cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of electrical resistivity of compositions within the Mo–Si–B ternary system part II: Multi-phase composites

Abstract The temperature dependence of electrical resistivity between 25 and 1500°C was determined for several multiphase composites within the Mo–Si–B system. The electrical behavior of these composites is determined by that of the single phase components and can be characterized as representative of semimetallic behavior. A predictive model for the resistivity of composites based on the properties of the single phase benchmark compounds was developed based on a logarithmic rule-of-mixture relationship. Error values for the model were calculated based on experimental error in the determination of volume fraction, porosity, and resistivity of each phase as a function of temperature. Experimental resistivity values for multiphase compositions within the Mo 5 Si 3 –MoSi 2 , Mo 5 Si 3 B x (T1)–MoB–MoSi 2 , and Mo 5 Si 3 B x –Mo 5 SiB 2 (T2)–Mo 3 Si phase fields are shown to be in good agreement with the model to within one standard deviation.
Problem-based learning in photonics technology education: Assessing student learning

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach whereby students learn course content by collaboratively solving complex real-world problems and reflecting on their experience. Research shows that PBL improves student knowledge and retention, motivation, problem-solving skills, and the ability to skillfully apply knowledge in new situations. One of the challenges with PBL, however, is that real-world problems are typically open-ended with more than one possible solution, which poses a challenge to educators with regard to assessing student performance. In this paper, we describe an approach to assessing student performance in PBL developed by the Photon PBL Project, a three-year National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF-ATE) project in which eight interdisciplinary multimedia PBL “Challenges” were created in collaboration with photonics industry and university partners for use in high school and college math, science and technology courses. Assessment included measures of content knowledge, conceptual knowledge, problem-solving skills, motivation, self-efficacy, and metacognitive ability. Results from pilot testing at four community college photonics technology programs are presented.
Pre-implementation attitudes toward the introduction of robots in a unionized environment

Abstract Anticipatory reactions to the possible introduction of robotics into a unionized automobile plant were studied. Results indicate that early, pre-adoption positive attitudes toward robots are influenced by beliefs that change is needed, that the training environment would be supportive, and that management respects the union's prerogatives. Beliefs that one is personally not ready for change, perceived problems in communication, and beliefs that the union may be too accommodating to management's needs predicted negative attitudes toward the upcoming implementation. The results are discussed in terms of the importance of anticipatory reactions in shaping the effects of interventions later in the implementation process.
On Jonathan Quong’s Sectarian Political Liberalism

Jonathan Quong’s book, Liberalism without Perfection, provides an innovative new defense of political liberalism based on an “internal conception” of the goal of public justification. Quong argues that public justification need merely be addressed to persons who affirm liberal political values, allowing people to be coerced without a public justification if they reject liberal values or their priority over comprehensive values. But, by extensively restricting members of the justificatory public to a highly idealized constituency of liberals, Quong’s political liberalism becomes objectionably sectarian. Coercing citizens without a public justification if they hold non-liberal comprehensive views is no different from the sectarian perfectionist view that people can be coerced without a public justification if they hold false comprehensive views. Quong argues that some degree of sectarianism is unavoidable in formulating a conception of political liberalism. While this may be, I maintain that the internal conception is nonetheless excessively sectarian. To demonstrate this, I develop an attractive competitor conception, the convergence conception, which addresses public justification to a diverse, moderately idealized justificatory public. If convergence is a viable interpretation of political liberalism, I argue, then the internal conception is excessively sectarian.
A particle flux study in the Santa Monica-San Pedro Basin off Los Angeles: particle flux, primary production, and transmissometer survey

In May 1983, two short-term (2.5 d) deployments of sediment traps at 100, 300, and 500 m measured the sinking flux of mass (as dry weight), particulate organic carbon and carbonate carbon in the nearshore basins off Los Angeles. The flux of organic carbon at 100 m depth was about 15% of the mass flux and about 5% of the rate of primary production measured in the surface waters. At 500 m the flux of organic carbon had decreased to about half that at 100 m. Characteristics of the trap collections indicated a large biogenic contribution. In the second deployment, much of this appeared to be the fecal material of the pelagic red crab, Pleuroncodes. The biomass carbon of microorganisms determined by microscopy (exclusive of heterotrophic bacteria) in the surface waters was dominated by nano- and picoplankton size categories. In the sediment trap collections, total microorganism carbon comprised <3% of the carbon flux. A six-month (May–November) sediment trap deployment (500 and 824 m) was also made. The higher mass flux to the deeper of these traps indicates near-bottom transport of resuspended sediments. Near-bottom transport of particles may explain the higher mass fluxes (by a factor of two) reported in two 1977 sediment trap studies in the inner basins, and the higher rate of sediment accumulation previously estimated from analysis of sediments. A transmissometer survey indicated that the concentration of suspended particles in the deep waters of the San Pedro Basin was low during the period of the May trap collections.
Isotope effects in the study of enzymatic phosphoryl transfer reactions

Abstract Protein-tyrosine phosphatases and serine/threonine protein phosphatases utilize very different catalytic machinery to catalyze phosphoryl transfer reactions. Tyrosine is a better leaving group than serine or threonine, having a pKa more than three units lower. Has the difference in the catalytic machinery used by these enzyme families evolved as a result of the difference in the lability of their substrates? Are the transition states for phosphoryl transfer similar for the two classes of enzymes? This review summarizes what has been learned from kinetic isotope effects about the nature of enzymatic phosphoryl transfer, and how the enzymatic mechanisms compare to uncatalyzed phosphoryl transfer reactions.
Calorie restriction, SIRT1 and metabolism: understanding longevity

Calorie restriction (CR) is the only experimental manipulation that is known to extend the lifespan of a number of organisms including yeast, worms, flies, rodents and perhaps non-human primates. In addition, CR has been shown to reduce the incidence of age-related disorders (for example, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders) in mammals. The mechanisms through which this occurs have been unclear. CR induces metabolic changes, improves insulin sensitivity and alters neuroendocrine function in animals. In this review, we summarize recent findings that are beginning to clarify the mechanisms by which CR results in longevity and robust health, which might open new avenues of therapy for diseases of ageing.
Wall-cavity acoustic Green’s function at low mach number

Analytical approximations are developed for the low Mach number, aeroacoustic Green's function for a rectangular or circular cylindrical open cavity in a plane, rigid wall. The formulae can be used to predict the sound radiated into the main flow from a knowledge of the hydrodynamic flow near the cavity. At low Mach numbers the sound is a small by-product of the main flow, whose hydrodynamic properties can first be determined from observation or from a numerical treatment of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Detailed predictions are made of the lowest order, open cavity resonance frequencies, and it is shown how a resonance is excited by the unsteady drag, and also by the lift or drag force experienced by a small bluff body placed in the flow close to the cavity. The cavity resonance frequencies are complex, with imaginary parts depending primarily on radiation damping, which can be sufficiently large for a shallow, open cavity, that a distinct resonance peak is absent from the acoustic spectrum...
Infrared and Raman spectra of pentafluoropropionic acid

Abstract Infrared and Raman spectra have been obtained for CF 3 CF 2 COOH showing the acid to be completely associated in the liquid state at room temperature, but partially dissociated in the vapor state. All the carboxyl group vibrational frequencies differ in the associated and monomeric forms, but all other frequencies are the same in both forms. The stronger hydrogen bonding in this acid as compared to CH 3 COOH indicates group electronegativities in the order of CF 3 >CF 3 CF 2 .
Monitoring resistance spot nugget size by electrode displacement

A high-speed video imaging system was employed to directly measure the electrode displacement of the small scale resistance spot welding (SSRSW) process. This measurement technique was chosen because it eliminates a number of potential error sources inherent in other electrode displacement measuring techniques. Careful observation of the heating and cooling portions of the electrode displacement curves revealed that each is comprised of two identifiable segments. Distinct high-velocity segments of the displacement curves were thought to correspond to solid-liquid phase transitions in the weld nugget, while lower-velocity portions corresponded to thermal expansion or contraction of solid material. It was found that the magnitudes of the high speed portions of the electrode displacement were more closely correlated with the weld nugget thickness than was the overall magnitude of the electrode displacement. Furthermore, all measures of electrode displacement were more closely correlated to weld nugget thickness than to nugget diameter.
Hypersomnias of Central Origin

Hypersomnia related to CNS disorders can be due to a variety of conditions. In this review, we discuss the diagnosis and treatment of narcolepsy with and without cataplexy, idiopathic hypersomnia, recurrent hypersomnia, and related illnesses. Research has provided insight into the underlying etiologies of these disorders, such as the genetic influences on disease development and the fundamental role of hypocretins in narcolepsy. We define the current utility of diagnostic testing, including sleep studies, neuroimaging techniques, and laboratory investigations. New treatment options for hypersomnia are discussed.
Some comments on Allan Bell’s proposed turn to hermeneutics

I offer some comments from the perspective of someone familiar with the work of Paul Ricoeur on Allan Bell’s proposal that discourse studies take a hermeneutic turn drawing on Ricoeur’s idea of an arc of interpretation. I suggest that such a hermeneutic turn would need to be more radical than Bell proposes in that he limits it largely to questions of method, without really addressing how it might affect our understanding of either the object of discourse studies or the goal of such studies. This does raise the question, however, whether discourse studies should be considered a subdiscipline of hermeneutical philosophy.
Professor Juha Nasi: A Professional and Personal Tribute

It is an honor being invited to write this tribute to ProfessorJuha Na¨si (1949–2008), one of our esteemed members ofthe profession whose life ended prematurely due to cancer.In particular, this tribute to Juha Na¨si is in honor of the2008 Stakeholder Mini-Conference that he organized andhosted in Tampere, Finland. However, this event was justone of many for which Juha will be remembered. Juha wasa sociable, innovative, creative, and entrepreneurial indi-vidual. He reached out to many and made numerous pro-fessional and personal friends. Of all the professionalcontacts I have made with professors in other countries,Juha has stood out as a leader in international collabora-tions. He was constantly looking for new ways to bringscholars to his beloved country of Finland and he was anactive participant in conferences and appointments heldelsewhere in the world. Juha was truly a worldwide citizenwho moved freely, frequently, and proﬁciently amongdifference cultures. He will be deeply missed by his manyprofessional contacts that had come to know and care forhim in many ways over the years.Background and AchievementsJuha Mikael Na¨si was born and educated in Finland.According to his Curriculum Vitae, provided to me by hisdear wife, Salme, Juha was born on February 22, 1949 inTampere, Finland. His education included B. Sc. (1971),M. Sc. (1972), Lic. Sc. (1977), and Ph.D. University ofTampere (1979). His major degree disciplines were Man-agement and Marketing. He was married to Salme EliseNa¨si, also a well-known and respected professor, and hadthree children: Ella (1976), Altti (1979), and Anni (1982).His academic career began in 1971 when he was anAssistant of Marketing at the University of Tampere. Laterpositions took him to University of Vaasa, University ofTampere, again, University of Jyva¨skyla¨, and ﬁnally toTampere University of Technology. At the Tampere Uni-versity of Technology, he was Professor of IndustrialManagement (Strategy) and Director of the GeneralExecutive MBA Program at the University of Tampere T visiting professor of management (as amember of Prof. Henry Mintzberg’s team), 1990–1991,McGill University, Montreal, Canada; and, visiting pro-fessor of management at WPI, Worcester, MA, USA,1995–1996.Juha was an exceptionally important person in the livesof graduate students who studied with him and under hissupervision. He was a responsible supervisor of 18 com-pleted dissertations, 13 licentiate theses, and assumed othervital roles during the period of 1980–2008. He acted as apre-reviewer in 21 doctoral dissertations and as an ofﬁcialopponent in 15 dissertations in the management and strat-egy areas. He also evaluated applicants for about 30 pro-fessorships or docent positions at several universities inFinland. His own research and publications were numerousand varied. His total number of publications was 236. Hepublished 21 international refereed journal articles or
Negative Energy Neutron Resonance in Cl 35

The neutron scattering cross section of chlorine has been measured at various energies in the range from 0 to 3000 ev. These data have been fitted to a one-level Breit-Wigner scattering formula. A single real level (i.e., one of negative energy with respect to binding) in ${\mathrm{Cl}}^{36}$ at -75 ev is sufficient to account for the observed slow neutron properties of chlorine.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) syndromes

Idiosyncratic drug reactions are unpredictable reactions that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The causal mechanisms continue to be unclear and be cause of the lack of consensus regarding the definition of these syndromes, reports, and therefore epidemiological data, are often unreliable. Severe idiosyncratic drug reactions are often char acterized by fever and internal organ involvement. They also frequently involve the skin, which amount to less than 5% of the reported drug reactions in hospitalized patients, and probably more than 90% of these are related to an unpredicted effect mediated by a drug that activates the immune response. The clinical presentation is highly variable, from the most common transient and benign erythema that occurs six to nine days after the introduc tion of a new drug in 1% to 3% of users, to the most severe forms that fortunately affect less than 1/10,000 users 1 . In order to establish a common criteria to refer to these entities, the RegiSCAR-group proposed the denomination of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) for the very rare disorders that are severe and often associated with significant morbidity and mortal ity, non-predictable or idiosyncratic, and most frequently caused by drugs 2 . Acute generAlized exAnthemAtous pustulosis (Agep) Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) was described as an entity in the 1980’s as an extensive pustular eruption similar to pustular psoriasis, usually taking place as a drug reaction in patients without a history of psoriasis; the mortality rate has been consistently reported in the medical literature as 5% 3 .
A GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF AQUEOUS ORANGE ESSENCE

SUMMARY– A procedure for direct GLC analysis of orange essence was developed. The procedure uses a Porapak precolumn to separate the water, methanol, acetaldehyde and ethanol from the remainder of the volatile organic constituents of the essence. Determination of the organic material in the essence can be obtained by this method from a 25 μl sample of aqueous essence. The method allows a quantitative estimation of acetaldehyde, methanol and ethanol as well as the smaller amounts of other organic compounds in the essence.
Learning from the gut.

An intestinal peptide that regulates glucose metabolism by stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas is now shown to enhance learning and memory. The peptide can also protect nerve cells in models of neurodegenerative disorders ( pages 1173–1179 ).
No Association between Music Ability and Hand Preference in Children

ABSTRACT Hand preference was studied in 2 groups of children—children with musical ability and children without musical ability—to examine whether particular markers that may connect with handedness patterns, such as bias away from dextrality or mixed-handedness, stabilize during childhood and are associated with musical ability. Children were administered the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory to determine levels of right, left, and mixed handedness. Results demonstrated no differences in hand preference between both cohorts of children, suggesting the relative independence of musical ability and handedness. However, the inclusion of handedness as a motor marker for musical ability in children in conjunction with other preexisting neurocognitive factors cannot be entirely discounted.
Overexpanding coronal mass ejections at high heliographic latitudes: Observations and simulations

Ulysses observations reveal that most coronal mass ejections (CMES) observed in the solar wind far from the Sun at high heliographic latitudes have large radial widths and are still expanding as they pass the spacecraft. CME radial widths ranging between 0.5 and 2.5 AU have observed at heliocentric distances between 1.4 and 4.6 AU and at latitudes greater than 22 deg. A CME may expand simply because it is ejected from the Sun with a leading edge speed that is greater than its trailing edge speed. Rarefaction waves produced by relative motion between a CME and the surrounding wind also can cause a CME to expand. Finally, a CME may expand because it is ejected into the wind with an internal pressure that is greater than that of the surrounding wind. In the latter case, which we have called 'overexpansion,' the expansion tends to drive compressive waves into the surrounding solar wind; these waves commonly steepen into shocks at large distances from the Sun. The relative importance of these various expansion processes differs from event to event depending upon initial conditions within the CME and the surrounding wind. Using Ulysses observations and a simple one-dimensional, gasdynamic code, we have explored how initial conditions affect the radial evolution of solar wind disturbances associated with overexpanding CMES. We find good qualitative agreement between the results of our simulations and Ulysses observations of such disturbances.
A linear programming model to optimize diets in environmental policy scenarios

The objective was to develop a linear programming model to formulate diets for dairy cattle when environmental policies are present and to examine effects of these policies on diet formulation and dairy cattle nitrogen and mineral excretions as well as methane emissions. The model was developed as a minimum cost diet model. Two types of environmental policies were examined: a tax and a constraint on methane emissions. A tax was incorporated to simulate a greenhouse gas emissions tax policy, and prices of carbon credits in the current carbon markets were attributed to the methane production variable. Three independent runs were made, using carbon dioxide equivalent prices of $5, $17, and $250/t. A constraint was incorporated into the model to simulate the second type of environmental policy, reducing methane emissions by predetermined amounts. The linear programming formulation of this second alternative enabled the calculation of marginal costs of reducing methane emissions. Methane emission and manure production by dairy cows were calculated according to published equations, and nitrogen and mineral excretions were calculated by mass conservation laws. Results were compared with respect to the values generated by a base least-cost model. Current prices of the carbon credit market did not appear onerous enough to have a substantive incentive effect in reducing methane emissions and altering diet costs of our hypothetical dairy herd. However, when emissions of methane were assumed to be reduced by 5, 10, and 13.5% from the base model, total diet costs increased by 5, 19.1, and 48.5%, respectively. Either these increased costs would be passed onto the consumer or dairy producers would go out of business. Nitrogen and potassium excretions were increased by 16.5 and 16.7% with a 13.5% reduction in methane emissions from the base model. Imposing methane restrictions would further increase the demand for grains and other human-edible crops, which is not a progressive solution for an industry trying to be sustainable. However, these results might depend on the constraints and inputs used in our model (e.g., feed prices), and more extensive analyses are required before they are used in policy development. The model structure was able to incorporate effects of environmental policies in diet formulation and it can assist dairy producers in meeting limits set by these policies. The model can also assist policy makers examining the effects of policies on the dairy production system.
Control of fear bradycardia in the swamp rabbit, Sylvilagus aquaticus

Abstract 1. 1. Biotelemetry transmitters were surgically implanted into the abdominal cavity of each of 9 mature swamp rabbits, Sylvilagus aquaticus, and the heart rate response to threatening stimuli investigated. 2. 2. Each rabbit tested in the field and under laboratory conditions exhibited a marked bradycardia in response to different threatening stimuli. Onset of this fear bradycardia was rapid and recovery required several minutes. No recovery tachycardia was observed. Mean heart rate values for 40 experiments during pre-stimulus (10 min), stimulus (5 min), and recovery (10 min) periods were 200 ± 6.4, 129 ± 5.6 and 190 ± 4.7 ( X ± SE ) bpm , respectively, in untreated swamp rabbits. Mean bradycardia was 35.5% and the rate of onset was −63 (bpm)/sec (obtained from the slope of line of a least-squares fit of instantaneous heart during the transition from prestimulus to stimulus). 3. 3. Atropine (8.5 mg/kg) was injected 20 min prior to each experiment to block vagal influence of the heart. Fear bradycardia was present in each of 17 experiments, but was reduced to 18.2%. Mean values were 248 ± 13.7, 203 ± 11.6 and 252 ± 13.0 bpm, respectively. The rate of onset of bradycardia was reduced to −5.0 (bpm)/sec. 4. 4. Propranolol (6.3 mg/kg) was given orally 20 min before each experiment. This resulted in 31.7% fear bradycardia with values of 186 ± 11.1, 127 ± 10.4 and 174 ± 9.6 bpm, respectively. Onset was −70.0 (bpm)/sec. Treatment with both propranolol and atropine abolished fear bradycardia (mean values of 229 ± 9.4, 219 ± 10.5 and 228 ± 8.4 bpm). 5. 5. Together these data suggest removal of sympathetic tone in conjunction with increased parasympathetic activity is responsible for fear bradycardia in swamp rabbits, with parasympathetic activity contributing to the rapid onset of the response.
Application of a Third Order Upwind Scheme to Viscous Flow over Clean and Iced Wings

A 3-D compressible Navier-Stokes solver has been developed and applied to 3-D viscous flow over clean and iced wings. This method uses a third order accurate finite volume scheme with flux difference splitting to model the inviscid fluxes, and second order accurate symmetric differences to model the viscous terms. The effects of turbulence are modeled using a Kappa-epsilon model. In the vicinity of the sold walls the kappa and epsilon values are modeled using Gorski's algebraic model. Sampling results are presented for surface pressure distributions, for untapered swept clean and iced wings made of NACA 0012 airfoil sections. The leading edge of these sections is modified using a simulated ice shape. Comparisons with experimental data are given.
Tibiofemoral cartilage contact biomechanics in patients after reconstruction of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament

We investigated the in vivo cartilage contact biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint in patients after reconstruction of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). A dual fluoroscopic and MR imaging technique was used to investigate the cartilage contact biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint during in vivo weight-bearing flexion of the knee in eight patients 6 months following clinically successful reconstruction of an acute isolated ACL rupture. The location of tibiofemoral cartilage contact, size of the contact area, cartilage thickness at the contact area, and magnitude of the cartilage contact deformation of the ACL-reconstructed knees were compared with those previously measured in intact (contralateral) knees and ACL-deficient knees of the same subjects. Contact biomechanics of the tibiofemoral cartilage after ACL reconstruction were similar to those measured in intact knees. However, at lower flexion, the abnormal posterior and lateral shift of cartilage contact location to smaller regions of thinner tibial cartilage that has been described in ACL-deficient knees persisted in ACL-reconstructed knees, resulting in an increase of the magnitude of cartilage contact deformation at those flexion angles. Reconstruction of the ACL restored some of the in vivo cartilage contact biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint to normal. Clinically, recovering anterior knee stability might be insufficient to prevent post-operative cartilage degeneration due to lack of restoration of in vivo cartilage contact biomechanics.
Consuming the Fractured Female: Lessons from MTV's The Real World

Using MTV's popular long-running program The Real World as a case study, this essay examines the interrelationship of the construction and consumption of bodies in an increasingly surveillance-based, commercial, hybrid media culture. This article is part of a larger project that employed a multi-method approach grounded in feminism combining textual data from The Real World with interviews with producers and female fans of The Real World. The author investigates how Real World viewers make sense of the series' claims to the real, using the body as the site of cultural production. Two key frames of bodies on The Real World are identified: the troubled body and the heteronormative body. The analysis is situated among studies of media realism to interrogate the context in which real women today are recreated as the “fractured female” in popular culture. The author argues that scholars should continue in a move toward interdisciplinary approaches that link the cultural with the capital and offers the body as ...
Thymic Peptides Inhibit Nuclear Factor Kappa B Activation in Human T Lymphocytes

AbstractNuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), which has been implicated in the regulation of gene transcription, is essential for the expression of genes controlled by the long terminal repeat of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Studies have shown that reactive oxygen species are involved in signal transduction pathways leading to NF-kB activation. We have reported that calf thymic peptides (TP) protect various cell types from oxidant injury. In this study, we determined the effects of TP on NF-d activation in human T lymphocytes (Jurkat cells) induced by two stimuli: tumor necrosis factor a and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Activated NF-kB in nuclear extracts was measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using 32P-labeled probe. TP consistently exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of NF-kB activation induced by both stimuli. Supershift with specific antibodies to NF-kB subunits confirmed that the inducible retarded bards observed in the EMSA are p6.5-p50 heterodimer of the NF-kB/Rel pr...
X‐short arm deletion gonadal dysgenesis in two siblings due to unique translocation (Xp‐;16p+)

A family demonstrating short arm deletion of the X chromosome as a consequence of X-16 balanced translocation in the mother is reported. The two Xp- sisters exhibit clinical signs of gonadal dysgenesis, while the balanced carriers are phenotypically normal. To our knowledge this represents the only example of both the balanced carrier state for an X translocation and its genetic consequence occurring in the offspring, as well as the involvement of X-16 interchange. Literature data of 37 additional cases of verified X translocations are discussed.
High-density lipoprotein and the acute phase response.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Inflammation and the concomitant acute phase response induce marked changes in the lipoprotein profile, particularly the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. The present review describes the transfer proteins and lipases that remodel HDL and regulate its plasma levels, discusses the changes occurring in their activities during inflammation, and the influence of this altered remodeling on HDL function. The review will also discuss the contribution of the ATP-binding-membrane-cassette transporters to the protective actions of HDL. RECENT FINDINGS Studies using different models showed that remodeling of acute phase HDL in vitro generates pre-beta migrating particles capable of cholesterol efflux. Induction of the acute phase response in humans resulted in a reduction of HDL phospholipids without a change in HDL-cholesterol. However, the capacity of HDL to promote cholesterol efflux ex vivo was impaired. Studies with ATP-binding-membrane-cassette transporter A1 and ATP-binding-membrane-cassette transporter G1 knockout mice demonstrated anti-inflammatory roles for these transporters by virtue of reducing cell-membrane-free cholesterol and lipid raft content, thus attenuating proinflammatory signaling pathways. SUMMARY It is well known that HDL has anti-inflammatory properties that are diminished during inflammation. Acute phase HDL contains serum amyloid A that can be liberated during remodeling by cholesteryl ester transfer protein and secretory phospholipase A2, or other inflammatory factors. The ability of serum amyloid A and apolipoprotein A-I to promote cholesterol efflux may confer protective effects during the acute phase response.
ANTENATAL THERAPY TO MINIMIZE NEONATAL INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE

Periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage is an important problem, resulting in significant mortality and morbidity. Attempts to reduce this complication require an understanding of its pathogenesis. In this chapter a model was proposed, consisting of a series of events resulting in rapid changes of cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure and leading to rupture of the unique fragile vessels of the germinal matrix and intraventricular regions. Understanding the beneficial physiologic changes induced by such agents such as phenobarbital and vitamin K and that such pharmacologic therapy must be started during the antenatal period has resulted in significant reductions of severe grades of IVH. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results using these two drugs alone and in combination. Other potentially beneficial drugs such as indomethacin should be investigated. Although the benefits of such therapy may improve perinatal outcome, the emphasis in our discipline should be the continued attempt to prevent the delivery of these VLBW infants.
Movements of cactus bugs: patch transfers, matrix resistance, and edge permeability

Individual movement is a key process affecting the distribution of animals in heterogeneous landscapes. For specialist species in patchy habitat, a central issue is how dispersal distances are related to landscape structure. We compared dispersal distances for cactus bugs (Chelinidea vittiger) on two naturally fragmented landscapes (≤ 4% suitable habitat) with different matrix structures (i.e., vegetation height of nonsuitable habitat between suitable patches). Using mark-release-recapture studies, we determined that most transfers between cactus patches occurred during the mating season. Dispersal distances were reduced by > 50% on the landscape that had reduced structural connectivity due to relatively high matrix structure and low patch density. An experiment with detailed movement pathways demonstrated that greater matrix structure decreased mean step lengths, reduced directionality, and thus decreased net displacement by > 60%. However, habitat edges between two matrix elements that differed substantially in resistance to movement were completely permeable. Therefore, the difference in distributions of dispersal distances between the two landscapes mainly reflected the average resistance of matrix habitat and not the level of matrix heterogeneity per se. Our study highlights the merits of combining estimates of dispersal distances with insights on mechanisms from detailed movement pathways, and emphasizes the difficulty of treating dispersal distances of species as fixed traits independent of landscape structure.
Statistical Properties of Covariance Tapers

Compactly supported autocovariance functions reduce computations needed for estimation and prediction under Gaussian process models, which are commonly used to model spatial and spatial-temporal data. A critical issue in using such models is the loss in statistical efficiency caused when the true autocovariance function is not compactly supported. Theoretical results indicate the value of specifying the local behavior of the process correctly. One way to obtain a compactly supported autocovariance function that has similar local behavior to an autocovariance function K of interest is to multiply K by some smooth compactly supported autocovariance function, which is called covariance tapering. This work extends previous theoretical results showing that covariance tapering has some asymptotic optimality properties as the number of observations in a fixed and bounded domain increases. However, numerical experiments show that for purposes of parameter estimation, covariance tapering often does not work as wel...
The WSX-1 pathway restrains intestinal T-cell immunity

Mechanisms regulating intestinal T-cell accumulation during inflammation have considerable therapeutic value. In this study, LPS increased Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin A-specific T cells in the gut through induction of IL-12 family members. Mice deficient in IL-12 (p35 2/2 ) favored Th17 differentiation in lamina propria, whereas mice lacking both IL-12 and IL-23 (p40 2/2 ) produced significantly fewer Th17 cells. However, serum analysis revealed that IL-27p28 was much higher and sustained following LPS injection than other IL-12 family cytokines. Strikingly, WSX-1 (IL-27Ra) deficiency resulted in log-fold increases in lamina propria Th17 cells without affecting Th1 numbers. These results may be explained by increased expression of a4b 7o nWSX-1-deficient T cells after immunization. WSX-1-deficient regulatory T cells (Tregs) were also perturbed, producing more IL-17 and less IL-10 than wild-type Tregs. Thus, IL-27 blockade may provide a new pathway to improve mucosal vaccination.
Physiological status of male and female Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) affects mating and grouping behavior.

Because mating may be costly, sexually active males or females are predicted to be in relatively good physiological condition and may preferentially direct their mating behavior toward relatively high-quality mates. We tested this hypothesis in Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica New- man), a pest species in which males and females may be either isolated or in aggregations while feeding on host plants. We examined male size and lipid content and female size and egg load with respect to both their pairing status and whether they were isolated or in aggregations. Males that were paired had the highest lipid levels, and single, isolated males had the lowest. Paired females had the highest egg loads and single, isolated females had the lowest. Neither male nor female size was related to pairing status. Females captured during the times of relatively high pairing frequency (i.e., morning and evening) had higher egg loads than females captured at times of lower pairing frequency (i.e., afternoon). These results suggest that mating and aggregative behaviors in Japanese beetles are dependent on the physiological status of males and the reproductive condition of females.
An optimal modification of a Kalman filter for time scales

The Jones-Tryon Kalman filter, which was implemented in the time scale algorithm TA(NIST), produces time scales with poor short-term stability. A simple reduction of the error covariance matrix allows the filter to produce time scales with good stability at all averaging times, as verified by simulations of clock ensembles.
Roof Coatings for Reducing Warehouse Condensation Potential1

Abstract White ceramic roof coatings were found to be significantly better than galvanized sheet metal in reducing the solar heat gain on roof panels like those used for the roof of a farmers stock peanut warehouse. However, the ceramic coatings were not better than a white acrylic latex paint in reducing solar heat gain. After four years of testing, there was no apparent difference in the durability of the ceramic coatings or paint. The ceramic coatings were reputed to have good thermal insulating properties, but these were not apparent in the study. The maximum mean two-hour temperature during the study occurred on September 14, 1991 with the galvanized control panel reaching a high of 69.3 C. The ceramic coated and painted panels due to their solar radiation reflective properties were approximately 19 C cooler than the galvanized control and approximately 14 C warmer than ambient temperature.
Guest Editorial for the Special Volume On Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

This special volume includes reprints and enlarged versions of papers presented in the International Symposium on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, which took place in Orlando FL, June 23–25. The main objective of UAV’08 was to bring together different groups of qualified representatives from academia, industry, the private sector, government agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Armed Forces, funding agencies, state and local authorities to discuss the current state of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) advances, the anticipated roadmap to their full utilization in military and civilian domains, but also present current obstacles, barriers, bottlenecks and limitations to flying autonomously in civilian space. Of paramount importance was to define needed steps to integrate UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS). Therefore, UAS risk analysis assessment, safety, airworthiness, definition of target levels of safety, desired fatality rates and certification issues were central to the Symposium objectives. Symposium topics included, among others:
Metabolism of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by human cytochrome P450 1A2 and its inhibition by phenethyl isothiocyanate

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a potent tobacco-specific nitrosamine in animals and has been suggested to play a role in human tobacco-related cancers. Our previous study demonstrated that cytochrome P450 (P450) 1A2 catalyzes the formation of 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (keto alcohol) (an alpha-hydroxylation product) from NNK in human liver microsomes. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) inhibits NNK tumorigenesis by blocking the activation of NNK. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition of P450 1A2-catalyzed NNK activation by PEITC. Human P450 1A2 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. In a reconstituted system, P450 1A2 catalyzed the formation of keto alcohol and 4-oxo-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (keto aldehyde) from NNK, with the keto alcohol being the major metabolite. The apparent Km and Vmax values for keto alcohol formation was 380 microM and 1.7 nmol/min/nmol P450, respectively. For the tobacco-specific nitrosamine N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), P450 1A2 catalyzed the formation of the derived 4-hydroxy-4-(3-pyridyl)butyric acid (hydroxy acid),4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyric acid (keto acid) and keto alcohol. In comparison to NNK, NNN had a lower rate of oxidation with P450 1A2. PEITC decreased the formation of the NNK-derived keto alcohol in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 0.14 microM. PEITC was a competitive inhibitor of P450 1A2, exhibiting a Ki value of 0.18 microM. Preincubation of PEITC with NADPH in the reconstituted system resulted in a further decrease (25%) in the catalytic activity of P450 1A2, suggesting that there is a slow metabolism-dependent inhibition of P450 1A2 by PEITC. The formation of keto aldehyde and keto alcohol was inhibited by PEITC in human liver microsomes with IC50 values of 9.5 and 4.6 microM respectively. Methoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity, a marker for P450 1A2, was decreased by PEITC in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 0.34 microM. The results suggest that PEITC itself is a potent inhibitor of P450 1A2 and that a metabolite(s) of PEITC can also inhibit P450 1A2. We conclude that PEITC may be an effective inhibitor of the carcinogenicity or toxicity of chemicals that are activated by P450 1A2.
Fast hopping OFDM and packet-awareness coder design for wireless multimedia delivery

In this paper, the FH-OFDM (fast hopping OFDM) design and its associated packet-awareness channel coder are presented for wireless multimedia. In addition, the effectiveness of the coder over Markov channel model is studied. The simulations show that these proposed techniques can achieve significant performance gains.
Mother's autonomy: impact on the quality of children's healthcare in India

Given the poor condition of children's health in developing countries, this article seeks to examine two hypotheses concerning healthcare for children. First, does mother's autonomy influence the quality of child healthcare and, second, which is related to the first, whether mother's autonomy reduces the apparent gender bias in child healthcare. Using household survey data from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India the article finds that for the most part as the mother's autonomy (measured several different ways) increases, the quality of care for children improves. The results also indicate that gender bias exists in the provision of quality healthcare for children. Male children generally receive better quality care. However, for several measures of female autonomy, an increase in such autonomy reduces the bias. The results of this analysis have important policy implications and provide additional insight into the state of affairs of children's health in rural India.
The Application of a Three-Tier Model of Intervention to Parent Training

A three-tier intervention system was designed for use with parents with preschool children with developmental disabilities to modify parent–child interactions. A single-subject changing-conditions design was used to examine the utility of a three-tier intervention system in reducing negative parenting strategies, increasing positive parenting strategies, and reducing child behavior problems in parent–child dyads (n = 8). The three intervention tiers consisted of (a) self-administered reading material, (b) group training, and (c) individualized video feedback sessions. Parental behavior was observed to determine continuation or termination of intervention. Results support the utility of a tiered model of intervention to maximize treatment outcomes and increase efficiency by minimizing the need for more costly time-intensive interventions for participants who may not require them.
Sleep and memory: a molecular perspective

This review synthesizes data from behavioral studies examining the role of sleep in memory storage with what is known about the molecular mechanisms of memory consolidation. There are striking similarities in the effects on memory storage of post-training pharmacological manipulations and post-training manipulations of sleep. For example, inhibition of protein synthesis is most effective if it occurs at a time post-training when rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is required for memory consolidation. The neurochemical changes that occur across sleep/wake states, especially the cholinergic changes that occur in the hippocampus during REM sleep, might provide a mechanism by which sleep modulates specific cellular signaling pathways involved in hippocampus-dependent memory storage.
The Arabidopsis cold-responsive transcriptome and its regulation by ICE1.

To understand the gene network controlling tolerance to cold stress, we performed an Arabidopsis thaliana genome transcript expression profile using Affymetrix GeneChips that contain ∼24,000 genes. We statistically determined 939 cold-regulated genes with 655 upregulated and 284 downregulated. A large number of early cold-responsive genes encode transcription factors that likely control late-responsive genes, suggesting a multitude of transcriptional cascades. In addition, many genes involved in chromatin level and posttranscriptional regulation were also cold regulated, suggesting their involvement in cold-responsive gene regulation. A number of genes important for the biosynthesis or signaling of plant hormones, such as abscisic acid, gibberellic acid, and auxin, are regulated by cold stress, which is of potential importance in coordinating cold tolerance with growth and development. We compared the cold-responsive transcriptomes of the wild type and inducer of CBF expression 1 (ice1), a mutant defective in an upstream transcription factor required for chilling and freezing tolerance. The transcript levels of many cold-responsive genes were altered in the ice1 mutant not only during cold stress but also before cold treatments. Our study provides a global picture of the Arabidopsis cold-responsive transcriptome and its control by ICE1 and will be valuable for understanding gene regulation under cold stress and the molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance.