cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of exogenous phospholipase A2 treatment on cardiac muscarinic receptors of highly purified canine sarcolemmal vesicles.

Effects of phospholipase A 2 ( PLA 2 )-catalyzed hydrolysis of sarcolemmal phospholipids on ventricular muscarinic receptors were examined by measuring specific binding of 3 H-quinuclidinyl benzilate ( 3 H-QNB) to purified canine sarcolemmal vesicles. Scatchard analysis of 3 H-QNB saturation isotherms (25°C, pH 7.4) yielded a dissociation constant ( K d ) of 58±10 p m and maximal binding capacity ( B max ) of 5.7±1.3 pmol/mg. Pretreatment of the sarcolemmal membranes with PLA 2 (1 U/ml) for 5 and 30 mins reduced B max to 38% and 7% of control, and increased K d to 109±21 and 129±12 p m , respectively. Washing of PLA 2 -treated sarcolemmal vesicles with defatted albumin resulted in a partial recovery of B max , presumably by removing hydrolysis products. PLA 2 also reduced equilibrium binding of 3 H-QNB to 43% of control when reactions were started by simultaneous addition of 3 H-QNB and 1 U/ml PLA 2 ; however, under these conditions the inhibitory effect of PLA 2 could be overcome by increasing 3 H-QNB from 30 to 600 p m . PLA 2 added at equilibrium (59 mins after reaction start) had no effect on 3 H-QNB binding. Lipid hydrolysis by PLA 2 was unaffected by the presence of bound 3 H-QNB. The ability of ligand occupation and removal of hydrolysis products to attenuate the effects of PLA 2 -treatment on muscarinic receptor sites may be explained if modification of the membrane lipid bilayer leads to transitions between different states of the receptor.
Predictive value of expression of transforming growth factor‐β1 and its receptors in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to describe the expression patterns of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and its receptors in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, to investigate the relation between the TGF-β1 and its receptors, and to determine whether altered expression of TGF-β or its receptors is associated with disease progression and survival in patients with TCC of the bladder. METHODS Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-β1 and its receptors I and II was conducted on formalin fixed paraffin embedded archival cystectomy specimens of 80 patients with bladder TCC. Immunoreactivity was categorized as either positive or negative in a blinded fashion. RESULTS Expression of TGF-β1, TGF-β-RI, and TGF-β-RII was altered in 51 (64%), 34 (43%), and 38 (48%) specimens, respectively. Sixty (75%) specimens had altered expression of at least 1 of the 3 TGF-βs, and 26 (33%) had altered expression of all 3. Expression of the three TGF-βs was highly concordant (P < 0.018). Loss of expression of TGF-β-RI or TGF-β-RII was associated with invasive tumor stage (P < 0.001), high grade (P < 0.006), and lymphovascular invasion (P < 0.030). Overexpression of TGF-β1 was associated with invasive tumor stage only (P = 0.024). With a median follow-up of 101 months, TGF-β-RI was an independent predictor of both disease progression (P = 0.007) and disease specific survival (P = 0.006) whereas TGF-β1 was an independent predictor of disease progression only (P = 0.050). Transforming growth factor-β-RII was not independently associated with either disease progression or survival. CONCLUSIONS Altered expression of TGF-β1 and its receptors is common in TCC of the bladder. Overexpression of TGF-β1 is associated with the loss of expression of its receptors. Transforming growth factor—β1 and TGF-β-RI are independently associated with clinical outcome in patients with bladder TCC treated by radical cystectomy. Cancer 2001;92:1475–83. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Dopamine-β-hydroxylase Activity in the Rat After Hypophysectomy

Dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in the rat adrenal gland decreases 53% three weeks after hypophysectomy. ACTH administration for 5 days causes the activity to increase. Large doses of dexamethasone do not affect the adrenal activity after hypophysectomy. Total cardiac DBH activity is decreased after pituitary ablation but, when expressed per g of tissue, is higher than in the hearts of sham-operated, agematched animals.(Endocrinology 87: 894, 1970
N2-(1,3-dicarboxypropyl) ornithine in crown gall tumours

Abstract A novel acidic amino acid present in crown gall tumours induced on Nicotiana tabacum cv White Burley by Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been identified as N 2 -(1,3-dicarboxypropyl) ornithine.
Improved assignment of vibrational modes in sum-frequency spectra in the CH stretch region for surface-bound C18 alkylsilanes

Abstract Previous assignments of the C H stretching modes for surface-bound alkylsilanes in vibrationally resonant sum-frequency generation (VR-SFG) spectra have differed, leading to uncertainty in how to interpret vibrational spectra of these systems. In particular, the assignment of Fermi resonances, including which modes are coupled, has been unclear. To aid in these assignments, partially deuterated alkylsilanes were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and VR-SFG. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations complement the spectroscopic investigation. Based on these results, we identify multiple contributions to the VR-SFG feature at ∼2950 cm−1; this is primarily a Fermi resonance between the symmetric methyl stretch and symmetric methyl bending modes at 2945 cm−1 with a high-frequency shoulder at ∼2960 cm−1, assigned to the methyl antisymmetric stretch, and a small contribution from the antisymmetric stretch of the ω CH2 group at ∼2930 cm−1. The feature at 2880 cm−1 is assigned as the symmetric methyl stretch. Improved mode assignments will aid the interpretation of vibrational spectra with an aim toward developing a better understanding of the molecular basis of retention in liquid chromatography.
A temporal superresolution method applied to low-light cardiac fluorescence microscopy

In biomicroscopy, fluorescent samples emit very little light, and imaging requires a long camera integration time to acquire an adequate number of photons. However, when imaging live, dynamic biological processes, a long integration time results in motion blur, and a low sampling rate results in temporal aliasing. To reduce these unwanted artifacts, we utilize a temporal superresolution algorithm to reconstruct a high temporal resolution image sequence from multiple low temporal resolution acquisitions. Each acquisition is shifted in time by a subframe delay, and an l\ cost minimization is used to reconstruct the high temporal resolution sequence. This paper describes the acquisition and reconstruction algorithm, evaluates its performance, and demonstrates its application in live fluorescence bioimaging of the embryonic zebrafish heart. Our temporal superresolution algorithm increases the bandwidth by a factor of 1.5 and shows that temporal super-resolution can be a valuable tool to capture fast dynamic processes in biomicroscopy.
Perceived odor and irritation of isopropanol: a comparison between naïve controls and occupationally exposed workers.

Abstract Objectives. To assess sensory irritation levels from isopropanol (IPA) unconfounded by subjective evaluations of odor for comparison against the recommended exposure limits (400 ppm threshold limit value (TLV); American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). Method. The lateralization method was used to assess intra-nasal irritation thresholds for IPA, while odor detection thresholds were also measured. Thresholds for 1-butanol and phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) were obtained as positive and negative irritant controls. To compare potency and hedonic characteristics, subjects provided subjective ratings of odor, irritation and annoyance intensity for three concentrations of each chemical. Workers occupationally exposed to IPA (n=26) were compared with previously unexposed controls (n=26). Results. The (geometric) mean odor detection threshold for IPA was slightly higher among exposed workers than controls (39 ppm vs. 11 ppm). Lateralization thresholds measuring intra-nasal irritation were elevated when compared with controls (6,083 ppm in exposed workers vs. 3,361 ppm in naive controls), with a significantly higher proportion of phlebotomists being unable to lateralize the maximum concentration regarded as safe, than controls. Calculations of the 6th percentile for lateralization thresholds revealed that 95% of the sample did not experience sensory irritation below 512 ppm. Thus, while odor detection thresholds were well below the current recommended exposure limits, the irritation thresholds were well above these values. The odor, irritation and annoyance from IPA was perceived, on average, as between weak and almost strong, from lowest to highest concentration. Conclusions. The results indicate that current exposure guidelines would be adequately protective of the acute adverse effect of nasal sensory irritation, as operationally defined by the intra-nasal lateralization threshold. Exposures to higher concentrations should perhaps be evaluated on the basis of existing knowledge about systemic, rather than local (e.g., irritation), toxic effects. IPA appears to be a weak sensory irritant and occupational exposure to IPA appears to elicit small changes in sensitivity that do not generalize to other odorants (e.g., PEA and 1-butanol) and are likely to be reversible.
Sirtuin-1 regulation of mammalian metabolism

Sirtuin-1 (SirT1) is a nutrient-sensing deacetylase whose levels and activity increase with caloric restriction to preserve euglycemia and promote efficient energy utilization. Focusing on data obtained in vivo, we review how SirT1 orchestrates the adaptive response to fasting by stimulating hepatic gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation, increasing circulating adiponectin levels and limiting immune activation. Finally, we consider its viability as a therapeutic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Some Fundamental Solutions Which Generalize Fresnel Integrals

Abstract In an effort to generalize the space variable in the heat operator to complex space, we study the differential operators P =∂/∂ t +∂ m /∂ z m , where ∂/∂ z is the usual complex operator ∂/∂ z = 1 2 (∂/∂ x − i ∂/∂ y ). The primary tool for this study is the Fourier transform. The main result is a formula for a fundamental solution in which Fresnel-like integrals arise.
Solubility and dialysis limits of DNA oligonucleotides.

Abstract Oligonucleotides, 3–17 nucleotides in length, were generated from mouse L cell DNA and their dialysis and solubility limits were determined under a variety of conditions. After dialysis for 24-h oligonucleotides more than 4 nucleotides in length were retained. Ethanol precipitates at least 10–20 % of all classes of oligonucleotides and 65 % of high molecular weight DNA under our conditions; oligonucleotides longer than 15–16 nucleotides are precipitated to about the same extent as high molecular weight DNA. HClO 4 and trichloroacetic acid are equally effective in precipitating oligonucleotides: 50 % precipitation occurs at 17 nucleotides for HClO 4 and 16 nucleotides for trichloroacetic acid. Acid precipitation of oligonucleotides adsorbed on glass or paper fiber filters is different from that observed with solutions. The efficiency of binding of oligonucleotides increases with increasing chain length: 50 % binding occurs at 5–6 bases with paper and 9–15 with glass. These numerical estimates are important with reference to some current techniques and results concerning DNA repair.
Interim standard for the ion‐neutral atomic oxygen collision frequency

A growing body of evidence based on radar and optical observations of winds in the Earth's upper atmosphere indicates that the commonly utilized value for the ion-neutral atomic oxygen (O+-O) collision frequency for momentum transfer is too low by a factor of 1.3–2. A revised standard for the O+-O momentum transfer collision frequency is therefore recommended based on all the available measurements, in order to facilitate comparisons with thermospheric and ionospheric models and among data sets until future accurate laboratory measurements and more reliable observations can be made. The new interim standard, representing a 70% increase from the previous value, is given by: ν o+−o = 4×10−17 Tr0.5 no, where Tr = (Ti+Tn)/2, Ti being ion temperature, Tn neutral temperature, and no atomic oxygen number density in m−3.
Insider ownership and dividend signals: Additional evidence from the banking industry

This study investigates the relationship between the concentration of insider ownership and the share-price response to dividend-policy changes implemented by bank holding companies (BHCs). Using a cross-industry sample, previous research (Born 1988) found that there are differences in the magnitude of the share-price response to dividend initiations which may be explained by the concentration of insider ownership of the sampled firms. We hypothesize that the concentration of insider ownership does not play a role in differences in share price for BHCs due to the presence of regulatory monitors. The results of this study support our hypothesis.
The effect of dietary restriction and altered sodium intake on the cardiopulmonary toxicity of monocrotaline pyrrole

Monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP) is a reactive metabolite of the plant toxin monocrotaline (MCT), which produces pulmonary vascular injury and right ventricular hypertrophy in rats. In this study, the influence of diet restriction on the cardiopulmonary toxicity of MCTP was examined. In rats fed ad libitum, MCTP treatment resulted in increased lung weight, in elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and protein concentration in cell-free bronchopulmonary lavage fluid, and in right ventricular enlargement. Restriction of feed intake to 40% of normal attenuated the increases in lung weight and lavage protein concentration in MCTP-treated rats and abolished the right ventricular enlargement but did not affect the increased lavage LDH activity. In a study of the effect of diet restriction on the survival of MCTP-treated rats, the percentage of diet-restricted animals surviving was significantly higher than that of surviving animals which ate ad libitum through Day 28, but thereafter there was no significant difference between the two groups. Alterations in dietary sodium intake alone did not affect MCTP-induced toxicity. These results indicate that diet restriction partially protects against the cardiopulmonary toxicity due to MCTP, and that this protective effect cannot be explained by changes in salt intake.
Measurement of the pool size and synthesis rate of the metabolically unstable fraction of RNA in Escherichia coli by a method independent of hybridization efficiency and unaffected by precursor compartmentation.

An accurate measure of the pool size of metabolically unstable (messenger) RNA was calculated from the specific activities of three preparations: total RNA, unstable RNA, and stable RNA. The unstable fraction was prepared by hybridization. A stable fraction (transfer RNA) was prepared by treatment with rifampicin to rapidly halt the synthesis of short transcriptons and allow either elongation or degradation of all interfering RNA species. The unstable RNA fraction was found to comprise 4·1% of the RNA in, an Escherichia coli B culture doubling every 34 minutes. The rate of synthesis of the unstable RNA fraction was calculated from its pool size and its specific activity immediately after labeling and was found to comprise 56% of the total RNA synthesis. These pool size and rate of synthesis values are based entirely on specific activity measurements, and consequently are free from the problems usually associated with quantitatively fractionating RNA into its component classes. The values are also unaffected by the precursor compartmentation which has been shown to be present in E. coli.
High-throughput film-densitometry: an efficient approach to generate large data sets.

A film-handling machine (robot) has been built which can, in conjunction with a commercially available film densitometer, exchange and digitize over 300 electron micrographs per day. Implementation of robotic film handling effectively eliminates the delay and tedium associated with digitizing images when data are initially recorded on photographic film. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of the commercially available densitometer is significantly worse than that of a high-end, scientific microdensitometer. Nevertheless, its signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is quite excellent, allowing substantial restoration of the output to ''near-to-perfect'' performance. Due to the large area of the standard electron microscope film that can be digitized by the commercial densitometer (up to 10,000 x 13,680 pixels with an appropriately coded holder), automated film digitization offers a fast and inexpensive alternative to high-end CCD cameras as a means of acquiring large amounts of image data in electron microscopy.
I.R. studies on the formation of basic nickelous nitrate

Abstract I.R. absorption studies were conducted on the formation of basic nickelous nitrate. It was found that the basic salt precipitate contains free nitrate ions balanced by unreacted nickel ions. As water is rejected from the precipitate the nitrate ions coordinate with the nickel. At a high pH these nitrato groups are eventually replaced by hydroxide ions.
Numerical solutions of a nonlinear radiative transfer equation with inadequate data

Abstract Iterative algorithms for solving numerically a nonlinear radiative transfer equation with inadequate data are presented and tested by numerical simulations. It is found that these iterative algorithms do give excellent results.
Electron and ion microscopy studies of Fe-rich second-phase particles in AlLi alloys

Abstract Second-phase particles associated with trace amounts of impurities in binary AlLi alloys were characterized by analytical electron microscopy (AEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). These particles were analyzed by X-ray microanalysis to be Fe-rich and identified by electron diffraction to be Al 3 Fe. The Al 3 Fe precipitates were seen to be faulted along a preferred crystallographic direction. Also, they were surrounded by a δ′ precipitate free zone (PFZ) with coarser δ′ at the edge of the PFZ than in the rest of the matrix. SIMS analysis revealed detectable, but negligible, Li in these Al 3 Fe particles; based on this observation, the above mentioned PFZs are suggested to be a result of vacancy loss to the incoherent interface.
Risky driving, mental health, and health-compromising behaviours: risk clustering in late adolescents and adults

Background Health-compromising behaviours in adolescents and adults co-occur. Because motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and disability for these age groups, understanding the association between risky driving and other health-compromising behaviours is critical. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial of an intervention for participants who screened positive for risky driving and problem drinking. Using baseline data, we examined relationships among conduct behaviour problems before and after age 15 years, depressive symptoms, sleep, problem drinking, and risky driving (hostile, reckless and drinking and driving) in late adolescents ages 18–24 (n=110) years, and adults ages 25–44 (n=202) years. We developed a measurement model for the entire sample using confirmatory factor analysis, which was then specified as a multigroup structural equation model. Results Late adolescents and adults had some similar associations for pathways through problem drinking to drinking and driving; depression to reckless driving; and conduct behaviour problems after 15 years of age to hostile driving. Late adolescents, however, had more complex relationships: depressive symptoms and conduct behaviour problems before 15 years of age were associated with more risky driving behaviours through multiple pathways, and males reported more risky driving. Conclusions Risky driving is associated with other health-compromising behaviours and mental health factors. It is a multidimensional phenomenon more pronounced in late adolescence than adulthood. In order to promote safe driving, the findings support the need to consider behaviours that are a health threat in the late adolescent population during driving training and licensure. Trial registration number: NCT00164294.
The bicuspid aortic valve: adverse outcomes from infancy to old age.

The population frequency of a bicuspid aortic valve is ≈0.9% to 1.36%,1–3 with a 2:1 male:female ratio. It is likely that the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve has a genetic basis, with the pattern of transmission in some families suggesting an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.4,5 Epidemiological data from the Baltimore-Washington Infant Study demonstrated the familial clustering of left heart obstructive lesions (including coarctation of the aorta, aortic valve stenosis, and hypoplastic left heart syndrome).6 More recently, the increased risk of identifying a bicuspid aortic valve in the parent or sibling of the proband with any form of left heart obstructive lesion was described.7 By inference, this also suggests the potential identification of a congenitally malformed aortic valve in the presence a family member with a more complex congenital heart lesion. In addition, a bicuspid aortic valve is present in >50% of patients with aortic coarctation8 and in 10% to 12% of women with Turner syndrome.9 The specific genetic locus and protein abnormality in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve have not yet been identified, however. See p 920 The tissue abnormality in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve is not confined to the valve leaflets; these patients are at increased risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection. At the tissue level, the aorta shows cystic medial necrosis, loss of elastic fibers, increased apoptosis, and altered smooth muscle cell alignment.10 When compared with patients with a trileaflet valve, patients with a bicuspid valve have larger aortic root dimensions and an increased rate of aortic dilation over time, with the degree of aortic dilation independent of valve hemodynamics.11,12 The risk of aortic dissection in patients with a bicuspid valve is 5 to 9 times higher than in the general population, although some investigators …
Analysis of Alcohol Use Clusters among Subcritically Injured Emergency Department Patients

. .. .. . ....... .... .. Objectives: 1 ) To cluster patients according to self-reported drinking patterns using cluster analysis; 2) to externally validate clustered groups on variables related to drinking but not used in the cluster analysis; and 3) to use the clustered patients’ responses to alcohol consumption questions to develop a brief screening tool emergency physicians can use to identify patients in need of referral or intervention related to potentially hazardous alcohol consumption. Methods: A self-report battery was administered to 95 subcritically injured patients. Patients also were saliva alcohol-tested upon arrival to the ED. Using the patients’ self-reported quantity, frequency of alcohol consumption, and frequency of having 26 drinks on a drinking occasion, patients were categorized into 3 groups using cluster analysis. The 3 clusters were externally validated using injury-related variables, alcohol-related consequences, and the patients’ reported readiness to change drinking. A screening tool was developed using cutoff values reported by the patients’ answers to drinking pattern questions. Results: Fifty-nine patients were alcohol-negative, and 36 tested alcohol-positive (i.e., >4 mmol/L [>20 mgl dL]) or had elevated scores on an alcohol problem screening instrument. Three distinct drinking pattern clusters were found. Clusters were validated using discriminant function analysis and multivariate analyses of variance to confirm cluster classifications. Steady and high-intensity drinkers reported more alcohol-related negative consequences, and high-intensity drinkers indicated they would consider changing their drinking. The screening tool correctly classified 97% of the patient sample into their respective clusters. Conclusions: Using the drinking pattern questions in the clustering procedure was effective for grouping injured patients into clusters that could be differentiated on other drinking-related variables. The resulting screening tool can be used in the ED setting to screen patients for further assessment and intervention. The readiness-to-change results support the assertion that the injury event provides a “teachable moment” for subcritically injured patients whose injury may be related to their alcohol consumption.
Testability features in the TMS370 family of microcomputers

The TMS370 family of microcomputers was designed with a requirement for >99% stuck fault coverage. A design for testability (DFT) methodology called parallel/serial scan design was used which partitioned the design into independently testable modules along functional divisions. The automatically generated tests are then reuseable when the same functional module is included in a different configuration of microcomputer by simply concatenating the module tests. Thus, test preparation is only needed once per module. The DFT methodology is presented along with the application results. >
Fast modular reduction for large wordlengths via one linear and one cyclic convolution

Modular reduction is a fundamental operation in cryptographic systems. Most well known modular reduction methods including Barrett's and Montgomery's algorithms leverage some-pre computations to avoid divisions so that the main complexity of these methods lies in a sequence of two long multiplications. For large wordlengths a multiplication which is tantamount to a linear convolution is performed via the fast Fourier transform (FFT) or other transform-based techniques as in the Schonhage-Strassen multiplication algorithm. We show a fundamental property (the separation principle): in a modular reduction based on long multiplications, the linear convolution required by one of the two long multiplications can be replaced by a cyclic convolution, and the halves can be separated using other information available due to the intrinsic redundancy of the operations. This reduces the number of operations by about 25%. We demonstrate that both Barrett's and Montgomery's methods can be sped up by using the aforementioned fundamental principle. It is shown that a direct application of this algorithm to modular exponentiation (either using Barrett's or Montgomery's methods) can be expected to yield about about 17% speedup.
Globalization : Myths and realities

Abstract The current decline of the developmentalist paradigm, and its view of the rural as increasingly residual, revitalizes rural sociology. The blossoming of studies of rurality and ecology is paralleled by the growing currency of globalization as an object of analysis. This is more than a coincidence—in fact, globalization crystallizes local diversity. The two phenomena go hand in hand. But each needs to be understood as an historical construct; that is, they need to be problematized. In problematizing “globalization,” I argue that it must be understood as a post-developmentalist construct. The postwar goal of national development, institutionalized in the international Bretton Woods regime, has run its course—dramatized by the assault on developmentalist states and institutions in the monetarist regime established under the auspices of the 1980s debt crisis. The nationally oriented institutions of the developmentalist era are now being replaced by globally oriented institutions under the legitimizing cloak of efficiency and financial credibility. Related to this trend, producing communities scramble to reposition themselves either through finding niches in a new global economy or through resistance to global pressures. Either way, there is a new emphasis on defining the local. This article explores the conjunction of global and local definition.
An extension of Wallace's, Miguel's and Clifford's theorems on circles

The theorem of Wallace that if four arbitrary lines he taken in a plane the circumcircles of the four triangles formed by them in threes meet in a point—in which for circles we may equally well take conies drawn through two arbitrary points I, J of the plane —may be proved very easily from three dimensions. Through the four given lines draw four arbitrary planes, forming a tetrahedron X, Y, Z, T. A unique cubic curve can be drawn through I, J and the four vertices. Projecting this curve from the point T upon the original plane, we get a conic which passes through I, J and the vertices of the triangle formed by the lines in which the plane meets the planes TYZ, TZX, TXY, that is, by three.of the given lines. This conic, which is one of the conics of the theorem, also passes through the third point K, other than I, J, in which the original plane meets the cubic curve. Projecting in turn from the other three vertices of the tetrahedron, we get the other three conics of the theorem, which also pass through K.
Graphical Inference Methods for Fault Diagnosis based on Information from Unreliable Sensors

In this paper, we study the application of decoding algorithms to the multiple fault diagnosis (MFD) problem. Prompted by the resemblance between graphical representations for MFD problems and parity check codes, we develop a suboptimal iterative belief propagation algorithm (BPA) that is based on the graphical inference method for low density parity check codes. Our simulation results suggest that the algorithm performance strongly depends on the connection density and the reliability of the alarm network. In particular, when the connection density is low and when the alarms and/or connections are unreliable, the algorithm performs almost optimally, i.e., it converges to the solution with the highest posterior probability most of the times. We also provide analytical bounds on the performance of the algorithm for special classes of systems in our framework.
The Effects of Curriculum on the Sensitivity of Curriculum-Based Measurement in Reading

This study examined the effects of curriculum on the sensitivity of repeated curriculum-based measurement (CBM). Participants included 24 third-grade students who were instructed primarily in a literature-based Scott, Foresman basal series, and 24 third-grade students who were instructed primarily in a more traditional basal series. CBM passage probes from each basal reading series were administered to all students twice weekly over a 9-week period. Each student's rate of progress in each reading series was indexed using an ordinary least squares regression to determine the slope of the data series. Results suggested that passage probes selected from the literature-based basal series were less sensitive to indexing growth over time than those from the traditional basal series.
Prolonged training at threshold promotes robust retinotopic specificity in perceptual learning.

Human perceptual learning is classically thought to be highly specific to trained stimuli9s retinal location. Together with evidence that specific learning effects can result in corresponding changes in early visual cortex, researchers have theorized that specificity implies regionalization of learning in the brain. However, other research suggests that specificity can arise from learning readout in decision areas or through top-down processes. Notably, recent research using a novel double-training paradigm reveals dramatic generalization of perceptual learning to untrained locations when multiple stimuli are trained. These data provoked significant controversy in the field and challenged extant models of perceptual learning. To resolve this controversy, we investigated mechanisms that account for retinotopic specificity in perceptual learning. We replicated findings of transfer after double training; however, we show that prolonged training at threshold, which leads to a greater number of difficult trials during training, preserves location specificity when double training occurred at the same location or sequentially at different locations. Likewise, we find that prolonged training at threshold determines the degree of transfer in single training of a peripheral orientation discrimination task. Together, these data show that retinotopic specificity depends highly upon particularities of the training procedure. We suggest that perceptual learning can arise from decision rules, attention learning, or representational changes, and small differences in the training approach can emphasize some of these over the others.
Ionic conductivity of silver chloride containing copper(I) chloride

Abstract The conductivity of silver chloride was measured as a function of copper(I) concentration and temperature in the range of 150–372°C. The data were analyzed in terms of dissociation of the copper ions from lattice sites to interstitital sites in which the copper ions are mobile. The degree of dissociation varies from 0·125 at 161°C to 0·175 at 298°C. The enthalpy of formation of the copper interstitial plus concomitant vacancy is 0·75 eV. In the temperature range investigated, the copper interstitial has nearly the same mobility as the silver vacancy and has an activation enthalpy of motion of 0·35 eV. Evidence is presented for its migration by a direct jump mechanism.
The computational complexity of high-dimensional correlation search

There is a growing awareness that the popular support metric (often used to guide search in market-basket analysis) is not appropriate for use in every association mining application. Support measures only the co-occurrence frequency of a set of events when determining which patterns to report back to the user. It incorporates no rigorous statistical notion of surprise or interest, and many of the patterns deemed interesting by the support metric are uninteresting to the user. However, a positive aspect of support is that search using support is very efficient. The question addresses in the paper is: can we retain this efficiency if we move beyond support, and to other more rigorous metrics? We consider the computational implications of incorporating simple expectation into the data mining task. It turns out that many variations on the problem which incorporate more rigorous tests of dependence (or independence) result in NP-hard problem definitions.
Some Experiments in Cross-breeding of the Coreid Bug, Theraptus sp.

Theraptus sp. from Zanzibar, Pemba and Tanganyika have been inter-bred. Individuals of the F 1 generation are fertile, but a partial sterility in some crosses may exist. It is concluded that there is only one species but possibly three varietal strains.
Uncertainty and Risk Management

The primary purpose for performing an energy modeling for a building and its systems is to predict the future energy consumption of the building. To perform an energy modeling simulation, in addition to the need for keying in all the physical dimensions, orientation and constructing elements characteristics of the building, it is required to enter almost all the building constructing elements and their thermal characteristics, and all the utilized systems and their required enabling power for operation and level of efficiencies, into the model as input. Available commercial simulation software uses its underlying mathematical structure and executes proper calculations with this information to provide a single estimated output which represents the total building yearly energy consumption level.
Enhanced myogenic activation in skeletal muscle arterioles from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the vascular myogenic response is enhanced in hypertension. Experiments were conducted in the intact cremaster muscle microcirculation as well as ...
Vacating Arbitration Decisions in South Carolina: Are the Courts Taking a Second Look?

The Court system today tends to stray from litigation and trend towards settling issues with alternative dispute resolution. These alternative methods have multiple benefits including but not limited to lower costs for the client, quicker problem solving, and less stressful negotiation. With this increased prevalence, the role of the arbitrator and mediator becomes more central and as a result, they are subject to additional scrutiny. The powers given to the arbitrator are very unique within the legal realm and the case law for this method of resolution is distinct. This paper serves to explain the power of the arbitrator and if a party disagrees with the arbitrator's decision, what remedies become available to that party. Additionally, this paper surveys the Courts in South Carolina to see how frequent the Court takes on this type of review.
Occurrence of agglutinogens in normoblasts.

Summary and Conclusions1. Normoblasts from a patient with auto-immune hemolytic anemia are agglutinable by type-specific sera, antiglobulin serum and sera containing cold and warm auto-hemagglutinins. 2. Agglutinogens make their appearance at the normoblast stage of development. 3. It is suggested that in acquired immune forms of hemolytic anemia, the bone marrow is also under direct attack by antibodies which may aggravate the severity of anemia.
Cytogenetic analysis of chromosomal intermediates from a hybrid zone between two chromosome races of the Sceloporus grammicus complex (Sauria, Phrynosomatidae)

Underdominance for chromosomal rearrangements is the central assumption of several models of chromosomally based speciation including the cascade model, proposed for the Sceloporus grammicus complex. Several cytotypes of the S. grammicus complex hybridize at localities in central Mexico. A hybrid zone between two of the most chromosomally divergent races (= cytotypes) of S. grammicus (F5, 2n = 34 and FM2, 2n = 44-46) was examined to assess the meiotic effects of heterozygosity at multiple chromosomes. Meiosis was examined in males heterozygous for "simple" Robertsonian fissions at chromosomes 1, 3, 4, and 6 and/or a pericentric inversion at chromosome 4. Analysis of synaptonemal complexes and chromosomal configurations at diakinesis showed trivalent formation in fission heterozygotes and heterosynapsis (lack of reverse-loop formation) in an inversion heterozygote. Analysis of metaphase II configurations revealed primarily balanced segregation and low levels of nondisjunction regardless of chromosomal background. The lack of underdominance associated with "simple" fission heterozygosity in this narrow hybrid zone contradicts the key premise of most chromosomally based models of speciation.
Performances of negative skin friction of belled wedge pile group under surcharge load

In order to reduce negative skin friction and improve positive skin friction of piles which is are embedded in soft ground,a new pile type,cast-in-place belled wedge reinforced concrete pile(referred to as belled wedge pile),is developed.The design method and construction process of the belled wedge pile are introduced.Based on FLAC3D,the accuracy is verified by analyzing model test examples,and the properties of negative skin friction of balled wedge pile groups are preliminarily studied.The parametric studies on pile spacing,taper angles,pile-soil modulus ratio and coefficient,and soil layered modulus ratio are carried out and discussed.The conventional equal section pile which is in the same concrete volume is comparatively analyzed.It is shown that 16 %-20 % of downdrag can be reduced by small taper angles(between 0.4o – 1.0o) compareed with the equal section pile,which shows that taper angle can reduce downdrag effectively.
The effect of spectral slope on pitch perception.

This study aims to explore whether listeners integrate spectral cues in pitch-range perceptions. A forced-choice pitch classification experiment with four spectral conditions was conducted to investigate whether spectral cue manipulation can affect pitch-height perceptions. The participants in this experiment include tonal vs. non-tonal language speakers and musicians vs. non-musicians. The results show that the pitch classification function significantly shifted under different spectral conditions. Listeners generally hear higher pitches when the spectrum includes more high-frequency energy (i.e., tenser phonation). This study strongly supports the hypothesis that voice quality cues and F0 interact in pitch perceptions. Moreover, language experience and musical training can affect the magnitude of shifts.
A “Metasurvey” analysis in Operations Research and Management Science: A survey of literature reviews

Abstract This manuscript provides a survey of 343 literature reviews of the last 15 years (2000 through 2014) in Operations Research and Management Science. It provides information on journals that are publishing literature reviews, volume trends, geographic sources of literature reviews, and citation analysis for the surveys. It further provides an analysis of topical coverage and relationships between areas of research. Finally, it suggests subject areas that may be ripe for more extensive survey coverage.
Reassessment of Jewish Cognitive Ability: Within Group Analyses Based on Parental Fluency in Hebrew or Yiddish

The most influential study on the differences in intellectual ability between Jews and gentiles may be Backman’s (1972) analysis of group differences in intellectual ability using the Project Talent data. However, inspection of the study, and the Project Talent data file on which the study is based, suggested that further analyses could be conducted that may be useful in shedding light on Jewish intellectual achievement. The most significant change from the original analysis was the use of parental fluency in Hebrew or Yiddish as a variable allowing for within group analyses. Analyses using this variable showed that as fluency increased so did general intelligence and scores on individual tests, with the exception of tests of spatial visualization and mechanical reasoning. For other European languages parental fluency was inversely associated with general intelligence. Results also showed that rates of myopia were positively associated with parental fluency in Hebrew or Yiddish, yet negatively associated with parental fluency in other European languages. General intelligence and individual test scores, with the exceptions of tests of spatial visualization and mechanical reasoning, were higher in individuals with myopia; for both Jews and gentiles. The results suggest that parental fluency in Hebrew or Yiddish is a valid measure Jewish within group differences and further research using the measure and the Project Talent data file is prescribed.
Effect of process- and storage-times and temperatures on concentrations of volatile materials in ultra-high-temperature steam infusion processed milk.

Effect of various processing times and temperatures on the composition and subsequent changes in concentration of volatile compounds in UHT milk during storage was investigated. Milk samples were sterilized in a DASI Free Falling Film steam infusion system utilizing the combinations of 138, 146, and 154°C for 1.5, 3.4 and 9.0 s. After processing, aseptically collected samples were stored at refrigeration (2-5°C) and room (25°C) temperature for analysis at monthly intervals. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that processing times and temperatures used had little effect on initial concentrations of most volatile compounds in UHT milk. However, changes in their concentrations during storage appeared to be related to processing temperatures and temperature of storage, Acetaldehyde and n-pentanal increased more rapidly in the milk sterilized at 154°C/3.4 s than 146°C/3.4 s, whereas n-hexanal concentrations were lower in milk sterilized at 154°C/3.4 s. In addition, changes in concentrations of volatile compounds during storage at room temperature occurred primarily in aliphatic aldehydes. Increases in acetaldehyde, n-pentanal, and n-hexanal were closely related to the rapid decrease in product acceptability that was mainly due to increase in the intensity of stale flavor. Relatively little change occurred in the concentration of these aldehydes in milk stored at refrigeration temperature.
Turn design and progression: Aiyou in Mandarin conversation

The temporal character of talk is one fundamental feature of language in situ . As interaction unfolds, participants need to not only monitor the temporal progression of talk toward a completion, but also attend to how the current turn ties back to the preceding turns. Whereas such dual-directional consideration is often a latent aspect of turn construction, at times efforts to clear up possible ambiguity are in order. This article introduces a Mandarin practice, aiyou -preface, which seems to be used just to this end, and demonstrates an intimate relationship between the prosodic design of aiyou -preface and the displayed orientation to the intended directionality of the talk. The analysis draws upon a corpus of 35 hours of conversations collected in China.
Real-time insights into regulated exocytosis

Real-time imaging of regulated exocytosis in secreting organs can provide unprecedented temporal and spatial detail. Here, we highlight recent advances in 3D time-lapse imaging in Drosophila salivary glands at single-granule resolution. Using fluorescently labeled proteins expressed in the fly, it is now possible to image the dynamics of vesicle biogenesis and the cytoskeletal factors involved in secretion. 3D imaging over time allows one to visualize and define the temporal sequence of events, including clearance of cortical actin, fusion pore formation, mixing of the vesicular and plasma membranes and recruitment of components of the cytoskeleton. We will also discuss the genetic tools available in the fly that allow one to interrogate the essential factors involved in secretory vesicle formation, cargo secretion and the ultimate integration of the vesicular and plasma membranes. We argue that the combination of high-resolution real-time imaging and powerful genetics provides a platform to investigate the role of any factor in regulated secretion.
Hydrotalcite catalyzed N-alkylation: A practical greener approach towards Carbon-Nitrogen bond formation

Abstract Main driving force of this research work is to focus 9th principle (Catalysis) out of 12 principles of green chemistry so as to protect environment concerned with the reduction in generation of carbon dioxide, one of the green house gas. An innovative development of chemical pathway regarding N-alkylation reaction carried out by adding and recycling only catalytic amount of Hydrotalcite as solid base instead of stoichiometric amount, as per prior art techniques, has attempted. Synthesis of 3° amines, important Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and their intermediates, maintaining the same quality attributes resulting in to minimum generation of carbon dioxide are described. These concept is designed, synthesized, characterized, quantified and compared using “Carbon Efficiency”, a Green Chemistry Metrics, with already reported work to prove its sustainability. It is industrially advantageous by getting improvement in carbon efficiency and yield as outcome. Here we show a practical greener approach towards Carbon – Nitrogen bond formation with the help of calculation of Carbon efficiency and rate of reaction for first time.