cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Performance Gains of Cooperative Transmission Concepts in Intensity Modulated Direct Detection Visible Light Communication Networks

Visible light communication networks are currently constrained in range by the divergent source characteristics of the light emmiting diode (LED) and in achievable rate by the modulation bandwidth of the LED transmitter; however, as device advancements improve the limitation on rate becomes inter-symbol interference (ISI). The key contributor to ISI is the non-uniform time of arrival (TOA) of all light source transmissions. Data is conveyed using intensity modulation/direct detection, as such a time of arrival synchronization is not required of the light carrier, but rather of the baseband modulation sequence (data carrier). The concept of cooperative transmission is shown to improve achievable rate; however, communication range does not benefit as well in such networks. Cooperative transmission is a scheme in which a collection of transmission sources pool together their resources to send a commonly shared message in a manner that allows all data transmissions to arrive synchronously at the intended receiver. Although, LEDs emit incoherent light, it supposed that the a collection of LEDs can acheive time synchronization in its intensity modulated waveforms by altering the delays in which the LEDs change state. An elegant one-bit feedback procedure for RF beam-steering is adapted to acheive time of arrival synchronization of the data carrier over the visible light channel. It is assumed that all LED sources share the same clock; however, the sources and a user terminal do not. Data carrier clock synchronization between sources and a user terminal can be obtained using a Manchester line code or a mutual synchronization architecture to adapt to a master group of transmission sources fairly quickly. It is shown that cooperative transmit beamforming can lower the impact of ISI on in the visible light channel as device capability matures to require such an architecture.
Inequities in organizations, salesperson motivation and job satisfaction

Abstract This paper examines the effects of perceived inequities involving organizational rewards and favoritism on salesperson work motivation and job satisfaction. A set of hypothesis is proposed on the bases of equity/inequity theory and expectancy-valence theory literature in sales management and organizational psychology. These hypothesis are tested with data collected from a sales population. Findings indicate that salespersons' perceptions of various inequities can produce strong negative influence on their motivation to perform and on job satisfaction. Managerial implications of these findings are also discussed.
A multi-mesh, preconditioned conjugate gradient solver for eigenvalue problems in finite element models

A multi-mesh, preconditioned conjugate gradient solver is proposed to solve large finite element eigenvalue problems in engineering applications. A generalized eigenvalue problem is solved by a conjugate gradient iteration method with a preconditioner matrix which is a partially factorized stiffness matrix. Initial trial eigenvectors for the proposed solver are obtained by interpolation using the eigenvectors obtained from a coarser mesh with a much smaller number of degrees of freedom. The employment of these trial eigenpairs was found to significantly increase the rate of convergence of the solver and also to prevent slow convergence/convergence failure in problems with closely spaced eigenvalues and repeated eigenvalues. Hence, the proposed solver presents a significant performance improvement over the existing preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Finite element eigenvalue problems for plates and shells are evaluated in this study and the proposed methods are shown to provide savings in both memory and computational time for large size problems. In the examples conducted, an eigenvalue problem for a square plate with about 50,000 degrees of freedom was solved two times faster than the direct (Lanczos) method, along with a memory storage requirement that is about 12 times smaller. However, very thin plate examples (length to thickness ratio > 150) show slow convergence and sometimes convergence failure. The convergence failure for very thin plates can be controlled by allowing more fill-ins in the incomplete Cholesky factorization of the preconditioner matrix.
Lipopolysaccharide-induced reductions in body weight gain and feed intake do not reduce the efficiency of arginine utilization for whole-body protein accretion in the chick

Abstract The effects of repeated injections of 400 microg Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on chick performance from 11 to 22 d posthatching were examined in chicks fed casein-based diets containing graded levels of arginine. Administration of LPS reduced (P
Abstract 4067: Integrated microfluidic bead-based immunosensor for multiplexed determinations of ovarian cancer biomarkers at the point-of-care

Early detection of ovarian cancer could significantly impact clinical outcome and hence patient survival. Given the biological heterogeneity of ovarian cancer, multi-marker panels will be required. Validation of such panels must utilize pre-clinical serum samples that are available only in small quantities. Diagnostic platforms that are capable of rapid, precise and multiplexed analysis of biomarkers in small quantities of serum should facilitate validation of optimal biomarker panels. Once validated, these platforms could permit rapid screening with finger-stick quantities of blood at point-of-care. The Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip (p-BNC) microfluidic immunosensor provides such a platform. In the p-BNC, serum biomarkers are sequestered and assessed with a fluorescence-based sandwich immunoassay, completed in nano-nets of sensitized agarose microbeads localized in individually addressable wells, housed in a microfluidic module, capable of integrating multiple sample, reagent and biowaste processing and handling steps. Previously, we adapted the p-BNC for the quantification of the CA125 biomarker with low LODs, high precision and a short analysis time of 43 minutes. Here, we adapt the p-BNC to simultaneously assess CA125 and HE4, a promising biomarker panel implicated in early detection. The HE4 immunoassay was developed to perform optimally with the previously established CA125 assay as the rate determining step. Extensive cross reactivity analysis ruled out non-ideal interactions between HE4 and CA125 reagents at the level of capturing antibody, detecting antibody and individual analytes. Wash times were optimized to maximize p-BNC performance. The dose-response curves obtained for the individual analytes (singleplex) were similar to those obtained with multiplex assays. Identical LOD values were noted for the singleplex and multiplex immunoassays with 1.5-fold decrease in precision for the multiplexed assays, demonstrating negligible loss of analytical performance upon multiplexing. For clinical validation, 8 surgically confirmed advanced stage patient sera and 8 age-matched healthy controls were assessed on the multiplexed p-BNC. ROC curve analysis for the CA125-HE4 biomarker combination, interpreted with a Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm was able to discriminate diseased samples from healthy controls with an AUC of 1.00. The p-BNC indicates strong promise for robust, multiplexed, quantitative measurements of ovarian cancer biomarkers, with high precision and sensitivity to yield clinically pertinent information under 45 minutes. Incorporation of additional biomarkers is underway to establish and validate an optimal panel for early detection of ovarian cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4067. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4067
Ordering chaos in Chua's circuit: A sampled-data feedback and digital redesign approach

In this paper, we develop and apply some digital design and redesign techniques for ordering the chaotic Chua's circuit. The idea of using sampled-data feedback for controlling the circuit was previously suggested [Yang & Chua, 1998], which relies on small sampling periods. We show how this sampled-data feedback control method can be significantly improved, so that large sampling times are allowed, for the same purpose of ordering the nonlinear circuit, from anywhere within the chaotic attractor towards a predesired periodic cycle of the circuit.
Surface electromyography activity of trunk muscles during wheelchair propulsion

Background. Trunk instability due to paralysis can have adverse effects on posture and function in a wheelchair. The purpose of this study was to record trunk muscle recruitment patterns using surface electromyography from unimpaired individuals during wheelchair propulsion under various propulsion speed conditions to be able to design trunk muscle stimulation patterns for actual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. Methods. Fourteen unimpaired subjects propelled a test wheelchair on a dynamometer system at two steady state speeds of 0.9 m/s and 1.8 m/s and acceleration from rest to their maximum speed. Lower back/abdominal surface electromyography and upper body movements were recorded for each trial. Based on the hand movement during propulsion, the propulsive cycle was further divided into five stages to describe the activation patterns. Findings. Both abdominal and back muscle groups revealed significantly higher activation at early push and pre-push stages when compared to the other three stages of the propulsion phase. With increasing propulsive speed, trunk muscles showed increased activation (P < 0.0001). Back muscle activity was significantly higher than abdominal muscle activity across the three speed conditions (P < 0.0005), with lower back muscles predominating. Interpretation. Abdominal and back muscle groups cocontracted at late recovery phase and early push phase to provide sufficient trunk stability to meet the demands of propulsion. This study provides an indication of the amount and duration of stimulation needed for a future application of electrical stimulation of the trunk musculature for persons with spinal cord injury. � 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Identification of seasonal arima models using a filtering method

This paper proposes an identification method of ARIMA models for seasonal time series using an intermediary model and a filtering method. This method is found to be useful when conventional methods, such as using sample ACF and PACF, fail to reveal a clear-cut model. This filtering identification method is also found to be particularly effective when a seasonal time series is subjected to calendar variations, moving-holiday effects, and interventions.
Structure of the bacteriophage a cohesive end site: Bent DNA on both sides of the site, cosN, at which terminase introduces Nicks during chromosome maturation

Packaging of lambda DNA is mediated by the phage-encoded enzyme, terminase, which acts at a site termed cos. cos consists of cosB, the site where terminase binds lambda DNA, and cosN, the site where nicks are introduced to generate the cohesive ends of virion DNA. cos contains multiple binding sites for gpNu1, the small subunit of terminase, and integration host factor (IHF), an Escherichia coli DNA binding protein. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of circularly permuted segments of cos DNA has been used to locate major bend loci in cos. Two major bends have been located; one bend is ca 146 bp to the left of cosN while the second major bend is located ca 92 bp to the right of cosN. The major bend at 92 coincides roughly with I1, the strongest IHF binding site in cos. The possible roles of static bending in DNA packaging are discussed.
FIVE NEW OR RECENTLY DISCOVERED (GBV-A) VIRUS SPECIES ARE INDIGENOUS TO NEW WORLD MONKEYS AND MAY CONSTITUTE A SEPARATE GENUS OF THE FLAVIVIRIDAE

Abstract In previous studies, human hepatitis viruses have been experimentally transmitted to New World monkeys of the genusSaguinus(tamarins). Recently, twoFlaviviridae-like agents (GBV-A and GBV-B) were identified in tamarins that developed hepatitis following inoculation with serum of the 11th tamarin passage of a potentially new human hepatitis agent. However, it was not shown that these viruses originated from the initial inoculum. We here report the discovery of indigenous species-specific viruses related to GBV-A in several species of New World monkeys and suggest that GBV-A virus was fortuitously acquired during passage in tamarins. Sera or plasma from 98 wild-caught New World monkeys representing 10 different species was tested by RT-PCR with conserved degenerate primers to the 5′ noncoding region of the genome. Viral sequences were identified in 33 animals and sequence analysis was performed on the amplicons. In addition, the genomic region corresponding to the putative NS3 RNA helicase of GBV-A was amplified from most positive animals and sequenced. We detected GBV-A-like viruses in 13 (35%) of 37S. mystax,7 (78%) of 9S. nigricollis,3 (25%) of 12S. labiatus,2 (50%) of 4S. oedipus,2 (100%) of 2Callithrix jacchus,and 6 (50%) of 12Aotus trivirgatusmonkeys. Each positive animal was infected with a unique strain of the GBV-A-like viruses. Analysis of the 5′ NC and NS3 helicase sequences revealed that these viruses could be classified into 5 major genetic groups with genetic distances equivalent to or greater than those found among major genetic groups of hepatitis C virus. Species-specific GBV-A-like viruses were found inS. mystax, S. nigricollis, S. oedipus, C. jacchus,andA. trivirgatusspecies. The viruses specific forS. nigricolliswere closely related to GBV-A, suggesting that GBV-A was acquired by passage through this species during the initial transmission studies. The natural history of the GBV-A-like viruses was studied in serial serum samples from 9S. mystaxand 2A. trivirgatusmonkeys. Each animal was chronically infected and the viral strain did not vary during 9–27 months of follow-up. Finally, we demonstrated that fourS. mystaxwere positive upon arrival to the United States from the country of origin. No apparent disease was associated with chronic infection of the GBV-A-like viruses. In conclusion, many New World monkeys are persistently infected with indigenous species-specific viruses that may represent a new genus within the virus familyFlaviviridae.
Haloperidol prevents ketamine- and phencyclidine-induced HSP70 protein expression but not microglial activation.

Abstract Noncompetitive N -methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, including ketamine and phencyclidine (PCP), produce abnormal intracellular vacuoles in posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortical neurons in the rat. Ketamine also induces 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) expression in pyramidal neurons in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex and, as shown by this study, activates microglia in the retrosplenial cortex of the rat. Whereas HSP70 protein expression was induced with ketamine doses of 40 mg/kg (ip) and higher, doses of 80 mg/kg and higher were required to activate microglia. HSP70-positive neurons were observed in 30- to 90-day-old rats but not in younger, 10- to 20-day-old animals following ketamine (80 mg/kg, ip). Pretreatment with the antipsychotic drug haloperidol at doses of 1.0 mg/kg and above abolished all HSP70 immunostaining produced by ketamine (80 mg/kg). However, a single dose of haloperidol (5 mg/kg, im) did not decrease the number of microglia activated in retrosplenial cortex by ketamine (80–140 mg/kg). Similarly, PCP (10 and 50 mg/kg, ip)-induced microglial activation in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex of adult rats was not blocked by haloperidol (10 mg/kg, im, 1 h prior to PCP). These results suggest that ketamine and PCP injure neurons in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex of adult rats. Though haloperidol may afford some protection against this injury since it inhibits induction of HSP70 expression, the failure to prevent microglial activation suggests that single doses of haloperidol do not completely protect neurons from NMDA antagonist toxicity.
Single-Cell Analysis of Regulatory Gene Expression in Quiescent and Activated Mouse Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells

Repair and regeneration of adult skeletal muscle are mediated by satellite cells. In healthy muscle these rare mononucleate muscle precursor cells are mitotically quiescent. Upon muscle injury or degeneration, members of this self-renewing pool are activated to proliferate and then differentiate. Here we analyzed in single satellite cells the expression of a set of regulatory genes that are candidates for causal roles in satellite cell activation, maturation, and differentiation. Individual cells were identified as satellite cells and selected for analysis based on their physical association with single explanted myofibers or their position beneath the basal lamina in unperturbed muscle tissue. Using a multiplex single-cell RT-PCR assay we simultaneously monitored expression of all four MyoD family regulators of muscle determination and differentiation (MRFs) together with two candidate markers of satellite cell identity, c-met and m-cadherin. By making these measurements on large numbers of individual cells during the time course of satellite cell activation, we were able to define which expression states (possible combinations of the six genes) were represented and to specify how the representation of each state changed with time. Activated satellite cells began to express either MyoD or myf5 first among the MRFs; most cells then expressed both myf-5 and MyoD simultaneously; myogenin came on later in cells expressing both MyoD and myf5; and many cells ultimately expressed all four MRFs simultaneously. The results for fiber-associated satellite cells from either predominantly fast or slow muscles were indistinguishable from each other. The c-met receptor tyrosine kinase was also monitored because it is a candidate for mediating activation of quiescent satellite cells (Allen et al., 1995) and because it might also be a candidate molecular marker for satellite cells. A significant difficulty in studying mouse satellite cells has been the absence of molecular markers that could identify them in the quiescent state before expression of MRFs or desmin and distinguish them from fibroblasts. We show here that c-met receptor is present beneath the basal lamina on presumptive satellite cells in intact muscle and that c-met mRNA and protein are expressed by all myofiber-associated satellite cells from the time of explant through the course of activation, proliferation, and differentiation. c-met was not detected in muscle-derived fibroblasts or in other mononucleate cells from healthy muscle explants. When compared directly with m-cadherin, which has previously been suggested as a marker for quiescent satellite cells, m-cadherin mRNA was detected only in a small subset of satellite cells at early times after myofiber explant. However, at late times following activation (by 96 hr in this fiber culture system), c-met and m-cadherin were uniformly coexpressed. From the individual satellite cell expression types observed, a model of the satellite cell population at rest and during the time course of activation was generated.
Reactions to the Reactions

Reactions are directed to the comments of Mancuso (1976) and Sechrest (1976) on Rychlak's (1976) paper "Personality Theory: Its Nature, Past, Present and--Future?" The reactions are organ ized around six themes: (1) Rychlak's (1976) concern with frag mentation of data is mainly with the underlying mentality of re searchers which leads to such narrow busywork. (2) Rigorous re search is necessary, but our present mechanistic language does not allow us the needed theoretical freedom. (3) Sechrest (1976) is incorrect that psychology has tried and discarded "time worn" hu manistic conceptions. In truth, psychology never gave humanistic orientations a chance to develop conceptual roots. (4) The neces sity for an absolute distinction between method and theory is not merely a semantic problem; without such a distinction, method will dictate the type of theories which are possible, and the type of epistemology underlying such theories. (5) The clear distinction between method and theory can provide the basis for a...
Leveraging models of cell regulation and GWAS data in integrative network-based association studies.

Leveraging models of cell regulation and GWAS data in integrative network-based association studies
An Analytical Framework for Studying the Politics of Consumption: The Case of the National Consumers' League

Consumption is not often addressed in the literature on social movements even though consumer organizations and consumer tactics have been successful in achieving social change. This paper offers an analytical framework for studying the politics of consumption, which suggests that consumers can be conceived of collectively as active agents rather than passive individuals. I capture this active agency through four concepts: mobilization, problematization, identification, and contention. I focus on one consumer organization, the National Consumers' League, and its three consumer tactics, white lists, white labels, and legislation, in order to demonstrate how the analytical framework I construct can be applied.
Frustration or opportunity? The impact of managed care on emergency psychiatry.

The positive and negative effects of managed care on emergency psychiatry are reviewed, as are potential opportunities for emergency psychiatry in the new health care environment.
Interface design: a neglected issue in educational software

The user interface is particularly important for educational software because 1) it must provide an entry to the content domain of the program rather than vice versa and 2) it must be sensitive to the general skill and/or developmental level of the user. In spite of these special characteristics, interface design for educational software has been given little attention. This study evaluates a representative interface from arithmetic software now used in the schools. It was found that the interface caused students a large number of difficulties. These difficulties were sufficient to interfere with the instructional effectiveness of the software. Designing interfaces that will benefit educational software will require careful study of the users of these programs along with an in-depth understanding of the domains being taught.
Theoretical Calculations of Dissociative Adsorption of CH 4 on an Ir(111) Surface

The activation energy for chemisorption of ${\mathrm{CH}}_{4}$ at an Ir(111) surface is determined using density functional theory combined with an estimate of the long range dispersion interaction. The results are found to be in good agreement with published results of bulb and beam experiments analyzed with a precursor model. A surprisingly large surface relaxation is found where an Ir surface atom is displaced outwards by as much as 0.6 \AA{}. A strongly bound molecular state at kinks and adatoms involving ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{2}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{H},\mathrm{H}$ bonding was also found.
The α1 and α2 polypeptides of the dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channel differ in developmental expression and tissue distribution

Abstract The dihydropyridine (DHP) binding complex isolated from skeletal muscle contains two large proteins, α 1 and α 2 , and at least two smaller polypeptides. The α 1 subunit has a primary structure expected for ion channels and is a functional component of a DHP-sensitive, voltage-activated calcium channel. The functions of the α 2 protein and the smaller polypeptides are unknown. We prepared monoclonal antibodies to the α 1 and α 2 polypeptides and studied the developmental appearance and tissue distribution of these two proteins. In rat skeletal muscle, the levels of α 1 are quite low during the first 10 days after birth, then rise dramatically, and, by day 20, approach those found in adult muscle. In direct contrast, α 2 is present in substantial amounts in rat muscle at birth and increases only slightly during this same period of development. Furthermore, α 1 is detected only in skeletal muscle, whereas α 2 is present in a variety of tissues. These results provide evidence for the segregation of these two polypeptides and suggest that the function of α 2 is not limited to that associated with the DHP-sensitive calcium channel.
Don't Let the Doorknob Hit You: A Relational-Intersubjective Exploration of Leaving and Remaining within the Therapeutic Frame

“Doorknob comments” is a concept that is not well represented in the professional literature. Through three case examples the author develops the theory that doorknob comments can fall within the internal structure of the session or outside of such a structure. In the former case, giving the internal element precedence by extending the session length to address the comments may be warranted. In the latter case, helping a client by scaffolding their ability to structure experience may require that the comment be processed at a later session. In either case, the ability to structure experience, which is the process of elaborating meaning, is an important aspect of treatment.
Protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation of the Ca2+ o-sensing receptor (CaR) modulates functional interaction of G proteins with the CaR cytoplasmic tail.

The extracellular calcium (Ca2+o)-sensing receptor (CaR) activates Ca2+ influx independent of the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The latter can be negatively regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) through phosphorylation of Thr-888 of the CaR. In this study, we substituted Thr-888 with various amino acid residues or a stop codon to understand how PKC phosphorylation of the CaR inhibits receptor-mediated release of intracellular Ca2+stores. Substitutions of Thr-888 with hydrophobic and hydrophilic amino acid residues had various effects on CaR-mediated release of intracellular Ca2+ stores as well as activation of Ca2+ influx. Several point mutations, such as T888D, had marked negative effects on CaR-mediated release of intracellular Ca2+ stores but not on phorbol myristate acetate-insensitive activation of Ca2+ influx. Presumably, the negatively charged aspartate mimics phospho-threonine. Interestingly, truncating the receptor at 888 had an even more pronounced negative effect on CaR-elicited release of intracellular Ca2+ stores without significantly affecting CaR-mediated activation of Ca2+ influx. Therefore, truncation at position 888 of the CaR affects the activity of the receptor in a manner that resembles PKC phosphorylation of the CaR. This in turn suggests that PKC phosphorylation of the CaR prevents G protein subtypes from interacting with the region of the receptor critical for releasing Ca2+ stores, which is missing in the truncated receptor.
Geoid undulation differences between geopotential models

Three geopotential models (OSU91A, GEM-T3, and GRIM4-C2), available in 1991, have been compared in several ways. The models have been differenced to find the geoid undulation difference are on the order of 1 m in land areas and 30 cm in ocean areas with extreme differences reaching 6 m. The models were also evaluated, augmented by higher degree terms, when necessary, through comparisons with undulations at Doppler and GPS positioned stations. The undulation difference at the Doppler stations was ± 1.57 m with no significant difference between models. Using 4 GPS test areas, differences were seen between the various models. A final comparison was made between geoid undulations implied by a Geosat 17 day cycle and undulations from the three models. The OSU91A model performed best having a difference standard deviation of ±34 cm.
Climate Change and Water Resource Availability: An Impact Assessment for Bombay and Madras, India

ABSTRACT Global climate change associated with rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases may alter regional temperature and precipitation patterns. Such changes could threaten the availability of water resources/Or rapidly growing Third World cities, many of which are already experiencing severe water supply deficiencies. This paper investigates the potential impacts of climate change on water resource availability for two Indian cities, Bombay and Madras. The paper begins by discussing future trends for population growth and water demand in each city. Nat, using climate change scenarios based on three general circulation models (GCMs), the paper assesses how climate change may affect water availability in the two urban regions. The assessment is conducted through the use of a monthly dryness index measuring potential evapotranspiration and precipitation. For each region, the dryness index under “normal” climatic conditions is compared with indexes created using GCM scenarios. The results of t...
Operant versus Logical Analyses of “Predictions”:

A prediction is defined as a tact whose object increases the probability that a verbal operant will be topographically arranged to describe subsequent events. Skinner (1957) defined tact as a ". . . verbal operant in which a response of given form is evoked (or at least strengthened) by a particular object or event or property of an object or event" (Skinner, 1957, pp. 81-82). A logical interpretation of predictions is illustrated by Nagel (1961) who attempted to show that suicidal predictions and self-fulfilling prophecies do not represent insurmountable barriers in the quest for the derivation of socially relevant principles in the logic of scientific explanation. Predictions ace suicidal when they are "soundly grounded at the time they are made, and hence most likely to be confirmed by future events, but which are nevertheless falsified because of actions undertaken as a consequence of announcing the predictions" (Nagel, 1961, p. 468). Predictions are self-fulfilling when they are "false to the actual facts at the time the predictions are made, but nevertheless turn out to be true because of the actions taken as a consequence of belief in the predictions" (Nagel, 1961, p. 469). The present analysis attempts to clarify a distinction that is often confounded. An operant approach to the evaluation of predictions is empirical. It relies upon procedures arranged to observe and measure the frequency of classes of responses controlled by the emitted predictions. A logical approach to the evaluation of predictions is intra-verbal. It relies upon a set of rules relating premises and predictive derivations. A conclusion to be drawn from the above analysis is that once an investigator sets out to describe, explain, and understand predictive operant behavior, then bipolar adjecrives such as logical-illogical, rational-irrational, and reasonable-unreasonable have no meaning; they are not wrong, they are meaningless. They are meaningless under the aforementioned purposes because their allegeable meaning resides upon the tendency to confuse the formal, internal consistency of statement forms with the discriminative properties of terms contained in the context of statements systematically arranged as predictions.
Nucleosome acetylation sequencing to study the establishment of chromatin acetylation

The establishment of posttranslational chromatin modifications is a major mechanism for regulating how genomic DNA is utilized. However, current in vitro chromatin assays do not monitor histone modifications at individual nucleosomes. Here we describe a strategy, nucleosome acetylation sequencing, that allows us to read the amount of modification at each nucleosome. In this approach, a bead-bound trinucleosome substrate is enzymatically acetylated with radiolabeled acetyl CoA by the SAGA complex from Saccharomyces cerevisae. The product is digested by restriction enzymes that cut at unique sites between the nucleosomes and then counted to quantify the extent of acetylation at each nucleosomal site. We find that we can sensitively, specifically, and reproducibly follow enzyme-mediated nucleosome acetylation. Applying this strategy, when acetylation proceeds extensively, its distribution across nucleosomes is relatively uniform. However, when substrates are used that contain nucleosomes mutated at the major sites of SAGA-mediated acetylation, or that are studied under initial rate conditions, changes in the acetylation distribution can be observed. Nucleosome acetylation sequencing should be applicable to analyzing a wide range of modifications. Additionally, because our trinucleosomes synthesis strategy is highly modular and efficient, it can be used to generate nucleosomal systems in which nucleosome composition differs across the array.
Multidimensional Family Resilience Assessment: The Individual, Family, and Community Resilience (IFCR) Profile

The goal of this study was to develop a broad, multidimensional assessment of individual, family, and community resilience for use in evaluating socioeconomic mobility programs. The Individual, Fam...
Further experiments on spermidine-mediated floral-bud formation in thin-layer explants of Wisconsin 38 tobacco

We studied the effects of various polyamines on bud regeneration in thin-layer tissue explants of vegetative and floweringNicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38, in which application of exogenous spermidine (Spd) to vegetative cultures causes the initiation and development of some flower buds (Kaur-Sawhney et al. 1988 Planta173, 282). We now show that this effect is dependent on the time and duration of application, Spd being required from the start of the cultures for about three weeks. Neither putrescine nor spermine is effective in the concentration range tested. Spermidine cannot replace kinetin (N6-furfurylaminopurine) in cultures at the time of floral bud formation, but once the buds are initiated in the presence of kinetin, addition of Spd to the medium greatly increases the number of floral buds that develop into normal flowers. Addition of Spd to similar cultures derived from young, non-flowering plants did not cause the appearance of floral buds but rather induced a profusion of vegetative buds. These results indicate a morphogenetic role of Spd in bud differentiation.
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Readiness for University Partnerships

Modern American higher education has blurred lines and roles of academic affairs, student affairs, and enrollment professionals. In a climate that pushes us to be assessment-driven, collaborative, outcomes-orientated, and student-centered, it is key that we have tools to clearly analyze our own campus culture and structures. Many of the areas that we teach in the higher education setting, such as cross-cultural theory and business process, can prove helpful when applied to our own campuses. These theoretical frames can assist higher education practitioners to make genuine assessments as to campus readiness for change and create solid plans for how to achieve next goals.
CT evaluation of trauma to the temporomandibular joint

The computed tomograms of 43 patients who had suffered craniofacial trauma and who were referred for evaluation of complaints of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction were reviewed. Fifteen of the 43 patients (34%) had sustained fractures, 16 (37%) had documented articular disc derangements without associated fractures, and 32 patients (74%) had degenerative joint changes. Computed tomography (CT) showed fractures, degenerative joint changes, and articular disc displacements not seen on conventional radiographs indicating that CT is particularly useful when patients' symptoms are not adequately explained by conventional radiographs or tomograms.
μ Receptors and opioid cardiovascular effects in the NTS of rat

In order to assess the potential role of mu (mu) and delta (delta) opiate receptors in the central regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of the relatively selective mu-opioid agonist D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5 enkephalin (DAGO) and relatively selective delta-agonist D-Ala2-D-Leu5 enkephalin (DADL) were compared following microinjection of these compounds into the nucleus tractus solitarius of pentobarbital-anesthetized rats. Both opioid agonists produced dose dependent increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate; but DAGO was nearly ten times more potent in eliciting these changes. Respiratory rate was increased by DADL and by lower doses of DAGO, but was depressed by higher doses of DAGO. Tidal volume was depressed by both peptides. These data support the concept that the cardiovascular pressor responses and tachycardia as well as the respiratory effects of opioids in the rat NTS are mediated by mu receptors.
Ductile fracture topography: Geometrical contributions and effects of hydrogen

A volume element which is deformed becomes elongated and narrowed with increasing strain, for reasons of constant plastic volume; inclusion spacings experience the same changes. Equivalent plasticity expressions permit a description of this effect as a function of fracture strain. Such an effect must be taken into account in comparison of initial inclusion spacings with dimple sizes observed in tensile or toughness specimen fractures. It also plays a role in the assessment of dimple size changes in hydrogen-assisted ductile fracture. The most convenient way to display the effect in the hydrogen case is on a plot of ductility lossvs dimple size ratio. This comparison demonstrates that the geometrical effect generally should lead to large increases in size ratio as ductility decreases; thus the common observations of dimple sizereduction with hydrogen evidently represent large increases in dimple nucleation, while dimple sizeincreases may represent microvoid growth effects.
Steady-state heat conduction in multi-layer bodies.

Abstract The mathematical formulation of the steady-state temperature field in multi-dimensional and multi-layer bodies is presented. The numerical examples are for two-layer bodies and they include boundary conditions of the first, second, and third kind. This study includes tables to assist the selection of eigenfunctions and computation of the eigenvalues. The computations include the contribution of contact resistance to the temperature solution. An efficient computational scheme for calculating the eigenvalues is used. For multi-dimensional, multi-layer bodies, the eigenfunctions are real if each layer is homogeneous; they may become imaginary if layers are orthotropic.
Post-cardiac transplant survival after support with a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device: impact of duration of left ventricular assist device support and other variables.

Objective Although left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are associated with excellent outcomes in patients with end-stage heart failure, there are conflicting reports on posttransplant survival in these patients. Furthermore, prior studies with pulsatile LVADs have shown that transplantation, either early ( 6 months) after LVAD implantation, adversely affected post–cardiac transplant survival. We sought to determine factors related to posttransplant survival in patients supported with continuous-flow LVADs. Methods The HeartMate II LVAD (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, Calif) was implanted in 468 patients as a bridge to transplant at 36 centers in a multicenter trial. Patients who underwent transplantation after support were stratified by demographics: gender, age, etiology, body mass index, duration of device support, and by adverse events during support. The median age was 54 years (range 18–73 years); 43% had ischemic etiology, and 18% were women. Survival was determined at the specific intervals of 30 days and 1 year after transplantation. Results Of 468 patients, 250 (53%) underwent cardiac transplant after a median duration of LVAD support of 151 days (longest: 3.2 years), 106 (23%) died, 12 (2.6%) recovered ventricular function and the device was removed, and 100 (21%) were still receiving LVAD support. The overall 30-day and 1-year posttransplant survivals were 97% and 87%. There were no significant differences in survival based on demographic factors or LVAD duration of less than 30 days, 30 to 90 days, 90 to 180 days, and more than 180 days. Patients requiring more than 2 units of packed red blood cells in 24 hours during LVAD support had a statistically significant decreased 1-year survival (82% vs 94%) when compared with patients who did not require more than 2 units of packed red blood cells in 24 hours during LVAD support ( P = .03). There was a trend for slightly lower survival at 1 year in patients with percutaneous lead infections during LVAD support versus no infection (75% vs 89%; P = .07). Conclusions Post–cardiac transplant survival in patients supported with continuous-flow devices such as the HeartMate II LVAD is equivalent to that with conventional transplantation. Furthermore, posttransplant survival is not influenced by the duration of LVAD support. The improved durability and reduced short- and long-term morbidity associated with the HeartMate II LVAD has reduced the need for urgent cardiac transplantation, which may have adversely influenced survival in the pulsatile LVAD era. This information may have significant implications for changing the current United Network for Organ Sharing criteria regarding listing of heart transplant candidates.
Accurate Method for Comparison of Scorching Qualities of Accelerators

Abstract The determination of critical point curves for accelerators is of value in ascertaining their scorching tendencies. Also, the index number, defined as that increment of time at which the set-up crosses the 140 mm. “height of column” ordinate, is of value in comparing the scorching qualities of various accelerators. For accurate work the cures on the accelerators compared should be balanced at the temperature of use, and control obscuration readings should be fairly close together in their value. Stocks should be milled in as nearly the same manner as possible. For the complete history of an accelerator's behavior, critical point determinations should be made at at least two and perhaps three, temperatures, one corresponding to the milling temperature, another to the warm storing temperature of stock after it has left the mill or calender, and a third to room temperature, although the experimental results on the last named are not complete at this time. If these determinations are made, the scorch...
When promoting a charity can hurt charitable giving: A metacognitive analysis ☆

Charities need to come to mind to enter a potential donor's consideration set. However, feeling familiar with a charity and its cause can facilitate or impair giving. In most cases, perceived good memory for details of the cause fosters the impression of personal importance, which increases giving (Studies 1 and 3). But when the charity aims to increase awareness of a cause, good memory for the cause suggests that awareness is already high, which impairs giving (Studies 2 and 3). Hence, promotions for awareness-raising charities can actually have negative consequences, confirming the predictions of a metacognitive analysis.
‘Hybrid’ processing strategies for expanding and improving the synthesis of renewable bioproducts

The versatile functionality of microbial biocatalysts offers a promising solution to the growing need to replace conventional, petroleum-derived fuels, chemicals, and materials with sustainable alternatives from renewable biomass. Whereas metabolic pathway engineering and strain optimization have greatly expanded the range of attainable bioproducts, it is by coupling microbial biosynthesis with traditional chemical conversions that the diversity of products that can ultimately be derived from biomass is truly beginning to reach its full potential. As will be the focus of this short review, such ‘hybrid’ strategies are now facilitating the generation of new and useful value-added bioproducts from renewable sources, the likes of which have previously been unattainable via biological routes alone.
Systematic review of the cost effectiveness of radiation therapy for prostate cancer from 2003 to 2013.

Background Prostate cancer remains a prevalent diagnosis with a spectrum of treatment choices that offer similar oncologic outcomes but differing side effect profiles and associated costs. As the technology for prostate radiation therapy has advanced, its associated costs have escalated, thus making cost-effectiveness analyses critical to assess the value of competing treatment options, including watchful waiting, surgery, brachytherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), 3D-conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), proton beam therapy (PBT), and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
Relaxed Min-Max Decoder Architectures for Nonbinary Low-Density Parity-Check Codes

Compared to binary low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, nonbinary (NB) LDPC codes can achieve higher coding gain when the codeword length is moderate, but at the cost of higher decoding complexity. One major bottleneck of NB-LDPC decoding is the complicated check node processing. In this paper, a novel relaxed check node processing scheme is proposed for the min-max NB-LDPC decoding algorithm. Each finite field element of GF(2p) can be uniquely represented by a linear combination of p independent field elements. Making use of this property, an innovative method is developed in this paper to first find a set of the p most reliable variable-to-check messages with independent field elements, called the minimum basis. Then, the check-to-variable messages are efficiently computed from the minimum basis. With very small performance loss, the complexity of the check node processing can be substantially reduced using the proposed scheme. In addition, efficient VLSI architectures are developed to implement the proposed check node processing and the overall NB-LDPC decoder. Compared to the most efficient prior design, the proposed decoder for a (837, 726) NB-LDPC code over GF(25) can achieve 52% higher efficiency in terms of throughput-over-area ratio.
Verbal Mediation in High-Active and Cognitively Impulsive Second Graders

Two problems associated with cognitive training programs using verbal mediation strategies are (a) noncomparability of samples and (b) the absence of base-line data documenting mediational deficiencies in target populations. The specific effects of high activity level (as assessed by a teacher's rating scale) and cognitive impulsivity (as assessed by the Matching Familiar Figures Test) on the production of relevant, task-directed verbalizations was examined in a group of 90 second graders. Impulsivity-reflectivity was found to be related to the production of both spontaneous and induced on-task verbalizations, but high activity level ratings were not.
Evaluating the Frechet derivative of the matrix exponential

LetM n denote the space ofnA—n matrices. GivenX, ZÂ?M n define $$L\left( {X,Z} \right) = \int\limits_0^1 {e^{sX} } Ze^{\left( {1 - s} \right)X} ds,$$ and given a norm Â?·Â? onM n define $$\left\| {L\left( {X, \cdot } \right)} \right\| = \max \left\{ {\left\| {L\left( {X,Y} \right)} \right\|:\left\| Y \right\| \leqq 1,Y \in M_n } \right\}.$$ The quantity Â?L(X,·)Â? is important in the study of the sensitivity of the matrix exponential. Given an integration ruleR and a positive integerm letL R.m (X, Z) denote the approximation toL(X, Z) given by the composite ruleR applied withm subintervals. We give bounds on Â?L(X,·)Â?L R.m (X,·)Â? that are valid for any unitarily invariant norm Â?·Â? and any integration ruleR. We show that in a particular situation, that arises in practice, the composite Simpson's rule has a better error bound than the composite trapezoidal rule, and that it can be evaluated with the same number of matrix multiplications. We also note a symmetry property of the functionL(X,·) and compare the performance of the power method and two variants of the Lanczos algorithm for estimating Â?L(X,·)Â?.
Cofactor Requirement of HpyAV Restriction Endonuclease

Background Helicobacter pylori is the etiologic agent of common gastritis and a risk factor for gastric cancer. It is also one of the richest sources of Type II restriction-modification (R-M) systems in microorganisms.