cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lensing reconstruction of primordial cosmic microwave background polarization

We discuss the possibility to directly reconstruct the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization field at the last scattering surface by accounting for modifications imposed by the gravitational lensing effect. The suggested method requires a tracer field of the large scale structure lensing potentials that deflected propagating CMB photons from the last scattering surface. This required information can come from a variety of observations on the large scale structure matter distribution, including the convergence reconstructed from lensing shear studies involving galaxy shapes. In the case of so-called curl, or B modes of CMB polarization, the reconstruction allows one to identify the distinct signature of inflationary gravitational waves.
Effect of potassium ion on the phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the pyridoxal 5'-phosphate cofactor of Escherichia coli D-serine dehydratase.

Abstract 31P NMR studies were undertaken to determine how potassium ion increases the cofactor affinity of Escherichia coli d -serine dehydratase, a model pyridoxal 5′-phosphate requiring enzyme that converts the growth inhibitor d -serine to pyruvate and ammonia. Potassium ion was shown to promote the appearance of a second upfield shifted cofactor 31P resonance at 4.0 ppm (pH 7.8, 25 °C), that increased in area at the expense of the resonance at 4.4 ppm observed in the absence of K+. Na+ antagonized the K+ promoted appearance of the second resonance. These observations suggest that K+ and Na+ stabilize conformational states that differ with respect to OPO bond angle, conformation, and/or hydrogen bonding of the phosphate group. An analysis of the dependence of the relative intensities of the two resonances on the K+ concentration yielded a value of ca. 10 m m for the equilibrium constant for dissociation of K+ from d -serine dehydratase. The chemical shift difference between the two resonances indicated that the K+-stabilized and Na+-stabilized forms of the enzyme interconvert at a frequency less than 16 s−1 at pH 7.8, 25 °C.
Gender differences in the prevalence of metabolic complications in familial partial lipodystrophy (Dunnigan variety).

Familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type (FPLD; Mendelian Inheritance in Man #151660), is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by loss of s.c. fat from the extremities and trunk since puberty and predisposition to insulin resistance and its complications. However, for lack of recognition of affected men, previous studies could not ascertain any gender differences in phenotypic expression. Therefore, anthropometric variables and prevalence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and atherosclerotic vascular disease were compared among 17 postpubertal men and 22 women with FPLD from eight pedigrees. All individuals completed a questionnaire, and fasting blood was analyzed for glucose, insulin, and lipoprotein concentrations. Both affected men and women had similar patterns of fat loss. Compared with the affected men, women had higher prevalence of diabetes (18% and 50%, respectively; P = 0.05) and atherosclerotic vascular disease (12% and 45%, respectively; P = 0.04) and had higher serum triglycerides (median values, 2.27 and 4.25 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.02) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (age-adjusted means, 0.94 and 0.70 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.04). The prevalence of hypertension and fasting serum insulin concentrations were similar. In conclusion, women with FPLD are more severely affected with metabolic complications of insulin resistance than men. These observations raise the possibility that women with generalized and regional obesity may also have more severe metabolic sequelae of insulin resistance.
Nerve growth factor-induced rapid activation of RNA labeling in dorsal root ganglionic dissociates from chick embryos.

Dorsal root ganglionic cells, from 8-day chick embryo, undergo anabolic declines when incubated in vitro without Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) or other supportive agents. To determine whether the decline could be opposed by delayed administration of the NGF, cells were incubated without the factor for varying times, then supplied with it and tested periodically with pulses of radiouridine or radioleucine. The decline in RNA labeling was actually reversed by a delayed addition of NGF, and the effect was fully elicited within less than 10 min from the treatment. With delays up to 6 hr, this rapid activation by NGF fully restored the incorporation rate exhibited by fresh cells or by cells continuously incubated with NGF. From the hour 8 on, the NGF-induced activation of RNA labeling fell progressively shorter of restoring maximal performance until, by18 hr, it was no longer significant. The residual (irreversible) decline in RNA labeling, starting after 6 hr, developed with a time pattern coincidental with that of the irreversible decline in protein labeling also displayed by those untreated cells, and similar to the appearance of RNA degradation and the acceleration of protein degradation. All four such “degenerative” events were fully prevented by NGF when administered with delays shorter than 6 hr, and only interrupted (or delayed) by NGF delivered at later times. Additional experiments revealed that, over the first 6 hr, NGF also prevented or reversed a decline in TCA-soluble radioactivity of the cells, an effect which was not blocked by actinomycin D. This rapid increase of soluble radio-activity could be responsible for the rapid activation of RNA labeling and may also be involved in the prevention by NGF of the later developing degenerative events.
Presentation of a flashing light following one-trial fear conditioning enhances retention

Rats exposed for 60 sec to a flashing light stimulus following one-trial fear conditioning showed enhanced retention performance relative to controls not exposed to the flashing light. The results of a second experiment demonstrated a time-dependent gradient of the enhancement effect. In view of additional data indicating that the flashing light is not aversive, these results suggest that the presentation of an exteroceptive stimulus can influence memory processing.
Fast neutron teletherapy for advanced carcinoma of hypopharynx and supraglottic larynx.

(1980). Fast Neutron Teletherapy for Advanced Carcinoma of Hypopharynx and Supraglottic Larynx. Acta Radiologica: Oncology: Vol. 19, No. 6, pp. 439-447.
Pericoronitis: Its Nature and Etiology

In this evaluation, 70% of 137 patients with pericoronitis indicated that they were under unusual emotional or physical tension. Stresses most frequently reported included fatigue, school examinations, financial worries, and menstruation. Also, 50% of those observed had previous incidents of pericoronitis around the same teeth.
Bacterial plume emanating from the air surrounding swine confinement operations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of bacteria in the air plume immediately upwind at 25 m and downwind at locations 25 m, 50 m, 100 m, and 150 m from a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO). It was hypothesized that this would give insight into determining the maximal distance that bacterial organisms release from a CAFO could travel, which would be important in determining the optimal siting distance for future CAFO in relation to high population areas. The Andersen two-stage sampler was used to collect all of the bacterial samples from the animal confinement facilities. The data show a marked increase in bacterial CFUs/m3 inside the facility (18,132 CFU/m3 average) versus upwind (63 CFU/m3 average) and a steady downwind decrease out to approximately 150 m. Staphylococcus aureus was found to account for 76% of the organisms recovered. We conclude that the optimal placement of a swine CAFO would be at least 200 m from a residential area.
A fast, good resolution high-multiplicity trigger☆

Abstract We describe a 400-wire proportional chamber designed to generate a streamer chamber trigger on high-multiplicity events. A unique digital-to-analog technique allows us to determine in less than 750 ns that more than N wires have fired. N can be varied between 0 and 15 in this version. The chamber has been tested both with beta sources and in a beam at Fermilab. It operates reliably with greater than 99.6% efficiency over a wide voltage range.
A unique amino-terminal sequence predicted for the chicken proto-ets protein.

Abstract Avian cellular sequences homologous to the ets domain of the avian leukemia retrovirus, E26, have been characterized, and shown to contain nine discrete regions within a single locus of about 60 kb. The structure of the viral homologous and nonhomologous domains of this chicken ets -1 gene is characterized and seen to define the unique amino acid sequences of the ets protein. We have isolated and sequenced an avian ets -1 cDNA clone obtained from chicken thymus. This cDNA clone contains an open reading frame (ORF) encoding the normal cellular product of 441 amino acids. This product is significantly smaller than that encoded by the v- ets domain of the E26 transforming protein, p135, which contains 491 amino acids. The open reading frame predicted by our sequence data results in a protein calculated to be 50 kDa, which is slightly smaller than that actually observed in chicken cells. The presence of termination codons 5′ to this ORF demonstrates that the cDNA characterized contains the entire coding region for the chicken ets gene.
Precise Maps of RNA Polymerase Reveal How Promoters Direct Initiation and Pausing

Transcription regulation occurs frequently through promoter-associated pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). We developed a precision nuclear run-on and sequencing (PRO-seq) assay to map the genome-wide distribution of transcriptionally engaged Pol II at base pair resolution. Pol II accumulates immediately downstream of promoters, at intron-exon junctions that are efficiently used for splicing, and over 3′ polyadenylation sites. Focused analyses of promoters reveal that pausing is not fixed relative to initiation sites, nor is it specified directly by the position of a particular core promoter element or the first nucleosome. Core promoter elements function beyond initiation, and when optimally positioned they act collectively to dictate the position and strength of pausing. This "complex interaction" model was tested with insertional mutagenesis of the Drosophila Hsp70 core promoter.
The counter-current backmixing model for fluid bed reactors — computational aspects and model modifications

Numerical solution of differential equations describing the counter-current backmixing model of Fryer and Potter is very difficult due to the boundary value nature of the problem. Several numerical methods (shooting, superposition and finite difference) have been described and tested on a problem with a single first-order reaction in an isothermal fluid bed reactor. It was found that the finite difference method is the most stable method and provides accurate solution over the entire range of parameters that were investigated, while the shooting and the superposition methods could not produce accurate solutions for some parameter values. Also, some modifications of the Fryer and Potter model such as: compartment models and conversion to an initial value type of problem (Jayraman-Kulkarni-Doraiswamy model), have been described. Results obtained from compartment models are in close agreement with predictions obtained from the original Fryer and Potter model.
Automatic classification of chemical behaviour by sequential hypothesization, multiparametric curve-fitting and deviation-pattern recognition-I Fully computerized evaluation of the functionality of a base from titration-curve data.

Abstract A completely automatic procedure is described for evaluating the functionality j of a base from the potentiometric titration curve obtained on titration with standard acid. It involves successive hypotheses that j = 1, 2,…, fits to the corresponding titration-curve equations, and scrutiny of the resulting deviation patterns. Logical decisions are based on both the existence and position of a region in which the deviations are much larger than the estimated standard error of measurement.
T-Helper 1 and T-Helper 2 Cytokine Responses in Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Following Enteric Reovirus Infection

Abstract Enteric infection of mice with reovirus serotype 1 elicits antibody and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). This led to the hypothesis that T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) responses develop in GALT. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reactions on RNA from Peyer's patches (PP), intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), and lamina propria (LP) lymphocytes demonstrated that interferon (IFN)-γ message was increased in PP and IEL, but not in LP following infection. No increase in mRNA for interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, or IL-6 was detected. IFN-γ, IL-5, and IL-6 were produced in in vitro cultures of PP 4–10 days postinfection. PP and spleen lymphocytes from infected mice produced IFN-γ, but no IL-5 following in vitro restimulation. Infection also induced production of mRNA for the β2 chain of the IL-12 receptor in PP. We conclude that reovirus induces robust Th1 and weak Th2 cell responses in GALT.
Fault‐tolerant teleoperation systems design

Purpose – The objective of this study is to enhance the usage of teleoperation fields, such as in nuclear site decommissioning or nuclear waste disposal, by designing a stable, dependable and fault‐tolerant teleoperation system in the face of “extraordinary” conditions. These “extraordinary” conditions can be classified as variable time delays in communications lines, usage of different robotic systems, component failures and changes in the system parameters during task execution.Design/methodology/approach – This paper first gives a review of teleoperation systems developed earlier. Later, fault tolerance is proposed for use in teleoperation systems at the processor, actuator, sub‐system, and system levels. Position/force control algorithms are recommended to address stability issues when there is a loss in communications. Various other controls are also introduced to overcome the instability experienced when there is a time delay in the communications line.Findings – Finally, this work summarizes the te...
Wideband, electrically-small, planar, coupled subwavelength resonator antenna with an embedded matching network

Magnetically coupled (even-mode) D-rings are subwavelength resonators that exhibit strong coupling to radiation. As such, they offer the potential to implement an efficient and electrically small antenna (ESA). However, a significant challenge has been to achieve an impedance match to 50Ω while driving the D-rings. In this paper, we present an ESA comprised of D-rings that are driven by an effective inter-digital monopole and an embedded matching network. The implemented ESA has a footprint of 1/10λ×1/14 λ and experimental results reveal a wide operational bandwidth of 1.0GHz–1.75GHz.
Automated Tracking of Whiskers in Videos of Head Fixed Rodents

We have developed software for fully automated tracking of vibrissae (whiskers) in high-speed videos (>500 Hz) of head-fixed, behaving rodents trimmed to a single row of whiskers. Performance was assessed against a manually curated dataset consisting of 1.32 million video frames comprising 4.5 million whisker traces. The current implementation detects whiskers with a recall of 99.998% and identifies individual whiskers with 99.997% accuracy. The average processing rate for these images was 8 Mpx/s/cpu (2.6 GHz Intel Core2, 2 GB RAM). This translates to 35 processed frames per second for a 640 px×352 px video of 4 whiskers. The speed and accuracy achieved enables quantitative behavioral studies where the analysis of millions of video frames is required. We used the software to analyze the evolving whisking strategies as mice learned a whisker-based detection task over the course of 6 days (8148 trials, 25 million frames) and measure the forces at the sensory follicle that most underlie haptic perception.
Pushing back against paper-park pushers – Reply to Craigie et al.

Author(s): McCauley, DJ; Young, HS; Power, EA; Bird, DW; Durham, WH; McInturff, A; Dunbar, RB; Micheli, F; Young, HS
Non-Linear Behaviour of Foam Cores and Sandwich Materials, Part 1: Materials and Modelling:

The paper develops the modelling used to evaluate the non-linear behaviour of two-dimensional test specimens of foams or foam sandwich materials. The stress-strain curves derived from the different...
Greater sensitivity to nonaccidental than metric changes in the relations between simple shapes in the lateral occipital cortex.

Abstract Behavioral studies and single cell recordings in monkey inferotemporal cortex have documented greater sensitivity to differences in viewpoint invariant or nonaccidental properties (e.g., straight vs. curved), than metric properties (e.g., degree of curvature) of simple shapes. Are we similarly more sensitive to nonaccidental (NAP) than metric (MP) differences of the relations between objects? We addressed this question with sets of scene triplets that could, from a reference or “Base” scene (e.g., a brick slightly separated from a cylinder), undergo a NAP relational change (e.g., the brick attached to the cylinder) or an MP relational change (e.g., the brick further separated from the cylinder). Critically, both relational variations were matched in physical dissimilarity using pixel energy and the Gabor-jet system, a model of V1 similarity. In an adaptive staircase match-to-sample paradigm, subjects required more than double the presentation durations for detecting differences in MP than NAP relations to achieve equivalent levels of accuracy. In two fMRI experiments, NAP changes consistently produced greater responses in the lateral occipital cortex (LO), but not in earlier retinotopic stages, compared to MP changes, implicating LO as the potential neural locus for where the greater detectability of the differences of NAPs than MPs is made explicit. HMAX, a model of cell tuning in higher-level ventral visual areas, did not consistently reflect the marked NAP advantage witnessed in behavioral performance and in LO responses.
A Business Perspective on IP: Open Innovation vs. Open Source in Commercializing Biotechnology

Abstract â€“ In this article, we address the issues that are involved when developing a strategy for commercializing a discovery that is novel, useful, and non-obvious to someone skilled in the art.Â Patent(s) may be used as one means of providing a competitive advantage, and in addition this method is quite common as a means to monetize the intellectual asset.Â Alternatively, a more â€œopen-sourceâ€ method may be employed as is more typical in dealing with software products or services â€“ thereby opening up the field to collaboration and widespread use.Â However, other means must then be developed to monetize the asset whether it involves a â€œhardwareâ€ component, software, or both. We argue that to answer these questions, one needs to be very strategic in framing the business model that would be most successful in commercializing the particular discovery keeping in mind that wide dissemination of the innovation is the objective. We focus on issues prevalent for innovation in biopharma, medtech, and medical IT, where high risk, long life cycle, capital-intensive investments are required for commercial introduction.
Structural property variations in the MnOMnS system

Abstract Pellet porosity and specific surface area variations caused both by sintering and chemical reaction have been determined for the manganese oxide-manganese sulfide system. Sintering data for the pure solids have been correlated as a function of time and temperature; property variations due to reaction were determined at low temperature where sintering was unimportant. The separate correlations have been combined in a manner such that reasonable predictions of properties in a mixed oxide-sulfide system subject to simultaneous reaction and sintering are possible. All parameter correlations are in a form suitable for inclusion in an appropriate gas-solid reaction model. While the numerical results are specific to the system studied, the methodology should be generally applicable to gas-solid reaction systems where property variations must be considered.
XACML Function Annotations

XACML is being increasingly adopted in large enterprise systems for specifying access control policies. However, the efficient analysis and integration of multiple policies in such large distributed systems still remains a difficult task. In this paper, we propose an annotation technique which is a simple extension to XACML, and may greatly benefit the policy analysis process. We also discuss an important consistency problem during XACML policy translation and point out a few possible research directions.
Intelligent design and application of on load capacity-regulating distribution transformer

On load capacity-regulating distribution transformer as an energy-saving distribution transformer, which includes automation control technology, communication and computer. It solves the problem that light-load and over load because of the season load in rural distribution transformer. At the same time, it can monitor the running condition of the transformer, and store automatically acquisition data and event record. From two parts of hardware and software to complete on load capacity-regulating distribution transformer intelligent design scheme, to ensure its safe and economic operation. By calculate analyse the comprehensive benefits, compared with the common transformer, the energy-saving effect is considerable, the economical benefits is obvious, which has engineering application value.
Zoledronic acid treatment of osteoporosis: effects in men.

ABSTRACT Objective To study changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and a bone resorption marker in elderly men who received off-label zoledronic acid for osteoporosis treatment. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 50 male veterans who had received at least one 4-mg intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid and had BMD measurements at 2 of 3 skeletal sites both before the infusion and at a mean of 2.2 years after the infusion. Patients were classified into those who had never received bisphosphonate therapy versus those who had previously received such treatment. Results In our study population, 66% of patients had been prescribed orally administered bisphosphonates or intravenously administered pamidronate before receiving zoledronic acid. Larger increases in spine BMD (6.7% versus 3.4% [P Conclusion Our data suggest that 4 mg of intravenously administered zoledronic acid is an effective treatment for increasing BMD in a “real-world” population of men with osteoporosis. The prolonged suppression of urinary NTx after zoledronic acid infusion raises the question of whether this treatment could be given less frequently than every year. The changes seen in BMD during a mean period of 2 years were similar to those reported in clinical studies with alendronate therapy in men and zoledronic acid treatment in women. (Endocr Pract. 2010;16:960-967)
Additive group contributions to density and glass transition temperature in polyurethanes

The method of additive properties was applied to the density and glass transition temperature, T g , of linear amorphous polyurethanes. This method assumes that certain polymer properties result from the additive effects of unique constituent group properties and that these group properties are independent of their environment. To determine the component properties, 14 model polyurethanes were synthesized. The polymers contained only the following four groups: urethane, phenylene, methylene, and ether oxygen. The densities and T g 's of these polymers were measured. Using these measured values, the known composition of each polymer, and an appropriate additive form, the molar component properties were calculated using a matrix least-squares simultaneous fit algorithm. An error analysis confirmed that the component values were determined with greater accuracy than literature results. The densities ranged from 1.0 to 1.2 g/cm 3 and measured versus predicted densities agreed to within 0.3% on the average. T g 's ranged from -70°C to 70°C and measured versus predicted T g 's agreed to within 1.3% on the average.
Comparing Leaders' Ratings to Targets' Self-Reported Resistance to Task Assignments: An Extension of Chester Barnard's Zones of Indifference:

This description and preliminary test of target resistance compared leaders' with targets' ratings of the targets' willingness to perform the nature of tasks assigned by leaders. Barbuto's concentric zones were used to test this difference in perceived resistance. The concentric zones--Preference, Indifference, Legitimate, Influence, and Noninfluence--were examined from both leaders' and targets' perspectives. Response from 201 leaders and targets demonstrated that leaders and followers generally reported the anticipated resistance of assigned tasks differently. Specifically, leaders rated the tasks they assigned to targets as less enjoyable, undesirable, more above the call of duty, and more likely to be resisted than targets self-reported.
Comparison of the testicular effects of 2-methoxyethanol (ME) in rats and guinea pigs.

Abstract Glycol ethers produce both hemato-and testicular toxicity in animals, which is dependent on both the alkyl chain length and animal species used. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol, BE) causes hemolytic anemia in rats but not in guinea pigs, and red blood cells from both guinea pigs and humans are minimally affected in vitro by the active metabolite 2-butoxyacetic acid. This demonstrates the importance of animal species selection for assessing human risk to BE exposure. 2-Methoxyethanol (ME) produces testicular lesions in rats characterized primarily by the degeneration of spermatocytes undergoing meiotic division with minimal or no hemolytic changes. Because of the differential hemolytic response to BE between rats and guinea pigs, the present study addressed whether the testicular response to ME was similarly dichotomous. Adult rats or guinea pigs were given a single dose of either 200 or 300 mg ME/kg by gavage, and testicular and hemolytic changes were assessed 24 hr after treatment. Testis histology in rats showed dose-dependent degeneration of dividing spermatocytes in stage XIV tubules as expected, with only minimal hemolytic changes, also as expected. In contrast, no testicular or hemolytic effects were observed in guinea pigs 24 hr after either single ME dose. In a subsequent study, a single dose or multiple (3 daily) doses of 200 mg ME/kg were given, and animals were examined at 4 days after the start of treatment. Testes from rats given both single and multiple ME doses showed, as expected, tubules depleted of spermatocytes and early spermatids. In guinea pigs, spermatocyte degeneration was observed in stage III/IV tubules for both dosing schemes, but was much less severe and widespread and differed from rats in morphological characteristics, specifically in the appearance of nuclear chromatin degeneration. In the rat, degenerating spermatocytes showed uniformly condensed and dispersed chromatin, while in the guinea pig they showed marked chromatin condensation at the nuclear periphery. No hemolytic changes were observed in either species or dosing scheme. In summary, although ME-associated testicular lesions were observed in both species, they differed significantly in onset, characteristics, and severity. Both the nature of the differential testicular response to ME and a comparison to the in vitro human testicular response to the active metabolite 2-methoxyacetic acid are subjects of future study.
Mycobacterial FurA is a negative regulator of catalase-peroxidase gene katG.

Summary In several bacteria, the catalase‐peroxidase gene katG is under positive control by oxyR, a transcriptional regulator of the peroxide stress response. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome also contains sequences corresponding to oxyR, but this gene has been inactivated in the tubercle bacillus because of the presence of multiple mutations and deletions. Thus, M. tuberculosis katG and possibly other parts of the oxidative stress response in this organism are either not regulated or are controlled by a factor different from OxyR. The mycobacterial FurA is a homologue of the ferric uptake regulator Fur and is encoded by a gene located immediately upstream of katG. Here, we examine the possibility that FurA regulates katG expression. Inactivation of furA on the Mycobacterium smegmatis chromosome, a mycobacterial species that also lacks an oxyR homologue, resulted in derepression of katG, concomitant with increased resistance of the furA mutant to H2O2 .I n addition, M. smegmatis furA::Km r was more sensitive to the front-line antituberculosis agent isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) compared with the parental furA 1 strain. The phenotypic manifestations were specific, as the mutant strain did not show altered sensitivity to organic peroxides, and both H2O2 and INH susceptibility profiles were complemented by the wild-type furA 1 gene. We conclude that FurA is a second regulator of oxidative stress response in mycobacteria and that it negatively controls katG .I n species lacking a functional oxyR, such as M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis, FurA appears to be a dominant regulator affecting mycobacterial physiology and intracellular survival.
Diamonds in the. Dyalpur Meteorite

Diamond was found by x-ray diffraction techniques in the Dyalpur stone; this is the fourth meteorite in which this mineral has been discovered. The diamond crystallites resemble those of Novo-Urei more than those of Goalpara.
Multichain Markov decision processes with a sample path constraint: a decomposition approach

We consider finite-state finite-action Markov decision processes which accumulate both a reward and a cost at each decision epoch. We study the problem of finding a policy that maximizes the expected long-run average reward subject to the constraint that the long-run average cost be no greater than a given value with probability one. We establish that if there exists a policy that meets the constraint, then there exists an e-optimal stationary policy. Furthermore, an algorithm is outlined to locate the e-optimal stationary policy. The proof of the result hinges on a decomposition of the state space into maximal recurrent classes and a set of transient states.
Preserving and maintaining the concept of Letchworth Garden City

In 1903, the world's first garden city was founded in Hertfordshire, England. The utopian dream to combine the best of town and country living was about to be progressed from concept to reality. A hundred and ten years later, Letchworth Garden City is a thriving town of 33,000 people who enjoy living in a place of beauty, underpinned by a strong sense of identity and community. This paper examines how the legacy of the original garden city masterplan by Parker and Unwin is protected. It considers how the town manages its architectural heritage while striving to maintain its economic viability and responsiveness to today's challenges. The paper also discusses how a Community Benefit Society – The Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation – manages the town's social reinvestment model, which ensures that commercial earnings within the town are shared for the benefit of local communities. The paper looks at the Heritage Foundation's governance structure and how it is accountable to the local residents and b...
Morphine Priming Rescues High-Dose Morphine-Induced Biological Perturbations

In in vitro studies, macrophage morphine priming (MP; preincubation with low-dose morphine) attenuated the effects of high-dose morphine (HDM) on macrophage capabilities of killing and containment of phagocytosed bacteria. In in vivo studies, mice received either normal saline (control), HDM, or MP twice daily for 10 consecutive days. All HDM-treated mice showed a significant peritoneal bacterial leak; none of the control and only 2 of 12 mice receiving MP showed peritoneal bacterial leak. HDM-treated mice showed decreased macrophage migration into the peritoneal cavity; however, MP inhibited this effect. In in vitro studies, macrophages and bone-marrow cells harvested from HDM-treated mice showed not only enhanced apoptosis but also decreased migration across the filter of a Boyden chamber; nevertheless, MP inhibited these effects of HDM. MP also attenuated the proapoptotic effect of HDM; however, this effect was prevented by treatment with pyrrolidine derivative of dithiocarnamate, an inhibitor of nuclear factor- kappa B. These results suggest that MP provides protection against HDM-induced degradation of the host defense barrier through preservation of macrophage function.
A diverse pattern of the spike threshold changes in feline gastrocnemius-soleus motoneurons during stretch reflex activation

The aim of the study was to define the spike threshold changes in motoneurons during naturally evoked activation. Spike activity was evoked in the gastrocnemius-soleus motoneurons of decerebrate cats by controlled stretches of the homonymous muscles. The spike thresholds were defined by using the first derivative of the membrane potential and statistical boundaries of its change. The evoked firing was analyzed in terms of the spike thresholds and the membrane potential trajectories between spikes, which were dependent on the intensity of the firing. The main inference of the study is the absence of a single-valued dependence between the spike rates and thresholds; the last ones can both increase and decrease with a rise in the firing rate; moreover, opposite directions in the threshold changes are often observed at various phases of the stretch-evoked firing. The dependency of the spike thresholds on firing rates was checked in 42 of the total set of 57 motoneurons. In a group of cells (n = 27) showing statistically significant correlation (P < 0.05), this parameter was negative in 18 and positive in 9 motoneurons. The obtained results indicate that the threshold-crossing models with a single-valued dependency of the spike thresholds on the firing rates are not completely suitable to analyze the spike generation processes in the motor unit records.
Accommodating Variation: Dialects, Idiolects, and Speech Processing

Listeners are faced with enormous variation in pronunciation, yet they rarely have difficulty understanding speech. Although much research has been devoted to figuring out how listeners deal with variability, virtually none (outside of sociolinguistics) has focused on the source of the variation itself. The current experiments explore whether different kinds of variation lead to different cognitive and behavioral adjustments. Specifically, we compare adjustments to the same acoustic consequence when it is due to context-independent variation (resulting from articulatory properties unique to a speaker) versus context-conditioned variation (resulting from common articulatory properties of speakers who share a dialect). The contrasting results for these two cases show that the source of a particular acoustic-phonetic variation affects how that variation is handled by the perceptual system. We also show that changes in perceptual representations do not necessarily lead to changes in production.
Reflexivity in Others’ Contexts: An Introduction

It has become commonplace in anthropology to view ones' interlocutors during fieldwork as social analysts, whose own insights into their situation affect the ways in which their relationships unfol...
Sediment distribution around the Bouvet triple junction

Abstract Some features of the sediment distribution pattern and the seismic reflection profiles around the Bouvet triple junction in the South Atlantic Ocean may be most simply accounted for by bottom currents flowing northeastwards through the Bouvet fracture zone.
Startle modulation during conscious emotion regulation is arousal-dependent.

Conscious regulation of negative emotion has been shown to affect human eyeblink startle responses, but whether these results depend on modulation of arousal- or valence-based processes is unknown. The authors presented participants with negative, neutral, and positive pictures and directed them to enhance, maintain, and suppress emotional responses. On emotional picture trials, startle responses decreased as a function of cue in the following order: enhance maintain suppress. Analysis of negative and positive picture trials separately revealed similar patterns of startle modulation by emotion regulation. There were no effects of emotion regulation on neutral trials. Results indicate that arousal, not valence, may be critical to startle modulation via conscious emotion regulation.
Laser-induced fluorescence measurements for plasma processing

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) has been used in plasmas for over 20 years and in plasma processing for about 10 years. Complexity and expense of this non-invasive diagnostic have limited it to laboratories although diode lasers offer hope for real-time processing metrology. LIF offers time- and space-resolved ion distribution functions, allowing study of plasma thermodynamics and transport and calibration of energy analyzers and mass flow probes. LIF was applied to an RF ion beam source (Veeco/Ion Tech). Ion distributions are compared with energy analyzer results and manufacturer's estimates. LIF distributions show narrower beam velocity spread, and better resolution, than energy analyzers. Beam ion energy can be measured rather than relying on manufacturer's estimate. Spatial resolution of LIF has permitted measurement of multidimensional ion velocity distributions in the bulk, and entering the sheath, near a conducting boundary wall.
Investigating the balance of reporting maternal and infant outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth Cochrane reviews.

Objective To summarize the overall conclusions of Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group (PCG) reviews where interventions have different effects on maternal and infant outcomes. Methods PCG reviews were analyzed and primary outcomes extracted and categorized by maternal and infant outcomes. The overall conclusions were categorized depending on whether they follow the benefit or harm for one group or are inconclusive due to the discrepancy. Results A total of 451 current PCG reviews were assessed out of which 206 were analyzed. In general, the overall conclusions of reviews followed both beneficial and harmful outcomes. Around 58 (28.2%) recommended the intervention, 60 (29.1%) discouraged the intervention, and 88 (42.7%) were inconclusive. Total 10 Reviews reported opposing maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. Six (60%) contained inconclusive final recommendations. Three of the remaining four (75%) had a summary recommendation following the fetal/neonatal outcome. We did not detect bias based on whether the author group was obstetric or pediatric providers. Conclusion The final author conclusions in PCG reviews generally follow the overall assessment of maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. There were, however, a large number of inconclusive final recommendations in PCG reviews. These findings highlight the fact that many interventions represent trade-offs between maternal and fetal outcomes.
Psychogenic movement disorders

Psychogenic movement disorders are one of the most challenging conditions encountered by clinicians. Patients with these disorders represent the overlap of psychiatry and neurology and need care from these specialties. Issues within the patient’s family, questions about secondary gain, and prejudices among other clinicians often complicate evaluation and treatment. Diagnosis is further complicated by lack of laboratory and other tests to reliably diagnose movement disorders; most movement disorders are diagnosed based on history and clinical phenomena. Treatment is best conducted within the context of a multidisciplinary team experienced in working with these patients and with one another. Identification and treatment of underlying psychopathology, such as major depression or anxiety disorders, is also of great importance.
Price Behavior in Ancient Babylon

Abstract This article analyzes the longest continuous price data from the ancient world, which come from ancient Babylon and stretch from almost 500 BCE to beyond 100 BCE. The analysis confirms the interpretation in 18 that they are market prices. It shows that the prices of agricultural goods moved in a random walk. They rose sharply after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE and more gradually toward the end of the period. The author suggests that both price rises resulted from breakdowns in the ruling government.
Visna virus DNA: Discovery of a novel gapped structure

Abstract We have analyzed the structure of visna virus DNA synthesized during the life cycle of this lytic virus in confluent cultures of sheep choroid plexus cells. Viral DNA is of predominantly two forms: A linear duplex of about 6 million daltons corresponding to a transcript of viral RNA of subunit size; and, a structure with a gap in the center comprised of a full-length minus strand, and two long plus strands that together are about 300–500 bases shorter than the minus strand. A physical map of the linear DNA derived with restriction enzymes was ordered with respect to viral RNA, and the DNA was shown to bear terminal repeats of 350–450 nucleotides. Two circular forms of visna DNA differing only by the length of one terminal repeat also were detected, but constituted a very minor population. We discuss the relationship of these observations with this prototype of the lentiviruses to those recorded for transforming retroviruses.
Electrochemistry of Single Nanoparticles via Electrocatalytic Amplification

Recent experiments on the observation of colli- sions of single nanoparticles (NPs) with an electrode through amplification of the current by electrocatalysis are described. Systems in which the particles adhere to the elec- trode upon collision produce a step and staircase response, while those in which particles only interact for a short time with the electrode produce a spike or blip, with little change in the steady state current. Examples of both behaviors, e. g., Pt NPs on a Au electrode for hydrazine oxidation (staircase response) and IrOx NPs on a Pt electrode for water oxidation (blip response) are shown. Controlling the nature of the electrode surface is important in generating useful responses, for example, in the case of gold NPs on an oxidized Pt electrode for borohydride oxidation.
Improvement of Sub-Pixel Position Sensing in Nonuniform Large-Volume Pixelated CdZnTe Crystals

In pixelated 3-D position sensitive CdZnTe detectors, the Compton imaging performance highly depends on the accuracy of the reconstructed 3-D interaction positions. The lateral position resolution is traditionally limited by the anode pixel pitch. The use of transient signals from the pixels that do not collect charge can give a more precise lateral interaction position estimate. Material defects and electric field nonuniformity are present in many large-volume CdZnTe crystals. These detector nonuniformities can severely degrade the accuracy of the sub-pixel position algorithm. It is observed that the rise time of the collecting anode signal tends to be longer for the pixels with nonuniform electron drift velocities. This is likely due to diffusion or trapping and detrapping of the electron cloud as it passes through a region with very low drift velocity. In a nonuniform detector, the sub-pixel position distribution was significantly improved by removing the signals with rise time greater than 500 ns. It is shown that rise time is a good indicator of material nonuniformity and imaging performance. When only events with appropriate rise time of anode signals are used, even poor detector material can yield excellent sub-pixel position information, improving the gamma-ray imaging performance. The sub-pixel position and C/A ratio were calculated based on the digitized preamplifier pulse waveforms from the collecting and non-collecting anode pixels.
Chromosomal abnormalities in 2 cases of testicular failure.

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the underlying chromosomal abnormalities of testicular failure using molecular cytogenetic analysis. We report 2 cases of rare genetic anomalies that resulted in hypogonadism. The first patient presented with severe hypogonadism. Chromosome analysis revealed a mosaic 46,X,r(Y) (p11.3q11.23)/45,X karyotype, with a ring Y chromosome. A Y chromosome microdeletion assay showed a deletion in the azoospermia factor a region. The second patient presented with infertility and nonobstructive azoospermia. Cytogenetic and fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis revealed a 47,XY,+mar.ish i(15) (D15Z1++,SNRPN2,PML2) karyotype, with a small supernumerary chromosome derived from chromosome 15. These results emphasize the need for molecular cytogenetic evaluation in patients with testicular failure before using advanced reproductive techniques.
Macrophage colony-stimulating factor suppresses osteoblast formation.

Abstract We provide the first evidence that the bone marrow-derived cytokine, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), inhibits the formation of bone-forming osteoblasts. We examined both osteoclast and osteoblast formation in primary rat bone marrow cultures. As expected, M-CSF together with osteoprotegerin ligand (OPGL) markedly accelerated osteoclastogenesis. In contrast, treatment with M-CSF alone yielded no osteoclasts at any time. The most striking and novel observation was that M-CSF with or without OPGL dramatically suppressed osteoblast formation. In separate experiments, estradiol markedly suppressed osteoclast formation in the M-CSF/OPGL-treated cultures independently of osteoblasts. Consistent with this was the expression of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and ERβ mRNA in osteoclast precursors. We therefore conclude that in addition to the well-known action of M-CSF to modulate osteoclastogenesis, this cytokine may also regulate osteoblast formation.
Phylogenetic footprinting reveals unexpected complexity in trans factor binding upstream from the epsilon-globin gene

Abstract The human epsilon-globin gene undergoes dramatic changes in transcriptional activity during development, but the molecular factors that control its high expression in the embryo and its complete repression at 6-8 weeks of gestation are unknown. Although a putative silencer has been identified, the action of this silencer appears to be necessary but not sufficient for complete repression of epsilon gene expression, suggesting that multiple control elements may be required. Phylogenetic footprinting is a strategy that uses evolution to aid in the elucidation of these multiple control points. The strategy is based on the observation that the characteristic developmental expression pattern of the epsilon gene is conserved in all placental mammals. By aligning epsilon genomic sequences (from -2.0 kb upstream to the epsilon polyadenylylation signal), conserved sequence elements that are likely binding sites for trans factors can be identified against the background of neutral DNA. Twenty-one such conserved elements (phylogenetic footprints) were found upstream of the epsilon gene. Oligonucleotides spanning these conserved elements were used in a gel-shift assay to reveal 47 nuclear binding sites. Among these were 8 binding sites for YY1 (yin and yang 1), a protein with dual (activator or repressor) activity; 5 binding sites for the putative stage selector protein, SSP; and 7 binding sites for an as yet unidentified protein. The large number of high-affinity interactions detected in this analysis further supports the notion that the epsilon gene is regulated by multiple redundant elements.