditions will determine whether stream sediments are a net source or sink of NO { . Though nitrification and denitrification rates were measured under ideal redox conditions, they were always more than an order of magnitude lower than whole-stream NO { uptake, demonstrating their limited influence on wholestream NO { dynamics. Assimilatory processes, which temporarily store N removed from the water column, dominated whole-stream N demand and controlled downstream N flux. The ultimate fate of assimilated N remains unknown; in-channel storage cannot account for it, and thus a key question is what fraction may eventually be stored in downstream depositional zones or denitrified upon remineralization.
Effect of Modifying Intervention Set Size With Acquisition Rate Data While Practicing Single-Digit Multiplication Facts

Incremental rehearsal (IR) has consistently led to effective retention of newly learned material, including math facts. The number of new items taught during one intervention session, called the intervention set, could be used to individualize the intervention. The appropriate amount of information that a student can rehearse and later recall during one intervention session is called the acquisition rate (AR). The current study taught single-digit multiplication facts with factors of 6, 7, and 8 to 55 third- and fourth-grade students. Each student was randomly assigned to be taught two multiplication math facts, eight multiplication math facts, or a set size determined by each student’s AR. The average AR was 4.05 (SD = 0.71). Set size led to a significant and large effect on retention, percentage of multiplication math facts retained, and efficiency as computed by math facts retained per minute of intervention time. IR appeared to be an effective intervention when AR data were used to determine the inter...
Inhibition of Epstein-Barr Virus Release by anti-MA Antibody

We have previously reported a murine monoclonal antibody (MAb 1B6) which recognized an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) membrane antigen (MA) and blocked release of infectious EBV from virus-producing P3HR-1 cells.
Differentiating Chemically Similar Lewis Acid Sites in Heterobimetallic Complexes: The Rare-Earth Bridged Hydride (C5Me5)2Ln(μ-H)2Ln′(C5Me5)2 and Tuckover Hydride (C5Me5)2Ln(μ-H)(μ-η1:η5-CH2C5Me4)Ln′(C5Me5) Systems

The challenge of differentiating the chemistry of two closely related Lewis acidic metals in heterobimetallic complexes was addressed by studying hydrogenolysis and C–H bond activation reactions of bimetallic rare-earth hydride complexes. Hydrogenolysis of equimolar amounts of Cp*2Lu(η3-C3H5) (1-Lu) and Cp*2Y(η3-C3H5) (1-Y) (Cp* = C5Me5) forms a mixture of hydride complexes, the heterobimetallic compound Cp*2Lu(H)2YCp*2 (2-Lu/Y) and the homobimetallic compounds (Cp*2LuH)2 (2-Lu/Lu) and (Cp*2YH)2 (2-Y/Y). This mixture can be analyzed and differentiated by 1H NMR spectroscopy due to the I = 1/2 89Y nucleus to reveal these three products in a ratio of approximately 86:10:4, respectively. Heating this mixture leads to C–H bond activation and formation of tuckover hydride complexes, the heterobimetallic compounds Cp*2Y(μ-H)(μ-η1:η5-CH2C5Me4)LuCp* (3-Y/Lu) and Cp*2Lu(μ-H)(μ-η1:η5-CH2C5Me4)YCp* (3-Lu/Y) and the homobimetallic compounds Cp*2Lu(μ-H)(μ-η1:η5-CH2C5Me4)LuCp* (3-Lu/Lu) and Cp*2Y(μ-H)(μ-η1:η5-CH2C5Me4)...