cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The proapoptotic function of Noxa in human leukemia cells is regulated by the kinase Cdk5 and by glucose.

Summary The BH3-only protein, Noxa, is induced in response to apoptotic stimuli, such as DNA damage, hypoxia, and proteasome inhibition in most human cells. Noxa is constitutively expressed in proliferating cells of hematopoietic lineage and required for apoptosis in response to glucose stress. We show that Noxa is phosphorylated on a serine residue (S 13 ) in the presence of glucose. Phosphorylation promotes its cytosolic sequestration and suppresses its apoptotic function. We identify Cdk5 as the Noxa kinase and show that Cdk5 knockdown or expression of a Noxa S 13 to A mutant increases sensitivity to glucose starvation, confirming that the phosphorylation is protective. Both glucose deprivation and Cdk5 inhibition promote apoptosis by dephosphorylating Noxa. Paradoxically, Noxa stimulates glucose consumption and may enhance glucose turnover via the pentose phosphate pathway rather than through glycolysis. We propose that Noxa plays both growth-promoting and proapoptotic roles in hematopoietic cancers with phospho-S 13 as the glucose-sensitive toggle switch controlling these opposing functions.
Thinking about threats

The development of a science of threat systems is a desirable but slow-dangerously slow-process (cf. Boulding, 1963). The uneven evolution of this science has given it several characteristics of doubtful value. In the first place, "strategic thinking" has acquired military connotations. When a student of international politics refers to "the strategists," he usually has in mind those who are primarily concerned with military policy-and he expects other students of international politics to know that this is what he has in mind. Although there are many nonmilitary situations in international politics in which the ability of one nation to gain its ends depends to an important degree on what other nations do (cf. Schelling, 1960, p. 5), such situations are rarely viewed as "strategic." Even within the field of military affairs, the term "strategic thinking" usually connotes a concern with nuclear deterrence policies. Although the valuable contributions to theorizing about threats by students of nuclear strategy must be acknowledged, it would be undesirable to treat such theories as the exclusive province of such scholars. In addition to its military connotations, the concept of strategic thought has become associated with game theory. Thinking about threats, however, is too important to be left to the game theorists. For example, after a highly stimulating discussion of "fractional threats," Schelling (1960, p. 184) talks about them as if the importance of his discussion lay in having found a rationale for such tactics in game theory terms. But what if Schelling had failed to find a niche in game theory for fractional threats? Should we then forget about them? Such tactics are clearly phenomena of the real world. Many students of international politics can benefit from Schelling's imaginative discussions regardless of their implications for game theory. This might be called the problem of "how to steal without getting caught"that is, how can the student of international politics "steal" Schellings's ideas without getting caught by Schelling's game theory orientation? For many students of international politics, the primary significance of Schelling's work lies in improved understanding of the real world, not in his contributions to the game theory. Threats pervade human relations and should not be discussed solely in terms of nuclear deterrence or game theory. The purpose of this paper is to broaden the context within which threats are discussed by looking at selected aspects of recent thinking about threats from a more general perspective than that of either game theory or nuclear strategy. The discussion will focus on: (1) the basic concept of threat, (2) the relationship between threats and promises, (3) the coerciveness of threats, (4) the costs of threats, (5) the role of ambiguity in threat systems, and (6) the relationship between threats and the concept of deterrence.
Phase II trial of fazarabine (arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytidine) in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

We conducted a phase II evaluation of fazarabine 1.75–2.0 mg/m2hr over 72 hours every 28 days in 14 previously untreated patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. The intial dose was 1.75 mg/m2/hr in 10 patients, and 2.0 mg/m2hr in 4 patients. The dose was escalated in 8 patients, including all 4 who started at the higher dose level. Toxicity was unexpectedly mild. The median WBC nadir was 4.4 (range: 2.4–15.8)×103/μl, the median absolute neutrophil nadir was 3.2 (range: 0.9–13.0)×103/μl, and the median platelet count was 134.0 (range: 48.0–291.0)×103/μl. Gastrointestinal toxicity was generally mild. No major responses were seen, excluding, with 95% confidence, a response rate in excess of 20%.
High Molecular Weight Protein Phosphatase Type 1 Dephosphorylates the Retinoblastoma Protein

pRb controls cell proliferation by restricting inappropriate entry of cells into the cell division cycle. As dephosphorylation of pRb during mitotic exit activates its growth suppressive function, identification of the protein phosphatase that dephosphorylates pRb, and characterization of the mechanism of its regulation, are essential to elucidating the mechanisms of cell growth control. By fractionating mitotic CV-1P cell extracts, we identify the protein phosphatase which dephosphorylates pRb as a type 1 serine/threonine phosphoprotein phosphatase (PP1). Molecular sizing analyses indicate that the catalytic enzyme (PP1c) is present in a high molecular weight complex, with a predicted molecular mass of 166 kDa. PP1-interacting proteins in the mitotic cell extracts are identified. Two PP1-interacting proteins (41 and 110 kDa) are shown to form distinct complexes with PP1c from fractions of separated mitotic cell extracts containing phosphorylase phosphatase activity. However, only the 110-kDa PP1-interacting protein is present in fractions containing pRb-directed phosphatase activity, identifying this protein as a putative activator of PP1 function toward pRb during mitosis.
Playscapes: a pedagogical paradigm for play and learning

Children's playgrounds in the USA typically reflect an archaic view of children blowing off steam or, in schools, as a place for teachers to get a break from children. Even so, children are spending less and less time on playgrounds and even less time in play. A thoughtfully designed playscape with a focus on nature is an alternative to traditional playgrounds, one that is environmentally sound. Research indicates that children learn academic concepts, engage in physical activities, investigate scientific principles, and enhance development in all domains through nature play. Playscapes promote early science learning and demonstrate sustainability principles. In essence, playscapes can sanction play and recess as an academic learning venue while serving as an early educational model for the next wave of environmentalism.
Rationalizing right-handed neutrinos

A simple argument based on an SU(3) gauged horizontal symmetry is presented in detail that connects the explanation for three generations of matter with the existence of a triplet of right-handed neutrinos. This rationale for right-handed neutrinos is analogous to, but completely independent of, grand unification. A supersymmetric model with a gauged horizontal SU(3) removes the dangerous dimension-5 Planck-suppressed operators that lead to too fast proton decay in ordinary supersymmetric models. The most direct test of this idea is the observation of lepton flavor violating interactions arising from the exchange of SU(3) gauge bosons.
THE CHRISTOLOGY OF MICHELANGELO: THE SISTINE CHAPEL

The sober efficiency of critical technique is adequate for understanding the complexities of ordinary art. It is often defeated by the terrible simplicities of very great art. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel is a very great work of art, in conception and execution, in form and intellect. It was not made for the sake of form or intellect, which were only servants to the central act, but as an act of worship and proclamation. It can be understood only by participating in the act, which is an act of worship.' It is not an argument, a display of an iconographical program, or an illustration of verbal ideas, although all these things are present in the work. Rather, it is a Christian liturgical act and can rightly be understood only as it is apprehended in its performance. The chapel is profoundly Christocentric. It is presented in a mode that, while known in earlier Christian art, is here distinctively Michelangelo's and deserves to be included in any fully developed historical Christology.
Early determinants of postsecondary education participation and degree attainment: Findings from an inner-city minority cohort

Early determinants of college attendance and degree attainment for economically disadvantaged minority youth were examined in the present study. The study sample (n = 1,379) was drawn from the Chic...
Determination of the principal spin axes orientations for the 1-methyl-2-thiouracil triplet state using low-field optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR)

Abstract The orientation of the principal axes system was determined for a single mixed crystal of 1-methyl-2-thiouracil in a 1-methyluracil host using low-field ODMR spectroscopy. We find X = −5.075, Y = −0.711, and Z = +5.786 GHz for the spin-Hamiltonian, H/h = − XS 2 x - YS 2 y - ZS 2 z . The x and z principal axes were found to lie normal to the molecular plane and close to the CS bond direction, respectively. T z and T x are the shortest and longest-lived sublevels, respectively. The zero-field splittings can be accounted for by spin-orbit mixing of the 3 (π-π*) sublevels of the phosphorescent state with low-lying 1,3 (n-π*) states, which is significant because of the presence of the sulfur atom.
Evaluation of the thiopental test in epilepsy surgery patients

One hundred and three patients underwent a thiopental test during a presurgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Depth electrodes were implanted bilaterally into the mesial temporal and mesial frontal lobes. Thiopental was infused at 25 mg/30 s for adults and 0.3 mg/kg/20 s in children until loss of corneal reflexes or a total of 1 g. The absence of beta activity on the EEG, and activation of interictal spiking were two parameters monitored at all recording sites. Positive results were correlated with the anatomy of the ictal epileptic foci. Half of the patients produced increased interictal spiking and three-quarters of them showed absence of beta production in at least one lobe. Despite a reasonably high concordance between ictal foci and the two thiopental parameters, both measures yielded a low sensitivity and specificity. This work, as well as that reported in the literature, was unable to confirm the hypothesis that local damage within the temporal lobe was responsible for positive thiopental test results. An alternative hypothesis is proposed that the thalamus may be a distant source of these findings. Irrespective of the mechanism, the thiopental test must be used cautiously in the evaluation for epilepsy surgery.
Postnatal dendritic development of Y-like geniculocortical relay neurons.

Abstract We describe the dendritic development of neurons in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGNd) projecting to cortical area 18 in the postnatal cat. LGN neurons were identified by retrograde labeling from area 18 with fluorescent latex microspheres and injected in the fixed slice with Lucifer yellow (LY) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to visualize their dendritic arborizations. Both topological (measures of the patterns of dendritic branching and their territorial coverage) and metric parameters (measures of the quantitative parameters describing the size, length, extent and diameter of the dendritic arbors) were measured in three-dimensions for 25 LGN neurons in cats between 1 and 18 postnatal weeks. In addition, dendritic growth was compared to the changing dimensions of the LGNd. At all ages, neurons projecting to area 18 have large somata and radiate dendrites. From 1 to 18 weeks neurons increase in size—both soma area and the length of all dendritic segments double during this period. Intermediate and terminal dendritic segments show comparable growth until 5 weeks. However, only terminal segments continue to grow significantly from 5 until 18 weeks. Dendrites become straighter during development, the angle between daughter branches decreases and dendritic segment diameter increases, with terminal segments showing a greater increase relative to intermediate segments. The density of dendritic appendages increases transiently at 5 weeks and a differential redistribution occurs, so that by 18 weeks dendrites further from the soma have a greater density of appendages than those near the soma. Some dendritic relationships remain invariant during development—intermediate segments are always shorter, thicker and straighter than terminal segments. During these changes however, area 18 projecting neurons maintain a constant number of primary dendrites and have, on average, a constant branching pattern. The relative volume of the LGNd occupied by an area 18 projecting neuron increases 2.4-fold between 1 and 18 weeks as the dendrites grow with the result that the coverage of a given point of the LGNd by dendrites of area 18 projecting nearly doubles from 24 to 45 neurons per unit volume. This increased net dendritic overlap provides a substrate for enhanced numerical synaptic divergence of the Y-cell pathway from a point source in the retina to the visual cortex.
Zidovudine for the treatment of HIV-negative patients with psoriasis: A pilot study

Abstract Background: Zidovudine, an inhibitor of HIV replication, has been reported to improve psoriasis in HIV-positive patients. Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of oral zidovudine for treating psoriasis in HIV-negative patients in a small, open-label study. Methods: Each subject received 200 mg of zidovudine every 4 hours during waking hours, for a total of 1000 mg/day. Treatment was continued for 8 weeks, at which time the patient's response to therapy was evaluated. If a response was evident, treatment was continued for an additional 8 weeks. Clinical response was correlated with histologic changes in skin lesions at 0 and 4 weeks. Results: Thirty-three percent of HIV-negative patients with psoriasis showed improvement by up to 80% after 16 weeks of therapy; decreased elevation and scaling of the psoriasis plaques were the most notable changes. No complete remissions occurred. Conclusion: This is the first report of the use of zidovudine to treat HIV-negative patients with psoriasis. Although zidovudine was well tolerated, it may be more effective in HIV-positive patients with psoriasis.
PEGylated meso-arylporpholactone metal complexes as optical cyanide sensors in water

The colorimetric cyanide sensing ability of free base porpholactone, a pyrrole-modified porphyrin in which a porphyrin β,β′-double bond was replaced by a lactone functionality, and its zinc(II), platinum(II), and gallium(III) complexes in aqueous solution are reported. Water-solubility of the parent meso-pentafluorophenyl-derivatized porphyrinoids was assured by PEGylation of the p-aryl positions using a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction with thiol-terminated PEG chains. A central metal-dependent sensing mechanism was revealed: While the CN− adds to the zinc(II) complex as an axial ligand, resulting in a minor response in its UV-vis spectrum, it undergoes a nucleophilic addition to the lactone moiety in the platinum(II) and gallium(III) complexes, leading to a much more prominent optical response. Nonetheless, these chemosensors are less sensitive than many other sensors reported previously, with detection limits at pH 7 for the zinc, gallium, and platinum complexes of 2 mM (50 ppm), 240 μM (6 ppm), and 4 mM (100 ppm), respectively. The gallium(III) complex is weakly fluorescent (ϕ = 0.8%) and cyanide addition leads to fluorescence intensity quenching; the cyanide adduct responds with a fluorescence switch-on response but the signal is weak (ϕ < 10−2%). Lastly, we report on the fabrication of a unique optical cyanide-sensing membrane. The PEGylated gallium-complex was incorporated into a Nafion® membrane (on a PTFE carrier film). It was shown to be stable over extended periods of time and exhibiting a reversible and selective response within minutes to cyanide, with a 5 mM (130 ppm) detection limit. This largely fundamental study on the ability to utilize the once rare but now readily available class of pyrrole-modified porphyrins as chemosensors highlights the multiple principle ways this chromophore platform can be modified and utilized.
Microporous metal-organic frameworks incorporating 1,4-benzeneditetrazolate: syntheses, structures, and hydrogen storage properties.

The potential of tetrazolate-based ligands for forming metal-organic frameworks of utility in hydrogen storage is demonstrated with the use of 1,4-benzeneditetrazolate (BDT 2- ) to generate a series of robust, microporous materials. Reaction of H2BDT with MnCl2‚4H2O and Mn(NO3)2‚4H2 Oi nN,N- diethylformamide (DEF) produces the two-dimensional framework solids Mn3(BDT)2Cl2(DEF)6 (1) and Mn4- (BDT)3(NO3)2(DEF)6 (2), whereas reactions with hydrated salts of Mn 2+ ,C u 2+ , and Zn 2+ in a mixture of methanol and DMF afford the porous, three-dimensional framework solids Zn3(BDT)3(DMF)4(H2O)2‚3.5CH3- OH (3), Mn3(BDT)3(DMF)4(H2O)2‚3CH3OH‚2H2O‚DMF (4), Mn2(BDT)Cl2(DMF)2‚1.5CH3OH‚H2 O( 5), and Cu- (BDT)(DMF)‚CH3OH‚0.25DMF (6). It is shown that the method for desolvating such compounds can dramatically influence the ensuing gas sorption properties. When subjected to a mild evacuation procedure, compounds 3-6 exhibit permanent porosity, with BET surface areas in the range 200-640 m 2 /g. The desolvated forms of 3-5 store between 0.82 and 1.46 wt % H2 at 77 K and 1 atm, with enthalpies of adsorption in the range 6.0-8.8 kJ/mol, among the highest so far reported for metal-organic frameworks. In addition, the desolvated form of 6 exhibits preferential adsorption of O2 over H2 and N2, showing promise for gas separation and purification applications.
Continuous, Low Overhead, Run-Time Validation of Program Executions

The construction of trustworthy systems demands that the execution of every piece of code is validated as genuine, that is, the executed codes do exactly what they are supposed to do. Pre-execution validations of code integrity fail to detect run time compromises like code injection, return and jump-oriented programming, and illegal dynamic linking of program modules. We propose and evaluate a generalized mechanism called REV (for Run-time Execution Validator) that can be easily integrated into a contemporary out-of-order processor to validate, as the program executes, the control flow path and instructions executed along the control flow path. To prevent memory from being tainted by compromised code, REV also prevents updates to the memory from a basic block until its execution has been authenticated. Although control flow signature based authentication of an execution has been suggested before for software testing and for restricted cases of embedded systems, their extensions to out-of-order cores is a non-incremental effort from a micro architectural standpoint. Unlike REV, the existing solutions do not scale with binary sizes, require binaries to be altered or require new ISA support and also fail to contain errors and, in general, impose a heavy performance penalty. We show, using a detailed cycle-accurate micro architectural simulator for an out-of-order pipeline implementing the X86 ISA that the performance overhead of REV is limited to 1.87% on the average across the SPEC 2006 benchmarks.
Kinetics of Thermal Decomposition of Cubic Ammonium Perchlorate

The methods of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimettry (DSC) have been used to study the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). TGA curves obtained under both isothermal and nonisothermal conditions show a characteristic slowdown at the extents of conversion, α = 0.30−0.35. DSC demonstrates that in this region the process changes from an exothermic to an endothermic regime. The latter is ascribed to dissociative sublimation of AP. A new computational technique (advanced isoconversional method) has been used to determine the dependence of the effective activation energy (Eα) on α for isothermal and nonisothermal TGA data. At α > 0.1, the Eα dependencies obtained from isothermal and nonisothermal data are similar. By the completion of decomposition (α → 1) the activation energy for the isothermal and nonisothermal decomposition respectively rises to ∼110 and ∼130 kJ mol-1, which are assigned to the activation energy of sublimation. The initial decomposition (α → ...
System for high-speed time-resolved holography of transient events.

A configuration for sequential holographic recording based on a new system for obtaining a train of spatially separated light pulses at frequencies ranging from 6 to 35 MHz has been developed. The multipulse system uses a high-energy Q-switched Nd:YAG laser as a light source and incorporates a phase-front-preserving optical delay line and a specially graded beam splitter to produce as many as ten spatially separated light pulses of nearly equal energy. The temporal spacing between successive output pulses may be varied discretely in increments of 28.3 ns from 28.3 to 169.8 ns. The system is currently used for high-speed time-resolved holography of dynamic events with lifetimes between 100 ns and 1.5 μs. Other applications include using the system either as a single point or sequential-array source for laser generation of ultrasound.
The Marked Length Spectrum vs. The Laplace Spectrum on Forms on Riemannian Nilmanifolds

The subject of this paper is the relationships among the marked length spectrum, the length spectrum, the Laplace spectrum on functions, and the Laplace spectrum on forms on Riemannian nilmanifolds. In particular, we show that for a large class of three-step nilmanifolds, if a pair of nilmanifolds in this class has the same marked length spectrum, they necessarily share the same Laplace spectrum on functions. In contrast, we present the first example of a pair of isospectral Riemannian manifolds with the same marked length spectrum but not the same spectrum on one-forms. Outside of the standard spheres vs. the Zoll spheres, which are not even isospectral, this is the only example of a pair of Riemannian manifolds with the same marked length spectrum, but not the same spectrum on forms. This partially extends and partially contrasts the work of Eberlein, who showed that on two-step nilmanifolds, the same marked length spectrum implies the same Laplace spectrum both on functions and on forms.
Tidal modeling of the Hudson-Raritan estuary

Abstract Tidal flow characteristics in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary are studied with a two-dimensional, depth-averaged finite difference model. Rivers are modeled as one-dimensional channels with variable width and depth and are calculated as part of the two-dimensional calculations at no extra computational cost. An extensive comparison of numerical, tidal calculations with observational data than has previously appeared in the literature is presented. Computed velocity and tidal elevation fields compare well with observations. Comparison with observations at the Sandy Hook-Rockaway Point transect indicates that the barotropic tidal residual current contributes significantly to the overall steady circulation in the harbor. The residual current is mainly induced by the coastal geometry and bottom topography through the nonlinear inertia effects.
Dielectric elastomer laminates for active membrane pump applications

Previous research has demonstrated promise for the use of dielectric elastomer (DE) films in diaphragm pump applications. Because the films tend to be quite thin, single layers operate at very low pressures. To make this technology suitable for practical applications, the films may be organized into laminates which will operate at increased pressures. Radially stretched circular diaphragms of two materials were tested: 3M VHB 4905 polyacrylate and spin-cast Nusil CF19-2186 silicone. The diaphragms were stacked, each layer sharing an electrode with the adjacent layer. The stack was mounted on a sealed chamber and energized at varied electric fields while regulated pressure was applied to the interior chamber, displacing the diaphragm. The pressure-volume properties of the stacks were recorded for each activation state.
Rapid analysis of cobalamin coenzymes and related corrinoid analogs by high-performance liquid chromatography

Cobalamin coenzymes and a series of related corrinoid analogs have been analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography on reverse-phase C8 and C18 columns using both isocratic and gradient elution systems and 254-nm absorbance detection. In the isocratic mode, retention times for sulfitocobalamin, cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, and aquacobalamin on a LiChrosorb C8 column were 1.1, 1.6, 2.2, 2.9, and 4.7 min, respectively. In the gradient mode, corresponding retention times were 9.7, 10.2, 12.8, 11.4, and 9.0 min. Closely related structural analogs of adenosylcobalamin such as 1,N6-ethenoadenosylcobalamin, formycinylcobalamin, and 2,6-diaminonebularinylcobalamin were clearly resolved from naturally occurring cobalamins by isocratic elution. In the gradient system, the order of elution of cobalamins was related to the hydrophobicity of the upper-axial ligand. This was demonstrated by determining the retention times of aminoalkylcobalamin homologs (C2, 9.8; C3, 10.5; C5, 11.2; C8, 12.8; and C11, 14.9 min). The usefulness of this method was demonstrated by analyzing 57Co-labeled cobalamins present in extracts of Lactobacillus leichmannii and murine leukemia L1210 cells.
Nitric oxide donor-induced increase in permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

Abstract The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of nitric oxide (NO) donors on the permeability of the blood–brain barrier in vivo. We examined the pial microcirculation in rats using intravital fluorescence microscopy. Permeability of the blood–brain barrier was quantitated by calculating the clearance of fluorescent-labeled dextran (Mw=10 000 Da; FITC–dextran-10K) during suffusion with vehicle, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; 100 μM) and 3-morpholinosydnonimin (SIN-1; 100 μM). In addition, we examined changes in arteriolar diameter during suffusion with vehicle, SNAP and SIN-1. During suffusion with vehicle, clearance of FITC–dextran-10K from pial vessels and diameter of pial arterioles remained relatively constant during the experimental period. In contrast, suffusion with SNAP or SIN-1 markedly increased clearance of FITC–dextran-10K from the cerebral microcirculation and produced a rapid, sustained dilatation of pial arterioles. Thus, NO donors increase the permeability of the blood–brain barrier and produce pronounced dilatation of cerebral arterioles. In light of evidence suggesting that NO donors may produce their effect by the simultaneous release of NO and superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite, we elected to examine the role of superoxide anion in increases in permeability of the blood–brain barrier in response to SNAP and SIN-1. We found that suffusion with tiron (1 mM) did not alter basal permeability of the blood–brain barrier, but significantly inhibited increases in permeability of the blood–brain barrier in response to SNAP and SIN-1. In addition, tiron did not alter baseline diameter of cerebral arterioles, or SNAP- and SIN-1-induced cerebrovasodilatation. The findings of the present study suggest that NO donors produce an increase in permeability of the blood–brain barrier which appears to be related to the presence of NO and superoxide anion, to presumably form peroxynitrite. We suggest that increases in NO formation observed during brain trauma may contribute to disruption of the blood–brain barrier.
Children's memory for a personally experienced event: Implications for testimony

This study was prompted by an interest in children's abilities to testify in legal settings. Based on the fundamental premise that children cannot provide accurate testimony about events that cannot be remembered, this investigation focused on 3- and 6-year-olds' memory of a salient, personally experienced event. The event selected was that of a visit to the doctor for a physical examination. Children at both ages remembered most of the features of the check-up at an immediate memory test, although the older children performed somewhat better than younger children. In addition, the performance of the 3-year-olds decreased over delay intervals of 1 and 3 weeks, whereas that of the 6-year-olds remained constant over this period. Moreover, at all assessment points the older children provided more information in response to open-ended general questions than did the younger children. Both groups of children were quite good at giving accurate responses to misleading questions, although the 3-year-olds performed below the level of 6-year-olds. The need for further controlled studies of children's memory capabilities is discussed.
Generalized rational identities and rings with involution

The main goal of this paper is to present the following generalization of a theorem of Desmarais: LetD be a fixed division ring and letE⊇D be a division ring with involution * and with infinite centerC such that (E:C)=∞. ItS is the set of all 2m-tuples of the form (a1,a2, ...,am,a1*,a2*, ...,am*),ai∈E, then any generalized rational identity (overD) vanishing onS (where defined) must in fact vanish onE2m (where defined). The result follows as a corollary to Bergman's generalization of Amitsur's basic result on rational identities, and for completeness we present Cohn's account of Bergman's result.
Microsomal cytochrome P-450 from the housefly, Musca domestica: Assay and spectral characterization

The effects of assay conditions on spectral characterization of microsomal cytochrome P-450 from insecticide-resistant (Fc) and insecticide-susceptible (CSMA) strains of the housefly, (Musca domestica) were investigated. The specific activity of cytochrome P-450 was higher in microsomes prepared from isolated abdomens than in those from whole flies. Buffers of low molarity (<0·1 M) caused denaturation of cytochrome P-450 and the optimum pH values, in terms of cytochrome P-450 content, were pH 7·0 and 7·2 for microsomes of Fc and CSMA houseflies respectively. Guidelines were established to reduce errors in measurement and interpretation of substrate difference spectra. Cytochrome P-420 did not exhibit normal type I and type II difference spectra, however, its presence in microsomes interfered with the evaluation of the type III difference spectra of ethyl isocyanide and pyridine. Some strain specific differences were noted in the oxidized difference spectra of type I and type II ligands and in those obtained with microsomes pretreated with either NADH or NADPH. Microsomes from neither strain exhibited normal type I difference spectra with benzphetamine in the presence of dithionite. The data obtained are discussed in relation to current methodology used with microsomal cytochrome P-450 from insects and other taxonomic groups.
Cholinesterase (ChE) response and related mortality among birds fed ChE inhibitors.

Patterns of mortality and inhibition of brain and plasma ChE in birds treated with ChE inhibitors were studied in an attempt to determine the validity of using ChE activity as a monitoring and diagnostic technique. Analysis of brain ChE activity proved to be reliable for diagnosing and monitoring effects of selected ChE inhibitors in birds. Brain ChE inhibition exceeding 20% indicated exposure, and inhibition greater than 50% was sufficient for diagnosing cause of death. Individuals that died from dietary exposure to parathion or carbofuran had brain ChE activities below 55% of normal; although individuals could survive with brain ChE activity lower than 50%. Problems associated with collection, storage, and analysis of tissues for ChE activity are discussed.
The biting child syndrome

BITING is a common behavior of preschool children but rarely commented upon in the pediatric or developmental literature. This paper presents two situations in which preschool children bit other children younger than themselves. The children in both situations who did the biting were victims themselves of child abuse. The purpose of this article is to comment upon excessive biting in preschool children and its possible relationship to child abuse.
High-Productivity Software Development with pMatlab

In this paper, we explore the ease of tackling a communication-intensive parallel computing task - namely, the 2D fast Fourier transform (FFT). We start with a simple serial Matlab code, explore in detail a ID parallel FFT, and illustrate how it can be extended to multidimensional FFTs.
6R Instrumented Spatial Linkages for Anatomical Joint Motion Measurement—Part 2: Calibration

The six-revolute-joint instrumented spatial linkage (6R ISL) is often the measurement system of choice for monitoring motion of anatomical joints. However, due to tolerances of the linkage parameters, the system may not be as accurate as desired. A calibration algorithm and associated calibration device have been developed to refine the initial measurements of the ISL's mechanical and electrical parameters so that the measurement of six-degree-of-freedom motion will be most accurate within the workspace of the anatomical joint. The algorithm adjusts the magnitudes of selected linkage parameters to reduce the squared differences between the six known and calculated anatomical position parameters at all the calibration positions. Weighting is permitted so as to obtain a linkage parameter set that is specialized for measuring certain anatomical position parameters. Output of the algorithm includes estimates of the measuring system accuracy. For a particular knee-motion-measuring ISL and calibration device, several interdependent design parameter relationships have been identified. These interdependent relationships are due to the configuration of the ISL and calibration device, the number of calibration positions, and the limited resolution of the devices that monitor the position of the linkage joints. It is shown that if interdependence is not eliminated, then the resulting ISL parameter set will not be accurate in measuring motion outside of the calibration positions, even though these positions are within the ISL workspace.
The effect of a defective BSF layer on solar cell open circuit voltage

A straightforward analysis of special limiting cases has permitted the determination of the range of possible open circuit voltage losses due to a defective BSF (back surface field) layer. An important result of the analysis is the finding that it is possible to have a fully effective BSF region, regardless of the spatial distribution of the defective areas, as long as the total defective area is reduced below certain limits. Distributed defects were found to be much more harmful than lumped defects.
Restriction endonuclease mapping of the Escherichia coli K12 chromosome in the vicinity of the ilv genes.

Abstract We have determined the Eco RI endonuclease fragment map of the λh80d ilv chromosome as well as the Eco RI, Hin dIII and Bam I cleavage patterns of the Escherichia coli chromosome around the ilv genes on F310, F312 and λh80d ilv . Comparison of fragment maps from F-prime ilv DNAs with λh80d ilv DNA shows the orientation of the bacterial genes on the λh80d ilv chromosome. These data, taken together with the results obtained by hybridization of ilv messenger RNA to λh80d ilv DNA digested with strand-specific exonucleases, strongly suggest that the ilvOADGE operon is transcribed from a promoter-proximal ilvE to the ilvO gene. This is opposite to the direction of transcription previously reported. The nature of the cis -dominant operator-like mutations that define ilvO remains to be clarified. Hybridization data obtained with Eco RI fragments of the ilv gene cluster indicate that these fragments may be valuable for studying transcription of the individual ilv operons. A model for the fusion of parental F-prime factors F′- lac att 80 trp (F′ trp /7) and F′- ilv (F16) is proposed in which recombination and inversion of bacterial DNA between the two copies of the F DNA sequences at position 2.8F to 8.5F allows the formation of a λh80d ilv chromosome with the proposed structure.
Improving Performance of CompositeWeb Services Over a Wide Area Network

Performance of distributed applications over a wide area network (WAN) has remained an important issue as WAN conditions change over time. Networking community has employed various approaches to improve application performance by adapting to changes in WAN conditions. Composite web services with components distributed over a WAN pose similar performance problems, however, with a different set of challenges and opportunities to improve. With their unique architecture, these composite web services can be partitioned and orchestrated in a decentralized fashion on a distributed infrastructure. In this paper, we investigate how different topologies generated by decentralized orchestration are affected differently by variations in WAN conditions. We present a system that exploits this and adapts to changes in WAN conditions. The system monitors the availability of network bandwidth, evaluates its effect on the performance of each topology using a performance model based on bandwidth availability, and then selects the optimal topology at runtime. The results from our simulation show that the adaptive system improves performance.
Optimal allocation of bandwidth for minimum battery consumption

In general, a power amplifier utilizes battery energy more efficiently with a higher transmission power. For a given message, a given bandwidth constraint and a given performance constraint, different allocations of the bandwidth among source coding, channel coding and modulation result in different amounts of battery usage. We propose a method to optimize the bandwidth allocation and minimize the battery consumption due to transmission. Our results show that with the optimal allocation, significant reduction in battery consumption can be achieved without sacrificing the system performance.
National Bodies: Robert Southey's Life of Nelson and John Franklin's Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea

This essay investigates the Arctic as an important, if unlikely, location for the formation of a British national and imperial masculinity in the early nineteenth century. Robert Southey's Life of Nelson (1813) established the national naval hero's heroic masculinity as Arctic in origin, revealing the utility of the Arctic in making British character legible. Perceived as unpopulated and "blank," Arctic geography stood in stark contrast to populated, torrid regions of the colonized tropics. The essay concludes with an examination of John Franklin's best-selling Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea (1823). This account of hardship, imperiled bodies, and cannibalism in an uncertain geography would appear to contradict Southey's claims. Yet despite the expedition's failures, Franklin's narrative only augments public perception of the Arctic as a proving ground for a British masculinity uniquely suited to imperial projects.
Medically Complex Home Care and Caregiver Strain

Purpose of the study: To examine (a) whether the content of caregiving tasks (i.e., nursing vs. personal care) contributes to variation in caregivers ’ strain and (b) whether the level of complexity of nursing tasks contributes to variation in strain among caregivers providing help with such tasks. Design and methods: The data came from the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation study conducted in Arkansas, Florida, and New Jersey. The paper analyzes the physical and emotional strain of 1,926 paid American caregivers who helped adult Medicaid recipients with personal and nursing care in the home. Results: Over 80% of home caregivers were providing assistance with nursing care, and over 50% of those were providing help with moderate or high complexity tasks. Caregivers who were providing any type of nursing care reported signifi cantly more strain than caregivers who were providing only personal care. Those providing highly or moderately complex nursing care exhibited more caregiver strain than did those providing low-complexity nursing care. Implications: Medical complexity is an important contributor to caregiver strain. Policymakers should consider medical complexity in the development of practices to assist the caregivers of Medicaid long-term care recipients, especially through consumer-directed supportive service programs.
Errors of retarded and nonretarded subjects by learning stage

Errors committed by retarded and nonretarded Ss on an associative learning task were classified into four types: extralist intrusions (ELIs), omissions (OMs), stimulus intrusions (SIs), and misplaced responses (MPRs). Mean error types were compared over stages of learning. Results indicated a significant interaction between S classification, error type, and stage of learning. S classification differences were evident only in ELIs (first trial block) and MPRs (first and second trial block). Data suggested considerable overlap between task orientation processes and response learning stage.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome in patients referred to orthopedic spine specialists.

Abstract Background context: Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a regional syndrome characterized by pain and reproducible tenderness in the region of the greater trochanter, buttock or lateral thigh that may mimic the symptoms of lumbar nerve root compression. Despite these known features, the diagnosis of GTPS is often missed, and documentation of its prevalence in an orthopedic spine specialty practice is lacking. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of the GTPS in patients referred to a tertiary care orthopedic spine referral center for the evaluation of low back pain, and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with this syndrome. Study design/setting: Retrospective analysis. Patient sample: A total of 247 consecutive patients referred for low back pain from August 1998 through December 2000. Outcome measures: Clinical response to injection, demographic characteristics, physical examination findings, prevalence of GTPS and preexisting diagnostic evaluations. Methods: The diagnosis of GTPS was made based on history and physical examination and was confirmed by response to anesthetic corticosteroid injection. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study group were evaluated. Follow-up data were available at a mean of 8 weeks postinjection (range, 2 to 48 weeks). Results: The prevalence of GTPS was 20.2% (51 of 252). Mean age (54 years) was the same for patients with (range, 25 to 85 years) and without (range, 17 to 85 years) GTPS. Significantly more women than men had GTPS (p
Defect‐Chemical Aspects in the Synthesis of Metallic Conductors La1–xBaxCuO3 (x= 0.0 to 0.5)

Compositions of La1-xBaxCuO3, where x ranges from 0.0 to 0.5, were fired in air, oxygen-enriched air, and oxygen. Studies show that BaO cannot make a solid solution with LaCuO3 without changing the basic structure. The resulting phases, in all attempts, were the binary compounds La2CuO4, La1-xBaxCuO3-δ (x= 0.2 to 0.5), or their mixtures. All samples showed metallic conductivity. Extra oxygen in the reaction atmosphere appeared to encourage the formation of the LaCuO3-based phases of La1-xBaxCuO3-δ (x= 0.2 or 0.5). We provide a defect-chemical and thermodynamical explanation for this observation.
Is the Revolution Over? Gender, Economic, and Professional Parity in Academic Library Leadership Positions

This article examines recent statistics provided by the government and the library profession concerning gender, professional, and economic parity among academic library directors. The results revealed that women now hold the majority of library directorships and that women’s economic compensation in some cases exceeds that of their male counterparts. The author conducted a two-part survey that looked at the gender of chief administrators at Carnegie doctoral/research extensive university libraries, these institutions’ geographical location and funding mechanism, and the libraries’ mission/vision statements and organizational hierarchies. Little difference was found between men and women in almost all areas examined. The findings of Hernon, Powell, and Young, which were published in the January 2002 issue of College & Research Libraries, also were examined. The author asks whether the revolution is indeed over and what it might signify for the profession.
Research Note: Run Silent, Run Deep — Cultural Influences on Organizations in the Far East

There is a continuing debate regarding the extent to which organizations are culture-free or culture bound. A recent article suggests that while cultural factors are important in the growth of organizations, they are less important in terms of structural characteristics. This same article also suggests that Japanese and Chinese organizations share the same basic Confucian culture. We argue here that the Chinese and Japanese cultural traditions have major differences and that these play out in terms of important differences in organizational structure and operations.
Constrained Coding for Hard Decoders

In this chapter, constrained coding is considered in the context of a hard-decision decoder for the error-control code (ECC), such as for a Reed-Solomon code. Section 1. introduces constrained coding. Section 2. describes the problem of error-propagation that occurs when a constrained code is concatenated with an error-control code, and addresses it with a modified concatenation scheme. Section 3. considers lossless compression, a technique for improving modified concatenation. Section 4. provides some examples in magnetic recording. This material has appeared in [FC98] and [FMR00].
SEU parameters and proton-induced upsets

The variation of SEU cross section with incident proton energy and angle of incidence is very sensitive to the thickness of the sensitive volume and the critical charge required for upset. This paper provides a method to determine accurate estimates of these important parameters, the critical charge and the sensitive volume thickness, using simple SEU measurements for a number incident proton energies. >
Intraperitoneal Cefazolin and Ceftazidime Effects on Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cell Release of Cancer Antigen–125

BACKGROUNDIntraperitoneal (IP) cefazolin and ceftazidime are recommended as empiric treatment for peritoneal dialysis (PD)–associated peritonitis. Human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) may be affected by high IP cefazolin and ceftazidime concentrations. Peritoneal dialysate cancer antigen–125 (CA-125) appearance rate can be used to measure HPMC damage.OBJECTIVETo determine whether IP cefazolin and ceftazidime increase peritoneal CA-125 appearance rate.METHODSThe study consisted of 2 phases. In phase I, no antibiotic was administered, and in phase II, patients received IP cefazolin and ceftazidime (15 mg/kg rounded to nearest 100 mg). Phase II occurred immediately after phase I. Each phase used a 4-hour dwell time with 2 L of dextrose 2.5% dialysate. Dialysate samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 hours during each phase. Samples were assayed for CA-125, and CA-125 appearance rate was calculated.RESULTSThirteen patients were recruited (7 men; aged 44.0 ± 16.0 y). The mean ± SD (range) CA-125 d...