cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Development and Factor Structure of the Educational Beliefs Questionnaire.

The purpose of this study was to develop and investigate the construct validity of the self-reporting Educational Beliefs Questionnaire (EBQ). Using the theoretical descriptions of five distinct ed...
Cognitive and physiological markers of emotional awareness in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).

The ability to understand emotion in others is one of the most important factors involved in regulating social interactions in primates. Such emotional awareness functions to coordinate activity among group members, enable the formation of long-lasting individual relationships, and facilitate the pursuit of shared interests. Despite these important evolutionary implications, comparative studies of emotional processing in humans and great apes are practically nonexistent, constituting a major gap in our understanding of the extent to which emotional awareness has played an important role in shaping human behavior and societies. This paper presents the results of two experiments that examine chimpanzees’ responses to emotional stimuli. First, changes in peripheral skin temperature were measured while subjects viewed three categories of emotionally negative video scenes; conspecifics being injected with needles (INJ), darts and needles alone (DART), and conspecific directing agonism towards the veterinarians (CHASE). Second, chimpanzees were required to use facial expressions to categorize emotional video scenes, i.e., favorite food and objects and veterinarian procedures, according to their positive and negative valence. With no prior training, subjects spontaneously matched the emotional videos to conspecific facial expressions according to their shared emotional meaning, indicating that chimpanzee facial expressions are processed emotionally, as are human expressions. Decreases in peripheral skin temperature, indicative of negative sympathetic arousal, were significantly lower when subjects viewed the INJ and DART videos, compared to the CHASE videos, indicating greater negative arousal when viewing conspecifics being injected with needles, and needles themselves, than when viewing conspecifics engaged in general agonism.
Calmodulin mediates sulfur mustard toxicity in human keratinocytes

Abstract Sulfur mustard (SM) causes blisters in the skin through a series of cellular changes that we are beginning to identify. We earlier demonstrated that SM toxicity is the result of induction of both death receptor and mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis in human keratinocytes (KC). Because of its importance in apoptosis in the skin, we tested whether calmodulin (CaM) mediates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway induced by SM. Of the three human CaM genes, the predominant form expressed in KC was CaM1. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis revealed upregulation of CaM expression following SM treatment. To delineate the potential role of CaM1 in the regulation of SM-induced apoptosis, retroviral vectors expressing CaM1 RNA in the antisense (AS) orientation were used to transduce and derive stable CaM1 AS cells, which were then exposed to SM and subjected to immunoblot analysis for expression of apoptotic markers. Proteolytic activation of executioner caspases-3, -6, -7, and the upstream caspase-9, as well as caspase-mediated PARP cleavage were markedly inhibited by CaM1 AS expression. CaM1 AS depletion attenuated SM-induced, but not Fas-induced, proteolytic processing and activation of caspase-3. Whereas control KC exhibited a marked increase in apoptotic nuclear fragmentation after SM, CaM1 AS cells exhibited normal nuclear morphology up to 48 h after SM, indicating that suppression of apoptosis in CaM1 AS cells increases survival and does not shift to a necrotic death. CaM has been shown to activate the phosphatase calcineurin, which can induce apoptosis by Bad dephosphorylation. Interestingly, whereas SM-treated CaM1-depleted KC expressed the phosphorylated non-apoptotic sequestered form of Bad, Bad was present in the hypophosphorylated apoptotic form in SM-exposed control KC. To determine if pharmacological CaM inhibitors could attenuate SM-induced apoptosis via Bad dephosphorylation, KC were pretreated with the CaM-specific antagonist W-13 or its less active structural analogue W-12. Following SM exposure, KC exhibited Bad dephosphorylation, which was inhibited in the presence of W-13, but not with W-12. Consequently, W-13 but not W-12 markedly suppressed SM-induced proteolytic processing and activation of caspase-3, as well as apoptotic nuclear fragmentation. Finally, while the CaM antagonist W-13 and the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A attenuated SM-induced caspase-3 activation, inhibitors for CaM-dependent protein kinase II (KN62 and KN93) did not. These results indicate that CaM, calcineurin, and Bad also play a role in SM-induced apoptosis, and may therefore be targets for therapeutic intervention to reduce SM injury.
Deformities of the renal tract in children with meningomyelocele and hydrocephalus, compared with those of children showing no such central nervous system deformities.

SUMMARY An analysis of deformities of the renal tract in a survey of 4, 500 necropsies in children showed an overall prevalence of renal tract deformities in 7.8 per cent. When the renal tract deformities were analysed in relation to the presence of meningomyeloceles, it was found that the incidence in the latter was 29 per cent. overall, ranging from 25 per cent. at birth to 58 per cent. at between the ages of 3 and 5 years. The types of deformity seen in children with meningomyeloceles are similar to those in children without meningomyelocele but there is an added factor of dilatation deformity developing later.
Hospitality Students and Their Stereotypes: A Pilot Study

In a pilot study identifying the stereotypes of students enrolled in US hospitality pogramms, the authors examined two simple questions: Who or what groups of people are you prejudiced against and why; and who or what groups or people are you biased towards and why? The ifndings uncovered positive and negative beliefs regarding the characteristics, attributes, and behaviors of members of certain groups of people. Suggestions for educators to help reduce the use of stereotypes are included.
Molecular Effects of Anionic Surfactants on Lysozyme Precipitation and Crystallization

Surfactants are used as additives in some protein separations and crystallization procedures, but the mechanism of their action is still poorly understood. By measuring the osmotic second virial coefficients of lysozyme solutions by static light scattering, we show that small amounts of anionic surfactants of varying molecular weight always make the protein−protein interactions in solution more attractive and that both the charge of the headgroup and the length of the hydrophobic tail mediate the interactions. The same surfactants also modify lysozyme crystallization and promote formation of twinned phases with gross morphologies different from those seen in the absence of surfactant, some of which display remarkably structured patterns on a micrometer scale. The surfactant effects are, however, often only kinetic, as the phases obtained initially recrystallize slowly into large stable crystals. These crystals are of excellent X-ray diffraction quality and resolution (up to 1.4 A). Their symmetry, unit ce...
Perforation of the Pneumatic Driveline in Patients Converted to a Portable Driver for the Total Artificial Heart

Purpose With the introduction of portable drivers (PD), patients (pts) with the total artificial heart (TAH) no longer are required to remain tethered to a massive in-hospital driver (IHD). With increased mobility pts may introduce torque and stress the pneumatic drivelines. We examined the incidence of driveline fracture (Fx) in pts on PD. Methods and Materials We conducted a single-center retrospective study of consecutive pts who received a TAH (2006-2012). Baseline characteristics and laboratory data were compared with a chi-squares and independent t-tests. Results Sixty-six pts were implanted with the TAH and 16(24%) were converted to PD. Pts on both drivers were of similar age and body surface area, however PD pts were on support for a longer duration of time (median[range]:216[73–694] vs 75[1–379], P 9 months required repair. [ figure 1 ] The Fx was repaired with mechanical excision in 2 pts and covered with vulcanizing tape in the remaining 3. None of the Fx resulted in death. Conclusions Fx of the pneumatic TAH driveline was observed only in pts converted to the PD. Factors contributing to this potentially fatal complication include increased duration on TAH support and mechanical stress from increased activity and mobility. Durability of the TAH driveline may limit successful long-term support with the device.
The bounded Jacobian approach to nonlinear observer design

This paper presents a new observer design technique for a nonlinear system with a globally (or locally) bounded Jacobian. The approach utilized is to use the mean value theorem to express the nonlinear error dynamics as a convex combination of known matrices with time varying coefficients. The observer gains are then obtained by solving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The developed approach can enable observer design for a large class of differentiable nonlinear systems. Its advantage is that it enables easy observer design for a much wider range of operating conditions compared to linear or Lipschitz observer design methods. The use of the observer design technique is illustrated for estimation of vehicle roll angle in an automotive system involving a complex nonlinearity. The performance of the new observer is shown to be clearly superior to that of a standard Lipschitz observer.
Validity of a low literacy version of the Decisional Conflict Scale

Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the 4-factor low literacy Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS-LL) with men eligible for prostate cancer screening (PCS).
On a problem of C. H. Dowker

It is shown that Con(ZF) implies Con(ZFC + there exists a Dowker filter on ω 2 ). The problem is also considered on higher cardinals.
Increase of carbon cycle feedback with climate sensitivity: results from a coupled climate and carbon cycle model

Coupled climate and carbon cycle modelling studies have shown that the feedback between global warming and the carbon cycle, in particular the terrestrial carbon cycle, could accelerate climate change and result in greater warming. In this paper we investigate the sensitivity of this feedback for year 2100 global warming in the range of 0 to 8 K. Differing climate sensitivities to increased CO 2 content are imposed on the carbon cycle models for the same emissions. Emissions from the SRES A2 scenario are used. We use a fully coupled climate and carbon cycle model, the INtegrated Climate and CArbon model (INCCA), the NCAR/DOE Parallel Climate Model coupled to the IBIS terrestrial biosphere model and a modified OCMIP ocean biogeochemistry model. In our integrated model, for scenarios with year 2100 global warming increasing from 0 to 8 K, land uptake decreases from 47% to 29% of total CO 2 emissions. Due to competing effects, ocean uptake (16%) shows almost no change at all. Atmospheric CO 2 concentration increases are 48% higher in the run with 8 K global climate warming than in the case with no warming. Our results indicate that carbon cycle amplification of climate warming will be greater if there is higher climate sensitivity to increased atmospheric CO 2 content; the carbon cycle feedback factor increases from 1.13 to 1.48 when global warming increases from 3.2 to 8 K. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.2005.00135.x
Immunostaining and transcriptional enhancement of interleukin-1 receptor type I in the rat dental follicle.

Abstract Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) enhances the gene expression of colony-stimulating factor-one (CSF-1) in dental follicle cells. In turn, CSF-1 appears to be a critical molecule in stimulating the cellular events of eruption that require the presence of the follicle. Chronologically, the maximal transcription and translation of CSF-1 in the follicle occurs early postnatally, followed by a decline later. Thus, in this study, immunostaining for the interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) was used to determine if it paralleled the CSF-1 localization and chronology. The results showed that IL-1RI is primarily localized in the dental follicle, with maximal immunostaining early postnatally and a greatly reduced staining by day 10. In conjunction with this, molecules that enhance the gene expression of IL-1α epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor- β 1 , (TGF- β 1 ) were also shown to enhance the expression of IL-1RI, but IL-1α did not increase the gene expression of IL-1RI. After injections of EGF at different times postnatally the mRNA of IL-1RI increased over comparable controls. Between days 2 and 5 the IL-1RI mRNA in the follicle decreased. In combination the results suggest that, as the expression of IL-1α is enhanced in the stellate reticulum either by EGF or TGF- β 1 , these two molecules could also enhance the expression of IL-1RI in the dental follicle such that more receptors would be available to respond to the increased IL-1α secreted. The maximal presence of the receptors (IL-1RI) in the dental follicle early postnatally, followed by their subsequent decline, parallels the rise and fall of CSF-1 in the follicle. Thus, regulation of the IL-1RI and IL-1RI gene expression might be a means of regulating changes in CSF-1 in the follicle.
A Mechanical Comparison of Traditional and Minimally Invasive Acetabular Reamers for Total Hip Arthroplasty

Minimally invasive (MIS) total hip arthroplasty is a recently advanced and popularized technique in orthopaedic surgery. The smaller incision site requires the use of small surgical instruments. The purpose of this study was to perform a biomechanical comparison of the cutting efficiency of traditional acetabular reamers and newly designed minimally invasive reamers for use in total hip arthroplasty. Both types of reamers were tested in two different sample materials, Bonesim™ and RenShape®. This study concluded that the new MIS and the traditional acetabular reamers are comparable in their mechanical performances with respect to the force and torque produced while reaming.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Price discovery for cross-listed firms with foreign IPOs

Abstract We investigate the inter-market return and volatility linkages for an atypical case of firms with foreign IPOs that subsequently cross-listed in their domestic market. In particular, our data set consists of a unique sample of 29 Israeli firms that went public in the US (host market) and then cross-listed in the Israeli market (home market). To estimate the spillover effects, we employ bivariate GARCH models, assuming both constant and dynamic conditional correlation specifications. At the aggregate market level, we find unidirectional mean and volatility spillovers from the US to the Israeli market. For the portfolios of Israeli cross-listed stocks, we report significant spillovers, at both the mean and volatility levels, from the underlying stocks in the Israeli market to their American Depository Receipts (ADRs) but not vice versa. Thus, the home market dominates the host market in the price discovery process in this atypical international cross-listing case, providing new evidence in support of the home bias hypothesis. We also find that external shocks originating from the Middle East peace process have no impact on the conditional correlation between the two markets but external shocks originating from the world and regional markets impact the conditional correlation positively.
Surgical Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Immunocompromised Transplant Patient

Objectives To determine whether iatrogenic immunosuppression used after transplantation infers a poor prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as natural negative immune regulators have been associated with decreased cancer-specific survival from RCC. Methods All patients with a solid organ transplant who underwent radical nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery for nonhereditary sporadic RCC from 1970 to 2003 were identified and retrospectively reviewed. Results We identified 17 patients with surgically treated rcc who also underwent a solid organ transplant: 11 with transplant before RCC and 6 with transplant after RCC. Type of transplant included 9 kidney, 3 heart, 3 liver, 1 kidney and liver, and 1 kidney and pancreas. Tumor pathology included 10 clear-cell RCC and 7 papillary RCC. At the last follow-up 6 patients died at a mean of 5.9 years after nephrectomy. Among the 11 patients still alive, mean follow-up was 7.6 years. Only 1 patient died of RCC. This patient had metastatic clear-cell RCC that was completely resected 8 years before renal transplant. He had a recurrence 2 years post transplant and died 3 years after recurrence. No other patients experienced local or distant disease recurrence. Immunosuppression was decreased in only 2 patients; one secondary to RCC metastases and another for recurrent skin cancer. Conclusions Surgical resection of RCC in transplant patients is associated with a low rate of progression, despite optimal immunosuppression. We recommend surgical resection of low-risk, organ-confined RCC without reduction in immunosuppression in patients with solid organ transplants.
Anomalies and Odd Dimensions

The parity-violating effective action for theories of fermions coupled to external gauge and gravitational fields in odd dimensions is computed exactly. This action is then used to compute gauge and gravitational anomalies in even dimensions. This derivation of the anomalies elucidates the relation of covariant to consistent anomalies as well as the relation between the Abelian anomaly and the non-Abelian anomaly in two lower dimensions.
A hybrid array minimizing the effects of the random weight vector errors in the LMS array and the Applebaum array

A hybrid adaptive array that combines the least mean square-error (LMS) array and the Applebaum array is presented. The array minimizes the effect of the random errors in the weight vectors of the LMS and Applebaum arrays. These weight vectors containing random errors are scaled and combined to yield a novel weight vector. The mean square error (MSE) is used as a measure of performance to derive optimal weighting factors. An algorithm is devised to adjust the weighting factors automatically by an iterative procedure based on the complex LMS algorithm to achieve the optimum weighting factors. It is shown that the hybrid array performs better than the Applebaum array or the LMS array. In addition, it is less sensitive to the random weight vector errors. >
Distribution of initiation factors in cell fractions from mammalian tissues

Abstract Cytosol from ascites cells catalyzed the binding of Phe-tRNA to 40S ribosomal subunits, the synthesis of polyphenylalanine at low concentrations of magnesium, and the translation of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC) RNA by ribosomes reconstituted from subunits. Thus, ascites cytosol contained the mammalian initiation factors M1, M2, and M3; M2 could be removed by precipitation at pH 5. 2. Cytosol from rat liver or from muscle on the other hand contained only M1; the fraction extracted from liver or muscle microsomes with 1 M KCl (salt-wash-fraction) contained M2 as well as M1. There was no translation of EMC RNA even when cytosol from rat muscle or from liver was supplemented with the homologous salt-wash-fraction; thus neither fraction has active M3 for the translation of EMC RNA.
Unhomely spaces and deviant subjectivity: The sociohistorical homelessness of female juvenile offenders

The girls inhabiting the deviant subject position of female juvenile offenders have no home in normalized total social institutions. This paper wonders about and wanders through various historical and contemporary studies "about" female juvenile offenders and discusses the intersections of the unhomely spaces (Bhabha, 1994) that exclude and even abandon those in this subject position. The juvenile female offender seems to be "outside" of culture, existing in an impossibly homeless space. This is vital work to interrupt and complicate the assumptions that limit the spaces of being for the girls studied. Using critical discourse analysis (Fairclough, 1995) and deviant historiography (Terry, 1991) in a hybrid methodology, the discursive spaces of im/possible being will be highlighted. A recent report from the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association highlights the gaps and failures of the system when it comes to girls. By analyzing the intersections of historical discourses constructing the ...
Toward Low-Cost Workload Distribution for Integrated Green Data Centers

This paper aims at maximizing the utilization of green energy and cutting the cost of electricity associated in provisioning computing services across a group of data centers. To this end, we propose the notion of green workload and green service rate, versus brown workload and brown service rate, respectively, to facilitate the separation of green energy utilization maximization and brown energy cost minimization problems. Accordingly, a workload distribution algorithm is designed such that the cost of electricity is reduced as compared with the existing workload distribution schemes.
A Critical View of Urban Literacy: A Case Study of Successful High School English Teachers.

The characteristics of three successful urban-high-school literacy teachers were studied. The primary data were drawn from extended teacher interviews and journals and were triangulated by classroom observations; interviews with principals, parents, and students; and student demographics. Data were analyzed by means of a critical-interpretivist frame in which teachers participated in the creation and confirmation of descriptive “themes.” Findings supported previous research on the characteristics of successful teachers and extended them in several key ways: (1) Successful literacy teachers engage students in literacy practices that are both innovative and meaningful to the students; (2) the success of these teachers is tied to their level of commitment; and (3) level of commitment is related to perceived support from the educational system and voice in educational reform.
Genetic Architecture of Migration-Related Traits in Rainbow and Steelhead Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Although migration plays a critical role in the evolution and diversification of species, relatively little is known of the genetic architecture underlying this life history in any species. Rainbow and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) naturally segregate for both resident and migratory life-history types, respectively, as do other members of the salmonid family of fishes. Using an experimental cross derived from wild resident rainbow and wild migratory steelhead trout from Southeast Alaska and high throughput restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) tag sequencing, we perform a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis to identify the number, position, and relative contribution of genetic effects on a suite of 27 physiological and morphological traits associated with the migratory life history in this species. In total, 37 QTL are localized to 19 unique QTL positions, explaining 4–13.63% of the variation for 19 of the 27 migration-related traits measured. Two chromosomal positions, one on chromosome Omy12 and the other on Omy14 each harbor 7 QTL for migration-related traits, suggesting that these regions could harbor master genetic controls for the migratory life-history tactic in this species. Another QTL region on Omy5 has been implicated in several studies of adaptive life histories within this species and could represent another important locus underlying the migratory life history. We also evaluate whether loci identified in this out-crossed QTL study colocalize to genomic positions previously identified for associations with migration-related traits in a doubled haploid mapping family.
Biosynthesis of the actinomycin chromophore. Influence of α-, 4-, 5-, and 6-methyl-DL-tryptophan on actinomycin synthesis

Actinomycin synthesis by growing cells and washed suspensions of Streptomyces antibioticus was inhibited by α-, 4-, 5-, and 6-methyl-DL-tryptophan: the order of their effectiveness was found to be α- > 4- > 5- > 6-methyl-DL-tryptophan. The inhibition of synthesis observed with α-methyl- and 4-methyltryptophan was readily reversed by L-tryptophan and L-kynurenine; 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid were effective also in reversing the α-methyl analog inhibition. It was concluded that the antimetabolites block antibiotic formation by interfering with the synthesis or metabolism of tryptophan, an important precursor in the biosynthesis of the actinomycin chromophore.
Ammonium and phosphate dynamics in a Virginia salt marsh

Experimental chambers were used in a Virginia salt marsh to partition the tidal flux of dissolved nutrients occurring at the marsh surface and in the water column. On five dates from June to October 1989, six replicate chambers in the short Spartina alterniflora zone were monitored over complete tidal cycles. When reservoir water, used to simulate tidal flooding in the chambers, was initially low in dissolved nutrients, the marsh surface was a source of both ammonium and phosphate to the water column. Calculations of the physical processes of diffusion and advection could not account for total nutrient release from the marsh surface. We hypothesize the primary source of nutrients was organic matter mineralization in surface sediments, which released nutrients into the flooding water column. Assimilation (uptake) of phosphate measured in water-column incubation experiments was nearly equal to phosphate released from the marsh surface. Surface release of ammonium, however, was somewhat greater than water-column uptake. In this salt marsh, benthic production and release of ammonium and phosphate is comparable in magnitude to pelagic consumption, thereby yielding only a small “net” transfer of these nutrients to the estuary.
Surfactant- and Salt-Induced Growth of Normal Sodium Alkyl Sulfate Micelles Well above Their Critical Micelle Concentrations

Time-resolved fluorescence quenching measurements were performed on normal sodium alkyl sulfate micelles, well above their critical micelle concentrations, to determine the functional dependence of the aggregation number on the detergent and added common counterion concentrations. Six members of the sodium alkyl sulfate family with different alkyl chain lengths including octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, and tetradecyl were studied. In all cases, the growth of the aggregates with added salt and surfactant concentrations was found to obey the power law proposed by Quina et al. (J. Phys. Chem. 1995, 99, 17028) namely, NA = κ2 ([Na+aq])γ, where NA is the aggregation number and [Na+aq] is the total counterion concentration in the aqueous phase (supplied by the surfactant and the added salt). The constants κ2 and γ were determined for each of the sodium alkyl sulfates.
Communication Ethics and the Political Realism of Reinhold Niebuhr.

The growing interest in ethics among communication professionals parallels the declining credibility of communication institutions among the public. The preponderance of description of current practices and attitudes together with an emphasis on individual decision making indicate that communication ethics may serve the purpose of image enhancing more than of genuine moral change. Reinhold Niebuhr's concept of justice is applied to advertising as a preliminary case study to illustrate both the need and a reasoning method for normative social ethics in communication.
Tests of stability of multidimensional filters

Novel stability criteria are established, for multidimensional digital and analog filters with rational transfer functions. The criteria generalize and simplify the stability test for two-dimensional digital filters developed by Huang [4], and significantly simplify the corresponding tests of stability of arbitrary multidimensional filters established by Anderson and Jury [6].
Sputtering of tin and gallium-tin clusters

Abstract Tin and gallium-tin clusters have been produced by 4 keV Ar + ion bombardment of polycrystalline tin and the gallium-tin eutectic alloy and analyzed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The sputtered neutral species were photoionized with 193 nm (6.4 eV) excimer laser light. Neutral tin clusters containing up to 10 atoms and mixed gallium-tin clusters Ga ( n − m ) Sn m with n ≤ 4 for the neutrals and n ≤ 3 for the sputtered ionic species have been detected. The measured distributions of mixed clusters with equal nuclearity have been found to be nonstatistical most likely due to significant differences in the ionization efficiencies of clusters with equal nuclearity but different tin content.
Integral Equations for Memory Functions Involving Projection Operators

Kinetic equations for the phase\char22{}space-time correlation functions contain memory functions that involve projection operators. It is shown that these memory functions can be represented by integral equations involving only real-time correlation functions, thereby eliminating the projection operators completely in the kinetic description of correlation functions. The weak-coupling and density expansions of the memory functions have been obtained through these integral equations.
Some comparative toxicologic and pharmacologic effects of dimethyl sulfoxide as a pesticide solvent.

Abstract The acute oral and intraperitoneal toxicities of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl acetamide (DMA), dimethyl formamide (DMF), and propylene glycol (PG), diluted and undiluted, were compared in rats after 24-hour and 5-day periods. The results indicate that DMSO is less toxic than DMA and DMF. The toxicities of DMSO and DMF were unchanged by dilution with water. A delayed toxicity was noted with DMSO, DMA, DMF, and PG by each route. None of these solvents influenced brain cholinesterase activity. Some significant differences in the inhibition of cholinesterase by carbaryl in the various solvents were observed. The acute oral toxicities of thiram, dieldrin, carbaryl, MC-A-600, and parathion were generally similar whether administered in DMSO, in corn oil, or as an aqueous suspension. Some differences in the times of the onset of signs of toxicity were noted. Undiluted DMSO produced a depression of spontaneous motor activity without an effect on hexobarbital sleeping time or the conditioned avoidance response. The depression was abolished by dilution. Because of the low acute toxicity and apparent lack of interaction, DMSO is a useful solvent for studying the effects of pesticides in animals.
Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Urgent Need to Strengthen Prevention Strategies

Prevention and control of gonorrhea is an important public health concern due to the high burden of disease, the recent increase in reported infection rates, and the reproductive and economic consequences of infection. Effective antibiotic treatment is one essential component of an integrated approach to gonorrhea control. Over the past 60 years, however, development of resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae to multiple antimicrobial classes challenges this component of gonorrhea control. An integrated, comprehensive prevention strategy should include enhancement of national and international surveillance systems to monitor antimicrobial resistance and new strategies to maximize the benefit and prolong the utility of antimicrobials, including combination regimens, implementation of screening recommendations for individuals at high risk for infection, and the assurance of prompt and effective treatment for infected persons and their sexual partners. Progress in controlling the epidemic and avoiding a resurgence as treatment options wane will require careful attention to all components of a comprehensive prevention strategy.
Isolation and Characterization of Effector-Loop Mutants of CDC42 in Yeast

The highly conserved small GTPase Cdc42p is a key regulator of cell polarity and cytoskeletal organization in eukaryotic cells. Multiple effectors of Cdc42p have been identified, although it is unclear how their activities are coordinated to produce particular cell behaviors. One strategy used to address the contributions made by different effector pathways downstream of small GTPases has been the use of "effector-loop" mutants of the GTPase that selectively impair only a subset of effector pathways. We now report the generation and preliminary characterization of a set of effector-loop mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC42. These mutants define genetically separable pathways influencing actin or septin organization. We have characterized the phenotypic defects of these mutants and the binding defects of the encoded proteins to known yeast Cdc42p effectors in vitro. The results suggest that these effectors cannot account for the observed phenotypes, and therefore that unknown effectors exist that affect both actin and septin organization. The availability of partial function alleles of CDC42 in a genetically tractable system serves as a useful starting point for genetic approaches to identify such novel effectors.
Genetic Modifier Loci Linked to Intima Formation Induced by Low Flow in the Mouse Carotid

Objective— Previously we found dramatic strain-dependent differences in a low flow model of vascular remodeling. Specifically, intima formation in the left common carotid artery was ≈30-fold greater in SJL compared to C3HeB/Fe (C3H/F) mice. We hypothesized that a few genes control intima formation in response to low flow. A C3H/F and SJL backcross resulted in broad range of N2 intima phenotypes. Methods and Results— Using genome-wide scan we identified two highly significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for intima, Im1 ( i ntima m odifier 1 locus) on chromosome 2 (Chr2; 77.6 cM, LOD=6.4), and Im2 on Chr11 (17 cM, LOD=5.3). One significant QTL Im3 was found on Chr18 (6 cM, LOD=3.0), and two suggestive QTLs (LOD=1.5 and 1.8) were identified on Chr7 and Chr17, respectively. Interestingly, the intima/media ratio trait mapped to the same QTLs as the intima trait. Haplotype mapping predicted 40 candidate genes. Six of these genes contained SNPs that differed between C3H/F and SJL. Conclusions— We have successfully mapped 3 QTLs ( Im1 , Im2 , and Im3 ) that are associated with carotid intima formation in response to low blood flow. These results may be important in identifying genes that influence carotid intima-media thickening and predict cardiovascular disease in humans.
Useful approach for evaluating expert systems

: Evaluation of expert systems is an important step in the knowledge engineering process. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and inferencing mechanisms. However, evaluation, and to a lesser extent, validation, have been slightly overlooked. This paper addresses some of the evaluation techniques that have been used for measuring information systems effectiveness and expert systems effectiveness. Specific attention is focused on the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Expert Choice. The evaluation results of an expert system prototype, called ‘Read’, are discussed via the use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and Expert Choice.
Lek-like mating in white-nosed coatis ( Nasua narica ): socio-ecological correlates of intraspecific variability in mating systems

The mating system displayed by a species or population is a complex result of interactions among many factors, including social organization and resource distribution. Lekking is rare among mammals, and despite decades of research and theoretical debate, there is still little agreement concerning the socio-ecological conditions that give rise to this mating system. This study documents a lek-like mating system in a population of white-nosed coatis Nasua narica : the first such system observed in a carnivore species. Male coatis in Tikal National Park, Guatemala, aggregated around mobile bands of females during the mating season. The males displayed from the forest canopy above the bands, and females ascended to a male's perch when they were ready to mate. Males did not provide resources or parental care. Thus, the mating system, which differed from classic lekking only in the lack of an arena, can be best described as mobile lekking. Male coatis apparently resort to self-advertisement when the large size and large home ranges of female groups make defence of females or resources impractical.
Providing Instructional Leadership--A Principal Challenge.

Filling the role of instructional leader may be the most difficult task a principal faces, says this writer. He ex plains why on the following pages.
Regulation of apoptosis in eicosapentaenoic acid-treated HL-60 cells.

Background Neutrophil apoptosis is an important physiological process in the resolution of pulmonary inflammation. Previous studies have shown that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) increases the rate of apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in HL-60 cells. However, it is not known if the EPA-induced apoptosis involves the lipoxygenase (LO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes or the downstream metabolic products of these enzymes. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of inhibitors LO and COX enzymes on apoptosis, viability, and necrosis in EPA-treated HL-60 cells. Materials and methods Cells were incubated with 50 μ m EPA in the presence of an enzyme inhibitor (1–10 μ m ) for 12 h. Compounds were used to inhibit COX 1 and 2 (ibuprofen), 5-, 12-, 15-LO (NDGA), 12-LO (baicalein), 5-LO (AA-861), and 5-LO activating protein (MK-886). Eicosanoid (0.001–1.0 μ m ) add-back experiments were also conducted; LTB 4 and 5-HETE with 5-LO inhibition and 12-HETE with 12-LO inhibition. Flow cytometry was used to assess apoptosis. Results Inhibition of COX 1 and 2 had no effect on apoptosis. Inhibition of 5-LO and 12-LO significantly increased apoptosis in EPA-treated HL-60 cells. Addition of LTB 4 reduced apoptosis to levels significantly lower than in HL-60 cells treated with EPA alone; 5-HETE and 12-HETE also lowered apoptosis to control levels. Conclusions These data indicate that inhibition of LO, particularly 5-LO, increased apoptosis in EPA-treated HL-60 cells. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that the products of the LO enzymes, particularly LTB 4 , are critical in the regulation of apoptosis in EPA-treated HL-60 cells.
Twenty Years of Public Health Research: Inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Populations

Objectives. This study determined to what extent lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations have been studied over the past 20 years of public health research. Methods. From MEDLINE English-language articles on human subjects published between 1980 and 1999, I identified articles that included LGBT individuals. The abstracts were analyzed with a coding procedure that categorized the content by topic, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Results. LGBT issues were addressed by 3777 articles, or 0.1% of all Medline articles; 61% of the articles were disease-specific, and 85% omitted reference to race/ethnicity. Research unrelated to sexually transmitted diseases addressed lesbians and gay men with similar frequency, whereas bisexual persons were less frequently considered, and the least amount of research focused on transgender individuals. Conclusions. Findings supported that LGBT issues have been neglected by public health research and that research unrelated to sexually transmitted dise...
Photopigments and colour vision in New World monkeys from the family Atelidae.

Most New World monkeys have an X–chromosome opsin gene polymorphism that produces a variety of different colour vision phenotypes. Howler monkeys ( Alouatta ), one of the four genera in the family Atelidae, lack this polymorphism. Instead, they have acquired uniform trichromatic colour vision similar to that of Old World monkeys, apes and people through opsin gene duplication. In order to determine whether closely related monkeys share this arrangement, spectral sensitivity functions that allow inferences about cone pigments were measured for 56 monkeys from two other Atelid genera, spider monkeys ( Ateles ) and woolly monkeys ( Lagothrix ). Unlike howler monkeys, both spider and woolly monkeys are polymorphic for their middle– and long–wavelength cone photopigments. However, they also differ from other polymorphic New World monkeys in having two rather than three possible types of middle– and long–wavelength cone pigments. This feature directly influences the relative numbers of dichromatic and trichromatic monkeys.
Early-life exposure to a herbicide has enduring effects on pathogen-induced mortality.

Exposure to stressors at formative stages in the development of wildlife and humans can have enduring effects on health. Understanding which, when and how stressors cause enduring health effects is crucial because these stressors might then be avoided or mitigated during formative stages to prevent lasting increases in disease susceptibility. Nevertheless, the impact of early-life exposure to stressors on the ability of hosts to resist and tolerate infections has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Here, we show that early-life, 6-day exposure to the herbicide atrazine (mean ± s.e.: 65.9±3.48 µg l−1) increased frog mortality 46 days after atrazine exposure (post-metamorphosis), but only when frogs were challenged with a chytrid fungus implicated in global amphibian declines. Previous atrazine exposure did not affect resistance of infection (fungal load). Rather, early-life exposure to atrazine altered growth and development, which resulted in exposure to chytrid at more susceptible developmental stages and sizes, and reduced tolerance of infection, elevating mortality risk at an equivalent fungal burden to frogs unexposed to atrazine. Moreover, there was no evidence of recovery from atrazine exposure. Hence, reducing early-life exposure of amphibians to atrazine could reduce lasting increases in the risk of mortality from a disease associated with worldwide amphibian declines. More generally, these findings highlight that a better understanding of how stressors cause enduring effects on disease susceptibility could facilitate disease prevention in wildlife and humans, an approach that is often more cost-effective and efficient than reactive medicine.
SEMANTIC NETWORK ARCHITECTURES: AN EVALUATION

Semantic networks as a means for knowledge representation and manipulation are used in many artificial intelligence applications. A number of computer architectures, that have been reported for semantic network processing, are presented in this paper. A novel set of evaluation criteria for such semantic network architectures has been developed. Semantic network processing as well as architectural issues are considered in such evaluation criteria. A study of how the reported architectures meet the requirements of each criterion is presented. This set of evaluation criteria is useful for future designs of machines for semantic networks because of its comprehensive range of issues on semantic networks and architectures.
Tracking colliding cells

The motion of leukocytes is significant in studying the inflammation response of the immune system. In inflammation conditions, some leukocytes slow down and eventually adhere to vessel walls. With many cells moving at a variety of speeds, collisions occur. These collisions result in abrupt changes in the motion and appearance of leukocytes. In this paper, we propose a novel method of tracking multiple cells undergoing collision by modeling the collision states of cells and testing multiple hypotheses of their motion and appearance. We demonstrate the results on in vivo intravital microscopy image sequences. The proposed method results in 20% more accurate cell position and 82% longer tracks than a previous approach.
Is Economic Rationality in the Head

Many economic theorists hold that social institutions can lead otherwise irrational agents to approximate the predictions of traditional rational choice theory. But there is little consensus on how institutions do so. I defend an economic internalist account of the institution-actor relationship by explaining economic rationality as a feature of individuals whose decision-making is aided by institutional structures. This approach, known as the subjective transaction costs theory, represents apparently irrational behavior as a rational response to high subjective transaction costs of thinking and deciding. The theory has two attractive features. First, it reconciles rational choice theory with the increasing body of evidence cataloguing putative errors in economic decision-making. Second, it vindicates the explanatory power of individual choice against externalist challenges; the subjective transaction costs theory keeps economic rationality in the head.
Biomimetic air sampling for detection of low concentrations of molecules and bioagents : LDRD 52744 final report.

Present methods of air sampling for low concentrations of chemicals like explosives and bioagents involve noisy and power hungry collectors with mechanical parts for moving large volumes of air. However there are biological systems that are capable of detecting very low concentrations of molecules with no mechanical moving parts. An example is the silkworm moth antenna which is a highly branched structure where each of 100 branches contains about 200 sensory 'hairs' which have dimensions of 2 microns wide by 100 microns long. The hairs contain about 3000 pores which is where the gas phase molecules enter the aqueous (lymph) phase for detection. Simulations of diffusion of molecules indicate that this 'forest' of hairs is 'designed' to maximize the extraction of the vapor phase molecules. Since typical molecules lose about 4 decades in diffusion constant upon entering the liquid phase, it is important to allow air diffusion to bring the molecule as close to the 'sensor' as possible. The moth acts on concentrations as low as 1000 molecules per cubic cm. (one part in 1e16). A 3-D collection system of these dimensions could be fabricated by micromachining techniques available at Sandia. This LDRD addresses the issues involved with extracting molecules from air onto micromachined structures and then delivering those molecules to microsensors for detection.