cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imbalance and Concentration in k-NN Classification

We propose algorithms for ameliorating difficulties in fast approximate k Nearest Neighbors (kNN) classifiers that arise from imbalances among classes in numbers of samples, and from concentrations of samples in small regions of feature space. These problems can occur with a wide range of binning kNN algorithms such as k-D trees and our variant, hashed k-D trees. The principal method we discuss automatically rebalances training data and estimates concentration in each K-d hash bin separately, which then controls how many samples should be kept in each bin. We report an experiment on 86.7M training samples which shows a 7-times speedup and higher minimum per-class recall, compared to previously reported methods. The context of these experiments is the need for image classifiers able to handle an unbounded variety of inputs: in our case, highly versatile document classifiers which require training sets as large as a billion training samples.
Diphacinone: 13C NMR as a predictive tool in tricarbonyl chemistry

Abstract The reactivity of the tricarbonyl moiety of diphacinone towards carboxymethoxylamine has been related to the 13 C NMR spectral data of this potent rodenticide.
A hybrid soft-switching integrated magnetic Ćuk converter for photovoltaic applications

The photovoltaic interface has several requirements: a high step-up ratio with clean input and output currents, high efficiency, compact size and ease of design. A novel two-port isolated Cuk topology is proposed in this paper which addresses all of these issues. It has a partial integrated magnetic structure which enables nearly-zero ripple input and output currents along with reduction in size and weight of the passive components. The transformer isolation provides the step-up ratio. The topology also combines an active-clamp structure which allows ZVS (zero-voltage switched) turn-on with passive snubber components which allow a ZCS (zero-current switched) turn-off of the active switches. The functionality of this quasi-resonant circuit is verified by simulating a PV circuit of typical specifications.
Interpreting tests for efficacy in clinical trials with multiple endpoints

There has been increasing discussion in the statistical literature about the relative merits of various statistical tests for efficacy in clinical trials with multiple endpoints. Some of this discussion has raised questions about the clinical interpretation and relevance of various procedures. We believe that misperceptions have developed due in large part to a focus on the procedures themselves, without sufficient consideration to a careful specification of the medical questions that the analysis is intended to answer. As a result, analytic procedures are sometimes inappropriately matched to medical questions. To illuminate this problem, we will consider a hypothetical clinical trial to assess the efficacy of an experimental treatment for diabetic neuropathy relative to a standard treatment. We will first consider various versions of the medical question motivating the study and pairings to statistical procedures that we believe are reasonable. Then we will consider the same questions and test procedures, but matched differently and inappropriately (although in ways that are commonly found in the literature), observing how perfectly reasonable test procedures can lead to absurd results when they are matched to the wrong medical question. The endpoints of interest in the hypothetical trial we will consider are the status of small nerve fibers as measured by cooling detection threshold (CDT), the status of large nerve fibers as measured by vibratory detection threshold (VDT), and electrical conductivity of nerves as measured by the summated compound muscle action potential (SCMAP). We shall suppose that preliminary studies in animals and humans, as well as pharmacologic studies suggesting causal mechanisms, indicate that all three endpoints can be expected to benefit from experimental treatment and that none are judged to be more clinically important or more likely to show a benefit than the others. We emphasize that this is a hypothetical situation that is similar in important respects to some trials encountered in practice, but we acknowledge that many other scenarios can be envisaged.
Optimal Export Taxes in the Short and Long Run, and an Application to Pakistan's Jute Export Policy

I. Introduction, 396. — II. The optimum export tax when elasticities differ with time, 397. — III. An application to Pakistan's raw jute export policy, 401.
Insights into the Neurobiology of Impulsive Behavior from Serotonin Receptor Knockout Mice

Although the concept of impulsivity has proved useful in human and animal studies of addiction, violent aggression, and violent suicide, and has been recognized as an important component of human behavior, little research has been done to understand the underlying psychobiological mechanisms. We explore the concept of impulsivity and its relation with the neurotransmitter serotonin in the context of aggressive behavior and behavior associated with positive reinforcement using a knockout mouse that lacks one of the serotonin receptors, the 5-HT1B receptor. This knockout mouse shows more impulsive aggression, acquires cocaine self-administration faster, and drinks more alcohol than the corresponding wild-type control. We show that the impulsive characteristics of these mice are not due to change in cognitive functions: in a cognitive task involving a choice between a small immediate one and a larger more delayed reward, knockout mice showed intact choice and timing capabilities and good discrimination of reward amounts. Thus, this mouse may prove an animal model of addiction and motor impulsivity.
Universal instructional design for learning how to apply in a virtual world

As we examine on-line and hybrid (half on-line, half in-class) courses, many instructors are trying to find ways to "teach" their material and "engage" students in their classes. Newer research is suggesting using Universal Instructional Design techniques. Universal Instructional Design (UID) uses an approach to our teaching that consists of proactive design and use of inclusive instructional strategies that benefit the broadest range of learners. UID was developed from Universal Design that was originated in the field of architecture to meet the needs of a diverse population. We know that our diversity in our classrooms is expanding. In addition, our on-line and hybrid courses have additional demands to engage our students. We can actually use technology as a critical tool for creating these inclusive courses. We can have much greater flexibility in instructional format and be able to expand on our resources and options. This paper will look at ways in which we can address UID in our on-line and hybrid environments. Examples of techniques and environments will be discussed. As we move to more and more virtual "classrooms", faculty need to be cognizant of various methods that will reach the most student.
Fighting Standards with Standards: Harmonization, Rents, and Social Accountability in Certified Agrofood Networks

In this paper I explore the remaking of globalized standards through harmonization, and its impact upon certified-organic and fair-trade agrofood networks. I focus on certification standards and discuss four shifts associated with globalized standards (an increased importance of multilateral institutions, changes to standards language, displacement of network-specific standards, and a shift away from relational standards). It is then argued, with reference to value-chain rent theory, that the shift to globalized standards has transformed rent relations in ways that benefit certain actors (that is, retailers) and imperil the earnings of others. In brief, globalized standards increase the costs of standards compliance, the full burden of which falls upon immiserated producers, to the point at which farmers see little economic advantage to certified-organic and fair-trade production. I then examine social-accountability standards that seek to ‘fight standards with standards’ by championing the consolidation ...
Multinucleon captures of slow antiprotons in complex nuclei and a search for the H dibaryon

Abstract From a sample of 80 000 antiproton annihilations in complex nuclei, a search has been made for those multinucleon reactions which would result in the production of two units of strangeness. No example of such processes has been found, leading to upper limits for the frequencies of production of final states containing 2Λ 0 , 2K + , K − Λ 0 , or the H dibaryon of (1−5)×10 −4 per p annihilation.
Two-Component Image Synthesis: Effects of Surround Variables

Munsell matches were made to stimuli composed of a small focal area (subtense, 17′) and a larger surround (subtense, 3°). A fixed set of 36 proportions of two components (red light and incandescent-lamp light) in the focal area was matched in surround conditions that included five different proportions of the same two components and three large differences of luminance. In one surround condition only, the incandescent-lamp light was paired with green, blue, and purple components. A surround proportion of 98% red–50% incandescent gave the largest hue range in the matching samples for a fixed surround luminance. When surround luminance was increased beyond the maximum focal-area luminance, the hue range of the Munsell matches increased even farther. Of the pairs of components, the incandescent-blue combination yielded the largest hue range, but of low saturation, while the incandescent–green mixture gave the smallest range. Value and chroma differences among the Munsell matches are discussed.
Learning through interactive talk: A school-based mentor teacher study group as a context for professional learning

Abstract This article reports on a year-long study of collaborative professional learning in a mentor teacher study group connected to a large university teacher education program. It introduces a theoretical framework for considering the nature of interactive talk and its relationship to professional learning. Using examples of study group discourse, it then presents a methodology for analyzing interactive talk and the joint construction of ideas about practice. The article concludes by describing study group materials and analytic tasks developed from artifacts of practice, and offering an analysis of leadership and facilitation issues for guiding inquiry-oriented discourse in study group contexts.
Adsorption assisted desorption in catalytic cycles

Adsorption assisted desorption is an important phenomenon in catalytic cycles. It takes place when a desorption step is not equilibrated. The surface concentration or fugacity of the desorbing species can be higher than its equilibrium value because of a preceding adsorption step in the catalytic cycle. This results in an increased rate of desorption. Qualitative and quantitative examples of this effect are discussed.
Spatial pattern of wildfire occurrences in Alabama, USA

Identifying the spatial pattern of wildfire occurrences and its relationships with environmental and social conditions at a state and county scale may help to reinforce strategic and diverse solutions in wildfire and land management throughout different environmental conditions and management practices. In this study, a dataset of wildfire occurrences from 1999 to 2004 in Alabama, USA, was used to analyze the spatial distribution of wildfire occurrences and the relationships with environmental factors (climate, forest types and physiographic zones) and the human dimension (total population, road length and land ownership). A spatial pattern existed for wildfire occurrence and density at county level. It appeared that there were more wildfire occurrences in central Alabama within the latitude 32°–35°N and longitude 86°–88°W, but there was no significant difference in wildfire density (wildfire occurrences at unit area) among five general physiographic zones. The relationship between each climate factor and...
Gigawatt microwave from an intense relativistic electron beam

Microwave generation experiments were carried out on a multimegavolt electron accelerator (3.3 MV, 80 kA). X-band microwave power as high as approximately 1 GW was measured. Results are compared with a non-linear theory of unstable resonant interaction between a TE waveguide mode of the electron drift tube and an electron cyclotron wave on the beam.
Cigarette smoking and tobacco usage behavior in children and adolescents: Bogalusa heart study☆

Abstract As part of a comprehensive program to assess cardiovascular disease risk factor variables in an entire biracial pediatric population, a study of cigarette smoking was included in the Bogalusa Heart Study. The purpose of the study was to obtain reliable and valid data on attitudes, beliefs, and cigarette-smoking behavior. The questionnaire demonstrates good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and external validation with plasma thiocyanate. For all sex and race groups the percentage of smokers increases with age. White boys begin smoking exposure and adopt cigarette smoking earlier (32% of 14- to 15-year-olds) while white girls increase and surpass the boys by ages 16 to 17 (41%). Black boys and girls lag behind white children in early experience and adoption of smoking behavior. The largest percentage of experimental nonadopters (those who said they tried cigarettes to see what they were like but do not smoke now) occurs among the 12- to 13-year-olds for each race-sex group except black girls.
Planar and nonplanar vibrations of cytosine

The formalism developed in the preceding article is used in a normal coordinate analysis of the pyrimidine base cytosine. The results of both planar and nonplanar vibrations are reported. The model yields 66 frequencies with an average error of about 6.5 cm−1 (ca. 0.5%). The vibrational modes are compared with experimental data and discussed in terms of potential energy distributions and Cartesian displacements. Two isolated low-frequency (near 200 cm−1) out-of-plane modes are predicted in the vicinity of where two such modes are believed to occur. In addition, the model has taken into account the observed coalescence of the torsional and wagging modes of the amino group upon deuteration of the amino group. Recent data from sulfur-substituted cytosine (2-thiocytosine) were useful in making assignments.
Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the Salmonella typhimurium LT2 metF gene and its homology with the corresponding sequence of Escherichia coli.

The Salmonella typhimurium LT2 metF gene, encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, has been cloned. Strains with multicopy plasmids carrying the metF gene overproduce the enzyme 44-fold. The nucleotide sequence of the metF gene was determined, and an open reading frame of 888 nucleotides was identified. The polypeptide deduced from the DNA sequence contains 296 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 33 135 daltons. Mung bean nuclease mapping experiments located the transcription start point and possible transcription termination region for the gene. There is a 25bp nucleotide sequence between the translation termination site and the possible transcription termination region. This region possesses a GC-rich sequence that could form a stable stem and loop structure once transcribed (ΔG=-9 kcal/mol), followed by an AT-rich sequence, both of which are characteristic of rho-independent transcription terminators. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the S. typhimurium metF gene are compared with the corresponding sequences of the Escherichia coli metF gene. The nucleotide sequences show 85% homology. Most of the nucleotide differences found do not alter the amino acid sequences, which show 95% homology. The results also show that a change has occurred in the metF region of the S. typhimurium chromosome as compared to the E. coli chromosome.
Stage IV Primitive-Appearing Sinus and Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma Presenting in a 68-year-old Female Previously Treated for Breast Cancer

A 68-year-old female who had undergone treatment several years previously for breast cancer presented with diplopia and unilateral proptosis and exposure keratopathy related to biopsy-proven rhabdomyosarcoma of the sinus and orbit. Further evaluation revealed multiple metastatic lesions felt to have originated from the primary sinus and orbital tumor. Histopathologic examination showed primitive-appearing rhabdomyosarcoma with some features suggestive of the alveolar subtype. Orbital or sinus rhabdomyosarcoma is seen almost exclusively in the pediatric population, but may very rarely occur in adults. There are several genetic mutations that appear to play a role in both rhabdomyosarcoma and certain breast tumors. There is also increasing evidence that even low doses of radiation may contribute to the future development of cancer, particularly in susceptible individuals. In our patient with atypical demographics for rhabdomyosarcoma, the previous neoplasm and treatment thereof may have predisposed to the d...
Unfolding the therapeutic potential of chemical chaperones for age-related macular degeneration

Recent studies suggest that pathological processes involved in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) might induce endoplasmic reticular (ER) stress. Growing evidence demonstrates the ability of chemical chaperones to decrease ER stress and ameliorate ER stress-related disease phenotypes, suggesting that the field of chaperone therapy might hold novel treatments for AMD. In this review, we examine the evidence suggesting a role for ER stress in AMD. Furthermore, we discuss the use of chaperone therapy for the treatment of ER stress-associated diseases, including other neurodegenerative diseases and retinopathies. Finally, we examine strategies for identifying potential chaperone compounds and for experimentally demonstrating chaperone activity in in vitro and in vivo models of human disease.
Atoms-in-molecules theory: Non-Hermitian formulation

Non-Hermitian formulations of the ICC (Intraatomic Correlation Correction) method as well as the SAIM (Scaled Atoms-in-Molecules) theory are applied to the ground state of the hydrogen molecule. It is found that the approximation of Hermitizing the energy matrix depresses the expectation value of the energy. In the SAIM treatment, this depression is particularly large; the non-Hermitian results are in quite good agreement with experiment.
Optimal Input Design for Aircraft Parameter Estimation using Dynamic Programming Principles

A new technique was developed for designing optimal flight test inputs for aircraft parameter estimation experiments. The principles of dynamic programming were used for the design in the time domain. This approach made it possible to include realistic practical constraints on the input and output variables. A description of the new approach is presented, followed by an example for a multiple input linear model describing the lateral dynamics of a fighter aircraft. The optimal input designs produced by the new technique demonstrated improved quality and expanded capability relative to the conventional multiple input design method.
A novel serine esterase expressed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Cytotoxic T (Tc) lymphocytes recognize and lyse target cells and are thought to serve as an important defence against viral infections1 and possibly against neoplasms2. The nature of the receptors responsible for antigen recognition by these cells is becoming clearer, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for their cytolytic activity remain largely unknown. The possibility that proteases are involved in this process has been suggested by the effects of certain inhibitors3,4. Here we demonstrate that clones of murine Tc cells possess considerable trypsin-like esterase activity when assayed by a sensitive colorimetric assay. This activity was blocked completely by two serine esterase inhibitors, diisopropylfluorophosphoridate (DFP) and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not by Nα-tosyl lysyl chloromethyl ketone (TLCK). The use of 3H-DFP as an affinity-labelling reagent demonstrated that the esterase activity resides in a protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 28,000 (28K). A wide variety of other lymphocytes, including those from thymus, spleen and lymph node, established lines of B cells and noncytotoxic T cells, and clones of T helper cells, had about 300-fold less esterase activity than the Tc-cell clones and far smaller amounts of the DFP-reactive 28K protein. However, in thymocytes the esterase activity increased 20–50-fold and the 28K protein became more prominent 4 days after these cells had been stimulated in vitro to generate Tc cells.
The sequential relationship between parent attentional cues and sustained attention to objects in young children with autism

This study examined the sequential relationship between parent attentional cues and sustained attention to objects in young children with autism during a 20 min free-play interaction session. Twenty-five parent–child dyads with a preschool child with autism participated. Results indicated that (a) parent attentional cues that maintained the child’s focus of attention were more likely to support child sustained object attention than parent attentional cues that redirected the child from his or her focus of attention or introduced a new focus of attention (d = 4.46), and (b) parent attentional cues that included three or more parent behaviors were more likely to support child sustained object attention than parent attentional cues that included one or two parent behaviors (d = 1.03).
Source of musty odor associated with mucidone

Abstract The musty odor previously ascribed to mucidone is due to the presence of a trace contaminant, suspected to be 2-methylisoborneol. Pure mucidone has a sweet, low intensity odor that was overwhelmed by the seemingly insignificant, but highly odoriferous musty-smelling contaminant. This led to the erroneous classification of mucidone among the musty-earthy odorants that have plagued water supplies.
Derivations and central extensions of finitely generated graded Lie algebras

Abstract Some general results concerning derivations of finitely generated Lie algebras are established. These are employed in order to determine the derivations and central extensions of Kac-Moody Lie algebras.
Time-space learning in homing pigeons (Columba livia): orientation to an artificial light source

Time-space learning reflects an ability to represent in memory event-stimulus properties together with the place and time of the event; a capacity well developed in birds. Homing pigeons were trained in an indoor octagonal arena to locate one food goal in the morning and a different food goal in the late afternoon. The goals differed with respect to their angular/directional relationship to an artificial light source located outside the arena. Further, the angular difference in reward position approximated the displacement of the sun's azimuth that would occur during the same time period. The experimental birds quickly learned the task, demonstrating the apparent ease with which birds can adopt an artificial light source to discriminate among alternative spatial responses at different times of the day. However, a novel midday probe session following successful learning revealed that the light source was interpreted as a stable landmark and not as a surrogate sun that would support compass orientation. Probe sessions following a phase shift of the light–dark cycle revealed that the mechanism employed to make the temporal discrimination was prevailingly based on an endogenous circadian rhythm and not an interval timing mechanism.
Solution-Processed Flexible Polymer Solar Cells with Silver Nanowire Electrodes

The conventional anode for organic photovoltaics (OPVs), indium tin oxide (ITO), is expensive and brittle, and thus is not suitable for use in roll-to-roll manufacturing of OPVs. In this study, fully solution-processed polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells with anodes made from silver nanowires (Ag NWs) have been successfully fabricated with a configuration of Ag NWs/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/polymer:phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)/Ca/Al. Efficiencies of 2.8 and 2.5% are obtained for devices with Ag NW network on glass and on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), respectively. The efficiency of the devices is limited by the low work function of the Ag NWs/PEDOT:PSS film and the non-ideal ohmic contact between the Ag NW anode and the active layer. Compared with devices based on the ITO anode, the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of solar cells based on the Ag NW anode is lower by ∼0.3 V. More importantly, highly flexible BHJ solar cells have been firstl...
Meta-analysis and the comparative phylogenetic method.

Abstract: Meta‐analysis has contributed substantially to shifting paradigms in ecology and has become the primary method for quantitatively synthesizing published research. However, an emerging challenge is the lack of a statistical protocol to synthesize studies and evaluate sources of bias while simultaneously accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence of taxa. Phylogenetic nonindependence arises from homology, the similarity of taxa due to shared ancestry, and treating related taxa as independent data violates assumptions of statistics. Given that an explicit goal of meta‐analysis is to generalize research across a broad range of taxa, then phylogenetic nonindependence may threaten conclusions drawn from such reviews. Here I outline a statistical framework that integrates phylogenetic information into conventional meta‐analysis when (a) taking a weighted average of effect sizes using fixed‐ and random‐effects models and (b) testing for homogeneity of variances. I also outline how to test evolutionary ...
MEASUREMENT OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN COAL OIL WATER FUELS BY FOUR METHODS

ABSTRACT Four methods were used to measure the solids particle size distribution in coal-ol1-water fuel. Both dry and wet screening were utilized for the coarser particles while four different instrumental methods were used to measure the finer particles in diluted liquid suspension. The wet stages of the analyses included both solvent-diluted organic suspensions and measurement after inversion to an aqueous system. Consistent differences in the absolute values of particle size were observed between the four procedures. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.
Employee Absenteeism: A Review of the Literature.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on employee absenteeism as a form of withdrawal behavior apart from turnover. Studies examining the psychometric properties of absence measures are reviewed, along with the relationship between absenteeism and personal, attitudinal, and organizational variables. Studies exploring the relationship between absenteeism and turnover are examined according to the unit of analysis studied in the research. Programmatic efforts to reduce employee absenteeism are also reviewed. Throughout the paper emphasis is placed on the indices used by investigators to measure absenteeism, and the problems that have arisen in the literature through the use of multiple indicators of absenteeism. The review concludes with suggestions for research that are of both theoretical and practical concern.
Bioconjugation Strategies for Microtoroidal Optical Resonators

The development of label-free biosensors with high sensitivity and specificity is of significant interest for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, where rapid and real-time detection of antigens, bacteria, viruses, etc., is necessary. Optical resonant devices, which have very high sensitivity resulting from their low optical loss, are uniquely suited to sensing applications. However, previous research efforts in this area have focused on the development of the sensor itself. While device sensitivity is an important feature of a sensor, specificity is an equally, if not more, important performance parameter. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a covalent surface functionalization process, which also maintains the device’s sensing capabilities or optical qualities. Here, we demonstrate a facile method to impart specificity to optical microcavities, without adversely impacting their optical performance. In this approach, we selectively functionalize the surface of the silica microtoroids with biotin, using amine-terminated silane coupling agents as linkers. The surface chemistry of these devices is demonstrated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and fluorescent and optical microscopy. The quality factors of the surface functionalized devices are also characterized to determine the impact of the chemistry methods on the device sensitivity. The resulting devices show uniform surface coverage, with no microstructural damage. This work represents one of the first examples of non-physisorption-based bioconjugation of microtoroidal optical resonators.
Some observations on wheat gluten solubilities

A study of wheat protein solubilities in dilute acetic acid is presented. Up to 4% more protein can be extracted from defatted flours than from the non-defatted flour. High-speed homogenisation can render up to 88% of flour protein and up to 97% of dough protein soluble. One criterion for optimum fatty acid or lipid protein interaction (causing protein insolubility) is that the fatty acids or lipids should contain C7-C9 hydrocarbon chain lengths.
Late cenozoic bimodal magmatism in the northern Basin and Range Province of southeastern Oregon

Abstract Compositional features of 93 samples of primitive Pliocene to recent basalts erupted along the Brothers Fault Zone in the northernmost Basin and Range indicate that they were derived from a shallow mantle source and underwent only minor shallow-level fractionation. Simple mass-balance modelling can derive these basaltic bulk compositions by removal of small amounts of observed crystalline phases from glass compositions produced in peridotite melting experiments. Additional support comes from phase equilibria data on other magnesian basalts having similar bulk compositions. The eruption of these lavas without substantial subcrustal fractionation was probably promoted by progressive extension along the Brothers Fault Zone. This origin is in sharp contrast to that generally proposed for mid-Miocene Columbia River and Steens Mountain basalts, which show clear evidence in their evolved compositions (e.g. Mg # ~ 40) of having stagnated at shallow depth where they differentiated to nearly basaltic andesite compositions. Bulk compositions of northern Basin and Range silicic rocks, together with physical and thermal considerations, suggest that they, like their counterparts in the Snake River Plain, were products of crustal anatexis driven by the injection of mafic magmas, but with meta-volcaniclastic protoliths rather than Archaean basement rocks, as in the case of the Snake River Plain rhyolites. These petrologic features suggest that the arrival of the mantle plume presently beneath Yellowstone produced or strongly influenced most late Cenozoic magmatism in the Oregon northern Basin and Range. This model accounts for many features of the northern Basin and Range in Oregon: (1) the change in basaltic character about 10 to 8 Ma ago from voluminous, evolved Columbia River/Steens lavas to smaller-volume primitive lavas and the lack of younger lavas atop the Columbia River Basalts; (2) the lack of an obvious track of the Yellowstone hot spot west of the Oregon-Idaho-Nevada tri-state area; (3) the “mirror-image” age relationship of silicic rocks in the northern Basin and Range and Snake River Plain; (4) the formation of silicic rocks by crustal anatexis and the general decrease in their volumes with time in Oregon but not along the Snake River Plain; (5) the high elevation of the region; and (6) the high surface heat flow in the Oregon northern Basin and Range. The proposed model obviates the controversy surrounding the pre-Miocene history of the Yellowstone plume by proposing that the plume initiated about 18 Ma ago.
An estimate of the prevalence of reversible left ventricular dysfunction in patients referred for coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract Background. The prevalence of reversible left ventricular function through revascularization has been difficult to assess because of the referral bias inherent in patients undergoing viability-targeted preoperative testing. Methods and Results. Rest and exercise gated equilibrium radionuclide angiography was performed in 86 patients within 6 months before and any time after coronary artery bypass. Clinical characteristics were recorded for each patient before each of the two radionuclide ventriculograms. Global left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated for each patient at rest. A definite change in LVEF was defined as 0.08 or more points and a probable change as 0.04 or more points. Only patients with a resting LVEF of 0.50 or less were eligible for the study. There was no significant group change in LVEF (0.39 ± 0.08 before surgery vs 0.38 ± 0.11 after surgery; difference not significant). However, a definite improvement in LVEF was seen in 18 patients (21%) and a probable change in an additional 10 (12%). Consequently, one third of the patients had at least a probable improvement in resting left ventricular function. These prevalences were not related to any change in medical therapy. Conclusion. According to a test not specifically designed to evaluate myocardial viability, the prevalence of reversible left ventricular dysfunction is not uncommon, occurring in up to one third of patients referred for coronary revascularization.
THE IMPACT OF THE DISMANTLING OF APARTHEID ON THEATRE IN SOUTH AFRICA

(1992). THE IMPACT OF THE DISMANTLING OF APARTHEID ON THEATRE IN SOUTH AFRICA. South African Theatre Journal: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 43-48.
Volatile fatty acids as odor indicators in swine manure - A critical review

Determination of odor indicators in swine manure is critical for many aspects of developing effective odor control techniques. Past research has used volatile fatty acids (VFAs) as an odor indicator; however, using all VFAs can still be misleading. This article presents the available information regarding the mechanisms in microbiology and biochemistry of producing volatile fatty acids in swine manure and an extensive discussion on using VFAs as odor indicators. Long chain and branching VFAs (C4-C9) may represent the offensiveness of malodors in swine manure better than short and straight chain acids and thus should receive further research to correlate them with odor indicators. Two bacterial genera, Eubacterium and Clostridium, appear to be the most likely major contributors to the production of odorous compounds, such as volatile fatty acids, in swine manure. More research is needed to identify the species within these two genera to determine the types and quantities of odorous compounds produced by different species.
Mechanism of the histamine induced positive inotropic action in cardiac muscle

Abstract Histamine, a positive inotropic agent which elevates cyclic AMP, was tested for ability to induce Ca 2+ channels in 3 preparations of embryonic (16-day-old) chick ventricular myocardial cells whose fast Na + channels were blocked by tetrodotoxin or voltage inactivated in 25 mM K + . In such inexcitable cells, histamine (10 −6 M) rapidly (1–3 min) induced slowly rising, overshooting, plateau-like responses accompanied by contractions. Mn 2+ , D600, of H 2 -receptors blocking agents abolished the slow responses. These results suggest that the positive inotropic action of histamine, like that of catecholamines, is mediated by an increased availability of slow Ca 2+ channels.
Spectrogram processing of laser vibration data

Laser vibration sensing has traditionally relied on the use of limiters and frequency modulation (FM) discriminators to process frequency modulated laser radar returns. The performance of the traditional FM discriminator approach can be limited by laser radar target characteristics and motion (speckle noise) and laser temporal coherence. In this paper we examine a novel laser vibration signal processor, a spectrogram processor, and compare its performance with the traditional limiter/FM discriminator signal processor used to process laser radar vibration measurements. The two processes are also compared using some laser radar measurement data.
Cyber–Physical Modeling of Implantable Cardiac Medical Devices

The design of bug-free and safe medical device software is challenging, especially in complex implantable devices that control and actuate organs in unanticipated contexts. Safety recalls of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators between 1990 and 2000 affected over 600 000 devices. Of these, 200 000 or 41% were due to firmware issues and their effect continues to increase in frequency. There is currently no formal methodology or open experimental platform to test and verify the correct operation of medical device software within the closed-loop context of the patient. To this effect, a real-time virtual heart model (VHM) has been developed to model the electrophysiological operation of the functioning and malfunctioning (i.e., during arrhythmia) heart. By extracting the timing properties of the heart and pacemaker device, we present a methodology to construct a timed-automata model for functional and formal testing and verification of the closed-loop system. The VHM's capability of generating clinically relevant response has been validated for a variety of common arrhythmias. Based on a set of requirements, we describe a closed-loop testing environment that allows for interactive and physiologically relevant model-based test generation for basic pacemaker device operations such as maintaining the heart rate, atrial-ventricle synchrony, and complex conditions such as pacemaker-mediated tachycardia. This system is a step toward a testing and verification approach for medical cyber-physical systems with the patient in the loop.
Discovery of a granulovirus of Pandemis pyrusana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a leafroller pest of apples in Washington

Pandemis pyrusana (Kearfott) is an important leafroller pest of apples in Washington. Surveys for natural enemies discovered a pathogen infecting Pandemis leafrollers in an apple orchard in central Washington. The pathogen was propagated in the laboratory and light microscopy using an azan stain demonstrated that it infected fat body, epidermis, and tracheal matrix cells. The virus was identified morphologically as a granulovirus using electron microscopy and designated PpGV. Rates of infection were determined for each generation in an apple orchard for three years. Infection rates were variable and ranged from 2.6 to 67% of individuals collected from each generation.
A consideration of the role of sintering in gas—solid interactions

Abstract An analysis of the role of sintering in gas—solid interactions involving particulate materials is presented. Application of this analysis to decomposition and sintering data for calcium carbonates demonstrates that changes in the porosity caused by sintering proceed at too low a rate to have a significant effect on the decomposition process for this material. For reactions with mass-transport control it is shown that sintering can have a more direct influence on the decomposition rates.
Conditioned taste aversions as a behavioral baseline for drug discrimination learning: Assessment with the dipsogenic compound pentobarbital

Animals injected with pentobarbital prior to the presentation of a saccharin-LiCl pairing and its vehicle prior to saccharin alone rapidly acquired the drug discrimination, avoiding saccharin following the administration of pentobarbital and consuming saccharin in its absence. That drug discrimination was acquired within the taste aversion design even though the stimulus drug itself (i.e., pentobarbital) produced significant increases in consumption in nonconditioned control subjects suggests that the dipsogenic properties of a compound are not necessarily a problem for the assessment of drug discrimination learning within the aversion procedure. The present data, along with prior reports on the effectiveness of the taste aversion design with the stimulus drugs phencyclidine and naloxone, indicate that the conditioned taste aversion procedure may be effective as a general method in the assessment of drug discrimination learning.
Mutualism in which ants must be present before plants produce food bodies

Certain interactions between ants and plants can be classified as mutualisms1–3, with benefit accruing to both members. The plant provides a source of energy, either as solid food or as nectar, and sometimes a domicile such as a hollow stem (or a stem capable of being made hollow by the ants) or hollow stipular thorns. The ants provide the plant with defence against herbivory and/or vine overgrowth. Whether the plant relies entirely or only in part on the ants for its defence, in relationships studied so far it always produces a source of food irrespective of the ants' presence. However, we report here that in the mutualistic relationship between the plant Piper cenocladum and the ant Pheidole bicornis, the production of food bodies is closely tied to the presence of the ants, so that when they are removed, production of food bodies nearly ceases and when ants reinvade the plant, production begins again. This is the first description of such a relationship in which the food tissue of the plant is induced by the insect.
Modulation of Escherichia coli DNA methyltransferase activity by biologically derived GATC-flanking sequences.

Escherichia coli DNA adenine methyltransferase (EcoDam) methylates the N-6 position of the adenine in the sequence 5′-GATC-3′ and plays vital roles in gene regulation, mismatch repair, and DNA replication. It remains unclear how the small number of critical GATC sites involved in the regulation of replication and gene expression are differentially methylated, whereas the ∼20,000 GATCs important for mismatch repair and dispersed throughout the genome are extensively methylated. Our prior work, limited to the pap regulon, showed that methylation efficiency is controlled by sequences immediately flanking the GATC sites. We extend these studies to include GATC sites involved in diverse gene regulatory and DNA replication pathways as well as sites previously shown to undergo differential in vivo methylation but whose function remains to be assigned. EcoDam shows no change in affinity with variations in flanking sequences derived from these sources, but methylation kinetics varied 12-fold. A-tracts immediately adjacent to the GATC site contribute significantly to these differences in methylation kinetics. Interestingly, only when the poly(A) is located 5′ of the GATC are the changes in methylation kinetics revealed. Preferential methylation is obscured when two GATC sites are positioned on the same DNA molecule, unless both sites are surrounded by large amounts of nonspecific DNA. Thus, facilitated diffusion and sequences immediately flanking target sites contribute to higher order specificity for EcoDam; we suggest that the diverse biological roles of the enzyme are in part regulated by these two factors, which may be important for other enzymes that sequence-specifically modify DNA.
Ubiquitination of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-associated Factor 4 (TRAF4) by Smad Ubiquitination Regulatory Factor 1 (Smurf1) Regulates Motility of Breast Epithelial and Cancer Cells

Smad ubiquitin regulatory factors (Smurfs) are HECT-domain ubiquitin E3 ligases that regulate diverse cellular processes, including normal and tumor cell migration. However, the underlying mechanism of the Smurfs' role in cell migration is not fully understood. Here we show that Smurf1 induces ubiquitination of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) at K190. Using the K190R mutant of TRAF4, we demonstrate that Smurf1-induced ubiquitination is required for proper localization of TRAF4 to tight junctions in confluent epithelial cells. We further show that TRAF4 is essential for the migration of both normal mammary epithelial and breast cancer cells. The ability of TRAF4 to promote cell migration is also dependent on Smurf1-mediated ubiquitination, which is associated with Rac1 activation by TRAF4. These results reveal a new regulatory circuit for cell migration, consisting of Smurf1-mediated ubiquitination of TRAF4 and Rac1 activation.
Field test of liquid emulsion membrane technique for copper recovery from mine solutions

Abstract The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the use of unsupported liquid emulsion membranes (LEM's) for the extraction of copper from heap-leach and mine solutions with the specific objective of developing innovative water purification technology. A mobile, continuous circuit used simple equipment designs for all units of the system. The formulation of the emulsion membrane was optimized so that the emulsion had good stability during extraction, but was broken with relatively mild conditions in an electrical coalescer. The recovered organic phase was recycled without apparent problems and the oxime extractant was regenerated with a hydroxylamine salt solution. Copper was recovered from solution in an electrowinning cell using fairly standard parameters. A 9-day, around-the-clock test was completed at a copper mine in Arizona during which 5,600 gal of solution was processed. Three different solutions were used during the test. They were (1) normal plant pregnant leach liquor (PLS) containing 1.43 g/L Cu, (2) PLS diluted with mine water to 500 ppm Cu, and (3) PLS diluted with mine water to 320 ppm Cu. The latter two solutions simulated waste streams that were of interest to the mine operator. All three solutions contained suspended solids that did not adversely affect the LEM system. Copper extractions averaged 98.0% for the first solution, 95.7% for the second solution, and 91.6% for the third solution. Membrane swelling averaged less than 8% and membrane leakage less than 0.1% for the test.
Children in Motion: School Transfers and Elementary School Performance

Abstract Moves from one school to another are a common, yet generally neglected, challenge to children's orderly school adjustment over the beginning-school transition. School transfers were traced...
Explicit of some modular group rings

Abstract This is a survey of techniques for the computation of the K 1 of a modular group algebra of a finite group, with explicit units given as generators. Examples are carried out in characteristic 2.
Stem‐cell therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy: a pilot study evaluating retrograde coronary venous delivery

Objective To evaluate retrograde coronary venous stem-cell delivery for Dobermanns with dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods Retrograde coronary venous delivery of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells transduced with tyrosine mutant adeno-associated virus 2 to express stromal-derived factor-1 was performed in Dobermanns with dilated cardiomyopathy. Cases were followed for 2 years and electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiograms and Holter monitoring were performed. Results Delivery of cells was feasible in 15 of 15 dogs. One dog died following the development of ventricular fibrillation 24 hours after cell delivery. The remaining 14 dogs were discharged the following day without complications. Echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular size and function showed continued progression of disease. On the basis of Kaplan–Meier product limit estimates, median survival for dogs following stem-cell delivery was 620 days (range of 1–799 days). When including only the occult-dilated cardiomyopathy population and excluding those dogs already in congestive heart failure, median survival was 652 days (range of 46–799 days). Clinical Significance Retrograde venous delivery of tyrosine mutant adeno-associated virus 2-stromal-derived factor-1 adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells appears safe. Stem-cell therapy in dogs with occult-dilated cardiomyopathy does not appear to offer advantage compared to recently published survival data in similarly affected Dobermanns.