cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tests of Short Memory With Thick-Tailed Errors

In this article, we consider the robustness to fat tails of four stationarity tests. We also consider their sensitivity to the number of lags used in long-run variance estimation, and the power of the tests. Lo's modified rescaled range (MR/S) test is not very robust. Choi's Lagrange multiplier (LM) test has excellent robustness properties but is not generally as powerful as the Kwiatkowski–Phillips–Schmidt–Shin (KPSS) test. As an analytical framework for fat tails, we suggest local-to-finite variance asymptotics, based on a representation of the process as a weighted sum of a finite variance process and an infinite variance process, where the weights depend on the sample size and a constant. The sensitivity of the asymptotic distribution of a test to the weighting constant is a good indicator of its robustness to fat tails. This article has supplementary material online.
A unique antigen, RT11, in the placenta of the rat

In the course of exploring the antibody response in the unsensitized WF (u) female pregnant by a DA (a) male, we prepared a hybridoma that secreted an antibody (mAb 213) that was specific to the a haplotype but identified an antigen different from Pa. This antigen was designated RT11. It is present from the twelfth day of gestation on the collagen fibers of the placenta and of all organs in fetal and adult rats. It is particularly prominent on red blood cells; in the yolk sac epithelium; in the walls of the endodermal sinus, blood vessels and bronchioles; and in capsules and trabeculae. A very small amount is present on DA lymphocytes, since 17-20% of them react with mAb 213 by cytofluorimetry. The RT11 antigen is absent from the basal and labyrinthine trophoblast cells, from the parenchymal cells of all organs, and from T and B cells. This distribution pattern is completely different from that of the Aa and Pa antigens. Inhibition and absorption studies showed that RT11 is not an integral part of the collagen molecule. The SDS-PAGE analysis of the immunoprecipitates of RT11 from radioiodinated whole-membrane extracts of red blood cells and from the glycoprotein fraction thereof showed that it is an unglycosylated protein of molecular weight 29,000. The evidence to date suggests that RT11 is a blood group antigen. Studies on the genetic control of the expression of RT11 were undertaken to determine whether a gene linked to the MHC was involved and whether the control mechanism was unigenic or polygenic. Backcrosses generated using inbred strains--(DA x BN)F1 x DA-- and using complementary congenic strains--(DA.1N x BN.1A) F1 x BN.1A--showed that the expression of RT11 was under polygenic control, and that both an MHC-linked gene (1.2 cM from RT1.Aa) and genes not linked to the MHC are involved. By contrast, the expression of the Pa antigen is under the control of an MHC gene only.
Expression of multiple isoforms of protein kinase C in normal human colon mucosa and colon tumors and decreased levels of protein kinase C β and η mRNAs in the tumors

Previous studies have suggested that protein kinase C (PKC) may play an important role in colon carcinogenesis and that human colon tumors have less total PKC enzyme activity than normal tissue. Because PKC is a multigene family that encodes for at least 11 distinct isoforms, in the study reported here we analyzed the expression of six of these isoforms at the mRNA level by northern blot hybridization in 22 pairs of primary colon tumors (of various stages), and adjacent normal mucosa samples. We found that the normal mucosa samples expressed the mRNAs of the following isoforms of PKC, in decreasing order of abundance: PKC delta > PKC eta > PKC alpha > PKC beta > PKC epsilon. There was no consistent difference in the levels of PKC alpha, PKC delta, and PKC epsilon mRNAs between the normal mucosa and the tumor samples. PKC gamma was expressed at a very low level in two of the colon tumors but could not be detected in the remaining tumors or any of the normal mucosa samples. The levels of both PKC beta and PKC eta mRNAs were significantly lower in the tumor samples than in the normal mucosa samples, and this was true of adenomas as well as Dukes' stage A, B, and C adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, the decrease in PKC eta mRNA appeared to be greater in the more poorly differentiated carcinomas. This finding is of interest because PKC eta is normally expressed in the more differentiated cells of epithelial tissues. The decreased levels of both PKC beta and PKC eta mRNAs occurred early in the multistage process of colon carcinogenesis, as it was also seen in adenomas. The functional significance of these changes remains to be determined.
Digital Signal Processing Reveals Circadian Baseline Oscillation in Majority of Mammalian Genes

In mammals, circadian periodicity has been described for gene expression in the hypothalamus and multiple peripheral tissues. It is accepted that 10%–15% of all genes oscillate in a daily rhythm, regulated by an intrinsic molecular clock. Statistical analyses of periodicity are limited by the small size of datasets and high levels of stochastic noise. Here, we propose a new approach applying digital signal processing algorithms separately to each group of genes oscillating in the same phase. Combined with the statistical tests for periodicity, this method identifies circadian baseline oscillation in almost 100% of all expressed genes. Consequently, circadian oscillation in gene expression should be evaluated in any study related to biological pathways. Changes in gene expression caused by mutations or regulation of environmental factors (such as photic stimuli or feeding) should be considered in the context of changes in the amplitude and phase of genetic oscillations.
The effect of acute café latte ingestion on fasting serum lipid levels in healthy individuals.

Background Many patients drink cafe latte as part of their habitual morning routine to start their day and may be unable to skip this step before drawing a fasting blood sample for cholesterol testing. However, it is unknown what the acute effects of consuming a cafe latte are on fasting serum lipids just before blood sampling. Objective This was a prospective, open-label study with the primary objective of evaluating the acute effect of a 12-oz cafe latte (2% milk) on calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and secondary objectives of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), non-HDL-C, and fasting blood glucose (FBG). Methods A 10-hour fasting lipid profile was obtained before and 30 minutes after subjects consumed the cafe latte. Results Forty-nine adult participants (34 females; age [mean ± SD] 32.2 ± 13.2 years) were studied. No significant changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, or non-HDL-C were observed after coffee consumption. Triglyceride significantly decreased from a median of 76.0 to 75.0 mg/dL ( P = .002). HDL-C and FBG increased from a mean of 54.4 ± 12.7 to 56.4 ± 14.5 mg/dL ( P = .015) and 87.2 ± 7.0 to 97.3 ± 12.9 mg/dL ( P Conclusion Consumption of 12 oz. of cafe latte within one hour of blood draw did not result in a significant change in LDL-C or non-HDL-C in young, nonobese healthy individuals. However, FBG levels increased by almost 12%.
Changes in serum enzymes in rats after inhalation of organic solvents singly and in combination.

Abstract Using death as an endpoint, it has been demonstrated that tetrachloroethylene (TCE) produces a greater-than-additive effect when given orally in combination with several other compounds. We have attempted to determine more sensitive indicators which would respond in a synergistic fashion when animals are exposed by inhalation to combinations of organic solvents. Male rats were exposed for 4 hr to various concentrations of TCE, dioxane, butyl ether (BE), acetonitrile (ACN), trichloropropane (TCP), and dichloropropane (DCP). The serum enzymes, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), and ornithine carbamyl transferase (OCT) were measured in rats prior to exposure, immediately after exposure, and at 24 and 48 hr after exposure. The enzymes, SGOT, SGPT and OCT, were markedly elevated as a result of exposure to the above compounds, whereas G-6-Pase was only occasionally altered. Neither TCE in combination with dioxane, BE, or ACN nor TCP with DCP resulted in a greater-than-additive effect. On the contrary, in many instances the effects were significantly less-than-additive when tested for interaction.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 145

Abstract The 1967 version of the Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 145 has been revised on the basis of experimental data received by May 31, 1973. Pertinent data received between May 31 and November 30, 1973, have been added in proof. The A = 145 chain consists of 11 nuclei (Xe through Gd). Four of these nuclei (Xe through La) have been assigned since 1968. While some γ -rays have been associated with the decay of these four nuclei, the associations are not definite enough to construct decay schemes. The decay schemes of 145 Ce, 145 Pr, 145 Pm, and 145 Sm are essentially unchanged from the 1967 compilation. By combining decay data with recent capture-gamma, Mossbauer and stripping-reaction data, the compilers have been able to assign 4 definite and 13 probable J π -values to the 145 Nd level scheme. Seven definite and 8 probable J π -values have been assigned to the 145 Sm level scheme on the basis of electron-capture-decay, atomic-beam, and stripping-reaction data. However, there are still problems associated with this scheme. The lack of conversion-electron studies on the decay of 145 Gd has greatly hindered the assignments of definite spins to levels in 145 Eu. Several discrepancies and problems will be pointed out in the Comments. The present compilation should serve as a basis for further experiments.
Comparative Evaluation of Infrastructure Strategies to Reduce Emissions from Intermodal Freight Movement in Southern California

Five major infrastructure projects are evaluated that could substantially reduce emissions from intermodal goods movement in Southern California: on-dock railroad expansion, near-dock railroad expansion, mainline railroad capacity expansion and grade separation, electrification of the Alameda Corridor, and electrification of the entire mainline regional railroad system. Given the importance of Southern California as a gateway for international trade, the need for expansion of the capacity of the region's goods movement system, and the contribution of goods movement to the region's serious air quality problems, it is important to understand the emissions impacts of major goods movement infrastructure projects. This study finds that all five infrastructure projects can reduce a significant amount of emissions. Electrification of the entire mainline railroad system would achieve by far the largest emission reductions, eliminating emissions of more than 7,500 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 236 tons of part...
Chemistry for the Nonscience Major: The Hard-Boiled Chemical Detective

That required science courses for nonscience majors are often viewed negatively by students and science faculty alike is a reality of aca demic life. Many nonscience majors fear science or regard it as an unneces sary part of the college curriculum that adds little or nothing to their major emphasis in other areas of speciali zation. For teachers of these students, there is at times a lack of total commit ment, perhaps because they view their task as a step down from that of teach ing majors or because it is difficult to be enthusiastic about teaching students who are indifferent. With regard to the attitudes of science teachers, a recent report of a National Research Council (NRC) committee makes a salient point: "Teaching the nonscience major remains the science department's unwanted chore too often" (Schatz 1982, 3). Despite these negative attitudes, stu dent and teacher would agree that the science requirement of the college cur riculum is here to stay. The NRC com mittee referred to previously argues that, since "there are students who, while not scientists, will have to deal specifically with scientific and techni
Heat flow from eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia

Heat flows were determined at 12 sites in four distinct areas between longitude 77° and 80°W in eastern Panama and northwestern Colombia. Evidently, most of the region is underlain by mafic oceanic crust so that the crustal radiogenic component of heat flow is very small (∼ 0.1 μcal cm−2 sec−1). Low heat-flow values (∼ 0.7 μcal cm−2 sec−1) in northwestern Colombia may reflect thermal transients associated with shallow subduction. The normal values (∼ 1) at about 78°W are consistent with the mean heat flow from the western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. At 80°W, a fairly high value of 1.8 may define the easterly limit of thermal transients due to Cenozoic volcanic activity in Central America.
Preference-avoidance reactions of crayfish to sublethal concentrations of cadmium

The preference-avoidance reactions of the crayfish, Cambarus acuminatus, exposed to nominal cadmium concentrations of 125.0, 12.5, and 1.25 µCd++/1 are examined. Pooled data from five trials at each treatment concentration demonstrate a statistically significant avoidance of the highest concentration, and preference for middle and lowest concentrations. Additional observations of behavior indicate that crayfish sense sublethal cadmium concentrations and respond to them with a general decrease in activity. Therefore, the use of crayfish locomotor activity as a potential parameter for continuous biological monitoring systems appears feasible.
Relationship between lung cancer and distance of residence from nonferrous smelter stack effluent

Because of a reported association between residence in counties with nonferrous smelters and increased risk of lung cancer, we studied the relationship between distance of residence from nonferrous smelters and lung cancer. Patients with lung cancer and patients with other cancers not known to be associated with smelter effluent (breast, prostate, and colon) were compared. All patients lived within a 20-kilometer radius around one of 10 nonferrous smelters in five western states during 1970-1977. Data were obtained from cancer registries or death certificates and were examined separately for each area. Addresses at the time of diagnosis or death were plotted on U.S. Geological Survey maps to calculate distance from each smelter. The distribution of lung cancer near the smelters was not significantly different from the distribution of control cancers in any of the areas studied.
Regulation of glycolipid synthesis during differentiation of clonal murine muscle cells.

The two clonal murine muscle cell lines G7 and G8, originally derived from the M114 line [20], represent unique models for comparative studies of myogenesis. Glycolipid synthesis was examined during differentiation using [3H]-galactose and [3H]-glucosamine as precursors. Upon G7 contact glucosylceramide labeling increased and nLcOse5Cer labeling stopped. During membrane fusion, glucosylceramide labeling stopped and lactosylceramide became the major synthetic product. G8 cells presented a different pattern, with increased labeling of GbOse3Cer during myogenesis. The major ganglioside synthesized by both myoblasts was GM3, and more complex structures were observed following completion of myotube formation. Total glycopeptide labeling increased when G8 myoblasts fused and remained elevated in myotubes, whereas no differences during fusion of G7 cells were noted. Upon comparison of the two clonal lines, the only consistent observation was a significant increase in the synthesis of total gangliosides and neutral glycolipid during cell contact and membrane fusion (p < 0.02). The results suggest that changes in the synthesis of specific glycolipid structures during myogenesis are unique to each muscle cell line examined. However, transient increases in synthesis of total myoblast gangliosides and neutral glycolipids may be a more general phenomenon, possibly by curbing proliferation or by altering myoblast membrane fluidity characteristics during differentiation.
Genetic basis of polymorphism in the color vision of platyrrhine monkeys

It was earlier proposed that the polymorphism of color vision observed in some neotropical monkeys could be accounted for by assuming that these animals have only a single photopigment gene locus on the X-chromosome. Three kinds of evidence have been added to existing data sets in an effort to evaluate the adequacy of the single locus model: (1) photopigment complements of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) have been determined using electroretinogram flicker photometry; (2) photopigment pedigrees have been established for several families of squirrel monkey; (3) X-chromosome pigment genes obtained from six dichromatic monkeys (three squirrel monkeys; three tamarins--Saguinus fuscicollis) have been examined to search for sequence polymorphisms at those gene loci believed crucial for spectral tuning. All of these results are in accord with the idea that some species of platyrrhine primate have only a single type of photopigment gene on the X-chromosome.
CLONING AND NUCLEOTIDE SEQUENCE OF A FULL-LENGTH cDNA ENCODING ASCARIS SUUM PHOSPHOFRUCTOKINASE

The nucleotide sequence of a full-length cDNA encoding phosphofructokinase (PFK) enzyme from the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum was determined. The entire sequence of 2,653 bases comprises a single open reading frame of 2,452 bases and a noncoding region of 201 bases after the stop codon. The mature protein contains 812 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 90,900 Da. The amino acid sequences of several peptides derived from the purified protein show excellent correspondence with the translated nucleotide sequence. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of the protein with those of 3 other worms as well as those of human, rabbit, and bacterial enzymes reveals highly conserved regions interrupted with stretches of lesser sequence similarity. Analyses of the subunit primary structure reveal, as in other eukaryotic PFKs, that the amino-terminal half is homologous to the carboxy-terminal half, supporting the hypothesis that the PFK gene evolved by duplication of the prokaryotic gene and that the allosteric sites arose by mutations at the catalytic site. The location of the phosphorylation site is unique and different compared with other PFKs and plays a key role in regulation of the enzyme activity. Structural motifs such as the putative substrate and effector binding domains and also the key amino acids involved therein are clearly identified by alignment of all the PFK protein sequences.
Honestum is as Honestum Does: Reid, Hume – and Mandeville?!

How are we to understand Thomas Reid in relation to Bernard de Mandeville? I answer this question by considering two components of the assessment of Hume's theory of morals that Reid provides in his Essays on the Active Powers of Man: first, Reid's claim that Hume's system of morals cannot accommodate the Stoic conception of moral worth (honestum); second, Reid's charge that Hume's account of morally meritorious action leads to an inflated and incoherent version of Epicurean virtue theory. I thus determine the character of Reid's relation to Mandeville by examining the Stoic and anti-Epicurean assumptions involved in Reid's criticism of Hume's ethics.
The vacuolar ATPase of Neurospora crassa.

The filamentous fungusNeurospora crassa has many small vacuoles which, like mammalian lysosomes, contain hydrolytic enzymes. They also store large amounts of phosphate and basic amino acids. To generate an acidic interior and to drive the transport of small molecules, the vacuolar membranes are densely studded with a proton-pumping ATPase. The vacuolar ATPase is a large enzyme, composed of 8–10 subunits. These subunits are arranged into two sectors, a complex of peripheral subunits called V1 and an integral membrane complex called V0. Genes encoding three of the subunits have been isolated.vma-1 andvma-2 encode polypeptides homologous to the α and β subunits of F-type ATPases. These subunits appear to contain the sites of ATP binding and hydrolysis.vma-3 encodes a highly hydrophobic polypeptide homologous to the proteolipid subunit of vacuolar ATPases from other organisms. This subunit may form part of the proton-containing pathway through the membrane. We have examined the structures of the genes and attempted to inactivate them.
Deletion Within Chromosome 22 is Common in Patients With Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome

Interstitial deletions in chromosome 22 and features associated with CATCH-22 syndrome have been reported in patients with conotruncal congenital heart anomalies. Absent pulmonary valve syndrome is characterized by absent or rudimentary pulmonary valve cusps, absent ductus arteriosus, conoventricular septal defect, and massive dilation of the pulmonary arteries. Because absence of the ductus arteriosus is a key element in the pathogenesis of this syndrome and aortic arch malformations are frequently seen in patients with CATCH-22 syndrome, we hypothesized that patients with absent pulmonary valve syndrome would have a high incidence of deletions in the critical region of chromosome 22. Eight patients with absent pulmonary valve syndrome were studied. Metaphase preparations were examined with fluorescent in situ hybridization of the N25 (D22S75) probe to the critical region of chromosome 22q11.2. Deletions were detected in 6 of 8 patients. The presence of deletions in chromosome 22 in most of the patients we have examined with a diagnosis of absent pulmonary valve syndrome supports a specific genetic and embryologic mechanism involving the interaction of the neural crest and the primitive aortic arches as one cause of congenital absence of the pulmonary valve.
Increased efficacy in selective elimination of leukemic cell line clonogenic cells by a combination of monoclonal antibodies BA-1, BA-2, BA-3 + complement and mafosfamid (ASTA Z 7557).

Abstract Studies were undertaken to examine the efficacy of combining monoclonal antibodies BA-1, BA-2, BA-3 + complement with a stabilized derivative of cyclophosphamide (mafosfamid) for elimination of leukemic cell line clonogenic cells. In a series of experiments conducted with leukemic cell lines a combination of two cycles of treatment with BA-1, 2, 3 + complement combined with 25 μg/ml−1 mafosfamid was superior to either modality alone in killing clonogenic leukemic cells. Identical treatment of normal bone marrow had no effect on the monopotent stem cells CFU-E and CFU-GM, or the pluripotent stem cell CFU-MIX, but some inhibition of the monopotent stem cell CFU-MK did occur. These results suggest that consideration be given to incorporation of BA-1, 2, 3 + complement and mafosfamid combination treatment in autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Concerted reactions and mechanism of glucose pyrolysis and implications for cellulose kinetics.

Concerted reactions are proposed to be keys to understanding thermal decomposition of glucose in the absence of ionic chemistry, including molecular catalysis by ROH molecules such as H2O, other glucose molecules, and most of the intermediates and products. Concerted transition states, elementary-reaction pathways, and rate coefficients are computed for pyrolysis of β-d-glucose (β-d-glucopyranose), the monomer of cellulose, and for related molecules, giving an improved and elementary-reaction interpretation of the reaction network proposed by Sanders et al. (J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis, 2003, 66, 29–50). Reactions for ring-opening and formation, ring contraction, retro-aldol condensation, keto–enol tautomerization, and dehydration are included. The dehydration reactions are focused on bicyclic ring formations that lead to levoglucosan and 1,6-β-d-anhydrousglucofuranose. The bimolecular ROH-assisted reactions are found to have lower activation energy compared to the unimolecular reactions. The same dehydratio...
Tillage and crop residue effects on carbon dioxide evolution and carbon storage in a paleustoll

Cultivation, high temperatures, and a semiarid climate accelerate organic carbon (OC) loss and weaken soil structure in the Southern Plains. Our hypothesis was that differences in soil C storage attributable to tillage method are related to differences in soil respiration and microbial biomass dynamics. Carbon dioxide fluxes following wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) harvest were determined in Bethany silt loam (fine, mixed, thermic Pachic Paleustoll). Treatments were moldboard plowing (MP) and no-till (NT) at two residue rates (0 and 4 Mg ha '). Soil respiration was measured from I August to 30 September using closed chambers. Peak CO 2 -C flux densities reached 1.3 g m ' d ' in NT for 2 d and stabilized at 0.4 g m -1 d '. The CO 2 -C evolution peaked at 4.1 and 2.9 g m ' d ' in MP with and without buried residues, respectively. After 3 d, they decreased to a steady state of 0.4 g m -1 d -1 . Daily average temperatures in the 0- to 0.2-m depth were 0.5 to 3.4°C higher under MP than NT, increasing microbial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), biomass C, and CO 2 -C fluxes. The proportion of soil OC respired in the 60-d period was twice as great under MP than NT, accounting for 0.42 to 0.58%, and 0.19 to 0.22%, respectively. After 11 yr, NT soil OC showed increases of 65, 17, and 7% over the MP for the 0- to 0.05-m, 0.05- to 0.1-m, and 0.1- to 0.2-m depths, respectively. Tillage and residue incorporation enhanced C mineralization and atmospheric fluxes, suggesting that tillage intensity should be decreased to reduce C loss.
Electromagnetic compatibility measurements

Standards extending the frequency range of both instrumentation and techniques up to 1000 MHz are being developed. Along with the spectrum signature concept, the use of automated instrumentation is becoming increasingly important. Of recent interest are techniques for measurement of harmonic power in a waveguide, near fields of antennas, line current, the Poynting vector, and device radiation at frequencies above 50 MHz.
Potato cultivars: Genetic variation within putative clones

Four of five major cultivars of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L. ssp.tuberosum) from different sources were found to vary genetically. This variability was detected by an electrophoretic study of enzymatic activity for alkaline phosphatase and glucosephosphate isomerase. An examination of red cultivars from Beltsville, Md. suggests that the apparent intracultivar variability observed for Red Pontiac may be due to cultivar mislabeling rather than mutation or mitotic recombination. The results of this study raise concerns about potato cultivar certification and interpretations of some of the previous cultivar work. We suggest that a more extensive survey of intracultivar variability be carried out. Further, we suggest that these genetic markers and others could be used in cultivar identification.
A modulation of the atmospheric annual cycle in the Southern Hemisphere

The annual cycle in pressure and winds at the middle and high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere changed appreciably in the troposphere after the late 1970s. Before that time, its major component over most of the southern oceans and the Antarctic was a semiannual oscillation (SAO) which had maxima in the equinoctial seasons over the middle latitude oceans and in the solstitial seasons over the Antarctic south of 60°S. The SAO weakened after the late 1970s because of significant decadal changes in the monthly means primarily during the second half of the year. A result was that the polar vortex in the troposphere, which normally weakens after a peak in late September and early October, remained strong into November, and the breakdown of the stratospheric polar vortex was similarly delayed. The pressure in the circumpolar trough in the 1980s was generally lower than in the 1970s, which is similar to a documented change in the North Pacific during northern winter. We suggest that the changes in the SAO, the circumpolar trough, and the polar vortex are related to the concurrent rise of sea surface temperatures at low latitudes. The delayed breakdown of the polar vortex in the troposphere and lower stratosphere which happened after the late 1970s was coincident with the beginning of the ozone deficit in the Antarctic spring. This points to a strong dynamical influence on ozone amounts. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1994.t01-1-00007.x
Shape optimization approach to numerical solution of the obstacle problem

We discuss an algorithm for the numerical solution of the Obstacle Problem in which the coincidence set is considered as the prime unknown. Domain functionals are defined for which the coincidence set serves as the minimizing element. Their gradients are computed (in the sense of the material derivative), and the gradient descent method employed to minimize these functionals. Numerical example is given.
Delay of Reinforcement: The Role of Extended Training

This study investigated the role of extended training of rats given various parameters of delayed reinforcement. There were no differences in terminal acquisition goal speeds among groups given 0-, 5-, 10-, and 20-sec. delayed reinforcement. In run speeds, similar results occurred for the first three groups, the 20-sec. group being in disagreement only with respect to asymptotic performance. It is proposed these late acquisition effects have not been considered in most learning models.
Immunohistochemical demonstration of nerve-Merkel cell complex in fetal human skin.

Abstract Using Merkel cell specific antikeratin antibodies and neurofilament antibody the nerve-Merkel cell relationship was studied with a double staining method on frozen sections. Merkel cells were stained with monoclonal anti-cytokeratin CK-5 and CAM 5.2 which react against human cytokeratin polypeptide 45 kDa and 52.5 kDa, respectively. Peripheral nerves were stained with monoclonal murine antibody Neurofilament 70 and 200 kDa. Epidermal Merkel cells were recognized in 12-week fetuses in the plantar skin. In 15-week fetuses dermal Merkel cells were found. Most of the dermal Merkel cells initially lacked a close association with immunoreactive nerve fibers. In 16-week fetuses immunoreactive small nerves reached the epidermis and a few dermal Merkel cells became heavily entangled with the meshwork of nerve endings. Nerve-Merkel cell complex in the dermis was confirmed by electron microscopy. The appearance of epidermal Merkel cells preceded the attachment of immunoreactive nerve endings to the epidermis. It an analysis of 448 dermal Merkel cells the nerve-Merkel cell complex became more frequent as the age of fetus advanced. It was concluded that Merkel cells do not arrive at the epidermis with peripheral nerves. Rather, the peripheral nerves are attracted to the dermal Merkel cells which originated in the epidermis.
Stateless cryptography for virtual environments

Migrating systems onto virtualized environments, such as cloud platforms, is becoming a business imperative. Such platforms offer the promise of higher resilience combined with a relatively low cost of ownership. The platforms also involve a number of challenges that hinder their adoption, and a primary concern involves security. These security concerns stem in part from vulnerabilities that underlying virtualization functionality introduces, such as the ability to capture and replay the execution state of a virtualized machine. In systems where security is paramount, HSMs (hardware security modules) are often used. HSMs provide a tamper-resistant environment for storing sensitive cryptographic material and for executing cryptographic operations using this material. HSMs may appear to be important components for enhancing the security of virtual environments; however, current implementations are not well suited for this purpose. In this paper, we describe a typical HSM solution stack based on the de facto industry standard called PKCS #11 (Public Key Cryptography Standard # 11). We explain the challenges introduced by virtualized platforms and show why the typical architectures based on PKCS #11 are not suitable for such environments. Finally, we describe an alternative IBM HSM solution called EP11 (Enterprise PKCS #11) and show how it addresses many of these challenges.
ClearBurst: Burst Scheduling for Contention-Free Transmission in Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, the many-to-one data communication pattern induces high collision losses as multiple transmissions cause contention and interference along the paths from sources to the sink. This paper proposes a low-overhead MAC layer solution to address the high contention problem to improve system throughput and reduce energy consumption. Periods of bursty transmissions with reduced contention from neighboring nodes are exploited to efficiently clear up back- logged queues and improve the performance of CSMA. Through analytical modeling we characterize the expected performance improvement and show that it conforms to the simulation results. Using extensive simulations on ns-2 and experiments on the 49 node sensor network testbed (Kansei) running TinyOS, we evaluate the performance of our solution.
Measuring response intervals in a system with a 911 primary and an emergency medical services secondary public safety answering point

Abstract Study objective: Measurement of interval data is important in the accurate recording of events that occur in an emergency medical services system. Measurement of intervals should be a simple task. However, when two separate clocks are needed to record the beginning and end of an interval, accurate measurement may be difficult. We sought to accurately measure the 911 call receipt–to–vehicle departure and 911 call receipt–to–patient access intervals in a system with primary and secondary public safety answering points (PSAPs). Methods: We conducted a descriptive study between January 1 and July 31, 1993. All 911 calls beginning at the primary PSAP, transferred to the EMS secondary PSAP, and ending with patient access times were eligible. Clock-synchronization errors and unavailability of 911 time logs were the criteria for exclusion. We measured the 911 call receipt–to–vehicle departure interval by adding the primary-PSAP and the EMS secondary-PSAP call-processing intervals. The 911 call receipt–to–patient access interval was the absolute difference between the time when the 911 primary-PSAP phone rang and the time of patient access recorded by EMS personnel. Results: The data were best described with median and interquartile ranges (IQRs). We found 1,945 calls that met inclusion criteria. Of these, 270 were deleted because of clock errors and 616 for time log unavailability, yielding 1,059 calls for interval determinations. The median 911 call receipt–to–vehicle departure interval was 1.7 minutes (IQR, 1.2 to 2.2 minutes). The median 911 call receipt–to–patient access interval was 8.2 minutes (IQR, 6.4 to 10.5 minutes). Conclusion: The 911 call receipt–to–vehicle departure and 911 call receipt–to–patient access intervals can be accurately measured in a system with two separate PSAP computer-aided dispatch clocks. These intervals are variable and often lengthy. [Campbell JP, Gridley TS, Muelleman RL: Measuring response intervals in a system with a 911 primary and an emergency medical services secondary public safety answering point. Ann Emerg Med April 1997; 29:492-496.]
Trends in Global Cloud Cover in Two Decades of HIRS Observations

The frequency of cloud detection and the frequency with which these clouds are found in the upper troposphere have been extracted from NOAA High Resolution Infrared Radiometer Sounder (HIRS) polar-orbiting satellite data from 1979 to 2001. The HIRS/2 sensor was flown on nine satellites from the Television Infrared Observation Satellite-Next Generation (TIROS-N) through NOAA-14, forming a 22-yr record. Carbon dioxide slicing was used to infer cloud amount and height. Trends in cloud cover and high-cloud frequency were found to be small in these data. High clouds show a small but statistically significant increase in the Tropics and the Northern Hemisphere. The HIRS analysis contrasts with the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), which shows a decrease in both total cloud cover and high clouds during most of this period.
Nickel enhances telomeric silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Certain nickel compounds including crystalline nickel sulfide (NiS) and subsulfide (Ni3S2) are potent human and animal carcinogens. In Chinese hamster embryo cells, an X-linked senescence gene was inactivated following nickel-induced DNA methylation. Nickel also induced the inactivation of the gpt reporter gene by chromatin condensation and a DNA methylation process in a transgenic gpt+ Chinese hamster cell line (G12), which is located near a heterochromatic region. To determine if nickel can cause gene silencing independently of DNA methylation, based only on the induction of changes in chromatin structure, we measured its effect on gene silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Growth of yeast in the presence of nickel chloride repressed a telomeric marker gene (URA3) and resulted in a stable epigenetic switch. This phenomenon was dependent on the number of cell doubling prior to selection and also on the distance of the marker gene from the end of the chromosome. The level of TPE (telomeric position effect) increased linearly with elevations of nickel concentration. Addition of magnesium inhibited this effect, but magnesium did not silence the reporter gene by itself. The level of silencing was also assessed following treatment with other transition metals: cobalt, copper and cadmium. In the sublethal range, cobalt induced similar effects as nickel, while copper and cadmium did not change the basal level of gene expression. Silencing by copper and cadmium were evident only at concentrations of those metals where the viability was very low.
Assembly of lead-free bumped flip-chip with no-flow underfills

Lead-free solder reflow process has presented challenges to no-flow underfill material and assembly. The currently available no-flow underfill materials are mainly designed for eutectic Sn-Pb solders. This paper presents the assembly of lead-free bumped flip-chip with developed no-flow underfill materials. Epoxy resin/HMPA/metal AcAc/Flux G system is developed as no-flow underfills for Sn/Ag/Cu alloy bumped flip-chips. The solder wetting test is conducted to demonstrate the fluxing capability of the underfills for lead-free solders. A 100% solder joint yield has been achieved using Sn/Ag/Cu bumped flip-chips in a no-flow process. A scanning acoustic microscope is used to observe the underfill voiding. The out-gassing of HMPA at high curing temperatures causes severe voiding inside the package. A differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) used to study the curing degree of the underfill after reflow with or without post-cure. The post-curing profiles indicate that the out-gassing of HMPA would destroy the stoichiometric balance between the epoxy and hardener, and result in a need for high temperature post-cure. The material properties of the underfills are characterized and the influence of underfill out-gassing on the assembly and material properties is investigated. The impact of lead-free reflow on the material design and process conditions of no-flow underfill is discussed.
Review of current methodologies to isolate and identify Campylobacter spp. from foods

This article summarizes the most effective protocols to isolate Campylobacter spp. (mainly Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli) from food, primarily poultry products, and includes a summary of the current methods recommended by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the USA, and ISO in Europe. The recommended temperature for incubation of the samples throughout the isolation procedure is 42°C. The enrichment of the samples for 48h, which can be performed under aerobic conditions, is recommended to achieve a detectable number of Campylobacter cells. Bolton broth or buffered peptone water supplemented with cefoperazone and amphotericin B is commonly used enrichment broths. The transfer of the enriched samples to plate media using membrane filters helps to obtain pure Campylobacter colonies. Charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate (CCDA) is the best choice among all plate media. There is no need to add oxygen quenching substances or blood to enrichment broth for the isolation of Campylobacter spp. However, the addition of blood to plate media aids in differential identification of presumptive colonies. Phase contrast microscopy and latex agglutination tests are confirmatory tests for presumptive Campylobacter isolates. The use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assays is the simplest and most rapid method to identify isolates to the species level. mPCR assays, or other methods assessing DNA sequence variations, will probably become the confirmation procedure of choice in the future. Recent work with retail broiler meat has revealed that the rinsing of meat is more sensitive for the recovery of naturally contaminated retail broiler meat than current reference methods and requires less time for preparation and processing of the samples. This protocol could be coupled with DNA-based methods for a fast screening of positive samples.
Implications of delayed Echinochloa spp. germination and duration of competition for integrated weed management in water‐seeded rice

Summary Co-ordinating herbicide applications with the suppressive ability of the crop has the potential to improve weed control and optimize herbicide use in water-seeded rice. However, the successful integration of herbicide applications and crop development depends on the timing and duration of competition between rice and weeds. The critical period of competition between rice and Echinochloa species was examined in field and glasshouse experiments from 1996 to 2000. In 1999 and 2000, Echinochloa species seeded 30 days after rice in field experiments did not survive and rice yields were not reduced when plots were kept weed-free for 30 days or longer. In a basin experiment conducted in 1998, E. phyllopogon seeded with the crop was unaffected by light competition alone but the relative importance of shading by the crop increased when E. phyllopogon was seeded after rice. Management strategies that delay the germination or growth of Echinochloa species might confer a competitive advantage to rice and reduce the need for herbicide applications. However, yields in the field experiments were reduced by at least 18% after only 30 days of competition in both years, suggesting that it may be difficult to integrate currently available herbicides with crop growth in water-seeded rice.
Targeting the androgen receptor in prostate and breast cancer: several new agents in development

Prostate cancer (PCa) and breast cancer (BCa) share similarities as hormone-sensitive cancers with a wide heterogeneity of both phenotype and biology. The androgen receptor (AR) is a hormone receptor involved in both benign and malignant processes. Targeting androgen synthesis and the AR pathway has been and remains central to PCa therapy. Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the AR in BCa development and growth, with results indicating AR co-expression with estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors, across all intrinsic subtypes of BCa. Targeting the AR axis is an evolving field with novel therapies in development which may ultimately be applicable to both tumor types. In this review, we offer an overview of available agents which target the AR axis in both PCa and BCa and provide insights into the novel drugs in development for targeting this signaling pathway.
Construction of non‐negative resolving kernels in Backus–Gilbert theory

Summary In linear Backus–Gilbert theory, resolving kernel approximations to delta distributions are linear combinations of data kernels which sometimes exhibit undesirable negative side lobes. For some problems, optimum delta-like data kernel combinations can be constructed which are everywhere non-negative. The square root of the resolving kernel is expanded in terms of a complete set of basis functions. Then, a standard measure of delta-ness (here the quadratic criterion) is minimized to find real expansion coefficients, subject to constraints of unimodularity and approximate equality of the square of the expansion to a linear combination of data kernels. The resulting non-linear Lagrange multipier problem is solved by a multidimensional Newton iteration. As an example, the method is applied to the gravitational edge-effect problem.
Long-Term Effects of Increased Glucose Entry on Mouse Hearts During Normal Aging and Ischemic Stress

Background— A shift of substrate preference toward glucose in the heart is considered a reversion to fetal metabolic profile, but its role in the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases is incompletely un...
Electrical Energy Changes Conductivity and Determines Optimal Electrotransformation Frequency in Gram-Negative Bacteria

In many bacterial electrotransformation protocols, pulse time is related to the time constant for a capacitor discharging across a sample of fixed resistance. Using an electroporator which controls pulse time independently of the capacitor time constant, we found that the resistance of bacterial suspensions fluctuates widely during capacitor discharge. With three gram-negative species of bacteria, electrotransformation frequency and survival could be more simply related to the electrical energy delivered in each pulse than to component parameters, such as initial field strength, capacitance, and pulse time. In each case, the number of transformants per survivor increased exponentially and leveled off when more than 0.5 to 1.0 J of electrical energy was delivered. An inverse log-linear relationship between survival and energy delivered was also observed for all three species.
The Role of Privilege as Identity in Adolescents' Beliefs About Homelessness, Opportunity, and Inequality

This mixed methods study investigated the impact of learning about homelessness on the civic development of privileged adolescents. Pre–post surveys, classroom observations, and qualitative interviews revealed that the participating adolescents developed a more complex understanding of the factors that contribute to homelessness; however, this deeper understanding of homelessness was not accompanied by a reconfiguring of participants’ beliefs about America’s opportunity structure. Instead, this study’s privileged adolescents defended their own positions within the existing class structure by invoking legitimizing, and naturalizing ideological frames. This resistance to social justice content impeded participating teens’ development of civic responsibility for fellow citizens contending with poverty and homelessness.
Illumination sources based on multiple light-emitting diodes

Luminous efficacies and color rendering capabilities of illumination sources based on tri- and tetra-chromatic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are investigated. Tri-chromatic sources with a CRI of 84 and a luminous efficiency of 32 Im/W are demonstrated.
Fire Synchrony and the Influence of Pacific Climate Variability on Wildfires in the Florida Keys, United States

We investigated relationships between climate variability and wildfires in endangered pine rockland communities in the Florida Keys, United States, using fire-scarred samples from the canopy dominant Pinus elliottii var. densa. To test broad-scale, spatiotemporal relationships between wildfires and climate, we compared cross-dated fire-scar chronologies from two islands in the lower Florida Keys, Big Pine Key (BPK) and No Name Key (NNK), to measured values of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO; NINO3.4), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO), and divisional temperature and precipitation over the period from 1856 to 1956. Large-scale climate anomalies captured by ENSO (NINO3.4) and IPO indexes had combined effects on widespread fires. Superposed epoch analysis revealed that widespread fires on BPK occurred during years that were drier than average and when constructive phases (years of combine...