cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perception of causal relations in humans: Factors affecting judgments of response-outcome contingencies under free-operant procedures☆

Abstract In three experiments, college studients responded to and rated a range of positive, random, and negative response-outcome contingencies presented in free-operant formats. These experiments sought a paradigm that would yield sensitive and unbiased judgments of response-outcome relations and explored the role of time in the judgment of response-outcome covariation. In Experiment 1, the effects of making continuous and discrete responses on subjects' contingency judgments were compared. In Experiment 2, the effects of changing the temporal definition of discrete responses were examined as were the effects of the amount of exposure to contingency problems. In Experiment 3, the effects of temporal regularity in defining response occurrence and nonoccurrence were investigated. In all three experiments, subjects' judgments were strong linear functions of the programmed contingencies between telegraph key operation and the illumination of a brief light. This result shows free-operant scheduling of response-outcome contingencies to be a highly sensitive and unbiased method of investigating causal perception. Additionally, judgment accuracy was found to be higher for males than for females and to improve as the probability of the subject's making a recorded response rose from .00 toward .50. Finally, a correlational analysis of several possible judgment rules supported the conclusion that subjects rated response-outcome relations on the basis of the difference in the probability of an outcome given their having recently made or not made a response.
Determination of insulin in single pancreatic cells by capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced native fluorescence

Abstract Development of a method for the determination of insulin based on capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced native fluorescence detection is described. Under optimal conditions, insulin as low as 73 amol can be detected with a good signal-to-noise ratio (S/N=10 peak-to-peak). Application of this method for the determination of insulin content in single cells from the insulin-secreting cell lines RINm5F and βTC3 is demonstrated. Non-bonded poly(ethylene oxide)-coated and bare capillaries are evaluated for this purpose, with the latter found to be more suitable for single-cell analysis.
Organosilyl and organogermyl isocyanide complexes of group vib metal carbonyls

Abstract Syntheses of twelve M(CO) 5 L complexes (M  Cr, Mo, W; L  CNSiR 2 R′, CNGeR 2 R′ for R,R′  Me,Ph) were accomplished by carbonyl displacement from M(CO) 6 by L. Several cis -Mo(CO) 4 L 2 complexes and one fac complex, Mo(CO) 3 (CNGeMe 3 ) 3 , are also reported, prepared by displacement of bicycloheptadiene or cycloheptatriene from Mo(CO) 4 (bicycloheptadiene) and Mo(CO) 3 (cycloheptatriene). Infrared and 13 C NMR spectra confirm that the ligands are isocyanides rather than cyanides although the latter is the stable and predominate form of the pure ligands. The mono-substituted compounds are only moderately stable when sealed in vacuo; otherwise stored they decompose rapidly probably by virtue of reaction with oxygen. The phenylsilyl and phenylgermyl isocyanide complexes are harder to store than the methyl analogues. The bis and tris complexes were very difficult to study, being thermally very unstable as well as reactive toward oxygen so that characterization of these species was only marginally successful.
Impairment of nutrient uptake in a rabbit model of gastroschisis

Abstract Infants with gastroschisis (GS) commonly require total parenteral nutrition and prolonged hospitalization because of intestinal dysfunction resulting from dysmotility and/or malabsorption. To investigate prepartum small intestinal (SI) nutrient absorption in GS, a fetal rabbit model was surgically created on gestational day 24 (term, 31 to 33 days) in 11 time-mated New Zealand White does in each left ovarian-end fetus. Each right ovarian-end fetus served as a control (C) and was manipulated only. All does, 10 of 11 GS fetuses (91%), and 8 of 11 C fetuses (73%) survived to gestational day 30. GS fetuses had significantly reduced total body weights, SI weights, and SI lengths compared with C fetuses. Using the everted mucosal sleeve technique, the uptakes of an amino acid (proline) and a sugar (glucose) were determined. The uptakes of proline per milligram SI, proline per centimeter SI, and glucose per milligram SI were significantly impaired in GS fetuses compared with C fetuses ( P t test). The uptake of glucose per centimeter SI was also reduced in GS fetuses, but not significantly. Uptake capacities (a measure of the entire SI's ability to absorb a given nutrient) were significantly reduced in GS fetuses compared with C fetuses (proline, 2,670 ± 612 nmol/min/entire SI v 6,842 ± 399 nmol/min/entire SI, P t test; glucose, 402 ± 69 nmol/min/entire SI v 950 ± 103, P t test).
A Thermogravimetric Study of the Influence of Internal Stresses on Oxygen Variations in Ln2-xCexCuO4

Abstract The variation with temperature of oxygen content in the electron-doped superconductors Ln 2- x Ce x CuO 4 ( Ln = lanthanide) have been investigated systematically by thermogravimetric analysis. The tendency to lose oxygen generally decreases with increasing Ce content or decreasing Ln 3+ size due to a decreasing degree of internal stresses resulting from an improved bond length matching between the ( Ln , Ce)-O and Cu-O bonds; this is supported by bond valence sum calculations. With smaller a lattice parameters as in Gd 2- x Ce x CuO 4 , however, an increasing electrostatic repulsion between the interstitial octahedral-site and the normal tetrahedral-site oxygen atoms forces the excess interstitial oxygen atoms to be lost at lower temperatures. It also causes the oxygen loss to occur in two steps, one corresponding to the interstitial oxygen and the other to the tetrahedral-site oxygen atoms. In contrast, the oxygen loss occurs smoothly in one step for larger a lattice parameters as in LaNd 1- x Ce x CuO 4 .
BJP, India's Foreign Policy and the “Realist Alternative” to the Nehruvian Tradition

Correlation between domestic political factors and a country's foreign policy is crucial. This essay is a case study of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its ideological precepts and approach to foreign policy-making. The fundamentals of the Nehruvian world outlook, which have guided almost all pre-BJP governments in India, are first elaborated and their evolution discussed in the historical context of post-independence India. BJP core ideology and promise of radically overturning this Nehruvian consensus are then taken up and empirically tested against three significant theatres of Indian foreign policy since 1998 – nuclear proliferation, relations with Pakistan and ties with the USA. Conclusions are drawn that the Nehruvian tradition has survived BJP's rhetorical and ideological challenge and that notwithstanding the party's braggadocio about altering the discourse on India's place and attitude towards the world, the standards and benchmarks set by Nehru at the time of freedom continue to inform the present Indian government's foreign policy.
Attributional Determinants of Teaching and Learning in Cross-Age Tutoring

Summary.-This smdy assessed the relationship between causal attributions of 84 children in a cross-age mtoring program and N~O~S' teaching behavior and learners' performance on a laboratory task using multiple regression analyses. Tutors' beliefs that learners were not responsible for success but were responsible for failure were associated with teaching behaviors high in both verbal and nonverbal communication. These teaching behaviors were also directed most toward learners who believed that tutors are not responsible for lack of students' achievement. Neither tutors' nor learners' attributions predicted task performance. Results are discussed in terms of their relationship to research on both teachers' attributions of responsibility and cross-age mtoring. Some recent experiments have attempted to describe the attributions made by a teacher for students' performance. The results of these studies have been inconsistent. One group of experiments (Beckman, 1970; Brandt, Hayden, & Brophy, 1975; Johnson, Feigenbaum, & Weiby, 1964) have found indications that teachers perceive students as personally responsible for failure and view themselves as responsible for success. Other studies (Ames, 1975; Ross, Bierbrauer, & Polly, 1974) have obtained opposite results. There are relatively minor methodological differences between the two groups of studies in terms of the degree of teacher-student contact and teachers' experience. Given that experiential and situational factors may override teachers' generalized attributional tendencies, a more productive research strategy may be to investigate the implications of teachers' causal attributions for student instruction. The present study explored the relationship kcween teaching attributions, teaching behavior, and students' performance within the context of an ongoing cross-age tutoring program. Cross-age tutoring (Allen, 1976) is a popular procedure adopted by many schools in which older students instruct their younger schoolmates in basic skills. The correlates of teaching attributions were examined within this particular context for two reasons. First tutoring is one of the few natural situations in which one person serving as a teacher works on a one-to-one basis with another person serving as a learner. Second, it is possible to obtain the attributions of the learners and examine the relationship between these perceptions and performance and instructional variables since children are paired with one another. METHOD Sub je~tr Eighty-four children participating in a 3-mo. cross-age tutoring program
Test-retest reliability of the DSM-III-R childhood anxiety disorders symptoms using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for children

Abstract The authors examined the test-retest reliability (interval of 10 to 14 days) of parent and child reports of DSM-III-R symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder, Avoidant Disorder, and Overanxious Disorder using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (child and parent versions) for 66 children and their parents who presented at a childhood anxiety clinic. They also compared reliability for children 6 to 11 versus 12 to 17 years of age. Overall, reliability was found to be satisfactory. Only a small number of differences were observed between the age groups. In addition, differences in the reliability of children's and parents' reports were minimal. The implications of the findings are discussed with respect to research on diagnostic interviewing procedures with children. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.
Bitter and sweet taste receptors in the respiratory epithelium in health and disease

Taste receptors on the tongue communicate information to the brain about the nutrient content or potential toxicity of ingested foods. However, recent research has now shown that taste receptors are also expressed far beyond the tongue, from the airway and gastrointestinal epithelia to the pancreas and brain. The functions of many of these so-called extraoral taste receptors remain unknown, but emerging basic science and clinical evidence suggests that bitter and sweet taste receptors in the airway are important in sensing bacteria and regulating innate immunity. This review focuses on the role of bitter and sweet taste receptors in human airway innate immunity and the potential clinical relevance to airway infections. The T2R38 bitter taste receptor in sinonasal cilia detects bitter bacterial quorum-sensing molecules and activates nitric oxide-dependent innate immune responses. Polymorphisms that underlie T2R38 functionality also appear to be involved in susceptibility to upper respiratory infection and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Bitter and sweet receptors in specialized sinonasal solitary chemosensory cells control antimicrobial peptide secretion, which may have important implications for airway infections in CRS patients as well as patients with diabetes mellitus. Future research on taste receptors in the airway has tremendous potential to identify immune mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interactions and thus reveal novel therapeutic targets.
SnCl2-methyl-substituted pyridine N-oxide adducts☆

Abstract A series of methyl-substituted pyridine N-oxide adducts of SnCl 2 have been synthesized and partially characterized. These include the pyridine, 2, 3 and 4-picoline and 2, 6-lutidine N-oxides. Chemical analyses confirm the stoichiometry is 1:1. X-ray diffraction indicates all compounds are crystalline and belong to low symmetry crystal systems. IR spectra of the complexes show splittings and shifts of some characteristic group frequencies compared to the spectra of the free ligands. The largest shifts involved the characteristic NO stretching modes of the N-oxide ligands which shifted to lower frequencies by 58–123 cm −1 .
Phylogenetic analysis of Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum using polymerase chain reaction-amplified 16S rRNA-specific DNA

The 16S rRNA gene of the magnetotactic magnetogen Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum MS1 was amplified by a polymerase chain reaction, using two eubacterial consensus oligodeoxynucleotide primers flanking the majority of the 16S rRNA gene, cloned, and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. magnetotacticum MS1 belongs to the α-group of proteobacteria. This assignment offers perspective on the biochemical properties of A. magnetotacticum, since this organism is expected to have the general properties that are common to this phylogenetic group.
Nitric oxide donor alleviates ovariectomy-induced bone loss

Nitric oxide (NO) has been reported to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption. We examined the bone-sparing effect of NO after 6 weeks of administration into estrogen-deficient rats. 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats, 12 weeks of age, underwent ovariectomy (OVX), and 5 rats were sham-operated. OVX rats were assigned to six groups (n = 5/group) treated respectively with: vehicle; 17-beta-estradiol (E2); nitroglycerine (NG, NO donor); NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, NO synthase inhibitor); combination of E2 + NG; and a combination of E2 + L-NAME. Prior to treatment and at the end of the treatment period, bone mineral density (BMD) of rats was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning. OVX animals had significantly lower BMD and femur weights in comparison to sham operated rats (p < 0.01), and this was completely prevented by the administration of E2 (p < 0.01). Administration of NG alone prevented OVX-induced bone loss (p < 0.05). The combination of E2 + NG did not further enhance the bone mass or femur weight, and the OVX-induced bone loss was not further aggravated by L-NAME. However, in the presence of L-NAME, E2 was totally ineffective in reversing the bone loss, suggesting that the protective effect of estrogens against bone loss may be mediated through NO. In summary, the results suggest that NO counteracts the bone loss associated with OVX.
Development of a mechatronics laboratory-eliminating barriers to manufacturing instrumentation and control

The integration of electronics, sensors, actuators, and microprocessor technology into manufacturing processes and consumer products is requiring engineers to possess greater mechatronics knowledge. Students must be encouraged to embrace a mechatronics perspective through combined classroom and "hands-on" laboratory activities to develop critical systems skills for multidisciplinary teams. In this paper, laboratory experiments and their accompanying learning objectives are introduced and discussed which highlight key industrial technologies and establish a foundation for skill achievement.
Burden of Surgical Disease: Does the Literature Reflect the Scope of the International Crisis?

Background Little is factually known about the burden of surgical disease and less is known about global surgical provision of care for diseases that may be treated, cured, or palliated by a surgical intervention. Despite the lack of information, surgical interventions are provided by a variety of agencies every day in the developing world. This literature review represents the first published comprehensive review of the global surgical literature. The primary goal was to collect and summarize what has been published on the current global burden of surgical disease and thereby encourage and promote the allocation of further research and resources. Methods A systematic review of English language publications on Pubmed or Medline was performed. Results and conclusions This report summarizes what little is known in terms of numeric estimates for the global burden of surgical disease. Globally, access and availability of surgical care in developing countries remains scarce, but the problem is receiving more attention for the first time in surgical circles. Much work remains in the effort to obtain reliable estimates of the global burden of surgical disease.
A Simple Test for Convergence of Metropolitan Income in the United States

Abstract The prevalent test for income convergence used in many recent studies of convergence across spatial economic units in the United States is to use a regression equation in which income growth is regressed against the initial level of income (this is known as β convergence). That method, however, has been crtiticized as an instance of Galton's fallacy of regression. We devise a simple test for the income β-convergence hypothesis which does not suffer from “Galton's fallacy” and apply it to all of the metropolitan areas of the United States for the period 1969–1995. For the test we use two income measures: per capita personal income and average wages. Our results conclusively support convergence of per capita personal income and of wage per worker for metropolitan areas in the United States. We also test for σ convergence, the hypothesis of diminishing dispersion in income among places over time, and find no support for the hypothesis.
Inclusion of discrete-to-continuum coupling in multiphoton excitation and dissociation calculations

A nonperturbative approach to multiphoton excitation and dissociation of molecules is presented in which coupling to the continuum is treated explicitly. Transitions among continuum levels are not modeled directly, but something of their effect is represented by assuming that the continuum population density is so low as to be effectively zero at all times. Two trial applications are briefly discussed.
New Iron–Phosphine Macrocycle Complexes for Use in the Pressure-Swing Purification of Natural Gas

Two new synthetic routes to macrocyclic tetradentate phosphine complexes of Fe(II) were investigated. The interest in these materials stems from their potential application in the pressure-swing purification of natural gas contaminated by N2. Both synthetic routes used Fe(II) as a templating metal in order to avoid using Ni, Pd, or Pt, which can be difficult to remove from the macrocyclic phosphine ligand once it has formed. The first synthetic route involved the alkylation of a complex with two bidentate secondary phosphine ligands, specifically trans-[Fe(P2)2(CH3CN)2](PF6)2, where P2 is a bidentate secondary phosphine. Three electrophilic alkylating reagents (1,3-dibromopropane, 1,4-dibromobutane, and o-dibromoxylene) with the potential to bridge were investigated under a variety of reaction conditions, but all failed to yield a macrocycle complex. The second route involved the alkylation of an Fe complex that had a linear tetradentate secondary phosphine ligand. Again, a number of reactions conditions were investigated but all failed to give a macrocycle complex. A number of factors likely contribute to the inability of Fe(II) to act as a template in these reactions. It is proposed that the absence of reactivity can be attributed to the decreased electron density in the d6 iron(II) atom in comparison to the electron-rich d8 and d10 metals normally used as templates. After deprotonation of the coordinated secondary phosphines, the decreased electron density reduces the nucleophilicity of the resulting phosphido ligands and prevents the alkylation reaction from occurring. To aid in the structural characterization of the Fe(II) complexes with secondary phosphine ligands, the X-ray crystal structures of the cis-Fe(MPPP)2Cl2 and trans-[Fe(MPPP)2(CH3CN)2](PF6)2 complexes (MPPP = 1,3-bis(phenylphosphino)propane) were determined.
Effect of hypercapnia or xylazine on lateral ventricle and lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid pressures in pentobarbital-anesthetized horses.

Facial artery pressure, central venous pressure, heart rate, and lateral ventricle cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure (LV-CSFP) were measured in 10 pentobarbital-anesthetized horses at arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) values of 40, 60, and 80 mm Hg, produced by varying the inspired carbon dioxide concentration. Variables were recorded at 5-minute intervals for 15 minutes at each level of PaCO2. Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at the end of the 15-minute time period for each level of PaCO2. Lateral ventricle CSF pressure was significantly increased (p < .05) at a PaCO2 of 80 mm Hg. Cardiovascular variables were not significantly changed by changing PaCO2. The PaCO2 was returned to 40 mm Hg; 1.1 mg xylazine/kg body weight was injected intravenously in eight horses, and data were collected for 60 minutes. No significant changes were observed. No changes were observed in two control horses not receiving xylazine. Subsequently, placement of a lumbosacral subarachnoid catheter allowed simultaneous measurement of LV-CSFP and lumbosacral CSF pressure (LS-CSFP) at PaCO2 values of 40, 60, and 80 mm Hg. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient between LV-CSFP and LS-CSFP was 0.94 (p < .0001) It was concluded that changes in CSF pressure could be detected at the lateral ventricle and the lumbosacral space; increasing PaCO2 to 80 mm Hg resulted in significant increases in LV-CSFP; xylazine does not increase LV-CSFP in pentobarbital-anesthetized, normocapnic horses; and under the conditions of this experiment, LV-CSFP and LS-CSFP were closely correlated.
Genetic studies of autistic disorder and chromosome 7.

Abstract Genome-wide scans have suggested that a locus on 7q is involved in the etiology of autistic disorder (AD). We have identified an AD family in which three sibs inherited from their mother a paracentric inversion in the chromosome 7 candidate region (inv(7)(q22–q31.2)). Clinically, the two male sibs have AD, while the female sib has expressive language disorder. The mother carries the inversion, but does not express AD. Haplotype data on the family suggest that the chromosomal origin of the inversion was from the children's maternal grandfather. Based on these data, we have genotyped 76 multiplex (≥2 AD affecteds/family) families for markers in this region of 7q. Two-point linkage analysis yielded a maximum heterogeneity lod score of 1.47 and maximum lod score (MLS) of 1.03 at D7S495. Multipoint MLS and NPL analyses resulted in peak scores of 1.77 at D7S2527 and 2.01 at D7S640. Examination of affected sibpairs revealed significant paternal (P = 0.007), but not maternal (P = 0.75), identity-by-descent sharing at D7S640. Significant linkage disequilibrium was detected with paternal (P = 0.02), but not maternal (P = 0.15), transmissions at D7S1824 in multiplex and singleton families. There was also evidence for an increase in recombination in the region (D7S1817 to D7S1824) in the AD families versus non-AD families (P = 0.03, sex-averaged; and P = 0.01, sex-specific). These results provide further evidence for the presence of an AD locus on chromosome 7q, as well as provide evidence suggesting that this locus may be paternally expressed.
Gel electrode imaging of fatigue cracks in titanium

Abstract The above observations demonstrate that the gel electrode technique can detect and image fatigue cracks in titanium, in a manner very similar to that described previously for aluminum alloys. The images are clearly visible, particularly with the aid of a pocket magnifier, while closer examination of the image with a low power (50X) optical microscope reveals detailed information on secondary cracking, as well as the presence of small microcracks ahead of the tip of the main crack. Direct comparison of the gel electrode image with scanning electron microscope images of the specimen itself, shows that cracks as short as 20 μm in length are detectable.
Space Is More than Geography: Using Spatial Econometrics in the Study of Political Economy

Although spatial econometrics is being used more frequently in political science, most applications are still based on geographic notions of distance. Here we argue that it is often more fruitful to consider political economy notions of distance, such as relative trade or common dyad membership. We also argue that the spatially autoregressive model usually (but not always) should be preferred to the spatially lagged error model. Finally, we consider the role of spatial econometrics in analyzing time-series–cross-section data, and show that a plausible (and testable) assumption allows for the simple introduction of space (however defined) into such analyses. We present examples of spatial analyses involving trade and democracy.
Introduction: special issue on structuring complex information for electronic publication

To improve the structure of complex information when it is to be presented electronically, technical communicators may turn to ideas taken from object-oriented programming to clarify and revive the structure of the material in existing documents before mounting them on-line. When an organization starts moving information onto the Web, technical communicators may go through a phase transition: as the publishing system becomes much more complex, it exhibits emergent behaviors, and it demands new attitudes, concepts, and work from the technical communicator.
Computer-based systems for cooperative work and group decisionmaking: status of use and problems in development

Application of computer and information technology to cooperative work and group decisionmaking has grown out of three traditions: computer-based communications, computer-based information service provision, and computer-based decision support. This paper provides an overview of the various kinds of systems that have been configured to meet the needs of groups at work, evaluates the status of these systems in the United States, evaluates the experience with them, assesses barriers to their further development and use, and draws conclusions about future work in this area that should be undertaken. An extensive set of references is provided.
Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Function in Mitral Stenosis

Twenty-six men with mitral stenosis were studied to assess the importance of obstructive coronary disease in the production of symptoms and the effect upon left ventricular function. The patients were studied by cardiac catheterization including selective coronary arteriography and cineventriculography. Five patients (Croup 1) showed severe obstructive coronary lesions, eight patients (Group II) had minor arterial changes and 13 (Group III) had normal vessels. Angina pectoris was confined to the first group who also demonstrated significant left ventricular dysfunction, the consequence of coronary disease. Left ventricular impairment was also found in a significant proportion of those patients without important obstructive coronary disease. In these patients the etiology of the myocardial impairment is poorly understood. Rheumatic involvement of the myocardium or the small coronary vessels has been suggested as an explanation.
The impact of gender and general risk factors on the occurrence of atherosclerotic vascular disease in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

While it is generally accepted that non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) increases atherosclerotic risk, controversy remains as to whether this effect is greater for women than men (thus...
Recombinant Murine Growth Hormone Particles are More Immunogenic with Intravenous than Subcutaneous Administration

Evaluation and mitigation of the risk of immunogenicity to protein aggregates and particles in therapeutic protein products remains a primary concern for drug developers and regulatory agencies. To investigate how the presence of protein particles and the route of administration influence the immunogenicity of a model therapeutic protein, we measured the immune response in mice to injections of formulations of recombinant murine growth hormone (rmGH) that contained controlled levels of protein particles. Mice were injected twice over 6 weeks with rmGH formulations via the subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intravenous (i.v.) routes. In addition to soluble, monomeric rmGH, the samples prepared contained either nanoparticles of rmGH or both nano- and microparticles of rmGH.The appearance of anti-rmGH IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG2c, and IgG3 titers following the second injection of both preparations implies that multiple mechanisms contributed to the immune response. No dependence of the immune response on particle size and distribution was observed. The immune response measured after the second injection was most pronounced when i.v. administration was used. Despite producing high anti-rmGH titers mice appeared to retain the ability to properly regulate and use endogenous growth hormone.
Dynamic selection of application-specific garbage collectors

Much prior work has shown that the performance enabled by garbage collection (GC) systems is highly dependent upon the behavior of the application as well as on the available resources. That is, no single GC enables the best performance for all programs and all heap sizes. To address this limitation, we present the design, implementation, and empirical evaluation of a novel Java Virtual Machine (JVM) extension that facilitates dynamic switching between a number of very different and popular garbage collectors. We also show how to exploit this functionality using annotation-guided GC selection and evaluate the system using a large number of benchmarks. In addition, we implement and evaluate a simple heuristic to investigate the efficacy of switching automatically. Our results show that, on average, our annotation-guided system introduces less than 4% overhead and improves performance by 24% over the worst-performing GC (across heap sizes) and by 7% over always using the popular Generational/Mark-Sweep hybrid.
Large scale Hartree-Fock calculations with conventional SCF algorithm. Influence of integral and index compression on Fock matrix construction

It is shown that a compression of two-electron integrals and their indices significantly improves efficiency of the conventional self-consistent field (SCF) algorithm for a solution of the Hartree-Fock equation by decrease the Fock matrix calculation time. The improvement is reached not only due to a reduction of the integral file size, but mainly because data compression reduces or even can eliminate a cache conflict in data transfer from the hard drive to the main computer memory. Thus, the conventional SCF algorithm with the data compression becomes very efficient and permits to carry out large-scale Hartree-Fock calculations. The largest Hartree-Fock calculations have been performed for RNA 433D structure from the PDB data bank with 6080 basis functions formed from 6-31G basis on a workstation with 1 GHz Alpha processor.
Improving use of satellite data in evaluating climate models

[1] U.S. Department of Energy—NASA Workshop; Livermore, California, 12–13 October 2010; Observations are essential for the development and evaluation of climate models, and satellite measurements provide uniquely comprehensive data for both purposes. The objective of a recent U.S. Department of Energy—NASA workshop was to better enable a diverse research community to exploit the wealth of NASA products that are relevant for climate model evaluation. The meeting brought together data experts from 20 NASA instrument and data teams with the staff of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison (PCMDI).
‘A School Said to Resemble a Luxury Hotel’: Historicizing African Women's Quest for Education before Oprah's School

The public reception of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLA) in South Africa and the United States is a recent example of a historical pattern historians have often called the ‘civilizing mission’ on behalf of girls and women in Africa. One of the greatest missed opportunities by founders (and critics) of such schools, past and the present, has been the glaring omission of highlighting contemporary African women's achievements so the girls can see themselves as connected to a long line of female strivers and achievers with varied personal histories. This study utilizes African women's novels and memoirs to historicize African women's quest for (higher) education as well as emphasize the importance of historically grounded international development aid to Africa so as to avoid the pitfalls of neocolonialism that reproduce stereotypes about Africans, and women in particular. Texts highlighted include: Tsitsi Dangarembga's Nervous Conditions, Mariama Bâ's So Long a Letter, Mamphela Ramphele's Across Boundaries, and Wangari Maathai's Unbowed.
Regulation of the Escherichia coli uncH gene by mRNA secondary structure and translational coupling.

Summary The uncH gene is one of the most poorly-expressed genes of the proton-translocating ATPase (unc) operon of Escherichia coli. We constructed in-frame lacZ fusions to uncH and used site-directed mutagen-esis to decrease the stability of the putative mRNA secondary structure in the Shine and Dalgarno region for this gene. These mutations significantly increased the expression of uncH. We also used the unc-lac fusions to show that the insertion of stop codons and a frameshift mutation In uncF, the gene preceding uncH, caused a 10-fold reduction in uncH expression. Hybridization of total cellular RNA with a lacZ-specific probe indicated that transcriptional polarity could not account for the observed decrease in gene expression. These results demonstrate that uncH expression is controlled by mRNA sequences around the translational initiation region, and is translationally coupled to uncF, even in cases where the putative mRNA secondary structure is weakened or eliminated.
Modeling and analysis of diffusion and reaction in legume nodules

Diffusion of gases through legume nodules is important for nitrogen fixation. A mathematical model is presented for diffusion and enzymatic reaction for legume nodules with a reactive core and an inert shell. The transient model is solved numerically for spherical geometry for acetylene reduction by nitrogenase enzyme. The results are used to estimate the diffusivities of acetylene and ethylene in the nodules by comparing predicted and experimental lag times. The experimental results are also analyzed using an effectiveness factor plot for spherical nodules with inert shells and reactive cores. The results show that the diffusivities are slightly higher than those for acetylene and ethylene in water because of some contribution of gas phase diffusion. Applications to oxygen diffusion through nodule tissue are suggested.
Development of 16 microsatellite markers within the Camassia (Agavaceae) species complex and amplification in related taxa

Premise of the study: The North American genus Camassia is an ecologically important group whose variability and evolution are little understood, being influenced by hybridization and geographic isolation. We developed microsatellite markers to investigate patterns of gene flow, population structure, and taxonomic relationships within this group. Methods and Results: Using a traditional approach with biotin-labeled probes, we developed 16 microsatellite primers in three species of Camassia: C. howellii, C. leichtlinii, and C. quamash. The number of alleles per locus averaged 3.94 per species, and levels of heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 1.00 and 0.033 to 0.917 for observed and expected heterozygosities, respectively. All primers amplified to varying extents in additional species (C. angusta, C. cusickii, C. scilloides) and in putative species in a related genus (Hastingsia alba, H. atropurpurea, H. bracteosa, H. serpentinicola). Conclusions: These microsatellite markers exhibit variation and are usef...
A biochemical rationale for the discrete behavior of nitroxyl and nitric oxide in the cardiovascular system

The redox siblings nitroxyl (HNO) and nitric oxide (NO) have often been assumed to undergo casual redox reactions in biological systems. However, several recent studies have demonstrated distinct pharmacological effects for donors of these two species. Here, infusion of the HNO donor Angeli's salt into normal dogs resulted in elevated plasma levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide, whereas neither the NO donor diethylamine/NONOate nor the nitrovasodilator nitroglycerin had an appreciable effect on basal levels. Conversely, plasma cGMP was increased by infusion of diethylamine/NONOate or nitroglycerin but was unaffected by Angeli's salt. These results suggest the existence of two mutually exclusive response pathways that involve stimulated release of discrete signaling agents from HNO and NO. In light of both the observed dichotomy of HNO and NO and the recent determination that, in contrast to the O2/O2- couple, HNO is a weak reductant, the relative reactivity of HNO with common biomolecules was determined. This analysis suggests that under biological conditions, the lifetime of HNO with respect to oxidation to NO, dimerization, or reaction with O2 is much longer than previously assumed. Rather, HNO is predicted to principally undergo addition reactions with thiols and ferric proteins. Calcitonin gene-related peptide release is suggested to occur via altered calcium channel function through binding of HNO to a ferric or thiol site. The orthogonality of HNO and NO may be due to differential reactivity toward metals and thiols and in the cardiovascular system, may ultimately be driven by respective alteration of cAMP and cGMP levels.
Politics in Voteless Washington

T HE UNIQUE GOVERNMENTAL structure of Washington, D. C., makes the city of considerable interest to political scientists. Alone among United States cities, Washington has no elected local government.' It is governed by Congress (Washington's "city council," in the facetious phrase of local newspapers), which, under the Constitution, has power "To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever" in the District of Columbia, and by a three-man Board of Commissioners appointed by the President. Congress has given the Board extensive municipal powers, but has retained rigid control over District finances.2 It is tempting to compare Washington with other cities and deduce from the differences some conclusions about the role of elected institutions and electoral processes on the local level. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to make valid comparisons of the outcomes of government action (that is, the content of public policy) in different cities, for example by comparing magnitudes of expenditure for common functions. And even if this could be done, it would not be possible to isolate the lack of an electorate and concomitant institu-
Olfactometric Evaluation of Spatial Repellents for Aedes aegypti

The spatial repellency responses of Aedes aegypti (L.) to deet, dehydrolinalool and linalool were evaluated using a dual port olfactometer. In the absence of human attractant mixture, each of the three chemicals resulted in activation and/or orientation of mosquitoes to the chemical source. Linalool was the most attractive compound. In the presence of human attractant mixture, activation and/or orientation of mosquitoes to each of the three chemicals was reduced. We compared reductions in mosquito responses to each of the three chemicals, in the presence of human attractant mixture, to estimate spatial repellency. As expected, lowest spatial repellency (7.3%) was observed using human attractant alone. Highest spatial repellency (33.6%) was observed using a combination of linalool and dehydrolinalool. Deet did not manifest spatial repellency, whereas linalool and dehydrolinalool alone, and in combination, exhibited spatial repellency.
Comprehensive Characterization of Glycosylation and Hydroxylation of Basement Membrane Collagen IV by High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Collagen IV is the main structural protein that provides a scaffold for assembly of basement membrane proteins. Posttranslational modifications such as hydroxylation of proline and lysine and glycosylation of lysine are essential for the functioning of collagen IV triple-helical molecules. These modifications are highly abundant posing a difficult challenge for in-depth characterization of collagen IV using conventional proteomics approaches. Herein, we implemented an integrated pipeline combining high-resolution mass spectrometry with different fragmentation techniques and an optimized bioinformatics workflow to study posttranslational modifications in mouse collagen IV. We achieved 82% sequence coverage for the α1 chain, mapping 39 glycosylated hydroxylysine, 148 4-hydroxyproline, and seven 3-hydroxyproline residues. Further, we employed our pipeline to map the modifications on human collagen IV and achieved 85% sequence coverage for the α1 chain, mapping 35 glycosylated hydroxylysine, 163 4-hydroxyproline, and 14 3-hydroxyproline residues. Although lysine glycosylation heterogeneity was observed in both mouse and human, 21 conserved sites were identified. Likewise, five 3-hydroxyproline residues were conserved between mouse and human, suggesting that these modification sites are important for collagen IV function. Collectively, these are the first comprehensive maps of hydroxylation and glycosylation sites in collagen IV, which lay the foundation for dissecting the key role of these modifications in health and disease.
An Analysis of the Statistical Content in Textbooks for Prospective Elementary Teachers

We analyzed the statistical content within mathematics textbooks used in courses for preparing elementary teachers. Six textbooks commonly used in the United States comprised our sample. Each task in statistical sections was analyzed using both the levels of the GAISE framework (Franklin et al. 2007) and phases of the statistical problem solving process (Formulate Questions, Collect Data, Analyze Data, and Interpret Results). Tasks within the Analyze Data phase were also classified as creating or reading a display, performing a mathematical computation, or using statistical reasoning beyond mathematical computations. The majority of statistical tasks in each book required data analysis. Two textbooks primarily consisted of tasks addressing statistical concepts beyond computations, while three series focused on graphical displays and computational procedures.
Nanomaterials: Invisible Structures, Visible Performances

Nanotechnology is the study and manipulation of matter at the molecular or subatomic scale. Advancements in this diverse and vast field of science are rapidly producing innovative materials andprocesses with a wide range of applications. Despite the diminutive scale of nanotechnology, the influenceof the field is far reaching and is poised to exert a profound effect on the built environment. Beyond selfcleaning surfaces and anti-fog coatings, nanotechnology suggests an extension of the scalar range at which architecture operates. Challenging its modes of fabrication, emerging research within this micro-science confronts energy intensive modes of material production in favor of ostensibly effortless processes thatemulate nature. This paper considers the potential for research in the growing field of nanotechnology to instigate a new generation of performative materials made possible through the design of customized molecular structures that remain veiled from the naked human eye. Through a review of current nanotechnology research, it queries a series of shared principles between science and design in an attempt to identify productive areas for future collaborative research in architecture. Furthermore, it confronts the premise of visibility of research through the exploration of a state of materiality that is naturally imperceptible in its formal organization, yet strikingly conspicuous in its active and situated processes.
Dynamics of Analysts’ Coverage

The main goal of this paper is to analyze analysts’ coverage of stocks. Through a series of ordered probit regressions the paper studies the relationship between changes in coverage and the information environment of a firm. Coverage seems to decrease on average with higher errors in estimation. The data also shows that coverage is less likely to decrease for physically large firms, but more likely to decrease for firms with high lagged market value. Higher past revisions (to the predictions) also decrease coverage showing a real cost of uncertainty.
Biogenetically Inspired Synthesis of Lingzhiol.

A concise stereo- and enantioselective synthesis of lingzhiol has been achieved featuring a biogenetically inspired Bronsted acid catalyzed semipinacol rearrangement of a glycidyl alcohol intermediate.
Quantum Monte Carlo studies of superfluid Fermi gases

We report results of quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the ground state of dilute Fermi gases with attractive short-range two-body interactions. The strength of the interaction is varied to study different pairing regimes which are characterized by the product of the $s$-wave scattering length and the Fermi wave vector, $a{k}_{F}$. We report results for the ground-state energy, the pairing gap $\ensuremath{\Delta}$, and the quasiparticle spectrum. In the weak-coupling regime, $1∕a{k}_{F}l\ensuremath{-}1$, we obtain Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) superfluid and the energy gap $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is much smaller than the Fermi gas energy ${E}_{\mathrm{FG}}$. When $ag0$, the interaction is strong enough to form bound molecules with energy ${E}_{\mathrm{mol}}$. For $1∕a{k}_{F}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.5$, we find that weakly interacting composite bosons are formed in the superfluid gas with $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ and gas energy per particle approaching $\ensuremath{\mid}{E}_{\mathrm{mol}}\ensuremath{\mid}∕2$. In this region, we seem to have Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of molecules. The behavior of the energy and the gap in the BCS-to-BEC transition region, $\ensuremath{-}0.5l1∕a{k}_{F}l0.5$, is discussed.
The Payne Effect in Double Network Elastomers

Abstract Double network elastomers were prepared by curing under strain previously-crosslinked natural rubber or styrene-butadiene copolymer. The rubbers were reinforced with carbon black, so that ...
Powerful amicable numbers

Let s(n) := ∑ d|n, d<n d denote the sum of the proper divisors of the natural number n. Two distinct positive integers n and m are said to form an amicable pair if s(n) = m and s(m) = n; in this case, both n and m are called amicable numbers. The first example of an amicable pair, known already to the ancients, is {220, 284}. We do not know if there are infinitely many amicable pairs. In the opposite direction, Erdős showed in 1955 that the set of amicable numbers has asymptotic density zero. Let ` ≥ 1. A natural number n is said to be `-full (or `-powerful) if p divides n whenever the prime p divides n. As shown by Erdős and Szekeres in 1935, the number of `-full n ≤ x is asymptotically c`x, as x→∞. Here c` is a positive constant depending on `. We show that for each fixed `, the set of amicable `-full numbers has relative density zero within the set of `-full numbers.