cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Generalized Inflated Poisson Distribution with Application to Modeling Fertility Data

The standard Poisson distribution, which is widely used to model count data, may not provide a good fit to model women’s fertility (defined as the number of children per woman in her lifetime) in a specific population due to various cultural and sociological reasons. Therefore, the usual Poisson distribution is inflated at specific values suitably, as dictated by the societal norms, to fit the available data. In this paper we first discuss an inflated Poisson distribution in general terms (called Generalized Inflated Poisson), and then consider special cases of it to fit fertility data from Sweden.
Chapter 1 ATP-coupled pumps for heavy metals and metalloids

Publisher Summary Efflux-mediated resistances to toxic metals are ubiquitous; heavy metal and metalloid translocating ATPases are identified in prokaryotes, both gram positive and gram negative, and in all types of eukaryotes, including fungi, plants, protozoans, and animals. The chemical properties of the metals and metalloids vary considerably, as do the true substrates recognized by the transport systems. For example, cadmium is a cation that can be transported by members of the P-type family of ATPases. At the same time, cadmium reacts with thiolates as a soft metal, and members of the ABC-type family of ATPases most likely recognize thiol conjugates of cadmium rather than the metal ion. As(+3) and Sb(+3), the trivalent (reduced) forms of ionized arsenic and antimony, are metalloids or semi-metals that are oxyanions in solution but can react with thiolates as soft metals. Thus, arsenicals and antimonials are most likely extruded as the glutathione conjugate in eukaryotic cells, while the ArsA ATPase probably transports the oxyanions arsenite and antimonite. This chapter discusses the members of those evolutionarily unrelated families of translocating ATPases that transport heavy metals or metalloids.
Color-octet J/ψ production in ϒ decay near the kinematic limit

Abstract Recent experiments by the CLEO III detector at CESR indicate that the J / ψ spectrum produced in ϒ decay is in conflict with Non-Relativistic QCD (NRQCD) calculations. The measured J / ψ momentum distribution is much softer than predicted by the color-octet mechanisms. The expected peak at the kinematic limit is not observed in the data. However it has recent been pointed out that NRQCD calculations break down near the kinematic endpoint due to large perturbative and nonperturbative corrections. In this Letter we combine NRQCD with soft collinear effective theory to study the color-octet contribution to the ϒ → J / ψ + X decay in this region of phase space. We obtain a spectrum that is significantly softened when including the correct degrees of freedom in the endpoint region, giving better agreement with the data than previous predictions.
Purification and Properties of Halogenated Tyrosine and Thyroid Hormone Transaminase from Rat Kidney Mitochondria

Abstract Halogenated tyrosine transaminase has been purified 30-fold from a sonic extract of rat kidney mitochondria. Purification involves ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose and hydroxylapatite. The purified enzyme is highly specific for tyrosine analogues with halogen substituents in positions 3 or 3 and 5, for thyroid hormones, and, to a lesser extent, for naturally occurring aromatic amino acids such as tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine. The identity of the enzyme and thyroid hormone transaminase has been confirmed. Halogenated tyrosine transaminase requires pyridoxal 5'-phosphate as a coenzyme and α-ketoglutarate as amino acceptor. Inhibition studies indicate that a sulfhydryl group is essential for enzyme activity. 3,5-Diiodo-4-hydroxyphenylacetate has been found to be a powerful inhibitor of the enzyme, functioning as a mixed type of inhibitor. The reaction catalyzed by this enzyme is: halogenated tyrosine + α-ketoglutarate → halogenated p-hydroxyphenylketo acid + glutamate.
Not all streaks are the same: Individual differences in risk preferences during runs of gains and losses

Runs of gains and losses are particularly salient to decision makers beca use of their perceived departure from randomness, as well as their immediate impact on the financial status of the dec ision makers. Past research has focused on decision making biases that relate to faulty conceptions of chance and luck, such as the gambler’s fallacy and the hot hand effect. Participants in the current study bet on the outcomes of a lon g sequence of simulated coin tosses. Risk preferences were found to change as a function of run valence (i.e., losses vs. gains), run length, and financial status. Individuals were found to differ in the effect of all of these factors, in their responses to runs of gains and losses in sequential risky choice.
The Use of MMR and Diversity-Based Reranking in Document Reranking and Summarization

This paper presents a method for combining query-relevance with information-novelty in the context of text retrieval and summarization. The Maximal Marginal Relevance (MMR) criterion strives to reduce redundancy while maintaining query relevance in re-ranking retrieved documents and in selecting appropriate passages for text summarization. Preliminary results indicate some benefits for MMR diversity ranking in document retrieval and in single document summarization. The latter are borne out by the recent results of the SUMMAC conference in the evaluation of summarization systems. However, the clearest advantage is demonstrated in constructing non-redundant multi-document summaries, where MMR results are clearly superior to non-MMR passage selection.
Financial Management of Forensic Science Laboratories: Lessons from Project FORESIGHT 2011-2012

ABSTRACTCritical to the decision-making within an individual forensic science laboratory is an understanding of their efficiency and effectiveness. The NIJ-funded project, FORESIGHT, applies financial management techniques to avowed public sector goals and offers a common starting point for the comparison of individual forensic laboratories to the established standards in the industry through a review of financial ratios. Such ratios adjust for size differences and allow insight into several aspects of the operation including evaluation of efficiency, quality, risk, market nuances, and return on investment. This study offers insight into the financial performance, productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness of forensic science laboratories. Using data from the National Institute of Justice's Project FORESIGHT for 2011-2012, a variety of benchmark performance data is presented with analytical insight into the nature of that performance. The tabular and graphic presentations offer some insight into the curr...
Retinoic Acid Regulates Retinol Metabolism via Feedback Inhibition of Retinol Oxidation and Stimulation of Retinol Esterification in Ferret Liver

When the plasma concentration of retinoic acid is increased, there is an accompanying reduction of circulating levels of retinol, suggesting that retinoic acid may have a regulatory effect on retinol metabolism in vivo. To determine which specific step(s) of retinol metabolism might be regulated by retinoic acid, retinol was incubated with ferret liver microsomes or cytosol with retinoic acid in vitro. Incubating the microsomal fraction with retinoic acid resulted in a dose-dependent (up to 0.5 mumol/L) decrease in the formation of retinal. On the contrary, no retinoic acid inhibitory effect was observed on retinal synthesis in the cytosol incubation, or in the cytosol plus microsome incubation. However, when retinoic acid was added to the cytosolic incubation mixture in the presence of the retinal oxidative inhibitor, citral, a dose-dependent inhibition of retinal synthesis was observed. Furthermore, the effect of retinoic acid on retinyl ester metabolism in ferret liver was studied by using endogenous retinyl esters of ferret liver as the substrate. When retinoic acid was added to the incubation mixture of microsomes plus cytosol, small, nonsignificant increases in retinol and retinyl esters were observed. When retinoic acid was added in the presence of citral, both the inhibition of retinol oxidation and the stimulation of retinol esterification were dose dependent up to approximately 0.3 mumol/L and then remained the same up to 1.0 mumol/L. These data strongly suggest that retinoic acid has a regulatory effect on retinol metabolism in ferret liver, which may occur via feedback inhibition of retinol oxidation and stimulation of retinol esterification.
Modeling Immunity and Inflammation in Stroke Don't Be Afraid of Mice?

The recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Science article by Seok et al1 demonstrating a poor correlation of human versus mouse genomic responses to acute inflammatory insults has unfortunately sounded an alarm in the stroke community about the use of preclinical experiments in mice to inform about inflammation in human stroke. There are significant weaknesses in the Seok’s report that detract from an easy application of its conclusions to stroke research, including relevance of the studied inflammatory conditions (trauma, burns, and endotoxemia) and disregard for age, sex, and comorbid differences in humans or mice. That being said, there remains an ongoing controversy about how best to translate inflammation information from mouse and other animal models to human stroke, especially in light of the almost universal disappointing failures in treatment approaches. The many issues involved have been expertly explored in the opinion …
Cognitive appraisal of transgression among sociopaths and normals

The effects of diagnostic group and interpersonal context upon appraisals of transgressions were investigated. Twenty sociopathic and 12 nonsociopathic methadone outpatients and 18 normal persons responded to a repertory grid test involving situations in which either a liked or a disliked victim was harmed. The sociopathic group expected to experience less negative reaction to harming a disliked than a liked victim, and viewed transgressions as self-consistent. Normals expected to react equally negatively, regardless of the identity of the victim, and viewed interpersonal harm-doing as self-discrepant. The nonsociopathic group anticipated less negative reaction to harming a disliked than a liked victim, but viewed the transgressions as more self-discrepant than did the sociopathic group. The findings were discussed in terms of self-regulation processes and the role of self-schemata in guiding self-reactions.
Effects of carrageenan on spontaneous and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Abstract We examined the effect of carrageenan on in vitro antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytolysis (ADCC) and spontaneous cell-mediated cytolysis (SCMC) in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL). Carrageenan, when present in the assay, nonspecifically reduced ADCC and SCMC against both Chang and chicken erythrocyte (CRBC) target cells. This reduction in cytotoxicity could not be attributed entirely to the macrophage toxic and complement-inhibitory properties of carrageenan because neither removal of complement nor macrophage depletion prevented the dose-dependent inhibition. In contrast, pretreatment of effector PBL, with carrageenan followed by removal of Carrageenan by washing did not alter ADCC or SCMC against Chang cells, which are mediated by nonphagocytic cells, but reduced both ADCC and SCMC activity against CRBC targets, which are mediated in part by macrophages. Thus, Carrageenan, when present in in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, causes a nonspecific impairment of cytotoxicity that is independent of its anticomplement or macrophage-toxic properties.
Capecitabine therapy for refractory metastatic thyroid carcinoma: a case series.

Objective: There are few effective therapies for metastatic medullary (MTC) or radioiodine-resistant follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC). We report a single institution's experience with capecitabine, a thymidylate synthase (TS) inhibitor, in the treatment of MTC and FTC. Design: We retrospectively analyzed five cases of metastatic thyroid carcinoma, three MTCs and two radioiodine-resistant FTCs, treated with capecitabine alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutics. Patients were selected for treatment based on low tumor TS immunohistochemical staining (≤5%). Staining for thymidylate phosphorylase (TP) and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) was also performed. Therapeutic response was assessed by imaging studies and serum tumor markers: calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen (MTC), and thyroglobulin (FTC). Main outcome: Two of three patients with MTC had stable disease or disease regression on capecitabine. One of these patients had a 90% reduction in calcitonin and stabilization by imaging t...
Coupled Computational Heat Transfer and Reactor Physics for SCWR

To fully model the physics present within the proposed supercritical water reactor (SCWR), the thermal hydraulics calculations (yielding temperatures and densities in each material as a function of space) must be coupled to the neutronic calculations (yielding reactivity and neutron flux shapes). To enable this full coupling, a 3D model of a supercritical water reactor is being implemented in the CFD software OpenFOAM with the same geometry as a 3D MCNP (neutronics) model. Coupling will performed through result exchange between the two codes — densities and temperatures from OpenFOAM to MCNP, with heat generation returned from the neutronics calculations. Use of a reduced-geometry model is advisable due to the high computational cost of each OpenFOAM/MCNP coupling iteration. In the present work, a 1.5D thermal model of a single fuel pin was coupled with a 3D MCNP model. The thermal model includes single channel analysis (cladding/coolant heat transfer) as well as heat transfer within the cladding, helium gas gap, and uranium dioxide fuel itself. These heat transfer zones provide specific data points of the radial temperature profile. Because no radial mesh is considered, full radial dependence is not possible. The model provides limited radial dependence unlike what a 1D code could provide; thus, 1.5D is used to indicate the incomplete radial dependence that is included in the model. Iteration between the two codes is performed until heat generation is converged to within 10% between successful MCNP results. A discussion of these 3D/1.5D coupled results and the path forward to fully 3D coupling is provided.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
A quantitative study of the division of labour among worker honey bees

and Summary The division of labour among worker honey bees varies with external environmental differences and differences in hive “economy”. Worker bees experiencing a season of poor nectar and pollen supplies carried out fewer acts related to the acquisition and storage of materials in the hive than did worker bees living in a richer environment. Experimentally wax-deprived colonies contained workers who carried out more activities associated with the building and replacement of missing cells than in control colonies. The behavioural transition between hive workers and older field bees was apparent under all of these circumstances. The temporal subdivisions of behaviour among hive workers sometimes reported in the literature were variable from one experimental condition to another and such inconsistencies are discussed. Zusammenfassung Die Arbeitsaufteilung unter Arbeiterinnen der Honigbiene verandert sich mit Schwankungen in der Ausenwelt und in der „Wirtschaftslage” des Bienenstocks. Bei geringem Nektar– und Pollenangebot verringern die Arbeiterinnen ihre Eintrage– und Einlagerungstatigkeiten. In Kolonien, denen man Wachs entzog, fuhrten die Arbeiterinnen mehr mit dem Bau und Ersatz der fehlenden Zellen verknupfte Arbeiten aus als in Kontrollkolonien. Die Ubergange im Verhalten von der Innendienst– zur Ausendienst-Arbeiterin waren unter alien diesen Umstanden sichtbar. Die in der Literatur erwahnte Unterteilung des Verhaltens der Innendienst-Arbeiterinnen wechselte mit der Versuchssituation. Das wird naher erortert.
Effect of X-radiation on DNA and histone synthesis in ataxia telangiectasia and normal lymphoblastoid cells.

The possibility that the radiosensitivity of lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is due to an aberrant content of histones has been examined. The histone pattern of lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from A-T patients was found to be indistinguishable from that obtained from normal individuals. X-ray irradiation led to a greater decrease in cell growth rate in the A-T cells than in the normal cells but was accompanied by a greater decrease of DNA synthesis rate in the normal cells. This difference in radiosensitivity was not reflected in differences in the content or rates of synthesis of histones or of major non-histone proteins in these cells. Reduction in the rate of DNA synthesis was not associated with the appearance of the lysine-rich histone variant H1°. We conclude that the hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation in A-T cells is not due to fundamental differences in the composition or synthesis of the major chromosomal proteins.
The Political Utility of the Nonpolitical Child in Sri Lanka's Armed Conflict

During Sri Lanka's protracted civil conflict, linkages between ethnicity and homeland have been under considerable strain. Subsequently, alternative rationales for territorial claims have emerged, ...
Developmental and aging changes in protein concentration and 2',3'-cyclic nucleosidemonophosphate phosphodiesterase activity (EC 3.1.4.16) in human cerebral white and gray matter and spinal cord.

— The concentration of protein as assayed by the Lowry method and the specific activity of 2′.3’-cyclic nucleosidemonophosphate phosphodiesterase (CNP), an enzyme characteristic of the myelin sheath, were determined in human CNS tissues obtained at autopsy from subjects ranging in age from 26 weeks gestation to 83 y. CNP activity in cerebral white matter samples was very low until approx 2 months of age when it increased rapidly, reaching near-adult levels by 2 y of age. CNP activity in adult (15–60 y) cerebral white matter was 8.1 ± 1.0 μmol/min/mg protein (mean ±s.d.). The protein concentration of cerebral white matter increased from 64 mg/g wet tissue at 26 weeks gestation to adult levels (118.5 ± 10.0 mg/g wet tissue) by 16–18 months. CNP activity in cerebral gray matter was initially very low and showed only a small increase during development to adult values of approx 1.4 μmol/min/mg protein. In spinal cord, adult values (3.7 ± 0.56 μmol/min/mg protein) were found shortly after birth. The increase in CNP activity to near-adult values occurred earlier in cross-sections of cervical spinal cord than in cerebral white matter. The increase in spinal cord protein concentration showed a similar trend (adult values = 103.1 ± 9.5 mg/g wet tissue). The white matter protein concentration decreased significantly with age over the 15–83 y interval examined but the CNP specific activity in white matter did not. The protein concentration of the 61–83 y group was 8% lower than that of the 15–60 y group. The spinal cord protein concentration decreased significantly and the spinal cord CNP specific acitivity increased significantly with increasing time between death and sample freezing. The sex of the individual had no significant effect on any of the variables examined. The developmental curves obtained for these tissues are consistent with the hypothesis that CNP is an intrinsic myelin component in human CNS myelin. The marked increase in CNP activity in white matter coincides with the period of rapid myelin deposition as determined by other parameters. CNP activity may be useful as an index of myelination in human CNS tissues.
Purification and characterization of PLC-βm, a muscarinic cholinergic regulated phospholipase C from rabbit brain membrane

Abstract Two isozymes of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C were isolated and purified from salt-washed rabbit brain membranes. The membranes were extensively washed with isotonic, hypertonic and hypotonic buffers prior to solubilization with sodium cholate. Two isozymes (PLC-IV and PLC- β m ) were purified by a combination of DEAE-Sephacel, AH-Sepharose, heparin-Sepharose, AcA-34 gel filtration and mono-Q FPLC chromatographies. The major activity (PLC- β m ) was purified to homogeneity and had an estimated molecular weight of 155 000 on sodium-dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE). This isozyme was immunologically identified as PLC-β, an isozyme previously characterized in bovine brain cytosol and 2 M KCl membrane extracts. A second isozyme, PLC-IV, was immunologically distinct from PLC-β and PLC-γ and was purified to a stage where three protein bands ( M r 66 000, 61 000 and 54 000) on SDS-PAGE correlated with enzyme activity. The catalytic properties of the isozymes were studied and found to be very similar. The specific activities for PIP 2 were greater than those obtained when PI was used. Both PLC-IV and PLC- β m were Ca 2+ -dependent; near maximal stimulation for PI and PIP 2 hydrolysis was observed at 0.5 μM free Ca 2+ . Sodium pyrophosphate and sodium fluoride stimulated phospholipase C activity of both isozymes. Polyclonal antibodies raised against PLC- β m were able to inhibit carbachol and GTPγS stimulated phospholipase C activity in 2 M KCl washed rabbit cortical membranes. This suggests that in rabbit brain muscarinic cholinergic stimulation regulates PLC- β m .
Polypeptide-binding membrane receptors: analysis and classification

Polypeptide receptors on mammalian plasma membranes can be categorized on the basis of function. The binding of ligand by class I receptors results in changes in cell metabolism or behavior. Hormone-receptor interactions typify this group. The binding of ligand by class II receptors in ligand internalization. Although changes in cellular activity may result from metabolism of the internalized ligand, the interaction between ligand and class II receptor does not itself lead to alterations in cell behavior. Class II receptors include those for low-density lipoproteins and for alpha-macroglobulin-protease complexes. Although receptors within each category are chemically disparate, they show striking similarities in behavior. Analysis of the behavioral patterns of receptors in each category reveals insights into receptor physiology and allows for a prospective analysis of receptor characteristics.
The burden of caring for dementia patients: caregiver reports from a cross-sectional hospital-based study in China

The impact of dementia care on caregivers' professional, personal, emotional and social well-being was measured in a cohort of 1,387 caregivers in seven regions across mainland China, using a Chinese version of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and four supplementary questions. Caregivers also estimated costs of care and medical resource utilization. Caregiver burden was generally low to moderate. Dementia care had the greatest impact on caregivers' professional lives, with 25.5% reporting a reduced work schedule in the past month. Lost work time was greater for caregivers of patients with previously diagnosed dementia than for those with newly diagnosed dementia. Average monthly out-of-pocket costs of dementia care exceeded national average monthly incomes of rural and urban residents. These findings highlight the obstacles facing the country with the fastest-growing elderly population in the world.
The Relation Between Test Formats and Kindergarteners’ Expressions of Vocabulary Knowledge

This study tested how 53 kindergarteners’ expressions of depth of vocabulary knowledge and use in novel contexts were related to in-context and out-of-context test formats for 16 target words. Applying multilevel, multi-categorical Logit to all 1,696 test item responses, the authors found that kindergarteners were more likely to express deep knowledge on the out-of-context test format and partial or decontextual knowledge on the in-context test format. No significant differences in kindergarteners’ uses of vocabulary in novel contexts were found that were related to test type. These results suggest that educators select test formats for kindergarteners based on their vocabulary learning objectives.
Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies of Copper Ion Uptake by Calcium Alginate

Equilibrium and kinetic experiments of copper ion uptake by calcium alginate beads were carried out under different values of pH, ionic strength, initial concentration of copper ion, and amount of calcium alginate. The removal efficiency increases with increasing pH and decreasing ionic strength and initial concentration. The removal of copper occurs rapidly in the first hour, followed by a slow process that takes about 15 h. The copper ion uptake becomes faster with increasing pH and decreasing initial copper concentration and ionic strength. Mass transport of copper ions plays an important role in the kinetics of uptake. Equilibrium experiments show that surface complex formation is the major mechanism for copper ion uptake. Modeling of equilibrium and kinetics was also conducted based on a surface complexation approach. Modeling results showed that the two-pK Basic Stern model can successfully describe the effect of pH on equilibrium uptake. A diffusion-controlled model can also predict the effect of p...
DMO/AMO In the Presence of Caustics

Summary Dip moveout (DMO) and azimuth moveout (AMO) are considered in a general framework that allows for lateral variations in the velocity model, including those which generate caustics in the wavefield. DMO and AMO are constructed through the composition of operators, using the scattering angle and azimuth parameterization. In this parameterization, impulse responses are computed in a gaussian gas lens model. Because of the different parameterization, these impulse responses are somewhat different than those shown traditionally. The results clearly show how errors can be introduced by assuming, for example, a constant velocity-gradient model when the true model is laterally heterogeneous.
Tuberculous splenic abscess in a neonate with thrombocytopenia

We present a case of a premature neonate who presented with anemia and persistent thrombocytopenia. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis. Initial sonographic evaluation of the abdomen revealed a heterogeneous but predominantly hypoechoic spleen; there was subsequent evolution of a splenic abscess. The patient was treated medically with anti-tubercular drugs. Follow-up post-treatment sonograms of the spleen showed diminution of the abscess and the evolution of multiple calcifications compatible with calcified granulomas. This case is an unusual presentation of tuberculosis in an infant with splenic abscess associated with thrombocytopenia and anemia.
Postnatal development of cholinesterase, acetylcholinesterase, aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase and monoamine oxidase in c57bl/6 and dba/2 mice.

Abstract The in vitro activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), cholinesterase (ChE), aromatic L -amino acid decarboxylase (AAD), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) were determined in whole brains of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice at 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days of age. Mean activities of AChE, AAD, and MAO were higher in DBA/2 than in C57BL/6 mice at all ages sampled. Brain weight, on the other hand, was higher in C57BL/6 than in DBA/2 mice at all ages, as was ChE activity from 7 days onward. Differences in AAD and MAO activities were greatest in early postnatal development and tended to dissipate by 35 days of age. AChE activity was significantly different at all ages except 7 and 14 days. ChE activity was significantly different olnly at 21 and 28 days of age in this experiment.
Estimating the Poisson Parameter from Samples That Are Truncated on the Right

Estimation of the Poisson parameter from various types of truncated and censored samples was studied in an earlier paper by the writer [1]. More recently, considerable attention [2], [3], [4], [5], [7], [8], [9], [11] has been directed to the special case in which zero values of the random variable are missing. In this paper we are concerned with samples that are truncated on the right at a terminus which we designate as d. In order that any given member of a population might be included in a sample of the type under consideration, it is necessary that x d are restricted from observation. Manufacturing processes in which x, the number of defects per item, is a Poisson distribution random variable often give rise to samples of this type. It is not uncommon to find an inspection being performed which results in rejecting all items for which x > d, where here d is the maximum number of defects permissible per item. Samples selected from the screened (accepted) production are accordingly truncated on the right at d.
NEURO-FUZZY LOGIC MODEL FOR FREEWAY WORK ZONE CAPACITY ESTIMATION

The work zone capacity cannot be described by any mathematical function because it is a complicated function of a large number of interacting variables. In this paper, a novel adaptive neuro-fuzzy logic model is presented for estimation of the freeway work zone capacity. Seventeen different factors impacting the work zone capacity are included in the model. A neural network is employed to estimate the parameters associated with the bell-shaped Gaussian membership functions used in the fuzzy inference mechanism. An optimum generalization strategy is used in order to avoid over-generalization and achieve accurate results. Comparisons with two empirical equations demonstrate that the new model in general provides a more accurate estimate of the work zone capacity, especially when the data for factors impacting the work zone capacity are only partially available. Further, it provides two additional advantages over the existing empirical equations. First, it incorporates a large number of factors impacting the work zone capacity. Second, unlike the empirical equations, the new model does not require selection of various adjustment factors or values by the work zone engineers based on prior experience.
Synoptic-Scale Satellite Lightning Observations in Conjunction with Tornadoes

Abstract Experimental lightning detectors on two DMSP satellites have recorded lightning data in near coincidence (within 30 min) with tornado touchdown for 14 severe storm complexes between August 1977 and May 1979. Lightning trigger rates from these storms, averaged over the synoptic-scale (650 km radius) field of view of the sensor, are compared with trigger rates from 61 non-tornadic storms. The two trigger-rate distributions differ at the 99% confidence level, and the mean trigger rate for the tornadic storms is at least two standard deviations above the mean rate for non-tornadic storms (at 95% confidence level). Increased lightning activity is apparent some 30 min before tornado touchdown.
Serotonin modulates the levels of mRNAS coding for thyrotropin-releasing hormone and preprotachykinin by different mechanisms in medullary raphe neurons.

Abstract The serotonergic neurons of the medullary raphe also contain the peptide neurotransmitters substance P (SP) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). In this study we asked whether the manipulation of serotonin levels alters the levels of mRNA coding for pre-proTRH. Just like the mRNA coding for the precursor of SP (preprotachykinin, PPT), levels of TRH mRNA are increased when serotonin synthesis is inhibited by para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) and decreased when serotonin reuptake is blocked by zimelidine. However, subtle differences suggest that the mechanisms behind these changes are different. Levels of TRH mRNA are still decreased after 14 days of zimelidine treatment, a time when levels of PPT mRNA have returned to control values. In addition, the serotonin reuptake blocker fluoxetine lowers levels of TRH but not PPT mRNA. Finally, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) induces a transient decrease in levels of PPT mRNA similar to that induced by zimelidine34, but does not decrease levels of TRH mRNA even when 10-fold higher doses are administered. These results suggest that while some pharmacological manipulations appear to alter TRH and PPT mRNA levels coordinately, the mechanisms regulating the synthesis of these two colocalized neurotransmitters are different.
Grain boundary dislocations in a Σ13 grain boundary in silicon. I. Analysis of the possible grain boundary structures and dislocations

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe the different grain boundary structures and kinds of dislocations which can arise in the {510} Σ13 grain boundary in diamond cubic materials. Firstly, the different possible grain boundary structures are derived within the framework of group theory, and then general expressions for the Burgers vectors of the grain boundary dislocations which separate these structures are obtained. These grain boundary dislocations are of three kinds: (1) perfect grain boundary dislocations (also called DSC dislocations), which do not change the grain boundary structure, (2) imperfect grain boundary dislocations, which relate different, but equivalent, grain boundary structures, and finally (3) partial dislocations, which separate two non-equivalent grain boundary structures. Transmission electron microscopy is then used to show that imperfect dislocations are indeed present in a Σ13 (22·6°/[001]½) grain boundary in Si, and have Burgers vectors consistent with ¼[001]½.
Review Essay: On the Trail of Tribal Sociology

Cet article plaide pour le developpement d'une sociologie tribale vouee a la comprehension des interactions entre les multiples groupes sociaux et en concevant la societe comme le reseau donnant lieu a ces interactions. L'A. s'appuye pour cela sur le commentaire de cinq ouvrages: Congregations in Conflict: Cultural Models of Local Religious Life de Penny Edgell Becker ; Collaborative Circles: Friendship dynamics and Creative Work de Michael Farrell ; Book Clubs: Women and the Uses of Reading in Everyday Life de Elizabeth Long ; Freedom Is an Endless Meeting: Democracy in American Social Movements de Francesca Poletta ; Talk of Love: How Culture Matters de Ann Swidler
High Resolution Approach to the Native State Ensemble Kinetics and Thermodynamics

Many biologically interesting functions such as allosteric switching or protein-ligand binding are determined by the kinetics and mechanisms of transitions between various conformational substates of the native basin of globular proteins. To advance our understanding of these processes, we constructed a two-dimensional free energy surface (FES) of the native basin of a small globular protein, Trp-cage. The corresponding order parameters were defined using two native substructures of Trp-cage. These calculations were based on extensive explicit water all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Using the obtained two-dimensional FES, we studied the transition kinetics between two Trp-cage conformations, finding that switching process shows a borderline behavior between diffusive and weakly-activated dynamics. The transition is well-characterized kinetically as a biexponential process. We also introduced a new one-dimensional reaction coordinate for the conformational transition, finding reasonable qualitative agreement with the two-dimensional kinetics results. We investigated the distribution of all the 38 native nuclear magnetic resonance structures on the obtained FES, analyzing interactions that stabilize specific low-energy conformations. Finally, we constructed a FES for the same system but with simple dielectric model of water instead of explicit water, finding that the results were surprisingly similar in a small region centered on the native conformations. The dissimilarities between the explicit and implicit model on the larger-scale point to the important role of water in mediating interactions between amino acid residues.
Prostaglandin thromboxane, and 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid production by ionophore-stimulated rat serosal mast cells.

Abstract Production of several metabolites of arachidonic acid by purified rat serosal mast cells in response to stimulation with the ionophore A23187 was assessed by stable isotope dilution assay using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compounds quantified were prostaglandins D 2 , E 2 , F 2α , 6-keto-F α , thromboxane B 2 , and 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. Mast cells incubated at 37°C for 30 min without ionophore produced measurable quantities of all metabolites assayed. 4 μm A23187 resulted in substantial increased synthesis of all metabolites compared to control cells. Of the metabolites quantified, prostaglandin D 2 and prostacyclin were the major products derived from arachidonic acid in ionophore-stimulated rat mast cells.
Cannabinoid induced degranulation of rabbit neutrophils.

Abstract We have examined the effects of various cannabinoids on the degranulation of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. Several cannabinoids were found to cause a dose-dependent and noncytotoxic release of lysosomal enzymes from the neutrophils. The degranulation induced by cannabidiol is rapid ( t 1 2 = 2.3 min ), and enhanced by extracellular calcium and cytochalasin B. In addition to their intrinsic activity, cannabinoids also modulate the neutrophils' responses to the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. This investigation represents the initial step toward the characterization of the effect of cannabinoids on the excitation-activation coupling sequence of hormonally responsive cells.
Markovian Interpretations of Dual Retrieval Processes

A half-century ago, at the dawn of the all-or-none learning era, Estes showed that finite Markov chains supply a tractable, comprehensive framework for discrete-change data of the sort that he envisioned for shifts in conditioning states in stimulus sampling theory. Shortly thereafter, such data rapidly accumulated in many spheres of human learning and animal conditioning, and Estes' work stimulated vigorous development of Markov models to handle them. A key outcome was that the data of the workhorse paradigms of episodic memory, recognition and recall, proved to be one- and two-stage Markovian, respectively, to close approximations. Subsequently, Markov modeling of recognition and recall all but disappeared from the literature, but it is now reemerging in the wake of dual-process conceptions of episodic memory. In recall, in particular, Markov models are being used to measure two retrieval operations (direct access and reconstruction) and a slave familiarity operation. In the present paper, we develop this family of models and present the requisite machinery for fit evaluation and significance testing. Results are reviewed from selected experiments in which the recall models were used to understand dual memory processes.
[3H]-2-deoxyglucose autoradiography in a molluscan nervous system.

Abstract We have used [3H]2-deoxyglucose autoradiography to correlate the labeling of individual neurons with electrical activity within the central nervous system of a terrestrial mollusc, Limax maximus. In an electrically quiescent control preparation where a single neuron is impaled with a glass microelectrode but not stimulated, several somata are uniformly labeled at 3–5 times background. In preparations where a single cell is impaled and stimulated, one or more somata are heavily labeled with [3H]2-deoxyglucose at 10–50 times tissue background. This technique may be useful for surveying metabolically active neurons during spontaneous and driven electrical activity.
The cDNA-derived investigational human parainfluenza virus type 3 vaccine rcp45 is well tolerated, infectious, and immunogenic in infants and young children.

Background Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) is an important yet underappreciated cause of lower respiratory tract illness in children, and a licensed vaccine is not yet available. Methods A live-attenuated investigational HPIV3 vaccine virus designated rcp45 was derived from cDNA by using reverse genetics. rcp45 is genetically similar to the biologically derived cp45 vaccine virus and contains all of the known attenuating mutations of cp45, but has the advantage of a short, well-characterized passage history. We evaluated the tolerability, infectivity, and immunogenicity of 2 intranasal doses of rcp45 administered 4 to 10 weeks apart in a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. A total of 45 infants and children between 6 and 36 months of age participated in this study. Tolerability and antibody responses to vaccine or placebo were assessed in all recipients. Infectivity was assessed by quantitation of vaccine virus shedding in a subset of vaccinated children. Results rcp45 was well tolerated and highly infectious in HPIV3-seronegative children. A second dose of vaccine administered 4 to 10 weeks after the first dose was restricted in replication and did not boost serum antibody responses. The stability of 9 cp45 mutations, including the 6 major attenuating mutations, was examined and confirmed for viral isolates from 10 children. Conclusions The level of attenuation and immunogenicity of cDNA-derived rcp45 is comparable to what was previously observed with the biologically derived cp45 vaccine, and preliminary data suggest that the attenuating mutations in this vaccine virus are genetically stable. Continued clinical development of rcp45 is warranted.
Evaluating Agency and Responsibility in Gendered Violence: African American Youth Talk About Violence and Hip Hop

The results of this study provide insights into the ways that African American adolescents think about gendered interpersonal violence. African American high school students were invited to discuss images and incidents from contemporary urban music culture (events based on incidents with famous hip hop figures and lyrics from rap music) in a focus group format. We explored how African American youth perceived and responded to examples of gendered violence portrayed in vignettes and musical lyrics. The main analyses focus on the question of how youths’ perceptions of hip hop images, hypothetical stories, and lyrics were linked to their views of “normative” gender interactions and interpersonal relationships for their racial group.
Dynamical systems theory and extra rates of strain in turbulent flows

Peter Bradshaw has shed considerable light on turbulent flows with extra rates of strain. Here we apply a different approach to two of the flows that Bradshaw studied. We begin with a brief introduction reminding the reader of our application of dynamical systems theory to the flat-plate boundary layer. There we constructed a low-dimensional model that simulated the bursting in the boundary layer, in qualitative agreement with experiment. The bursting frequency responded to modeled polymer additives and flow accelerations by decreasing, resulting in a decreased skin friction, in agreement with experiment. Now we consider the application of this same technique to incompressible turbulent shear flows with streamline curvature in the direction of the mean flow, and to such flows with a transverse strain rate. We show qualitatively how the additional physical effects in these two flows will result in a changed rate of bursting, which will result in a change in the skin friction, likewise in agreement with experiment.
Evaluation of the X-ray primary omnidirectional flux from measurements at balloon altitudes

In a programme of measurements by directional detectors for (20÷200) keV X-rays at balloon altitudes, the possibility to put in evidence the primary omnidirectional X-ray flux has been considered in order to have an evaluation of its order of magnitude as preliminary phase of a rocket experiment to be made in 1965. Experimental method and results obtained are here described. The upper and lower limits were estimated respectively in about 0.6 X/cm2 · s · sr and about 0.15 X/cm2· s · sr, which seem to be consistent with the little we know at present in other energy ranges.
3H and 3He in the Beta Triangle: Observations of Gyre Ventilation and Oxygen Utilization Rates

Abstract Isopycnal maps of 3H–3He age (τ) with about 100 km resolution have been obtained for a 1000-km scale area in the eastern subtropical North Atlantic. The midscale texture of the maps is consistent with isopycnal diffusivities of order 500 m−2 s−1. Analysis of the distributions within the context of advection-diffusion equations reveals that the larger scale 3H–3He age gradients observed within the area are not seriously affected by mixing on those surfaces that outcrop in the region of Ekman downwelling. Thus, isopycnal velocities can be estimated from 1/∇τ, but record only the velocity component normal to the outcrop. The velocities thus obtained agree well with geostrophic estimates, although the comparison is flawed by the fundamental mismatch in timescales between the two techniques. Backward extrapolation of the maps to zero-age outcrop positions indicate that the contribution of unventilated, older, recirculated water to the gyre flow above 600 m depth is small in this area (no more than 20%...
Organizing and Delivering Classroom Instruction

of s, in id dte e. s, his is a continuing series of quarterly articles on lessons earned and best practices in civil engineering education. The ntent of the series is to reinforce good practices, describe new r developing practices, and provide a forum for what works ell and what does not. It is hoped that this series will be an mportant quarterly read for all civil engineering educators and ll those interested in what’s going on in civil engineering eduation today. Authors and topics will vary from issue to issue. ontact the column editor, Steve Ressler, if you wish to conribute to an upcoming issue.
Car noise verification and applications

This study presents audio based vehicle-verification as a new area of research. The task involves verifying the claim that an acoustic sample belongs to a vehicle. Audio based vehicle verification has the potential to impact research in the areas of vehicle forensics and in-vehicle speech systems. For this task, a new corpus (UTD-CAR-NOISE) that consists of noise from 20 vehicles under 8 distinct noise environments (~8 hours of data). Our approach towards vehicle verification hypothesizes that some specific environments are more suited for vehicle verification. Towards this goal, four diverse in-vehicle noise conditions are identified on the basis of their frequency of occurrence. Additionally, four different verification systems are proposed based on their complexity and modeling strategies. Our evaluation shows that A/C on with windows closed condition is the most conducive for vehicle verification (98 %). The proposed systems were evaluated on approximately 100,000 trials, achieving performances in the range of (75---98 %) for different vehicle environments.