cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of glutamate synapses by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in auditory cortex

Abstract Acetylcholine plays an important role in regulating the processing of sensory stimuli, and understanding its specific cellular actions is critical to understanding how sensory cortex develops and fuctions in different behavioral states. Here we review recent work on the cellular effects of nicotinic receptor activation in auditory cortex and describe how these actions could affect systems-level auditory function. In particular, we describe a novel function of nicotinic actylcholine receptors to regulate glutamate synapses containing N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors during early postnatal development. The transient regulation of developing glutamate synapses also defines a window of vulnerability during which exposure to exogenous nicotine disrupts synapse development. Thus, it appears that nicotinic regulation of glutamate synapses is a critical feature of auditory cortex development.
Clinical incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization or infection as a proxy measure for MRSA transmission in acute care hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization or infection has been used as a proxy measure for MRSA transmission, but incidence calculations vary depending on whether active surveillance culture (ASC) data are included. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between incidences of MRSA colonization or infection calculated with and without ASCs in intensive care units and non-intensive care units. SETTING: A Veterans Affairs medical center. METHODS: From microbiology records, incidences of MRSA colonization or infection were calculated with and without ASC data. Correlation coefficients were calculated for the 2 measures, and Poisson regression was used to model temporal trends. A Poisson interaction model was used to test for differences in incidence trends modeled with and without ASCs. RESULTS: The incidence of MRSA colonization or infection calculated with ASCs was 4.9 times higher than that calculated without ASCs. Correlation coefficients for incidences with and without ASCs were 0.42 for intensive care units, 0.59 for non-intensive care units, and 0.48 hospital-wide. Trends over time for the hospital were similar with and without ASCs (incidence rate ratio with ASCs, 0.95 [95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.97]; incidence rate ratio without ASCs, 0.95 [95% confidence interval, 0.92-0.99]; P = .68). Without ASCs, 35% of prevalent cases were falsely classified as incident. CONCLUSIONS: At 1 Veterans Affairs medical center, the incidence of MRSA colonization or infection calculated solely on the basis of clinical culture results commonly misclassified incident cases and underestimated incidence, compared with measures that included ASCs; however, temporal changes were similar. These findings suggest that incidence measured without ASCs may not accurately reflect the magnitude of MRSA transmission but may be useful for monitoring transmission trends over time, a crucial element for evaluating the impact of prevention activities.
Turnover of ribosomal RNA in mouse fibroblasts (3T3) in culture.

Abstract Growing and confluent cultures of mouse fibroblasts were labeled with 3H-uridine and chased with an excess of nonradioactive uridine to investigate the turnover of ribosomal RNA. Growing cultures did not turn over their 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA; however, confluent cultures did show ribosomal RNA (rRNA) turnover. If the cells were labeled while growing, and chased when confluent, 18S RNA displayed a two-component decay curve, while 28S RNA showed only single-component decay, similar in lifetime to the first component of the 18S RNA decay curve. If the cells were labeled while confluent, both the 18S and 28S RNA showed single-component decay curves with a lifetime possibly only slightly longer than the lifetime of the first component of the 18S RNA and the single component of the 28S RNA of the cultures labeled while growing.
Characterizing the non‐proportional and out‐of‐phase extent of tensor paths

Scalar measures are developed for characterizing the non-proportional and out-of-phase extent of any symmetric second-order tensor path. These scalar measures are constructed by introducing the concept of the principal axes of the tensor path. These measures are independent of the parameterization of the tensor path. As required these measures are invariant under coordinate transformations. For an example, these measures are used to characterize the stress history in the combustion dome of an internal-combustion automotive engine.
Estimating Cancer Risk from Outdoor Concentrations of Hazardous Air Pollutants in 1990

A public health concern regarding hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) is their potential to cause cancer. It has been difficult to assess potential cancer risks from HAPs, due primarily to lack of ambient concentration data for the general population. The Environmental Protection Agency's Cumulative Exposure Project modeled 1990 outdoor concentrations of HAPs across the United States, which were combined with inhalation unit risk estimates to estimate the potential increase in excess cancer risk for individual carcinogenic HAPs. These were summed to provide an estimate of cancer risk from multiple HAPs. The analysis estimates a median excess cancer risk of 18 lifetime cancer cases per 100,000 people for all HAP concentrations. About 75% of estimated cancer risk was attributable to exposure to polycyclic organic matter, 1,3-butadiene, formaldehyde, benzene, and chromium. Consideration of some specific uncertainties, including underestimation of ambient concentrations, combining upper 95% confidence bound potency estimates, and changes to potency estimates, found that cancer risk may be underestimated by 15% or overestimated by 40-50%. Other unanalyzed uncertainties could make these under- or overestimates larger. This analysis used 1990 estimates of concentrations and can be used to track progress toward reducing cancer risk to the general population.
Diagonals of normal operators with finite spectrum.

Let X={lambda1, ..., lambdaN} be a finite set of complex numbers, and let A be a normal operator with spectrum X that acts on a separable Hilbert space H. Relative to a fixed orthonormal basis e1, e2, ... for H, A gives rise to a matrix whose diagonal is a sequence d=(d1, d2, ...) with the property that each of its terms dn belongs to the convex hull of X. Not all sequences with that property can arise as the diagonal of a normal operator with spectrum X. The case where X is a set of real numbers has received a great deal of attention over the years and is reasonably well (though incompletely) understood. In this work we take up the case in which X is the set of vertices of a convex polygon in . The critical sequences d turn out to be those that accumulate rapidly in X in the sense that Sigmainfinityn=1 dist(dn, X) s(d)E GammaX with the following property: If s(d) not equal 0, then d is not the diagonal of any such operator A. We also show that while this is the only obstruction when N=2, there are other (as yet unknown) obstructions when N=3.
A scintillating plastic fiber tracking detector for neutron and proton imaging and spectroscopy

Abstract We report on a prototype detector system designed to perform imaging and spectroscopy on 20–250 MeV neutrons. The detection techniques employed can be applied to measurements in a variety of disciplines including solar and atmospheric physics, radiation therapy and nuclear materials monitoring. The detector measures the energy and direction of neutrons by detecting double neutron–proton scatters and recording images of the ionization tracks of the recoil protons in a densely packed bundle of scintillating plastic fibers stacked in orthogonal layers. The scintillation tracks are detected and imaged by photomultipliers and image intensifier/CCD camera optics. By tracking the recoil protons from individual neutrons, the kinematics of the scatter are determined. This directional information results in a high signal-to-noise measurement. The self-triggering and track imaging features of a prototype for tracking in two dimensions are demonstrated in calibrations with 14–65 MeV neutrons, 20–67.5 MeV protons, and with cosmic-ray muons. Preliminary results of phantom imaging measurements using a proton beam are also presented. We discuss several applications for this detector technique and outline future development work.
religions in dialogue: the construction of an Indonesian minority religion

Clifford Geertz (1966) proposes a definition of religion that transcends a conventional distinction between world religions and traditional religions. He regards religions as particular cultural solutions to universal problems of meaning. But problems of meaning are experienced by cultural actors only in the context of social systems. Thus, religions as cultural systems are impressed by the institutional conditions of their construction. This point is demonstrated here by an examination of developing religious consciousness among the Wana of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, in response to national religious policies, [anthropology of religion, primitive or traditional religions, Indonesia, Sulawesi or Celebes, Wana, ethnicity]
Cytology of gamma-irradiated gonads of Stomoxys calcitrans (diptera: muscidae).

Sterility, as measured by egg hatch, was obtained in the male stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), with 4 kilorads of gamma radiation applied to pupae and 5 kilorads to adults. Cytological examination of the testes revealed that while the early stages of spermatogenesis showed several types and degrees of deformity, mature spermatozoa were not visibly affected by the sterilizing doses. A limited amount of spermatogenic activity was noticeable 5 clays after treatment. However, when males were held for 10 days, all gonial cells were destroyed, an indication that radiation damage to these cells became more evident with time. Females were sterilized with 2 kilorads, both as pupae and as adults. With a dose of 3 kilorads, egg production ceased completely. Observations made of entire ovaries and ovarioles after irradiation showed that these doses not only delayed ovary growth but also produced deformities in the shapes of developing follicles and pycnosis in nurse cell nuclei. The lower dose (2 kilorads) did not stop development of the more mature oocytes, although egg hatchability indicated that this dose produced dominant lethality in eggs that were fully formed at the time of treatment.
Delayed Chaining: A Practical P2P Solution for Video-on-Demand

Most home computers have upload bandwidths that do not allow them to stream good quality video. As a result, they cannot fully participate in peer-to-peer video streaming solutions. We propose to address that issue by letting these clients use the storage space they have on one or more remote servers. Each time a client plays a streaming video, it will upload a copy of that video to one of these servers. Once uploaded, that copy can then service another client wanting to play the same video. Our simulations indicate that our delayed chaining scheme can dramatically reduce video server workloads at all stable request arrival rates. Daily usage spikes can be easily accommodated as long as cloud copies remain at least 24 hours online. Strategies for handling the launching of a new video include introducing a price differential, using predictive prefetching and requiring advance purchases.
Use of land pooling and reconstitution for urban development: Experiences from Gujarat, India

Abstract While the fast pace of urbanization in India creates a strong demand for serviced urban land, the local governments, the entities responsible for providing this land, face strong opposition to compulsory land acquisition, the traditional method of acquiring land for planned development. Furthermore, poor fiscal health restricts local governments’ ability to provide high-quality infrastructure and services. Land Pooling and Reconstitution (LPR) offers a solution. This paper analyzes the use of LPR in the state of Gujarat, India, highlights the key success factors, suggests reforms that would increase the tool’s effectiveness, and identifies the lessons learned from Gujarat’s experience. Specific lessons include the following: use revenues from the previous LPR projects to fund infrastructure and services in the new projects using a revolving fund mechanism; delink the resolution of land ownership disputes from LPR scheme preparation and approval process; institute extensive grievance redressal process; and develop infrastructure early to garner landowner support for LPR.
Low-cost teleoperable robotic arm

Abstract A low-cost robotic arm and controller system is presented. The controller is a desktop model of the robotic arm with the same degrees of freedom whose joints are equipped with sensors. Manipulating the controller by hand causes the robotic arm to mimic the movement in master–slave fashion. This is accomplished simply and at low-cost by taking advantage of widely available hobby radio control components. The system uses the trainer (“Buddy Box”) function available on common radio control transmitters as a simple interface between microcontroller and transmitter. The microcontroller produces a time-division multiplexed signal comprising three channels in proportional pulse modulated (PPM) format. The arm design could be used for various light-duty applications and this paper describes a version fitted with a video camera. The arm prototype is designed for an under-vehicle inspection robot. In this application, the video camera mounted on the robotic arm allows inspection of difficult-to-view locations under vehicles. The master–slave operator interface provides an easy-to-learn method for robotic arm manipulation.
A comparison of the roles of protein kinase C in long-term potentiation in rat hippocampal areas CA1 and CA3.

1. Using agonists and antagonists with specificity toward various isozymes, we have examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal areas CA1 and CA3.
Comments on "Optimum Bandwidth of a Low-Pass Filter for Detection of a Pulse in Nonstationary Noise"

In a recent correspondence1 a calculation of the optimum bandwidth of a low-pass RC filter for the detection of a pulse signal in nonstationary noise was presented. The purpose of this correspondence is: 1) to point out additional references to the work which has been conducted in the stationary noise case, and 2) to present an interesting alternate derivation of the expected output noise power for the nonstationary noise case.
Mitochondrial Hexokinase in Brain of Various Species: Differences in Sensitivity to Solubilization by Glucose 6-Phosphate

Approximately 90% of the hexokinase (ATP:D-hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) activity was solubilized by treatment of rat brain mitochondria with glucose 6-phosphate (Glc-6-P), while only about 20% of the hexokinase could be solubilized from human brain mitochondria. Intermediate amounts of solubilized activity were obtained with brain mitochondria from other species. In contrast, > or = 80% of the activity could be released by 0.5 M potassium thiocyanate (KSCN), regardless of the species from which the mitochondria were obtained. Hexokinase activities solubilized by treatment of bovine brain mitochondria with Glc-6-P (HKG6P) and by a subsequent treatment with KSCN (HKKSCN) were indistinguishable in their isoelectric focusing pattern and molecular weight, and both were inhibited by Glc-6-P with Ki approximately 20 microM. Both HKG6P and HKKSCN could bind to mitochondria from rat liver or brain, and both were again solubilized by a subsequent treatment with Glc-6-P. These results do not suggest any intrinsic molecular difference between HKG6P and HKKSCN. Rather, the difference in susceptibility to release by Glc-6-P is reasonably attributed to discrete types of binding sites for hexokinase on brain mitochondria, with the relative proportion of these varying with species. Bovine brain mitochondria bearing HKG6P and HKKSCN were not resolved by sucrose density gradient fractionation, suggesting that both forms may coexist on the same mitochondrion. Given the probable importance of mitochondrially bound hexokinase in regulating aerobic glycolysis in brain, these differences in hexokinase-mitochondrial interactions may be related to previously documented differences in cerebral energy metabolism of these various species.
Hypercalcified demosponges and the end-Permian extinction

Abstract The hypothesis is presented here that the hypercalcified demosponges, characterized by a solid, largely external skeleton of spherulitic aragonite, or of high-Mg calcite, had symbiotic cyanobacteria, from the outset of their existence, that enabled them to precipitate their peculiar skeleton, and that both the skeleton and the cyanobacteria enabled them to survive the late and end-Permian extinctions, almost alone among sponge groups. The cyanobacteria would have provided them with photosynthetic oxygen to survive hypoxia (one of the proposed causes of the extinctions), and perhaps also were cropped for food, if the external bacteria, normally fed upon by sponges, were reduced by the hypoxia. The sponges' external skeleton would also have protected them in their shallow-water reefy environment from excess ultraviolet light that may have resulted from hypoxic loss of the ozone layer of the atmosphere. This is supported by the fact that the genus Guadalupia which has a lightly-calcified flat upper surface, died out by the end of the Permian, while 31 other genera of hypercalcified Demospongea as well as 3 genera of hypercalcified Calcarea were the only genera of sponges of any kind to continue from the Permian into the Triassic.
Effect of growth hormone on enzyme activities in the hypophysectomized rat.

Abstract The effects of hypophysectomy and growth hormone administration on the activities of various enzyme systems in rat kidney and liver extracts have been studied. Removal of the pituitary gland resulted in either essentially no changes in the enzyme activity compared to the sham-operated animals e.g., glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, isocitric dehydrogenase, aconitase, and hepatic glucose 6-phosphatase,or in a change in the catalytic activity of the enzymes, e.g., lactic dehydrogenase (−43%), glutamic dehydrogenase (−24%), 5′-nucleotidase (−20%), kidney glucose 6-phosphatase (−31%), tryptophane pyrrolase (−15%), and transamidinase (−60%). In most of the reactions studied, the administration of growth hormone to hypophysectomized rats resulted in little alteration in activities compared with the hypophysectomized rats. The activity of kidney transamidinase, which was decreased to a marked degree by hypophysectomy, was increased by the administration of three daily doses of 20 μg of growth hormone to the hypophysectomized rats. These alterations in transamidinase activity by hypophysectomy and growth hormone treatment are unique when compared to the response of a number of other enzyme systems in the liver and kidney.
Lateral presynaptic inhibition mediates gain control in an olfactory circuit

Olfactory signals are transduced by a large family of odorant receptor proteins, each of which corresponds to a unique glomerulus in the first olfactory relay of the brain. Crosstalk between glomeruli has been proposed to be important in olfactory processing, but it is not clear how these interactions shape the odour responses of second-order neurons. In the Drosophila antennal lobe (a region analogous to the vertebrate olfactory bulb), we selectively removed most interglomerular input to genetically identified second-order olfactory neurons. Here we show that this broadens the odour tuning of these neurons, implying that interglomerular inhibition dominates over interglomerular excitation. The strength of this inhibitory signal scales with total feedforward input to the entire antennal lobe, and has similar tuning in different glomeruli. A substantial portion of this interglomerular inhibition acts at a presynaptic locus, and our results imply that this is mediated by both ionotropic and metabotropic receptors on the same nerve terminal.
622: Outcomes of expectantly managed parturients after betamethasone for preeclampsia

thy, coagulation disorders, preexisting thrombocytopenia, or anticoagulation were excluded. Subjects (n 100) were categorized into 4 groups of preeclampsia severity: preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia with thrombocytopenia or renal dysfunction, and HELLP syndrome. We compared the mean and median TEG parameters (R time, K, angle, and MA) across strata of disease severity. Mean R values were compared with ANOVA. Median K, angle, and MA values were compared with Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTS: Comparing TEG parameters, the mean R value, a measure of clotting time, was not different across severity strata. The median K value, a measure clot strength, was different, with increasing time to achieve clot strengthening with increasing severity stratum. The median angle, a measure of rapidity of fibrin cross-linking, was different, with the slowest clot strengthening noted in patients with HELLP syndrome. The median MA, or maximum clot strength, a measure of platelet function, was different, with decreasing platelet function with increasing severity stratum. CONCLUSION: The K time, angle, and MA differed with worsening preeclampsia disease severity, indicating slower clot strengthening, and impaired fibrin cross-linking and clot strength with worsening preeclampsia.
Hybrid coatings from novel silane-modified glycidyl carbamate resins and amine crosslinkers

Abstract Organic–inorganic hybrid coatings were prepared using silane-modified glycidyl carbamate resins and different amine crosslinkers via the sol–gel process. Two different silane-modified glycidyl carbamate resins with 33% and 20% silane modification were prepared. The synthesized resins were crosslinked with amine crosslinkers such as Amicure PACM, Ancamide 805, Ancamide 2050, Ancamide 2353, Epicure 3164, Jeffamine D-400, etc., at different epoxy to amine equivalent ratios. The formulated hybrid coatings were cured at laboratory temperature and humidity for more than 20 days and subjected to different tests. The hybrid coatings were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) during network maturation. Post-cured coatings were also analyzed to understand the effect of structural variables on the coatings thermal properties. Mechanical testing of the post-cured coatings such as Konig pendulum hardness, crosshatch adhesion and impact resistance were also evaluated. Solvent resistance of the coatings was evaluated by of testing the methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) double rub resistance. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to characterize the surface topography of the hybrid coatings. Finally, structure–property correlations were given based on the observed results.
Parameter identification of the complete-moving-hysteresis model for HTS steel

This paper discusses an extension to soft magnetic materials of the identification method of the CMH model which was originally introduced for medium hard magnetic materials. The proposed Preisach function for HTS steel, a soft magnetic material, is normal in the interaction field and is assumed to be lognormal in the critical field. Although the Preisach function is not symmetrical, the logarithm of the operative Preisach function is. However, the moving parameter, /spl alpha/, cannot be obtained by finding the value that removes this asymmetry because of the presence of apparent reversible magnetization and the lognormal nature of the Preisach function. All the Preisach parameters can be obtained using the major curve and the virgin curve only. For HTS steel, the squareness is 0.004, indicating a small irreversible magnetization component. The coercivity is 8.6 Oe; whereas the remanence coercivity is an order of magnitude larger, namely 123.5 Oe. >
Reconstruction of three-dimensional spatial patterns of rat cerebellar cortex activity in vivo using voltage sensitive dyes and optical sectioning

The three-dimensional neuronal activity of parallel fibers and Purkinje cells in rat cerebellar cortex is investigated in vivo. Using a voltage-sensitive dye (RH795) and imaging under an epi-fluorescence microscope and a CCD video camera, the response of cerebellar neurons to electrical stimulation of parallel fibers is studied. A deblurring algorithm is used on serial sectioned images to refine the spatial pattern of optical activity as well as to reveal the underlying neuronal events. This method reduces the error from out-of-focus components, improving the quantification and mapping of neuronal activity at low magnification. >
Effects of interface-trapped charge on the SiC MOSFET characteristics

High quality SiC/SiO/sub 2/ interfaces are critical to the development of silicon carbide power MOSFETs, IGBTs, and MOS-controlled thyristors. In this work, we examine the effects of thermal stress on the SiC/SiO/sub 2/ interface of n-channel MOSFETs that had gate oxides formed by low-pressure chemical-vapor deposition on the silicon face of a 6H-SiC epitaxial layer with subsequent re-oxidation to improve the interface. These devices were found to have a pre-stress mean interface-trap density of 5/spl times/10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/ eV/sup -1/ at room temperature. The interface-trap density for these oxides was shown to be significantly increased by applying moderate stress (2 MV/cm) at 300/spl deg/C. The post-stress change in device characteristics is shown to be consistent with the stress-induced increase in interface traps.
Work in Progress - An Assessment of Inquiry-Based Activities in a Second Semester Introductory Physics Laboratory

We have developed a set of inquiry-based student activities which are appropriate for a second semester general physics laboratory. The hands-on, active learning laboratory experiments utilize simple, inexpensive equipment to facilitate student learning of various direct current circuit concepts. Activities are based on the results of previously published physics education research. This paper reports on the results of an assessment that has been given to a group of student that possess a wide range of abilities and backgrounds. Students were concurrently enrolled in either a calculus or algebra based lecture course. The ongoing assessment process utilizes the Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuit Concepts Test (DIRECT). We present the results of the assessment and relate these results to the inquiry-based instructional methods
The External and Internal Odyssey of God in the Twentieth Century

Some decades ago in his intriguing book on Jonathan Edwards, Perry Miller used to great effect the device of supposing a two-fold biography of Edwards, an external one consisting of the historical record embracing the major events of his life and times, and an internal one aimed at an interpretation of the mind of Edwards and the development of his thought. While for obvious reasons, I cannot simply'adopt this device for our present topic, I can adapt it in the form of what I shall call the 'external and internal odyssey of God in the twentieth century'. Under the rubric of the former I shall describe certain features of the religious situation, starting with the period following the Second World War and then relate these to the thinking of some theologians responding to the challenges posed for the Christian faith by an increasingly secularized and technologically oriented society. Under the rubric of the internal odyssey I shall propose an interpretation of what I take to be the central belief which has radically transformed our thinking about God.
A MULTISPECIES LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF RAPID SPOROPHYTE RECRUITMENT FROM DELAYED KELP GAMETOPHYTES(1).

Recent work suggests that the ability to delay reproduction as resistant haploid gametophytes may be important for seaweeds that experience unpredictable disturbances or seasonal periods of poor conditions that result in adult sporophyte absence. Further, delayed gametophytes of some kelp species (order Laminariales) may produce sporophytes more rapidly than if they had never experienced a delay, conferring a competitive advantage when conditions improve or after disturbance events. Here, it was determined that the gametophytes of the canopy-forming kelp Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh could delay reproduction in a one- to two-cell state (<50 μm) for at least 7 months when grown under nutrient-limiting conditions. These stages retained reproductive viability and produced sporophytes within 5 d once nutrients were increased. This finding suggests that gametophytes could potentially promote recovery of M. pyrifera populations after extended periods of sporophyte absence. In addition, the time required for sporophyte production between gametophytes of the four most conspicuous kelp species in Southern California that had delayed reproduction and gametophytes that had not was compared. For these four kelp species, a delay of at least 30 d conferred a 40%-76% reduction in the time required for sporophyte production once nutrients were received. Fecundity did not decrease with delay duration, suggesting there is no apparent cost of delayed development for kelps as has been observed in other organisms. Thus, delayed development may be a viable strategy for surviving and initially dominating in environments with variable quality.
Pilot-based estimation of time-varying multipath channels for coherent CDMA receivers

Reliable coherent wireless communication requires accurate estimation of the time-varying multipath channel. This paper addresses two issues in the context of direct-sequence code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems: (i) linear minimum-mean-squared-error (MMSE) channel estimation based on a pilot transmission and (ii) impact of channel estimation errors on coherent receiver performance. A simple characterization of the MMSE estimator in terms of a bank of filters is derived. A key channel characteristic controlling system performance is the normalized coherence time, which is approximately the number of symbols over which the channel remains strongly correlated. It is shown that the estimator performance is characterized by an effective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)-the product of the pilot SNR and the normalized coherence time. A simple uniform averaging estimator is also proposed that is easy to implement and delivers near-optimal performance if properly designed. The receivers analyzed in this paper are based on a time-frequency RAKE structure that exploits joint multipath-Doppler diversity. It is shown that the overall receiver performance is controlled by two competing effects: shorter coherence times lead to degraded channel estimation but improved inherent receiver performance due to Doppler diversity, with opposite effects for longer coherence times. Our results demonstrate that exploiting Doppler diversity can significantly mitigate the error probability floors that plague conventional CDMA receivers under fast fading due to errors in channel estimation.
Proportion of LD Placements Associated with Low Socioeconomic Status Evidence for a Gradient

The purpose of this article was to estimate the proportion of learning disabilities placements associated with variables that can be considered markers for low socioeconomic status. A linked birth record/school record data set for the state of Florida ( n = 159,129) was utilized to examine the occurrence of learning disabilities placements among a single cohort of children with varying levels of risk at birth. Children whose birth records indicated maternal education of less than 12 years, mother unmarried at birth, prenatal care initiation after the first trimester of pregnancy, or low birthweight were at increased risk for a learning disabilities placement by the age of 12 to 14 years. Children with any one of these factors were between 1.2 and 3.4 times more likely to have a learning disability placement by age 12 to 14 years than were children without any of these factors. Analyses indicated that the rate of learning disability placement among children from low-SES backgrounds is greater than would be...
Fast statistical relationship discovery in massive monitoring data

Today's network systems are extensively instrumented for collecting a wealth of monitoring data. Statistical techniques like regression analysis can be applied to uncover rich relationships (e.g., correlation, causality, independence) between the measurement data which are further utilized for systems management tasks including fault diagnosis, configuration management, performance analysis, etc. However, one problem during this information mining process comes from the heavy computation overhead in statistical relationship discovery. In this paper, we propose a fast indexing technique to alleviate this problem by helping guide the discovery process in an optimal order. We model the optimal discovery process as the classic vertex cover problem in graph theory which is NP-complete. We use the heuristic of greedy vertex selection based on vertex degree and propose two simple algorithms for generating an estimated ranking (indexing) on the vertices (i.e., measurement points) based on the edges (the existing statistical relationships) incident to them. The two algorithms are based on random sampling and we analyze their output accuracy as a function of the sampling trials. On data traces from an operational 3G mobile network, our indexing technique performed close to the optimal solution (e.g., no more than 10% discovery time) and significantly better than random discovery (e.g., 70% less discovery time) on finding a specified percentage (e.g., 90%) of the existing relationships.
The Treeterbi and Parallel Treeterbi algorithms: efficient, optimal decoding for ordinary, generalized and pair HMMs

Motivation: Hidden Markov models (HMMs) and generalized HMMs been successfully applied to many problems, but the standard Viterbi algorithm for computing the most probable interpretation of an input sequence (known as decoding) requires memory proportional to the length of the sequence, which can be prohibitive. Existing approaches to reducing memory usage either sacrifice optimality or trade increased running time for reduced memory. Results: We developed two novel decoding algorithms, Treeterbi and Parallel Treeterbi, and implemented them in the TWINSCAN/N-SCAN gene-prediction system. The worst case asymptotic space and time are the same as for standard Viterbi, but in practice, Treeterbi optimally decodes arbitrarily long sequences with generalized HMMs in bounded memory without increasing running time. Parallel Treeterbi uses the same ideas to split optimal decoding across processors, dividing latency to completion by approximately the number of available processors with constant average overhead per processor. Using these algorithms, we were able to optimally decode all human chromosomes with N-SCAN, which increased its accuracy relative to heuristic solutions. We also implemented Treeterbi for Pairagon, our pair HMM based cDNA-to-genome aligner. Availability: The TWINSCAN/N-SCAN/PAIRAGON open source software package is available from http://genes.cse.wustl.edu. Contact: brent@cse.wustl.edu
Controlling the shape and direction of hysteresis cycle in an optical bistability system with three-level atoms

We experimentally demonstrate `backward' hysteresis loop in optical bistability from an optical ring cavity containing three-level (Lambda-type) rubidium atoms. Switching from `backward' to normal hysteresis loop can be controlled by coupling field and cavity detuning
Rehg admirably takes the science wars to a new level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to discuss certain key issues involved in the science wars; second, to review William Rehg's Cogent Science in Context: The Science Wars, Argumentation Theory, and Habermas (Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press, Cambridge, 2009).Design/methodology/approach – In accord with the genre of a review paper, the author sets the larger intellectual context of Rehg's book, and then highlights Rehg's book.Findings – The findings suggest that Rehg has done an excellent job of explaining and expanding Habermas's argumentation theory, thereby working out a nonrelativist and nonskeptical framework for science studies (e.g. science and technology studies, studies in the sociology of scientific knowledge, and ethnomethodological studies of scientific work). However, the present author's findings also suggest that Rehg has not addressed the concerns of Protestant fundamentalists in the science wars as strongly as those concerns can be addressed. In addition, th...
Evaluation of the protection conferred by commercial vaccines against the California 99 isolate of infectious bronchitis virus.

Abstract SUMMARY. An infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was isolated from commercial broilers from the state of California exhibiting respiratory distress, inflamed tracheas, airsaculitis, and edematous lungs. After reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the California isolate exhibited an identical restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern to some isolates obtained from California, known as California 99 isolates. Commercial Mass–Conn and Mass–Ark vaccines were used to vaccinate commercial broiler chickens via eye drop once at 1 or 10 days of age or twice at 1 and 10 days of age. At 27 days of age the birds were challenged via eye drop with the isolated IBV California 99 strain. Protection was measured by failure to reisolate the challenge virus from tracheas 5 days postchallenge and complemented with the tracheal and epithelium thickness scores. When the Mass–Ark vaccine was included in the vaccination programs, there was protection against challenge with the IBV Californ...
Mapping lung tumor promotion genes using AXB, BXA recombinant inbred (RI) strains

2242 Genes determine individual susceptibility to spontaneous and carcinogen-induced lung cancer in inbred mice. However, little is known about the genetic contribution to the promotion phase of lung tumorigenesis. Chronic treatment with the mouse lung tumor promoter, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), increases tumor number in certain inbred strains. Chronic BHT administration induces a chronic inflammatory response in strains susceptible to lung tumor promotion that consists of increased macrophage infiltration, vascular leakage, and elevated COX-1 and COX-2 expression. Herein we examine a panel of AXB, BXA recombinant inbred (RI, derived from sensitive A/J and resistant C57BL/6 mice) strains for sensitivity to 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced carcinogenesis, BHT-mediated tumor promotion, and lung damage, and to the inflammatory responses described above to examine their inter-relationships and map genetic loci responsible for each phenotype. Tumor promotion associates significantly with increased BAL macrophage infiltration, suggesting that these macrophages aid in the clonal expansion of MCA-initiated epithelial cells. A striking gender dependence was found in the ability of BHT to promote lung tumorigenesis; only males were promoted in one strain, only females in three others, with no gender dependence in the remaining strains. Tumor growth rate and multiplicity are genetically independent, since in two strains, both tumor growth rate and tumor multiplicity were increased by BHT, while only multiplicity was raised by BHT in other responsive strains. Another significant correlation occurs between BHT-induced increases in COX-1 and COX-2 expression. Of eight suggestive quantitative trait loci (QTLs) thus far detected, 4 map to sites previously described for susceptibility to lung inflammation and tumor promotion using the CXB RI strains (derived from BALB/cByJ and C57BL6), while 4 additional sites are novel. Mapping studies of additional AXB, BXA RI strains will verify and more finely resolve these QTLs and thus identify candidate genes. (Supported by CA33497).
Male Production of Humor Produced by Sexually Selected Psychological Adaptations

Humor is a universal social phenomena enjoyed daily by individuals in every culture in the world. There is little doubt that evolutionary forces played an important role in shaping humor, but the nature of humor adaptation is still debated. Sexual selection theory is presumed to play a central role in the evolution of humor, and growing evidence supports this view. Humor plays an important role in mate choice, and because of the asymmetry in reproduction costs for males and females, humor production and appreciation should be sexually dimorphic. Predictions based on sexual selection theory are largely met. Data show that humor production ability is more important for women when selecting a mate, while men want a woman that will appreciate and laugh at their humor. Studies on conversational humor and personal dating ads show that men try to advertise their humor creativity, while women evaluate men’s humor. Men also tend to initiate more humor, especially when other women are around, while women smile and laugh more overall and particularly when men are present. In addition, studies show that men are better, on average, than women at producing high-quality spontaneous humor and are generally more motivated to present their humor production ability. Producing a great sense of humor translates into mating success, and men are more likely to benefit from such high-quality humor ability. Humor production is also correlated with intelligence, especially verbal intelligence, and is partially heritable, lending support that humor serves as a mental fitness indicator.
Computer Analysis of Steel Frame in Fire

Based on an incremental variational principle, a computer program is developed to investigate in detail the large displacement elasto plastic thermal creep deformation behavior of a steel frame in the vicinity of a localized fire in a multistory building. Based upon a set of assumed time-temperature curves for the structural members and the available empirical stress-strain relation of structural steel at elevated temperature, the nonlinear problem is solved numerically by a finite element method. By assuming that the temperature remains constant during a time increment, the nonisothermal problem is approximated by step-wise constant temperature incremental processes. Numerical solutions of a number of structures are compared with available fire test results.
Purification and characterization of a cytosolic transglutaminase from a cultured human tumour-cell line

Transglutaminases are a family of Ca2(+)-dependent enzymes that catalyse the formation of isopeptide bonds between the side chains of glutamine and lysine residues. The enzymes have been hypothesized to be involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including growth and differentiation and stabilization of the cytoskeleton. The human epidermal carcinoma-cell line, A431 cells, have relatively high amounts of a cytosolic transglutaminase activity that varies upon treatment of the cells with epidermal growth factor. We demonstrate here that this cytosolic activity has the biochemical and immunological properties of a tissue transglutaminase. We also report the purification of this enzyme to apparent homogeneity by a protocol which involves a novel affinity-elution step. Polyclonal antibodies to the transglutaminase were raised and used to identify the enzyme by Western blotting. The availability of purified transglutaminase and antitransglutaminase antibodies will permit further study of the role of this enzyme in the growth of this hormone-responsive human tumour-cell line.
Bacterial Secretion Systems – An overview

Bacterial pathogens utilize a multitude of methods to invade mammalian hosts, damage tissue sites, and thwart the immune system from responding. One essential component of these strategies for many bacterial pathogens is the secretion of proteins across phospholipid membranes. Secreted proteins can play many roles in promoting bacterial virulence, from enhancing attachment to eukaryotic cells, to scavenging resources in an environmental niche, to directly intoxicating target cells and disrupting their functions. Many pathogens use dedicated protein secretion systems to secrete virulence factors from the cytosol of the bacteria into host cells or the host environment. In general, bacterial protein secretion apparatuses can be divided into classes, based on their structures, functions, and specificity. Some systems are conserved in all classes of bacteria and secrete a broad array of substrates, while others are only found in a small number of bacterial species and/or are specific to only one or a few proteins. In this chapter, we review the canonical features of several common bacterial protein secretion systems, as well as their roles in promoting the virulence of bacterial pathogens. Additionally, we address recent findings that indicate that the innate immune system of the host can detect and respond to the presence of protein secretion systems during mammalian infection.
Racial Dichotomies in Employment Perceptions: An Empirical Study of Workers in Selected Atlanta-Based Firms

A survey was conducted in five large firms during a study of barriers to minority employment. Black and white employee groups, similar in most characteristics, expressed perceptions of their treatm...
Intermediate Layers in Tandem Organic Solar Cells

Tandem structures can boost the efficiency of organic solar cell to more than 15%, compared to the 10% limit of single layer bulk heterojunction devices. Design and fabricating of intermediate layers plays a very important role to achieve high device performance. This article will review the main experimental progresses of tandem organic solar cells, and focus on the intermediate layers (charge recombination layers) in both thermal evaporated and solution processed organic tandem solar cell devices. (orig.)
Some properties of mitochondria isolated from the flight muscle of the periodical cicada, Magicicada septendecim.

Abstract Mitochondria from the flight muscle of the periodical cicada oxidize pyruvate and d-glycerol 1-phosphate at rates comparable with those obtained with flight-muscle mitochondria from other insects. The oxidation of d-glycerol 1-phosphate is greatly stimulated by low concentrations of Ca2+. However, oxidative phosphorylation with this substrate is optimum over only a narrow range of Ca2+ concentration, because of the ability of these mitochondria actively to accumulate Ca2+ present at micromolar concentrations. The oxidation of pyruvate via the complete tricarboxylic acid cycle is enhanced by high concentrations of phosphate. When both pyruvate and d-glycerol 1-phosphate are present simultaneously, there is no simple summation of the rates obtained with the substrates singly. Acetyl-l-carnitine, palmitoyl-l-carnitine, glutamate and 2-oxoglutarate are oxidized at rates similar to those obtained with mammalian mitochondria, though lower than those obtained with the two prime substrates. However, no other tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates added to the medium were oxidized. From these and other observations it has been concluded that these mitochondria possess a previously undescribed combination of substrate-anion permeases.
Preparation of Protocatechuic Acid-Ciprofloxacin/Chitosan Composite Membranes Containing Antibiotic Drugs and Its Slow Drug Release Dynamics

A novel polymer membrane containing protocatechuic acid and ciprofloxacin is prepared based on chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol at 60 ℃and pHvalue6.2～7.0 by solvent casting technique and its mechanical properties are measured. Slowness drug release dynamics equation M_t=C/D_(aq))~(1/2)-D_pL_(aq)K_(p/aq)C/D_(aq) is dissolved according to the model of perseudo steady state solution, and the slow velocity equation dM_t/dt=C_(aq)D_(aq)/L_(aq) is educed. The slowness velocity is cortrolled by boundary layer at initial stage,while the slowness velocity dM_t/dt=(D_pC_pC/2t)~(1/2) descends with time at latter stage.