cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Flexible mate choice

Traditionally, investigators and theorists have supposed that mate choice is directional and fixed within a species as well as static within individuals over time. Lately, accumulating evidence shows that mate choice is often flexible, so that individuals change their behavior, depending on the social or ecological situation they experience. Thus, accepting or rejecting potential mates (being choosy or indiscriminate) may change as a function of environmental factors, social interactions, and the condition of the chooser. Recent theory proposes that animals should change their mate choice adaptively moment by moment in response to changes in environmental, internal, and social factors. Future research will explore gene–environment interactions in mate assessment, as well as choosy and indiscriminate behavior and thus discern genetic, context-dependent, and chance effects of mate choice on fitness variances.
Grading the Performance of Market-Timing Newsletters

Many investment newsletters offer market-timing advice; that is, they are supposed to recommend increased stock market weights before market appreciations and decreased weights before market declines. Examination of the performance of 326 newsletter asset-allocation strategies for the 1983–95 period shows that as a group, newsletters do not appear to possess any special information about the future direction of the market. Nevertheless, investment newsletters that are on a hot streak (have correctly anticipated the direction of the market in previous recommendations) may provide valuable information about future returns.
Scaling Behavior for Device-to-Device Communications With Distributed Caching

We analyze a novel architecture for caching popular video content to enable wireless device-to-device (D2D) collaboration. We focus on the asymptotic scaling characteristics and show how they depend on video content popularity statistics. We identify a fundamental conflict between collaboration distance and interference and show how to optimize the transmission power to maximize frequency reuse. Our main result is a closed form expression of the optimal collaboration distance as a function of the model parameters. Under the common assumption of a Zipf distribution for content reuse, we show that if the Zipf exponent is greater than 1, it is possible to have a number of D2D interference-free collaboration pairs that scales linearly in the number of nodes. If the Zipf exponent is smaller than 1, we identify the best possible scaling in the number of D2D collaborating links. Surprisingly, a very simple distributed caching policy achieves the optimal scaling behavior.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PLAGIOCLASE-DOMINANT CORONAS ON GARNET, WENATCHEE BLOCK, NORTHERN CASCADES, WASHINGTON, U.S.A.

La presence de couronnes developpees sur le grenat, telle que decrites a plusieurs localites du socle cristallin de la partie nord des Cascades, aux Etats-Unis, a ete interpretee en termes d'une exhumation rapide, associee au soulevement regional a la fin du Cretace et au Paleogene precoce. Les filons de granodiorite voisins des massifs de tonalite et de gabbro, dans les parties sud et centrale de cette meme ceinture, contiennent des couronnes de plagioclase a grains fins sur cristaux de grenat. Ici et la, ces couronnes sont fortement deformees, et donc devenues des ellipses, avec un rapport des aspects de 1:1.8:3.1. La matrice autour des couronnes contient l'assemblage biotite + plagioclase + quartz + ilmenite + apatite + zircon ′ allanite ′ muscovite ′ sillimanite. Le grenat est fortement zone, avec un trace de composition simple ou complexe. Le grenat simplement zone contient une variation du coeur a la bordure: 70-81% almandin, 7-10% pyrope, 10-2% spessartine, 14-8% grossular, sans inversions en zonation pres de la bordure (c'est-a-dire, sans augmentation de Mn), et serait du a une zonation au cours de la croissance metamorphique. Les exemples de zonation complexe resulteraient de re-equilibrage des grains du centre par diffusion, et d'une surcroissance sur les grains precoces. Le plagioclase dans tous les echantillons est surtout xenomorphe et homogene, mais plusieurs grains ont des inclusions de petits noyaux de composition An 6 0 - 7 0 ayant une zonation oscillatoire, que nous interpretons comme des reliques de phenocristaux. La composition et la texture du plagioclase, et les contraintes exercees par les reactions parmi les mineraux venant des equilibres de phases. sont en general davantage compatibles avec une croissance du grenat par remplacement du plagioclase calcique igne avec chlorite par un "nouveau" plagioclase a plus faible teneur en Ca (An 4 0 ) avec grenat. Une progression incomplete de la reaction. comme l'indique la persistance de couronnes et de "reliques" de plagioclase primaire, pourrait temoigner d'une diminution abrupte de la temperature, peut-etre meme avec perte de fluide. Les observations texturales et les donnees sur la composition des mineraux etayent l'interpretation voulant que ces couronnes a dominance de plagioclase autour du grenat dans la ceinture centrale du socle des Cascades se sont developpees au cours de l'episode M 3 de metamorphisme prograde, apres la mise en place du batholite de Mount Stuart, et non tardivement, lors de la decompression.
A new approach to the effective preparation of plasma samples for rapid drug quantitation using on-line solid phase extraction mass spectrometry.

A procedure that permits rapid development of an optimized solid phase extraction (SPE) method for the analysis of drugs in plasma by on-line solid phase extraction-mass spectrometry (SPE-MS) has been developed. This procedure employs the concept of manipulating the pH and the percentage of organic solvent in the chromatographic mobile phase to affect the retention behaviors of both the matrix components and the analytes of interest. This resulted in the effective removal of matrix interferences from biological samples during SPE. During a the method development, only generic HPLC gradient approaches were needed, and multiple samples were pooled so that several SPE methods could be investigated at once. The analysis time per sample was 1.3 minutes. Thus, the time involved in the entire method development (analysis of a set of samples) was less than one hour. With the knowledge of the retention behaviors of the analytes with respect to the pH and the percentage of organic, it was then possible to compose an optimized SPE-MS method. This method consisted of a base/organic and then an acid/organic washing step, followed by a rapid gradient elution step. Due to the rigorous washing procedure, most matrix interferences were removed, and analytes eluted off the SPE sorbent suffered from very little matrix interference. Thus, quantitation of drugs in plasma by a single quadrupole mass spectrometer could be accomplished, something that was not possible when only a generic gradient was used for on-line SPE-MS. In addition, both external and internal calibration curves could be obtained for the concentration range from 5 to 500 ng/mL with correlation coefficients of 0.99 (using 1/x as a weighting factor) and relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 10%. The results achieved were comparable to those obtained by the use of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Moreover, the robustness of the method was tested by continuously injecting plasma samples. During 136 runs, the absolute peak area variation for these three basic drugs was less than 15% without taking the signal variation from the mass spectrometer into account. Significantly, the on-line developed method can be directly transferred to a 96-well format SPE plate.
Inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism by antipyrine and 4-aminoantipyrine

Antipyrine and 4-aminoantipyrine are used to determine uterine and umbilical blood flows. When administered in vivo, these compounds produce a decrease in uterine contracture activity and maternal uterine vein 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha concentrations. In this paper we report that they also inhibit in vitro activity of prostaglandin synthase in bovine seminal microsomes.
Optically Pumped and Monitored Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance in Alkali halides

We describe the technique and features of electron-nuclear double-resonance-style resonance measurements in alkali halide $F$ centers using optical pumping and optical monitoring detection of the resonance. Greater sensitivity, ability to see low-field resonances, and greater simplicity in choosing desirable fields and frequencies are the main features of the technique.
An extremal problem and an estimation of the Wronskian of certain Jacobi polynomials

We study an extremal problem related to "splitted" Jacobi weights: for α,β>0, find the largest value of maxx?-1,1](1+x)βpm(x)2+(1-x)αqn(x)2] among all polynomials pm and qn of degree at most m and n, respectively, satisfying?-11(1+x)βpm(x)2+(1-x)αqn(x)2]dx=1.We show that the solution of this problem is related to an estimation of the Christoffel functions and the Wronskians associated with certain Jacobi polynomials.
Acquired mutations in GATA1 in the megakaryoblastic leukemia of Down syndrome.

Children with Down syndrome have a 10–20-fold elevated risk of developing leukemia, particularly acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL)1. While a subset of pediatric AMKLs is associated with the 1;22 translocation and expression of a mutant fusion protein2,3, the genetic alterations that promote Down syndrome–related AMKL (DS-AMKL) have remained elusive. Here we show that leukemic cells from every individual with DS-AMKL that we examined contain mutations in GATA1, encoding the essential hematopoietic transcription factor GATA1 (GATA binding protein 1 or globin transcription factor 1). Each mutation results in the introduction of a premature stop codon in the gene sequence that encodes the amino-terminal activation domain. These mutations prevent synthesis of full-length GATA1, but not synthesis of a shorter variant that is initiated downstream. We show that the shorter GATA1 protein, which lacks the N-terminal activation domain, binds DNA and interacts with its essential cofactor Friend of GATA1 (FOG1; encoded by ZFPM1)4 to the same extent as does full-length GATA1, but has a reduced transactivation potential. Although some reports suggest that the activation domain is dispensable in cell-culture models of hematopoiesis5,6, one study has shown that it is required for normal development in vivo7. Together, these findings indicate that loss of wildtype GATA1 constitutes one step in the pathogenesis of AMKL in Down syndrome.
Sensitivity analysis for Box-Cox power transformation model: Contrast parameters

SUMMARY Sensitivity analysis is an important tool for the evaluation of scientific models. We consider the Box-Cox power transformation model and study the sensitivity for the estimated slope vector when the transformation parameter is perturbed. This is a key issue in the debate among Bickel & Doksum (1981), Box & Cox (1982) and Hinkley & Runger (1984) on the application of the power transformation model. Hinkley & Runger (1984) conjectured that Box & Cox's (1964) z transformation would eliminate asymptotically the sensitivity for the estimated slope vector. We establish this conjecture under appropriate symmetry conditions on the joint distribution for the regressors, x. When the true transformation is logarithmic, the conjecture holds if the distribution for x is axially symmetric. For other power transformations, the conjecture holds if x is multivariate normal. We also consider a weaker version of Hinkley & Runger's conjecture, namely, the z transformation would achieve the best possible reduction in the sensitivity. We establish this weaker conjecture under less restrictive symmetry conditions which only involve the marginal distribution for xfl. Both conjectures might fail when those symmetry conditions are not satisfied. Two examples are given to illustrate the limitations of the conjectures. Sensitivity analysis is an important tool for the evaluation of scientific models. Many scientific models include some nuisance parameters which are not known precisely. It is usually desirable for the model output to be stable with respect to those parameters. The performance of the model can be questionable if the model output is highly sensitive to those parameters. It is therefore useful to carry out a sensitivity analysis, in which those parameters are perturbed, the model output is derived under the perturbed parameters and compared with the model output prior to the perturbation. We will study the sensitivity analysis for the Box-Cox power transformation model with respect to the specific transformation taken. Let {(yi, xi), i = 1, . . . , n} be the observed data, where yi denotes a positive scalar outcome, and xi denotes a p-dimensional row vector of regressors. Let the transformed outcome be
Improvement of the Accuracy of Eddy-Current Testing of the Electric Conductivity of Materials and the Thickness of Dielectric Coatings of the Shells

On the basis of construction of a two-parameter nonlinear model of the inverse transformation function of the “eddy-current primary converter–tested object” system, we propose a method for measuring the specific electric conductivity of materials and the thicknesses of dielectric coatings of the shells. This method guarantees a significant decrease in the errors of evaluation of the indicated parameters in the case of their simultaneous variations during the tests and the improvement of the reliability of the results of diagnostics of the state of the tested object. Moreover, this method enables us to significantly simplify the hardware and software realization of the procedure of testing.
Dynamic fracture under plane wave loading

A new plate impact experiment is presented for studying dynamic fracture processes that occur under sub-microsecond loading. The experiment is designed to provide comparatively straightforward interpretation within the framework of fracture mechanics. A disc containing a mid-plane, pre-fatigued, edge crack that has been propagated halfway across the diameter is impacted by a thin flyer plate of the same material. A compressive pulse propagates through the specimen and reflects from the rear surface as a step, tensile pulse with a duration of 1μs. This plane wave loads the crack and causes initiation and propagation of the crack. The motion of the rear surface is monitored during this event using a laser interferometer system. The location of the crack front is mapped before and after the experiment using a focussed ultrasonic transducer. Experiments have been conducted on a hardened 4340 VAR steel at temperatures ranging from room temperature to — 100°C. Crack advance increases monotonically with increasing impact velocity and with decreasing temperature. Critical values of the stress intensity factor K_Ic are inferred from known elastodynamic solutions and the assumption that the measured crack advance occurs at a constant energy release rate. Fracture modes are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces. A finite difference method is used for numerical simulation of the experiments. The loading is modelled as that of a plane, square, tensile pulse impinging at normal incidence on a semi-infinite crack. Crack advance is assumed to initiate when the crack-tip stress intensity factor reaches the critical value K_Ic. Crack velocities are prescribed corresponding to various fracture models. The predicted motion of the rear surface is found to be in good agreement with the measured motion when the crack velocity is taken to be a constant.
Modulation of the MAP kinase signaling cascade by Raf kinase inhibitory protein

Proteins like Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) that serve as modulators of signaling pathways, either by promoting or inhibiting the formation of productive signaling complexes through protein-protein interactions, have been demonstrated to play an increasingly important role in a number of cell types and organisms. These proteins have been implicated in development as well as the progression of cancer. RKIP is a particularly interesting regulator, as it is a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed protein that has been shown to play a role in growth and differentiation in a number of organisms and can regulate multiple signaling pathways. RKIP is also the first MAP kinase signaling modulator to be identified as playing a role in cancer metastasis, and identification of the mechanism by which it regulates Raf-1 activation provides new targets for therapeutic intervention.
High resolution cold stage for the JEOL 100B and 100C electron microscopes.

Abstract A high resolution, liquid nitrogen-cooled specimen stage has been designed and constructed for use on the JEOL 100B and 100C electron microscopes. This stage will be useful for imaging biological macromolecular arrays in the frozen-hydrated or glucose-embedded states at low temperature. Images thus obtained should have an increased signal-to-noise ratio due to the radiation damage protection offered by low temperature.
Prospective randomized controlled trial of fetal fibronectin on preterm labor management in a tertiary care center.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the rapid fetal fibronectin on the length of hospital stay and the use of preterm labor interventions in a tertiary care center. Study design Women who were seen in the Labor and Delivery Unit with symptoms of preterm labor were assigned randomly to receive fetal fibronectin (n = 46 women) or to preterm labor management without fetal fibronectin (n = 51 women). Physicians were not blinded to the result; groups were compared. Results There was no difference between groups in demographic or obstetric characteristics, the hours spent in labor and delivery, the number of women who were admitted to the antepartum service, the length of stay, or medical interventions. When the results for women with a negative fetal fibronectin test were compared to women with a positive fetal fibronectin test, a significant difference was found in admissions to the antepartum service (P = .032) and the length of stay (P = .008). Conclusions A negative fetal fibronectin test was associated with fewer admissions to the antepartum ward and a shorter length of stay.
Base deficit and oxygen transport in severe preeclampsia

Objective: To evaluate the relationship of anaerobic metabolism, as reflected by the calculated base deficit, with oxygen transport and left ventricular function in women with severe preeclampsia. Methods: Forty women with singleton pregnancies and severe preeclampsia who met prescribed criteria for invasive hemodynamic monitoring had arterial blood gas and hemodynamic values obtained immediately after placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. Oxygen transport indices were stratified according to the admission base deficit. Results: Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong negative correlation between the calculated base deficit and the oxygen delivery index ( r = −0.64), cardiac index ( r = −0.62), and left ventricular stroke work index ( r = −0.58). A baseline maternal base deficit exceeding −8.0 mEq/L consistently predicted fetal acidosis, fetal death, and maternal end-organ ischemic injury. Conclusion: The calculated base deficit reliably reflects maternal oxygen transport dynamics and identifies patients at risk for end-organ injury. Ventricular contractility and oxygen delivery decline with mounting oxygen debt.
Alteration minerals in impact-generated hydrothermal systems – exploring host rock variability

Impact-generated hydrothermal systems have been previously linked to the alteration of Mars’ crust and the production of secondary mineral assemblages seen from orbit. The sensitivity of the resultant assemblages has not yet been evaluated as a function of precursor primary rock compositions. In this work, we use thermochemical modeling to explore the variety of minerals that could be produced by altering several known lithologies based on martian meteorite compositions. For a basaltic host rock lithology (Dhofar 378, Humphrey) the main alteration phases are feldspar, zeolite, pyroxene, chlorite, clay (nontronite, kaolinite), and hematite; for a lherzolithic host rock lithology (LEW 88516) the main alteration phases are amphibole, serpentine, chlorite, clay (nontronite, kaolinite), and hematite; and for an ultramafic host rock lithology (Chassigny) the main minerals are secondary olivine, serpentine, magnetite, quartz, and hematite. These assemblages and proportions of phases in each of those cases depend on W/R and temperature. Integrating geologic, hydrologic and alteration mineral evidence, we have developed a model to illustrate the distribution of alteration assemblages that occur in different levels of an impact structure. At the surface, hot, hydrous alteration affects the ejecta and melt sheet producing clay and chlorite. Deeper in the subsurface and depending on the permeability of the rock, a variety of minerals – smectite, chlorite, serpentine, amphiboles and hematite – are produced in a circulating hydrothermal system. These modeled mineral distributions should assist with interpretation of orbital observations and help guide surface exploration by rovers and sample return assets.
Electric Spark Cross-Excitation in Laser Microprobe-Emission Spectroscopy for Samples of 10–25 μ Diameter

The usefulness of cross-excitation by electric discharge to intensify spectral emission from plasmas generated by a laser micorprobe was extended to a sampling resolution of 10–25 μ without burning the peripheral zone. This proved practical for sampling single biological cells for elemental analysis. It was accomplished by modifications in shape of the carbon electrode tips, their positioning, and the amount of spark energy used in the cross-excitation.
Intact progesterone receptors are essential to counteract the proliferative effect of estradiol in a genetically engineered mouse model of endometriosis.

Objective To determine the role of P and its nuclear receptor PR in the growth of ectopic uterine tissue of mice with or without a disrupted PR gene. Design Animal study. Setting Academic medical center. Animal(s) Female wild-type (WT) and transgenic knockout mice for P receptor (PRKO). Intervention(s) Endometriosis was induced in the following groups of ovariectomized adult mice: [1] untreated WT, [2] estradiol (E 2 )-treated WT, [3] P-treated WT, [4] E 2 + P-treated WT, [5] untreated PRKO, [6] E 2 -treated PRKO, and [7] E 2 + P-treated PRKO (n = 5 in each group). Main outcome measure(s) The size of ectopic uterine tissue in WT and PRKO mice were compared between the groups subjected to treatments with P or E 2 . Tissue proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels were compared among these groups. Results Treatment with P only significantly decreased the size of WT ectopic uterine tissue. The untreated PRKO ectopic uterine tissue was significantly larger than WT tissue. Estradiol increased the size of ectopic uterine tissues, and this E 2 -dependent growth could be suppressed by P in WT tissues but not in PRKO tissues. Finally, the hormone-dependent changes in ectopic uterine tissue size were accompanied by comparable alterations in PCNA levels. Conclusion(s) Intact PR in ectopic uterine tissue is essential to abolish E 2 -dependent or -independent proliferation. We also suggest that ectopic uterine tissue is associated with significantly increased resistance to P action and increased predisposition to E 2 -dependent proliferation in the absence of PR. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that P resistance in human endometriosis may be due to the absence of sufficient levels of functional PR in this tissue.
A case of diphallia.

We report a case of diphallia, associated with imperforate anus and pyloric stenosis. All of these systems can be involved when a single umbilical artery is found. Diphallia is a rare anomaly, occurring once in approximately 5,500,000 births. It has been reported less than seventy-five times.
The three Rs and high school writing instruction: bridging in- and out-of-school writing to reach “struggling writers”

We present a novel take on “the three Rs” – in this case recognition, relevance and renegotiation – as an approach to bridging in- and out-of-school writing practices with struggling high school writers. Our study draws on a year-long research project involving a university literacy instructor co-teaching a composition class in an urban, alternative school for former dropouts. We use socio-cultural and socio-historical literacy theories, in particular the New Literacy Studies framework, to argue that educators need to help students recognize Discourse practices as arbitrary or socially and historically constructed rather than immutable. We need to help students see themselves as successful writers in contexts other than school and begin to draw on various writing conventions in order to renegotiate their status as “novice”, “failing” or “incompetent” writers. In making these efforts, we can help “struggling” students become competent, confident and empowered writers.
Recovery of substance P in the cat spinal cord after unilateral lumbosacral deafferentation

Changes in substance P in the cat spinal cord after deafferentation of the hindlimb were investigated using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. Unilateral lumbosacral dorsal root section (L1-S3) is followed by a decrease in dorsal horn (laminae I, II and V) substance P reaction product which is most marked at 10-11 days. There is no observable change in the ventral horn. The 13 or 15 day survivors demonstrate an increase over that seen at 10-11 days, and still greater amounts appear in the dorsal horn of 1 month survivors. After 1 month there is little further observable increase. The location of the returned reaction product resembles that of normals, but differs in its staining characteristics. Substance P containing cell bodies are observed in normal animals and on intact and deafferented sides of experimentals, suggesting that interneurons and propriospinal fibers may be a source of the returning substance P reaction product. The decrease in dorsal horn substance P at short times after rhizotomy followed by an increase at longer times is consistent with axonal sprouting. If so, then the time course of sprouting parallels that of locomotor recovery and supports the hypothesis that the two phenomena are related.
A General Algorithm for One-Dimensional Knapsack Problems

This paper presents a reduction algorithm and a branch-search algorithm that, in sequence, allow the solution of sizeable problems of the form: maximize âi=1Ncixi, subject to âi=1Nlixi â¦ s and 0 â¦ xi â¦ bi and integer, 1 â¦ i â¦ N. The reduction algorithm is proportional to N in space and proportional to N âi=1Nbi in time. The branch-search algorithm's space requirement is linear in N. Computational experience with these algorithms is presented.
Selective breeding for differential aggression in mice provides evidence for heterochrony in social behaviours

Abstract This research tested the hypothesis that selective breeding for differential aggression in mice produces heterochronic changes in social development. These changes were expected to take the form of a progressive neotenization of attack and freezing in the low line. Given that the effects of selective breeding were unidirectional, developmental trajectories were not expected to change among high-aggression animals. These hypotheses were tested using cross-sectional (generations S 1 , S 4 and S 13 ) and longitudinal evaluations (S 4 and S 13 ) of attack and freezing behaviours in the two lines. The subjects were reared in isolation and observed in a dyadic test (10 min) at the ages of 28–30, 37, 42–45, 72 and 180–280 days. This design permitted us to (1) compare developmental rates in the two lines over generations, (2) determine whether the effects of experience on development changed during the course of selective breeding, and (3) assess whether information on heterochronic changes obtained in a cross-sectional evaluation were preserved when combined to a longitudinal one. Main effects of line, generation, experience and their interactions on developmental functions were estimated using hierarchical linear modelling procedures. The neoteny hypothesis was supported for attack behaviours, both in cross-sectional studies and in combination with longitudinal investigations. Evidence for a paedomorphosis of the freezing response was also obtained in both studies. Replication was possible because experiential effects on development did not change over generations. This research demonstrated that heterochronic changes can be experimentally manipulated and mapped out systematically over generations. Our findings also suggested that heterochronic changes may have their origin in the plasticity of the epigenetic process.
High-Throughput Cell Elastic Modulus Cytometry using Single Diode Laser Bar Optical Stretchers

Cellular elastic properties can be measured by trapping and deforming them using optical stretchers. Dual optical traps were recently shown to be an efficient experimental method to identify cell types and detect disease states from the measured elastic modulus.However, the low throughput associated with such dual optical traps has significantly limited its utility and application due to the need to sequentially isolate and probe individual cells. We have implemented a pseudo steady-state high-throughput optical stretcher that uses single inexpensive diode laser bar to impart anisotropic forces and stretch osmotically swollen bovine erythrocytes in a continuous microfluidic flow at a rate of ∼ 1 cell/second. This measurement rate is a factor of 10-100 higher than previous demonstrations of optical stretching. We also implemented a numerical model, dynamic ray tracing, to simulate the deformation of elastic capsules induced by the single diode laser bar optical stretcher in flow conditions. Finally, we demonstrated how the numerical model is used to determine the elastic modulus of individual cells from experimental measurements of the steady-state deformation. This new optical approach has the potential to be readily integrated with other cytometric technologies, and with the capability of measuring cell populations, thus enabling true mechanical-property based cytometry.
Assessment of plate theories for treating the thermomechanical response of layered plates

Abstract The analytical solution of thermally induced cylindrical bending of layered elastic plates is obtained for a sinusoidal temperature distribution along the span and constant and linear variations across the thickness of the plate. The result is used to assess the accuracy of shear-deformable plate theories in predicting thermal deformation. Two shear-deformable composite plate theories are examined. They are characterized by their kinematics of: (1) the linear variation of in-plane displacements across the entire thickness of the plate without transverse normal strain, and (2) the cubic variation of in-plane displacements across the entire thickness of the plate with nonzero transverse normal strain. Comparisons of the predicted thermal displacements with the exact solution revealed that the plate theories considered experience limitations in accurately predicting the rapid variation of transverse displacement in each layer. The results indicate the need for adopting a plate theory with a cubic variation of in-plane displacements in each layer to improve the prediction of transverse normal displacement.
The function of the accessory sex glands in Periplaneta americana (L.). II. The role of the juvenile hormone in the synthesis of protein and protocatechuic acid glucoside

The left colleterial gland, as part of the accessory sex glands of the adult female cockroach, produces a structural protein and the phenolic tanning agent, protocatechuic acid glucoside. Both are needed for the formation of the egg capsule (ootheca), which contains the eggs of the species. The synthesis of the two compounds is under the control of the corpus allatum hormone. Transplanted colleterial glands are able to synthesize protein and glucoside in adult females; in adult males, however, the transplanted glands are able to synthesize only protein. They do not synthesize glucoside, even under the influence of additional juvenile hormone supplied to the male hosts by injection. Yet males produce enough juvenile hormone to promote the synthesis of protein and glucoside by colleterial gland cultured in female hosts. This was demonstrated by combining in parabiotic fusion adult males with decapitated adult females. The adult female apparently contains a factor which in the presence of juvenile hormone is a prerequisite for glucoside but not for protein synthesis. This factor is apparently also absent in nymphs of both sexes. The dependence of protein synthesis on the juvenile hormone provides a quantitative bioassay for estimating the juvenile hormone titer in all postembryonic stages of development. At present, glucoside synthesis can only be used as an indicator for the juvenile hormone concentration of adult females of different ages. The juvenile hormone presumably acts directly on the tissues of the collecterial glands. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Professor Alfred Kuhn, one of the great biologists of his time, who died in Tubingen, Germany on November 22, 1968.
Results of GLMM-based target detection on the RIT data set

The authors have recently introduced the Generalized Linear Mixing Model (GLMM), which extends the traditional Linear Mixing Model by generalizing the concept of an endmember vector to an endmember subspace. This generalization allows us to model the spectral variability that is present in a given class. The model also naturally includes the use of 'target spaces', which have been previously developed to model the variability of at-sensor radiance for a given library spectrum due to atmospheric and illumination uncertainty. In this paper, we apply the GLMM / target space approach to detecting targets in the recently released RIT test data set. In particular, we give a brief description of the underlying model, and then present our results of applying this model to the RIT data set.
Gas Turbine Combustor Sector Flow Structure

to that of the confinement (85%). Instantaneous particle image velocimetry results reveal that the primary jets control the structure of the primary and the secondary combustor regions. The wake regions and central recirculation zone all maintained their absolute size at different pressure drops.
Enzyme reactions with phenolic compounds: Effects of O-methyltransferase and high pH on the polyphenol oxidase substrates in apple☆☆☆

Abstract An anaerobic methylating treatment with a catechol O-methyltransferase system at pH 8 permanently prevented oxidative darkening of apple juice and fruit sections by modifying their polyphenol oxidase (PPO) substrates. Control non-methylating treatments of juice resulted in normal PPO darkening of endogenous substrates. Similar control treatments applied to fruit sections resulted in less darkening than occurred in untreated sections, and the observed effect resembled that of O-methyltransferase treatment in that the oxidative substrates in the tissue appeared to be permanently modified. This effect on the substrates was found to be entirely a result of the mildly alkaline pH of the system. The possibility that the effect was due to alkaline extraction of PPO substrates from the apple surfaces was shown to be unlikely, suggesting that substrate modification may occur as a result of in situ O-methyltransferase, when it is brought to its active pH range.
Segregation analysis of family data for 15 tests of cognitive ability.

Segregation analysis of 15 tests of cognitive ability administered to 894 families of European ancestry and 366 families of Japanese ancestry gave evidence for a major gene contributing to performance on three tests of spatial ability in both ethnic groups. There was no evidence of major genes segregating in three other tests of spatial ability, or in tests measuring verbal ability, perceptual speed, or memory. The results supported the hypothesis that superior performance on ETS Hidden Patterns (HP) and Raven's Progressive Matrices (PM) is due in part to an autosomal dominant gene that accounts for 32% of the phenotypic variation in HP and 37% of the variation in PM. Evidence for a sex-limited autosomal dominant gene was found for a modification of the Shepard-Metzler Mental Rotations (MR) test, and 48% of the phenotypic variation in MR could be accounted for by this gene.
Wafer-level 3D integration technology

An overview of wafer-level three-dimensional (3D)) integration technology is provided. The basic reasoning for pursuing 3D integration is presented, followed by a description of the possible process variations and integration schemes, as well as the process technology elements needed to implement 3D integrated circuits. Detailed descriptions of two wafer-level integration schemes implemented at IBM are given, and the challenges of bringing 3D integration into a production environment are discussed.
On a certain kind of symmetrization and its applications

A simple new method of symmetrization is defined and the change of various geometrical and physical quantities under this transformation investigated.
Elucidation of the Rotavirus NSP4-Caveolin-1 and -Cholesterol Interactions Using Synthetic Peptides

Rotavirus (RV) NSP4, the first described viral enterotoxin, is a multifunctional glycoprotein that contributes to viral pathogenesis, morphogenesis, and replication. NSP4 binds both termini of caveolin-1 and is isolated from caveolae fractions that are rich in anionic phospholipids and cholesterol. These interactions indicate that cholesterol/caveolin-1 plays a role in NSP4 transport to the cell surface, which is essential to its enterotoxic activity. Synthetic peptides were utilized to identify target(s) of intervention by exploring the NSP4-caveolin-1 and -cholesterol interactions. NSP4112–140 that overlaps the caveolin-1 binding domain and a cholesterol recognition amino acid consensus (CRAC) motif and both termini of caveolin-1 (N-caveolin-12–20, 19–40 and C-caveolin-1161–180) were synthesized. Direct fluorescence-binding assays were employed to determine binding affinities of the NSP4-caveolin-1 peptides and cholesterol. Intracellular cholesterol alteration revealed a redistribution of NSP4 and disintegration of viroplasms. These data further imply interruption of NSP4112–140-N-caveolin-119–40 and cholesterol interactions may block NSP4 intracellular transport, hence enterotoxicity.
Vertical-beam emittance correction with independent component analysis method

The vertical-beam emittance in an electron storage ring is mainly determined by two factors: the linear betatron coupling and the spurious vertical dispersion generated by magnet errors. We find that the contribution of spurious vertical dispersion is larger than that generated by the linear betatron coupling. Using the independent component analysis (ICA) method, we develop stop band corrections to reduce the vertical emittance. We demonstrate our method by making ICA and correction to a quadruple-bend achromatic low emittance lattice. Six families of skew quadrupoles can effectively minimize both the vertical dispersion and the linear betatron coupling.
Interactive Dynamic Graphics for Exploratory Survival Analysis

Abstract The availability of powerful and inexpensive hardware and software for graphical computing makes the use of interactive dynamic graphics feasible for the examination of survival data. The use of these approaches may help the clinical researcher formulate specific hypotheses and select appropriate models. This paper describes some simple techniques, which were implemented in the LISP-STAT environment.
Simulating the effects of fluctuating dissolved oxygen on growth, reproduction, and survival of fish and shrimp

Individuals are commonly exposed to fluctuating levels of stressors, while most laboratory experiments focus on constant exposures. We develop and test a mathematical model for predicting the effects of low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) on growth, reproduction, and survival using laboratory experiments on fish and shrimp. The exposure-effects model simulates the hourly reductions in growth and survival, and the reduction in reproduction (fecundity) at times of spawning, of an individual as it is exposed to constant or hourly fluctuating dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. The model was applied to seven experiments involving fish and shrimp that included constant and fluctuating DO exposures, with constant exposures used for parameter estimation and the model then used to simulate the growth, reproduction, and survival in the fluctuating treatments. Cumulative effects on growth, reproduction, and survival were predicted well by the model, but the model did not replay the observed episodic low survival days. Further investigation should involve the role of acclimation, possible inclusion of repair effects in reproduction and survival, and the sensitivity of model predictions to the shape of the immediate effects function. Additional testing of the model with other taxa, different patterns of fluctuating exposures, and different stressors is needed to determine the model's generality and robustness.
Development of Simple Dispersion Model for Simulation of Air Toxics in Urban Areas

The paper details the development of an air dispersion model, Simflx7, a computer model that requires a minimum amount of input data while still allowing for the use of both a ground reflection and a reflection from a confining layer above. Simflx7 is based on the classical Gaussian approach and can accommodate gridded independently varying emission sources and calculates the result of all sources emissions on multiple receptors. The project used “real world” data from the Seattle-Tacoma basin for the model demonstration and validation. A gridded inventory for an area of approximately 154 miles by 166 miles was used that has been developed jointly by the Washington State University and the Washington Department of Ecology. The receptor data used for model verification were from six receptor sites located in the greater Seattle area and 24-hour average data collected, and analyzed by Washington State University Laboratory for Atmospheric Research. These data created a unique opportunity for the validation of a model using “real world” data. Typical statistical measures were used to judge model performance against the observations.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Bladder cancer diagnosis by flow cytometry. Correlation between cell samples from biopsy and bladder irrigation fluid

Results of flow cytometry (FCM) examinations of bladder irrigation specimens were compared with those of FCM examinations of cell suspensions from bladder biopsies of 44 urologic patients. The fluorescent dye, acridine orange (AO), was used to stain DNA and RNA differentially and abnormal urothelial cells were identified by their relative content of nucleic acids. Granulocytes and squamous cells could be distinguished from transitional cells in this procedure, and did not interfere with the analyses. Of 28 patients with papillary carcinoma, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma 27 were identified through FCM examination of irrigation cytology specimens; the one false-negative result was from a low-grade papillary carcinoma. Of 7 patients with papilloma, FCM examinations of irrigation specimens were positive in 4 and negative in 3. Results of FCM studies of biopsy specimens were in good but not complete agreement with those of irrigation specimens. In several cases, irrigation FCM disclosed tumor stemlines that were not identified in biopsy specimens. Discrepancies of this kind seemed most likely due to differences in sampling. Irrigation FCM seems to be a sensitive method for assessing multiple-site bladder tumors, and may be a useful technique for monitoring the course of conservatively managed bladder tumors.
The effect of the learner license Graduated Driver Licensing components on teen drivers' crashes

BACKGROUND: Most studies evaluating the effectiveness of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) have focused on the overall system. Studies examining individual components have rarely accounted for the confounding of multiple, simultaneously implemented components. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the effects of a required learner license duration and required hours of supervised driving on teen driver fatal crashes. METHODS: States that introduced a single GDL component independent of any other during the period 1990-2009 were identified. Monthly and quarterly fatal crash rates per 100,000 population of 16- and 17-year-old drivers were analyzed using single-state time series analysis, adjusting for adult crash rates and gasoline prices. Using the parameter estimates from each state's time series model, the pooled effect of each GDL component on 16- and 17-year-old drivers' fatal crashes was estimated using a random effects meta-analytic model to combine findings across states. RESULTS: In three states, a six-month minimum learner license duration was associated with a significant decline in combined 16- and 17-year-old drivers' fatal crash rates. The pooled effect of the minimum learner license duration across all states in the sample was associated with a significant change in combined 16- and 17-year-old driver fatal crash rates of -.07 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] -.11, -.03). Following the introduction of 30h of required supervised driving in one state, novice drivers' fatal crash rates increased 35%. The pooled effect across all states in the study sample of having a supervised driving hour requirement was not significantly different from zero (.04, 95% CI -.15, .22). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a learner license duration of at least six-months may be necessary to achieve a significant decline in teen drivers' fatal crash rates. Evidence of the effect of required hours of supervised driving on teen drivers' fatal crash rates was mixed. Language: en
Poland: Social protection and the pension system during the transition

This paper argues that the brunt of the transition-induced increase in Polish social protection expenditures during 1989-93 has been borne by social insurance arrangements, particularly pensions, rather than by social assistance schemes targeted to the poor or more temporary social safety net schemes. This is largely due to ease of access to social insurance and its more attractive benefit structure. Much of the recent efforts to reform social protection arrangements had an ad hoc nature and was driven by the need to alleviate looming financial distress. A major policy challenge is to avoid further burdening the social insurance system, particularly pensions, by problems that should be addressed by basic income support and emergency assistance policies or by general transfers (e.g. family allowances). Current reform needs are illustrated by using the pension system as an example.