cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new quasi resonant DC link for single phase micro inverter

A new quasi resonant DC link that allows for pulse-width-modulation (PWM) is presented in this paper. The proposed quasi resonant DC link provides zero-voltage switching (ZVS) condition for the main devices by resonating the DC-link voltage to zero via three auxiliary switches and LC components. The operating principle and mode analysis are given. The simulation was carried out to verify the proposed soft switching technique. A 150W 120VAC single-phase prototype was built. The experimental results show that the soft switching for four main switches can be realized under different load conditions and the peak efficiency can reach 95.6%.The proposed quasi DC link can be applied to both single-phase and three-phase DC/AC micro inverter.
Critical current of a superconducting wire via gauge/gravity duality

Abstract We describe application of the gauge/gravity to study of depairing current in thin superconducting wires. The large number N of colors of the gauge theory is identified with the number of filled transverse channels in the wire. On the gravity side, the physics is described by a system of D3 and D5 branes intersecting over a line. We consider the ground state of the system at fixed electric current and find that there is a continuous phase transition at a critical current, in the universality class of the dissipative XY model. We discuss relation of our results to recent experiments on statistics of the switching current in nanowires.
l-DOPA-induced air-stepping in preweanling rats. I. Effects of dose and age

Abstract The effects of several doses of l -DOPA (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) on air-stepping were studied in rats on the day of birth and on 5, 10, 15 and 20 days of age. Occurrence of air-stepping increased and latency to air-stepping generally decreased with dose except at 10 days of age; duration of air-stepping increased with increasing dose of l -DOPA at every age. The occurrence of a variety of air-stepping gaits was age-dependent. On the day of birth, air-stepping consisted primarily of episodes of forelimb alternation; on days 5–20, diagonal progression was the predominant gait, but beginning at day 10, episodes of air-swimming, air-galloping and other locomotor patterns were interspersed. Not only could the durations of most of these gaits be increased with increasing dose of l -DOPA, but at some ages, increasing the dose of l -DOPA led to gait changes.
On parametric estimation of population abundance for line transect sampling

Despite recent advances in nonparametric methods for estimating animal abundance, parametric methods are still used widely among biometricians due to their simplicity. In this paper, we propose an optimal shrinkage-type estimator and an empirical Bayes estimator for estimating animal density from line transect sampling data. The performances of the proposed estimators are compared with those of the maximum likelihood estimator and a bias-corrected maximum likelihood estimator both theoretically and numerically. Simulation results show that the optimal shrinkage-type estimator works the best if the detection function has a very thin tail (for example, the half normal detection function), while the maximum likelihood estimator is the best estimator if the detection function has relatively thick tail (for example, the polynomial detection function).
A comparison of assays for the analysis of protein content of liver homogenate subfractions

Abstract Several assay procedures commonly employed to determine protein content of subfractions of liver homogenates were compared. It was found that a microbiuret assay which utilizes optical density measurements in the ultraviolet range (310 mμ) yielded high values for each of the subfractions studied. These values were particularly high in subfractions containing predominantly nuclei, rough-surfaced microsomes, and smooth-surfaced microsomes. A standard biuret assay, which utilizes optical density readings in the visible range (545 mμ) also yielded inordinately high values in fractions containing smooth-surfaced microsomes. The standard biuret method gave significantly lower values in the soluble fraction than the other three assay procedures. Assays performed by the method of Lowry yielded the lowest values in each of the subfractions studied except the soluble fraction. In many cases, however, the observed differences between the Lowry and micro-Kjeldahl methods were not statistically significant. The results indicate the need for accurate descriptions of methodology employed when reporting protein content of tissue homogenates or specific enzymic activity based upon protein content.
Observations of the D-band feature in the Raman spectra of carbon nanotubes

We examine the behavior of the D-band feature in the Raman spectra of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) bundles, observed between 1250 and $1450 {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1},$ as a function of the laser excitation energy. We used three SWNT samples with different diameters, and show that the D-band behavior of SWNTs differs from ${\mathrm{sp}}^{2}$ carbons, depending on whether the SWNTs are metallic or semiconducting, and shows a frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{D}$ that is dependent on nanotube diameter.
Making a World of Difference in Fire and Climate Change

Together with other stressors, interactions between fire and climate change are expressing their potential to drive ecosystem shifts and losses in biodiversity. Closely linked to human well-being in most regions of the globe, fires and their consequences should no longer be regarded as repeated surprise events. Instead, we should regard fires as common and enduring components of most terrestrial systems, including their social context. At the global scale, too much fire and the wrong kinds of fire are trumping not enough fire as the most influential fire problems we must address. Intensified fire suppression and government prohibition of burning is not a long-term solution at the global scale. Acknowledging the importance of programs to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, I propose that fire ecologists come together to elevate attention on four less-discussed priorities: ecological systems in which people depend on fire for survival and well-being; systems in which governments unwisely insist on command and control approaches to fire; places where peatlands are burning; and, places where climate-driven changes in fire will cause type conversion. Finally, I propose holding a worldwide fire summit to debate these priorities and to create fire management goals at the global scale. Taken all together, these proposed steps could enable fire ecologists to mount a worldwide offensive to shape the future of fire in the era of climate change.
Abstract 3568: Induction of aberrant breast acinar morphogenesis by deregulation of an estrogen receptor alpha circadian circuit.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Altered estrogen receptor alpha (ERA) signaling and altered circadian rhythms are both features of breast cancer. ERA mRNA oscillates in a circadian fashion in ERA-positive breast epithelial cells, but not in ERA-positive breast cancer cells (Rossetti et al., 2012a). Interestingly, we identified a circuit consisting of ERA and an estrogen-regulated loop consisting of PER2 and BMAL1, two circadian clock genes, in entrained ERA-positive breast epithelial cells. This estrogen-regulated circuit is apparently necessary for breast epithelial acinar morphogenesis, and its disruption by ERA knock down negatively affects both the estrogen-sustained circadian PER2-BMAL1mechanism and the formation of acini in three-dimensional (3D) culture on basement membrane. Conversely, knock down of either PER2 or BMAL1, by hampering the PER2-BMAL1 loop of the circadian clock, negatively affects both ERA circadian oscillations and 3D breast acinar morphogenesis (Rossetti et al., 2012b). This is the first evidence that a circuit comprising ERA and key circadian clock components is implicated in the acinar developmental processes of breast epithelial cells. Acknowledgments: this work was supported by the Department of Defense (DOD) Concept Award W81XWH0610657 (NS), the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (NS), and the Friends for an Earlier Test for Breast Cancer Foundation (NS). Rossetti, S, Esposito, J, Corlazzoli, F, Gregorski, A, and Sacchi, N. (2012a). Entrainment of breast (cancer) epithelial cells detects distinct circadian oscillation patterns for clock and hormone receptor genes. Cell Cycle 11, 350-360. Rossetti, S, Corlazzoli, F, Gregorski, A, Azmi, NH, and Sacchi, N. (2012b). Identification of an estrogen-regulated circadian mechanism necessary for breast acinar morphogenesis. Cell Cycle 11, 3691-3700. Citation Format: Stefano Rossetti, Francesca Corlazzoli, Alex Gregorski, Nicoletta Sacchi. Induction of aberrant breast acinar morphogenesis by deregulation of an estrogen receptor alpha circadian circuit. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3568. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3568
EstimateS turns 20: statistical estimation of species richness and shared species from samples, with non-parametric extrapolation

EstimateS offers statistical tools for analyzing and comparing the diversity and composition of species assemblages, based on sampling data. The latest version computes a wide range of biodiversity statistics for both sample-based and individual-based data, including analytical rarefaction and non-parametric extrapolation, estimators of asymptotic species richness, diversity indices, Hill numbers, and (for sample-based data) measures of compositional similarity among assemblages. In the first 20 yr of its existence, EstimateS has been downloaded more than 70 000 times by users in 140 countries, who have cited it in 5000 publications in studies of taxa from microbes to mammals in every biome.
5-HT2a receptors in the rabbit retina: potential presynaptic modulators.

Three 5-HT receptors have been implicated in retinal processing but positive identification of the receptors and the localization of receptor subtypes in the retina have not been achieved. In this study, molecular techniques were used to identify one class of 5-HT receptor-5-HT 2a -in the retina, and immunohistochemical techniques were used to localize the receptor in the retinal network. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) techniques were used to identify a segment of the rabbit 5-HT 2a gene; a 422 base fragment was identified, cloned, and sequenced. The fragment shows a high degree (ca, 90%) of nucleotide sequence identity with the 5-HT 2a receptor gene from other mammals. 5-HT 2a immunoreactivity was seen in both the inner and outer plexiform (synaptic) layers of the retina. Using cell-type-specific markers, the 5-HT 2a immunoreactivity was shown to be on the terminals of photoreceptor and rod bipolar cells. This association of 5-HT 2a receptors with these two synapses suggests that serotonin may be a modulator of synaptic function in the retina.
Antagonism of tremorine-induced tremor by serotoninergic agents in mice. Interactions with levodopa.

Abstract The serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan and the serotonin-like agent quipazine (2-(1-piperazinyl)quinoline), were found to antagonize tremorine-induced tremor in mice. Coadministration of quipazine and levodopa resulted in potentiation of the latter's antitremorine effect. 5-Hydroxytryptophan increased levodopa activity when administered before, but not simultaneously with the dopamine precursor. These data suggest that serotoninergic drugs may be useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and support the possibility of a relationship between serotonin deficiency and this disorder.
Using partially ordered sets to represent and predict true patterns of gene response to treatments

Background Advances in biotechnology have empowered highthroughput measurement of gene expression levels for tens of thousands of genes simultaneously. This means that one sample size must be used for all genes in most experimental designs [1,2], which implies that patterns of response of highly variantly expressed genes might not be measured accurately. Response patterns of gene expression data with multiple treatments have been characterized using post hoc pairwise comparisons by several researchers [3,4]. Nevertheless, these researchers did not address how to cope with highly variantly expressed genes with inaccurate patterns due to having too few experimental samples.
The Duration of Interstate Wars, 1816–1985

We present a model of war duration which incorporates both realpolitik and domestic political variables. We hypothesize that strategy, terrain, capabilities, and government type, among other variables, will play key roles in determining the duration of war. We test these hypotheses using hazard analysis and find empirical support for our key arguments. We find that the realpolitik variables play a greater role than regime behavior and type in determining war duration. We also find that historically, on average, mobilization and strategic surprise have little effect on war duration and that wars are not duration dependent.
Cholecystokinin and bombesin act independently to decrease food intake in the rat

The satiating effects of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) and bombesin (BBS) when injected alone and in combination were compared in intact rats. When injected alone, both CCK-8 and BBS elicited a dose-related decrease of 30-minute food intake. Injections of BBS were less potent than the equivalent doses of CCK-8 in producing satiety. BBS reached an asymptotic level of suppression of approximately 40 percent at a dose of 2 μg/kg, whereas injections of 4 μg/kg of CCK-8 resulted in a 72 percent suppression of food intake. When the two peptides were administered in a single injection, the resulting suppression of food intake was equivalent to that which would be predicted if their effects were completely additive. These results support the hypothesis that CCK-8 and BBS act via independent mechanisms to induce satiety. A preliminary model of peptidergic satiety, based on this hypothesis, is proposed.
Computation of binary integration detection probabilities

Efficient algorithms are described for computing the probability of detection for a binary integration when the probability of a threshold crossing changes from sample to sample. A binary integrator is exceeded (a hit occurs) in a sequence of N trials and declares a detection if the number of hits is at least as large as some number M, where O >
Irreversible modulation of GABAA receptors by azi-etomidate, a photo-reactive general anesthetic

The intravenous anesthetic etomidate acts by enhancing the gating of GABAA receptors at low GABA concentrations and prolonging deactivation of receptor currents. Azi-etomidate is a photo-activatable derivative with similar pharmacological properties and effects on GABAA receptors. Using electrophysiology, we tested whether light-activated azi-etomidate can irreversibly alter the function of α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors expressed in HEK293 cells. Exposing cells to UV light and azi-etomidate resulted in apparently irreversibly increased GABA sensitivity and prolonged current deactivation of GABA-activated macrocurrents. Azi-etomidate modification was GABA-sensitive, but was not inhibited in the presence of excess etomidate. We conclude that azi-etomidate modifies etomidate allosteric sites on GABAA receptors, but that cooperativity between these sites may lead to paradoxical results in the presence of excess etomidate.
An Agenda for Antiquity: Henry Fairfield Osborn and Vertebrate Paleontology at the American Museum of Natural History, 1890-1935

Rainger examines how and why vertebrate paleontology, a relatively marginal field of scientific inquiry, flourished at New York s American Museum of Natural History in the early 20th century. It focuses on Henry Fairfield Osborn (1857-1935), a prominent scientist and administrator who dominated vertebrate paleontology in that era and played a pivotal role in creating a leading institution and a manor program of research in that field.Born into a wealthy New York family, Osborn was in a unique position to follow vigorously his scientific interests in vertebrate paleontology and further worldwide science education through use of the considerable social, political, and financial resources at his command. Yet he was able to guide the development of the American Museum of Natural History s program in vertebrate paleontology in such a manner as to avoid conflict with the values and beliefs associated with the interests of the upper-class elite who supported the program.His ties to a wide network of influential figures, including the trustees of the American Museum, provided him with the political and financial resources necessary to build a major program in vertebrate paleontology. An ambitious and energetic man, Osborn took advantage of those opportunities to promote his field of study and to establish himself as a leading administrator at the American Museum, Colombia University, and the New York Zoological Society."
Nanoscale fibrils and grids : Aggregated structures from rigid-rod conjugated polymers

Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) molecular processing of conjugated polymers [poly(phenylene ethynylenes)] into highly aligned films has revealed conditions for the formation of liquid crystalline monolayer films that structurally evolve into fibril aggregates. The structural requirements for poly(phenylene ethynylene)s to display liquid crystalline phases capable or alignment by LB methods were determined. The reconstruction of monolayers into fibril structures was found to require a low glass-transition temperature (Tg), weak surface anchoring, and a monolayer with a high energy that can be stabilized by reorganization. This assembly of polymers into aggregated structures produces rigid structural units analogous to naturally occurring fibrous proteins such as collagen and elastin. These oriented, shape-persistent nanoscale structures create new possibilities for the construction of complex supramolecular structures, and this capability has been demonstrated by the formation of a nanoscale grid.
The discovery of thiamin.

Thiamin deficiency was long known as 'beriberi' in English and 'kakke' in Japan and China. The cause of beriberi was attributed to miasmas rising from wet soil and later to an unknown infectious organism. Systematic studies of beriberi began in the Dutch East Indies in the 1880s. Cornelis Pekelharing and Cornelis Winkler investigated beriberi in the Dutch East Indies and thought that they had isolated a micrococcus that was responsible for the disease. Christiaan Eijkman observed that chickens fed white rice developed a leg paralysis or 'polyneuritis', whereas chickens fed brown (unpolished) rice did not. Gerrit Grijns succeeded Eijkman in the beriberi studies in Java and concluded correctly that there were unknown substances in foods that were needed for the peripheral nervous system. In 1926, Barend Jansen and Willem Donath isolated and crystallized a substance that cured polyneuritis in pigeons. Robert Williams synthesized thiamin in 1936.
Evolving Null hypotheses and the base rate fallacy: A functional interpretation of scientific myth

The meaning of an experimental result depends on the experiment's conceptual backdrop, particularly its null hypothesis. This observation provides the basis for a functional interpretation of belief in the base rate fallacy. On this interpretation, if the base rate fallacy is to be labelled a "myth," then it should be recognized that this label is not necessarily a
Identification of Acoustic Stimuli that Mediate Sexual Behavior in Drosophila busckii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

We have shown that D. busckiimales and females, unlike other drosophilids that have been analyzed in this regard, court and copulate as well in relatively dim red light as they do in bright white light. We have also shown that males and females of this species flutter their wings during courtship and that wing fluttering in both sexes is associated with acoustic stimuli. Wingless males perform vigorous courtship but are incapable of mating, suggesting that females must perceive male song to be receptive to copulation. When they are tested with normal males, wingless females stimulate vigorous courtship, but their copulation frequencies are significantly lower than winged females. This observation suggests that perception of the female's song by either or both sexes facilitates mating.
Information Integration Theory: A Unified Cognitive Theory. Review of A Functional Theory of Cognition, by Norman H. Anderson

Abstract Norman H. Anderson is Professor of Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. He has degrees in Mathematics from the University of Chicago and degrees in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin. His work on Information Integration Theory has appeared in over 100 articles. He has also published previous five books on IIT: Foundations of Information Integration Theory (1981), Methods of Information Integration Theory (1982), and three volumes of Contributions to Information Integration Theory (all in 1991). The reviewers, Shawn Noble and James Shanteau, are with the Department of Psychology at Kansas State University. Noble received an undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, a Master's from Towson University, and is a Ph.D. candidate at Kansas State University (KSU). He is presently a Consortium Fellow with the Army Research Institute Branch Office at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where he is conducting studies of military decision making. His research interests include qualitative decision aids and strategies for improving decision making. Shanteau is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research at KSU. He formerly served as Program Director of the Decision, Risk, and Management Science Program at the National Science Foundation. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, San Diego under the supervision of Norman Anderson. He has published 50 articles, 5 books, 58 book chapters, 4 encyclopedia entries, and 14 technical reports primarily on expert decision making and the development of expertise.
MicroRNAs Modulate Hematopoietic Lineage Differentiation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of ∼22-nucleotide regulatory RNAs found in plants and animals. Some miRNAs of plants, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila play important gene-regulatory roles during development by pairing to target mRNAs to specify posttranscriptional repression of these messages. We identify three miRNAs that are specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells and show that their expression is dynamically regulated during early hematopoiesis and lineage commitment. One of these miRNAs, miR-181, was preferentially expressed in the B-lymphoid cells of mouse bone marrow, and its ectopic expression in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells led to an increased fraction of B-lineage cells in both tissue-culture differentiation assays and adult mice. Our results indicate that microRNAs are components of the molecular circuitry that controls mouse hematopoiesis and suggest that other microRNAs have similar regulatory roles during other facets of vertebrate development.
An International Capital Budgeting Experiential Exercise

This article describes an experiential exercise that uses a brief simulation model intended to introduce undergraduate international finance students to the complexities in corporate investments in foreign countries. Use of the model requires one or preferably two class periods. Student learning goals include: (a) understanding how different patterns of deviations from purchasing power parity can alter an international capital investment's profitability in dollars, (b) evaluating the tradeoffs of different financing options under violations of interest rate parity, (c) promoting discussion of ethical considerations in international investments by asking the student to decide whether to engage in local infrastructure investments and facilitation payments, and (d) gain experience in foreign investing under uncertain conditions. This project was partially funded by a University of Montana School of Business Administration Summer Research Grant.
Testable hypotheses in singular fixed linear models

Hypotheses that restrict nonestimable parameters in singular (or overparameterized) fixed linear models are considered nontes table by most aothors and are not allowed by most computer packages. In this article, a different approach is taken and hypotheses are classified as completely testable, partially testable, or nontestable on the basis of the number of degrees of freedom associated with them. The convenience of this approach is illustrated with examples and by developing a related general theory of equivalent hypotheses, reparameterizations, and restrictions. A method of transforming partially testable hypotheses into equivalent completely testable hypotheses is described.
THERMAL MODEL CALIBRATION FOR MINOR PLANETS OBSERVED WITH WISE/NEOWISE: COMPARISON WITH INFRARED ASTRONOMICAL SATELLITE

With thermal infrared observations detected by the NEOWISE project, we have measured diameters for 1742 minor planets that were also observed by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). We have compared the diameters and albedo derived by applying a spherical thermal model to the objects detected by NEOWISE and find that they are generally in good agreement with the IRAS values. We have shown that diameters computed from NEOWISE data are often less systematically biased than those found with IRAS. This demonstrates that the NEOWISE data set can provide accurate physical parameters for the >157,000 minor planets that were detected by NEOWISE.
Internal non-contact testing method using ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract The most critical problem for failure analysis lies in the precise localization of the electrical defects. Internal test method using liquid crystals electro-optical properties for the visualization of electric fields created above the surface of an integrated circuit has been developed over the last years in the IBM COMPEC laboratory in close collaboration with the Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal.(16) Smectic C∗ and A phases of ferroelectric liquid crystals are used for this purpose. When a component is working, one can discriminate the areas where the field is applied from the others. These methods have been tested on 64K SRAM, 256K DRAM, and TEST SITES.
Symposium on Writing the Book of the World

1. Reply to Gabriele Contessa Gabriele Contessa concludes his fine paper by saying that although he rejects my strong form of realism about structure, he accepts a weak form: Strong structure realism is what I take Sider to be advocating in Writing the Book of the World � it is the view that we do not just need to be realist about what the individual components of the world�s fundamental structure are (which might include, depending on one�s metaphysical views, universals or bare particulars or what-have-you) but also about the world�s structure itself. Weak structure realism, on the other hand, is simply the thesis that the world has one structure (as opposed to none or many), a thesis whose denial leads to various forms of metaphysical pluralism or metaphysical anti-realism. Weak structure realism takes �structure� to be just a placeholder for whatever the world contains at the fundamental metaphysical level (as opposed to something one can be genuinely realist about). But in fact, with one exception, Contessa and I disagree on little. For instance, Contessa�s definitions above of both weak and strong structure realism use the terms �structure� and �fundamental�, apparently presupposing that such terms are in good standing. But establishing this was in effect the main point of my book. Further, the strong structure realism that Contessa attributes to me is distinguished by its realism �about structure itself�; but I don�t think of �the world�s structure� as some sort of object or fact over and above facts about this or that concept carving at the joints � facts that Contessa apparently accepts. We do disagree over whether structure applies to logical notions. Regarding my defence of Lewis�s �reference magnetism� reply to certain forms of semantic scepticism (section 3.2), Contessa says: I doubt that reference magnetism is a cure-all for all forms of semantic �
Policy‐Level Specifications in REA Enterprise Information Systems

The Resource‐Event‐Agent (REA) enterprise model is a widely accepted framework for the design of the accountability infrastructure of enterprise information systems. Policy‐level specifications define constraints and guidelines under which an enterprise operates, and they are an extension to the REA enterprise model, adding the “what should, could, or must be” to the “what is.” This paper aims both at comprehensive understanding of policy‐level definitions as part of REA enterprise systems and at understanding of the semantic constructs that enable such definitions. We first explore two distinctive semantic abstractions essential to policy‐level specifications: typification and grouping. The typification abstraction links instances of an object class to concepts for which they are concrete realizations, while the grouping abstraction aggregates objects into collections. We next present a number of patterns for the semantic modeling of policies. Following, we look at policy‐level applications for REA enter...
Starch in Angiosperm Pollen Grains and Its Evolutionary Significance

Pollen grains of 990 species were examined and measured to test four predictions: (1) "Primitive" angiosperms will have starch-containing pollen; more advanced families will have starchless pollen. (2) Where Hymenoptera and Diptera use pollen nutritionally, there will be selection of starchless (oilcontaining) pollen, particularly where pollen is the only reward for visitors. (3) Conversely, in autogamous species, anemophilous species, and those pollinated by Lepidoptera or birds, the energetically more economical accumulation of starch will be seen. (4) Small pollen grains will be more likely to be starchless (oil-rich); starch-containing grains will tend to be larger. Prediction 1 is only partially supported by the results; contemporary representatives of primitive families often show starchless grains, and so do most "advanced" families. Strong intra-familial resemblances are found (and some between groups of families), but other families show mixtures of "starchy" and "starchless" species. The latter are more likely to show a fit between food reserve and pollination system. Prediction 2 is well supported. Prediction 3 is supported in that autogamous and anemophilous species show relatively high proportions of starchy grains, but the picture is complicated for them by apparent selection for starchlessness (oil-richness) in small pollen grains (prediction 4), and for the lepidopteran- and bird-pollinated species by selection for large starchless (or very large starchy grains) in species
Affine differential signatures for gray level images of planar shapes

A framework for generating differential affine invariant signatures based on the gray level images of planar shapes is introduced. Invariant signatures and their corresponding arclengths are computed for planar shapes. These signatures are useful for pattern recognition and classification under partial occlusion. We deal with implementable signatures, which practically means using up to second order derivatives. An approximation of the affine curvature signature is introduced. In this case the Euclidean curvature is used for generating the affine arclength. Both curvatures are computed from the gray level image, using the implicit representation of the object's boundary as it appears in the image. We also present robust signatures when 'projection invariance' of the gray levels is assumed. An invariant gradient magnitude along the geometric scale space is defined and used as an invariant edge enhancer. The geometric heat equation for weighted (by the enhancer) affine arclength definition is shown to yield an invariant denoising algorithm. It is used to clean noisy images before computing invariant features. The denoising operation deforms the geometry of the object in a predictable invariant way, unlike traditional image denoising algorithms, so that the mapping between planar shapes after the denoising is preserved.
Comparison of locus of control among students within a prison setting with students at a private liberal arts college.

Differences were assessed between two types of student populations in terms of Collins' four-dimensional locus of control. 44 students at a 4-yr. college were compared to 58 college-enrolled inmate...
Tumour markers: current status and future applications.

A variety of tumour marker tests are available for three major intended uses: screening, diagnosis, and monitoring. For each use, performance characteristics need to be well established. The value of a marker depends heavily on two predominant performance parameters — sensitivity and specificity. These parameters must be established with respect to the intended clinical use of the marker. Therefore, it is important to balance the analyticdclinical sensitivity and the resultant claims for the test. The FDA review and evaluation of a tumour marker test focuses upon the intended use and the clinical utility of the marker. The sponsor must prove all specific claims. The data must support well-designed scientific protocols and clinical studies[1].Generally, a tumour marker test is evaluated based on its intended clinical use, epidemiological sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence. A particular tumour marker test will have higher predictive value when it is applied to a population with a higher prevalence of ...
Random-field critical behavior of a d=3 Ising system: Neutron scattering studies of Fe 0.6 Zn 0.4 F 2

The effects of random fields on the critical scattering of neutrons in a d = 3, diluted Ising antiferromagnet have been observed for the first time. The experiments were made on the same crystal of Fe/sub 0.6/Zn/sub 0.4/F/sub 2/ in which earlier birefringence (..delta..n) studies showed a sharp phase transition T/sub c/(H) to exist. Only the scattering in the region above T/sub c/(H) was studied, where hysteretic behavior is absent. In this equilibrium region, new random-field critical behavior is observed, indicative of an approach to a sharp, second-order phase transition at T/sub c/(H), unlike the d = 2 case where rounding of the phase transition occurs within the same region. Hence the lower critical dimensionality of the equilibrium random-field Ising model (RFIM) is bounded by 2< or =d/sub l/<3. The critical scattering is well described by S(q) = A/(kappa/sup 2/+q/sup 2/)+B/(kappa/sup 2/+q /sup 2/)/sup 2/, with A scaling as kappa/sup eta-bar/ and B as kappaeta-bar. A preliminary analysis yields nu-bar = 1.0 +- 0.15, gamma-bar = 1.75 +- 0.20, and eta-barapprox. =(1/4) for the random-field thermal correlation length (kappa/sup -1/), staggered susceptibility (chi/sub st/), and correlation function () critical exponents, respectively.
Catalyzed Carbon–NO Reaction Studied by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and ab Initio Molecular Orbital Calculations

Abstract The STM technique has been employed to study the catalysis of the carbon–NO reaction by alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal catalysts. The catalytic actions by the catalysts used in this study follow the well established modes of channeling, edge recession, and pitting. The turnover frequencies of the catalyzed reactions are calculated based on the channeling rates on the basal plane of graphite with 1% NO at 600°C, and the relative catalytic activities of the catalysts are compared. NO is dissociatively chemisorbed by these catalysts, followed by diffusion of O atoms to the edge carbon sites, where breakage of C–C bonds takes place to free CO. The rate-limiting step for the gasification reaction by NO is the breakage of C–C bonds. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations are performed on model graphite substrates with –O and –O–M groups (where M=metal) bonded to the zigzag face. The surface C–C bonds in these structures are substantially weakened by adding –O or –O–M on the active carbon atom, leading to CO release. The extent of weakening in the C–C bond energy by different metals is in general agreement with the order of catalyst activities measured as turnover frequencies. The rank order of TOF by different catalysts is Cu>Ba=K>Sr>Ca>Mg>Na>Co>Fe=Li.
DETERMINATION OF ANDROGRAPHOLIDE IN COMMERCIAL ANDROGRAPHIS ( ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA ) PRODUCTS USING HPLC WITH EVAPORATIVE LIGHT SCATTERING DETECTION

ABSTRACT A reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method is developed for the determination of andrographolide, a characteristic diterpene lactone in commercial Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) products. Samples are analyzed by means of a reverse-phase column (Supelco Discovery C18) using acetonitrile and water, under gradient conditions as the mobile phase, over 40 min. The evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) used, was set at an evaporating temperature of 61°C and nebulizing gas (compressed air) pressure of 2.9 bars. The detection limit (S/N>5) of andrographolide is 50 ng on the column.
Age-Related Changes in Estrogen Receptor β in Rat Hypothalamus: A Quantitative Analysis

Although the estrogen receptor beta (ER beta) is a major target for actions of estrogen on the brain, little is known about its neural expression during aging, when levels and the mode of estrogen release undergo substantial changes. Therefore, in the present study we examined effects of aging and estrogen treatment on the number of cells expressing the ER beta in female rats. Two regions relevant to reproductive function were analyzed: the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (pBST). The numbers of ER beta-expressing cells were quantified using an unbiased stereological approach. Female rats were used at three ages [young (3-4 months), middle-aged (10-12 months), and old (24-26 months)], with or without estrogen replacement. Because the estrogen milieu impacts the function of neurotransmitter receptors such as the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in the brain, we also investigated the colocalization of ER beta and the obligatory N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit, NR1. We observed a significant age-related decrease in ER beta cell number in the AVPV, but not the pBST. No significant effect of estrogen on ER beta cell number was detected in either brain region at any age. Approximately 10% and 3% of cells expressing ER beta also coexpressed NR1 in AVPV and pBST, respectively, and this did not differ with age or treatment. Taken together, our results demonstrate 1) there are age-related changes in ER beta cell number that are region specific; 2) this expression is not altered by estrogen replacement; and 3) a subset of ER beta-positive cells coexpresses NR1.
Ion-dependent conformational switching by a DNA aptamer that induces remyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

We recently reported that a guanosine-rich 40-mer DNA aptamer (LJM-3064) mediates remyelination in the Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Here, we characterize the G-quadruplex forms of this aptamer in vitro, and demonstrate using circular dichroism spectroscopy that LJM-3064 undergoes a monovalent ion-dependent conformational switch. In the presence of sodium ions and no potassium ions, LJM-3064 adopts an antiparallel-stranded G-quadruplex structure. When presented with low concentrations of potassium ions in a buffer that mimics the composition of interstitial fluid and blood plasma, LJM-3064 rapidly switches to a parallel-stranded G-quadruplex conformation, which is presumably the physiologically active folded form. We characterize these conformational states using dimethyl sulfate reactivity studies and Bal 31 nuclease probing. Our analysis indicates that only the 5′-terminal 26 nucleotides are involved in G-quadruplex formation. Thermodynamic characterization of LJM-3064 at physiologically relevant ion concentrations reveals the G-quadruplex to be metastable at human body temperature. These data provide important structural and thermodynamic insights that may be valuable in optimizing LJM-3064 as a therapeutic remyelinating agent.
Voting model based diagnosis of bridging faults in combinational circuits

A novel algorithm for diagnosing bridging faults in combinational circuits is presented. The voting model is assumed. The diagnosis algorithm guarantees the "object bridging fault" (bridging fault in the circuit being diagnosed) to be in the final fault list. The novelties of the algorithm are: (i) unlike previous algorithms it does not use the full fault dictionary but uses portions of the stuck-at fault dictionary which is computed dynamically; (ii) it enumerates the faults implicitly using a compact data structure; and (iii) fault dropping rules, using stuck-at fault simulation only, are used. The resulting algorithm is both time and space efficient. Experimental evaluation of the algorithm is presented.
Hierarchies of Ambiguous Beliefs

Abstract We present a theory of interactive beliefs analogous to Mertens and Zamir [Formulation of Bayesian analysis for games with incomplete information, Int. J. Game Theory 14 (1985) 1–29] and Brandenburger and Dekel [Hierarchies of beliefs and common knowledge, J. Econ. Theory 59 (1993) 189–198] that allows for hierarchies of ambiguity. Each agent is allowed a compact set of beliefs at each level, rather than just a single belief as in the standard model. We propose appropriate definitions of coherency and common knowledge for our types. Common knowledge of coherency closes the model, in the sense that each type homeomorphically encodes a compact set of beliefs over the others’ types. This space universally embeds every implicit type space of ambiguous beliefs in a beliefs-preserving manner. An extension to ambiguous conditional probability systems [P. Battigalli, M. Siniscalchi, Hierarchies of conditional beliefs and interactive epistemology in dynamic games, J. Econ. Theory 88 (1999) 188–230] is presented. The standard universal type space and the universal space of compact continuous possibility structures are epistemically identified as subsets.
High‐Strain Shape‐Memory Polymers

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) are self-adjusting, smart materials in which shape changes can be accurately controlled at specific, tailored temperatures. In this study, the glass transition temperature (Tg) is adjusted between 28 and 55 °C through synthesis of copolymers of methyl acrylate (MA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and isobornyl acrylate (IBoA). Acrylate compositions with both crosslinker densities and photoinitiator concentrations optimized at fractions of a mole percent demonstrate fully recoverable strains at 807% for a Tg of 28 °C, at 663% for a Tg of 37 °C, and at 553% for a Tg of 55 °C. A new compound, 4,4'-di(acryloyloxy)benzil (referred to hereafter as Xini) in which both polymerizable and initiating functionalities are incorporated in the same molecule, was synthesized and polymerized into acrylate shape-memory polymers, which were thermomechanically characterized yielding fully recoverable strains above 500%. The materials synthesized in this work were compared to an industry standard thermoplastic SMP, Mitsubishi's MM5510, which showed failure strains of similar magnitude, but without full shape recovery: residual strain after a single shape-memory cycle caused large-scale disfiguration. The materials in this study are intended to enable future applications where both recoverable high-strain capacity and the ability to accurately and independently position Tg are required.
Precise and realistic utility functions for user-centric performance analysis of schedulers

Utility functions can be used to represent the value users attach to job completion as a function of turnaround time. Most previous scheduling research used simple synthetic representations of utility, with the simplicity being due to the fact that real user preferences are difficult to obtain, and perhaps concern that arbitrarily complex utility functions could in turn make the scheduling problem intractable. In this work, we advocate a flexible representation of utility functions that can indeed be arbitrarily complex. We show that a genetic algorithm heuristic can improve global utility by analyzing these functions, and does so tractably. Since our previous work showed that users indeed have and can articulate complicated utility functions, the result here is relevant. We then provide a means to augment existing workload traces with realistic utility functions for the purpose of enabling realistic scheduling simulations.
Unified Signatures for Improving Performance in Transactional Memory

Transactional Memory (TM) promises to increase programmer productivity by making it easier to write correct parallel programs. In fulfilling this goal, a TM system should maximize its performance with limited hardware resources. Conflict detection is an essential element for maintaining correctness among concurrent transactions in a TM system. Hardware signatures have been proposed as an area-efficient method for detecting conflicts. However, signatures can degrade TM performance by falsely declaring conflicts. Hence, increasing the quality of signatures within a given hardware budget is a crucial issue for TM to be adopted as a mainstream programming model. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective signature design, unified signature. Instead of using separate read- and write-signatures, as is often done in TM systems, we implement a single signature to track all read- and write-accesses. By merging read- and write-signatures, a unified signature can effectively enlarge the signature size without additional overhead. Within the constraints of a given hardware budget, a TM system with a unified signature outperforms a baseline system with the same hardware budget by reducing the number of falsely detected conflicts. Even though the unified signature scheme incurs read-after-read dependencies, we show that these false dependencies do not negate the benefit of unified signatures for practical signature sizes. A TM system with 2K-bit unified signatures achieves average speedups of 22\% over baseline TM systems.
Charge transport in ambipolar pentacene thin film transistors

Ambipolar organic transistors are technologically interesting because of their potential applications in light-emitting field-effect transistors [1] and complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices by providing ease of design, low cost of fabrication, and flexibility [2]. Although common organic semiconductors show either n- or p-type charge transport characteristic, organic transistors with ambipolar characteristics have been reported recently. In this work, we show that ambipolar transport can be achieved within a single transistor channel using LiF gate dielectric in the transistors with pentacene active layer. This ambipolar behavior can be controlled by the applied source-drain and gate biases. It was found that at low source-drain biases multistep hopping is the dominant conduction mechanism, while in high voltage regimes I-V data fits in Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling model. From the slope of the F-N plots, the dependency between field enhancement factor and the transition point in conduction mechanism upon gate bias has been extracted. The transition points show more dependency on gate voltage for negative biases compared to the positive biases. While sweeping negative gate voltages from -5 to -20 V, the source-drain voltages change from about 27 to 17 V. On the other hand, for positive gate voltages from 5 to 20 V, the value of the transition point stays at approximately 36 V. In order to further understand the transport mechanisms, new structures with an interface layer between dielectric and active layer have been fabricated and characterized. As expected, a significant decrease in the amount of the source-drain current has been observed after introducing the interface layer.